I love daddy/daughter relationships, because I'm super close with mine. And this book is a sweet, sweet story about a father and daughter Alaskan cruise after the FMC has a very public breakdown. Jennifer Smith writes an amazing story of healing, family, and finding love in the least likely of places. I loved this book, and would highly recommend it!!

THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES by Jennifer E. Smith was interesting for several reasons. The main character, Greta, is a famous musician who is recognized when in public and draws huge audiences, but whose father doesn't approve of her career. At her brother's suggestion, Greta joins her father on a planned cruise after her mother's death. The father- daughter’s dysfunctional relationship, past wounds, resentments, misunderstandings were perfectly analyzed. And the romance parts with nerdy professor whose main focus is Jack London novels was also sweet. The book explores family relationships and how a career choice impacts your life.

I’m so excited to read The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith. Thank you NetGalley for this complimentary copy! My review will be updated once I’ve finished.

I liked this book more than I expected to! Greta's growth over the span of a week was well timed and I really thought grief was well represented. This novel will stay with me for a while. There wasn't a huge plot, which is what I usually prefer, but it left me feeling like I just got a big hug.

This is one of my best books of the year (and last year). Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten the publicity that it deserves. This book takes on how one woman deals with grief in such a way that it's heart-wrenching but beautiful. This book is a page-turner. Read it, if you haven't already!

The characters are drawn with a generosity that allows them to be wrong but also right, loving but also prone to missteps. loved the musician perspective

A very belated thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an early copy of The Unsinkable Life of Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith in exchange for an honest review.

Part of me wishes I hadn’t waited so long to read this book, but another part of me is glad I did. This was definitely a case of “right book, wrong time.” When I first picked it up, right after being approved, I only made it a couple of chapters in. I didn’t think I could handle the content and I was honestly afraid to even give it a try. Fast forward quite a while, and I’m so glad I gave this story another chance.

I LOVED IT!

This book felt like therapy. I think Jennifer E Smith made me cry just as much over the characters in her story as she made me cry over the characters in mine. Even though my story is very much different from Greta’s, a certain relationship of hers was so similar to mine. At times, reading this story hurt, at times it felt healing. It was raw, real, and relatable.

I sat down to read this story and didn’t do anything else (but cry) until I finished it in one sitting. I need a sequel. I need to hear the lyrics to Oceanography (she did write it, right?), I need to know if that figure was who I’m hoping it was, I need to know… so much of what happens next!

But also, I loved getting to travel on an Alaskan cruise with these characters. The settings were beautifully written, and I loved the story behind the vagrant Steller’s sea eagle- I’ve decided it’s her, no matter what the guide said.

I’d love a sequel with Greta traveling again with her father; I’d love to see how their relationship developed. And maybe someone else might be there as well? Jennifer, if you’re reading this, please consider a sequel!! <3

4.5 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

The book follows Greta James after she lost her mom in a cruise ship (or boat haha) with her dad whom she doesn't have the best relationship with. She is a successful indie singer that had a bad performance and is dealing with perfoming again after that concert.

The book tries to deal with a lot of themes and in doing so doesn't deal with any. Everything is crammed into the story and in a superficial manner. Her relationship with her dad, her career, her grief, her ideas about marriage and kids, her past relationships, and a whole lot more. The themes don't have space to breathe nor to develop. Some threads just get forgotten about in the middle of the story. Important and main characters change completely and the reader just doesn't follow the arc; they think one way for years, then suddenly they change completely. One of the main plot points would be her relationship with her dad. But they don't spend that much time together for everything to develop or to have the emotional impact that some scenes are supposed to have.

But I think my main issue with the book is Greta herself. I hated her so much. I thought she was so selfish and self-centered, she can't fathom that not everything is about her and she thinks she is always right.

I don't believe Jennifer E. Smith is for me since I never liked her characters; I thought maybe her adult novel would be different but no such luck.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

I really wanted to love this book. The book jacket sounded so interesting. While I enjoyed reading this, I felt it fell a little flat. At times, a bit boring. Ultimately I did finish the book, but it was a bit lackluster for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. I am pretty sure I requested this one because the cover reminded me of a book I read not to long ago that I really enjoyed...and I am happy to say I enjoyed this one just as much if not more. When I started it, I had absolutely no idea what it was about but it turns out it is about a woman who lost her mother, who had already purchased her dream cruise to Alaska before she died...so Greta and the Father she has always had issues with are on a cruise to Alaska which should have been the most romantic trip of HIS life with the love of his life...and instead he is with his child who he isn't even sure likes him...obviously the rest is pretty cliche but I still loved to read it. And I am not gonna lie...until the last few pages, it was going to be a five star book for me...

This book was perfect to read on my Alaskan cruise as the characters visit cities in Alaska on their own cruise. This story is about a young woman grieving her mother and reconnecting with her dad. Great for summer reading.

“Greta finds it almost painful sometimes to think about all the different lives she could be leading, to know that every choice she’s made has meant the loss of so many other possibilities. Every day, more doors close. Without even trying, simply by moving forward, you end up doubling down on the life you’ve chosen. And the only way to survive is to commit to it fully, to tell yourself it’s the right one. But what if that’s not true?”

I think that this book does an amazing job at depicting the intricacies that come with human loss and trying to navigate those feelings in a way that doesnt make you just drown in them. I really think that this is a book that if you are going through a loss yourself, you might find to be therapeutic as it is not perfect but rather it is complicated and messy just how grief usually is. I really enjoyed this in a it ripped by heart out but also helped put it back together sense.

***I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

In this bittersweet novel, Greta, an Indie rockstar goes on an Alaskan cruise with her father, in the wake of her mother‘s death. There are so many emotions in this novel - anger and hurt, sorrow and grief, but also joy and hope - that the narrative can feel raw at times. Pro tip: have a tissue ready for this.

The story revolves around Greta James, a rising music star grappling with the loss of her mother, who was her biggest supporter. Just before the launch of her highly anticipated sophomore album, Greta experiences a devastating on-stage breakdown that goes viral, endangering her career. In an attempt to heal and reconnect with her estranged father, Conrad, Greta reluctantly embarks on an Alaskan cruise that was meant to celebrate her parents' fortieth anniversary.

The initial setup promises an emotionally charged journey of healing and self-discovery. I really enjoyed the Alaskan cruise setting, which provided an intriguing natural backdrop that paired well with the major themes of introspection and transformation. Unfortunately the story fell flat for me in the end. One of the main issues I had with the book is the lack of depth in character development. While Greta is a likable character, I didn't feel like I was able to completely connect with her, I was left wanting a more profound exploration of her emotional turmoil. That being said, I personally prefer novels that are more heavily character-focused and less plot-focused.

If you are searching for a light and easily digestible read, then you've found a great book! But readers (like me) expecting a more profound and emotionally resonant journey may be left a bit unsatisfied by this book.

A beautifully written examination of family and self set against an alaskan cruise. Smith has found a lot of success in the YA world but this one proved that she can hold her own in adult fiction as well.

"The Unsinkable Greta James" by Jennifer E. Smith is a heartfelt and emotional novel that explores themes of grief, family dynamics, and second chances. The author, that usually writes YA Fiction, skillfully switches genres, creating a heartwarming adult women's fiction and family drama that captivates readers. The Alaskan setting is brilliantly depicted, almost like a travel guide that will make you want to drop everything and visit Alaska. The complex relationship between Greta and her father, their past wounds, resentments, and misunderstandings, is analyzed perfectly, drawing readers in and making them emotionally invested in their journey towards healing. The romance aspect with Ben, the nerdy professor and guest lecturer on the cruise, adds a sweet touch to the story. Overall, this well-written and inspiring novel is recommended for those who enjoy well-developed, enchanting novels that explore themes of love, grief, choices, and second chances.

Full Review is set to post on duffrunstough on June 22nd.

When struggling musician Greta begrudgingly agrees to partake in a cruise with her recently widowed father, she discovers healing from multiple and unexpected sources.

The pacing to this started strong but eventually the disagreements between Greta and her father became very repetitive. Also, I wasn't too fond of the romantic aspect (and was relieved that there was no huge romantic gesture from either party by the book's conclusion). This was an enjoyable and relatively light and quick read, in spite of the serious subject matter, but there was nothing too special about it.

This was the perfect book to bring my summer vacation! Mix of some family drama, but also showing the importance of the all the relationships we have with others in our life.

3 stars.*

A cute story about a woman struggling after the loss of her mother. Having chosen a career path her father is uncomfortable with, guitarist Greta has a breakdown onstage following the sudden death of her mother. She is convinced by her brother to go in her mother's place on the Alaskan cruise she had planned for years alongside Greta's father.

She meets a boy. Things proceed.

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was cute.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!


The Unsinkable Greta James is a perfect vacation read and one to consider as we go into spring/summer.

Greta James is grieving the death of her mother and joins her father on an Alaskan cruise that he had planned with her mom. Throughout the cruise Greta and her father mending their broken relationship. She even finds a love interest on the boat! It was a super quick, and heartwarming read. I feel that the author discussed brief appropriately and relatedly. I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an early copy of this book