The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith is an emotional family drama that will warm your heart. Ever since I read Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone I have been obsessed with Alaska so when I found out this book takes place on an Alaskan cruise, I was sold.

Synopsis:
Greta James is an indie/rock musician that has made quiet a name for herself. But, when her mother suddenly passes away, Greta is left mourning her loss while on the road. Greta’s life seems to be falling apart, but when her brother asks her to go on an Alaskan cruise with their dad, Greta cannot refuse. She knows this was the trip her mother had been planning way before her passing. Greta and her dad have a stranded relationship, to say the least, so how will they do together stuck on a week-long cruise?


Thoughts
- Loved the Alaskan setting.
- Loved the growth of Greta.
- Loved that Greta was not creepily obsessed with her mother.
- Loved that Greta was thinking of her family during their mourning process and they were able to grieve and grow together.
- Wish there were more musical vibes with Greta’s career, but definitely loved that we got a glimpse of that part of Greta’s life as well.


4.5 stars for Greta James. I really enjoyed this book and was able to finish it is a few short sittings because I was so invested in the story. Plus, the cover is gorgeous.

Greta James is a thriving rock star... until her mother dies. Through a tumultuous relationship with her father, her mother was always the referee as well as Greta's biggest supporter and fan. When she is gone, Greta is unsure how to continue life on stage and off. She is convinced by her brother to go on a week-long cruise with her father and friends in place of her late mother. With their rocky relationship, Greta does not think the trip will go well. Not only does she need to repair the relationship with her father, but she also needs to figure out how to get back on stage after the dreaded night when she completely fell apart on stage. At times this story was laugh-out-loud funny but then was an emotional meltdown. I absolutely loved it. It was a quick amazing read and I would recommend it to fans of Daisy Jones and the Six. 5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC.

The Unsinkable Greta James really pulled me in and I was surprised to find how quickly I read it. Greta is a famous musician who has been taking some time off. Her mom passed away a few months ago and she broke down on stage after and video of it went viral. Greta’s brother convinces her to go on a cruise to Alaska with her dad and her parents’ friends.

I really appreciated the ways this book handled grief and family relationships. I just felt so drawn into Greta’s life that the book flew by and now I find myself wanting to know more about what will happen next for her.

Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for the free review copy.

I love Jennifer E. Smith’s YA books and this didn’t disappoint! I resonant story of family bonds and surprising paths taken.

I really liked this book! The characters were all very likable and I couldn’t really figure out how it was going to end! I loved reading about Alaska, too.

3.25 - 3.5

Greta James is an up-and-coming star that has just had the most embarrassing moment of her career, just lost her mother, who was her number one fan, and lost her boyfriend.

Greta's parents had planned an Alaskan cruise for their 40th anniversary. Now that her mother is gone, Greta's brother talks her into going on this cruise with her father and some of their friends. Greta and her father have always had a strained relationship. Instead of encouraging her to go after her dreams, he wanted her to settle down and have a more stable career and lifestyle.

Greta goes on the cruise to hide from her current problems and hopes to be able to finally connect with her dad.
While on the cruise she sees some amazing sights including Ben Wilder, who is a historian on the cruise to talk about his books on Jack London. Greta and Ben both have so many things to think about and might just be able to help each other through this 7-day trip.

I loved Greta as a character. I did not like Ben as much. I don't think that their relationship really brought anything extra to the story that couldn't have been handled through her relationship with her father and his friends. I just felt like romance was unnecessary and kind of glanced over if it was supposed to be a major plot point. I also would have liked to have had more of the relationship with Greta and her dad from her childhood, adulthood, and even their time on this trip together.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. It's been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. I nearly read it all in a single sitting. The characters are complicated and hurting and totally real and yet the story has such an uplifting feel to it. I'll be recommending this one to everyone I know.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES BY JENNIFER E. SMITH?
I have been a long time fan of Jennifer E. Smith. There was something special and deeply absorbing to me when it comes to her young adult contemporary books. When I heard that she was coming out with a book aimed at adults, I knew I had to get my hands on it and read it. As my life has been so jam packed with different things lately, listening to the audiobook of The Unsinkable Great James meant that I got to this book much sooner than anticipated. Also, I love a good adult contemporary fiction audiobook.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
Smith’s The Unsinkable Greta James follows main character Greta James who is an indie musician who has hit it big. Greta’s number one fan was her mother Helen who would often come to Greta’s concerts with a sign that said Greta’s mom. Helen dies quite suddenly. Greta, while performing, has a meltdown on stage in her grief and it goes viral. Unlike Helen, her father Conrad, grew up quite poor and so he’s not all about Greta’s career and would prefer to see her in a much more stable job. The two get along like oil and water.

Greta agrees to go with Conrad on an Alaskan cruise which was supposed to be for their parents fortieth anniversary. Along the way, Greta must lick her wounds, heal and eventually make her way back to performing. She also begins the work of healing her relationship with her father. Oh, and there’s a little romance with a professor on board named Ben Wilder who also happens to be going through something as well.

HOW DID I LIKE THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES?
I ended up really enjoying The Unsinkable Greta James. The backdrop of the Alaskan cruise was a fabulous setting. I loved the portions delving into nature — particularly when they see this bird that turns out to be a big deal. Greta’s healing was so special to read — I am not sure if that makes sense. However, I always root for a character who experiences a level of personal growth and change –and that’s Greta. The romance wasn’t too bad either, but for me, not the focus or rather where I had my focus while reading. I also liked the complicated relationship between Greta and Conrad and could understand the perspective of both characters.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook is narrated by Mae Whitman. I believe this may be the first time I have listened to a book narrated by Whitman. It will not be the last. Whitman does a wonderful job voicing Greta’s story and keeping my attention. Looking back, this audiobook was actually longer in length than it felt. It is eight hours and fifteen minutes long, however, it does genuinely feel faster.

This is a great family drama, finding oneself, second chances story If you love cruise ship settings you'll love this as the Alaskan setting, which we got from the excursions that they went on were amazing. Greta agreed to go on the cruise with her father after her mother's unexpected death. Her mother had planned the cruise for their wedding anniversary. I loved the dynamic of having Greta and her father's complicated relationship challenged and explored. I really enjoyed getting to know Greta as she struggled with her grief, her relationship with her dad which he was difficult to like a lot of the time, and the possibility of her finding love with someone who was really her opposite. A really enjoyable story with characters I was happy to spend an afternoon with

I’ve noticed a trend of genre-smashing in books lately. This book and One Italian Summer are both packaged as rom-coms/light reads but both deal with very heavy subject matter (death of a parent). It’s an interesting mashup and I’m not sure it always works. I liked this one a lot more than OIS because the characters and relationships came across as authentic and nuanced. Greta and her dad seemed real, flaws and all. The reconciliation with her dad and the potential romance with the professor didn’t seem rushed and I liked that Greta faced her own issues. This ‘light read’ had a lot of heart and I really enjoyed it.

This ARC was provided by @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse. The opinions are my own.

The Unsinkable Greta James ❄️
by Jennifer E Smith

😢 Well this one hit me right in the feels. 

💔 Greta and her dad have a complicated relationship and after the untimely death of her mother (the peacekeeper and glue that kept the family together), she agrees to accompany him on an Alaskan cruise with two other couples that were lifelong friends of her parents. This novel was masterfully written to somehow be a light read while simultaneously offering a poignant look at grief, loss, and navigating father/daughter relationships. 

🚢 I really enjoyed this one but I could have done without the love interest bit, however, Greta probably needed someone to keep her company aside from her distant father for a week on that boat (it’s a ship). 

🌟 All that aside I was rooting for Greta and loved the ambiguous ending. Can’t wait to check out the backlist and future reads from this author.

I absolutely loved this book so much. Greta and her dad I loved them so much. Both were grieving and were trying to figure their places with each other. This book will stick with me.

“The truth is, being a parent is mostly just reacting. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't. You give what you can. And at the end of the day, most of it is just being there.”

What a heartfelt book! I really enjoyed the story of this season of Greta's life. Greta James is a popular musician who is grieving the death of her mother. She ends up on an Alaskan cruse with her father in her mother's place; a cruise that was supposed to be their 40th Anniversary trip. The relationship with her Dad has been stilted for many years and with her mother's absence they are struggling even more so. On the cruise, Greta meets Ben who is working on the ship as a lecturer and they strike up a friendship. Ben is also dealing with his own issues as he works through the breakdown of his marriage and the difficulty of divorce. This story is about grief and the complications of navigating relationships. It's also about parents doing the best they can but making mistakes along the way. It's also about learning about ourselves and the growth that comes from difficult times. Recommend to those who enjoy books about families and multigenerational family stories. I ended up reading and listening to the audio in between. The audiobook is narrated by Mae Whitman and she does an amazing job!

This is a story of loss, forgiveness, love and discovery. Greta is devastated after the loss of her mother, not close with her father she tries to repair old bonds.
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An indie rocker, never settled in one place too long, Greta sets sail with her father on an Alaskan cruise taking the place of her mother, on a trip she planned. She meets Ben, a struggling writer on the cruise and together they learn to find themselves and build each other up.
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I loved the sweet exchange of books at the end of this one between friends. This was a sweet one of friendship and growth with the help of family and friends. While, I always want a romantic HEA (it’s who I am it can’t be helped!) I do appreciate that this book is one of individual growth and not necessarily romantic love.
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Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Greta’s mother has recently passed away. Her parents had booked an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Her dad, Conrad, insists on going anyway. Her brother talks Greta into accompanying their father. Greta and her dad do not have the best relationship. Conrad does not approve of her livelihood as a musician plus he thinks she should have been by her mother’s side when she passed. This is one of Greta’s greatest regrets. Can they survive the time at sea?!?!

Greta and her father have issues from the get go! But, I fell for both of them. They are both just alike in stubbornness and hiding their feelings. Then there is Ben Wilder. He is an author and he and Greta take a shine to each other. And trust me…she does not have the best track record where love is concerned.

I usually do not give romances five stars. But this one absolutely rocked it! It is in my favorite setting of Alaska. It has wonderful characters. And the story is one that pulled me out of my book funk! So 5 stars for the win!

Need an adorable romantic comedy that you will not soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The characters didn't feel believable/multi-dimensional , or maybe I just had trouble understanding them. While I understand his pain, Greta's dad was made out to be a very not fun to be around guy and unkind father. I still don't feel like I know Greta, and the ending left me feeling a bit...confused that it was over. Maybe I just need to re-read it again. I've enjoyed this author in the past and will definitely want to read what she publishes next!

I enjoyed this quick read about Greta James, an indie musician dealing with the sudden death of her mother. Although it touched on sad feelings of death and loss, it was not a sad book in my opinion. She is on a week long Alaskan cruise with her father and some of her parents friends. I loved the descriptions of Alaska and some of the tours that they went on. Her father and her have a strained relationship and her brother hoped this time together would improve that. I would have liked to have seen a little more into the future at the ending, but I like that it did not have the perfect wrapped up ending. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

An engaging read full of bits of adventure (glaciers! whales! ocean!) and a whole lot of heart. I can forgive the (overly) sentimental tone because it never crossed into saccharine and was just so wholesome and enjoyable. I loved Greta as a character and appreciated her point-of-view. I feel like as much as anything else, this is a book about personal boundaries - and all the how and why they’re hard, especially when it comes to family. I recommend this widely and without reservation.

Greta James is a rock star reeling from her mom’s passing. She seems lost and begrudgingly agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her dad even though the two have a strained relationship. During the cruise she is able to reconnect with her dad and find her voice again. I chose to read this one at the perfect time as I was on a cruise myself. I truly enjoyed Greta’s journey. I also appreciated that there was a hint of romance in this one without it overpowering the focus on Greta’s relationship with her dad. Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

Greta James is an indie music sensation and her mother’s unflinching support was always her bedrock. After her mother’s death, Greta is left flailing and has an on-stage meltdown, just ahead of the release of her important sophomore album. Greta is reluctant when her brother asks that she join her unsupportive father on an Alaskan cruise, but she finally gives in, hoping to reset both her career and her relationship with her father.

On the cruise, Greta enjoys her relative anonymity among the older passengers, but she struggles to connect with her father. Ben, a young Jack London historian struggling with his own life changes, provides companionship and new perspective for Greta, and the cruise may just be the new start everyone needed.

This was a lovely contemporary novel; it’s an easy, fast read, but it delves into difficult topics including grief, parent-child tensions, and starting over at various life stages. The resolutions aren’t pat, but feel realistic, and the romance, too, acknowledges the difficulties of real life. Recommend for fans of Beach Read and Evvie Drake Starts Over.