During the Flight

A Small Town Hearts Novel

By: Emma Alcott

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

They say joining the Army changes a man...too bad Chris never got the memo. 

Sure, his battle-sculpted body and brooding blue eyes are hotter than asphalt in summer, but he's still every bit the jerk he was before leaving their small town for the military years ago. Pompous. Arrogant. Cocky as hell...and constantly on Warren’s mind. 

It should be easy to ignore him. Straight single dads aren't worth pining over, and straight a--holes even less. If only Warren could stop dreaming about the way it would feel if Chris were to grab him by the hair, rake his teeth down his neck, and - well, you get the point. 

The problem is, Warren’s fantasies aren’t likely to dry up, because something about Chris did change while he was away...and the glint of desire in his eyes when he argues with Warren now? There’s nothing straight about that. 

During the Flight is the hot and hilarious third book in the Small Town Hearts series, but no knowledge of previous books is needed to fall in love with this one.

©2020 Emma Alcott (P)2020 Emma Alcott

A steamy enemies to lovers romance!

This was a sweet enemies to lovers, opposites attract romance. It's quite a steamy one and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Michael Dean has done a commendable job on the audio delivery.
A 5 star listen for me!

Second thoughts deserve a second look.

I f "Enemies to Lovers" is your thing this book During The Flight should be right up your alley. I am a fan of this type of story and when well done can press all the right buttons.
For me During The Flight did jut that. A step above others of this genre, filled with emotion, conflict, and drama, During The Flight takes one on a long and exciting and heartwarming story. I enjoyed this sorry very much such and am happy to recommend this book.

5*****

I found this book because of the narrator who is one of my favorites. I truly enjoyed this enemies to lovers novel. Frustrating, romantic, funny and all around freaking awesomeness. Highly recommend!

Great novel

Love the story, love the narrator, love the writer if it wasn't for the texting parts where the names where constantly repeated was absolutely touching. I laugh, I cry (and I mean sobbing crying). The twist of fate.

HOT and HILARIOUS

Story was both incredibly sexy and hilarious. Narrator brought it to another level. Highly recommend!

New to M/M romance

The story itself could have stood on it’s own without all the graphic sex. Not that I’m against the sex, but it seemed a little bit too much.

Loved it

I really enjoyed this book. There were great charters and a great storyline that kept me engaged thru throughout the whole book. Michael is one of my favorite narrators. Listening to their voice just seems to mellow me out and put a calmness in my mind.

DTF is definitely a NSFW listen: use headphones :)

During the Flight is one smokin’ hot story. Aptly initialed DTF (not sure if that was coincidental but I'm going with it), there are some crazy good steamy scenes fueled by hate (consensual) between two MCs with explosive chemistry. But amazingly, the author was able to weave a love story in with it, and convincingly develop a romance between two characters that vehemently hated each other at the beginning of the book. It’s a tricky balance and I was initially concerned with how the intimate acts performed with such hatred behind it could be consensual, but the writing was considered and careful and makes it very clear that while Chris was initially the aggressor, Warren was very much on board. It is also communicated clearly between the characters during these encounters that consent is always required and no means no - although there wasn’t any “no” being said here. Warren explicitly consented, in many cases he requested. You have to read the type of relationship Chris and Warren have as a type of kink, and I think it comes across very clearly that way. But if you can’t reconcile yourself with this interpretation, then this book is definitely not for you.

This book is not all about the steamy scenes though. There’s an authentic relationship that develops between the two MCs which is rooted in individual personal growth and acceptance of past wrongs and moving forward in a healthy way. There’s angst as well, but just the right amount, and it drives the plot forward to the inevitable HEA. The side characters are given dimension and the dialogue is funny and snarky at times and at others, poignant and loving. Overall, it’s a remarkable balancing act that the author has achieved here.

Michael Dean provides his exceptional narration to the audio. He is one of my favorite narrators for a number of reasons, but the one that is showcased best here is his how he translates the dynamics and mood of a story into his narrating style. This is an aggressive book in tone and in the steamy scenes. Here, his narration has an aggressive undertone to it that matches and helps drive that feeling through the events of the book and the dialogue. It’s a very active, energetic delivery with punchy words, enthusiasm and emphasis. Add to that his typical on point diction, pacing and intonation and you have a next level audiobook. I highly recommend reading this book, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t listen to it too.

Relationships are funny, y’know.

Not funny “ha ha”, but funny in that they’re often strange, frequently in comprehensible. It was amusing to watch the two major characters compete with each other

Her BEST one!!

I seriously laughed so hard I cried!! And then I went and cried from all the feels! And good Lord the sex!! I'm over here fanning myself like a southern Belle it was so hot! Everyone needs to listen to this and just enjoy the heck out of it!

Oh My Life! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

As always, Michael Dean, 'top of the pile'. No one can pull off emotions, multiple voices and Total Hotness like he does.
This story was my favourite by a landslide. Loved all the characters and Holy Hell!! When Warren went to Chris's apartment the first time!!! 😯😯😯 I actually, unashamedly played that 3 times over! as I did other parts of this masterpiece 😆
Now, I'm not 'Just' into Gay Erotic stories, I'm now absolutely Loving the Hate Fking! Damn! why can't we search that one up in a category. I'd be all over it! Well done Emma Allcot. More so for picking the perfect Narrator to bring this story to life. and Then some! 🔥🔥🔥🔥

beautiful story

lovely story brilliantly narrated by micheal dean as usual excellent writing by Emma Alcot first one I've listened to won't be the last

Small town romance at its best

I’m in love with Emma Alcott’s small-town romance series. These books are only connected by the fact they take place in small American towns and the characters don’t overlap so if you land in this one first, you’ll be fine. In fact, this one may be my favorite of all. It packed an emotional wallop I didn’t see coming and plenty of humor to boot – something I’ve come to expect from Ms. Alcott.

Warren spent his entire childhood being bullied by Chris. In retaliation for what he views as the ultimate act, Warren creates an entry to the urban dictionary and uses Chris’ real name. Apparently these entries cannot be altered and when things go viral…well, you can guess.

Chris goes off to serve his country. He also marries and has a wonderful son. Upon the breakdown of his marriage, he moves home to get help from family and friends. Friends including his soon-to-be-ex-sister-in-law. Libby (also known as Liberty) is a great aunt who will, of course, step up and help raise here nephew. Slight problem? Her roommate is Warren and he still hates Chris. So Libby tries to hide things but of course the ruse doesn’t work. The problem? Warren is already falling in love with Chris’ son and it’s becoming increasingly harder to hate the father. Because although time might not heal all wounds, it does allow for some personal growth.

For Chris’ part, he’d never understood Warren’s animosity and the urban dictionary fiasco has been a real thing in his life. He doesn’t want his son to discover the entry and have that form his son’s impression of his younger years.

Slowly, bit by bit, Chris and Warren achieve détente. Helps that they work together. Then comes the phone call when it becomes clear there’s a lot of hate and a lot of repression going on. They come together in a…unique way. Something neither expected. Something that satisfies them both. So they embark on the f#ck buddy relationship but that term doesn’t feel right either. Hate sex is great, but there are heightened emotions. There are higher stakes. There are more than just the two of them.

There is just more.

Then the unthinkable happens and wow, did not see that coming.

This book took me through an emotional roller coaster. I got the trademark Alcott humor I was expecting, I got the warm and fuzzies at the romantic relationship, and I got some amazing side characters who are just loveable.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. And “The Quaker Oats guy is not my Oatie Daddy” is a thing. Just sayin’.

Each book in this series has a different narrator and I was thrilled to see Michael Dean helming this one. He was perfect in everyway and it was another great performance. I really recommend this book.

Should Be Called During The Fight! Lol 😂

During the Flight should really be re-titled During the Fight! This is a real enemies to lovers romance packed to the hilt with lots of kinky hate sex, rough sex and some BDSM that some people may find is not for them. Not me, I loved every minute of it, mainly because of the way Emma Alcott wrote and developed the characters, Warren and Chris, adding in Chris’ adorable son Jack and Warren’s quirky best friend Libby, added interest and fun to the storyline.
I loved the addition of snarky and sexy texts between Warren and Chris, it brings the story very much into the present and the way people communicate these days.
Michael Dean’s narration was excellent as always.

Heart stopping

This book is amazing. I was not only entranced by the enemies to lovers plot, but the narration as well! Warren and Christopher’s dynamic is enjoyable and fun. A perfect fit to this series, and a great standalone.

Fantastic Story, Michael Dean is Perfect!

For me, the enemies to lovers is the most difficult trope to buy. So many authors 'manufacture' these relationships which I just can't believe and then the characters magically fall out of hate and into deep and devoted true love... yeah, right.

Emma Alcott breaks through all the barriers with During the Flight. Enriching the plot with some smoking hot angry sex, and embellished with nicely defined D/s roles, the gradual progression of Chris and Warren's attraction for each other really works. Their mutual hatred is honest and true, and the way they fit back into each others lives is believable and works in this storyline.

Between the emotion, the wealth in the variety of the characters, and (most especially) the graphically erotic scenes in During the Flight, I wouldn't have wanted anyone other than Michael Dean to perform this one for me. No narrator on the planet could sell this one as brilliantly.

Be prepared for something different. During the Flight is not your typical romance novel, but damn, it is so worth it!

Interesting reading!

Warren and Chris' story is somewhat difficult to read because the topic specially for many situations between the characters and some of the BSDM parts, however the good parts helped to make lighter the difficult ones. Mr Dean narration was outstanding and his performance and voice acting made even the most twisted situations very enjoyable. I have conflicting emotions about this book but regardless any of them, this Is simply a brilliantly written, very intense love story.

During the Flight - yasss please!

OMG! This audiobook was nothing like I was expecting - it was so much better. I loved these two. And holy, hotness Batman. I enjoyed this listen so much. Michael Dean did a fantastic job, and I think I'll be looking for some of his new stuff or do some relistens. I want more from this duo!

Super addition

Another winning story by Emma Alcott, Small Town Hearts is a must series to listen too. Had a great time with Warren and Chris, some fun and maybe a little twisted time. Prepare to get invested in the story. Michael Dean did a great job with the narration.
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Narration brings it to another lever

Damn, there is a lot of dislike between Warren and Chris! From at least the last year of highschool that then festers for the years they are apart when Chris leaves town to go into the army. They are reunited when he returns to town with his son, Jack, and Warren's best friend/housemate ends up looking after him as he's her nephew. They do manage to avoid each other for a little while, quite entertaining on Warren's part, but that ends in the abrupt manner of Warren slamming the front door in Chris's face.
A lot of laughing at them from me throughout the whole book but what evolves is some incredible hate sex that neither saw coming and definitely not the possibility of anything more. What happens between them grows and evolves really naturally. Their chemistry is intense and they offer something for the other that they both crave. It's wonderful to read Warren getting what he wants from a partner that he comes to trust so much and Chris is more than happy to wait for Warren to understand what has been there between them all along.
Jack is just adorable and quickly sets about trying to build a friendship between the two men, wanting his dad to have a friend and deciding Warren is the man for the job. You really feel for him with everything that has gone on with his mother before him and Chris move to town. Then there's Libby (best friend/housemate/aunt). On of the most out there and kookie characters I think I've read but also one that shines bright with happiness and love for those around her.
It gets a bit touch and go towards then end, really drawing the MC's feelings to the forefront and showing what's truly important.
Another highly recommended story from this author and the series. I've loved every book so far and can only hope for more. There's been a lot of different tropes so far and they've all made for entertaining reading and I look forward to what may come next.
Michael Dean's narration of During the Flight is so immersive. I really felt what Chris and Warren are feeling throughout the whole book which is a roller-coaster of highs and lows. I love that there have been different narrators for each book in this series as each book is a stand alone and each one brings their own impact to the story.