Review: Swept Away by Beth O'Leary
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
If you loved this book, I love that for you. But I did not. I have read one other book by this author and also didn’t love it, but I definitely got swept away (har dee har har) by the cover and the synopsis. I just didn’t vibe with it and the sequence of events really stressed me out. It felt so realistic and completely unrealistic. It just wasn’t the book for me. I think i’ve learned that I just don’t mesh with this author and that’s okay! I hope it finds the right reader.
Synopsis:
“What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?
Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend's daughter.
Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water.
With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone—and to fall in love with them.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Concept—Forced proximity on a boat! How interesting and high stakes.
The Emotional Depth—I liked my romance to contain a layer of emotional depth amidst the fun tropes and swoony moments. This definitely delivered.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
The Execution—I’m having a hard time articulating why exactly, but it felt like the structure just didn’t work and some of the things that happened gave me whiplash.
The Characters—I didn’t like them 🙈
The Twist Ending—I mean, I will say my jaw dropped. But it didn’t work for me!!! Kind of gave me the ick.
Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 2/5
Content Warnings:
blood, injury and injury detail, death of a parent, pregnancy, fire and fire injury