Emma is an auto-buy author of mine and when I got approved for this i was jumping to the moon.

It was everything you could want from a book. The story was well done.

This book was everything I hoped it would be! I think I’ve found a new favorite author! The witty banter between main characters kept me laughing and I couldn’t put the book down. I found myself saying, “One more chapter,” at the end of every chapter until to my surprise I was at the end and it was almost 1 am. I had a great time reading and I look forward to reading more from Emma St Clair!

IF ALL ELSE SAILS by EMMA ST CLAIR is a delightfully witty novel with really believable characters and some hard earned romance!
There has always been bad blood between Josie and her brother Jacob’s best friend and client, Wyatt Jacobs, the famous ice hockey star. When Jacob asks her to nurse the grumpy sportsman back to health after he has had an unfortunate accident and become a total recluse, she only accepts because she could use the money he promises to pay her……
There is false arrest for trespassing, a battle of wills in the “little murder cottage”, infection causing delirium and a sailing trip, which all lead to the two of them slowly getting to know one another…….
I loved the book and cannot recommend it highly enough as a fun and enjoyable read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I’m so ready for summer and warmer weather. If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair helped give me the same feeling.

Cute and fun, IF ALL ELSE SAILS should appeal to readers looking for a clean romance. Wyatt and Josie have great chemistry, and the author excels at witty, flirtatious banter.

I did not feel like the chapter titles were necessary, and their foreshadowing seemed a bit forced/artificial. I hope this is not a new trend.

My other minor complaint is that the pacing is a bit slow. The book would have been better if it was shorter. Not every book needs to be the same length, and readers can tell where there's padding.

Overall, however, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read that manages to combine romance and humor into a delightful package.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

I am in love! Josie and Wyatt are the cutest and sweetest and I just want to give them the biggest hugs. While this book is all about “foot-in-mouth disease” … (miscommunication) … it’s done in the funniest way possible so you don’t want to reach in and smack the people. I was laughing and cackling at several places. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for this book. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise~

This was my first book by Emma St. Clair and she did not disappoint. I finished this book in under 24 hours, it was soo good.

I adored the banter between the characters and also the slow burn between them. I’m a sucker for a he falls first trope and boy, did this hit the spot!

I can’t wait to read more of Emma’s books, her writing is phenomenal.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. All opinions are purely my own.

This book is an absolute delight! I haven't laughed so much while reading in such a long time. The author has a way with setting up a scene and dialogue that just makes me so happy. The characters are great and I enjoyed getting to know them better. Wyatt has so many layers and it is a typical grumpy-sunshine trope but it works! The romance is superb! It is sweet and clean and honest and fun. The setting is also perfect for a summer read with a cottage by the water to sailing on a boat. Josie is hilarious and I also really liked the secondary characters of her brother, his friends and Wyatt's mother.
If you are looking for a fun rom-com this is for you! I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every bit of it!

Five Stars.




"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

I really enjoyed this book. While Josie and Wyatt’s reunion started with total chaos and just continue adding bricks to the “offense wall” that she has built around her heart towards Wyatt both characters end up needing each other right away, which forces them together. I love that Wyatt is grumpy to everyone except, internally, towards Josie and that Josie is just grumpy towards Wyatt until she starts to sympathize with him and see him as an actual human who is grieving so many things. Both characters seem to notice each other deficits and to cater to them in a way that is tender and helpful. I love the addition of Jib and her many outfits and I like that the “brother’s best friend” trope didn’t get blown out of proportion like it normally does. While none of the supporting characters were perfect they truly cared about Wyatt and Josie and did their best to support them and show up for them as much as possible.

“Enemies to lovers”
Brothers best friend
One bed
He falls first

Possible triggers:
Parent neglect
Molestation/ non- consent
Depression
Death of loved one

I simply loved this story! It gets all the stars

This novel follows elementary school nurse Josie and pre hockey player Wyatt. When Wyatt becomes injured playing field golfing, his agent Jacob’s sends his sister Josie to take care of him. Little do we know Jacob has matchmaking in mind. From cop calls to stray dogs and learning to sail a boat, these two find a deep connection.

This book was so fun. Honestly there were things I’ve never seen in a book before. I mean, how many rom coma start with the male getting the female arrested and then she is stuck taking care of HIM! Brilliant.

The banter was to die for. I loved the spunky dialogue. It was so genuine and easy to follow and believe.

I loved all the characters, and I appreciate the Appies shoutout (if you haven’t checked out that series DO IT!). Josie, Wyatt, and Jib are the cutest little family. Can Jacob get a book next?

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Josie is on her way to meet her brother for their Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza. When she reaches the address he gave her, he’s not there and it’s a somewhat rundown old house. When she finally reaches him on the phone, she finds he’s not coming and has a totally unrealistic ask of her.
Wyatt is a well-loved professional hockey player who is not recovering well from an injury. He’s not following the doctors’ orders so his agent, who is also his best friend, and Josie’s brother, ask his sister, Josie, who is a school nurse, to spend the summer with Wyatt to ensure he follows his care plan. Josie refuses to be persuaded to spend any time with Wyatt, claiming they hate each other and have since they met years earlier. Finally with the offer of the right price of four times her usual salary, she agrees.
She soon learns that convincing an irritable adult to follow the doctor’s orders is much more challenging than putting a band aid on a skinned knew. As time passes, they develop a tentative friendship, and Josie even offers go with Wyatt serving as first made on a sail through the Intercoastal Waterway to Savannah for the purpose of scattering the ashes of his beloved uncle.
There are many ups and downs in this delightful and funny story. I had to pause several times to laugh out loud. The characters are loveable and relatable and definitely keep this engrossing story entertaining until the last page is turned.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All comments and opinions are my own.

I love Emma St.Clair and I’ve enjoyed all of the hockey books more than I ever expected to. Grumpy heroes are my favorite, so I really like Wyatt’s story and thought Josie was a good heroine. Wyatt’s mother may’ve been my favorite secondary character.
The only thing I didn’t care for was not finding out what happened with Wyatt’s career in the end.

Loved this story!! The characters were amazing, plot was so fun, and I definitely see myself picking If All Else Sails up again!

I absolutely loved this lighthearted read! I laughed throughout the book -‘the details are delightful. Just go along with the ride (or sail?) for this lighthearted read.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this book.

If All Else Sails is about Josie- a primary school nurse- who thinks she is going on a trip with her brother as they do it every year. The thing is when she arrives at the place he texted, she finds that not only her brother is not here, but his best friend Wyatt- a famous hockey player- is as it’s his place.

It was such a cute and sweet book navigating the themes of grief, friendship, love, and family. I found myself smiling/laughing many times while reading this book especially when Jibby was involved- I loved the outfits that were planned for her lol.

I also LOVE the brother’s best friend trope, so this book served regarding to that! I would not necessarily agree with the enemies-to-lovers trope, as you could feel they were not really enemies and just had a problem of miscommunication.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

What a fun book! I love Emma St. Clair’s writing style. All the delicious wit and banter and none of the spice. That’s not to say there’s no tension or swoon. Just the perfect combination.

My favorite quote was —
“But perhaps love is being the exact right size of drill bit to tighten the other person’s very specific loose screws.” Haha! But so many good lines!

I loved the sassiness Josie exhibited through all her misfortunate experiences, like being trapped in the back of a cop car in the sweltering heat with no A/C, pigs, etc. she was a great FMC.

Wyatt was the perfect grump, unintentionally throwing out insults when he meant the opposite. Yet he was so understanding, caring and patient with Josie.

If you’re looking for entertainment with sweet slow burn romance this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own.

If you are a follower of the Appies series by Emma St.Clair and Jenny Proctor, buy this book now. If you aren't a fan of this series - today is your lucky day as you not only get this great book but you can go back and read other books in the series. Reading those books aren't necessary for reading this story, but if you fall in love with it, this is highly important info!

Loved the story, it had funny parts, it had drama, it had romance. It's a great book to curl up with. The characters were well written and not 1 dimensional. Definitely a good rom com - Can't wait for the next one.

I receive complimentary books for various sources, including Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

I loved this book!
It was such a sweet story and it had the perfect amount of slow burn.
Even with it being no spice you could feel the romantic tension between the two characters.
It was funny, charming and the storyline was fantastic, I was hooked.
The anxiety representation in this book was spot on, I felt a real connection to the FMC and her struggles with it.
The world was so immersive, I really felt pulled in by the whole book.
Would highly recommend ✨

Set in Virginia then along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), school nurse Josie helps her sport agent brother's star athlete Wyatt recover from a foot injury before sailing together down to Savannah. This is a sports adjacent romance, since this is set during summer (not hockey season). This features Emma St Clair's charming writing and some of my favorite tropes!

Some things I loved:
⛵ Grumpy MMC
⛵ Forced Proximity
⛵ Brother's Best Friend
⛵ One Bed
⛵ He falls first
⛵ Slow burn
⛵ Miscommunication ("foot-in-mouth disease")
⛵ Cameos from other Appies (check out this series if you haven't yet!)
⛵ Adorable animal side character

5 / 5 stars

Closed door / kissing only and no profanity

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC!

This book is about Josie and Wyatt who is her brother's best friend. He had serious injury and was really bad mentally and physically so Jacob who is his manager and Josie's brother sends Josie to help him recover.

If I needed to show my perfect slow-burn, brother's best friend, enemies to lovers book this is it. This book is so charming and funny I can't even explain my love for this book. This writer is describing their feelings and thoughts so good.

The love story of Josie and Wyatt flowed easily with lighthearted banter and heart to heart conversations. It was easy to fall in love with Wyatt's grumpy demeanor and Josie's anxious personality. Fun read that will help you escape reality for a bit!

Wyatt Jacobs is a cranky, injured hockey player who just lost one of the most important people in his world. When he sinks into depression and refuses to do the therapy he needs to recover his health and career, his agent/best friend send in the big guns…his sister Josie. A nurse who met him before he was famous, she’s a blast from his past who shows up to rock the boat.

I loved how the reader is initially set up to believe that most of the character growth in this story will be Wyatt’s experience. However, the longer the story goes on, the more you realize that Josie has a lot of growing to do, as she realizes how much she misunderstood from their first encounters, and how those misperceptions clouded her judgment and understanding of Wyatt’s interactions with her.

Tropes include:
- Enemies to Lovers (lots of misunderstandings!)
- Hockey Player
- Nurse and Patient
- Hilarious Dog (in a bikini!)
- He falls first
- Grumpy MMC
- Childhood history together
- Best friend’s sister

When Wyatt Jacobs showed up in the Appies series, I really, REALLY hoped that we would someday get to read his story, and it was everything I had hoped for! There are a few trigger warnings – death of a family member, dysfunctional/abusive parental interaction, and some described memories of a sexual assault attempt. All of these are in the past when the story opens, and they’re described in a way that helps to shape the understandings of the main characters.

This book was everything I wanted it to be, and it even included a couple of the other Appies players, so I’m delighted that I got a chance to read it!

Emma St. Clair is one of my auto-read authors. She knows how to craft a story that sweeps you away with humor and hope, carries you along with heart and delivers you and the characters safely and happily to the end. Wyatt and Josie are exactly the adorable people you expect to meet in her books and of course it wouldn't be an Emma St. Clair novel without a wacky animal story. (Beware of the murder pigs, y'all!) For heavens sake, do yourself a favor and read it already!

If you like: brother’s best friend, slow-burn, clean romance,

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson fiction for the e-arc. I absolutely devoured this book in essentially one sitting.

What I loved
- Josie and Wyatt! Both were fully realised characters which made their thought processes, anxieties and hesitations easy to understand.
- the 70/30 Josie to Wyatt pov split. Wyatt’s pov = 🧑‍🍳💋
- the sport romance element. I don’t really consider this a sports romance in the traditional sense. Wyatt’s career was obviously an integral element to the story but hockey itself really took a backseat to sailing ⛵️. If anything I wish there was a little more focus on the journey

Things to note:
- it is a slower romance than my go-tos, with a lot of internalised conflict mostly from Josie’s end. I thought it was handled really well in this book, but it does slow the pace down a bit in the last quarter

Overall I would recommend as a really lovely summer romance read ☀️

I loved this book. So much so that I forced myself to sit it down to prolong how long it took me to read it because I didn’t want to be done with the story and characters.

I was smiling and chuckling from page 1. Emma St. Clair must be incredibly witty in person to have written the witty internal and external monologues and banter in this. I want to be her friend now.

I also happen to LOVE the grumpy male MC trope (maybe because I’m married to one myself 😂) and the chemistry between these two characters was felt immediately while still keeping it clean and closed door.

I also enjoyed each of the secondary characters in this book.

If you like:
💕clean
💕closed door
💕 rom-com
💕 forced proximity
💕 grump + sunshine
💕 animals
💕 athlete MC
💕 wit
Add this to your TBR pronto!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Perfect grumpy and sunshine! Josie is conned into taking care of Wyatt as he recovers from an injury and sails down the coast to honor his uncle’s last wishes. As a middle school teacher, the lack of spice in this still-very-sweet romance is perfect and this was such a fun read!

This is a standalone, kisses only romcom by Emma St Clair. It features a character that was first introduced in a previous series of hers, but it is absolutely not necessary to have read that series to thoroughly enjoy this book.

Wyatt and Josie have chemistry out the wazoo. The banter between them is humorous. I appreciated the deeper touches of the story as well. There is healing achieved throughout the story for both characters. It was fun to take that journey with them.

One thing that I do want to mention, is that I did not read the blurb and am very glad that I didn't. It contains information that happens over halfway through the story. From the cover and title, some events could be guessed, but I personally hate being spoiled by blurbs. That's why I've stopped reading them, especially for authors I am familiar with their content or for books recommended to my by friends. That is another reason why my reviews are more vague than maybe other's are.

I did receive an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Loved it! From start to finish this grumpy sunshine, enemies to lovers story hooked me in the best way! The grumpy hero was perfection! Honestly, how did his gruff exterior ever mask his—melt me into a puddle— heart of gold? I absolutely loved his fever induced truth telling moments the most! The forced proximity worked wonderfully well in this story and I enjoyed all the little special things that Wyatt did for Josie incognito. I love a romance that builds without unnecessary conflict and this one delivers! This is going on my favorites list for the year! I adored it!

Utterly delightful slow burn romance. Josie gets tricked into helping out her brothers friend slash client. There is no real enemy to lover trope. Instead, he has had feelings for years. Now is the chance to do something about it.

Very sweet story. The writing could use a bit more polish, but I would read this book again. I’ll also read sequels (hint hint). Definitely time well spent in reading this book.

5 stars.

"I'm a very patient man." And also slow as molasses. Who likes someone for as long as Wyatt has liked (loved) Josie. I hate that he probably would have continued to love her from afar if he hadn't hurt his foot and then spent weeks wallowing, necessitating Jacob sending Josie to help him. That's why Wyatt is not so smart. Maybe he'd been hit in the head by a puck....hmmmm. I LOVE the whole hospital scene! From the moment Josie works to get Wyatt in his vehicle all the way through to them getting take-out on their way home from the hospital. Every word of that was a true delight! I can't wait to read through that scene again!!!

Emma never disappoints in creating an engaging story that keeps pulling you back in. This book had all my favorite tropes! Hockey romance, brothers best friend, he falls first…ah just all so good! I also loved how this was just as much about Josie’s own personal journey as it was a romance and Wyatt was just the best mix of grump on the outside and softie on the inside

What a fun book! I love Emma St. Clair’s writing style. All the delicious wit and banter and none of the spice.

This was such a fun romcom! I loved the main characters and the side-characters. The plot had a nice pace and a satisfying ending.

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is such a cute, fun and beautiful romance. Swoony but low spice. Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, brother's friend, etc. I really enjoyed reading this
I got a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson Fiction via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine

Emma St. Clair is an auto buy author for me, I love all of her books. Getting to read If All Else Sails early was amazing The main characters Josie and Wyatt were fantastic, the setting was lovely, and the way the story carried out was like a summer dream. Everyone should read this book, along with all of her other ones. It was so cute!

Thank you netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an arc of If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

This book was fantastic! With the perfect balance of edginess and swoon-worthy moments, it featured amazing character growth. This book had a hilarious beginning, and I really enjoyed how the plot developed. Her books just keep getting better and better, and the pacing was ideal. Overall, this book did not let me down. I thoroughly recommend it.

Oh Emma, you’ve really done it this time! 😍😍
I loved this book!! It had such wonderful character development with just the right amount of sass and swoony moments. I loved the hilarious start to this book and how the story evolved! The only thing I don’t like is that it’s over, and now I have a book hangover!! ❤️

If All Else Sails has some of my favorite romance tropes, and the story is really well-executed. The only-one-bed trope works even in this sweet romance, along with plenty of forced proximity and an enemies-to-lovers trajectory. I also adore books involving travel, in particular sailing since I've never been on a sailboat, so there's some great escapism to the book. It's probably my favorite Emma St. Clair novel so far!

Jessie is working at being content with her ordinary life as a school nurse, hoping to one day buy her own home, not interested in romance or dating. Wyatt is a hockey pro who's down recovering from an injury. They've known each other for years as he's her brother's close friend, but Jessie's always assumed he can't stand her. They're thrown together by said brother who wants Jessie to talk sense into Wyatt so he'll show up for physical therapy and get back to hockey.

Wyatt is somewhat of a grump, but never truly mean, so it's easy to imagine early on that his grumpy exterior hides a sweetness underneath. The two decide to go sailing to follow the same route Wyatt planned to take with his now-deceased uncle, the man who had been like a father to him.

I loved the story of Jessie learning how to sail as a complete newbie, Wyatt learning how to accept help to recover from his injury, and both of them figuring out whether they can trust each other and become something more than enemies and even more than friends. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this advanced copy!

Wow!!!! This book was SO cute. The banter and dialogue is top tier. I found myself highlighting so many quotes!

I loved so many different parts of this book but some of my favorites were the initial banter between the characters when deciding if she was staying to help him, the shopping spree with MMC’s mom (and immediately following!) and the rain scene on the boat. I’ve never read a book involving sailing and it made for such a fun and cute setting!

I loved this book and will absolutely be recommending to friends!

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair was such an enjoyable read! It follows school nurse Josie and she reunited with her brother best friend, grumpy and currently injured hockey play, Wyatt. I was super excited when I realised the MMC was Wyatt from the Appies Series, and for those who follow that series look forward to a few other camoes for our beloved hockey team. I really liked the characters of Josie and Wyatt and their banter and chemistry really kept me hooked! Overall, a great, fun story to lose yourself in. I can’t wait to see what Emma St. Clair comes out with next! Thank you to the author, Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the ARC! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a fun read involving enemies to more, brother's friend falling first, forced proximity, sass, banter, and family dynamics. Josie dislikes jocks, and readers will find out why. Wyatt is a hockey player with an injury. I enjoyed the chemistry between Josie and Wyatt, the mother and daughter shopping spree, and getting to see some Appies hockey players making an appearance. Let's not forget a cute dog, a sailing trip, and an unforgettable encounter at the beginning involving Josie and the police. Enjoyable clean read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I've read many of Emma St Clair's novels and she is one of those authors that I know will never disappoint. If All Else sails has it all, smart, witty banter, swoony moments, and believable characters. I especially liked that this book had a more unusual setting (sailing) while using the miscommunication trope (done well)!

This sweet romance is the perfect summer beach read that will make you laugh-out-loud and leave you smiling.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Any book written by Emma St. Clair is an absolute must read for me. The way she weaves a story has me sucked in immediately. Her characters are developed and seem like actual people. One thing that I appreciate about grumpy sunshine tropes is that it helps dispel the thought that grumpy people are just mean and don’t care about anyone else. They are that way for a reason, whether it’s anxiety, pain, or something else. I loved watching these two learn to open up and slowly grow closer (emphasis on slowly…my patience was not as strong as Wyatt’s). I have loved all the Appies books so getting to see Wyatt find love even though he’s no longer part of that team was fun. And Jib was just another sprinkle on top. It wouldn’t be an Emma book without an animal.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a super cutie romance that was exactly what I needed. The slow burn was absolutely perfect, their banter was cute, overall just so cutie patootie!!

What a fun book! From the very first chapter I was in love with this story and the mischief the MCs got up to. 😆😍 The romance was so well written, sweet, and cute! Josie and Wyatt had a rough start, but the more you reader the more you realize he’s just a big ole softie with foot-in-the-mouth disease (iykyk). The characters were great, plot engaging, and romance clean!

/Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own/

Thank you netgalley for the arc of this book.
I loved this book so much. And there was even a few of the Appies that showed up so that's always a bonus. I loved the banter. The so called enemies to lovers troupe.
When Wyatt is injured and not taking care of himself so Jacob gets his sister to come take care of him under false pretenses. She has always disliked him and thought he hated her. So when she realized what Jacob wanted her to do she was definitely not on board.
Such a good book.

Oh my goodness, this book is everything I hoped it would be! I love grumpy sunshine tropes, and this one is just perfect that way! Wyatt and Josie could have worked out their differences earlier, but I doubt the story would have been so good. They are the perfect complement to each other, and I loved being a part of their love story.

Absolutely loved it!!

I loved these two so much. The chemistry, everything was just so amazing. 20/10, will be reading this again very soon.

"Better started than perfect. Better tried than unknown"

What an absolute delight! "If All Else Sails" was a perfect mix of charming Rom-Com with a heartfelt story at its core.

Josie is tricked by her sports agent brother into keeping an eye on his friend and client, injured hockey star Wyatt. If their history is anything to go on, Wyatt is grump with no time for his friend's little sister. As they navigate his recovery and plans to sail the Intracoastal, they discover that the course of true love never did run smooth.

One thing I loved the most was how effortless the comedic aspects of the story were balanced with a beautiful romance. I was hooked by the hilarious opening chapters where Josie is wrongfully detained. Then as the story progressed, we saw how the relationship between Josie and Wyatt was so sweet. I appreciated the green flag way in which Wyatt was so respectful of Josie's heart, being patient with her hesitancy, even when not fully knowing the impact that her past had on her.

😂❤️ Romantic Comedy
🏒 MMC is an injured hockey player
👩🏼‍⚕️ FMC is a school nurse
⛵ Sailing trip and forced proximity
🫑🔥 Slow burn, closed-door romance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for this early read! I loved this book from start to finish. Josie and Wyatt were so much fun, the settings, his friends, her antics, all of it! Please don't sleep on this one - pub date 8/5/25!

I was really happy to get this ARC because I really loved the main story. This book seems to be an offshoot for.
I don’t know if it is a standalone in these characters aren’t gonna pop up anymore or if it’s a start of its own series .
Anyway, the MMC Wyatt, was a side character in the Appies series, and he disappeared about halfway throughout the season, saying that he got a contract with a NHL team.
So I love the idea that the author is gonna do a bunch of standalone’s for other side characters of the series or another series. You get so invested with their stories and sad when you never know what happens to them.

To the book itself -
The FMC Josie, is an elementary school, nurse and her brother, the son of their families’s solar system, is a professional sports agent. He was best friends with Wyatt, the MMC growing up.

Thanks to a little miscommunication trope/misunderstanding that never got fixed Josie has been under the impression for many a year that Wyatt hates her guts to the point of being disgusted. And when she shows up at his house thinking she’s about to have a fun summer adventure with her brother and instead she is arrested…. It’s all kind of downhill from there.

Which, brings us to poor foot in his mouth, Wyatt 😂😂😂😂
I think this man would benefit greatly from writing down his feelings and sticking to a plan when talking to people, but instead he seems to carry a proverbial shovel with him wherever he goes. On the rare occurrence he actually does open his mouth, he immediately starts digging.
So, he’s taken to just not talking.

For me, this book was kind of emotional to read because I grew up in Virginia, I’ve been to almost all of the places that were mentioned! Hell, I’ve been boating on the bay! It’s so funny because you rarely read books about the Hampton Roads area. It was great because I could literally picture every single part in my head.

This book was amazing! Emma st Clair is one of my favorite authors. I was so happy to read this book! The romance in this book was so fun and it kept me on my toes!

Emma St. Clair has done it again, pulling me in from page one and keeping me hooked with the wit, the banter, the laughs, the chemistry, and all the swoon that Wyatt and Josie have to offer!

When Wyatt, an NHL hockey player (and former Appie!) gets injured and refuses to take care of himself, his agent/best friend, Jacob, sends his sister to take charge! However, Josie thinks she’s headed to her annual Super Sibling Extravaganza, not to babysit her nemesis. Things between these two start off on the wrong foot after Wyatt has her arrested and the fun begins and just doesn’t stop!

Wyatt and Josie are adorable!! He’s the classic grump and she’s the happy sunshine—though he doesn’t always bring out that side of her. I loved their chemistry and back and forth banter both when Wyatt was feverish and when he was perfectly healthy. It was fun to see their relationship change over time and I loved how their sailing trip really helped further their relationship. Of course, it was fun to see Van and Eli make a guest appearance, too!!

A few things to love:

💙 Wyatt & Josie
😤 Grumpy/Sunshine
🏒 Injured hockey player
👩🏻‍⚕️ School nurse
👫🏻 Forced proximity
🙅🏻‍♂️ Brother’s best friend
⛵️ A sailing trip
👟 Boat shoes
🦶🏻Foot-in-mouth disease
🐶 Jib
🛏️ One bed
🧔🏻‍♂️ A Van & Eli cameo

Loved this book so much! Don’t miss it!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Fantastic read; it was cozy and a slow burn but the banter and story made you not want to put the book down! I would highly recommend this book!

I love the brother’s best friend trope and this did not disappoint. The banter between Josie and Wyatt was great with a lot of swoon worthy moments. Overall loved this book.

This book was so beautiful and has everything I need in a romance! Enemies to lovers with her brothers best friend? Yes please! The romance was romancing, I was a giggling, feet kicking mess! And the banter? Perfect!

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of the premise of this book but then I remembered it is an Emma St Clair book and she can literally write anything. If All Else Sails follows Josie, an elementary school nurse out for summer break, and Wyatt, an injured hockey player as they take a sailing trip down the east coast. This book really surprised me. I was immediately hooked from the beginning when Josie and Wyatt meet in a way that is surprising to both of them considering Josie's brother planned the whole thing without their knowledge. Josie is tasked with taking care of Wyatt and his recovery. Oh and did I mention that Josie believes Wyatt is her enemy? I actually loved Josie and it is rare that I like a female main character from the beginning of the book. As for Wyatt who doesn't love a grumpy injured hockey player?! However, the book is not a typical hockey romance. Also, there is an adorable dog involved too. Oh, and Wyatt happens to be Josie's brother's best friend. I literally read this book in a couple of hours. It will make a great summer read. It has just the right mix of humor and romance.
Content: kisses only
Thank you to NetGalley. These are my own opinions and I was not required to leave a review.

This was such a cute, sweet, hilarious rom-com! The first half was so incredibly funny and I just loved it. The second half was more of the romance which I enjoyed but I also kind of wanted the MFC to speed things up a little instead of questioning every tiny thing. Overall, this was adorable though.

I want to start by saying a big thank you to NetGalley and Emma St. Clair for making it possible for me to read this book. I have no idea what I was expecting from this book, but I did not expect it'd be as good as it is!
Clair did a phenomenal job. From the font choice, to the formatting, the plot, characters... the book was amazing. You can tell she put a lot of thought into every aspects of the book.
I am not a fan of romance, and I hardly ever read them, but this book is the second that's made me consider falling in love with the genre.
I laughed like crazy as I read it - I don't remember the last time a book made me laugh, and read 95 pages in one sitting before deciding to take it slow, because it was just that good.
I really enjoyed the love that budded between Josie and Wyatt, and how Clair kept "the bedroom door closed". That's one thing that made this rom-com different from others in its genre. A lot of authors today do not know how to write a true, real love story. They think lust and heat is what it means to fall, or be, in love, but Clair did a good job in setting an example that you can tell a love story that depicts one we experience in real life and does not always end up in the bedroom.
I have no bad thing to say about the book except that I did not want it to end. And would be here for a part two.

My rating? 10 out of 5. Everybody needs to get a copy and support this book!
I look forward to reading more titles by Clair.

Sure! Here’s a glowing 5-star review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was hooked by the witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and slow-burn tension between Josie and Wyatt. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was perfection—full of sharp humor, reluctant teamwork, and just the right amount of forced proximity (hello, cramped quarters on a boat!).

Josie is such a relatable, strong-willed character, and I loved watching her challenge Wyatt at every turn. And Wyatt? The ultimate grumpy yet secretly soft hockey player. His journey from broody and stubborn to vulnerable and swoon-worthy was so well done. Their relationship developed in such a natural, heartfelt way, making every moment—whether bickering or bonding—so compelling.

If you love enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and grumpy/sunshine dynamics, this is your next must-read!

One of my favorite Emma St Clair books yet! I found myself laughing multiples times.
The sailboat aspect was unique, and I enjoyed both characters. A great summer read!

In this book, we follow Josie and Wyatt as they learn to navigate close proximity, first in Wyatt's cottage, and then in his boat, as they sail down the East Coast.

Both their characters were amazing to read about, their personalities and their backgrounds.

Although it's not really an enemies-to-lovers as advertised, it is instead a slow burn, forced proximity romance. Josie and Wyatt form such a connection and have so much intimacy between them - which I loved reading about!

It really is an easy, perfect, summer read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn’t completely what I expected based off the cover & description but in my opinion it was much better!!

Josie is a down to earth elementary school nurse who is tricked into spending her summer with her supposed nemesis by her match making brother who also happens to be his best friend.

Wyatt is a grumpy hockey star who is recovering from an injury & the loss of his beloved uncle who taught him many things one of them being how to sail. Josie ends up helping him recover & accompanying him on his sailing trip/ farewell to his uncle.

Josie struggles to connect with others as she tends to keep them at arms length for fear of getting hurt, while Wyatt has only ever wanted her but has spent years saying all the wrong things & thus building her defenses against him.

There is definitely a grumpy/ sunshine vibe as well as my personal favorite enemies to lovers trope. I also loved this book as Emma St. Clair kept it completely closed door & to me this speaks volumes about the love story being able to stand on its own. Loved this! Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC :)

First of all, thank you NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction for this ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Omg. How I LOVED this book. I knew i was gonna really enjoy it with all the -best friend's brother, enemies to lovers (kind of), forced proximity trope-. For me it was a slow burn soft romance book, i loved the characters and the whole misunderstood guy who Josie thought hated her and turns out it's completely the opposite (had me giggling)! I absolutely loved the scene on the boat in the middle of caos and rain 10/10💘

5 well deserved ⭐️

I'm suuuuch a sucker for a grumpy x sunshine/enemies to lovers trope and this was no different! The witty banter, the sparks, the misunderstood male main character with a heart of gold, the CHEMISTRY between the two main characters... ugh, I loved it all! It was a fantastic option for a clean, wholesome, high quality romance. This would be the perfect little summery read! Highly recommend!

A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Josie, a school nurse, is tricked by her sports agent brother to "babysit" his client and best friend, Wyatt, a hockey player. Wyatt is injured and not doing well. Josie's only interaction with Wyatt in the past have been awkward and painful encounters. Although she is made at her brother, he offers her summer pay that blows her tutoring out of the water, and she decides to give it a try. Josie and Wyatt both end up in the ER, and have to figure out how to survive their summer together. In addition, Wyatt is grieving the loss of his uncle, whose cabin he is living in, and grieving the loss of a sailing trip they had planned to take together. Can Josie help Wyatt heal? Can she learn to sail so that Wyatt can take the trip he needs? I loved this one!

Thank you so much NetGalley and St Martins Press for this gifted copy. Emma St Clair is a favorite author of mine and I loved this book so much! Grumpy/sunshine is a favorite trope along with brothers best friend? My heart was so happy

i’m just a giggly mess over here! i will read anything that Emma St. Clair writes! I loved this one! The forced proximity, best friends brother, and enemies to lovers tropes were all done to perfection! Emma is a master of humor and writing! i couldn’t stop reading and i didn’t want it to end! this one deserves all the stars!
⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
clean!

BOOK REVIEW: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair

Do you ever open up a new book, read the first chapter, and immediately know you’re going to love it? That’s what happened when I read, “If All Else Sails” by Emma St. Clair!

Josie is gearing up for her traditional sibling vacation with her big brother, Jacob, when she gets detoured to a creepy murder house. Or at least she thinks that’s what it is before she finds herself detained in the back of a police car.

Somehow the next day, Josie finds herself caretaker to her least favorite person in the world, Wyatt Jacobs. She’s not sure what she ever did to make him hate her, but thankfully the feeling is mutual. She wouldn’t want to date a hockey star anyway…. She thinks. Maybe? It’s complicated. Since Wyatt is injured and can’t currently do much for himself, he has to rely on Josie for pretty much everything. Can they manage to get along for the rest of the summer?

I could say much more but I don’t want to give away any spoilers! 🤫

This book was adorable! I loved seeing the development of each character! Josie is someone with a lot of insecurities, who is able to put her trust in a man once again after being hurt so long ago. Wyatt is a grumpy hockey super star who has to learn to rely on the one person who holds the power to break him.

Fun tropes:
⛵️ Sunshine meets Grumpy
⛵️ Forced Proximity
⛵️ Enemies to Lovers
⛵️ One bed
⛵️ He’s her brother’s best friend

I loved that this book is closed door romance! There is a ton of romance involved but it’s all completely appropriate for your teenagers to read! There’s also no crass language or swearing used. ❤️

Excuse me while I go binge read everything by Emma St. Clair!

I rate this book as 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

#emmastclair #ifallelsesails #romance #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksta #readersofinstagram #readersofig #readersofinsta #readersgonnaread #arc #arcreader

Emma St. Clair does it again! Such a cute and cozy story that can definitely help lighten your mood and brighten your day. Highly recommend this one!!

#ifallelsesails #netgalley
**A Delightfully Grumpy-Sunshine Romance with Heart and Humor**

This charming and heartwarming romance delivers everything you could want in an enemies-to-lovers story—humor, heart, and undeniable chemistry.

When Josie is tricked into babysitting her brother's injured (and infuriating) hockey player best friend, Wyatt, she expects nothing but frustration. What she doesn't expect is to slowly peel back the layers of his grumpy exterior and discover the man beneath. From awkward physical therapy sessions to an unexpected sailing adventure filled with tension and tenderness, their journey is both emotional and laugh-out-loud funny.

The dynamic between Josie and Wyatt is electric, filled with witty banter and slow-burning tension that keeps the pages turning. As they navigate tight quarters and shared struggles, the emotional depth of their connection unfolds beautifully, making their eventual romance feel authentic and well-earned.

The backdrop of the Virginia coast and their unconventional mission to scatter Wyatt’s uncle's ashes adds a unique and heartfelt layer to the story, blending humor and healing in a way that feels fresh and engaging.

With its lovable characters, slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of angst, this novel is perfect for fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings and forced proximity tropes. A must-read for anyone who loves a feel-good romance with plenty of heart!

If All Else Sails was the cutest read!! I loved watching Wyatt transform from being grumpy to being so sweet- both to Josie and to everyone else! The forced proximity on the boat was sooooo good. Though who could blame Josie for ogling a shirtless hockey player sailing her down the ocean… I rest my case.

I couldn’t help but love the matchmaking scheme from Jacob, Josie’s brother and Wyatt’s friend. It cracked me up how nonchalant he was about the whole dynamic between Josie and Wyatt- especially when both Josie and Wyatt are worrying about what Jacob will think! I just loved that family dynamic & the warmth that grows there.

I have to say how much I love the sweet pup character of Jib!!! Not only is she the loveliest boat companion for Wyatt and Josie, but she also is the perfect fit to creating their found family. Wyatt using the words “our dog” melted both Josie and me!!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read and review this book! I received a free advance copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this He Falls First story set in the Appie world. There were so many cute moments, including some fever confessions and a one bed troupe moment. But there was also some real depth of character in this book. Wyatt has some family issues and Josie has some trauma she’s never dealt with or overcome. Together they find healing and love.

I just want to start off by giving my sincerest thanks and appreciation towards Emma St. Clair, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and Netgalley for this ARC read of If All Else Sails.

I wish I could give this book way more than 5 Stars. I just finished it and I cannot even begin to articulate the feelings this book gave me. Josie and Wyatt were such amazing main characters and their personalities complimented each other so well. If you've read Emma St. Clair's Just Don't Fall, Wyatt and some other characters may sound awfully familiar *cough*Appies*cough*. Without giving too much away, If All Else Sails gives everything you would want in a RomCom book with a small slice of Hockey (for those who may not want to be completely engulfed in those types of Sports Romances). The story focuses on Wyatt, a hockey player, who is faced with a huge blockade in his career; and Josie, an elementary school nurse who happens to be the sister of Wyatt's best friend and unfortunate and unwilling tribute to help Wyatt overcome his issues. Misunderstood interactions when they were younger, plus a run in with the law causes the whole thing to start off rocky (to say the least) but maybe a trip down the Intracoastal Waterway will help them both.


On a side note: I fangirled when I read that the main character lived in Fredericksburg and was from Richmond. I myself was born and raised in Fredericksburg and have lived in the metro Richmond area for the past 10+ years. To be able to relate to a book on this level was new to me and I loved it. It's not often that I'm able to pick up a book and have such a strong familiarity to the setting. I also had no idea going into this book about that bit of information so it was an added bonus.

When If All Else Sails releases in August, I 100% recommend it to anyone who is familiar with the Appies and/or enjoys Emma St. Clair's books or just RomComs in general.

If All Else Sails is a delightfully funny romcom between Wyatt, a grumpy hockey player, and Josie, the sunny sister of his sports agent. Wyatt has always harbored a crushed on Josie, but whenever he's crossed paths with her, he's ended up saying the wrong thing, causing Josie to think he hated her.

When an injury to Wyatt forces them together, both Wyatt and Josie discover that their entire relationship has been full of one misunderstanding after another. Their love story culminates with a fun sailing trip from Virginia to Georgia where Wyatt and Josie are finally able to clear the fog between them and get to their happily ever after.

I discovered Emma St. Clair's books about two or three years ago and have read most of her titles. The Appies series released last year, however, quickly captured my heart and I was excited to see Wyatt receive his own story. This book did not disappoint and is up there with my all-time favorite books Emma has written. It stands alone from the other Appies books, but is still connected with some fun cameos by Eli and Van.

Emma St. Clair has always been a gifted writer. Her books are packed with witty banter and sweet romance, but in If All Else Sails, I felt that she'd reached a new level to her writing. I can't recommend If All Else Sails highly enough.

If you enjoy the following tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, he falls first, only one bed, and small town romcoms, this book is for you.

Kissing only with no spice.

5/5 stars

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was so funny, like every book she writes its a gold mine of funny stories and hilarious animals and the grumpy hockey player who softens to josie. One meddling brother who we love also. If you read her appies books you get a couple players as a cameo.

This was a good story. My personal preference would have been less words to describe a situation. But then as the book went on it helped to understand the characters later. I would have liked a better explanation of the Dad and what his status was. I am so glad I was able to read this book

"If All Else Sails" by Emma St. Clair is a delightful romantic comedy that navigates the choppy waters of enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes.

The story follows Josie, a spirited school nurse, and Wyatt, her brother's grumpy best friend and a professional hockey player sidelined by injury. When circumstances force them to share a "quaint little murder cottage," their mutual irritation sets sail toward unexpected chemistry.
A spontaneous sailing trip down the Intracoastal Waterway further tightens their close quarters, leading to humorous mishaps and heartfelt moments.

St. Clair masterfully crafts witty banter and slow-burning romance, making this novel a refreshing and enjoyable read for fans of clean, contemporary romance.

This book was the perfect room com!!!! From the beginning which was laugh out loud hysterical, to the grumpy vs sunshine. The Dogs outfits, and their HEA. I loved every second of this book!! And the Appies showed up! Even better!!

If you like the brother’s best friend, enemies-to-lovers and/or the “he fell first” tropes this is the book for you!! Wyatt and Josie’s dynamic is electric from the start!! Wyatt is such a green flag book boyfriend. The way he fumbles over words when he’s around Josie is absolutely adorable! Josie is so sassy and funny, I’d want to be her friend in real life! As someone who grew up sailing and loving hockey this was the best combination to read! I’ve honestly never read something that married my two passions together and I loved every second!!

This book had me actually laughing out loud multiple times. It is definitely a good beach/summer read if you are looking for something wholesome and fun! There is barely any spice but not every romance book needs spice to be great.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this. Romantic, intriguing. First time reading this author and will be searching out more of her work. Twists and turns that kept me interested, was in a bit of a reading slump and this pulled me out of it.

Emma St. Clair has provided a delightful story that is deep in scope yet entirely uplifting. It features themes of loyalty in the face of misunderstanding, the importance of self introspection and happiness in family relations that sustain us. There is humor and tenderness that I really loved. I highly, highly recommend this book and feel like there might be more that I might look forward to with some of the other characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love this book so much! It was such an easy read and a book that I wanted to keep coming back to because of how interesting the plot was. I especially love Josie and Wyatt!This book got me out of my longest reading slump! I highly recommend it! Both characters had amazing growth in themselves but also in their relationship! I never wanted to put this book down and was constantly picking it up every time I saw my kindle.

** Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for giving me an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!**

I really enjoyed this book! I was hooked from the beginning. While the writing was slightly repetitive, it didn't bother me. And the banter! The banter was amazing. I was laughing out loud for probably half the book.

The romance was super sweet, and the story was so fun to read about. I will say the characters seemed to have perfect recall of every time they've ever been around each other, which is far-fetched in my opinion, but it was still super cute. It's also really clean, which I appreciate! I would definitely recommend this for a fun, clean summer read.

Emma St. Clair is quickly becoming a must-read for me. IF ALL ELSE SAILS is her latest tour de force and it’s yet another unputdownable romance.

I’m calling it now: St. Clair is this year’s author to watch!

Excellent book! When I figured out the MMC was Wyatt, formerly of the Appies, I may have squealed a bit :) Right from the very beginning, I was all in! When Wyatt is injured and Josie steps up to help, I knew it was going to be a great story. I was not wrong. Wyatt definitely did not like giving up control and Josie was very reluctant to take hold of that control. The fever scene was great! The cameo of Van and Eli was the chef's kiss. The trip down the Intracoastal Waterway to scatter his uncle's ashes gave a good emotional touch to the story. Highly recommend!

Emma knows how to do grumpy/sunshine/enemies to lovers. I always get nervous when I see a grumpy MMC because a lot of authors write them flat out rude, not grumpy. But not Miss Emma, she made Wyatt the perfect amount of grumpy. And Josie’s banter with him was PERFECTION. I loved the forced proximity on a sailboat (I’ve never read anything that takes place on a sailboat before!) and the dog was just the cherry on top of the story! This is the perfect summer read and literally everyone needs to pick it up!

content ratings:
- no explicit language
- closed door/kisses only

Aah so good, thankyou for allowing me to read this ARC I love the ties to the appies series! I was desperately waiting for josie to rock her grouch sleep shirt but alas I just imagined it anyway 😍
I really loved the forced proximtry and the matchmaking efforts by Jacob. I love the sail boat giving the story a completely fresh feeling but feeling safe and cozy like my favourite hockey series. Definitely recommend, definitely cannot wait for audio so I can listen and fall in love all over again.

Josie is set up by her manipulative brother to help his client/best friend, hockey player Wyatt, recover from an injury. Only he doesn't realize who showed up on his lawn and nearly has her arrested. The two have a tumultuous relationship, mixing like oil and vinegar from the first time they met. Only as they are forced to spend time together, Josie realizes her first (and second and third) impressions of Wyatt might not have been accurate. Josie agrees to help Wyatt with his planned sailing trip on the condition that he get the physical therapy he needs to recover from his injury. And on that trip, the truth comes out and Josie has to figure out what to do with it. It was a sweet, fun, romcom with a fun glance of life on the Intracostal Waterway from VA to GA.

I loved this book!!!! If All Else Sails, is the perfect combination of cozy and humor. I fell in love with the main characters as they navigate their way through what was, while trying to make sense of all that they are feeling now. Because of the playful dialog and beautiful setting, I really think this would make a great movie, too!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the advanced copy. All reviews are my own.

I knew Emma St. Clair and had enjoyed a few of her books before; to me, "All Else Sails" confirms her talent.

I loved the premise: Josie turns her at a strange little cottage for her brother's Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, only to find that the only person there is hockey player Wyatt, her brother's best friend but someone Josie loathes. She hates athletes, and this one in particular. When he calls the police on her, he certainly doesn't arrange his case. But he's injured, and feeling a little depressed, and Josie feels forced to stay and look after him. Slowly, they develop a friendship, and Josie soon accepts to go sailing with Wyatt in memory of his late uncle.

This was a very sweet story, with two well-developed characters with some chemistry. I enjoyed their witty banter and the way they could show their real self to each other. I enjoyed the different settings where the story took place, I only wish more of the story happened on the sailboat.

*I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Holy moly, this book was just perfect. The main characters had their own history, as well as their own personal issues and it all came together so beautifully into this story. The dual perspective was great and enjoyable. The plot and storyline were set at a nice pace. There were even a few events I didn't see coming that made me want to cry! Can't recommend this book enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions expressed are completely my own.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair, and let me tell you—it made my little hockey romance heart so happy! If I have one guilty pleasure (okay, more than one, but I digress), it’s my love for hockey romances. I honestly don’t know how it started, but for some reason, they always hit the spot. Sure, they’re filled with familiar tropes and guaranteed HEAs, but honestly, what’s wrong with that? In my book (pun intended), absolutely nothing. And let’s be clear—there should never be any guilt in reading what you love!

This story follows Wyatt, a former Appie (IYKYK) player, and Josie, an elementary school nurse—and the sister of his best friend, Jacob. Josie heads to a small cottage expecting a sibling getaway, only to find Jacob missing and Wyatt—her supposed enemy—living there while recovering from an off-season injury. Grumpier than ever, Wyatt isn’t exactly thrilled about unexpected company. But after some convincing (and a little bribery), Josie stays to help him out. Forced into close quarters, she quickly realizes that everything she thought she knew about Wyatt might just be wrong.

I really enjoyed this book! While there’s no on-the-ice hockey action, that’s no drawback—the story flows so well that you don’t miss it. It’s the perfect mix of humor and romance, unrequited love, and hidden secrets. If you’re a fan of heartfelt, slow-burn love stories with just the right amount of tension and warmth, If All Else Sails is definitely worth the read!

The cover, the author and the description pulled me in - and the story hooked me! Emma St. Clair has written a witty, sweet and cozy, slow burn romance with some of my favorite tropes - annoyed to lovers, brother's best friend, close proximity, and ONE BED! This book also delivers on two of my favorite side characters....a meddling family member/friend and pet that charms the reader. And then there was the little sneaky surprise that sealed the deal for me, this is Wyatt from the Appies! If you’ve read the Sweater Weather series and the Appie’s series that followed, we get Wyatt’s story (he was on the Appies and was drafted to the NHL) and have some cameos from other Appies players!

I don’t know how they do it, but some of my favorite closed door romance authors really nail the funny/memorable details and Emma St. Clair is one of those authors. Some of my favorite details:

-Super Sibling Extravaganza
-mutant pigs
-poison oak (at the most convenient time)
-Jib Jabberwocky the dog
-the boat shoes
-murder cottage
-cool whip container
-Wyatt’s mom
-foot in mouth disease

If All Else Sails is the perfect cute, clean summer read. It is a swoony slowburn and will leave you smiling. Grab it for a poolside or beachside read.

There are some deeper topics, but they are kept very surface level. So if you are looking for emotional depth, this book wouldn’t be for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for a chance to read the ARC.

Perfect mix of swoon-worthy romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and just the right amount of heartfelt emotion. From the very first page, I was completely swept away (pun totally intended) by the charming characters, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry.

The romance? Pure chef’s kiss perfection—slow burn with all the tension and just the right amount of angst. The humor? Absolutely spot-on, with moments that had me laughing out loud. And the emotional depth? Sneaks up on you in the best way, making the love story even more satisfying.

If you love stories that feel like a warm hug with a side of hilarious chaos and all the swoons, If All Else Sails is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be grinning from start to finish! ⛵💕😂

Wyatt and Josie are one of my favorite book couples! They have great banter and I was seruisly laughing at times. -I loved how when they began traveling together everything just got better. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this I loved it.

If All Else Sails is a charming, feel-good romance that blends humor, heart, and just the right amount of swoon. Emma St. Clair crafts lovable characters and witty banter that make the story impossible to put down. It’s a delightful escape full of warmth, second chances, and the kind of chemistry that leaves you smiling long after the final page.

Enemies to lovers? Check. Forced proximity? Check. A grumpy hockey player and a no-nonsense nurse stuck in a rundown cottage with unresolved tension simmering beneath the surface? Triple check.

This witty and heartwarming romance follows Josie, a school nurse with a grudge, and Wyatt, her brother’s best friend and injured pro hockey player. Thanks to a sneaky setup by Josie’s brother, the two are thrown together for a summer at what Josie dubs the "quaint little murder cottage" in Virginia’s Northern Neck. What starts as a begrudging arrangement soon evolves into something deeper, funnier, and surprisingly tender.

The dynamic between Josie and Wyatt is classic slow-burn—full of snark, banter, and just the right amount of tension. As they sail down the Intracoastal Waterway (yes, there's a boat!), they’re forced to confront not just their misconceptions about each other, but also about themselves.

It was also a treat to see familiar faces from a previous book make an appearance—like catching up with old friends and getting a glimpse of their lives after their own happy ending.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the ARC of If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair. All opinions are my own.

I’ll honestly read anything this author writes, but wow does this book stand out as one of my favorites from her. I read the book in two days because I just didn’t want to put it down.

If I had to describe this book with one word, it would be tender. I don’t use this word a lot, but the character interactions and romantic moments were so tender, and It really made me love this story.

This book follows Wyatt, a professional hockey player that is supposed to be recovering from an injury. Instead, he has become reclusive and is staying in a beach house left to him by his late uncle. His agent Jacob is worried about his mental and physical health, so he decides to send his own sister to go stay with Wyatt. Jacob’s sister Josie is an elementary school nurse, and she has no idea that she’s been sent to get Wyatt back on his feet. She thinks she’s going on a sibling summer vacation with her brother.

Because Wyatt and Josie aren’t expecting to see each other, their first interaction is hilarious. There’s also so many other funny moments between them (especially the pigs!). Besides the humor in this book, the author did a fantastic job creating emotional depth between these characters.

Each of these characters is dealing with different issues, so it was beautiful to see how each character grew to not only accept themselves but to not settle for the situations they found themselves in. I loved the vulnerability these characters shared with each other, and it was so nice to see them lean on each other through their difficult circumstances.

This story has a slow burn romance that is so sweet because the characters build a friendship before they’re finally ready to share their feelings with each other. I loved seeing Josie and Wyatt learn from each other, and their sailing trip was such a fun part of the plot.

Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough! If you want a heartfelt and tender romance between two hurting people, this is the book for you.

If All Else Sails by Emma St Clair

I loved this book so much! The beginning hooked me immediately, the tropes were troping, and I had a great time while reading it! The beginning was so funny and then it turned tender and swoony.

Josie's brother tricks her into nursing his biggest professional hockey client back to health. Too bad it's Wyatt Jacobs and they do not get along. On top of that, he tries to have her arrested for trespassing on his property. Now she's stuck in a murder cottage with a hulking, grumpy athlete in the middle of nowhere. But there might be more to him than the grump she thinks she knows!

If you like the "taking care of him when he's sick" trope, you'll love this. It is also a super slow burn with good communication! Swipe for a quote from our man Wyatt Jacobs on the third slide. 🔥

If you loved the Appies hockey series by Emma St Clair and Jenny Proctor, pick this one up! But you definitely don't have to read those first. This is a standalone!

I felt impatient for the next plot point to happen a couple times in the book, so that's why I would give it 4.5 stars instead of the full five. But I have no other complaints for this sweet, mature romance with a road trip (but make it sailing) and an animal sidekick!

The vibes:
Grumpy x sunshine
Brother's best friend
Hockey player but injured
She's a nurse
Tiny dog in lots of cute outfits
No spice

The only bad news I have is that this isn't available until August! But put it on your TBR immediately!

If All Else Sails is so cute! It’s a funny rom-com that will have you laughing out loud one moment and tearing up during a heartwarming portion the next moment. I couldn’t put it down because it was too cute and captivating. Emma St. Clair was quickly added to my must read list of authors with this one!

This was such a breath of fresh air! Josie was so witty and funny and had such a great personality. Wyatt is so grouchy but you could tell that underneath that grump, he was soft and sweet!

I didn't want the book to end as the characters were so much fun. I loved how Wyatt honored his uncle Tom throughout the book.

Jib was the cutest and I could almost picture all of his outfits!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Thank you Emma St. Clair & NetGalley for this ARC. First of all, I absolutely loved this book. Every trope that I love was in this book. Also, I love Wyatt and Josie. Their chemistry and banter is so good. Also, Jib is so cute. I absolutely loved the direction this book took. If you're seeking a heartwarming romance set behind closed doors, complete with an adorable dog and a sports microtrope, this book is for you!

To start out, I have to say I have loved every book I have read by Emma St. Clair. But this one is probably my favorite one of all! It was such a cute romcom and I loved every minute of it.
I definitely recommend you give this a read especially if you love an enemies to lovers romance between a handsome famous hockey player and a kind-hearted school nurse. If you like sailing, there is a lot of that mixed in too. Plus the witty banter and the swoony kisses, this book is sure to make you smile.
This is a closed door romance featuring just kisses and lots of fun flirting. My favorite kind of romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Publishing. This is such a cute little romance. I’m absolutely in love with Josie and Wyatt I’m sad this books is over! This book had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. Wyatt is the perfect grumpy but sweet MMC and Josie is quirky sunshine. I will never be able to look at a hockey stick without laughing and thinking of rouge pigs 😂 I can’t wait to read more of what Emma St. Clair writes!

Loved this book!!! It was absolutely adorable, a very unique yet believable plot, and as always with Emma st. Clair, great writing!!! I would recommend this to anyone looking to escape and be happy for awhile!

If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, and tons of banter, may I recommend If All Else Sails?

Josie thinks she’s showing up for a fun sibling weekend and instead lands at a rundown cottage with Wyatt, the grumpy hockey player (!!!) she can’t stand, who also happens to be her brother’s best friend (fave trope alert!) and client. Josie’s stuck helping Wyatt recover from an injury (screaming rn), and soon she finds herself navigating tight spaces, awkward moments, and a whole lot of canned food.

The chemistry between these two is *chef’s kiss,* from hilarious bickering to heartwarming moments as they slowly start to fall for each other. The boat trip to scatter ashes adds a unique twist and an emotional depth to this book that I was looking for.

It’s a fun, sweet read with just enough tension to keep you hooked. Definitely a perfect summer read if you're in the mood for a sweet, heartwarming romcom.

Brothers best friend. Grumpy/sunshine. Hockey player albeit without any official hockey.

Things I loved about this book:
1. Wyatt! Oh my. He was such a dream boat! Coming from Josie’s perspective that he hates her to his perspective… loved him.
2. Josie was such a delightful character with how she faced hard things but was able to look past her preconceived notions about Wyatt and herself.
3. Josie’s brother Jacob and how he was a true friend to Wyatt.
4. The sailing adventure- the dog outfits and the people they met along the way.
5. Wyatt’s mom— she was delightful!

Favorite Quotes:
And I remember every word she’s ever spoken to me. Just like I remember every one I’ve said to her, all of which somehow came out of my mouth wrong.

“It’s the way he looks at you,” Eli says. “Like you’re all he sees.” “Or wants to see,” Van agrees.

“My last name looks good on you, Rookie. Maybe we can find a way to keep it there.”

“Because what I want—what I’ve always wanted with you—is everything.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5 stars)

Enemies to lovers + one grumpy hockey player + one feisty school nurse = pure summer romcom gold. 🏒💘⛵

When Josie arrives at a rundown cottage instead of the promised sibling getaway, she’s greeted not by family, but by Wyatt—her brother’s injured hockey-star best friend and her sworn nemesis. Add in a forced summer together, unexpected sailing adventures, and a whole lot of unresolved tension, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a slow-burn that sizzles. 😤🔥❤️

This story has everything: sarcastic banter, emotional depth, "grumpy x sunshine" energy, and a sailboat road trip that’s both hilarious and heartfelt. Watching Josie and Wyatt go from barely tolerating each other to something way deeper was such a satisfying, swoon-filled ride. 🛶💬💞

The chemistry? Off the charts. The emotional growth? So real. The side of laughter, longing, and late-night confessions? Chef’s kiss. 👩‍⚕️🍲✨

If you love forced proximity, slow-burn tension, and romance with heart and heat, this one’s your next five-star favorite. It’s tender, funny, and utterly unputdownable. 📚💖⛵

This was such a fun book!! I loved the chemistry between Wyatt and Josie. Also the grumpiness of Wyatt was so well done! The first scene in the book had me laughing so much and I was hooked through the rest of the story! The characters were both very relatable and unique and had emotional back stories that gave great depth!

I LOVED this!!! It's not enemies to lovers, it's something much better in my opinion: Wyatt fell first and hard when they first met years ago and has been pining for Josie ever since, but she misunderstood everything and has kept her distance all these years till his injury and her brother force them together again. He is the epitome of a grumpy grump when they first meet again but the way he blossoms in her presence is just wonderful.

He's a hockey player but there's hardly any hockey in this book. I really enjoyed the sailing aspect though! Love the little dog they adopt and her outfits. I just loved everything about this book. My favorite from Emma St Clair by far!

While not part of any series, If All Else Sails does feature Wyatt, a former Appies player and we see brief appearances from a few other teammates. While you can absolutely enjoy this book without having read that series, it's definitely a fun bonus for those of us who have.

When I pick up a book by Emma St. Clair, there are a few things that I have learned to expect:
-fantastic chemistry and banter
-laugh out loud moments that will keep me smiling
-loveable characters
-and animal shenanigans... of course!

This one did not disappoint on any of those fronts. This story drew me in right away with quite the memorable opening! I found myself laughing right from the start with this one... while the romance was a bit of a slower build, I found myself enjoying every minute with these two as they learn that their initial perceptions of one another might be a little off. The more we got to know them, the more I found myself rooting for them. With some of my favorite tropes (brother's best friend, forced proximity, etc) plus the unique sailing aspect, there was a lot to love with this one!

If All Else Sails is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. While overall a lighthearted and fun romcom, there is a brief mention of sexual assault/attempted sexual assault, that I thought was handled in such a genuine way. The way the character downplayed her experience is something that I think so many women can related to all too well.

**ARC received via Netgalley for consideration. All opinions are my own.

Brother’s best friend, school nurse x injured hockey player, close proximity, one bed.. all tropes that had me SAT🧎🏻‍♀️clean romance too!

oh my days and adding the dog to their slow burn romance story was just brilliant!!
I was cracking up at the outfits/costumes Josie was dressing her in as they kept getting more and more unhinged, the matching red bikini was the cherry on top🤣

I think fans of Sarah Adams’ love in Rome would eat this book up just like I did! It gave me the same cozy feels.

PS. This was NOT an enemies to lovers like advertised, more like grumpy x sunshine.
But it was grumpy sunshine done amazingly.

I Really enjoyed this book, why ? Because it made me laugh out loud several times and that’s pretty rare.
Josie is excited to spend time with her brother for their annual get together so why is she getting out in handcuffs for trespassing on the property her brother had told her to go to ?
Wade is inside the house feeling sorry for himself and his injury and not playing hockey when he hears some noise , calls the cops , and soon the trespasser is in the cop car but wait is that his best friends sister ? Crap . And so the story begins ..
I loved the beginning , middle and end. It kept my attention and interest the entire time. Well done !


Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the copy of the book. I received a complimentary copy, and all opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Brothers best friend? Say less.
But also he fell first and harder. Obsessed. We love a secret golden retriever man hidden under a tough exterior.

This was such a great enemies to lovers rom com! It had tons of snarky banter and forved proximity while being fun and flirty. Josie and Wyatt had me hooked from the moment she landed at the “murder cottage” and realized she was stuck with her least favorite hockey player. Their slow burn chemistry builds perfectly, and I adored watching Josie challenge Wyatt while he begrudgingly melted for her. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it. The narrator nailed both the humor and the emotional parts. I enjoyed this heartwarming summer adventure!

Loved the witty banter among characters! Thus was the perfect book to get me even more ready for summer! The perfect summer read and full of hilarious moments and great banter among the main characters! Found a new author to put on my list for summer!

If All Else Sails is the quintessential summer rom-com! At her brother's behest (and the promise of a much-needed summer paycheck), school nurse Josie finds herself nursing his best friend and client, hockey player Wyatt, back to health as he recovers from an injury. I loved that Josie and Wyatt had some history together but their shared summer brought a lot of clarity, a tempestuous sailing trip, and lots of top-notch humor and closed-door heat. I highly recommend this book, as well as anything this author writes because you can't go wrong with Emma St. Clair!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for gifting me with an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This book (and audiobook — I read and listened) was just absolutely amazing. It had me hooked from the very beginning, and I read it in a day because I didn’t wanna stop! I love the author, and this may be my new favorite from her!

Talk about a funny meet-cute! Or maybe not so funny in Josie's eyes! Or Wyatt's for that matter! But for us readers, we can definitely see the humor in it. I was giggling and shaking my head. Especially at those police officers. Oh man! And a little bit, or rather a lot of head shaking at Jacob, for his brotherly scheming ways.

I was in the mood for a fun and lighthearted (mostly) rom-com and was on a long drive by myself. So I pulled up this one and had my phone read it to me while I drove. It helped the drive pass quickly and I found myself laughing many times, but I also felt the sadness that these two characters experienced in their past struggles. Unfortunately they've had some misunderstandings, but fortunately, they have plenty of time to clear that up.

Josie is a nurse and agrees to spend some time (after a big misunderstanding thanks to her brother Jacob) helping Wyatt, the big time hockey player, heal from an injury. Some chaos ensues and humor, but most of all healing, in more than just a physical way. I enjoyed the adventures these two end up having. But I especially loved seeing Wyatt's softer and more caring side. Josie starts to learn that perceptions she had of situations were wrong and that Wyatt isn't this grumpy athlete but really a caring and kind hearted friend.

Hop aboard and enjoy a sweet story of healing, adventure, friendship and finding love. Oh and some funny and endearing family members make some appearances as well! I loved them!

Content: Clean. Some kisses but nothing further. Mention of a guy trying to take advantage of a girl but nothing graphic and the girl talking about her healing.

I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I don’t even have the words to express how much I love and adore this book! I was giddy to discover that Wyatt (a former Appie) was the lead in this story and his meet-cute with Josie was utterly hilarious.

Wyatt is recovering from a hockey injury and Josie, a school nurse, is sent by her brother to care for him–in a m*rder cottage. This book is the perfect summer escape and it’s full of adventure, sailing, a cool whip container, Jib–the best-dressed dog ever, misconceptions, healing, swoony romance, and connection.

Emma St Clair is a favorite author of mine, as she never fails to incorporate a few unbelievable animal instances with her perfect combination of closed door spice, banter, humor, and emotion. The recipes of her books are everything that satisfies and satiates my love for this genre.

This is definitely a book I plan to re-read and has all the feels for an ideal summertime indulgence.

Content: mild romance; off-page vague talk of a near attack

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the review copy. I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for the eARC of this book.I love Emma St. Clair’s writing, and was very excited when we heard that Wyatt was getting his own book. I loved that this was a hockey book without being a hockey book, and the combination of brother’s best friend, grumpy man, and enemies to lovers made this one great read. This was a cozy read that will be wonderful from the transition of summer into fall.

This book was awesome from the first page! I truly enjoyed the journey of this romance! The connection between the two main characters was a perfect slow burn. I also enjoyed learning about sailing and working things out together! Such a fun story! I absolutely adore this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

If All Else Sails is full of Emma St. Clair's signature wit and banter, I have yet to be dissapointed by one of her novels.

The hilarity of the opening scenes combined with the superior character development had me devouring this book within 24 hours.

☀️ grumpy x sunshine
⛵ enemies to lovers
🐶 brothers best friend
💛 clean romance

Josie is on her way for the annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, but when she arrives at the address she is shocked. Her brother is nowhere to be seen and now she is alone at the creepy cottage. When she calls her brother Jacob to ask what's going on, he tells her it was all a ploy to get her to care for his client and best friend, Wyatt.

Wyatt is a famous hockey player and is now recovering from an injury on his foot. Josie has always hated Wyatt from the first time her brother took him home years ago. After some negotiations and money, Josie is persuaded to care for Wyatt for a few weeks.

After these few weeks, Josie started to like caring for Wyatt and decided to go with him on a sailing trip he was planning. This trip wasn’t smooth sailing. Every step of the way something went wrong, but with every step, or rather misstep they learned more about each other and got to know each other better.
Will they still hate each other after this trip or has this trip changed their feelings?

OMG! I loved this book so much. It was funny, cute and sweet but sometimes it was also serious. This book has everything I want in a book.
It felt like I was flying through the book. There was always something happening and there was never a dull moment.
I’m absolutely in love with the characters. I liked them all so much. The banter and the chemistry between Josie and Wyatt was amazing.
This is my first book by Emma St. Clair but I will definitely be reading more of her book. I recommend this book to anyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Set sail with Josie and Wyatt on August 5th, 2025!

Josie’s brother, Jacob is in big trouble. He bailed on their summer trip, except he didn’t.

The summer trip was a cover to get Josie to Wyatt’s house. Wyatt, Jacob’s best friend and client, is a professional hockey player who is recovering from a foot injury and is struggling, both physically and mentally. Josie is a school nurse, and had time to kill & could use the money earned from a home care gig. Win-win, right?

Guess again. Neither Josie nor Wyatt had any idea about this plan. They started off on the wrong foot, considering they were both blindsided by Jacob. Wyatt’s goal this summer is to set sail as a tribute to his late uncle. Josie’s goal this summer is to not murder her problematic patient.

Can they fix this summer before time sails away?

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a cute enemies to lovers/forced proximity story. Loved both of the main characters. My favorite parts - sailing & a darling dog named Jib. This is a perfect read for someone who is looking for a low spice, highly adorable romance.

Classic Emma St Clair humor! Loved the emotional aspects of this romance! Definitely a great summer rom-com to add to your tbr!

Loved it! Fans of slow burn, laugh out loud moments, he is grumpy, enemies to lovers (at least she thinks so), kisses in the rain
TV Rating: PG (disturbing themes-sexual harassment (brief) in past)

WOW! Another fantastic book by Emma St Clair, I absolutely loved this enemies to more story! So happy to see Wyatt (a former Appie) get his story, and Josie, a nurse at an elementary school. I laughed at the funny meet-cute that they had, so hilarious. Wyatt is grumpy and Josie is sweet and spunky. I loved the fun, witty banter between them, made for some good laughs. I loved the storyline and how it moved along, the slow burn built perfectly and kept me entertained all the way. Wonderful characters, even the side characters who added so much to the story. Fantastic story you don’t want to miss.

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair should be an automatic read for fans of fun, sweet, clean romances. It is a fast paced read with quick, witty banter between the main characters. It would be a great summer read. I give this book a 5 star read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If All Else Sails: A Novel
Thomas Nelson (August 5, 2025)

A 5 🌟 read for me
🏒 Wyatt embodies the qualities I admire in a man: he is strong, self-controlled, protective, loving, and sensitive to his partner's needs. Plus, he’s also a hockey player, which adds to his charm!
👩‍⚕️ Josie is truly wonderful. She’s independent and capable of handling life on her own, yet she also embraces the support and comfort her partner offers. I appreciate her nurturing spirit as a caregiver; it adds depth to her character.

I absolutely loved the setting and was captivated by the chemistry between Josie and Wyatt. Their “meet cute” at the “Murder Cottage,” where she almost got arrested, was both original and entertaining. The story is filled with hilarious moments that kept me laughing. The witty banter was outstanding, and I’ve even adopted the phrase “fever flirting” into my everyday vocabulary! This book is truly fabulous, and I can't recommend it highly enough. This is a delightful, clean romance that you can enjoy alongside your teens and young adults. Both leads showed remarkable respect for each other, presenting a great example of the qualities young girls should seek in a partner.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book and read it with pleasure. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review. Thank you, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley.
#NetGalley #ifallelsesails

If Emma St Clair writes it, I will read it. I loved this story with deep characters, real emotions and wonderful banter. Plus, it's just great writing, with evocative descriptions and great pacing.

I loved how, despite the wrong impression Josie and Wyatt had of each other at the beginning of the book, we saw how they got to know each other and both grew and changed. Josie thought Wyatt hated her, and she wasn't his biggest fan, but then we got to his POV! I really enjoyed how in Wyatt's POV chapters early on, he never outright admits to himself/the reader how he feels about Josie, but we pick it up pretty quickly in his emotional reactions to her, the details about her that he observes, and his memories from the past. That is writing mastery!

These two got into some hilarious situations (the fever honesty, the poison ivy, the dog outfits), which made for a great balance with the deeper emotions that were expressed and explored. I loved their chemistry! I also thoroughly enjoyed the cameos from Eli and Van from the Appies series.

Tropes:
*forced proximity
*brother's best friend
*past miscommunication
*second chance
*grumpy x sunshine
*flashbacks
*injured hockey player MMC
*nurse FMC
*dual POV

Content warning: estranged relationship with father and brother, emotional manipulation and neglect of father (past), recounting of past attempted sexual assault, light innuendo
Intimacy rating: 2 (makeouts)

Thank you Emma St Clair, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the copy of the book. I received a complimentary copy, and all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this author. I have read a lot by this author and have loved every book I have come across. I was sucked into this book from the first page and wished I had more story to read.

This was such a fun and refreshing read! I’m a sucker for a good grumpy sunshine pairing, and Emma St. Clair nailed it with this one. I really loved both main characters—not only their chemistry, but the way they showed up for each other. She takes care of him in such a heartfelt way, and he helps her work through her own struggles too. It felt like a true partnership, which made their relationship that much more satisfying to read.

The sailboat setting was such a cool twist! I haven’t read many romances that take place mostly on the water, so it felt unique and added a lot of charm. (As someone who loves sailing, I especially appreciated those details!)

And if you're a fan of the Apies Hockey series by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor, you're in for a treat—there are some fun familiar faces that pop in, which made the book even better.

Romantic, feel-good, and just different enough to stand out—this one’s definitely going on my favorites list.

I love this book so much. I listened/read it while I was camping and I finished the whole thing at the lake.

I also got the ebook and the audio copy and the narration was incredible. They perfectly fit the characters and I didn’t want to book to end.

A big thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for both copies of this book!

Another awesome book from Emma St. Clair. It was so fun to be back in her Appies Hockey World and it was fun being out on the open water instead of the frozen rink. Wyatt was such a grump and I loved that Josie brought him out of his grumpiness. And the history they shared was fun also. I couldn’t with Jib!!!! I’m not a boater but after reading this I want to take a water trip. Ha! Having some the Appies back was fun too. You can never go wrong with they are around. lol.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ARC audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: August 5, 2025

I absolutely adored Josie and Wyatt in this enemies to lovers story. Josie is a school nurse who arrives at Wyatt’s run down cottage to meet her brother, who had other plans for Josie. Her brother didn’t arrive for their trip, instead asking Josie to help Wyatt heal after a hockey injury. They end up sailing together and of course fall in love.

I loved the female narrator but struggled to understand the male narrator. His voice at times sounded like he was mumbling and would get quieter.

Overall, very cute and fun story that I couldn’t stop listening to.

May this kind of love find me. You mean, do I want a grumpy hockey player with foot injury who is actually my brother’s best friend and have me nurse him to health? That sounds scandalous but that will never happen in my life. My life is pretty dull at the moment. But do I want a patient man that will wait for you for how long it takes because he knows you are worth investing all your time in waiting for her? That sounds romantic but impossibly hard you know. Plus the cute banter and interaction, I want that too.

Josie and Wyatt would have the best How I met your mother story to tell their child and grandchild. They were so cute and disgustingly cute that it made you jealous especially if you’re single. And them finally getting together will make you want to throw them to another planet as a congratulation.

This is the kind of rom-com that is quite hard to find, fluffy rom-com with no spicy scenes. None at all. Which is kind of refreshing because it’s been a long time since I read something that purely focuses on romance and not lust. But I do get that sometimes people will get frustrated with the slow progress but I think there’s nothing wrong with it because their romance was so good (also comical) that will make you giggle and shit.

And the plot on the sailing was so detailed. Okay, maybe it’s a bit exaggerated, but for a romance story to put more thought on polishing the setting is something that’s not easy to find. I might not know anything about sailing but I read it and believe everything is true. From their preparation, the journey to any mishap encounter feels like it was based on real experience rather than purely fiction. Which I appreciate for every research to make the sailing plot looks believable and eventful.

If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair is a fun rom-com, perfect for any day, especially when looking for an opportunity to check out of reality and just enjoy a sweet story with plenty of banter and barbs. Josie and Wyatt are combustible, just not for the reasons they think. I love how Josie’s brother decided on an intervention for one of his best hockey players and sent in the big guns…Josie herself. Josie and Wyatt have one incredible instance after another, which keep peeling back layers and exposing the script they’ve held about each other for years. I love how they each feel free to totally be themselves and find themselves exactly where they never would have believed. As misunderstandings and misrepresentations start to come to light, Wyatt is an all-out softie who, thankfully, happens to a very patient man. Once they hit the water, the smiles kept coming, even though they were laced with some more serious conversations. Loved the addition of Jib!! Pure cuteness. If you have followed Emma St. Clair’s writings, you’ll catch a cameo from some beloved Appie’s players!!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Aww these two! Wyatt is Josie's brother's friend (and eventually client). When they first meet there is an attraction but also a BIG misunderstanding. This leads to years of animosity until Josie's brother tricks them into spending time together. Josie is a nurse and Wyatt is recovering from a surgery that he needs to heal from before he can get back to his professional hockey career. After Wyatt's beloved uncle passed away he is just not that motivated to get to PT and take care of himself.

I really enjoyed this story. These two were fun and funny and so in love.

This was a hopeful and light-hearted romance with plenty of tension and beautifully written dialogue. If I had a physical copy of this book I would’ve been annotating it left, right and centre!

I really loved the protagonists, Wyatt and Josie. It felt really rewarding to see how both of them found healing and joy in their relationship. I saw some of myself in Josie, and reading about her happily ever after brought me hope for my own future. Wyatt is now easily one of my favourite literary love interests. I loved the open and honest communication, how as they drew closer both protagonists acted realistically as the adults they were. The book was the perfect length, so that the romance didn’t feel rushed or forced, and we could follow how their relationship evolved over time.

I was really surprised by how much I loved reading this as I hadn’t read any of Emma St. Clair’s books beforehand. After enjoying this one so much I’m definitely looking forward to checking out her other works! I can’t wait for this one to hit the shelves so I can recommend it to my reader friends (and possibly snag a physical copy for myself).

I would definitely recommend this to fans of:
- Clean romance
- Forced proximity
- Enemies to lovers

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book! The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book was such a joy to read! From laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt scenes, it struck a great balance between humor, romance, and adventure. The comedic timing was spot on — I caught myself smiling (and even laughing) more than once, which is always a good sign.

The characters were a definite highlight. I especially adored Wyatt — he completely stole the show for me. Witty, layered, and surprisingly sweet, he was the kind of main character you want more of. The chemistry between the characters made the dialogue come alive; every conversation felt natural, clever, and full of personality.

One of the things I appreciated most was how much growth the characters showed by the end. Their emotional journeys were just as compelling as the physical adventure they were on. And speaking of adventure — it gave the story such great energy, with a love story that unfolded beautifully along the way.

All in all, this was a delightful read that had me hooked from beginning to end. Funny, heartfelt, and full of charm — I already miss these characters!

What happens when you’re set up by your brother to help your enemy recover from an injury in a run-down murder cottage? That is what Josie wants to know. Her life as a school nurse is safe and predictable, just the way she likes it. When her brother, Jacob, sends her a GPS destination for their summer sibling adventure, Josie finds herself face to face with her enemy Wyatt, hockey player and best friend to her brother. Wyatt is spiraling after an injury, and not going to any of his doctor’s appointments or physical therapy. He’s run off two nurses, and Josie’s brother is sure her tenacity is exactly what Wyatt needs to get him to pull his life back together.
This was a clean romance with lots of laughs and banter, as well as serious moments and growth for both main characters.

This book was so good! I love that it was kind of connected to the Appies series but also stands on its own. The tension and growth between Wyatt and Josie was so well done and I was drawn in from the very beginning.

Absolutely delightful! This book was so much fun! I was hooked from the first scene and laughing and completely invested the whole time.

Wyatt and Josie’s romance is slow burn deliciousness with all the forced proximity goodness I love. The romance was so sweet and I loved to see Josie peel back the layers that make up the grouchy Wyatt and get to know his softer attributes.

Everything you can expect from an Emma St. Clair book was delivered in spades—from laugh out loud scenes to animal encounters. I love the way she uses analogies and creative descriptions to really make the story come to life. The setting as well as the characters’ emotions and actions all felt real and relatable. The adorable chapter titles were a fun bonus addition.

I loved the different settings of the “quaint little murder cottage” and the sailboat. It’s not a hockey book, because he’s recovering from an injury, but there was some fun discussion about the sport and his former team, the Appies.

As an all-time Emma St. Clair fan girl, this book gave me everything I had hoped for and more. I highly recommend any romcom lover pick this one up!

🔥: Kisses

Tricked into romance?
A wonderfully fun enemies to lovers romance that will have you laughing and sighing. Josie is promised a Super Sibling Extravaganza with her brother, only to find herself standing in front of a run down, abandoned looking cottage. Only after she has been arrested, does she find out she’s been tricked by her brother, a sports agent, into nursing Wyatt, one of his client’s back to health. The kicker is that she knows he can’t stand her and she feels the same. Only the promise of a large payment gets her to agree to stay and thus begins the battles. Convincing him to see the doctor, physical therapist, and do his exercises is a chore only achieved by promising to go on a sailing trip with him. Soon she begins to see and appreciate another side of Wyatt that the world doesn’t see and she begins to wonder if perhaps she’s been wrong. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

This was a wonderful, lighthearted romance! Emma St. Clair delivers another winner, with a grumpy hero, sunny heroine, and banter galore. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and didn't want it to end!

My first read from this author, but I really love the story. Well developed characters and a sweet romance !

Loved this! Josie’s brother, Jacob, asks her to help Wyatt, who is her brother’s best friend and also his agent. Wyatt, a hockey player, was injured and refuses to go to physical therapy or any doctor’s appointments. Josie reluctantly agrees to help Wyatt, and as the two spend more time together, they begin to slowly get along even though they have an unpleasant past. Wyatt’s mom visits and tells her that Wyatt and his uncle, who died a year ago, were going to sail the Intracoastal this summer. Josie finds she’s enjoying helping Wyatt recover, and when he asks her if she wants to go on the sailing trip with him she agrees to go if he continues with his physical therapy. Josie wonders could things work with Wyatt. Wyatt asks her if she wants to be only friends, and she says I don’t know. As they begin their sailing trip, they have fun. Josie wonders could we have gone from dislike to like or even love? What ends up happening?
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✨ “You didn’t need to knock”, I say. Josie shrugs, “You called the cops when I set foot on your property. Who knows what you’d do if I walked inside without knocking.” She says airily ✨

✨Am I so desperate for her attention that I’ll even take it in the negative form? Maybe✨

✨Quiet mornings and afternoons and evenings with Josie telling me about things I only care about becasue they matter to her ✨

✨My last name looks good on you Rookie. Maybe we can find a way to keep it there.” ✨

📖
Josie, an elementary school nurse, is tricked into spending the summer with her brother’s best friend, Wyatt—a grumpy (but let’s be honest, 🔥), famous hockey player recovering from knee surgery. What should’ve been a chill sibling vacation turns into weeks of awkward tension, hilarious banter, and slow-burn romance at a rundown Virginia cottage. Add a boat, a healing journey down the Intracoastal Waterway, and forced proximity? You already know chaos and chemistry are sailing right in. ⛵💞

💭 My Thoughts 💭
Let me just say one thing about Emma St. Clair... she NEVER misses. PERIOD. I was grinning, swooning, and absolutely head over heels with WYATT 😩🔥 Like... WHEN will it be my turn?! Just send a warning next time because this man’s LINES?! Ughhhh I was DONE. 💘

Emma really knows how to make you fall for her characters—and fall hard. Josie? Hilarious. Smart. Sassy. And the chemistry between her and Wyatt? Off. The. Charts. 🔥💥

And don’t even get me started on the NICKNAME. “Rookie”?? Chef’s kiss. Plus, Wyatt noticing all the little things? Obsessed. He has officially been added to my book boyfriend list at 10,000% ✅💯

ANDDDD, we got a little Van cameo?! Yes please 🙌 Seeing familiar faces again made this feel like the perfect cherry on top. 🍒

I meannnn this was going to be a 5-star rate for me regardless becasue we got to see VAN AGAIN and I absolutely love that man.

If you love romance that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and hopelessly swoony—If All Else Sails should definitely be on your TBR 📚💕

🙏 God bless everyone 🙏

This book was a delight! I really thinks it is the best romance Mrs. Emma St. Clair has ever written. She has matured her narrative a lot! Favorited.

Thanks to netgalley for the preview in return for an honest review!

This novel was perfect. Great pace, characters, setting, dilemma etc. I hadn’t read this author previously but will now look for her books! Nothing spicy, this was a very PG family friendly read. Josie, a school nurse with reservations about men (especially athletes), was a little too in her head for the last fourth of the book, but it wasn’t inconceivable why she was so anxious. Wyatt, her brother's best friend/client, was basically too good to be true but I’ll take it!

Read if you like: enemies to lovers, sailing!, forced proximity situations and easy to read romance.

This book had me from the very first page! Josie is a heroine who is so relatable- an everywoman who gets up every day and does the best she can, while delicately navigating the traumas life throws at her- and in this case, it's her sneaky brother sending her to rescue his best friend (and most lucrative sports contract) injured hockey player Wyatt. Brooding and grouchy, Wyatt and Josie have some history...but this new chapter starts when he calls the cops on her! I absolutely loved this book, the story, the characters, and the snark. A sweet romance with a low spice level, I'd feel. confident recommending this book to any reader who wanted a sweet summer romance. A solid A++ for me!

This book was a perfect slice of heaven. I love St. Clair’s writing. I’ve read many of her books so there was no doubt I’d love this one too.

Wyatt and Josie are so well done. Wyatt is a lovable grump and Josie is exactly what he needs. Jacob (Josie’s brother) schemes for Josie to meet him for a sibling outing, but what actually happens is the the perfect plan to get her to Wyatt and I loved all the events that take place to get the two together.

As always with St. Clair’s books there is humor and heart. The well-written side characters come in with full force and leave lasting impressions - Wyatt’s mom and Wanda to name a couple. There are surprise visits from characters I was more than thrilled to see.

I loved how Wyatt and Josie worked together on the boat and the ending revelations from one character pulled at my heart strings. The sailing was a fun addition. Their banter was so enjoyable and their chemistry was perfectly done.

Thank you to the publisher for the NetGalley approval for the ebook and the audio. All views are my own.

What a great story! I love Emma St. Clair's style of writing, she just pulls you when, and you don't want to put the book down. Josie and Wyatt have know each other for years but didn't get along all that well. They each thought the other didn't like them for some reason or other. Josie's brother comes up with an excuse to get them together and the excitement begins. This is a really sweet story.
Thank you Emma St. Clair and Net Galley for an ARC for an honest review.

I absolutely LOVED If All Else Sails, the tension and banter was everything! You get it all - love, family, and laughs. Josie gets tricked into a sibling vacation that actually ends up being her brother wanting her to care for his friend Wyatt while he's recovering from an injury. Wyatt's the grumpy MMC we all love, the tough" I don't need help"act. Josie agrees only for her own incentives her brother offers. The growth they both go thru in the book is beautiful, they both end up being there for each other in the end. Grumpy meets Grumpier. As they both overcome their own darknesses, the warmth between them grows too. Theres so much depth and emotion to the story. The dual POV was exactly what I needed , i love me a good MMC POV! Wyatt is just "a secret softie wrapped in porcupine quills". Get ready for all the feels, this is the perfect summer read!

My favorite quote :
"Butterfly kisses were immortalized in song, but someone should really write a banger about bird-feather touches. Wyatt’s contact is hummingbird fast—there and gone. Whispers of warm skin disappearing before I can lean in for more. He leaves goose bumps and shortness of breath in his wake."

Emma St. Clair's If All Else Sails is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that takes school nurse Josie and her brother's best friend, grumpy hockey player Wyatt Jacobs, on a summer adventure far from smooth sailing. What Josie expects to be her "Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza" turns into a reluctant cohabitation at a "run-down cottage" on Virginia's Northern Neck—with Wyatt, her sworn enemy.

Her sports agent brother has orchestrated this bizarre arrangement: Josie is to help Wyatt recover from an injury. Bandaging skinned knees is one thing, but physical therapy for a surly hockey player is a whole new challenge. Yet, the price her brother offers is enough to tempt her, even if it means sharing what she lovingly dubs the "quaint little murder cottage" with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie begins to see beyond Wyatt's grumpy exterior. When she learns he was meant to sail the Intracoastal Waterway to Savannah to scatter his uncle's ashes, Josie, to her own surprise, offers to be his first mate. Their journey is anything but smooth, filled with cramped quarters, canned food, and constant bickering, leaving Josie to wonder if they'll make it home without killing—or kissing—each other. As she peels back Wyatt's layers, Josie realizes she's misunderstood not only him and their shared history, but perhaps herself as well. This charming read promises a journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance on the high seas.

AHH! So adorable!!

When school nurse Josie is tricked into take care of her brother's best friend Wyatt while he recovers from a hockey injury, her feelings toward him are turned upside down when she realizes everything she thought about him has been wrong.

All Wyatt wants is to be left alone....and recover from his injury so he can return to hockey...and take the sailing trip he planned in memory of his uncle. Though Josie won't leave him alone, he realizes he can't - and doesn't - want her to, neither does he want to do the other things without her. It may just take some time alone on a boat together for them to finally accept that they may just be perfect for each other after all.

What you'll love:
brother’s best friend
dual pov
he falls first
slow burn
hockey player (injured)
grumpy/sunshine
the re-meet cute
animal mishaps
Jib’s outfits
forced proximity
the entire sailing trip
THAT KISS!!!
Appies cameos

Squee!!!! I was so excited that we get Wyatt's (former Appies hockey player) cute story! He was definitely a favorite character from that series and deserved to get his HEA and oh my, Josie was definitely the woman for him! As things from their past revealed I was more and more excited to see them end up together!

This book has all the laugh out loud moments and wit and banter that I have come to expect and love in Emma's books. I laughed so hard at their second meet-cute that I had literal tears coming down my face! And I loved that all of those funny moments are weaved so perfectly with moments of depth and heart as well as swoony romance. All that tension and chemistry and oh mylanta, that kiss was more than worth the wait.

This book accomplished two things: made me want to go on a sailing trip and made me fall in love with Emma's books even more than I already have. If you have loved her indie books, then you will love this one too!! She is a forever favorite and I will never tire of reading her stories!

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Sadly, this ARC doesn't release until August 2025 so it almost misses a chance to be on your Summer TBR. But, add it to the list. Elementary school nurse thinks she is going on a trip with her sports agent brother only to find out he planned something else...

It's funny, romantic, and easy to read.

Disclaimer: None

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction, NetGalley and Emma St. Clair for an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

5 out of 5 stars

Emma St. Clair did it again! I absolutely loved this book. Since starting the Appies series I have wanted Wyatt's story and I'm so glad I finally have it. This enemies to lovers, forced proximity book proved to add all of the right tension. Wyatt self sabotaging his recovery made so much sense with the grief he was experiencing. Josie being a nurse and in need of money was just what was needed to get Wyatt back on track with his recovery. The only issue... they are NOT big fans of each other. Josie thinks Wyatt hates her... not to mention the fact that she hates hockey players, but she really needs the money so she takes care of Wyatt (despite his many protests). They grow closer and we get to know each character more as they get to know one another. Overall, this book was so good and it is definitely one of my favorites by Emma St. Clair. I have a soft spot for Wyatt and he's definitely one of my favorite MMC's. A man who can sail? YES PLEASE. However, I will never look at Cool Whip the same way again lol. iykyk.

ARC/ ALC REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Josie, an elementary school nurse, thinks she is headed for a sibling getaway. But when she discovers she will be caring for her brother’s best friend, Wyatt- a grumpy, professional hockey player who just so happens to be her mortal enemy- she gets the shock of a lifetime. Will she stick around until he fully recovers, or will the total seclusion be too much for her to handle?

Emma St Clair’s upcoming book, If All Else Sails, is set to release later this summer. This is perfect timing as it makes for the ideal travel companion. In fact, upon release it will be available in ALL formats. With endless options for consumption, reading just got a whole lot easier!

As with all of St. Clair’s writing, she hooked me right from the start. This book features popular tropes such as enemies-to-lovers, brother’s best friend, grumpy/ sunshine, forced proximity, and so much more. But don’t be fooled. While this book does have its light and fluffy moments, it also tackles heavy topics.

Being a die hard Emma St. Clair girly, I would have loved this book, no matter what. But I loved it ten times more when I found out it featuring Wyatt, a former Appie player. While it isn’t apart of the Appie Series, it is apart of the Appie Universe. You can even count on a few fan favorites to make a surprise appearance!

While I could talk about If All Else Sails for hours, I don’t want to spoil the plot. I hope I have encouraged you to give this book a read the second it comes out. Special thanks to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zonder Fiction Audio, and Emma St. Clair for allowing me to read/ listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

Josie thinks she's showing up at a run-down but waterfront cabin to spend some bonding time with her brother, but it turns out her brother has other ideas: for her to spend the summer babysitting his client, professional hockey player Wyatt, who instead of doing everything he can to recover from an injury seems to be throwing himself a pity party and not taking the steps he needs to to get back on the ice. When an unfortunate misunderstanding leads to a less-than-stellar reunion between Josie and Wyatt, the summer starts off on a sour note. But a small cabin and an even smaller sailboat bring these two closer together.

I'm a huge fan of Emma St. Clair's indie books, including her Appies hockey ones, so I was SO excited to see Wyatt finally make an appearance! St. Clair is a master of closed door romance, giving us everything we need without any door slams or disappointment. I loved Josie and Wyatt (separately and together) and I really enjoyed the sailboat setting in the latter half of the book. It gave me Swept Away or The Love Haters vibes without any of the trauma or disaster of being stranded at sea. I just love ocean vibes. Anything I can do to get more hockey players on my pages, I will!

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Wyatt is grumpy but he used to be an Appie so I gave him space to growl.
Josie is a school nurse whose brother bamboozled her into helping Wyatt out during her summer break. There’s a murder cottage, an old truck, the summer sun, the Intercostal Waterway and a sailboat rounding out the cast of characters. A story of healing with the right amount of humor and the perfect slow burn romance made this a sweet read.

You don’t need to know what an Appie is to read this book but grab that series next you’ll thank me later.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Loved this book … I know absolutely nothing about hockey but have SO enjoyed this Appie team! The travelogue on the Intracoastal Waterway was awesome! All the characters were all so endearing and Jib was beyond wonderful! I would love to see a follow up story for Jacob …. Definitely give this one a try - and go back and read the rest of the Appie books!

If All Else Sails is author Emma St. Clair’s first book released by a major publisher. It’s a standalone book but is connected to the independently published Appies hockey romantic comedy series by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor. All of the Appies books are free of profanity and sex scenes, with the romance limited to kissing.

Wyatt Jacobs was introduced in earlier Appies books as a member of the Appies minor-league hockey team, but he was promoted to an NHL team in Boston. Wyatt comes from a wealthy family who own a chain of successful restaurants in the Richmond, Virginia area. Wyatt became close friends with Jacob during college and often went to his home during school breaks. He was attracted to Jacob’s younger sister, Josie, but was told that she was off-limits.

Fast forward a few years and Wyatt is living at his late uncle’s remote cottage in coastal Virginia, recovering from a foot injury. He’s mourning his beloved Uncle Tom and trying to figure out how to renovate this dilapidated structure that he’s inherited. He’s mad at the world and refusing to go to physical therapy for his foot. Whan a young woman unexpectedly appears at his cottage, he calls the police to report a trespasser. He definitely wants to avoid nosy reporters. He’s shocked to learn that the lady is his agent and friend Jacob’s sister, Josie, who he’s had a crush on for years.

Josie is an elementary school nurse in Virginia who is struggling both financially and socially. Her parents sold her childhood home and are travelling the country in their RV. Her older brother, Jacob, is a successful sports agent with famous clients, and a string of affairs. Josie experienced two traumatic events in her youth and is emotionally stunted. She doesn’t date and specifically avoids athletic men. When Jacob invites her to their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she is thrilled to be able to reconnect with him. A previous extravaganza was a tropical cruise complete with norovirus, so she’s happy that they will be meeting in coastal Virginia instead. When she arrives at the rundown cottage that looks like a place where a murder has occurred, she’s arrested and put in a police car without air conditioning. When she gets ahold of Jacob, he informs her that he can’t come but he needs her to take care of his buddy, Wyatt, for a few weeks. Josie agrees to stay with Wyatt for four weeks to oversee his recovery after Jacob offers to pay her an exorbitant amount of money, more than she could make from summer school.

Wyatt and Josie get off to a rough start because Wyatt doesn’t want anyone helping him. However Josie’s nursing skills and experience with childish behavior help her figure out how to motivate Wyatt to follow his doctor’s orders and attend physical therapy. When she learns about the history of the cottage and Wyatt’s plans to scatter his uncle’s ashes on a sailing trip to Savannah, Josie offers to accompany him if he will get onboard with the recovery process. She researches sailing, and slowly a friendship forms.

As they sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah, Georgia, they have many interesting adventures. Josie learns more about Wyatt and discovers that she misunderstood their past encounters. She realizes that he’s not the enemy that she thought he was, and she falls for him. Josie has to work through her past traumas in order for their relationship to deepen.

If All Else Sails is partial romance and partial character development with lots of humor. Both Wyatt and Josie are well-developed, likable people who readers will root for. The scenes are described so vividly that it’s like watching a movie. The reader can absolutely sense Jacob’s matchmaking while both Wyatt and Josie are oblivious. While there are references to a sensitive topic, it’s a realistic scenario for many young women and is explained with care and sensitivity. I really enjoyed this book so much that now I want to go on a sailing drip on the Intracoastal Waterway!

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) e-book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Wyatt and Josie are enemies… at least Josie thinks so. Wyatt? He’s the silent brooding type who generally answers with a grunt or the word no. So, his opinion might be up for debate, except for the rather compelling argument of his reaction to Josie’s presence. I mean, his initial reaction is pretty big and not so welcoming, but let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. The guy is not at his best in that moment. However, Josie’s sunny personality and her genuine caring for others does lead Wyatt through some rough stuff. I love how they both learn and grow personally throughout the story. This story is sweet and has some funny moments. When Wyatt and Josie are just themselves, and we catch their banter and teasing, the story feels genuine and authentic, which I liked. I enjoyed reading it. It is technically Christian fiction, but Christian elements are minimal. I would probably have liked it more had we seen the characters relying on God more and had the author shared their inner spiritual thoughts and prayers more. But, overall, I did enjoy this book. It is a good, relaxing, and just-for-fun read. I recommend this book to anyone needing a summer or vacation literary getaway.

“When Josie’s brother sends her to a random address for their (sometimes) annual Super Summer Sibling Extravaganza, she finds neither siblings nor extravaganzas. Instead, ends up at a run-down cottage on the Northern Neck of Virginia occupied by a hockey player she knows and loathes.

A hockey player who isn’t just one of her sports agent brother’s clients. He’s also his best friend. And Josie’s sworn enemy.

Oh—and her brother wants Josie to help Wyatt recover from his injury.

Dragging grumpy hockey players to physical therapy is a far cry from bandaging skinned knees, but for the price her brother offers to pay, Josie is willing to try.

Even if it means sharing what she dubs the quaint little murder cottage with Wyatt.

Begrudgingly, Josie starts to see a little more of the man behind the grumpy exterior. And when she finds out he was supposed to sail the Intracoastal Waterway south to Savannah scattering his uncle’s ashes, Josie surprises even herself by offering to be Wyatt’s first mate.

Smooth sailing is nowhere to be found, and Josie begins to wonder if they’ll be able to make it home without killing—or kissing?—each other.

And yet, the longer they share cramped quarters and canned food, the more of Wyatt’s layers she peels back until Josie realizes she misunderstood him, their shared history, and perhaps herself as well.”

**What I loved about this book:
I really enjoyed both of the main characters, Josie and Wyatt! Wyatt was totally smitten with Josie and Josie was a smart, caring FMC! And the banter between them just put this book over the top for me!!

Read if you like:
*enemies to lovers
*brother’s best friend
*forced proximity
*closed door romance

Oh my gosh, the re-meet-“cute” made my jaw drop. The hilarity just kept coming.
Cracking up at one disaster after another.

My heart went out to Wyatt. He’s dealing with a couple different types of losses. He’s closed himself off to everyone. He comes off as a grump, but he’s got such a sincere heart.

I loved Josie. She’s spunky, she’s feisty, she’s caring. Her summer plans did not include being a nurse to her brother’s friend and sailing the east coast, but it turns out to be the best thing for both of them.

There’s so much to love in this book. There’s great banter, some grumpy/sunshine, hilarious situations that make you laugh out loud, deepening connections, and fabulous adventure. Oh and an adorably cute dog.

Highlights:
⛵️Fever Wyatt
⛵️The pigs
⛵️The helmet
⛵️Jib
⛵️Wyatt’s mom
⛵️Boat shoes
⛵️Appies lunch

This is such a sweet and funny romantic adventure! A perfect summer read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for the copy. All opinions are my own.

Okay this was a SUPER sweet book! I loved the back and forth between the characters and it was easy to follow. There were no "filler characters" and "side stories" to take your mind off of the story. It's sweet, clean and a great summer read! I love Emma's books and this one will not disappoint!

I really enjoyed this book. Wyatt is a bit of a grouch but he has a tender heart underneath it all. He started the book a bit rough but I warmed up to him quickly and was a big fan of his. Josie is full of anxiety and I loved how Wyatt tried to understand her struggles and was so patient with her. I also loved Princess Jib and her outfits. Overall a great book and a heartwarming romance.