I knew this book was going to destroy me—figuratively, emotionally, and absolutely—and yet, I still wasn’t ready. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I turned the last page. It’s becoming an obsession… but in the best possible way. And I know, deep down, it’s going to become your obsession too, the moment you meet Roslyn and Liam.

Roslyn and Liam are everything to me. From the very beginning, when their marriage felt like it was unraveling, I couldn’t help but root for them. They didn’t need space—they needed each other. What they truly needed was time in close quarters, a safe place to finally say what they were afraid to say out loud. They’d been walking on eggshells for so long, avoiding the hard conversations, that they forgot how to be honest—with themselves and with each other.

Then comes the annual family trip—cue the forced proximity trope I live for. In a twist of fate (and brilliance), they’re forced to "fake date" their own marriage, and it’s this trip that forces them to confront everything they’ve been burying for years.

What struck me most was how real their struggles felt. Roslyn is grieving her mother, battling the distance that’s grown between her and the rest of her family. Liam, on the other hand, has never really had a voice—growing up in a family that taught him to bottle up his emotions. Both of their family histories are quietly (and not so quietly) wrecking their marriage from the inside. And yet, watching them slowly, painfully, beautifully peel back those layers was so worth every ache in my chest.

This book isn’t just about romance—it’s about emotional survival, communication, grief, identity, and love in its rawest, most vulnerable form. Roslyn and Liam will stay with me for a long time, and if you give them a chance, I know they’ll stay with you too.

I had to sit with this for awhile (besides sending Heather live-reactions of me actively sobbing until 2am) because it was hard to come up with the words for how truly gorgeous this book is.

My heart was breaking for both Roslyn and Liam from the very start (I was crying by chapter 2, weeping by 8) - Heather so perfectly toed the line of making their separation understandable while avoiding making us hate either character, even when it was hard to watch them splinter.

But their reunion - what a gorgeous, warm, decadent thing. They are both fighting tooth and nail to be what they believe the other needs them to be - fine - at the expense of not only their relationships but also their own mental and physical health. I think Heather somehow created a physical entity of grief and longing and bled it into the pages so that I could feel it emanating from the book as I read. This made my tummy hurt (complimentary).

I didn’t read anything for four entire days after I finished this because I was bereft!!!! I want more I want to go back I want to start over (but also, I cannot start over get because if I was already crying immediately on the first read, I’ll start crying before I get through the first sentence on a reread. I am crying a little right now just thinking about it [affectionate]).

If this is not on your TBR 🫵🏻 add it right now or jail for you 🫵🏻

This book made me feel so many things!! The yearning was absolutely delicious. It is so hard to find a conflict that is significant enough to drive two people apart but not one that feels too insurmountable and Heather knocked it out of the park with this book. I adored how raw both characters were allowed to be. Ros is struggling with the grief of losing her mother and I felt so seen by that portrayal of what it's like to carry around pain and perform being "fine". Liam stole my heart with how gentle he was. That man has it bad for Ros and it was heartwarming watching them find a way back to each other. If you're looking for a book that made you feel what So Long London and You're Losing Me did then you gotta pick up this book!

Heather’s debut novel Wedding Dashers was such a fun time that I knew I’d immediately pick up her second. Sunk in Love? It tore me apart and put me back together. This story dives deep into the pressures of grief, unresolved pain, and how anguish can quietly unravel a relationship.

We meet Liam and Ros at a breaking point. Their marriage is unraveling, they’re on opposite ends emotionally and physically, and neither knows how to bridge the growing divide. As a reader, you're right in the emotional turmoil and you can feel the tension and pressure. But when they’re forced together on a family vacation, they're finally given space and time to air their grievances and confront the miscommunication that’s been eating away at them.

Heather makes me cry in the best way (when an author can make me do that I often become a life long reader of their work). Sunk in Love captures the pain and beauty of life and love with such passion. There were so many quotes in this novel that had me nodding my head and whispering “yes” under my breath.

I’m floored and genuinely so moved. Outstanding. 2026 is going to start out strong with this book!

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc.

This was such a great read! It was very emotional, and I really enjoyed it. I haven't read Heather McBreen's debut novel yet, but I will definitely be reading it soon! I loved the writing style, and absolutely flew through this book. I knew I was going to enjoy it (I love the marriage in crisis trope), but this exceeded my expectations. The characters were both very complex and real, and I really liked both of them! Roslyn was an extremely relatable main character, and she really resonated with me. The author wrote her grief and her feelings very well, and it was a pleasure to read! Liam was also a compelling main character (though he did annoy me at times in the beginning), and I really enjoyed watching Roslyn and Liam rekindle their relationship. I think if you enjoyed Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young, you would probably like this novel as well! Overall, I would 100% recommend this book, and am excited to read whatever else Heather McBreen writes! :)

4.5 stars! Romance books about grief will always have me sobbing through them in one sitting until 12am, and this one was no exception! I absolutely looooved Wedding Dashers and I CAN’T resist a second-chance-marriage trope, so I fully expected to fly through this, and I did. I really really live Heather McBreen’s writing; always has me laughing out loud but has such heart and care throughout.

MAN, did Roslyn and Liam’s relationship have me by the THROAT. It was frustrating at times to see how their own issues prevented them from truly connecting about their grief and fears but god, I loved watching them work through it. Grief is actually one of my favorite things to read about, even though it emotionally wrecks me every time. There was so much great stuff about Ros working through the loss of her mother, and both Ros and Liam working through the loss of their marriage (and each other). I thought they were both realistic and messy, and seeing them grow back together and learn to communicate better was awesome.

I also enjoyed where we ended up with Ros’ family! Loved the conversation between the siblings at the end and how supportive they were when they saw Ros struggling. Even felt nice feelings towards Gramps at one point, which was a feat cuz he SUCKED. I truly lost my mind at the third act separation but I see how it was necessary for the overall story, and it all worked out in the end. I’m honestly just so proud of Ros and Liam for dealing with their issues, it’s like they’re my own personal friends or something LOL. Just adored everything about how relationships are constant work and their is no finish line to a happy ever after.

Can’t wait to read more from Heather!

A dazzling second chance romance from one of my favorite new voices. Heather McBreen delivers on the gut wrenching heartbreak and swoony butterflies that come along with a story of falling back in love after falling apart. And it's HOT! Liam can RUIN ME! And Ros is an incredibly relatable and beautiful character who is morphed by heartbreak and grief. There's flirting, and fighting, and cruise ship activities, and family drama, and GOOD GIRL. This book has EVERYTHING. READ THIS BOOK!!!!!

This smooth time jumping second chance romance was an absolute pleasure to read. These characters were fleshed out and interesting and showed so much growth throughout the book, not just in their relationship with each other but their relationships in their families. Heather McBreen writes my favorite introductions of the main characters. They make you feel like anyone could fall in love at any moment. I don't want to give away too much but Liam's speech at Grammy and Gramps vow renewal was swoon worthy. The spice was fun and well timed throughout the book.

There were parts that came across a little wordy at times but it didn't slow down the story, I still ate it up in a day! A week after finishing and falling in love with Heather McBreen's Wedding Dashers, I took a chance with Sunk In Love and I sure am glad that I did. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

This book!!!!!! The characters, the chemistry, the angst, the yearning!!! I loved every minute of this story, the sad bits and every steamy moment in between. I can’t wait for this story to be out in the world.

sunk in love works for most parts. my only gripe is how silly some things are, how some things aren't set up well and how some things are resolved too conveniently. definitely recommend to anyone who likes happy place and paradise problem, although i liked happy place more than this. there are many moments where this will remind you of happy place, so long london, cornelia street and you're losing me. i really liked that.

thank you to publisher and netgalley for the arc

this book was the epitome of “you’re losing me”by taylor swift! spent majority of this book in a puddle of tears 😃 but we needed MORE of the mmc (yearning, groveling, opening up, YOU NAME IT!!!!!)

also i’m fairly certain mcbreen is a fan of emily henry’s work, so if you enjoy her romances i think you’d like heathers books as well!!