DNFed at 23%

I just couldn't put myself though this book again. it was so long the first time and I just con't do the messy back and forth again.

This book is straight-up fire - the chemistry between these two jumps right off the page! There's that delicious instant attraction, but it's also got those tender moments that tug at your heartstrings. Love how they're basically forced to deal with each other, and watching him fall hard while she's already been quietly crushing on him? Classic.

What really hits home is how damn real it feels. It doesn't shy away from the tough stuff - mental health struggles, the whole social media circus we all deal with, and how damn hard it can be to actually let yourself be loved.

The intimate scenes? Fantastic journey of sexual discovery that feels genuinely healing. It's refreshingly sex-positive without any of that judgmental nonsense. Honestly, I couldn't put it down - one of the most satisfying reads I've had in ages.

ARC REVIEW

📚: More Than Clickbait (Below Deck #2)
✒️: Philippa Young

★★★★☆ (4/5)
🌶🌶🌶🔺️ (3.5/5)

This book was such a roller coaster but I fun way. I think it is really important to read book 1 before in order to realise the growth some of these characters have had.

I really liked how the book wasn't exactly following a plotloline still had a very consistent backstory that provided a super fun storyline throughout the book.

I honestly went into this book thinking it was gonna be some light palette cleanser but holy was I wrong firstly i love how they include heavier topics in the book and make them normal, some of this stuff happen to actual people and many books ignore it so it definitely felt more realistic, secondly lord the spice was spicing i was not expecting it ngl.

The character dynamics were alright nothing extraordinary but I was very pleasing and as always the writing style in this book was delicious to say at least.

Safe to say i am very excited for any other book hopefully being added to this series. GIVE US JACK PLEASE.

I loved the first one of this series and this one was just as good. The characters were amazing and I absolutely loved seeing the characters from the first book again in this one. Gemma and Tom had such great chemistry as well. Tom with this fun loving happy go lucky way of life and Gemma whom is withdrawn with her secrets. Together they messed so well and it was great to see Tom get his HEA after everything that happened in the first book. The storyline in this one was also really interesting, it was fun trying to unravel who Gemma actually was and what she did with all of her secrets. In terms of spice, there was actually more in this one than the first book so it’s around 3/5 for spice. Overall, I loved this one, it was an awesome continuation from the first book and it’s a 5/5 read for me. I’d recommend it to anyone.

A really enjoyable, spicy workplace Rom-Com. The MMC was hilarious (makes sense considering he’s a comedian) and I loved the banter between him and the FMC. I also enjoyed the cruise ship setting as I’ve never read another book that takes place on one before.

as someone who hasn't read the first book in this series, i didn't feel lost and i really enjoyed it! i loved tom and gemma's relationship and how they evolved throughout the book!
i liked that it hadas 2 povs, but it was too obvious that there was one more present that the other... it felt like we couldn't get into gemma's head bc we never got to be IN it. overall this was a fun and easy read, and i recommend it if you want to read in one sitting a cute romance book!
however, there was some things that made me a little disappointed such as tom's friendship with eliza's and how it disappeared at the end?? all of a sudden??? i loved their friendship, their banter, but i'm sad that we didn't get this anymore...

as for jack, i LOVED his character and how good of a friend he was, cannot wait to read about him :)

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing me this arc in exchange of an honest review.

More than Clickbait by Phillipa Young gave me total Below Deck vibes in the best way. Messy drama? Check. High-stakes influencer chaos? Check. A slow-burn romance that had me kicking my feet? Absolutely. If you love reality TV-level tea with some actual heart behind it, this one’s a must-read.

More Than Clickbait was a fun sequel, as much of a sexy romp as its predecessor. I lived vicariously through these twenty something crew members and they are certainly living! The best friend's sister trope is always fun to read and the spice was great.. I liked the perspectives on social media and reality TV illuminated by the characters. Overall a fun read that I'd recommend to fans of the first book.

After reading the previous book in the series I was excited to read this. The book follows Tom who is a comedian and Gemma who is a gym instructor on a cruise ship. The book explores the power of social media and reality tv. A very enjoyable read.

First of all, i loved that the author included a short 'blurb' of hat happened in book one because although it says you can read 'More than Clickbait' as standalone, it was a nice touch to get to know the plot of the first book!




I've 'heard' (ore more like 'read') that the first book in this series was much better, but i haven't read it, so i cannot confirm if it is true.

I really enjoyed this book even as a standalone, it was a nice change to see more of MMC POVS thand FMC (which is rare), because we all know i care about mans opinions only when they are male POVs in romance books (it is a joke).

I will definitely check the first book in the series out, because now i am curious!

I haven’t read the first book in this series and it’s probably why I didn’t ‘click’ as much as I probably could have with this book, BUT brother’s best friend is always my fave. It was a really fun read that got me out of a reading slump but I do feel like the ending was a little rushed.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

Brothers best friend is one of my favorite tropes! It just feels so forbidden. I did make the mistake of reading this as a standalone rather than reading the first book prior, so that’s totally on me and my fault and is prob why I didn’t click as much with the book as I hoped BUT I thought the spice was great and I loved how it took place on a cruise that was so unique to anything I’ve read. I definitely plan to go back and read the first book as well!

Such a cute cover. Love any romcom that involves reality TV—idk why. This is book #2 in the series but it works as a standalone.

DNF @ 24%. I am just not feeling "More than Clickbait" by Philippa Young. I have started and stopped this book several times, and I just cannot get over the immature-sounding writing. It's jarring and disjointed at times, like things are being started but don't feel important in the grand scheme of things, if that makes sense. The overall story is fine, but something, some spark, is missing for me, a connection to get and keep me engaged. These characters read much younger than they are supposed to be on the page. I might give this another try in the future, but as of right now, I am going to put it out to pasture.

Thank you to NetGalley, Philippa Young, and Summer Stars Publishing for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Forget about Tom & Megan, the real star of the show is Jack.

The End.

Thank you Summer Stars Publishing & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy!

Embarking on More Than Clickbait by Philippa Young is like setting sail on a cruise ship filled with humor, romance, and just the right amount of spice.

The story follows Gemma Harvey, a health-and-fitness influencer who, after a reality TV fiasco, adopts a secret identity aboard a cruise ship to escape the public eye. Enter Tom Parks, her brother's cheeky American friend and a comedian struggling to maintain his viral fame. Their chemistry is undeniable, leading to a steamy romance that navigates the choppy waters of hidden identities and forbidden love.

The cruise ship setting adds a delightful backdrop to their escapades, karaoke nights, fancy dinners, and sneaky rendezvous hiding from her brother, create the perfect amount of romantic tension. The spice level is well-balanced, offering steamy scenes that are both tasteful and integral to the character development. Young masterfully explores the price of fame, highlighting Gemma's struggle with public scrutiny and Tom's challenges sustaining his online presence.

The witty banter, lovable characters, and engaging storyline help make this story great. Overall, More Than Clickbait is a delightful read that combines humor, romance, and a touch of reality TV drama, making it a perfect escape for those seeking a lighthearted yet meaningful story.

This was such a cute book! I didn’t read book 1, so I’m not sure what Tom was like in that book but I really enjoyed him in this book! It had fantastic mental health representation and I enjoyed how the book focused on healthy boundaries and safe love! That’s so important especially in romance today! Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for the arc copy!

Read this book for:
🛳️Forced Proximity
🛳️Workplace Romance
🛳️Hidden Identity
🛳️Dual POV
🛳️Brother’s girlfriend’s best friend

Synopsis
After a viral disaster ruins her reality TV dreams, influencer <s>Gemma</s> Megan Harvey escapes to a cruise ship with a new identity. But her plan to lay low hits a snag when she meets Tom Parks, her brother’s girlfriend’s best friend. Tom, an aspiring comedian, sees Gemma as his ticket to social media success—if her brother never finds out.

My Thoughts
This is the second book in the Below Deck series, and while it can be read as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading the first book as well. Tom Parks, one of the main characters in this book, plays a significant role in the first installment, and understanding his backstory adds a lot of emotional depth to his character. Similarly, Gemma's brother, Oscar Harvey, and his girlfriend, Eliza Chapman, are also introduced in the first book, and knowing more about their relationships helps you appreciate their dynamics here.

I was thrilled to be back on the cruise ship! The setting is so fun and vibrant, and I really enjoyed watching Tom and Gemma's romance unfold. Tom’s personal growth over the course of the series has been amazing. In this book, he’s patient, respectful, and really takes the time to understand Gemma and her complicated situation. It was refreshing to see a male protagonist who is both vulnerable and mature, especially when it comes to his interactions with Gemma. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their romance feels organic and real.

Another highlight for me was Tom’s friendship with Jack. While I missed the witty banter that Tom and Eliza had in the first book, Jack’s presence was a perfect replacement. Their friendship felt deep and genuine, and it added a nice layer to Tom’s character. The bromance between the men was heartwarming and a nice counterbalance to the romantic tension.

That said, I did have a bit of trouble at the start of the book. Some of the chapters felt a bit abrupt, almost like the transitions between scenes could have been smoother. It didn’t necessarily detract from the overall enjoyment, but it did catch me off guard a couple of times. Fortunately, this issue faded as the story progressed, and by the second half of the book, I was completely immersed in the plot.

Overall, the Below Deck series has been such a treat so far! The characters are lovable, the setting is fun, and the romance is steamy. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series and can’t wait to see what happens next Below Deck.

I received an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book shocked me lol

Do not let the innocent cover fool you!
If you are looking for a closed door romance,
this is not the book for you.

Gem & Tom have an unexpected connection.
And they have to sneak around because her Brother isn't good with her hooking up with Tom.

Gemma also has a secret that may break their relationship.

There was definitely spice & some FFM/MFM scenes, so heads up.

I really enjoyed the story (& the spice)

3.75 ⭐ read for me!