I don't know much about boats and sailing. I do know something about grieving for someone you loved and lost, and this hauntingly beautiful book made me feel all sorts of emotions in recognition of how hard it is to let go your past and take a chance on a new, unimagined and unplanned future.

Anna is a twenty five year old waitress from Fort Lauderdale whose fiance Ben committed suicide after a long bout of depression. Ben planned to sail to Trinidad and have lots of amazing experiences on the way. When Anna's alarm alerts her that this is the day Ben chose for their departure, she packs her bag and leaves knowing full well that she isn't ready to let go of her grief, whatever her family and friends may think. Anna's sailing experience is woefully inadequate. After narrowly escaping a full on collision with another boat, she advertises for a guide. She also finds herself in a risky situation. Call it two narrow escapes in a day. This time she is saved and aided by a kind stranger, Keane Sullivan, who she hires to help her make her way to Puerto Rico. What follows is an amazing journey from an emotional turmoil and darkness to the 'state of grace', with love, hope, sadness and happiness finding their rightful place in Anna's heart.

Float Plan is one of the best books I have read this year. The characters are impossible not to fall in love with. Anna's grief is all-encompassing, and yet, she is trying hard to listen to her heart, and learn how to go on living. At first, she keeps thinking about Ben's wishes and what he would have thought of this place or that, but gradually allows herself chart a new course, wherever it may lead. She is so kind, honest and grateful, that her state of mind rubs off on the reader. I felt so immersed in her story, her journey (or rather I should say their journey) that I didn't want it to end. Her relationship with Keane develops naturally and takes as much time as they both need to be ready for their future. I haven't said much about Keane so far, because I'd love the reader to have no preconception, but just see him through Anna's eyes.

This was my first book by Trish Doller and I was amazed by the ease and beauty of her writing style. Some of her lines rang so true to what I felt in my time of grief and mourning, others gave me time and space to breathe in the spindrift and feel the healing power of 'salt water- sweat, tears or the sea'.

The descriptions of places Anna and Keane visit on their journey were absolutely spellbinding and provided a welcome emotional escape. Above all, the book filled me with calm with its carefully chosen, sparse words, its sincerity and quiet belief that the person you lost doesn't have to disappear completely, but you can build something new alongside the old memories.

6 Reasons you NEED your own copy of Float Plan:

1. It takes you on an emotional roller coaster that is beyond beautiful.
2. The raw details, the easy (albeit festy) comradery between Anna and Keane was riveting (literally I do not think I put the book down after I started it!)
3. A smooth slow burning romance that was 🔥🔥🔥🔥
4. The depth. This was not your average surface romance. It was deep and talked about real life issues like depression, loss, and finding your way.
5. Growth. The Characters in this book showed almost a tangible growth that was interesting to watch.
6. For the Amazing Adventures that Trish Doller takes you on! The detail used to describe the Islands, man… I could almost taste the salty air and feel the boat rock during the storm.

This book was so fun on many different levels while also being deeply touching on a level I do not get to read often. I sincerely enjoyed this story and hope to read more books of this caliber by Trish Doller. 5 out of 5 stars for a book that will stick with you long after it is over.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

Wow. I am so glad I did not judge this book by its cover, which is somewhat misleading, and instead dove in (no pun intended) to see what it was all about. Review included below.

3.5 stars
This was something I never thought I would read and appreciate. It is a serious look at depression, death, loss, and most importantly, recovery. I was given so much to think about and the overriding theme was to love and be loved and accept and go on.

This was my first read by this author and it will not be my last. I fell in love with her writing and these characters.

There was the right mix of heartbreaking, romantic, suspenseful, and funny moments in this story. Anna lost her fiancé to suicide almost a year ago. She has finally hit a point where she doesn't want to wallow any more, she decided to leave her life behind and take a sailing trip her fiancé had planned for them. I loved the journey she took, finding herself after a devastating loss and figuring out how to go on living without him.

When she gets a little in over her head, she hires a professional sailor, Keane, to help her on her journey. I loved their connection, chemistry, and he was so dang swoony with Anna. He was patient, kind, and knew exactly what she needed before she even did.

I am still thinking about Anna, Keane, and their journey through the islands. This story had everything I enjoy in a romance but I would have loved an epilogue set a bit in the future to see how they are doing.

Grateful to have received a complimentary ARC copy to honestly review.

Really cute story about starting over. I loved the scenery and the Irish man. It was cute but also not extra sappy.

When Anna's calendar tells her right before Thanksgiving that it's time to set sail, she's not sure if she should take this trip or not. She was supposed to be taking this sail through the Caribbean with her fiance Ben. But ten months ago, Ben committed suicide and now Anna is unsure about everything in her life. She decides to set sail in memory of Ben but soon recognizes that this trip is too much to do alone. With the help of Keane, she navigates through the Caribbean and through the emotions clogging her heart.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sailing through the Caribbean sounds like a dream come true for sure. I personally have never been to the Caribbean, but I would love to go. It sucks in the manner in which Anna has to go about it, but it seems like it could be a wonderful journey. I'm not sure what I would do if I lost someone and had to go on a trip that was planned for two.



For the first part of the trip, Anna tries to make it through on her own. Then she realizes that the trip is really better suited for at least two people. When Anna gets to Bimini, she hires a one-man crew to help her out. Keane is missing a part of his right leg, but that doesn't hinder him from getting the job done and teaching Anna the ways of the sea.

As they travel through the Caribbean, meeting new people and making new friends, they find out that spending so much time in close quarters could lead to other things. But will Anna be able to let go of Ben to see if there could be a future with Keane, or will this just be a trip through the Caribbean, and then they will each go their own way.

Is it too early to say that I’ve found my favorite book of 2021?
Float Plan by Trish Doller was…everything. If you choose to read even one romance novel in 2021, pick this book up. It will break your heart and fix the broken pieces all over again. Many thanks to the publisher for sending me the ARC in exchange of an honest review! 💕

***Trigger warnings : Death of a loved one by suicide, grief.***
Float Plan by Trish Doller pulled by heart-strings in the best way possible. I love books where the main character evolves through their grieving process – and this book was just that. I started reading Float Plan with high expectations, but gosh, I got so much more. Anna and Keane touched my soul in the best way possible. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let them go! 🥰

From the very beginning of the book, I was mesmerized by the author’s lyrical writing style. It had a very captivating touch, and made reading Anna’s story such a lovely ride. And Anna, oh Anna. She is undoubtedly one of the bravest female leads I’ve ever read about. Experiencing Anna’s journey towards her self re-discovery was one of the best things ever. Her strength and determination won my heart over and over again. I loved how she chose to pay a tribute to Ben, and honor his memory though a sailing trip, even though she was struggling emotionally. “Love goes on, even if the person you love isn’t with you anymore” – that’s what I kept thinking all the time while reading the book. ❤ I think it’s very hard to capture the emotions of a character, especially about someone who’s grieving – but Trish Doller managed to write flawlessly about Anna as she passed through different stages of grief.

Keane was the best male lead this book needed. His relationship with Anna was so heart-warming and pure. I loved seeing them connect by sharing their tragic experiences. They leaned on to each other, in the most unexpected of ways – and that’s what made their sailing trip so real to me, you know? Anna’s and Keane’s bonding sessions felt like music to my soul. 💫

The backdrop of different scenic islands was such a BONUS! :’) I could see Anna find a different version of herself everywhere she went, and it was just remarkable. I’ve never read a book with sailing as a theme, so that’s another thing that made Float Plan stand out to me. LOVE LOVE LOVE.

I don’t think I’ll ever find enough words to explain how much this book means to me. Please go read it as soon as you can. Can’t recommend it enough.

Well that was surprisingly adorable. The book starts out with a suicide note from the main character's fiancé, and I wasn't sure how much happiness I'd experience with Float Plan after that. However, I fell in love with Anna and Keane, rooting for Anna to find herself and be able to make space in her heart for Keane, someone who clearly cared for her from the start.

Float Plan is a feel-good romance that also filled my wanderlust heart while I'm at home. My bucket list now has quite a few more Caribbean islands on it, and I may need to find a cure for my seasickness so I can live on a sailboat for a while. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CW: suicide

Since the loss of her fiancé, Anna has been overcome with grief and simply going through the motions. That is until a reminder goes off about their upcoming sailing trip and Anna decides to set sail on her own. Using Ben's boat and his detailed itinerary Anna is ready to sail the Caribbean, well, that is until she realizes that she isn't much of a sailor and cannot make the journey on her own. She posts an advertisement seeking a skilled sailor and enter Keane, a professional sailor. Keane is grieving his own loss as he realizes that his future is very different than what he had planned. They set sail together and chart a new course along the way.

Trish Doller explored the difficult nature of grief in this book, showing that grief is not linear and that everyone copes differently. I loved the sense of adventure in the book and couldn't help but root Anna on, hoping that she could figure out how to make it to the next island. Plus, who doesn't want to read about a dreamy Irishman?!?

If you're looking for a romance read that isn't all about the romance, this one is for you! It's heart-wrenching and inspirational and you can't help but root for the characters. It's certainly a special tale of love and life after loss.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced ebook copy. All opinions are my own.

Float Plan is one of my favorite books so far this year. I have been in a reading slump, and this pulled me out of it! Anna lost her fiance by suicide, and she has been living in extreme grief. When her phone alarm tells her today is the day they were going to sail together, Anna decides to go on the trip on her own. After several miles, she realizes she can't do it alone, so she hires Keane to help her. Keane used to sail professionally until he lost a leg, so he knows loss as well. As time goes on, friendship and romance grow, and both Anna and Keane realize that paths can change.

This book was nothing at all what I expected. And yet, it was so much more than anything I could have thought.

In short, I loved it. Every single second of it.

I was expecting a romance novel, quick and predictable. But this book isn't necessarily about romance. It’s about letting go of the past and dealing with grief. It’s about experiencing happiness and finding freedom.

And yes, there is a bit of a love story thrown in there to put the icing on the cake.

I loved Anna and her adventure. She never let fear rule her. She marched right to that boat and decided to sail the ocean. She was strong and vulnerable. Her story was heartbreaking and encouraging.

My favorite character in this was Keane, of course. He was so charming and sincere and kind and good and such a generally wonderful person. The relationship between Keane and Anna was lovely to read.

Then there was the traveling. Never before have I wanted to hop on a boat and sail through the Caribbean. This has given me a new life goal, a new dream to look forward to. All the new settings were beautifully described and each felt so unique from all the others. And all the people they met along the way were so full of life and personality that they managed to stand out and be memorable, despite how little time we spent with them. There was just so much neatly packed into this short novel.

I am so very glad I read this book, and so very thankful to have been given an ARC since I might not have discovered this book otherwise.

Overall, great book, my favorite of the year so far.

Float Plan by Trish Doller begins on such a sad note. Literally, a tragic suicide note from Anna’s fiance. The letter paints a painful picture of what was and what could have been if Ben had made it through his depression.

Anna is so sad as she begins her journey out to sea. We feel her pain, and we miss Ben just as much as her through her words and memories. From the offset, it doesn’t seem like she should be out sailing a boat. She’s distracted and inexperienced.

After a very unfortunate night, Anna wakes up on her boat with a splitting headache and an attractive man on board. Keane is loveable from the get-go. Not only does he take care of Anna while she was wasted, but they quickly bond over past trauma. Keane lost his leg a while back, so he understands the grief and the many I’m-so-sorries from people, something Anna probably doesn’t need anymore.

Halfway through this story, we start to see Anna heal, little by little. She and Keane get comfortable with each other and begin a caring friendship. Keane is the kind of guy who does the right thing. He is a prime example of a man we should all aspire to be with. He’s kind, considerate, capable, and hot. What more could we ask for, friends?! On one of their inland excursions, they come across a stray dog, which quickly steals their heart. Thus, Queenie joins the adventure.

The attraction between Anna and Keane is there, but they both have their reasons for not acting on it. Not much later, though, something pivotal happens. Trish describes this terrifying event in a way that had me biting my nails! Making it through that was such a relief.

And then they land in Puerto Rico. I’ve never been there, but Trish makes it sound so picturesque and lively. Everything from this point forward in the book can only be described as a balm to my soul. My heart soared for these two people.

The ending is so fitting. Anna is miles away from where she started, literally and figuratively. Even Keane ends up in a better place, without realizing something had been missing from his own life. The story is wonderful and full of real human nature and emotion. I hope everyone goes out and reads it because you deserve to have Float Plan give you the sense of peace it gave me.

Audiobook Thoughts!

I originally read this book in 2020 as an egalley and knew instantly upon finishing it was a favorite. I pre-ordered the paperback and the audiobook. Sarah Naughton narrates Float Plan, and she was perfect. Keane’s Irish accent was spot on. It’s not long either, only 7 hours and 18 minutes, so it’s ideal for a day or two of listening. I hope you enjoy it!

This book goes deep, it had me wanting to shed tears within the first 50 pages, I even wondered if I would get through it. (I hadn't re-read the synopsis and that's my fault I wasn't super prepared.) I'm so glad I did opt to keep going. I loved seeing Anna come to terms, follow through and move on after her fiance's suicide. Keane is adorable and I'm glad he was around, patient and a true friend to her during her adventure.

Thank you to Trish Doller, St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to review an e-arc.

I absolutely loved this book! It is very deep, dealing with suicide and grief, but you feel so many different emotions throughout the story. I really loved Anna and I think she really was doing what she thought she needed to in order to move on from her fiance. The idea of living on a boat for months seemed a bit crazy at first but going through her journey it made me want to get a boat and start my own trip (not alone though- no sailing skills over here).

I. love. Keane. I think he is my new favorite book crush/boyfriend. He is the most genuine, caring guy, and he truly respects everyone around him. Their meeting was just a first glance at his character and i just fell in love with him. He was the perfect companion for Anna throughout her journey and they were able to help each other out in so many ways.

This book is just so well written and it sucks you in immediately. It really does make you want to set sail and travel through the caribbean on a boat to visit all the places Anna hit on her journey. It is the perfect summer read for anyone!

Review will be posted week of 3/8 on my instagram @rinneyreads

The first time I read a book by Trish Doller was May 2012 and it was her young adult debut, Something Like Normal. I read the book in a day and I knew as I finished readers would in for a treat with this new author. Her debut was magical and I looked forward to what we would get next. She has proved me right with her following 4 young adult releases and then changed it all with her debut adult romance, Float Plan. We weren’t in for a treat as a reader, we were in for a jackpot. Because guys…Float Plan is AMAZING! It is everything I expected from a Trish story in 10000% more. Can you tell I loved it?

Float Plan is the story of Anna, a grief stricken woman that is completely lost after the death of her fiancee. She is just going through the motions of living until a calendar reminder tells her she is supposed to be sailing with Ben and she does exactly that. Grabbing the course he planned and her supplies she takes the boat he left her and hits the high seas. But sailing solo, while dealing with memories of Ben, is something Anna soon realizes she can’t do alone. She posts an ad asking for a sailing companion. And when Keane answers the add Anna’s journey becomes more than a sailing trip. It becomes about learning how to move on from soul crushing grief and how to start her life again.

Did I mention I love this book? There are times in everyone’s life where the perfect person comes into it at the perfect time. Keane was that person for Anna. She was desperate to move forward wit her life but she was trapped in her grief. Keane was able to help her see it was okay to move on. He was there to make Anna see her own strength. To see she was worth having love and giving love and just living her life even if she was devastated by Ben’s death. Basically Keane was perfect for Anna and she was perfect for him.

Float Plan was just a perfect read. And a perfect adult debut. Anna’s journey so solid and uplifting. And Keane is the kind guy every one needs in their lives. I know Trish worked hard on this book for a lot of years and it is the story of her heart. I strongly believe it will be the story of yours too when you read it. Go out there and buy a copy!!!

This was a cute book. It brings out all the feels of love and lost, independent journey, and finding oneself through it all. I love that Anna finds herself on the journey which was supposed to be with her and her now ex. Along the way she meets a friend Keane who becomes her boat companion. Through the slow burn of friendship comes something more for these two. But my favorite quote from Anna was "I can do this without you, but I don't want to" When she first started this journey she was so unsure of herself and literally had sea legs. Now she can do anything she puts her mind too. Love her strong character build.

I highly recommend this book!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Trish Doller made me want to buy a boat - specifically an Alberg - despite my motion sickness and the fact that I would likely be miserable the entire time. Anna's adventures were amazing! The people she met, the places she saw, the experiences she had - I'm a little jealous of a fictional character, to be honest. Don't even get me started on the swoonworthiness that was Keane Sullivan! He fell into her life by accident, but I absolutely loved every second of their strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance. Oh! THE FOOD. This book made me hungry.

The first few pages broke my heart, and I thought the author was setting me up for some serious sadness. Fortunately, the heartbreaking part of the story was its start, and then we get to see Anna heal and find herself again. I think Anna was happy with Ben, but I also don't think she was everything she wanted to be. She was complacent and content with her life - which was totally fine - but I liked that Keane challenged her. He made her try new things, introduced her to new people and places, and he understood when she needed space and when she wanted comfort. Keane sees the world in a really unique way, and I enjoyed it when he shared his stories and experiences with her (his family sounds lovely). Anna grew as a person when she was around him, and I think she helped him see things a little differently, too.

Would I be able to sail a boat all by myself across the ocean? Nope. I do not have that skill set, and I would be completely terrified to even try. What would happen if I fell overboard and no one was there to see it? I think what Anna did was very brave AND very stupid, but I'm happy she realized she needed help early on in the book. Her mistakes were genuine, her feelings and emotions felt authentic, and her experiences were relatable even though I've never been faced with a loss like hers (or left everything I knew behind for an adventure). Doller has written two really amazing characters, and I cannot wait to re-read their story! Definitely one I'm keeping on my shelves. (★★★★★)

Pros:

1. No annoying tropes
2. No uncessary drama
3. Keane is Irish
4. Keane gives forehead kisses
5. Problems were realistic
6. Characters you want to root for
7. Relatable family issues
8. The setting
9. The writing
10. EVERYTHING!

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for a copy of Float Plan by Trish Dollar.
.
Friends, I loved this book. Float Plan is a story about healing, self discovery, love and adventure around the Caribbean. Anna and Keane are both grieving different losses and they both develop so much throughout the story. I loved Dollar’s writing. From her descriptions of grief, love, and finding inner strength to sailing, I was invested in these characters right away. Swipe to read more of the synopsis.
.
Float Plan is out now! I recommend this book especially if you like slow burn romances, character development and emotional reads.
.
Triggers: suicide - the book opens with a suicide note and suicide is discussed throughout the novel. Some treacherous sailing conditions, discussions of grief, amputation from an accident.

I enjoyed 'Float Plan' so much. It is a sweet, escapist romance, but it has a lot of layers and depth to it as well.

Anna and Keane, the main characters, are both dealing with past traumas and trying to find new paths forward for themselves. Both of the characters, but especially Anna, grow a lot over the course of novel. Anna is dealing with the loss of her partner and trying to figure out what her life will look like without him in it. Keane has recovered from a devastating injury, but it still impacts his ability to find a permanent position on a sailboat.

Although the book deals with some difficult topics like self-harm, mental health, and grief, it has a lot of bright moments. I loved joining Anna and Keane on their sailboat as they traveled around the Caribbean. They see beautiful places, meet interesting people, and (in Anna's case) learn how to sail. It was some much-needed escapism during this time when travel is limited.

I also really, really appreciated that one of the main characters has a physical disability. This isn't something I have encountered very much in the romance genre, but it was refreshing to read about it here.

I highly recommend this book!