Excuse me folks, Philippa Young has entered the building and I am not letting her leave!

As we all know, I like to switch it up between Thrillers and RomComs and this book right here exceeded all of my expectations.

I fell in love over and over again.

More Than Shipmates is the PERFECT summer read and this book is going to have everyone buzzing .

I’m usually not a fan of books being turned into a movie or series because it can sometimes ruin the book or not live up to my expectations. However, I NEED to see More Than Shipmates get picked up for a series .

I fell in love with these characters!

If you’re looking for the perfect summer read, this book right here is for you.

Teaser:

Eliza Chapman has never been good enough.

Not to get into drama school, not to hold down a boyfriend, not even to be her insufferable brother’s PA.

But that’s about to change.

Eliza’s enrolled as an entertainment host on a six-month Caribbean cruise, where the motto is “work hard, play hard”. Determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past by mixing work with romance, she swears herself off men completely.

However, when the lines between colleagues and crushes blur and the nightlife puts her in some scandalous situations, Eliza’s efforts to resist temptation are challenged by cheeky American Tom and charming Brit Oscar, who might not be so willing to resist her.

More Than Shipmates is a tension-fuelled, steamy romantic comedy about fresh starts and learning to let love in.

I loved this book!

There was drama, there was banter, there was a love triangle (hot) and there was lots of other spice to be found.

I love it when books go more into friendships as well, and I think Philippa Young did such a great job in that.

If this sounds good to you, please please go and enjoy this! I also cannot wait to read Tom's story!!

Thank you so much to netgalley, as well as the author, philippa young, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

find my review as well on Instagram and goodreads. both are out already!

ARC review: More Than Shipmates by @philippayoungauthor 🩵💛 - 4.5⭐️, 3🌶️
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Fave Quote: “If we were in a show and your voice gave out one night because it was tired from weeks of being pushed to its limits, I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to turn up the next night. But ‘the show must go on’, as they say. I want the show to go on. And I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. I’ll make you hot honey and lemons, I’ll run extra warm-ups, I’ll rehearse with you, I’ll get them to change the key, I’ll sing all of your songs with you night after night until you’re confident again.” He wipes the happy tears from my cheeks with his thumb. “You’re the star of this show, Chapman and without you, there is no show. And before you say it, I refuse to work with an understudy.”
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This is a great debut novel by Philippa! It’s a lighthearted and hilarious contemporary romance of Eliza, escaping her unsatisfactory British life to work on a cruise ship, where she meets two men she’s drawn to! There’s fast and slow burn open door spice, wild sexual hijinx that was so funny to read! AND even though it’s a love triangle romance, it was written so well that you’re not pulling your hair out over it (also I’m proud of myself for picking the right boy 😎) This is a great book I’d recommend if you want a light summer/ vacation read!
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Tropes:
🩵 Love Triangle (Blonde v. Brunette MMC’s)
💛 Forced Proximity/ Co-Workers - Cruise Ship
🩵 Open Door Spice
💛 Triple POV
🩵 Rom Com
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Thank you NetGalley and Summer Stars Publishing Limited for an eARC of this book! This is my honest review!

When Eliza Chapman feels like she's failed at everything in life, she chooses to join a cruise ship entertainment crew where she immediately finds two men pulling at her heart. Of course, she's sworn off of love...

I enjoyed how all of the characters in this story had their own issues they needed to deal with ("no one runs away to sea if everything is great at home"). There were a few times when the push-pull of Eliza and her relationships grated on me, but they seemed like realistic growing pains for twenty-somethings. I liked the descriptions of all the shipboard entertainments and events, especially the Halloween event and Eliza teaching her crewmates how to scare people. And did I mention that this book is very spicy? 🥵

Thank you @NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy.

More Than Shipmates
By: Philippa Young
Romance
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review:
Such a fun read overall. I loved how different and refreshing this was to read. This was my read after my Fourth Wing Hangover and it was a good pick! I loved the characters and the depth we got of them through the book being in 3 perspectives. I loved getting to hear the different voices and personalities from each unique MC. It was mostly from the FMC, Eliza's POV, but we did get a good amount of chapters from the other two MMC.

This book did not have your “normal” romance novel pacing, and I loved that. Really makes this book unique. There were moments of quick romance and an underlying slow burn plot line. I loved both! I thought that this was going to be a thruple situation but I loved how the whole plot turned out. My only issue with this book was there were a few spots that I had to reread to understand context or what was happening, but it did not happen often.

Overall, I loved it! I was hooked by ch 3, and I found myself staying up late getting caught in the “just one more chapter” loop. It was so good I found it hard to put down. Great debut novel!

I would definitely read a second book and I’m glad to see there is one slated to happen!
Thanks NetGalley and Summer Stars Publishing Limited
My opinions are all my own. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for providing me with an eARC of this book!

This was such a strong debut novel! Philippa Young did a fantastic job of creating a cruise ship atmosphere, and I loved the found family vibes between the crew members- I wasn't expecting that and it was such a nice surprise. Tom is absolutely my favorite character from this book. I am such a sucker for lovable goofball characters hiding the dark angry parts of themselves with humor and smiles. Typically I don't really enjoy love triangles, but I think this book did a fantastic job of resolving that in a way that anyone could be satisfied with, no matter what ending you were rooting for. The sexual tension between Tom, Eliza, and Oscar was also just impeccable.

As much as I loved pretty much every character in this book (especially Tom), I really didn't like Eliza much. About halfway to three quarters of the way through the book, I was starting to get frustrated with her woe-is-me attitude and complete inability to properly communicate with both Tom and Oscar. Despite that, I really enjoyed this book- it's a very fun, steamy summer read and I'm really looking forward to reading more of Philippa Young's books in the future!

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Going in I wasn't sure how the love triangle element would play out but I ended up enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the friendships that were built prior to any relationship happening.

All 3 main characters are all kind of running away from their pasts and trying to start afresh on the ship - which does lead to some miscommunication / lack of communication and some misunderstandings. Which was a little frustrating at times but I'm glad with where all the characters ended up and that everything got talked through and they weren't hiding anything at the end.

Overall, I thought this was a really fun book and especially loved the character development for the FMC

- forced proximity
- love triangle
- spicy
- multi pov

2.75 ⭐ I don't really know what this book was trying to do...

... whatever it was, it didn't work for me. I read this book a week ago. I wanted to sit and think on what I would write in this review because, to be honest, when I finished reading the book I more confused than when I started. This book's main selling plot is OM drama. Which I didn't know or I would have never picked it up. There's 3 POVs- one is the fmc, and the other two are from the two guys who are interested in her. She goes back and forth between them, both physically and emotionally, and we get their POV too so it's so confusing when she finally has to choose just one.

The whole life on a ship thing was fun, and the spicy activities they got themselves into were hilarious and I'm all for mixing things up. But everyone felt either too immature or too selfish to thrive on an environment where you have to live with your co-workers for up to six months.

Overall, this wasn't for me, but maybe it could appeal to someone who likes this "who will she choose" types of books. I'm just a fan.

⭐⭐.75 / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

Thank you so much Net Galley for the eARC! This review has already been posted on Goodreads.

A sweet romance with plenty of steam makes this the perfect beach read for you to enjoy the day away with! Don't be fooled by the words "sweet romance" though as there is more at play than just the romantic endeavors of the cast in this book. It is a journey of finding yourself and believing in yourself while finding what makes you happy with a humorous twist. I really enjoyed this read and hope to have more stories for the surrounding shipmates to entertain me in the future! It would be a great way to take a cruise for someone like me, who actually has no intention of setting foot on a cruise ship! This is one ship, that I did thoroughly enjoy!

2.5/5 🌟
2/5 🌶


Eliza Chapman enrolled in a Caribbean cruise where she mentally agrees to be single for the time being. While on the ship, she meets two colleagues, Tom and Oscar, both of which she starts to develop feelings for.

This book was overall cheerful and light. It's a fun summer read to get me in the spirit for vacationing.
Eliza was a likable character who was trying her best to find her place within the world and ultimately among the ship.
This book was very comical and sometimes felt a bit over the top. From someone who's been on a cruise ship, I have to say that Philippa Young knew how expressive the entertainment workers are which was portrayed nicely in Oscar, Tom, and Eliza's cruise personalities.

For some, a love triangle can be unrealistic and a bit annoying, but I think that Philippa did a good job at making the reader feel the same emotions Eliza had when it came to her crushes on both guys.

Overall, a cute read with some light fun and steamy scenes.

Once you read this book, your realize how hot Sardines can become! There was a lot of chemistry between characters and I was left on my toes not knowing whom Eliza, the entertainment hostess would choose amount her Cruise cohort. Eliza is tempted by two of her ship mates, Tom and Oscar. She cannot seem to get away when she is always forced to be around either the residents on the cruise or her team. The pressure is on especially when Eliza cannot resist temptation anymore. But whom will she choose?

This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would rate this a 3 out of 5 but the chili factor/steaminess was a perfect 5!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
first, i wanna say thank you to @netgalley & summer stars publishing limited for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

i have to say, i don't think i've ever read a book with a cruise ship setting. so i loved that unique aspect of the setting! i loved the drama and passion that came with the plot. the character development of the FMC was well done. the lack of stars for me personally comes from the "love triangle"….. ¡just have such a hard time with this trope and i don't enjoy it as much as others. as well as the dual/multiple POV. again, something that i struggle with if it's not done well. it just confused me more. all in all a fun, spicy, summer read! pretty fun with 2 MMC's!

I have no idea what life is like as a cruise worker so this one was a fun read for me! I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles but some of the stuff had me giggling a lot. I liked that it was multiple perspectives but didn’t quite understand why we were reading from all three of them unless it was a why choose. Certainly was way more spicy than I was expecting! Just a little long for me.

OH MY GOD, THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!
Think Below Deck reality but on a bigger and steamier scale - a cruise ship.

I love cruises so much, so when I saw this book was released, I had to pick it up ASAP on NetGalley. I have never read a book like this before, and it surprised me in every single way, the best way that is. I am not a fan of love triangles, but this one blew my mind. Don't be put off by the triangle, I mean, there is a Bermuda Triangle as well.

I love the forced proximity of the small cabins, workplace romances, and all the twists and turns Eliza took in making the right decision.

The games were such a fun addition, and it really reminded me of Devils Night by Penelope Douglas in a less problematic and more innocent way.

Mark my words, Phillipa Young is one to watch! The writing is so funny, easygoing, relatable, and flowing. I loved every single chapter!

Now pick it up and book that vacation I know you wanna go on.

Big Thanks to Summer Stars Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.

Philippa Young does not disappoint in her debut novel More Than Shipmates. The predominantly follows Eliza, who in an attempt to redirect her love for being an Entertainer joins the crew of a Cruise ship. On board, she must navigate a new world of high-energy performance, friends, parties, close-quarter living, and romance.

Overall the book has a bit of a Dirty Dancing meets Animal House feel as it melds together the fun of naked party shenanigans with Eliza, Oscar, and Tom's individual introspections, personal growth, and navigating of friendships and romance. Musical Theater Enthusiasts will get a real kick out of this book as Eliza and Oscar are both musical theater nerds and performers and the books make numerous references to classic and new works.

This is a definite “add to your summer TBR list” book. 5/5
While Eliza does get down to some OpenDoor business pretty quickly, the actual romantic relationship in the book is a bit of a slow burn. And it's a good one. 3/5 on the spicy level.

Tropes or Themes : Forced Proximity, Love Triangle, Romcom, Workplace, Cruise Boat, Musical Themes.

I wish the book had listed some Trigger Warnings :
discussion of long-term terminal illness and death of a parent (and subsequent grieving)
cheating
sexual kinks including dom/sub, choking, public sex, name-calling:
-discussion of long-term terminal illness and death of a parent (and subsequent grieving)
-cheating
-sexual kinks including dom/sub, choking, public sex, name-calling

Currently, this is a stand-alone book. But our odd man out will find love in a follow-up novel!

Thank you to the publisher and author for giving me an e-arc of this book!

I feel quite conflicted with my feelings about this book. While there are parts I was throughly enjoying, there were also parts that I found myself struggling to continue. I think the main issue that was keeping me from obsessing over this was the length. Around the 50% mark, I was struck with the feeling of not making any progress or our characters making progress. Then that feeling happened again around 85% and again at 95%.

While the characters of Eliza, Oscar, and Tom are intriguing characters with differing personalities that help them come to life on the page, their journey to the relationship and happy ending felt like it was being thrown unnecessary obstacles. Eliza's struggle to overcome her mistrust after her ex had cheated on her made a lot of sense and felt quite relatable. However, when it came to Tom and Oscar's character development, it was as if there was a lot being crammed in and not enough space for them to develop even though there's nearly 500 pages of them. Moments where I was hoping for more clarification or insight into their lives were rushed and explained away in a brief paragraph. The first time Oscar and Eliza have a moment, it's hurried through and not given the detail I was expecting from previous spicy scenes. It was a back and forth between getting that explanation and then being thrown into a paragraph that gave the reader small pieces to catch to learn about these characters.

When I was finally at that ending, where everyone has worked out their lives and is happy, and that final line that should leave the reader with a smile because the characters have made it to their happily ever after, there were two more chapters after it. It left me going, "but that was the perfect line to end it, why are we going through more?" and that feeling happened again after another chapter ended in the same way.

Overall, while I enjoyed parts, this book really had me struggling to get to the end, which was disappointing since I was so excited to be given an arc.

This is a divine workplace romance that had my tummy full of butterflies. From the very first page, I fell in love with the characters, specifically Tom, and felt totally at home in the world Young created. It all felt so real.

The protagonists in this novel were so likeable and realistic, making me even more attached to the storyline and the way it developed.

There was an unbelievable amount of spice, which moved the story on impeccably. This was no normal love triangle, it was a blazing one.

I loved every single second of this arc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶🌶

Tropes (crickets ifykyk):
🦗 forced proximity
🦗 love triangle (I promise it's a lot better than other ones!)
🦗friends to lovers
🦗workplace romance
🦗LGBTQIA representation

This book was very exciting for me for a lot of different reasons, but I have to say... I NEED NEED NEED a physical copy of this book to add to my book trophy collection!!! This was also my first ever ARC book, so thank you, Philippa, for the opportunity! I usually hate reading on my phone, laptop, or iPad, but I could not put my phone down. Going downstairs? I'm risking my life reading More Than Shipmates on my phone.

The characters all had an important role and were so cohesive that there wasn't a character out of place. Eliza, Oscar, and Tom are in a love triangle, but it isn't like anything I've read before, which made me love the uniqueness and original story. These characters are so relatable, and I want to be friends with all of them. These characters all have my heart because the author showed a raw and vulnerable side of people we don't usually see in our reality.

The steamy parts of the book had me blushing! I mean... they are definitely more than shipmates; that's for sure *insert dramatic wink*. The storyline was perfectly paced with the perfect amount of details. I wish I had a physical copy to cover in highlighter and sticky tabs because the number of gasps, jaw drops, and squealing can't be kept track of on my phone.

I highly recommend giving this book a read! If you like a "good girl" moment, you should definitely read😏.

This was a wonderful read! Great debut novel. I’m obsessed with the writing style and I literally read this book so fast. The whole setting was fabulous and I actually loved the ‘love triangle’ trope in this book! Philippa Young hit it out of the park with this one!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book!

This book was just spicy fun. It centers on Eliza, who didn’t get into drama school and wanted a change in her life. She applies for a 6 month contract on a cruise ship, because it sounds like something she’d love! On the first day, she meets an American man named Tom in a meet-cute where his luggage spills. She also meets a fellow Brit named Oscar on her first day in a room mix up. She quickly develops feelings for both, and gets herself acclimated to life on a cruise ship.

Having recently taken a cruise myself, this book was fun. Smiling at some of the things they got up to. It was also spicier than most romances I’ve read lately. Not complaining cause it was good! I liked the bisexual rep in the book and how it was celebrated - not looked down on.

I don’t love miscommunication (it’s my least favorite trope and 95% of romances have it in the third act), but the happy ending was done well.

This is a fun, spicy novel perfect for the beach. Enjoy!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.