This book was my most anticipated read of 2022, and now it has become my favorite book of the year. I know it's only February, but if you know, you know.

The quality of this story was so enormous that I felt like I'd been knowing Nina and Ollie for years, for ten books already. Their personalities were so defined, so intense and deep, that it feels as if they're real people. Especially Nina... she was delightful. I already loved her in LOVE, LISTS AND FANCY SHIPS, but being inside her mind was something else. She's one of the most complex heroines ever. I fell in love layer after layer of her character. She's so funny and genuine, but also, deeply damaged, and knowing her fears even before she faced them made her extremely lovable.

Ollie... OLIVER JOSEPH DUNNE. I want him to exist right now. He was... perfect. (Also, not revelant for his personality but it was so refreshing to see a shorter than 6ft hero!). Even though the book is narrated from Nina's POV, I feel like I got to know Ollie as deeply as Nina. After reading romance novels for years, I find it hard to get to know the heroes the same way if the books are single POV, but Sarah has managed it. I think it speaks volumes about her gift for writing.

Now, to the spoilery part of the review. I thought this would be a second chance romance. I did NOT expect Chapter 4. At all. This went from second chance to marriage of convenience to marriage in crisis, and I loved every single minute of it. I was happy with second chance, but this? This was a masterpiece. A heartbreaking one. I felt a hand squeezing my heart a bit more with every chapter I read. By Chapter 16, my heart was shattered. I love when books do this to me. I want the emotion, the angst, because I know the HEA is extremely rewarding after all the pain. They deserved the happiest ending ever, and it was beautiful.

I won't post this review on social media sites until release day for obvious reasons, but I'll encourage everyone to preorder this masterpiece as frequently as I can. Everyone deserves to read this wonderful story.

Thank you to Berkley and Jessica Mangicaro for my advance review copy!

Rating: 5/5, favorite, must-buy, must-adore, will-love-forever.
Steam: 1/5

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for this eARC. It made my weekend.

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is once again coming for your tears and whoa baby it hurts SO good.

Yacht chief stew Nina Lejune lives for bringing fun into her life and those around her, whether they’re her close friends or the charter guests she serves. It’s the way she’s lived her life for the last decade.

But when her old flame and yacht chef Ollie Dunne gives her an ultimatum — admit she loves him or he’s returning home to Ireland — she’ll have to decide if she’s ready to sink or swim.

OH MY GOSH. I stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish this gem of a story. It oozes angst and heartache but the payoff of this powerful love story — for a soulmate and for yourself — is so worth it. If you’ve read Grunder Ruiz’s debut “Love, Lists and Fancy Ships” your jaw will be on floor with certain twists and being inside Nina’s thoughts will be a surprise and a joy. You’ll want to shake her and give her hug (along with some tough love advice) but it’s all something she has to figure out herself and being along for that is such a gift.

Please please please make this one of your summer reads in 2022.