This was a fascinating tale of a family's year-long voyage and the things they learned, both practically and religiously.

I could not get enough of this book! Living at sea has always been a dream of mine. When my daughter was little we would go look out onto the horizon and I would tell her stories about adventures we would go on in our magic sail boat. Well, this family did it, sans magic. They document the days in the upbeat way that I associate with LDS families, without any of the overtly religious themes I also associate with LDS families. A good clean, dream story.

How awesome to decide to just up and follow a dream. Not many of us get the chance for something like this. Or have the nerve to even try. I loved reading about their adventures and what it truly takes to do something like this. Absolutely pick up this winner. Happy reading!

Erik and Emily Orton and their 5 children, ages 6-16 (one with Downs Syndrome) have made a spur-of-the-moment decision to chuck work and life in New York and journey to the Caribbean. There, they obtain a sailboat and begin their one-year exploration of a new life adventure.

The story takes the reader through all the trials of living together in tight quarters; learning to navigate the waters; and learning all the ins-and-outs of sailing itself. There are good time and not so good times. However, it is a life lesson for all.

At first, I was a bit bored with all of the sailing terminology that didn't interest me at all. However, it got a bit better because my husband and I have taking cruises to the Caribbean and have even rented a sailboat and crew for a week to sail to different Caribbean islands. Glorious adventures!

I can also understand the frustrations and the victories they faced. Dropping everything and taking on a whole new life is quite a challenge. My family and I did that twice when we all moved to Paris where my husband had been offered a job with NATO for a few years. For us, it was moving to a whole new country and learning a whole new language. There were huge challenges but also lots of wonderful memories. I’m sure the Orton family will all grow from this experience. It proves to us that we can do something different. It’s good to take us away from what we know and experience new things. Good for them.

If you life to think what it would be like to take on a totally different life, do give this book a read. You might find that you are braver than you think. Good luck.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed traveling along with the Ortons on their family adventure! Erik, Emily and their five children decide to learn to sail and this leads eventually to the purchase of a catamaran they rename Fezywig and a 5,000 mile adventure lasting nearly a year. Not every couple, let alone a family this size, could stand so much closeness; this family not only survives intact but grows through the shared experience and trials and joys along the way. The reader is treated to the whole experience, both the highs and lows. The Ortons travel to some amazing places, but also get stuck waiting on boat repairs and weather and have to rethink their plans and expectations. Through this process, they all learn to slow down and take life as it comes. There is no sugarcoating here. Life on a boat can be dangerous, but without risk, there is no reward. Living the life of a cruiser is not for everyone, but this family inspires with their willingness to break out of the mold and try on a new lifestyle.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review will post to my blog at simplystashless.com on 2/27/2019

#SevenAtSea #NetGalley
Living in a two bedroom apartment, with his wife Emily and five children, Eric Orton, dreams of learning how to sail. Eric takes that dream and makes it more, As a family, they research the steps to buy a sail boat and hoe to set sail for a year. Believing that dreams can become reality, and taking a chance. It seems like fate is against them at every turn, with engine problems, storms and life decisions. Filled with tidbits of inspiring quotes of their own, making friends along the way, and growing close as a family. Sometimes it felt like they were on top of each other, but it also felt bigger than their two bedroom apartment. What an experience they had, learning how to not become discouraged, when things don't go as planned, making atittude adjustments, and learning to make decisions and alter them, when necessary.

This is an honest memoir about a family taking the road less traveled. The Orton family set sail on sailboat with their 5 kids at a time in their lives when most people are in a good groove. Kids in school, friends, birthday parties, sports, jobs, etc.....
The story talks about the ups such as beautiful anchorages, tropical islands, and amazing people. It also tells you some of the tougher times they encountered such as boat problems, tough navigating, and sometimes just needing a break from the rest of your family. Space can be tight on a sailboat and usually everyone knows what is going on....there is no hiding your feelings. They also make this dream real for the normal family. Did they go on high adventure vacations before this and have a ton of experience? Not really. Did they have a lot of money? Not really. Did they still go and learn from their mistakes and grow as a family? Absolutely. I loved the epilogue at the end and learning what the family is currently doing. You can tell by what has transpired since they returned the trip had a lasting effect on the whole family. Is the sailing life for everyone? Probably not but this memoir gives you inspiration to pick your own adventure. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a wonderful book about a family on a journey together. What a beautiful story of adventure, trials, and love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would gladly read more by these two authors.

This book is an amazing read. I am in awe of their adventure and felt like I was with them all the way. I have already told many people about this book.

Fascinating and fun, you will think you are aboard the Fezywig right along with the Orton family. Great to read about their adventures before,during and after. Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

The Ortons are an inspiring family Erik, Emily their kids.Wanting to spend time together as a family they embark on an amazing adventure they decide to learn to sail buy a boat and take off on an adventure of a lifetime.
They share with us their adventure their family their closeness .A wonderful read a lovely family an inspiring story,