I honestly did not like this audiobook as much as I could have, but that's on me because I applied for this ARC without knowing it was a 2nd book in a series *insert clown emoji here*.

But I loved this book. It was cute and cozy, featuring older characters which is honestly a breath of fresh air compared to the contemporary books that are shown the most in the clock app. I did not like the romance as much as I could have because I missed a lot of the background, but it was cute af.

I was a bit bummed to actually be spoiled most of the book with the summary of it, because we don't see the actual Santa who goes overboard until 80% of the book.

But this feel-good series is so good and light-hearted, and I'm glad to have spent a few hours in the Potomac Shores !

Super quick and cute holiday read. Love the second chances vibes and the different voices for the audiobook. I know ita a holiday book which typically is a little more loose with plot points or realism; but I felt that it was on really a little strained. I kept asking myself "couldn't they just go another weekend". I just don't know there was enough character development or purpose for me to be in loooove. But it was an overall cute read/listen!

I wanted to stay a bit more in the holiday spirit so that’s why I chose Santa Overboard. Unfortunately it was not a fun, merry read. Way too many mentions of Covid and the pandemic and a lot of negative discourse from the main character about life in general. I can appreciate wanting to stay true to life, but this was too focus on the negative for a holiday story. I appreciated the discussion, especially in the Prologue, about different cultures and their traditions. Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

Santa Overboard delivers a holiday story that unfortunately falls into the "meh" category. While the premise might promise a festive adventure, the execution seems to lack the spark I needed to truly be engaged. The narrative feels somewhat predictable, without offering any standout moments that would elevate it above a standard holiday 3 star romance.
For readers looking for a light, undemanding holiday read, this might suffice, but it did not hit the mark for me. The book serves its purpose as a quick, seasonal diversion but doesn't leave a lasting impression.

The premise of this book sounded interesting and I tend to like a cozy holiday romance but I feel like this book focused on a lot of negatives. Like the main character liked Deke but the guy before him had been bad and it seemed like the author was going off of the same type of character for the females exes because Kendal ex was the same kind of man as Katie’s. There were also a lot of remarks about Covid. It was constant and in every chapter where it was mentioned how Covid changed her life and is still effecting it. While it is valid and Covid did change a lot of people lives it shouldn’t be mentioned so many times.

This short romantic read was an okey seasonal pick. Nothing really stood out and I did not feel particular attached to any of the main characters, which may have been different had I read the first novel, though I doubt this. Being a nurse I do appreciate references to COVID19 and taking safety measures to prevent the spread, however the mentions were a bit too heavy handed even for me. The romance was boring and unfortunately I did not relate to the above middle-aged main character and her dislike over her love interest wanting to stick to his prior commitments over the holidays. Not a total waste of a read if you are looking for a short, quick holiday read but I do believe there are better Christmas books out there if that is your jam.
Read via audiobook thanks to #Netgalley.

A fun little holiday romance!

While there’s only one narrator, I really enjoyed all the different voices and personalities she created for each character. This was a great audiobook if you’re looking for something cheerful and fun for the holiday season.

I’m such a mood reader, Christmas is over but I have tons of Christmas books to read. I may or may not try to a Christmas in July challenge to finish and review all these Christmas romances. I’ll fix my reviews eventually! I promise

Katie Young is in charge of the Christmas Parade, which means ferrying Santa himself. Of course when Santa goes overboard chaos and merriment ensues. Full of Christmas cheer and favorite characters from the Potomac Shores series, "Santa Overboard" carries the story of Katie and Beach Bonfire Babes into the holidays.

This was a very fun and cute holiday romance and it was fun reading about characters that were middle aged as opposed to 20 year olds!

This is like an extended epilogue of The Cicada Spring and I appreciated that!

Santa Overboard follows Katie after her tulmultuous 2020 as her town gears up for the holiday season.
I enjoyed being able to get closure on Katie’s storyline. The Christmas atmosphere was fun, especially the Santa in a boat. And I loved that a main conflict was introduced and handled well in such a short novel. I liked the narrator!

I don’t think this can be read as a standalone, so read TCS first! Sometimes things fell a little too well into place, but that’s fiction for you.

I would recommend this to anyone looking for holiday cheer or more Katie!

Santa Overboard, the second book in the Potomac Shores series, turned out to be a pretty entertaining audiobook!

If you're looking for an easy cozy holiday book you'll probably enjoy this! The nice thing is that even if you didn't read the first book you'll still be fine - this could definitely be considered a stand alone in my opinion.

It's a fun romance about our MC Katie embracing her new life in this small town in Virginia!

It was a cute little holiday novella. I was gifted this audiobook arc from NetGalley. I did enjoy it for the most part. I expected a cute story about a small towns Christmas tradition & I felt that it focused too much on Covid & that aftermath.

I DNF’d this at 46%.

I was so pulled out of the story with the incessant COVID/lockdown/pandemic mentions - I counted 20 mentions from chapter 2 to 6.

I didn’t find the characters relatable, maybe I’m not the target demographic but also the Insta-besties relationship between Katie and Kendall gave me pause.

The writing itself wasn’t bad, but I just couldn’t finish it.

I listened to this story on Audiobook via NetGalley, I was SO excited for this one because the cover and the description seems adorable, but for me this one fell flat. It was difficult to connect with the characters in a romantic sense, and even though I was excited to read a story with adult characters rather than characters in their early 20’s it just didn’t resonate with me.
It is a cute holiday themed story if you’re looking for some fluff in between series, quick and not too complex.

Santa Overboard* by Carolyn McBride is a lighthearted and charming holiday adventure that brings together festive cheer with a dash of mystery and fun. The story follows an unexpected turn of events when Santa Claus finds himself in an unusual predicament—overboard on a ship, far from his North Pole home, during the Christmas season.

McBride’s writing style is engaging, blending humor with warmth in a way that will appeal to readers of all ages.

The plot unfolds at a steady pace, with the tension building around Santa’s efforts to get back on track and deliver presents to all the good boys and girls. McBride’s imaginative take on how Santa handles the challenges of the modern world is both funny and heartwarming, keeping readers hooked with the mix of suspense and holiday spirit.

The book also stands out for its holiday-themed settings, from snowy landscapes to the festive cheer aboard the ship, making it a perfect read for the Christmas season. It captures the magic of the holidays without feeling overly sentimental or predictable, allowing readers to enjoy a fresh perspective on a beloved holiday icon.

In terms of pacing and readability, *Santa Overboard* delivers a quick and enjoyable escape into a world of holiday magic and adventure. It’s perfect for those seeking a light, feel-good read to get into the Christmas spirit, and it’s suitable for both younger and older readers alike.

Overall, *Santa Overboard* is a delightful holiday romp that reminds us of the importance of perseverance, kindness, and the magic of the season. McBride’s creativity shines through, making it a fun addition to any Christmas reading list.

🎧Audio Book Review🎧

Santa Overboard
Carolyn McBride

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Heading into the festive season, I couldn't resist grabbing this one, which just from the front cover, I knew I was going to love.
It looked full of festive fun and I was expecting lots of laughs along the way.

This did deliver in lots of ways, but it wasn't at all what I'd expected.

This is actually the second book in the Potomac Shores series and although is set around the festive period and did reference the holidays a lot, the main storyline seemed to follow on from the first book, which was mentioned a few times.
The story still worked ok as a standalone - but I do wish that I'd read these in order and met the characters from the start of their journeys.

I enjoyed the premise of this which was a lovely uplifting story about new beginnings and second chances later in life.
I could relate to so many of the characters, especially Katie.
Not that I'm in the same situation, but being a similar age allowed me to connect with the ladies better and it got me thinking about how I'd cope in a similar situation.

I loved the friendship that the ladies of the Beach Bonfire Babes had with each other.
The support they gave each other both professionally and emotionally was so heartwarming and I really wanted to join in!

It was lovely to see the relationship between Katie and Deke develop further.
I'm assuming that they meet in book one (but I haven't read the blurb) and that this was a continuation of that.
This highlighted some of the issues that people face when getting together after already having a previous long term relationship.
The new routines and old traditions causing some soul searching, but it was nice to watch as this progressed.

I really loved the diversity of all the other characters. Learning a little about how other cultures and religions celebrate their own holiday season - some of which I already knew, but seeing some new traditions too.

Overall a great (fairly) quick read which was well written and with some intriguing characters that I'd like to see more of.
I've added book 1 to my wishlist already and can't wait to catch up.




💕Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my ARC copy - this is my honest review 💕

This story/series is pure chick lit (which admittedly isn't really my thing)--it's the story of a middle-aged woman trying to figure out her life with her teenage daughter, some good friends, and a lot of wine.

Santa Overboard is actually the second in the series and follows Katie as she's settling into her new life in Occoquan, Virginia and learning that she'll be spending her first Christmas with her new life without her boyfriend who will be in the Galapagos Islands.

It was a find story if you enjoy that kind of reading, but it just isn't really my thing to have that kind of unnecessarily emotional drama. (I do live near Occoquan, though, so it was fun to read about a small town I know fairly well.)

My biggest complaint is that the cover of this audiobook makes the story seem more fun/funny/silly than actually it is, so I had certain expectations and I just felt let down.

Book: Santa Overboard
Author: Carolyn McBride
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Fiction, Women's Literature
Places Featured: Occoquan, Virginia
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A cosy Christmas romance with humour, heart and a second shot at love. An easy seasonal read that fans of this genre will lap right up.

Thank you for my review copy - all views my own.

Small town, holiday themed, strong female characters in 40s-60s!!! Great presentation of women "of a certain age" supporting one another and being real! A bit of suspense and a bit of yearning, but I appreciated the female bonds, rediscovering yourself, and pulling together of the community just as much as the romance. The only thing that I did not like was the narrator attempting various male voices, but that's a personal pet peeve of mine.