To start out, I have to say I have loved every book I have read by Emma St. Clair. But this one is probably my favorite one of all! It was such a cute romcom and I loved every minute of it.
I definitely recommend you give this a listen especially if you love an enemies to lovers romance between a handsome famous hockey player and a kind-hearted school nurse. If you like sailing, there is a lot of that mixed in too. Plus the witty banter and the swoony kisses, this book is sure to make you smile.
This is a closed door romance featuring just kisses and lots of fun flirting.
The audiobook was well done and I love the dual narrators for both main characters perspectives. Definitely recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC and ARC

Narration 4 1/2⭐️ rounded up
Story 4 ⭐️

I was lucky enough to get both the ARC and ALC, and loved being able to go back and read this after listening to the audio. This was such a fun listen, the narration was hilarious. Andi Arndt was perfect as Josie, and Patrick Zeller definitely has the gruffness down for Wyatt. I’ve read many of Emma St. Clair’s books and have always loved them. They’re that perfect cozy read that gives you all the happy warm romcom movie feels. I loved getting a little glimpse of Eli and Van from the Appies series too, it just made me love it even more.

This was a cute spinoff of the very sweet and fun Appies series so I liked it and the tone and the other characters returning. It took a little too long to get to the romance, or even the flirting and then ended too soon

I love Emma St. Clair and this book is just a new installment of why. Her Light hearted banter and love of a grump is through out the pages. I love Jib so much. The Appies are one of My favorite series and each book becomes my new favorite. I really need to Binge reread this series since I have purchased each book. I can't wait for the next book. Yes I am along for this ride and all the new stories she wants to tell.

“What I want, what I’ve always wanted with you, is everything.”

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

Oh my cuteness! This was another delightful story from Emma St. Clair. I loved the twist on brother’s best friend. I also loved that we got Wyatt’s story!

Wyatt is a grumpy hockey player (former Appies player) and healing from the loss of a loved one, but also from some other things that happened in his past. I really enjoyed watching him grow as a person and reconciling with some important people in his life. His healing journey was beautiful and I was here for it.

Josie is a school nurse and comes to Wyatt’s “murder cottage”, unsuspecting and unaware that her brother is roping her into something. She is a bit feisty, but is kind, and sweet, and misjudged Wyatt.

I adored their story and definitely recommend it!

Audio Review: I loved both of these narrators. My only issue with the male narrator was at times it was hard to understand what he was saying when he talked in a really deep voice.

Favorite Parts:
Enemies to lovers
Grumpy/sunshine
Brother’s best friend
Meet cute
Poison oak part-Oh NO!
The pig problem-Haha!
Shopping
Lunch at yacht club
Tickling
Splinters-Poor Wyatt, but also swoon
Nightmare and oops!
Small gestures and gifts
Learning boat/sailing terminology
Physical therapy
Little dog and her outfits-Haha
Nickname
Sunscreen
Healing from loss
Grilled cheese and dancing
Time with teammates and her brother
The storm
Savannah, GA
Epilogue

Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Female main character stares at man’s abs, attempted assault (past; mentioned without details), passionate kissing (mildly descriptive)
Violence/gore: none
Substance Use: Mild-brief mentions of drinking wine
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: none
Other: Loss of loved one (past), grief and healing, toxic family relationship, estranged family

Book Info:
Series: Standalone, but connected to Appies series
Genre: Contemporary Romcom
Romance Level: Closed-door
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
POV: Dual

Thank you to the Author and publisher for the audio review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and Emma St Clair for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The book was interesting and got me hooked but slowed down a lot once they hit the water. The story is closed door which is fine but the tension was quite limited. I loved the banter in the beginning and that died down a lot too. Brothers best friend romance is normally lusty and forbidden, instead Josie seems to gradually recognize she doesn’t hate Wyatt. Not exactly the most passionate of romances in my humble opinion.

I received the audio version, I liked the female narrator but the male narrator was too much for me. He was either yelling or whispering. Very much an aggressive talker - is that a thing? I know the MMC is grumpy but it was something that pulled me out of the story and was a distraction for me.

I loved this book so much!

The beginning hooked me immediately, the tropes were troping, and I had a great time! Both of the narrators did a great job.

Josie's brother tricks her into nursing his biggest professional hockey client back to health. Too bad it's Wyatt Jacobs and they do not get along. On top of that, he tries to have her arrested for trespassing on his property. Now she's stuck in a murder cottage with a hulking, grumpy athlete in the middle of nowhere.

If you like the "taking care of him when he's sick" trope, you'll love this. It is also a super slow burn with good communication!

If you loved the Appies hockey series by Emma St Clair and Jenny Proctor, pick this one up! But you definitely don't have to read those first. This is a standalone.

I felt impatient for the next plot point to happen a couple times in the book, so that's why I didn't give it 5 stars. 4.5 rounded up!

The vibes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Brother's best friend
Hockey player but injured
She's a nurse
Tiny dog in lots of cute outfits
No spice or language

Put it on your TBR immediately!

4 stars
Sex: no/closed-door
Language: no

Emma St. Clair always delivers clean, fun romances with plenty of banter, swoon, and heart. I truly couldn’t ask for anything more. The setting of this story is remote, coastal, and so charming. The characters are well developed and lovable. I love Wyatt’s reserved, gruff personality and his ability to be vulnerable and kind throughout the story. Wyatt and Josie were steady and there for each other every step of the way, even when they weren’t being sweet or affectionate. Thanks to NetGalley for the audio ARC to review!

ARC:
⭐️ 3.75 stars.

This was actually one of the better contemporary romances I’ve read recently — which surprised me in the best way. I’ve been in a bit of a slump with this genre, but this one was cute, fun, and emotionally satisfying when it needed to be.

I really liked the dynamic between the main characters. She genuinely thought he hated her — and the tension in the beginning? So good. It gave strong enemies-to-lovers vibes at first, and I loved how awkward and grumpy he was around her. Like, actually grumpy! He didn’t know how to act when she was in the room, and that made their early interactions feel electric. I definitely preferred the beginning of the book — I felt more connected to it — but overall, I liked the story as a whole.

The romance was sweet, and while the middle dragged a bit for me, it didn’t ruin the experience. The ending was cute too — maybe not as strong as the beginning, but still satisfying.

I read the ARC in both audiobook and ebook format, which made the experience even better. The narrators were great, though I did notice one thing: during the male POV sections, the volume would randomly spike. One moment he was talking normally, and the next it got so loud I had to adjust the volume. Not sure if that was intentional or just a production issue, but it definitely stood out.

Overall, this was a cute and enjoyable read with a real grumpy MMC and solid tension. Not a favorite, but I had a genuinely good time with it — and lately, that’s saying a lot.

I listened to the audiobook and Andi Arndt was as wonderful as always. The male narrator seemed to have some issues with the audio sound/quality being inconsistent but hopefully that will corrected by publication. The story was cute and would make a nice, light beach read. It kept me y interest throughout and I enjoyed it!

Josie is supposed to meet her brother for thier annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza only to find a murder cottage and being placed into the back of a police car, all the while her brother's best friend Wyatt Jacobs signing autographs for the cops. Once Wyatt realizes that it is Josie in the police car he has the charges dropped. As the days go by Josie wants to stay and help Wyatt sail his uncle's boat along the coast and soon Josie feels more than hatred toward Wyatt. This is a grumpy meets sunshine clean romance for anyone. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller. Need I say more???

Every once in awhile you just need a good romcom and this one hit the spot for me. It had good banter, some sweet, some funny and some "could you just get to it already." It was a clean romance that had me smiling through the whole thing. Josie and Wyatt took their own sweet time when it came to really acknowledging their feelings, but there was so much cute and fun along the way that I wouldn't really have had it any other way.

By the way, I'm still trying to picture a small dog in a bikini!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio as well as NetGalley for the audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

A sorta enemies to lovers story…only the characters aren’t really enemies but the assumptions and massive miscommunication leads them to think that they are. Josie is a school nurse and had a traumatic escape from an attempted assault as a teen. This has made her wary of men and large athletes in particular. Her brother Jacob brings home a friend from college Wyatt who is a big hockey player and about to be come an NHL star. Because of her trauma, she’s afraid of him and he thinks that she hates him because she’s so skittish around him. Jacob becomes a big time sports agent who, of course represents Wyatt and he and Josie go on to have a series of misunderstandings over the years. Josie has tricked by her brother to go to Wyatt’s house to help him get over his recent injury. They end up overcoming their differences and finding out much about themselves and each other. I enjoyed the story but I thought that Josie’s character had too much inner voice in the book. It become irritating and made some of Josie’s anxiety and poor self image feel too much.

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is a charming, clean romance that delivers on humor, heart, and slow-burn longing. The dynamic between the main characters is engaging and full of chemistry, with plenty of sweet moments and witty banter that made this a delightful escape.

The story leans heavily into emotional tension rather than physical intimacy, which works well for a clean romance but left me personally wishing for a bit more spice to match the build-up. Additionally, the male narrator didn’t quite hit the mark for me—his voice lacked the depth and personality that the character deserved, which pulled me out of the story at times.

That said, it’s still a very cute, enjoyable read—perfect for fans of clean romantic comedy who love a bit of angst and a lot of longing. I appreciated the humor and heartfelt moments, and would definitely consider reading more from Emma St. Clair in the future.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A cute brother's best friend romance with perfect summer vibes and a sailing "road trip".

I thought the romance was sweet with the mutual crush and the MMC pinning for the FMC for years. Clear case of miscommunication/ between the two with FMC thinking that the MMC has hated her for years. MMC communicates poorly and sounds rude whenever they talk.

The doggy shenanigans were also cute.

I thought it was a bit long and being repeatedly introduced to new characters that essentially don't matter, although I get it for some of them, others were just fodder imo.

Josie has packed for a week get-away vacation with her brother. However, once she gets to her destination, it's a ramshackle shack and her brother isn't there. She wanders around - until the police arrive and detain her in their car with the A/C turned off. It turns out that the shack is owned by her brother's former best friend, Wyatt. Wyatt is now a pro NHL hockey player and he's on crutches and in a boot after an injury.

Josie's brother offers to pay her big bucks to stay and help Wyatt recuperate since no one is sure that Wyatt is doing what he needs to do. Wyatt is grumpy ordinarily, but being injured has made him even grumpier. As Josie is a school nurse, she seems like someone who can help him. The reader finds out early that Wyatt has been interested in Josie since college, but she thinks he dislikes her and she isn't interested anyway.

But as they stay together, and with a little nudging, Josie agrees to go with Wyatt on what used to be a yearly sailing trip with his uncle. But this trip is to say goodbye to the beloved uncle who passed less than a year ago.

We find that Josie finds Wyatt is attractive, but she is reluctant to have a relationship with any man. Until Wyatt starts to grow on her. And maybe she starts to like him more and more.

This is a light romance, where kissing is the most serious physical contact. I enjoyed the story a lot.

I have both the e-book and the audio version. I especially enjoyed the female voice.

This was a super cute, summer read. I may not be the demographic for this book, mid 30's with a baby - but it is cute for a younger demo. Fun tropes, fun at sea.

Amazing. I love Emma St Clair!!! She can do no Wrong. Five star all around. perfect perfect perfect the charecter delevopment was so so good

So stinkin cute and I smiled the whole time reading it! I am an Appies fan so I was thrilled to receive this Appies adjacent book. This book contained some of my favorite tropes - forced proximity and caretaking. I enjoyed the female narrator’s performance so much. While the male narrator did a great job brining Wyatt to life, I had some volume issues with him and often couldn’t hear.

If All Else Sails by: Emma St. Clair
📖

You 'll find 🔍

Dual narrators
Two childhood rivals
Animal encounters
Sibling relationships

I thought 💬

There is nothing better than when a story grabs you in the first act. What an opening scene!!

The male narrator caused me to keep adjusting the volume as he was quiet and then loud. He nailed the grumpy vibe. Female narrator was wonderful.

I loved ❤️

Top tier banter! Chef's kiss -
I could not get enough

The humor - I laughed out loud from beginning to end

Jib- the adorable dog on the cover has a sweet storyline

Traveling on the ICW from Virginia to Atlanta- I didn't even know this waterway existed and now I'd love to take a trip.

Wyatt- what a layered character, I loved getting to know who he was

Josie- queen of sarcasm! Her confidence, her banter, her heart ❤️ I adored her

This is a book I will re-read and would make a great gift.

CW: no language, kisses

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️