Flying Solo By Linda Holmes
Flying Solo By Linda Holmes
Closing the book on August…
I found this book so very charming and lovely, partly because it’s based in Maine… and we’re vacationing in Maine right now, which is so fun! And let me tell you, it is just as quaint and beautiful as the story portrays.
Honestly, I told everyone I chatted books with last month to read Flying Solo by Linda Holmes. I adored this sweet story about love in all forms, from family ties, to old bonds, to place and spaces, to first loves… it really was a special story with such a likable heroine (Laurie!) that I found myself rooting for her from page one. And the duck! You guys, who knew I’d also become so attached to a decoy duck. Please tell me I’m not the only one!
I’m excited to hear what you thought and if you loved this quirky, tender story full of big-hearted characters. It had a little bit of everything… life decisions, second chances, mystery and intrigue, loss and longing, first love, and even the cutest little library I could ever imagine. I adored Flying Solo and hope you did too.
About The Author
About The Author
From Linda herself: “I’m a podcast host, novelist, culture critic, radio maker, interviewer, Twitter liker, Twitter fearer, dog owner, former lawyer, one-time college a cappella singer, occasional bread baker, photography dabbler, and very lucky weirdo.”
More about the author and her many talents here!
Definitely give a listen to her podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, especially if you are into all things pop culture, as it serves recommendations and commentary on the buzziest movies, TV, music, books, and more. From lowbrow to highbrow to the stuff in between, the hosts take it all with a shot of cheer.
And did you read her debut novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over? I loved that one, too! And I thought it was so interesting to read how Linda feels about her own books…
On Evvie Drake Starts Over…
“So I really wanted to write something that I’d want to read. I think that’s is a manageable goal for a first novel: Write the thing that you’d really love most to read. With Evvie Drake, I was like, ‘Oh, I would read this book. If someone was writing this book, I would read this book.'”
On Flying Solo…
“I wanted to be able to recognize that you can love and embrace your past, the community where you grew up, and the people who loved you when you were young, and still say, But I also love the life that I made for myself.”
And, of course, some perfectly perfect quotes from each story…
“There is no trouble that a good cup of tea can’t solve.” — Evvie Drake Starts Over
“You don’t have to be single to be independent and you don’t have to be married to be loved.” — Flying Solo
Also, this is a super fun Flying Solo book club kit complete with playlist and Maine blueberry hand pie recipe!
Flying Solo Discussion Questions
I really loved that this book opened the characters to love in so many different ways! Below are a few questions I was thinking about when reading… feel free to answer in the comments below, over on the Ashley Brooke Book Club Instagram or with your IRL bookish friends.
1. I loved the mystery element of this story! Did you have an idea of where the decoy duck was taking us?
2. Calcasset, the charming Maine town, is definitely a main character. Would you say you better relate to Laurie or Nick regarding their thoughts on small town living?
3. How did you feel about Laurie and Nick’s rekindled romance? Did the ending of the book leave you satisfied?
What To Read Next
Next month’s read is the latest installment in one of our very favorite series. Yay! We can’t wait.
As for books with a similar Flying Solo vibe, may we suggest: Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman, Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, and Lost And Found In Paris by Lian Dolan (a previous ABBC pick!).
See you next month! xx
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1. i loved the mystery and intrigue! it added a cool twist to this romance story. i didn’t see the conclusion coming, but i’m glad she kept the duck!
2. i love the idea of a small town. if i had grown up in calcasset, i could see myself leaving for school and for a few years and then returning like nick did.
3. i had the hardest time seeing where these two were going, i just wanted them to be happy and together! i think it was a bittersweet ending, but mainly sweet because they’re creating a life that works for them both.
1. I loved the mystery element of this story! Did you have an idea of where the decoy duck was taking us? From the beginning, I didn’t think it was random her aunt had carefully packed the duck away, but I didn’t see it coming that she was the actual artist.
2. Calcasset, the charming Maine town, is definitely a main character. Would you say you better relate to Laurie or Nick regarding their thoughts on small town living?
I’m definitely more of a small town girl, but I do understand it would be challenging to live in one place your whole life and feel like you haven’t been able to spread your wings.
3. How did you feel about Laurie and Nick’s rekindled romance? Did the ending of the book leave you satisfied? I had mixed emotions because in the end I didn’t know what they would be…but I guess that’s kind of how they would have felt in real life.