I was really excited to receive this book as an ARC because one of my personal goals was to read new themes to me and I've never read a romance that takes place on a cruise ship - total Below Deck vibes if anyone is a fan of Bravo! I think that's why I enjoyed this book so much because it reminded me of that and I love the drama on that show, it's very entertaining - as was this book! I liked all of the characters, their developments, and the why choose romance! Both MMC's were easy to like and root for.

Thank you to NetGalley and Summer Stars Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of More Than Shipmates by Philippa Young.

4.5 ⭐

The beginning of this book gave me Wildfire by Hannah Grace vibes, which was incredible because it's one of my favourite books of all time! So, I was really looking forward to knowing everything about this story. The fact that this romance was placed on a cruise ship fascinated me because I’d never read anything like this before 🛳

During the book's first chapters, we are involved with the suspense to get to know what happened to Eliza in the past and once we get to know it, we want to punch everyone in the face for making her heart broken in the first place. During the storyline, we get to know all the characters and it was super nice to meet every one of them. At some point, I wanted to be part of the team! 💛

👱🏻‍♀️ Eliza felt that she had nothing left for her at home, in England, so she wanted something different (and to see the world). What’s better than working as an entertainment host on a Caribbean cruise ship? She can start over her life and become what she wants. But she is still stuck in the middle of the choice of what she wants to be. I thought she was so mature in some ways during the storyline. She was so hurt before and she was learning how to trust again and how to conquer her self-esteem back.

👦🏼 Oscar is Eliza’s supervisor and he is a sweetheart, a gentleman, and a man (well) written by a woman. He is everything a girl could wish for and even more. Even though in his past he was a party animal, now he wants to improve and become a better version of himself. Oscar was an actor back at home, in England.

👦🏻 Tom is a stand-up comedian wannabe and so he is a very funny and compassionate guy. He is also a sweetheart, although he did some questionable things during the book, which made me like him less (sorry, #TeamOscar over here 🙋🏻‍♀). He is a good friend and super understanding. Tom always tries to comfort everyone around him.

🌞 I loved to see all 3 POVs because we could get to know them even better and realize all their struggles and all their achievements. It was so nice to meet them all! Also, I was so glad about the ending since I really hoped for this to happen 🌊

The sexual parts are just 🥵🥵🥵 so just do me a favour and read this book! I'm excited to start the second of this series so bad!

I loved the writing and I can’t believe that it’s Philippa’s debut novel! I became a fan of her! The only con about this book was that the chapters were too long when I, personally, prefer the shorter ones. Please go read this book, it's perfect for the summer days ahead 👒✌🏻

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

More Than Shipmates was such a fun "dive" into the world of cruise ship employees! I applaud Young in creating a realistic yet wildly unique setting for this romantic comedy, as well as incorporating a wide variety of people into Eliza's "found family". I can absolutely see how the series will continue with other goofballs that we've come to love!

The inner monologue and decisions of the characters made sense for their respective traumas, as well as their individual paths through life. While Eliza could have been unlikable to some, I think this was a great portrayal of a young adult with severe trust issues. Both with Eliza and with the other two POV's, there was also a surprising amount of depth and backstory.

This was so much fun and I really had a hard time putting it down! Many thanks to Philippa Young and NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 Stars ! Honestly I was so absorbed in this book I finished it so fast.
Love triangle, work place romance and spice. LOVE LOVE LOVE. 3 POV switching between Eliza, Oscar and Tom.

I loved the characters and felt like I really got to know them during the book. I was rooting for Oscar from the start and I was on edge reading this to find out who she ended up with. I loved reading Eliza’s relationship with the both of them and the banter included in their friendships was well written. I do love a bit of spice and Philippa wrote it well, it was just the right amount so that there was still a plot and storyline to enjoy but with added spice in parts.

Do I wish I was currently on a cruise ship after reading this ? Yes, I do !

As a former crew member on a cruise ship - I absolutely had a BLAST reading this book. So much was accurate about ship life (with a few exaggerations 🤣). This is such a fun read for anyone wanting a fast paced, super spicy, love triangle set on the high seas! Perfect for a summer read - especially if you’re about to set sail! ;)

3⭐️
1.5🌶️

Reading More Than Shipmates was like trying to navigate a ship through a storm of confusion. One minute, a character is drowning in grief, and the next, they're playing a drunken game of spin the bottle. These sudden changes gave me whiplash and made it hard to follow the story or connect with the characters.

These characters dealt with enough angst to fill a soap opera marathon. From emotionally abusive families and grief over a dead relative to feeling left out of the high school friend group and breaking up with a perfectly faithful boyfriend because they felt unworthy. It’s like they all went to Angst University and majored in Drama.

The book tries to tackle serious issues like fear of failure, feeling lost, loving more than one person, and dealing with a cheating boyfriend. But it skims over these topics faster than a speedboat. Because of this, it’s hard to care about the characters or what happens to them. The story feels more like a series of dramatic Instagram stories than a cohesive tale.

And let's talk about that love triangle. Usually, I avoid love triangles like the plague, but this one was especially baffling. Tom barely registers as a love interest, yet whenever we peek into his thoughts, he's so head-over-heels you'd think they were already married. Meanwhile, Eliza only considers Tom when she’s had enough of Oscar. If you define a love triangle as three people who have briefly considered a romantic interest in each other, then this might be right up your alley.

At over 500 pages, this book felt like a marathon. I spent two and a half days reading it, which is way longer than I usually spend on a book. Despite its length, it doesn’t give enough detail to make the story or characters interesting. It rushes through events without giving readers time to understand or care about them.

The ending was the cherry on top of this confusing sundae. After all the ups and downs, the main character just leaves the ship. No reunion with her family, no resolution. Just...gone. This abrupt ending was more disappointing than a soggy sandwich.

In conclusion, More Than Shipmates had the potential to be a good story about complex relationships and personal struggles. But it ended up feeling like a messy and unsatisfying read. The quick jumps between events, lack of detail, and abrupt ending made it a frustrating experience. While it touches on important topics, it doesn’t do so in a way that feels complete or meaningful.

On the bright side, the nautical vibes were on point. Ship life seems like something everyone needs to experience once. I'd never read a book with characters working on a cruise ship, so I loved that aspect. The camaraderie between Eliza and her friends, the parties, events, and games they played together were a lot of fun. That scavenger hunt? Burned into my mind. If only the rest of the book had been as enjoyable as those moments.

Thank you to NetGalley and Summer Stars Publishing for the opportunity to read the ARC of More Than Shipmates. Eliza is running from past drama of a cheating boyfriend and failures of not getting into drama school. So she sets off on a ship to work for the next 6 months. Creating a way for herself, she meets Tom, who is also a new hire for the cruise line and also has skeletons in his closet and feelings for the new girl. Her trainer Harvey (Oscar) is a changed bad boy gone good, until he realizes his feelings for Eliza 😉. This love triangle was a refreshing read from my usual romantacy. Also, who doesn’t love reading about what happens on cruise ships?! The banter in this story is what makes it so funny. I giggled so much throughout this book. The steam is steamy as well 🌶️

Tropes:
Love Triangle
MM, MF, LGBTQ
Found Family
Close Proximity
Third Act Breakup

Title: More Than Shipmates by Philippa Young

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Release date: June 1st 2024

This story revolves around Eliza Chapman, who has always felt like she’s never been good enough—not for drama school, not for a boyfriend, and certainly not for her insufferable brother’s approval. Determined to turn her life around, Eliza embarks on a six-month stint as an entertainment host on a Caribbean cruise. Interesting setting right? Dream job!

Swearing off men and romance to avoid past mistakes, she focuses on the ship's motto: “work hard, play hard.” Nothing wrong ever comes out of this…..*sarcasm*

However, resisting temptation proves challenging when cheeky American Tom and charming Brit Oscar enter the picture, blurring the lines between colleagues and crushes.

What I Loved:

* Entertaining Setting: The vibrant, dynamic setting of a Caribbean cruise adds a refreshing and exciting backdrop to the story. The idea of working and living on a ship with endless entertainment and nightlife possibilities was engaging and fun to read about. I don't know what it is about a romance on a cruise ship, add in the workplace trope and I'm a goner!

* Light and Easy Read: Philippa Young’s writing is smooth and easy to follow, making this book a perfect choice for a relaxing, enjoyable read. The pacing was just right, keeping me hooked from start to finish without feeling too heavy.

* Romantic Comedy: The book is filled with humour and light-hearted moments that balance out the romantic tension. The cheeky banter and playful interactions between characters had me smiling throughout.

* Relatable Protagonist: Eliza’s journey of self-discovery and determination to improve her life was both inspiring and relatable. Her struggles and triumphs felt genuine, making her a character I rooted for and easy to relate to and understand.

* Love Triangle Dynamics: While I’m usually not a fan of love triangles (in very rare cases I may add), this one was done in a fun and engaging way. The tension between Tom and Oscar added excitement and kept me guessing about who Eliza would ultimately choose.

* Steamy Romance: The romantic scenes were steamy and well-written, adding spice to the story without overpowering the plot. The chemistry between Eliza and her love interests was palpable. Even though I only truly rooted for the one, which thankfully was the one she ended up with in the end.

More Than Shipmates by Philippa Young is a delightful, tension-filled romantic comedy set against the exciting backdrop of a Caribbean cruise. With a relatable protagonist, steamy romance, and an engaging setting, this book is a fun, light read perfect for anyone looking for a bit of romance and humour. Highly recommended for fans of romantic comedies and feel-good love stories!

Thank you to The Publisher Summer Stars Publishing ,The Author Philippa Young & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a fun read! It would be the perfect summer vacation read! I loved so much about this book from the setting on the cruise ship, the diversity of the characters and all their antics, I’m obsessed with Oscar, and the spicy scenes with the perfect amount of spice for me! I have four stars because at times I found the main character, Eliza, to be very wishy washy, hypocritical, and borderline annoying. I know she was discovering herself and who she was,so I get it! It was just too much for me sometimes. At the end of the day though, it was a light and fun read that I definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review!

Eliza, looking for a fresh start after some major setbacks, takes a job on a cruise ship for six months. What follows is a whirlwind of laughs, romance, and personal growth. I fell in love with this premise and can see this being one of the more popular romances this summer. The characters are relatable and well-developed, with a love triangle between Eliza, Oscar, and Tom that keeps you hooked. The cruise ship setting adds hilarious and spicy moments, making the story even more entertaining.

If you enjoy 'who will she choose?' stories, this one's for you. Both love interests are so well-written that you’ll root for both. With over 400 pages, there’s plenty of time for the characters and romance to develop.

"More Than Shipmates" is a light, engaging read that promises laughter, swooning, and all the feels. Dive into Eliza’s adventure and enjoy the ride!

I really had to rush reading this one as I didn't realize the archive date was so soon! Review will be on Goodreads once I re-read certain parts.

Thanks to NetGalley & Summer Stars Publishing Limited for an eARC of this book.

Super stinking cute book. Tom and Oscar were both amazing and hot I'm their own ways. The way that each of the guys were with Eliza and were there to comfort her in...multiple ways, was so great.

I felt a little annoyed with Eliza only because she literally quit everything she had ever done or loved because things got hard. And like maybe it's because I'm projecting and do that, but it's annoying! Okay!?

I wish there was more between the three of them though as well. Not necessarily spicy threeway, but like where they are all together and the guys are fighting for her attention.

There were also super long chapters and I have an attention span of a goldfish, so that's a me problem. Still loved the book a lot.

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book at 10% in. I wanted to love it, but it was not for me. Typically I wouldn't give a book a low star rating-- I prefer to just move on. However, I had some issues with this book that I thought others might, too.

Boiling down an attractive male character to a nickname isn't a new or wild concept. However, referring to the boy as "Hollister" after a company widely criticized for its hiring practices seems like a poor choice. But in just the first 4%, there's multiple references to famous people, brands, characters and stereotypes in place of using descriptions. See also: a girl described as an "Emma Stone lookalike" or the captain that "wouldn't look out of place as a geography teacher or librarian." What does this last one even mean???

I could get passed the use of out-of-date stereotypes in place of descriptions for characters until location 290.

"Ladies of all ages and a few flamboyantly dressed gentlemen abandon any sense of subtlety to gawk at him."

Flamboyantly dressed men? Really? Perpetuating this outdated and frankly offensive caricature of gay men was where I finally drew the line and did not continue.

I thought having a romance set on a cruise ship was a fun change! I read a lot of romance and this is the first one I have read on a cruise ship. I liked a lot of the side characters who also worked there and wish we could have seen more of them (Valentina and Obi specifically were my favourites). I didn’t love Eliza’s character, but I enjoyed Oscar a lot more.

Love triangles are my least favourite romance troupe, but I appreciate that More Than Shipmates let’s you know right away that is what you are getting into. I did think the love triangle was dragged out more than needed, but I like how it was all resolved at the end.

I think this book was longer than necessary and I do wish it had been a bit shorter. Overall it was a fun romance that is a change from the normal rom com, but could have been about 100 pages shorter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me this arc! This book was really good and I loved the ‘at sea’ concept as I have never read a book with this concept before. I loved thr characters growth and humour, and I loved how the FMC was English as most books have MC’s that are American which gets boring. The only negative thing I have to say is that this book was 514 pages long, and a romance book should not be over 400 pages at most. I will be picking up a physical copy of this book soon, and I will be recommending it to people!

Tropes:
- Love Triangle
- Forced Proximity
- One Bed
- Workplace Romance
- Cruise Ship

This was a good romance. I had a hard time getting invested in the characters but I liked the tropes and how everything came together in the end. Worth a read!

I’ve not read a book that has 3 different POVs before and it was very interesting to be able to get inside everyone’s head. While I’m not usually a fan of the Love Triangle trope, this book didn’t do it poorly. I just wasn’t a huge fan.

The characters were very well written and I did truly enjoy them. The plot was well thought out and I found myself smiling while reading a lot.

This Book was so spicy, funny and loveable! I had such a great time reading it. t
The boys were sooooo hot, holy moly, I can imagine that Eliza couldnt choose at the beginning.
Thanks that i was able to read it. im very happy and maybe ill buy the paperback as soon as possible.

This book was exactly what I envision is the secret lives and behind the scenes action of all of the workers on the cruises I've been on. It was very Below Deck vibes with a love triangle, lots of spice, and lots of cruise ship fun. I enjoyed the spontaneity, and it was even LGBTQ-friendly. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book! It wasn’t what I was expecting but I definitely enjoyed it. I kind of wished they would have ended up in a polyamorous relationship but maybe I’ve just read too much “why choose” troupe. 😅

Oscars dirty talk was *chefs kiss*. Very hottttt.

If you want a quick read with a touch it spice, this will definitely do!

⭐️ Rating: 3/5
🌶️ Spice: 3/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes:
Love Triangle
Forbidden Love
Forced Proximity
Workplace Romance

I think I liked this book. It was a really fun premise. Girl blows up life, girl sails away for six months. What I struggled with was two things primarily: the love triangle and the POV. I’ll admit, I didn’t do my research. I saw the cover and thought we were getting a MMF or a MFM storyline. And the promise was there. We got a kiss and then everything quickly fell apart.

The book was filled with fun and hijinx. The crew activities were great. Even following the friendships and relationships on deck was entertaining. I don’t know if the love triangle was necessary considering how it played out. For a portion of the book I was like, “Wait, isn’t there another guy we were following?”

Let’s talk about the POV. And again, this is my fault I could have read more going into the book to be prepared, but…. It’s a 3 person point of view… kinda. The first 10 chapters, yes 10, are solely the FMC’s perspective even while interacting with the other two MMCs. Then it flips between them, sometimes by chapter, sometimes DURING the chapter, and sometimes you don’t know who’s POV you’re in until you get to dialog. While the love triangle was triangulating, we got all three. Then one fell off, and we were in a dual POV situation, but the duals who remained still interacted with the other MMC. This probably sounds confusing, so was following the POV situation.

When it comes to spice… There was a lot of talk about salacious activities but very little acting on it. The spice we did get was fairly tame and as expected for a rom-com. Overall this book was enjoyable. The second book in the series isn’t set up as a love triangle and as I enjoyed the setting and crew of the first book, I plan to read the second.