The narration was excellent! The story was cute despite it being rather predictable. It was awesome reading about adult women instead of youths, bringing their lifetimes of perspective to the romance genre. An interesting snap shot of a holiday season the year after the Covid lockdown.

I listened to this thanks to Makes waves press who provided me an audio copy via NetGalley.

Rating: 2⭐

Santa Overboard is a contemporary fiction book about a group of friends and the area they live in. The book is a cozy, quick holiday read! I loved the friend group, I loved their dynamic and how they were there for each other no matter what. However, The romance and pacing was for me in this book. The chemistry between the characters was not there. Also, the covid reference let this book down a lot and I think most readers would agree.

✧ Small Town Romance
✧ Holiday Cheer
✧ Second Chance Romance
✧ Friend Group Dynamics
✧ Lighthearted Fun
✧ Slow Burn Romance

A fun and festive holiday story centered on a group of strong, resilient women! This was a quick, easy, and super enjoyable read—perfect for the season. The only downside for me was the focus on COVID; I personally prefer my fictional escapes to exist in pandemic-free bubbles. But if you don’t mind a touch of real-world drama mixed in with your holiday cheer, this one’s a delightful choice!

This was a quick holiday read for me, I really liked the narration of the audiobook. This is the story of Katie, living in a small town and trying to make her new relationship work and preparing for a boat parade. He does not like Christmas and plans to leave for Galapagos for the holidays. There is quite some drama, a lot of Covid, but also really funny moments. What I loved most is the amazing friend group around Katie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC.

3.5 stars.

Starting over in the little town of Occoquan, Katie Young finds solace in small-town life with best friends at their thriving gallery and a deepening romance with the town’s resident scientist. Her college-age daughter bakes up holiday memories in their river house. But when the holiday-averse Deke flies south for the season, Katie wonders if she needs a survival suit—or just a really strong cocktail—to weather midlife mayhem. Can the single mom save the holiday festival and salvage her belief in love?

As soon as I realised this was a second book in the Potomac Shores series, I immediately hunted down the first book before jumping in to this one. I could’ve probably read this as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend it as you wouldn’t get all the background story that made Katie ‘her’.

This was just as cosy and sweet as the first book, but with the additional Christmas-themed fun. There were funny moments that made me chuckle.

While I’d agree that this was a fun rom-com, the storyline also had a certain depth about assessing the viability of a relationship amidst midlife challenges, which I didn’t think was reflected by the cute cover design alone. The girl on the cover also didn’t really match how I’d imagined Katie in my head.

The audiobook was performed really well - easy to listen to, with great narration and intonation. I’d recommend this to anyone wanting a short and sweet holiday-themed story!

A bit slow and boring for me. Narrators voice was okay but far too much about fishing and boats. I couldn't get to the end.

Unfortunately found it very difficult to get into, the first few chapters felt very basic and not enough of a hook to capture your interest. The Covid storyline also felt very dated

This was okay. No real ups or downs, just like watching someone's middle aged life play out. I couldn't get into it.

Cute, sweet and short book. The audio narration by Maria Marquis was well done. Maria was able to use different pitches and inflections for each character, so it added to the variety of characters the author introduces. The story overall was a cute one- Divorcee Katie is trying to heal her broken heart and give the steadfast Deke a chance. Katie does seem a little too resistant for my taste but it was a part of character building. This book was recently released, yet it takes place in 2021, so the pandemic is extremely present. I understand writing for a timeline, but it seemed too soon to be immersed back into that world (for me). On a plus side, the author did capture how things were for many of us during that time and I appreciated hearing a lot of the local bars and geographical locations to the MD/VA area. Overall, great narration but the storyline was not for me.

A very quick read on account of how short it was, but also because there wasn't much to the plot. Katie, a three-time divorcee thinks she's finally found love with Deke, but as a professor, he takes a research trip to the Galapagos, which makes Katie think he's not as committed to their relationship since he's not willing to share the holidays with her. (Is this why she's been divorced three times? Because she's kind of manipulative?)

“Santa Overboard” is a short small-town contemporary romance which focuses on a wide range of characters during the Christmas season. I have very mixed feelings towards this book, unfortunately.

While some of the characters were somewhat enjoyable to read about, I didn’t feel any chemistry within the relationships or friendships, particularly between the FMC and MMC. Not only that, I felt their romantic relationship was kind of toxic in a couple ways which is really off-putting. Don’t get me wrong - they had a few cute scenes, and the ending was sweet, but it wasn’t enough to sway me.
There’s also a really dodgy scene towards the end which raised a lot of alarm bells for me but was romanticised within the book. I feel like informed consent is very necessary and this specific scene just made me feel very uncomfortable and completely caught me off-guard.

I enjoyed that the story focused around an older generation, talking briefly upon menopause, marriage and divorce, and the process of children growing up and moving on. I feel like it would have been nice if the book spent a little more time speaking on those, considering the tone of which the book is written.
There’s not much at all going on plot-wise, so characterisation is very important and I think those topics amplified my interest.

COVID-19 was referenced many, many times, which I hadn’t expected. I didn’t particularly mind it (beside it being slightly overbearing) but if you’re interested in reading this it is something to keep in mind.

I feel like there was supposed to be an element of humour which just really didn’t come across well, at least to me. I had expected a more light-hearted, whimsical read, which this did not supply.

The ARC I was provided was in audiobook format so I will touch on that as well:
The narration was pretty good and easy to follow! There was a note from the author added towards the end narrated by herself, which kind of threw me off as the message mostly consisted of asking her readers to give authors more charitable reviews?! I’m sure it wasn’t meant in a way which was snarky but It just kind of left me feeling slightly offput.

Overall, this book just wasn’t for me and I feel it could’ve been executed better. I don’t think I could wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone, sadly.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC.

i fear it was just alright. its a cute little christmas story to get you in the holiday spirit but not much more than that.

Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride
⭐️⭐️⭐️

i was looking for christmas themed reads to read for the next couple months, so i was excited to receive this arc. it was a super short read, but overall was written. I wasn't the biggest fan of the FMC Katie, she seemed a little selfish and not interested in listening to what other people were saying, only what she assumed they were saying. The MMC is a scientist and doesn't get christmas off of work, and Katie is mad at him and treats him unfairly for him "choosing to not spend christmas with her" she he has communicated repeatedly over their relationship that he works on site over christmas. Eventually Katie does have a friend call her out for this behavior, which i was thinking FINALLY!! 😂 I think if then book had been longer they could have fleshed out Katie's insecurities about being alone on the holidays. I also didn't expect the book to take place in the midst of the pandemic and i'm not sure i loved that being included?

Overall this was a super fun quick holiday read and i think could make a fun Hallmark xmas movie !!


*I received an advanced copy of the audiobook from Make Waves Press through Netgalley in return for an honest review.*

I read the first Potomac Shores book; while cute enough, the ease at which the women fall into such deep, lasting friendships is a bit of a stretch--and another one happens in this story.

Additionally, there's a heavy emphasis on COVID/Post-COVID life in each book that makes the stories feel dated and a bit out of touch. I liked the Christmas elements, even if the story was pretty predictable.

Overall: 2 stars (It was ok)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Make Waves Press for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride is a cozy, quick holiday read that left me with mixed feelings. 🥰 It's exactly what I needed to unwind from the usual drama and indulge in a lighthearted dose of holiday cheer! 🎄 Katie Young is living life in small-town Occoquan, preparing for a boat parade, and trying to make her new relationship with Deke work—if only he weren’t off in the Galapagos for the holidays! 🌴 The story is cute and relaxing, but it doesn’t dive deep into major conflicts or emotions. It's like a comfy, familiar blanket, but I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. 🤷‍♀️

✧ Small Town Romance 💕
✧ Holiday Cheer 🎄
✧ Second Chance Romance 💘
✧ Friend Group Dynamics 👯‍♀️
✧ Lighthearted Fun 🥳
✧ Slow Burn Romance 🔥

Now, let's talk about what I loved! The friend group was the highlight! 💕 I absolutely adored their dynamic and how they rallied around each other through life’s ups and downs. Their bond felt so genuine, and it was fun seeing how they helped Katie handle her holiday stress. 😅 Also, the narration by Maria Marquis was top-notch! She really brought the characters to life, and I could easily tell who was speaking at any moment, which made the audiobook experience so much more enjoyable. 🎧

But, of course, there were a few bumps along the way. The romance and pacing, for instance, didn’t quite hit the mark. 🐢 Deke and Katie’s relationship lacked that sizzling chemistry—maybe because I didn’t read the first book—but there wasn’t enough to really pull me in. 💔 The central conflict felt weak too—Katie’s boat parade disaster and Deke’s absence were decent challenges, but they didn’t feel like high stakes or give me those big emotional moments I was craving. And then there were the pandemic references—while they made sense for the timeline, I wasn’t thrilled about how often COVID popped up. 😷 Some readers may feel the same, especially if they’re looking for an escape from pandemic talk in their fiction.

All in all, Santa Overboard is a sweet, easy story that’s perfect for a quick read, but it didn’t blow my mind. It could’ve benefited from a little more depth and substance. Still, I’ll definitely check out the rest of the series—I’m curious about how the characters develop! 🌟

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for the audiobook ARC! 🎧✨

3.75 stars

Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride is a delightful holiday rom-com set in the charming small town of Occoquan. The story follows Katie Young, a newly divorced, forty-something empty-nester who has found comfort and new beginnings in this tight-knit community. With the support of her best friends at their thriving gallery, a budding romance with the town’s resident scientist, and cherished holiday moments with her college-age daughter in their river house, Katie is ready to take on the festive season. Leading the boat parade and delivering Santa to the town dock on her new ferryboat promises to make this Christmas unforgettable.

This second book in the Potomac Shores series is a perfect follow-up to Cicada Springs. It offers readers an even deeper glimpse into Katie’s evolving life, capturing her newfound joy and resilience. In Santa Overboard, we see a playful, heartwarming side of the characters, and I found myself thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The book is brimming with humour and lighthearted moments that bring plenty of laugh-out-loud scenes. If you’re a fan of feel-good Christmas tales, this one will surely make you smile.

Maria Marquis does a fantastic job narrating, bringing the story to life with impeccable pacing and just the right touch of emotion. Her performance adds warmth and depth, making each character memorable and enhancing the overall charm of the book.

Overall, Santa Overboard is a delightful small-town holiday read featuring a mature main character, lovable cast members, and a picturesque coastal setting. Fans of Robin Carr’s Virgin River series and Sheryl Woods’ Sweet Magnolias will feel right at home.

Thank you to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for providing me with an audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A cute, later-in-life, almost Hallmark read following Katie Young, her Beach Bonfire Babes and Deke. There is a lot of heart and humor and lovable characters.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator had a wonderfully calm, yet expressive voice, perfect for this Christmas special.

*There is a lot of mention of Covid/Pandemic, so if this is a trigger or something you avoid, just keep that in mind.

Book 2 in the Potomac Shores series which I did not read the first as I was lead to believe it could also be a stand alone. This story focus a lot on the COVID/ post COVID storyline which I don't think will sit well with readers as many are happy to forget that time. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt but found myself frustrated each time they brought COVID back into the story. I liked bond between the women friend group but finding a women stranded on the beach then becoming her best friend seems like a long shoot. I will not following up this read to read the first in the series.

This was cute but not really my style. I was able to finish this in an afternoon. I don’t think I will purse the series. Nothing was wrong but it was very vanilla for me.

3.25 stars rounded down

Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride follows Katie as she gears up for a boat parade before the holidays and navigates her new relationship with Deke. Everything stars to unravel when her boat is no longer going to make it to the parade and Deke has decided to spend the holidays in the Galapagos Island. She must figure out what to do about the boat and her relationship before the holidays.

I thought this audiobook was cute. It did exactly what I wanted it to, distract me for a little bit and cheer me up. I thought the narrator was absolutely phenomenal! I think Maria Marquis does a great job at all the voices and really making you feel immersed in the story. Now talking about the contents of the book: my favorite part was the Beach Bonfire Babes, Katie's group of friends. I thought they were so fun! Unfortunately, I didn't really think Deke and Katie had a lot of chemistry. Maybe it was because I didn't read the first book, maybe their introduction is there but in this book it very much felt like I was placed mid story. I will check out the other books because I liked it enough for that but maybe I would recommend to read the first book before reading the second.

This book is available in KU.

Thank you to NetGalley, Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, and Carolyn McBride for letting me listen to this ALC in exchange for an honest review.