Get them tissues out cuz this one will tug on those heart strings. For. Sure.

Greta recently lost her mom and jumps in to take her place on an Alaskan cruise w her Dad. She’s still dealing w grief and loss, while trying to navigate a challenging relationship w her father after a lifetime of miscommunication and not seeing eye to eye.

Overall I did enjoy this read! I loved how it ended with things coming around and being open ended at the same time. Here’s some details:
🚢The setting - I don’t like to travel but an Alaskan cruise has always been high on my list.
🖊 The romance - this was a cute bonus to the story and offered some comic relief.
🎸The background - Greta is a rockstar. It was an interesting dynamic in the story working through the tabloids, a public display of loss, feeling unsafe and unsure w the future.
🏡The family dynamics - life and loss is so hard. This books makes it feel almost tangible. I know parent relationships can be hard but couldn’t she have gone into this adventure w an open heart? She was unnecessarily harsh and stubborn w her father; obviously it was hard to watch him not meet her halfway. I mean I understand losing a parent herself is difficult but she was impatient w her father not realizing or seeing anything out of herself. I felt so bad for him, I can’t imagine losing my husband. I don’t know what I’m trying to say but it was hard to watch her lack grace is his moment of epic loss. It was also hard to watch him not soften up for her in her moments of need also. The lesson: COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING AND IT GOES BOTH WAYS. 🤣😩

Tysm Ballantine for the Arc. 💓

Loved this! While Greta has a unique life, her relationships and struggles within are very relatable. I loved the realness. Loved the Alaska pieces too! Now I want to visit.

I really enjoyed this story of a family finding their way through misunderstandings, judgements, parent/adult child challenges when the beloved mother dies. I enjoyed Greta as a character and I was always eager to get back to this book. Very readable and the author does a nice job of letting the reader see and feel where Greta is coming from.. I appreciated that the relationships are complex and that characters remain true to their essence. Good read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Just under 4 stars for me. I found Greta's rock star career path (the ups AND the downs) to be interesting. And I'm always here for drama between fathers and daughters. Throw in a little surprise romance, on a cruise ship no less, and what's not to love?

My only issue is that the book had all this momentum going in the beginning, and then between 70% to 90% of the way through (on my kindle), the book slowed waaaay down. Now we're analyzing allll the feelings and having alllll the flashbacks. It was ok at first, but I got a little bored. I skimmed a lot in those sections, I'll be honest. But I did really like how the book ended. It was a strong, believable, and satisfying ending that I could get behind. So, you know, pros and cons.

What a wonderful feel good story of life, family and love.

I was so impressed with this book and knew I would as I heard amazing feedback from my book friends.

Greta is an artist who is at a low point in her life and career due to the recent and unexpected death of her mother.
We follow Greta as she joins her father on an Alaskan Cruise for a week. She thinks she is doing hun a favor, but she ends up facing her own demons and mending her relationship with her father on the boat, I mean ship (hahaha you’ll get that when you read it!)

My favorite part was the relationship between Greta and Ben Wilder. He was adorable—a self proclaimed nerd who wrote a novel on Call of The Wild and Jack London. He was exactly the tonic she needed to mend her heart and examine the relationships in her life.

This story did not have crazy plot twist and turns but it really hit home. There was so much self reflection but also spoke to how strangers can help us heal and life brings us the people we need very unexpectedly.
This was a phenomenal story and I was so glad I read it!

I enjoyed this story which explores grief and relationships within the family. The setting of a cruise ship worked well for the narrative and the voice of Greta felt authentic. I thought the handling of processing and living through grief was well done.

The Unsinkable Greta James (contemporary fiction)
Rating: really enjoyed

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the gifted digital advanced copy. All opinions are my own & full review on bookstagram to come.

This book was a healthy mix of being both plot and character driven. I loved Greta's character and thought she was a breath of fresh air. She's a mid/late 30s rock star who knows who she is and what she wants out of life... until her mom passes away and everything changes. She has an emotional breakdown on stage that goes viral and now she's kind of lost. After that, Greta takes a break from performing for several months while she grieves, and agrees to go on a cruise to Alaska with her dad - who originally planned this trip with Greta's mom.

This book was refreshing because it featured a "non-traditional" female lead that knows she doesn't need a partner or kids to be happy in life. She's open to it if it happens, but not actively searching and knows that she is in control of her own happiness. The way the plot progressed felt so realistic and made Greta's struggles so relatable. The setting of an Alaskan cruise was beautifully described, and made me want to book one of my own! Definitely a place I'm officially convinced I need to visit, thanks to this book.

The Unsinkable Greta James was an unexpected delight, perfect for fans of Daisy Jones and other books about musicians in general.

Greta James is a talented rock star who has won over audiences with her insightful lyrics and amazing guitar playing skills. Winning her father’s approval, however, has
proved to be much harder. Growing up, Greta and her dad would butt heads, her father wanting her to settle down, have a family, and get a “real” job. In contrast, her mother was always her biggest champion, encouraging her to follow her dreams and eagerly attending her sold out shows.

Then the unthinkable happens and Greta’s mom passes away suddenly. While Greta’s grieving becomes a public spectacle, her stoic father is suffering in silence. Without the buffer of her mother, Greta and her father are at an impasse. So when the opportunity arises for Greta to take her mom’s place on their dream cruise to Alaska, she very reluctantly so agrees. Their week at sea, though, is the real test- will their relationship sink or swim?

Author Jennifer E. Smith does an excellent job of creating detailed descriptions of these flawed characters. While I grew to appreciate Greta, it was in tandem with her own self awareness. Most of the novel she comes across as selfish, but there is an element of well developed redemption. In fact, it’s the attention to detail that grabbed me in this story, which also perfectly captures the awe and wonder of the Alaskan landscape. As with most books where music is a central character, I found myself wishing I could listen to the fictitious tunes.

All in all, The Unsinkable Greta James is a well written story about self discovery and second chances that I strongly suggest setting sail with.

This book captured me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down! It is heartfelt and delightful. Almost the entire book takes place in the course of one week on an Alaskan cruise, where Greta has joined her parents’ friends and her father in wake of her mothers sudden passing. Greta is at a crossroads and Smith does a wonderful job of weaving together the various threads of upheaval in Greta’s life: a career crisis, a fraught paternal relationship, and recent breakup. The writing is wonderful and avoids easy tropes. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this book.

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith is an emotional story with a gorgeous setting. As a big fan of the author’s YA books, I was excited for this adult debut, and the cruise ship setting and family dynamics did not disappoint. While I had some issues with the pacing at certain points, this one is still an enjoyable read with themes of healing and reigniting one’s passion.

After a video of her having a breakdown during her latest show goes viral, indie musician Greta James is in need of a getaway. So, when she receives an invitation to accompany her father on a cruise through Alaska–the cruise he had planned to share with Greta’s mother before she passed away–Greta reluctantly agrees and takes this as an opportunity to try and mend their tense relationship. On board, Greta meets Ben, a Jack London expert with an uncertain future of his own, and she slowly starts to regain her confidence. However, with her future looming after the cruise, she must decide how to move forward, both with her music career and her personal life.

❀ WELL-DEVELOPED MAIN CHARACTER

I found Greta’s character well developed, and the emotions she feels are vividly described. While she is a talented musician, her father does not approve, and the way this is balanced with Greta’s mother, who was her biggest supporter, broke my heart. Greta is left without the person she leaned on most, and her grief is conveyed really powerfully through her memories of her mother’s love. The family dynamics in this book are really well done, and I was especially touched by Greta working to mend her relationship with her father and prove herself as successful.

❀ SLOW PACING

While I enjoyed the premise of this book, I had some issues with the pacing that affected my enjoyment. The plot is slower paced than I was anticipating as the author really focuses on delving into the emotions behind every scene and building complex characters. I appreciated such a well-written read, but for me, I found that this slowness made the book drag in places while other aspects somehow feel rushed, like Greta’s relationship with Ben and the resolution with her father. However, while this one has a slow start, this is something I was mostly willing to overlook because of the rich prose and the gorgeous Alaskan landscape.

❀ AN EMOTIONAL STORY

The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smithis an emotional story of healing. I adored the premise of a cruise through Alaska, and the main character is complex. At some points, the pacing felt a little off, but the emotional prose and scenic descriptions mostly made up for this. Those looking for something with both hard-hitting topics and moments of lightness will enjoy this one.

This book.

This. Book.

Sad and hopeful and funny and heartbreaking all at the same time. I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while, so when I saw it on NetGalley, I immediately requested a copy.

Greta James is on a cruise ship in Alaska with her father, Conrad – the cruise he was supposed to have been on with her mother, celebrating their 40th anniversary. Over the course of the weeklong cruise, they grapple with their grief and feelings of guilt over her mother’s unexpected death. They also struggle to reconcile the tense relationship they have with each other. Conrad has never understood Greta’s decision to pursue a career in the music industry and Greta has lashed back at him in her songwriting.

This book definitely made me cry at some parts and laugh out loud at others. Goodreads has this characterized as “Chick-Lit” – probably because of the romance between Greta and another passenger on the ship, Ben – but I reject that. I think the romance was a way to help Greta get through her issues and not over them. It wasn’t the point of the story, just a chapter in the journey. In fact, spoiler alert, the romance is left open-ended and it’s 100% ok. This book is more about Greta and her dad coming to terms with each other and finding a way to move on together, without her mom.

And the scene at the end, where she finds a familiar face in the crowd during her concert. Come on! Tears for sure.

Try not to devour this book in one sitting. Take your time with it. And I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This book is heavy and sad. There are some lighter moments too but it is very real about death and how different we all grieve.
Greta James is a singer/songwriter/guitarist. She has worked hard her whole life to make her dream of performing come true. Her mom was her biggest fan, attending most of her concerts and bringing with her a sign to show she was there and how proud she was of her daughter. Greta does not have the same relationship with her dad. He doesn't like her lifestyle and wants her to have a regular 9-5 job that is more stable and secure. Greta's brother feels like he is the perfect child because he has a job, a wife and three kids. Greta struggles with not being able to please her dad and also chasing after her dreams. She likes what she does and she likes how she lives. She has nothing to tie her down and is able to do what she wants, when she wants.
While in Berlin at a concert she gets a call from her dad that changes her life. She doesn't rush home because she doesn't realize the severity of the issue. She lives with regret at not being there.
Her mother had planned to take an Alaskan cruise for her 40th anniversary with two other couples. She had planned if for months but not Greta's dad is going by himself. Her brother can't go so Greta ends up going to take the place of her mom.
This book is great about showing how relationships are difficult but there is opportunity for healing. Greta and her Dad are forced to confront their issues and work through some differences. In the end, they both come to a greater understanding of each other.

There were moments when I felt it was slow but overall, it was a great book.

“Without even trying, simply by moving forward, you end up doubling down on the life you’ve chosen.”

Rock star Greta James agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her estranged father after her mother dies. This book deals with grief, loneliness, pursuing your dreams, and reconciling familial differences - all in what I think is a really lovely way. I definitely cried in some spots.

What I appreciated most about this book is Greta’s self-assuredness in her life choices. Of course she can sometimes feel left behind when everyone else her age are having kids, or lonely without a partner when that’s what her father expects from her. But she ultimately decides that she’s okay with where she is - she has her dream job and enjoys the perks of being single when she isn’t in a relationship. It was refreshing to see.

The romance here is left in a vague place, and I actually appreciated this. Greta and nerdy Ben were cute together, but they definitely have a lot of issues to overcome if they are going to work out. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. I imagine Greta will be okay either way.

Such a lovely book about loss and redemption. Greta is a wonderful, complicated character. Her relationship with her dad is tenuous at best. Her mother and father had planned an Alaskan cruise with a couple of their friends. Her mother dies suddenly and Greta takes on the extra ticket. She needs some time away after a very public breakdown on stage. (She is a singer/musician) Greta and her dad don't ever seem to agree so it is a very cold trip, literally and figuratively, but thank goodness for meeting Ben Wilder, the Jack London fanatic and author who is lecturing on the trip.

It was a pure joy to see how Greta and Conrad work out their relationship. They are both so stubborn and without the buffer of her mother and the writing of a certain song, things are really rocky. Underneath it all though, you can really feel the love. I loved the relationship between Greta and Ben. It was meet cute and got even cuter as time goes on. I enjoyed how things played out and closed the last page with an ultimate hope and good feeling.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for a copy of this book for review.

I went on an Alaska trip this past summer, and if it weren't for that, there's no way I would have given this book a chance. I'm so grateful for that trip because I really enjoyed this book. It's "romance light" as I like to call it. It's a part of the story, but the father/daughter relationship was SO incredibly touching. I'll be gifting this to everyone I went on the trip with and recommending it widely!

Gah! I LOVED this book. Let me tell you why.

- Takes place on an Alaskan cruise. I got to remember mine and wish I was sleeping in my cabin with the door open and the cold air rushing in to keep me snuggled under the covers.
- There's a grumpy old man in the book, the Dad. And he's awesome and lovable and sad and curmudgeonly, and just someone I want to love.
- Group travel! Trials and tribulations abound. Personally experienced this and both love and hate it!
- The love of old books.

Okay, Greta is a rock star guitarist and her mom passes away and she's coerced into taking a cruise with her dad that had been in the works for years. Oh, and their hometown neighbors and best friends, who also happen to be the father of her "friends with benefits" guy in NYC.

This sounds like so much to take in, but it's absolutely a book about love and family and forgiveness and growth.

Highly recommend to one and all!

This book was such a delight! I absolutely adored the setting and found myself really rooting for Greta as she worked through the loss of her mom, her relationship with her dad and her career speed bump. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this story and flew through it - but was sad to have it end! Highly recommend!

This was an incredibly touching and real story about love and loss. Greta James is an indie musician who recently lost her mother and subsequently had a meltdown on stage. She goes on an Alaskan cruise with her father, whom she has had a difficult relationship with since she made music her career. The cruise was supposed to her parents 40th anniversary trip. Throughout the weeklong cruise, Greta deals with the loss of her mother, her fractured relationship with her father and her own struggles to find love and figure out where she wants to go next with her career. I really enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith's writing and I look forward to reading more by her.

Do you ever read just the right book, at precisely the right time? After a few heavy hitters, I wanted a light-hearted palate cleanser that wasn’t a rom com. THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES fit the bill perfectly.

In the wake of her mother’s death, famed musician Greta James is reeling after a disastrous concert and relationship fallout. She reluctantly sets sail with her father on the Alaskan cruise he had planned to take with her mother to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary.

Greta was fiercely independent and was sure-footed in her life aspirations, which I loved to see. Of course, what would cruising with a bruised heart be without a little romance? I appreciated that Greta’s romantic life wasn’t the star of the show; rather, Jennifer E. Smith explores complicated family relationships, romance, and moving forward after great loss in a thoughtful way.

This story has similar themes to ONE ITALIAN SUMMER and was also reminiscent of SONGS IN URSA MAJOR with the feature of a female musician–both of which I enjoyed.

I read a combination of print and audio (my absolute favorite) and I especially enjoyed the narration of Mae Whitman (any parenthood fans out there?) This is a March @bookofthemonthclub selection and I hope it finds its way into the hands of many readers!

RATING: 4/5
PUB DATE: March 1, 2022

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✨Book Review✨

First of all, thank you to @jenniferesmith and @netgalley and @randomhouse for the eARC of The Unsinkable Greta James.

Greta James is an indie musician on the verge of truly striking it big. Her mother is amazing and comes to as many shows as she possibly can bearing her signature “Greta’s Mom” poster. Her relationship with her dad is more complicated; he might’ve bought her very first guitar 🎸 , but he also wishes she’d pick a more stable career…like her brother, who has a regular 8-5 job, a wife and 3 kids.

Suddenly, Greta’s mom has an aneurysm and passes away. Everyone is devastated. Greta attempts a performance shortly after…and crumples on stage, literally.

Her brother, Asher, convinces her to accompany their dad on the pre-planned Alaskan cruise 🚢 their parents were going on for their 40th wedding anniversary.

This book is mainly the events that take place on board this cruise ship between Greta and her father, amongst others.

This was my very first Jennifer E. Smith book and I thought she grappled with the dynamics of grief and familial bonds extremely well. I definitely recommend this one, which released two days ago on March 1, 2022.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

QOTD: Have you ever taken a cruise?

AOTD: I have not and never really have wanted to, with the exception of an Alaskan cruise. And the sightseeing tours detailed in this book make me want to take one even more!