I found this to be a great summery read!! Wyatt and Josie had good chemistry and by the end Wyatt was having me swoon.
The first half is Josie and Wyatt connecting over Wyatt’s recent injury and Josie being hired to get Wyatt back to full health. It’s complicated by the fact that Wyatt and Josie have complicated feelings for each other. The second half follows Josie and Wyatt taking a boat trip together in honor of Wyatt’s late uncle.
The second half felt a little longer than the first half, and Wyatt unfortunately didn’t have very many chapters, but overall a very sweet story!! I also appreciated the author’s note at the end. I’m excited to read more by Emma St. Clair!

One note on the audiobook is that Wyatt’s character was harder to hear/understand.

I recommend this for all clean and sweet romance readers and would love a twist on the enemies to lovers/forced proximity/grump MMC vibe. Also, bonus points for Wyatt being a hockey player ✨

*Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC!*

Audiobook Review:

I received an advanced listener copy of this book from NetGalley - as always, these are my honest thoughts and opinions!

For the audiobook itself, I had a couple of major issues:

1. The male narrator was soooo hard to hear. I had the volume blasting in my car and I still could not hear half his words. It was almost like he was trying to make his voice super deep and that made it come through extremely quiet. Then all of the sudden he’d get really passionate about a line and practically yell to the point it made me jump a few times!

2. This male narrator isn’t bad by any means, but he was very poorly cast. He sounded very old or like he should be narrating a regency era romance. I just didn’t not get early 30s pro hockey player vibes AT ALL.

The book itself was pretty fun, if a little corny! I take no issue with clean/closed door romances, but some of the phrases used by the FMC to keep things clean ended up just sound very childish to me. I also still expect tension and butterflies when reading closed door romance, and I just didn’t not get any of that from this.

Overall, it was a fun, simple read but probably not one I’d recommend unless you were really bored and wanted a romance with no spice or chemistry.

If you want a slow burn, grumpy sunshine, brother's best friend, closed door romance then this is the book for you. I think that Josie and Wyatt's relationship is so adorable.

Josie is a school nurse hoping to spend her summer break with her brother, and Wyatt is this brooding NHL player who wanted to spend his summer alone. With a little trickery from Josie's brother, the two spend the summer together and some secrets are spilled.

I loved the narrators for this book! Truly they grasped the charcaters vibes perfectly. I was hooked from the first chapter with how they narrated it. Loved this book, definitely a cute summer read!

Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC!

This book was so cute.

Josie thinks she is going to be spending time with her brother but instead he tricks her into taking care of his best friend, Wyatt, as he recovers from an injury. One of the first scenes includes her ending up in a cop car and I was laughing out loud. The two main characters end up getting to know each other better as the book goes on and Josie even volunteers to go sailing with Wyatt on a lengthy trip.

I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys a cute enemies to lovers book. This made a great summer read.



I enjoyed the enemies to lovers / brother's best friend tropes in this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc copy of the audiobook

I absolutely devoured this book.

The male narrator sounds a bit older than I anticipated, but thankfully it wasn’t obnoxious. That is literally my only feedback.
The relationship between Josie and Wyatt was not forbidden, it just happened. They had a long history due to HER brother being Wyatt’s manager.
Wyatt injured himself playing a recreational sport, and was very standoffish and scared all the healthcare workers off. That is until Josie is tricked into spending some time with Wyatt.

This was a wonderful rom com, with well built character, a clear direction of the story and a great ending. This was fantastic.

I have no attachment to these characters at all. This book was definitely not for me and it's a shame because this cover is beautiful.

Such a fun and sweet read! I’ve really enjoyed Emma’s books over the last few years, especially her Appies hockey series (and was so bummed that they had come to an end). So imagine my joyful surprise and excitement to learn this story featured not only Wyatt from the team, but also some great cameos of my favorite players.

This brother’’s best friend, enemies to more romance had all the swoon and charm I’ve come to love from Emma St Clair. She never fails to entertain. There were so many great moments. And the narrators did a fantastic job bringing this story to life.


I’m excited to see what other books Emma will bring to Thomas Nelson in the future.

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction for the listening copy. All opinions are my own.

I had the opportunity to read If All Else Sails through an advanced listener copy (ALC). When Josie heads to her super summer sibling extravaganza to meet her brother Jacob, she ends up at a rundown “murder cottage” and quickly realizes that the extravaganza plans have changed. Instead of her brother, she’s met by Jacob’s best friend Wyatt, with whom she’s had an enemies/rivals relationship for years. Wyatt is a pro hockey player with an injury who needs to recover and heal. Josie is a school nurse who very much needed a vacation. But due to Jacob’s antics, they find themselves in a forced proximity situation working their way toward Wyatt’s recovery.

This was a fun grumpy/sunshine, enemies/rivals to lovers, summer cottage + sailing adventure and I really enjoyed getting to see Josie and Wyatt’s relationship evolve throughout the story. The narrators were also engaging and added to the overall enjoyment and quality of the story. If you’re looking for a good summer read or listen, If All Else Sails is a great choice.

i really enjoyed it! super cute with great banter and i adore a brother’s best friend moment. I loved the characters and how the relationship between the main characters slowly developed throughout the book. It was well-written, and the audiobook made it even better. It’s my favorite way to enjoy a romance now.

the only downsides for me were how slow the pacing got at times and a bit too much inner monologue vs. actual interactions, and that this is not enemies to lovers, no matter what the marketing says, wyatt’s clearly into josie from the beginning, so don’t go in expecting that. still, the one bed trope gets me every time. solid 3.5!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC — opinions expressed in this review are my own.

If All Else Sails is such a cute romantic comedy that had me in stitches all throughout. It is heartwarming and hilarious. The dog, Jib, stole the show. Wyatt, a grumpy hockey player sidelined by an injury, is tricked by his best friend into letting his sister, Josie, an elementary school nurse, help out. They travel the inner coastal waterway on Wyatt's boat as a memorial trip to honor his uncle's memory and spread his ashes. The banter, hysterical situations, and cute dog make this romantic comedy a fun and enjoyable read. The narrators did a fine job of making the book come to life, and I highly recommend it.

A cute and sweet read! I enjoyed the sailing aspect. I was not expecting the brief grief element.

Additionally, I was surprised that the book leads you believe the FMC and the MMC are enemies when, in reality, they are not.

I still loved the story and think it’s worth a read for a quick rom-com!

If All Else Sails follows Josie, a school nurse and determined ray of sunshine, as she’s tricked…er, hired by her brother to help his injured best friend, Wyatt, a professional hockey player who’s firmly planted in grump-mode. It’s a tall order: Josie isn’t great with new situations, and Wyatt’s not exactly rolling out the welcome mat.

What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming, and slow-burn romance with a twist of adventure as the two set sail on the intercoastal waterway. The close quarters, unexpected chaos, and emotional undercurrents make for the perfect setting to push them out of their comfort zones and straight into each other’s hearts.

The story is performed in duet by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller, whose performances are captivating and quite entertaining. We definitely felt the push and pull between these characters. Patrick absolutely captured Wyatt‘s surly yet internally tender demeanor.

If you are looking for a closed door summer Romance with a sense of adventure and a little bit of chaos, definitely pick this one up. The audio is absolutely worth it.

If All Else Sails is a heartfelt, sunshine-meets-stormcloud romance that sweeps you into coastal breezes, unexpected confessions, and the kind of love that anchors you. Emma St. Clair delivers her signature charm with a slow burn that simmers aboard a sailboat, where witty banter meets emotional depth. The chemistry between the ever-optimistic heroine and the guarded, gruff sailor is electric—and watching their walls crumble is as satisfying as a sunset on the open sea. This is more than just a love story—it’s about trust, healing, and finding your safe harbor in another person.

I liked the first half of the audiobook. The two main characters Josie and Wyatt have a lot of fun banter back and forth. The storyline is cute and captivating. Once they got on the boat, the banter and fun kind of died down and the story lost a lot of momentum.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced copy of the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this advanced listening copy of If All Else Sails. This book will be released on August 5, 2025.

If All Else Sails is about Josie and Wyatt. Josie is a school nurse and Wyatt is a NHL hockey player. Josie’s brother Eli is Wyatt’s manager. Eli sneakily throws Wyatt and Josie together, needing a nurse for Eli (he has a hockey injury), and wanting Josie to experience more. Wyatt and Josie had a tense meeting when Wyatt was in college. They both thought the other hated them, but they both really wanted a lot more. Through their summer and sailing trip; they find out that they really like each other and learn how to communicate with each other. Her brother helps, once again.

This was a sweet story. It was really slow to start, but once they started with their banter and then describe the sailing trip (and Savannah, which is an hour from me!) it picks up. There aren’t a lot of twists, just a sweet romance forming that anyone should want to cheer for!

★★★★ (4/5 Stars)

**IF ALL ELSE SAILS** by Emma St. Clair is an utterly charming nautical romance that captured my heart from the first chapter. As someone with a deep affection for maritime settings, I was predisposed to enjoy this novel, but St. Clair's skillful storytelling and character development exceeded my expectations.

The story centers around engaging protagonists whose chemistry feels authentic rather than forced. Their interactions are layered with sweetness and humor, creating a reading experience that feels like a warm embrace. St. Clair crafts characters who are relatable and endearing, making it easy to become invested in their journey.

While marketed partially as a sports romance due to one character's hockey background, readers should note that actual hockey content is minimal. Instead, the nautical elements take center stage, with beautiful descriptions of life on the water that transport you directly to sun-drenched docks and salt-sprayed decks.

What I particularly appreciated was the novel's low-stakes approach to romance. Not every love story needs world-ending drama, and St. Clair demonstrates how everyday obstacles can create sufficient tension without manufactured crises. The result is a refreshingly genuine narrative that feels both satisfying and believable.

This was my first experience with Emma St. Clair's writing, and based on the strength of this novel, I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more of her work. *If All Else Sails* is perfect for readers seeking a feel-good romance with maritime charm and characters who'll linger in your thoughts long after the final page.

I also really enjoyed the narration of this audiobook!

If you're a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope, forced proximity, brothers best friend, and slow-burn romances, this one's for you!
I couldn't help but smile through Wyatt and Josie's witty banter. The chemistry was ever present and all I wanted was for them to acknowledge it. Their sailing adventure added a unique touch (and even closer proximity). This is my first Emma St. Clair novel and I can not wait to read more of their work! Recommended for anyone looking for a sweet summer romance.

If All Else Sails charmed me from beginning to end!

It has all the humor, wit, and banter that I love in Emma's books, as well as a swoon-worthy romance. Mixed in with that are moments of depth and heart, making this an absolute joy to read.

I loved Josie's personality. She's caring, kind, and funny, and the perfect match for Wyatt's grumpy but secretly sweet personality. I couldn’t help but fall in love with him.

Their banter was so fun, and their tangible chemistry was delightful. I loved watching their walls come down through some hilarious and also heartfelt moments.

You can expect—
brother's best friend
grumpy/sunshine
forced proximity
he falls first
slow burn
hockey player/school nurse
dual pov
kisses only
Appies cameos

If you enjoy lighthearted romances with some fun and adventure, don’t miss this gem!

The audiobook was excellent, with a dual narrative by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller. They really brought both characters to life.

Many thanks to Emma St. Clair, NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ARC and ALC.

All opinions expressed are completely my own.

3.75⭐
After being lured by her brother for a little sibling vacay, Josie realises she's been bamboozled into working as an 'in-house nurse' for her brother's injured hockey player client. Only to discover it's her brother's best friend, Wyatt - her sworn enemy.

If you like:
* enemies to lovers
* brother's best friend
* grumpy-sushine
* humor
This is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio/Thomas Nelson Fiction for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

If All Else Sails is such a cute romantic comedy that had me in stitches all throughout. It is heartwarming and hilarious. The dog, Jib, stole the show. Wyatt, a grumpy hockey player sidelined by an injury, is tricked by his best friend into letting his sister, Josie, an elementary school nurse, help out. They travel the inner coastal waterway on Wyatt's boat as a memorial trip to honor his uncle's memory and spread his ashes. The banter, hysterical situations, and cute dog make this romantic comedy a fun and enjoyable read. I actually listened to the book, which is a dual point of view between Wyatt and Josie. The narrators did a fine job of making the book come to life, and I highly recommend it. *I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.