I loved this book! I picked it because it was set on a cruise ship that was cruising to Alaska. We cruise a lot and one of our favorite cruises was one to Alaska. It was so much fun reliving our wonderful cruise (the amazing scenery, whale-watching) while reading this book. And it was also interesting to watch Greta's relationship with her father which was very similar to my relationship with one of my parents. Definitely a book I would recommend.

I sit here with tears in my eyes and a song in my heart! I loved everything about this book! Greta, an indie rock star grieving the death of her mother, finds herself on an Alaskan cruise with her recently widowed father. Her parents had planned this trip their closest friends. Greta and her father have always had a tumultuous relationship and the week on the ship has them searching for their sea legs! Rich, believable characters and a story that will break your heart only to mend it. I’d love to see this made into a movie. Grab a hanky and and be swept away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. This is an easy to read story about Greta, who is a musician. Her mother recently passed away and Greta is struggling with a huge mix of emotions. She agrees to go on a cruise with her father and a group of friends of her parents. Greta and her dad work to mend their relationship on the cruise, but at times, it seems like this will not be possible. One thing the author did quite well was describe the landscape of Alaska. I could see the beauty as she described it. The ending fell flat for me, as it seemed rushed, as other reviewers have said. I did enjoy this book.

The voice of the story telling in The Unsinkable Greta James is unique, like the main character. I really wanted to love the book, but by the end it left me a little empty. I loved the premise of the story – Greta is a grown daughter, now a semi famous rock star, who goes on an Alaskan cruise with her father three months after her mother’s sudden death. I love the relationship between the father and daughter, the points of tension at the beginning, the progression, and the end. I loved the side characters of the two couple friends of Greta’s parents. I loved the structure of the story, seven days reflecting the days of the cruise. I love the setting, with the cruise ship itself, a stop in Juneau, glaciers, whale watching. But the relationship aspect with the author/professor Ben left me disappointed. It seemed implausible, frustrating, unfinished and uncertain at the end. Greta accepts and seems destined for a life of empty short term or on and off physical relationships.

Thanks to Ballentine Books and NetGalley for an early copy to read and review. This book is expected to be released in March 2022.

Greta James is an indie rocker whose mother, Helen, has recently died. The death of her mother and the fact she was away on tour when it happened has left Greta feeling heatbroken and guilty. These feelings have led to a disastrous performance and an inability to work. Greta's brother, Archer, convinces Greta to go on an Alaskan cruise with her father, Conrad. The cruise had oiginaly planned by Helen to celebrate Conrad's and Helen's anniversary. Archer hopes that the cruise will help Greta and Conrad mend their contentious relationship. During the cruise Greta meets and becomes with Ben, a novelist who is dealing with the breakup of his marriage.

The story is well written and absorbing. The characters are well developed. This is an engrossing and enjoyable read. The one flaw for me was Greta's lack of involvement with her father as a result of her relatinship with Ben.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and rate this title. I requested it do to a recommendation from an author I read, and was anxious to start. It is very well written with wonderful development of characters, but it just wasn’t for me. I’m sure others will enjoy if you like slower moving, descriptive stories, that touch your emotion.

I feel like I should have connected to this more. My mom, also named Helen, died last year and was a cruiser who loved to correct people who said "boat" with the ship. I also have had more contact with my dad than ever before. I just didn't feel much about the book at all. They sort of set up that Greta had this big upsetting incident that potentially derailed her career before the book begins and then we find out that it was that she got upset that her mom died? Okay. Big deal. I've been to hundreds of concerts and this would barely rate a mention. She wasn't even supposed to be that mainstream popular. Why did they have some weird fake new engagement? It made no sense. I felt like the bones were there but nothing else.

I felt like the ending was rushed and kind of trite. We spent a long time getting there for it to end with some sisterhood of the travelling sled dog novels. I don't care that they didn't really end up together and I think its more realistic that they didn't--what happens on the boat (ship!) stays on the boat--but that just seemed pointless. .

Thank you NetGalley & Publisher for the e arc of The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith. Also thank you Jennifer E. Smith for sharing your novel/story, this was my first time reading a novel of yours. 4*+

Overview/synopsis: "Right after the sudden death of her mother—her first and most devoted fan—and just before the launch of her high-stakes sophomore album, Greta James falls apart on stage." (Overview) ... "An indie musician reeling from tragedy and a public breakdown reconnects with her estranged father on a week-long cruise in this "pitch-perfect story about the ways we recover love in the strangest places" (except by Rebecca Serle) ..."Greta will finally confront the choices she’s made, the heartbreak she’s suffered, and the family hurts that run deep. In the end, she'll have to decide what her path forward might look like—and how to find her voice again." (Overview)

This was a great novel with a lot of emotion that could be felt while reading. A story about loss, family dynamics, fear/confidence, love, patricidal living vs. living a dream, choices, finding ones path, etc.

I recommend to lovers of fiction; friendship fiction, family drama fiction, modern life fiction, etc.

Now I will go check out some of Jennifer E. Smith's other novels.

Shortly after Greta’s mom suddenly and tragically dies, she is coerced by her brother to accompany her father on an Alaskan cruise. Greta and her father, Conrad, have always had a tumultuous relationship as Conrad thinks her career choice to be a professional guitarist is petty and irresponsible. Her mother though was her biggest cheerleader and her death has a profound effect on Greta’s capacity to perform. She’ll need to overcome some obstacles to get back on stage.

During their weeklong cruise, Conrad and Greta argue, are disagreeable, give each other too much space and neither are expecting to have any fun with the backdrop of grief heavy in the air. The beautiful Alaskan scenery has an effect on mending their relationship and they finally open up to each other about the past and the future.

This story is so beautifully written, you can’t help but savor every chapter, every page, every word. I’ve been to Alaska and the descriptions are spot on. I cried with Greta, laughed with Greta and cheered her on. I adored this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of The Unsinkable Greta James.

First of all thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this beautifully written story. I absolutely loved the characters and story . I found myself laughing , crying and above all hopeful . I highly recommend this book.

“The Unsinkable Greta James” is the first adult book by Jennifer E. Smith, who is known for her YA fiction. This book tells the story of musician Greta James, whose mother recently passed - and Greta feels guilt about not immediately flying back to the US to be with her after hearing the news that her mother was ill. Greta’s parents had planned a cruise to Alaska for their 40th anniversary with some friends, but Greta’s encouraged to accompany her father by her brother. This book deals a lot with feelings (feelings of guilt, feeling misunderstood, feeling hopeful, feeling trapped, feeling stuck), especially the feelings of coping after the death of a parent - and trying to recreate a relationship with the surviving parent who one wasn’t as close to. I found parts of this book hard hitting, dealing with both the loss of a parent and working on rebuilding a relationship with my surviving parent. There’s a slow build up of the main characters, which some probably will find too slow, and some of the minor characters I wished had had more screen time. There isn’t a lot of action in this book, but the building of relationships keeps it interesting. But, I read this book very quickly (in about twelve hours) and I really liked the ambiguous ending. I found this book promising and I’d most likely read another adult fiction book by Ms. Smith.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jennifer E. Smith for this advanced reader copy I’m exchange for an honest review.
This book was marketed to me as a book for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid. Since Taylor Jenkins Reid is now an official must-buy, add to cart author for me, I had to pick it up. Its main character is a musician, Greta James, which is similar to the Daisy Jones type of character but this is a completely different story.

I’m always a fan of any book that showcases Alaska, and this book was no exception. The slow unfolding of the characters’ backstories (but not too slow), coupled with its (mostly) avoidance of tropes, made it a sweet and quick read. Of course I was crying at parts (especially with the Steller’s Sea Eagle) but ultimately this book made me happy,

Greta James is a famous Indie rocker. She ends up on a cruise to Alaska with her dad following her mothers sudden death. We learn Greta and her dad have a tense relationship and as the book goes on the backstory unravels. We also learn Greta’s career is on rocky ground as she tanked during her last big performance. On the cruise Greta meets nerdy professor and writer, Ben. The two help each other cope with their own misfortunes while they explore the wonders of Alaska and free cruise ship booze.

Overall I enjoyed this book. There were parts that were slow and there’s certainly not a ton of action but the unraveling and rejoining of relationships kept me interested. Alaska as a backdrop was a nice addition too.

I’d recommend this one for people who like slower character driven books.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This is a delightful story about a professional musician whose mother recently passed away and she takes her mother’s place on an anniversary Alaskan cruise with her newly widowed father and his friends. During this seven day cruise, she and her father try to repair their fragile relationship. Greta James is a lost soul who cannot get over her mother’s death. The characters are interesting, however, the story is slow . The descriptions of Alaska and the cruise are very good and realistic.

I kept on trying, and got about half way through this book, but I’m not going to make it to the end. The author just didn’t succeed in making me care about the characters. Also, part of what attracted to this book is that it’s set on a cruise ship. The author couldn’t have ever been on an Alaskan cruise. I’ve been on four. And never once has the ship heaved or rolled the way this author describes. So many things don’t ring true. And I felt like she was disparaging cruises with the same old stereotype about cruise ships that are just filled with people in wheelchairs and on walkers. Thank you for allowing me to have a look at this book. I wish I could find more positive things to say.

Thank you to Random House, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for this advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review.

In this book you meet Greta James, an independent Indie rock star who's mother passes away suddenly causing Greta to break down on stage. She ends up going on a cruise with her dad shortly after the passing of her mom. Greta and her dad have always had a rocky relationship and loosing her mom made it worse. On the cruise, Greta meets a professor and Greta begins to evaluate her life currently and what she wants to prioritize in her life.

The storyline of this book made it hard to stop reading, The book is so genuine and realistic. I could be friends with any of the characters. This book will make you laugh, cry and ugly cry but it's worth it! I only wish the relationship with her dad had more of a role at the end.

Sometimes it takes reading a wonderful book to remind yourself how unsinkable you really are. I loved and related to Greta so well, and I was sad that this book ever had to end. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone, and think it would work especially well for book clubs.

Greta James is a big, famous guitarist whose relatively-young star may be about to flame out. Right after her mother died, she had a meltdown onstage that left her record label and fans wondering if she was finished for good. Shattered and numb, and unable to perform, she buckles to sibling-induced guilt and accompanies her dad and two couples, lifelong friends of the family, on an Alaskan cruise. Greta doesn’t expect much from the weeklong vacation. She’s numb with grief, and her dad’s no help. She and Conrad have a lifetime of enmity between them, as she followed her passion to play guitar no matter how foolish he thought that was. During the week on the ship, she heals somewhat. The pacing is perfect, the writing beautiful. For every setback Greta experiences, there are gratifying dramatic scenes set to the backdrop of gorgeous Alaska. Greta is a strong woman and passionate artist, and it was nice to read about a talent who enjoys the pace and pressure (and everything else) of performing. It’s her dream and she’s fully in it. So the question is, will she be able to recover both her career and her relationship with her father? There’s also a love interest in the book that adds a nice subplot.

I loved the ending so much, I read it twice, and then, while weeping copious tears, described the whole book to my sweet, patient husband. I have found my new favorite author. Thanks to NetGalley for this absolute winner.

Whew, this one hurt - but in a good way.  If you’ve ever experienced the death of a parent and then had to learn how to get on with a parent you weren’t particular close to, The Unsinkable Greta James is a touching experience that will strike a chord with you.  If you haven’t, it’ll still give you a warm and trenchant peek into the life of a woman struggling with deep loss and fording her way to emotional renewal.  It’s also YA novelist Jennifer E. Smith’s first adult novel, and manages a nice, mature tone.

Fiery rebel musician Greta James is hiding out in a remote woodland cabin after a very public meltdown at a large concert.  That moment, captured by cameras in the crowd followed by bad reviews for her latest song, put a stopper on her meteoric rise.  The sight that precipitated the meltdown was a fan bearing a sign reading “Goodbye Greta’s Mom.” The death of her beloved mother, her closest supporter, from a ruptured brain aneurism had wounded Greta deeply, and the sign pushed her over the edge in a grief-induced haze.  She had been touring and unable to say goodbye to her mother while she was still alive.  Now Greta finds herself unable to play the guitar, which naturally brings her career to a halt.

But then Greta’s brother Asher urges her to get out of the house.  She finds herself taking a planned Alaskan cruise with her father, the salty professor Conrad, who loves his daughter but cannot support the career and avocation she in turn adores.  The cruise had been intended as a fortieth anniversary vacation for Conrad and Greta’s mom, so Greta and Asher think it’s best he doesn’t go alone. As fathe and daughter travel the ocean, they bond, mourn their loss of wife and mother, and try to figure out their next steps.  For Greta, that step could include a shipboard romance with a man named Ben, but he comes with some major strings attached.

A warning for those who come for the book’s romantic content – The Unsinkable Greta James’ main romance has a happy-for-now, ambiguous ending.  This is much more a lovely book about healing and growing beyond your pain and trauma.

I liked Greta as a heroine, and,I loved watching her come to articulate her pain and then regain herself piece by piece.  I liked honest, down to earth Conrad, who comes to understand his daughter in time.  Ben and his Jack London fetish is the naturally stiffer and stodgier counterpart to Greta and feels a bit more pat as a character, but not to the point of being offensive.

The heavy, stormy winter imagery Smith gives us shifts, in the end, to peace, a very fitting conclusion.  The word pictures are perfect, and she neatly captures what life is like on a cruise ship.

My mother died ten years ago this year, and I had to build a relationship with my father in the wake of that loss.  In a small way, I’ve stood in Greta’s shoes, and everything she goes through feels painfully authentic.  The Unsinkable Greta James is fun, touching, sad, and warm.  Beautiful all over.

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I want to turn back time so that I can read this book for the first time again. This book was so heartfelt and heartbreaking. I cried through so many parts. The author writes grief realistically and anyone who has experienced a loss with recognize the feelings and thoughts. Superb.