This was a super cute take on the brother’s best friend trope! When Josie’s older brother Jacob sends her a mystery address, she assumes that he is sending her to their sort of semi-annual sibling extravaganza! Upon her arrival at the address though, things take a turn.

Wyatt is a professional hockey player who is staying at his late uncle’s cottage while recovering from an injury. When he sees a random person looking around his property, he has her arrested. But whoopsies! It’s his best friend and agent Jacob’s little sister Josie.

Turns out, these two have been set up by Jacob to spend the summer together. Josie is tasked with helping Wyatt recover while Wyatt is dead set against it. But as they spend some time together, Wyatt slowly opens up to Josie in a way unlike anything she’s ever known.

Through the summer, these two have all sorts of adventures and shared moments of vulnerability. As they embark on a sailing trip to honor Wyatt’s late uncle, they realize they may want more than they bargained for.

This audiobook was especially fun as it featured two completely opposite voice types! Andi Arndt has a bright and lilting voice with a hint of mischief while Patrick Zeller has a dark and earnest voice that is so easy to believe. This audiobook was an absolute delight to listen to as their lovely narrations helped the story come alive!

I couldn’t stop listening to this book! I finished it in just a couple days I fell in love with the setting and the characters. I found myself smiling and just really being immersed in their rampart and flirting and miscommunication I just absolutely loved it. If you like quick wit, misunderstood grumpy hockey men and ugly dogs you can’t help but love and dress up with book is for you! Seriously though pick this one up you won’t regret it perfect summer read. I’m very thankful for the audio book from NetGalley this is my honest thoughts and review.

Dnf

I only got to chapter 2 bc the male narrators voice was so annoying 😭 he was so loud when voicing other characters but kept mumbling and whispering with the MMC. I literally couldn’t hear what he was saying 😔

This was a cute rom-com about an injured hockey player and an elementary school nurse. An enemies-to-lovers (well assumed enemies...) with a slow-burn to lovers. No on the page sexy times except for some heavy kissing. I was rooting for the couple the entire time and appreciated the dual POV. I actually liked how the male POV wasn't as prominent as the female POV. It made it less repetitive. It was just enough to let the reader know how the male MC felt and some of his thoughts without being cloying and overpowering.
I enjoyed the female audiobook narrator much more too which might have contributed to the fact that I didn't mind having less male POV chapters. Some of the pacing in the middle felt a bit slow, but the different settings helped propel the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. 3.5 rounded up to 4.

Josie is set to go on a vacation trip with her brother who plans them and she just follows along. Unfortunately he's duped her this trip into taking care of his client/best friend who is suffering from an injury.

Wyatt's a grump, plain and simple. And when he finds someone on his property taking pictures, he blows his top. The next thing you know, she's in a cop car and the local cops are asking for autographs. What he doesn't realize is that the woman who was "snooping around" is actually his best friend/manager's sister, who he just doesn't recognize.

After everything settles down, Josie agrees to help Wyatt out, against his wishes, and they form an unlikely relationship.

In this brother's best friend, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine book, you'll find characters that you just can't help but love. When the book is over, you're left craving some more time with this wonderful pair.

Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller did an exceptional job with this book. Their narration was spot on and had me pulled in from the first chapters.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.

I enjoyed this one overall, but I would have liked to get a little deeper connection between the characters and witnessed some more character development.

The storytelling style was more telling than showing and I would have liked to see more of their thoughts and feelings play out on page and through interactions with one another rather than through inner monologue.

I really liked the sailboat adventure and the setting though!

Understanding this is an ALC I do hope they're able to fix the volume issue when it came to the male narrator, Patrick Zeller. His performance was good, but I noticed especially in the beginning of the book, his voice fluctuated between either very loud or far to soft. While listening in my car, when it was loud enough to hurt my ears, almost as if he was yelling, but then during inner monologue moments it was soft enough I couldn't decipher what he was saying.

Andi Arndt is flawless and can do no wrong in my eyes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC.

“I’m not interested in games. When I know what I want, I don’t settle for less. I don’t waver, and I’m really, really good at waiting.”

Emma St. Clair’s “If All Else Sails” is a tender, heartwarming slow-burn romance perfect for summer.

After a disc-golf injury, Wyatt—a grumpy hockey player—doubles down on stubbornness, refusing to prioritize his recovery post-surgery. Enter Josie, recruited by her brother (Wyatt’s best friend) to “knock sense” into him. Despite her longstanding dislike for Wyatt, Josie learns his injury jeopardizes his sailing plans and agrees to join him as an extra pair of hands aboard his boat.

“My last name looks good on you, rookie. Maybe we can find a way to keep it there.”

The secret yearning and forced proximity between Wyatt and Josie shine, amplified by a dual POV that deftly captures their emotions. Ideal for fans of closed-door, character-driven romances, the story thrives on simmering tension and vulnerability.

That said, the pacing falters at times. Josie’s extensive internal monologues—analyzing every flicker of feeling for Wyatt—often overshadow their interactions. While introspection has its place, longer stretches without meaningful dialogue or action dull the spark between them.

The audiobook, however, elevates the experience. Both narrators embody their characters’ personalities, keeping listeners engaged even during slower chapters.

Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: 08/05/25

love love love. As a gal from Northern VA, that is familiar enough with Kilmarnock, the setting for #ifallelsefails had me hooked immediately. Grumpy enemies with forced proximity with a pro athlete twist was just the cherry on top. I cant wait to hear about the other stories that I already imagined as maybe Tony and a Brother need to find love? No matter what, I can't wait for more #emmastclair!

#netgalley #arc #audiobook #thomasnelson

Super cute bothers best friend, he fell first, sports, grumpy vs sunshine, forced proximity romance. Loved the characters fell in love with them and would love a sequel. Romcom with no spicy but plenty of laughs throughout the whole story i actually listened to the audio book and I was laughing out loud several times. This is my first book by the author and would gladly read more!

If All Else Sails is a romantic story with an enemies to lovers and brother’s best friend trope. The characters were engaging and the dog dynamic was hilarious. The dialogue was witty and I loved the narration of the mmc. There are serious elements of loss and assault but they are all off page. Overall, it was a fun read.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

This is such a cute story! It has some of the best tropes and absolutely delivers - grumpy sunshine, brother’s best friend, and forced proximity. This was my first book from this author, but it definitely won’t be my last.

The female narrator was fantastic - she really brought the characters to life. But the male narrator…kind of killed it a bit. He went from being super quiet (like, I could barely hear him) to suddenly full-on angry yelling, which was a little jarring. It didn’t ruin the story, but it did take me out of it a few times.

Overall, this is a sweet, trope-filled romance that's perfect for anyone who loves a bit of tension and a lot of heart. Definitely a perfect summer read!

Not my favorite of hers but still a cute story! I enjoyed their characters and the female audio. I didn’t love the male audio. Her stories are always witty, clean, and sweet with a HEA!

This book was better than I expected. I've read a few books by this author before, and now I'm wondering why I haven't read more! I don't know how many times I caught myself smiling while listening. Andi Arnt is one of my favorite narrators, so that was a big selling point for me. The male narrator was new to me. And not bad, but I won't seek him out specifically. I'm not sure how his delivery will be with other characters, but it mostly worked for grumpy Wyatt. He came off as almost aggressive sounding. And his version of Josie didn't match Andi Arnt's portrayal, so they almost sounded like 2 different characters. The dog was too freaking funny, without spoiling, stole the show. I just loved how real and normal it all felt, even with the silly stuff mixed in. Because that's life. Unbelievable things happen, and that's where the best stories and memories come from. I loved the evolution of their relationship, when Josie sees things in a whole new light. I really enjoyed the story.

I have read quite a few Emma St Clair books and she is one of my go to closed door romance authors. She has the ability to get the reader to feel the connection between the characters without any of the typical “descriptions”. I LOVE the nurse / patient trope. The banter between the grumpy MMc and “tells you how it is” FMC is perfection. Emma writes amazing banter. If you are looking for a cute summer rom-com this is it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you NetGalley and Emma St Clair for the opportunity to read and review with early read.

4.5 stars, rounded up

What a sweet and fun rom-com!

Josie shows up at a cabin ready for a getaway with her brother, only to find she has been tricked into staying to take care of her brother's grumpy best friend Wyatt, an injured professional hockey player.

Ever since they first met, Wyatt has been Josie's sworn enemy. As she spends time taking care of him and agrees to go on a sailing trip with him, her feelings towards him change.

I loved the forced proximity trope in this book! And the references to the Appies series were so fun!

I enjoyed the narration by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller.

Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Audio, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Classic Emma St Clair humor! Loved the emotional aspects of this romance! Definitely a great summer rom-com to add to your tbr!

- One Bed Trope
- Slow Burn
- Forced proximity
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- Dual POV
- Clean Romance (Non-Spicy)

Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me and a big part of that was the male narrator. It was almost a DNF.

The story itself was okay. It's a clean romance, which I don’t mind, but the chemistry between Josie and Wyatt felt forced and lacked spark. Honestly, the dog was the highlight of the book. Also, this was not enemies to lovers, Can we please stop calling it that when it’s clearly “I’ve always loved you” territory?

What really made the listening experience difficult was the male voice actor. His narration was inconsistent and distracting. The volume kept shifting, he was either whispering so low I couldn’t hear him, or suddenly shouting and blasting through my speakers. His voice sounded far too old for the character, and when he voiced Josie, I genuinely wish I could un-hear it. I found myself skipping through his chapters or speeding them up just to get through it faster.

On the other hand, the female narrator was great. She carried the audiobook and made her chapters enjoyable.

This would have been a 3-star read, but the male narration dragged it down to a one for me.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advanced copy via NetGalley. I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn’t get past the male narration. I recommend reading this one instead of going for the audiobook.

so, first of all, I listened to this and the man doing the male main character was WAY overacting his part. Thankfully most of the chapters were from the female main character’s pov. I can’t really pinpoint what it was that was just okay about this. I liked the characters and I love a brother’s best friend trope, but I think it was just sooo slow. Not sure. Anyway, thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson publishing for allowing me to read this early.

A summer read with a Hallmark feel - this was a cute, quick and easy read: breezy, heartwarming, and full of charm. Josie expects to meet her brother Jacob for a summer trip only to find his best friend Wyatt instead. Wyatt is a total grump who needs someone to help him out after a foot injury and Jacob couldn’t get off work to do it. Only problem is Wyatt hates her. Or does he? Lots of sass and banter, just the way I like it.

-Enemies to lovers
-Hockey romance
-Brothers best friend
-Dogs
-Sailing

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio and NetGalley for the advanced audio copy of this book.

This book had me swooning over Josie and Wyatt, and their secret pining for each other. Add in a boat and I would re-read this anytime I am looking for something cozy and closed-door.

I am admittingly over the hockey-player trope, however Wyatt's profession doesn't really play into the story at all. His future as a player drives the plot a little bit, but we don't have any occasions of him actually playing the sport.

Josie is a school nurse, which is a unique (every FMC seems to be an author, or in the literary industry) but brilliant profession for a FMC to have... she has the entire summer off!

As far as the narration goes- I *almost* stopped listening because the male narrator was so over-the-top. I decided to stick it out, and I'm glad I did, but I think I'd rather read this one in the future. vs listening to it again.

Overall, I thought this book was fresh and fun and would recommend it to my friends- especially anyone avoiding spice.