FIGHT OR FLIGHT - BOOK REVIEW

Title: Fight Or Flight

Author: Samantha Young

Format: Paperback | Audio Book | E-Book

Pages: 288

Length: 11h15m | Audio Book

Published: 9 October 2018

Publisher: Piatkus

Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5

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Every so often, I pick up a romance novel hoping for that spark—that electric first-meeting, the banter, the tension, the swoony moments that make your heart do somersaults. Unfortunately, Fight or Flight didn’t quite deliver on that front. While it had the setup of a modern enemies-to-lovers story with some promising tension, the overall experience left me more frustrated than fulfilled.

The story follows Ava, a stylish, independent interior designer who’s grounded at the airport and unexpectedly forced to travel alongside Caleb—a surly, arrogant, and (of course) very attractive Scotsman who seems determined to push all her buttons. What begins as a series of antagonistic encounters quickly turns into an unexpected connection, and the two are soon tangled in a complicated, steamy, and emotionally fraught not-quite-relationship.

At first, I was intrigued. I’m a sucker for snarky chemistry and slow-burn attraction, and Ava’s voice was likeable enough to keep me turning the pages. But very quickly, that spark started to fizzle. Caleb’s abrasiveness crossed the line from brooding to just plain rude more times than I could count. And while I’m all for flawed characters, there’s a fine line between tension and toxicity—and this one danced on that line a little too frequently for my taste.

What made it even harder to root for the romance was how often the emotional growth felt rushed or glossed over. There were moments that hinted at depth—both Ava and Caleb have backstories that should have added complexity—but instead of unpacking that trauma with care, the story skimmed the surface. Miscommunication was used more as a crutch than a device, and by the third or fourth emotional whiplash moment, I found myself less invested in their happy ending and more ready to call it a day.

That said, it wasn’t all bad. The writing itself is smooth, and there are glimpses of warmth—especially when Ava interacts with her best friend or in the quieter moments where the tension takes a back seat. I could also see what Samantha Young wanted this story to be: a tale about letting go of fear, trusting love again, and learning to forgive. It just didn’t quite get there for me.

Fight or Flight had potential, but for a romance, I found myself missing the actual romance—the mutual respect, the steady emotional build, the moment when you finally believe the characters see each other. Instead, I got hot-and-cold behaviour, rapid mood swings, and a finale that felt a little too convenient for everything that came before it.

So, if you're looking for something steamy and dramatic and don't mind a love interest who's more gruff than gentlemanly, you might still enjoy this one. But for me, this was more of a bumpy ride than a smooth takeoff.