A perfect summer beach read. This romance features a couple that meets on a cruise ship, and we follow the ups and downs of the growth of themselves and their relationship. The relationship was messy, but I liked where everything landed in the end.

This book was such a treat! I enjoyed it from start to finish. The story line, the characters, the location, the banter and chemistry - just adorable. The characters and their stories just felt real - the way they interacted, the way they went about their daily life - the ups and downs and everything in between. It felt like catching up with an old friend. Hope joins her best friend on a luxury cruise where she meets Felix, who is on the boat celebrating his parents anniversary. Sparks fly at first site, until secrets are revealed. When they find themselves stranded in the Caribbean, will they work through their issues? If you are looking for a summer vacation read, I definitely would add this to your bag (or kindle!)

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

🎧 Title: Total Dreamboat
✍️ Author: Katelyn Doyle
🎙️ Narrator(s): Kelli Tager & Russ Bain
🗓️ Release Date: June 24, 2024
📚 Format: Audiobook (ARC) — provided by @netgalley and @macmillan.audio in exchange for an honest review.

🌟 Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

A swoony, sun-soaked romance with real emotional depth and irresistible narration.

⸻

💖 Tropes/Themes:
• Strangers to Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Dual POV
• Emotional Healing
• Second Chances
• Travel Romance
• Recovery/Personal Growth

⸻

🎧 Audiobook Performance:
The dual narration by Kelli Tager and Russ Bain is spot-on, elevating the story with heart and nuance.
• Kelli Tager perfectly channels Hope’s wit, vulnerability, and inner strength with warmth and relatability.
• Russ Bain lends Felix a restrained charm that slowly peels back to reveal deep emotional complexity.
• Their chemistry is undeniable, and the pacing feels just right—never rushed, never dragging.
• Production quality is crisp, immersive, and free of distractions. A flawless listening experience.

⸻

📖 Story Review:
I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a romantic cruise, emotional depth, and a snarky yet heartfelt heroine—and Total Dreamboat delivered on all counts.

Hope boards a cruise with her best friend, desperate to hit reset after a rough patch. Falling in love wasn’t on the itinerary—until she meets Felix, a handsome British passenger with a dry wit and a guarded heart. Their flirtation is fun, but what really stands out is how real their connection feels, especially once things start going off-course (literally).

Stranded far from the ship after a misadventure ashore, Hope and Felix are forced to rely on one another to make it back. What begins as a breezy vacation romance takes on unexpected emotional weight as Felix’s recovery from alcoholism and struggle with vulnerability come to light. The dual POV allows both characters’ emotional arcs to shine, making their journey toward each other feel authentic and well-earned.

The balance of humor, longing, and self-discovery is beautifully handled. It’s not just about falling in love—it’s about learning to show up for yourself and someone else, even when it’s hard.

“I didn’t plan on falling for anyone. Especially not someone who sees through every one of my carefully built walls.”

⸻

✅ Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely!
• Perfect for fans of Emily Henry or Tessa Bailey.
• If you enjoyed The Love Boat vibes but wanted more emotional payoff, this is your pick.
• Great for readers who love emotionally honest romance with travel shenanigans, British charm, and deep personal growth.

⸻

📝 Final Thoughts:
Total Dreamboat is so much more than a vacation fling—it’s a heartfelt, hilarious, and hope-filled romance that proves the best love stories happen when you’re not looking. Katelyn Doyle’s writing is sharp, soulful, and laugh-out-loud funny. This is one of those audiobooks that stays with you long after it ends. I’ll be watching for whatever she writes next.

⸻

📣 Disclaimers & Tags:
• This audiobook was provided for free in exchange for an honest review.
• CW: Alcoholism, recovery, mention of past emotional trauma

ARC REVIEW (6/24/25): total dreamboat by katelyn doyle 🛳️ an irresistible romcom about what happens when a cruise ship romance goes...overboard.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A MORE PERFECT ROMANCE FOR ME? sorry, I’m done yelling. this is literally a romcom that takes place on a cruise. and if you know me, me & cruising are like this 🤞🏻, honey.

my bestie and I have always joked about *cruise boyfriends* on our (what’s shaping up to be) yearly cruises so actually seeing this real life trope explored in a book had me giggling 💙 with that said, I can be super critical about my *special interests* in books but I’m happy to say that cruising was represented in SUCH a swell (HA) way!

🌴 I adored the antics the two meddling sisters & influencer bff brought to the deck. kelli tager and russ bain do a terrific job narrating this romance! they captured hope’s vulnerability and felix’s emotional distance quite well.

imo, I wasn't expecting the twist at the 40% mark as it was a bit too coincidental… & the ending almost felt TOO real for a fun, summertime romance 🌊 when our love interests were on the ship together, I was singing karaoke right along with them. but after that, the chemistry wasn’t there for me.

my happy place has always been on a ship out at sea so please, do not disturb- I’m booking a cruise asap… bon voyage 🌤️👙 3.5 stars! (overall rating rounded up)

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 319 / Genre: Romcom
Audiobook Narrator: Kelli Tager and Russ Bain
Duration: 9 hours
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Hope Lanover is still reeling from a breakup and has a miserable job thanks to her insufferable boss. So when her best friend invites her on a 10-day, all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise, she jumps at the chance to escape her depressing reality. Onboard, she meets handsome, brooding, rich Felix Segrave, a recovering alcoholic and workaholic chef who’s on holiday with his family from England. What follows is a sweet, funny, opposites-attract romcom full of romance and ridiculous scenarios all on a cruise vacation—my absolute favorite kind of vacation! So, of course I loved it.

The story was made even better by narrators Kelli Tager and Russ Bain on the audiobook. They did an excellent job bringing the characters to life.

Thank you, @greatlyn, @flatironbooks, and @macmillan.audio for my free paperback and audiobook. #FlatironPartner #MacAudio2025 #macmillanaudio

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly for myself I have to DNF this one as an audiobook. I do plan on reading this as a physical book when I get my OwlCrate SE in the mail.

For the audio, DNF'd at 5% into the book. I just couldn't get past the flighty and ditzy best friend of the FMC and the fake southern accent of the FMC. It was just too much for me. And that's just a me thing not anything against the narrator.

Hope and Felix find themselves on a luxury Caribbean cruise, both needing kind of a reset. Hope’s been flailing since her ex dumped her, hates her job, and hardly makes enough to get by anyway. Her BFF influencer gets a free trip that includes a plus-one, so off they go for some fun!

Felix is guilted into this cruise by his parents and sisters—he can’t say no to a chance to spend time together even if he’s way more comfortable in his routine, which helps him stay sober and safe.

As they keep getting thrown together, they decide there’s nothing wrong with a harmless vacation fling, right? They could both use it, there’s some serious attraction, and they just have so much fun together. Until feelings become involved, misunderstandings ensue, and they find themselves stranded and forced to team up…

I LOVED this book! I loved these two flawed but genuinely likeable people dealing with underlying demons and trying to navigate newfound situations and feelings. Hope and Felix had some legit depth and issues while the book still kept true to a light and fun romcom. I laughed out loud a LOT and could really picture the scenes. The side characters added a lot too—Hope’s BFF was definitely over the top and a good foil for her; Felix’s sisters were hilarious. Overall, a perfect summer beach read!

And, the audio narration was fantastic! Kelli Tager and Russ Bain brought so much to the story. It’s so true that narrators can make or break the story, and these two made it.

Finished 6/19/2025

TW: Past alcoholism

I had a fun time with this one. I loved their cruise ship fling but when the misunderstanding hits, it hits hard! The miscommunication in this was done so well and I think it's because it wasnt used for the typical third act break up. I loved that Hope was described as "dry" and Felix was just like "thats my type" lmao. They had great banter, I loved sassy Hope! I loved the story, it was so fun even in those frustrating moments. Their relationship trajectory while having them work on their own issues came thru so well.

First time author for me ! Super long chapters but the constant flipping POVs made it seem like several different chapters.

Audiobook narrators: Kelli Tager, Russ Bain
Dual POV, First Person
Tropes: Vacation fling, Insta-Love, Forced Proximity, Sobriety representation
Notable Microtropes: Stranded together, One Bed, He falls first
Spice: 1.5/5

Listened at 1.5x speed.
First time listening to both of these narrators! They both had great deliveries and were super expressive. There was this one moment when the FMC was arguing and frustrated and Kelli did so so good with that performance! Not sure what's Russ's real accent, but did great with both American and British ones. Both getting added to my favorites list!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an ALC.

3.5 ⭐️

After a bad breakup, Hope reluctantly joins her bestie on a luxury cruise. Felix, an overworked chef, would rather be anywhere else than on this ship. Neither expects much until they lock eyes at check-in and sparks fly.

I was hooked on this super cute premise immediately. The dual-narrated audiobook was so much fun, especially hearing Felix’s English accent. I was truly kicking my feet at how perfectly the narrators voiced these characters!!

That said, while the story started strong, my interest tapered off as it went on. The miscommunication toward the end really slowed the pace for me, and I found myself a bit frustrated with the back-and-forth. Even so, the narrators kept me invested all the way to the last page.

Huge thank you to Flatiron for the ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!!

Total Dreamboat starts with two people stranded at a dock after their cruise takes off without them to the next port. Then the story of these two passengers who had a cruise romance unfolds and explains how they ended up there. This was such a cute romcom. Lots of dry humor, steamy romance, honest feelings and insecurities and lovable side characters. All with a perfect summer setting in the Caribbean. I did the audio and loved it.

This book is a perfect beach read. Two strangers become fast lovers then haters. Very predictable but a fun read nonetheless.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.

3.75 stars rounded up. This was a sweet little story about finding love, unexpectedly, while on a cruise. Hope and Felix are both on a cruise that they don’t really want to be on when they meet and sparks fly. There were a few times the story didn’t hold my interest, but overall it flowed really nicely and was very cute! This was dual narrated with Felix and Hope alternating chapters, so that added an extra element to the audio book that I really enjoyed. It’s always nice when the characters have their own voices. Perfect book for summer or a beach vacation!

Can I listen to this audiobook for the first time again?? I wish!!
I couldn’t stop listening once I started!

Hope Lanover is so relatable as she figures out her life after a failed relationship and her lost sense of self. Her journey of finding herself while on a luxury cruise is such a fun setting, especially since she doesn’t even want to be there in the first place. Hope and Felix couldn't be more different, but their dynamic is fire, and I loved every moment of their slow-burn romance. The tension, the witty banter, and their chemistry is undeniable.

The tropical setting is the perfect backdrop for this love story, and the narrators brings it all to life in such a beautiful way. They totally nailed the personalities of Hope and Felix, which made the listening experience much more interesting.

The story kept me so invested! Will Hope and Felix make it through their emotional hurdles? Will they find love and healing together?

This is a swoon-worthy adventure. a cute rom-com with the perfect amount of tension! I absolutely loved Total Dreamboat.

Total Dreamboat is a breezy, heartfelt romantic comedy set aboard a Caribbean cruise. A perfect summer read. The story centers on Hope Lanover, freshly heartbroken and struggling in life, and Felix Segrave, a work‑driven British chef committed to staying sober. When they meet at check‑in, what begins as a playful fling blooms into something deeper until tensions surface and a misunderstanding strands them together in the Bahamas, forcing them to confront their feelings and personal baggage.

The banter and setting were both big parts of the story. The chemistry between Hope and Felix is quick and engaging, carried by witty dialogue and cruise‑ship charm, complete with karaoke nights, buffets, and moonlit island walks.

The side characters added a ton to the story. Hope’s influencer bestie and Felix’s sisters bring a charm that is unmatched.

The story was narrated by Kelli Tager and Russ Bain. I believe this was my first time listening to both of them and they were wonderful. They both portrayed their own characters and the side characters with absolute accuracy.

Thanks to Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Listener Copy.

With a terrible job, a recent break up and just overall burnout - Hope needs a vacation and so she jumps at the chance for an all expense paid 2 week cruise with her best friend (although she really isn’t a cruise person). Felix is a grumpy chef with control issues - but his parents buy tickets for him and his two sisters for a family cruise, and so he has to go. After their eyes meet during check in, both decide a fun cruise fling is just what they need. But then when Hope’s ex show up on the cruise and begins to cause trouble, the fling is no longer so much fun - but unfortunately they both developed deeper feelings for each other.

This was a cute, quick read and I’ll admit that I was a bit bummed when I had to put it down to drive my daughter up to the camp where she is going to be a counselor for the summer (she kicked us out 5 minutes after we arrived). I enjoyed the first half of the novel more than the second and I found the ending a bit unrealistic (I get HEA but this pushed it for me). That being said I liked the main characters as well as Felix’s sisters (and their banter) - Hope’s best friend grew on me but I was not a fan at first. I really did enjoy the narrators for the part of the audiobook that I listened to (I think I read more than half of it) - loved Felix’s English accent. For me this super light read was great for my day on Monday, but you need to want something fluffy and sometimes that is exactly what I want.

3.75 stars

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ALC to review

🎧 Book Review 🎧 Cruising was our family’s vacation of choice growing up and so I had my fair share of cruise romances growing up. Granted these were cute little teenage flings that meant grabbing a milkshake at Johnny Rockets with our friend group but many of the relationships with people I met cruising the world lasted a lifetime. A big shoutout to Katelyn Doyle for translating those amazing nostalgic feelings to a grown-up rom com that sizzles and ushers in summer with a bang. Hope reluctantly tags along with her influencer friend on a cruise, desperately in need of a break from her reality. Also unhappily cruising along on Romance of the Seas with his family is British Felix. Perhaps they can cure the dread of being stuck in their perceived floating hell with a vacation romance. But we all know expiration dates are easier said than done..Total Dreamboat delivers the summer escape we have all been dreaming of.

I absolutely loved Total Dreamboat. The entire plot was so good, had me hooked from the jump, and kept me wanting more. I could not put it down. The characters were awesome and I loved watching both of them develop and grow. I also loved the underlying message. I felt deeply moved while also utterly satisfied. Honestly, this would be a fantastic movie!! This is my first book by Katelyn Doyle and I look forward to reading more. I listened to the audiobook and both of the narrators did a fantastic job. 🩵🩷

I would like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

I loved this book! It had both great characters, so much cruise ship fun, but also emotional depth! I especially loved the male narrator - he did an excellent job of conveying Felix's emotions. Overall, this was a fun summer romance book that I enjoyed!

Romance can be a tough genre to write. No, really.

Two people falling in love on a cruise ship, only to be stranded in a foreign country? It sounds far-fetched—cheesy, even. In the hands of a lesser author, it would be. But Katelyn Doyle isn’t one of those authors.

She excels at writing contemporary romances that are as believable as they are entertaining. Her characters feel real, her banter sparkles, and the chemistry is always convincing. I loved her debut, Just Some Stupid Love Story, and this follow-up only confirms her talent.

The structure—starting at the height of the conflict, then rewinding to the beginning—hooks you immediately. And the conflict itself? Much more nuanced than expected. The emotional arc is thoughtful and well-paced, making the final reunion between Hope and Felix feel earned.

Both leads are likable individually and even better together. Doyle handles tricky tropes like insta-love and miscommunication with surprising authenticity. The side characters, especially Lauren and Felix’s sisters, add humor and depth.

I normally read before I listen, but I had the chance to experience this audiobook first—and I’m so glad I did. The narrators were spot-on, bringing just the right emotional nuance to each scene.

Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for the ALC. I enjoyed this book. It was romantic, fun and totally rom-com. Hope needs a vacation from life. She just got dumped and her friend puts them on a romance cruise. It is not all smooth sailing for Hope but romance might be on the agenda. Fun summer read.