A one night stand on a houseboat leads to multiple days and nights lost at sea. Lexi and Zeke learn how to survive in harsh conditions all while drawing closer together emotionally. As they become friends, they share their struggles back at home and what they want their life to be, if they survive.

The characters were endearing. O'Leary does a fantastic job of digging deep into their feelings. The characters quirks and fears are relatable and realistic. I enjoyed the forced proximity and romantic tension it brought to the story.

As a whole, this book was entertaining and filled with drama to the very last page. I love O'Leary's books, but this one wasn't necessarily for me. My critiques of the book relate to overall pacing of the story, and the sudden reveals in the last quarter that felt a little forced and were there more for shock value. However! This is a story that I think many people will enjoy. It's not often that a romance book includes risk of severe injury, emotional trauma, and death for the main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I got completely engrossed in this book and stayed up way too late to finish it. But I had to know if everyone was okay! Beth O'Leary's new romance is original and somewhat high-concept: imagine that you have a one-night stand on a houseboat, and in the morning you wake up to find that you've drifted out to sea. You have no power, no cell signal, and no way to get home. You are now trapped with a virtual stranger, whom you must depend on for survival.

This is O'Leary's best work since The Flatshare. I look forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I’m a big fan of this author and this book made no exception! The perfect book to read in the summer! Loved the chemistry between Lexi and Zeke! I’m always a sucker for forced proximity and this book did it perfectly. Highly recccomend

There is just something about Beth O'Leary's books that I love. You get to laugh a little, learn something a little, and at the end of the book sit back with a contented sigh. Swept Away is another such book where hilariously enough the girl was supposed to knot the ropes of the houseboat to the bulkhead . . . and instead somehow tied them to themselves and the next morning her and her one night stand find themselves "swept away" in the middle of the sea. Such a cute rom-com book about life and what it throws at you and how you react to it. Another solid read by Beth O'Leary.

Thank you to NetGalley, Beth O'Leary and Berkley Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Pick this fun book up and enjoy a couple of nights at sea learning how to survive with no phones, a small leak and loads of fun.

4.5 stars!

Only Beth O'Leary could write something this unique and pull it off!!!!! This was a masterclass in the beauty of forced proximity and real love doesn't need much time at all to be true. My anxiety has never been so high during a contemporary romance before. O'Leary is so cinematic in her writing that I felt as if I was lost at sea with no end in sight with Lexi and Zeke and falling in love despite the risk of dying. Such a fun read and I cant wait for whatever Beth O'Leary has up her sleeve next!

This was a fun story. Very much in the vein of other O'Leary romances though it wasn't my favorite of hers. A fun take on a one night stand from hell and a twist that I didn't necessarily see coming.

4.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine seeing a hot guy, having a bunch of drinks, and then waking up with an awful hangover, and only to find out that you're stranded at sea in a houseboat.
🛥 reverse she gap
🌊 forced proximity
🛥 grumpy x sunshine
🌊 man falls first
🛥 total romance book


The premise sounded amazing. I wasn’t expecting the against all odds and survival story. I was hooked on this book. I loved the Flatshare and this one, too. From now on out, I will be buying whatever Beth O'Leary writes. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Expected release date April 10, 2025

So I actually really enjoyed this! I was a little skeptical because anytime a story starts with a one night stand I'm already hesitant about where this was going but this felt SO unique! The whole premise of being stuck at sea with your one night stand! It was so fun but yet full of heart and depth.

It was such a good adventure too that kept me engaged. I liked that it wasn't an instant love thing either but more friends to lovers. Their relationship had a natural progression which I appreciated. I loved their banter and the lighthearted moments we got between stressful situations or flashes to the past of their family dramas. Also, Eugene the seagull was just the cutest little thing!

It felt like I was watching a movie. Our male main character was just precious. He's definitely more than goeey, sweet, Cinnamon roll type of character and our female is the more tough exterior. Plus their is an age gap which at first I wasn't sure about because I don't love the younger guy/ older gal but it honestly isn't a huge deal.

I will say there were a couple things that kept this from being 5 stars for me and it's hard to share without spoiling anything. The biggest thing was this moment toward the end when something is revealed. I didn't love how things went down but I still feel like it all worked out. But it did feel like once the end wrapped up a little quick and convenient. I wish the big secret thing maybe hadn't happened but it added an extra twist, I didn't see coming that's for sure. I'll be so curious to see what other people think of it as well.

But overall, I just adore this! It was such a fun, unique story with a deeper feel to it. I'd say Flatshare is still my fav of hers tho.

10/10! Zeke and Lexi were so adorable! I loved how they came together during the time they were lost at sea. And then that twist about the baby... Crazy!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Entertaining book about how it feels to be lost at sea. Story
light and keeps one reading but no challenge there.

This was a more serious read than I thought it was going to be but it was also a great story of resilience and survival. It was also a great reminder to appreciate the little things in life and to cherish the people you love. The twist toward the end had my jaw on the floor. An unlikely couple and all of their connections were interesting. I love how honest the characters get too with their own personal struggles. This was a very raw and emotional read.

I have to admit my love of the movie Cast Away got me excited for this one. I mean come on a houseboat gets lost at see forcing a one night stand couple to work together to stay alive. The premise was exciting and different. However, the execution was not it.

I think my real issue stems from how stupid both main characters are. I wish I could give examples but I don’t want to spoil anything just know that alcohol and knifes are involved. And yes I know it’s a work of fiction but be for real anyone with a working brain cell would know better. my other issue with our main characters I couldn't connect to either of them and felt like they didn't have any chemistry together as a couple.

Plus we have the twist at the end. which honestly didn't seem necessary and made the book longer than it needed to be. Even though this wasn't for me I still want to try more of Beths books. Big Thank you to NetGalley & Berkley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stranded at sea with your one-night stand—what could go wrong? Zeke and Lexi planned for a single night of escape, but a miscommunication leaves them adrift on Zeke’s houseboat with no land in sight. As they navigate survival with limited provisions, they also discover an unexpected connection. Days on the open water force them to confront their pasts, their fears, and the possibility of love in this heartfelt and adventurous romance by Beth O’Leary.

Listen, I love the comforting predictability of romance plots, but my GOD, was it refreshing to read something that shakes up the formula in the best way. Oh, Zeke. The perfect youngest son, balancing a tender, relatable charm that isn’t about being overly masculine or feminine—just authentically him. Loved the age gap with an older woman, even though age gaps aren’t usually my thing. And can we talk about the conflict? Finally, a romance with stakes that feel real, not just a token third-act breakup. Hats off to Beth O’Leary for delivering a story that’s both familiar and delightfully surprising.

Forget the “one bed” trope—this is a “one houseboat stranded in the middle of the ocean” trope.

When Zeke and Lexi first meet, sparks fly. Lexi’s looking for a fun night with a stranger, so they head to Zeke's houseboat. But the next morning, just as she’s getting ready to leave and return to her life, they realize they’re stuck—surrounded by nothing but open water. The houseboat’s been swept out into the ocean!

I really enjoyed how this book puts a fresh twist on the usual romance story. The characters are thrown into a high-stakes situation, and each day presents a new problem for them to figure out. As they work through everything, the growth of their relationship feels believable.

Thirty-year-olds acting immature is a major turnoff for me in romance novels, but Lexi and Zeke are different. They learn to be honest with each other, and their struggles and pasts add real depth to their characters.

Overall, it was a fun read. It didn’t quite tug at my heartstrings, though, and at times the pacing felt a little slow. I’m also still not sure how I feel about the climax.

I stayed up till 1am reading Swept Away because it was irresistible. I’ve never read a romance like it!

It was mostly an adventure novel, about two people stranded at sea. But as Lexi and Zeke try to stay alive… there are some sweet & sexy moments interspersed.

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary was such a delightful surprise! The story is fun, heartwarming, and a bit unexpected in the best way. I loved how the characters’ relationship unfolds in this quirky, off-the-beaten-path adventure. It’s full of charm, humor, and a good dose of romance, but there’s also a deeper layer of personal growth and healing. O'Leary’s writing is easy to get lost in, and I found myself really rooting for the characters. If you're looking for a feel-good, page-turner with just the right mix of light and heartfelt moments, this one’s definitely worth a read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc of this book!

I love all Beth O’Leary’s books. I loved the premise of this book- it really carried the book- so creative and I love a forced proximity trope- and a house boat! Perfect. It starts off light but hits a lot of heavy topics which is often true of O’Leary’s books.
If you like O’Leary, enjoy a rom com but kicked up a notch with some depth to it, this book is for you.

Ever since The Flatshare, Beth O'Leary has been writing fun, creative romance in new and unique settings. Swept Away is no exception! Part romance and part adventure, this book follows Zeke and Lexi as they end up unexpectedly prolonging what was meant to be a one night stand into multiple days out at sea. Will they survive? And will they stay friends, or maybe even more? Get on board to find out!

A one night stand doesn’t end when Lexi and Zeke are literally swept out to sea. I finished this book in one day, I loved their whirlwind romance and didn’t feel like it was forced at all. The only downside for me was the 80% problem. It felt not great and I wish it had been some other problem, but all in all, I really liked them both and their romance

I enjoyed this book more than any romance I've read in quite some time. The situation was farfetched, the stakes were high, and the characters seemed like real, likable people reacting in the way people would in the same circumstances. I'll recommend this to library staff and customers once it's available in our catalog.