I’m still chasing the book high that The Flatshare and The Switch left me with all those years ago. Those two books solidified me as a forever fan of Beth’s works. Unfortunately, I haven’t connected with a book of hers much since those two. I went into Swept Away cautiously optimistic, hoping to love it. And for the most part, I really enjoyed it!

Beth has a beautiful way with words and I always love her male heroes; Zeke was seriously top tier. I loved both character’s emotional journeys and the concept was immediately attention grabbing. I will admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of the third act drama, but the resolution was great. Overall, totally recommend if you love romance with a survival twist, age gaps, and following both POVs.

A one-night stand on a houseboat by night, stranded at sea by morning! 🛥️

The premise here sounded like a really light and fun rom-com, but it was more of a contemporary romance with pretty high stakes. This was totally my fault, but because I went in expecting something else, it wasn’t quite what I was in the mood for. The first 3/4 of the book was high stakes with some life or death situations, which was too far into the book for my personal preference. This period of isolation did lend to a deep connection between our MCs, but I was more pulled into the last quarter of the book when the “real world” was back in play. Other than that, my eyebrow was raised at one very casual reference to a relationship our MMC had with a 28-year-old woman when he was 16. 🤨 I very much hope this is changed in the final copy given there was no additional discussion around how inappropriate it was. All in all, this was an average read for me.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for a complimentary advance copy of this eBook, out 4/1/2025.

This was such a surprise in a great way! The adventure vibes, the romance, it blended together so well. I think it's the perfect way to spend a weekend!

Thank you so much to Berkley for the ARC!

4/5

Absolutely FANTASTIC!! Beth O’Leary does it again with this incredible title. There was genuine suspense suspense and believable danger. I also loved how the characters were really grounded, talking about their personal problems without using too much fake sounding therapy talk. I swooned, I gasped, I laughed, I teared up… I recommend this to young and old.

I really, really enjoyed this one. I love just about anything this author has written, but I think this one is one of her best! Looking forward to seeing what’s next!

This was my first Beth O’Leary book, and I already know she’s going to be a favorite.

I adored this story—it had the perfect mix of romance and adventure. I’m always a sucker for survival romances, and this one was done so well. It kept me hooked from start to finish!

Zeke is definitely a new book boyfriend—he was so sweet, and I loved him right away. Lexi was just as wonderful—caring, selfless, and easy to root for.
Zeke and Lexi’s relationship was everything.

Also, Eugene was such a cute addition! (Read to find out!)

The twist at the end was a little unexpected, but I was happy with the ending.

I cannot thank Berkley enough allowing me the opportunity to read Swept Away in advance. Although I personally did not connect with the characters, I can definitely see people obsessing over them! I did really like the premise and the double meaning of "swept away". I definitely would recommend people give it a try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

When a drunken one night stand turns into a fight for survival on a houseboat that has drifted into sea. Limited provisions and unable to call for help they have to work together to get back home.

Forced proximity ✔️
Reverse age gap ✔️
Grumpy vs sunshine ✔️
He falls first ✔️

There was one part about him being with an older woman before that was laughed off that I feel should have been taken more seriously. But other than that this was a fun summertime read. 3.5 stars rounded up

Oh, this was a fun one. As someone who has quite literally been Swept Away (yes, I sailed around the Bahamas for a study abroad my junior year) this was quite the romcom.

Immediately, I was hooked. A one night stand that leaves a woman stranded on the boat after attempting the walk of shame? Oh this was right up my ally. However, this is not just a sweet romcom. There were some scenes where even I was shaking my head in disbelief! Lexi and Zeke just proved that if anyone had to be stuck together, it should have been them. Both characters felt fully flushed, I just had a couple of qualms with the way they were written.

I thought Zeke was darling. If I had one word to describe him it would be sweet! I also really enjoyed Lexi’s character. However, I just didn’t really understand the need for her behavior when Zeke let her know that he had his first sexual experience with a woman at 16 (I know this is the age of consent in the UK still just feels weird)…with a significantly older woman. It felt like an opportunity to unpack the situation rather than try and make light with a ‘well, you really do like older women’ angle. It just didn’t sit right with me.

The second thing I had a problem with (granted this is probably only a me problem) but I never felt like they were truly stranded. I know that this is fictional & fun, but when I was sailing our motor quite literally died. You don't know real fear until it's 2:45 in the morning in the middle of the ocean and you're not moving. Trust, we did form a trauma bond but we also didn't have the time to be cooking each other meals like Zeke was doing every few pages in this book!

Overall, I think this is a 3.5 star book! Other than those couple of things I mentioned above, it was a rather enjoyable book. I will definitely be looking into other Beth O’Leary works, I just don’t think this one was my jam (& that’s okay- it might be yours)!

Thank you Berkley & Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a fun premise. I haven't read a survival romance like this one before and I enjoyed.

Being swept away wasn't on the top of Lexi and Zeke's mind when they were making their way to the bedroom of the houseboat after a night of drinks. A one-night stand turned into 12 days adrift in the ocean with nothing but water, the awkwardness of the morning after, past memories, and insecurities.

It was so intense at moments. The isolation didn't just encourage both of them to face things in their lives they've been battling but also learning to open up and let them go. They just didn't anticipate they'd fall in love in the process.

I enjoyed this and would recommend! Beth's books don't disappoint!

Sigh, okay, yes I did like this book, but I'm so torn about how long it was. I guess its the empathy in me that just wanted them to be saved quickly. Anywho. This is a story about how a one night stand turned into a love story after said couple became stranded in the sea on a houseboat. I don't know how much falling in love ill do, if my very survival was on the line; but I digress. They both go through the motions of fear and love as they try to stay sane hoping they will be discovered and rescued. Then a huge reveal threatens to tear them apart!


Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC, grateful and humbled 🙏🏾

Solid 3.5 Stars!!!

SWEPT AWAY out April 1st 2025!!!!

An emotional, charming novel with a setting I haven't read in a romcom before! Full of O'Leary's classic voice, this book presents wonderfully flawed characters (a trilby? Really? XD) learning to grow together. What starts as a hilarious set up, ends up being the perfect setting for a romance.

I always look forward to a new Beth O'Leary book, but this one really wasn't for me. I don't like the one-night stand trope, so I was a bit put off right in the first chapter. Added to that, the way Lexi reacted to the boat ownership misunderstanding made me put the book down for awhile before getting to chapter two. I will say that several weeks later when I made myself pick it back up, I did start to enjoy it for a bit, but I just couldn't connect with the characters and I didn't care for the age gap. I read a few other reviews and decided this book just wouldn't be for me. I did also see several glowing reviews, though, so others may really enjoy it.

This by any means wasn’t a bad book but just a bad fit for me. I thought the pacing of the book was a little weird. It started off strong with a unique plot of 2 people who hooked up that wind up stranded on a boat together. I love forced proximity but this was just a little bit too much for my liking. I think if you want a short mindless read than this would be perfect for you.

This was not at all what I was expecting! But I felt similarly when I read The Flatshare (which I absolutely loved). This was fun and sweet, but also dramatic and at times, sad. It was a rollercoaster of feelings and I enjoyed every second of it.

I think romance novels can sometimes fit a formula that is predictable, safe, and cozy. This was refreshingly different with depth that I’m usually seeking. I think that’s one of the things I love about Beth’s books. That, and her writing. She always captivates me with her writing. I get invested in her characters. The stories make me think deeply.

Lexi and Zeke were both relatable and likeable characters. There were parts where I felt disconnected to them, but that could also be intentional based on their personalities. I felt like a lot happened in this book, but it was well paced, and the perfect length.

If you enjoyed The Flatshare, Hello Stranger, Float Plan, or Lovewrecked, you’ll probably enjoy this!

This novel comes out on April 1st! Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Beth O’Leary for this ARC.

I will read anything Beth O'Leary writes! I think this is my 4th of 5th book by the author? I love how she always manages to deliver a solid romance, infuse quintessential British humor into her stories and come up with unique and unpredictable plots. Swept Away is no different. I truly enjoyed this book and thought the main characters' anxiety-inducing "adventure" at sea was very solidly written (although I feel it could have been shorter). I will say though that I don't think the book needed the twist at the end. In fact, the twist at the end ruined the main characters' relationship for me (I won't spoil it here, but I was really upset lol because it felt SO incredibly unnecessary). That said, I can't wait for Beth O'Leary's next book! :)

Rating: 4.5 Stars

What started as a one night stand turned into twelve days lost at sea. Though this experience was harrowing at times, it also led to healing and self discovery for both Zeke and Lexi.

I have been an official Beth O'Leary fangirl for a while. Her books are always full of humor, great characters, and lots of emotion. She also likes to throw a good curveball (I'm looking at you, The No-Show), and I am still wrestling with my feelings about the one she threw here. Other than that, I LOVED this book.

O'Leary did an incredible job blending romance with action, adventure, and a fight for survival. It's started all swoony and hot, but as the days passed and they were still adrift, things got real. It's situations like this where you see someone's true colors and what they are made of, and both Lexi and Zeke rose to the occasion. Seeing their grit, strength, and resilience endeared them to me. And let me tell you, there were some very precarious moments that ocurred which ratcheted up my anxiety. These were trying times, and I was glad they had each other to rely on.

Is it odd that I found the whole houseboat living intriguing? I have never sailed on a small ship, and have only seen houseboats from the outside. It was interesting learning more about them and all the features they can have, and I found myself eager to spend time aboard the ship.

But my favorite part of this tale was the romance, of course! This was an age gap romance with Lexi being eight years Zeke's senior. Though he was young (23!), he never seemed that young, and it had a lot to do with his life experiences. Zeke was definitely an old soul who was trying to make changes in his life. He spent years living in a way that was detached and destructive, and with help, he realized he wanted more, he deserved more. And I wanted that to rub off on Lexi! I wanted her to want more and to know she deserved more. They were both wounded with family baggage, but they seemed to find something special with each other, and I loved them together.

Though it was stressful at times, I had a wonderful time being lost at sea with Lexi and Zeke! I was swept away by their romance and fight for their lives, and so, so grateful for the amazing ending they found together.

Could I love Beth O’Leary books anymore than I already do? I guess so, because Swept Away was one of my favorite reads so far. This one had a similar Flat Share “energy” compared to her other releases, and that was amazing. It’s a great story with her usual beautiful writing and character work, and the romantic tension is wonderful throughout, as well as some great dialogue and insights through internal processing. All in all, a new favorite Beth O’Leary book for me. Please keep bringing these emotions!!

I made it about 30% and then dnf'ed it. I loved Beth O'Leary's first 2 books, then it went downhill from there. I wanted to give her another try but alas it didn't work at all. I couldn't connect with the characters and the story just dragged on and on.

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.