1939. Europe is on the brink of war. A young English woman sets off for Australia on an ocean liner. There, blurring the social distinctions and customs, stuck in their very own quite claustrophobic microcosm, a variety of characters will come to know, love and hate each other. Sounds promising, doesn't it? Even more so since the novel's first scene is the ship's arrival, wherein it becomes very clear that something terrible has taken place at sea. And yet...not as great as one might have expected. Although to be honest I did just read an absolutely terrific thriller, so most would pale in comparison after that. In fact the reason I chose this was for some lighter entertainment, after wading through some very dark psychological mires of my previous read. Plus I like historical fiction. And murder stories. Maybe this ended up too light? Easy breezy kinda cute...like Cover Girl's younger cousin. Mind you, this is a serious novel that deals with serious subjects, but it does have that gaiety of a bygone era that can get tiresome, and does, at times. And, accordingly, at times...Edward is tedious, Campbells are trying and the voyage (much like it must have felt in real life) too long. All of which would have still worked had the actual twist been properly twisted. This book has one, really, and it can be seen from a mile away by anyone ever slightly more perceptive than our naïve artless (though apparently completely irresistible)protagonist. Suppose I expected more. More suspense, less upstairs downstairs politics, less relationship drama, more excitement, more something. It was a good read as far as historical fiction goes, the author, whoever they may be since pseudonym is used, did a credible job with details and descriptions and the journey itself is quite well rendered. But once you get tired of the all the glamour, you might want more substance. Just didn't quite sing in other respects, too women's fiction or too melodramatic or something. Very readable in either case, just not quite what was expected or advertised. Maybe not enough danger to justify the title, but then again Romantically Challenging Somewhat Menacing Crossing doesn't quite have the same ring to it. Entertaining enough. Thanks Netgalley.

** spoiler alert ** One thing I loved about this novel is the rich descriptions of the surroundings and characters. I found myself vividly picturing Eliza and Max, Edward and Helena and Lily as well as the minor characters such as Ida and Maria.

The way in which the ship, the outfits and the countries visited along the journey are described is vibrant and done in a great way.

However, I think that's where it ends for me. The storytelling itself just wasn't as strong as I felt it should be for such a subject. For a young man in Edward's position in 1939, the consequences were severe. By only putting it out there at the very end, as the twist essentially, I feel it misses out on an entire issue that would have made for very interesting reading.

However, I get it — this is Lily's story and Lily's experience. Except why then make her out to be the naive servant girl who gets fooled into thinking a lovely, upper-class man is in love with her? By having him act the way he does, it seems like it was done just to make the twist even more dramatic which was a little frustrating.