More than Shipmates by Phillipa Young 🌟
⭐ Rating: 5 stars

👩‍🎤 Synopsis: Eliza Chapman joins a six-month Caribbean cruise as an entertainment host, determined to leave her past failures behind and avoid mixing work with romance. But cheeky American Tom and charming Brit Oscar make it hard to resist temptation, leading to a steamy love triangle on the high seas.

💖 Why You'll Love It:

Tropes: Love triangle, workplace romance, forced proximity, self-discovery
Characters: Eliza’s journey from insecurity to confidence is compelling. Tom’s golden retriever charm and Oscar’s reformed bad boy persona add depth.
Setting: The cruise ship backdrop adds excitement with fun games and thrilling escapades.
Romance: Sizzling chemistry, tension, and angst keep you hooked. The slow-burn romance and flirty banter are top-notch.
📖 Final Thoughts: "More than Shipmates" is a delightful romcom with a perfect blend of humor, romance, and self-discovery. Phillipa Young’s debut novel is a must-read for anyone who loves engaging love triangles and dynamic characters.

🔥 Heat Level: Steamy with plenty of spice.

🌟 Conclusion: An unputdownable, fun-filled romance set on a cruise ship. Highly recommend for romcom lovers!

📅 Release Date: June 1, 2024

#MoreThanShipmates #PhillipaYoung #Romcom #LoveTriangle #BookReview #Bookstagram #RomanceReads #CruiseShipRomance #MustRead

I really wanted to give this a higher rating because I enjoyed the first 2/3 of it. It had a fun setting and interesting characters.

That being said, the last 1/3 went on entirely too long. I never got when or why Tom stopped being interested in Eliza. He just… stopped. Oscar and Eliza had good chemistry but his motivations were weird. He kept saying he used to be wild so he can’t be with her but that makes it seem like he doesn’t have any control over his own actions. Just strange.

Mmmmmm. I'm disappointed.

I'm not sure why this is a 500-page long novel that couldn't even utilize the length to give a good development and establishment of the plot and characters.

Long story short, the book gave nothing.

This cruise ship love triangle stars Eliza, Tom, and Oscar as they figure out what they want and who they want. I loved everything about this story! It was mostly fairly accurate to how I’d imagine living on a cruise ship with a bunch of other hot singles goes. The banter kept me laughing and the steamy romances had me on the edge of my seat.

dnf-ed at 27% .

im deep in my Below Deck era so i thought this would be right up my alley! unfortunately the storyline gave Carnival cruise ship instead. to me there were too many characters to follow, the writing was a bit fast paced but the plot was slow (idk how else to describe this. it just seemed there was so much more written than what was happening). there was a lot of dialogue, but i did appreciate the multiple POVs. maybe i’ll try again in the future but for now, not too big of a fan to try & continue.

As a huge Below Deck fan I was super excited for this book. I had a fun time reading it but it was a little bit too long!

omg what a cute book I loved all the characters and i really wanted everyone to get along and fall in love. I love that show below deck and this just felt like a regular season of the show. I really liked joining Eliza on her search to understanding of her life and figuring out what she wants to do. It doesn't hurt that the romantic banter was very cute as well with a side of spice.

This was not a favorite of mine at all. I wanted to love it but the theater/drama references really made me lose interest. I couldn’t connect with the characters that ended up making it cringe. I had high hopes for this one. It’s also about 200 pages too long.

ARC review — Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity.

This is a great book!! It is really so funny and has making me feel like applying to work on a cruise so…

But I might say I got lost on the story more than once, maybe because sometimes it was hard to “see” the scene. The character building is actually nice and well performed. I think we all agree on which boy was she choosing at the very first half of the book but it was so well done and written, creating an atmosphere where it didn’t feel so strange for the characters to start having feelings for each other. I also might said that from around a 56% to a 85% the book feel heavy. Difficult. It didn’t catch all my attention and that is why it was difficult for me to finish. But anyways, after and before that was a really good story, I promise.

I didn’t know I was in the last chapter when suddenly… “Thank you… if you enjoyed…” Oh my god!! I wasn’t ready to leave this gang!! I couldn’t help but to cry just a little. Feeling I won’t ever hear from these two makes my heart ache.

Hope you like this one!!

Rating: 5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

This book is about Eliza, who has never been good enough at anything in her life. She decides to enroll as an entertainment host on a 6-month cruise to see where her life will take her after she completes this part. She is determined to give up on romance and work her butt off and reapply for drama school when she gets back. However, once she gets on the ship, she meets a cute American named Tom and her very sexy trainer named Oscar/Harvey (I won’t explain why he uses two names, just read it and you will understand I promise), they really start to test her resolve to give up romance and relationships. Can she hold on to her plans or will his love triangle knock her off her feet.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I normally don’t like love triangles that much but the way the author wrote this book was more than just a love triangle with spice. It was more about self-discovery, confidence and second chances in life (not just with love but with opportunities in life in general). I liked that this book was set on a Caribbean cruise, but you didn’t feel like there was repetitive information or any boring part of the book. It flowed so smoothly from work-life that you just felt as if you were one of the crew mates just there watching it all happen. I thought the characters were well developed and all three of them had great character development throughout the book. I thought having 3 POV’s would have gotten hard to read but the author made it clear on who’s POV it was changing, and I had no problem following. I really liked getting to understand each character on their own.

The author does write some spice in this book, but for me it was the wondering and trying to figure out what male will be the one that Eliza will choose to be with, and I don’t think she could have picked anyone better. I can’t wait to see what the next book will bring us and to see what new romcom drama will happen with this amazing author.

If you like romcoms with spice, love triangles, cruise boats, workmates, self-discovery, and musical themes you need to pick up this book and read it.

I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you for sharing the first book in the Below Deck series with me. I loved this book, I genuinely couldn't put it down. Eliza and Oscar's relationship was so lovely to read. I loved that Eliza spoke to herself in her head using musical quotes because I also do that constantly. I was so excited to find out that the next book in the series is Tom's book as I loved hearing his point of view in More than Shipmates. Can't wait to start More than Clickbait!

This was such a great story with all the ups and downs you want in a Rom-Com, I loved the chemistry between Oscar and Eliza. I loved how sweet the characters were with each other and how they just all bonded together. This had spice and laughter all throughout it and even had its ups and downs. I loved how we got to see Eliza grow and become a stronger confident person.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Philippa Young for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 4/5 Stars

I had a blast with this one! I loved the setting/workplace and the relationships between the characters. The one thing I was having trouble with would be the miscommunication in this book, but other than that - loved it!

Thank you to Philippa Young and NetGalley for the arc! This one was a very interesting read.

The book follows Eliza who has had enough of not being enough for anyone and has started a new job as an entertainment host on a cruise ship. 6 months on a boat, where after work parties are a thing every week and things tend to get a little spicy. But Eliza has sworn off men completely and has decided only to use the time on the cruise ship to get herself ready for the next round of auditions to the drama school. However, she quickly realises it is easier said than done, as there are two very handsome men on board as well and she can't stop thinking about them.

Sadly, this book featured two things I absolutely hate in books: love triangles and miscommunication. If there also would have been cheating I would have dnfed this so hard but fortunately the rest of the book was quite okay and readable. I knew going in that there would be a love triangle but it didn't make it any better. I hate hate hate, when the FMC plays two boys at the same time, and has a bit of a fling with both of them going and then she ends up choosing only one??? And always having the most bizarre reasons for why she didn’t choose the other one. The chemistry here was almost better with the guy she didn’t end up choosing and I’m so mad at how things turned out.

Eliza had a lot of growth in this book and it was quite enjoyable to read but otherwise, this wasn't my favourite book in any mile. The "spicy" parties seemed more like something a bunch of highschool students would do, rather than full-on adults who know they need to work with each other for a long time. I also didn't like the pov for the male characters and would have enjoyed this book much more if it was written only from the pov of eliza. I also think the book was so focused on romance side of things, that sometimes other things were kind of forgotten. it would have been nice to read more about eliza finding new friends rather than every scene with these new friends focusing on the romantic partners.

Overall i think for someone other than me, this would be a very cute summer vibe romance to read, but sadly for me: it just wasn't it. 2,5 stars, and rounded down because i didn't feel like this deserved 3 stars for my taste.

This was a fun book set on a cruise with a love triangle filled with tension in parts. I enjoyed this book and it kept me guessing for a while!

I really think the author missed a trick, because I was waiting for a threesome spicy scene (especially after the never have I ever and reveal of Oscar being a bi MMC), but it never came. I did love the scenes that we got though.

For me the kissed in the dark was a bit obvious going into the rest of the book, but I get why it had to be Oscar. It was clear from about 50% in that they'd end up together.

The FMCs self belief was a bit tedious and she did some childish immature things as we went through the book, however, I understand it's quite real as a person. Tom came across a bit weird towards the end and I agree with her reaction to him trying to win her back as a friend (way too over the top).

Considering it was a long book, we skipped over some weeks and passages really quickly which was quite odd.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the Tom and Oscar's sister sequel!

Thanks for letting me read this ARC.

I simply adored this book! I read it in a day, only breaking to eat and drink or when someone absolutely required my attention. I haven’t been this absorbed in a book and able to finish it all in one sitting in a while. I also haven’t read many books featuring a love triangle, and I feel like this could be the start of an unexpected new favourite trope?

I absolutely loved the setting of the cruise ship. The author painted a really vivid and beautiful picture of being on board a ship. It brought back so many good memories of the cruise I’ve been on. I loved all of our main and supporting characters, like I want to work on this ship, be their friend and watch them all succeed.

I especially enjoyed the honesty, respect and communication between them. I really felt the chemistry between Eliza and Tom when they first met. You could tell they had an instant and special connection. Then I absolutely loved Eliza’s first impression of/interaction with Oscar. I only wish he was in fact an Aussie surfer dude, I think that would have added an extra layer of drama.

I loved all of the tension and drama, it felt realistic and never over done. I was dying to know who she kissed in the dark, and I really enjoyed the way the author kept us guessing until the end. I wish it was mentioned a bit more throughout the story, like with some little clues or hints as to who it might have been.

All in all this is one of my favourite books of the year. It really resonated with me as someone who loves to travel, works in the hospitality industry and has at times felt a little lost in life. I already want to read it again and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I really loved Tom so I do hope he finds his one.

This was a fantastic debut and I’m so thankful I had the chance to read and review it.

I simply adored this book! I read it in a day, only breaking to eat and drink or when someone absolutely required my attention. I haven’t been this absorbed in a book and able to finish it all in one sitting in a while. I also haven’t read many books featuring a love triangle, and I feel like this could be the start of an unexpected new favourite trope?

I absolutely loved the setting of the cruise ship. The author painted a really vivid and beautiful picture of being on board a ship. It brought back so many good memories of the cruise I’ve been on. I loved all of our main and supporting characters, like I want to work on this ship, be their friend and watch them all succeed.

I especially enjoyed the honesty, respect and communication between them. I really felt the chemistry between Eliza and Tom when they first met. You could tell they had an instant and special connection. Then I absolutely loved Eliza’s first impression of/interaction with Oscar. I only wish he was in fact an Aussie surfer dude, I think that would have added an extra layer of drama.

I loved all of the tension and drama, it felt realistic and never over done. I was dying to know who she kissed in the dark, and I really enjoyed the way the author kept us guessing until the end. I wish it was mentioned a bit more throughout the story, like with some little clues or hints as to who it might have been.

All in all this is one of my favourite books of the year. It really resonated with me as someone who loves to travel, works in the hospitality industry and has at times felt a little lost in life. I already want to read it again and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I really loved Tom so I do hope he finds his one.

This was a fantastic debut and I’m so thankful I had the chance to read and review it.

I simply adored this book! I read it in a day, only breaking to eat and drink or when someone absolutely required my attention. I haven’t been this absorbed in a book and able to finish it all in one sitting in a while. I also haven’t read many books featuring a love triangle, and I feel like this could be the start of an unexpected new favourite trope?

I absolutely loved the setting of the cruise ship. The author painted a really vivid and beautiful picture of being on board a ship. It brought back so many good memories of the cruise I’ve been on. I loved all of our main and supporting characters, like I want to work on this ship, be their friend and watch them all succeed.

I especially enjoyed the honesty, respect and communication between them. I really felt the chemistry between Eliza and Tom when they first met. You could tell they had an instant and special connection. Then I absolutely loved Eliza’s first impression of/interaction with Oscar. I only wish he was in fact an Aussie surfer dude, I think that would have added an extra layer of drama.

I loved all of the tension and drama, it felt realistic and never over done. I was dying to know who she kissed in the dark, and I really enjoyed the way the author kept us guessing until the end. I wish it was mentioned a bit more throughout the story, like with some little clues or hints as to who it might have been.

All in all this is one of my favourite books of the year. It really resonated with me as someone who loves to travel, works in the hospitality industry and has at times felt a little lost in life. I already want to read it again and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!! I really loved Tom so I do hope he finds his one.

This was a fantastic debut and I’m so thankful I had the chance to read and review it.

I'll start off by saying that this was a tough book to rate - I initially thought 3 ⭐️ but bumped it down to 2.5 ⭐️ after reflecting.

When it's done right, I LOVE a love triangle dynamic in a romance, but this one fell flat for me.

Main praises
1) Love to see a bi MMC done well
2) I feel like Eliza picked the right guy in the end
3) I loved the cast of side characters
4) Oscar as a love interest in general
5) The spice was pretty decent

Main critiques
1) This book was WAY. TOO. LONG. There was no reason for it to be 500+ pages, and the amount of length made the relationships and the overall plot feel stretched and padded with a ton of filler. I loved the cruise ship fun and the interactions with side characters, but I felt like it could have been done better at ~250 pages.
2) Eliza as a character felt underdeveloped. She would waffle from seemingly confident and grown-up to being extremely immature and annoying. I relate to a character who feels lost or like an outsider, but she straight-up acted like a kicked puppy most of the time, especially regarding her past and current friendships. (view spoiler)
3) Tom was creepy to me. He was the epitome of the "friend-zoned guy" and in his POV chapters felt like all he was doing was hiding his life from his friends and leering after Eliza.

I was grateful to get an ARC of this book, but I honestly don't know if I would recommend it.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. I looooooove the television show Below Deck because of the drama and authenticity of the cast. This felt much clunkier and that too much story was being shoved into the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Summer Stars Publishing for the ARC.