FLYING BY THE SEAT OF MY KNICKERS (THE TRAVEL MISHAPS OF CAITY SHAW #1) – ELIZA WATSON

Why run from your troubles when you can fly instead? 
When Caity Shaw is fired from her job, her sister, Rachel, an event planner, hires her to work in Dublin. However, even four thousand miles from home, there’s no avoiding her pathetic life. 
Caity suffers a series of humiliating mishaps, causing her to lose even more faith in herself. She struggles to earn Rachel’s respect—and to keep Declan, her hot Irish coworker, at arm’s length as he repeatedly saves Caity’s butt and helps boost her self-confidence. 

I don’t know if I’ve ever read something this fun and lively!  Flying by the Seat of my Knickers had it all; stimulating writing and an original plot topped off with a quirky main character.  This is a brilliant read for anyone looking for something amusing and upbeat.  

When Caity is fired from her first proper job, her only fall back is to work for her sister, Rachel, as an event planner in Dublin.  Jumping at the chance to travel, even if it means dealing with her overbearing, workaholic sister who is as much a stranger to her as the others working with her.  Longing to prove her worth, Caity sets out to become Rachel’s best employee while reconnecting with her Irish heritage and hopefully her sister along the way.  But nothing can separate her from the problems back home.  As her possessions dwindle, her mother becomes more overbearing (if that’s even possible), and memories of her controlling ex bear down on her, Caity struggles to pull her life together.

Flying by the Seat of my Knickers is a short, silly, feel-good story that also carries some powerful messages.  A little ditsy and vertically challenged, Caity is an interesting and quirky character that I wanted to know more about.  While she didn’t fully appeal to my ideals of a strong female character, she did get herself through some hard times and eventually learnt her worth, growing a backbone and a bit more self-confidence which was fantastic.

The male lead, Declan is such a sweetie and it seems like he’s been crossed in love in some way or another.  He deserves some loving – which I hope will happen sooner or later.  He’s the mysterious, handsome and charming Irishman, the girl should go with him right – everyone knows I would…  

The only thing I really had a problem with was, at times, I felt some of the characters came straight out of some soppy, over-stereotyped, teen romance.  Gretchen was probably the worst I mean, the girl’s name is Gretchen and if that isn’t a blaring sign for 'evil bitch' in today’s literature then I don’t know what is.  Snobbish about her job and her worth, believing herself superior to all others, blames everyone else for her mistakes and has a whiny voice.  She’s the chick who can’t let go of the guy and so strives to ruin everyone else’s chances.  Her character was a little overdone, annoying, and a rather negative representation of women.  I can understand why Gretchen was included and, fortunately, she didn’t have a huge part the story but I wasn't a fan.

As for the ending, this book left me aching for the next one.  There wasn’t much of a wrap up regarding relationships, no final direction for Caity’s life or even hints of a decidedly happy future.  Sure, there is stability assured but, by the end, we know that our leading lady is still working on finding who she is, a mere step away from her forever.

This book was so entertaining and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for something sincere and amusing. 


Rating: 3.5/5


Grab a copy of this fun read from Amazon or Book Depository.