Swept Away by Beth O'Leary

Swept Away by Beth O'Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Two strangers find themselves stranded at sea together in this epic new love story by bestselling author Beth O’Leary.

What if you were lost at sea…with your one-night stand?

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.
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I have loved every book I have ever read by Beth O'Leary, so when this one showed up on NetGalley, I was quick to request it, and I am so glad I did! The adventurous plot line of this book made this one a little different from her other novels, but all the elements that make her stories so enjoyable were still there. There was excellent character development and growth, which I really enjoyed. I am more of an open door romance fan, so the fact that this wasn't a super spicy romance had me giving it bonus points. And the addition of Eugene the Seagull (my dad's name is Eugene) filled the spot that a dog usually holds in some of my favorite romance novels.

There was one big twist at the end that was kind of a gimme, but it was still a good one, and the fact that I guessed it ahead of time didn't ruin it for me. And there was another twist that happened that I didn't guess that was handled in an unexpected and lovely way that kind of lent a redemptive arc to a relationship that I didn't expect to want so much. There was a lot of miscommunication, which often annoys me, but it was written well and not drawn out beyond the point that it was reasonable, so it didn't feel overdone.

Overall, I would say this wasn't my favorite of O'Leary book (I really loved The Flatshare, and it will be hard to beat that!), but I did love spending most of the day with Zeke and Lexi (and Eugene) as I read this one almost in one sitting.

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