City professional Olivia Lewis is coming to terms with her latest romantic failure by attempting to throw herself into her work. But with clients suddenly leaving Applewood Financial in their droves it becomes clear that old enemies have decided to strike and Olivia realises that she is losing everything.Meanwhile the world of first-class flight attendant Emily White comes crashing down around … down around her when she loses her job with Crown Airlines. With no income, enormous debts and a broken-hearted five-year-old son she thinks that things can’t get any worse. That is until a blast from the past threatens it all. When a twist of fate brings them together will they finally be able to understand each other?
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What I Think: Olivia is blaming herself so much and I think she shouldn’t. Emily promised to try and understand and she gave up quite abominably, hurting someone who’s only crime was to try and protect those she loved. She’s even changed schedules so she can stay away from Emily as she’s ordered to. But I’m so sad because how do we get her back if we’re running from her? And, are we running successfully if we can’t stop thinking about Emily and Henry? But then disaster strikes and my heart dropped. Please don’t let this be one of those novels where one person passes away and the other learns to not take things for granted because I will be upset enough to chew shells and spit out bullets! Thankfully, it’s not. Olivia is battered and bruised but things didn’t look up until Simon got there and I’m hoping he’ll do what I’m thinking (cue mischievous cackle). But that dimmed as Emily finds her financial support suspended. I know Olivia was out of line but I wish Emily didn’t have so much emotional scarring because that also magnified the problem. Then, as if hurting over Olivia, worry about her job and debts aren’t enough, the grandparents-in-law from hell appear. Lawdess, I’m pissed at her but this girl deserves a break. And now I want to smack the grandparents. Actually, I would love to thrash them both. Isn’t age supposed to come with wisdom? But Henry’s paternal grandparents are spoilt brats with terrible plans hidden behind the request to help when Emily is at her lowest. I don’t care if Olivia has broken bones and is heart hurt. I need her back on her feet back and fast but as Simon finds out, my girl is out of commission for a while. And I couldn’t help laughing and loving the other sides of Olivia that came to the fore. Only to be hit with a shocker as there seems to be a business connection between Olivia and the grandparents from hell. It’s so surprising sometimes how small the world can be because the snowball begins as Emily is unwittingly moved to the enemy camp and Olivia has to battle to save her father’s legacy. The near-miss as they pass within feet of each other made me so tense, yet anticipatory as I kept crossing all crossable limbs in the hopes of having the patience to read it through and not jump to the inevitable meeting. I told you, we need Emily and Henry back and right now Emily needs her knightress, which as adults are wont to do, she doesn’t know yet but Henry does, even though his insistence and words are like sharp cuts to his mother’s heart. And just when I wasn’t expecting it, they met, and I literally dropped my tablet, did a spin, then picked it back up because I had to celebrate the perfection of this meeting and the effect it would have on Emily. Then, I sat back and let the dominoes topple. And Emily has toppled but doesn’t know it yet. Ha! Just when Olivia is broken and about to lose everything, I know Emily will get her back to functional in no time. But Emily never stood a chance. When Olivia went fierce, I felt so proud and satisfied. She is simply magnificent. I can’t believe how Henry’s grandmother can stay silent in the face of her husband’s horrible and heartless behavior. I’m so angry with her because as a mother herself, she should know better. How dare she be mute at such a time? Oh, goddess, I would love to see nemesis catch up with them. But I’m too worried about Olivia’s enemies and Emily’s loss once more. Again, can’t a girl catch a freaking break? Only for the tale to get even more heart-thumping as people begin to decide what side they belong. I’m beginning to feel like there’s a conspiracy against me, starting with my nibling charming and wrapping me around her finger. Why is Henry so adorable? And why is Olivia guardian angel, knightress in shining armor perfect, even when she’s vulnerable? Then when she’s in her element as she begins to take care of business, she’s a damn corporate Valkyrie. I’m so happy for Emily as she finally gets to do what she’s always loved. I got so excited that I couldn’t keep still then I remembered that if I don’t continue work on my WIP, I’ll never know that feeling. I tell you, this Authoress wannabe just got serious! Oh, and I finally got the answer. I mentioned in the first part that I couldn’t decide if I wanted to marry Olivia or be like her. Well, we’re too alike so she can be my bestie. Now, how to go about making oodles of cash…
Verdict? This is a keeper of a tale to remind you to never lose hope. And in the words of Chichi DeVayne, ”never give up!”
Grounded by A.E. Radley is the second of three in her Flight series. She continues to develop greater understanding of Olivia’s character, although never specifically giving any kind of definition to her social uneasiness. It is her ability to give Olivia a voice through her words, that make her such an endearing character. The fact that Olivia struggles with her failure to read the emotions of others, or their response to her “matter of fact” affect and way with words, emphasizes to me her inner desire to be able to reach out…especially to Emily and Henry. I appreciate that the author introduces a character whose social awkwardness is front and center and shows that she is still capable of wanting and deserving loving relationships and family. Finding the right person to listen and see those social limitations not as something toxic but understanding the purpose and intent behind them is Emily’s character. It is the love each woman has for Emily’s son, Henry that becomes the bond that allows Emily to see Olivia as the missing piece of her family. Such a good series.