Swept Away
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.
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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Community Reviews
I was eager to pick up O'Leary's latest romance Swept Away, so when it became available on Libby, I quickly accepted, pushing all my more pressing books aside. I've been a fan of O'Leary's since The Flatshare. She creates well-rounded characters I can always identify with in some way and wraps them in a love story I always feel connected to.
In the past, the only issue I've had with any of her stories involved the side characters, but I can say with this one, that was never an issue. They were just what they needed to be--great supporting characters for our couple.
What I enjoyed the most with Swept Away (besides the romance) was the adventure of it all. I'm a sucker for a good story about characters persevering through unexpected mental and physical challenges while also falling in love. (I blame my mother's romance novels I'd sneak to read.) But writing a good adventure romance is HARD. Sometimes it can walk a fine line of maybe that's plausible to ok, now you've jumped the shark. Swept Away bounced around between the two for me. But I enjoyed this summer romance. I'd say I was pleasantly swept away!
In the past, the only issue I've had with any of her stories involved the side characters, but I can say with this one, that was never an issue. They were just what they needed to be--great supporting characters for our couple.
What I enjoyed the most with Swept Away (besides the romance) was the adventure of it all. I'm a sucker for a good story about characters persevering through unexpected mental and physical challenges while also falling in love. (I blame my mother's romance novels I'd sneak to read.) But writing a good adventure romance is HARD. Sometimes it can walk a fine line of maybe that's plausible to ok, now you've jumped the shark. Swept Away bounced around between the two for me. But I enjoyed this summer romance. I'd say I was pleasantly swept away!
Swept Away by Beth O'Leary is not your typical rom-com; it dives much deeper, blending adventure and romance in a way that kept me hooked from the start. What stood out the most was the adventure element — two strangers forced to rely on each other to survive after a one-night stand. Watching their connection grow in such high-stakes circumstances felt raw and authentic, and the slow-burn romance that unfolded was beautifully paced.
However, what kept this from being a solid five-star read for me was the third-act miscommunication and breakup. It felt random and misplaced, completely halting the momentum of the love story. After everything they’d been through, that plot point felt more like an unnecessary hurdle than a natural development.
Despite that, I still enjoyed the journey and the emotional depth of the characters. O'Leary's storytelling shines in the way she balances tension, vulnerability, and romance. I still highly recommend this book to any romance lover — the adventure, chemistry, and emotional growth make it a memorable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
However, what kept this from being a solid five-star read for me was the third-act miscommunication and breakup. It felt random and misplaced, completely halting the momentum of the love story. After everything they’d been through, that plot point felt more like an unnecessary hurdle than a natural development.
Despite that, I still enjoyed the journey and the emotional depth of the characters. O'Leary's storytelling shines in the way she balances tension, vulnerability, and romance. I still highly recommend this book to any romance lover — the adventure, chemistry, and emotional growth make it a memorable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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