3.25 - 3.5

Greta James is an up-and-coming star that has just had the most embarrassing moment of her career, just lost her mother, who was her number one fan, and lost her boyfriend.

Greta's parents had planned an Alaskan cruise for their 40th anniversary. Now that her mother is gone, Greta's brother talks her into going on this cruise with her father and some of their friends. Greta and her father have always had a strained relationship. Instead of encouraging her to go after her dreams, he wanted her to settle down and have a more stable career and lifestyle.

Greta goes on the cruise to hide from her current problems and hopes to be able to finally connect with her dad.
While on the cruise she sees some amazing sights including Ben Wilder, who is a historian on the cruise to talk about his books on Jack London. Greta and Ben both have so many things to think about and might just be able to help each other through this 7-day trip.

I loved Greta as a character. I did not like Ben as much. I don't think that their relationship really brought anything extra to the story that couldn't have been handled through her relationship with her father and his friends. I just felt like romance was unnecessary and kind of glanced over if it was supposed to be a major plot point. I also would have liked to have had more of the relationship with Greta and her dad from her childhood, adulthood, and even their time on this trip together.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. It's been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. I nearly read it all in a single sitting. The characters are complicated and hurting and totally real and yet the story has such an uplifting feel to it. I'll be recommending this one to everyone I know.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES BY JENNIFER E. SMITH?
I have been a long time fan of Jennifer E. Smith. There was something special and deeply absorbing to me when it comes to her young adult contemporary books. When I heard that she was coming out with a book aimed at adults, I knew I had to get my hands on it and read it. As my life has been so jam packed with different things lately, listening to the audiobook of The Unsinkable Great James meant that I got to this book much sooner than anticipated. Also, I love a good adult contemporary fiction audiobook.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
Smith’s The Unsinkable Greta James follows main character Greta James who is an indie musician who has hit it big. Greta’s number one fan was her mother Helen who would often come to Greta’s concerts with a sign that said Greta’s mom. Helen dies quite suddenly. Greta, while performing, has a meltdown on stage in her grief and it goes viral. Unlike Helen, her father Conrad, grew up quite poor and so he’s not all about Greta’s career and would prefer to see her in a much more stable job. The two get along like oil and water.

Greta agrees to go with Conrad on an Alaskan cruise which was supposed to be for their parents fortieth anniversary. Along the way, Greta must lick her wounds, heal and eventually make her way back to performing. She also begins the work of healing her relationship with her father. Oh, and there’s a little romance with a professor on board named Ben Wilder who also happens to be going through something as well.

HOW DID I LIKE THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES?
I ended up really enjoying The Unsinkable Greta James. The backdrop of the Alaskan cruise was a fabulous setting. I loved the portions delving into nature — particularly when they see this bird that turns out to be a big deal. Greta’s healing was so special to read — I am not sure if that makes sense. However, I always root for a character who experiences a level of personal growth and change –and that’s Greta. The romance wasn’t too bad either, but for me, not the focus or rather where I had my focus while reading. I also liked the complicated relationship between Greta and Conrad and could understand the perspective of both characters.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook is narrated by Mae Whitman. I believe this may be the first time I have listened to a book narrated by Whitman. It will not be the last. Whitman does a wonderful job voicing Greta’s story and keeping my attention. Looking back, this audiobook was actually longer in length than it felt. It is eight hours and fifteen minutes long, however, it does genuinely feel faster.

This is a great family drama, finding oneself, second chances story If you love cruise ship settings you'll love this as the Alaskan setting, which we got from the excursions that they went on were amazing. Greta agreed to go on the cruise with her father after her mother's unexpected death. Her mother had planned the cruise for their wedding anniversary. I loved the dynamic of having Greta and her father's complicated relationship challenged and explored. I really enjoyed getting to know Greta as she struggled with her grief, her relationship with her dad which he was difficult to like a lot of the time, and the possibility of her finding love with someone who was really her opposite. A really enjoyable story with characters I was happy to spend an afternoon with

I’ve noticed a trend of genre-smashing in books lately. This book and One Italian Summer are both packaged as rom-coms/light reads but both deal with very heavy subject matter (death of a parent). It’s an interesting mashup and I’m not sure it always works. I liked this one a lot more than OIS because the characters and relationships came across as authentic and nuanced. Greta and her dad seemed real, flaws and all. The reconciliation with her dad and the potential romance with the professor didn’t seem rushed and I liked that Greta faced her own issues. This ‘light read’ had a lot of heart and I really enjoyed it.

This ARC was provided by @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse. The opinions are my own.

The Unsinkable Greta James ❄️
by Jennifer E Smith

😢 Well this one hit me right in the feels. 

💔 Greta and her dad have a complicated relationship and after the untimely death of her mother (the peacekeeper and glue that kept the family together), she agrees to accompany him on an Alaskan cruise with two other couples that were lifelong friends of her parents. This novel was masterfully written to somehow be a light read while simultaneously offering a poignant look at grief, loss, and navigating father/daughter relationships. 

🚢 I really enjoyed this one but I could have done without the love interest bit, however, Greta probably needed someone to keep her company aside from her distant father for a week on that boat (it’s a ship). 

🌟 All that aside I was rooting for Greta and loved the ambiguous ending. Can’t wait to check out the backlist and future reads from this author.

I absolutely loved this book so much. Greta and her dad I loved them so much. Both were grieving and were trying to figure their places with each other. This book will stick with me.

“The truth is, being a parent is mostly just reacting. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you don't. You give what you can. And at the end of the day, most of it is just being there.”

What a heartfelt book! I really enjoyed the story of this season of Greta's life. Greta James is a popular musician who is grieving the death of her mother. She ends up on an Alaskan cruse with her father in her mother's place; a cruise that was supposed to be their 40th Anniversary trip. The relationship with her Dad has been stilted for many years and with her mother's absence they are struggling even more so. On the cruise, Greta meets Ben who is working on the ship as a lecturer and they strike up a friendship. Ben is also dealing with his own issues as he works through the breakdown of his marriage and the difficulty of divorce. This story is about grief and the complications of navigating relationships. It's also about parents doing the best they can but making mistakes along the way. It's also about learning about ourselves and the growth that comes from difficult times. Recommend to those who enjoy books about families and multigenerational family stories. I ended up reading and listening to the audio in between. The audiobook is narrated by Mae Whitman and she does an amazing job!

This is a story of loss, forgiveness, love and discovery. Greta is devastated after the loss of her mother, not close with her father she tries to repair old bonds.
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An indie rocker, never settled in one place too long, Greta sets sail with her father on an Alaskan cruise taking the place of her mother, on a trip she planned. She meets Ben, a struggling writer on the cruise and together they learn to find themselves and build each other up.
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I loved the sweet exchange of books at the end of this one between friends. This was a sweet one of friendship and growth with the help of family and friends. While, I always want a romantic HEA (it’s who I am it can’t be helped!) I do appreciate that this book is one of individual growth and not necessarily romantic love.
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Thank you #randomhouse and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Greta’s mother has recently passed away. Her parents had booked an Alaskan cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Her dad, Conrad, insists on going anyway. Her brother talks Greta into accompanying their father. Greta and her dad do not have the best relationship. Conrad does not approve of her livelihood as a musician plus he thinks she should have been by her mother’s side when she passed. This is one of Greta’s greatest regrets. Can they survive the time at sea?!?!

Greta and her father have issues from the get go! But, I fell for both of them. They are both just alike in stubbornness and hiding their feelings. Then there is Ben Wilder. He is an author and he and Greta take a shine to each other. And trust me…she does not have the best track record where love is concerned.

I usually do not give romances five stars. But this one absolutely rocked it! It is in my favorite setting of Alaska. It has wonderful characters. And the story is one that pulled me out of my book funk! So 5 stars for the win!

Need an adorable romantic comedy that you will not soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The characters didn't feel believable/multi-dimensional , or maybe I just had trouble understanding them. While I understand his pain, Greta's dad was made out to be a very not fun to be around guy and unkind father. I still don't feel like I know Greta, and the ending left me feeling a bit...confused that it was over. Maybe I just need to re-read it again. I've enjoyed this author in the past and will definitely want to read what she publishes next!

I enjoyed this quick read about Greta James, an indie musician dealing with the sudden death of her mother. Although it touched on sad feelings of death and loss, it was not a sad book in my opinion. She is on a week long Alaskan cruise with her father and some of her parents friends. I loved the descriptions of Alaska and some of the tours that they went on. Her father and her have a strained relationship and her brother hoped this time together would improve that. I would have liked to have seen a little more into the future at the ending, but I like that it did not have the perfect wrapped up ending. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

An engaging read full of bits of adventure (glaciers! whales! ocean!) and a whole lot of heart. I can forgive the (overly) sentimental tone because it never crossed into saccharine and was just so wholesome and enjoyable. I loved Greta as a character and appreciated her point-of-view. I feel like as much as anything else, this is a book about personal boundaries - and all the how and why they’re hard, especially when it comes to family. I recommend this widely and without reservation.

Greta James is a rock star reeling from her mom’s passing. She seems lost and begrudgingly agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her dad even though the two have a strained relationship. During the cruise she is able to reconnect with her dad and find her voice again. I chose to read this one at the perfect time as I was on a cruise myself. I truly enjoyed Greta’s journey. I also appreciated that there was a hint of romance in this one without it overpowering the focus on Greta’s relationship with her dad. Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

Greta James is an indie music sensation and her mother’s unflinching support was always her bedrock. After her mother’s death, Greta is left flailing and has an on-stage meltdown, just ahead of the release of her important sophomore album. Greta is reluctant when her brother asks that she join her unsupportive father on an Alaskan cruise, but she finally gives in, hoping to reset both her career and her relationship with her father.

On the cruise, Greta enjoys her relative anonymity among the older passengers, but she struggles to connect with her father. Ben, a young Jack London historian struggling with his own life changes, provides companionship and new perspective for Greta, and the cruise may just be the new start everyone needed.

This was a lovely contemporary novel; it’s an easy, fast read, but it delves into difficult topics including grief, parent-child tensions, and starting over at various life stages. The resolutions aren’t pat, but feel realistic, and the romance, too, acknowledges the difficulties of real life. Recommend for fans of Beach Read and Evvie Drake Starts Over.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the adult debut novel by Jennifer E. Smith - 4.5 stars!

Greta is an indie guitar star - her mother, Helen, was always her biggest fan while her dad, Conrad, just wanted her to have a different, more stable life. When Helen passes away suddenly while Greta is out of the country, the divide between her and her dad widens. Then Greta has a viral breakdown while performing on stage and loses all her confidence and motivation. The Alaskan cruise that was to celebrate her parents' 40th anniversary looms and Greta's brother convinces her to join their dad on the trip.

I just loved this book - Greta and her dad are both struggling to cope with Helen's death but without her to run interference, can't relate to or help each other. There's loads here about family, parenting, grief, as well as hope and second chances. I loved all these characters! The author was also magnificent in describing the Alaskan cruise experience - it became an integral character as well. Great book - can't wait to read more from this author!

This book was a story of grief and finding yourself after losing a love one. I loved the mother-daughter relationship, Greta and her mom had. I have not read too many books with a setting on a cruise ship so this was a pleasant surprise to read such a vivid descriptive book with this type of setting. This was a moving story about family, loss, grief, healing, and moving on. I loved the conversations Greta had with Ben and their interactions together. This part of the story to me gave Greta a look at her own life to determine what she really wanted out of life. I felt like there was just so much to unpack with this and I loved every minute of it. Especially with Greta and her dad, Conrad. They both were trying to deal with grief in their own way and what that meant for their father-daughter relationship going forward. Overall, I loved this story and the ending gave you just the amount of hopefulness and healing, with a possibility of romance!

Greta James is a successful indie musician and her mother has always been her #1 fan and cheerleader while her father has always been vocal about his opposition to her career choice. But in the aftermath of grieving the sudden loss of her mom, she has an onstage meltdown that goes viral, which is how she finds herself going on the cruise her dad was supposed to take with her mom for their 40th wedding anniversary. There is a lot to unpack over the course of that trip and as always, Jennifer E. Smith explores all the nuances of Greta's internal struggles, the years of conflict with her dad, and grief with such honesty and heart. I very much related to Greta's mom acting as the buffer between Greta and her father. This trip gave them a chance to slowly break down those walls and it made my heart ache watching it happen. And of course, there is a romance in it but it's in the background, which didn't make it any less romantic and definitely the right choice. As far as I'm concerned, Smith's first foray into adult fiction is a hit and if this book is any indication, I honestly can't wait to see what's next for her as she continues to write in this space.

(Note: Real rating is 4.5 stars!)

Greta is a tenacious woman who who is dealing with both the recent death of her mother and a sudden and unanticipated halt to her rising career as a musician. Her mother was the glue of the family and Greta and her father are struggling to communicate in her absence. Do they find it difficult to be with one another because they are so different or because they are similar in many ways? Each dealing with grief in their own way and missing the person they loved most, they are completely frustrated with one another. Enter an Alaskan cruise (one that Greta's parents, Conrad and Helen were supposed to embark on for their fortieth anniversary). Greta's brother convinces her that she needs to take this once in a lifetime trip with their Dad, along with the two couples that Helen and Conrad were closest to. Initially, Greta and Conrad find themselves begrudgingly thrown together on this trip, albeit in a somewhat befuddled way. While there, they experience the exquisite beauty that is Alaska and attempt to find some common ground. There are very funny excerpts in this wholly original novel and there were also times I turned the pages with a very large lump in my throat. I liked that Greta was her own person, admired her confidence in her choices and applauded her for following the path of her choosing. Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the complimentary ARC. Pub date is 3/1/2022. My opinions are solely my own. #netgalley #bookreviewer #bookstagrammer #theunsinkablegretajames #jenniferesmith #randomhouse #goodreads #withhernosestuckinabook #booksandmrdarcy

This was an easy read after two books in a row covering difficult topics. And thanks for NetGalley for the advanced copy that held onto way too long.

Greta James is a guitar master and a rock star. But she and her dad Conrad, don’t see eye to eye because she didn’t follow the safe path to adulthood. Settle down. Hold a stable job. Get married. Have kids. She’s following her own north star on the path so few get to travel.

When Greta is waiting to perform at a concert in Germany and her dad calls with a concern, Greta blows it off and continues her day. It’s a decision she can’t take back, and she regrets. Greta’s brother talks her into accompanying her dad on a cruise to Alaska, and this is where the story takes place.

It was fairly predictable, but that’s okay. I enjoyed the read anyway.