What do you think?
Rate this book
On Solid Ground
Chance Crawford and Kit Gibbons are on the cusp of an epic office romance. After months of saying hi in the elevator and making small talk at parties, they’re both dying to make a move. Too bad neither of them can work up the courage. Nerdy, risk-averse Chance is waiting for Kit to give him a sign, whereas Kit’s too afraid of being out in his professional life to date the cutie from IT. If only one of them could find the proper motivation, their shaky flirtation could become something real.
Then an earthquake rocks their city. They band together to help others escape, until an aftershock leaves them trapped in a collapsing office building with little hope of survival. The very earthquake that brought them together could also tear them apart.
Drunk on fear and adrenaline, passions run high, but how can they think about romance when any minute could be their last? They’ll have to face danger, themselves, and each other before they can get back on solid ground.
Then an earthquake rocks their city. They band together to help others escape, until an aftershock leaves them trapped in a collapsing office building with little hope of survival. The very earthquake that brought them together could also tear them apart.
Drunk on fear and adrenaline, passions run high, but how can they think about romance when any minute could be their last? They’ll have to face danger, themselves, and each other before they can get back on solid ground.
145 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2017
6 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
About the author
Quinn Anderson
13books130followersQuinn Anderson is a nerd extraordinaire; she was raised on an unhealthy diet of video games, anime, cosplay, and comics from infancy. Her girlfriend swears her sense of humor is just a bunch of pop culture references wearing a trench coat. She stays true to her nerd roots in writing and in life, frequently drawing inspiration from her many fandoms and writing fanfic: the cheesier the trope, the better. She's attended conventions on three separate continents and now considers herself a career geek. May she live long and prosper.
Her favorite authors include Ursula K. Le Guin, Gail Carson Levine, Libba Bray, and Tamora Pierce. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending too much time on the internet, playing fetch with her cats, screwing the rules, and catching 'em all.
Connect with Quinn:
Facebook:
Tumblr:quinnandersonwrites
Email:[email protected]
Her favorite authors include Ursula K. Le Guin, Gail Carson Levine, Libba Bray, and Tamora Pierce. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, cooking, spending too much time on the internet, playing fetch with her cats, screwing the rules, and catching 'em all.
Connect with Quinn:
Facebook:
Tumblr:quinnandersonwrites
Email:[email protected]
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 1, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up
On Solid Ground is my first book I have read by Quinn Anderson book, but it certainly will not be my last. This was super sweet story about being brave and finally taking risks to find love.
Chance Crawford is the nerdy, but adorable, IT guy who has a big crush on Kit Gibbons. They met at a party a few months ago, but Chance is scared to make the first move. Kit is trying to work his way up the corporate ladder, and is nervous that the “boys club� will give him a hard time because he is gay. He has kept his attraction to Chance quiet, but Mother Nature will change all that
On a quiet Monday morning, San Francisco is hit with a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. Both Chance and Kit are shaken to their core, but they keep their heads and become heroes, helping to get a few people safely out of their building. The big problem, they themselves are stuck in a grumbling building with nothing else to do, but talk and learn about each other. They open their hearts, and truths will finally be told.
I really enjoyed this story, I thought Chance and Kit were both so sweet and really struggled with their feelings. The only minor complaint I have, I wanted an epilogue. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chance and Kit just yet.
I received a copy of this book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
On Solid Ground is my first book I have read by Quinn Anderson book, but it certainly will not be my last. This was super sweet story about being brave and finally taking risks to find love.
Chance Crawford is the nerdy, but adorable, IT guy who has a big crush on Kit Gibbons. They met at a party a few months ago, but Chance is scared to make the first move. Kit is trying to work his way up the corporate ladder, and is nervous that the “boys club� will give him a hard time because he is gay. He has kept his attraction to Chance quiet, but Mother Nature will change all that
On a quiet Monday morning, San Francisco is hit with a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. Both Chance and Kit are shaken to their core, but they keep their heads and become heroes, helping to get a few people safely out of their building. The big problem, they themselves are stuck in a grumbling building with nothing else to do, but talk and learn about each other. They open their hearts, and truths will finally be told.
I really enjoyed this story, I thought Chance and Kit were both so sweet and really struggled with their feelings. The only minor complaint I have, I wanted an epilogue. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Chance and Kit just yet.
I received a copy of this book via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review
January 22, 2018
A nice mix of action and character driven plot.
Two young co-workers who've been eyeing each other from afar are trapped in a crumbling high-rise when an earthquake strikes in the middle of the workday. After heroically helping some others get out, they are left to hope for rescue before the rest of the building comes crashing down on top of them.
With nothing to do other than get to know each other (and survive), the truth comes out and they're able to make that romantic connection they were both wanting.
Even though the romance was set in the middle of a natural disaster. I thought it was easy to read having relatively low angst.
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
Two young co-workers who've been eyeing each other from afar are trapped in a crumbling high-rise when an earthquake strikes in the middle of the workday. After heroically helping some others get out, they are left to hope for rescue before the rest of the building comes crashing down on top of them.
With nothing to do other than get to know each other (and survive), the truth comes out and they're able to make that romantic connection they were both wanting.
Even though the romance was set in the middle of a natural disaster. I thought it was easy to read having relatively low angst.
Review ARC graciously provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley
Shelved as 'dnf'
January 9, 2018DNF at 40%
I'm not feeling this. The earthquake stuff was actually quite exciting, but the romance really lacked some chemistry.
I'm not feeling this. The earthquake stuff was actually quite exciting, but the romance really lacked some chemistry.
January 2, 2018
3.5 stars
What a sweet story! If you want to smile, this one will work just fine.
It started out a bit slow, but once it picked up it definitely worked for me. The characters were interesting and well developed, and the story was creative and flowed well. It was beautifully edited.
I'd look for this author again.
provided by NetGalley for the purpose of this review
What a sweet story! If you want to smile, this one will work just fine.
It started out a bit slow, but once it picked up it definitely worked for me. The characters were interesting and well developed, and the story was creative and flowed well. It was beautifully edited.
I'd look for this author again.
provided by NetGalley for the purpose of this review
January 18, 2024
This was really enjoyable! I went into it with low expectations but the author made some clever choices that made the story work for me. Chance and Kit start the story already knowing each other (they're office co-workers) and having had crushes on each other for a long time.
Normally, any romance that takes place over just 24 hours is a no-thanks from me but the author made it work in this case. The MCs start out with a pre-existing relationship that already involves them having feelings for each other, which allowed the author to skip over a lot of steps. Making things better is that there's no instalove or anything close to that - . I also really appreciated that the MCs keep their priorities in the right order. When they're in the middle of life and death scenarios, they're not busy ogling each other and thinking about getting into each other's pants. But when things calm down and they're relatively safe, that's when they remember their crushes on each other, which was very believable. The pacing of the entire romance felt very realistic and it fit within the 24 hour timespan very well.
I also loved the balance between fast paced and intense action scenes versus slower paced, emotional scenes where the MCs are getting to know each other. I blew through the story and had no desire to put it down, which demonstrates what a great job the author did with the pacing and plotting of the story. You can tell this is an author who knows how to tell a story!
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because it lacked that wow factor that I need for a 5 star read. The story could have easily achieved that, if the author had raised the stakes a bit more and lengthened the time frame of the story. There was a lot of intense action in the story but the MCs got off relatively easily and I ended up wishing things had been a bit tougher for them. . Having some solid hurt/comfort scenes included, particularly when they had no medical supplies and were terrified that the other person would be killed and leave them alone would have added to the emotional impact of the story.
Not to mention that the MCs ended up in a pretty convenient situation. Despite them being on the 12th floor and most of the building having crumbled, they . All of these things were a bit too convenient for me and I understand that the author did things in such a way so that the story could be the short length she wanted, but this could have been a masterpiece if the author had wanted to expand on it.
Overall, I'm really happy that I gave this a shot and I highly recommend it for anybody who's interested in the premise. Based on the solid storytelling and writing, I'm definitely going to check out more of this author's work.
Normally, any romance that takes place over just 24 hours is a no-thanks from me but the author made it work in this case. The MCs start out with a pre-existing relationship that already involves them having feelings for each other, which allowed the author to skip over a lot of steps. Making things better is that there's no instalove or anything close to that - . I also really appreciated that the MCs keep their priorities in the right order. When they're in the middle of life and death scenarios, they're not busy ogling each other and thinking about getting into each other's pants. But when things calm down and they're relatively safe, that's when they remember their crushes on each other, which was very believable. The pacing of the entire romance felt very realistic and it fit within the 24 hour timespan very well.
I also loved the balance between fast paced and intense action scenes versus slower paced, emotional scenes where the MCs are getting to know each other. I blew through the story and had no desire to put it down, which demonstrates what a great job the author did with the pacing and plotting of the story. You can tell this is an author who knows how to tell a story!
The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because it lacked that wow factor that I need for a 5 star read. The story could have easily achieved that, if the author had raised the stakes a bit more and lengthened the time frame of the story. There was a lot of intense action in the story but the MCs got off relatively easily and I ended up wishing things had been a bit tougher for them. . Having some solid hurt/comfort scenes included, particularly when they had no medical supplies and were terrified that the other person would be killed and leave them alone would have added to the emotional impact of the story.
Not to mention that the MCs ended up in a pretty convenient situation. Despite them being on the 12th floor and most of the building having crumbled, they . All of these things were a bit too convenient for me and I understand that the author did things in such a way so that the story could be the short length she wanted, but this could have been a masterpiece if the author had wanted to expand on it.
Overall, I'm really happy that I gave this a shot and I highly recommend it for anybody who's interested in the premise. Based on the solid storytelling and writing, I'm definitely going to check out more of this author's work.
January 8, 2018
Only Quinn Anderson may be trusted to take a situation where everything could be lead by circumstances and make it believable that what's happening between the characters is real.
This was honestly such a great story! I loved it so, so much. The pace was perfect, and even if it was a short story, the characters still had a smooth evolution, with the time being just right. The buildup was flawless! And the chemistry! These two were adorable, I swear. Swoon, swoon.
Although I knew how it would end, I have to admit I wouldn't have complained if it ended slightly differently- although I know it would have been far too dramatic if it had ended the alternative way I had imagined it could have.
Overall, it was really, honestly wonderful. I can't even be surprised anymore (yet, I still am at how much I loved this xD) because this woman never disappoints me, everything she does is fabulous.
This was honestly such a great story! I loved it so, so much. The pace was perfect, and even if it was a short story, the characters still had a smooth evolution, with the time being just right. The buildup was flawless! And the chemistry! These two were adorable, I swear. Swoon, swoon.
Although I knew how it would end, I have to admit I wouldn't have complained if it ended slightly differently- although I know it would have been far too dramatic if it had ended the alternative way I had imagined it could have.
Overall, it was really, honestly wonderful. I can't even be surprised anymore (yet, I still am at how much I loved this xD) because this woman never disappoints me, everything she does is fabulous.
December 18, 2017
Quinn Anderson gives us with yet another »wonderful« love story �
Trapped in a collapsing office building, cut off from the outside world, Kit and Chance not only have to face their fears but also their repressed feelings for each other.
Despite the tragic aftermath that comes with a natural disaster I found Chance and Kit's story sweet and less dark than you might expect, even though the events brought back memories from my own earthquake experience, which still give me the chills.
Maybe because of those memories and my own experience of being caught by surprise in a tall, shaking building the setting spoke to me. I'm weird like that but I truly enjoyed their terror filled journey heh.
Most importantly:
Kit and Chance are both interesting guys and »fantastic« lead characters.
I enjoyed watching them fall in love SO MUCH ♥♥♥♥
»HIGHLY RECOMMENDED«
«random» I just noticed the story happened two days after my birthday! :) «/random»
2:17 p.m., Monday, August 13th
After the world ended, everything was dark.
Trapped in a collapsing office building, cut off from the outside world, Kit and Chance not only have to face their fears but also their repressed feelings for each other.
Despite the tragic aftermath that comes with a natural disaster I found Chance and Kit's story sweet and less dark than you might expect, even though the events brought back memories from my own earthquake experience, which still give me the chills.
Maybe because of those memories and my own experience of being caught by surprise in a tall, shaking building the setting spoke to me. I'm weird like that but I truly enjoyed their terror filled journey heh.
Most importantly:
Kit and Chance are both interesting guys and »fantastic« lead characters.
I enjoyed watching them fall in love SO MUCH ♥♥♥♥
»HIGHLY RECOMMENDED«
«random» I just noticed the story happened two days after my birthday! :) «/random»
December 28, 2017
4.5 Stars!
I don’t think I’ve read a Quinn Anderson book yet that I haven’t loved, and On Solid Ground was no exception.
I loved Kit and Chance, they were absolutely sweet together and although it’s slow going and I wasn’t quite sure they’d give into their attraction before I (and they) died of sexual frustration, they fit perfectly together and when they did finally give in, it was passionate and explosive.
I really loved the storyline, an earthquake plot is really unique, well, for me anyway, I don’t think I’ve read anything set to this type backdrop before and it was not only really interesting, but it also kept me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails.
I can’t say enough how much I really loved this story. While the time period of the story is short, it felt much longer and the story flowed well. This was a great and enjoyable read that I’d definitely recommend!
*copy provided by author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 31, 2018
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4.5 perfectly truncated Stars.
First things first... the narrator's name is Chance Crawford. (raises eyebrow) Any Gossip Girl fans? Who else envisioned Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) while reading this novella?
Now that my snark has passed, let's move on to the review itself, shall we?
This is an instance of a novella perfectly crafted, the content written in a way where the reader doesn't feel as if anything was left out, or that the pacing was too quick, or that it was just a fluff piece to pass the time. On Solid Ground was a complete story, spanning twenty-four hours, that somehow managed to remove insta-lust/love and replace it with realistic slow-burn romance.
With that being said, this novella isn't for everybody. There's no bells and whistles, no nonstop, gratuitous between-the-sheets action. The heart-pounding moments are due to realistic situations, not over-the-top angst or suspense. The plot is hyper-focused on a singular event affecting the two men as they struggle to survive.
Nate and Kit... (cough cough) excuse me, I mean Chance and Kit, they work together in the same building. Both working their way from lower level jobs within their professions, an IT geek and a business suit, yet there is a clear divide in their matter of importance. They're friendly, giving a wave and a hello, but nothing has passed since a pleasant, chemistry filled office party months ago.
The unthinkable happens- an earthquake shakes their lives to the very core, followed by the destructive nature of aftershocks. The pair of men struggle to survive, while their narrative showcases a viewpoint readers generally never hear. Usually a book takes place in the aftermath, or we see it on the news during and after the event, but it's always the view of those looking from the outside in. This is shown in the now, happening on the inside, while they look out waiting for help to arrive.
Chance and Kit voice the panic, the fear, the stark terror, and the hope of waiting for rescue that may never arrive in time, while also battling the bittersweet of what might/should have been, if only they'd acted on the crushes they've felt for many months.
With so few pages, and even fewer hours it encompasses, the threat of this being the end accelerates their emotions, but not in an unrealistic or insta-love fashion. The chemistry and connection was felt by this reader.
There are brief moments of levity that lessens the stress, which was most appreciated when it came to pacing, and these moments fed into the realism of the slow-burn romance.
Enjoyed or entertained wouldn't be the words I'd use, which is why I'm not sure this novella is for everyone, especially those who wish a surface level feel-good read about romance and heat. As a word-weaver, I don't know which word to use, but I am glad I read the novella and do recommend for serious, realistic readers, looking for new-take on romance.
4.5 perfectly truncated Stars.
First things first... the narrator's name is Chance Crawford. (raises eyebrow) Any Gossip Girl fans? Who else envisioned Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) while reading this novella?
Now that my snark has passed, let's move on to the review itself, shall we?
This is an instance of a novella perfectly crafted, the content written in a way where the reader doesn't feel as if anything was left out, or that the pacing was too quick, or that it was just a fluff piece to pass the time. On Solid Ground was a complete story, spanning twenty-four hours, that somehow managed to remove insta-lust/love and replace it with realistic slow-burn romance.
With that being said, this novella isn't for everybody. There's no bells and whistles, no nonstop, gratuitous between-the-sheets action. The heart-pounding moments are due to realistic situations, not over-the-top angst or suspense. The plot is hyper-focused on a singular event affecting the two men as they struggle to survive.
Nate and Kit... (cough cough) excuse me, I mean Chance and Kit, they work together in the same building. Both working their way from lower level jobs within their professions, an IT geek and a business suit, yet there is a clear divide in their matter of importance. They're friendly, giving a wave and a hello, but nothing has passed since a pleasant, chemistry filled office party months ago.
The unthinkable happens- an earthquake shakes their lives to the very core, followed by the destructive nature of aftershocks. The pair of men struggle to survive, while their narrative showcases a viewpoint readers generally never hear. Usually a book takes place in the aftermath, or we see it on the news during and after the event, but it's always the view of those looking from the outside in. This is shown in the now, happening on the inside, while they look out waiting for help to arrive.
Chance and Kit voice the panic, the fear, the stark terror, and the hope of waiting for rescue that may never arrive in time, while also battling the bittersweet of what might/should have been, if only they'd acted on the crushes they've felt for many months.
With so few pages, and even fewer hours it encompasses, the threat of this being the end accelerates their emotions, but not in an unrealistic or insta-love fashion. The chemistry and connection was felt by this reader.
There are brief moments of levity that lessens the stress, which was most appreciated when it came to pacing, and these moments fed into the realism of the slow-burn romance.
Enjoyed or entertained wouldn't be the words I'd use, which is why I'm not sure this novella is for everyone, especially those who wish a surface level feel-good read about romance and heat. As a word-weaver, I don't know which word to use, but I am glad I read the novella and do recommend for serious, realistic readers, looking for new-take on romance.
January 12, 2018
� � � � FOUR & 1/2 - STAR � REVIEW � � � �
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Deceptive cover. Two men in suits holding hands above, what appears to be, a cavernous gorge before the cracked ground. Author font is good, color is ok. Title has a split font that I am not a fan of. First glance, the appearance was just enough to catch my attention to read the synopsis. The synopsis intrigued my inner natural disaster nerd and demanded that I read this book.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Although it gives the appearance of a defined first-person perspective, it is actually narrated in third-person.
Kit and Chance work on the eleventh floor of an office building in San Francisco. They've been attracted to one another for quite some time but neither had the courage to make the first move. When a destructive lunchtime earthquake hit, they found one another and worked together to get people to the exits - and hopefully, to safety. But, unfortunately, a series of aftershocks trapped the two men with no other way down or out. They learned more about one another and finally some truths were revealed.
Holy cow! This is the first book I've read by Quinn Anderson and if this is the quality of their work, I will be reading more! The story is very well-written and flowed incredibly smooth. The characters were strong despite their personal flaws. The chemistry was natural. Dialogue and interaction was believable. Low predictability. The conclusion was a bit loose, only providing a vaguely implied HEA.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this story, it was addictive and fed my action/thriller need nicely.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.425 ~ Stars: 4 (4.5 if I could!)
==========================
� � **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". � �
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
Deceptive cover. Two men in suits holding hands above, what appears to be, a cavernous gorge before the cracked ground. Author font is good, color is ok. Title has a split font that I am not a fan of. First glance, the appearance was just enough to catch my attention to read the synopsis. The synopsis intrigued my inner natural disaster nerd and demanded that I read this book.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Although it gives the appearance of a defined first-person perspective, it is actually narrated in third-person.
Kit and Chance work on the eleventh floor of an office building in San Francisco. They've been attracted to one another for quite some time but neither had the courage to make the first move. When a destructive lunchtime earthquake hit, they found one another and worked together to get people to the exits - and hopefully, to safety. But, unfortunately, a series of aftershocks trapped the two men with no other way down or out. They learned more about one another and finally some truths were revealed.
Holy cow! This is the first book I've read by Quinn Anderson and if this is the quality of their work, I will be reading more! The story is very well-written and flowed incredibly smooth. The characters were strong despite their personal flaws. The chemistry was natural. Dialogue and interaction was believable. Low predictability. The conclusion was a bit loose, only providing a vaguely implied HEA.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this story, it was addictive and fed my action/thriller need nicely.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.425 ~ Stars: 4 (4.5 if I could!)
==========================
� � **** Disclosure of Material: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". � �
December 18, 2017
3.75 Stars
I confess to initially not feeling so brave to pick this book up due to the disaster element and being trapped alive in the aftermath. I usually stay cleared of such kind of story fearing I got too invested and stressed out along with the characters in it. I’m glad I shoved my cowardly inner voice aside, though. Despite the predictable stressing along, I really enjoy �.�
It starts with a bang, a scene that drawn me straight away, then flash back to hours earlier. The give or take two day span story is told in dual POVs, prior to and after the massive earthquake that had Chance and Kit trapped in their office building. For all the harrowing atmosphere in most of the pages, “� presents hopeful notes with two remarkable lead characters. The alternate POVs allow reader the men’s innermost thoughts, and how the nightmare nudge the change in them.
“� is a standalone and only the second Quinn Anderson’s books I read. I like the author’s writing style and especially here, the ordeal both men went through felt so real and leaping off the pages that I can’t help feel for Chance and Kit. I’m definitely looking forward to her backlist titles after this.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I confess to initially not feeling so brave to pick this book up due to the disaster element and being trapped alive in the aftermath. I usually stay cleared of such kind of story fearing I got too invested and stressed out along with the characters in it. I’m glad I shoved my cowardly inner voice aside, though. Despite the predictable stressing along, I really enjoy �.�
It starts with a bang, a scene that drawn me straight away, then flash back to hours earlier. The give or take two day span story is told in dual POVs, prior to and after the massive earthquake that had Chance and Kit trapped in their office building. For all the harrowing atmosphere in most of the pages, “� presents hopeful notes with two remarkable lead characters. The alternate POVs allow reader the men’s innermost thoughts, and how the nightmare nudge the change in them.
“� is a standalone and only the second Quinn Anderson’s books I read. I like the author’s writing style and especially here, the ordeal both men went through felt so real and leaping off the pages that I can’t help feel for Chance and Kit. I’m definitely looking forward to her backlist titles after this.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2017
3.75 stars rounded up
I have read almost all of Quinn Anderson's stories and this is my favorite so far....
It opens with this line " After the world ended, everything was dark. " ... it should set a grim tone to the whole story, shouldn't it? Fortunately, Anderson didn't put this reader's heart in too much stress.
Yes, Kit and Chance are both trapped in their office building after earthquake, enduring aftershocks while (hopefully) waiting for rescue. BUT the situation instead makes for intense (and pretty intimate) relationship progress.
Kit and Chance have been harboring feelings for one another but too afraid of making a move. So after unable to find a safe exit plan, both men ended up playing games (Would You Rather, Two Truths and a Lie), drinking Kit's boss' scotch, and open up to one another about themselves. It's definitely a very effective 'date '.
Also, Kit and Chance are VERY likeable characters... So while we only spend about a day and a night with them, it doesn't take a long time for me to root for both.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I have read almost all of Quinn Anderson's stories and this is my favorite so far....
It opens with this line " After the world ended, everything was dark. " ... it should set a grim tone to the whole story, shouldn't it? Fortunately, Anderson didn't put this reader's heart in too much stress.
Yes, Kit and Chance are both trapped in their office building after earthquake, enduring aftershocks while (hopefully) waiting for rescue. BUT the situation instead makes for intense (and pretty intimate) relationship progress.
Kit and Chance have been harboring feelings for one another but too afraid of making a move. So after unable to find a safe exit plan, both men ended up playing games (Would You Rather, Two Truths and a Lie), drinking Kit's boss' scotch, and open up to one another about themselves. It's definitely a very effective 'date '.
Also, Kit and Chance are VERY likeable characters... So while we only spend about a day and a night with them, it doesn't take a long time for me to root for both.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
January 22, 2018
Quinn Anderson is my go-to for cute, fun, sexy reads with the best HEAs. On Solid Ground goes in a completely different direction. From the very first sentence, the author piles on the tension. I've never personally experienced an earthquake, but with detailed descriptions and perfect conveyance of emotions, I felt like I was right in the middle of the disaster and its aftermath. As the MCs are choking on dust-filled air, my throat clenched and I had to make a conscious effort to breathe. I'm pretty sure all my fingernails were chewed down to the quick by the end. The panic and the highs and lows feel so real.
Amidst the unfolding natural disaster, the MCs are wonderfully developed, and the chemistry and tension building between the two perfectly meld with their focus on navigating a less than ideal situation. They even find enough calm in the chaos to get to know each other while waiting to be rescued.
As an office worker and the partner of an IT professional, I can attest that the author is spot on with each careers' mundane, daily tasks and ambitions. The supporting characters are flushed out just enough to add to the story without bogging it down with unnecessary details. And if you think a natural disaster in an office building isn't terrifying enough, the author throws in two small children to amp up the anxiety to another level.
OMG, let's not forget the sexual tension. Not only do the MCs and the reader get a crash course in natural disaster anxiety, the sexual tension between the two is so enticingly frustrating. But it is absolutely worth it when they finally come together.
Amidst the unfolding natural disaster, the MCs are wonderfully developed, and the chemistry and tension building between the two perfectly meld with their focus on navigating a less than ideal situation. They even find enough calm in the chaos to get to know each other while waiting to be rescued.
As an office worker and the partner of an IT professional, I can attest that the author is spot on with each careers' mundane, daily tasks and ambitions. The supporting characters are flushed out just enough to add to the story without bogging it down with unnecessary details. And if you think a natural disaster in an office building isn't terrifying enough, the author throws in two small children to amp up the anxiety to another level.
OMG, let's not forget the sexual tension. Not only do the MCs and the reader get a crash course in natural disaster anxiety, the sexual tension between the two is so enticingly frustrating. But it is absolutely worth it when they finally come together.
December 19, 2017
On Solid Ground by Quinn Anderson
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 Stars
I loved this Book so much! I’ve not read other books from Quinn as yet but I can’t wait to read more! This story is a M/M romance and incredibly sweet!
Chance is the office IT cutie. He has had a crush on Kit for ages but won’t make a move. He is waiting for a sign from Kit to tell him that he is interested but Kit is giving him nothing. Kit is the too worried that coming out in his professional life will have Ill effects, so he won’t give Chance a sign even though he is dying to. Kit has liked Chance for months! Will they get their chance or will the earthquake be the end of it all?
I loved both of these characters so much. They were perfect for each other in every way. There was a few times I wanted to yell ‘Just kiss him!� But the anticipation of waiting for it to happen was worth it. From the first page I was hooked. It starts with the action right away from page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. The anticipation of what might happen kept me reading this book until I had devoured it. I loved it! Superb writing for this book and I seriously can not wait to read more from Quinn Anderson!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 Stars
I loved this Book so much! I’ve not read other books from Quinn as yet but I can’t wait to read more! This story is a M/M romance and incredibly sweet!
Chance is the office IT cutie. He has had a crush on Kit for ages but won’t make a move. He is waiting for a sign from Kit to tell him that he is interested but Kit is giving him nothing. Kit is the too worried that coming out in his professional life will have Ill effects, so he won’t give Chance a sign even though he is dying to. Kit has liked Chance for months! Will they get their chance or will the earthquake be the end of it all?
I loved both of these characters so much. They were perfect for each other in every way. There was a few times I wanted to yell ‘Just kiss him!� But the anticipation of waiting for it to happen was worth it. From the first page I was hooked. It starts with the action right away from page 1 and I couldn’t put it down. The anticipation of what might happen kept me reading this book until I had devoured it. I loved it! Superb writing for this book and I seriously can not wait to read more from Quinn Anderson!
January 13, 2018
~ 3.5 Stars ~
Life at the office is mundanely the same for both Chance Crawford and Kit Gibbons. For Chance, it’s the stress of being on-call to answer and fix any and all IT questions the multi-floor building offers up, and for Kit, it’s dealing with executives who aren’t always the most fiscally responsible—especially his direct boss. Kit also has the added worry of hiding his sexuality from those he works with, because he fears he will be denied promotion, or be ostracized by his peers, if he doesn’t. Chance has no such qualms, and while he doesn’t exactly broadcast that he is gay, nor does he hide it from his coworkers. The two men have been eyeballing each other for some time, but neither are sure of reciprocating interest or, in Chance’s case, if Kit is even gay.
Then, in a split second the world implodes. A major earthquake rocks the very foundation of the building in which they work, and within hours, Kit and Chance find themselves alone and trapped in the crumbling shell after helping those surrounding them to escape. Now the two men are faced with the idea that the next aftershock might bring the entire building down, and bury them inside. Should they grab what could be their last chance to express to each other how they feel, or do they remain silent and lose what could be the last opportunity to see if their interest is mutual?
On Solid Ground by Quinn Anderson started off really well for me. The flirtatious air about Chance and Kit that always stopped short when Kit realized he could be exposed was very believable and well done. The pushy coworker who egged Chance on to actually step up and find out if Kit was indeed attracted to him was well-meaning and rather sweet in her attempts to help her friend finally act on his feelings. However, it was the actual initial quake and the violent aftershocks that really ramped this novel up to full speed, and provided a tension that made me want to continue reading. I could feel the fear and hysteria that the event caused for those trapped in the building, and the descriptive passages about the crumbling structure were spot-on and terrifying to read.
Then came the lull, the part of the story where Kit and Chance came to terms with the fact that they may not be rescued prior to the building going down completely, trapping them beneath the rubble. This should have been a rather huge declarative moment where the two guys would profess their attraction, and finally act upon it. Instead, I felt the story became decidedly tepid, at best, and their discovery of mutual desire rather limp. Mechanically, I was also rather distracted by the idea that anal sex had to be on the table, and that it was done with spit and grit alone—that had to be incredibly painful—and, unfortunately, that was all I could think about rather than the sexy intimacy the author was going for in that moment.
I appreciated how difficult it was for Kit to come out at work, despite it being an end of the world type scenario, but the way in which the two men broke that, and all the barriers they had erected, down seemed rather childish in nature, given that the walls were literally crumbling around them and the loss of life was the imminent danger. I think I expected some major confessions by both guys, and instead, got a rather shy, hesitant ‘maybe we should, or, ya know, maybe not� kind of dialogue. Either way, it really didn’t work or fit into what was a rather fast-paced and exciting novel to that point. Chemistry between two people is vital, and theirs was definitely lacking.
In the end, On Solid Ground is a fine story with some pretty intense moments but no real emotional payout, relationship-wise. A good action adventure book that turned out to be rather thin in the romance department.
Reviewed by Sammy for
Life at the office is mundanely the same for both Chance Crawford and Kit Gibbons. For Chance, it’s the stress of being on-call to answer and fix any and all IT questions the multi-floor building offers up, and for Kit, it’s dealing with executives who aren’t always the most fiscally responsible—especially his direct boss. Kit also has the added worry of hiding his sexuality from those he works with, because he fears he will be denied promotion, or be ostracized by his peers, if he doesn’t. Chance has no such qualms, and while he doesn’t exactly broadcast that he is gay, nor does he hide it from his coworkers. The two men have been eyeballing each other for some time, but neither are sure of reciprocating interest or, in Chance’s case, if Kit is even gay.
Then, in a split second the world implodes. A major earthquake rocks the very foundation of the building in which they work, and within hours, Kit and Chance find themselves alone and trapped in the crumbling shell after helping those surrounding them to escape. Now the two men are faced with the idea that the next aftershock might bring the entire building down, and bury them inside. Should they grab what could be their last chance to express to each other how they feel, or do they remain silent and lose what could be the last opportunity to see if their interest is mutual?
On Solid Ground by Quinn Anderson started off really well for me. The flirtatious air about Chance and Kit that always stopped short when Kit realized he could be exposed was very believable and well done. The pushy coworker who egged Chance on to actually step up and find out if Kit was indeed attracted to him was well-meaning and rather sweet in her attempts to help her friend finally act on his feelings. However, it was the actual initial quake and the violent aftershocks that really ramped this novel up to full speed, and provided a tension that made me want to continue reading. I could feel the fear and hysteria that the event caused for those trapped in the building, and the descriptive passages about the crumbling structure were spot-on and terrifying to read.
Then came the lull, the part of the story where Kit and Chance came to terms with the fact that they may not be rescued prior to the building going down completely, trapping them beneath the rubble. This should have been a rather huge declarative moment where the two guys would profess their attraction, and finally act upon it. Instead, I felt the story became decidedly tepid, at best, and their discovery of mutual desire rather limp. Mechanically, I was also rather distracted by the idea that anal sex had to be on the table, and that it was done with spit and grit alone—that had to be incredibly painful—and, unfortunately, that was all I could think about rather than the sexy intimacy the author was going for in that moment.
I appreciated how difficult it was for Kit to come out at work, despite it being an end of the world type scenario, but the way in which the two men broke that, and all the barriers they had erected, down seemed rather childish in nature, given that the walls were literally crumbling around them and the loss of life was the imminent danger. I think I expected some major confessions by both guys, and instead, got a rather shy, hesitant ‘maybe we should, or, ya know, maybe not� kind of dialogue. Either way, it really didn’t work or fit into what was a rather fast-paced and exciting novel to that point. Chemistry between two people is vital, and theirs was definitely lacking.
In the end, On Solid Ground is a fine story with some pretty intense moments but no real emotional payout, relationship-wise. A good action adventure book that turned out to be rather thin in the romance department.
Reviewed by Sammy for
January 21, 2018
love story :)
October 9, 2024
ON SOLID GROUND was a really enjoyable read with a whole mess of tension and a really sweet romance. There's just something about Quinn Anderson's writing that is smooth and paced perfectly and a true joy to read. I zipped through this book because I needed to know what was going to happen next! The first half is focused on the earthquake and Kit and Chance's battle to get out of the building. I was captivated from the beginning and desperately wishing things would work out for everyone. There was great tension, suspense, and action as these guys brave the crumbling building and try to keep each other safe.
As for Kit and Chance, they were both great guys and I loved watching them fall in love and realize they didn't want to waste anymore time apart. Chance has crushed on Kit for a long time but with out any follow through from Kit, Chance isn't even sure that Kit is gay. But when tragedy hits, Chance has the opportunity to really get to know Kit. I loved their conversation in the office when they found a safe place to sleep. It really was the moment where they connect emotionally and find solace in each other. Kit and Chance were so great together and I loved every moment.
As for Kit and Chance, they were both great guys and I loved watching them fall in love and realize they didn't want to waste anymore time apart. Chance has crushed on Kit for a long time but with out any follow through from Kit, Chance isn't even sure that Kit is gay. But when tragedy hits, Chance has the opportunity to really get to know Kit. I loved their conversation in the office when they found a safe place to sleep. It really was the moment where they connect emotionally and find solace in each other. Kit and Chance were so great together and I loved every moment.
December 27, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up
As someone who reads a ton (like, A TON) of contemporary m/m romance, I'm pretty used to the standard formula. I'm not saying all books are the same, but so few these days really jump out and stick with me after reaching the end. But On Solid Ground did just that. It's different in almost all aspects.
This book takes place over the course of about 24 hours, give or take two or three. Now, with that short time frame, there are a couple things I was expecting and a bit wary of, namely insta-love and a tenuous HFN ending. Though we are only present for a single day out of the lives of Kit and Chance, and a day far from the typical, the author did a really great job of building a connection between the two. The catastrophe behind the story pushes both guys to be honest with themselves and each other and get to know each other in a way most couples don't for a long time - if ever. And the ending is, ok, yeah, a HFN. Part of me wished for an epilogue a year or more down the line, but most of me likes that we just got this little snippet of their lives, and the rest is up to us to decide what happens. I'm a romantic at heart. To me, they're happy ever after.
This book plays on some of our instincts and fears as humans - Kit and Chance are in a life or death situation, and emotions (mine, not just theirs) were on full blast. My pulse was racing alongside theirs at the thought of being trapped on the 11th floor of a collapsing building. The generosity and compassion of them and some of the other characters in the story made my heart just about burst. And, speaking of the side characters, while this story is completely driven by Kit and Chance, certain others were so well drawn, especially Chance's coworker, Marci, and her kids, as well as Pat, the teen who delivers Kit's lunch. They added a touch of humanity and the outside world into the bubble of this story.
I really, really loved this book. I usually get in a bit of a slump towards the end of the year as all the books I read start to run together. But On Solid Ground came along and mixed everything up. It was exactly what I needed. I highly recommend it! It's not very long, and it reads like a blockbuster movie. Definitely give this one a go.
An advanced copy of this book was received from the publisher through NetGalley for review on .
As someone who reads a ton (like, A TON) of contemporary m/m romance, I'm pretty used to the standard formula. I'm not saying all books are the same, but so few these days really jump out and stick with me after reaching the end. But On Solid Ground did just that. It's different in almost all aspects.
This book takes place over the course of about 24 hours, give or take two or three. Now, with that short time frame, there are a couple things I was expecting and a bit wary of, namely insta-love and a tenuous HFN ending. Though we are only present for a single day out of the lives of Kit and Chance, and a day far from the typical, the author did a really great job of building a connection between the two. The catastrophe behind the story pushes both guys to be honest with themselves and each other and get to know each other in a way most couples don't for a long time - if ever. And the ending is, ok, yeah, a HFN. Part of me wished for an epilogue a year or more down the line, but most of me likes that we just got this little snippet of their lives, and the rest is up to us to decide what happens. I'm a romantic at heart. To me, they're happy ever after.
This book plays on some of our instincts and fears as humans - Kit and Chance are in a life or death situation, and emotions (mine, not just theirs) were on full blast. My pulse was racing alongside theirs at the thought of being trapped on the 11th floor of a collapsing building. The generosity and compassion of them and some of the other characters in the story made my heart just about burst. And, speaking of the side characters, while this story is completely driven by Kit and Chance, certain others were so well drawn, especially Chance's coworker, Marci, and her kids, as well as Pat, the teen who delivers Kit's lunch. They added a touch of humanity and the outside world into the bubble of this story.
I really, really loved this book. I usually get in a bit of a slump towards the end of the year as all the books I read start to run together. But On Solid Ground came along and mixed everything up. It was exactly what I needed. I highly recommend it! It's not very long, and it reads like a blockbuster movie. Definitely give this one a go.
An advanced copy of this book was received from the publisher through NetGalley for review on .
January 1, 2018
A review.
3.75 stars
I tend to like forced proximity kind of stories where extreme situations test our heroes and bring intensity to their relationship. So I was drawn to this book right away by the trapped in the earthquake theme and I think Anderson does a nice job with this aspect of the story. The first half or so of the book focuses on the lead up to and the aftermath of the earthquake. We see a bit of the guys going about their day at work, and then witness the earthquake and their attempts to get themselves and their co-workers to safety. Both men are heroes, helping to calm things down in the emergency and put other people’s safety before their own, only to find themselves stuck alone when another tremor hits. I found this part of the book to be well done and engaging. I was interested in following along in the escape attempts and seeing how the guys end up trapped by themselves. I will say this portion didn’t have quite the urgency or intensity I had expected, but it was still nicely done and kept my attention.
The second half of the book focuses more on the men once they are trapped and how they get to know one another better and act on their attraction. However, I will say that I found the chemistry between these guys a little flat and didn’t feel the connection the way I had hoped. I think part of this is because we are told at the start of the book how these guys have a long simmering attraction to one another and so from the beginning we are supposed to feel this connection between them that just didn’t come through for me. Toward the end, the guys even admit that they had been falling for one another even before the earthquake. But honestly, they felt like casually friendly co-workers at best, not men with an intense connection and attraction. In fact, beyond a holiday party conversation, it seems that these guys didn’t do much but exchange hellos in the hall prior to the earthquake. It wasn’t enough to make me feel that there was the real connection to them prior to the disaster that the story indicated they should have.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety .
3.75 stars
I tend to like forced proximity kind of stories where extreme situations test our heroes and bring intensity to their relationship. So I was drawn to this book right away by the trapped in the earthquake theme and I think Anderson does a nice job with this aspect of the story. The first half or so of the book focuses on the lead up to and the aftermath of the earthquake. We see a bit of the guys going about their day at work, and then witness the earthquake and their attempts to get themselves and their co-workers to safety. Both men are heroes, helping to calm things down in the emergency and put other people’s safety before their own, only to find themselves stuck alone when another tremor hits. I found this part of the book to be well done and engaging. I was interested in following along in the escape attempts and seeing how the guys end up trapped by themselves. I will say this portion didn’t have quite the urgency or intensity I had expected, but it was still nicely done and kept my attention.
The second half of the book focuses more on the men once they are trapped and how they get to know one another better and act on their attraction. However, I will say that I found the chemistry between these guys a little flat and didn’t feel the connection the way I had hoped. I think part of this is because we are told at the start of the book how these guys have a long simmering attraction to one another and so from the beginning we are supposed to feel this connection between them that just didn’t come through for me. Toward the end, the guys even admit that they had been falling for one another even before the earthquake. But honestly, they felt like casually friendly co-workers at best, not men with an intense connection and attraction. In fact, beyond a holiday party conversation, it seems that these guys didn’t do much but exchange hellos in the hall prior to the earthquake. It wasn’t enough to make me feel that there was the real connection to them prior to the disaster that the story indicated they should have.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety .
January 2, 2018
My Review:
This is a short story, both in length of the book and the amount of time that the story covers...basically twenty-four to forty-eight hours surrounding the earthquake, but it felt perfect. I really thoroughly loved this story.
Chance and Kit work in the same office building, but not in the same office. Nevertheless, they've run across one another enough that they are both hiding a secret crush for the other. But the events surrounding their interactions means that they really don't even know one another well enough to even guess if the other guy is gay.
When the earthquake happens, they end up trapped together, and quickly get to know one another really well. This high stress/high danger situation means that they are volunteering all kinds of information that they normally would never confess to someone they barely know. As a result, they get to know one another extremely well in a short amount of time. And the fact is, they may very well die together, so making a connection is even more vital to the two of them.
This is a high drama, high suspense story. I liked that the two sort of knew one another beforehand. Between that and their circumstances, it means that what develops between the two of them is very deep and very real, very quickly. Normally, that would never work, but in this book, it's truly brilliant.
I loved the story and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading it. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a prologue a year or more down the line showing how the two of them stayed just as connected as they were through this traumatic time. But as it is, the story was wonderful!
I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is a short story, both in length of the book and the amount of time that the story covers...basically twenty-four to forty-eight hours surrounding the earthquake, but it felt perfect. I really thoroughly loved this story.
Chance and Kit work in the same office building, but not in the same office. Nevertheless, they've run across one another enough that they are both hiding a secret crush for the other. But the events surrounding their interactions means that they really don't even know one another well enough to even guess if the other guy is gay.
When the earthquake happens, they end up trapped together, and quickly get to know one another really well. This high stress/high danger situation means that they are volunteering all kinds of information that they normally would never confess to someone they barely know. As a result, they get to know one another extremely well in a short amount of time. And the fact is, they may very well die together, so making a connection is even more vital to the two of them.
This is a high drama, high suspense story. I liked that the two sort of knew one another beforehand. Between that and their circumstances, it means that what develops between the two of them is very deep and very real, very quickly. Normally, that would never work, but in this book, it's truly brilliant.
I loved the story and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of reading it. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a prologue a year or more down the line showing how the two of them stayed just as connected as they were through this traumatic time. But as it is, the story was wonderful!
I highly recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
January 4, 2018
5 Stars!!!
Chance and Kit have been crushing on each other for a long time, however, Kit isn't sure if he's ready to come out in his workplace even for Chance. When an earthquake hits San Francisco and they're left trapped in their office building, they will need to decide if they should give into their attraction and if they do and they survive, will anything really come out of it when they are back on solid ground?
This is only my second book by Quinn Anderson, but she's shaping up to be one of my favorite authors. Her books are fresh, original, well-written and filled with lovable characters. In this case, Chance and Kit were really nice, perhaps Chance a bit more than Kit, since there were moments in which I wanted to slap Kit a bit when he was wavering between wanting to come out or not. They had fantastic chemistry, I could practically see the sparks coming out from their interactions and they were a great team when helping each other through the very difficult situation they were in.
While this book covers 24 hours in Chance and Kit's lives, it never felt rushed, perhaps because of the earthquake and its aftermath. I think it was very believable, realistic and the author didn't go overboard or make it overly angsty, which was a very good thing.
Overall, this book gave a realistic portrayal of what could go on during an earthquake and it was dealt with in a sensitive manner, which with me living in a country where earthquakes are prone to happen, I could appreciate. It was a great read that I thoroughly recommend.
*** Copy provided to me by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley for my reading pleasure. ***
Chance and Kit have been crushing on each other for a long time, however, Kit isn't sure if he's ready to come out in his workplace even for Chance. When an earthquake hits San Francisco and they're left trapped in their office building, they will need to decide if they should give into their attraction and if they do and they survive, will anything really come out of it when they are back on solid ground?
This is only my second book by Quinn Anderson, but she's shaping up to be one of my favorite authors. Her books are fresh, original, well-written and filled with lovable characters. In this case, Chance and Kit were really nice, perhaps Chance a bit more than Kit, since there were moments in which I wanted to slap Kit a bit when he was wavering between wanting to come out or not. They had fantastic chemistry, I could practically see the sparks coming out from their interactions and they were a great team when helping each other through the very difficult situation they were in.
While this book covers 24 hours in Chance and Kit's lives, it never felt rushed, perhaps because of the earthquake and its aftermath. I think it was very believable, realistic and the author didn't go overboard or make it overly angsty, which was a very good thing.
Overall, this book gave a realistic portrayal of what could go on during an earthquake and it was dealt with in a sensitive manner, which with me living in a country where earthquakes are prone to happen, I could appreciate. It was a great read that I thoroughly recommend.
*** Copy provided to me by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley for my reading pleasure. ***
February 21, 2018
Check out our post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Angie � ☆☆�
The blurb really grabbed my attention and I couldn't wait to read this book. This book just missed the mark for me. There was so much description about the earthquake and the aftermath that I felt like Chance and Kit were just thrown in as an afterthought. There were sooo many pages with no dialogue that I was getting bored. I really liked the parts where Chance and Kit interacted, but those times were lost in all the earthquake info. Then in the last chapter, everything happened and then the book was over. It was like the author was rushed to hurry up and get the book done. I am sure others will enjoy this book but it was just a miss for me.
Erica � ☆☆☆☆
4.5 perfectly truncated Stars
First things first... the narrator's name is Chance Crawford. (raises eyebrow) Any Gossip Girl fans? Who else envisioned Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) while reading this novella?
Now that my snark has passed, let's move on to the review itself, shall we?
This is an instance of a novella perfectly crafted, the content written in a way where the reader doesn't feel as if anything was left out, or that the pacing was too quick, or that it was just a fluff piece to pass the time. On Solid Ground was a complete story, spanning twenty-four hours, that somehow managed to remove insta-lust/love and replace it with realistic slow-burn romance.
With that being said, this novella isn't for everybody. There're no bells and whistles, no nonstop, gratuitous between-the-sheets action. The heart-pounding moments are due to realistic situations, not over-the-top angst or suspense. The plot is hyper-focused on a singular event affecting the two men as they struggle to survive.
Nate and Kit... (cough cough) excuse me, I mean Chance and Kit, they work together in the same building. Both working their way from lower level jobs within their professions, an IT geek and a business suit, yet there is a clear divide in their matter of importance. They're friendly, giving a wave and a hello, but nothing has passed since a pleasant, chemistry filled office party months ago.
The unthinkable happens � an earthquake shakes their lives to the very core, followed by the destructive nature of aftershocks. The pair of men struggle to survive, while their narrative showcases a viewpoint readers generally never hear. Usually a book takes place in the aftermath, or we see it on the news during and after the event, but it's always the view of those looking from the outside in. This is shown in the now, happening on the inside, while they look out waiting for help to arrive.
Chance and Kit voice the panic, the fear, the stark terror, and the hope of waiting for rescue that may never arrive in time, while also battling the bittersweet of what might/should have been, if only they'd acted on the crushes they've felt for many months.
With so few pages, and even fewer hours it encompasses, the threat of this being the end accelerates their emotions, but not in an unrealistic or insta-love fashion. The chemistry and connection was felt by this reader.
There are brief moments of levity that lessen the stress, which was most appreciated when it came to pacing, and these moments fed into the realism of the slow-burn romance.
Enjoyed or entertained wouldn't be the words I'd use, which is why I'm not sure this novella is for everyone, especially those who wish a surface level feel-good read about romance and heat. As a word-weaver, I don't know which word to use, but I am glad I read the novella and do recommend for serious, realistic readers, looking for new take on romance.
Ruthie � ☆☆☆☆
This is a really clever story, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat, and most definitely cheering on their opportunity to finally come clean about how they feel about each other. The earthquake elements were very vividly written, and between Die Hard, and every earthquake movie ever written, I was right there with collapsing walls, glass all over the floor, and lack of comms.
The two men are both selfless by nature, but as they find themselves alone, the barriers break down, and they reveal much about themselves. They continue to show great restraint and care for each other, which comes over so well. I loved the changes in pace as they rush to try and get everyone out, then have to sit and wait for rescue, then recognise that maybe there will be no rescue. At no time is there any self-pity, no, they are too happy to have finally accepted that they have the desire to explore further the feelings they have for each other.
That all this comes out in just over a hundred pages, and 24 hours, is an indication of excellent writing, so thank you very much Ms. Anderson.
Sarah � ☆☆☆☆�
A single life-altering earthquake traps Kit and Chance alone together in an unstable office building. In a matter of minutes, the two strangers are forced into an intimacy only forged in a life or death situation.
I loved everything about this story. The novella format perfectly captures the abrupt intensity of Kit and Chance’s experiences over a few short days. There is very little build up to the earthquake. At the start, both men are likeable strangers to each other � and to the readers. Their characters are revealed first through their instinctive responses to the disaster and later as their situation becomes more perilous.
Faced with their own mortality, Chance and Kit’s reflections feel natural. They question relationships and life choices with raw honesty. I loved the ideas thrown up in conversation. I love the relationship that develops between Kit and Chance in such a pressurised environment. As always, Quinn Anderson’s strength is her brilliant dialogue and she manages to keep this story feeling real but not too heavy or maudlin.
This is very different than anything else I’ve read from this author and the carefully, deliberately crafted writing is wonderful. I was completely immersed in Kit and Chance’s experience and they both instantly became very real to me. This was a completely unexpected treat and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Angie � ☆☆�
The blurb really grabbed my attention and I couldn't wait to read this book. This book just missed the mark for me. There was so much description about the earthquake and the aftermath that I felt like Chance and Kit were just thrown in as an afterthought. There were sooo many pages with no dialogue that I was getting bored. I really liked the parts where Chance and Kit interacted, but those times were lost in all the earthquake info. Then in the last chapter, everything happened and then the book was over. It was like the author was rushed to hurry up and get the book done. I am sure others will enjoy this book but it was just a miss for me.
Erica � ☆☆☆☆
4.5 perfectly truncated Stars
First things first... the narrator's name is Chance Crawford. (raises eyebrow) Any Gossip Girl fans? Who else envisioned Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford) while reading this novella?
Now that my snark has passed, let's move on to the review itself, shall we?
This is an instance of a novella perfectly crafted, the content written in a way where the reader doesn't feel as if anything was left out, or that the pacing was too quick, or that it was just a fluff piece to pass the time. On Solid Ground was a complete story, spanning twenty-four hours, that somehow managed to remove insta-lust/love and replace it with realistic slow-burn romance.
With that being said, this novella isn't for everybody. There're no bells and whistles, no nonstop, gratuitous between-the-sheets action. The heart-pounding moments are due to realistic situations, not over-the-top angst or suspense. The plot is hyper-focused on a singular event affecting the two men as they struggle to survive.
Nate and Kit... (cough cough) excuse me, I mean Chance and Kit, they work together in the same building. Both working their way from lower level jobs within their professions, an IT geek and a business suit, yet there is a clear divide in their matter of importance. They're friendly, giving a wave and a hello, but nothing has passed since a pleasant, chemistry filled office party months ago.
The unthinkable happens � an earthquake shakes their lives to the very core, followed by the destructive nature of aftershocks. The pair of men struggle to survive, while their narrative showcases a viewpoint readers generally never hear. Usually a book takes place in the aftermath, or we see it on the news during and after the event, but it's always the view of those looking from the outside in. This is shown in the now, happening on the inside, while they look out waiting for help to arrive.
Chance and Kit voice the panic, the fear, the stark terror, and the hope of waiting for rescue that may never arrive in time, while also battling the bittersweet of what might/should have been, if only they'd acted on the crushes they've felt for many months.
With so few pages, and even fewer hours it encompasses, the threat of this being the end accelerates their emotions, but not in an unrealistic or insta-love fashion. The chemistry and connection was felt by this reader.
There are brief moments of levity that lessen the stress, which was most appreciated when it came to pacing, and these moments fed into the realism of the slow-burn romance.
Enjoyed or entertained wouldn't be the words I'd use, which is why I'm not sure this novella is for everyone, especially those who wish a surface level feel-good read about romance and heat. As a word-weaver, I don't know which word to use, but I am glad I read the novella and do recommend for serious, realistic readers, looking for new take on romance.
Ruthie � ☆☆☆☆
This is a really clever story, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat, and most definitely cheering on their opportunity to finally come clean about how they feel about each other. The earthquake elements were very vividly written, and between Die Hard, and every earthquake movie ever written, I was right there with collapsing walls, glass all over the floor, and lack of comms.
The two men are both selfless by nature, but as they find themselves alone, the barriers break down, and they reveal much about themselves. They continue to show great restraint and care for each other, which comes over so well. I loved the changes in pace as they rush to try and get everyone out, then have to sit and wait for rescue, then recognise that maybe there will be no rescue. At no time is there any self-pity, no, they are too happy to have finally accepted that they have the desire to explore further the feelings they have for each other.
That all this comes out in just over a hundred pages, and 24 hours, is an indication of excellent writing, so thank you very much Ms. Anderson.
Sarah � ☆☆☆☆�
A single life-altering earthquake traps Kit and Chance alone together in an unstable office building. In a matter of minutes, the two strangers are forced into an intimacy only forged in a life or death situation.
I loved everything about this story. The novella format perfectly captures the abrupt intensity of Kit and Chance’s experiences over a few short days. There is very little build up to the earthquake. At the start, both men are likeable strangers to each other � and to the readers. Their characters are revealed first through their instinctive responses to the disaster and later as their situation becomes more perilous.
Faced with their own mortality, Chance and Kit’s reflections feel natural. They question relationships and life choices with raw honesty. I loved the ideas thrown up in conversation. I love the relationship that develops between Kit and Chance in such a pressurised environment. As always, Quinn Anderson’s strength is her brilliant dialogue and she manages to keep this story feeling real but not too heavy or maudlin.
This is very different than anything else I’ve read from this author and the carefully, deliberately crafted writing is wonderful. I was completely immersed in Kit and Chance’s experience and they both instantly became very real to me. This was a completely unexpected treat and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
February 19, 2018
This novella center's around chance and Kit, two men who work in the same building and both harbor an attraction for the other, though neither has acted on it. One is out and proud...the other slightly closeted.
An earthquake hits the cit and their building is hit hard. They are trapped inside, and during their time, they confess their feelings. That's basically the book in a nutshell. Their time together trapped is less than a day, so it's not a ton of time for a huge story arc.
All in all, a quick read to what by all accounts can be described as a HFN. I didn't love the book, but...it was ok.
An earthquake hits the cit and their building is hit hard. They are trapped inside, and during their time, they confess their feelings. That's basically the book in a nutshell. Their time together trapped is less than a day, so it's not a ton of time for a huge story arc.
All in all, a quick read to what by all accounts can be described as a HFN. I didn't love the book, but...it was ok.
May 18, 2018
That was fun and really sweet, but it didn't block my socks off. I would have liked to know more about Kit's and Chance's "relationship" with each other before the earthquake.
February 4, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is a really clever story, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat, and most definitely cheering on their opportunity to finally come clean about how they feel about each other. The earthquake elements were very vividly written, and between Die Hard, and every earthquake movie ever written, I was right there with collapsing walls, glass all over the floor, and lack of comms.
The two men are both selfless by nature, but as they find themselves alone the barriers break down, and they reveal much about themselves. They continue to show great restraint and care for each other, which comes over so well. I loved the changes in pace as they rush to try and get everyone out, then have to sit and wait for rescue, then recognise that maybe there will be no rescue. At no time is there any self-pity, no, they are too happy to have finally accepted that they have the desire to explore further the feelings they have for each other.
That all this comes out in just over a hundred pages, and 24 hours, is an indication of excellent writing, so thank you very much Ms Anderson.
This is a really clever story, which definitely had me on the edge of my seat, and most definitely cheering on their opportunity to finally come clean about how they feel about each other. The earthquake elements were very vividly written, and between Die Hard, and every earthquake movie ever written, I was right there with collapsing walls, glass all over the floor, and lack of comms.
The two men are both selfless by nature, but as they find themselves alone the barriers break down, and they reveal much about themselves. They continue to show great restraint and care for each other, which comes over so well. I loved the changes in pace as they rush to try and get everyone out, then have to sit and wait for rescue, then recognise that maybe there will be no rescue. At no time is there any self-pity, no, they are too happy to have finally accepted that they have the desire to explore further the feelings they have for each other.
That all this comes out in just over a hundred pages, and 24 hours, is an indication of excellent writing, so thank you very much Ms Anderson.
June 15, 2018
2.5 stars
January 2, 2018
I love disaster stories whether it's a book or a movie so I thought that I'd love this one but it ended up just being good for me and didn't really stand out. The characters are nice and likable but I didn't really connect to either of them. The earthquake part was intense but I was never really truly worried that they wouldn't survive, so some of the edge of your seat was missing and I can't even say for sure why. The time span is really 24 hours and although both men have been harboring a bit of crush on each other they really haven't spent much time together so while I understood the getting together I thought some of the "feelings" were a bit rushed. It was sweet and maybe that's my issue - I was expecting something a little different.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
A copy of this book was provided to me by Netgalley and the publisher with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and my comments here are my honest opinion.
January 29, 2018
Wow, this book bought back a lot of memories of the Christchurch earthquake and in particular the Forsyth Barr building. Great story, well written and keeps you hooked
January 12, 2018
4.25 stars
I liked! Nice slow burn that sees Chance and Kit spending a lot of time talking and getting to know each other before anything happens.
I liked! Nice slow burn that sees Chance and Kit spending a lot of time talking and getting to know each other before anything happens.
January 15, 2018
I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
The blurb really grabbed my attention and I couldn't wait to read this book. This book just missed the mark for me. There was so much description about the earthquake and the aftermath that I felt like Chance and Kit were just thrown in as an afterthought. There were sooo many pages with no dialogue that I was gettting bored. I really liked the parts where Chance and Kit interacted but those times were lost in all the earthquake info. Then the last chapter everything happened and then the book was over. It was like the author was rushed to hurry up and get the book done. I am sure others will enjoy this book it was just a miss for me.
The blurb really grabbed my attention and I couldn't wait to read this book. This book just missed the mark for me. There was so much description about the earthquake and the aftermath that I felt like Chance and Kit were just thrown in as an afterthought. There were sooo many pages with no dialogue that I was gettting bored. I really liked the parts where Chance and Kit interacted but those times were lost in all the earthquake info. Then the last chapter everything happened and then the book was over. It was like the author was rushed to hurry up and get the book done. I am sure others will enjoy this book it was just a miss for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.