Flight Lessons

by Patricia Gaffney

Growing up, Anna admired and emulated her unmarried Aunt Rose, who led a much more exotic and glamorous life than her mother. But as her mother lies dying, Anna finds out that the woman she looked to more than her own mother betrayed them both in the worst way. Now an acutely mistrustful adult, Anna suffers yet another betrayal, at the hands of her lover. Looking for an escape, Anna returns home, though it means helping her aunt run the family restaurant. Rose, who for 20 years has struggled to regain Anna's trust, realizes that although her niece has come home, it's clear she doesn't plan to stay. Feelings are frosty as ever, and Anna is so deadset on leaving, that she fails to recognize true love, even as it reaches up to grab her by the heart. Moving, funny, and ultimately reassuring about life and love, Gaffney's new novel is just the thing her readers have been waiting for.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Womens Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Family

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Patricia Gaffney was born in Tampa, Florida, and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and also studied literature at Royal Holloway College of the University of London, at George Washington University, and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After college, Gaffney taught 12th grade English for a year before becoming a freelance court reporter, a job she pursued in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., for the next fifteen years.

Her first book, a historical romance, was published by Dorchester in 1989. Between then and 1997, she wrote 11 more romance novels (Dorchester; Penguin USA), for which she was nominated for or won many awards. Many of these previously out of print classics are available again today as digitally reissued classics, including the author's most recently re-released and much beloved novels in The Wyckerley Trilogy.

In 1999, she went in a new direction with her hardcover fiction debut, The Saving Graces (HarperCollins). A contemporary story about four women friends, the novel explored issues of love, friendship, trust, and commitment among women. The Saving Graces enjoyed bestseller status on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and other lists.

Circle of Three (2000), Flight Lessons (2002), and The Goodbye Summer (2004) followed, all national bestsellers. Gaffney’s most recent novel was Mad Dash (2007), a humorous but insightful look at a 20-year marriage, told from the viewpoints of both longsuffering spouses.

More recently, Pat's been indulging her purely creative side in a brand new format for her -- novellas. With friends including J. D. Robb, she has contributed stories to three anthologies, all New York Times bestsellers. In "The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" (The Lost, 2009), a woman in a troubled marriage "dies" and comes back as the family dog. "The Dancing Ghost" (The Other Side, 2010) brings together a pretty spinster and a shady ghost buster in 1895 New England. And in "Dear One" (The Unquiet, 2011), a fake phone psychic (or IS she?) meets her match in a stuffy Capitol Hill lobbyist -- who couldn't possibly be that sexy-voiced cowboy from Medicine Bend who keeps calling the psychic line.

Patricia Gaffney lives in southern Pennsylvania with her husband.

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very disappointing. I was looking forward to it because I've liked other books by her, but disliked it so much I didn’t even finish it. I didn’t like the main character...she was so intent on making everyone around her know that she’d only moved home temporarily, it got irritating...no need to mention it every other page. She was holding on to “issues” from 23 years ago...I felt like shaking her and yelling “move on!”.

[Barb Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anna left home years ago after what she perceived as a horrible betrayal by her Aunt Rose. She returns home after another betrayal, to help Rose run the family restaurant while she figures out what she wants to do.

In my opinion, family isn't necessarily the people you are genetically related to. For lots of us, family is the group we create after learning to avoid some or all toxic birth-family situations. I was utterly absorbed in this book for the first 250 pages, thinking that I knew where Gaffney was headed with this--Anna needed to learn to forgive and Rose needed to learn that one's genetic family doesn't always deserve unquestioned loyalty and devotion (for one thing, she should have kicked Anna's ass way sooner).

But Gaffney's world is way less complex than that. If you're family, you're good. Staying in place is better than figuring out what is healthy and what you need, which might include leaving to find it. Loyalty is always right, even if you're being loyal to something that doesn't deserve it. Even though Carmen, Rose's cousin and the chef at the restaurant, was horrible, the reader was just somehow supposed to know she was worth keeping because she was FAMILY, the only good thing anyone, even Rose, can say about her.

But the ending was a disappointment. Rose turned out to be perfect, and pretty much right about everything, and Anna was just wrong, wrong, wrong. Perfect, warm, loving characters who have no serious flaws irritate me no end, and Rose is one of the worst of these I've read in awhile.

Unlike some other reviewers, my sympathies were with Anna. Yes, she held on to her anger years too long, but at least she was a believable, prickly, imperfect human being who learned some things that were worth learning. Rose was irritatingly perfect. Her only redeeming quality is that she did manage to resist being smug about always being right, which would have made this a one-star book for me.

I loved the setup of this book, and it's been awhile since I've been this absorbed in a story, so I'm still giving it three stars. Just wish it could have been a little more complex rather than going with the boring, cliche'd way Gaffney resolved the story. This was my first Gaffney, not sure yet whether I will read more. Based on the other reviews, it sounds like her other books are more this way rather than less. I guess I am a bit too curmudgeonly for this stuff.

[Sonia189 · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a 3.5
I liked some things, especially the romance development and the emotional impact the story has. But it's annoying at times how characters just don't act! Sure in real life the same happens, but in books a bit more cleverness and assertiveness would be welcome.
I cried and that made me think about the subjects, the idea the author wanted to portray...but Anna, the protagonist got on my nerves here and there and her change of mind wasn't as smooth as I would have liked. But the good parts made want to read so...

[Anne Patkau · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title may refer to Anna, simultaneously learning about birds and understanding her own reasons for always running away when feeling betrayed. Anna is not likable - snarky, superior, emotionally self-absorbed quitter, nor time in her anxiety-past-ridden head. I skipped pages, until the end where the title seemed to make sense.

Anna left her father when she found him in bed with her aunt, years after her mother died. She left her boyfriend, in bed with another woman. She is invited home to run the family restaurant on the eastern US seafront by aforesaid aunt. She falls for a bird photographer, and tries to show him her love by reciting migratory facts. Family reconciliation parallels monogamous commitment.

[Ida · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing read with unsympathetic characters at whom I wanted to yell: "Get over it!" Even the main character, Anna, recognizes her self-absorption..."She'd held a grudge for almost half a lifetime over a perceived wrong...had gotten on her very high horse and stayed there for almost twenty (years) more. What a jerk." That says it all.

[Brooke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn't get "in" to this book until after about 200 pages or so. The main character is just so selfish that she irritated the heck out of me. The love stories were okay, but geeze, I didn't need that sex scene with the 60+ year olds!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I looked at some of the low stars for this book my heart sank a bit, but I decided to go ahead and read. It was surprisingly good, bittersweet in part. Full of family and loyalty, love and loss, forgiveness and truth.

[Mady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once in a while it feels good to read a book like this. Just easy reading and with an ending that you can spot right from the beginning!
Anna is of Italian origin and was born in a family of cooks who are now in the restaurant business. After being betrayed by her boyfriend of 2 years with her best friend and boss, Anna decides to move back to her home town to work in the family's restaurant. There she has to deal with her aunt with whom she hasn't been talking to for years.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. It was all about relationships. A good read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same author as Saving Graces. Anna and her Aunt Rose have been struggling to come to terms with Rose's betrayal. Anna temporarily returns to the family restaurant the Bella Sorella to help keep it afloat but as her hurts heal, she develops relationships and recognizes that her heart belongs to the Roseanna--the restaurant renamed after a serious fire.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with the reviewers who just wanted to shake the main character and tell her to "Get over it." Come to think of it, most of the characters needed a good shaking and tongue lashing. But, the story moved along nicely with some touching parts. This is my first PG book, and I will read others.

[Amy Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this one up at goodwill because I enjoyed Saving Graces. It wasn’t my favorite, didn’t even read the last two chapters. As much as I enjoy older romances, this one didn’t stand the test of time in a retro-fun-romancy way. Maybe it was the awkwardly placed rape comment?!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was supposed to be about the Eastern Shore. The mentions were gratuitous, at best. It was an ok book. I didn't really care much about any of the characters.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this author's books - but I always "save" them on my to-be-read later stack. I'm going to guess it is the cover artwork. They always look old-fashioned and I'm never sure if I'm going to enjoy them. But then - once I start reading, the story flies by. IN particular, Patricia Gaffney writes about the relationships between women very realistically in a way that draws the reader in.

In Flight Lessons, Anna has recently caught her lover in bed with her boss and best friend, so she returns home to help her aunt Rose run the family restaurant, Bella Sorella. The problem between Rose and Anna is that Anna believes that her aunt Rose started having an affair with her father while her mother was dying of cancer, and she cannot forgive her aunt (or father). This feeling, although her father has passed away, and Rose is in a relationship, makes Anna treat Rose rudely? badly? Rose, however, loves her niece and continues to try to work through the pain in their relationship.

Anna also meets a new love interest, Mason, through her aunt Rose and Theo. Mason is a true introvert and a professional bird photographer - something I didn't even know existed as a profession. He is Theo's step-son from a failed relationship, and the men have a close relationship. As well, Anna's aunt Carmen is the head chef at the restaurant, and Carmen has a tough relationship with everyone. Although the author never says it, Anna looks like her aunt Rose, but treats people like her aunt Carmen.

There is an interesting assortment of restaurant employees: Shirell, who continuously finds abusive men to date, Frankie, the chef who is trying her best to stay sober and regain her broken marriage, Fontaine, who lost his family in a car accident and who is looking for someone to love, Vince, who is the hottie bartender that all the women love, but who can't find a real relationship... All of the drama that makes this type of novel a winner. Enjoy!

[sn_fiq · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I just want to state that I am always confused of the random change of POV. One time I was reading from Anna's POV then suddenly it was Rose's POV. I could only get the hang of it towards the end of the story.
Secondly, Anna's effort to make people around her not feeling attach to her really work by mentioning she was not going to stay there for long. Honestly, I grow unattached to her too because she keeps saying that and her behavior was just annoying at that part. You're leaving,ok, we get it, move on. You do not have to rub it on my face all the time.

I wish Aunt Iris would confirm on the piece of news told by Rose to Anna about her, and Anna's parents, because I feel that part was a bit suspicious.

[Deanne Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author and I enjoyed it. It helps that the main scenes were in an Italian restaurant! It starts a little strange. A woman finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with her friend and then flashback that her father and her aunt had an affair while her mother lay dying. Fast forward and the woman, Anna, ends up going to help her aunt, Rose, run the families Italian restaurant. Add in that Roses boyfriend Theo is dying and anna falls for theos stepson, Mason who has his own issues. One issue being fear of flying but he gets on a plane to help Anna. Lots of references to flight lessons. Mainly about people flying away from home or staying home.

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story about the power of forgiveness and the senseless holding of a grudge.
Anna, after finding out her boyfriend is cheating on her, agrees to go back home to help her Aunt Rose with the struggling family restaurant. Rose and Anna have not really communicated in years because of issues of Rose and Annas' father. What does Anna know, or what does she think she knows? Can her time spent back home ever explain things, and will Anna be able to close the gap with her aunt?
Interesting story about family dynamics and nicely told.

[Lisa Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio book caused me to drive around a bit longer on a couple of outings, just to see what was happening next w/ Anna and her hard-headed attitude. Frankie is probably my favorite, and I was cheering for her progress from the beginning! I love Mason’s character, too. It started slowly (hence a loss of one star), but thankfully I kept listening until I was intrigued by the real-life types in the story!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna despised her Aunt Rose because of what she saw many years before while Rose's sister and Anna's mother lay dying. But after years, Anna went back to help the aunt out in the family restaurant business. There she met Mason and Theo. Would things work out for everyone or would things backfire and go back to the hate from before. Could there be such an understanding? This was an easy to follow read and the characters were ones who I cold relate to.

[Wildrose_private · Rating 4 out of 5]

The MC's ultimate decision to stay and help run her family's restaurant was predictable, plus marry the agoraphobic stepson of her favorite aunt's lover. I even predicted the post-fire, redone restaurant's name of Roseanna. That said, I loved the voice, the found and enlarged sense of family, and the theme of forgiveness.

With the amount of time I have left, I don't see myself revisiting this book so will release to the world, but I'd recommend it as an example of stellar WF all the same.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read so many reviews that didn't like this book...it was psychological in a way...I have a friend who has been going to a therapist for years to make sense of a problem much like in this book. I felt the characters were strong and well written. Several quotes I had to write down(esp. the coffee one)...and as a whole, I enjoyed reading this. Will definitely read more of Ms. Gaffney's books.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t really want to read this, but I inadvertently pressed “want to read”in my Goodreads feed and could not figure out how to unmark so the only way I could delete it was to read the book so I probably started the book with a bad attitude. Having said that, it was a fast read and very light but nothing special.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's Love Got To Do With It!

I wanted to love this book. I loved the idea of it. I loved the setting. But the main character, Anna. She was hard to love, and it's hard to really love a book when you can't love the main character. Enjoyed the story, the information on birds.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about a woman who goes home to family, without intentions of mending any relationships, much less taking over the family restaurant, and winds up doing both. And she finds a long term relationship with a man, something she's never been successful in doing before. It's a good read. I liked it.

[Cari Schaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and the story. Lots of fun reading about the insides of a restaurant, having been a chef myself. I would have liked more of "what happened to..." with several of the characters, but it is what it is. I'll look for more work from this author.

[Bridget Belyeu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for something easy and lighthearted, but this was a pretty terrible read. Boring storyline, unlikable, flat characters. Lesson learned- the library discard bin is not the best route for engaging reading materials.

[Sadie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big fan of her historicals but this was one of those "trying to hard to keep a secret so it's not a misunderstanding but it really is" books. DNF in the end but still a 2 based on how hard I worked to get thru it

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this about 18 years ago and no longer remember it. I had described it as a story about a mid-thirties woman who returns to her hometown to help her Aunt Rose with her restaurant. But she has never forgiven Rose for something from sixteen years ago.

[Marcy Beatty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book because Saving Graces was so good... but I didn't like the main feel-sorry-for-me character, started to lose interest halfway through and almost didn't finish. I ended up scanning lots of pages. End was predictable.

[Linda Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! It was a relaxing, easy read. The characters were very likeable and human.