Such a cute rivals-to-lovers YA romance set against the backdrop of an Alaskan cruise! After play-it-safe, STEM-loving Savannah is publicly dumped by her boyfriend on the last day of school & accused of being boring, she decides her chance to try new things and maybe win Caleb back can happen if she steps out of her comfort zone on an Alaskan cruise that's provided by her mother's employer. Tanner, her rival and the son of her parents" best friends, is also along for the vacation, and despite his popular, jock attitude, he agrees to help Savannah's quest for a new and fun image if she'll help him decide on a college major that will please his parents. This slow-burn romance has charming and riotous banter between the leads as they both grow closer over zip-lining, trying new foods, hiking wilderness vistas, encountering a bear, and white water rafting.

While I felt like Savannah's hesitancy to try new things was a direct result of her bio father's neglect, I also thought her overall trauma could have been developed a bit better. There's a camping trip that went array that seemed to play the most in scarring her for trying new things, but some more backstory with her bio dad or flashbacks could have helped with this. However, I appreciated how Tanner took the time to truly understand her choices and fears, and how Savannah dug deep to see that Tanner often played the carefree, dumb jock just to meet his parents and others' expectations when he's actually perceptive, intelligent, and fun. The two help each other make discoveries about their interests and college plans amidst the backdrop of the gorgeous, but challenging Alaskan frontier. I also liked the introspective nature of Savannah and how she learned that her apprehensive tendencies might have affected her relationship with her best friend as well and not just her romantic relationship--an aspect you don't always see in YA. Overall, a great, clean romance recommended for middle or younger high school YA audiences who enjoy travel, adventure-type romances that involve finding oneself.

Thank you to Random House Children's/Delacorte Romance and Netgalley for the ARC.

I've been dreaming of visiting Alaska for awhile now, so to be immersed in that setting in Hearts Overboard was fantastic! The descriptions of the scenery were 10/10. Also, Tanner was the best kind of book-boyfriend and pushed S'More out of her comfort zone.

If you can't travel to Alaska this summer, you can definitely pretend with this sweet, summer romance!

This book was super cute and the plot was good. I just felt like it dragged on a little too much. I kept waiting for the main characters to make a move toward each other, it just took forever.

Savannah Moore, or as Tanner Woods has nicknamed her, S'more, just got dumped by her boyfriends of nine months in the school parking lot because she was too boring and stuck in her patterned ways. When her family and Tanner's family go on a cruise through Alaska, she is determined to make Caleb regret his decision and Tanner helps her to break out of her shell and try new things.

My personal love for this story is the use of the word "embarkation." My dad would use it on our family trips and seeing it in this story made my heart soar. This is such a cute, sweet YA romance and a perfect summer read that was exactly what I needed.

The pacing is great, even if the end was a little quicker than I expected and I absolutely love the rivals to lovers aspect that make you root for Savannah and Tanner the whole time.

Instagram review to come July 1, 2024, one week before publication.

Hearts Overboard is a super cute, clean, young adult romance. The Alaska setting and all of the excursions were brought to life so well. I felt like I was there experiencing it too! The author has either been on an Alaskan cruise or done her research quite well. The romance was quite adorable. Savannah was a little more difficult to like as she was so set in her ways. However, Tanner was a joy and he brought out so many wonderful things in Savannah. I actually felt like these two characters were exactly what each other needed. The entire story was very well done. I'd recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for allowing me to read an eARC of this title.

The Moore & Woods families are friends, Mr. & Mrs. Moore & Mrs. Woods all work for the same company.

Savannah Moore loves math & astronomy, plans & routine, running track & pole vaulting. She does not like the unpredictable, probably due to incidents involving her biological dad & a camping trip when she was 6. On the last day of Jr year, in the school parking lot, Caleb, her boyfriend of 9 months, said she was boring & broke up with her. Tanner Woods, however, is unpredictable, goofy & a football player.
They seem to be constantly competing with each other. Their parents always talk about how great the other teen is.

Their families have gone on vacations together for years. Tanner was always attempting (what Savannah considered) wild things & trying to drag her along with him.
Now they are on a 2 week company cruise to Alaska together. Savannah decides to try 1 new thing each day & post pictures on SM, to show Caleb & everyone else she is not “Moore the Bore”. Tanner offers to be her Fun Coach he will make suggestions & take pictures for her. In return, Savannah will help him choose a college major. Both have Veto power, if the new thing is too boring, Tanner can veto it, if she deems it too dangerous, Savannah can veto it.
And of course - the more time they spend together, the less and less Savannah despises Tanner

This book is Laugh-Out-Loud funny. There are pop culture references: Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, LotR. The Alaskan & Canadian scenery is described in beautiful detail. This is a Clean Rom-Com with no cussing and just a few kisses.
I am definitely purchasing this one for my students. I would be comfortable giving this to 7th grade & up.
Trigger/ Content Warning - though it is never stated, I believe Savannah has mild anxiety.

Thank you Delacourte Press for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

One thing about me: if it’s set in Alaska, I will read it. I have never been there but it’s on my bucket list of travel. I have this author’s other books on my shelves and I think I’ll go back and read them. Overall, I think this is a great YA read and will be popular with that age group because it’s adventurous and swoony. I really liked Tanner and I liked that Savannah pushed herself outside her comfort zone while still remaining true to herself.

Synopsis:

“After a very public breakup during which her ex, Caleb, tells her she is both (a) boring and (b) stuck in her ways, Savannah Moore decides that going with her mom on her company cruise to Alaska presents the perfect opportunity to show people how fun she is.It won’t be easy, though. Her longtime nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. His family and Savannah's are friends, and Tanner knows her better than she’d like to admit. When he learns of her plan, Tanner wants to help, and he encourages her to try everything: zip-lining and dogsledding, hiking the bear-infested Alaskan wilderness, singing late night karaoke, and taking a polar plunge. That’ll show Caleb just what he’s missing.Except after spending so much time with Tanner, Savannah’s not sure Caleb is the one she wants anymore.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Setting—I picked up this title because it promised an Alaskan cruise setting and it delivered! It’s my dream trip right now and I had to experience it through the pages.

The Concept—One of my favorite tropes is forced proximity because it creates a situation where a character can’t run from their thoughts/problems/feelings. I liked how Savannah needed to confront what she was working through as well as her growing feelings for Tanner while in the confined space and time frame of the cruise.

The Banter—I loved how the characters went back and forth with each other. There’s something so nostalgic about it and I think YA readers will enjoy it.

What Didn’t Work:

Wanted a Little More Resolve—I would have liked a little more resolution for the ending. Maybe even an epilogue with both families gathering for a meal where we could see Tanner and Savannah in their new surroundings. But overall, I thought this was a fun, sweet, adventurous summer read.

Food/Diet Talk—There were some lines in this book regarding food intake/diet that didn’t sit right with me. I wasn’t sure if I was being overly sensitive but I think they weren’t necessary.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Content Warnings:

parental abandonment

Thank you to Netgalley along with the author Becky Dean for letting me read & review this advanced book copy. This is a young adult romance with the setting being on an Alaska cruise (which I love since I went on one when i was seven years old.) I love that the teenagers are learning about themselves, interacting and trying things that may be new to them.

This book is adorable, adventurous fun! I loved the Alaska cruise setting, I loved the characters, and the cover is ridiculously cute! I will be checking out more from this author!

I've read Becky Dean's previous YA romances and loved them, and wanted to equally love "Hearts Overboard," but I just couldn't ... unfortunately. This book just couldn't compare for me personally. That's not to say that "Hearts Overboard" wasn't a cute rivals-to-lovers, boy-next-door travel teen romance because it was. For sure. Just next to Dean's prior works, it's a solid third place finish. It is a really slow burn situation, and I can't say that I fully vibed with the Alaskan setting IMHO. But that ending, whew it was a good declaration of feelings with a hint of her physically saving his life. Love to see it. Of course, Dean's writing is still good. That's not even a question or concern. I just, unfortunately, couldn't vibe or connect with the story no matter how much I wanted to.

This is such a sweet romance, set on a cruise. The setting was so different and fun, which made me love it more. But I loved everything about it and its perfect for 13+!

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Savannah Moore (or, "Moore the Bore" as her classmates deemed her after being broken up with by her boyfriend, Caleb) is on a mission in life. And like all good missions, she has every step planned out carefully and probably in a color-coded organizational system. The only thorn in her side is her family-frenemy Tanner Woods. Breezy, funny, and extremely popular, Tanner is everything Savannah can't stand. So, when their families are stuck together on an Alaskan cruise for their parents' work, Savannah's plan is to just get through the vacation as quickly as possible. However, as they spend more time together, Savannah begins to reveal Tanner's hidden depths and when the two concoct a plan to help Savannah win back her ex, Savannah may realize there's more to life than staying within your comfort zone.

I am a simple person-- given me a grumpyxshunshine, frenemies-to-lovers, girl-power YA romance set on an Alaskan cruise and I'll typically be a happy reader. However, HEARTS OVERBOARD absolutely blew me out of the water. The character development, the plot line, and even the romance was so thoughtfully done and fun to read. This is my first Becky Dean book, but it definitely won't be my last!

Savannah Moore is reeling after a very public breakup from her boyfriend. Now, she will be stuck on a family trip with one of her childhood frenemies, Tanner, school football star, goofball, and stealer of her Astronomy Club. Will she be able survive the teasing, taunting, and crazy antics from Tanner for two whole weeks?

I could use one word to describe this book and that is charming. I am not one to read YA realistic fiction/Romance and I am not sure why I decided to ask for an ARC, but I am so glad I did. I loved it! It was sweet, clean, and fun! Everyone who has a personality like Savannah needs a Tanner in their lives to push them outside their comfort zone and try something new sometimes. I liked how you learn why behaviors and actions have reasons - either to please people, family expectations, or scary situations growing up.

Definitely getting this for the library. I was wondering if it was really appropriate for 12 and up and it is! My middle school girls who are loving books with romance, right now, will love this one! Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's for this ARC. I was encouraged and inspired by it... I want to try some new things!

I picked this one up because of the Alaskan cruise setting and it didn’t disappoint! This story made me feel like I was back on the Alaskan cruise I took several years ago. While Savannah wasn’t really my favorite character, I enjoyed her banter and chemistry with Tanner. This was a very sweet frenemies to lovers story.

This was a very cute YA title! I have never been on an Alaskan cruise, though I've done several in the Caribbean. I could easily put myself back on one of those cruise ships. I also loved seeing the main teens interacting and trying new things! Very fun, and will recommend!!

Embarrassed by a very public break up the last day of junior year, Savannah is ready to prove she’s not as boring as her ex thinks. On the free Alaskan cruise her mother’s company sponsored for employees Savannah makes a deal with Tanner, her annoying nemesis and her mom’s best friend’s son. Over the next week he will help her shake off her “Moore the Bore” nickname by being her fun coach and getting her outside her comfort zone. In the end Savannah realizes that she might have been missing her ex’s predictability more than him and Tanner might not be the annoying funny guy he seems.

I loved this story and the depth of the relationship between Savannah and Tanner. They may have known each other all their lives but it takes a trip to the wilds of Alaska for them to truly see each other. I think it’s just another way Savannah kept herself “safe” and I’m glad she chose growth over playing it safe.

This is a great clean rom-com perfect for 13+. I can’t to read more by Becky!

5 stars is simply not enough to rate this book. I'd give it ten if I could!
I read maybe too many YA contemporary romances, and I loved Becky Dean's first book. So while I was expecting to like this one, I didn't expect to love it THIS MUCH. But goodness, Hearts Overboard is a fitting title for this book because I fell head over heels in love.
Savannah is very relatable main character to me as someone with anxiety, and I really loved her character arc. It was also nice to see some of the effects childhood neglect can have on a person brought to light in fiction, and I thought it was very well done.
Tanner was, of course, adorable, and I loved how he and Savannah pushed each other and acted as truth characters to each others arcs. That was another aspect very well done and I really enjoyed it.
I cannot wait for this book to release so that I can buy a physical copy and squeal about it with my reader friends. And I desperately need s'more books by the author... Okay, okay, I'll stop with the themed jokes. 😇
This book might be for you if, in addition to cute, clean romance, you enjoy science, sports, Alaska, and milkshakes.

Becky Dean's Hearts Overboard sets sail on a delightful journey of self-discovery, wrapped in a captivating enemies-to-lovers romance. After a scathing public breakup paints her as boring, Savannah Moore is determined to shed that label during a family cruise to Alaska. Tanner Woods, her nemesis and son of her parents' family friends, is also on board.

The unlikely duo strikes a deal: Savannah embarks on a quest for excitement, reluctantly accepting Tanner's help as her guide. In return, she helps him in choosing a college major. As they navigate breathtaking Alaskan scenery and hilarious challenges, their witty banter sparks a connection that goes beyond friendship.

The charm of Hearts Overboard lies in its relatable characters. While Savannah's initial immaturity might raise an eyebrow, her growth throughout the novel is heartwarming. The reader can't help but root for her as she embraces new experiences and sheds her insecurities. The banter between Savannah and Tanner is a highlight, with their playful jabs giving way to genuine understanding as their bond deepens.

Overall, Hearts Overboard offers a lighthearted escape filled with humor, romance, and personal growth. Dean's captivating writing style and endearing characters make this a perfect summer read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

this was a fun ya romance! savannah moore is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend caleb in the school parking lot, with the entirety of the school bearing witness, with caleb saying she's boring. as nicknames and rumors about savannah being as boring as caleb says flying around the school, she decides she needs to try some new things on her alaskan cruise vacation in order to shake things up - maybe trying new things can be fun? unfortunately for her, her neighbor and sworn enemy tyler is coming on the vacation, with their mothers being both best friends and coworkers.

when tyler learns of her plan to try new things, despite hating each other, savannah agrees to having him help her, in exchange for helping tyler figure out what he wants to do in college. as they explore alaska and the cruise ship, they unexpectedly grow closer, making savannah reflect on why and how their rivalry began.

This is such a fun YA rivals-to-lovers romance. I absolutely loved the banter between Savannah and Tanner! The setting on an Alaskan cruise was such a good choice. It absolutely reminded me of the Alaskan cruise I went on with my family when I was the same age as Savannah…if only I had a Tanner with me to push me outside of my comfort zone!
Thank you to the publisher, author, & NetGalley for sending me this e-ARC.