Falling Overboard is a fun, swoony workplace romance set on a luxury yacht cruising the Mediterranean. Lucky Salerno is focused on saving money to open her dream bakery, and the yacht’s strict no-fraternization rule isn’t a problem—until she’s assigned to share a cabin with the charming and mysterious Hunter Smith. Their chemistry is undeniable, making it hard to resist breaking the rules.
I enjoyed the unique setting and the dual POV, which gave insight into both Lucky and Hunter’s thoughts. The romance was sweet and full of tension, though at times, it felt more about physical attraction than deeper emotional connection. Some plot points, like Lucky’s struggle with authority, were frustrating, but overall, it was an entertaining read. The audiobook narration was also great! Fans of forbidden romance and close-proximity tropes will definitely enjoy this charming love story.

Sariah is absolutely the queen of wit and banter. I cannot help myself from laughing at loud at her writing, and I am NOT that type!!! She consistently writes books that keep me interested, engaged, and surprised, not to mention happy. This book delivers in traditional Wilson fashion....it is delightful, romantic, real, and escapist. I just wish she would keep it a bit more pc. Otherwise it is another perfect hit, I loved everything about it!!

This novel was an absolute delight, sweeping me away into a beautifully described European setting filled with charm and passion. The Italian references added such a rich and authentic atmosphere, making me feel like I was strolling through cobblestone streets, savoring the scent of fresh espresso and citrus blossoms.

The romance itself was pure magic! The forced proximity kept the tension deliciously high, with every glance and unspoken word charged with emotion. And the forbidden love element? Utterly captivating! The stakes were real, making every stolen moment feel even more precious.

What made this story shine was how well the author balanced sweetness with depth. The chemistry between the characters felt so natural, and their emotional journey was both heartwarming and heart-wrenching in the best way. If you love clean romances with swoon-worthy tension, a stunning European backdrop, and a love that feels truly meant to be, this is the perfect book for you!

Can Lucky resist Hunter?

Lucky Salerno wanted to save enough money to open a bakery in memory of her grandparents. So working as the chief stewardess on a superyacht cruising the Mediterranean was the quickest way to get the money. But her plans went awry when she had to help the new employee learn the ropes on the yacht because her room had to only empty bed for Hunter Smith. Lucky was very attracted to Hunter but there was a no fraternization rule on the yacht.

Hunter Smith was working on the yacht to show his parents that he had changed but meeting Lucky made him realize that the no fraternization rule was going to be a problem especially that they shared a room.

I loved reading Falling Overboard because it was set somewhere very different from the usual romances.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this book as an arc from the publisher and NetGalley.

I loved this book 😭 it was such a palette cleanser and exactly what I needed after the cold winter I had! This made me want to book a trip and go on a tropical vacation! Loved Lucky and how hard she worked even though she has been through a looooot. Also the slowest of slow burns and I loved every second of it! Definitely recommend this one!

Such a cute read! One, I want to go work on a yacht...or maybe just own a yacht? Hunter is a complete golden retriever, I loved watching him fall in love. Lucky was very loveable and I really enjoyed how Hunter pulled her out of her shell. Overall, the book was cute but a little too easy, the insta love, the twins immediate change of hearts, the immediate solution from Hunter at the end, the third act break up...I did adore the puns, but I wish they had been explained less.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC!

Pun-tastic romantic drama on the Mediterranean🚤

3.5🌟 stars
For me, the outstanding memory I will have of this romance is the wealth of puns the author puts in the dialogue between the leads. Very cute and clever.

If you are familiar with that reality show about a luxury charter yacht and the crew drama, petty spats, hook-ups and some bad behavior from pampered guests, then you will find this story fits well in that niche. The twist comes with Hunter, a new crew member who has to conceal his true identity, even from the young woman he falls for. Not literally, but figuratively, overboard.

The no, we shouldn't/yes, we can attraction at the heart of this romance because of a new anti-fraternization policy got a bit tiring after a while. And when Lucky, the female lead, eventually caves and throws caution to the wind, she really is, IMO, totally off the chain reckless. I expected it from Hunter, who I felt had less to lose if they disregard the rules, but not Lucky. I also found Lucky's hopeless lack of authority over her crewmates like Emilie when they don't pull their weight or flagrantly disregard the rules disheartening. These elements brought the story down for me and not even an uplifting ending could make up for it.

It's not a bad story, just not one that especially appealed to my taste.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared 3/10/25 on Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble.

Falling Overboard by Sariah Wilson

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Montlake, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, this was such a fun romcom! Falling Overboard is a slow burn, forced proximity romance that takes place on a superyacht cruising the Mediterranean.

This is a pretty fast-paced read and the setting makes it super unique and even more interesting! Lucky and Hunter are both interested in each other immediately but there is a strict rule that relationships between crew members are not allowed. The nautical elements were great, the MCs were very supportive of one other, and there was some good mental health representation throughout the book. Lucky and Hunter had such great chemistry. The slow burn, forced proximity, banter, and myriad of puns all made this one so awesome.

This was such a fun read overall! A sweet, closed door, heartwarming romcom that highlights the significance of overcoming obstacles to forge a better future. Definitely recommend!

A close proximity, forbidden romance. The FMC, Lucky, take a job on a super yacht in the Mediterranean. The no fraternization rule amongst the staff seems like no big deal until she meets deckhand Hunter and they end of sharing a room. While neither wants the complications their secret relationship brings, they can't stay away from each other.

This is a contemporary romance set aboard a luxurious Mediterranean superyacht. Lucky Salerno, an aspiring bakery owner, takes a job as a chief stewardess to save money for her dream. However, she finds herself sharing a cabin with the irresistible new deckhand, Hunter Smith. Their attraction is undeniable, but yacht rules strictly forbid crew romances. As they navigate the close quarters, their chemistry tests their ability to resist each other. Filled with humor, heart, and forbidden romance, the novel promises an engaging love story set against a stunning backdrop.

If you're going to have forced proximity where better than on a super yacht! Lucky and Hunter are both working on the yacht and well, you know now this is going to go from the moment they meet but it's the journey that makes it fun. Wilson does a nice job in crafting her characters and shows good sensitivity in incorporating their mental health. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An easy read for a lazy day.

3.5 stars. This is an ARC from NetGalley. I enjoy Sariah Wilson's cutesy romance novels, and this one was not different. If Below Deck and a Hallmark movie had a baby it would be this book. It starts off immediately with the sexual tension and the will they won't they plotline. This caused the troupe to drag on a bit and the middle of the story get repetitive. This is the reason for the bump down in rating. Overall, nothing crazy new, but if you are looking for a light, fun romance set on the high seas, this is for you. #netgalley #fallingoverboard #yachtlife #romance

Sariah Wilson always delivers with her sweet romances and Falling Overboard was no different. Lucky is working onboard a super yacht in the hopes of raising cash to buy her own bakery. When she is roomed with Hunter, a last minute addition to the crew, the two can't help but get close. With the strict no fraternizing clause in their contracts though, both know they need to keep their relationship under wraps. I appreciate how this clean romance took time for the two to solidify how they felt about each other. It was a feel good romance that had me smiling as I finished the last page.

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.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!

This was a fun, sweet, forbidden forced proximity, coworker romance set aboard a super yacht that had great mental health rep (the MMC has ADHD and lost a sister and the FMC has anxiety and panic attacks and has also lost a lot of close loved ones). Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Love, lists and fancy ships by Sarah Grunder Ruiz or More than shipmates by Philippa Young. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

3 Stars

I’ve seen a lot of books by Sariah Wilson floating around over the last while but this was my first!

Admittedly, Falling Overboard was not my favorite. The main characters are supposed to be 24 and 25 years old, but they read more to me like teenagers & were giving YA. I’m a fan of YA so I don’t mean that disparagingly. The actions & mindsets of these characters just didn’t fit the narrative to me IMO of them being mid-twenties. I also think for a fade-to-black, mildly spicy book this was 80% lusty thoughts which was kind of a weird combo. Some of the plot points were kind of over the top & unrealistic as well and I just couldn’t get onboard (see what I did there) with this story.

I think this could be your cup of tea if you like mostly fluffy & hot, but not descriptively spicy, romances.

Thank you to NetGalley & Montlake for the ARC of Falling Overboard in exchange for a honest review.

This was a fun, lighthearted read! After a slew of heavier reads, this was just what I needed.

Lucky works on a yacht and is tasked with training a couple of new employees. The catch? She has to share a room with one of them—Hunter. Luckily, they have separate beds, but that doesn’t stop the sparks from flying.

Hunter has a secret he’s trying to figure out the right time to reveal, which, of course, doesn’t go exactly as planned. But he’s a genuinely good guy who’s always there for Lucky without expecting anything in return. Their friendship slowly turns into something more, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Some of the other yacht employees were a bit annoying, and there were a few mishaps along the way, but I liked how everything played out in the end.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Refreshing and light-hearted romance that I really enjoyed. This was a pretty quick read for me. Loved the setting and main characters. This romance was a VERY slow burn and very little spiciness. I definitely recommend and can't wait to read my next book from Sariah Wilson!

I enjoyed this story of Lucky and Hunter. I’ve seen the reality show Below Deck a couple of times and could totally picture this story being made into a movie. The Captain has so much confidence in Lucky that he wouldn’t have asked just anyone to room with Hunter, it was just meant to be!

I have read many books by this author and I always know that I am in for a clean romance that still gives you ALL of the feels! This latest book by Sariah Wilson does not disappoint! The emotional tug-of-war goes on for about 30 chapters, you may think that this was a little too long, but it really wasn't. I couldn't wait to get back to the emotional roller coaster that was Hunter and Lucky. I even found myself rereading the epilogue today because I just needed to revisit the characters.

Not sure how this author came up with so many puns!!! Don't worry, they never got old!

I’m definitely going to keep this book and read it again!

Tropes
Hidden romance
Only One Cabin (kind of like Only One Bed)!
Gorgeous views (the Med!)

As a Below Deck Stan, I KNEW I had to read this book as soon as I read the description. A secret romance between the chief stew and a deckhand? All while cruising the Med on a super yacht? Freaking amazing.

I really enjoyed the evolution of Lucky and Hunter's relationship!

This is such a fun way to highlight these tropes, I loved it!

This is the definition of a beach read! Check it out!