Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the ARC
I enjoyed the story of Greta James, her family, friends and the people she meets. A fun, funny, happy and also sad story. Enjoyed all the characters in the story. The ending was a little disappointing.
3 stars

What a joyful read of music, writing, friends, parents, love and loss! Such an enjoyable story that takes place on an Alaskan cruise. The story of following your passion, staying true to who you are and remembering where you came from is the core of this story. Although I've read reviews that the father is not realistic, I'm strong in my convictions that grief takes all different forms. Each of us deals differently depending on what we've encountered and where we are in our life's journey. These characters are realistic, flawed and extremely relatable!

Somewhat predictable and sappy but so satisfying. Loved the cruise setting and descriptions of the ports of call. The characters and their relationships were relatable. The rock star element gave the story an edge and freshness that graduated it from the common read. Evoked emotion and hope that conflicts work out. An enjoyable read about grief and relationships. Love the Jack London and Melville references.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Thank you @quercusbooks @netgalley for the gifted copy and @prhaudio for the gifted audiobook. Out NOW! All opinions are my own.

📚 This was a story about grief, family drama between ba father and his estranged daughter, and finding yourself again. The audiobook was narrated by Mae Whitman and was so well done. I read parts as well. I really enjoyed this book. It was really heartfelt, emotional, and hopeful.

Greta James is a musician who has a meltdown during a performance after the death of her mother. After it goes viral, she decides to go on the Alaskan cruise with her father, because he was supposed to go on the cruise with her mother. She tries to rekindle a relationship with him. And she also meets Ben on the cruise, who is an author who is also dealing with tough issues of his own, and they form a relationship/friendship with eachother. I enjoyed the dynamics between between all of these characters, and loved the Alaskan cruise setting as well. Definitely not to be missed!

Greta’s parents are supposed to take an Alaskan cruise for their 40th anniversary but her mom suddenly dies so Greta and her dad go on this cruise. Greta is a famous singer/musician and her dad has never believed in her as an accomplished songwriter. After spending a week together on the cruise, they work through a few things.
I am telling you when Greta had recollections of her mom and the places her mom will go to support her and how her fans loved her mom, how her mom supported her, I was just in beautiful.

Wow, just wow! Love, loss, grief, hurt and sadness are all the stars of this book which comes together beautifully. Father and daughter relationship with raw emotions and hurt as well as love. Amazing! Written beautifully and such raw emotion

3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this book. I didn’t particularly like Greta as a character, but who is particularly likable when they’ve just experienced a huge loss? I loved the Alaskan cruise setting. A great vacation or weekend read!

I was not really sure what this book was about when i first started reading it, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. I think Great’s was an extremely relatable character. Yes, she’s a famous indie musician, but she’s struggling with the loss of her mother and she’s struggling with her own insecurities because she feels like everyone around her has their lives figured out and she does not. The relationships in this books are also very well written, and although I would have liked to seem more of it, I think Greta and Ben’s relationship was very sweet and it shows major character development for Greta. I would definitely recommend this book to others and I would be interested in reading other books by this author.

This book was fantastic! I enjoyed everything about it - audio was great, likable/relatable characters, descriptive setting, real world problems that are handled in a realistic fashion, transportive. It was just great. I didn’t want it to end. I tried to savor it but I could have finished it in 1 or 2 sittings. Greta James will stay with me for a long time.

Poignantly powerful. A ballad of balance.

Greta James is all of us, a speckle of a human floating, bobbing, crashing, weaving through this thing called life. This book has a powerful message, that we are constantly shifting, adjusting ourselves to be more comfortable...to ourselves.

Life is a balancing act; at times what takes priority is different from those around you and at other times it looks the same. When our scale begins to tip, or lean, we scramble to adjust those priorities again to balance back out.

When the sudden death of Greta's mom causes her to have a melt down on stage, she realizes she is lost. Trying to connect with her dad, which has always been difficult, Greta takes her mom's place on a planned cruise. Greta rides the waves as she discovers old truths, and new ones, while figuring out the new balance without her mom. Emotional from beginning to end.

Thank you so much to Ballantine Books, Jennifer E. Smith and NetGalley for the gifted review copy.

Greta James is at a low point in her life- her mom has died suddenly, her music career is at a low point, and now she's going on her mom's anniversary Alaskan cruise with her dad and their friends. This story just grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go. I loved that the story is centered on Greta and her rocky relationship with her father, a story I don't often read. Both are navigating grief and trying to figure out how to go on without Helen. This is Jennifer E. Smith's first adult novel and I can promise I am going to read her backlist YA now- she's definitely an author I'm keeping my eye on.

I am fascinated by Alaska. It is one of my top travel destinations. I totally blame it on The Great Alone and The Simple Wild series. This book made me want to go there even more. The glacier observing, the whale watching, tuna canning (haha, that one is a no!)

But if you put the gorgeous scenery aside what is left behind is still a beautiful story. The story about a daughter, Greta, trying to piece back her life and music career together after loosing her mom, her number 1 fan in the world, and a father, Conrad, mourning the loss of his life partner of almost 40 years. These two are "parent trapped" by Greta's brother Asher to spend a week in an Alaska cruise and to mend their relationship. Greta is under great stress due to her upcoming album release. She hasn't played in months after losing it on stage following her mom's sudden death. Her dad is not the most supportive parent. He has trouble taking her career seriously. These two clearly needs to do a lot of talking and solve their issues. What better place to do that on a "boat", I am sorry, on a "ship" IYKYK

Then there are the supporting characters The Blooms and The Fosters, Greta's parents's friends who serve as a cushion between the father-daughter duo and there is Ben, the bookish nerd, college professor, author and the biggest Jack London fan. The unlikely love interest. I wouldn't call this a romance story but the romance story line just works in this otherwise tense father-daughter relationship story. Oh I liked Ben. I liked his dad jokes, his ties with dinosaur prints, his constant photo taking for his daughters. But most of all I liked his maturity and his conversations with Greta. Even though they were an unlikely pair, they had more than common then they realized, They both knew what it meant to be on the road to promote their work, the toll it puts on their respective partners, the pressure to perform well in their sophomore album/book.

This book reminded me of One Night on The Island, with just a different setting. I liked it a lot. it was a quick read. it made me want to call my grumpy dad:)

Greta James a famous guitar player whose life and career came crashing down when the unexpected happened, feeling like she lost everything and that she wasn't ready to keep playing and performing, Greta decides to go on a trip that will change her life forever even if at the beginning didn't look that way.

Greta's brother had a plan he wanted to help his sister and father to somehow in some way or another come into term even if he had to play a few tricks in order for this to happen. Greta goes on a trip that was originally planned to celebrate her parent's Anniversary, now she is here ready to recover herself and recover the lost relationship she had with her father even if that was never on her radar.

Greta hadn't played in a very long time, she just wants to move on and see what life brings, she wasn't expecting anything just to finally erase that terrible episode in front of her last audience, an episode that almost killed her entire career.

One of the things that I really love about The Unsinkable Greta James is that somehow the story makes you feel like it's going to be another romantic story where Greta will find love and so on but that was not the case, The Unsinkable Greta James it's a story of reconciliation and acceptance, this is how I felt while reading this story, that Greta was finding herself, accepting herself even if she felt like she made a mistake, forgiving herself for the mistakes she felt she has done but mostly the importance of family and getting closer to the ones that count and make you feel love and supported.

Ben's character was a huge key in the story of Greta a nerdy dorky writer who was there when Greta needed it.

I really would have loved for Ben to be around but I know this was more about Greta, more about her life, her character, the things she had to do to recover herself again, including being friends with her father.

This was a good story, I really enjoy this book.

Thank you Random House, Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Following the sudden death of her mother, indie rockstar Greta James has a breakdown on stage that quickly goes viral. Traumatized by the confluence of events, Greta can not bring herself to keep performing, and her music career, which was once lauded as extremely promising, becomes less certain. When her brother calls to ask if she will accompany her father on an Alaskan cruise that was supposed to be her parents’ fortieth wedding anniversary trip, Greta has no option other than to say yes. Although her relationship with her father is frayed - he never supported her music career despite her success - this trip is a chance to make things better. Over the course of the one week cruise, Greta meets and develops a relationship with a recently-separated Columbia professor and writer, becomes closer with her father, learns how to live with her grief, and re-discovers her passion for music and performing. This is certainly a lot of growth to take place over the course of one week, and the different issues in Greta’s life appear to be resolved at an expedient time for the movement of the plot. While the book is meant to be uplifting, I think the best writing in this book takes place when Greta and her father discuss and deal with their grief, which felt like honest portrayals of tough issues. Otherwise, the book moved forward predictably, if not a bit conveniently.

Greta James who recently found success with her career as a musician and on the verge of releasing her second album, is dealt a hard blow when her mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly. Before her mother’s death, her parents planned a dream vacation, an Alaskan cruise with their closest friends. On a last minute decision, Greta decides to join her father, only problem is their relationship is not stellar.

On the cruise she meets professor and author Ben Wilder. Ben is separated from his wife, but one thing she knows for sure, is that Ben adores his two daughters. Neither Greta or Ben are in a state of mind to start a relationship, but while on the cruise they develop a close bond.

Of course, the crux of this story is Greta’s relationship with her father. Greta continually feels like a disappointment to him, but here is another truth, he loves his daughter very much.

This is a story of self-healing, reconciling with the people we love. Getting back on that proverbial horse, when all you think is you might fall off again. Of course, there is that wonderful romance element that Smith sprinkles in throughout.

This was a fun palate cleanser after reading some serious books lately. Have fun with this one. Smith will make you feel that you are on that cruise, right along with Greta and her father.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun, witty, and fast read that pulls at your heartstrings. I really liked J. Smith’s, The Unsinkable Greta James, mainly due to its ability to make make you experience the trifecta of smiling, crying and laughing all within the span of 300 pages.

I love how Smith mainly focuses on the relationship Greta has with her father all while experiencing life without her mother who passed unexpectedly, on an even more unexpected trip at sea. Though the majority of the book emphasizes parent-child relationships, Smith throws romance in as an added bonus for the reader and added clarity for Greta. I love Greta’s relationship with the amazing Ben Wilder and wish for a Ben myself, but also respect that Ben and Greta’s relationship didn’t take center stage.

There were scenes that made me laugh and scenes that made me cry (specifically, the “Greta’s Dad” and “Greta’s Mom” scenes… and the Stellar’s Sea Eagle 🥲). I toggle between 4 and 5 stars, but for now Smith earns 4 for a heartfelt read.

I loved Greta James from the minute I started this book. I could immediately envision it cinematically because the writing was so concise and specific without being overbearing. The characters were familiar, yet unique, and the storyline was captivating in its heartbreaking humor. This book made me want to call my parents immediately. I will be recommending this one to everyone I know.

This book has been garnering a lot of buzz. #theunsinkablegretajames #jenniferesmith #netgalley oh y’all. When Greta’s mom passes away unexpectedly and she’s out of the country on tour …. Her and her dad aren’t as close as they want to be/should be. She feels he wishes she was more “stable” like her brother. Married. Kids. Corporate job. But Greta and her guitar have had bigger dreams. Before her mom passed she planned a cruise to Alaska. Her brother tricks her in to going and being with her dad. This trip is about family. Tightening bonds. Grieving the loss of a mom. And so much more. You definitely want to grab this one. It’s all people are saying and more. #ballantinebooks #randomhousepublishing #bookstagrammer #netgalleyreview #readersofinstagram #familybonds #death #love

For a book that handles really heavy topics, “The Unsinkable Greta James” still manages to be a true delight 🌞

Greta James is a famous singer-songwriter who agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her father. Her parents had booked the cruise for their 40th wedding anniversary, but her mother died suddenly while Greta was abroad. Greta and her practical, Midwestern dad have always had a fraught relationship, and this cruise really puts it to the test. Along the way, she meets Ben, a separated dad who’s trying to figure out what he wants in life. Sparks fly, even as both Greta and Ben grapple with major life changes.

If you like books with themes of family, loss and romances with significant hurdles to overcome, you’ll love this one. I thought the writing was fantastic and that Smith really captured Midwestern stoicism with Greta’s dad.

(3.5 stars)

A singer on the cusp of the next big step in her career is forced to reset after an embarrassing incident on stage. In her week off, she must learn to connect with an emotionally distant parent and discover her love for music again if she wants to keep moving forward. Author Jennifer E. Smith’s latest book contains refreshing moments of clarity, but some scenes feel a little less developed in The Unsinkable Greta James.

Greta James has achieved her dream: she wanted to be a musician, and that’s exactly what she is. Known for her amazing guitar playing and her unique lyrics, Greta spent years honing her craft so she could reach this place. With her first album behind her and all of the excitement for her second album in the air, it would be easy to assume that Greta’s star has just begun its ascent.

That was before the video that went viral, of course. Not long after the death of her mother, Helen, Greta tries to perform at a concert and has a major breakdown. Her manager is mortified, her publicist is spending day and night doing damage control, and the record label has gotten skittish about what to do with the second album.

Greta just wants to crawl under a rock and stay there. Helen was her number one fan, traveling to her shows and holding up a homemade sign for Greta to see as she performed. The media loved her, and Greta is lost without her.

What’s worse is that her parents were supposed to spend their fortieth anniversary on a cruise. Helen and Greta’s father, Conrad, had planned a lovely vacation with two other couples for a week to the beautiful landscapes of Alaska. No one could have dreamed that Greta’s mom wouldn’t make it.

Conrad decides to go anyway, and Greta’s brother convinces her to go in Helen’s place. Greta would rather get a root canal without anesthesia, but she knows spending time with her father might help their fractured relationship. While Greta’s mom was her biggest supporter, Conrad didn’t approve of Greta’s profession. It didn’t help that her first hit single was about how they didn’t get along.

Helen was always the buffer between them, but now that she’s gone Greta and Conrad find themselves trying to figure out how to be father and daughter again. With nowhere else to go on the cruise ship, they learn that the best parts of their relationship with Helen haven’t gone anywhere. In fact, if they look hard enough, they’ll be able to see Helen there in spirit.

Author Jennifer E. Smith turns from YA novels to adult fiction in The Unsinkable Greta James, and for the most part the scenes work well. Greta shares some three-dimensional moments of clarity about her relationship with her parents and doesn’t just hate her father. When she finds herself attracted to a history professor traveling alone on the ship, Greta recognizes that this could be a one-week fling and that it might be a temporary fix for some very hard feelings.

Less satisfying are the moments between Greta and Conrad later in the book. Greta manages to make impressive emotional strides in her own mind and heart. The scenes with Conrad, by contrast, feel difficult and stilted. While this might be by design early on because of the past, at some point it feels like Greta has made more progress with her dad than he has with her. The end, then, is harder to accept given how distant Conrad has been for the majority of the novel.

The book definitely carries echoes of a YA novel with a similar texture and style, and some readers might find that some of Smith’s secondary characters approach the line of stock character rather than real people. Still, the novel is a fairly enjoyable, if mostly predictable, read all the same.