Talk about a slooowwww burn. I liked the enemies to lovers aspect but it was way too slow for me. I also liked how they dove into Josies past trauma and why she stays away from athletes. Her health anxiety was definitely relatable! All in all though, Jib the dog and her cute little outfits were honestly the highlight of this book. 3 stars for me ⭐️

The story kicked off with a bang—fast-paced and immediately engaging. Josie finds herself getting detained after showing up at a mysterious address her brother cryptically sent her, only to have the cops called on her by none other than Wyatt, her brother’s best friend and a famous hockey player. It was a fun and intriguing setup that had me hooked early on.

Adding to the tension is Josie’s belief that Wyatt has always loathed her, stemming from a misunderstanding back in their adolescent years. This miscommunication sets the tone for their rocky dynamic, filled with unresolved feelings and awkward tension.

Unfortunately, around the halfway point, the story started to lose momentum for me. While I pushed through to the end, I found it lacked a strong emotional payoff or any real turning point. The relationship felt stagnant—both Josie and Wyatt were too hesitant to initiate intimacy or move things forward - at least until the very last chapter. Wyatt constantly tiptoed around Josie, leaving the ball entirely in her court, which grew frustrating after a while.

That said, the overall story was still enjoyable, especially if you're after a clean, summery romance. It absolutely delivers on the summer vibes, and I’d still recommend it for readers looking for a sweet, low-angst beach read.

I did enjoy the narrators a lot, they definitely fit the story. My only comment about narration would be the male narrator was often quiet (whispering) then all the sudden went to loud or shouting... my poor ears. LOL. Great emotion in the performance though

This read is more of a 3.5 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

This book gave me all the feels. It’s emotional, romantic, and full of heart. The characters felt so real, and the story had just the right mix of heartbreak and hope. If you’re into slow-burn love stories with depth, definitely add this one to your TBR!

If All Else Sails will hook you right from the start! Between the cops and heat exhaustion, the pig encounter and near anaphylaxis, the beginning is comedic gold. An unexpected surprise for me was how much I enjoyed the slow burn. Usually I'm inpatient for the main characters to confess their feelings but the build up is just so good in this book. Wyatt is such a lovable character, between pining after Josie and patiently waiting for her to be ready. Josie was harder for me to identify with but I know a lot of people struggle with the fear of being hurt when they enter a relationship and being afraid to have difficult conversations.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for an ARC of this book! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This slow burn had a semi enemies to lovers feel to it that was charming to see play out. Josie and Wyatt may not have gotten off on the best foot but with a little nudge are finding their way to each other. Which brings me to one of my favorite parts of the book- the little twist to brother’s best friend trope.

Plus I am a sucker for lovable pup sidekicks and Jib was an absolute winner!

Dual POV romances are some of my favorites so I was so happy to see there were two narrators for the audiobook Although I did favor the female narrator a bit more. The male narrator did decent, he just was almost a bit too low and grovely to understand at times.

This was my first by Emma St Claire and I found it very cute. I’m going to have to check out her backlist.

Read if you love:
☀️ Grumpy / sunshine
⛵️ Sailing
🏠 Forced proximity

Thank you Harper Muse, Uplit and Netgalley for my review copies!

3.5 ⭐️

This was a cute story. Brother's best friend, Wyatt, who is a grumpy hockey player, injures himself and won't let anyone take care of him. Enter Josie: a school nurse who has always thought Wyatt has hated her. I wouldn't say this book is enemies to lovers, it feels more grumpy x sunshine-y, with forced proximity. There's lots of sweet and funny moments (foot-in-mouth disease).

I love that this book is dual POV and that the audio is dual narrators, but I will say that the male's voice was not my favorite. 😬

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was my first experience with this author and overall I enjoyed the romance. It was simply adorable and I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between the characters. I love an enemies to lovers and forced proximity trope and the way it was done was fantastic.

I felt my only complaint was the feelings between the FMC & MMC lacked a bit. It felt like it was too much inner monologue instead of them talking to each other or really showing their feelings. I also couldn't fathom why the MMC crushed on the FMC for years when they never really had good interactions. It just didn't feel realistic. But the relationship itself blossomed well and it was a cute ending.

I always enjoy an Emma St. Clair book and this was no exception. I loved the unique voice and humor in this one, and I thought the dialogue was exceptionally well done. It was fun seeing little Easter egg references to the author's other books, and I loved its unique take on the hockey romance and brother's best friend tropes. I hope this won't be Emma St. Clair's last book with Thomas Nelson - she's a perfect fit for their brand of romance!

The audiobook narration was very well done. I enjoyed hearing Patrick Zeller's voice again after enjoying his reading of Wes and Addie Had Their Chance, and Andi Arndt, who I have also enjoyed previously, was his perfect match.

Loved the development in the chemistry between the two main characters. The dog is a nice addition to the story because I do feel that the relationship strengthens with other people/animals around.
Sometimes the story felt a little bit frustrating, they just need to talk talk to each other. But then again. Maybe that's why the moment in the hotel room hit home and was so beautifully written.
The only thing I would do differently is when for instance Josie speaks in the chapter of Wyatt. Have the voice actor of Josie, voice Josie. Instead of the voice actor of Wyatt. Those moments took me out of the story. Otherwise I enjoyed listening to it. Perfect summer read.!

This is a charming and funny summer romance that blends slow-burn chemistry, forced proximity, witty banter, and emotional healing. Ideal for fans of clean, feel-good rom‑coms. If you enjoy brothers‑best‑friend tropes, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and nautical adventures peppered with quirky animal antics—you’ll likely love this one.

Do you love a feel-good contemporary romance? I do love my dark and spicy romance novels, but I also appreciate those that focus on building a relationship and can leave out the details of intimacy.

TROPES:

He fell first
False arrest
Brothers best friend
Grouchy/sunshine
Enemies to lovers
Hurt hockey player
School Nurse
Miscommunication
Forced proximity
Lots of banter
Family from old money
His mom spoils her
Past trauma with an athlete

Many funny moments made me laugh out loud. The slow burn, banter, and what-ifs were it for me.

This had me hooked, and I couldn’t stop listening to it. Thank you, Emma St. Clair, for keeping me entertained today with this wonderful Netgalley ALC that I received in exchange for an honest review. This book caught my eye on NetGalley, and it did not disappoint 🤍

I really enjoyed this charming, heartfelt, enemies-to-lovers romance! This slow burn, rom-com is filled with witty banter, awkward situations, and a sweet storyline with lots of heart. After a mix-up, Josie ends up at a cottage to take care of the Jacob, a grumpy, injured hockey player as a favor for her brother. They have known each other for years but never hit it off. Josie didn't like athletes, so avoided him when her brother brought him home. Jacob felt an instant attraction but always said the wrong things, offending Josie. Now Josie is a school nurse, helping Jacob recover from an injury. They had an awkward start, but soon they discovered each others secrets, helping each other see the other's true heart. The more time they spent together, especially on the sailboat, the more they fell for each other. But when it was time for them to return to their lives in the real world, in separate states, will they be able to make a long distance relationship work? I loved the chemistry between Josie and Jacob, the way they connected, complimenting each other so well, and really seeing and understanding each other. They had me totally swooning and rooting for their HEA! I enjoyed the way this story unfolded, including the sailing part, along with their meddlesome family and friends who added a lot of fun and entertaining moments.
Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller's narration was wonderful, they just bring that little something extra to their performance. The way they developed and expressed each of these characters, and their struggles so intimately, making each character come alive, was completely captivating. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves slow-burn, romantic comedies, with witty banter and great characters.

This book surprised me so much! I thought it was just going to be a cute summer sailing romance, but it was so much more!!! Emma St. Clair just became an autobuy author for me, and I will be reading her entire backlist ASAP!

This is a dual POV, brother’s best friend, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, hockey romance where the MMC is recovering from an injury, struggling with the loss of a family member and his best friend sends his sister to care for him. To say the slow burn was burning would be an understatement. The yearning and burning is soooooo good!

Thank you Net Galley for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is DUET and perfectly casted and produced.

4.25 ⭐️ This was a cute story about a grumpy x sunshine couple. I love that we got to know Wyatt more after all his time at the Appies!

Thank you so much to the author, Netgalley, and the publisher for providing this ARC.

The Audio was pretty good!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for giving me access to a copy of If All Else Sails.
What a fun book! I requested an arc on a whim because the premise sounded cute. I’m so glad I did!
Josie and Wyatt were such a cute couple and had a perfect, tension-filled dynamic. I loved their grumpy x sunshine personalities. I’m not a big sports person, so I appreciated that while Wyatt was a hockey player, I didn’t have to read on page hockey games.
I will look out for more books from Emma!

Josie is an elementary school nurse, enjoying her summer off. She thinks that she is traveling to meet her brother, Jake, for a sibling bonding experience. When she arrives, her brother is nowhere to be found. Instead, who does she find? None other than WYATT. Her brother's best friend and a hockey super star in his own right. Wyatt and Josie have known each other through Jake for forever, but they haven't seen each other in years. Jake has cooked up a plan to pay Josie to go in as the "big guns" to help Wyatt recover from his leg injury, drive him to appointments and more. Josie is apprehensive because she is convinced Wyatt hates her and has for years. She finally agrees because her brother agrees to pay her 4x her nurse salary to work with Wyatt! Will she be able to survive the summer with the Grump in a quaint little murder cottage?

Read if you like:
-Forced proximity
-Brother's best friend
-Slow burn (kind of)
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Closed door romance

My thoughts:
Oof this book was right up my alley! A cute little summer romance? Sign me up. Having both POVs on audio is the dream!!! I love when romance books have both perspectives. Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller's voices were easy and engaging to listen to. Wyatt and Josie's banter and their internal monologues were fantastic!

I enjoyed the slow burn feel to this book. Wyatt really has to earn Josie's trust. Their connection feels like it takes a while to develop. I think the pacing of their relationship is sweet and realistic. I also liked that some of my favorite tropes were presented in this book! Grumpy/Sunshine and forced proximity had me giggling and cheering for our girl, Josie!

Overall, this is an adorable summer read. I would recommend it! Thanks NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for the early listen!

⛵ Bookish Thoughts
I was excited for this one, but the audiobook narration didn’t work for me and the pacing felt especially slow throughout.

While it wasn’t the right fit for me personally, I think readers who enjoy slow-burn might connect more with it.

💙 What to Expect
• Enemies to lovers
• Brother’s best friend
• Grumpy hockey player
• Forced proximity
• Intracoastal waterway sailing

🎧 Audio Score: 2.5 stars
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
📅 Pub Date: August 5, 2025
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

This enemies-to-lovers gem starring school nurse Josie and hockey hotshot Wyatt Jacobs is everything you could ever want from a feel-good read.

From the moment Josie and Wyatt are thrown together by a hilarious mix-up involving Josie's brother and a summer "extravaganza," you just know sparks are going to fly. And boy, do they ever! Our grumpy hero and sunshine-y heroine find themselves sharing a charmingly run-down cottage and, even better, embarking on a sailing trip. Forced proximity? Check! And let me tell you, watching them navigate not just the waves but also their undeniable chemistry is pure delight.

But this book isn't just about the laughs and the sizzle (though there's plenty of both!). As Josie and Wyatt spend more time together, they start to peel back each other's layers, revealing a journey of healing and self-discovery that's genuinely touching. You'll find yourself rooting for them every step of the way as they learn about themselves and each other.
St. Clair absolutely nails the witty banter, sweet moments, and genuine heart that makes a romance unforgettable.

Plus, if you're a fan of classic tropes, you'll be thrilled to find a delightful "brother's best friend" and "grumpy-sunshine" dynamic at play. So, grab your coziest blanket, settle in, and prepare to fall in love with If All Else Sails. You won't regret it!

I loved this book! If All Else Sails is a fast-paced, no-spice romance that absolutely delivers on the tension and enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Emma St. Clair does such a great job keeping you on your toes—I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. The banter was sharp, the emotional stakes were high, and the chemistry? Totally addictive, even without spice.

The audiobook was just as enjoyable. The narration brought the characters to life and kept the energy up from start to finish. It made an already great story even more immersive.

If you’re looking for a clean romance that still brings all the swoony tension and drama, this is it. Definitely one I’ll be recommending!

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for this ALC of If All Else Sails.

This book was so cute! I loved it! I loved that the author took from her actual life to write this. The characters felt very real. I related to Josie's constant overthinking and second guessing. Wyatt was pure perfection... the boat shoes gift *heart eyes*. I also loved the setting of this book and fact that there was no third act breakup. I cannot wait to read more by Emma St. Clair.

I listened to the audiobook for this and thought the female narrator (who reads most of the book) was fantastic. The male narrator was a little difficult to listen to because he was either mumbling or talking very loud. I could not ever find the right volume to listen at for him.