Going into this book, I expected more of a thriller, so the strong romcom tone threw me off a little. That mismatch in expectations was probably on me, but it did affect how I experienced the story.

There were things I really liked. I thought the prologue, with the letter, was a nice start and set the tone well. I also liked that the main character, Poppy, was fierce, confident, and brought a lot of energy to the story.

However, there were a few things I struggled with. Some of the choices didn’t quite make sense to me, and this made the plot feel a little less believable at times. The pacing also felt a bit off; the story felt a bit long and I found myself getting bored sometimes. The romance felt somewhat rushed and lacked the emotional depth I look for.

That said, I think readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries mixed with romance and humor might find this a fun, easy read.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it has so many twist and turns in and you never knew what to expect next.

The main characters are likeable and from early on in the book you are rooting for them.

First of all, thanks to the author Kate Callaghan for uploading this ARC as a 'read now' on Netgalley. I became addicted to this book and I finished this in a day. The cover is beautiful and one of the reasons I picked this book up. I also appreciated the trigger warnings and age restriction to decide if this book was something for me. I enjoyed the chapter length. It made me want to read more and more chapters after I finished one so quickly. The writing was also very enjoyable and it had a good balance between descriptions and dialogue. I was able to picture the story in my head uninterrupted and without feeling confused. Also the art for the chapters look very pleasing to the eye and fit the story well.

Now onto the review of the story. The premise intrigued me a lot and I enjoyed reading from both Poppy's and Isaiahs POV. During reading, I was so invested and had a lot of questions, which luckily I got answered most of them at the end of the story. I found that the characters for Poppy and Isaiah are very well written and I could imagine their personalities a lot in my head. Sometimes I felt like Mina became an afterthought as she did not feel very involved in the story as much as I expected when she said to be prepared Poppy to help kill someone if needed. When a murder happened on board Isaiah and Poppy would be very involved and Mina would hear from them what happened, but that was only mentioned briefly or their interactions were quite short.

I think Poppy is a very interesting character. Her upbringing was very rough, but still remained able to see the good in some people. She is very smart and I could see that whenever she had to act sad during the funeral. Or whenever she made a decision to go somewhere on board because people might be wanting to talk with her or about her in her presence. In the beginning I thought she was hard on herself for thinking she killed her aunt, which to me seemed like yeah she could have done more to help her aunt, but she did not directly kill her. Later I found out she was responsible for three deaths, which yeah that would definitely qualify you as a murderer. But Poppy did not enjoy killing, which sets her apart as a murderer who enjoys the pain. I would describe her as morally grey, because she did what she did to survive, only her methods are questionable. I also loved that the author did not only tell us that Poppy was a famous singer, but instead showed us by how many fans Poppy got and how much security she needs or how rich she is.

Isaiah was loveable from the start. The detective who sought out justice for the people who could not on their own. I like how he sees that there are a lot of loopholes within the law and therefore works together with Eckells to ensure justice if the law does not. It borders also on a morally grey moral compass for me. Isaiah gave me the vibe of a flirt, but only with one person, Poppy of course. I loved their banter and flirtations, it made me giggle.

Poppy and Isaiah are both workaholics who met each other while both were trying to go on vacation, but instead we're confronted with their work affairs. I loved this similarity, it made a lot of sense to me why they respected eachother and bonded so quickly over the a couple of days. Of course them looking hot is a helping factor, but still. The 'I love you' felt a bit quick. Eventhough it was explained that they got through a lot together in spite of knowing each other for a couple of days. But still you can care for someone, but love seemed a bit much even for them. I did like that they got their Happy end eventually. Also their spicy chapters were very hot and I enjoyed reading them. The balance between spicy, flirtations, tension and the overall storyline was very well-balanced.

A couple of things that I did not get answers to was why Mina lied about the F1 driver having a girlfriend. This caused Poppy and Isaiah to think she might be in on the scheme to kill Poppy, but they quickly discarded that thought and instead thought she was in danger. But later on nobody even asks Mina why she lied about it. And how did Davide and Sophia get together. We have not seen scenes of them flirting or doing couple things, so that felt like an out of the blue revelation. And to me it felt like Isaiah was not as shocked or did not have any conflicting feelings towards Poppy when she revealed to killing people. He immediately accepted it. I think it would have been a bit more realistic if he would need a bit of time to think about it and then accept her and her secrets fully, especially because he is a detective who searches for killers as a job. And lastly, Poppy and Phoebe said to both want to support minority groups. But I did not see a lot of reasons why they would do so. For Poppy it was more clear than for Phoebe. Poppy wanted to break free from her aunt and maybe saw herself in those women who wanted to make movies. So Poppy wanted to fund their projects. But for Phoebe, she only told that she cared about minority groups, but did not really give a reason why she was so involved other than from the good of her heart. So I would have loved some scenes where Phoebe mentions her more personal reasoning to supporting disabled artists.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much. I would really recommend this book to people who like a quick read and are interested in the genres of murder mystery and romance. The expectations I got from the blurb, cover and trigger warnings was exactly what I got from reading the book. I will definitely check out the authors other works when I'm in the mood for a mystery romance book.

Firstly thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this arc for an honest review!

Well, i didn't quite know what to expect from this book. It's not usually one i would go for but i'm honestly really glad i did. This book was a mixture of thriller/ mystery and romance. I didn't know if it would work as i haven't really read any books which the genres cross but IT DID WORK! It was a great blend of both genres which made the book so easy.

The book follows Poppy who is a famous pop star who is trying to escape the chaos of her life as being in the public eye. Little does she know what she finds herself in, instead. The mmc is Issaiah Rivers - he is the detective on board who has a haunting past. Their relationship isn't expected looking at it but it works. The tension and chemistry is most definitley there 😍

I felt it was really easy to connect with the characters and honestly believe their story. They had chemistry and the banter. In light in what was going on it was still really good that the relationship didn't outweigh any part of the story.

This book kept me turning the pages - i had no idea who the killer was. I thought i had it down to a t but i kept getting it wrong which is always a sign to a good thriller. 😂

Honestly overall 4⭐️. I really enioyed it and the twisty turns in it too - i would highly recommend this book!

The premise really caught my attention: a popstar, a brooding detective, and a luxury cruise ship setting, all wrapped in a mix of romance and mystery. It sounded like the perfect setup for a fun and gripping story.

Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the promise for me. It took me almost a month just to get halfway through, which says a lot about how little I connected with the story. While the setup was creative, the development felt rushed, especially the romance between the main characters. Their connection didn’t feel organic, and the emotional depth just wasn’t there. The dialogue, at times, came off as immature and awkward, making it hard to stay immersed in the narrative.

That said, I do think the cruise ship setting was a strong point it added a sense of tension and isolation that works well for a mystery. There are a few twists that might keep some readers engaged, especially those looking for a light, escapist read.

In the end, it just didn’t click for me. The premise had real potential, but the story lacked the polish and character development I was hoping for.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 💕

Book Rating: ★★★★☆
Pacing: medium paced and it worked!
Characters: Poppy loml
Plot: ★★★★☆
Originality: big yes imo. very creative
Emotional investment: ★★★★☆

The Situation Ship follows Poppy Roe, a pop star raised by her grandmother. After her grandmother’s untimely death, she boards a luxurious cruise ship to escape for a while. Things turn on their head when (1) her boyfriend breaks up with her on the dock, (2) a very attractive body guard is … assigned to her and (3) a woman turns up murdered.

This book was FUN. I really enjoyed diving into it any chance I could. It flew by. It was definitely one of those I need to know who did it asap type books that you just want to keep going with until the mystery unfolds and reveals itself.

Poppy was an engaging character; someone you could really root for from the beginning. She’s sassy and unafraid to stand up for herself. And she’s smart. She’s not one of those heroines that things simply happen to and makes you want to pull your hair out. She’s out there getting her hands dirty, unafraid to meet things head on.

Isaiah was a good guy. As far as MMC’s go I liked that he was a man of his word. But he wasn’t black and white in his thinking and willing to grow and learn and be proven wrong. He was respectful of Poppy. Listened to her. The bar is kind of low but he grew on me! Green flag MMC.

Their relationship was maybe a step up from insta-love but I won’t judge them too harshly because if I’m on a boat with a murderer, my life is in danger and I’m stuck in close confines with someone I think that would up the emotional intensity a lot. So. Their banter was fun too. She gave him shit. He gives the vibes he would crawl on his knees if she asked him to. So, I like it. They pass my test. If anybody in the world was going to understand Poppy, I think it would be Isaiah.

As for the mystery - it was fun! I was very curious, I think it unfolded well. There were parts to do with the crew on deck that I thought were a little rough around the edges and some of the plot hinged on luck (eg overhearing the right conversation at the right time). I thought the reveal was great. I wasn’t surprised but also wasn’t expecting it?

Downsides? Very little screen time for Mina. Phoebe and Axel were very late additions and were very much there to pad the landing. I kinda wish they were worked in earlier.

Honestly I totally think this could be made into a really fun movie with the same kind of vibes as a simple favour or f marry kill or even glass onion. It would be SO fun.

I def def recommend a read of this book if you enjoy the sypnosis 💕

Poppy is finally free of her controlling and abusive aunt. She may have played a role in her ‘accidental’ death, but now she can live her life on her terms. She starts with firing her manager and dumping her boyfriend. She celebrates by going on an exclusive cruise. But not everything is as it seems.

Her security guard is actually a detective investigating her for a trail of bodies connected to her. And someone on the ship is killing everyone close to her. Will she be able to figure out who’s after her before they reach their final target? And will, Isaiah, the hunky detective believe her story?

I love the category, “a murder mystery romance.” As a longtime mystery fan and also a romance fan, I love the combo of these two genres. A little something for everyone, haha.

This book has plenty of twists to follow, some you could predict, but some that come out of left field. The romance feels a little insta-lovey for me based on both their backgrounds, but still cute. I had a suspicion about the killer and I was 💯 wrong, which is always a good thing.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to any mystery or romance reader and especially if you like both!

Thanks to the author and Netgalley for the ARC!

The deeper you sink, the darker it gets… and this book delivers on that promise.

This was such a fun and unexpected blend of murder mystery/thriller and romance. I don’t usually read books that combine both genres so evenly, and now I want more of them. The story is set aboard a luxury cruise ship, but don’t let the glamorous setting fool you this quickly turns into a high-stakes game of survival.

Poppy Roe is a pop star just trying to escape the chaos of fame when she ends up right in the middle of something far more dangerous. Isaiah Rivers, a brooding detective with a haunted past, is also onboard and let’s just say their reluctant partnership leads to sparks, banter, and tension I couldn’t get enough of.

Their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of the book. The banter between them felt natural and fun, with just the right amount of emotional weight behind it. And the romance unfolded slowly, but in a way that really made sense given the stakes.

As for the mystery? I had zero idea who the killer was, which honestly isn’t surprising for me, but the twists and reveals genuinely caught me off guard. Every time I thought I had something figured out, the story flipped the script.

If you’re looking for a dark, twisty mystery with a solid romantic arc, I definitely recommend picking this one up. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense who love banter, tension, and unexpected twists.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Meet Poppy Roe—a pop star with secrets and trauma. After a world tour and witnessing her aunt’s death, Poppy decides to escape it all with a luxury cruise. Enter Isaiah Rivers, a handsome detective whose job is his life. He’s convinced that a string of deaths surrounding Poppy is no coincidence. Determined to get closer to the truth, he takes a job as her bodyguard. Shenanigans ensue.

What a banana-pants murder mystery romance! Poppy and Isaiah have fantastic banter, though the romance develops fast. Not quite insta-love, but almost. The murder mystery element is well done, and I found the ending satisfying. Overall, a fun, fast-paced read.

Thank you to the Independent Book Publishers Association and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Situation Ship by Kate Callaghan

Pub date: 27/07/2025

Poppy Roe is a global superstar trying to escape scandal after witnessing her aunt’s suspicious death. She boards a cruise to lay low but danger follows her. When she becomes a suspect herself, Isaiah Rivers is assigned as her bodyguard, who can’t decide if he’s protecting a victim or someone much more dangerous…

This is a murder mystery with a romance twist. Set in a high stakes cruise-ship environment. The forced proximity between the leads adds tension, especially as the plot unfolds. The second half really picked up for me, with several plot twists that kept me guessing. I enjoyed trying to figure out who’s behind the murders.

The first half of the book, I struggled to connect with the characters. I didn’t feel much chemistry with Isaiah and Poppy at first. Though their dynamic developed as the mystery deepened. For me, the murder mystery was the strongest element for in the story. I really appreciated the author’s curated playlist, it definitely helped to set the mood while reading.

If you enjoy celebrity drama mixed with cozy murder mystery, romance and scandal, this might be a great pick for you.

Content Warnings:
Murder, violence, grief and on page sexual content

Thank you Netgalley for this Advanced Readers Copy.

This is was a fun read for me. I loved the suspense and the thriller aspect of this book. That story of the book made it really engaging for me and I liked that. I loved the main character; she was a strong and self-assured. Many times, it makes it hard for me to enjoy a book with a weak main character, but this one was great!

However, I felt the pacing was a bit unbalanced throughout the book. Specifically, in the romance, I felt that things got way too quick, and they didn't really have that chemistry. It almost seemed forced in that short time period. The writing style hit a bit flat for me. She would be a bit to explicit in the narrative parts that could have been just as clear without, and it made it a bit bland.

Personally, this book was not really for me, but if you enjoy a good mystery, and okay with open-door romance and insta lust, you should definitely give it a try.

So thankful for Kate for entrusting me with an ARC for this in exhange for honest review.

Where do I begin? This story kept me awake at night and for a good reason. I could not have guessed anything along the way!

I loved the scenery and suspense.

Loved the spice and angst, just all around a perfect summer read for me.

📔 The Situation Ship-a standalone

✍🏾By ~ Kate Callaghan-I read Not Another Rockstar & gave it 5⭐

Rating ~ 4/5⭐

Genre ~ Romantic Suspense, Mystery

🌍Setting ~ Ireland to cruise

📅 Publication date ~ July 27, 2025, | Read ~ July 19, 2025

Est Page Count ~ 354

POV ~ dual, 3rd person

⚠️TW ~ stalking, murder, emotional/physical abuse

Featuring ~celebrity romance, opposites attract, slow burn, cruise ship, same cabin

Summary ~After the death of her aunt, Poppy goes a luxury cruise The Midas where a killer goes on a rampage. Isaiah is a detective suspicious of Poppy and all the deaths surrounding her. He goes on the same cruise after being hired as her personal security.

🎭Characters

👩🏾Poppy Roe~ 26, pop singer turned actress.

👨🏾Isaiah Rivers~ a detective suspicious of Poppy due to multiple deaths related to her.

Aunt Martha Roe~ raised Poppy from eight years old after her parents died in car accident
Joshua Clark~ Poppy's boyfriend-a business arrangement
Duggerty~ Aunt Martha's manager
Minera/Mina~ Poppy's new assistant
Levi Eckells~ Mina's boss and owner of The Midas
Captain Roberts ~ Isaiah's boss
Michael~ Isaiah's partner
Axel~ Isaiah's friend, getting married

🤔My Thoughts ~I enjoyed the murder plot and Isaiah's fierce protectiveness. Poppy isn't the nicest woman, but she trusted Isaiah, their attraction sparked. Poppy and Isaiah had some witty banter while keeping themselves alive.

🙏🏽Thanks to NetGalley, CallaghanWriter| Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles, and Kate Callaghan for this ARC 🚢⚓! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

This book follows Poppy Roe, a famous popstar who sets out to sea on a cruise ship while accompanied by her bodyguard Isaiah Rivers. As a killer emerges as a serious threat to the safety of those aboard, but mainly Poppy, Isaiah and Poppy work together to find the culprit and in the process build trust and a romance.

What I liked most about this book is that it kept me on my toes and that I was never too certain on who the killer on the ship was and had multiple theories throughout the book, but in the end, I was actually surprised by the reveal, which I can appreciate. The romance element of this book was alright as it was nothing too incredibly special to me, and I cared much more of the plot payoff than rooting for the romantic relationship.

A sharp, witty dive into the chaos of modern dating. The Situationship is painfully relatable, laugh-out-loud funny, and filled with emotional truths about self-worth and letting go of the wrong guy. Perfect for fans of messy love lives and even messier personal growth.

ARC review
3.8 ⭐️
~murder mystery, thriller

Thank you Netgalley and Kate Callaghan for letting me read this arc. The following review is my honest thoughts and opinions.

The Situation Ship was a fun read for me considering its setting - that is the cruise ship. A string of murders surrounds the pop star Poppy, with a killer who seems to be playing a cat-and-mouse game with her. The entire book is about her and Detective Isaiah trying to figure out clues left on the cruise ship to piece together the identity of the killer.

Poppy was a fierce character throughout. I loved the cruise concept and the whole 'everyone's a suspect' situation. I like the ending too, which was a nice surprise. Throughout the book, I placed my suspicions on a lot of people, but I was proved wrong.😂
There is little spice in it (in like 3 chapters) which you can just ignore if you're looking for spice spice-free read.

For the cons, I have to say there were unnecessary details here and there. Not too much but still. I also felt like Poppy and Isaiah's dynamic should have been a little better cause they gave into each other way too fast.😂 At times it was fast paced and other times slow, so the pacing was a bit off too.

Other than that, it was an enjoyable read.✨️

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Thank Kate Callaghan and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! All information below is based off my own opinion of the book! I also like to keep my reviews short and simple as someone who looks at the short reviews before reading books. 💕⭐️

Book rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Favorite characters: Poppy & Mina
Review: The book was a good time! I loved the plot there wasn’t a lot of romance in the book but I kind of enjoyed the lack of romance and more of the mystery side of things! The whole book I kept trying to guess who the killer might have been and it changed every other chapter! I wish the ending was a little better! Overall the story kept me entertained and I loved characters!

4.5✨
I loved this book!! It was such a fun and
enjoyably read!! If you love tropes like:
Detective/Bodyguard X Pop Star
Cruise Ship
Murder Mystery
Opposites Attract
Shared Cabin
Reluctant Allies
This is definitely the book for you!!
Poppy Roe is a Pop Star
after her abusive
Auntie death (murder) she's ready to take charge of her life from firing her agent to taking a cruise ship. Just as she's about to aboard with her new assistant and a new bodyguard/detective she's dumped my her (Fake) boyfriend who abundance her and drives away.
Curious about her new bodyguard Isaiah Rivers and why he's volunteered to take this job and if he may or may not be keeping an eye on her over her Auntie death.
Highly recommend this book!! 😍😍😍

The Situation Ship by Kate Callaghan is a slow-burn romantic thriller (is that even a thing?). This was a fast-paced page-turner that caught my attention immediately. While it started with more thriller vibes, there’s enough spice and romance added to keep things interesting without detracting from the story. A lot is happening in this one, and it will keep you guessing.
I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC ebook that I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.