Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

Ok look. This cover, combined with the fact that it's a survival at sea romance had me salivating. This kind of story is my kryptonite, but goodness me this was soooooo messy. By the end of this review, you will be wondering why I didn't DNF and my answer is simply that I couldn't bring myself to look away because I had to know how it all worked out.

The entire book felt like a fever dream. You've got a one-night stand between Lexi and Zeke that occurs on a houseboat that drifts out to sea because communication? Who needs it? So they're just bobbing out there in the North Sea on a boat that's barely floating and can't run that they both think is theirs. I was beginning to struggle at this point because I had a hard time believing this could realistically happen, but I hung in there. And then all the things start happening. If something could go wrong, it went wrong. And if something could conveniently happen to move the story along, it did. You've got an accidental gaping, festering wound and a concussion between these two people. This boat is covered in sweat and vomit due to the concussion... or maybe food poisoning... sea sickness? All of the above? Probably. They're living off spoiled food that somehow Zeke is able to whip up into a hot meal even though there's no running water or electricity on this boat and they're rationing crackers with old sweaty cheese and cookies the rest of the time. They're plugging holes with cotton t-shirts and tape and catching rain water in a tarp and bowls that sometimes slide right off the deck into the sea. There's an outlandish oil rig situation and an injured seagull who they rescue from the water and feed their very meager rations to. Because if the seagull doesn't survive this, we don't want to either! And honestly, that would probably be me too so I can't fault them for that, I guess!

There's a lot of info dumping and repetition about their individual past struggles (some of which are disturbing... like Zeke's first love who was well into adulthood while he was only 16 years old... ick). Both of them also have very intense family/found family situations and spend their time discussing them ad nauseam (either out loud or in their heads) when they're not in the process of potentially succumbing to their individual injuries. And honestly, the dialogue had me cringing at times. Lexi is older than Zeke and will never let anyone forget it. She's only 31, but you'd think this woman was 75 for how old she keeps telling Zeke she is. I got so tired of her making some self-deprecating comment about her age or her aged body (again, she is THIRTY ONE), just so he would come back and reassure her that age is just a number and she's beautiful no matter what. He's known her for less than two weeks and can't stop thinking about what a beautiful puker she is. Meanwhile, his gaping wound is seeping pus from infection and they really just wish they were making out right now. I'm absolutely sure that no real humans would be lusting after and craving sex from one other under these dire circumstances. I struggled to believe the romance so much because they clearly only bonded over a shared traumatic experience. The chemistry between the two of them was lacking, and I had a hard time picturing them ever falling in love in the real world. They just don't match, and my mind was never changed on that. These people needed medical attention and therapy, not romance. And then there's a twist that made me throw the book across the room. Seriously?? What in the Days of Our Lives drama is this? Everyone in this book needs to take a very big step back and do some reassessing.

All in all, I was super intrigued when I read the synopsis. What a unique and interesting sounding story! But there was too much going on here. I enjoyed the parts of the story where survival instincts and ingenuity took over for a little while. It was interesting reading about what they did to try make life easier for themselves and find help, and if this had been just a survival story I think I would have liked it a lot more (especially if it were more believable). But there was a lot of drama layered on top of that surrounding them and their families as well as their individual pasts. I wish the romance aspect hadn't been there at all and that this was a story about two strangers (or even friends) trying to make it out alive. The romance, family drama, and the comedy of errors throughout their journey to survival was too much for me and I had a hard time suspending the amount of disbelief necessary to fully immerse myself in this story.

A one-night stand and being lost at sea. They are contrary circumstances, to be sure. Zeke and Lexi discover that the rendezvous on the houseboat they were on took quite a different turn. The houseboat has drifted out to the middle of the ocean. They are stranded. They are alone. They have no idea how the pair of them would find safety.

Close proximity to be sure. Feelings are definitely being caught between Lexi and Zeke after spending several days together out at sea. Romance aside, how will they get back to land? Will they find a way on their own, or will they somehow be rescued?

Survival is critical for Lexi and Zeke, so finding a way home is paramount. Although they are working on finding their way home, they just may have found a way to one another, and hopefully once on land their story might have a happy ending. What a lovely multilayered story by Beth O’Leary.

Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

After a drunken miscommunication in the dark, two strangers find themselves lost at sea on a houseboat after having a one-night stand. I really enjoyed this one! The survival aspect of the story was a surprise but I thought it made it much more interesting and added to the depth of the story as a whole. I found Zeke and Lexi to be likeable characters, each with their own baggage, and I was definitely rooting for them to find love and get rescued. The character development was excellent and I loved that they really got to know each other on a deeper level via forced proximity. I also appreciated the reverse age gap aspect, which is not commonly seen in romcoms. The twist toward the end definitely caught me by surprise but I did not love the drama it caused and felt it was unnecessary and an overreaction on Lexi’s part after all they had been through together. Overall, this was a unique cozy feel-good story of survival and romance and I would definitely recommend it to others! Thank you to NetGalley, Beth O’Leary, and Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this e-ARC of Swept Away in exchange for an honest review. I'm going to be completely honest, I was on the fence because of the age gap. I'm normally okay with an okay-ish age gap, I don't think the characters need to be the exact same age or anything. Lexi is in her early 30s and Zeke is in his early 20s, and I just really couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to convince myself that fundamentally that these two characters had anything in common enough to form an emotional and romantic connection. I know that Beth O'Leary would inevitably make this a much more emotional read than what it originally looked like on the surface. I ended up really liking the backstory with Zeke, and I think the romance overall was a nice diversion from the usual "guy is older, woman is much younger" trope. I don't think I'll remember this in a few days, but it was really good while I read it!

This book was pretty cute, and the romance was solid. Unfortunately, there were moments where the plot became a bit convoluted and pulled me out of the story that kind of made it hard for me to really enjoy the story.

This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint, I loved it! I was hooked from the very beginning and couldn’t put it down. The concept felt so fresh and unique, and as always, I’m a huge fan of Beth O’Leary’s writing. The age gap didn’t bother me at all, but I wasn’t a fan of Lexi’s best friend Penny. Still, a super engaging and memorable read!

This book was pretty cute with the romance. I did think the setting of a house boat was pretty unique and intrigued me. However, I did find myself getting a bit confused at times of where we were at and it did take me out of the story a bit.

I have to admit that this one took me a minute to get into. I wasn’t pulled in with the initial meet-cute and I wasn’t feeling confident an entire story could be written about two people lost at sea. But at some point, this book sucked me in and I couldn’t get enough. Swept Away is part romance, part adventure story and the genre blend totally worked here!

For me, the 2nd half of the book was just fabulous, and there were many happy tears shed in the final few chapters. What I initially thought would be a tedious and potentially boring story, turned into a lovely book about opening yourself up to love, dealing with the past, and letting go of fears so you can truly live a joyful life.

Swept Away is the story of a one night stand turned more after our main characters, Lexi and Zeke, end up out to sea on a houseboat after a steamy night together. What they lack in survival skills, they make up for in determination and a will to make it home alive (while possibly falling in love in the process). This clever premise was super entertaining and fun to read! I haven’t read a romance like this and its uniqueness was refreshing. I could have used a little bit more depth to our characters, but overall I really enjoyed this!

If you’re looking for an engaging summer romance filled with mishaps and forced proximity, look no further!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkeley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

A one-night stand turns into 12 days of forced proximity when 31 year old Lexi and 23 year old Zeke end up stranded on a houseboat. What starts as a steamy setup turns into a surprisingly heartfelt story. Zeke is incredibly sweet, determined to prove himself and Lexi is holding some heavier things on her heart, making their pairing such a tender and emotional combo! There’s emotional depth, strong character growth, a mischievous seagull named Eugene, and I loved the epilogue! While there’s frustrating miscommunication (my least favorite!!), this book offers more substance than expected. I'd read from this author again - great book for summer!

While I feel like I could get swept away any minute with all the storms, tornados, and flooding we have had since Wednesday, what I really got swept away with was this entertaining book, Swept Away by Beth O’Leary.
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While I have enjoyed her previous books, none had captured me and made me smile like The Flatshare. This one did. I am so happy I got to read it and tell you all about it. Thanks so much @BerkleyPub for my advanced copy.
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Lots of people get carried away on a one night stand. Most people don’t actually get carried away by the sea, swept away as it is. That is what happened to Lexi and Zeke after their one night stand on a houseboat is unintentionally extended by just a bit. Talk about an uncomfortable morning after! What follows is their tale of survival and their tale of getting to know each other and themselves.
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I loved this relationship, whether it was depending on each other for survival or for a shoulder to cry on when missing real life.
We really get to know these characters and what makes them tick. I was as frightened as they were in some parts of their story.
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I enjoyed the age gap, she is older. Honestly, Zeke is an old soul and definitely acted older than he was. It is a very close proximity trope set on a small houseboat so they absolutely couldn’t avoid each other. I don’t think I would have wanted to avoid Zeke!

Lexi has put her personal life on hold so that she be there to support her best friend Penny and her daughter and she has never regretted that decision. When she is convinced to approach a sexy younger man at the bar where she works she expects to have one enjoyable night with him, and they would go their separate ways not be stranded with him for nearly two weeks.

Zeke is single and intends to stay that way. The reasons that brought him to town are taking an emotional toll so the opportunity to forget in the arms of a beautiful woman seems like the perfect solution. The next morning brings a surprise that neither saw coming when they find themselves stranded in the middle of the ocean and must work together to find a way back.

Even though their experience together at times was tumultuous and at times humorous I enjoyed seeing these two strangers let each other into their hearts as they found a love that neither was prepared for along with some surprises along the way.

I liked this!! Literally my nightmare: one night stand turns into accidental adventure partner when you get swept out to sea?? No thank you😳 But a very fun concept to read in a romance book and not horror.

I didn’t love the characters to start. I wasn’t really vibing with either of them and was kind of disappointed in how unwilling they were to work together. And then it felt very insta-lovey with the change to not hating each other. Both Lexi and Zeke grew on me as the book went on, but I still wasn’t super invested. Also I’m all for suspending some parts of reality, but I couldn’t get over some of the things they did, especially with the oil rig?? There were several moments that pulled me out of the story.

Overall a fun read, especially if you’re up for suspending reality quite a bit in a tense situation. Her other books are definitely a step up from this one imo!

✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Black Cat / Golden Retriever
✔️ Family Drama
✔️ Danger Banging
✔️ Family & Found Family

It was supposed to be just one night, but the one hot night on a houseboat led to Lexi and Zeke adrift at sea with no way to get back home or contact help. Neither of them have strong survival skills but they're both plucky and determined to make it out alive (and why not fall in love in the process).

The plot was entertainingly stressful, particularly because these two felt very real. They weren't experienced sailors and they weren't totally goofing it up in a madcap way. They were regular people trying to do their best and hold it together in an awful situation. This made for fascinating character building/character reveals.

I love a black cat / golden retriever combo and it worked well here because at the end of the day, both Zeke and Lexi are natural caretakers and they both stepped up when needed. You can't help but like them and root for them.

I think this is the steamiest of Beth O'Leary's books and I am here for it! I think I would have been disappointed if it was fade to black after all that work! 😆

Overall, a really great adventure romance and a perfect beachy read (provided you're not on a scary boat ride).

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

I really enjoyed The Flatshare, this is my second Beth O'Leary book since, and I think she may have been a one-hit wonder for myself. I'm not a huge romance reader so I wouldn't say this was bad by any means, just not quite engaging enough for an occasional reader of the genre.

Swept Away by Beth O’Leary
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⚓️🚢💙💕
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Beth O’Leary delivers her most engaging novel yet with Swept Away - a captivating, heartfelt story that begins with a bang and never loses momentum. This is, without a doubt, my favorite O’Leary book so far.

The premise is refreshingly original: two strangers, Lexi and Zeke, find themselves stranded together after what was supposed to be a fleeting one-night encounter. What follows is a tender, emotionally layered exploration of connection, vulnerability, and the families we’re born into versus the ones we choose.

Rather than front-loading character exposition, O’Leary lets Lexi and Zeke reveal themselves gradually, deepening their arcs as the story unfolds. Their emotional growth feels authentic, and their bond is both believable and deeply moving. I particularly appreciated that the narrative didn’t shy away from emotional expression - the “I love you” moment arrives without delay, and it feels earned.

And then there’s the twist - brilliantly executed and completely unexpected. I was floored. It’s the kind of reveal that pulls the rug out from under you in the best way - not for shock value, but in service of deeper thematic resonance.

This isn’t a trauma-heavy survival story, but rather a beautifully balanced romance with just the right amount of tension, vulnerability, and warmth. Swept Away proves that even in the most uncertain circumstances, love has a way of anchoring us.

Everything about this book was so unbelievable and maybe even a little long but the ending started to pick up and it became more interesting. There were small bits and pieces that I thought were nice but I didn’t care much for the characters.
Overall, I just wasn’t able to feel their chemistry and I didn’t really connect with them as characters. There’s no way they could have fallen for one another in such a short time… if anything’s its situational attraction or a relationship of circumstance? Lust? They had no choice but to get to know one another because they were stuck together. They said I love you to each other insanely fast and I just couldn’t buy any of it. Also they both got hurt and I also thought that threw things off… because was this about surviving or a romance? Lastly, the plot twist was odd and I didn’t like Penny’s behaviour.

I really wanted to love this one, but it wasnt the one for me. I need to give it another chance when I am in the correct mood to read it. I have always enjoyed this author's reads in the past.

4.5 stars. Beth O'Leary can almost do no wrong! She has such an enticing writing style that draws you in and makes you feel for each character. I also love a good dual POV. I loved both characters and how they were equally strong for each other but also vulnerable. The added sense of mystery/despair/adventure of being lost at sea kept me coming back for more. The only thing that bumped this down a half star for me is the added conflict at the end. I don't think that was necessary and added too much drama and complication. I wish the conflict could have just been them dealing with being back in reality again together despite the culture shock. That would have been enough for me. They already went through so much, that it felt like a pile on to just add one more thing before the end of the story.
But all in all, beautiful writing, great story, intriguing plot, and likeable characters.
Highly recommend!

Beth O’Leary has my HEART. Was this a fluffy romance or a tense thriller? I could not decide because why was I SO STRESSED. But I loved this book. I will recommend Beth’s books until the end of time!