this was definitely a fun read, i think i would have enjoyed it a bit better as an audio book though!! the overall idea of this book was amazing, i think that this genre severely lacks women being stuck on a boat with a hot forbidden man 🤭

however i wasnt the biggest fan of the execution. this was my first book of sariah’s so maybe i just went into this one hoping for something that isnt this authors forte.. im not sure.

i absolutely plan to give their books another try in the future and maybe even this one again in audio format!!

I really enjoyed reading this book! It was a quick read filled with drama, forced proximity, and a no fraternizing rule. I enjoyed every minute of it! I loved the dual POVs so you never had to guess what the other was thinking. Lucky was such a relatable character and I loved the growth she went through over the course of the book. Hunter was the sweetest and by far my favorite character in this book!!

A huge thank you to Montlake for the advanced copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love a Sariah Wilson book. I jab that order button so fast that I never even look at a blurb anymore. That results in my going into the book like it’s a much anticipated blind date meet-up.

This set-up is different. A super yacht! (I immediately wondered if Wilson had the “difficult” research job of cruising on one for the legit tax write-off since it would be for work purposes). Due to limited space on board, the MC had to share a twin space with the new deckhand. This made for the most forced proximity situation of all forced proximity.

Lucky is working on super yachts so she earn enough to fulfill her plan to open a bakery in honor of her grandparents (groan, I know. Another bakery in romance land, but Trust Wilson!). The new deckhand is actually not quite what he seems, but he is a nice guy. And gradually, the non-fraternization rule becomes harder and harder.

The book is sweet. Very slow burn. I won’t call it burn, actually. Let’s call it slow glow.

This book is good, but I have to say this won’t rank as one of my top Wilson books. Not because it’s slow glow, but because it was missing sparkle. The dialogue didn’t sparkle. It was missing vitality and authenticity. I wasn’t drawn into the story, I think because of the same non-real writing style. It felt more like a first book instead of one by a master writer like Wilson.

Like I said though, it’s a good book. Read it and see for yourself!

4.5 🌟

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for my ARC.

This book was cuuuuuute. The slowest (!) of slow burns, puns out the wazoo, and the swooniest MMC. It was a little cheesy and a lot heartfelt. I loved the charter yacht setting and was thankfully Below Deck primed me enough that I could jump right in.

I really enjoy Sariah Wilson’s books and this was no exception!

SPOILER(ish): I hate Emilie with a burning passion and she did not receive the punishment she deserved!!

Lucky works as a stewardess on a superyacht. While the job isn't always as glamourous as it would seem, it pays very well and will allow her to reopen her grandmother's bakery within a few years. When the new owners instate a new rule against romantic relationships among the crew, Lucky thinks she'll have no problem following it. But that was before Hunter joined the crew. He's handsome, funny, and kind. And he's sharing her cabin. Will she be able to resist him?

Read if you like:
-Nautical Puns
-Forbidden Romance
-He Falls First
-Slow Burn
-Grand Gestures
-Mental Health Rep

Falling Overboard was so fun! Between the crew and the crazy passengers, there were so many hijinks and crazy stories. This was a rom com with a lot of heart. And the slow burn was exquisite. The chemistry between Lucky and Hunter had me waiting for him to tip over that line from friends to lovers. Definitely a fun read. Something I'd recommend for a vacation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for this ARC.

Lucky, 24, works on a superyacht in the Mediterranean as chief stew. She wants to open her own bakery as a tribute to her Italian nonna, and life on board is well-paid. Hunter, 25, is a deckhand, but also secretly the son of the yacht owner. They both fall in insta-lust but a new rule forbids fraternisation between crew members so they have to throw longing looks a lot, talk in innuendos and sneak around. It's made worse by the forced proximity trope - of course the only bed left available for Hunter is the bunk bed in Lucky's cabin.

I thought the ship setting would provide interesting and funny stories but it's all about annoying guests, annoying colleagues like lazy Emilie, and pages and pages of dialogue about their attraction, without much going on. There was just too much innuendo.

Also, Lucky has only got her two sisters left but they both just use her as a cash cow, which is giving Cinderella vibes. I found that very frustrating, because if you can deal with life at sea and sexist men why can't you tell your adult sisters to stop exploiting you?

There is so much repressed lust, I thought someone might burst a blood vessel or have a heart attack. At one point Hunter says: "It was like locking a kid in a candy store and telling him he couldn’t have any of it." You don't talk about a woman like that! I didn't like Hunter very much - he acted very jealous from the outset and was a bit of a Neanderthal. A rich one who was sent onboard as a test for his parents to see whether he could last six months in a proper job. He didn't feel like a serious person, with the constant flirting, shirt off and nautical puns.

The story is told in dual POV - I would have preferred just Lucky's POV. Sariah Wilson is a very popular American author, but this didn't grab me. It just felt shallow and predictable and without relatable characters. And yes, there were problems like Lucky's anxiety and her childhood referenced, but it seems all the rage these days to give the MCs some sort of childhood trauma to make the story deeper. In reality, this added nothing. Read it if you like "banter".

Cute and predictable, this was so many tropes all in one.

-forced proximity, Cinderella, forbidden love, I could go on and on…

It’s on a boat (superyacht) - and good girl, follows the rules Lucky Salerno has just been promoted to Head Steward(ess) by Captn Carl ahead of a busy yachting schedule for their new bosses. His biggest rule - keep an eye on his badly behaved niece. New deckhand, Hunter, complicates that immediately…and maybe she likes it.

I really enjoyed this one. Fun setting and likable characters. I like that Ms. Wilson gives her characters unique jobs and fun storylines. The romance was fun and kept me engaged. Overall, a fun escape and swoony romance!

I enjoyed this one. The setting was something I have no experience in, so I don't have any opinion on its authenticity, but it definitely made it more fun to read. The dual POV is always one I enjoy. Overall, a quick, easy read that was enjoyable and light.

Falling Overboard by Sariah Wilson is a light, escapist romance set against the picturesque backdrop of the Mediterranean. The forbidden love between Lucky, a hardworking chief stewardess with bakery dreams, and Hunter, the mysterious new deckhand, offers plenty of sparks and tension, but the story ultimately felt a bit predictable.

The setting aboard a luxurious superyacht was beautifully described and added a sense of adventure, making it easy to imagine the sun-soaked Mediterranean views. Lucky and Hunter’s witty banter and chemistry were enjoyable, but their romance developed quickly, leaving little time to explore their connection in greater depth.

The book’s central conflict—balancing career aspirations with personal desires—was relatable, but some of the plot twists felt rushed and a little too convenient. I also would have liked more depth to Hunter’s backstory, as the mystery surrounding him was intriguing but underexplored.

Overall, Falling Overboard is a fun, breezy read for fans of forbidden romance and stunning settings. While it didn’t completely sweep me off my feet, it’s an enjoyable escape for readers looking for a love story with a touch of Mediterranean charm.

This is what I am looking for in a romance novel- slow burn, playful banter, tender and thoughtful moments and seeing the person for who they are, flaws and all, and loving them fiercely ❤️ Add to this that they’re on a yacht in the Mediterranean and you can’t help but have a good time!

The writing was funny, scenes were set up beautifully and I was kicking my feet throughout reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the e-ARC!

I always read Sariah Wilson's books and this was another great one! It was a fun romance with a HEA. I also learned a lot about what it's like to be an employee on a super yacht and thought that the story of Lucky and Hunter was so swoony and romantic.

I love Sariah’s books and this one was no exception. She is a must click for me! I live the chemistry between the characters!

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartwarming romance. While it’s set in a world of wealth and luxury, the emotional journey of the characters feels incredibly relatable. From struggles with anxiety to navigating trust issues, there’s something everyone can connect with. It’s the kind of book that invites you to immerse yourself in the joy of the happy ending, while watching the characters grow and find empowerment along the way.

The most perfect slow burn, forced proximity read ever. The setting made it interesting, and I really appreciated the MMC having gone to therapy and being emotionally mature and available for once. Only taking one star off because as a pun lover myself, it was still a bit overkill in the end. 10/10 would recommend!

Falling Overboard is a It’s a bit of a different setting than some of Wilson’s other books, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It’s a story full of banter, tug of war feelings, and a forbidden romance. I liked the overall story and the HEA, but wish there had been a bit more in terms of character development.

Lucky only has one goal - to own her own bakery. In order to be able to do that, she gets a job on a superyacht to start saving money. What she doesn’t expect is forbidden bunkmate Hunter. They can’t help but feel attracted to each other.

This was a story that kind of reminded me of all of those romantic Hallmark movies - many ups and downs, and always an HEA.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy!

3.5* rounding up.

This was a cute read. Definitely a different setting than other books by this author but made for a fun read! Lucky works on a yacht and gets to help a couple of new employees learn the ropes. Unfortunately for her, she has to room with one of them, who just happens to be a guy. Thankfully they both have their own beds. But that doesn't stop the attraction that Lucky feels towards Hunter, and that Hunter feels towards her.

Hunter has a secret that he's trying to decide when the best time to tell Lucky is. Of course that kind of backfires a little on him. But he's a good guy and has been such a good friend to Lucky when she is in need, never asking for anything in return. Their friendship builds to more. Some of the other employees on the yacht aren't my favorite. There are some mishaps and such but I liked how it all played out. This isn't my favorite by this author but still a cute and lighthearted read.

Content: There is talk of drinking alcohol throughout the book and some of the characters getting tipsy. The main characters share a room but have separate beds. They do lay in the same bed watching movies but nothing happens except watching the movie and falling asleep next to each other a couple of times. They do share a hotel room together at one point and have a big make out moment then. There are innuendos throughout the book.

I received a copy from the publisher, Montlake, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I absolutely adored this book. I have been a fan of Sariah's for many years and this is definitely one of my favorites. I loved the character growth and the simmering tension between Lucky and Hunter. There was a perfect mix of angst, romance, humor and happily ever after. Both Lucky and Hunter were flawed but loveable. I didn't want the book to end.

After watching Dr. Odyssey I really wanted a book with a similar setting and this delivered! It was unique and fun having it set on a super yacht and added to the forced proximity! This was a fun read with likable characters and a great romance. There is no spice and it didn't feel necessary, I enjoyed it. The slow burn was soo good and their banter was fun not cringey at all. Overall this was very heartwarming and just a nice read

I love this author's previous books and I especially fell in love with the cover. The premise for this book sounded promising - life on a superyaught! However, as I started reading I realized that Sariah has gone more 'open door' and 'crude' with sexual innuendos which I find off-putting. So many authors seem to be moving toward this new direction - which has become popular - but not all women want to read those kinds of books. I found that these extras took away from the storyline and made it 'cheap' - and I didn't respect the characters because of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.