Review: Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly

★★★★★ #LoveinPlaneSight #LaurenConnolly #NetGalley

Sweet and funny , this is a story not to be missed. Ms. Connolly's writing continues to be better and better. I love her romance stories and will read everything she writes. Love in Plane Sight brings us and center to the love of being in the air. Beth has always wanted to be a pilot. There are unfortunate obstacles in her life that have prevented her from flying. Still, it is a dream and it may just be possible to come true soon.

I loved this story because it comes across as so relatable. Beth is an everyday woman who has run into hard times. She loves her mother and did everything she can make sure she can take care of her mom. When there is only a couple to shoulder the care taking and financials, it is always going to be more difficult. They do say it takes a community and village which is something we seem to be moving away from as a society. And why is that? Not sure if Ms. Connolly meant to bring it up this way, but I like how she introduces a community of flyers who want to help out new pilots. This is how it should be. People who share similar interest coming together for a safe place to enjoy their love of flying.

Beth's entrance to this club is through George, the one who constantly teased her most of her life. Her brother's best friend, is not what she would consider a friend. But when he offers to give her a chance of making her flying dreams come true, beggars can't be choosers. Learning from George is an unexpected pleasure and then it comes crashing down to reality. The reality of how some community are purposely excluding based on unwarranted biases. Now I'm no DEI fanatic beating a drum of checking off skin colour, sex, and age boxes to ensure everything is equitable and inclusive. I am all about choices and including people who want to learn and be part of community of shared interests. To me, that is being inclusive and giving people options. I am also a big proponent of . . . if you can't beat them, join them. And if that doesn't work, don't stay where you are unwanted. In this case, it is a little bit of a mix of both.

Beth is placed in a hard spot due to her training by George as well as their developing love interest. This is a very common theme for all women who have skills. The question is always, "did she sleep her way up?" Especially if she is even mildly pleasant in appearance. Beth is young and the way she and George navigate through this messy conflict is beautiful to witness. The first is to be cognizant of it and for George to find out about it, then respond in the manner he did made my heart soar. Perhaps there is hope for us if we have more George's out in the world.

Suffice to say, I loved the underlying message in this story and it is gently delivered. The romance is exasperating at times, but that is because of George's mixed messages. Recommended to all contemporary romance readers who enjoy brother's best friend and enemies to lovers tropes.

*provided by NetGalley