The book was fairly an amazing read for me as being a Rom-com lover, I did eat this up. But, there was some places that the book has lost its spark.

First off, the starting of the book was felt too slow even for me who loves slow burns a lot but I was around 30% in but the characters had not even met yet.

On more thing was that I certainly loved the chemistry between Ruby and Cameron but I felt the story was more based on Sam’s love life.

My favourite part of the book was the time Cameron and ruby spent together.

Macleod always provides a raucous read.
I burst out laughing so many times! Here are just a few of the mentions: the title of a book, the slimeball, and the nice beach scene.
I thought Ruby handled Sam’s deception very well and I loved the trope with Cameron.
I was afraid Ruby would throw away happiness but in the end she didn’t let the ship sail without her!
I also loved Jono!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was an easy read while I was in the midst of a massive reading slump. I flew through it in a few hours and thought it was fun and light hearted. The concept of the book and the single's cruise grabbed my attention immediately. There was so much potential there, but I was disappointed that we didn't get to see more of the cruise experience in the story. That being said, while the main characters missed the ship and were stranded, I was laughing out loud at some of their experiences and banter. The nudist beach scenes in particular were quite funny.

I felt like the FMC was a side character in her own story at times, with her friend Sam taking centre stage. We saw Sam's relationship unfold more than we saw the main characters, which was a shame. It felt like they were truly "friends" with a small attraction and then Cameron was confessing that he's fallen for her, which just didn't track for me. It didn't seem realistic based on what we'd seen up to that point.

All in all it was a good book, 3 stars for me and I would recommend if you're looking for a light, easy read.

thank you to netgalley and boldwood for the arc in exchange for a review!

if these books by Phoebe Macleod are nothing, they're at least a breeze to get through. Despite me being busy with work and other weekend stuff, I managed to get through this book within a few hours, which is always lovely.
That said, this book wasn't a banger for me. It was nice, don't get me wrong, but I did miss a little zest or something in this story. A lot of the romance is done through telling, instead of showing, and that just never really gets me going. On top of this the third act ''breakdown'' so to say because they weren't together before this, felt very rushed. One minute she flees from him because of this breakdown and within the span of like five pages they're back together and happily ever after.
It felt like this book scraped the surface of a more in depth book about being stuck on a cruise (forced proximity??), and falling in love despite your best efforts. Instead, we're barely on the cruise, there's no push and pull, and there's one of the worst best friends on the planet just forgiven and forgotten about. Tell me more!!! Please!!!
Anyways, long story short, this was fine. A fun, short, romp. Easy to pull you out of a slump, so for that I do recommend this. I don't recommend if you're fond of actual cruises and clay pigeons.

Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable quick read. I found the FMC, Ruby, relatable and enjoyed her somewhat sarcastic personality. Cameron, the MMC, was such a genuine good guy that I easily was drawn in by. I wish, however, that there would have been a bit more time developing their relationship to truly allow the reader to fall in love with them.

The writing was good but the character development and side characters just didn't work for me. Thanks for letting me try!

Thank you to NetGalley and Phoebe MacLeod and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I’m so glad I finished reading before the official publishing date — this is my first official 5 ⭐️ read. I really really could not love a book more. It honestly might just be the stage where I am in life, but now I want to jump on a single’s cruise.

I really felt connected to Ruby in the last couple chapters, as someone who has been single for the better part of five years and has found comfort in being single.

This book was a perfect read as a hopeless/hopeful romantic and as a single person. It had the perfect amount of comedy but also made me reflect on myself towards the end. (I know not everyone will have the same internal reflection, but I just needed to mention how this book affected me.)

I will 💯 be recommending this to my friends to read.

3.5 ⭐️ for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I think the premise of Hook, Line and Single was there, but the execution of the writing needed some work.

I felt like some parts were difficult to read through with Ruby’s best friend/roommate Sam. She was quite rude and selfish, and oblivious to anything going on with Ruby. Also, who tricks their best friend into going on a cruise and then practically abandons them the 2nd day in?

I also found it difficult to understand some words and phrases, as the book takes place in the UK and that’s where the characters are from. I felt like I had to re-read some paragraphs and read ahead to understand some of the things said.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book!

For me this is a 3.5 star rounded up. This will make a fantastic summer hit, perfect to pack in your bags and take with you everywhere you might go! I adored the characters, and story line of this whole book. Except for Ollie but you'll find out why, and will wholeheartedly agree with me on that. He's not a true centre focus but he'll break your heart for own FMC and explain so much. This book pulls you in and the writing is flawless, it will make you feel like you want to jump in this world and join in everywhere.

The literal only reason for this not being a true 4 up to a 5, is that apart from all the great some of the conversations feel disjointed. The fmc says anyway or back to this (not exact wording there) a lot, her reaction to alot of other people is more than sassy it's almost an immediate jump on them for even the smallest thing. I could get the reaction some of the time but from 50% to the end it became a lot more obvious and it really pulled away from the story. I can set that aside, what I can't though is the 'little' reference from about 50% onward that just doesn't stop. That was for me 100% awkward, of all the things I have ever read that has made me feel the dirtest and I'm not the gender it was directed at. The thought process the fmc has at the beginning of that almost feels childish despite her clear experience, that's something that's learned in middle school sex-ed I've known that almost all my life. It just really felt awkward and out of place and 100% could have been left out (the thought process about is it possible and the little references). The whole time and everytime it was referenced again made me cringe and to have the words "seriously", and "seriously can we stop" pop in my head.

Other than that this was a good book and I am very grateful to have read it. So thank you very much from the bottom of my heart again I really appreciate it.

Following a very bad breakup Ruby has sworn off men, happy living with flatmate Sam, her cat Samson and her bookshop that she co-owns. Sam tricks her into coming along on a singles cruise with her, which she doesn't find out about until they actually board the shop. Fortunately she meets Cameron, who also feels out of his depth, and they strike up a friendship with no intentions of any romance.
I ended up loving this book, although it does take a while for the story to build up. Ruby was very damaged by her breakup and I could sense her pain, despite her outward appearance. It is always nice when I can relate to the main male character as he wasn't an alpha male type that is often seen in stories. Having been fortunate enough to have been on a few cruises I could easily visualise the onboard scenes,albeit as part of a couple. There were several lighthearted moments with pickpockets, missed sailings and a nudist beach to counterbalance the more serious parts of Ruby's issues. In summary a book that I ended up really enjoying.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

Hook, Line, and Single was a super cute and super easy read! I flew through this book because of how fun and easy it was to follow along. The idea of a singles cruise was total rom-com, and made all of the characters easily developed in such a quick read.

There were times where I felt a little disconnected with the character, Ruby. I felt like there was way more dialogue than there were internal thoughts of hers. I also love quick reads, but the last few chapters were thrown a little too quickly at the end and left me wanting more to be explained.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Phoebe MacLeod for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

⭐⭐.5
🌶️
This story had so much potential and it just did not meet its mark time and time again.

Swearing off men then getting sucked into a singles cruise might seem like the worst possible ting that could happen but Ruby makes the best of it. Cameron was a great guy and i enjoyed his character!

The beginning is so so slow. It took a while to keep my interest. It truly did feel like the Sam show. I am not religious so any thing that is have for or against religion is a turn off for me.

I enjoyed the nude beach scene, their adventures off the boat, and the easy way that felt so comfortable with each other.

Sam did have a way with words and her friendship was monumental in this HEA!

This book was received as an arc and this is my opinion.

I loved this book, it had me feeling so many emotions and had great characters that were relatable throughout.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

Ruby is happy with the life she’s living and has no interest in dating. She loves living with her housemate Sam and her cute feline. She doesn’t see any point in going on dates and is still not over what happened in her last relationship.

Sam, her housemate is always dating different men, but has yet to meet the right one, so far none have lasted long.

Can they both find their Mr Right?

The characters were relatable and i loved the idea of a singles cruise.

I recommend this book.

Hook, Line and Single is the most hopeful and interesting book, you will love Ruby and Sam two of the main characters of the book. The real life journey for love is one that we can all relate to. This rom-com will have you enjoying the story and feeling empathetic towards Sam and Ruby. This is a book that had me feeling real feelings and rooting for Sam and Ruby in their search for love!! Thank you #netgalley for #HookLineandSingle.

I absolutely loved this!!! I laughed out loud, I cringed and I adored the characters and their interactions. This is romcom at its best with a story that has fabulous characters, gorgeous scenery and a plot that keeps you thoroughly entertained. Ruby has totally sworn off men but finds herself joining flatmate Sam on a cruise. What she didn’t know was that Sam had omitted to tell her that they were signed up for the singles cruise. Cameron has also joined the cruise with no idea of what was planned. Ruby and Cameron strike up a friendship, and as Sam has already found someone through all the games they are encouraged to play, they decide to explore together. Could this friendship turn into something more and might Ruby rethink about being totally sworn of men? Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

This book was just OK for me. The main characters don't even meet until you've read a third of the book, where the cruise also starts. Then a lot of time is spent on Sam and her love Interest while the MCs take a backseat. I get that they both weren't interested in relationships, the whole reason for their fake dating, and they were definitely slow build. But I found Sam kind of annoying. Once the cruise got under way, I was more interested and there were some funny moments. I also didn't like how abruptly the story ended and never truly felt the connection between Ruby and Cameron more than friends.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ruby is happy with her friends her cat but when a friend tricks her into going onto a singles only cruise it’s not going to end well.
Ruby finds onboard another victim of well meaning friends and Cameron and her decide to pair off so people will leave the matchmaking alone.
The problem is Cameron is gorgeous and the more time they spend together the more Ruby is liking what she sees.
Brilliant book funny and a great way to spend a day with friends on a cruise.

Phoebe MacLeod’s Hook, Line and Single is a delightful romantic comedy that follows Ruby, a woman content with her single life, who is tricked by her flatmate into joining a singles cruise. Onboard, she meets Cameron, who is also an unwilling participant. They form a platonic pact to shield each other from unwanted advances, but as they explore picturesque Mediterranean towns together, their connection deepens unexpectedly. MacLeod masterfully combines humor, charming settings, and the complexities of modern relationships, delivering an uplifting story about love found in unforeseen places.

“Hook, Line, and Single” is a romance book by Phoebe MacLeod. In this book the reader meets Ruby (FMC) and Sam, her roommate and bestie. So much of the beginning of this book was focused on Sam’s love life that I forgot that Ruby was the MFC. When the cruise ship is boarded (about 30% into the book), then I was reminded why cruises are not my thing. Nothing bad happens, except that more people are added to the story but, luckily, they remain secondary characters while Ruby is finally given a chance to come front and center. Ruby and Sam’s friendship is great - they bounce off each other like crazy, but their friendship shines. However, their friendship also takes up a lot of this book that it stole part of the focus of the romance. Cameron, Ruby’s love interest, reminded me a lot of my partner - introverted, knowledgable about seemingly random things, and someone calm when things go awry. But even with that, at the end of the book, I still wasn’t quite sure why Cameron was with Ruby (though, honestly, I’m not always sure why my partner is with me - so there is that!). This was an okay read for me - some parts made me laugh, others groan, and some bothered me a lot (I’m not religious, but why all the hate toward the one church visit?), but honestly, I’ll probably forget everything about this book except the name of the ship in a few weeks. Okay read with an adorable cover, but it missed the mark for me. I think if you like cruise ships, want a fast read, and want some escapism, this might be a book for you to pick up to read.