My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ .5

Hello friends! Who’s ready to set sail on a forbidden romance across the Mediterranean? Today, I’m diving into Falling Overboard by Sariah Wilson, a lighthearted romance that brings together witty banter, forced proximity, and the dreamy backdrop of a super yacht. While it wasn’t my favorite read, it still had plenty to enjoy and I’m giving it a solid 3.5 stars out of 5!

Let’s start with Lucky Salerno. She’s a chief stewardess working aboard a luxurious yacht to save up for her dream of opening a bakery in honor of her grandmother. Lucky is smart, driven, and somewhat relatable, especially if you’ve ever felt the pressure to chase your goals while juggling life’s curveballs. Then there is Hunter Smith, the mysterious new deckhand who ends up sharing her cabin (cue the “only one cabin” trope!). Hunter is funny, kind, and hiding some secrets behind those piercing blue eyes. Together, they are actually following the yacht’s strict “no fraternization” rule while sparks fly left and right.

The setting was absolutely gorgeous! Wilson does an excellent job painting the Mediterranean as a sun-soaked paradise that feels like a mini escape from reality. The forced proximity trope was good, Lucky and Hunter sharing a tiny cabin added tension and humor to their budding relationship. Plus, there’s some great mental health representation in this story as Lucky struggles with anxiety and panic attacks, and Hunter deals with ADHD. Their moments of supporting each other felt genuine and heartwarming.

The romance itself is slow burn- It gave Lucky and Hunter time to build their connection beyond physical attraction. And the nautical puns sprinkled throughout the book were cheesy but endearing!

What Fell Short

While I liked Lucky and Hunter as characters, their backstories felt surface-level to me. We get brief mentions of their pasts—Lucky’s bakery dream tied to her grandparents and sending her sisters money as they lie to her about why they need it and Hunter’s struggles after losing his sister, but I wanted more depth. The emotional stakes could have been higher if these elements had been explored more fully.

Additionally, some parts of the story felt predictable. You could see where things were heading from early on, which took away some of the excitement. And while clean romances aren’t something I read often, this one leaned heavily on lusty thoughts without much payoff in terms of deeper emotional connection. It could have still been a clean romance and had some fade to black moments.

Audiobook Recommendation

I received a ARC of the audiobook from Netgalley and if you’re an audiobook fan, Falling Overboard is a good one. The narration really captures the humor and charm of the story- you know you rather hear the boat puns. They just hit a little different in audio format.

Final Thoughts

Falling Overboard is the perfect book for you if you are looking for a fun, light read, are a fan of forbidden romance, or anyone who loves the idea of life aboard a super yacht. While it didn’t quite wow me with its depth or originality, it’s still an enjoyable escape—especially if you’re looking for something sweet and low-drama.

So if you are looking for your next beach read, grab your favorite beach towel (or blanket), grab a chair, and prepare for some Mediterranean vibes! Let me know what you think if you decide to pick this one up—happy reading (or listening), friends!