What do you think?
Rate this book
Julia Hawke #3
Hawke's Flight
Julia Hawke and Penny Stone are finally together. From meeting while Julia was Penny’s writing professor three years ago to where they are now, it’s been a long, complicated (yet sexy) road. But at last, they’re a couple and they’ve never been more in love. Nine months in and the honeymoon is going strong.
But every honeymoon has to end sometime…
And when reality comes knocking, Julia and Penny find that their love is about to be tested. Parents, pasts, careers and love rivals are lining to up to get in the way of the relationship. How will they handle the ambush of problems? Will they figure out how to make it work despite everything the world has to throw at them? Or will they simply keep making the same mistakes that tore them apart before?
But every honeymoon has to end sometime…
And when reality comes knocking, Julia and Penny find that their love is about to be tested. Parents, pasts, careers and love rivals are lining to up to get in the way of the relationship. How will they handle the ambush of problems? Will they figure out how to make it work despite everything the world has to throw at them? Or will they simply keep making the same mistakes that tore them apart before?
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2017
14 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 18, 2017
I stayed up until 4am reading this. West kept me on my toes with the series and I really wanted to see how she'd finish it out. I wasn't disappointed.
I think the third book is the best yet mainly because the author continues to really invest in Julia's character and organically matures the relationship between Penny and Julia in a believable way. Overall, the writing was satisfying and high quality.
This book starts 9 months after the events of book two.
We get to see Julia go further in her introspection and make different choices based on her growth while Penny has room to mature into herself, as well. Like the other books, it's not all happy happy joy joy and we do get a smaller misunderstanding that causes more drama than it should...but, at the same time, I could see these characters actually doing what they did based on their insecurities.
By the end, we really get the sense that Penny and Julia are meant to be together and West gets the characters to a place where, as the reader, we can really root for them, get a dose of the warm fuzzies that eluded us in the other books and finally feel secure in their future.
I particularly appreciated that this author explored a darker situation and initially unlikable main character through the whole series, going full drama. She did a great job.
4.4 stars
Definitely recommend the series.
I think the third book is the best yet mainly because the author continues to really invest in Julia's character and organically matures the relationship between Penny and Julia in a believable way. Overall, the writing was satisfying and high quality.
This book starts 9 months after the events of book two.
We get to see Julia go further in her introspection and make different choices based on her growth while Penny has room to mature into herself, as well. Like the other books, it's not all happy happy joy joy and we do get a smaller misunderstanding that causes more drama than it should...but, at the same time, I could see these characters actually doing what they did based on their insecurities.
By the end, we really get the sense that Penny and Julia are meant to be together and West gets the characters to a place where, as the reader, we can really root for them, get a dose of the warm fuzzies that eluded us in the other books and finally feel secure in their future.
I particularly appreciated that this author explored a darker situation and initially unlikable main character through the whole series, going full drama. She did a great job.
4.4 stars
Definitely recommend the series.
February 13, 2020
"I would always love her. Even if I never saw her after today, I would keep on loving her until I died, most likely. And that was that."
You know how once a couple gets together it gets a bit boring. Julia and Penny did not have that problem. In fact it was the opposite. They have been surprising me from the first book. I am gonna miss them so much.
"We were headed directly into the inferno. And it wouldn’t be easy. But I had hope that this time, we might walk through it hand in hand."
It was one of the most fun will-they-or-won't-they. Finally they did and fought and broke up but then got back together, stronger than ever and I enjoyed every second of it. What a satisfying end to an entertaining and thrilling trilogy.
You know how once a couple gets together it gets a bit boring. Julia and Penny did not have that problem. In fact it was the opposite. They have been surprising me from the first book. I am gonna miss them so much.
"We were headed directly into the inferno. And it wouldn’t be easy. But I had hope that this time, we might walk through it hand in hand."
It was one of the most fun will-they-or-won't-they. Finally they did and fought and broke up but then got back together, stronger than ever and I enjoyed every second of it. What a satisfying end to an entertaining and thrilling trilogy.
August 25, 2017
Buckle up for this bumpy ride.
Once again we meet up with Julia and Penny. The story picks up nine months after the end of book two and it seems the roller coaster that is their relationship after being on an incredible high is about the take an enormous plummet.
As with every relationship sometimes life just gets in the way, which is exactly what happens to Julia and Penny. They each face new obstacles in this story and don't always make right the choices because of wanting to protect the other.
Just like in book one and two the author in this third book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's well paced and stocked full of angst. I just wished it had been longer but i'm fairly sure this is not the end we will be seeing of Julia and Penny as I expect somewhere along the line the author will announce a fourth book. (hopefully) For now this gets 4*
Once again we meet up with Julia and Penny. The story picks up nine months after the end of book two and it seems the roller coaster that is their relationship after being on an incredible high is about the take an enormous plummet.
As with every relationship sometimes life just gets in the way, which is exactly what happens to Julia and Penny. They each face new obstacles in this story and don't always make right the choices because of wanting to protect the other.
Just like in book one and two the author in this third book keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's well paced and stocked full of angst. I just wished it had been longer but i'm fairly sure this is not the end we will be seeing of Julia and Penny as I expect somewhere along the line the author will announce a fourth book. (hopefully) For now this gets 4*
March 5, 2018
This book is brilliantly written. I find myself highlighting passages because I love them so much. And I don't usually do that. But they are just so good, I can't resist.
September 4, 2023
Possibly the least of the 3 novellas making up this singel story. The MCs are misaligned from each other in their relationship and journeys, so this 3rd entry in the series is quite high on the angst scale (which I find I often rush thru to get to the other side).
But the journeys and arcs are clear and distinct, and the resolution for each girl--both individually and collectively--is the highlight of this book, bringing it and the series to a satisfying close 😀.
This series wasn't what I expected (down to me for not reading much of the blurb); it was better. Natasha West is finding her voice and developing her craft here. Better writing and storytelling has come since this series, but the lead characters, their chemistry, their journeys, and the resolution still make this series and enjoyable read 😀.
But the journeys and arcs are clear and distinct, and the resolution for each girl--both individually and collectively--is the highlight of this book, bringing it and the series to a satisfying close 😀.
This series wasn't what I expected (down to me for not reading much of the blurb); it was better. Natasha West is finding her voice and developing her craft here. Better writing and storytelling has come since this series, but the lead characters, their chemistry, their journeys, and the resolution still make this series and enjoyable read 😀.
February 20, 2017
Another great book in the series
I was excited to see another book in the series. Honestly I thought it ended with second one but this one does address new issues so it's not really going in circle per se. I do wish it was a little more flushed out and detailed, depth wise. In the first two books the secondary characters felt like they added a good deal to the development of the characters as well as the story. In this one they felt more like background noise. I still loved it and if there will be another I will await for it excitedly.
I was excited to see another book in the series. Honestly I thought it ended with second one but this one does address new issues so it's not really going in circle per se. I do wish it was a little more flushed out and detailed, depth wise. In the first two books the secondary characters felt like they added a good deal to the development of the characters as well as the story. In this one they felt more like background noise. I still loved it and if there will be another I will await for it excitedly.
November 18, 2018
This is a great continuation of the series. However, I think the author should end it here. Based on their history, I don’t think Julia and Penny can survive another break-up. Plus, I want to have that personal debate with myself whether Julia and Penny will stay together, get married, build a family, have successful careers, etc. A fourth book would only complicate my expectations for Julia and Penny's HEA.
March 15, 2020
Great series. Great characters. My only disappointment was the number of errors all across all three books. Although, in this one the errors were not as bad as the first two books. I don't mind one or two errors but not all through the books.
October 13, 2019
The ending is something that every couple wish for. To try, learn each others and not to forget to love each others ...
The best of the best ....
The best of the best ....
November 30, 2025
Read the whole series in one day and I have to say what a roller coaster ride.
Julia was such a complex character. That opening in the first book was hard to digest but you go over it, it actually gets better-ish.
Though it was frustrating how Julia seems to go back to old habits so easily especially in the 1st and 2nd book, it wasn’t as hard to swallow once you really understand her depth — her motivations. She wasn’t a “good” person, but she wasn’t necessarily bad too. She was nuanced which made her so relatable.
Penny… oh Penny. I have to admit that I had a harder time connecting with Penny’s character. She isn’t as innocent as she was first described, as is apparent in the 1st and 2nd book. But sometimes her naivety esp in the 3rd book was sooo… ugh.
There were a lot of things about this series that made me want to rip my hair off in frustration, and sometimes bc I was repulsed. Some scenes made me question whether they were really necessary but overall, I think all scenes contributed to what the story (and its characters) wanted to convey. In the end, I think it paid off though I’m not gonna lie, the ending didn’t feel like an ending — it felt more like the beginning of the “ending”, you know that 90% mark where the third act conflict was just resolved and every loose threads are slowly being tied up. There could’ve been an epilogue at the very least.
Ngl, the relationship between the 2 MCs didn’t feel so deep. I would have liked to have delved more on the development of Penny and Julia’s relationship during the 1st book — like shown how their relationship was different rather than told. Their relationship spanned a few months but it didn’t feel that way because of the narrated time jumps — so when it went downhill, it still felt shallow even if they said “i love yous”. At least the 2nd book tried to fix that what with them trying to be friends first, but I didn’t think it was enough, which was maybe the point because — when, even after supposedly 9mos together in the 3rd book, they were still easily shaken by all of these obstacles thrown at them. How they gave up without much fighting. Then just when their relationship was just getting at such point where you feel it deepening, the series ended. As I’ve said, there should’ve been more.
Really that’s my point in all this. I need more!
Julia was such a complex character. That opening in the first book was hard to digest but you go over it, it actually gets better-ish.
Though it was frustrating how Julia seems to go back to old habits so easily especially in the 1st and 2nd book, it wasn’t as hard to swallow once you really understand her depth — her motivations. She wasn’t a “good” person, but she wasn’t necessarily bad too. She was nuanced which made her so relatable.
Penny… oh Penny. I have to admit that I had a harder time connecting with Penny’s character. She isn’t as innocent as she was first described, as is apparent in the 1st and 2nd book. But sometimes her naivety esp in the 3rd book was sooo… ugh.
There were a lot of things about this series that made me want to rip my hair off in frustration, and sometimes bc I was repulsed. Some scenes made me question whether they were really necessary but overall, I think all scenes contributed to what the story (and its characters) wanted to convey. In the end, I think it paid off though I’m not gonna lie, the ending didn’t feel like an ending — it felt more like the beginning of the “ending”, you know that 90% mark where the third act conflict was just resolved and every loose threads are slowly being tied up. There could’ve been an epilogue at the very least.
Ngl, the relationship between the 2 MCs didn’t feel so deep. I would have liked to have delved more on the development of Penny and Julia’s relationship during the 1st book — like shown how their relationship was different rather than told. Their relationship spanned a few months but it didn’t feel that way because of the narrated time jumps — so when it went downhill, it still felt shallow even if they said “i love yous”. At least the 2nd book tried to fix that what with them trying to be friends first, but I didn’t think it was enough, which was maybe the point because — when, even after supposedly 9mos together in the 3rd book, they were still easily shaken by all of these obstacles thrown at them. How they gave up without much fighting. Then just when their relationship was just getting at such point where you feel it deepening, the series ended. As I’ve said, there should’ve been more.
Really that’s my point in all this. I need more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2020
Very visceral bit of writing, the narrative has ventured into the réalité of relationships. West was fearless in painting the truth of relationships and it would be a pity if people do not learn from her last page of this novel.
I am incredibly excited for the prospects between Julia and Penny and I wish it could have ventured beyond a trilogy but at the same time it’s a good ending and the story deserves to rest.
Zara is an incredibly weak character and I felt nothing more like lobbing her on the head but there she exist to facilitate penny and Julia.
It is also wonderful that we have an older character maturing way more than the younger one. Thank heavens they did end up back together, I would have been incredibly pissed otherwise.
I am incredibly excited for the prospects between Julia and Penny and I wish it could have ventured beyond a trilogy but at the same time it’s a good ending and the story deserves to rest.
Zara is an incredibly weak character and I felt nothing more like lobbing her on the head but there she exist to facilitate penny and Julia.
It is also wonderful that we have an older character maturing way more than the younger one. Thank heavens they did end up back together, I would have been incredibly pissed otherwise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2018
Moved me
All of these books have seemed so dramatic and yet they haven’t actually felt like meddlesome drama that would normally be in other books. It seems like ridiculous drama, but somehow it managed to seem very real in all these books so far. I genuinely loved this book.
***spoiler***
I really want a book four where they get engaged and plan a wedding while trying to dodge Penny’s mom and her misconceptions of Julia. I’m not the biggest fan of a series because I hate feeling like the story doesn’t end, but I genuinely don’t want this one to end. I want more of Penny and Julia overcoming their flaws and communicating more.
All of these books have seemed so dramatic and yet they haven’t actually felt like meddlesome drama that would normally be in other books. It seems like ridiculous drama, but somehow it managed to seem very real in all these books so far. I genuinely loved this book.
***spoiler***
I really want a book four where they get engaged and plan a wedding while trying to dodge Penny’s mom and her misconceptions of Julia. I’m not the biggest fan of a series because I hate feeling like the story doesn’t end, but I genuinely don’t want this one to end. I want more of Penny and Julia overcoming their flaws and communicating more.
November 24, 2018
🌈PERFECT CONCLUSION🌈
This is a sensitive and empathetic series. And now that I have completed it. Though the final sentence implies more for them to encounter. It my in my opinion that this series doesn't need any other conclusion. Just the knowledge that Julia and Penny; were reunited and committed to each other should be sufficient !😍
This is a sensitive and empathetic series. And now that I have completed it. Though the final sentence implies more for them to encounter. It my in my opinion that this series doesn't need any other conclusion. Just the knowledge that Julia and Penny; were reunited and committed to each other should be sufficient !😍
January 31, 2018
Continuing saga of Julia Hawke and Penny Stone. They struggle with Julia's insecurities, Penny's blossoming career and family issues on both sides. Will these issues strengthen their relationship or tear them apart? Final episode of trilogy.
October 28, 2018
Perfect!
This is a very well written third (and possibly final? I see no mention of another) book in the turbulent lives of Julia and Penny, well developed characters who, at times, moved me to tears during their journey. This entire lesfic series belongs on your must read list.
This is a very well written third (and possibly final? I see no mention of another) book in the turbulent lives of Julia and Penny, well developed characters who, at times, moved me to tears during their journey. This entire lesfic series belongs on your must read list.
October 20, 2020
Great read. Read all three books and was impressed with the characters interactions. Real page turner. Julia Hawke was looking for love in all the wrong places until she found Penny Stone. Enjoyed the series. So what's next for these two lovers?
March 21, 2019
I do...
I do love this series. Sometimes I want to kick Julia in the butt but overall it's a very good story. Well worth reading!
I do love this series. Sometimes I want to kick Julia in the butt but overall it's a very good story. Well worth reading!
July 27, 2020
A must read.
I love the first two books and I wasn't disappointed at all with this one. I hope there will be more with Julia and Penny.
I love the first two books and I wasn't disappointed at all with this one. I hope there will be more with Julia and Penny.
March 25, 2021
I love this trilogy, but, like many of the books I read, there are grammatical & typographical errors. These are annoying, but don’t dampen my appreciation for the writing & the story.
September 27, 2021
Enjoyable shorter story series
Penny and Julia continue to have turbulent lives that put pressure on their relationship. Can love beat all of the odds against them?
Penny and Julia continue to have turbulent lives that put pressure on their relationship. Can love beat all of the odds against them?
January 7, 2023
Simply put, I really enjoyed this series and I loved how the characters matured from book 1. The growth was believable and Natasha West made Julia Hawke a character to root for.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews