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!

5 stars. Let me start by saying that I loved this book. Love loved loved it, and I couldn't put it down. Honestly, I fell in love with both the FMC and MMC instantly. They were so damn multi-dimensional and so broken in their own ways. And I couldn't help rooting for both of them. What starts out as a one night stand accidentally turns into several days being lost at sea, and the tension between the couple was PALPABLE. There was so much going on, with their literally being lost at sea, and I truly could not wait to see how things would play out.

Now here's the thing, I do think that this book is going to be a bit polarizing, and it all comes down to the last 15% or so. In my opinion, Beth O'Leary is in a class of her own as a romance writer. Literally no one writes romance like she does. Nothing in her books are ever straight forward or as they seem, and there is often a big surprise that you just won't see coming. And along the way, she more often than not rips your heart out, in one way or another. So knowing this, I go into a Beth O'Leary book prepared and expecting to be a little tortured and a lot mind blown. And that definitely happened with Swept Away. But I do think that some of the things that happen in the last 15% of the book may be particularly unpopular, especially if you aren't expecting something major. But in my opinion, that last 15% is what made this a Beth O'Leary romance. I wanted the surprise, and I was totally 100% on board with it when it happened. So if you see mixed reviews, I largely suspect it's for that reason. I don't think many could find fault with the writing, the general plot, or the connection between the MCs. And all in all, I really enjoyed this, and I'm so glad I read it. For me, not only was this another winner from O'Leary, it was actually my favorite book that I've read from her.

Thank you so much to O'Leary, Berkley Romance, and netgalley for the complimentary copy.

👩🏻‍💻 ᗰY TᕼOᑌGᕼTS: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

The concept of this story definitely caught my attention and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Beth’s other books, especially her debt - The Flat Share. This book started out really strong! But somewhere in the middle, it just got a bit repetitive?

I like the story, I like the characters… and i know they’re stuck on the houseboat…. But…. It just went on a couple days too many? And I kept thinking to myself… ok somethings going to happen? Or maybe that was the point? To feel that desperation for SOMETHING to happen? 😅

After the 70% point, it REALLY picked up again, and the story has redeemed itself because i absolutely loved the last 3rd of the book!

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸…
🌊One Night Stand
🌊Forced Proximity
🌊He Falls First
🌊’We’re not going to ☠️’
🌊Dual POV
🌊Minimal spice

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

While this book explored intriguing themes, I had a hard time connecting with the characters. However, that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other romance readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Swept Away
By: Beth O’Leary
4 stars

She’s 31. He’s 23. She’s just been asked to move out of her apartment that she shares with her best friend and her 4 year old daughter. He’s just bought back his dead father’s house boat as a way to manage his lifelong agony over their relationship. After a few too many drinks, they have a one-night stand in said house boat, only to wake up the next day lost at sea with no way of getting back, low provisions, and their only companion being a stranger.

This was honestly terrifying at times with all the obstacles Lexi and Zeke go through. I don’t know if I could have survived all that they did! What starts out as a casual fling leads us down a path of two complete strangers needing to become brutally honest fast in order to survive. With no reason to hide behind a facade out in the middle of the ocean, Lexi and Zeke open up about their pasts, their dreams, and hold on to small victories and nostalgia to overcome the ever growing fear of never being rescued.

The ocean setting really put these two to the test. Having low food provisions, low water, no radio, no battery, and between the two of them absolutely no idea how to navigate a ship, these two have to work together to manage the challenges that come their way. They quickly learn each other over the course of a few days and a level of intimacy comes with that that would take longer if not for their circumstances. Both Lexi and Zeke were truly lost in their lives before this unfortunate situation and coming close to near death multiple times really puts things into perspective for them. I could absolutely believe that after everything they went through that they grew to love one another in a short period of time.

There’s a surprise element towards the end of the book that was shocking, but not surprising to me. O’Leary did an amazing job of weaving it into the story and really kicking up an already dramatic story even higher! I was completely invested in the story from the very beginning and felt like I was viewing this story like a movie! I don’t think I’ve ever read a romance book like this and it’s definitely one of my favorites from her now.

Thank you Berkely Romance for the eARC and PRH Audio for the ALC.

What a crazy concept for a romance! I usually don't care for a ton of miscommunication in a book, but this one was handled well and lead to a hilarious and thrilling story. A one night stand turns into an episode of Survivor except you're on a janky boat in the middle of nowhere with no power, no camera crew, and no Jeff Probst. This story spans how they survive being lost at sea and the trials and tribulations they have to jump through to make it out alive. Following their rescue, secrets are revealed, bringing a harsh reality to Lexi, making her question everything she thought of Zeke. Can their relationship survive the real world or will it just be a memory she can never forget? This book was packed with adventure. Sometimes I wondered if this was taking a turn for a mystery/thriller, but just based on the cover you know it's gotta have an HEA!

Slight spoilers ahead... When they are back on land, and Penny drops her big secret about Zeke changing the trajectory of the story, I really didn't care for how the rest played out. I was hoping maybe it was Zeke's brother instead or something like that. This is when the biggest miscommunication started that I didn't love. But that did not stop me from enjoying this book overall.

Read if you like an age gap romance with tons of forced proximity. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 4/1!