Float Plan

"Write a book you want to read". I wanted more! Emotional book that takes you through falling in love and learning about grief. I love sailing but don't get to do it due to my location and it was a great element of the story. Can't recommend it enough.

A lovely and compassionate story about love, grief and sailing. I have been on a sailboat twice in my life and this made me want to be a sailor. Loved all the little details about life on the sea. Keane is obviously too perfect to be true (would that we all had a companion like this when we were going through a traumatic life transition) yet also somehow believable. That's the beauty of wish fulfillment when it's done well. I didn't want this one to end.

A beautiful slow burn romance. Second Chances, adventure and growth feature prominently. Seeing these two damaged people find their way to each other is both heartwarming and entertaining.

This was so good and so well-written. It was also much deeper than I expected and a nice break from the more fluffy romances. This had more grit and depth to it. I loved the descriptions of all the islands and it made me feel like I was there too.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've read romances set on boats and in the Caribbean, but they always centered on the 1% - the heroine didn't sail the boat, she had staff for that. The strength in this story is inspiring, from both protagonists. The romance is honest and modern, leading them to a great happily-for-now conclusion that promises more adventure.

I absolutely adore books that involve ocean excursions. Travelling by boat is forced proximity at its finest, am I right?

With a sailing trip originally planned for two, this one deals heavily with grief as we follow Anna on her impulsive decision to set sail around the Caribbean ten months after losing her fiancé. As Anna attempts to understand her loss, I felt every ounce of anger and hopelessness along with her.

Shortly into her trip, she acknowledges her lack of sailing experience and hires a professional sailor, Keane Sullivan, to guide her travels. Let me tell you, with his Irish accent and determination to not allow his prosthetic leg crumble his dreams, he will yank on your heartstrings. As Anna and Keane slowly admit their feelings, I loved the message of finding your own personal happiness foremost.

The sailing knowledge put into this is outstanding. You’ll feel like you’re directly on board with Anna and Keane. Although, with the sailing terminology and many characters met along their excursion, I did feel overwhelmed a lot. It knocked down a star or two for me, but overall I absolutely adored this.

This book was exactly what I needed — a comfort read laced with humor and a little catharsis. For someone who knows very little about sailing, it was also an adventure. I loved reading about the technical aspects of a journey like this, and the lifestyle of sailing from island to island. I'd definitely recommend it, but be warned: It will make you want to set sail on a trip of your own.

Oh my goodness, what a book! The main character was so excellent in her grief, her bravery, and her growth. I loved the romance, but seeing this woman blossom was an absolute joy.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC ebook.

Anna is trying to pick up her life after her fiance's suicide. It has been 10 months and she decided to take a boat trip they had planned before he died. She hires a man named Keane to guide her along the trip. Before long there are sparks between them. Anna doesn't know if it is right to fall for someone so quickly, but she lets her guard down and falls for Keane.

I LOVED this book!! You get to follow along as Anna falls in love with Keane. He is just so perfect for her. Although she is still grieving her fiance, Keane does, and says all the right things to help her through it.
If you love second chance romances you will love Float Plan.

APPLAUSE!! APPLAUSE!! APPLAUSE!!
( With a standing ovation!) What a great read!

Anna Beck can't make sense of her world. Her fiance, Ben, killed himself after battling depression all his life. Unable to get on with her life, Anna makes a rash decision to complete a trip that Ben had planned for them - which would have ended with their wedding ceremony on the sandy beaches of Trinidad.

But Anna soon realizes that she lacks the skills to make the long journey through the Caribbean's unpredictable waters, so she hires Keane Sullivan, a professional sailor to help her complete her odyssey.
There is a cute scene where it appears that the fates contrived to bring them together (no spoilers here - read it for yourself!) Keane is such a decent guy - and a true friend to Anna. Doesn't hurt that he is incredibly good-looking, too!

Time and again Keane is a shoulder Anna can lean on while she battles her still raw grief for Ben. Keane is someone who understands life-altering suffering, having lost lost part of his leg in a car accident a few years back. The descriptions of all the enchanting stops along the journey, and the many harrowing incidents on the trip itself, make for totally riveting reading.

There were so many quotable lines in this story. Both Anna and Keane have had to endure heartbreak and the shattering of their dreams. I love Trish Doller's clean, realistic writing style. Anna and Keane felt like real people, facing real problems, who were doing the best they could to find a new normal.

Highly recommended!!! I give this one a 8 out of 5 score: I was that engrossed and entertained!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my goodness, how I adored Anna and Keane. I was nervous because of a trigger warning regarding suicide at the very beginning. It was poignant and the reader could definitely feel Anna’s pain. Anna sets off as a tribute to her late husband to sail but quickly realizes that she needs help. Cue Irish-accented Keane.
Keane was such a well-written character and his actions and words were just so sweet. Sexy and hopeful, I could not put this book down!

About Book-

‘Anna Beck’ our main character, spend her last year in grief. She lost her fiancé. She doesn’t know how to move on from this grief that she is carrying for one year.

Finally, she takes a bold decision and decides to go on a solo trip which her fiance had planned with her. She sets off in their sailboat and intended to complete the trip that her fiancé had planned.

But during her solo journey to the island of Caribbean she faced mountains of hurdles which she doesn’t know how to handle it. So, then she decides to hire a professional sailor to help her to get to Puerto Rico.

Like Anna, ‘Keane’ is also struggling with his life and together they both sail to find out meaning of their life and all the possibility they have to rebuild their life once again.

My Review-

Before reading this book I read the short description about this book and at that time I decided that I have to read this book ASAP.

I know there are loads of books related to travel or finding meaning in life but what separate this book from other is the writing style and the characters.

Anna Beck who decided to go on a trip just because she wants to fulfill her fiancé dream but during the journey she learned so much about herself, her happiness which totally changed her life and transformed her into a better version of Anna Beck.

Keane despite from his tragedy he never gives up on his dream and wanted to fulfill his dream anyhow. He never wanted to be judge differently, he just wanted to be seen as a normal guy which make Anna to develop an attraction or feeling for him.

This book will make you happy and it will definitely help you to find light in dark. Also will motivate you to live your life at maximum height.

What really makes this book Interesting?

People always don’t know what to do in their life? This book will help to find meaning in your life.

Love stories are common but love stories which takes you on a journey with sea and beautiful island are rare.

The uplifting story and the slow building chemistry between Anna and Keane is so charming and loving that will make you read this book again and again.

This was a very intriguing book about finding yourself and second chances. I loved reading about Anna and Keane's growing relationship, but I especially enjoyed following Anna's journey as she rediscovers herself. The descriptions were very well-written. All in all, Float Plan is a wonderful book!

If you’re into slow burn romances with a teaspoon of steam, this is the book for you. It’s about a girl who takes her late boyfriends boat and decides to take go on a journey they had planned before he committed suicide (*trigger warning*). After she gets to Bimini, she comes to the conclusion that she probably couldn’t get to Trinidad with her limited sailing knowledge. So, she hires a sailor to accompany her. You can already guess the ending.

It’s very cute but also way more intense than I was expecting. Our female protagonist is dealing with so much grief and feels like she doesn’t have purpose. She’s effectively throwing away her life and sailing away.

The author did an amazing job at making you feel like you were invited along for the journey. While sometimes the sailing jargon was confusing and the islands all mixed together, it made me want to buy a sailboat SO BAD!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the advanced readers copy!!

I LOVED this book. Anyone who has ever suffered the loss of anyone can relate to Anna's grief over Ben. And Keane is just the best human. Such a soft place for her to land. I also love that the book wasn't just about falling in love again--it was really about Anna coming into her own. She is a smart main character with a lot of strength. She made mistakes but wasn't afraid to admit to them, and to open her heart too. I loved learning about sailing and also visiting the islands they visited. Although it can be sad at times, I think this is a great summer read. It has the perfect mixture of reality and tropical getaway.

This is probably one of my favorite romance's of the year! I absolutely adored Anna and as someone who is still grieving over the loss of a loved one, it was almost magical watching the healing process. The character development was outstanding, I loved the dynamic between Keane and Anna. I also felt like I was sailing right along with them, couldn't put the book down. It makes me want to learn to sail! I cannot wait to read more from this author! Thank you Netgalley, Trisha Doller and St. Martin's Press for sharing this eARC

This book was an utter delight. I honestly did not expect to love this book as much as I did but I could NOT put it down! The development of Anna’s grief, to anger, to acceptance was very emotional, raw and authentic. This was a fantastic read and I am already hoping for a sequel!

I absolutely loved this book. The story was so original, the characters were loveable. I'm so glad I read this book, I flew through it in a day!

When reading Float Plan by Trish Doller, I instantly fell into the world of this book. The emotion the characters went through, was impeccable. I felt as if I was going through their feelings right there with them. I enjoyed how easy the writing style was and how this is a cutesy book that also dives into more serious topics. I think if anyone is looking for a nice, summer read that has more than just romance this is your book!

I adored this quick read. I was a little nervous it would be really heavy, knowing the backstory of Anna and Ben. While their are definite moments of grief, there were so many second chance, forgiveness aspects that I loved. I couldn’t put it down once I started. It left me feeling happy for our Anna and Keane. I would definitely read more of their adventures.

This is not a standard romance. This is a book about a young woman, Anna, trying to cope with the loss of her fiancé after he commits suicide. Ten months after his death she receives a calendar-notice: it is the day they would have left on a sailing trip to the Caribbean. And Anna takes the boat Ben left her and goes... onto an adventure and towards healing. But sailing is not that easy on your own with not much experience and she needs help to finish the trip. Fortunately, Keane is there in her hour of need.

Keane also has his demons. After losing part of his leg in an accident his dream of sailing was cut short. Sailing with Anna and adopted dog Queenie they both come to terms with what they want and need.

I thought this was a beautiful story of healing and love!

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Part adventure, part romance, part learning to lose and live again and find yourself in the process. It was both fun and heartwarming. I’d surely recommend it to all. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

This is the romantic sea escape we all need right now! This book drew me in from the cover. A women with a broken heart, a boat, the Bahamas and a hot Irish love interest. YES please! I'll take two! Seriously, I need a sequel.

I didn't want to put this book down, it was like a gorgeous Caribbean vacation in my head. Now I wish I hadn't fought so hard against sailing lessons as a kid. I fell in love with Doller's depictions of "boat life" and "boat people" and of course, her characters - the swoon-worthy, wandering soul Keane and the brave, pirate-in-the-making Anna.

The way the characters in this book came into each other's lives at the right moment to heal each other was deeply touching. My "aha moment" came with Anna's line, "I'm starting to understand that some people come into your life when you need them, and go when it's time."

"Float Plan" is a refreshingly hopeful, uplifting testament to the wonders of nature and the healing power of love. Read it on the beach in your backyard this summer. #SavetheOceans

Float Plan was a delight! It features intelligent, adventurous protagonists and a slow burn of a romance. Both he and she were working through losses by figuring out how to move forward without emotionally discounting or discarding the past. I love strong, self-aware characters I’d want to be friends with IRL. This book has a lot to offer on the topic of grief, yet Trish Doller works it into the story in a way that doesn’t bog down the plot. The Caribbean setting was great, as was learning a bit about sailing life. What’s not to love about a well-written romance that offers so much more than only will-they/won’t-they and steam?

A very appropriate novel for our time. How does one handle grief? How do we heal? This is the story of both grief and healing, as we move forward.

I think book clubs will enjoy dealing with these issues.
Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity.

Trigger warnings: several mentions of past suicide (the main character's deceased fiance)

This book is not the type I normally pick up; in fact, it's the type of book I usually avoid. I personally have a very hard time with the contemporary genre, especially any book dealing with issues such as grief and hardship and yeah, you get it. If I read contemporary, it's all rom com and fluff, and even then I occasionally have a hard time (let's chalk it up to personal issues and anxiety).

And yet somehow, this book landed in my hands, and became a salve for my soul.

Let me also mention that I've met Trish (online - we worked together to host a giveaway for one of her previous books on my bookstagram account). I was immediately struck with how genuine she is, and how humble. And I saw romance in this title, combined with the adorable cover, so I jumped to give this a chance (still not realizing it was a more serious toned book). I don't regret it at all.

While this book deals with grief, it does so in a healing manner. The read itself still feels escapist, as the heroine is jumping ship literally to sail on her deceased fiancé's boat on a trip he had planned for the two of them a year ago before he took his life. Ah! It sounds heavy - and trust me, it is. Except the pages take us from island to island with Anna on a beautiful journey that focuses on the will to live and breathe and enjoy life, even amongst sadness.

The best part? Very quickly in the journey, Anna meets Keane, a tender boy with pain of his own. Except his scenes are full of smiles and laughter, and his penchant for life (and for Anna) is an intoxicating as the trip itself. I devoured the pages while watching them explore places - and each other - as they almost unknowingly fall in love.

Another aspect I truly enjoyed (as a writer especially) is the gorgeous prose. The writing is nothing short of vivid and sensory with sentences that left me breathless.

So I'll leave with this: Yes, there's heavy topics here, but it's a beautifully written feel-good story that I'll certainly be returning to again.

Wow, this book is hard to describe in words to give it justice. The main character dealing with the lose of her fiance due to suicide embarks on an adventure they had planned together before he died. Sailing to multiple islands and getting married. While she starts the journey alone she sees what she is capable of accomplishing and then hires a crew member to help her sail and learn more through the process. The places she travels and experiences she deals with were heartfelt and sad at times,but just goes to show that the choices we make can change everything. Highly recommend reading this book!

This one was so charming. The storyline of "finding yourself again" after tragedy is compelling enough, and then you add an endearing love interest, and a beautiful setting; I'm set!

The main character, Anna, has just the right amount of sass and gumption. You also can't help feeling compassion for her as she deals with the death (tw: suicide) of her boyfriend.

The love interest, Keane, is a perpetual sailor from Ireland with a huge heart. He also happens to have a prosthetic leg (yay, representation!). The author handles his disability with respect and an appropriate amount of "interference" in the character's daily life that would be authentic of someone living with a disability (in this case, addressing the fact that he needs to consistently care for his limb and prosthesis).

The two main characters are brought together by the sailing trip Anna was supposed to take with her recently deceased boyfriend. She embarks on the trip alone and quickly realizes she needs help. She meets Keane in the Bahamas and hires him as her guide. Of course, it doesn't take long for a relationship to form between the two.

I'm always willing to excuse the "love at first sight" thing if the characters are spending every waking moment together for an extended period of time (usually on a journey together). Shared longer term experiences are like the crucible of relationships, so that's fine with me. And in this case, Anna isn't willing to play into the "love at first sight" vibe because she's still grieving. So, that dynamic of her survivors guilt versus her burgeoning feelings for someone else (or survivors guilt versus acceptance) is compelling.

I've used the word compelling twice in this review. Three times now. But I think that's an apt description of this sweet little book.

Definitely enjoyed this author and would read more of their work in the future.

This was one of the best books I’ve read all year. I loved everything about it. I loved reading about the Caribbean islands and life on a boat. I even found myself checking my phones map to see where the islands Anna was traveling to were! Truly a great summer romance with so much more!

LOVED IT!!! A sweet, contemporary romance about rediscovering oneself.

After the loss of her fiancé, Anna decides to set voyage sailing around the Caribbean. Having little experience on a boat she hires Keane, a professional sailor, to help guide her on her journey. Though Keane is dealing with his own hardships, he is a shining light in Anna’s life, helping her in more ways than one.

Despite the fact that this book has heavy topics, the story is sweet and uplifting. It is perfectly paced, and the chemistry between the main characters developed in a natural, beautiful way. Unlike many romances, there is no miscommunication between Anna and Keane- even while dealing with heavy emotions, they are both open and honest with one another which is refreshing. They fit together so well, by the end you’re rooting for them to be happy. I would love to see this book turned into a movie!

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC!

A geographical and very emotional journey for a heroine lost in grief, “Float Plan”, by Trish Doller (St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin), is more about Anna making peace with her tragic loss and memories than about the romance between her and the very normal and apt wounded hero, Keane.
Keane is practical, steady, considerate and honorable, a sexy and sweet hero you can’t help but fall in love with. He’s also a very competent sailor and his disability, always present, is no hindrance.
As Anna’s itinerary of loss is replaced with new memories, and the author skillfully explores serious themes of mental health, romance develops and grows while the couple accomplishes the sailing trip meant for another traveller.
The sailing and nautical world seems very realist and well-researched, although for me the extensive journey was the least interesting part of the story, detracting from the romance and making the chemistry between Keane and Anna feel a bit bland.

I’ve read a lot in the past few months (haven’t we all!), and this book was like finding a polished stone in a pile of rubble. It was memorable. While the plot line wasn’t new, two people trying to recalibrate their lives after a loss, it was handled in a refreshingly direct way. I can’t articulate exactly why, but for me it was a page turner - I couldn’t put it down. Maybe because the author made it so easy to walk in the shoes of the main characters, and to wonder if you would make the same choices. Or maybe it was just good storytelling.

I’m not a sailor, but it appeared clear the author knew her way around a boat. And since the boat was almost a character in the story, that was critical. The descriptions of the ports on the characters' journey was almost a travelogue, but they didn’t get in the way of the narrative.

Most importantly, I think, was that the relationship between the main characters developed in a natural and unforced way. It was perfectly imperfect. Which made it a lovely, interesting, and entertaining few hours of reading, a rarity that I treasure.

I loved this book! No- I devoured it. I don’t know anything about sailing and yet Dollar paints a world so vivid and real, I can picture every moment so clearly- even if I don’t know what the term means.

Anna is getting over a bad break and challenges herself on an adventure she probably isn’t ready for. And while it has “damsel in distress” written all over it; it’s so much more than that. Keane and Anna save each other.

I also have to give Dollar kudos for crafting a male protagonist with such depth and complexity. Often times, the male counterparts just sort of exist but Keane is my favorite part of the book. The way he pushes Anna, while bringing real, tangible demons of his own.

I really loved Float Plan. It was a quick (6 hours!) read and kept me turning the pages for more.

During this tumultuous time where I’m afraid to leave my house, Float Plan took me on a journey across the ocean. This book hit all the empty spots that I didn’t know needed filling. I felt as though I traveled the Caribbean, grieved, found inner strength and fell in love. I may now have to set out to save for an Alberg but Anna’s journey makes it seem worth it. This was a great summer book —as well as fall, winter, and spring. I had a serious book hangover after and am looking forward to reading more of Trish Doller’s books. Thank you #netgalley for giving me access to this ARC!

The Float Plan is a book that will take you on a journey and make you want to leave the world behind to live on a sailboat. Not kidding.

After Anna's fiance dies by suicide, she is left without a path or a plan. 10 months after his death, they were supposed to take their sailboat on a trip through the Caribbean. When that day comes, Anna quits her jobs and heads out on the sailboat. After a rough few days, she hires Keane to help her through the trip. She doesn't expect to find happiness or growth during her trip, but Anna finds all that and more.

I SO appreciated that every time Anna's fiance's suicide is brought up, it was in proper terminology. Reading Anna's grieving process was so poignant and heartbreaking, but seeing how Keane was EXACTLY who she needed at every step of the way on her journey was even better. The chemistry between the two was muted in the beginning and grew with each passing page, as Anna opened herself up more and more to the possibility of life after his death. I seriously enjoyed learning more about sailing and the amazing experience she had while on each island. Seriously, I want to go on a sailboat now.

Reading the healing process after a traumatic loss is always difficult, and I urge you to read with caution if suicide is a trigger for you. Anna's healing wasn't always in a straight line, she stumbled and fell but got up again. More importantly, this is a story about finding yourself. Accepting who you are. And accepting that love for another doesn't discount love for someone else.

I barely have the words to explain how beautiful this book was to me. As much as every book will have some flaws, the mastery and beauty of this book sucks you in so deeply that you barely notice. Trish Doller wrote one of the most important stories that I've read this year, and it was phenomenal.

**Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

TW: Suicide

I loved every single minute of this book. I was a little hesitant at first wondering how a person's suicide could form part of a romance, but oh, how wrong I was. This is a beautifully crafted book that made me forget my bedtime, my worries and even my fiancé. Truly. Read this book.

Talk about a perfect warm weather read! If you’ve read Trish Doller’s YA books you know she is excellent at creating characters that pull you into their story - and her Adult debut is no different. I’m in rural Ohio and the most boating experience I have is kayaking on rivers that wind through farmland, so Anna and Keane’s story set in Florida and the Caribbean took me on a new adventure.

I loved how the Trish Doller handles Anna’s grief. It felt so incredibly real and there were many parts where I wish I could have reached through the pages and hugged her. I loved that her development took front stage...this was truly her story. I couldn’t have asked for a better leading man than Keane to support Anna. He sets a new bar for male leads. This book made me want to take sailing lessons and head to the Caribbean. I can’t do that right now, but maybe a trip to Lake Erie will do?

What a debut! Doller delivers the 'money' on this gem. If you love boating or the beach, this is an destination envy trip. You don't need to be a sailing aficionado to enjoy it though! It does start out sad (there's a suicide), however, the story follows with an inspiring message about second chances as the two main characters work through the grieving process. They both have suffered loss, feel broken and make some poor decisions. Doller captures dialogue and tension well and you root for them to achieve peace and happiness. I envision a Pinterest devoted to the locations, restaurants, and menus mentioned in this book! I wish I were at Foxy's Bar in Jost Van Dyke right now - having some conch fritters and an ice cold beverage! Thanks to #NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Oh my, this fantastic book surprised me in the best possible way! Float Plan is a sweet romance that is packed with depth and emotion! From the very first page Float Plan played out like a movie in my mind (and I have mentally already cast all of the characters lol). And speaking about characters, I loved how extremely realistic and relatable they were! I literally found this 5 star read unputdownable and think everyone would enjoy it as much as I did! I am really excited to see what Trish Doller comes out with next!

I'm going to try really hard not to use the word "adore" too much in this review, but I really adore this book. Float Plan by Trish Holler is about Anna, whose fiancé's death by suicide has left her reeling for ten months. She decides to move forward with their planned sailing trip through the Caribbean but quickly realizes that she could use some help. Luckily, Keane Sullivan is available to crew her journey and to help her learn more about sailing. Turns out, he also has a lot to teach her about herself. It doesn't feel right to me to call this a romance novel. Sure, there is a romantic plot. But it's more about Anna's healing, about her learning about herself, and about finding the strength to keep going.

There is so much about this book that I... well, adored. It was obvious to me that a ton of research went into this book, about sailing, Caribbean islands, and suicide survivorship. I appreciated the use of "died by suicide" throughout the book, as not many know that is the appropriate verbiage. The feeling of time in the book was interesting to me. It ebbed and it flowed, with Anna sometimes staying in one place for three chapters and sometimes traveling hundreds of miles on one page. It was an excellent nod to what healing truly feels like. Lastly, the tone of Anna's narration was beautiful. It was quietly strong, fierce and frightened, and even-keeled, sometimes almost numbly observational, which really helped to pull me into the story and understand Anna's point of view.

The only thing I might add would be a glossary/diagram of a sailboat like the one Anna has. I, like many people I assume, have zero sailing experience. I wasn't at all put off by the details of the boat and sails since it's the setting for so much of the story, but there were times I wished I knew more about what was actually happening.

Looking for a second chance love story set at sea with captivating characters, thrilling adventure and heartwarming interactions? Well, look no further because Float Plan has it all!
Surrounded by grief in her daily life, Anna decides it's time to set out on her own voyage of sailing around the Caribbean. She soon discovers that she may need a little help to make it through this trip. Enter Keane, a professional sailor adjusting to his new future. The two of them set sail for Puerto Rico on a journey full of heartbreak, growth, and love.
This book was really so endearing and I was captivated not only by the plot but by the writing itself. The dialogue felt so real and I loved the vivid descriptions. The characters were so easy to connect to! They came across as authentic and the slow-burn romance between the too was very well done.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I finished it! What a great ride. If you don't know anything about sailing it is okay you don't need to, but you will need to have an adventurous spirit to follow The Float Plan.

I have read everyone of Trish Doller's books and am happy to say they just keep getting better. She is an excellent author who knows how to keep you in the story. I am very glad to have met all these wonderful characters.

I wish I was till young enough to get in a boat and sail the oceans blue!

Float Plan is an excellent summer reading book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Trish Doller clearly has knowledge (or dug a lot of it up!) about sailing and cruising around the islands off of Florida. I admit to being a sucker for a good romance, and this is definitely a strong book full of characters not only working through their own issues, but also meeting unique people along the way and discovering things about themselves and more as they travel.

Anna has a lot to work through due to losing her fiance to suicide, and you really feel her grief as she tries to figure out how to live a life without the man she loves. You want her to succeed, but you also understand the fight she has to go through in order to move on. Her emotions felt real rather than overly dramatic or far too deep for her to get out of. She also doesn't magically get over them, but slowly changes over time.

Keane (bonus - he's Irish!) has his own set of problems, but he's a strong person for Anna to lean on when she needs to, and makes sure she learns to stand on her own and gives her space when she needs it. To some people he might seem too perfect (even Anna comments on this a few times), but some people in life really are just good people trying their best and trying to help others, so I actually found him rather believable.

I like that their romance wasn't big or fancy - just a slow, soft love that appeared over time. The setting, all the islands and clear ocean waters and colorful peoples on the islands, was always described vividly so I could see everything and wish I was there myself. Also maybe wishing I was on a sailboat with a cute Irish gentleman floating away from everything (at least, for a time).

From the pace to the story itself to the overall feel of this book, it was the perfect read for a hot summer day (even better if you're poolside or, better still, beachside!).

Float Plan is the sweetest little romance novel I've read in a long time. I loved every page, learning about Anna's emotional pain resulting from her fiance Ben's, suicide and her will and spirit to continue to live, and experience life and adventure, even without Ben. In this story, Anna sets sail on Ben's boat to complete the trip that they had planned a year ago from Florida to Trinidad. I admire her bravery and her willingness to listen to her soul when she meets Keane and hires him to help her make her voyage.

During this quarantine time of COVID, Float Plan was for me a little Caribbean vacation. Trish Doller's beautiful and descriptive writing took me to so many islands where I got to enjoy the food and drink and culture. I got lost in the fun every time I sat down with the book, and was so sorry when I got to the last page. I did love the way the story ended - very satisfying and wonderful.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book.

Honestly, the first chapter of this book, I thought, this is really not my kind of book. Thankfully, I kept going! This is by far one of the best books I've read in a very long time.

I actually feel this was a life changing read...it makes you think about life choices and gives hope. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. Also to the author, for an amazing read.

SO CUTE! I read this book SO fast, that I honestly wish I had savored it more while I was reading it. It was THAT good! I found the love story between Keane and Anna so deep and well-developed. I was drawn to it because I thought it would be a cute, easy read, but it was so much more impactful that I thought. I could not recommend this enough for any romance/drama lovers! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Y'all, I love this book. Love it. It's so good.
I absolutely loved the lead characters. Their highs and lows, their adventure, and their struggles with their own inner demons all felt so authentic.
This is one I wish I had in paperback and not just kindle.
A heads up, there are some trigger warnings: Suicide & Grief.

So grateful to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A book about a journey, both of places and discovering oneself, with its subtle romance, reels you in with its well written setting that effortlessly allows the reader to envision the whole sailing to the Carribean. Keane, though battling his own demons, seems too good to be true while Anna was more relatable in her grief and confusion but nonetheless they work. The story is quite dreamy and leaves you with a big smile at the end, with that joy of reading an uplifting book that just makes you believe in something more.
Rating: 4.5/5
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I loved this book! Anna decides to sail the route Ben, her fiance chose, after he commits suicide. She quickly realizes she cannot handle the ship alone and hires Keane to assist her. Anna is a strong woman working to get over Ben. She is determined to learn everything about sailing. Keane loves sailing but after losing his leg, his options are limited even though he is capable. Together they share friends along the way, the many interesting places they visit, and their families with us. I felt I was sailing along with them, soaking up the history of the islands from Turks and Caicos to Puerto Rico. A true delight!

LOVED THIS BOOK!

Anna starts her journey with losing her fiancé to suicide. She’s devastated. She decides to take their boat on the trip around the Caribbean that they had planned to take together. She’s a mess, she barely knows how to sail. Enter Keane, a disabled sailor who she hires to help her complete the trip. Who just happens to be a handsome, super nice Irishman, who had a few issues of his own to overcome.

As a reader we start this book heart broken and with Anna we feel every high and every low of her emotional journey. Great writing set with a backdrop of the Caribbean and a dash of some great supporting characters made this a 5 star read for me.

A powerful book about love, loss, and the redemptive power of the human heart. What happens when two people who have faced huge losses find each other? I highly recommend this enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed this novel. I loved the setting of the sea and sailing and the entire premise of the story. I really liked the descriptions of all of the islands and all of the characters. I thought it was very well written. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC.

The Float Plan by Trish Doller is a breathtaking book that transported me from my backyard kiddie pool to the Caribbean. It brings so much more than the tale of a simple romance; it’s deep, beautiful, thought-provoking, and a stunning romance novel.

*Content warnings: mentions of suicide, mental illness, grief.

We start off with Anna, our main character, floating through life after her fiancé lost his life to suicide. She’s grieving and a large chunk of her identity is tied to this grief and loss. She sets sail to complete one of her fiancé’s dreams, and her life is changed forever by the journey. The story is filled with heart-tugging and heartwarming moments, the process of mourning, finding oneself, swoon-worthy romance, and the feeling of being in charge of one’s fate.

I need to be honest… this is my first adult book I’ve read. I usually stick to Young Adult and New Adult books because that’s what I’ve always connected best to, but this book was a perfect introduction into the world of adult literature.

One of the highlights is the cast of characters—characters that I related to so deeply. There’s Anna, a woman who doesn’t know the direction she’s going in exactly, but lets herself get carried away by the tides of life. There’s Keane, a man so soft of sure, and captured my heart. They’re both flawed and real. Their progression and development from cover to cover is astounding, and it is something that will stick with me for a long time. They are truly embodiments of the idea that trauma does not break you and life can be beautiful after something awful. This is a journey I needed to read and these are words that are comforting to hear.

Doller does an amazing job of portraying grief; it was real, and raw, and messy. There were several times where I had to stop reading because I had been punched in the gut with feels. I was reflected on these pages; sorrow, anger, guilt, the struggle of moving on with life, regrets—it was all there and all so impactful.

I am not disabled, so I can’t speak on the disability rep presented in this book. What I can speak about is how few characters with disabilities I’ve read about, and this book made me think about that. It is because of this book and Keane that I intend to find more books with characters with disabilities, in hopes that I can become more educated.

One of the most beautiful things about this book is reading about how someone takes control of their life and takes fate into their hands. This hit me so hard. This is what I want to do; I want to take my fate into my own hands, and I want to do the things that scare me, and I want to be brave enough to seek change when I need it. Reading this was so satisfying because Anna’s ownership of her life is the dream, and it begs the question.... why is it just a dream?

The writing style is what brought this rating down from being a 5/5 star read. There are times where the style is so beautiful, with descriptions that sound like poetry and gut-punch lines that will haunt me for years to come; then, there are times where the writing seemed grey and left me wanting more.

One of the biggest drawbacks for me is the lack of emotional depth at times. Certain moments felt as though I was reading a list of events, rather than experiencing them alongside the MC. I was looking for more bodily reactions and more build, and this pulled me from the book at points. That being said, this isn’t a dealbreaker, because there is more than enough to make up for this fact!

Overall, this book was great and made me feel so many things. If you’re looking for a satisfying and swoon-worthy book, read Float Plan when it comes out on March 2, 2021!

This e-ARC was provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved “Float Plan”. After the passing of her fiancé Ben, Anna finds herself stuck in a never ending state of sadness. When a notification on her phone reminds her of the trip they had planned to sail around the world, She takes that as a sign and an opportunity to get herself out of the funk. Along the way she meets many memorable characters that will help her heal and show her how to open her heart to the possibility of finding love again. This book has all the making of a great romance read, heartache, laughter, and more importantly a hot chivalrous co-captain!

Once I started this, I couldn't put it down. The whole story from beginning to end just kept me hooked. I loved the sailing adventures and the travel. The characters of Anna and Keane were wonderful. It is a great read when you need something light but uplifting. I highly recommend it!

Float Plan by Trish Doller follows Anna, who 10 months after her fianceé commits suicide, she sets sail on their boat on a trip they had planned before his death She enlists the help of Keane, a professional sailor, to help guide her on her journey. The book deals with Anna coming to turns with her grief and learning how to rebuild her new life.

Despite the fact that this book deals with heavy topics such as grief, it was so enjoyable to read. The chemistry between the two leads is super entertaining and had me thoroughly engaged throughout the book. I loved the travel aspect of this novel and felt like I was there in the places the protagonist was. I also enjoyed the way this book dealt with grief in different ways. I highly recommend!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Finished reading my first novel since this whole COVID thing started. I have to say this was a good choice. What a wonderful escape! I’ve never been big on sailing, but after reading this, I just might have to try. Plus, it reinforces my desire to travel to the Caribbean sometime. I highly recommend putting this on your to-read list when it comes out in March 2021. For my library friends, you can find the arc on NetGalley. And while you’re waiting to read this one, go read Trish Doller’s other novels...you won’t be disappointed!

I loved this book!! Everything Trish writes is amazing, but I especially loved Float Plan, her adult debut. Perfect mix of romance, grief, and growth. Definitely add this to your TBR!

This book has just jumped to the top of my favorite contemporary romances list, right up there with Roomies by Christina Lauren, which apparently means I have a soft spot for sweet and witty Irishmen!

Anna's journey is so incredibly endearing. She's grieving and there's more emotional trauma there than your average grief stricken fiance, given the way that Ben died. Keane is charming from the get, in a very honest and boyish way. It didn't take long to fall in love with his accent and all the things he says in it. You can tell how he feels about Anna all throughout, he wears his heart on his sleeve and it's completely adorable. The places they visit, the people they meet, the way he teaches her to live for herself and to be all she needs out of life is so incredible. Every single place is described so vividly that I feel almost like I've been there, and makes me want to actually go. I don't usually want sequels for contemporary romances, but in this case I would very much like a sequel, or at least maybe an added chapter where Anna gets to go to Ireland!!

I foresee myself rereading this one in the future, because how could I not?

Oh how I loved this book!

CW: suicide, loss of loved one, physical trauma

It opens with one of my very favorite quotes: "The cure for anything is saltwater - sweat, tears, or the sea." -Isak Dinesen. From there we meet Anna, whose fiance, Ben, has recently died by suicide. She's drowning in her grief so she makes the impulsive decision to jump on the sailboat Ben had been refurbishing and begin the charted trip they had planned to take together. Anna quickly realizes she's in over her head and hires an experienced sailor named Keane to help her. Together they sail among the Caribbean islands and by the time they reach the final destination they have gone from complete strangers to so much more.

There are so many things I enjoyed about this story. First, I loved both the main characters. Anna is dealing with a devastating loss and her grief consumes her. As the story goes on, we see her learn to manage that grief and figure out how life works without Ben. Doller does an excellent job of taking us through that particular journey. Additionally, I dislike when characters (particularly in romances) don't communicate or let their thoughts get in the way of themselves. Even though Anna is wrestling with some seriously big emotions, she communicates with Keane about them which allows the flow of the story to continue and minimizes reader frustration. In the end, you can't help but feel proud of and happy for her.

Keane is, in a word, the BEST. He's dealing with trauma of his own, but he consistently thinks of others first and is a kind soul. Plus I ALWAYS love an Irishman. The building of his and Anna's relationship is a slow burn but it is oh so wonderful.

Secondly, I really enjoyed the premise and setting of the novel. It was so enjoyable to follow along with their charted path, read about the gorgeous Caribbean countries, and meet the local characters. Sailing the Caribbean instantly became a dream of mine after reading this book and I'm sure you'll want to too!

I was drawn to this book with its theme of starting over and finding yourself. I was completely blown away by how it held me captive from Page 1 and didn't free me until the last page. The characters came alive and jumped off the pages into my head. Their journey was my journey too. I felt like I was there with them, experiencing their highs and lows and visiting all the places they visited. I enjoyed the subtlety and tentativeness of their growing love for each other. It was interesting, exciting and ultimately satisfying. This book is an exceptional read--the perfect beach read or rainy-weekend read or just-take-me-away read. The writing is perfection, flowing throughout from beginning to end. The story is easily relatable to all, whether or not you've experienced what these characters have. The ending wasn't what I was expecting (I loved that!). What more can one ask for? A definite 5-star read--don't miss it!

Sometimes I hate how words no longer come easily to me ever since I left blogging (blame the corporate world and #adulting) because I wish I could eloquently express how wholesome this book is.

I've been a longtime fan of Trish's works. I reread Something Like Normal last year so yeah, it's been a while...so maybe that's why starting Float Plan to me felt like reuniting with an old friend. The writing is instantly familiar and so Trish, and it made me feel good right away.

I mean, I did cry because the first two chapters were so sad but it still made feel good, you know?

<<Eventually (...) you'll start building a new house beside the ruins of the old. When you're ready, you'll know.>>

Float Plan is mainly about grief and rediscovering oneself after the loss of a loved one [cw: suicide], with sailing as a backdrop. Anna is so easy to love, she could be one of my friends. I laughed and cried with her, and my heart ached with every one of her memories with Ben. And Keane...where do I even start about Keane? Total dreamboat. Ruiner of real life men. I will be single until the end of time. If I can't have Keane Sullivan then I don't want anyone else, baby.

The wanderlust is strong in this one, too; Float Plan made me also want to leave everything behind and travel (just not by boat, I'll take a plane) (but not now because feckin' coronavirus). I got super excited too when Pulau Perhentian Kecil was mentioned (yay Malaysia!). I'm not a nature and island girl, but after Float Plan I feel like I want to be?

The romance in Float Plan are subtler than what I'm used to, but I truly appreciate how it suits the whole story. I love how it's not an instant, explosive attraction between Anna and Keane. Like, with Anna's baggage, her love and grief for her late fiance, having her being instantly attracted to Keane would have been undermining. Instead, it was a slow build-up; they went from polite strangers agreeing to sail together to Puerto Rico, to steady friends, to something else. The slow burn is just *chef's kiss*. I love it, I love it, I love it.

<<(...) But I'm starting to understand how sadness and happiness can live side by side within a heart. And how that heart can keep on beating.>>

Overall, reading Float Plan is a joyful, emotional experience for me. It made me smile, laugh, and cry, and I highlighted too many quotes I felt sharing them all in this review (but I limit myself to only one). I can't wait for this book to come out so that everyone could read it.

‘Suicide doesn’t break a person’s heart just once’. Anna’s fiancé, Ben, took his own life, and now Anna is trying to live with the aftermath and all the questions that come with it. Ben always wanted to sail with Anna from Miami to Trinidad, and when an alarm comes up on the day they planned to leave, she decides spur of the moment to go on the trip herself. Not only was this book a poignant story of forgiveness and moving forward, but it was an amazing journey of self discovery and bravery. I especially loved how much I learned about sailing and the many islands and scenic stops she made along the way. I very much enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more by this author! I was given a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What can a person expect more from a beautiful, heart wrenching, inspirational, promising second chances story?
Adorable characters!✅
Riveting, emotional, adrenaline pumping journey!✅
Well written dialogues with meaningful messages!✅
A unique second chances love story!✅
Yes you may find all of those at this novel! ✅

The summary of plot line: Two easily lovable characters set sail to complete a thrilling, adventurous voyage to visit spectacular places, experiencing brand new things, broadening their horizons, healing their past wounds, being shaken by the dangerous attacks of wild sea and sharpening their survival skills.

Anna lost her fiancée who committed suicide, leaving her job, family behind to finish the trip she’s planned with Ben( death fiancée), but she is emotional mess and her sailing experience cannot help her to accomplish her mission so she hires Keane.

Actually Keane finds and saves her after one of her most inappropriate situations she got herself into(getting drunk, hooking up with a man with a bar for one night stand but before the sex, thankfully the asshole’s wife calls and Anna runs away from the place without pants and the very same night and Keane finds her outside, arse naked, emotionally overwhelmed, carries her to her sailboat.)Anna thinks he’s already seen her worst so he can be trustworthy man who may help her to finalize her journey.

Anna suffers from grief as Keane tries to adjust his new and still active, adventurous life after losing one of his leg at the car accident.
They became their confidantes, close friends who share the secrets they haven’t told anyone before.

It was pleasure to see their slow burn, pure, heartwarming romantic relationship and the growing confidence of Anna who turns into one of the strongest persons after facing her fears, anger, resentment and sadness after losing her fiancée and she finds her inner strength as she discovers different islands, magnificent sightseeings and spending days with action packed activities.

And the most beautiful part of it, she found someone to share those remarkable experiences with her.

This story started as a four starred read but during the chapters, I was wooed by the characters, heartfelt, genuine dialogues, their intimate, special bounding. I loved the inspirational messages of the book and enjoyed the conclusion of the story.
It filled my eyes with tears and healed my soul. I wholeheartedly loved it and raising my stars to 5!

Anna and Keane’s beautifully heartwarming journey stole my heart!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this memorable ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

When I began this book I was a little iffy about it as it jumped right into the main story without building up Anna’s character but as it went on I forgot all about that. This is more than a romance novel, it is about going through the stages of grief, discovering your true self and learning g to live life to the fullest. I have never wanted to travel to the. Caribbean as it seemed to be all big resorts. The travels that Anna made were to small beautiful and sometimes rugged places that sound like heaven. I don’t know if they are even real places but this is where I would want to table to if I was physically able. Keane is an exceptional character both in being the dream guy but also for all he has overcome. If you are looking for a Romance full of meaning, beautiful scenery and a story of growth than this is the one for you. Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and the author Trish Doller for the opportunity to read this wonderful warm book.

Float Plan by Trish Doller is a wonderful contemporary novel that has many components: fiction, part romance, part finding your way in life, and part grief/acceptance.

The author does a fabulous job balancing the line between subject matter that is heavy and heartbreaking: death, loss, grief, acceptance, finding purpose and second chances in life, and the light and airy: the beautiful, relaxing location of the Caribbean, friendship, acceptance, kindling romance, and love.

I felt so bad for Anna and all that she has gone through and lost. I was so thrilled to see her escape, set her eyes towards the horizons, and find Keane. Both characters have arrived into the story with complicated histories sprinkled with obstacles. Both experiencing a missing piece of themselves. Both in search of answers and a future.

This book was excellent in the fact that the characters were realistic, like able, and both had the ability to draw in the reader into their corners and champion their causes. I really liked both Anna and Keane and felt that they played well off of each other and it was great to see not only romance blossoming, but also that both were able to find ways to live on despite what life has handed them. The reader ends the book relaxed, satisfied, and with the overall feeling of happiness found despite it all. What a great way to end a great book.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

Review I read in a blurb somewhere that the author wrote the book that she wanted to read...well, I guess I wanted to read the same book! This was the perfect getaway book. While reading this I just wanted to jump on the next sailboat to sail the Caribbean...I was totally along for the ride ( cruise?sail?) with Anna, Keane and Queenie the dog, enjoying the beautiful descriptions and the sights of all of the places they visited. I didn’t want this one to end! The characters were also well written and sympathetic, both trying to heal from events that had happened to them; I couldn’t help rooting for them the whole way as they were there for each other as the story unfolded.
If you’re looking for a nice, enjoyable, romantic sail to the Caribbean, this is your book!
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press & Netgalley for the digital review copy. (less)

Trish Doller's Float Plan had everything I look forward to in a book.
In her acknowledgements, she said she wrote the book she has always wanted to read, turns out it was also a book that I wanted to read but had no idea until today; just as I didn't know that my dream holiday is sailing across the Caribbean.
I have almost nothing to say, and all of them are reasons for you to read Float Plan.
It was the perfect escape because it wasn't just about falling in love but also learning about grief and how to move on. And it came with sunshine, a cute doggy, and the ocean, my personal favourites.
The characters were incredibly well-written, caring, and flawed. I didn't want this book to end! The descriptions of the landscapes and towns made it feel like a trip on its own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book.

As we travel along with Anna and Keane, the people they met along the way added a unique story. Keane was exactly what Anna needed though, he allowed her to grieve as she needed, made sure she was safe, and became a good friend.

The cover on the book, made me want to sail away. The trip itself made me want to get on a sailboat and sail the Caribbean. It was beautiful written and really brought the islands to life. I loved all of the things Anna and Keane got to do together while sailing and visiting islands and meeting new people.

The details the author described throughout the book was amazing. My first book by the author and I cannot wait to read more, hopefully, they will be a book 2. You can read this book in 1 sitting, I read it in two.







.

This was a great book to read during a pandemic. Although travelling is not encouraged at this time, I feel like I’ve sailed the seven seas and basked in the Caribbean sun.
Not only was if fun to vicariously travel, but it was also lovely to read about Anna’s and Keane’s personal journeys and successes. They are dynamic characters who are easy to cheer on through their experiences.
Float Plan is a great book for those looking for a romance with heart, depth, and a chance to see the world.

I absolutely loved this book! Anna inherits her late fiancee's boat, and sets off to take a sailing trip they planned to take together prior to his death by suicide. I was initially thinking this book had the potential to be overwhelmingly sad, but it was actually a really beautiful story about hope and healing. I loved reading about life on the seas and her sailing adventures, especially once Keane comes on board as a professional sailor to help her complete the journey. The descriptions of all the tropical places were amazing and vivid, and I could have read a hundred more pages about Anna and Keane's adventures. This ended up being one of my favorite romances I've read in a long time!

Float Plan was such a delightful surprise. I came in with neutral expectations since I knew nothing about the author, except that her previous books were YA. There are no vestiges of YA here: this book has a maturity and depth that serves its adult characters well. It never feels like a transplant. I knew it was about grief and sailing, two aspects that had me wondering if this book would be right for me. The sailing part was woven perfectly into the story. It is detailed—a world in itself—, but never boring, and is an essential element of the plot. The central premise of the book revolves around grief and finding love again. This is where Float Plan shines. Anna's fiancé, Ben, committed suicide; now Anna is grieving him and going on the sailing trip they were meant to do together. Ben is a big presence in this book and his tragedy is portrayed with realism and compassion: you always feel how important Ben still is to her and all her conflicting emotions about how he died. Then Keane comes into the picture, and he's just perfect: exactly who you want Anna to find. He is patient and mindful of the process she is going through, while he is going through his own difficult issues. They evolve slowly in a way that feels right for this topic and, even though there is sadness, you always feel a heartwarming undercurrent that makes you want to move along with the story. This book is the opposite of a page-turner: it's a slow, thoughtful, burn that I intentionally took even slower in my reading because I never wanted it to end. Highly recommended 5 stars.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Perhaps one of the best parts of being a librarian is getting early access to new books. I am always particularly floored by debut authors who knock it out of the park. While this isn't her first novel, it is her first novel for adults, and Trish Doller is a name that will soon join the ranks of the great contemporary romance authors, because Float Plan was simply unputdownable. I read it start to finish without stopping. This book opens with a suicide note, but ends with a reminder that life is truly ours for the making. The cure for anything is saltwater- sweat, tears, or the sea.
Coming soon to a library near you in March 2021 and NOT to be missed!

I finished Float Plan 2 days ago and I’m so sad it’s over! It’s by far my favorite book of the year, I loved every page and savored every second of it! It’s a fun, lighthearted, sweet story with lovable characters and an incredible setting. Float Plan is narrated by Anna, a twenty-five year old who has just lost her fiancé, Ben, to suicide. Before Ben passed away, he bought a boat and created a sailing plan for the two of them. Anna decides to quit her job and live out his plan and along the way creates her own journey of self discovery, while grieving the love that she has lost and making new friends along the way. Float Plan is a must read for anyone who loves a tropical setting and romance novels with a deeper side!! It’s both the perfect beach and poolside book as well as a cozy cold weather read. Do not miss out on this delicious read!! 5 billion stars ⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Float Plan - Trish Doller
Overall - 5/5 stars ✨
Absolutely beautiful and heart-wrenching. This work of art is fierce and emotional, but worth every. Single. Second. Float Plan sweeps you off of your feet and delves you into a completely different world.

Summary of Float Plan: “Since the loss of her fiancée, Anna has spent the last year foundering on land, shipwrecked by her grief and inability to move on. But when a reminder goes off about a trip they were supposed to take, she impulsively sets off in their sailboat, intending to complete the planned voyage around the Caribbean that Ben had mapped out for them. But after a treacherous night’s sail and a brush with an ocean tanker, she decides she can’t do it alone, and hires a professional sailor to help her get to Puerto Rico. Much like Anna, Keane is struggling with a very different future than the one he had planned, and he can’t refuse her offer. Together they find a way to rebuild their lives and the possibility of new love.”

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an E-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for an inspirational read with captivating characters and a thrilling adventure, you’ve come to the right place!

Not only was I captivated by the premises of this book, but also the beautiful and realistic writing Doller puts out. The way the characters were written (caring AND flawed?) was truly endearing. They were all so easy to love, and I thoroughly enjoyed going on their journey of self-growth. I laughed with them, cried with them, smiled with them. I did it all. The descriptions of the landscapes and towns made me feel as if I was there with them—it was truly a journey.

This book has left me utterly speechless—I am quite literally in awe of how perfect this book is. It is such an amazing story about not only love but also how to live with grief and moving on.

Overall, Float Plan is an amazing read that I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on! This book is such an emotional, joyful experience that everyone should have the chance to enjoy.

WOW what a fun trip this was! Float Plan is heartwrenching and heartwarming (but in a good way, I promise no dogs die), a true escape into a unique story of self-discovery and love. I want 10 more chapters and a sequel.

A lovely story of hope and healing! After losing her fiancé to suicide, Anna decides to embark on a journey across the Caribbean, a trip she and her fiancé had planned to take together. Her voyage gets off to a precarious start until she is rescued by Keane, an Irishman with a tragic past of his own. Although she isn’t quite ready for love again, Anna accepts Keane aboard her boat as a friend to accompany and assist her throughout her journey. Together, they uncover a path to recovery and discover truths they hadn’t expected. By the end of this book, I found that I had completely fallen for these characters. They were written in such a heartfelt and relatable manner that I instantly connected with them. Keane is perhaps one of the best male leads I’ve ever encountered in a book because he perfectly balances strength and gentleness. The pacing of the story was excellent as well. Although it covers some heavy topics, I never felt weighed down and finished the book with a smile on my face. I hope there is a sequel because I would love to read more about these characters! Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Following the suicide of her fiancé, Ben, Anna is devastated and a shell of her former self. Anna is consumed with grief and decides to run away from her life in Fort Lauderdale by taking Ben's boat - his pride and joy - on the sailing adventure he always dreamed of completing. Anna is flying by the seat of her pants and soon realizes that she's actually quite an inexperienced sailer. After narrowly escaping disaster, Anna hires an experienced (and handsome!) crew member, Keane, to assist in her safe passage from Turks and Caicos to Puerto Rico. Soon the pair are traveling through the Caribbean as Anna works to rebuild her life after Ben.

With Anna still mourning the loss of her fiancé, I wouldn't necessarily call "Float Plan" a fun book because it can be quite heavy and emotional at times, but it is certainly a charming read. And I mean that as a positive! It's not the typical fluffy, romance novel. Trish Doller writes about grief in such a raw and empathetic way. There is so much heart. Anna carries a lot of emotional baggage and has so much to overcome, but watching her grow into her own person was a real high point.

I loved reading about the islands Anna and Keane visited, and learning more about these Caribbean destinations. The people they met while traveling were such solid side characters. They brought a spark and life to the novel when Anna was in a dark place. As we travel along with Anna and Keane, the people they met along the way added a unique, fun element to the book.

While it sometimes felt like Keane was a little too perfect as a leading man, I was totally along for the ride. I was so invested in watching their slow-burn relationship evolve. He was exactly what Anna needed for the extra push in her journey.

At 272 pages, "Float Plan" is a quick novel but Doller packs a lot into the relatively small package. I read it all in one sitting and it was the perfect length. It's full of charming moments and wonderful adventures. Anna's journey - both physically and emotionally - starts off so dark, but I was so happy for her by the end.

(Will share review on blog February 25, 2021 and post review to Instagram on pub day.)

This book gives you all the feels. Sadness, happiness, anger, laughter, love, resilience...this book had it all. Anna found herself, her confidence and her happy place as she sailed the Caribbean. Keane and Queenie were her partners in crime on the adventure, but became her partners in life. This book is the feel good book you need to read.

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Ten months after her fiancé dies by suicide, Anna walks out of her life and onto his sail boat, determined to make the journey he planned for them. Having never sailed alone, she is quickly over her head and hires an experienced crewman to help her, not knowing he is dealing with a loss of his own. Doller deftly weaves their battles with the ocean and with grief into an uplifting story of the swells, reefs, sunshine and storms of coming to terms with loss. I enjoyed learning about the Caribbean islands along with Anna. The possible triggers of suicide and self-harm are present and are noted at the beginning of the book. The light cover and the opening suicide note certainly merits this warning. Recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When I pick this up, because od of the covers, I was expecting a light and fluffy and easy read.
But what I got is a rollercoaster of emotions.
It gave me the feels in the good way.
This one was really good.
Thank to Netgalley for sending me this one.
I really enjoyed.

4 stars.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 to Float Plan by Trish Doller.⁣
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Boat romance with a grief element? I was sold the moment I saw the cover on NetGalley. ⁣⛵️🌺💕
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Ten months after her fiancé, Ben, dies by suicide, Anna sets sail from Ft. Lauderdale to Trinidad on his sailboat—a trip they were supposed to take together. Along the way she meets and hires Keane, an Irish sailor who wears his heart on his sleeve. Keane helps Anna weather storms (both literal and figurative), and the two grow closer as they explore islands and meet friends, new and old. Anna is forced to confront her grief and consider what life and love can look like without Ben.⁣
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This book is emotional, unflinching, and beautiful. It is both sweet and swoony, heartbreaking and hopeful. I was rooting for Keane and Anna from the beginning. I especially admired how Doller didn’t flinch from the tragic history of both the characters and the setting.⁣
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I can’t wait for this book to come out from St. Martin’s press in March 2021. I’ll definitely be purchasing a hard copy, because this one is worth rereading!⁣
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Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the chance to read and review .

**Review will be published on my blog/Instagram February 26th, 2021**

A TOUGH [& GOOD] READ.

Trigger warning, this review will be discussing suicide, grief, depression and possibly other sensitive topics. I mention it here because the basis of the book is losing a loved one who passed away from suicide.

I liked the way this book was approached. Every time Ben was brought up, the appropriate terms were used (such as passed away from suicide) which I sincerely appreciated. Anna’s grieving process was raw and out there in the open. It was heart-breaking and really had me pondering many important topics. Anna’s healing process wasn’t linear. She stumbled sometimes, took two steps forward to go one step back, but always had such a strength about her. I liked that this wasn’t linear because nobody can tell you how long is too long to grieve and process the unthinkable.

Keane was exactly what Anna needed though. He allowed her to grieve as she needed, made sure she was safe, and became a good friend first. The chemistry was kept on the low end at first and allowed for a progression of emotions and desire to come out as it needed to.

The trip itself made me want to get on a sailboat and sail the Caribbean myself. It was beautiful writing and really brought the islands to life. I loved all of the things Anna and Keane got to do together while sailing and visiting islands and meeting new people. It added charming side characters and more depth to the story.

I’m grateful I picked this one up (and got approval from Netgalley!) because this approached a hard subject, and also gave a sense of hopefulness in enduring.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary fiction + romance
Language: strong throughout
Romance: kisses / make-outs; innuendo, a few open-ish (mild detailed) love scenes
Trigger warnings: suicide (of a loved one, including method and being the first one to find them); severe grief, depression; losing a limb from a car wreck and resulting trials

An adorable book that I just really enjoyed. The story is about Anna, a girl who has lost her fiancé. She decides to use her fiancé's boat for the trip they had planned to do. Anna, not knowing much about navigation, decides to hire someone to help her get to Puerto Rico. Keane, he's the right person. He has had many dreams, but lately, these dreams have been affected by certain circumstances. So Keane accepts Anna's offer, and they jump into the sea. This adventure will probably help them rebuild their lives. This book is cute and lovely. I loved that the author also recounted the terrible previous problems that Anna had suffered. Keane is a hilarious and brilliant guy who knows a lot about sailing and made me feel confident that nothing wrong was going to happen to Anna. This book left me with a smile at the end. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book. I thank NetGalley, St Martin's Press and St Martin's Griffin for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I went into this book thinking I would not enjoy reading about the sailing - but I was so wrong! I really loved Anna's character. I loved her journey of grief, and finding herself along the way. It was messy and emotional and didn't feel overdone or like it was trying to be something it was not.
I also loved Keane, who had his own issues to deal with. They complemented each other so well. I really loved their dynamic, their dialogue....Their relationship and how it moves to strangers, to friends, to more, was sweet, emotional, and intimate. If you like a slow burn - this is for you. This was a lot about love but dealing with grief was almost more important than the love. I appreciated that - and the message that grief may always stay with you even if you move on to other people.

Also, I hate being on boats. But this book make me want to go sailing. Their journey was difficult and scary at times, but something about it also felt very freeing, which was probably the point. The descriptions of the islands were so vivid and even though I haven't been to many of them, I could picture them. A beautiful balance of heavy and light topics, I honestly couldn't put this one down. Going to go look up more of Trish Doller's books now!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

This is such a poignant, delightful novel. I stayed up way too late because I just couldn't stop reading. The writing style is fresh and so enjoyable to read. I highlighted numerous creative, original phrases that made me smile. I am not an experienced sailor although I'm intrigued by the concept of taking such a bold adventure like Anna did. I do like to read for escape so Float Plan is a wonderful opportunity to see and experience sailing through the pages of this novel. Keane is a great hero and one who will live on in my imagination for a long time. The romance is a fantastic slow-burn and I especially enjoyed how Keane and Anna played to one another's strengths and weaknesses. Their character journeys are well-crafted and they both demonstrated so much growth from the beginning of the story to the end.

Sensitive reader alert: the loss of a loved one to suicide is a theme in this novel.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a complimentary ARC. All opinions shared here are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Anna as she finds her next steps in life after her fiance commits suicide. After wallowing in grief for a year she packs his boat and attempts to take the route they had planned to do together ending in their wedding. She meets up with Keene, a lovable Irishman, who helps her guide the boat through the islands of the Caribbean. This is a romance that is built on two people who come to love each other even though they both have their obstacles. It is also wonderful to experience their carefree trip, the people they meet, and the love that develops between them. I highly recommend it!

I acquired this book through Net Galley and have left an honest review.

Has there ever been a more perfect book for these quarantimes? If I can't travel to these beautiful, tropical locales that Trish Doller does such a superb job in describing, then reading about them in her gorgeous prose is the next best thing. Had you asked me prior to reading this if sailing in a small boat around the Caribbean was something I'd be interested in, I'd have to reach for dramamine just to answer you. And yet by the time the book was over, I was wondering how much a boat would cost and if I could learn to sail on YouTube. And I'd do it, too, if my boat came with its very own Keane. The romance between Anna and Keane was slow burn and sexy in the best possible way. I can't wait to revisit this book again and again.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I picked up this one - in my mind, I assumed it would be a light/fluffy read but was thrown into an emotional, gut-wrenching, inspirational story about second chances.
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In Float Plan by Trish Doller, we follow two very loveable characters who set-off to sea together, these two strangers face a bunch of challenges that will test their patience, have them experience new things, and healing past wounds.

After the death of her fiancee, Anna quits her job and leaves her family behind to set sail on a voyage she had planned with Ben (fiancee). The problem is - Anna is a mess and doesn't have the most knowledge when it comes to sailing. This is where Keane comes in - Anna hires Keane to help her sail and navigate through choppy waters.

Keane walks into her life at the right moment - he finds Anna at a low moment (while drunk) and makes sure that she makes it onto her boat safely. From the moment we're introduced to his character - I knew how much I would love him. Keane is using this trip to battle his own personal demons, including to prove he can still be the great sailor he is after losing his leg.

This book had me feeling so many emotions, I love how the two of them become such great friends and became such a powerful bond together. Their relationship is such a slow-burn, I wanted to yell so many times at the book for them to just kiss already!!! This book takes you on a journey - and I felt like I was sailing with them and stopping off at these amazing islands with them! I would have loved to see an epilogue at the end of the book as I felt the end was a little rushed (I won't go into details for spoilers), but honestly, I just wanted to see more of Anna and Keane!
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Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts and opinions are my own!

I know nothing about sailing, but this boat made me want to find a sailboat and go off on an adventure! Poignant, funny, adventurous, romantic, and unforgettable! Consumed with grief after the loss of her fiancé who died by suicide, Anna decides to to sail the route they were supposed to do together. After encountering some difficulties, and realizing it may not be possible alone, Anna encounters Keane, an experienced sailor who is also trying to get his life back to what he envisioned. Suddenly two strangers are living in close quarters, weathering storms, meeting new friends, and having adventures... but are they what each other need to move on, or will the past stand in the way?

It was just so much fun to read! Anna is a delight to journey with through the book, she is resilient, human, funny, and headstrong; Keane is adventurous, attractive and caring. Both seem so real as they navigate their problems, and this journey. It's the perfect combination together with the actual adventure of their trip, the islands they visit, and people they meet! Definitely recommend!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are all my own.

I normally only give 5 stars to literary or historical fiction but something about this book was just perfect for me at this moment. It’s the story of Anna, who is trying to get over the loss of her fiancé. Before her fiancé’s death he had fixed a boat up and had planned to sail the Caribbean. 10 months after his death, Anna decides to take the trip by herself.

I loved the vivid descriptions of boat life. I felt like I was right there on the boat with them and it made me miss pre-Covid days when we took trips and went on boat rides. I also felt like the author did a great job with how she handled the main character’s grief while still providing a satisfying romance with a new guy. The characters were endearing. It was also a pretty quick read and left me feeling happy.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher @stmartinspress for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my opinions.

What a beautiful story about grief and starting over. I love Anna and how brave she was to take a leap of faith to sail. Keane was such a perfect man to help her heal while he adjust to his new life. I adored their sailing adventures and all the wonderful people they met along the way. This slow burn was so well done!

4 stars for this adorable romance!

Float Plan is the perfect beach read with substance. It's filled with a realistic second chance romance, quality characters, beautiful settings, riveting adventure, and vulnerable discussions on grief and moving forward. Also, if I ever visit the Caribbean, I'll be using this book as a guide!

This is Trish Doller's adult debut and I hope she has many more to come!

CW: suicide and depression

Anna's fiancè Ben killed himself after a lifelong struggle with depression. Nearly a year later, Anna is depressed and hopeless. When she realizes it's the day she and Ben were supposed to sail to Trinidad and get married on the beach, she packs her bag, grabs their boat, and sets sail alone. Over her head and afraid to fall underwater, she pairs up with Keane Sullivan, Irish ex-pat, prosthetic leg-wearer, champion sailor, and nicest guy in the world. Anna learns to sail, to forgive herself and Ben (as much as possible), to trust her own decisions, and to love Keane. It's a slow burn, friends to lovers romance, but the emphasis is on Anna's transformation from grieving almost widow to brave and energetic adventurer. Like several single first-person POV novels of the summer (Beach Read is the most obvious parallel) it's chick-lit, personal growth masquerading as old-school romance. Don't be fooled; despite the cover, this is no Tessa Bailey/Talia Hibbert steamy rom-com. There were moments when I was so said for Anna, and ached for her pain the senselessness of suicide.

But it's a great book: positive representation of disability; all the feels of a smart but lost, deeply grieving young woman; terrific descriptions of Caribbean islands; informed sailing sequences; matter-of-fact identifications of side characters' race and ethnicity; quick but honest friendships with fellow sailors (all of whom are likable and real); no focus on how gorgeous Anna is nor how hot Keane is beyond establishing that their characters are attractive and super attracted to each other. The writing is lyrical, the adopted dog is cute, and the emotion is heartfelt. Seriously, buy this book.

This book was excellent, I was sorry when it ended and could have read and enjoyed 100 more pages. A really great read with strong characters and a very believable plot. I couldn't put it down, and now I can't wait for Trish Doller's next book. Read this one!! 5 stars!!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC of this book, the opinions are my own and are freely given.

“I’m starting to understand how sadness and happiness can live side by side within a heart. And how that heart can keep beating”
Trish Doller, Float Plan
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I have explored grief many, many times through novels...I have to say. I think this novel will stay with me for so very long.
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My first thought as I finished this book was all the warm fuzzies. My second thought...how do I convince Jesse to buy a boat and start sailing the Caribbean with me 🤔. I’ll keep you updated on that question!
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I adored this story. Keane and Anna were amazingly real. I wanted to hang out with them. Talk it all out. And of course kiss Queenie all over. At the surface this book is about a girl who looses her fiancé to suicide and how she jumps aboard his boat to sail the trip they planned together. It becomes so much more. You see friendship. Trust. Laughter. Tears. Pain. And at the end, I was completely entranced by the characters Trish brought to life. I mean. Sincerely. They are alive and well in my memory and in my heart.
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Pick this book up. Trust me.

I know next to nothing about sailing but still enjoyed the ride as Anna & Keane traverse around the Caribbean. They both are a bit lost in their own way and watching them work through their own loss and grief was inspiring and heartfelt. The depiction of loss was honest and realistic and the relationship between Anna & Keane was sweet and natural. This is a story for anyone who doubted themselves and needs a reminder of the strength that lies within us all--sometimes you just need someone to give you a push in the right direction. I didn't want this trip to end--it was a delight to read.

Float Plan by Trish Dollar opens with a suicide note from Anna's fiance Ben. Anna is overcome by her grief, unable to move forward from her loss, until she gets an alert on her phone telling her that it is the day she and Ben were intended to leave for their sailing trip, which would have ended on Trinidad where they would get married on the beach. They had been planning the sailing trip for years, and Anna impulsively decides to throw her belongings in a bag and set sail - alone. After a treacherous first night's sail, Anna realizes she cannot do this trip alone and hires Keane, and Irish professional sailor.

This book is a romance, but it is equally about dealing with grief and how to move forward after a devastating loss. Anna deals with genuine emotions, and her fiance's memory is not cast aside in pursuit of a new romantic fling. I felt secondhand heartache reading Float Plan, and it was an absolutely beautiful book. The romance is a very slow burn, which I feel was the right choice given Anna's situation.

I love that most of this book takes place in a small Alberg sailboat. The small quarters and forced intimacy of sharing a sailboat with someone led to great humor and tender moments. Even if you know nothing about sailing, I think you will appreciate the descriptions of sailing and all of the islands that Anna and Keane visit on their odyssey.

I highly recommend this book. It is not a light, fluffy romance like most chick lit, but it is an enjoyable and romantic book. I appreciate Dollar's willingness to explore deeper topics like how loved ones deal with suicide, grief, and moving on. There is language in this book, but the romantic moments are fade to black.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.

FLOAT PLAN was such a charming book and I was not expecting to love it as much as I did. As someone who knows very little about boats and sailing, this book really captured my imagination. It goes deeper than typical fluffy romance novels, smoothly navigating the complex topics of depression and disability with remarkable care. The chemistry between the two main characters felt truly genuine; their emotional journey at sea had me hooked the entire time. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!

Finding Float Plan was a moment of pure serendipity. This book is everything my vagabond heart could want. It’s got soul, sweeping vistas, heartbreak, and rock solid characters. Trish Doller has created something unique with Anna and Keane, and I’m so glad that she wrote this story. Float Plan is the book the world needs with all the craziness going on. It gives you hope that you can find your way again after a hardship.

THIS BOOK IS MY NEW FAVORITE.

Ugh, man. So good.

Full review to come, but in the meantime: heartbroken heroine on a quest to find healing on a solo sailing trip through the caribbean after the death of her fiance by suicide. Irish sailing pro whose career is cut short by an injury that takes his leg. WEEKS ON A SAILBOAT IN THE CARRIBBEAN WHILE THEY HEAL EACH OTHER.

OMG so good.

Trish Doller is a remarkable writer. In Float Plan she takes us on a journey with Anna Beck, a 25 year old woman who has felt lost since the death of her fiancé by suicide nearly a year ago. She decides to take a trip they had planned to take together; sailing from Florida to Trinidad. Soon after setting sail, Anna realizes she is in over her head. She hires Keane (a professional sailor dealing with some life changes of his own ) to assist her on her trip.
Trish Doller paints such a vivid picture of life aboard the sailboat and the experiences on the various islands they visit that I felt as though I was right there with them. This book is a wonderful escape and I would recommend it for that reason alone. There is so much more to the story though. Both Anna and Keane are such like-able, strong characters, it is easy to become invested in their story. There is an element of romance, but this is an artfully layered story which also deals with grief, strength, relationships and happiness. I highly recommend Float Plan, and predict it will be a book that I will re-read in the future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Float Plan - Trish Doller (Out

Thank you to @stmartinspress & @netgalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange of an honest review.

⛵️⛵️⛵️

Ben and Anna had planned to sail around the world together. But those plans came to a crashing halt when Ben dies by suicide, leaving Anna in shambles and trying to piece her life back together. The morning they are supposed to depart, the calendar alert Ben had left on her phone jolts her awake. Anna decides to sail the Caribbean alone, her first step to reclaiming her life since his death.

⛵️⛵️⛵️

Sometimes you pick up a book and it is exactly everything you need it to be given your mood at that time, this book was just that for me. Float plan is the perfect vacation book to read when you need to stay where you are!
I have been absolutely craving a destination vacation (haven’t we all?!) and loved getting to take a Covid proof trip around the Caribbean on a sail boat with Anna & Keane. Every single page of this book felt like a nice, warm, hug and I didn’t want to put it down.

⛵️⛵️⛵️

While this is a romance novel, it is first and foremost a story of finding yourself. I loved watching Anna rediscover who she was as a person, without a man to define her. I seriously adored every single page of this book, it kept me up way past my bedtime and I see myself reading more from Trish Doller in my future.

Fans of Katherine Center & Christina Lauren will absolutely love this book!

I enjoyed every minute of reading Float Plan. Anna and Keane are believable, likeable characters with genuine chemistry. The story is realisitic and well paced, and is filled with current, emotionally moving topics. I really appreciated that both characters had an opportunity for discovery and growth and that their relationship was integral to the journey. This has been my favorite romance of the year. I finished with a smile on my face and can't wait to put it in the hands of library patrons. Highly recommended.

This was such a heart-warming, adorable read which packed a surprising emotional punch. An awesome romance that also made "learn to sail" move even higher up my to-do list. I loved the warmth of the characters, the descriptions of sailing through the Caribbean and the emotional arc of the book. Perfect escape.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy, in exchange for an honest review.

I. LOVE. KEANE. SULLIVAN. There was a lot of boat terminology that I didn’t understand in this book but it didn’t make it unreadable to me. I really enjoyed this book and the complexities of Anna‘s and Keane’s pasts. A great love story that I can’t wait to share with others! Thank you for the opportunity to read.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book but LOVED it! Unlike anything I have ever read before it introduced me to sailing, places I have never even heard of in the Caribbean and a story line on starting over and discovering how you really are in this world. Anna and Keane are complex characters written with humor and insight into human emotion. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to read more from this author.

This is a Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction/Mental Health. This is so much more then just a romance. This book is about getting over grief. Anna starts sailing around to try to get over losing her boyfriend from him killing himself over a long battle of depression, and she meets Keane that is grieving the lost of his leg. I love this book so much. I know I was going to like it, but I did not see this book becoming one of my favorite books I have read this year. I really loved all the characters. This book was beautifully written and character-driven. I felt like I was on the boat with them, and I felt all the problems/drama. The book made you want to keep reading. I felt the romance was slow and heartwarming. I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book, and I have not read a book like this book. This book made me want to jump on a boat and island hop. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Griffin) or author (Trish Doller) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on March 2-2021.

Fantastic book
Reminded me of adrift the movie
Lots of romance suspense and relatable topics
Hugely recommended

There are certain books you read that just speak to you. This one spoke to me. I want everyone I know to read it. Not just because it speaks of suicide, and dealing with the trauma of losing someone to something so awful, in a way that is graceful and light hearted. But it’s full of life lessons, of relatability, and it made me laugh when I wanted to cry. Whew.

Float Plan
by Trish Doller
St. Martin's Press
You Like Them
St. Martin's Griffin
Romance
Pub Date 02 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 16 Mar 2021

This is a very well written slow burn romance. Dealing with grief and trusting again is a theme throughout.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the ARC. It was a much better book than I expected.

5 star

This was a fantastic second chance romance. The characters were wonderful and I loved the story. Beautiful writing.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Float Plan by Trish Doller was a roller-coaster of emotions; a beautiful story about grief, healing and finding love again. I loved every minute of this story.

Many years ago, I read a book titled Something like Normal, a New Adult novel, by Trish Doller and was very impressed by her writing and wonderful storytelling. I was interested to see her take on a contemporary romance. Float Plan more than exceeded all of my expectations and made me cry like a baby.

In this story we meet Anna, who has been floundering through life for the last ten months after the death of her fiancé, Ben. When a calendar reminder of her scheduled trip with Ben jolts her into action, she impulsively decides to take off sailing on her own. After a disastrous start, she realizes she's going to need help if she has any hope surviving the trip.

Anna decides to hire Keane, a professional sailor, who is also at a crossroads after losing his leg in an accident. Keane is Irish and skilled and incredibly kind and saves Anna's life more than once and in more than one way.

I loved that this was a slow burn, Anna had a lot of grief and issues to deal with and Keane was more than willing be her friend and lifeline while she dealt with them. Keane himself had his own demons to slay and doubts to conquer.

Together these two take off on an unforgettable adventure that will lead them both to where they belong. Along the way they meet a lot of colorful characters and discover that it's okay to let go and live on after loss.

Everything about this story was perfection and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

P.S. Is it too early to ask for a sequel? Just kidding, mostly.

Guys, this book! There are only a handful of books that I re-read over and over and Trish Doller's upcoming rom-com has now been added to that select list. In fact, I loved Float Plan so much that I started re-reading it the very next second after I read the last word. It was that lovely.
This book is like a life lesson about love, loss, getting yourself back on your feet. It is ROMANCE in all caps, amazing characters, beautiful settings, smart dialogue and it's funny! And the sailing descriptions make me want to hijack an Alberg and get myself off to the high seas right this minute.
Read this book as soon as it comes out, people. You won't regret it.

Wow. This was like a warm cup of tea for my soul. Float Plan takes us on a trip as Anna mourns the loss of her fiancé and the life she planned on. Anna seeks closure by completing the trip Ben didn't stay alive long enough to start. This was a beautiful story of how death by suicide can leave our loved ones left to pick up the pieces. Anna gets the opportunity to honor Ben's memory while also forging a new path for herself. A new path where she's aloud to be happy and love again.

This book was breathtakingly beautiful. It was a story of love, loss, grief and healing. I went into this book thinking it was something else and was pleasantly surprised. I loved reading about Anna's journey. All parts of it were captivating. This book may be up there for my favorite of 2020!

Based on the cover, I thought this would be a light, fluffy rom-com. Instead, I read a book with much more depth than expected. This was a well-written book that drew me in from the first few pages. While I am not a sailor and cannot speak to the authenticity of the sailing jargon or situations, I felt that Anna's emotional journey was realistic and true to form. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next from this author.

Early Copy received from Net Galley and the publisher for my honest review.

From the first pages, I was hooked and rooting for Anna. Months after her husband's suicide, Anna sets sail in the boat he fixed up, determined to follow along the trip he'd planned out. Anna is not a sailor, and narrowly makes it from South Florida to the Bahamas. Knowing she can't make the trip on her own, Anna hires Keane, an experienced sailor looking for work. Keane is officially my new book crush. This man is perfection, but realistic enough to give us all hope! Anna and Keane bond, adventures and romance ensue. While this is a romance read, this is so much more. It's a book about personal growth, a book about finding and learning to depend on yourself, a book about forgiveness, a book about friendship, a book about sailing, a love letter to the Caribbean and a book that's added places to my bucket list. Ultimately it's a book about kindness.

There's also something special about reading a book about a place you've grown up and places you've travelled through, but being able to see them anew through a character's eyes. Recognizing places I'd been and places I want to go further increased the appeal for me.

I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.

This was just the perfect book. Maybe it was just the right book at the perfect time. Or maybe it was the perfect book for me. Or maybe it was a combination of all things but it was just what I needed.

Anna is grappling with life and what happens after the suicide of her fiancé. How does life go on? How does she go on? She decides to take the trip that her and her fiancé had planned to take but she goes alone. Doller does a fantastic job writing about the loss of a loved one and how grief can work.

One of the highlights for me was all the descriptions of the islands, foods, sites, people and landmarks. As someone who loves the Caribbean islands and loves travel, I found these descriptions like visiting with a close friend. I have grieved the loss of travel these past 9 months and felt that I was breathing a little easier reading about these places.

I really cannot think of anything that I did not like about this book except I did not want it to end. I hope that Doller writes more about Anna and Keane.

Warning: Triggers could be suicide or death of a partner.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much like Doller's previous book Start Here, this book is a sailing adventure. However Start Here was YA and Float Plan is adult age appropriate 18+ . Anna Beck is a 25 year old waitress whose fiancé killed himself less than a year before we meet her, just before Thanksgiving. He left her his sailboat that he fixed up, an Alberg. Anna packs up her stuff where she's been living in Ft. Lauderdale in a cramped 2 bedroom shared with her mom, sister and young niece and takes off sailing. The only problem is, she's alone & a somewhat inexperienced sailor. So when she ends up in Bimini and a kind stranger rescues her from an unfortunate situation, the book really takes off. It's impossible not to love Keane Sullivan, an Irish sailor who lost part of his leg in an accident. Keane is not only a gentleman but a charming, kind and funny sailing partner.

Anna and Keane's sailing adventures in the Caribbean were such a pleasant diversion from whatever is going on in the world now. I only wish they made a stop in St Thomas, my favorite Caribbean island. Nevertheless I could picture the people Anna and Keane met and the kindness of the sailing community. The writing was very appealing to me & I didn't feel the romance was too rushed. You will want to pick this book up when available in March 2021!

This is a book about finding your way back to yourself after a terrible tragedy. A well written, romantic story about finding love when you least expect it. I found myself swept away into this story and enjoy all of the travel. As someone who has never been to the Caribbean, I really loved the descriptions of all of the islands and adventure of the story. I will be looking forward to reading more by this author. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was really special. I think the author did such a lovely job of dealing with difficult, heavy themes, while still creating an uplifting, empowering narrative and a sweet slow-burning romance. I was swept away by the descriptions of the different destinations and engrossed by the personal growth journey of both characters and their love story.

This was a unique twist on a romance. novel! I was surprised by some of the twists in this one. I Loved the characters and the diversity of the, that came by all of the travel included in the story. There were some triggers in the book but I felt they were handled well and the reader was given space to think on them. I would love to read more from this author. HighLy recommend.

This book gave me more feelings than I was expecting. It was beautiful, romantic, charming, heartbreaking, and heart warming. The hero and heroine are fantastic. The dialogue is great. And who doesn't love high seas adventure in a romance novel!

I received an ARC copy form Netgalley.

A fun romcom that makes you want to go out an sail the Caribbean. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to see what adventure Anna was going to have next. A definite summer beach read

I just adored Float Plan so much. It was such a light and refreshing read. I loved the characters, their depth and their relationship progression. I read this one by the water and it was absolutely perfect. If you love a good beachy romance then definitely snag this book!

I really enjoyed this section chances story. It is a slow burn romance. I loved how both characters were hurt from their past and seeing them overcome that was heartwarming.

This book was a treat! I heard about it on a publisher webinar and thoroughly enjoyed the main characters, their arc, and the highly original setting. I already know who I will recommend this book to!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. I believe that this is a first novel for Trish Doller, and if it is I can't wait to read what she writes next! This novel was awesome! If I had to compare it to another book it would be Wild, except instead of a soul-searching hike, this is about a soul-searching sail!
Anna has lost the love of her life. To put it mildly, she's not handling it very well! When she gets a reminder of a sailing trip they had planned, she impulsively decides to take the trip-by herself. Along the way she realizes that she can't finish the trip by herself, so she enlists the help of a real sailor, Keane to help her finish the journey. Little does she know, Keane is on a journey of his own. This story is beautifully sad-in the very best way. One of my favorite reads this year!

Doller's Float Plan was a refreshing romantic read filled with humor, determination and personal triumph over loss and sorrow. I enjoyed the sailing accounts and found myself wanting more of the story at the end! Well done!

When Anna’s fiancé commits suicide, she sets off for an adventure aboard his boat. She hires a professional sailor, Keene, to help.

This book is billed as funny and light, and while it was romantic and steamy, I thought it had a lot of substance and was more emotional than I expected. The writing is excellent, the chemistry is intense, the story is compelling. I loved it!!

Float Plan was a wonderful read about two people discovering themselves after loss. It had a slow-burn romance, but the character growth was the main focus of the story. Sailing was a focal point of the novel, and it was clear the author has been to the islands described; it made me want to explore the Caribbean myself! Overall, Float Plan is a great book about finding love after loss and second chances.

This is a very positive, uplifting romance. Both characters have survived different tragedies that have left them with different experiences than they had planned. What I loved was how neither character showed pity towards the other. They just accepted each other's stories and helped each other when needed. Ultimately, this is a story of survivors. Survivors that learned that they could handle their new lives alone or together. This story lacked unnecessary drama and some of the more common romance tropes. I don't think that is easy to pull off.. Thank you for a great story.

I got this book solely because it was available and I’m so glad I made the rash decision . This book is one that I’m holding close to my heart . I love that at the beginning of this books there’s a little note that to give us reads a heads up about the content, that may be triggering in this book.
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I love that the love interest wasn’t a Douche cause I’m tired or their horrible guys 😩, Keanne is perfect and I need to be apart of his family because they all sound amazing. I love how the character Anna grief is portrayed in a realistic way because there’s no time line or a certain way to grieve a lost .
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This is a second change romance and just a great book about life and the bumps along the way. I really love hearing about the food , I’m from the Caribbean so seeing my culture in the book really made me happy .

I loved this book. It took me a while to get around to reading this one even though I fantasize about sailing the Caribbean. I think the cover threw me off a bit, it's so sunny and light, while the description seems like an emotional commitment (which I can get totally onboard for sometimes). How could you not fall in love and root for Anna? There is so much to admire in a character who impulsively takes a risk that, at it's root, takes so much courage. Her courage and strength is hidden just beneath the surface and Doller makes it believable, honest, and accessible. Keane Sullivan is the 'sailor' in shining armor. Irish heroes are always charming, adorable, irresistible. I'm totally down for it.
Doller has done a nice job of balancing the sailing terms with the story. I still searched a few things to solidify the images when it was convenient and my imagination was never hindered by the language.
Great read! Can't wait to get the hard copy in March. This would be a great book club read - fairly short, enough romance and pull to keep members reading, exotic locations to drool over collectively, and opportunities for discussion about grief, personal setbacks, growth, love and loss.
Thanks so much for galley!

I loved this book! It’s a story of a woman finding herself after her fiancé commits suicide. She goes a boat trip that they we going to take together and she has to find herself.

I loved the strength in this book. She is heartbroken over her fiancé and has been for 10 months. This trip helps her heal and I loved how it did that. Truly amazing book!

I am typically a sucker for any type of rom-com or modern romance type book, especially in these current times when I just need something fun and uplifting to read. While I love these type of books, I can usually tell you immediately where each of the plots will go and exactly what will happen before getting past Chapter 1. Float Plan however was not this way and I was very pleasantly surprised about the topics touched on in this book and how much I loved it!

Anna loses her fiancee to suicide and decides to set off on a preplanned trip they had to help her numb the pain that feels being left behind. While Anna starts the trip alone, she soon realizes she is not equipped for this trip and after a drunken mistake, decides to hire Keane to help her for the duration of her journey.

I loved how this book not only focussed on the eventual love story that grew between Anna and Keane, but also Anna's story of growth. Readers follow along as Anna finds her own strength, voice and confidence that allows her to move on after tragedy and accept other love into her life after the passing of her fiancee. Many of the topics discussed in this book are very real world and it makes it easy to connect with the characters while reading.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced Reading Copy of this book in return for my honest feedback. This was my first experience being granted an ARC and I could not be more pleased with the book that came with it!

Thank you Net Galley for this book. The story is amazing. It’s a second chance love story. Anna’s fiancé Ben commits suicide nearly a year ago and her life is shattered.She is trying to cope up from that loss and come out of the grief. One day she receives a reminder about the sailing trip to the Caribbean that she and Ben planned together. She wanted to relive the memories she made with Ben and so not thinking much, she goes for sailing alone.Soon she realises that she needs to hire someone professional. She hires Keane an Irish sailor. Keane himself is dealing with his own struggles after losing a leg in an accident. The two characters start to fall for each other during their journey and form new memories. The writing is amazing. The characters seem to be very strong and the descriptions related to the voyage seems to be really fun, interesting and realistic.Overall the story was awesome.

This author has a special place in my heart, she always manages to write a story that always gets to me. It can make me cry, laugh and always love. When you find an author like that, you just work to get your hands on all their books! This one was no exception!

Don't let this fuzzy yellow cover fool you in to thinking this story doesn't pack an emotional punch, because it does! Anna lost her fiance 10 months ago. She wakes up to an alarm reminding her they should be leaving on their sail boat to travel to the Bahamas and hit all the stop her finace wanted to. It's hard, reading Anna mourn her loved one and try to move on.

The other side is Keane. He's the heart and soul of the sea, hired by Anna to help her navigate her sailboat but also as a tour guide. He's there to help her try to find a new normal. It was amazing to read these 2 and very easy to flow in their story, even if that story was sometimes so very heartbreaking. I loved learning their lives and about the islands and the food. Such a wonderful read.

Well how cute was this one?! I come to this review with some bias because I have traveled to nearly all of the locations in this book by boat as well. It was a fabulous journey down memory lane and the island-specific observations and emotions were right on point.

I initially wondered how this will resonate with those who aren’t used to sailing terminology or those who may have never heard of some of these places but I believe the journey (both geographical and emotional) is strong enough to hook even those afraid of the high seas!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: March 2, 2021

Reaching for this book, I was convinced it was going to be a light romantic comedy with cute characters and laugh-out-loud moments. I was totally wrong in that it was a heavier, emotional, intimate, heart-wrenching, absolutely beautiful and inspiring romance!

But I was right in some things: the characters are truly loveable. In short, Anna, who lost her fiancée to suicide, hires a professional sailor Keane, who lost a leg in a car accident, to sail through the Caribbean - a trip which Anna was meant to complete with her now dead fiancée.

I usually avoid the motif of grief in books because life is already difficult enough without additional sadness. However, had I known this was such a prominent motif in Float Plant, I would have never picked it up, and I would have missed out on this beautiful story of two damaged people. I loved Anna and Keane separately as much as I loved them on that boat together, which to me is a very important criterion in a romance novel.

But that's not all - the trip itself is packed with unexpected problems at open sea, which is thrilling and keeps the novel pacey!

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

"But I'm starting to understand how sadness sand happiness can live side by side within a heart. And how that heart can keep on beating."

I loved this story and this quote essentially sums up why. This is a wonderful story on forgiveness, of doing the impossible and charting out your own path. Anna's boyfriend was suffering from depression and commits suicide. It was heart-wrenching reading about Anna's feelings and experience. Her boyfriend, Ben spent 3 years charting a course through the Caribbean and the plan was for them to spend a couple months out at sea exploring the various islands and attractions. 10 months later, Anna decides to take the trip that was planned. She is not an experienced sailor but decides that she needs to do this, for herself and for Ben. Along the way, Anna puts out a request for an experienced sailor to help her navigate. Keane Sullivan answers her ad and before they know it, feelings develop between them. As they're both dealing with their own personal issues and heartache, Anna and Keane find a way to overcome their insecurities and learn that life has a way of working itself out.

This story was so heartfelt and wonderful that I wanted to keep reading their story! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

Float Plan by Trish Doller was a unique novel! Anna was heartbroken by the suicide of her fiancee until an alarm goes to remind her of a trip they were supposed to take together, so she goes to his sailboat and takes off to sea. Realizing that she can't handle the boat herself, she takes on a mate, Keane, who is looking for redemption and a way to prove himself after an accident. Will they find love as they sail the seas together?

It was wonderful to read a unique and fresh novel from a new voice in romantic adult novels. Really enjoyed this one! Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this PRC
Wow! What a gorgeous amazing read.... it’s been awhile since I have fallen for a boom like I did for this one. Trish Doller did a spectacular job with this entire novel dealing with a loss from suicide.
The story of Anna and her acquisition of her sailboat and making a 1700 mile travel is beautifully written and made me completely sad when the book was finished. I can only plea for a sequel to this novel that had exactly the right amount of romance and strong female character.

I loved the book! I was a charming read and the story was really beautifully written. The characters were strong and there was not a single time where I thought of anything else other than the book.
It’s a must read. Highly recommended

In a year without travel, this novel swept me away. If you’re looking for a book that is filled with seafaring adventure, personal growth, and a slow-burning romance with intense chemistry, then this book is for you.

After the devastating loss of her fiancé, Anna is merely existing, not living. She leaves her job, her friends, and her family to set sail to the Caribbean, just like she and her fiancé had originally planned, however, she would be making this trip solo. While heading out on her own might not have been the wisest decision (I’m not that brave), she needed the escape from her current life. She wanted to fulfill Ben’s charted trip, and she also needed this time to heal. Anna wanted to learn how to live her life again. She didn’t want to forget Ben, and she knew that she would never stop loving him, but she needed to learn how to move on.

Anna’s grief wasn’t glossed over for the sake of the story or a potential new love interest. The author made you feel Anna’s grief. Her pain and anger were real, authentic, and palpable. It was not just a fleeting emotion, it was always there, whether on the surface or buried deep within, and I felt it all right along with her.

After a dangerous and potentially life-threatening night on the water, Anna decided that she needed to hire an experienced sailor to help her. In steps Keane Sullivan, an experienced Irish sailor who prefers to be at sea than anywhere else. He turns out to be so much more than just a hired hand. He’s caring, nice, thoughtful, and he’s also running from his own pain. After spending so much time together, Keane and Anna develop a friendship. They are friends first, however, I could feel their chemistry through the pages of this novel.

The author took her time to develop their relationship and make the reader anticipate all of the possibilities. There’s nothing better than an intense build-up, and Trish Doller delivered it perfectly. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Anna and Keane. There were plenty of waves that they had to maneuver, but for myself, it’s always the imperfections and the struggles that make for a believable story.

You don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy this book. While there are a lot of details and descriptions of sailing, it adds to the visualization of the story. I could picture every little detail as Anna was experiencing it.

Float Plan was an enjoyable read. Filled with beautiful destinations, great characters, bravery, determination, and romance, this book was a voyage that I was glad to take.

*4.5 Stars

After 10 months of treading water with her grief, Anna's finally decided to "move on" from the death of her fiance in the best way she can: taking his sailboat and ditching her job in Ft. Lauderdale to go cruising around the Caribbean on a trip they should have taken together. Along the way, she picks up a one-legged sailor still coping with his own loss. This scenic, adventurous, and travelogue-themed tale with a slow-burn romance and a focus on healing and grief management makes for an incredible book I practically read in a day.

From the moment Anna stepped off of dry land, I was invested. She was a relatable character, a woman who took on Ben's plan for their journey with an obligation in mind. She had to do what he wanted, because she felt she owed it to him. And in the end, she discovered herself.

This book tackles strong themes like grief and our obligations not only to our loved ones, but to ourselves. All the while, we get to see the beauty of the tropics through Anna's eyes, as well as a wonderful character named Keane. While Keane has his own demons, he also seems to take on Anna's Float Plan with an obligation; he said he would help her through it, and he is true to his word. While he shows her the ropes, quite literally, he also learns that the life he used to have might not be what he wants anymore.

I thought it was a beautiful book and thoroughly enjoyed the read.