More Than Shipmates is a remarkable debut romantic comedy that has many layers. This is a romance novel first and foremost, but there’s so much more to it. Emphasis on the journey the characters go through about self-discovery. It was inspiring to read that sometimes the path you think you’ve always wanted for yourself isn’t the path you’re meant to be on. 

Eliza’s looking for a change. After everything seemingly going in the opposite direction than what she planned for her life goals, she makes the decision to venture out of her comfort zone and get a job on a cruise. What she doesn’t expect, however, is finding herself falling for two guys. Tom and Oscar add an unanticipated, but welcome bump in the road to Eliza’s journey to finding what she wants from life. 

What to expect in More Than Shipmates:

- Workplace Romance
- Love Triangle
- Witty FMC
- Musical Theater Aspects
- Found Family
- Romcom
- Multi Povs
- Self-discovery
- Past trauma
- Miscommunication
- Spice
- HEA

For my fellow readers who also can find love triangles a bit frustrating, I will say it’s canonically clear well before half way through the book on who the final love interest will be… But I won’t spoil who it is, you’ll just have to read to find out!

Thank you to the publisher; Summer Stars Publishing, the author; Philippa Young, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will.

ARC review: More Than Shipmates by @philippayoungauthor 🩵💛 - 4.5⭐️, 3🌶️
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Fave Quote: “If we were in a show and your voice gave out one night because it was tired from weeks of being pushed to its limits, I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to turn up the next night. But ‘the show must go on’, as they say. I want the show to go on. And I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. I’ll make you hot honey and lemons, I’ll run extra warm-ups, I’ll rehearse with you, I’ll get them to change the key, I’ll sing all of your songs with you night after night until you’re confident again.” He wipes the happy tears from my cheeks with his thumb. “You’re the star of this show, Chapman and without you, there is no show. And before you say it, I refuse to work with an understudy.”
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This is a great debut novel by Philippa! It’s a lighthearted and hilarious contemporary romance of Eliza, escaping her unsatisfactory British life to work on a cruise ship, where she meets two men she’s drawn to! There’s fast and slow burn open door spice, wild sexual hijinx that was so funny to read! AND even though it’s a love triangle romance, it was written so well that you’re not pulling your hair out over it (also I’m proud of myself for picking the right boy 😎) This is a great book I’d recommend if you want a light summer/ vacation read!
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Tropes:
🩵 Love Triangle (Blonde v. Brunette MMC’s)
💛 Forced Proximity/ Co-Workers - Cruise Ship
🩵 Open Door Spice
💛 Triple POV
🩵 Rom Com
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Thank you NetGalley and Summer Star Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Eliza's interactions with Tom and Oscar are electric, sparking a love triangle that is as complex as it is captivating. As the lines between professionalism and desire blur, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating how Eliza's choices will unfold.

Themes of personal growth and romantic tension, draw readers into Eliza's journey of self-realization. Through her experiences onboard the cruise ship, Eliza confronts her past insecurities and learns to embrace the possibility of love, even in the unlikeliest of places.