by Becky Dean
publisher’s synopsis
After a very public breakup where her ex, Caleb, told her she is both, a.) boring, and b.) stuck in her ways, Savannah Moore decides her mom’s company cruise to Alaska is the perfect opportunity to show people that she can be fun. One new thing a day should be enough to prove to others, and herself, that she isn’t “Moore the Bore.”Stepping out of her comfort zone isn’t easy, especially since her long-time nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. His family and hers are friends, and Tanner knows her—and her true self—better than she’d like to admit.
When he learns of her plan, Tanner offers to help Savannah be adventurous and encourages her to try absolutely everything—zip lining and dogsledding, hiking the bear-infested Alaskan wilderness, late-night karaoke, and a polar plunge. Savannah will win Caleb back by showing him just what he’s missing.Except after spending so much time with Tanner, soon she’s not sure Caleb is the one she wants anymore…
YA contemporary romance is not my main genre, but occasionally I pick one up and enjoy it. And that happened with Hearts Overboard.
Dean nailed the cruise vibes. I’ve been on a couple cruises (but not an Alaskan one yet), and I was smiling when Savannah gave herself a tour of the ship. I’ve had the exact same thoughts about identical cabin hallways and awkward sail away parties. The cruise provided a fun setting.
While Savannah’s need for order and familiarity were explained throughout the novel, there was something about it that didn’t quite work completely for me. Maybe it’s because I’m more adventurous than she is, but I struggled a little bit with that character aspect, even though it was integral to the plot.
Personally, I think the romance between Savannah and Tanner might have happened too fast considering they go from rivals to a couple over the span of a cruise. But like I said at the beginning, YA romance isn’t my main genre, so this is likely just a personal preference. =)
If you’re looking for a fun, light-hearted read, Hearts Overboard might be a good fit.
Cautions: five kisses; moderate romance; brief reference to a rude gesture
(I received an eARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Hearts Overboard release July 2024.)
Hailey Huntington 
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