I have read a couple other books by Emma St. Clair so I was excited to dive into this one. I love romcoms with brother's friend and when the MMC is grumpy and the FMC is all sunshine. The audio book was very well done. I enjoyed listening to this one. I would definitely recommend it and can't wait to read more by Emma St. Clair. Super cute storyline that I thoroughly enjoyed and left me with a smiling.

Emma St. Clair's If All Else Sails is a sweet, forced proximity, "brothers best friend" romance. I enjoyed the extra twists and turns this story takes - the story is cute and funny.

The audio version of If All Else Sails is nicely performed by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller.

Judge me if you want, but I’m a cartoon cover apologist 🫣.

That was honestly the first thing that drew me to this book. Then, of course, the enemies to lovers premise, because yes, it might feel a little vintage hahaha, but it’s still one of my favorite tropes. That said, I’m going to say they were never actually enemies. Not in the first chapter, not even in the flashbacks. Even with the misunderstandings, I never bought into the idea that they hated each other. Maybe they thought the other one did? But really, no,they didn’t. I think the more accurate way to advertise it would be forced proximity alone.

Another thing, I experienced this story in audiobook format, and I just couldn’t enjoy the male narrator. I usually love when we get dual POV, both in writing and in audiobooks, but this time it really decreased my enjoyment, especially when, in the male POV chapters, he was also voicing the FMC. It just didn’t work for me.

Overall, I absolutely loved the idea and the premise of the book, but the execution left me wanting more. The pacing felt off, briefly stagnant and then suddenly rushing forward, kind of like that friend who moves in with a guy she’s only been dating for two weeks (quite literally in this case lol but you get the point lol)

I liked it as a quick read, but I was expecting a little more from how it was advertised. I ended up giving it three stars!

If you're looking for an enjoyable closed door romcom let me introduce u to #IfAllElseSails ⛵♥️

Narration:
While both male and female narrators made for easy listening I found myself looking forward to the female narrator's parts more. The male narrator was gruff which was befitting his character, I just can't put my finger on what was a little off putting about it. Still, I'm glad I listened to this on audio it was a very enjoyable listen.

Description:
Josie, a school nurse, loves her brother- but enough to move in with his best friend Wyatt, resident grump and her long time nemesis, to help him recover from a hockey injury? No thank you.

But she could really use the money... And once she's there Josie could see this wasn't her brother crying wolf, Wyatt is burning up with fever. As the days go by Josie starts to see a different side of Wyatt and surprises even herself when she offers to go on a sailing trip with him so he won't have to cancel.

As the two dance around each other Josie starts to see their past encounters with fresh eyes- maybe he hadn't meant things the way she took them after all, and maybe, just maybe, what she thought was hatred emanating from him all those years ago was something else entirely...

Review:
There was something about the author's wry humor that captured my attention and held it. I loved the back and forth and banter between Wyatt and Josie. Wyatt was the perfect grumpy-hockey player and his quiet gentlemanly nature quickly endeared me to him. Josie had just the right amount of assuredness and spunk to combat Wyatt's grumpy nature making their sparring very entertaining. I don't mind a closed door romcom I just might've liked a little bit more in that department, or maybe just having the characters cross that boundary a little earlier on in the novel, allowing the reader to bask in it a little more. Either way I very much enjoyed this one

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook for my honest review.

If All Else Sails is a sweet, clean romance that delivers both heart and humor. The journey of Josie and Wyatt isn’t just about romance though, but also about healing, letting go, and finding new beginnings. Josie and Wyatt are likeable, well-drawn characters whose banter and chemistry kept me smiling. Beneath the humor and romance, there’s real heart. Both protagonists are navigating personal setbacks—Josie’s guardedness from past trauma, Wyatt’s grappling with injury and grief. Their healing journeys are tenderly portrayed.

One of the unexpected bonuses of this story is the sailing itself. Emma St. Clair weaves in details of the Intracoastal Waterway along the Southeast coast, making the setting feel both refreshing and educational. I enjoyed learning a little about sailing and the geography—it added depth and atmosphere without slowing the story down. It was a great metaphor for the healing and transformation that was taking place.

And of course, the mischievous dog in a bikini made me laugh! If you enjoy clean, witty romances with a dash of adventure and a meaningful backdrop, this is a perfect summer read.

Regarding the audiobook, Andi Arndt's voice portrays her fun, light-hearted spirit well. However, in Patrick Zeller's reading of Wyatt's chapters, especially in the first half of the book, I believe there was a production problem because his voice was very low and mumbly, then very loud and I needed to adjust the volume frequently. In addition, in the early chapters he almost sounded like "the beast" from the famous princess movie, and maybe this was intentional and he was directed to do so. I would have preferred that to be toned down a bit.

~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

~If All Else Sails~Emma St. Clair~

~Dual Narration~Andi Arndt & Patrick Zeller~

~Production~Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Audio~

"My last name looks good on you, Rookie. Maybe we can find a way to keep it there."

♡This was my first read by Emma St. Clair & I loved it! The banter in this book had me nonstop laughing from beginning to end & don't get me started on the dang pigs! This brother's best friend small-town romance served up a grumpy/sunshine vibe, an enemies-to-lovers trope & was a really cute Summer read!

The dual narration for this book was perfection both Andi & Patrick did an outstanding job bringing Josie & Wyatt to life! I'm so excited to check out more books by Emma!♡

~As Always Happy Reading~

Loved everything about this book! So easy to read but also kept my attention the entire time! Loved the sailing aspect and got super attached to the characters! Plus a puppy in clothes? Sign me up! Love a good rescue story!

As a physical story, If All Else Sails is a dream with a happy, satisfying ending. The characters were funny and well written. Even the side characters were memorable. I loved the banter and the growth as well as the slightly unique spin on the setting. This was a solid 5 star read that I will recommend often and loudly!!

However, I felt the audio was lacking. The quality of the recording was poor with the volume going up and down randomly. One moment it was hard to hear, and the next it was way too loud without the situation calling for any change. The narrator was also rather monotone. I would not recommend the audio version without some big changes.

🌊✨ If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is an absolute delight! This story has the perfect mix of charm, humor, and heartfelt moments that make it such a fun escape. The banter is witty, the chemistry is adorable, and the setting feels like a warm breeze you don’t want to leave. It’s one of those books that makes you smile from page one and keeps your heart light the whole way through.

If you’re looking for a super cute, feel-good read that’s as refreshing as a summer sail, this one’s it. Highly recommend! 💕

I've always wanted to learn to sail, and when the characters in the book do just that, awww, what a dream!
Another romantic story that wouldn't have happened if communication were something the characters mastered.
A fun story that keeps you entertained from beginning to end and even makes you want to meet the other characters who appear throughout the story.
I really like the double-reading stories, done very well by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller.

Audiobook Review: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair
🎧 Courtesy of Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley

This was my first Emma St. Clair book, and honestly? I’m kicking myself for not diving into her work sooner. When I found out she’s from Katy, TX—basically my backyard—I felt an instant pull to check this one out. And I’m so glad I did.

"If All Else Sails" is a sweet, slow-burn pro-athlete romance that surprised me with its emotional depth and sparkling banter. Josie, a school nurse with a sharp tongue and a soft heart, gets roped into her brother’s “Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza”… only to find herself in a rundown seaside cottage (dubbed the “murder cottage”—accurate) with Wyatt, her brother’s grumpy best friend and injured hockey star. Cue the tension, the snark, and the slow unraveling of everything Josie thought she knew about Wyatt.

Wyatt is grieving, physically sidelined, and emotionally stuck. Josie is meant to be his nursemaid, but what unfolds is so much more layered than a simple enemies-to-lovers setup. Their dynamic is electric—top-tier banter that had me grinning, especially when Jib, their rescue pup, entered the scene in his ridiculous little outfits. Josie’s love for that dog was pure serotonin.

I also adored Wyatt’s mom, Susan. She’s the kind of warm, intuitive character who immediately sees Josie for who she is and welcomes her in without hesitation. And The Office reference? Chef’s kiss. It felt like a wink to readers who appreciate humor with heart.

Tropes you’ll find:
- Enemies to Lovers
- Brother’s Best Friend
- Pro-Athlete/Hockey Romance
- Forced Proximity (hello, murder cottage)
- Grumpy/Sunshine (with a side of emotional healing)

**Narration Notes:**
Andy Arndt absolutely nailed Josie’s voice—smart, vulnerable, and full of sass. I felt like I was living inside Josie’s head, which made the emotional beats hit even harder. Patrick Zeller’s narration for Wyatt didn’t quite land for me. His voice felt mismatched to the character’s emotional arc, and the inconsistent pitch levels pulled me out of the story more than once.

**Final Thoughts:**
This book had me rooting for healing, for second chances, and for the kind of love that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It’s heartfelt, funny, and full of charm. I’ll definitely be reaching for more Emma St. Clair in the future.

⭐ Story: 4/5
🎧 Narration: 3.5/5

I love Emma St. Clair's writing style and the elements of fun she brings to her love stories. The banter is always witty and the chemistry electric. The fact that she brings so much feeling to her stories while keeping the intimacy closed door says a lot about how well they're written. Josie and Wyatt are perfect in their imperfections together and the audiobook, narrated by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller, is a great way to experience this romance on the water. All of the sailing terminology brought back many wonderful memories for me.

This was so darling and sweet! It had Grumpy vs. Sunshine, forced proximity (but still clean!), and brother’s best friend. I loved the banter, the humor, and the setting (I volunteer to go on a sailing trip)! Really enjoyable listen!

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson, and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook!!

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ALC of this book. The following is my honest opinion *

3.5⭐️ out 5

This is sold as an "enemies to lovers" trope type book. We have Josie, a school teacher, that is tricked by her brother to babysit Wyatt, an injured NHL player. As we move through the book, we see how a small miscommunication and bad first impression, has shaped these characters.
I enjoyed the story a lot. It was cute but also had hard topics that an everyday kind of person might experience. I loved the way the author really encompassed the chemistry of the characters. I could feel through my earbuds.

This is also my first book narrated by both the narrators. For me, it is important to be able to adjust the playback speeds of an audiobook and still be able to understand what is being said. I felt that despite me going up to 2x, all the emotions and the story still came through the readers. It was easy to follow as I worked.

Highly recommended!

this book was an absolute delight. it was so fun to see the characters start so different and mixed up, then end up like they did. and who doesn't want to go on a three week sailing? i laughed so much. i loved both the narrators. at fist, i didn't love the mmc narrator, but soon figured out it totally made wyatt's whole personality. such a fun read!

Enemies to lovers, brother's best friend, slow burn, forced proximity, and hockey star?! This book really exceeded my expectations and was such a fun read! I really loved Josie and Wyatt from the start. Their tension was so perfect, and I loved getting a hint into Wyatt's true feelings when he had a fever. It was really nice seeing them open up to each other and both be the perfect person they needed. This was such a wholesome read, and I really enjoyed their teamwork and their development was perfect!

This was a really great audiobook to listen to and I loved both narrators!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

♡𝐀𝐋𝐂 & 𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
📚𝑰𝒇 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑬𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝑺𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔🎧
𝐵𝑦 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑎 𝑆𝑡. 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔: 5★★★★★
𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑡𝑒: 5𝑡ℎ 𝐴𝑢𝑔𝑢𝑠𝑡 2025

𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸:

This was my very first ALC and I absolutely loved the experience! The narration was phenomenal, it really brought the story to life and added a whole new layer of immersion.The setting itself was super cutesy and fun that small-town vibe where Wyatt is a hockey player and Josie’s a nurse. Their dynamic made the story even more entertaining: Wyatt always saying the wrong thing despite clearly having the biggest crush on Josie, and the moments where he’s sick and she has to take care of him were just adorable.

Overall, this book was such a fun and heartwarming read. The characters, their banter, and the close-proximity tension made it all the more endearing. I loved every bit of it, lighthearted, romantic, and absolutely adorable.

What fun ride! I really enjoyed the author’s writing and will be checking out more of her books. This is everything you want in a rom com. Antics, will-they-won’t-they tension, witty banter, slow burn longing, and some unexpected turns that keep this story fun and engaging!

Audio: both voice actors were phenomenal. The voice actor for Wyatt had the perfect deep grumpy/grumbly voice. Both actors had great pacing, and clear distinct voices for each character they were voicing. This was a pleasant listen!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

enemies to lovers, loved, forced proximity, loved, appies player, loved, hockey player pining, loved.

What is not to love in this new book by Emma, the pining, the banter, the slow burn and all the feelings.

It was a cute and sweet book, I can not recommend it enogh and if you love audiobooks, this definetly is one you should grab.

It’s always a good day when you find out Emma St. Clair is coming out with a new book! Ever since she announced this book, I have been chomping at the bit to read it (or in this case, listen to it). The story is fantastic, the audio is so good, the banter is great… It's all just fun! I quickly fell in love with both Josie and Wyatt and couldn’t stop listening until I knew where their life was leading them!