Ethel Birnbaum, 80, has lived a vivid life doing lots of fun things and especially taking many cruises. So, it was aboard the Queen Elizabeth that she passed away in her sleep. At her funeral, her stepson, Max, an arrogant man makes it known that he deserves her money. His father left some money to Ethel but the woman had her own money now most of it will go to charities.

Beth, 38, is a ghostwriter currently working on a book for a governor. Ethel’s will states that Beth must meet with the woman’s attorneys. It is discovered that Ethel's will is missing and Beth has been tapped to go on a cruise on the Queen Elizabeth to search for the will.

Beth has always been a homebody staying inside with her cat. But now, money is provided for her to get a new wardrobe and is sent off to London to depart for the cruise. There, she meets people dining with her and discovers new friends and even how to use the proper utensils at a table. Soon, clues begin turning up obviously from Ethel about the location of her will. It’s up to Beth to put herself out as she works to solves the clues and find the will. Perhaps Beth will also find herself along the way. But someone has let her know that they don’t like what she is doing and tries to thwart her search.

This is a wonderful debut. The setting being on a ship is even better as i have enjoyed many cruises so the ship environment is quite familiar and brought back terrific memories. The descriptions of the food, wine and the great places visited made me feel like I was right there. It was delightful to see Beth blossom and make friends with all of the other people at table 8. A truly fun novel and I only wish I could go with her on another trip.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Kristin Owens’ Elizabeth Sails is a captivating historical novel that blends adventure, personal growth, and the compelling quest for independence in the 19th century. The story follows Elizabeth "Lizzie" Reynolds, a woman ahead of her time, who sets out on an extraordinary sea voyage to escape the constraints of society and her own troubled past.

From the very beginning, Owens draws readers into Lizzie’s world—a world where women’s roles are rigidly defined, and opportunities for self-determination are rare. Lizzie’s decision to leave behind her conventional life and embark on a dangerous sea journey is bold and full of risk, but it’s also an act of defiance against societal norms that makes her a fascinating protagonist. Her character development is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. As she encounters challenges at sea and confronts her own fears and desires, Lizzie transforms into a strong, confident, and resilient woman.

Owens’ portrayal of life at sea is rich and immersive. The descriptions of the ship, the ocean, and the treacherous conditions make the reader feel like they are aboard the vessel with Lizzie. The author’s meticulous attention to detail in depicting maritime life and 19th-century culture adds an authentic layer to the story, making it more than just an adventure novel. It’s a deep dive into a time when travel by sea was fraught with danger, and a woman sailing alone was nearly unheard of.

The secondary characters Lizzie meets along her journey, particularly the ship’s crew, are vividly drawn, each contributing to Lizzie’s growth in different ways. Some of the crew members challenge her, while others support her, reflecting the variety of attitudes toward women and independence during the time period. Owens does a wonderful job of fleshing out these characters, making them multidimensional and integral to Lizzie’s experience at sea.

In addition to the physical journey, Elizabeth Sails is a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As Lizzie navigates the open seas, she also navigates her internal struggles—grief, loneliness, and the desire for something more in life. Her quest for freedom is not just from the societal expectations placed upon her, but also from her own emotional burdens. This internal voyage adds depth to the plot, elevating it beyond a simple adventure story.

Owens’ writing is fluid and evocative, perfectly capturing the tumultuous nature of both the sea and Lizzie’s emotions. The pacing of the novel is well-managed, with moments of high tension balanced by quieter, more introspective scenes that allow the reader to connect with Lizzie on a deeper level.

One of the standout aspects of Elizabeth Sails is its feminist undertone. Owens subtly critiques the gender roles of the 19th century, showing how Lizzie’s pursuit of independence reflects the larger struggle for women’s rights and equality. The novel is both an adventure and a commentary on the limitations placed on women, and Lizzie’s triumphs feel especially meaningful in this context.

Overall, Elizabeth Sails is a compelling, well-crafted novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong female protagonists. Kristin Owens delivers a story filled with adventure, heart, and a powerful message about breaking free from societal expectations. It’s a thrilling and thought-provoking read that leaves a lasting impact, much like the waves Lizzie conquers on her remarkable journey.

An absolute delightful whodunit story of a mystery on a Cunard ship. After just sailing on the QE2 last month, Sails described the ship perfectly and anyone who has sailed on Cunard would be remiss by not purchasing this mystery.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was wonderful!

It took me awhile to get into this book; however once the story got started it kept my interest and I loved the main character Beth, though some instances made me wonder about her. Overall it was a good read and enjoyed the ending - though some other readers didn't care for it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

The author did a great job in delivering a mystery that was well done, with crisp writing and a comfortable tone. Beth is anxiety-ridden but the death of her aunt and a scavenger hunt emboldens Beth to leave her comfort zone to find the missing will. This and meeting the various cruise ship passengers, some who were helpful and some who were not were key to this drama. There was enough intrigue as well as twists and turns to keep this reader immersed in the telling of this tale and I enjoyed every moment. With visually descriptive narrative (you can tell the author loves cruising) I envisioned all the scenarios in the book as I rooted for Beth to come into her own. This was an excellent read that kept me both engaged and entertained as well as a satisfying story where the author left us a clue – hint of a second book.

Sweet, wholesome and therapeutic. That's how I would describe this book.
It made me very cozy and inspired me to try and go out of my comfort zone more.

I loved the growth and changes our main character went through, although I would've loved for her relationship with her sister to be restored at the end of the book. But at least she made some small steps in that direction.
Also, all the characters from table 8 were the cutest!!

Thank you NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for this ARC.

See my full review at https://michelleardillo.com/2024/08/23/book-review-elizabeth-sails-by-kristin-owens/

While I enjoyed many aspects of this book there were other parts that I found just a little unbelievable.

For instance how does a woman who has spent so much time around famous people as a "ghost writer" not know how to handle silverware and go from the outside in. Thought that was common knowledge and i have never been in such a formal setting. Little things like that kind of took away from the story.

And let's face it, OK she had anxiety issues but did they have to come up constantly?

And the Aunt "hiding" a will on a cruise ship and making her go through clues to find it? I realize that she was trying to challenge her but it was just a unbelievable scenerio and while it lead to some amusing incidents, there were some of the clues that were just too obscure and lets face it, childish.

All in all, while I did plow through the book and I am sure that there will be people who are not offended by the thought of someone running a restaurant called SH.... there were times when she was trying to hard for the crude laughs and not enough for a mature adult to really enjoy that much.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book!!! Such a good story and great writing style. This was my first by this author and will not be my last! I love cruise ship books!! One of my favorites!

At the biginning of the book I was not quite sure if I would like it. But as the story progressed it got more and more interesting and sometimes exciting. Although I must admit I still have mixed feelings about the ending.
Likewise, first I was not very keen on the main character Beth. However, during the story she had somehow grown on me.
I also liked the supporting characters and it was really interesting to have a glimpse into life on a luxury liner.
All in all I spent very enjoyable hours with this book. I can recommend it to anyone who is interested to see the inner journey of a heroine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were well-developed, and the plot kept me engaged from start to finish. The pacing was perfect, and there were just enough twists to keep me on my toes. Plus, the cover is amazing!!

Elizabeth is all of us. Growing older, stuck in a job that wasn't exactly her dream, and doubting every choice she makes. She also struggles with anxiety finds that staying home with her books and her car is the best escape. When her beloved aunt dies, suddenly Elizabeth is called into action. In order to stop a cruel and money hungry man from getting her inheritance Elizabeth must follow clues and find the will.

This book is SO MUCH FUN! It's not a challenging mystery, so think of it more like an adventure with your new best friends. Each character is so lovely and I can't wait to see what Elizabeth gets up to next.

4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

An amazing story - so fun and magical. I love every bit of it!

When we meet Beth, she is a beyond-anxious ghostwriter barely leaving her small apartment. It all comes to a stop when a lawyer alerts her to her Aunt Ethel's wishes. Before she knows it, she is aboard a luxurious cruise searching for clues. The people she meets, both helpful and diabolical and the adventures she has are just purely delightful.

If you have been on a cruise, or dream of one, have a family regret (or two) or just love a clue-driven adventure, Elizabeth Sails is for you!
#risingaction #risingactionpublishingco #elizabethsails #kristinowens

ARC Book Review!

Elizabeth Sails By Kristin Owens


4.5 / 5⭐️

This book was an ARC and will be released October 2024. Thank you @netgalley for the chance to read this early!

Beth is so relatable and likeable. I am looooving these ARC featuring women in their thirties lately. This book is the closest thing I've read to an Agatha Christie book that wasn't one! Color me thoroughly impressed because that is a tall order! And the big reveal at the end was awesome. Beth goes through so much character development. I cannot wait for the next book!

This book is for you if you like :

mental health rep
Mystery
Wholesome characters
Major character development


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3.75/5 (.rounded up)

This was a very cute debut novel! I enjoyed how it didn’t go exactly where I thought it was going to and it chose to bypass the easy and predictable ending and leave it a little more open ended.

I did find there to be a few plot issues mostly surrounding the main character Elizabeth as she goes on her journey. At times she came across incredibly judgmental and also had very contradictory personality traits. Like spending 3/4 of the book enjoying every meal she ate on the ship (I truly could’ve done without reading the word yum over and over), to suddenly being aware of things being unhealthy and having issues with people eating muffins. It just felt disjointed from the beginning of the novel and really took me out of the last few chapters because of how random it was. While I didn’t find her very likable, I was invested in her journey and I really enjoyed the secondary characters. It did drag on a bit as every day was accounted for even if it didn’t have us actively finding a clue, which could be a little tedious at times.

All in all, it was a light and fun summer romp. I loved the adventure aspect and it was a unique premise!

Thank you to NetGalley and & Rising Action for the ARC.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

A book that takes me on a cruise ship, sign me up! Owens does a fantastic job with a story that's part mystery and part self-discovery. I liked how the action unfolded. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a fun read! It was a mystery but also about finding ones' self. I liked the character Beth Schiff and rooted for her. Perfect to read in one sitting.

This was such a good book! I loved the character and her adventure she takes the reader on. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole book. Well done!!