The Loathe Boat

Fun Cruise Read. But It Has The Wrong Best Video Game Ever. When this book releases on my birthday - US Presidential Inauguration Day as well, this year - I will literally be out of the country. Specifically, I'll be on Grand Turk with the Carnival Mardi Gras... yes, on a cruise myself that week. :D

Reading this one in the last few days before I drop down to Orlando and Port Canaveral to meet up with the Mardi Gras was particularly fun, but I can tell you from over 4 months of cruising across nearly 20 years now that this book really does capture the spirit of the modern cruise industry quite well. Some of the other aspects re: group cruises or partial charters (and particularly the type of group doing the charter here), I'm less familiar with as neither group cruises nor this particular type of group are really my scene. Even there, from what I've seen of that group, Dorminy shows the group in a favorable light and does a solid job of incorporating the better elements of that group within the overall story being told here.

And the story being told here is actually one of the more interesting romcoms I've read in quite some time, mostly because even though it uses several tropes (what romance book these days doesn't?), it uses them in far more rare and interesting ways. The comedy segments are done particularly well in many different aspects, including some that will have you literally laughing out loud. The "spice" is somewhere around call it habanero or so. It gets a bit interesting without going so far as to cause really anyone to "get the vapors" or anything, though it *is* more than some will want to handle.

Overall a fun and interesting read, great for getting in the "vacation mood" without necessarily hearing Jimmy Buffett (but also, thankfully, no Sweet Caroline either).

Oh, and the *actual* best video game ever? Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Find it on any console or PC, and you'll thank me for the game recommendation even more than the book recommendation.

Very much recommended.

This book is the best 90s rom com - the only thing missing is Hugh Grant. I was laughing as Declan and Chrissy were introduced at a Hockey Game half time entertainment as they worked in duck costumes to win a cruise, I knew Declan had my heart and Chrissy's by the end of chapter one, so when she turns down his proposal I just stared blankly at the page because it didn't make sense. It felt out of character, but as they spend time on the cruise that neither will not go on, and meet new friends on the LARP style activities you will wish you could be written into the story. Add to this Chrissy ex-husband crashes their cruise in an attempt to win Chrissy back and show how his money and polish outshine Declan's sweet and golden heart. Filled with all the best banter, wit, and well paced plotting this story will leave you laughing and cheering!