Book Review: Whirlwind by Kayla Grosse

Official Synopsis: Is it reckless for a master’s student to blur the lines with her hot, older professor—a legendary storm chaser?

Without a doubt.

But when a tornado strikes during Finley and Professor West’s first chase together, something far more dangerous than the storm pulls them in. Boundaries shatter, and so do their reservations.

Now, as they tear across Oklahoma with his famous storm chasing team, he’s they crossed a line that should never have been crossed. He’s her professor, and she’s his student—nothing more.

But with every storm they face, they’re drawn deeper into a whirlwind that threatens to consume them both.

Can they remain professional?

Or will the storms consume them?

So I feel like I need to preference this review a little bit, and you are probably going to go 'but Maggie why did you read it if' and it's because it had storm chasing and there are a few comments I have about that that I think are more important then me just not liking age gap romances. Having a romance where the age gap of over 10 years is weird to me, especially when the younger is 25. That might just be me, and I know it doesn't bother everyone, but I feel like I need to state that when it seems like my post is a little aggressive.

Let's talk about weather first. I think the meteorology was really well talked about and researched, there weren't any moments where as a meteorologist I cringed. The author took the time to look at the right locations for information and I can see what she looked at in the characters, especially Professor West. The one thing I found a little 'uneasy', and comes from personal experience, is that when someone is chasing and ends up in a terrifying position (like lying in a field while a tornado totals your car) I don't see how that person would be able to go on a weekend chase and be OK. Especially because Finley is 25. Even now, at 31, I can see the damage that we saw from a tornado in college, and that sits with you for a while. I think Finley not having an reaction, even having some time where she is a bit scared, was a really big thing for me. Even Twisters had a moment where she regretted trying to chase again. Storm chasing is an emotional experience and I think that could have helped the story a bit.

Now, one of the big things about the relationship in this book is that Ryker West is her professor, and she has watched his 'extreme' chasing videos for a really long time. The age gap is about 12 years, which for me is too much. That being said, the book and age gap are for someone, just not me. When I would think of Finley as being older, and even a bit assuming Ryker was in his 30s, the relationship made a lot of sense. They had a lot of heated moments, and Ryker definitely has a jealous streak, but overall there was a sweetness I could find if I disregarded the character's ages. Also, as her professor he has a power over her, even if he really doesn't push it. That part gave me a bit of an ick, but again I understand its for someone.

There were some excellent background characters in this book. Joseph, another chaser and overall chaotic bisexual was my favorite in the whole story. His flirty attitude while being a chaser/drone operator/cowboy was really great. Plus we learn his way of speaking is just flirting, and he is having a 'fun' time with one of the other member's of the group. All the men are really considerate of Finley, which was also comforting. Meteorology and storm chasing can definitely be a male dominated field.

Overall, there were some points of this book I didn't like, but I knew those going in. I am super excited to see storm chasing romances become more of a thing (people who wished for a kiss at the end of Twisters unite!) I just wish it wasn't this age gapped or with that professor/student thing. I hope to see more storm chasing based romances in the future!

I rated this book 2.5/3 out of 5 stars.

Whirlwind is out now!

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