3.5* rounded up! This is an easy read perfect for escaping on a summer day. ironically, it's the third book I've read this year that takes place on a cruise ship. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect to this one and bodies were dropping versus just one. My biggest beef was Poppy and Isaiah's relationship felt rushed and random, but without dragging out the build up and knowing they had a finite amount of time on the ship, it worked. They just didn't reel me in completely as the mystery was more my jam. I liked Phoebe and Axel's appearance and wished there was a little more of them. I liked the ending as it kept me guessing!

Romantic Suspense is a newer genre for me and I'm enjoying it. This book had a great deal going on and is sure to appeal to many readers:
✨Tropes & Themes✨
🪸Cruise Ship
🌊 Angst & Slow Burn
🪸Murder Mystery
🌊 Off Limits
🪸 Anti Hero
🌊Shared Cabin
🪸 Revenge
🌊 Reluctant Allies
🪸Detective X Pop Star

Thank you to Kate Callaghan/Callaghanwriter and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The situation ship was such a fun and easy read! I do think the mystery was semi-predictable but I still enjoyed it! I think the themes made this a perfect read for summer and the mystery was such a nice little twist with the romance involved. I loved the characters and the banter between them. Overall I think this is great for anyone who just wants a quick easy read but still wants to be entertained the entire time!

A charming blend of mystery and romance!

This was a delightful murder mystery rom-com with an engaging plot, clever twists, and well-developed characters. The story kept me turning pages, eager to see how everything would unfold.

I did feel that the romantic relationship between the two main characters developed a bit too quickly, a little more buildup and time for them to truly connect would have made their dynamic feel even more satisfying.

That said, the book was thoroughly enjoyable and held my interest right through to the end. A fun and entertaining read for fans of cozy mysteries with a romantic twist!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

Here we meet Poppy and Isaiah. A pop princess and her detective bodyguard, together on a 2 week cruise with deadly consequences…

Oh my goodness - I devoured this book in one day. Absolutely loved it. I loved the plot, the characters and the relationship. I really enjoyed the morally grey FMC/MMC - you can’t condone what they did but you’re still rooting for them. I adored Mina and I laughed out loud at some of the things Poppy said. I think there could have been a bit more romance-y bits between Poppy and Isaiah but that’s the romantic in me asking for that. I liked the dual POV - always a bonus. I especially loved the section letting us know where the spicy chapters were if we wanted to avoid - I had never seen this before and thought it was so inclusive and thoughtful and meant everyone could enjoy the book.

Would definitely read something by Kate again - are we getting Mina’s book?!

Thank you to Net Galley and Kate Callaghan for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I requested this eARC because of the title and cover and I had a great time with it!

If you’re looking for a fun murder mystery romance between a pop star who is either a murderer or the next to be murdered, and her bodyguard who is actually a cop trying to figure out if she’s a murderer, and a whodunnit on a cruise ship then I’d highly recommend this book. I felt like it was more murder mystery focused than romance as the romance subplots are a bit rushed whereas the mystery is drawn out.

A few smaller things I didn’t like. I kept catching details about the ship or the people and thinking hm this will be important for later and I was right. Except that later was in 3-5 pages and it took away all the suspense. I also didn’t like the heavy virtual signaling of oh this celebrity donates the PR packages she gets sent isn’t she SUCH a good person, and oh this criminal boss guy doesn’t do anything with women or drugs or children so it’s okay that our MMC is friends with him (I’m still confused on what criminal boss man does tbh)

I did not guess the ending and my guess wasn’t even a red herring that was explored so I was way off. Overall a good time and a fun beach read mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Situation Ship by Kate Callaghan. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Told in dual POV, this story follows pop superstar Poppy Roe and brooding Irish detective Isaiah Rivers. When people in Poppy’s orbit start turning up dead, Isaiah suspects she’s involved. Ordered to take a vacation by his captain, he instead accepts an assignment as Poppy’s personal bodyguard aboard the luxury yacht Midas. As the body count rises in a setting where Poppy couldn’t possibly be the culprit, the two must work together to uncover the truth—and survive.

This book is a perfect blend of mystery and slow-burn, high-heat romance. I loved the mix of tension and tenderness between the leads. Poppy is a fierce and compassionate heroine determined to reclaim her independence, while Isaiah is a smoking hot, morally gray MMC with undeniable chemistry with her. Their dynamic crackles on the page.

The pacing was strong throughout, with clues revealed steadily rather than saved all for the end. Around the three-quarter mark, some new characters are introduced somewhat abruptly—but fans of Callaghan’s earlier work will recognize them from a previous book. Once their role became clearer, their presence added a fun layer of intrigue to the story.

If you enjoy romantic suspense with spice, layered characters, and a bit of a jet-set thriller vibe, this is one to grab. 4 stars and I’ll definitely be reading more from Kate Callaghan!

Thank you to Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my opinion!

Things I enjoyed about this book:
-The banter
-The murder mystery aspect
-The cruise ship setting
-The dual POV

Poppy is a celebrity and she's taking a cruise to get away from it all so that she can relax. Only she's in the middle of a murder spree. The people around her are dying and she doesn't know who she can trust. There are so many potential suspects, but you may be surprised when you find out who is behind it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for providing me with this ARC!

I really tried to push through, but unfortunately, this one didn’t quite work for me. I DNF at 26%. The writing style didn’t fully resonate with me, which made it a bit difficult to stay engaged. Of course, that’s a matter of personal preference, and I can see how the tone and pacing might appeal to other readers.

I also had trouble connecting with the characters, which impacted my ability to stay invested in the story. A deeper emotional connection may have helped strengthen the narrative for me.

That said, if you're a fan of murder mysteries with a romantic edge, this could still be worth checking out.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

I loved this book. Kate Callaghan does it again with a great story with strong character relationships. I wasn’t sure if I would like this setup with the cruise but it was done so well! Highly recommend!!!!!

I loved this book and it did not disappoint! I love Kate’s style of writing and the storyline.
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor.

When Poppy Roe boards ‘The Midas’ for a luxurious 2 week cruise the last thing she expects to be doing is running from a serial-killer. Thankfully, her new bodyguard Detective Isaiah Rivers is by her side (in more ways than one…) to try and help her get to the bottom of the puzzling mystery. But as the days pass by and they get further from land the killer inches closer. Stuck at sea with nowhere to run or hide, will Poppy make it back to her life of glitz and glamour or will ‘The Midas’ be her last curtain call?

✅ I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy -
• Murder mystery & romance books
• Angst, anti-hero, cruise ship setting, dual POV, off limits, reluctant allies, revenge & slow burn themes/tropes
🔞This book contains mature content not suitable for those under the age of 18.
‼️It also includes mentions of trauma, stalking, murder & emotional/physical abuse which may be triggering.

The Situation Ship is a fun, fast paced murder mystery featuring romance, suspense and a plot that will keep you guessing. Although the book features some serious themes it has quick witted banter and a good comedic side too. It’s easy to follow - not complicated or confusing so it’s great for anyone wanting an easy going read.

Poppy Roe (FMC) is a confusing but likeable character. She’s a famous singer with a tragic past and has more than a few skeletons in her closet. Despite her ‘past behaviour’ which I can only describe as immoral actions with moral reasoning her heart does seem to be in the right place. I really felt like she just wanted to be loved and accepted for who she really is. I was relieved to see the change in her behaviour and way of thinking as it made it much easier to root for her!

Isaiah (MMC) is also extremely likeable. He’s a detective with a strong mind and strong morals. Like Poppy, he too has a ‘checkered past’ but again there’s more to the story than meets the eye. He’s fiercely protective but I loved the vulnerability we see during the chapter where they share their pasts with one another. It was also a nice change in pace from the rest of the mayhem going on around them.

When it came to the romance I wasn’t knocked off my feet. Although I liked both characters and was happy with the end result, it all happened very quickly. There was a huge shift in Isaiah’s opinion in a very short space of time and I really felt like there was a missed opportunity to explore the connection on a deeper level.
The murder mystery side however was much better! This isn’t a book where you’re able to predict the ending which is fantastic. (For me, there’s nothing worse than guessing the outcome halfway through a book!) If anything, some situations could’ve actually been a little more drawn out to add to the suspense but otherwise it was great.

Overall, this was a great book. It’s definitely made me want to explore more of Kate Callaghan’s work. My biggest ‘issue’ is that I was disappointed it wasn’t longer. There were so many missed opportunities to delve deeper but I still really enjoyed it. It was a fun to read, not overly complicated and the chapters were a nice length so I never felt like the book was dragging. I think I might stay away from cruises for a while though..

📣 Thank you to NetGalley & Kate Callaghan for the open opportunity to read & review this ARC. This honest review consists solely of my own thoughts and opinions & I am leaving it voluntarily.

Thank you to Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

First and foremost, I adore the cover of this book.

Second, the banter in this book is amazing. I really liked both Poppy and Isaiah.

The murder mystery aspect was really good, and it held my attention.

This book fell flat for me in a lot of ways. The plotline was basic and very linear, only one issue arising and resolving at a time. The solutions felt very easy, and details and characters seemed to come up only as we needed them. The plot that the first few chapters set up also felt obsolete very quickly, especially Isaiah's motivation for getting on the ship. The relationship felt very unnatural with sudden spice and forced "good girl" type lines and actions from Isaiah that did not fit his character. A lot of the dialogue was also awkward and was used to insert backstory and information.

I can say that I didn't expect the ending. Discovering who the killer was is what kept me going, and that part did not disappoint. While the story didn't deliver on a lot of expectations and vibes, it was still a cute and easy read.

This story is good for anyone who loves murder mysteries with a secondary romance plotline. It'd be a great palate cleanser between heavy books or if you're just looking for something light. There is spice.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. #TheSituationShip #NetGalley

An enjoyable murder mystery with some romance, fictional celebrity gossip, and lots of plot twists! I liked the dual POV, and was not able to guess everything about the endgame. I also liked the main leads and their stories, the romance was almost insta love though from one side. Some side characters were interesting, but some questions were dropped in the heat of the moment, then was never answered.

Overall, I think it is a fun quick summer read, would recommend it to the fans to murder mysteries with a dash of romance and humour!

Thank you to Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 💌

I was intrigued from the start! From the moment you know your hero is also a killer, there's no way you can close the book. And I really liked the murder mistery part. I had a lot of theories and I couldn't be more wrong. I had a feeling, but it went a lot further than I was thinking. I love that feeling, the suspense and then finding you were far from what happened.

However, the romance part didn't appeal to me as much. Yes, Poppy and Isaiah are very cute together, but the path towards each other felt a bit forced. I mean, he went on that cruise thinking she was a suspect and fell in love almost instantly? I feel like they didn't have the time to develop a relationship as profound as it was shown to be. Also, it wasn't very credible how quickly he closed his ways to everything Poppy did. I'm not a trained detective, but I think it should at least take him a moment to process everything and think it through.

Overall, it was a fun read. I wasn't going into this book wanting romance, so the murder mistery was interesting and twisty enough to keep me hooked. Would recommend giving it a try!

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter for giving me the opportunity to read this book before it is published.

About the book, I started to be really interested in the story right after reading the prologue and after that, I really enjoyed the rest of the book! I had a lot of theories that I later found out could not be farther from the truth and that made me love the book even more because I was really shocked when they resolved the murder mystery, which was the main event about the book. About the romance, I really liked the slow burn and the tropes although I never read anything with them before this book. I loved the banter between Poppy and Isaiah and later enjoyed even more the vulnerability they had with each other. I also really liked Mina and the friendship between Isaiah and Phoebe & Axel and it made me want to read their book and get to know more of their story!

I also really liked the writing and can't wait to read more of Kate Callaghan's books!

This book was delicious! After reading the blurb and other reviews I knew I NEEDED to read this one, and it did not disappoint. I found the mystery perfect and the romance exactly what I was looking for!

3.25⭐️ | NetGalley Review |

This was a fun and easy read! I enjoyed all the little plot twists and trying to figure out what was going on. I didn't love it but it was definitely enjoyable, a good palate cleanser!

Review: The Situation Ship
Author: Kate Callaghan
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Thank you to NetGalley and the Independent Book Publishers Association for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Situation Ship is a fast-paced, high-stakes mystery wrapped in glitz, gossip, and cruise ship chaos. Pop star Poppy Roe is hoping to leave behind the trauma and tabloid frenzy by disappearing onto a luxury cruise, but the vacation turns deadly when passengers start dying around her. Enter Isaiah Rivers, a no-nonsense detective turned bodyguard, tasked with protecting Poppy—or possibly investigating her.

This novel delivers an engaging murder mystery with a distinctly cinematic quality. From the eerie 2 a.m. hush of cruise ship corridors to the buffet limbo of all-inclusive travel, Callaghan nails the setting. The mystery plot keeps a steady rhythm, and while I partially guessed the ending, the reveal still had impact and tied back cleverly to the underlying themes of fame, exploitation, and emotional fallout.

As a romance, however, the story felt rushed and underdeveloped. The chemistry between Poppy and Isaiah never fully landed for me, and the shift from wary partnership to deep emotional connection happened too fast to feel earned. In just a few days, their dynamic leaps from suspicion to declarations, with little time given to the tension or internal conflict that could’ve elevated their relationship arc. Their backgrounds—particularly Poppy’s trauma and Isaiah’s sense of duty—had the potential for a layered slow burn, but that opportunity felt missed.

The writing has its strengths, especially in showing the darker side of celebrity culture and the lingering effects of grief. However, the dialogue sometimes leaned too heavily on exposition, restating things that had already been shown. This occasionally pulled me out of the narrative, making emotional beats feel more told than felt.

Still, this was a compulsively readable book—equal parts drama, danger, and glam. Despite the chaotic pacing and romantic shortcomings, I was invested in solving the mystery and appreciated the unique premise. If you’re in the mood for a murder mystery with celebrity intrigue, cruise ship claustrophobia, and a splash of romance, The Situation Ship makes for an entertaining one-sitting read. Just don’t expect the love story to steal the show.