Swept: Love with a Chance of Drowning
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Swept: Love with a Chance of Drowning

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4.46 of 5 stars 4.46  ·  rating details  ·  92 ratings  ·  42 reviews
Paperback, 320 pages
Published September 1st 2011 by Gauguin Media (first published August 27th 2011)
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Riley Banks
Book Review for Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche:


Basic Blurb: Love can make a person do crazy things . . .

A city girl with a morbid fear of deep water, Torre DeRoche is not someone you would ordinarily find adrift in the middle of the stormy Pacific aboard a leaky sailboat – total crew of two – struggling to keep an old boat, a new relationship and her floundering sanity afloat.

But when she meets Ivan, a handsome Argentinean man with a humble sailboat and a dream to set off explo...more
Grady
A Love Story Superlatively Written

SWEPT: LOVE WITH A SENSE OF DROWNING is a little work of magic. Torre Deroche writes likes she was born to it. Contrary to some press clippings, this story is not a travelogue suffused with emotion. Yes, indeed much of the book takes place on an adventure of sailing the ocean - a handsome Argentine born man Ivan is consumed with a passion for sailing, houses his boat in Los Angeles and travels to San Francisco where he meets Torre (yes, this is her true story) w...more
Patricia Sands
I was about to download Torre's book in the fall of 2011, when magic struck and it was whisked away by the wonderful world of trad publishing. I've been following Torre's great adventures on her blog ever since while I eagerly anticipated this release. As I knew it would be, it was well worth the wait! Torre has a way with words that pulls you into her world, invites you to join her in confronting fears and entices you to hang around for the fun of it. Love with a Chance of Drowning is part trav...more
Christy
http://www.thesweetbookshelf.com/2011...

Christy’s Review:
This is my first review at TheSweetBookshelf and I'm so excited and honored to be doing this. Thanks Mary for asking me to be your American Correspondant!

I stumbled across Swept Love with a Chance of Drowning while blog diving on the Internet. As an avid traveler I’m always on the lookout for blogs and books about adventurous souls. When I found Torre DeRoche’s blog (www.fearfuladventurer.com) and e-book, I couldn’t resist the impulse buy....more
The Sweet Bookshelf
Christy's Review:

I stumbled across Swept Love with a Chance of Drowning while blog diving on the Internet. As an avid traveler I’m always on the lookout for blogs and books about adventurous souls. When I found Torre DeRoche’s blog (www.fearfuladventurer.com) and e-book, I couldn’t resist the impulse buy. And it was a great buy! I mean really, who could resist a hilarious story about someone with a fear of water who gets up the gumption to sail across the Pacific in an old sailboat with a guy sh...more
Nick O'kelly
Torre is able to honestly express what most hopeful cruisers (whether they'll admit it or not) feel down deep when contemplating a trip into the unknown. The fears, the second-guessing, and obsession with worst case scenarios keep most dreamers in port, but Torre is able to leap into the abyss.

Whether you've got the cruising bug or are being drug along by your mate's dream of unlimited freedom, white sandy beaches, and crystal-clear blue water, Torre's tale of love, commitment, and life-changing...more
Danny
Part love story, part travelogue, Swept is a hang onto your seat, laugh out loud, emotional roller-coaster across the Pacific Ocean ....
Torre DeRoche is a lady who never grew out of her childhood fears. Faced with the monsters that constantly torment the inner sanctuaries of her mind, her natural reaction is to dive under the duvet, and hide. A simple shopping trip for groceries is an ordeal for Torre as a number of hidden dangers mock her. What makes Torre special, however, is the fact that, a...more
sarah  corbett morgan
Torre DeRoche, author of the new memoir, LOVE WITH A CHANCE OF DROWNING, makes no bones about it, she is terrified of water. And yet she follows a handsome Argentinean she met in a San Francisco bar across the Pacific Ocean in a 32-foot sailboat.

It has been said that a sailboat will sleep one in comfort, two in tolerance, three in friction, and four in bitter enmity. For newbie sailors DeRoche and her boyfriend, Ivan, are remarkably tolerant of each other and it's fun to travel with them hearin...more
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out

“Some people die of old age without ever having lived their dreams. Some people die without ever having loved. That’s tragic. We’ll both die someday, that’s a guarantee. If something happens on the ocean, we’ll die as two people in love who are living a remarkable adventure…”

Torre DeRoche planned to spend a year in the US working and then return home to Australia. Instead she fell in love with an Argentinian and despite a fear of the sea, agreed to sail with him across the Pacific. Love With a C...more
Pia Blair
An honest, inspiring, hilarious and true story capturing the tale of a young Aussie woman that meets an Argentinian man in a bar in San Fransisco, falls in love and decides to join him on his sea odyssey sailing from LA to Australia. Torre is not a sailer, and is in fact deeply afraid of the ocean. This is not some cheesy love story or sailing adventure guide, instead a story that captures the relationship of a couple that took their lives to the sea and what entails once the adventure plays out...more
Samantha Vérant
Honestly, I wish I'd read this memoir lounged out in a hammock on a tropical island, the sea as the backdrop, Torre's book in one hand...(and maybe an umbrella drink in the other). The perfect narrator to guide us on this love adventure at sea, Torre's prose is charming, witty, and funny. The story flows from one page, one chapter, to another-- descriptive in detail where needed, never weighted down. It's one wildly fun read!

Torre experienced an adventure most of us only dream about, myself incl...more
Bree T
At the age of 24, Torre DeRoche packed her bags, left Australia and headed overseas for a year in America. Before she left, she made a promise to her family: no American men and she’d definitely be back in a year.

Then she met Ivan, an IT worker originally from Argentina with a dream. For the last few years, Ivan had been pouring every extra cent he had into a 32ft boat named Amazing Grace. His plan? To sail around the world and he wanted Torre to come with him.

Torre was petrified of water and ev...more
Behan Gifford
I loved this book! Torre had me hooked from the beginning. Her utter frankness with her adventures (and misadventures) is shared in such an open manner- human, and accessible, despite the fact that what she's writing about doing - I felt like I was there in the cockpit with her. What she's doing - heading out across the Pacific ocean - might not sound accessible at first blush, but she pulls it off. As a sailor and cruiser who has traveled a similar path, I probably read some segments of her jou...more
Skip
They say sailing is the most romantic of all sports. They also say that sailing is 90% agony but that 10% that is good is so good that it far outweighs the hardships. I agree with both.

Torre writes so beautifully of her magical adventure with the love of her life, Ivan. It is a story of courage and adventure, pure bliss and utter fear. It is a story of the ultimate romance. Her style is so honest and authentic you'd think you were right there with the two of them trying to save Gracie. Torre is...more
Antonia Murphy
So many of the great sailing writers are men, and the woman’s perspective is often lost—she’s either slaving in the galley, or waving goodbye from the dock. Not Torre. Despite her fears, she jumps aboard and sails headlong into adventure, sharing with us the sexy romance, the thrills, the breathtaking beauty of a starry night at sea, and even the occasional loneliness of living a vagabond life in paradise. She’s funny, honest, self-deprecating and (despite what she says!) incredibly brave. Watch...more
Philippa
One of the most inspiring, hilarious and heartfelt true stories I have read - if not the only one of its kind! Every sentence is not only beautifully put together, but whilst chewing on each perfectly chosen word another joy bubbles forth - laughter and mirth aplenty. I read it on Kindle books (on my laptop! I know, dedication to the ebook form) and I realised there is nothing better than eating pancakes with maple syrup whilst reading about adventures in the Pacific. Torre lets you in to her ow...more
Jenny
This book -- a memoir about a one-night stand turned worldwide sailing expedition between lovers (a charming Argentinian and a woman who is terrified of the ocean) -- is absolutely BRILLIANT! If I could give it 10 stars out of 5, I would. I loved every single page -- Torre's writing is hilarious, beautiful, and engaging -- which is to say nothing about the fact that this is her TRUE story! The equally amazing addendum is that DeRoche self-published, and now her book has been picked up by a US pu...more
Sarah Adams
What an amazing story about a very brave girl who conquers her fears for the man of her dreams. The story takes you on an amazing journey across the vast ocean with love, life and laughs the whole way. The detailed descriptions of all their exoctic locations makes me want to set sail tomorrow. I always judge a book by how often I put it down, and this one didn't leave my hands. I rarely laugh out loud whilst reading, but this book had me wetting my pants and reading passages aloud to whoever wou...more
Kat at Book Thingo
Reviewed by Wandergurl at Book Thingo. Click here for the full review.
This book is for anyone with a sense of adventure, whether you’re an armchair traveller or someone who wants to see more of the world. I also think this is an adventure that romance readers would enjoy.

Who might enjoy it: Fearful adventurers

Who might not enjoy it: Armchair cynics
Patricia Sands
I was about to download Torre's book in the fall of 2011, when magic struck and it was whisked away by the wonderful world of trad publishing. I've been following Torre's great adventures on her blog ever since while I eagerly anticipated this release. As I knew it would be, it was well worth the wait! Torre has a way with words that pulls you into her world, invites you to join her in confronting fears and entices you to hang around for the fun of it. Love with a Chance of Drowning is part trav...more
Eve
Многу често слушаме приказни за неверојатно храбри луѓе кои се искачиле на Еверест дури и без кислород, за луѓе кои имаат хоби да скокаат по фасадите на облакодери или оние кои скокаат во океани сред зима.

Храбри. Пионери. Бестрашни супер херои. Торе Де Роке не е една од нив.
Таа е девојка со фобии и стравови. И ова е нејзината вистинска животна приказна. Во нормални услови, човек не би можел да ја види сред океан, сред нездрава бура, во брод со дупка и вкупна екипа од двајца кои се борат да го за...more
Kelly Mouttet-exeter
It's a story straight out of the movies. Girl meets boy, they have a fling ... and then next thing you know, that girl is sailing across a vast ocean with that boy, even though that girl has a deep fear of open water.
As a totally non-adventurous person myself, I was in awe of De Roche's impetuousness and bravery. And I loved following the journey of their boat and their relationship over the Pacific.
This book is part romance, part travel memoir and is definitely one for the dreamer in all of us.
Monique
I just finished this book whilst on holiday and it is the ultimate escapism. Torre's story allows you to be transported to other places (some scary and some exotic). And for those of us who will never do what Torre did, this is the next best thing. For 304 pages I became that young adventurous Aussie girl, throwing caution to the wind and sailing across the Pacific. Her writing is engaging, and I laughed out loud. I can't wait for my (oh I mean, Torre's) next adventure!
Alison Gresik
I loved the writing in this book -- a lively, funny and self-revealing voice and fresh language. The story is captivating, and I really liked how DeRoche worked with the themes of fear and choosing between your life and a partner. The ending was sadly rushed -- I would have liked her to build out the tension before neatly resolving the main questions of the book. Still, a highly recommended read. I totally want to sail the South Pacific now!
Dan Gleibitz
I loved this book. The balance of excitement, drama, adventure and humour is perfect. The author is clearly a talented writer and story-teller. She doesn't hold back when it comes to embarrassing mistakes and personal flaws, though there is more to like, than not, about the characters. Several of the places visited have been added to my 'must visit' list. This is a memorable memoir which captivated my interest to the last pages and even then managed to surprise me with its ending.
Emma
The concept of this book had me, ahem, hook,line and sinker but after awhile the formula became apparent and I became bored. I became annoyed at Torre's constant complaining and Ivan's constant clumsiness because it just wasn't cute 300 pages later. I did, however enjoy Torre's descriptions of the scenery (when she wasn't sleeping or seasick) and the wanderlust feeling it evoked. It may have been better suited to a novella.
Lynette
This book takes you on the adventure with Torre and Ivan. I was taken to far away places feeling the fear, excitement, and joy with each new Destination, I couldn't put the book down. Every event is told with such description that I could see each adventure like a movie playing in my head! I would highly recommend this book.
Denise Pulis
The best travel memoir I've ever read. A beautifully-written book which kept me hooked and took me to faraway places I've always wanted to visit. It's timeless, funny, deep, all rolled into one.
This is a must-read, and I am not exaggerating as I am a very, very difficult reader to please.
Anna
Mar 01, 2013 Anna added it
Shelves: australiana, memoir
This is a cracker story - travelling across the Pacific Ocean with a beautiful man in a tiny boat? It's a tale that screams to be told. The genre--a kind of memoir/women's fiction crossover--is not my usual preference but I found myself picking it up again and again, eager to find out what happened at the next island and the next.
Rebecca Prince
When I began this book I was a little skeptical due to the corny title and the very direct and casual writing style. However my skepticism melted away as this amazing story unfurled. I found it inspiring, captivating and sometimes humorous. A highly enjoyable read.
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Love with a Chance of Drowning (Paperback)
Love with a Chance of Drowning: A Memoir (Paperback)
Swept: Love with a Chance of Drowning (Kindle Edition)
Love with a Chance of Drowning: A Memoir (Audio)
Love with a Chance of Drowning (Kindle Edition)

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Torre DeRoche is an Australian native and self-proclaimed fearful adventurer. She is a writer and author of the blog, fearfuladventurer.com, which chronicles refreshingly honest travel and adventure stories from the perspective of an alarmist who likes to arm-wrestle her fears. When she's not writing, she's designing, reading, snapping photos, painting, or eating cheese. DeRoche currently resides...more
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