A review by jamieb_19
The Unlikely Pair by Jax Calder

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I’ve survived a lot of unpleasant situations in my life. Surely, I can endure a plane trip with Toby Webley. After all, it’s only for a short time.

Toby and Harry have been political rivals for many years. Their verbal sparring has become a cornerstone of Parliamentary sessions. After the small plane that was supposed to take them to a climate conference crashes somewhere in the Scandinavian wilderness, they’re forced to work together if they have any hopes of surviving long enough to hopefully be rescued. All they have is each other and the longer they’re together in the wilderness, the more they begin to bond. There’s no way they could have a real relationship if they manage to get rescued - their heads know that but they have a harder time convincing their hearts of that fact.

Is my survival instinct stronger than my hatred of Harry? It’s going to be a difficult test.

I had a great time reading this book! Rivals/enemies to lovers is always fun. Throwing them into a survival situation? Even better! I don’t know if the survival aspect was completely believable but I didn’t care, it kept me on the edge of my seat as they were thrown into perilous situations. Then there was the added suspense of being hunted by the terrorist group. You’re going to be turning those pages to see how they were going to get out of the next obstacle. 

Having to put your full trust in another person to ensure your survival is a sure way to become bonded to that person. I loved seeing the animosity and constant barbs between Toby and Harry begin to soften as the days pressed on. And in its place was a newfound respect for each other. The transformation in their relationship felt realistic to me. When you strip away all the other noise, they begin to see under the masks and get to know each other on a deeper level. It was a combination of this new appreciation of each other and a bit of “living in the moment” that led them to leap into a physical relationship. And from that moment, things really took off. 

These two were surprisingly sweet together. Once they got past the initial danger, they fell into a nice rhythm, making the most of their days together. It was simple and it was peaceful and unexpectedly romantic. I found myself swooning as these two grew ever closer. I also loved how their return to civilization was handled. Living through an ordeal like that, for as long as they did, changes a person and I thought their struggles to fall back into their previous lives were portrayed well. Not to mention all the pining that tugged at my heartstrings.

What does one say to their nemesis—whom they’re stranded alone with in the wilderness—after having just engaged in a spectacular, out-of-this-world sexual encounter?
All the etiquette training my mother provided me with never covered this particular scenario.

I loved how everything came together. There was a twist that I hadn’t expected that added an interesting wrinkle to their relationship. I was surprised about one thing that wasn’t resolved but it seems that’ll be carried into the upcoming 3rd book (which sounds like it’s going to be good!). Harry and Toby may have been an unlikely pair (I’ll admit I was skeptical when their pairing was first announced) but they totally won me over and I loved seeing them find their way together! 

As we kiss properly, I realize I don’t just love him. I love him past what love should be. It shouldn’t be this craving, this complete and utter desire to be consumed by someone and to consume them in return.