Ore is on a boat trying to get a story about a billionaire. She meets the captain of the boat, Daniel, as soon as she arrives and is puking over the side of the boat. In her quest to get a real story, Daniel is assigned to accompany her while she interviews the crew. She has a hunch that there is more to the billionaire’s story. She and Daniel fall for each other while uncovering the story.

I enjoyed this story. There was a good love story and a little bit of suspense.

Ore is a freelance journalist with a chance at a dream job thanks to landing an exclusive interview with an elusive tech billionaire. Happily, this comes with the chance to spend 2 weeks with him on his super yacht sailing around Australia. Except what initially sounded like a simple puff piece gives her a chance to discover that the billionaire's business dealings aren't as above the board as he claims. It will take Ore and the help of handsome Captain Daniel to get to the bottom of things, but will they have what it takes to make it public?

It's an okay book that touches on a lot of difficult topics, which bogged down the romantic angle for me. You can't really focus on the sweetness between Ore and Daniel when SA and shady business dealings are constantly being brought to the front. I appreciate how it elevates the story overall, but I ended up getting tired of it and hoping to get more time just enjoying the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon and Ada Barumé for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 / 5 stars

I really enjoyed this easy read, which is just perfect for the summer! What starts as a romance, turns into a lovely mystery that, as the reader, we really want to get to the bottom of. We find ourselves on a luxury yacht with a dual protagonist POV. One of which is from Ore, an investigative journalist hoping to catch her big break and the other, Daniel, our captain - who wishes to live a quite life and retire early.

Whilst Ore initially believes that she will be doing a biographical piece on the success of billionaire Chuck Regas, she finds out that there is a much darker story at play…

Whilst I really found this a gripping narrative past the halfway mark, the start to this book felt quite slow for me. It was definitely worth pushing through to the finish as I very much enjoyed the mystery element. I also adore the fact that there are short chapters, which makes any book easier to digest!

There is a slow burn romance between Ore and Daniel, which gets a little spicy and it is very sweet. I wish we’d have had more time to explore their romance, but the buildup was worth it! I really wanted to rate this higher but I was unfortunately a little disappointed by the end conclusion, since the whole book had been escalating to the pinnacle moment. There wasn’t an opportunity to see what happened to the villain - but perhaps a sequel is in the works?

A special shout out has to go to Carlos, as he was most definitely my favourite and funniest character! I love any book that is set on a ship, as it’s a scenery that we don’t often get to explore - particularly from a behind-the-scenes staff perspective.

This was an overall pleasant read, and I would definitely recommend it to those going on a beach holiday (and definitely to those going on a cruise)!

First of all a huge thank you to the team at Avon publishing for asking me to review this wonderful book . i got to review Love Overboard last year and loved the story so much , i feel this one may have topped the last .

Imagine you are a freelance journalist asked to go on a yacht for two weeks HELLO YES PLEASE !!! you are offered to interview a billionaire but all changes last minute and you meet the swoon worthy , grumpy sunshine ,that you want to slap and kiss all at the same time Captain Daniel Wilson which all he wants to do is get this assignment done and dusted , "are you sold yet bookish queens and kings ".

I can say this book gave me all the swoon worthy feelings that i needed .i very much enjoyed the character building , a brilliantly done slow burn between Ore and Daniel , i loved the little plot twists with the crew and guests .
The banter was so well written between them all they made me chuckle so much . a wonderful summer feeling .
just the plot overall was so much fun .
I really enjoyed getting to know each character i could really relate to them . they all made the story just perfect ..
There is a little bit of spice for you spice lovers .

Overall I thought the book was so well written such a great spring \ summer fun read it had me hook line and sinker .
im giving the book 5 summer loving stars

So, this book is a 4/5 star read for me. Not absolutely mind-blowingly amazing, but it was a decent read and I enjoyed it. Let's get into my thoughts on this book. It was good, and I enjoyed it. I really liked Ore, Daniel, and Mel. It was an entertaining story that kept my attention. However. The first 15ish percent was really hard to get into for me. It just didn't hold my attention. After that is when it got intriguing. I also liked Daniel and Ore's relationship. The entire book was different, but in the best way. The main issue is that the first part was really slow and from there it seemed too rushed. It was good, but it just felt like you were going in big circles and then all of a sudden everything hit and it just felt like wow, that was too quick. It didn't feel like there was actually enough time for things to develop and build properly. Everything just kind of happened without the proper build up to it and gradual increase of relationships and information. So while the book was good, I enjoyed it, and I would recommend it, I also think that it could have been done a little differently and be better. Overall, yes this was a good book and I would definitely recommend!

This was such an entertaining and exciting ride filled with intrigue, secrets, hot tension, and sweet romance! What starts as something akin to a relaxing beach romance quickly becomes so much more! This is definitely a book to add to your Summer TBR!

Ore, a reporter aspiring to much more in the literary world, uncovers more and more as she writes a piece that started out much simpler than it finishes. Ore is ambitious, brave even in the face of uncertainty, and knows what she wants and doesn't fear chasing after it. As she investigates the characters on board the Thalassa, she discovers a far more provoking mystery. And that's even before the sweet and spicy Captain Daniel enters the scene. A man of many emotions, Daniel isn't afraid to own his emotions and allows himself to feel them even when they surprise him - and it's so refreshing to read a man like this!

Ada Barume created a cast of characters that were so vibrant and easy to imagine. I felt like I connected with the characters and appreciated the dual-POV as I took a glimpse into the lives of the crew. I was immediately hooked (pun totally intended!) and had to know who did what and where the story would lead. Every time I expected one thing to happen, I found myself shocked at how the story twisted and turned. As a reader, I crave surprise - make me feel something, make me cry; I want to feel my heart break - as the story unfolded, I found myself feeling everything!

"I'm just happy Daniel, like I've been rummaging around my life looking for something I've lost, and I've just found it, and it's even more special than I remembered." *Swoon*

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this one after the first chapter. I don't know if it was the shallow dialogue or the characters, but this was painful. I wanted to like this one because it reminded me of Below Deck, but I couldn't get far enough to know.

Ore and Daniel are both on the same superyacht. He is the captain and she is a journalist who gets more than she expected when she uncovers the truth about what is going on with the passengers. I like how it was told from both points of view.

Yacht rom-com seems to be a new trend lately, but this one has more depth that just a summer romance.

Ore and Daniel are great characters, there is a lot of romance, mystery and a crazy eccentric and his daughter. Ore thinks she's getting an insider article but learns there was a lot of dark happenings on board the yacht.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I enjoyed reading this book.

We meet Ore, she has nearly got the job she’s dreamed about, wanting to be an investigative reporter. First she has to the big story on Harrison Marigold, who is rich.

In order to do this, Ore has to be on his yacht for two weeks. When Daniel meets her, he’s suspicious of her as he wants a job, to be a captain of a fancy yacht.

When she begins to ask questions, Daniel does his best to make it harder for her, but then she comes across the sort of business that isn’t known to others that Harrison and his associates are doing, Ore discovers she has feelings for Daniel.

I recommend this book.

This book made the Below Deck fan inside of me very happy. I had a lovely time reading this and even though it had moments where I thought it was slow and I didn't know where it was going. I had a lovely time reading it.

Ore, a freelance journalist, is determined to build the career she wants. When she’s contracted to write a puff piece on billionaire Chuck Regas, she boards his yacht for two weeks of sailing. But a last-minute crew change brings in Captain Daniel Wilsons, who has one goal—complete his six-week assignment and move on.

As the days pass, tension builds between Ore and Daniel, and secrets about the crew, guests, and the billionaire owner begin to surface.

The romance felt natural—sometimes love stories feel rushed, but this one developed in a way that made sense. Ore and Daniel knew they were attracted to each other, but the story didn’t force them into an unrealistic whirlwind romance. One of the highlights was the banter between Ore and Daniel—it was sharp, fun, and started even before the romance truly kicked in.

The story also does a great job of building relationships beyond the main couple. We get to see Ore and Daniel interact with the crew, which makes the world feel fuller.

There are one or two spicy scenes, but nothing too explicit or kinky—I’d rate it about 2/5 spice. The intrigue surrounding the crew’s secrets also kept things interesting without overshadowing the romance.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would give it 4/5 stars!

At around page 90 the book piked my interest more.
Can’t stand vicky she’s a bit much … yeah okay ore is a journalist and there for snooping but if you really cared about the injustice that happened to your former colleague, Annie, then why won’t you speak to someone who could potentially bring justice for Annie ? I feel like she’s not REALLY bothered by what happened to Annie.
I’ve finished the book and oddly I only really almost enjoyed the last 100 pages… by day five I was very concerned for Ore‘s life and safety.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

⚓️ Hooked On You ⚓️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is an arc review and this book releases May 10th.

Hooked on You is a delightful contemporary romcom set on a luxury yacht. This follows Ore, an aspiring investigative journalist, tasked with writing an exposé on elusive billionaire Harrison. To do so, she must spend two weeks aboard his yacht and gain the trust and opinions of the crew. Meanwhile, Daniel, the yacht's captain, is determined to keep his crew focused and professional, despite the presence of the charming and determined Ore. As the two spend time together sparks fly, and they find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways.

This is a perfect, summer contemporary romance - below deck in romantic book form, bravo fans unite! I loved the banter and humour in this and it had the perfect balance of mystery and romance to keep me literally hooked (line and sinker). The tropes include grumpy x sunshine, workplace romance and enemies to lovers plus it’s in dual POV! Honestly it was sunshine in book form, definitely one to grab as a summer beach read.

This was okay. I don't necessarily believe that they love each other that fast. They don't really know that much about each other besides whats happening right then on the boat. It's not a bad book and I'm sure it will find its audience.

I received an arc through netgalley.

2/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.

The story had a lot of potential but unfortunately this one just did not land for me. On top of being very insta-lovey, all the characters only had surface level development and very little chemistry. The only interactions that I actually found interesting were between Ore, Mel and Agatha. Everyone else was just kind of bland.

I am always so excited to read books with diverse representation and authors I haven't read yet, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity of checking this one out. I wish I felt as connected to this story as I wanted to be...

The main female character felt really hard to understand and like within the first few chapters - it didn't hook me and didn't make me root for her. I wasn't particularly interested in her story or her journey to achieving her goals and dreams at her job.

While I'm sure that there are many other readers that will love this one, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

such a lovely book. i really enjoyed this romance which felt at its core so much more than i thought it would be. it was built and explored and they both learn from each other and for each other. there was a respect and warmth to them. it was honest and deep and i really really loved there falling for each other.
but of course at the start they dont really appear to be on the same side. Ore wants her scoop. and to do so she needs to set saild on a billionaires yacht and interview the a powerful CEO. easy right. but that would be easy there wasnt clearly something going on behind the bosses rich facades. and just how deep and dangerous is Ore willing to get. and when after being on the boat and snooping around, will it stop being her choice as to how involved she is?
we also have Daniel. who is in the way. in far to complicated reasons. because hes something more than the captain. hes someone she is really starting to think of more. too much. too too much.
Daniel also has his first agender to being on the ship. hes got to nail this trip. hes worked his way up to being captain and this is the last run of the ladder to success. but he didnt plan on meeting Ore. and he certainly didnt plan on his mind wandering more to her than his career. what does he do now? can he let her in? should he? and what happens when they all get mixed up in the shady goings on with the boss.

This is a captivating blend of romance and mystery set aboard a luxurious yacht. Ore, a determined journalist, is on the verge of landing her dream job at The New Yorker—but first, she must write a profile on a powerful CEO. To do so, she embarks on his yacht, intending to interview the crew and guests. However, as she digs deeper, she realizes something is off about the CEO and his associates, turning what was supposed to be a simple profile into a much more dangerous investigation.

At the heart of the story is Ore’s unexpected connection with Daniel, the yacht’s captain, who has always lived by careful planning—until she disrupts his world. Their romance is built on more than just attraction; they share values and mutual respect, making their relationship feel organic and refreshing. While some side characters, like Carlos, the yacht’s chef, add charm, others, like Claude, feel underdeveloped.

With its mix of suspense, glamour, and romance, Hooked on You is an engaging summer read, perfect for those who enjoy high-stakes drama with a dash of love.

Firstly, thank you so much for sending me a early copy of Hooked On You.
In this wonderful story, we follow Ore, a journalist who has been asked to write a story on billionaire chuck. Little does she know there's a more than the story she has been sent to wrote about.
We also get the POV of thr captain of the ship Daniel. How he learns to let his guard down, and let people in, whilst helping Ore out.