I've been aware of Beth O'Leary's books for a while and I'm sorry to say that despite even owning a few of them, that I hadn't actually say down and read one before.

So I have popped my cherry with this author, on what has to be one of the best books I've read this year so far. And I know I will need to find time to read more from the author too.

From the moment I started this book it was on my mind, and I kept reaching for it when I was working until realising I just needed to sit and devour the story instead as I needed to know what happens.

This is pretty much a book of two characters - Lexi and Zeke, who have a one night stand on a house boat and wake to discover the boat has floated out to sea. With no phone reception, and no other boats in sight, this is a mix of a possible close proximity romance, and also a quest for survival.

And I really don't want to say much more about the plot than that, as this is one you need to discover for yourself. Go in like I did blind, I was attracted by the boat on the cover, as I always seem to love books featuring boats, and I was astounded by how fabulous this book was.

We really get to know everything about Lexi and Zeke as well as how they copy in a crisis. There is action, there is chemistry, there are knives, there are tough decisions, and above all there is a growing connection between our heroes.

I have absolutely no idea what I would have done in that situation, so I think I'll stick away from one night stands on boats, especially when both people think they own the boat, and both aren't great at following instructions while inebriated!

I just had to keep reading to know if there was going to be any hope of survival, I was completely gripped and was totally unaware of my surroundings while I was on the boat with Lexi and Zeke and floating around in the North Sea.

Just amazing. Totally loved this book.

Thank you to Quercus and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I have loved all of Beth O'Leary's writing to date and this new offering does not disappoint! You could imagine how challenging the premise was to write and in a less skilled writers hands it wouldn't have worked but with Beth's skill and magic, the end result is brilliant. It's a captivating story of two strangers trapped together at sea after a one night stand, and you really feel that you are there with them, their emotions become your emotions. It is a true page turner, one that you can't stop reading and at the same time don't want to end. Beth O'Leary writes about people and all the different types of love that they experience, with such care and compassion, it was a lovely and compelling read.

I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t stopped reading it and from the first two chapters I was HOOKED!

I read a lot of Beth O’Leary’s work before and this is definitely one of my favourites of hers so far! Zeke and Lexi were such interesting characters, their chemistry could be felt from the moment they meet each other and I rooted for them so much.

The setting of the book was unlike any other I’ve ever read. I loved it and I was genuinely nervous, excited, scared and happy for them. So many emotions but I loved every moment and the journey they were on!

Beth’s writing is incredible and I honestly couldn’t get back to this book, when I wasn’t reading it - it was all I could think about and will be for a little while. Exceptional work!

I will definitely be recommending this to all my book friends and my full review will be on my instagram : www.instagram.com/love_in_chapters

I have loved every Beth O’leary book! This is no different. The concept of a one night stand that sees you stuck on a boat in the middle of the open ocean is funny, a bit scary, and a fresh way to stick two people together. I really loved the nuance and the interior issues that were going on for the characters. I think Beth writes characters so well, they are real and flawed and filled with humanity.

The morning after their one night stand, Lexi and Zeke wake up on the boat to find that they have been swept out to sea. With no sign of rescue, the two are forced to work together to survive, rationing food and managing waves and wind. 

I'm not a big boat/being on large bodies of water fan to begin with so this book just cemented what kind of a nightmare this would be for me! But hats off to our two characters. The way they kept each other positive during this adventure was above and beyond. While I do believe they were very lucky (read that you may need to suspend belief in some parts), I thoroughly enjoyed sharing their wild ride. The bond the two forged while being in such close quarters was so strong but I have to admit I didn't expect the ending that was featured in the epilogue! This was a captivating book that had me invested from the first page. I loved the story and the characters. This is up there with The Flat Share as my favourite O'Leary book.

This book truly took me on an emotional journey. Reading it with Sharada and Farah made it even more memorable. The reverse gap romance between the characters was everything I didn’t expect—what started as a one-night stand quickly spiraled into something neither of them could control, full of powerful emotions and surprising depth. The way their connection grew, unexpectedly and painfully at times, had us all on edge. At first, it was raw and unguarded, but as they spent more time together, the layers peeled back. The vulnerability they showed each other was heartbreaking, yet beautiful. It wasn’t just a romance; it was a journey of understanding and self-discovery.

There were moments when I could feel their struggle in my own chest. Both characters had such distinct emotional walls, and watching them come down was intense. There was a particular moment, when they both faced the truth about their feelings, that completely took me by surprise—it was such an emotional turning point, one I didn’t see coming, but it made the connection between them feel real and earned. I had moments where I was frustrated with them, but then I’d realize how deeply flawed and human they were, which made it even more powerful.

Some parts were difficult to get through, especially as they navigated their own personal fears and doubts. The float house became a symbol for everything they were dealing with—an isolated, almost mystical place where they faced themselves and each other. We struggled alongside them, not knowing what to expect next, and that tension kept us hooked. The setting also heightened the emotions, giving the characters a space to reflect, confront their pasts, and ultimately transform. It was such a perfect place for them to discover what they truly wanted.

The emotional rollercoaster of the book stayed with me long after I finished it. The way they both had to grow individually before they could truly connect felt authentic. It wasn’t an easy road, but it was one worth traveling. I felt all of their victories and heartbreaks, and it made the ending feel all the more earned.

Reading this book also made me reflect on my own experiences, particularly a boat trip I took years ago. I remember how peaceful and reflective it was being on the water, surrounded by nothing but calm waves. It’s been so long, but this story brought that feeling rushing back. The stillness of the water reminded me of the emotional isolation the characters felt at times and how much that isolation could lead to personal growth. After reading this, I long for that kind of reflection again, a quiet place to think and process, just as the characters did.

I have seen so many recommendations for Beth OLeary and I'm so glad I started with this one. Although it's a romance, it's not twee or sugary, theres a cast of brilliant characters with plenty of flaws and dysfunctional family members, but the novel is really about finding yourself and finding your person who sees you for all thst you are. The layers of depth to Zeke and Lexi keep on being revealed and by the ending I was sobbing. But in a good way! I totally loved it, it's definitely going to be one of my top 2025 reads.

This book is fantastic! I'm so happy that Lexi and Zeke had each other on their journey. It was a delight to share in their experiences and discover more about their families and histories. The emotions of the characters are conveyed wonderfully, and the romantic scenes are just the right amount of sweet without being too explicit, making it ideal for those who like lighter stories. I became quite fond of all the characters, including Eugene. I definitely recommend this book!

This book was truly a wild ride from beginning to end, some bits felt slightly unbelievable however I was so absorbed in the story that I didn’t actually mind.
I really loved the characters and desperately needed to know what would happen next!

I enjoyed the romance element of this book, the story itself seemed a bit far fetched butcstill an enjoyable read that I will be recommending to others when released.

Witty dialogue, original concept, and a plot you cannot stop thinking about. What more could you ask for from a Beth O’Leary novel? Loved it.

Swept Away
By Beth O’Leary
Published by Quercus Publishing

Beth O’Leary does it again - a wonderfully romantic escape into someone else’s world when a one night stand goes wrong.
Sound familiar?
But not like this!
From the bestselling author of The Flatshare and The Wake-Up Call this is a story of life and death, to trust or not to trust, to believe in survival.

After a few drinks, a few more chat up lines and a walk home, this one-night stand ends up being swept out to sea on a houseboat.
But how?

Lexi and Zeke are both looking for a no-strings-attached fun night out with a stranger. But Zeke has promised himself this must stop! But for one night with a woman like Lexi, will he break his own rules?

After a night of passion, the morning dawns and so does reality.
The houseboat has been swept out to sea.
How did this happen?
How long can they survive on a drifting houseboat?
How will they survive each other’s company?
Who will be brave?
Who will relent?
And will they make it back to dry land and home?

This starts as a calming read just like the gentle waves, but life and storms are not all that they seem!
A must read for romantics, risk takers, holiday makers and those who want to know if the one night stand is worth the risk!!

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley

4.5 Stars

Thankyou to Netgalley, Quercus, and Hachette for providing me with a digital arc.

Beth O'Leary has done it again. She never fails to surprise me with how incredible her books are and how different each idea is!

Swept Away is a fantastic story of a one night stand that through traumatic events becomes so much more. Such an interesting premise that I wasn't sure how it would come about, but Beth O'Leary managed to do it in a genius way that had me on the edge of my seat and feeling all the emotions! For a high stakes rom com I couldn't recommend anything better!

Beth O’Leary did it again, she just wrote a beautiful book which will sweep you straight into the story. The characters and plot are actually very interesting with complex personalities and drama. There is also a big twist that will have you screaming at the end as you will not see it coming.

I find it so original how the romance in this story starts developing when Lexi and Zeke are forced to spend time together after they got stuck on the houseboat together.

Lexi and Zeke were such amazing, likeable characters and I loved the plot- imagine being stranded at sea with a one night stand! Beth O’Leary is absolutely hilarious- I love all of her books and this has just taken the top spot ❤️

This was such a fun, unique story. Lexie and Zeke have a one night stand on an houseboat and wake to find themselves lost at sea. Their relationship developed so well on the ship and I loved how they grew to rely on each other.

This was a fantastic read!
It had such a unique premise that I was very curious to see how Beth O’Leary would pull off. And she nailed it!

I have never read a contemporary romance novel with such high stakes and it worked so well. The stressful situation the characters were in made you root for them straight away. The book was a great balance of emotional, hopeful and sweet.

Imagine you were stranded at sea with your one-night stand. Well that’s exactly the situation Zeke and Lexi find themselves in when they wake up on a houseboat that’s floated out to sea while they were sleeping.
Two very different people, one looking for love the other no interest in settling down at all. It definitely makes for an interesting enemies to lovers type romance novel.
Beth O Leary writes the most beautiful, funny, alternative love story’s and I’m yet to find one
I’m not obsessed with! Her latest one is just so cute and heartwarming with lots of adventure and some hairy, scary moments too! I absolutely loved and would highly recommend.

Who'd have thought that I'd be crying my eyes out at 2am over people lost at sea after a one night stand? Well I was! I got so invested in Zeke and Lexi's story that I ignored my 6am alarm and kept reading until the early hours of the morning!

I love a trope and this book has all the tropes I want. SO MUCH forced proximity, a bit of enemies to lovers, a nice age gap. What more could you want?

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you for sharing Swept Away with me. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all of Beth O'Leary's books and this one was no different. It was such a nice read and I loved learning about Zeke and Lexi's story.