This is my absolute favourite Beth O’Leary book ever. And I never thought I’d find something I loved as much as The Flatshare.

book review: Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
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Thank you so much @quercusbooks @netgalley for an advanced copy of @betholearyauthor’s next novel.

I will buy and eat up absolutely anything Beth writes so when I spotted my Netgalley approval email I dropped everything. The Flatshare was one of the books I read when I was getting back into reading after a really, unbelievably long slump. It was the book that made me fall in love with reading and with romance. So I’ve always felt like coming home when I return to Beth’s writing.

In Swept Away, we follow Lexi and Zeke after they go home from the pub with each other to a houseboat with the understanding they would have a night of fun and then go their separate ways. Only, the next morning they wake up to find their houseboat has been swept out in the North Sea. Imagine. Being stuck on a HOUSE BOAT with your one-night stand. Talk about the forced proximity!!

This book took me on a journey of emotions. I felt everything these characters were feeling. The descriptions made me feel like I was right there with them. I found it a little anxiety inducing because the descriptions were GOOD and I am TERRIFIED of the sea. It felt like living one of those terrifying North Sea TikToks with the yoooooo hooooo sound. You know the one I mean. I just couldn’t put it down - I had to see what happened next with the boat and the actual being swept away.

But also what kept me turning the pages was wanting to see what was happening with our two main characters. The romance. I loved these characters with everything in me. It’s a book about love and survival, and living each day in the technicolour you would if it were your last day. I sobbed multiple time, happiness, fear, sadness. These characters were all I could think about while I was reading this book. I would’ve read a 1,500 page version of this.

This one is out 10th April 2025, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it so I can discuss. I’ll definitely be re-reading next year!

Beth O'Leary has done it again! I do love a good forced proximity trope and this is the first one I've read where it's based at sea?! One of the things I love the most about O'Leary's stories is how she creates such down to earth and relatable characters.

So the book starts of with Lexi and Zeke waking up after a one night stand to see that they are both stranded on a boat that has been swept out to sea. It's hard to say anything more without giving too much of the plot away, but let's just say, it's very entertaining how they navigate this scary/unusual experience.

I think my favourite part was how they rescued a seagull and then adopted it as the boat pet haha.

The only critique I will say is that I think the start of the story is a bit disjointed. It might've flowed better to start off with what happens before they end up stranded on the boat, and then follow the timeline. Rather than starting off the story with both characters straight into it! Other than that, it was a great read. Full of laughs, tears and really makes you think yourself about what would YOU do if you were in this situation? I know I'd lose my mind, and end up drinking all the alcohol within a week haha.

Picture this: you wake up after a wild one-night stand with a guy you barely know.

You’ve got a hangover the size of a houseboat (literally), and just when you’re about to throw him overboard (metaphorically), you realise that you’re already adrift in the North Sea. Yep. Welcome to Swept Away by Beth O’Leary, where “no-strings-attached” takes on a whole new meaning, and your one-night stand becomes your survival partner. Talk about awkward morning afters!

Lexi and Zeke, our disaster prone duo, are polar opposites. Lexi wants a fun, no commitment fling; Zeke wants The One. Sparks fly when they meet at a pub, and one kiss later, they’re waking up on a houseboat that’s mysteriously drifted out to sea. It’s Titanic vibes meets Survivor: Love Edition, minus the luxury cruise and with way more "Oh no, we’re gonna die" moments.

As the days tick by and their food and water start to run low, it turns out surviving on a drifting boat isn’t as romantic as it sounds. Forget candlelit dinners, try rationing your last tin of baked beans while you’re wearing yesterday’s clothes.

But here’s where Beth O’Leary works her magic: even with the waves crashing around them, the real storm is the one brewing between Lexi and Zeke. With nowhere to run (literally), they’re forced to open up about their pasts, their fears, and—gasp!—their feelings.

Lexi’s a mess of commitment issues, Zeke’s all-in on love, and together, they’re like oil and water. But being stuck at sea has a funny way of bringing people closer, and soon, they’re sharing more than just survival tips. (Did I mention there’s plenty of sexual tension? You’ll be screaming "Just kiss already!" while they’re fighting over whose turn it is to watch the horizon for rescue boats.)

The best part? This isn’t just a fluffy rom-com. It’s sharp, witty, and packed with those laugh-out-loud O’Leary moments we’ve come to love. But it also sneaks in some real emotional depth—because surviving the North Sea is tough, but learning to trust someone else? That’s the real challenge.

So, will they make it back to dry land? Will they fall in love or push each other overboard first? You’ll have to read to find out—but trust me, you’ll be swept away by this charming, funny, and heart-pounding adventure of love, survival, and second chances.

What would happen if you wake up from a one night stand, stuck with them in the middle of the ocean with no way back to land?

This book was a different style for Beth O'Leary, a bit more survivalist with a hint of romance.

Lexi and Zeke have a one night stand on a houseboat and wake up stranded in the middle of the ocean. They have to survive the perils of a limited pantry, limited resources and no way to get back to land, all while dealing with the mixed emotions of being stuck with a "walk of shame" that lasts multiple days.

I think there wasnt enough of either 'genre' to really grab me. There wasn't enough romance in between the adventure, and the adventure wasn't evenly paced enough for me.

Beth O’Leary never fails to sweep me away and this new novel lives up to its name indeed. A sprawling romance that pulls you in as fast as the ocean and drowns you in the beauty of love like only O’Leary can do. Another phenomenal read and I know so many readers will be clamoring for this one! Thank you for the early copy!

I absolutely raced through this, what a fantastic read! I think Beth comes up with some of the best most original concepts in the genre and the added peril of being at sea added a fantastic dimension to the classic will they/won’t they plot.
Loved the little twist (no spoilers but didn’t see that coming) and absolutely fell in love with both main characters.

In Swept Away, the romance isn’t just a subplot; it’s the very essence of the story. It’s a tale of two souls finding each other amidst chaos, and the heart-stopping moments that turn a single night into a life-changing connection. If you crave a romance that’s not only steamy but also packed with emotional depth and intensity, this novel will sweep you off your feet.

Fantastic from start to finish, funny, venerable and fiery all at the same time! Honestly one of the best books I’ve read in a while!

Beth O’Leary does it again with another banger! What a book this was.

The premise behind swept away, a one night stand turns into being lost at sea, was fantastic in itself, but the execution was incredible. With the majority taking place at sea, in a house boat, with just two people, O’Leary managed to make you fall in love with both characters and still built a rich and engaging back story.

At the core, the book is about is about love. Familial, friendships and romantic, and it’s hard not to fall in love with the story.

With plenty of twists and turns, this book isn’t smooth sailing - but the end destination is worth the journey.

Thank you NetGalley and Quercus Books for the ARC.

This captivating story of unexpected romance takes readers on an emotional and physical adventure, as Lexi and Zeke navigate more than just the waves of the North Sea. Lexi, looking for a carefree night, and Zeke, a man searching for true love, are drawn together by intense chemistry. Their impulsive night together leads to a morning of confusion when they discover their houseboat has drifted out to sea.

What starts as a simple one-night fling quickly turns into a survival tale, as they face the harsh reality of being stranded. The novel does an excellent job of blending romance with suspense. As the days pass, the tension between the characters builds—not only from their dangerous situation but from the emotional complexities that arise when two people from different worlds are forced to confront their feelings.

Zeke’s warmth and charm contrast with Lexi’s independent, guarded nature, creating a dynamic that keeps readers hooked. The storyline is elevated by the looming threat of isolation, making the romantic stakes feel even higher. You’ll find yourself wondering whether they can make it through not just the challenges of survival, but also the vulnerability that comes with opening their hearts to each other.

Filled with heartfelt moments, unexpected twists, and breathtaking descriptions of the unforgiving sea, this book offers a thrilling escape. The combination of high-stakes survival and a slow-burn romance makes it a unique and enjoyable read. Will Lexi and Zeke return to shore as a couple, or will the turbulent waters tear them apart? It’s a question that will keep you turning the pages until the very end.

3.75-4 stars - I’ve read my fair share of lifeboat/survival-at-sea novels, but this is by far my favourite! A solid romance storyline with actual chemistry, including the quite well done older woman/younger man trope; a plot twist I genuinely didn’t pick up on until shortly before it was revealed; and AN OIL RIG SEQUENCE 😍 I also cried happy tears when they were rescued, and I haven’t cried at a book in a looooong time. For my first Beth O’Leary novel I was pretty impressed!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Swept Away blew me away. It’s a seriously good book. It packs a pinch as a rom com /chick lit type book, sure, but it’s got so much more depth to it than that. The author has taken a fascinating plot line and layered it with detailed character analysis and social commentary. Beth O’Leary knows how to create an interesting character but this time she has taken them into the realms of representing modern gender perspectives and she has done it without being preachy or obvious or condescending. This is her best book yet.

All the makings of a great novel! It’s like Adrift but hopefully with a less heartbreaking ending! I absolutely love the concept and Beth O Leary never disappoints! Can’t wait!