While I loved the premise of the book, there were some plot holes that took me out of the story. The sobriety story line is one I wished would have been developed more. We know he struggled and had some redemption, but we never knew how deep it was or why it ended his engagement. For Hope’s story, there was a lot of chaos surrounding her job, but then it was just an afterthought. The spicy scenes were either too short or the author skipped right over them. Those were not consistent or developed enough. However, I loved how the characters were flawed and they knew it. Each was working on themselves in a way that felt realistic. I also loved Lauren and Felix’s sisters!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and Katelyn Doyle for providing me and eaudio arc of this to review. The following will be my honest thoughts.
Total Dreamboat was seriously laugh-out-loud funny! Katelyn Doyle gives us such a fun, cinematic premise: two people stuck on a cruise ship together, only to miss the ship at a port and end up stranded. Oh and the opening scene is them discovering they both missed the book all the while giving enemies vibes. Then in goes back in time to the start of the cruise when they meet! That was a fun introduction and if ever watched Holiday in the Sun with Mary-Kate and Ashley, you’ll appreciate the reference!
The cruise setting was a perfect playground for some real drama—The MMC’s family is on board (love two sisters) and adds an extra layer of fun as they navigate the sparks flying between them. And can we talk about her bestie, the influencer? And her antics to snag a rich sugar daddy. All these moving parts made it feel like I was watching a movie, in the best way.
The main conflict later in the book didn’t feel cheap or forced, either. It seems inconceivable when they’re falling for each other but trust.
A few qualms, though… The whole “it’s casual” lie they keep telling themselves got a bit tedious after a while. Like, come on—BSFFR. And there’s a karaoke scene that I could have done without (I am firmly anti-serenade in books). Very much giving Ryan Gosling in the Barbie Movie.
The biggest issue for me was the MMC, which is a bummer because he had so much going for him: a chef, British accent, reading Brontë and Dickinson—yes, please! But his whole posh “I’m not looking for anything serious” vibe was a turnoff. Maybe it’s just me being burned out on 39-year-old men on Hinge who are “not sure what they want,” but it didn’t work. Plus, his character felt a bit inconsistent—sweet and gentlemanly one moment, then weirdly jealous or distant the next.
Still, the banter was top-notch, and the chemistry between the leads was undeniable. Even if I didn’t fall head over heels for the MMC, I definitely rooted for them to find their happily-ever-after. Total Dreamboat? Maybe not for me personally, but absolutely a fun escape for anyone who wants to be swept away by a rom-com at sea.

Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan audio for the early audio arc.
I enjoyed this book it's a great summer rom-com. I love it mostly set on a cruise great for vacation.It has a lot of laughable moments and dual pov. The narrators did a good job with the story that it keeps you engaged.

I don’t think I would have enjoyed this as much as I did without the audiobook 🥹 Felix and Hope were so cute. I needed a fun / cute summer read to cleanse my book pallet. I really loved the part of the book where they did all the cruise activities. The banter between them and as well as their friends was everything. Made me laugh at so many different parts of the book. Truly enjoyed it. Highly recommend.

Hope is in the dumps. The man she thought she'd marry has discarded her and left her in financial distress. Her best friend, who is an online influencer, has snagged a Caribbean cruise for two so off they go.

Hope is not looking for a romance, but almost immediately meets a man, Felix, who is on vacation with his parents and sisters. Their attraction is immediate and they start a relationship, although they know it will end when the cruise ends. And it escalates rapidly until it comes to a screeching halt.

But that's not the end of the story. They ultimately each need the other to survive a very tricky situation.

Great story with angst filled events. I thought it was a very interesting story. I had the audio book and the narrators were wonderful.

*~* Most Delicious Male Narrator *~*

When Hope's shrimp shell lands in Felix's hair, neither of them know just how much their lives will change during this senior's cruise.
That's right. You read that sentence correctly. This book was outrageous in the best way. The banter, the quirky characters, the misadventures, the friendships, the journey of self-discovery and old love finding its way back - it all came together to make the perfect summer read.

Thank you to Net Galley, Macmillan audio, and Katelyn Doyle for an ALC of this story.

This was a fun and light read, perfect for summer! After a tough breakup, Hope joins her influencer best friend on a free cruise. She keeps running into Felix, who’s on board celebrating his parents’ anniversary. Their connection is sweet and flirty, and it starts to feel like more than just a vacation fling.

Things get complicated when Hope’s ex shows up unexpectedly. There’s some drama, misunderstandings, and tension—especially when Felix gets pulled into the influencer world without meaning to.

I really enjoyed the cruise setting and the mix of romance and real emotions. It’s a great pick if you want something easy to enjoy with a bit of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a free ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.

1. a cruise umm yes please
2. fast lovers umm yes please!
3. what happens in the book. not a fan but SOO needed.
I adored this book! I couldnt wait to get back to it. The characters were perfect. i felt what they felt and wanted to continue with them through the book. I felt they all grew as characters. I havent read something that made me laugh and smile but be heartbroken at the same time in a while that was outside of my usual genre. I have already recommended to my friends as a must read this summer!

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5

Hope and Felix have both ended up on a cruise packed with mostly folks a few decades older than them: Hope with her influencer friend and Felix with his family for his parents' anniversary. They quickly hit it off, both hoping for a ship romance and nothing more.

This was such a fun lovely read. Much like Just Some Stupid Love Story, Katelyn brings in complex characters and drops them into forced proximity on a cruise. I enjoyed Hope's story a lot. The dual narration was also great. Give this a read if you enjoy:
- cruise atmosphere/the Caribbean
- set during vacation
- forced proximity
- meddling friends and exes
- influencer characters

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an ALC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book will be published on 6/24/25. I'll be posting to Instagram closer to publication

You know what the dudes in this book have? The MF absolute AUDACITY. There was a solid few chapters where I wanted to throw some ‘bows on Felix. And don’t even get me started on Gabe 👿

There could have been more groveling, but overall the witty dialogue, family ribbing as a love language, and general emotional back and forth kept me choo chooing right along. I can’t help but love a plot line chalk full of a comedy of errors.

Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the ARC. Both narrators had great performances!

I loved this book for the fact that it was unique and quirky.
The plot was unique. It wasn't the typical insta-love (the romance does move quickly, but it isn't in a cheesy, insta-love sort of way) on a cruise premise that I thought. It, in fact, is a cruise love story that had relatable actions (for the most part).
Hope, our FMC, is on a cruise with her bestie/influencer friend. She has been struggling with most of the important aspects of her life - ie: jobs and relationships.
Felix, our MMC, is on a cruise with his family. He is newly sober and trying to figure out life with his new commitment to his sobriety as a British pub owner.
Felix and Hope have a whirlwind of a romance on board until a mistaken social media post wrecks everything.
Unfortunately, our two MCs get stranded off the boat on an island without most of what they need (passports, phones, money). So they have to now rely on one another to meet basic survival needs.
Real life happens, and we get to ride with them on the emotional journey to falling in love!
I don't want to give away too much!
Dual POV.
The plot was well structured. The pace was great, there was a time midway through the book that I felt the plot slowed just a little too much, but it quickly picked back up.
The characters were well-developed. They were also relatable. The banter was great.
I enjoyed this one!
The perfect quick vacation read!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

Starting out I didnt have incredibly high hopes that I'd enjoy this book, but by halfway through I didnt want to stop reading. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators were well chosen.

This book was just the right amount of fun to keep me engaged, and the characters kept me laughing while simultaneously pulling at my heart strings. The growth of the MMC especially is something to be appreciated. This book just *feels* like a summer read and I would recommend this book to anybody looking for something to fit that bill.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

I am a huge fan of "The Love Boat" TV show, so I was quite excited to read this book. Forced proximity strangers to lovers romance on a cruise ship? Yes, please. The writing was beautiful and descriptive as if I was there with them. The banter between both MC's was fun and made me laugh out loud during certain scenes. There was just enough spice to not deter from the plot while advancing their relationship. In addition, I really liked the focus on Felix's sobriety. As someone who is also sober, I don't see that representation often in books so I appreciate the author for including that.

Unfortunately, I did get bored several times while reading. Sometimes the book felt fast-paced and other times it was way too slow. I see that many reviewers enjoyed the meddling from family and friends of the MCs, but I didn't like it at all (just a personal preference!) I also was not a fan of a person from someone's past cropping up. Everything was already complicated and that scenario just added to the drama. I felt it was unnecessary.

Overall, I'd rate this 3.5 out of 5. It was fun to read, but fell flat for me at times. I rarely listen to audiobooks, but I loved the dual narrators. They made it a pleasure to listen to this book. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC audiobook.

This was such a cute, quick, easy read. I'm a sucker for books that take place on cruise ships, and this is one of them that's been well done. I feel like we saw plenty of the islands as well as the stereotypical cruise ship offerings, which is what I hope for when I pick up one of these books. I want to be emersed in a vacation while I'm stuck at work.

I enjoyed both Felix and Hope as characters. Their growth was nice to watch and it didn't seem like either of them were emotionally immature, though they did have their flaws. I was pleasantly surprised by the moment that split them up the first time. I wondered what might cause it since Gabe had already shown up and they made it past that. The Instagram account being secretly shared with Felix was something I didn't see coming. It was an interesting way to create conflict between the two and have them experience a break up. I did think Felix overreacted, but I can understand why he reacted the way he did from his POV.

My only complaint is that I did find it overly convenient that the first day or two, Hope and Felix were constantly in the same place on the ship. The odds of that happening in real life are slim. Overall, this was a really fun contemporary romance that makes me want to go on a beach vacation ASAP.

This story was very cute and a cozy rom com! I enjoyed this book a lot. I felt like it was relatable to just about everyone. Especially anyone who has gone through a break up, but also to anyone whose dream is a vacation romance/fling!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ // Audio ARC via Macmillan Audio & NetGalley

A cruise ship fling, a forced detour, and a whole lot of heart—Total Dreamboat is a rom-com that delivers both laughs and emotional depth.

Hope Lanover is in desperate need of a reset. Her relationship has imploded, her creative spark has dimmed, and she’s lost touch with the confident woman she once was. When her best friend invites her on a luxury cruise, Hope reluctantly agrees, despite not being a “cruise person” .

Enter Felix Segrave: a sober, single, workaholic chef who detests leaving his restaurant behind. But when his parents surprise him and his sisters with cruise tickets, he can’t refuse—he’s let them down too many times before .

Hope and Felix are prepared to endure the cruise… until they lock eyes at check-in. Suddenly, ten days in the Caribbean don’t seem so bad if it means a fling with a sexy stranger. But when their personal demons catch up to them and a massive fight leaves them stranded in paradise, they must work together—not to mention share a bed—to make their way home. Can they navigate the stormy seas of love, or will they face romantic shipwreck?

Doyle’s writing is sharp and engaging, blending humor with heartfelt moments. The dual POV allows readers to connect deeply with both protagonists, understanding their vulnerabilities and growth. The tropical setting adds a delightful backdrop to their evolving relationship.

The audiobook narration by Macmillan Audio enhances the experience, capturing the nuances of each character and the story’s emotional beats. It’s a compelling listen that brings the narrative to life.

While the story is largely enjoyable, a few plot points felt a bit rushed, and some emotional resolutions could have been more fleshed out. However, these minor issues don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.

If you’re a fan of witty banter, forced proximity, and characters finding themselves as they find love, Total Dreamboat is worth boarding.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an advance listening copy of #TotalDreamboat. A luxury cruise is the setting for this sweet romance. 4 stars.

Total Dreamboat is a cute summer romance. The narrators did an excellent job narrating the two characters points of view. The one complaint with narration is when the female narrator narrated her dad, I felt like the dad‘s accent changed, sometimes British, sometimes New Yorker. This was a cute story. both main characters, Felix and Hope seem to be searching for more. Hope and her best friend Lauren, who is an influencer, are traveling on a cruise ship when they meet Felix and his family. His family is traveling on the cruise to celebrate his parents anniversary. Hope is at a crossroad, not fulfilled by work, recently broken up with, been dealing with her parents sudden divorce. Hope meets Felix and there is an instant connection. As luck would have it, someone from Hope’s past shows up and causes havoc. The book gets a little long, but overall is enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan publishing for the advance listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

This book is an absolute rollercoaster—in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, it had me hooked with nonstop laughs, unexpected twists, and a ton of heart. It’s one of those rare reads that keeps you giggling all the way through while also making you feel every emotion right alongside the characters.

If you're a fan of the miscommunication trope, you're in for a treat—this story takes it to the max, but in such a smart and satisfying way. Nothing feels forced or frustrating. The misunderstandings are so well written and believable that I found myself completely understanding where both characters were coming from. I wasn’t just entertained—I was invested.

There are so many moments that are laugh-out-loud funny, delightfully absurd, and deeply moving. The emotional depth and quirky humor are beautifully balanced, making this book not just a rom-com, but a truly memorable journey. It was a fantastic escape and one of the most epic, heartwarming love stories I’ve read in a while.

What really stood out to me was how the two main characters grew—not just together, but as individuals. Watching them fall in love, face their pasts, and start chasing their dreams was incredibly uplifting. This story is full of charm, hope, and genuine love, and I adored every minute of it.

This was an enjoyable romance set aboard a cruise ship with American girl meeting British boy. They don't expect to fall for each other but of course they do and you know the distance will be the downfall at the end. Yes the storyline is predictable but this is the perfect book for when you want to read something and not have to overthink. The writing is sensational and there are so many times when I burst out laughing. Hope was a quirky female character! The audiobook was narrated on point and I loved hearing the mixture of accents.