“He understood me like no one else. This was why we were inevitable.”

Love Overboard was angsty, emotional, and pure chaotic fun in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, I was hooked on this wild, Below Deck setup, where every character brings their own brand of drama to the yacht—and every camera is ready to catch it. Ember, our Chief Stew with a bruised heart and a spine of steel, walks onto the boat only to come face to face with the one man she never wanted to see again: Finn, the chef who shattered her a few years back. The second their eyes meet, the tension snaps tight, and from there the pressure only builds as the rest of the crew boards and the reality TV chaos kicks into high gear.

“No one felt like Finn Pearson. No one could unlock me when he still held the key.”

The longing between Finn and Ember is palpable from the moment they collide again. It’s that delicious, slow burn ache—the kind that simmers under every lingering glance, every sharp comment, every moment they pretend they’re totally fine when they’re absolutely not. Their chemistry is undeniable, even when they’re trying to bury it under snark, professionalism, or sheer stubbornness. Add in the messy dynamics of the rest of the crew, the constant presence of cameras, and the emotional landmines from their shared past, and you’ve got a powder keg just waiting for the spark.

“I can’t stay out of your business, Firefly. Because my business is you.”

And when it blows? Oh, it blows.

“He chose me even when he knew the whole world would judge him for it. And I chose him, too.”

I was obsessed with this book. The angst and heartbreak practically became their own characters, threading through every scene and pulling me deeper into the story. Finn and Ember are passionate, flawed, vulnerable, and so achingly real. Watching them navigate the ghosts of their past—both together and separately—was emotional in a way that felt raw and honest. Their growth, their pain, their fire… I was completely enthralled.

“There was no past and no future. It was just us, right here, right now, forever, unending.”

Love Overboard is a messy, addictive, emotionally charged ride that delivers everything I want in a second chance romance set against the backdrop of reality TV chaos. If you love tension that crackles, chemistry that refuses to die, and characters who feel everything with their whole hearts, you’re going to want to climb aboard this yacht immediately.

The Queen of Angst delivered yet another infinity stars read for me.

I will be honest, second chance is not one of my favourite tropes, however this one has definitely made me reevaluate that.

The writing as always flowed perfectly, Kandi has a way of making you feel like your reading your own words/journal when telling her stories, which is honestly one of the most beautiful things to experience. Having the script parts was so fun and unique, it was like a glimpse into the chapter each time.

Ember and Finn, my heart, the tension, the banter, the yearning, my heart strings were definitely pulled and yes, I of course shed a tear, dont let the cover fool you 🤣

Ember... one of my favourite FMCs... shes out to just prove to herself, the world, her father, that she is good at what she does and should be proud of what she achieved. Adding in the fact she is now working closely with an ex she is not over, made her job so much harder. I felt for her so much through the pages. She gave so much courage, strength and grace.

Finn.... he had me at an Irish accent, but I did take a while to warm up to him, in my eyes he didnt deserve her, not until everything unravelled. These two are most definitely destined to be together.

When these two came together, it was literally fireworks, a simple touch to a full on bedroom scene gave us the spice we all want in our books 🙌

The side characters gave us so much too. I am a massive lover of below deck so yes Captain Gary was of course Captain Lee in my head 🤣

I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. The character building was phenomenal and I loved every second of this.

“Where there is smoke, there’s fire—and those two were fanning the flames from day one.”

OMG this book! First off I am a HUGE fan of Below Deck so I was already desperate to get this book in my hands. IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT. The book is written like a season of the show, with cutaway moments, behind the scenes interviews moments and Embers direct experience for the season.

“Either way, I knew one thing for certain. This wasn’t just a coincidence. It was a setup.”

Ember has spent two years mending her heart from a boat hookup that turned into the real thing but at the end of the season they went different directions. She honestly thought she’d never see Finn again and was working on being good with that. She is entering her first season as chief stew and has signed up to do it on film. Of course we know how show producers are and there is not much left to chance because they know they need a hit season for their show. Let me just say my mouth dropped when they shock Ember!

“No one felt like Finn Pearson. No one could unlock me when he still held the key.”

I kept wanting to put the book down only to squeeze in some episodes of the show below deck because the books vibes were perfection. One hundred percent dead on yachtie vibes with all the guest drama, crew drama, nights off, and hectic schedules. I am desperately hoping we get another “season” from Kandi within this world because it was magic!

“Give me the chance to love you with everything that I am until I cease to exist.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5

Y’all are going to be so sick of me because I’m never going to shut up about this book! If you’re a reality tv fan (even better if you love Below Deck), you HAVE to have to have to read this one on April 21. I am such a huge Kandi fan, but even I’m blown away at how much mental space this damn book is taking up in my mind. From the first few chapters, you already feel the angst and tension that Kandi is so well known for and I couldn’t put it down/ stop listening until I finished it! Don’t let the cute cover fool you, it packs a punch 😮‍💨

Ember is setting sail for the first time as chief stew on a super-yacht and as a cast member of the popular reality show, Close Quarters. She’s anxious to prove to her crew, her parents, and herself that she’s ready for this next step in the career she’s worked so hard for. However, the season is already experiencing rough waters when she steps aboard and runs into Finn- the man who broke her heart when he left her in Greece two years ago, and the new chef of the ship she’s working on for 8 weeks.

I swapped between the audio and the ebook, and I’m not even joking when I say this is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. I couldn’t even multitask while listening like I normally do- I just sat with my headphones in and stared at a wall so I could give the story my undivided attention 🤣 I’ll be raving about this book until my lungs give out- it’s a new Kandi favorite!

Thank you so much to @kandisteiner and @arndellbooks for the gifted copy!

🌊 second chance
🛳️ forced proximity / workplace
🌊 they’re starring on a reality tv show together
🛳️ soooo much angst and tension
🌊 amazing audiobook!!

I think this might be my favorite contemporary romance book ever. Certainly top 2 of my favorite books I’ve read this year!!

I love second chance romance and this checked EVERY box for me. I liked that it was single POV so there was still some suspense because we only got things in Ember’s POV. It wasn’t all spelled out for us. We had to wait and figure out Finn’s feelings as Ember did. And OMG, was it messy!!

The whole Gisella thing just added so much extra conflict and drama! The only thing I wish is that we could see more of the behind the scenes with the crew. But that just might be because I am indeed a fan of a certain reality tv show about yachties.

Thank you so much NetGalley and to the author for letting me read this book!

🛥️ Second chance
🌊 Forced proximity
⚓️ Forbidden romance
🛥️ Below Deck vibes
🌊 Reality TV
⚓️ High stakes
🛥️ Full of angst
🌊 Slow burn
⚓️ First person, single POV

5⭐️

Somehow, Kandi Steiner captured how it feels to watch an entire season of Below Deck and put it in a romance novel, except it’s even better because you get to see everything going on behind the scenes with production, too. This is one of those books that sucks you in so deeply and you truly can’t help but continue reading. I couldn’t put this one down, it’s that good.

If there’s one thing that Kandi does really well in her books, it’s angst. She can write angsty books like nobody’s business, and this one is full of it! Finn and Ember broke up two years ago but now are working on the same superyacht, except this time Ember is roommates with Finn’s current girlfriend who is another member of the crew? Add in the fact that the girlfriend is one of those characters that you’ll really love to hate and helloooo, angst central! The tension was thick on that boat, y’all.

I was worried that it would be difficult to follow with having so many characters because of all of the crew, but just like watching Below Deck, you get to know everyone easily and quickly. I loved that there were other friendships and boatmances too; the side plots made everything all the more interesting. There was banter, there were breakdowns, there were flashbacks, there was all sorts of guest drama… and every part of it was riveting to read.

While I much prefer a dual POV, this was a fabulous read even with only a single POV. It was necessary this way, and we still got other character perspectives with the confessionals. The TV show’s name, Close Quarters, was a much appreciated nod to another favorite Kandi Steiner book of mine by the same name, and it made me smile throughout reading this book.

Audio: I switched back and forth between the ebook and the audio version of this book. The audio is just as amazing. It’s in duet and the narrators do a great job differentiating between the (many) different characters, handling the numerous accents beautifully. I thought that was really impressive. It was practically as if it was narrated by a full cast, with how varied the narrators voices and accents were. I appreciated how the sound effects differentiated between the present and the flashbacks; it made for a seamless listening experience.

A few things I loved:
• the confessionals
• Leah
• Captain Gary
• banana pancakes
• his tattoo

“Amid all that dark hair, sitting right above that cocky tilt of his lips were the eyes that had once been my downfall. They were the color of the sea; green and blue with flecks of gold. And they were just as dangerous as the waves they emulated.”

“I was pissed at him for being here, for being back in yachting, with her. I was pissed at how we left things, pissed he didn’t try to come after me when that charter ended, pissed he had been living his life just fine and falling in love again while I still couldn’t see through the rubble his love had left me under. I hated him. Because I still loved him.”

“A man possessed. A woman consumed. The kind of passion that ends wars or starts them. Maybe it was toxic. Maybe we were the villains. But to me? This felt like the victorious sunset ride as the credits rolled.”

Thank you to Kandi, Tina, Arndell, Keeperton, and NetGalley for the early copy of this book! Receiving a free advanced copy of this book did not influence my opinions or the content of my review.

No one does angst like Kandi! I loved this book. It felt like I was watching a full season of below deck with a second chance, close proximity love story. FMC Ember has spent years working up to being chief stew aboard a luxury lot much to the chagrin of her parents. When she is offered the chief stew position as part of a reality TV show, she jumps at the chance. Ember is excited to prove she is up to the task until she discovers that her ex boyfriend is the chef for the yacht and that he has brought his new girlfriend along as a deckhand/stew. Two years ago, she was completely destroyed when their relationship fell apart and hasn't spoken to him since. Ember does her best to pretend she is unaffected by Finn's presence but she hasn't been able to move on and it seems, neither has he.

Oh. My. Gosh. This is officially one of my top 5 favorite reads!
Love Overboard by Kandie Steiner has EVERYTHING a good book needs drama, angst, yearning, spice, an amazing setting, a strong FMC and MMC, plus the best cast of hilarious, lovable side characters. There were scenes that had me laughing out loud and others that completely broke my heart. It truly had it all.
This was my first book by Kandie Steiner, but I already had a few on my TBR and let me just say, she has officially skyrocketed to one of my top authors.
This book is going to be loved by so many readers, especially fans of reality TV. I genuinely cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy when it releases on April 21st!
And when I say I inhaled this book… I mean I devoured it in 6 hours. I could not put it down.
Even though the ending wrapped up perfectly, I still NEED MORE!!!
Just read it you will not be disappointed.

⭐ Rating: 5⭐ (Top 5 of the year—easily)
🌶 Spice Level: 🌶🌶
📺 Vibe: Reality TV drama + romance + angst

I devoured this addictive book in one sitting! The characters are so relatable and real, and the plot twists kept me hooked till the end. The way the story flows is like a perfect wave, smooth, emotional, and leaves you feeling everything! It's like stepping onto the set of Below Deck, with a dash of Palm South University vibes. One quote that still gives me chills is: "No matter how bright the spotlight, he could only see me." If you're looking for a romance that'll make you laugh, cry, and swoon, this is it! If you love drama, love and second chance this is the book!

I'm obsessed!!

This was so different than anything I’ve ever read/listened to, but it was also everything I’ve come to expect from Kandi Steiner. It was the perfect mix of drama, angst, heart and emotion. I loved every single second of this adventure.

The audiobook was absolutely amazing. I think it really brought this story to life in the best way. The narrators were phenomenal. Highly recommend!

Thank you to the author & Arndell for an early copy.

I can’t recommend this book enough. There was the perfect amount of everything. The angst and tension. The yearning. The banter. The tattoos. The list just goes on! I’m a sucker for second chance romances and I loved how Kandi wrote this one. I loved how they chose themselves and somehow found their way back to each other. Then they created something that’s totally their own. I loved the concept of the reality tv show. It kept me on my toes and I loved Bernard and his need for gossip. PLEASE PICK THIS ONE UP!

This book is incredible and deserves every bit of praise that will come its way. Initially requested based on that it reminded me of below deck. Little did I know I was about to get the Kandi Steiner experience where she breaks my heart and puts it back together.
The characters are well thought out and having that many with different accents and slang from around the world, is a feat in itself. The plot twists had me dropping my jaw like I was actually watching a reality season. Also loved how at the start of the chapter were the confessional scripts from the tv show. They made me keep turning the page even when I had a million other things to do that was not reading. And the ending was perfect. Like no words perfect.
Thankyou so much to Netgalley and Keeperton for approving my request!

The perfect blend of high-seas tension, undeniable chemistry, and pure heart. I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down. A must-read for anyone who loves a romance that feels both cozy and electric!

I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting, completely ignoring how late it was and how early I had to be up the next day. I could not put it down.

Love Overboard was everything I wanted in a second-chance romance and more. As a Below Deck fan, the super yacht setting was perfect, high drama, tight quarters, and nowhere to hide from complicated feelings. It made the tension between Ember and Finn even more intense.

Both Ember and Finn were such strong, well-developed characters. Their history felt real, their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved watching them grow—both individually and together. The emotional payoff was so satisfying.

And the spice? Absolutely delivering.

This was angsty, addictive, and full of heart. I’ll definitely be preordering copies to stock in my mobile bookstore—this is an easy recommendation for romance readers!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Keeperton for the ARC!

For the lovers of trashy TV and Below Deck.
This book has all the chaos, sizzling tension and drama for dayss.
I absolutely devoured it and I felt like I was in the front row seat of behind the scenes on Below Deck.

An expertly written second chance romance, amazing side characters that only enhance the plot and so much drama.
Definitely a top read of 2025 can't wait to grab a trophy for my bookshelf!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to ARC read this book.

5 ★

Kandi Steiner did it again you guys!! When she dedicated this book to angst lovers, I’m fully convinced she meant me personally, cause I ate it up.

Not that I’m surprised — I knew I was going to love it. You should’ve seen me checking my inbox 20 times a day waiting for the eARC to finally appear there 🌚

Love Overboard is a messy, angsty second-chance romance, set on a yacht, where a reality TV show is being filmed, tracking every single move of the main characters. Truly, what’s not to love?

・❥・ Ember

Oh, how I loved her. An insanely ambitious girl, who found her passion in life and was willing to pursue at the cost anything of anything — including some of her closest relationships. She loved her job and was incredible at it.

She is the chief stew, meaning it’s her job to ensure every service on deck is provided flawlessly, and that the guests leave blown away by the experience.

And honestly, I loved getting to read about the different aspects of her job almost as much as I enjoy the love story. The writing was just so captivating I could read 200 pages more of just the crew working and rate that 5 stars as well.

・❥・ Finn

It’s always harder to form an opinion on a character whose POV you don’t get, but reading about him through Ember’s eyes? Oh I was swooning.

Not a perfect character, it wouldn’t be as messy and as angsty if any of them were, but real and passionate and that’s the true way to my heart.

There is one chapter you can experience from his point of you and if I weren’t sold on him already (which, obviously, I was) would’ve sealed the deal for me.

・❥・ Their Relationship
What can I say… right person wrong time, second chance, forced proximity, angst, yearning, and jealousy — what more could a girl want?

I’m a sucker for a little “nothing will ever or has ever compared to you” moment and I wasn’t disappointed.

I will say I could see being put through a little bit more pain here (not that there wasn’t pain, I just like my books to shred my heart to pieces after they rip it out), but I’ll let it slide cause these two were already put through hell before the book even started.

・❥・ The Writing
There are not many things I love in this world more than Kandi Steiner’s writing. She has the power to have hooked from the dedication all the way to the acknowledgments.

Also, if there is anything I love it’s an original idea, and come on a story happening on a yacht, with new guests every few days and a reality TV show being filmed? , that’s an original idea if I ever read one. And it was done so well 😫

Y’all are lucky that I’m legally not allowed to share a million quotes with you (yet) since this was an ARC , cause this review would be filled with the most gut-wrenching, beautifully written sentences.

・❥・To summarize — 5 starts, immaculate vibes, a perfect summer read with just the right amount of drama

・❥・Do yourselves a favor: add it to your TBR and mark April 21st in your calendars cause that’s when it comes out!!

Biggest thank you to Kandi Steiner herself for writing this masterpiece, and to the Ardnell & Keeperon Teams for giving me this ARC through NetGalley, and for choosing me to be part of the Steiner’s Sweethearts Team <3

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner is a standalone contemporary romance that is a must read for fans of Below Deck. Fair warning, this addictive story will have you bailing on all plans in order to finish the book, it’s unputdownable! Love Overboard will be available April 21, 2026.

Ember has been working in the yachting industry for years and she finally has the opportunity to prove herself as a chief stew on a super yacht. As if the stakes aren’t already high, she has joined the cast of a popular reality tv show and her every move at work will be documented. Things really take a turn when the chef Ember never thought she’d see again walks into the galley. Drama like something only found on the best reality TV show ensues and you won’t want to miss it!
As a super fan of Bravo’s entire Below Deck franchise and can say with full confidence this was a home run! I could not put this book down! The drama! The extravagance! The confessionals! The yachties! The close quarters! It was all so entertaining and perfectly executed. I could read a hundred more stories written in this universe. You definitely don’t have to have watched Below Deck to enjoy this book, it’s just so easy to picture this world if you have.
Read this if you like:
-second chance romance
-forced proximity
-reality tv
-angst
-single POV
-super yachts

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️


A huge thank you to NetGalley, Keeperton, and Kandi Steiner for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This had me instantly knowing that I was going to enjoy this more than bingeing 10 seasons of Below Deck back to back.

This for me reminded me of Kandi’s writing with ALLTW, which was pure perfection.

I loved the story line; a lead stew showing up for first day of filming a reality show to find out that her ex is going to be the chef…and he brought his girlfriend with him. From this alone you know as an outsider looking in there is going to be some juicy scenes. Kandi did not disappoint.

No notes, absolute perfection. Give me a book two please!

Love Overboard reads like a full season of Below Deck — and I absolutely loved every second of it. It has everything you’d expect: messy drama, complicated relationships, demanding charter guests, behind-the-scenes chaos… and yes, even more drama.
The story follows Ember on her first cruise as Chief Stew, with the added pressure of a reality TV crew documenting everything. Things get even more complicated when the first person she runs into on deck is her ex, Finn — now the chef — who also happens to bring his new girlfriend along. From there, the tension never really lets up.
I really enjoyed the structure of the book, switching between Ember’s perspective and the interview snippets from the crew. It added that authentic reality TV feel and made the drama even more entertaining. The characters felt dynamic and messy in the best way, and the setting was just so much fun.
There’s also a bit of spice woven into the story, but the focus is definitely on the relationships, the chaos, and the emotional ups and downs.
Overall, this was such an addictive, entertaining read — perfect for anyone who loves reality TV vibes, high-stakes drama, and a touch of romance on the side.