⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5Stars (Good)
Setting: Primarily in a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia and later shifts to a sailing trip down the Intracoastal Waterway toward Savannah, Georgia
Genre: Contemporary Rom-Com; Enemies/to-Lovers Trope

If All Else Sails had some fun and quirky potential with its enemies-to-reluctant-boatmates setup, but overall, it just didn’t fully land for me.

The premise was adorable—Josie getting tricked into babysitting her least favorite hockey player, then somehow ending up sailing down the coast with him? That kind of rom-com chaos usually reels me right in. And there were some genuinely sweet and funny scenes sprinkled throughout, especially once Josie and Wyatt started letting their guards down.

But the pacing dragged in places, and I found myself wanting more depth from both characters. Josie’s sarcasm was sharp (sometimes too sharp), and Wyatt’s grumpiness started to feel one-note. The romantic tension was there, but it didn’t build with the kind of spark I was hoping for. I think I was more interested in the idea of their journey than the actual journey itself.

That said, fans of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers with a touch of wanderlust and water views may find this one a charming little escape. It just didn’t sail smoothly for me.
#netgalley; #ifallelsesails #booked_this_weekend

Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an ALC of this audiobook.

The audio production and narration was rough for me. Andi Arndt as Josie was good, but Patrick Zeller i really struggled with, his volume fluctuation made it extremely difficult to listen to, sometimes the volume whisper quite and then would go to overly loud in a second. It was hard to find a happy medium where I could hear everything he said and didn't hurt my ears when his volume suddenly increased.

On top of the stress of the audio experience, this was just not my favorite Emma St. Clair, sadly. I do love the "I've loved you for years silently" trope and finally get the opportunity to show you and then finally tell you; and I usually love a good grumpy/sunshine couple, but this just did not give me the satisfaction I was hoping for. It was a good enough summer read, but not one that will stand out overall.

This was such a cute story. It felt more like "second chance" than "enemies to lovers", but I overall really enjoyed it. The dog was one of my favorite parts and I loved the summer vibes. I loved Andi Arndt's narration (I mean, she's one of the absolute best female narrators ever), but was underwhelmed by the male narrator. His voice was fine, but I had a heard time understanding him at times because he sounded muffled and his pacing was so much faster than the female narrator.

Many thanks to Emma St. Clair, the publisher, and Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

4,25⭐
Thiiiiiiiiis book ughh 🥺❤️‍🔥 choosing to listen to this book during my hectic exams week was the best idea haha
This book was such a lovely read. Josie and Wyatt were absolutely adorable, and I loved how their relationship slowly grew over time. The chemistry and tension between them were so well done it made me root for them right from the start.

All the side characters added so much heart to the story, especially Jacob. And Jib? Completely stole the show. Such an adorable addition!

This could have easily been a 5 ⭐ read if not for the pacing that felt a little slow, especially toward the end. I wish we had more time with Josie and Wyatt as a couple. Also, it’s marketed as enemies to lovers, but honestly... it’s not. Wyatt liked her from the very beginning, and it was super obvious! They were never really enemies—she was just mad at him while he quietly adored her the whole time (which was cute, but not quite enemies to lovers).

Still, I really enjoyed it. It’s sweet, light, and easy to read—definitely a book I’d recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good romance.🩷🌸

Thank you again to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this audiobook 🩷🫶

3.5 ⭐ This is a cozy romance with one of my favorite tropes- brothers best friend. This man in this book is so precious as he deals with her being angry at him, but you can tell that he is in love with her. I really enjoyed the overall plot, the dog that was dropped in and the adventure that they took. However, that being said this book did feel like it was long even though it wasn't length wise for the audio.

Now for that Audio- both Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller did an amazing job. They help my attention throughout the entire book. They both did a great job bringing the characters to life.

Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4.5 rounded up to 5

I don’t know how the author comes up with the unique descriptions and hilarious moments, but by now her writing style is familiar and cozy. It’s quite easy to lose track of time listening to this story.

Beyond the moments that made me chuckle, there is depth to the characters. Josie is sweet, outgoing, has so much energy and an easy laugh, but that doesn’t mean she’s always comfortable in situations. Her character leaps off the page, making me feel for her as she recounted her past.

Wyatt … oh, Wyatt. When it comes to Josie, everything just comes out wrong. You can’t help but feel for him. I love that he immediately noticed a particular detail upon meeting her. He’s a thoughtful MMC, and his awareness of Josie and his respect for her is wonderful.

The chemistry between the main characters is amazing. Even when their misconceptions abound, there’s this sense that they would fight even harder for each other. Forced proximity is used really well in this story. I love the trust between them and how safe she feels around him. The sense of security is there in how she reacts and in her choices before she herself realizes the significance.

Sensitive Content:
Traumatic event in the past | Loss of a loved one (before the book starts)

There’s a very brief reference to palm-reading.

Although the chapter titles are revealing, I still really enjoyed this book! I loved it! Familiar faces from the Appies make an appearance, which is the perfect touch to this stand-alone novel. Filled with many wonderful scenes—thinking of hugs right now—this is a beautiful story!

*Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for providing a complimentary ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I really loved this. It was so well rounded. I loved all of the characters, i loved the banter, the vulnerability, and i LOVED that there was no 3rd act breakup. 👏🏼

My only complaint is that I wish she had just talked to him sooner. Even when they were on the boat. But as someone with high anxiety, i understand the spiral too well so ill give her a pass. When they did communicate, it was very good and mature.

Josie and Jacob are siblings and the plan is that they will meet up and enjoy a holiday. It was a suprise when Jacobs full plans are revealed.

Josie ends up focused on caring for her brother's good friend Wyatt while on her break from being the school nurse. Wyatt is a hockey playing jock (well he was prior to injury) and after a traumatic experience, Josie 'dislikes' jocks. And she assumes Wyatt dislikes her too but that could be the pessimist in her. But they have crossed paths many times and had very little to do with each other.

This book is okay if you enjoy a predictable enemies to lovers story.

Thankyou to #Netgalley and #ThomasNelson for the free ARC of #Ifallelsesails in exchange for an honest review.

I genuinely looked forward to immersing myself in this audiobook on my commutes. It was my first Emma St. Clair book and I only scanned the synopsis before diving in - so I didn't really know if Emma wrote steamy or sweet romance. This one was slooooow burn and sweet. It was in fact, torturous how long it took for the first kiss to even occur! These characters moved sooo slow that I even thought, "Maybe this is a two-book HEA?"

The characters also did NOT have the backstories I was expecting or wanting, especially Wyatt who turned out to be a rich kid who is also hot and a great athlete instead of what I initially thought - that he was a guy who was raised by his deceased uncle because his family was messy who had made good in professional hockey and that's why he didn't let people in easily. Wyatt was a "perfect" one percenter - which made him WAY less sympathetic of a character for me.

There was also a lot of side plot between the relationship growth sections of the story and they didn't even get on the boat until over halfway through. I guess because of the title and cover I was expecting more of a nautical adventure. There's no boat sexy scene?!! I felt jipped. This is a forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, enemies to friends to lovers, sweet contemporary romance.

The narrators did well although I did find it a little hard to understand the male narrator when he did his grumbly Wyatt internal monologue voice. I probably would've preferred the female narrator to do the entire book. It would've felt more seamless and she did great male voices.

4.5 stars

First of all thank you to Emma St Clair, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me early access to this audiobook! All opinions in this review are my own.

First things first I hated the MMC voice actor. 💀 I won't hold it against the book so I had to get that outta the way first.

This book is about Josie and Wyatt.
Josie? A kick ass primary school nurse.
Wyatt? a NHL hockey player that was with the appies for a few seasons. (I love the appies so much this had me jumping and screaming)

Wyatt has a huge foot injury which leaves him unable to play hockey and sailing. The two things that are most important to him. Instead of solving it his solution is to sulk about it and end up in a bad place mentally.

Josies brother, Jacob, is Wyatt his agent. Jacob desided Wyatt needs his ray of sunshine sister and some medical help. She's qualified after all.

They end up in a predicament. Wyatt can't sail alone but Josie never sailed before...



UGH I LOVED THIS
If you expect spice you have to pick another hockey adjunct romance... but the way Emma writes sizzle always makes it worth it.

Wyatt is such a grump who always cared about Josie. I love that dynamic so much! They had such a loaded heated connection which was so well explored. My favorite side character was Wyatt his mom! She was such a sweet but I felt horrible to hear how she ignored the issues.

NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP ASWELL🥳🥳

they cosy and quiet love make this book amazing! It is a bit of a slower burn tho :)

Audio format 🎧

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is a cute summer rom-com with a great plot and engaging characters.

The audio narration of this book was really amazing! I always enjoy when they have male and female voice actors and this book delivered in this area. The male main character's voice narration was exactly what I expected of a pro-hockey player. Really really well done.

I would recommend this book if you enjoy an enemies to lovers rom com and highly recommend this in the audio format. I give this one a 4.5/5.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advance listener copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Emma St. Clair, and the narrators Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller for the chance to listen to and review the audiobook ARC (ALC) of If All Else Sails! This one was such a fun, feel-good escape. With all the charm of a slow-burn, forced-proximity romance and just enough chaos to keep you grinning the whole way through.

Right from the jump, Josie totally won me over. She’s sassy, self-aware, and just the right mix of nurturing and no-nonsense. And Wyatt? Ohhh, Wyatt. Grumpy hockey player with a busted knee, bad attitude, and secret soft side? Yes. Please. Their dynamic gave classic enemies-to-lovers energy without feeling too over-the-top or cliché. There's tension, there's banter, and there's definitely a whole lot of unresolved something between them that had me hooked.

The forced proximity of sailing down the Intracoastal Waterway was such a unique and refreshing setup. Think open ocean meets open hearts kind of vibe. Cramped quarters, clumsy teamwork, and a slow unraveling of feelings? It worked so well. I laughed out loud more than once, and there were some genuinely heartfelt moments that snuck up on me.

And can we talk about the narration? Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller were perfectly cast. Their performances really brought Josie and Wyatt to life. The dual POV was done seamlessly, and the chemistry between the voices added an extra layer of magic to the story. I could’ve kept listening for hours, and honestly didn’t want it to end.

Why 4.5 and not 5? There were just a few pacing dips, especially early on before they set sail. But once they hit the water (and the bickering really kicks in), it’s smooth storytelling from there.

All in all, If All Else Sails is charming, swoony, and seriously entertaining. Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine pairings, summer adventure vibes, and witty romance with heart. Add this one to your pre-order list, friends. You won’t regret it! ⛵💙⚓

3 Stars
This was a cute, quick, romance that was fun to listen to. Josie is an elementary school nurse who was deceptively tricked when she thought she was meeting up with her brother for one of their annual-ish vacations. She ended up stuck with her brother's best friend, Wyatt, the hot, brooding hockey player who she always believed was out of her league. Wyatt is recovering from an injury in the off-season and Josie's brother set her up to be his "nurse" to take care of him and transport him to appointments. Once he gets a little better, they decide to go on a sailing adventure together and .......
While this book was pretty predictable, it was super adorable with the interactions between the two characters. This was a minimal-spice romance that was an enjoyable summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC Audiobook!

3⭐️

This was a very cute romance listen! I must say, it’s not an enemies to lovers romance (like it’s advertised) it’s a brother’s-best-friend kind of romance.

I really liked the character building throughout as you really got to know each character. It’s a slow burn (maybe too slow?) but overall this was a very cute story.

Audio wise - this was a really nice listen. My only note is that the male narrator voice varies a lot in volume which meant I was constantly turning my volume up and down just so I can hear it all.

2.5⭐️

I received this as an audiobook ARC/ALC from NetGalley.

I have thoughts.

1) The male narrator needs to dial it back. His unnecessary yelling was uncalled for. He didn’t sound age appropriate for Wyatt. And his “female” voice was irritating. Not it.

2) I didn’t realize it was a closed door romance. Just kissing???? Ugh I need banging.

3) Is school nurse still a job in the states?

4) The constant referencing to the oppressively humid weather, while it did paint an evocative picture, made me feel icky. Hate humidity 😋

If All Else Sails was the first book I've read by Emma St. Clair and now I want to read them all. I liked it so much that I listened to the entire book in one go! I've never done that before and it wasn't my plan, but I was sucked in from the start. Josie and Wyatt are compelling characters with flaws and strengths and joy that make them feel like people we all know. We get to know them as individuals while at the same time, the romance blossoms at the perfect pace. I experienced this novel as an audiobook and the narrators were perfection. The closed door nature of this romance enhanced the character development and plot. If you love really getting invested in the main characters in a novel while rooting for their sweet romance, this book is for you!

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is a fun rom-com, perfect for any day, especially when looking for an opportunity to check out of reality and just enjoy a sweet story with plenty of banter and barbs. Josie and Wyatt are combustible, just not for the reasons they think. I love how Josie’s brother decided on an intervention for one of his best hockey players and sent in the big guns…Josie herself. Josie and Wyatt have one incredible instance after another, which keep peeling back layers and exposing the script they’ve held about each other for years. I love how they each feel free to totally be themselves and find themselves exactly where they never would have believed. As misunderstandings and misrepresentations start to come to light, Wyatt is an all-out softie who, thankfully, happens to a very patient man. Once they hit the water, the smiles kept coming, even though they were laced with some more serious conversations. Loved the addition of Jib!! Pure cuteness. If you have followed Emma St. Clair’s writings, you’ll catch a cameo from some beloved Appie’s players!!
In addition to the book, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. It took me a little bit to get into the narrators for this book. Their voices were pleasant and easy to follow, but I found the cadence to be a little off and some of the inflections and emphases to be a little off. Once I got past the first few chapters, I was able to settle into the story a little more, just still felt like maybe they didn’t fully capture Josie and Wyatt as they could have been.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Cute story, unique in setting and characters, but very slow pacing and a very very slow burn. It was tough making it through the many chapters of poor communication. The connection between the H/h kept me going. It’s not the best book Emma St. Clair has written, but it’s not terrible.

Loved it

-Brother's Best Friend
-Enemies-to-Lovers
-Forced Proximity
-Hockey Player MMC
-Nurse FMC
-She Takes Care of Him

Emma St. Clair is always a reliable pick for a witty, sweet, and quick romance and this one was no exception.

Josie thinks she's meeting her brother for their annual sibling vacation, only to discover he's tricked her into babysitting his best friend: Wyatt, a professional hockey player… and her long-time nemesis.

Wyatt and Josie have never gotten along. What Josie doesn't realize is that Wyatt has always been drawn to her, he just promised her brother he’d stay away. His attempts at keeping his distance came off as cold and annoyed, sparking years of mutual antagonism.

Josie is pure sunshine and sharp wit. Wyatt is a grump who insists he doesn’t need anyone while secretly being the softest, most loyal person in the room, trying hard to be a good friend.

As they embark on an intercoastal sailing trip together, a reluctant friendship forms. Forced proximity, unresolved tension, and heartfelt banter slowly give way to a simmering slow burn romance.

Add Emma’s signature charm and humor to brilliant narration by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller, and this easily becomes one of my favorite reads of the month. Emma is the queen of making this dark romance girl love a closed-door love story.

Thank you to Emma St. Clair, NetGalley, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC!

If All Else Sails is a slow-burn, emotional romance with a mix of humor, heart, and healing. It’s an enemies to lovers and brother’s best friend story featuring Josie, an anxious elementary school nurse with trauma, and Wyatt, a grumpy, grief-stricken man quietly in love with her.

The character development is strong—flaws front and center—but the pacing drags a bit in the first third, with more vibes than action. The chemistry between Josie and Wyatt shines through their banter, and Wyatt’s stormy love confession is a standout moment. While the romance is closed-door, the emotional tension is palpable.

It takes too long for the pair to communicate, and Josie’s reactions during Wyatt’s vulnerable moments can be frustrating. Still, this story has a lot of heart and ends on a hopeful note.

Rating: ★★★★☆
Good story, great moments—but the road to connection felt too long.