Cruise Crush
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Apr 8 2025 | Archive Date Mar 31 2026
Talking about this book? Use #CruiseCrush #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
What happens when you combine shrimp cocktail, sensual massages, humor, and undeniable attraction? A full-blown case of Cruise Crush!
Kathleen Allen takes us on a voyage filled with steamy romance, adventure, and even a little deceit when two wayward hearts literally bump into each other. If you like Meghan Quinn and Tessa Bailey, you won’t want to miss the boat for this cruise!
Anchors aweigh, because this spicy contemporary romance is pulling out of port! It’s a tale filled with secret identities, awkward situations, humor, exotic destinations, witty banter, and fiery passion. Pack your bags because Cruise Crush is your ultimate vacation beach read!
True love is rare. Don’t wave from the dock as it sails away.
AJ, the millionaire soon-to-be CEO of Pinnacle Cruise Line, is seeking some relaxation before diving into his new high-pressure role. A low-key weeklong Caribbean cruise seems like the perfect getaway—until he realizes his responsibilities to his company and wealthy family are impossible to avoid.
Welcome aboard DJ, a stunning former Olympic gymnast turned highly-followed travel blogger. When their paths literally collide, the magnetic attraction between them is impossible to ignore. Since both are on “vacation,” they agree not to discuss their occupations – a challenging task considering their prominence in professional circles.
As DJ and AJ explore exotic destinations and share fiery encounters on the opulent cruise ship, their connection intensifies from witty exchanges and quirky interactions to unbridled passion. But when their true identities are finally revealed, they’ll have to navigate the stormy seas of this unexpected romance—either sinking separately or learning to swim together. Will they survive the drama of the rough waters, or was this only a fleeting Cruise Crush that will be lost at sea?
Advance Praise
"The readers, along with the characters, are taken for a roller coaster ride, full of unpredictable events that eventually align perfectly once we come towards the end of the story. -- The Feathered Quill ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The cruise setting provides a playful and romantic stage, with vivid descriptions of destinations and shipboard life adding richness to the story. I love romance novels, but this one truly blew me away." -- Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"If you love rom-coms, flirty banter, 'whoops I fell for him' plots, and cruise ship fantasies, this is for you. Perfect for beach reads, bubble baths, or days when your real life feels like a sad salad." -- Literary Titan (Gold Award Winner) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Silver Medal - Readers' Favorite - Romance-Comedy, 2025
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781944972516 |
| PRICE | $3.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 205 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 27 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1338990
Cruise Crush -Love at First Sail 🚢💕🚢☀️
Thank you to Kathleen and NetGalley for the honor of reading this ARC in exchange for my honest review. What a treat this one was!
How cute and fun was this book?! I am OBSESSED. It was definitely one of those I-can't-put-it-down reads that had me smiling from start to finish, back to front and up to down… and once again wishing I was on a cruise ship.
DJ is a travel reviewer invited to sail the seas and write up her experience. AJ is about to take over the family cruise company and just wants a chance to enjoy the trip without the CEO spotlight. When they meet, it's basically love at first sight but both of them are playing it carefully, keeping their true identities close to their chest. She's a past Olympic gold medalist who just wants to review her cruise in peace. He's the heir to a multi-billion dollar company who just wants to get to know the girl, not impress her. It's the perfect setup and it works beautifully. Perfect meet-cute! 💕
AJ and DJ are both so well-developed and bring their own warmth to the story. Their chemistry is completely undeniable. And I won't even pretend I didn't desperately want to book a cruise myself, every time they reached a new destination it felt so real and vivid. I actually read this one on the beach, which was honestly the perfect setting. It's a beautiful blend of romance, adventure, and vacation fantasy.
And the spice? At least 🌶️🌶️🌶️ — on page and absolutely delivering. It fits the story's playful, slow-build energy perfectly.
This one ends with a full Happily Ever After and I couldn't be happier about it. I read this almost back-to-back with the second book and honestly, that's exactly how it should be experienced — because once you finish, you will not want to wait. I cannot wait to see where this series goes! 🛳️💙
Taylor H, Reviewer
A perfect summer read!
What a fun and spicy book, I really enjoyed this holiday romance. It’s romance and adventure wrapped into one delicious story.
The book felt very balanced to me, there was a build up that happened gradually, things didn’t feel forced or out of place.
What could be better than going on a cruise, meeting a handsome man and enjoying a week away from life, enjoying his company and not having to worry about your real life. Well that’s what happens for Delaney and Andrew has the flip, a chance to spend time away from the real world with a beautiful woman.
One miscommunication later is everything over or can they work it out. If anything I would’ve loved a few more chapters to wrap this book up but maybe there will be more sprinkled in of these two in the next book.
I can’t wait to read book 2, thank you to Netgalley and Kathleen Allen/ Warrington publishing for the opportunity to read this. I definitely recommend it for a summertime romance.
Meredith L, Reviewer
GREAT vacation read! Full of witty banter, angst and spicy perfection!
Not only are the FMC and MMC strong characters but they are full of love, laughter and a genuine zest for life. This book is lighthearted, romantic, funny and keeps you turning the page. The spice level is just right in this one!
Cannot wait to read more from Kathleen Allen. Thank you #NetGalley for providing this book for me to enjoy and discovering a new author to add to my growing list of FAVORITES.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
