love on deck – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 314 pages
Author: Kasey Stockton
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: August 15th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He calls it fake dating, but she calls it being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Lauren Foley and Jack Fletcher already tried to be amicable once—on a blind date that ended in complete disaster. Now, years later, they have to put up with each other for the sake of her sister and his best friend, who are eloping on a cruise to the Bahamas. But that’s not the worst of it. No, Lauren’s in even deeper water when she finds herself agreeing to play Jack’s fake girlfriend for the duration of the cruise. Now the only thing on her mind is trying not to strangle him when he dials up the charm, but it becomes harder to remember exactly why she ever hated him in the first place. Jack, on the other hand, is enjoying the perks. Until the cruise lands on American soil again and real life hits them square in the face. Lauren is up for a promotion at work, and Jack promised her something that would secure it. But promises are easily broken, vacation life doesn’t always translate to the real world, and sometimes enemies start that way for a reason. Book one in the Arcadia Creek romance series, Love on Deck is a fake dating enemies-to-lovers story with forced proximity and a happily ever after. This modern romance will also introduce you to small town Texas and show you just how cozy it can be.

THIS WAS FUN.

Kasey Stockton absolutely nailed all of the banter in this book. I was laughing and smiling and loving the intensity between Lauren and Jack. It was fun having the cruise ship setting and all of the antics that went along with that.

I loved the general plot between the main characters and how they had to work through some of their differences and work obligations to find that compatible ground between them. I loooved seeing all of Jack’s family and the small town goodness that came from going home.

Lauren’s sister did sideline some of the story for me. Her sub-plot felt very main plot in the second half and I was missing the conversations between Jack and Lauren. A sweet book overall though and I’m excited to see who’s story is next in the series.

Overall audience notes: