Swept Away by Beth O'Leary on April 1, 2025
Genres: Fiction / General, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Romantic Comedy
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
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Zeke and Lexi thought it would just be a night of fun. They had no intentions of seeing each other again. Zeke is only in town for the weekend to buy back his late father’s houseboat. Lexi has no time for dating when she needs to help take care of her best friend’s daughter. Going back home with a stranger seems like a perfect escape from their problems. But a miscommunication in the dark, foggy night means no one tied the houseboat to the dock. The next morning, Zeke and Lexi realize all they can see is miles and miles of water. With just a few provisions on the idle boat, Zeke and Lexi must figure out how to get back home. But aside from their survival, they’re facing another challenge. Because when you’re stuck together for days on end, it gives you a lot of time to get to know someone, and to fall in love with them.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I did feel that it was missing that high-stakes, life-or-death element that could have taken the story to the next level. Instead, the focus is on the characters and their emotional journeys, and I appreciated how the story stripped everything back to reveal who they really are at their core. This is a great book for anyone who loves lighthearted, character-driven romance with a bit of emotional depth. It’s a charming and fun read with great chemistry between the leads and a lot of heart.
I rated this novel four stars. I enjoyed it but I did think it really dragged on a bit longer than I would have liked. I found myself surprised on how much I had left in the book at times. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ending or how Lexi reacted to the events near the conclusion but this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley publishing for this advanced reader copy of this romantic getaway.