2.5 rounded up!

This was an enjoyable, fun, fast-paced audiobook listen. The narrators were lovely to listen to, especially Felix with his British accent.

I've watched enough Below Deck to know that boat-mances happen QUICK, so the insta-love didn't completely bother me with these strangers meeting on a cruise, but it was fast to acknowledge some big declarations of love.

The last 25% of the book wrapped everything up way too nicely and way too sequentially -- so much so that I was distracted by the seemingly checked boxes for everyone's HEA that it felt unnatural. Regardless, it was still a good, light-hearted listen!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for providing me with this advance reader’s audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Total Dreamboat” is a hilarious and sweet rom com that explores themes of finding yourself and how relationships fit into that. Felix and Hope meet on a cruise and quickly fall for each other through ups and downs with hilarious antics along the way. Told from both points of view with separate narrators this is a great summer read/listen.

Ok this was fun and cute. I said i liked the set up on the cruise. The meet cute is adorable , shrimps involved 🤣. I like how they get to know each other and their trust and easiness with each other grows. The adventures are extremely well done too. I would said the miss adventures too. I like how it falls a lot into a realistic setting of a relationship, instead of being and they lived happily ever after right away. Definitely cute and a great summer read.
Now the Audio was marvelous, loved both of the voices. They did a great job with this book and i could feel the emotions of each character, very well done .

This was such a fun vacation romance! This made me want to hop right on a cruise ship and sail away into the Caribbean! Predictable but still lovely, exactly what one might look for in a cozy beach read. I loved it on audiobook, especially the male narrator with an accent!

I enjoyed the beginning and the very end of the book a lot. It gave the most fun vacation vibes, and I wanted to go on a cruise myself! Hope and Felix had the cutest start with the raw food buffet line, and a pretty spicy middle, but the conflict upon conflict that started to happen was upsetting. The on and off after their initial issue made me want to put it down at times. In the end we got our HEA but the road to get there was bumpier than I would have liked.

I did enjoy the characters (Gabe excluded, the little rat) and I loved the premise. As an audiobook, I enjoyed the narrators a lot but I felt iffy when they would change their voices too much for the other characters, I would've preferred just hearing the other narrator when their respective character would speak. But they were still amazing with their respective characters.

I enjoyed this cruise ship vacation romance so much!! I especially loved that Felix, the MMC is working on himself and is at the start of his sobriety journey when he meets Hope, a newly single aspiring writer looking to let loose with her influencer friend. In spite of a (imo) unnecessary third act break up, this had a lot of emotional depth, some spice and lots of great bookish conversations between the main characters. Highly recommended for fans of books like 32 days in May or For vacation only. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio and digital copy of this dual POV sophomore contemporary romance.

Steam level: some open door scenes

This one was straight up fun to listen to.

Felix and Hope were adorable, with just the right amount of dry humor and baggage to keep me invested. The way all the characters spoke to each other is very in line with how my friends interact, so I felt right at home.

The front half of the story was pretty standard cute-summer-fare, exploring the start of Felix and Hope's relationship while they go about cruise activities. The back half, while still on the cute side, got a lot more real than I was expecting. The last hour or so lost me a little bit because it almost felt TOO real for a summer vacation story.

I was a big fan of both narrators and found them both very easy to listen to.

Overall, this was a fun and relaxing read that touches on relationship insecurities and growth.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this ALC.

This book had me laughing out loud within the first few chapters—so many hilarious moments right off the bat that instantly pulled me in. I also loved the little cruise ship nuances, especially the daily updates from the announcer, which added such charm and made the setting feel vivid and real.

The narrator did an excellent job bringing the story to life. Their performance made the emotional highs and lows hit even harder. The author took us on a true roller coaster—from fast and furious love, to heartbreak, to friendship, back to romance, a painful break, and ultimately finding each other again in a kismet, full-circle kind of way.

What I appreciated most was the realism woven throughout the story. Themes like alcoholism, self-trust, and the journey of figuring out who you truly are and what you want in life were handled with honesty and care. It made the characters and their growth feel authentic and relatable.

This was such a fun summer read. I’m usually allergic to insta-love, but in this very close / forced proximity cruise ship setting it just worked. The banter between the FMC and the MMC and also the MMC and his sisters had me cackling. I love smart asses, and everyone here was very into putting their people down with cutting remarks. Lovingly, of course. The audiobook narrators were fantastic too. Overall giving this one a solid 4 stars. Had a great time.

This was really cute and endearing! I loved how it took the reader along on a cruise and did a great job detailing the experience very well! I think in this is a perfect beach read or a vacation read as it’s fast paced and engaging.

I listened to the audiobook and for the most part I loved the narration of both Kelli Tager and Russ Bain in this duel POV book. They spoke at a good pace for the 1x speed and was easy to understand. However, I will mention that Ms Tager struggles A LOT with her accents. Thankfully with a brief exception early on, the FMCs parents are only at the end on the book for a short time because if the characters were more prevalent in the book I would not have been able to listen to the vocals for any length of time. I’m still not sure what accent the narrator was trying to do because one was a “Boston” (but a caricature and not one at all) that slid in and out of a thick NYC accent. Then for the mother of the FMC it reminded me of Little Shop of Horrors if Audrey was doing a bad inner city Rhode Island or Boston accent. (Audrey does a NY accent but I mean the other effects she has beyond the geographic location).

Anyway, I’m sorry to focus on that with it being such a short part of the book but it was at the end so it had a big impact on my experience. On the other hand I loved the British accented vocals of Mr Bain and he handled the American accent with ease.

This book comes out June 24th 2025 making it a great summer read!

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary audio ALC from MacMillian Audio through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Hope Lanover is recovering from a bad breakup, trying to find herself and in need of a vacation. Of course her influencer and high energy friend has the answer - an all expenses paid luxury cruise. Enter Felix and his family as well as a love interest for Hope. It was cute, it was funny but for me it dragged a little and could have wrapped up a bit better.



Special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book about flawed people who know that they need to work to make themselves worthy of themselves before they can love and be loved. I am not usually a fan of a third act break up but it was needed in this case to force the couple to be worthy of themselves and each other and their relationship. This was so well written and developed and was an absolute gem of a book.
The narrators were great, they had great pacing, voice acting, and the voices fit the characters perfectly.

Romance and Laughs on the High Seas

If you’re a fan of witty banter, heart-warming romance, and relatable characters navigating real-world struggles, Total Dreamboat is a must-read. This sweet romantic comedy, set against the glamorous backdrop of a luxury cruise, delivers a perfect blend of humor, heart, and human connection that will leave you smiling.

Hope Lanover gets the chance to join her influencer best friend, Lauren, on a Caribbean cruise. While Lauren is on the hunt for a wealthy husband, Hope is simply looking for a break—from a recent breakup, her soul-crushing NYC-based job, and financial chaos. Enter Felix Seagrave: a charmingly handsome, sober, and single British chef, who never planned on this cruise—until his parents gifted him and his sister tickets, setting him on a path he never expected to cross with Hope. Sparks fly after a hilarious mishap at a restaurant, and just like that, it’s insta-love...well, until it’s not. After a heart-shattering revelation, Hope and Felix find themselves marooned together in Paradise. Will being stuck in this high-pressure situation—where trust and reliance are their only options—be the key to healing the rift that’s grown between them?

The cruise setting—sun-drenched decks, exotic destinations, and decadent meals—creates a dreamy backdrop that enhances the romance without stealing the spotlight from the characters’ growth. What truly sets this story apart is the rich character development. Hope and Felix's raw vulnerability is refreshingly real, as they face relatable struggles like career stress, addiction, sobriety, and the scars of past heartbreak. It makes their journey not just compelling, but deeply rewarding.

The dialogue is quick-witted and hilariously funny, with banter that flows effortlessly and keeps you hooked. As the romance blossoms, the story strikes a perfect balance between swoon-worthy moments and emotional depth. The supporting characters—like Hope’s influencer bestie, Lauren, and Felix’s spirited, lovable sisters—bring plenty of charm and humor, all while never overshadowing the main romance.

As an audiobook, this story truly comes alive. The narrators deliver vibrant performances that capture both the wit and the emotion in every scene. Their pacing and undeniable chemistry make each moment—from playful banter to emotional confessions—feel incredibly immersive. I loved every minute of it, and the narration took an already fantastic story to a whole new level.

In short, Total Dreamboat is a refreshing, feel-good romantic comedy that delivers laughs, love, and characters you’ll root for. Perfect for anyone craving a heartfelt escape with a side of sparkling wit. Highly recommend! Let’s just say, the book cover hits differently now. IYKYK!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Katelyn Doyle for granting me access to this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁:

The perfect vacay read. It’s literally a Caribbean cruise with all the food, entertainment, excursions, drama and spice! I loved the now & then timeline, it was fun to start towards the end of the story then go back to the beginning of the cruise and watch it all unfold. The audio was great, I loved all the accents of the characters! Add now to TBR for your summer reading, but just note you may get some island fomo.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:

Hope is escaping NYC for a Caribbean cruise with her bestie. Life hasn’t gone her way lately between a bad breakup, her finances in peril, and a job sucking her soul the sunshine and ocean breeze is just what she needs.

On a cruise ship full of seniors the last thing Hope expected to find was a handsome Brit to share a vacay fling with. Honestly she wasn’t looking for anything but time off, but Felix got under her skin they had a lot in common and hit it off. But all vacay flings must come to an end and their goes down in flames with a few days of the cruise left thanks to a surprise appearance by her ex and some social media posts by her bestie.

Then things heat up when both of them are left in the Bahamas when they miss the cruise ship all aboard time. So now they are stranded in paradise with no passports, no money, no way home and will be forced to work together.

Check out this fun adventure with strangers turned fling turned enemy tropical vibes!

𝙁𝙖𝙫 𝙌𝙪𝙤𝙩𝙚:

“I want happiness. I want fulfillment. I want love… I’m going to get it.”

𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒅:

* He’s a Chef & She’s in PR
* Cruise Fling to Enemies to Lovers
* Then & Now Timelines (10 Day Tropical Vacay)
* Left in the Bahamas at Port by Cruise Ship 🇧🇸
* Forced Proximity - “Romance of The Seas”
* She’s a Brit Lit Nerd & He’s British
* Pick Same Karaoke Song - Withering Heights
* Island Excursions & Vacay Vibes
* He Lives in England & She Lives in New York
* He’s Working on His Sobriety
* Dual POV w/ Spice

💙⚓️🌊🏝️💙⚓️🌊🏝️💙⚓️🌊🏝️💙

For my fellow Mary-Kate and Ashley loving millennials, Holiday in the Sun is a nostalgic movie. I'm not alone in wanting to go to Atlantis more than anything after watching the movie! If you haven't been able to make that dream a reality, you can live vicariously through this book's FMC, Hope.

Hope is a struggling author with a job she hates. Hope takes a much needed break and joins her influencer best friend on a luxury cruise. While her best friend is hoping to snag a wealthy husband, Hope is decidedly not looking for a relationship. Enter the handsome MMC Felix, who is on the cruise with his family. Sparks fly and who can resist a vacation fling?

The main characters are both flawed yet likeable. There is plenty of witty banter and laugh out loud moments. The side characters of Hope's best friend and Felix's sisters are a fantastic addition to the story. If nothing else, the book will make you want to immediately book a Caribbean cruise. It definitely made me want to be on a beach and wish my March 2026 cruise was happening next week!

3.5 stars rounded up. There was a lot of story in what felt like not a very long book, but it was overall enjoyable and entertaining.

The audiobook was well done. It was dual narration for this dual POV story. I enjoyed the narrators performances, though I was more partial to Kelli Tager’s part. Russ Bain’s accent was pleasing to the ear too. At times things sounded a bit stilted, but I had no complaints about the tone of either narrators voice and never felt unhappy with the different male/female voices they used during their respective parts.

As for the story itself, as I noted above there was a lot going on in this book. Some was chaotic fun. Some was chaotically all over the place. The cruise ship part was a great way to put Hope and Felix in each other’s orbit and keep them in close proximity. It also created unique situations for them to interact in. They shared some steamy nights together, but I never felt an overwhelming chemistry. The fact that they got stranded together after an argument though was comical intervention by the universe to me. (Bonus points for an MK&A classic “Holiday in the Sun” reference.) All of that was fun. However, between a toxic ex popping up, an influencer BFF, an aristocratic family, and so many ups and downs and backs and forths between Hope and Felix, I felt overloaded with things happening and people to keep track of at times.

This was a quick, mostly enjoyable read to spend a few hours of the day with. Thank you to Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It's been 24 hours since I finished listening to this novel and I'm still trying to decide if I enjoyed it or if I really loathe the characters.
 
Thank you NetGalley adn MacMillan for the advanced listen!

*ARC Review*

This book just feels like summer! Loved the characters and loved the setting. The story was cute and the narration was top notch. If you are in the mood for a light and summery vacay read, this one’s for you!

Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle
Narrated by Kelli Tager; Russ Bain

I love when an audiobook has two great sounding narrators for the main characters that hook up...oops, unhook...and not telling what happens next.

Hope Lanover's quality of life is swirling down the drain. Her live in lover dumped her as soon as they started "living in" and she despises her job. Now she's with her extremely well off bestie, Lauren, a very successful social influencer who is more than willing to share the wealth. Lauren has an all expenses and more paid jaunt on a luxury cruise ship and she's taking Hope with her. How nice to have more than a week away from work except that Hope's boss won't leave her alone. Lauren's thing with her influencing right now is teaching others how to find rich older men to bring one's life to new high levels and Lauren is trying to get Hope to join in on the cultivated and somewhat fake fun.

Instead, Hope and a certain young hunk named Felix Segrave, wealthy but not old at all, fall into a joking, flirty relationship. He's sober after pretty much ruining his family's peace of mind during his two decades of drunkenness and now he's with his parents and two sisters on this cruise. The cruise is short, what's wrong with a little fling and never seeing a person again once the cruise if over? Both Hope and Felix can see the many advantages of hooking up in the moment, no pressure, no entanglements, no problem, right?

Instalust for the win! Until they share and things get so much more than either was bargaining for and then things go very, very wonky and they are STUCK with each other. Cue instahate! The back and forth between these two is what sold me, Hope is funny all on her own and then she meets her match in Felix. How is she ever going to go back to her crummy life after this cruise? How can so much happen in such a short time? And what was Lauren thinking when she did THAT!?!??!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

In a modern romantic comedy, the chaos of a cruise ship getaway becomes the unexpected setting for an opposites-attract romance. When Hope boards the luxury cruise at her lowest point, she is upset from a failed relationship and dispirited by a demanding boss. Opposite her, Felix, a disciplined and recently sober chef, reluctantly joins the trip out of familial obligation. Did I mention he is wealthy, has a title, and is English? Structured and solitary by nature, Felix is struggling with the carefree setting of a cruise, especially when it pulls him away from the sanctuary of his restaurant. Hope and Felix cross paths at check-in, and their spark is undeniable. Agreed to just a vacation fling, it soon evolves into more emotionally complex as they confront wounds from past relationships. The two get into a heated argument, which leaves them stranded together on an island after missing the boat from an excursion, forcing them to rely on each other and into forced proximity.

Hope's journey from uncertainty and self-doubt to rediscovering her voice and sense of identity is a rewarding one. Not to be overlooked is the standout supporting character Lauren, Hope's best friend, and the reason for the trip. As she is hunting for a wealthy husband, her humor, heart, and levity create the comedy you need. Her presence provides a delightful contrast to Hope's more introspective arcs, offering moments of genuine laughter.

The audio version of the book was fun and expertly done. Overall, this is a romantic comedy that strikes a balance between lighthearted charm and emotional depth. It is a testament to following your passion and the sometimes turbulent path to love.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review and provide my honest feedback.