Title: Afraid to Fly
Author: S.L. Jennings
First published May 25, 2015
292 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.12
Overview
Meet Rachel, a girl who has been living in constant fear ever since she can remember. Her past haunts her every waking moment, making it impossible for her to feel safe and secure.
She has always been afraid to fly – both literally and metaphorically. But when she meets the charming and flirtatious Dominic Trevino, also known as Dirty Dom, everything changes.
Despite his reputation, Rachel can’t help but feel drawn to him. And as they grow closer, she discovers that there is more to Dom than meets the eye.
As Rachel learns to trust Dom, she opens up about her own past and together they begin to heal each other’s wounds. But just as they start to believe that they can overcome anything, Rachel’s past catches up with her, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built.
Will Rachel be able to face her fears and save their relationship? From the author of New York Times bestseller, Fear of Falling, comes a powerful story of love, healing, and the courage to fly.
About the Author
Meet S.L. Jennings, a military wife to her high school sweetheart and a mom of three rambunctious boys. She’s also a bestselling author, known for her contemporary and paranormal romance books.
When she’s not swooning over her literary crushes, you might find her enjoying the company of her favorite fictional characters at indie bookstores or savoring a Bloody Mary at her go-to brunch spot in Spokane, Washington. S.L. Jennings is a self-proclaimed food connoisseur, makeup enthusiast, and lover of anything that sparkles or glitters.
Editoral Review
S.L. Jennings’ Afraid to Fly is a novel that explores difficult themes such as trauma, addiction, and the fear of flying. Published in 2015, it is a work of contemporary fiction that delves into the complex inner lives of its characters.
The book’s narrative style is direct and deeply introspective, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the experiences of the characters. At the heart of the novel is protagonist, Samantha Summers, an Olympic gold medalist struggling with addiction and PTSD from her past experiences.
After a devastating incident on a flight, she enrolls in an intense rehabilitation program that transforms her life. Along the way, she meets sexy, rugged former pilot Jake who becomes an important love interest in her life.
The setting of the book is primarily in the rehabilitation facility where Samantha attends treatment. The author’s writing creates the atmosphere of the institution as well as the individual isolation and suffering of the characters.
The themes of the book touch upon important issues that impact our society such as domestic violence, PTSD, and addiction. Afraid to Fly is Jennings’ second novel and as such it shows her talent for crafting a narrative that flows beautifully.
However, the pacing of the novel is a bit uneven and the transition between certain scenes could have been smoother. Additionally, some readers may find Samantha’s struggles to be somewhat repetitive, though this is fitting for the topic of trauma and addiction.
The strength of this novel lies in its raw portrayal of the suffering that people with addiction and PTSD can experience in their everyday lives. It highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit, making the characters’ struggles all the more heroic.
Jennings masterfully develops the characters’ emotional arcs, building to a satisfying climax that stays with the reader long after the book has ended. Afraid to Fly is closely related to the topics of mental health and the far-reaching effects of trauma.
It is a valuable work for those who wish to better understand these topics or themselves. For those seeking a gripping, impactful read that delves deeply into the human psyche, Afraid to Fly is worth the read.
The intensity and beauty of Jennings’ writing make this a memorable book, and I rate it as 4 out of 5 stars.
