This story follows Greta James, an Indie rock musician, who ends up traveling on a cruise with her father. The story slowly reveals their relationship issues and how she has ended up on this cruise. Smith starts with a terrific storyline, but seems to focus on some less necessary parts of the story while not fleshing out others that I wish she had, like Greta’s relationship with her dad. Doing so would have heightened my enjoyment of this book. Overall, Jennifer E. Smith is a terrific writer who I will continue to seek out!
Thanks so much to #Netgalley and #RandomHouse #Ballantine for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this novel.

A study of love and grief, The Unsinkable Greta James is a quiet, beautiful story of a woman trying to find herself again after her world is upended. Greta is an indie rock star who is riding high on the fame she always dreamed of. Then her mother dies suddenly and unexpectedly from an aneurysm, and Greta finds herself unable to sing or play her guitar without breaking down on stage. Her career gets put on hold as she tries to find her way back to her music. She finds herself reluctantly agreeing to accompany her father, Conrad, on the Alaskan cruise that her mother had booked for their 40th anniversary. Conrad has never been a big supporter of Greta's music career, and this has created some resentment that has been festering for a long time. Put them both together on a boat (sorry, a ship) and you know that the long-held hurts are going to bubble to the surface. In some ways, Greta's mother, Helen, is the most significant character in this book. She was always the glue that held Greta's family together, the peacemaker between the stubborn personalities of Greta and Conrad. Helen was the one who convinced Conrad and their close friends to book this Alaskan cruise, which brings all of our characters together.

Greta's story was so eloquently written, and I found myself highlighting whole paragraphs as I was reading. Jennifer E. Smith's prose draws the reader in and encourages us to pull up a chair and listen closely as the story unfolds. I teared up quite a bit and found myself full-on crying a couple of times as I connected emotionally to Greta and her strained relationship with her dad.

And yes, there is a love interest for Greta, and he's sweet and nerdy but he also has his own complicated life back home. I appreciated the way that all played out, although a part of me is still secretly wishing for a sequel. But this book is primarily about the complicated relationship between a father and a daughter, both a bit broken, both mourning the loss of life as it was, both needing each other more than ever but struggling to reach across the chasm between them. It is, quite simply, a beautiful five-star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a quick read, with interesting characters and a fast paced story line set on a seven day Alaskan cruise. Greta James, an indie rock musician with a rising star, has been sidelined since she melted down on stage after her mother's death. Her relationship with her father has been fraught for years, he wants a different life for her and her mother was the balance between them. Together they navigate an anniversary cruise she had planned for and dreamed of for years, and come to terms with their relationship, her influences and eventually Greta's career as well. Ending was a little moreopen ended than I expected or desired, but a day later I'm wholy on board with it! For fans of Bachman, Semple, and similar authors.

Greta James is an amazing guitarist/singer whose mom dies unexpectedly and she has a major breakdown onstage. Her parents were to take a cruise to Alaska for their 40th wedding anniversary, so Greta goes with her Dad knowing it would be too sad for him to go alone. The problem? Greta and her Dad don't get along! The week long cruise is a chance for them to reconnect and heal together. This was a wonderful heartwarming story of family, love, and second chances. I loved Greta and her Dad and honestly all the characters are real and could be anyone you know. It felt like I was on the cruise seeing the sea lions! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

If you’re like me, you may be thinking Ugh. Another book about an indie musician balancing precariously on a breakthrough/breakdown seesaw. Don’t authors have anything else to write about?
And that’s fair. This existential-angst-ridden character has been portrayed ad nauseam, in literary fiction, quirky dramas, and softer, romantic fare alike. But in Jennifer E. Smith’s hands, the tired trope is more like tried and true. The key here is Smith’s ability to create strong relationships. It doesn’t matter that the plot and characters have been done before; the complex relationships that exist between Greta and her father, mother, brother, her new love interest and her ex, the music she plays, the fans, social media lookie-loo’s, and between her true self and her public persona— all are given such detail that, as they’re introduced and then interwoven, there is that magical emotional transference between character and reader.
I love this kind of book, which combines beautiful-but-clear writing with compulsively readable characters. It’s smart, but digestible, and the kind of book I could recommend to just about anyone.

This book really hit me in a way I was not prepared for. I thought I was going into a light, contemporary read, but instead found myself choked up on nearly every page as Greta Jame, up and coming rock star, struggled to connect to her father following her mother’s unexpected death. Oh, and they’re attempting to rebuild their strained relationship aboard an Alaskan cruise. And there is also a love story element.

It sounds like a lot, but Smith is able to expertly thread each needle and let the moments come naturally, if not unexpectedly. It is a lovely novel about grief and acceptance that hit me in all the feels, as the kids say. Do kids still say that? Probably not.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.
This was a quick easy read although it definitely pulled at heartstrings at times. A bit of family drama, a bit of loss, a bit of romance and a bit of self-discovery all rolled into one. My only con to this read is that the family drama seemed to resolve without actually working through it.
Very much enjoyed it!

Wow. I found this story to be incredible. The Unsinkable Greta James was a book that I couldn't put down.

The story follows Greta James who only a few month ago lost her mom. After trying to perform a song she had written about her to a live audience, she has a major breakdown (understandably). Greta takes some time off from music. A few weeks turn into a couple months and she still hasn't announced her comeback.

When she gets a call from her brother asking her to go on the Alaskan cruise that her parents were supposed to go on together to celebrate their 40th anniversary, she is hesitant. She has never had a great relationship with her father, who she feels isn't supportive of her career. She finally breaks down and agrees to go with her dad.

I won't say anymore, but the week is transformative. Every character that Smith throws in has a purpose and I adored them all. I did picture Greta as Daisy Jones, but a lot less problematic. I also love that Smith leaves the ending sort of open. Not necessarily for another book, but just that it's up to us to imagine what happens in Greta's future.

The Unsinkable Greta James is a cute, easy read about indie rockstar Greta James on an unlikely vacation with her dad shortly after they have both suffered an unfathomable loss. While Greta tries to figure out to how restore her career and her dad figures out how to continue on with the rest of his life, these two begin to rebuild a bond while in Alaskan paradise after many difficult years at odds.

Though this book was easy and light, I feel that offering different perspectives of the other characters might have offered a bit more depth. Altogether, an enjoyable read nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow! This book was amazing. Greta James is an indie musician grieving her mother, a lost relationship and her strained relationship with her father when she decides to join her father on a cruise he was supposed to take with her mother. This trip forces Greta to confront her feelings about her mom passing and also to finally talk to her father. Greta made me laugh, cry and cheer in triumph for her. Sometimes being stuck on a boat (ahem, ship!)is just what you need to confront everything you have been running from. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.

I went into this book with such high expectations and WOW did it meet them!! This book was so cozy, it almost gave me late 90’s early 2000’s comfy cozy vibes even though it took place in the present. Greta James is so relatable and probably one of my favorite new comfort characters. This was such a beautiful story of a family coming together after the tragic and sudden death of Greta’s mother. I also literally want to go on an Alaskan cruise more than anything now after having read this book, it sounds so cozy!! The writing style of this book truly blew me away, this was the first book I’ve read by this author and wow!!! I want to read so many more now, I truly loved it and cannot wait to buy a physical copy of this to add to my favorites shelf when it comes out. If you liked Daisy Jones and The Six I’d definitely recommend reading this because it kind of reminded me of that in some ways!!

The Unsinkable Greta James is an indie musician who is devastated when her mother dies suddenly. She decides to take a break from her burgeoning career, so her brother encourages her to go on the Alaskan cruise that their parents had planned for their 40th anniversary. Greta and her dad have always had a strained relationship, but she books the cruise where the only rooms available are interior cabin rooms with no windows. Having been on an Alaskan cruise before, I really enjoyed the backdrop of the cruise and the excursions into Alaska. On the cruise, Greta meets a man who at first is a distraction to spending time with her dad and her parent's friends that are also on the cruise. Greta's life doesn't really allow time for relationships because she keeps different hours and travels quite a bit for her shows. Jennifer E. Smith's characters are well-developed and the layers of their personalties are revealed as the emotional story unfolds. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book.

This book of redemption and forgiveness made my my heart stutter, made it weep, and in the end, made it happy. Greta James is a complex and captivating character, grieving the loss of her mother, and wondering if her career as a guitarist, singer and songwriter is over. All of this is weighing when her down when she reluctantly embarks on an Alaskan cruise with her father, with whom she has a very rocky relationship. This is a very emotional read, poignant and heartfelt, and I was all in for Greta’s journey—her journey to Alaska as well as her personal journey of healing her own heart, as well as her fractured relationships and career.

This was a beautifully written story touching some raw nerves and strong emotions.Greta James is a Guitarist/ Songwriter who is trying to recover from a very public meltdown during her last performance, the first after her mom unexpectedly died of an aneurysm. Scheduled for a new album release and appearance at a large music festival. Prepping and stressing over this when her brother talks her into joining her Dad and two other couples on a Alaskan cruise. This was to be her Mom's dream trip and Dad wants
to go for her Mom.
Greta and her Mom were very close and she was super supportive of her career. Greta and her Dad never seem to mesh with out Mom there to buffer. Can she survive a week on a boat with him?
Will this trip be what they need to connect or will it drive them further apart? Will she regain her MOJO?

Highly recommend, great story. Thank you to Net Galley, the Publishers and Author for chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

Greta James is an indie musician who has a meltdown onstage a week after her mother unexpectedly dies. Her grief is all consuming as she abruptly disappears from the life of tours and concerts. Greta's brother asks her to accompany their dad on an Alaskan cruise that was planned by their mother and was supposed to be their anniversary trip. He thinks it might be just what both their dad and Greta need to deal with their grief. Except that Greta and her father don't get along too well. Greta's unconventional life is disappointing to her father.

Amidst the Alaskan landscape and the confinement of the cruise ship, Greta finds an unlikely friend. Through some uncomfortable situations with her father and an unexpected fan on the ship, Greta slowly processes her grief, tackles the distance between her relationship with her father and begins to forge a way to the life she was meant to live.

This was such a heartwarming story with raw emotions. I loved Greta's character and her stubborn and difficult father. I read it in a little over a day because I just couldn't put it down. Definitely enjoyed this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advance readers e-copy of this book. It will be released on 3/1/22. This review can also be found on Goodreads and on IG @maria.needs.to.read

Greta James, a rock star, must come to grips with musical and family tragedies. Set on an Alaskan cruise which she takes with her father after her mother suddenly dies. Why has she always been disconnected from her father? And felt loved by her mother? Why has she chosen from an early age the path of guitar playing and why has her career fallen apart just as her father predicted?

Used to playing in packed arenas, Greta is far from the public eye. While on the cruise she meets an unassuming historian, Ben Wilder, who is also struggling with his life. For readers who have ever struggled with their direction in life and choices they’ve made, who have wondered about where they were going, why the love some people more and others less, who love music and history and scenery – this book is for you. If the Call of the Wild has ever called you, join Greta and Ben in a wonderfully written, emotionally complete story of how our choices impact us throughout life. Maybe it’s time for a moment of introspection in your life too.

I'm not sure where to start with The Unsinkable Greta James, but I absolutely adore this book! I've not read anything else by this author, but I'm so happy I read this one!

Not only are the characters amazing ~ so real, filled with the angst, love, confusion, and soul that all of us are ~ but the family dynamics and even friend dynamics make for a wonderful read.

If you are looking for a great book that will make you thankful for the best people in your life and even those that aren't the best, but someday could be, this is the read for you. If you are having difficulty with relationships, pick this up. I could go on, but I think you get it. Pick this up!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC at my request. My thoughts are my own and happily shared.

⚓"Ahoy there!" Are you looking for a great heart touching romance novel? "The Unsinkable Greta James" will totally take you on the sweetest adventure ever!

It's been 3 months since Greta lost her mom Helen. Helen died unexpectedly, leaving a huge gap in the family. Helen had booked a cruise for her and her husband Conrad to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Sadly, Helen passed away before they could make the trip, leaving Greta to go in her place. Greta and her dad do not get along.

Greta is a mega talented rockstar. While Helen was her biggest fan, Conrad does not agree with Greta's lifestyle and is very vocal about it. Will this trip end in disaster? Will Greta and her dad be able to tolerate each other for an entire week together on an Alaskan Cruise?

This story will make you laugh and cry, but then... don't the best books always do that? I really enjoyed the depth of the story. Plus, I love books about musicians or cruise ship vacations. Both together with romance thrown in is totally over the top! It's like having ​ice cream with a big fat cherry on top!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for allowing me to review this delicious e-book. It is totally delightful! "The Unsinkable Greta James" by Jennifer E. Smith, will be published March 1, 2022.

Rockstar, Greta James, has a rocky relationship with her father, and the sudden loss of her mother has thrown her life upside down. Under coercion from her brother, she decides to join her father on the Alaskan cruise her parents had booked with their closest friends.

I really enjoyed this one, even with the heavy content. While it deals with grief, it also deals with breaking down walls of familial relationships and opening your heart to new experiences. I cried happy and sad tears while reading this and marveled at how beautiful Alaska sounds. I also realized I need to read more from this genre—it was lovely!

Thank you Ballentine & Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

(Will post on Instagram closer to pub day.)

3.5 rounded up 🌟

“…the life he wants for her is fundamentally different from the life she wants for herself, and music is the boat that’s forever carrying her away from it.”

This heartwarming story combines themes of fame, family and forgiveness. As a child of the 70s, my bias for a good indie musician story is absolute, and this one layers in some very likable (maybe predictable) characters. A quick read which may have you humming along to your personal soundtrack, will check all the boxes for many beach and poolside readers this coming season.