Overall Rating: 3.25

This was a quick read for me. It took me no time at all to finish the read. Having not read the first book in this series, I did feel a little lost at some times but I got the overall concept of the story. I did enjoy it overall and really liked that it focused on main characters that were 40+. I liked that they focused on the real life issues of these individuals and how finding love late in life is possible but still comes with its own individual problems. Thought the characters were realistic and are relatable, I did not feel any connection with the MCs. Overall the story was a little lackluster and felt like I was missing some information (I'm not sure if its because I did not read the first installment) but the story can still be enjoyable if you need a quick Christmas read. I did not mind the reference to Covid but at times I felt like it was a little too much.

*Santa Overboard: A Potomac Shores Holiday* by Carolyn McBride is a delightful and heartwarming holiday romance that captures the spirit of the season while exploring themes of love, community, and second chances. Set in the charming backdrop of Potomac Shores, the story follows a cast of endearing characters as they navigate the ups and downs of holiday preparations, unexpected events, and rekindled relationships.

McBride's writing is warm and inviting, drawing readers into the festive atmosphere of the small town. The pacing is steady, allowing for both the lighthearted moments and the deeper emotional beats to resonate. The vivid descriptions of the holiday decorations, community events, and cozy settings help to immerse readers in the spirit of the season.

The characters are well-developed and relatable, each bringing their own unique quirks and challenges to the story. The central romance is sweet and engaging, built on a foundation of friendship and shared history. As the characters confront their pasts and the complexities of their lives, readers will find themselves rooting for them to find love and happiness amidst the holiday chaos.

Key themes of community, forgiveness, and the magic of the holiday season shine throughout the narrative. McBride beautifully illustrates how the bonds of friendship and family can be strengthened during times of joy and adversity, making the story resonate on a deeper level.

Overall, *Santa Overboard* is a charming read that will appeal to fans of holiday romances and cozy stories. Carolyn McBride delivers a heartwarming tale that combines humor, romance, and the spirit of giving, making it a wonderful addition to any winter reading list. Whether you're in search of a festive escape or a touching journey of love and connection, this novel will undoubtedly leave you feeling uplifted and merry.

I listened to this audiobook and didn't entirely know what to expect from it. I found the characters to be slightly irritating at times and I didn't particularly warm to them in the way I wanted to. The narrative was enjoyable, I liked listening to the events experienced by Katie but I just didn't feel a particular emotional attachment to her and this impacted the way I felt towards the book.

This novel brings us back to the Potomac Shores series in a wholesome, romantic Christmas story that brings back the Beach Bonfire Babes. This was a great jump into the holiday season and enjoyed learning about the unique holiday traditions especially the Ukrainian spider story. As women get older a lot of time it is more difficult to make female friends and often you may find ones you have no longer for into your life. I really appreciated the realness of the desire for connection and how when you are open those connections are still possible. As this novel also touches on loss due to COVID, I believe that loss of connection is even more prevalent. This feeling is so real and relatable. I enjoyed the growth of Katie and Deke's relationship and that Katie works to overcome her own insecurities. I loved the narrator and would highly recommend this novel for a jump into the holiday season 🎅🛥️🎄

Thank you Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This one wasn't my favorite. I'm not sure if its the characters or the storyline I didn't relate to, but something kept me from being into it. I honestly struggled to finish this one which is super disappointing.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the audiobook.

I didn't realize this was a book about COVID. The pandemic was mentioned a million times and so were vaccines. It got old fast. It's clearly understood that the pandemic had an impact on her life. Overly stated. This was a pandemic book with romance.

The narrator did a great job!

Such a great story to start getting into the holiday spirit!
I listened to it while taking a road trip and it made my drive so enjoyable! I am excited to read more in this series!
I live in the DMV so I love that I can picture where everything is happening!

A joyful, satisfying read exploring relationships, friendships enriched with natural science and American history, all skillfully woven together by the author with dabs of humor, insight into the human condition, yummy food all while you do not even realize you are learning about nature and history.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!! I love a good Christmas book!!

Great short listen. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Instead of being the typical 30 somethings romance this was more of a mature woman romance.
There were a lot of side characters so I got a bit lost but overall I enjoyed the listen.

This book was well-written and engaging! Occoquan was captured perfectly, and I could vividly picture the town and its community. The narrator did a fantastic job. The characters were easy to differentiate and fun.

Unfortunately, the excessive reference to the pandemic was a turn off. Completely understand that COVID had such a huge impact on Katie’s life, family, friends, and community. However, as a reader, I lived it, too. And while COVID changed lives, it didn’t become an entire identity as seems to be the case with Katie and her friends.

Thank you to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Title: Santa Overboard
Series: Potomac Shores #2
Author: Carolyn McBride
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Maria Marques
Publisher: Make Waved Press- Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA),
Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction
Audiobook Pub Date was: September 24, 2024
My Rating: 3.4 Stars
Pages: 196

The story takes place back when we were dealing with the Covid pandemic.
Yikes! I remember Christmas that year all too well!
In this story the vaccine is available but the pandemic certain wasn’t over.

Katie Young and her college-age daughter Belle live in a river house in Occoquan, on the Potomac. Katie is working at her getting her Captains license so that she can conduct boat tours all year long and show off Occoquan. Also can’t wait to captain the boat parade and deliver Santa to the town dock on her new ferryboat.

She’s slowly getting to know and love Deke, the town’s resident scientist and captain the boat parade to deliver Santa to the town down.
But Deke has a standing job every Christmas to cover for the scientists in the Galapagos and will not be around for the holidays.
Katie cannot believe Deke won’t be here ~ Kate would love to deliver Santa to the town dock for the boat parade however she doesn’t yet have her license.

I love the preparations for Santa’s arrival via the boat parade.
I can totally visualize the festivities.
We also have an annual Boat Parade here in Sothern California. It is in the evening and the boats are decorated as well as all lit up in bright Christmas lights. The boat travel around Balboa Island and can be seen for miles.

Audiobook narrator Maria Marquis does a great job performing all the characters.
I have listened to the other Carolyn McBride story " The Cicada Spring" and Ms. Marquis was the audiobook performer in that story as well - there is no doubt her voice adds to the overall enjoyment of this story.

Thank You NetGalley and Make Waves Press- Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was September 24, 2024

Listened to the audiobook of ‘Santa Overboard’ and really enjoyed the plot and narration. Fun take on a Christmas book and something I haven’t seen done hundreds of times! The narration was also very well done. Definitely worth picking this one up!

2.25 ⭐️

I feel like I may have missed out by not reading the first book in the series, because this novella definitely didn’t set up the whole town and characters like I expected since it can be a standalone. Anyways, the characters felt pretty flat to me and I just didn’t connect with them. The love story felt forced and so much happened in such a period of time. Also, the many covid references were pretty depressing now that it’s late 2024 and we’re past it - I don’t want to think about the lockdowns and the deaths and everything that happened during it anymore.

The narration by Maria Marquis was good. It didn’t stick out to me as being anything special, but there was nothing wrong with it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for the ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity for this ARC.

I love short audiobooks but this was a miss for me. It fell flat in regards to the story and characters.

I did enjoy the fact that the FMC was middle-aged because it created a new perspective for romances and second chances.

The plot lacked and I felt there were too many side characters in such a short span. The references to Covid were repetitive, like I understand referencing a global pandemic but it overtook other stories.

I don't think this should have been a short story. It was too much happening to cram into such a short book. I do think this would have been better as a longer version, or with less side characters involved. It didn't allow us the character development needed.

A cute and quirky holiday romance! This was a quick listen for me. The narrator really sold the story I have to say.

You get friendship, romance, humor, and holidays. All things I love and will gladly eat out. But it just felt a little meh to me. Unfinished. I don't mind mentioning current events in work but the amount of times C19 was mentioned was a bit much. I can piece that together myself that the story is in the midst of the pandemic if you mention it once.

Outside of that I did find myself laughing, and the story kept my attention. I really enjoyed Deke's character.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to listen!

Santa Overboard is such a cute holiday themed novel perfect to get into the Christmas spirit. It's the second book int he Potomac Shores series, but having not read the first one, I can honestly say, it's not needed to read this one. However, I will be going back and reading the first installment in the series because Santa Overboard really was that good.

The characters were great. It's a very typical HEA book, but it's Christmas themed, and who doesn't love that?! McBride did a great job with the storyline. It's refreshing to read something that's not riddled with holes and gaps in the plot.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and Maria Marquis did a wonderful job with the narration. She brought the characters to life and gave the book the energy it deserved. Will be recommending this.

I found this book to be super cute and enjoyable. It was a quick listen that I thought was very well written. I liked that it included real world issues but was also laugh out loud funny at times. I did feel like it was a bit all over the place when it came to the plot, but it felt more realistic. Life is never just one issue. There is always something happening and nothing ever goes to plan. Overall I enjoyed this book a lot!

A cute holiday romance, I read Carolyn McBride's Santa Overboard: A Potomac Shores Holiday as a standalone. To be honest, I didn't even realize it was the second book in McBride's Potomac Shores series til I came to review it.

The author spends a lot of time reminiscing about the pandemic and it brought back so many memories. I have kids this age too, and boy did COVID change life for my 20-somethings.

I enjoyed the narration by Maria Marquis, they deliver a fine performance.

Santa Overboard: A Potomac Shores Holiday by Carolyn McBride
Narrated by Maria Marquis
Publisher: Make Waves Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Genre: Novellas & Short Stories, Romance, Women's Fiction
Published: September 24 2024

Santa Overboard is the second book in the Potomac Shores series by Carolyn McBride. I haven't read the first book but was able to read this as a standalone romance.

The narration by Maria Marquis was very enjoyable.

I really wanted to like this book. It's a quick Christmas read and I'm all for getting into the holiday spirit. But for me, it fell flat. There was so much emphasis on the pandemic, vaccinations, and the struggles around COVID that I thought the fun was sucked out of it. I read books to get away from reality and this one kept bringing up the pandemic (at least once every chapter it seemed) that I couldn't get away from it. I feel like this book was released like 2 years too late (or way too soon for people to have gotten past their own hurts).

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.