A fun, lighthearted book that had beautiful locations and relatable characters. An easy read which would be perfect for a holiday, or helping you plan your next one as you read about some wonderful locations in Europe.

Sadly, this one just didn't quite do it for me. There were some funny, lighthearted moments for sure but I just really couldn't connect with the characters at all. It had a more superficial feel to me and a little more depth would have bumped it up to a 4 star. While this book wasn't necessarily a home run for me, I would definitely try another book by this author in the future!

This was such a great read! It was cute and the cover really attracts you to the book. The book has strong character development while making a relatable plot.

When Ruby's friend Sam signs them both up to a single's cruise without her knowing, she is furious. She has her reasons for wanting to stay single but decides to make the best out of the holiday. Luckily there's another single that is not interested in coupling up - enter Cameron. The two pair off and spend time exploring The Mediterranean without the pressures of their enthusiastic host. But will anything else happen?

Overall I really enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down! It's a lovely light-hearted, feel-good romance. As well as Ruby and Cameron, I enjoyed reading about the other characters on the cruise and seeing how the cruise panned out for them. Something else I loved was the amount of description there was rather than just the plot. I really felt like I was on the cruise too! The only that put my rating down a star was the abrupt ending. I felt like there should have been a few more chapters, and we reached the epilogue rather quickly.

This book was a funny, light, and quick read while still managing to tackle some solid, deeper topics. It’s an adorable story that many women who've been deeply hurt at some point in their lives might find relatable. The characters felt real and engaging, and the addition of a delightful cat named Samson was just the cherry on top—how can you go wrong with that?

The story follows Ruby, who has sworn off men, as she embarks on a cruise with her best friend, Sam. From a singles mixer on the ship to an unexpected twist when Ruby misses the boat after a day ashore, the plot keeps things fresh and enjoyable. This detour added more dimension to the story in a way that staying on the ship wouldn’t have. Sam’s subplot remains present but doesn’t overshadow Ruby’s journey, which worked well for the pacing.

The book’s quick pace made it an engaging read, covering themes of love, friendship, and personal growth in under 300 pages. While it had plenty of laughs and low-spice romance, the inclusion of a jump-scare chapter at a mega-church and some other religious elements felt a bit jarring. While this didn’t fully detract from the experience, it may be worth noting for readers sensitive to religious themes.

Overall, this is a well-written, entertaining story that balances humor with meaningful moments. It had me laughing and appreciating the thoughtful twists along the way. I’d absolutely recommend it to friends looking for a cute, shorter read, and I look forward to exploring more of Phoebe MacLeod’s books in the future!

Thank you to Phoebe MacLeod, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So much happens in this short read I found it very enjoyable I laughed quite a bit The book is well written and engaging. Fast paced but not too fast.
I felt that the characters were realistic and relatable. Going through things I feel many go through after being hurt.
Overall this is a feel good rom-com.
I would definitely recommend this to a friend.

This was a funny, light and quick read, but packed in some solid topics to give it some depth.

We find Ruby who has sworn off men heading on a cruise with her BFF. They go to a singles mixer on the ship and it evolves from there. I liked the way the story veered when Ruby ends up missing her ship after a day ashore. It was a cute segué that added to the story in a way that staying on the ship wouldn't have. It also kept BFF Sam's secondary plot "there" but in the background (I was less interested in this, but appreciated its addition to the book). Low spice and lots of laughs contribute to an entertaining read.

I look forward to reading more Phoebe MacLeod books! Thank you to Phoebe, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I just read a brand new romantic comedy. Hook, Line, and Single by Phoebe MacLeod was very enjoyable.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

This book was an absolute feel good romance. From the friendship that starts it off to the romances that are built in the storyline, I really enjoyed reading this one from start to finish.

Ruby is very much grumpy/ sunshine and you don't know why for most of the book. When her best friend signs them up for a singles cruise without telling her, Ruby is none too pleased. They get roped into different events through the singles group and when Ruby's friend finds a love interest, Ruby is left to fend for herself, which is where Cameron steps in.

This book had me laughing quite a bit and I didn't put it down for an entire day.

This book was absolutely adorable while still tackling important and relevant topics that many women face. The characters were wonderfully relatable, and their experiences felt authentic and engaging throughout the story.

The book dives into a variety of significant themes, including bad dates, toxic relationships, and the complexities of friendships. I appreciated how these issues were explored with both humor and depth, making the story both enjoyable and thought-provoking. Conversations about religion and therapy were also seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding layers of introspection and authenticity.

Overall, this was a fantastic read! It managed to balance lighthearted moments with meaningful discussions, leaving me eager for more. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy to add to my bookshelf. Highly recommend!

Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe McLeod is a lighthearted and fun romance, but it doesn’t quite stand out in the crowded sea of contemporary romances.

Ruby May has sworn off love, and she’s perfectly fine with that—until her flatmate tricks her into a singles cruise. Furious at first, Ruby is determined to spend the trip avoiding matchmaking guests and cheesy onboard activities. Enter Cameron, another unwilling participant in the love boat experiment. When he and Ruby agree to fake a partnership to dodge flirtatious advances and meddling host Barry, the plan seems like a safe bet. But as the Mediterranean cruise unfolds, so does their chemistry. What starts as a platonic pact turns into something more, with Ruby questioning her resolve to keep love at arm’s length.

While the premise is entertaining, the execution feels fairly predictable. The fake partnership Ruby forms with Cameron has its sweet moments, but their chemistry never quite sizzles, leaving their romance feeling a little flat.

The book does have its strengths. McLeod’s writing is easy to read, and there are humorous moments, particularly involving Barry, the enthusiastic cruise host. The Mediterranean setting is pleasant, though it could have been more vividly described to really immerse the reader.

It’s a book that delivers some laughs and charm but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Perfect for when you’re in the mood for something light and breezy, but not one I’d revisit.

This book was such a cute, light hearted romcom that kept a smile on my face the entire time! I’m also a big spice lover but it was nice to read something without too much heat! I am also a huge lover of a grumpy/sunshine trope. A lovely read!

Unfortunately, Hook, Line and Single didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I was hoping for a light, fun rom-com, but the book felt more like a string of familiar tropes that never quite came together.

Ruby, the main character, is a woman who’s sworn off love, and while I understand her reasons, her resistance to romance became repetitive quickly. Her flatmate tricks her into a singles cruise, which felt like a forced setup to get the plot moving. When Ruby meets Cameron, the chemistry just wasn’t there. Sure, they agree to fake a relationship to avoid the other guests, but their dynamic felt flat, and Cameron was just another “nice guy” without any real depth. I didn’t feel invested in their romance at all.

The supporting characters, like Barry, the cruise host, were more caricatures than fully realised people, which took away from any humour or charm the story could’ve had. The Mediterranean setting, too, didn’t come alive for me—descriptions were surface-level and didn’t help draw me into the experience.

Ruby’s emotional journey felt underdeveloped. Her hesitance to trust again didn’t feel like it was explored deeply enough to make her growth feel earned. Overall, Hook, Line and Single was an easy read, but it lacked the heart and depth I was hoping for. If you're looking for a light, predictable rom-com, it might work, but I found it ultimately forgettable.

A realistic 4.75 for me on the 5 star rating scale. This book was adorable, while also dealing with things I think a lot of women who've been deeply hurt at some point in their lives experience. The characters were relatable and real, and there's a delightful cat named Samson, so really how can you go wrong?

My only complaint, bringing it down from a full 5 stars was the jump-scare chapter at the mega-church and some other religious stuff throughout. It's just not my thing and I know religious trauma can be triggering for some. But, that's such a small part of the book that it barely brought down my overall enjoyment.

Overall, this was a well written, fun story. It had me laughing and I was honestly surprised at how much happened in under 300 pages. The pace was quick enough to keep me engaged and the subject matter covered love and the trials of friendship, which I found enjoyable. I would absolutely recommend this book to friends for a cute, shorter read.

Ruby fue convencida por su amiga Sam para que se fueran de vacaciones en un crucero. Estaba emocionada por el viaje, hasta que llegó y se dio cuenta de que era un crucero para solteros, y que debía participar sí o sí en las actividades para conseguir pareja. Por fortuna, conoció a Cameron, quien no quería emparejarse con nadie, y hicieron un acuerdo para que todos creyeran que eran novios y así dejarlos en paz y poder divertirse.

Sin embargo, las cosas no son tan sencillas, ya que Ruby empieza a sentirse atraída por Cameron, pero sabe que nunca podrán ser algo más. ¿Al final del viaje, se dará cuenta de que vale la pena arriesgar su corazón o se protegerá y huirá del amor?




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Necesitaba saber lo que le hizo el animal de Olly, y cuando llegó a esa parte, lo terminó odiando. Quería que Sam y Jono se vengaran.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book envelops the world of bad dates, toxic relationships, and the power of friendship through it all! I appreciated the conversations surrounding religion, therapy, and toxic relationships and what they can do to future relationships. I loved the cruise ship and Barry’s role in the story! What a fun character! Overall, it was a fun, light-hearted read that reminds the reader to never give up on love!

This is a fun, light, easy read. It’s a perfect fictional escape of a rom com, full of enjoyable characters and exotic locales. I wasn’t sure if Robin and Sam would be a good fit given his profession and their differing beliefs, and I also felt like one or two ends weren’t tied up. I’m not sure about some of the content about religious characters, but overall, even some religious characters are presented as well-rounded. The pacing of the story is good and it has a fun premise. Overall, this was an enjoyable rom com.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books. I post this review with my honest opinions. This review will be posted on Amazon and Goodreads by the book’s publication date.

Content notes: swearing, some sexual jokes and references

3.5 stars lovely and fast paced great story line. The authors writing was quite nice and made it very enjoyable to read. I wish there was a little more depth to the characters though.

Loved the premise of this book and how the author developed the characters throughout the story. It felt very realistic, but also fun and lighthearted! It’s everything I’d ever want for a romcom, but it didn’t leave me that “five star feeling.” I do not think this book will have a long lasting impact on me, but I did enjoy it. I would recommend delving into deeper themes to give another layer of depth and achieve this. However, I would love to read more from this author! Thank you so much!!!