Read an excerpt from Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan

As a seasoned traveler myself, I can wholeheartedly affirm that Noué Kirwan has truly captured the essence of airport encounters and the unique dynamics they can forge between two individuals. The scene where Ridley waits for Lanie at the airport, not just running into her but deliberately seeking her out, is a testament to his thoughtfulness and their growing bond – a connection that seems to defy the impersonal atmosphere of airports.

As a dedicated romance reader, I can tell you it’s a never-ending quest to keep up with all the fantastic new releases flooding the market. It’s like being a frequent flier, always on the lookout for the next great read that’ll take me to new emotional heights.

In terms of Noué Kirwan’s second novel, it centers around themes such as timing, organization, and personal decision-making. Although classified as a romance, “Frequent Fliers” predominantly explores the lives and relationships of its main characters, Lanie and Ridley.

If my interest piqued upon seeing the cover of this book, I suspect yours does too. For those who might require a little more persuasion, we’ve included a sample chapter that should inspire you to grab this book without hesitation.

I appreciate Noué Kirwan and Harlequin for sharing this passage with me, and I hope it sparks your interest enough to read the entire book, just like it did for me.

Read an excerpt from Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan.

In this part of the book, we find ourselves tagging along with Lanie as she hops from one place to another, assisting in the planning of her cousin’s wedding to her closest friend. If you sense a touch of excitement and intrigue, it’s not your imagination – it’s very much real! But I won’t spoil anything for you, so let me skip to the point: Here’s a glimpse into the story titled “Frequent Fliers.”

On her way to the boarding gate, Lanie could sense the strain of meticulously handling all aspects of Gemma’s wedding had become overwhelming. For weeks now, her mind had been preoccupied with it—the perfectionist within her, a trait she often fought to suppress, had surfaced forcefully. If she didn’t change course, she wouldn’t even find time to eat. In fact, she hadn’t eaten anything today, realizing this as her growling stomach made its presence known. It was then that she understood she needed to return home. With a quick-grab sandwich from the store in hand, she reached her usual departure gate, always finding comfort in being the first one there. She was by herself.

As I navigated through the gaming realm, I stumbled upon an unexpected companion – another gamer sitting neatly beside the entrance gate, practically facing the customer support desk.

Lanie stopped midstride, dumbstruck.

She hadn’t realized how long she had been standing on the concourse, staring in disbelief as people moved around her. Upon approaching, it became clear that the individual was sitting solitarily with a roller bag, leisurely reading a newspaper and sipping from a paper cup. To her surprise, it turned out to be Ridley.

As I cautiously stepped closer, my eyes widened in disbelief. “Ridley? But you were supposed to be in New York!” I exclaimed, scanning the surroundings for any signs of familiarity.

He placed the newspaper on his thighs and glanced around. Pushing up his tortoiseshell glasses, he looked at her, seemingly surprised by her presence. “Hello,” he said, querying her well-being. A single coffee cup sat on the seat beside him, which he took out and offered to her as she indicated agreement.

She picked it up, perplexed, then carefully removed the lid to inspect its contents. A delightful aroma of coffee beans, hazelnut, caramel, and toffee sauce wafted towards her nose. She took a taste. “Oh, it’s still warm!” she exclaimed, sounding like a spell had been cast. She sighed with relief, coming close to sitting down next to him. “What brings you here?” she asked.

“I told you I was coming in this morning.”

“Yes, but that was this morning.” She checked her phone. “It’s twelve p.m.”

Absolutely, it strikes me that there’s a significant amount of productivity in the tranquil atmosphere of airport lounge clubs.

“Did you make it to the Trans-Continental lounge?” The fact that she found herself slightly impressed by this indicates that she’s already adapting to the unique culture of the airline.

“Apparently, since I flew business class today, I was eligible.” He shrugged.

“Ridley, what are you doing here?”

As a gamer, it struck me as quite an unlikely twist of fate that I showed up on the very day you were leaving, and we didn’t cross paths. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing that a chance encounter could have made all the difference.

Okay, that is sweet. She’d dated men who’d done less. “But three hours, Ridley?”

“What’s three hours between friends?” His face was still incongruously serious.

She hemmed while he continued.

“Didn’t you mention that it’s unfortunate we won’t get to see each other? And didn’t you express dislike for having to spend time at the airport on your own with no activities?”

1. Up until then, he had been truthful. She gave an affirmative nod. Throughout their ongoing text conversations, there might have been instances where she may have spoken in a less than honest manner.

“Seriously, Ridley, aren’t you tired? Don’t you need to get home to your daughter?”

Lanie noticed a subtle change in his expression, furrowing his brows slightly and taking a step back. It wasn’t until this moment that she recognized they had been inching closer, their shoulders almost brushing. Instantly, she felt remorse for her words, yearning to draw him nearer once more, captivated by the allure of his bergamot-and-vetiver fragrance.

He shook his head. “She has athletics all afternoon.”

Lanie wasn’t sure she understood what that meant.

His eyes roamed her face. “Track and field?”

Lanie made a small O shape with her mouth.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I can tell you that time management is crucial when it comes to gaming sessions. Knowing when your partner won’t be home gives you the perfect opportunity to dive into your virtual world without interruptions. I remember one such instance where I was able to play for hours on end because she had plans with friends. It was a glorious feeling, being able to immerse myself completely in the game and lose track of time. So, hearing that she won’t be home until six-ish fills me with anticipation and excitement, as I can already envision the hours of uninterrupted gaming ahead. And let me tell you, it brings back memories of the last time I looked at her like that, right before I kissed her. The rush of adrenaline from both gaming and romance is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

“A-and your work?”

“Lanie, a hint of an eyebrow raised behind his spectacles. ‘Are you suggesting I leave? It might be quicker if you simply say so, instead of listing every supposed task on my day’s agenda.'”

Lanie found herself momentarily tongue-tied. With the aid of his glasses, the intricate patterns of his deep-brown eyes seemed to glow under the light coming from the large window nearby. The warm, cognac-colored depths of his eyes exerted a powerful pull on her, reminiscent of a tractor beam in a science fiction story.

“Lanie?”

“Apologies for any misunderstanding, but initially, I thought you had more important matters to attend to than serendipitously meeting me here at the airport.”

“Were we just happening to meet? It seems more like I’ve been waiting for you, not stumbling upon you.” He squinted, scrutinizing her features as if searching for a clue.

Upon hearing those words, my heart raced just like an unruly carriage speeding around Central Park, bounding exuberantly, as if a startled steed escaping its tether.

He didn’t mean it like that, he didn’t mean it like that. He did not mean it like that, Melanie!

“You shared your travel details with me, didn’t you?” He maintained his usual expressionless delivery. But then he seemed to tense up. “Hold on, did I really say that? It sounded strange. Oh my goodness.” Ridley looked surprised, as if he was just realizing the implications.

She barked out an awkward laugh, and sniffled, nodding. “I mean…”

As someone who has spent countless hours waiting at airports, I can empathize with the discomfort that comes with it. I remember the days when we could sit at the gate and bid farewell to our loved ones, making the parting less harsh. It’s a bittersweet memory, isn’t it? Now, considering that you’re departing and I’m arriving, I thought it would be a nice gesture if we could replicate that moment, even in a small way. However, I understand if my suggestion seems outdated to someone as young as yourself. After all, times have changed, and so has the way we say goodbye.

Lanie let out a laugh, gently patting him on the arm. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. And thank you, that was truly a wonderful gesture.”

It’s clear that this supports my argument that it makes an excellent choice for a holiday or airport reading material. Moreover, Ridley’s sweet gesture of getting Lanie a hot coffee at the airport is quite romantic. This scene beautifully illustrates their relationship and how their unseen bond continues to strengthen.

If you want to know more, Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan will hit stores on August 13th, 2024.

2024-08-12 15:15

Read an excerpt from Frequent Fliers by Noué Kirwan.

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