Wow! If All Else Sails is a delightful, emotional, heartfelt journey full of Emma St. Clair’s signature laugh out loud humor & warmth. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Wyatt & Josie & seeing them grow as they navigate their pasts & rely on each other.

Josie’s a school nurse who’s looking forward to spending time with her brother for their annual Summer Sibling Extravaganza. When Jacob directs her to a derelict cottage, she’s instantly confused, especially when the cops are called on her for trespassing. She’s even more shocked when Wyatt Jacobs, her brother’s best friend & client appears telling the cops it’s a big mistake. She & Wyatt have a history, & the last thing she expects is her brother tricking her into staying & helping Wyatt recover from a hockey injury. But, the money he offers her is too good to pass up.

Wyatt Jacobs’ currently staying at his uncle’s run down cottage off the coast of Virginia to recover from an injury, & his grumpiness knows no bounds. Despite his manager’s insistence, Wyatt hasn’t been attending his physical therapy sessions & is suffering from a fever. When Josie arrives, the sparks fly. They’ve never gotten along, but Wyatt hopes to change that when Josie agrees to stay & help him.

This book had all the feels! Wyatt’s the very definition of grumpy. He’s always had a thing for Josie & I enjoyed seeing his softer side peek through. Loved the thoughtful things he does, & how he helps Josie heal from a past traumatic experience.

Josie’s the sunshine in this relationship, but she carries some definite fears. She & Wyatt don’t see eye to eye & his grumpiness makes her think he hates her. But, as she peels back this handsome pro hockey player’s layers, she sees depth, thoughtfulness, & hurt, as well as a tenderness underneath the gruff. As they sail from Virginia to Georgia, they not only find love but healing.

I loved all the humorous, sweet moments including: finding Jib, poison oak, zombie pigs, family healing, the shopping spree, “Rookie,” boat shoes, home show bets, & shared secrets. Also loved seeing certain Appies again too!

I also listened to the audiobook version & especially loved the female narrator. She did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life. The male narrator put a lot of emotion into his performance which made it really feel authentic, but the volume often vacillated between loud & soft. It got better as the story progressed, but the first part kept me frequently adjusting the volume.

Highly recommend this touching romcom! I received an advanced copy from the author with no expectation of a positive review. But, also purchased a copy in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily. Book: 5 stars Audiobook version: 4 stars

Thank you @thomasnelson and @kikimojo for my complimentary digital and audio copies. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: When school nurse Josie travels to a mysterious address in Virginia, she expects a fun vacation with her brother. Instead, she finds herself face-to-face with her brother's best friend, grumpy hockey player Wyatt Jacobs. Demanding an explanation, Josie learns that her brother wants her to help Wyatt recover from an injury, a task she reluctantly agrees to for a substantial fee. The first few days are tense, as Wyatt is resistant to her help. However, during a sailing trip to scatter his uncle's ashes, Josie begins to uncover the complexities of Wyatt's character, challenging her initial perceptions.

MY THOUGHTS: This is my favorite Emma St. Clair book to date! Although I don’t typically read much romance, I can't resist a grumpy/sunshine dynamic from this author. This story, while still humorous, carries a slightly more serious tone that I thoroughly enjoyed. The chemistry between the main characters was captivating, and I appreciated the alternating viewpoints that offered deeper insight into their thoughts and emotions. The sailboat setting added a unique charm to the narrative, making it a truly delightful read.

I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio version, and the dual narrators were perfectly cast for their roles, bringing each character to life with distinct voices and emotions that enhanced the storytelling.

If All Else Sails is a humorous, wholesome, brothers-best-friend, forced proximity, enemy to lovers, romance centering around Josie (an elementary school nurse) and Wyatt, a famous hockey player. After an incident off the ice, Wyatt is recovering from, and Josie is hired by her brother to take care of him. The book is well-paced and is full of both humorous and serious moments. The audiobook was enjoyable to listen to and had dual narrators, who brought the story to life.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Emma St. Clair for this digital advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of this audio book. The narration was amazing! I loved this story so much and can totally relate to Josie’s anxiety and over analyzing everything. I loved everything about this book. The murder cottage, Gib all the side characters. The documentation of the sailing trip was awesome. Wyatt and Josie’s relationship was so sweet. This book managed to cover all the tropes, grumpy/sunshine, brother’s best friend, one bed! I also loved how much Wyatt loved Gib but would never admit it and all the outfits Josie bought for her. Totally recommend you check this book out!

If All Else Sails is a standalone novel be Emma St. Clair. Wyatt Jacob’s is a grumpy, monosyllabic, hulking, hockey player and Josie’s brother Jacob’s best friend and client. Josie is under the impression that Wyatt hates her, and vice versa. In fact, the only way Jacob figures he can get Josie’s help is to trick her. As an elementary school nurse, Josie is free for the summer. In order to get Josie to Wyatt’s waterfront cottage he texts her to meet him there for their super sibling summer extravaganza without any intention of being there himself.

Wyatt has an unusual foot injury, but from frisbee golf not hockey. He is miserable and grumpy and won’t talk to anyone. Staying at the rundown cottage left him by his Uncle Tom, he is also grieving. Unsure whether he even wants to continue his hockey career, Wyatt is at a crossroads.

When Josie arrives at what she deems as the murder cottage due to it’s state of disrepair, she looks for her brother including walking the property and taking pictures just in case something goes awry her cloud will have evidence of where she was. But Wyatt has no idea it is Josie. Not answering Jacob’s calls and ignoring his texts he had no idea to expect her and calls 911 on a trespasser. It isn’t until Josie has a close encounter of a bad kind with the local law that Wyatt realizes it is her. How does one comeback from that?

Readers are in for a good time as the plot unfolds. Between errant neighbor pigs, emergency hospital trips, Wyatt’s mom’s surprise visit, late night chats, and working forward until Wyatt makes Josie his first mate for the sentimental sailboat journey on the inter-coastal waterway, the story holds a special type of magic. With laughable moments coupled with deep topics, this story covers so much. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Spending the summer with her brother’s best friend, NHL heartthrob Wyatt Jacobs, was not on Josie’s to-do list in this lighthearted enemies-to-lovers rom-com. But thanks to her meddling brother Jacob (who secretly doubles as a matchmaker), the two end up sharing space—and maybe a few unexpected feelings. Let’s just say, the “enemies” part may have existed more in Josie’s head than reality.🤷‍♀️

If you're new to Emma St. Clair or a longtime fan of her Appies series, you’re in for a treat—this book is a spin-off, and we even get a quick cameo from a couple of familiar MMCs. I love when authors sneak those little connections into their stories!

This book was such a blast. I'm usually a fan of spicy reads, and while this one stays closed-door (just kissing!), the witty banter and hilarious moments made me not miss it at all. The dry humor between Josie and Wyatt is top-tier. The moment Wyatt suggested the name Garbage for the dog, I lost it. Peak deadpan humor that made me laugh way too hard.🐶🗑️

As for the audiobook, Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller are a dream team. Arndt nails Josie’s sarcasm with charm, and Zeller brings so much emotion to Wyatt—it’s like you're right there with them. Their chemistry as narrators really elevated the whole listening experience.

My only small gripe? We don’t get that solid together-together moment until about 97% in. I would’ve loved just a little more of them as a couple! (But hey, that just means I’m invested.)

Also, can Jacob PLEASE get his own book?? I need him to fall first and fall hard for someone who turns his world upside down.💥💁‍♀️

Final thoughts: This was a perfect summer listen—equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and sweet. The chemistry, the banter, the laughs... it all just worked. Emma St. Clair knocked it out of the park with this one, and I already can’t wait to read more!☀️

Big thanks to NetGalley and Emma St. Clair for the ALC! All opinions are my own, and I’m now officially a fan.

If All Else Sails, by Emma St. Clair was a fantastic lighthearted summer romance! If enemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, fun banter, and forced proximity are your jams, this book is for you! Add in a professional hockey player and well-dressed dog - say less! I really enjoyed the banter between the two MC's, and how they ended up coming together over their sailing trip to spread Wyatt's uncle's ashes. Lots of funny moments in here that kept me laughing all the way through.

I think this is the first book I've read by Emma St. Clair, but I will definitely read more from her.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook copy - this was a great listen!

LIked this one. Likeable characters. Voice acting was done well. Characters felt likeable with a very heartwarming storyline! Would recommend to those that want a clean romance.

Grumpy meets sunshine in this totally sweet, totally fade-to-black romance. One of my favorite lines from the book was “Better started than perfect. Better tried than unknown”. What an excellent philosophy!

The audiobook is narrated by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller. While Andi Arndt delivers her usual warm performance, Patrick Zeller’s narration varies in volume enough that you may find yourself adjusting often.

Read and enjoy if you like these romance tropes/elements:
*grumpy/sunshine
*enemies to lovers
*summer romance
*hockey player
*No spice/steam

This was SO sweet! I love an enemies to lovers, grumpy /sunshine, brother’s best friend romance! This is a closed door romance with no spice, but LOTS of chemistry! The build up of the relationship between Wyatt and Josie was so satisfying and I just didn’t want this story to end! Wonderful audiobook!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Josie is a school nurse who is excited to take a vacation with her bother for their Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, but when she arrives at the address her brother sent, all she finds is a run-down cottage. What she does find is her arch nemesis, Wyatt who happens to be her brother’s client and best friend, hiding away recovering from a hockey injury. For a pretty penny, her brother convinces Josie to stay and help Wyatt get back on his feet-dragging him to physical therapy. Not an easy task! As they spend time together and she starts to see past his grumpy exterior, she offers to be his first mate sailing the Intercostal Waterway to scatter his uncle’s ashes. Will they make it home without killing or kissing each other?

I was laughing right from the first few pages of this book! Wyatt was perfectly grumpy! The tension and chemistry between these two was undeniable from the very beginning. Watching their relationship grow over time was a delight! I loved this take on the brother’s best friend trope and that Josie’s brother was the one playing matchmaker! Both characters had some past issues they had to work through, making it a slow burn as they fully trust and open up with each other. Loved Jib the dog and the pigs were down right hilarious! As always with an Emma St. Clair book, the witty humor, banter, and tension was top notch!

The audiobook is narrated in dual POV. The narrators, Andy Arndt and Patrick Zeller, did a fantastic job! If you get the chance be sure to check out the audiobook!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book and audiobook. All thoughts are my own.

*~ Best "He Falls First" of the Summer ~*

At the end of the story, in the author's note, Emma St. Clair says something along the lines of her main goal when she writes is that the reader will feel the joy and smile as they read the story - GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!
If All Else Sails is another Emma St. Claire story that shows that a story can have depth and passion and chemistry and yearning even if it doesn't have a ton of spice.
Wyatt is another MMC in Emma's bag that is so appealing in his depth, sensitivity, awareness of the feelings and needs of Josie, and of course his confidence and assertiveness when Josie needs it.
I loved Josie's path of self discovery. How she instantly mothered that poor stray dog and how she learned she is an adventurer - even if she usually plays it safe.

Thank you to Net Galley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Emma St. Clair for an ALC of this story.

If All Else Sails

This is a cute romance featuring brother's best friend, a hockey player. Wyatt is surly, injured and hiding from the world when his best friend and agent sends Josie, an elementary school nurse on break for the summer, over to help him with his recovery.

This was an adorable romance featuring:
- Brother's best friend
- Forced proximity
- Caretaking
- Dual POV Narration
- only one sailboat

The dual narrators was a delight. I loved Wyatt's surly voice contrasted with Josie's no nonsense perspective. It really brought the story to life to listen.

My opinions are my own. If All Else Sails is on shelves August 5, 2025.

"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."

This book completely captured my attention and my heart from the very first scene!

Full of heart, humor, wit, character growth/depth, and a scene stealing dog named Jib, this is book I will be reading again!

If you have read any of this author's Appies books, you will love that Van and Eli (and even the famous group chat) make an appearance!

After reading this book I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook and it was so entertaining! I loved the dual narration. The narrators fit the characters so well. They were emotive and engaging and really brought the story to life.

I highly recommend this book in either format.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC and to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When two enemies, one with a bright and sunshine nature and the other a total grump, are tricked into spending the summer together, you know there will be a lot of angst and tension and chemistry! Josie finds out that her sports manager brother sent her to the house of his client, injured hockey player Wyatt, and then he asks her to stay and help him recover for the summer. There are so many hilarious moments (cops, hospital visits, pics!) as the two learn to accept their new situation and along the way develop feelings for each other. This was such a lighthearted and heartwarming closed-door romance.
The plot loved quickly and brought so many smiles and chuckles as you can expect from this author-she totally delivered with her first traditionally published book!
I also was able to experience this book as a reread in audio as well. Not only was the story as enjoyable a second time. The dual narration by Andi Arndt and Patrick Zellner was terrific as their emotions and expressions were spot on and so much fun! 4.5 stars

**spoiler alert** This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review This review may contain spoilers.

If All Else Sails is a charming summer romance with a cozy setting, lovable tropes, and a sweet central couple. While I enjoyed parts of the story, it didn’t fully stand out for me in a sea of romcoms (pun intended).

The setting was definitely a highlight—from the secluded cottage to the sailboat and even the neighborhood pigs, it had a fun, summery vibe that was easy to picture. I also appreciated that Josie, the FMC, had a more unique profession—elementary school nurse—which felt like a refreshing break from the usual romcom staples. Her compassion really came through as she helped Wyatt through his injury.

Wyatt, the grumpy (but soft-hearted) MMC, had a few great layers. I liked that he didn’t always say the right thing but often regretted it later—a relatable trait that made him feel deeply human. Their dynamic was sweet, and though the story leaned on familiar tropes like miscommunication and forced proximity, they were handled with care.

The audiobook narration was solid overall. I particularly liked the female narrator’s performance—especially her delivery of Wyatt’s dialogue—but found the male narrator’s voice didn’t quite match the character’s age or tone for me, which took a bit of adjusting to.

All in all, this is a cute, trope-packed read perfect for fans of grumpy-sunshine, “enemies” to lovers, brother’s best friend, one bed, and a little hockey too. It didn’t leave a huge impression, but it was a pleasant summer read.

If All Else Sails made me want to find a hockey player on a deserted island to hang out with/take care of!

Josie has been looking forward to a sibling reunion vacation. So see her surprise when she arrives and he's not there- but his best friend and client, Wyatt is. Wyatt, Josie's sworn enemy and someone who needs support as he rehabs from an energy. Soon, she learns that there is more to meet the eye than just classification of "broody hockey man who has a glare." Especially when he invites her to come with to bury his uncle's ashes in the intercoastal. If all else sails, they'll at least fix that friendship.

CUTE, WHIMSICAL, SUMMER ROMANCE that is closed door but still gives you the cutesy sizzling tension vibes. I was dying laughing at some hijinks and rooting for these two characters to find love. While I ADORED the Andi Arndt's narration, Patrick Zeller felt like he was yelling into the void and wouldn't stop. It was jarring but thankfully, I was able to push through as he doesn't narrate many chapters.

This was a wonderful read! I enjoyed it sooo much. I loved how slow paced it was, it made sense considering their history and the story felt so organic. I will definitely read more by this author!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ALC of this book.

A cute version of the brother's best friend/enemies to lovers tropes, although they were never actually lovers, it was just a bunch of miscommunications from when they were younger. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope, and I do feel like it made me not really inter

Josie had a lot of progression as a character. Something had happened to her when she was younger that made her a bit guarded around males, but was able to heal. Wyatt was great and patient and was willing to let Josie take her time to figure things out, which I feel is a great way to set him apart from other MMCs that we see in books lately.

Josie's brother was such a funny character and I love that he was actually fine with them getting into a relationship, and even being the wingman who set up the whole situation.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, Emma St. Clair, and NetGalley for the audioARC of this book. This is my honest review.

I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

This was such a fun, cozy, grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers sports audiobook! I laughed out loud in several parts and even cried in a few moments. It honestly took me on an emotional rollercoaster—in the best way.

There was something so wholesome about school nurse Josie’s interactions with her brother’s best friend, Wyatt—the injured, moody hockey player. Josie’s sense of humor dripped through the scenes like honey. From dressing her dog in themed outfits to bantering with Wyatt and her brother, and constantly referencing the “murder cottage,” her personality absolutely sparkled.

As Josie and Wyatt spent more time together, their chemistry became harder to ignore—and we really got to see the layers of both characters. They had depth and felt like real people. Wyatt's quiet fascination with Josie, and his complete inability to express it, was endearing. Watching Josie come into her own was also rewarding, though I wish her growth had felt a bit more impactful. At times, her voice came off a little juvenile for someone in her thirties, and her lack of self-worth was genuinely hard to hear.

One line that really stuck with me was:
“But perhaps love is being the exact right size of drill bit to tighten the other person’s very specific loose screws.”
Such a great metaphor. It had me reflecting on how love isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people just fit—and Josie and Wyatt were definitely made for each other.

The ending was refreshing and satisfying—it truly made my heart smile. This audiobook was the perfect palate cleanser.

This was my first Emma St. Clair book, but it definitely won’t be my last. What a joy!

And I can’t forget Andi Arndt and Patrick Zeller—the phenomenal voices who brought Josie and Wyatt to life. They truly captured the emotion and personality of the characters. They were a delight to listen to and made the story even more entertaining.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio | Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Emma St. Clair for the ALC of this hilarious, cozy rom-com.