Swept Away by Beth O’Leary (April 1, 2025) Huge thanks to @berkleyromance for the #gifted finished copy and @prhaudio for the #gifted advanced listening copy! #berkley #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer
When Lexi and Zeke meet at a pub, they agree on one thing: this is just one night. No strings, no expectations – just drinks, a spark, and a moment of escape. Zeke’s only in town to reclaim his late father’s houseboat, and Lexi is deep in the chaos of helping her best friend raise a child. But after one too many drinks and a very unfortunate misunderstanding, they wake up adrift in the middle of the sea – with no land in sight, limited supplies, and no way of contacting help.
What begins as a scramble for survival slowly becomes something more. As days pass, Lexi and Zeke must rely on each other to ration food and water, devise plans, and keep hope alive. And amid the fear, uncertainty, and haunting quiet of the open water, an unexpected connection takes root – one that might just be real enough to survive once they’re back on land… if they make it there.
Beth O’Leary has long been one of my favorite romance authors (The Flatshare is an all-time favorite), and the first half of this novel really captures O’Leary’s magic: emotionally rich, delicately observed, and deeply character-driven. The way she writes the vastness and stillness of being lost at sea, equal parts terrifying and strangely beautiful, is incredibly immersive. The second half takes a more dramatic, high-stakes turn, with bursts of action and difficult moral decisions that test both the characters and the reader. I found a few of the late-stage plot twists a little frustrating, but overall liked the emotional payoff of the story.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧Connor Swindells and Rebekah Hinds are fantastic. They bring so much depth to Lexi and Zeke’s emotional journeys, especially capturing the rising tension and vulnerability as the hours/days drag on at sea. (9h 53m)
Book: 🌟🌟🌟💫
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Spice: 🌶️
Book Smart Kate 