I really needed to be swept away with a romance book and Beth O’Leary delivered with Swept Away.

In a nutshell, boy meets girl and hook-up on a houseboat, said houseboat drifts out to sea. Will their relationship sink or float.

The book centres on Zeke, a good looking young man, and the slightly older woman Lexi. The book unfolds from their different point of view, which was very enlightening and entertaining. I read it in a day and loved every second.

This is ripe for a Netflix adaptation.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Quercus, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

My first book of this author and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed getting swept away with Zeke and Lexi’s romcom-adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publisher Quercus Books for the ARC.

I absolutely loved this book, I had to finish it within 2 days, it was such an addictive read. An absolute must read and a definite contender for best rom-com of 2025. I really, really hope this becomes a film adaptation, I’ve completely fallen in love with the characters and need more of them!

In Beth’s author note she writes that she hopes we’ll enjoy this book and get Swept Away and this is just what happened! Absolutely devoured this book in one sitting, falling in love with Lexi and Zeke and of course Eugene and The Merry Dormouse! Wouldn’t think that a two handler would be so enthralling but absolutely was - without spoilers I winced, I cried, I gasped and I celebrated!

Beth you genius! Thank you for writing such amazing books and characters we can all fall in love with together. Next one please!

"Swept Away" is a high concept, high stakes romance - a fantastic mix that'll have you swooning AND on the edge of your seat at the same time. It's fun, it's fresh, and it's really ambitious. Highly recommended!

Due to be published on 8 April 2025, Beth O'Leary's highly anticipated next book will live up to all of your expectations!!!

I feel so so blessed to have received an ARC via NetGalley. Ever since reading The Flatshare many years ago, I fell in love with the author's ability to create flawed, loveable characters who self-develop throughout their own stories.

Swept Away follows the story of Zeke & Lexi who find themselves lost at sea following a one-night stand on a houseboat.

Ooooobviously there's the perfect amount of romance and willing for the characters to fall in love, but one thing I love about the author's writing is her ability to make the mundane seem so opportunistic and the smallest of settings seem so full of possibilities.

I love love LOVED this book. I would read O'Leary's shopping lists at this point. A must-read author for all of my devourers of romance out there!! (it also had a twist that I did NOT see coming, but maybe I was just too blinded by the two main characters to see).

I have read everyone of Beth olearys books, and enjoyed this just as much as the others! The premise of this book was unique and felt like it brought the characters together in their survival!

4.5 stars!

Thank you so much to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

When I found out that Beth O'Leary, one of my favourite authors, was releasing a new book I had to get my hands on it immediately! I have read all of her books and own all of them as well, so I was super excited to read this months before the release date.

'Swept Away' is very different compared to her other books. Sure, it is a fun romance book that touches on a lot of deeper themes compared to her previous novels. The central romance characters' dynamics were so uniquely different. There was so much character growth, for both of the characters and it's so refreshing to read books that show the characters' challenges and how they can overcome it.

I have nothing more to say. A true romance writer, that's what you are, Beth O'Leary. I cannot wait to read what you publish next and I know I'm going to love it.

One night of passion turns into a wild survival story when Lexi and Zeke get stuck on a drifting houseboat. Sparks fly in more ways than one as they navigate the unpredictable seas and even more unpredictable feelings.

Beth O’Leary’s newest novel continues her tradition of fun romances with a touch of depth to them. Unfortunately, I just really wasn’t a fan of this concept.

I definitely think that this is personal preference and that some people might love this one, but I can’t get behind a romance set entirely on a boat. Most likely because being stranded is a bit of a fear of mine and I just really don’t like boats.

Considering this, I’ll talk a little more about the characters and writing instead of the concept. I really liked our MMC, and found the FMC to be just fine. In saying that, I enjoyed their dynamic and I would say that the romance plot was good. However, I do think that setting it over a week made it a little unbelievable. O’Leary’s writing was good as usual and I liked her injection of humour alongside more serious elements.

If this concept sounds good to you then I’m sure you’ll like this one. Romance readers should give it a go, but make sure to check TWs before reading. 2.5/5

I love Beth’s writing really enjoyed this! The balance of romance and adventure was great and I loved how Lexi + Zeke challenged one another. The character growth and plot had me engaged the entire time.

What a book - I could not put it down

Beth O'leary is one of my autobuy authors - i would read her shopping list if she published it

The premise of this book is fantastic! In true Beth O Leary style, this is such a fun rom com with endearing characters and lots of banter.

I loved it!

I am still so undecided how I feel about this book and I have left time before writing a review

Due to the isolated nature of being shipwrecked on a houseboat there wasn't a lot of travel it was a lot of character exploration, something very different to what I was expecting.

There was a lot of humour, banter and fun, the perfect escape I didn’t know I needed.

Beth O'Leary fans get ready swept away will truely sweep you away

I was a little scared to start this as I LOVE Beth O'Leary's books and was afraid this wouldn't live up to the hype as she said it was the hardest/best book she's written..

ADORED it! It's like nothing I've read. The romance was so true and beautiful. The action/adventure had me holding my breath.

Now I have to wait til April to share it with everyone!

After meeting in a pub Lexie and Zeke agree to a one night stand, the next morning they wake up on a houseboat that may belong to Zeke or to Lexie’s friend Penny, they quickly discover that they have much bigger problems, instead of still being tied up in the harbour they are adrift in the North Sea with no land in sight. If they are to have any hope of getting home they will have to work together. While the story itself is well told, and you do want to keep reading to find out if they are rescued, the characterisation lets it down, one character does something that I would consider unforgivable but not only are they forgiven but they are granted forgiveness as soon as they admit what they have done, there are a couple of other incidents but as they would be spoilers I won’t mention them here.

Struggled a little with this one, the constant threat while they're at sea diminishes the romance and the infraction once returned seems too great ot surmount.

I loved this book, it was the perfect mix of romance and tension. The section on the boat was a rollercoaster of emotions and I found myself feeling anxious for them. I really liked the way it was told from both points of view. A really enjoyable read!

I love a forced proximity trope so this what connected me to this book. I cared about these characters and what happened to them.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin for this ARC. I loved this new romance from Beth O’Leary. The concept itself is outlandish - two strangers, after a one night stand, trapped at sea on a house boat. But as always, O’Leary pulls it off with her usual charm, realism & heart. There is a reason she is a must-read author for me!