Swept Away by Beth O'Leary is not your typical rom-com; it dives much deeper, blending adventure and romance in a way that kept me hooked from the start. What stood out the most was the adventure element — two strangers forced to rely on each other to survive after a one-night stand. Watching their connection grow in such high-stakes circumstances felt raw and authentic, and the slow-burn romance that unfolded was beautifully paced.

However, what kept this from being a solid five-star read for me was the third-act miscommunication and breakup. It felt random and misplaced, completely halting the momentum of the love story. After everything they’d been through, that plot point felt more like an unnecessary hurdle than a natural development.

Despite that, I still enjoyed the journey and the emotional depth of the characters. O'Leary's storytelling shines in the way she balances tension, vulnerability, and romance. I still highly recommend this book to any romance lover — the adventure, chemistry, and emotional growth make it a memorable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book truly took me on an emotional journey. Reading it with Sharada and Farah made it even more memorable. The reverse gap romance between the characters was everything I didn’t expect—what started as a one-night stand quickly spiraled into something neither of them could control, full of powerful emotions and surprising depth. The way their connection grew, unexpectedly and painfully at times, had us all on edge. At first, it was raw and unguarded, but as they spent more time together, the layers peeled back. The vulnerability they showed each other was heartbreaking, yet beautiful. It wasn’t just a romance; it was a journey of understanding and self-discovery.

There were moments when I could feel their struggle in my own chest. Both characters had such distinct emotional walls, and watching them come down was intense. There was a particular moment, when they both faced the truth about their feelings, that completely took me by surprise—it was such an emotional turning point, one I didn’t see coming, but it made the connection between them feel real and earned. I had moments where I was frustrated with them, but then I’d realize how deeply flawed and human they were, which made it even more powerful.

Some parts were difficult to get through, especially as they navigated their own personal fears and doubts. The float house became a symbol for everything they were dealing with—an isolated, almost mystical place where they faced themselves and each other. We struggled alongside them, not knowing what to expect next, and that tension kept us hooked. The setting also heightened the emotions, giving the characters a space to reflect, confront their pasts, and ultimately transform. It was such a perfect place for them to discover what they truly wanted.

The emotional rollercoaster of the book stayed with me long after I finished it. The way they both had to grow individually before they could truly connect felt authentic. It wasn’t an easy road, but it was one worth traveling. I felt all of their victories and heartbreaks, and it made the ending feel all the more earned.

Reading this book also made me reflect on my own experiences, particularly a boat trip I took years ago. I remember how peaceful and reflective it was being on the water, surrounded by nothing but calm waves. It’s been so long, but this story brought that feeling rushing back. The stillness of the water reminded me of the emotional isolation the characters felt at times and how much that isolation could lead to personal growth. After reading this, I long for that kind of reflection again, a quiet place to think and process, just as the characters did.

ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!! This one just has my whole heart. I loved the relationship with Eli and Lexi so much. The way they connected with each other in one of the absolute worse situations I think anyone could be in was so beautiful!

100% will be recommending to all of my friends!

For a story that nearly sailed away without me, I’m glad I was finally able to get onboard with it. It won’t go down as one of my favorite trips, but I have no regrets!

Thirty-one year old Lexi has put her own life on hold for the sake of her best friend/de facto “sister” Penny’s four-year-old daughter Mae, who she helps care for and all but sees as her own. When her boss Marissa sees a cute young man at the pub, she encourages Lexi to put herself first for a change and have a little fun.

Twenty-three-year-old Zeke has spent his life believing his recently deceased dad isn’t his biological dad and copes by sleeping around. With therapy, he’s trying to turn over a new leaf and find true love. Then he sees Lexi. Rules are meant to be broken, right?

After a night of drinking and a “no strings attached” one-night stand on a houseboat, Lexi and Zeke wake up and he offers to walk her home - only there’s a snafu. After a mistake in mooring the boat in the fog the night before, it’s now adrift on the ocean with no land in sight!

This begins a twelve day journey fraught with dwindling supplies, leaks, storms and no land or rescue in sight, not to mention some physical mishaps that put both of them in further danger.
At least they have an adorable injured seagull they’ve named Eugene to help keep their minds off the incessant threat.

I’ll break down what did and didn’t work for me because, to be honest with you, reading this wasn’t smooth sailing for me any more than it was for our main couple!

What worked:

● Character growth. After a rough start, where I very nearly DNF’d this due to the shallowness of both characters, it was nice to see them become more vulnerable and real as the story progressed. Their edges were smoothed nicely.

● A clever premise. I’ve never seen this scenario in a romance, so it was fun to see how it would play out trying to build a romance in such a perilous predicament.

● Emotional depth. The exploration of grief (both characters lost a parent) and overcoming dysfunctional patterns helped make the MCs more sympathetic and relatable over time.

● A sweet ending. It's a bit of a buy-in, but what the heck? I’ll bite. 😊

Where I struggled:

∅ Insta-love. I could never buy into the deep connection and chemistry Zeke and Lexi had based on so little knowledge of each other. Zeke, particularly, had what felt like an unbalanced attraction to Lexi after sleeping with her one time. It felt a little ooky at first!

∅ Unhealthy attachment. Is it just me, or did anyone else find Lexi’s attachment to Mae a bit unbalanced too? I get that she helped raise Penny’s daughter, but she spoke of Mae as if she was her own daughter and as if her life revolved around the child. She was “Aunt Lexi”, but it felt like those maternal lines were blurred for her.

∅ Believability. For two people who didn’t know they’d be lost at sea, it felt like they conveniently always had everything they needed. I never felt an extreme sense of danger, because Zeke was whipping up meals for them the entire time!

Anyways, true to the book there were some rough spots on this trip I had to get past, but I’m pretty content with where it landed. If you like romance with some adventure and mild peril, this might be a fun one for you!

★★★ ½

I enjoyed this book so much! It’s my first Beth O’Leary book, even though she’s been on my radar - I never managed to snag a copy of her previous books!
I did not want to put it down and would have devoured it more quickly if I didn’t have to deal with my family and life, hahaha

Thank you so much to @berkleypub @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the advance ebook

Full review post to come on Instagram @on_a_sandbar

I generally veer away from age-gap romances, so I decided to set this one aside. I appreciate that this story has a female lead that is older than the male and I think that the book's setting offers a unique backdrop for romance between the main characters.

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did, if only because of my irrational fear of open water but omg, this was truly my favorite read of the year. I read it on New Years Eve and finished it the next day because I absolutely could not put it down. I needed to see them rescued! My heart!!

Why did I feel like this romance was so cringe? The premise of falling in love in such a short period of time was a bit unbelievable and I struggled to connect with the characters or their relationship.

Age gap, one night stand to more story.

Lexi and Zeke don't get to do the awkward morning after when they are literally swept away.

I like the idea of Lexi getting out of her comfort zone and the rut she finds herself. I enjoyed how Zeke is with her

Their age gap did not bother me in the slightest, it was a bit of his back story that made me go hmmm.

There is so much in this story that is beyond belief, and I laughed and rolled my eyes at a couple of scrapes they got into - but that is the point of fiction, right?

This would be a fun weekend read or beach read.

3.5 stars

I love Beth O'leary's books. They are so heartfelt but also fun and flirty. This one was no different but it also comes with a cute baby seagull companion and a Disney singalong.
I did scream in rage at the plot twist and cursed Penny a little bit and I think Lexi was a lot more forgiving than I would be.

If I had two words to describe this book, they would be: 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒄 & 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄 ⚓🔥

So first of all, I have to say: the author gave us such a realistic situation where the boat actually drifted away 😨 Like, I was nervous because as someone who has been on a lot of boats, it's very hard to not be aware that the boat is moving out of the marina. I have to applaud Beth for nailing that detail 👏

ZEKE AND LEXI OH MY GODDDDDD 😭 😭 😭 These two??? They are both imperfectly perfect, especially when they’re thrown into survival mode because they are literally AT SEA for days together How would you feel being trapped in the same space as your supposed one-night stand?? Excuse me, but I would panic 🫠 😂

Again, tying into the chaotic & realistic vibe, the author brought up so many moments that felt super real and genuinely stressful when you’re drifting in open sea (i.e no Google for when someone is injured). It had me hooked to keep reading! OH!!!! and if you think their love story ends when they get back to land… lol, you thought 🤭💀

The only reason this wasn’t a ⭐5-star⭐ for me is that cramming so many events into the span of their days at sea made it feel a bit dragged out for me at times. Even though it was eventful, I just found it a little too much, but that’s just my opinion!

This book is filled with sarcasm, humor, "omg, I’m stranded with my one-night stand???", and that forced proximity tension that makes them SO PERFECT for each other🔥 AGH, I loved it all !!!

I definitely recommend this book to the fans that love those survival situations and romance then YES read this book!!

tropes
💙 one night stand
💙 forced proximity
💙 age gap (23 mmc & 31 fmc)
💙 stranded at a boat
💙 strangers to lovers

I’m so impressed by the range of romances Beth O’Leary can write! This one is a survival-style romance where a one-night stand unexpectedly turns into several days lost at sea on a houseboat. I’d compare it to Happiness for Beginners or On the Island. The chemistry between the characters was there from the start, and while the stress of being lost at sea felt very real, there were also tender moments that allowed for deep conversations and personal growth. If you love the forced proximity trope, it doesn’t get much better than this!

An absolute masterclass is romantic suspense that doesn’t involve kidnapping! There were real stakes to the relationship, there was romance, and true suspense of whether or not they will make it out of this situation alive. The first 3/4 of the book was absolutely brilliant. The perfect mix of building the story and building the relationship. The last quarter was less strong, but still a great story. Definitely will recommend to everyone.

Sandy M’s review of Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 1 Apr 25

My first Beth O’Leary book, and I had a few ups and downs with it, but, for the most part, I enjoyed this nearly exclusively two-character story. Zeke and Lexi go from fun to survival, and you can’t help but cheer them on when the rough gets rougher and their next moments appear pretty darned bleak.

After an explosive hook-up, for their own reasons, they know they aren’t going to see each other again. But when things get a bit confused when thinking they know exactly what’s going on with Zeke’s dad’s old houseboat, and they find themselves in the middle of the ocean with no way of finding help and getting back home any time soon. So they make the best of what little food they have, come up with ideas to find land, and begin to know each other better, even as the boat starts to show signs of wear and tear, just when they think they’ll make it through.

Both Zeke and Lexi are likeable characters, and I enjoyed the rough ride they had not only from mother nature but also from their doubts and fears, especially from Lexi, when they take a deeper look at their situation and realize help isn’t coming any time soon. About halfway through their weeks at sea, I got a bit irritated it lasted so long with no end in sight for the reader too. But Ms. O’Leary does a good job at giving them situations once again to keep the interest in their plight going. But it’s up and down with the waves until their survival is not looking good at all.

Another nitpick is when Lexi doesn’t trust Zeke after they’ve declared their love. I don’t like that in romance, and it doesn’t work here for me. If you’re going to say the words, either back them up and/or talk to your new love to find out what the hell is going on. Do. Not. Walk. Away. Ever. I waited for Lexi to grovel, and while she didn’t quite get to the groveling stage, what she does do is nearly as good.

All is all, a good story with some good up moments and with a few downs. I would still recommend giving it a chance. The characters themselves are worth the shot.

Grade: B

This adventure-romance follows Lexi and Zeke as their one-night stand turns into an unexpected journey at sea. Stranded and facing real danger, the two must work together to survive and be rescued.

I think the "adventure" tag should be more prominent on Goodreads. To me, this felt more like one of those "I Survived" stories, with the romance evolving out of necessity rather than being the main focus. However, I ended up really connecting with these characters over the course of their time together. The third-act breakup had a surprising twist, though I did wish Lexi had shown more trust in Zeke rather than ghosting him. That said, the epilogue wrapped things up nicely, and this is definitely one of the more memorable romances I’ve read.

If you're not usually a fan of romance novels, or if you prefer stories with higher stakes, this would be a great pick. However, if you're looking for a feel-good rom-com, this might not be the one for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5 ⭐️ Unforgettable, romantic, and thrilling!

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary is an adventurous love story that completely stole my heart! From the very first page, I was hooked on the unexpected journey of Zeke and Lexi. Two strangers who never planned to see each other again, only to wake up stranded on a drifting houseboat with no way back. What started as a one-night stand quickly turned into something much more, a terrifying fight for survival where the vast and endless ocean became both breathtaking and utterly unforgiving.

Miles and miles of open water, no land in sight, and only each other to rely on. I felt their anguish, their desperation, but also the quiet moments of connection that began to form. Their situation was dire, yet it also created the perfect space for them to truly see one another. The tension was real, but so was the laughter, the banter, and the slow realization that maybe fate had other plans for them.

The ending had the perfect pace, but I found myself racing through because I was so eager to see how it would all unfold. That’s how much I loved these characters and how deeply I cared about their journey. In the end, I was deeply touched and loved the direction the story took. Beth O’Leary has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and exhilarating, once again proving why she’s a master of unforgettable romance.

If you love stories filled with adventure, forced proximity, and a romance that feels meant to be, Swept Away is a must-read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it when it releases on April 1, 2025!

thrilling, original, wholly unique... these are just some words to sum up my most surprising read so far this year!!

since the flatshare got popular, beth o'leary has been an author that i keep meaning to read from but never do. now i'm cursing myself because if this book was so good, the others must be too!! i will admit that i was drawn in by the cover on net galley when i requested this so i didn't know what to expect for the story as a whole. being trapped at sea with a strange man, genuinely nothing sounds worse. like the whole time i was reading this i found myself being more and more thankful for the ground beneath me and the water bottle next to me.

lexi and zeke have a one night stand on a house boat and then wake up the next morning in the middle of the ocean. they handled everything a million times better than i would have. its almost impossible to imagine myself in this situation because i would simply die. in the beginning you deal with their confusion and see them begin to be friends. once their relationship gets going though they form an unbreakable bond. both of them are so strong, mentally and physically. i was with them every step of the way and i just know they will have a very happy life together.

this book was more thrilling than most mysteries i've read, i could not put my phone down once i got into the story. its so, so readable and its a story that really makes you think about life and your wants. obviously i didn't go through what they went through but just reading this book makes you think about how lucky you are to not be stranded in the middle of the ocean. there is something that is revealed towards the end and i thought i was gonna hate how everything played out but i was actually not that mad. i wanted to hit miss penny at times and miss lyra, but we all made it to the end and now i have to go to this marina and get some food from Eugene the Traveling Seagull!!

* thank you thank you to net galley and berkley for the arc *

Thank you, @berkleyromance, for the free copy! #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyRomance

I just finished the closing pages of Swept Away by Beth O’Leary & I think it’s going to take me a couple of days to really decide what I think about it.

There’s sooooo much action & intensity—I really felt suspense about Lexi & Zeke’s lost-at-sea journey—& I also felt the intensity & rawness of their connection. But then the book takes a twist that I didn’t love, & I’m left feeling the rush of it all after closing my Kindle.

Swept Away is a mega whirlwind of danger & stress at sea, & through it all, the developing emotional relationship between two leads who hooked up at the beginning of their unintended journey. I think I wanted a little less from the plot (the twist didn’t win me over!), but I also felt the magnetism between the MCs & the wild vagaries of the sea.

4.33⭐️. Out 04/01.

CWs: grief, emotional estrangement from parents, dangerous situations

[ID: Jess wears a blue shirt that says, “I know nothing about sports & everything about books,” & holds the book while standing against a white wall.]

I loved this story so much. The unique concept of a one night stand turning into a harrowing life or death experience is definitely a page turner and I couldn't stop listening. The audiobook is narrated perfectly by Connor Swindells and Rebekah Hinds and I really enjoyed their voices. Zeke is younger than Lexi and that also made their partnership on this adventure interesting. The romance is a slow burn, but once it gets going I could feel the chemistry between them and I was rooting for them the whole way through the book.

A heartfelt, uplifting read with O’Leary’s signature charm and warmth. The romance is tender, the emotions are real, and the journey is unforgettable!