"The Unsinkable Greta James" by Jennifer E. Smith is the perfect book to read at the beach. It's the beautiful story of a daughter trying to reconcile with her father after her mother's death. Greta is living a life of which her father neither understands nor approves, the life of an indie rock star. Greta's father wishes she was more like his son with the more conventional life of a stable career, wife, and kids. Greta just wants her father to accept her choices and be proud of the success she has found. Greta and her father are forced to confront their differences when they take a cruise to Alaska together, a cruise that was originally supposed to celebrate her parent's anniversary.

I enjoyed this family drama and, as a women who has also chosen an unconventional life, could identify with Greta and the pressure she felt from her family to live a life of which they approved. However, the author usually writes a YA audience, and that could be seen in this adult novel. I was left longing for a bit more character development and depth. Overall, this was a great. lighter read and perfect for the beach.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of this entertaining book.

Title: The Unsinkable Greta James
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Unsinkable Greta James" by Jennifer E. Smith,

My Assessment:

'The Unsinkable Greta' was a good read giving the reader quite a bit to think about long after the read. It was pretty interesting how the brother could get his sister and father together on this ship, with each thinking that the other wanted the other to be on this cruise. The characters were also very well-developed and defined, giving the reader exciting touches as the story played out. The description of Alaska on this tour was simply beautiful in all of the places shared with the reader. The story was well delivered of a female rock star who dealt with her mother's death and a relationship that was quite tough dealing with her father while on this Alaskan cruise. Will these two be able to see eye to eye about how their life had gone so weirdly? To find out how this story will turn out for Greta James, her father, someone else who comes into this story, you will have to pick up this good read to find out what this author has in store for the reader. Would I recommend it? YES!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The famous musician Greta James has had a rocky relationship with her father, but she’s always had her mom in her corner. After her mother passed away, Greta gets guilted by her brother into taking her mom’s place on an Alaskan cruise with her dad.

This novel shows the complexity of family relationships. How a father can love his daughter without understanding her. And how a lack of a father’s acceptance/encouragement can shape a daughter.

This book was a beautiful look at how grief shapes us. How it pushes people apart and can bring them together.

I loved that Greta wasn’t your typical female character. Her world doesn’t revolve around a relationship and she doesn’t really want kids. She’s independent and selfish in ways that society tells women they can’t be, but they should.

Trigger warnings: loss of a parent

There is nothing better than going into a book with zero expectations and LOVING it! I couldn’t put this down - it was a great escape from reality (and let’s be serious, nothing good is on the news these days!) And made those 4:30am wakeups less daunting! The writing is smooth and uncomplicated - the characters are very complicated. The family dynamics, relationships between characters and overall growth of everyone in the book is incredible. The book is anything but dull and you want to keep reading to discover what more can happen between the cast of characters.

Greta James, an indie musician, finds herself on a cruise to Alaska with her dad, Conrad, after her mother dies. Greta had an onstage meltdown and needed to escape. Conrad and Greta have never seen the world through the same glasses. Will Greta and Conrad be able to heal old wounds and build a relationship without her mother around to assist? And will Greta find love on the ship?

This book will make you laugh, cry and want to pull your hair out. You will be rooting for the characters - although at times not sure exactly how you want their lives to turn out. You just want them to find happiness.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copies!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

Jennifer E. Smith is a favorite YA author of mine and I was so excited to see her try out a new genre. The Unsinkable Greta James is a heartwarming, sweet story of a woman trying to come to terms with her grief and to reach out to her estranged father. Greta is an up and coming indie musician when her mother’s passing upends her life. She decides to finally attempt to make amends with her father and accompanies him on an Alaskan cruise, which was meant to be her parents’ 40th anniversary trip.

This book is a quiet, moving story that analyzes many different types of relationships. It makes the reader look back on their life and how they relate to those they love. Greta is an excellent main character that you are immediately invested in. I can see this being a hit with book clubs.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read this author's books in a long time, but I really like her writing. This was a pleasant surprise. I liked the way the dilemmas between father and daughter were developed and I loved the relationship between the story and the title. Very well chosen.
I was just a little frustrated with the ending.

After the death of her mother, popular indie guitarist Greta James finds herself on a week long Alaskan cruise with her father, Conrad - the last place either of them wants her to be. The cruise was supposed to be an anniversary trip between her parents and Greta's brother insist their father not be alone. Plus, after falling apart on stage shortly after her mother died, Greta's career is in jeopardy and she has to learn where to turn next.

Throughout the book we see glimpses into Greta's tough relationship with her father - his unwillingness to take her career seriously, and her inability to forgive him for it. We also see the beginning of a relationship between Greta and fellow passenger Ben who, himself, is facing an uncertain future after a separation from his wife.

With the backdrop of beautiful Alaska, Greta, Ben, and Conrad must face the heartbreak they've endured and learn how to move forward once the ship docks.

I really, really loved this one. Greta is an incredibly likeable character that you just want to be friends with. You feel the pain she's feeling at the loss of her mother, who was clearly her number one fan as well as the crushing disappointment at the relationship she has with her father. The relationship between Greta and Conrad felt so realistic to me, as someone who has struggled with her father throughout her life. Conrad is clearly in a world of pain after his wife died and you are just rooting for him to make up with his daughter to find some sort of happiness in the days after the cruise. And then there's the romance between Greta and Ben. Though you know it's coming, it still feels like such a sweet treat. And the way that they begin to open up to one another felt true - when you think you'll never see someone again, why not tell them everything about you? Overall, I loved this one and highly recommend it.

This book was talked about on episode 21 of the Reading Through Life podcast, "12 Books to Put On Your Radar" and will also be talked about on a Patreon episode.

I have read two other books by this author and have loved them all. She balances drama and happiness so deftly and takes me on a journey that stays with me for awhile. Greta was an interesting character. Her first love is playing the guitar and everything in her life has taken a back seat to her commitment to be the best. Her father has spent her life worrying that she is choosing something that is doomed to bring her heartbreak, and despite her success he can’t help but lecture and push her to take a safer route. It’s actually kind of sweet if you think about it, but super frustrating as well. When she meets Ben, he becomes a safe place for her to escape from her complicated emotions surrounding her mother’s death and her feelings for her father but as the days pass she realizes that he is going through his own mixed up life and their vacation romance may be just that.

One of my favorite side characters is a young girl on the ship who idolizes Greta. She makes a great contrast to where Greta was in her childhood and where she is now in her own life. By helping this girl with her own guitar playing she gives her something that she never received in return. I thought that was a really neat circle of life moment that tied the drama in the book together really well and added moments of joy that I can’t say were missing but were only sprinkled sparingly through the book. It’s funny how having those brighter moments makes the contrast that much greater, isn’t it?

This was a very well planned, well executed novel. I really need to go back and read through Jennifer E. Smith’s backlog of books. I bet there are quite a few other nuggets of gold to be discovered.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest.

An emotional, heartfelt read! Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. Greta and Ben were dynamic characters that I loved but I didn’t care much for Conrad. I wanted him to support his daughter and her lifestyle more, he was a bit of a bummer. The author did a fantastic job bringing the Alaskan setting alive in this book, adding a lot of details, which I appreciated. I would have loved an epilogue a bit further into the future. I would have enjoyed knowing what happened with Ben and what direction he decided to go in with his life.

Thank you Net Galley and Ballantine for an ARC in return for my honest review!

At the start of this novel, it’s been a few months since indie rocker Greta’s mother died unexpectedly, and she has been in a bit of a professional and personal slump as a result. Her brother asks her to accompany their dad on the Alaskan cruise her parents were supposed to go on together, which she is reluctant to do since they’ve long had a rocky relationship. Will the cruise give them a chance to work on their relationship, and can it help Greta move forward with her life too?

I just loved this one! I have been really into music books and this one continued that streak, plus it had believable characters, was a great family drama, a beautiful meditation on grief, and even had a touch of romance. I read one of Jennifer E Smith’s YA books a few years ago and it was cute, but in her adult debut, she had really brought so much depth as well, and I was all teary finishing it up.

The Unsinkable Greta James tells the story of Greta and her relationship with her father. It is amazing how one person can shape your life, even when you think you are being independent. Greta and her father spend a week together on a cruise ship. Between their disagreements you get to learn a lot about the sights in Alaska! Most everyone could learn something about communication from following their progression from misunderstanding each other to finding their comfort zone with each other.

I thought this was boring, the characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue wasn't well-written. There was too much focus on an insta-love romance, when there should have been more focus on the relationship between the main character and her dad, since that's what this book is supposed to be about.

On the eve of publication for this book, I just saw that it is now a BOTM pick and I'm sure it will be widely read. It's a fun read that takes a little while to develop, but has good characters and covers some familiar themes within a less common narrative. The main character, Greta James, is a relatively famous musical artist (she has a set at Governor's Ball) yet deals with some very relatable issues through the novel. And, if you are like me, you will probably be thinking of what real-life artist to compare her to throughout the novel. The best I could come up with was a more folk rock version of Taylor Swift (maybe if all her music was like folklore and evermore), but others may have other comparisons. Regardless, this isn't a Daisy Jones type or similar novel focused on performances, touring, or musical stardom at all, and it is more focused on overcoming loss, shared grief, and father-child relationships in adulthood. As I previously mentioned, definitely common and relatable themes! Yet, despite those heavy topics it is somehow still a fun escape for the most part as well and is definitely one I would recommend.

If I had to describe this book in three words, I would say funny, heartwarming and tender. Greta is one of the most genuine, real and likable characters I’ve encountered in some time. The people who surround her are also very real. These people aren’t perfect. They’re you, they’re me, they’re people we encounter every day and they experience the same things we do every day. This truly is a special book. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Jennifer E. Smith for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

What I Liked: This was a lovely, realistic portrayal of grief and familial relationships that had me smiling one scene and tearing up the next. I found Greta to be a sympathetic character, even when she was making decisions that I didn’t agree with or found frustrating. One of the things I liked most about this book was the acknowledgement that everyone grieves differently and that we need to allow people the time and space they need to work through their emotions at their own pace. Greta sees her “meltdown” as weak and potentially career damaging, but it takes the time spent and discussions had with Ben and her dad for her to realize how needed that moment was for her to being to heal. The relationship Greta has with her dad was heartbreaking and I found myself wishing they could say to each other what they really wanted to without it turning into a fight. But isn’t that how life is? Especially when the parent and child are both adults with their own lives and ways of seeing the world. They love each other but will they ever see eye to eye? I found it touching when Greta would have little moments of worry about her dad getting older even while she was angry with him or feeling like they would never have a good relationship. The relationship between Ben and Greta was cute and it was refreshing to see two adults that treated each other with respect and were open and honest with their feelings. Yes, there are moments of miscommunication and angst but it never falls into unbelievable. I found the ending to be satisfying and even thought I would have liked more, I appreciate an author knowing when and how to end a story.


What I Didn’t Like: I would have liked more interactions and conversations between Greta and her dad because the resolution to their storyline seemed a bit rushed. Their issues had been going on since Greta was a teenager so I would have liked to see them communicate more.

Who Should Read It: I think this would be a good book club pick that will lead to great discussions, especially about parent-child relationships. I would be hesitant to recommend this to anyone who has lost a parent without giving them a warning about the content.

Review Wrap Up: Smith has managed to write a beautiful story about the loss of a loved one without making the story overly sad or depressing. It was heartfelt and joyful and left me with hope. I believe this book will end up on a lot of people’s best of lists this year.

Favorite Quote: “Maybe the point isn’t always to make things last…maybe it’s just to make them count.”

What a lovely, heartfelt book. I loved the characters and the setting and moments of humor. Reminds me of Where'd You Go Bernadette. Jennifer Smith is a talented writer.

The main protagonist, Greta, is an indie rock musician, but this is not a rock star book. Instead, it is a quiet story about a grieving father and daughter who are navigating grief and a fraught relationship without their wife/mom and family compass. They do this on a week-long Alaskan cruise that was to be her parents 40th anniversary trip. Greta must also find a way back to her music after she experienced a breakdown on stage while performing right after her mother's death. On the ship, she encounters a guest lecturer, Ben Wilder, who is also struggling with his own family and career issues. Ben provides perspective and a love interest for Greta as she learns how to move forward in her life, rebuilding her relationship with her father and her career, without her mother. I have mixed feelings about the Ben storyline, but won't elaborate as to not want to give any spoilers.

I found Jennifer E. Smith's treatment of grief realistic. I appreciated that she didn't gloss over the difficulties in repairing old hurts and moving forward in a new landscape. There was a sense of hopefulness and real healing in this book.

3 stars. Thank you to #NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced reader copy.

This is a terrific book. Greta James is a rising indie rock star. When her mother unexpectedly passes away, Greta breaks down during a public performance and the video goes viral. Greta's confidence is shaken, and she is not sure what it means for the viability of her career. A few mothers later, Greta's father, Conrad, is about to embark on the Alaskan cruise that he and Greta's mom had planned to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Prompted by her brother, Greta reluctantly agrees to accompany her dad on the cruise, even though she and her dad have long had a difficult relationship. In the week they spend together on the cruise, Greta and Conrad must see if they can move pass the difficulties that have defined their relationship for the last several years and forge a new connection now that her mom is not available to mediate. Greta also must face how she wants to approach both her career, in the wake of her public embarrassment, and her personal life -- especially after meeting Ben Wilder, a college professor on the cruise to lecture about his recent book.

This was a highly engaging and often emotional read. Greta is a terrific and fully realized character, and the book is one of the best portrayals of living with grief that I have read. The relationships between Greta and her dad, Greta and Ben, and Greta and herself are well crafted. And the author does a great job of making you feel that you are with Greta, Conrad, and Ben in Alaska.

Highly recommended!

The Unsinkable Greta James was an easy, quick read about a woman going on an Alaskan cruise with her father after the death of her mother. Greta and Conrad (her father) have a complicated relationship and this book addresses that tense relationship while the two of them are stuck in a forced proximity situation over the course of the story.

I think this book had a whole lot of potential, though I don't think it was totally fulfilled. It lacked the emotional punch I've felt with other books about strained relationships between parents and their children. Because Greta and Conrad are both so stubborn and so afraid to address their issues head on, it felt like it lacked a lot of emotional depth, and as a reader, I felt like I never got a satisfying explanation for why their relationship was so strained to begin with (to be clear, an explanation was given, but in my opinion it was extremely weak and didn't explain or justify the way Conrad treated Greta growing up). Because the whole book was based around this relationship, I think more attention should've been given to it. There was a romance plotline in this book as well, and while it definitely added something to the story, I wonder if too much focus was given to that plotline, and not enough to the father-daughter relationship. It almost felt as if the book didn't know if it wanted to be a family drama or a light romance, so it tried to be both. The romance was somewhat sweet but also fairly unbelievable.

I didn't think it was a bad book, but if you're looking for a poignant, moving book about the relationship between a father and a daughter, I would say to keep looking. If you're instead looking for a light family drama with a beautiful Alaskan backdrop, then you will likely enjoy this.


Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for the advance e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Unsinkable Greta James is a contemporary, character-driven novel about musician Greta James who is trying to make peace with her mother's sudden death. This is a sentimental story about grief, family, and identity.

I absolutely loved how realistic Greta's story was, how she handled grief, re-kindled her relationship with her father, and found herself again. I loved how the story left off, with hopeful yet open-ended ending!

The romance was a bit of a miss for me, and I struggled to connect with them - ultimately I just felt like the chemistry was missing between them (& struggled with how quickly they fell for each other). I also struggled to understand her father, and how he was so against her career choices.

I liked this one, but didn't love it! It definitely lagged through the middle but made up for it by the end.