Beth O'Leary is a must-read for me and I love The Flatshare as much as the nest person and I feel like every new one of her books is a goal to reach that greatness. This book is fun and a lot of highwire adventures, though bordering on very ridiculous at times. But I love how very British these novels are, and the twists and turns of the plot are super fun. Even made me go back and get the one of her books I haven't read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love Beth O'Leary and her feel-good stories and amazing characters. This is a lot different from her others because of the survival/action/adventure elements. I can't imagine the research she had to do to make this believable.

The plot is a one-night stand ending in being lost at sea. There were great character arcs, chemistry between the love interests, action, adventure, and a twist I did NOT see coming. You need have a pretty strong ability to suspend your disbelief, but it's a good time.

Read if you like:
•Forced Proximity (to the MAX)
•Sunny vs grumpy
•Age Gap
•Fish Out Of Water

This is O'Leary's steamiest book so far.🌶️🌶️🌶️ Open Door: At least one intimate scene with the reader present, euphemistic language for act and body parts.

This story is full of adventure! Two strangers wake up after a night of fun on a houseboat to find they’ve been swept out to sea!

Lexi first sees Zeke in the pub where she works. He’s sitting by a window, reading a book and when her boss notices her watching him, she encourages Lexi to talk to him. Lexi hasn’t been on a date in four years! Her best friend, Penny, just asked her to move out so her boyfriend could move in with her and her four-year-old daughter, Mae and Lexi is really missing Mei. She practically helped raise her and now that they don’t need her, she’s trying to figure out what to do with her life.

Zeke is in town to buy back his father’s houseboat that he sold five years ago after his father died. He has been seeing a therapist since his roommate, Brady, noticed he’s been sad since his dad passed away and was spending each night with a different woman. Zeke has since been working through feelings about his family and how he doesn’t seem to fit in, no matter how hard he tries. He is a chef and more of a creative and artistic soul than his brother and sister and has begun to wonder if he might have a different father.

The beginning part of the story was a little slow for me, but I hung in there and am glad I did because once Lexi and Zeke woke up from their steamy night together on the boat, and saw they had drifted out to sea, the story took off. The motor wouldn’t work, the battery was dead, their cell phones didn’t have signals and they couldn’t see land. To make things worse, there was an accident with one of Zeke’s sharp chef knives and he had a cut on his stomach. But Zeke was able to whip up delicious meals with the little food they had and there was witty banter even while they worried if they would be rescued. (Lexi was also worried about being older than Zeke – she's thirty-one - eight years older than him). He doesn’t feel younger in the story to me and I enjoyed how unique he was – he wore velvet pants when they first met - plus he thinks Lexi is brave, strong and warm and he feels like he has been looking for her his whole life.

The story sped up and I didn’t want to put it down. I couldn’t wait to see how they would be rescued. Plus, there’s an unexpected twist at the end I didn’t see coming. This had a sweet and happy ending and was 4 and 1/2 stars for me. Thanks to the author, Berkeley and NetGalley for the ARC. My full review will be at All About Romance (AAR) closer to the review date.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I’ve read other books by this author that were better. There were parts of this book that were cute, and I liked that the characters never did the I HATE YOU! I LOVE YOU! Thing. They were always kind to each other which I appreciated. But the secondary characters were not well formed and I couldn’t figure out their motivations at all. And the whole lost at sea thing seemed liked a gimmick with an obvious ending. 2.5 stars rounded up.

4.5 stars. Beth O'Leary has done it again! I don't know how she could make a story about two strangers trapped at sea on a house boat so entertaining, but she has done it. I wasn't expecting the twist at the end at all, but I didn't hate it. I will read anything that Beth O'Leary publishes.

Lost at sea?! This book swept me away!

I absolutely loved this book! The moment I read the premise, I knew I had to add it to the top of my TBR. The "lost at sea" angle was so intriguing, and it completely lived up to my expectations.

Lexi just wants a carefree night with no strings attached, and Zeke, normally searching for something deeper, decides to make an exception. Unfortunately, the houseboat drifts into the North Sea!

As their supplies start to run low and the ocean gets more dangerous, the stakes rise.

The chemistry between Lexi and Zeke felt authentic and kept me hooked throughout their journey!

One of my favorite parts was the oil rig! What a unique concept for a lost at sea book!

The story is filled with plenty of witty banter and humor, balancing the tension of their predicament perfectly.

Overall, this novel is a brilliant mix of romance, adventure, and charm. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fresh, engaging read!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for this free ARC!

A beautiful and romantic tale by the incomparable Beth O’Leary! If you are looking for a story that will literally sweep you off your feet, look no further!

This book is an absolute treasure! The premise of Zeke and Lexi being stranded at sea together after a one-night stand sets the stage for a beautifully crafted story about unexpected connections and personal growth. The way their initial spark transforms into something deeper is so well done, each revelation brings them closer, and I loved watching their chemistry develop against the stunning backdrop of the open sea. The pacing is spot-on, balancing the tension of their situation with tender, intimate moments that had me rooting for them from the start. O’Leary's writing is engaging and relatable, capturing the magic of falling in love in the most unexpected circumstances. Overall, this is a delightful, feel-good read that I simply couldn't put down!

I am honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It was an easy to read romcom with some serious undertones that were written very clever, in a way that isn’t super intense but also still leaves you feeling

beth o'leary's previous books have not worked for me but i was eager to give her another chance. unlike the previous installments, this one was sp much better— not the best— but so freaking better!

thankyou netgalley for the arc. all opinions are my own!