Love Overboard

by Kandi Steiner

From USA Today, #1 Amazon, and BookTok bestselling author Kandi Steiner comes a sizzling, second-chance romance set on the high seas—perfect for fans of Below Deck and readers who crave angsty, high-stakes love stories.

Ember Reed is finally living her chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her.

Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not.

Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster.

They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good?

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chancereality tvforced proximityforbiddenhigh stakesangstyBelow Deck vibes

Genres: Romance, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary, Rom Com, Second Chance Romance

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

Kandi Steiner is a USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.

An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”

She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a hopeless romantic and found herself bursting at the seams with love stories she was eager to tell.

When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, spending quality time with her family (fur babies included) and soaking up the sweetness of life.

CONNECT WITH KANDI:
➜ NEWSLETTER: kandisteiner.com/newsletter
➜ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/kandisteiner
➜ FACEBOOK READER GROUP (Kandiland): facebook.com/groups/kandilandks
➜ INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/kandisteiner
➜ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@authorkandisteiner
➜ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/authorkandisteiner
➜ WEBSITE: www.kandisteiner.com
Kandi Steiner may be coming to a city near you! Check out her “events” tab to see all the signings she’s attending in the near future:
➜ www.kandisteiner.com/events

Reviews

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus]

𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── pre-release

release date - april 21, 2o26

✧˖°🛟 ⋆｡˚꩜ 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
⤷ second chance
⤷ reality tv
⤷ forced proximity
⤷ forbidden
⤷ angst

i am sat for another angsty second chance by kandi! after loving and being wrecked by ALLTW last year - ik im gonna devour up!!!

[charlotte ✩]

oh i'm SO EXCITED for this one!! only 2 months left till it’s out!!
i can already feel the 5 stars in the air 🙂‍↕️

[meags · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this one early and it is SOO good!!!!!! KANDI LEFT NO CRUMBS!!!!

[Amity Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of below deck & reality tv…this one is 100% for you!! This book was messy, chaotic, and absolutely amazing!! The tension, the flirtation, and the absolute chemistry in this book was everything.

Finn & Ember are forced to work together years after they split, but this isn’t your typical second chance romance. Make it angsty, with high stakes, and did we say cameras?! 🤭 the fun summer vibes this one gave were also a fave!

This book had me laughing at characters, sitting on the edge of my seat, and absolutely rooting for these two!! The drama, the chaos, and the fun at sea vibes of this one made it so hard to put down!!

I’ve never highlighted so many swoony quotes and moments in my life!! Something about this one felt fun, but also just wholesome with the feel finding your person & getting the timing right. I am so sad it’s over!! I cannot wait for this to be out in the world for everyone to enjoy!

[Julie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.
It was just like watching an episode of Below Deck…only better. The drama. The charter guests. The crew antics. Have to admit, I’ve never teared up over an episode of Below Deck like I did this book.
It was full of the feels and I felt them all!!!

[Maddie Stacia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one feels like a vacation for the heart, full of cheeky chemistry, sun soaked tension, and characters who keep you grinning while they sort out their messy, lovable lives.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kandi Steiner at her BEST! I’ve never seen an episode of Below Deck in my life so had no idea what I was getting into but I LOVED it!!!!

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Love Overboard
Author: Kandi Steiner

What to expect:
*Second chance romance
*Reality television show
*Forced proximity

This is my first title by this author, she has been on my TBR for a while now, just haven’t had the opportunity to start anything until I received this book.

The FMC, Ember, is the head steward on a yacht, the MMC, Finn, is the head chef. They previously dated two years ago but broke up due to wanting different careers in different areas of the world. This story puts them back together, amongst a group that will be working with each other over a couple of months time frame while being filmed for a reality television show.

*****SPOILERS BELOW*****
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I enjoyed the ending of the book, but I have to admit that the beginning frustrated me. For sixty percent of the book, the MMC has a girlfriend that is with him on the trip. I do not enjoy that trope at all. I like for my main couple to be together, not actively avoiding each other.

There was a lot of drama/angst in this title, not just OW and OM, but also from the side characters. It truly had the reality television drama down pat!

Overall, it was written very well and the last third of the book saved it for me! I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

Safety:
Does have both OW and OM drama, MMC is in a relationship with OW for the majority of the book. No on page spicy scenes between them, he admits that once he sees the FMC he did not want to be with his girlfriend any longer and did not have sex with her on the trip. FMC goes on a date with OM to make the MMC jealous. No third act breakup.

Format: Edelweiss ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Ember (FMC)

[My Reading Era · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ember is stepping into a brand new role as chief steward on a luxury yacht, and this charter season comes with a full camera crew filming a reality show. She’s ready for demanding guests, long hours, and life at sea. But she isn’t prepared to discover that her ex, Finn, is part of the crew.

Finn is the man who broke her heart, and seeing him again brings every unresolved feeling rushing back. The tension between them is immediate and intense, and neither of them can pretend the past didn’t happen. Watching Ember and Finn navigate old wounds, lingering chemistry, and the slow, complicated path from exes to something more is completely addictive.

I loved every second of this story, the drama, the heartbreak, the longing, and the genuinely sweet moments woven in between. Their journey feels messy and real, and it takes time for them to confront what went wrong and decide what they still mean to each other.

Hannah Chiclana and Walker Williams absolutely shine as Ember and Finn. They capture every shift in their relationship, from guarded exes to tentative friends to more with so much emotion and authenticity. You can truly feel the love and tension in every scene.

If you’re a fan of angsty second chance romance packed with drama and swoony moments, this one is a must listen!

Thank you, Kandi Steiner, Arndell Books and Simon Maverick Audio for the ALC/ARC.

[Rebecca Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Kandi and her team for the advanced reading and listening copy!!!
Oh my gosh! I absolutely loved this!!
I loved the crew interviews at the start of every chapter!
The first half I didn’t have the audio with it, but I was obsessed! I love Ember and it was like watching Below Deck or Vanderpump Rules BUT we saw the unedited version! We saw everything behind the scenes!
I ate up the drama! This was so good!
Ember and Finn forever!
Once I got the audio and I did an immersive read with the last half, it went up another level!
The accents of everyone were so good! Finn with his Irish accent was 🤤🤤🤤

[Abbey Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Kandi for the ARC copy!

Are you a fan of Below Deck? If that was a yes, this one’s for you!!

The story follows Ember, a chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht who is forced to work with her ex-boyfriend Finn, and yes, things get heated.

I really love Kandi’s writing however I didn’t connect to the characters as much as I would have liked to. I also am not the biggest fan of Below Deck but did enjoy Kandis version. Parts had me laughing out loud.

If you like… this is for you
🛥️ second chance
🛳️reality tv
🏝️forced proximity
🛟forbidden
🍸angsty

[rachel x]

"Fans of Below Deck will love this angsty, tumultuous romance between two exes surprised to find out they’re working on the same yacht for the season - and that their every interaction, innocent or not, is being filmed for a television show."

sounds fun

[Nicole Holdaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️! Messy & angsty… some of my favorite ingredients! 🤤 when this audiobook drops I’ll be listening because I need to hear these accents.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“He understood me like no one else. This was why we were inevitable.”

Love Overboard was angsty, emotional, and pure chaotic fun in the best possible way. From the very first chapter, I was hooked on this wild, Below Deck setup, where every character brings their own brand of drama to the yacht—and every camera is ready to catch it. Ember, our Chief Stew with a bruised heart and a spine of steel, walks onto the boat only to come face to face with the one man she never wanted to see again: Finn, the chef who shattered her a few years back. The second their eyes meet, the tension snaps tight, and from there the pressure only builds as the rest of the crew boards and the reality TV chaos kicks into high gear.

“No one felt like Finn Pearson. No one could unlock me when he still held the key.”

The longing between Finn and Ember is palpable from the moment they collide again. It’s that delicious, slow burn ache—the kind that simmers under every lingering glance, every sharp comment, every moment they pretend they’re totally fine when they’re absolutely not. Their chemistry is undeniable, even when they’re trying to bury it under snark, professionalism, or sheer stubbornness. Add in the messy dynamics of the rest of the crew, the constant presence of cameras, and the emotional landmines from their shared past, and you’ve got a powder keg just waiting for the spark.

“I can’t stay out of your business, Firefly. Because my business is you.”

And when it blows? Oh, it blows.

“He chose me even when he knew the whole world would judge him for it. And I chose him, too.”

I was obsessed with this book. The angst and heartbreak practically became their own characters, threading through every scene and pulling me deeper into the story. Finn and Ember are passionate, flawed, vulnerable, and so achingly real. Watching them navigate the ghosts of their past—both together and separately—was emotional in a way that felt raw and honest. Their growth, their pain, their fire… I was completely enthralled.

“There was no past and no future. It was just us, right here, right now, forever, unending.”

Love Overboard is a messy, addictive, emotionally charged ride that delivers everything I want in a second chance romance set against the backdrop of reality TV chaos. If you love tension that crackles, chemistry that refuses to die, and characters who feel everything with their whole hearts, you’re going to want to climb aboard this yacht immediately.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Simon Maverick Audio, for the gifted ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

WOW! This book was amazing!! I needed something fun and light, so I randomly picked it up. I am so glad I did because I couldn’t put this down. It pulled me right out of a slump. I do not watch Below Deck, but I can totally see how this would play out this way. I always love a good second-chance romance, and this came through in spades.

Ember and Finn have no idea they are about to set sail on the same ship. They are working as a crew, and it leads to some messy drama. The tension/angst between them is intense from the very moment they lock eyes. There are some complications, like a girlfriend.

Ember is a character who doesn’t care what people think about her career goals and aspirations. Even if she wishes her family would support her, she still believes in finding her own way. She’s funny, strong, and driven. I love how she cared so much about the people around her. Finn is also driven, but he was a lot harder to figure out. I loved seeing their insecurities unfold and watching them grow together. The side characters were amazing and had me laughing and stressing out. I loved how so many of them became semi-important to the overall plot.

The romance is addictive! There were many swoony moments throughout this entire book. This is a duet narration, and it was perfection. I am not kidding you, one of the best I’ve listened to in a while. Hannah Chiclana and Walker Williams were AMAZING!! I was impressed by how they were able to capture the personalities of so many different characters and different accents! It felt like there was a full cast, which made this all the better. I couldn’t stop listening, and Hanna and Walker had me hooked from the very start. They were able to portray the angst, love, and passion between Ember and Finn. I highly recommend listening to this if you can!

This was such a great romance, and if it wasn’t on your radar, then it needs to be. I have not read anything else by Steiner before, but I will be reading her backlog. I was gifted a copy of A Love Letter to Whiskey at Christmas, and need to move it up the TBR!

[Samantha Tiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw that I could read an advanced copy of “Love Overboard” by Kandi Steiner, I was so excited. I LOVED a Love Letter to Whiskey by her. Love Overboard did NOT disappoint.

Ember is stepping into her new role as a chief steward aboard the ship Sinking Sun. She has been working on yachts most of her adult life and has worked her way up from being a steward to now running a team of stewards. This role is a little different than her others though as a film crew will be filming all eight charters on the Sinking Sun on television. She is ready for the challenge and a fresh start. For the past two years, she has been struggling with moving on from her ex-boyfriend. This ship should be the perfect opportunity to meet new singles and see if they can make any connections.

Finn is the man that broke her heart two years ago. They worked together previously on another yacht as chef and a steward in Greece. During that boating season, they fell in love. They constantly talked about what they would do after the season was over, together. At the end of that boating season, Finn unexpectedly breaks up with Ember as he wants to open a restaurant in Ireland.

Finn walks on board the Sinking Sun and everything turns to chaos for Ember. The tension between them is immediate and intense, and neither of them can pretend the past didn’t happen. Watching Ember and Finn navigate old wounds, lingering chemistry, and the long-complicated path back to each other while constantly being filmed was completely addictive.

This was such a great second chance romance novel. I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Kandi Steiner and Arndell Books for this ARC.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of Angst delivered yet another infinity stars read for me.

I will be honest, second chance is not one of my favourite tropes, however this one has definitely made me reevaluate that.

The writing as always flowed perfectly, Kandi has a way of making you feel like your reading your own words/journal when telling her stories, which is honestly one of the most beautiful things to experience. Having the script parts was so fun and unique, it was like a glimpse into the chapter each time.

Ember and Finn, my heart, the tension, the banter, the yearning, my heart strings were definitely pulled and yes, I of course shed a tear, dont let the cover fool you 🤣

Ember... one of my favourite FMCs... shes out to just prove to herself, the world, her father, that she is good at what she does and should be proud of what she achieved. Adding in the fact she is now working closely with an ex she is not over, made her job so much harder. I felt for her so much through the pages. She gave so much courage, strength and grace.

Finn.... he had me at an Irish accent, but I did take a while to warm up to him, in my eyes he didnt deserve her, not until everything unravelled. These two are most definitely destined to be together.

When these two came together, it was literally fireworks, a simple touch to a full on bedroom scene gave us the spice we all want in our books 🙌

The side characters gave us so much too. I am a massive lover of below deck so yes Captain Gary was of course Captain Lee in my head 🤣

I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. The character building was phenomenal and I loved every second of this.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner (April 21, 2026) Thank you, @simonmavrick for the gifted audiobook!

Ember finally has the opportunity to be chief stew of a Mediterranean superyacht - ensuring the guest experience is best-in-class. It has been a huge goal and dream. The yacht’s crew will have their every move recorded for a reality TV series and it isn’t until she’s on the ship that she learns the on-board chef is Finn - the love of her life who broke her heart on a previous crew - and he’s brought along his girlfriend who is now your bunkmate. No one on this ship knows about Ember and Finn - but that doesn’t last long and soon everyone can see the undeniable connection between them. Things are about to get messy.

I have discovered that reality tv show themed books are something I really enjoy and this book was a ton of fun. It was my first by Kandi Steiner but won’t be my last! The forced proximity of everyone on this “Below Deck” vibe book amped up the drama. At the core is the slow-burn second chance romance and love triangle but there is also a found family among the crew and tons of hijinks in service of the wealthy clients who cycle through each week. Although it takes a beat to get all of the characters straight, by the end I really adored them all. Overall, a fun little read.

🎧 Audiobook Thoughts: Hannah Chiclana and Walker Williams narrate this one in duet and it is the perfect format for the audiobook. (11h 30m)

Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
🎧 Audio performance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🔥 Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will quite literally sweep you away.

This slow-burn romance is messy, drama-filled, and packed with angst. Ember and Finn have the kind of connection that immediately pulls you in. Their history runs deep, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.

Can we talk about these cabin crew shenanigans? The fact that they still have the energy to party after working long hours catering to rich people all day had me exhausted just reading about it. I can’t imagine having your entire life filmed from every angle for weeks at a time while trying to do your job, especially in a role you’ve always dreamed of. It sounds like absolute chaos, but that’s exactly what Ember signed up for… or at least she thought she knew what to expect.

That is, until the man who broke her heart two years earlier walks right back into her life and onto that ship. Oh, and he brings his girlfriend. Who also happens to be Ember’s bunkmate. Talk about awkward.

The tension is immediate, but you can’t help but root for them. Even after all this time, that sizzling chemistry is still there, something everyone around them can see from a mile away. The forced proximity only adds to the drama, giving it all the chaotic energy of a reality TV show.

I loved the little pockets of vulnerability woven in between the laugh out loud moments. Once you embrace the chaos, this becomes a fun, entertaining read with just the right mix of drama and heart.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Another great read from Kandi!! I am obsessed with her books and this one was so good! If you like books with angst, yearning, and forced proximity this is definitely one you need to add to your list! I love second chance romance so much. It delivers the best angst.

Ember has finally accomplished her goal
of becoming chief stew. She is ready to show all she’s got on the reality show Close Quarters. What’s she was not expecting was her ex-boyfriend Finn Pearson to be among the crew. Having to work together on a reality show after the way they left things between them.

I loved how this book read like a reality show. All the characters and their personalities. It had high emotions, fun times, and most of all drama. It had me laughing and rooting at times. I definitely need to check out the audiobook as this story as audio has to deliver it in such a good way. I want to hear the accents and personality of the confessions/ interviews.

Bernard is one of my favorite side characters and Eli was a lot of fun too!

Overall I loved Finn and Embers story. They had so much to work through. They had not worked through all their feelings and it showed through all the tension. When they finally come together it’s 🔥🔥!! I was like yes..

Thank you to Arndell and Kandi Steiner for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Kelly M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Overboard
Kandi Steiner
Pub date: April 21, 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book!

Ember Reed is finally living her dream: chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball by hiring the one man who nearly sank her. Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move. They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good?

I start each Kandi Steiner romance with my guard up and a bottle of Tums and Xanax next to me because the level of angst she can achieve in her writing is unmatched! This story is messy and dramatic but also entertaining and heartfelt. I stayed up way too late finishing it but couldn't put it down. I loved the trope combination we got and the documentary-style narration from the show producers. In a society obsessed with reality TV and reality dating shows, this was spot on and dropped us right into the behind the scenes action.

What to expect:
🛥️ Reality show
⚓ Forced proximity
🛥️ Second chance romance
⚓ Angst x drama
🛥️ Workplace romance

[Mhughessc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kandi Steiner is a well-known and prolific romance author, so I was excited to see that she was releasing a new book! "Love Overboard" is her latest novel, which had a fun and original premise: Ember is the newest Chief Stew (or leader on a yacht) and is the main character of a new reality show (think "Below Deck") called "Close Quarters". The show follows Ember's literal voyage around the world as well as her voyage into leading a crew. However, the seas get rocky when the former love of her life, Finn, is the boat's lead chef. And, to make matters worse, she is now sharing a room with his new girlfriend. Finn and Ember had a years long romance but had a devastating breakup. However, sparks still fly between them as they navigate through the issues they have kept them apart for so long. And what will they do with his new girlfriend?

I thought this book was really fun, and enjoyed reading the different perspectives from various crew members. This was a good book for me because I like both romance and reality tv, and this was a good mix of both. I appreciate that there was no cheating between Finn and Ember, and am glad things ended happily. This was a cute book and I would recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Giana Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start with Ember and Finn's love story?

This book is the reason I love angsty romance. It's the reason I adore Kandi Steiner's books and always will. She doesn't pull any emotional punches and the tension she is able to establish between the two main characters is masterful. I would encourage everyone to pick this book up if they want to experience a love story that truly makes them in believe in the power of love triumphing over everything.

Not only did Kandi reach into my chest to squeeze her wicked hand around my heart, but she also wrote such a fun story! I love the reality show format at the beginning of every chapter, the side characters are often hilarious and the setting on a luxury yacht lends the entire story a sense of globetrotting adventure from the comfort for your living room.

Love Overboard is officially my top favourite Kandi Steiner romance and I've read nearly all her books! Do yourself a favour and preorder this or snag it on release day, I guarantee you adore Ember and Finn!

[Alexis H | letsreadwithlex · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars!!

Love Overboard is the perfect summer second chance romance. If you are a fan of reality TV (below deck especially) you will LOVE this one by Kandi. A chief stew and head chef gets the opportunity to go on a reality show covering the ins and outs of a yacht work life called Close Quarters. But they have a past that they just can’t escape and move on from. You can expect the drama you’d get from a reality show but also an angst filled romance between the two MC’s. In Kandi fashion, she makes her main characters work for it. The slow burn was immaculate. This was messy, angsty, and drama filled.

I loved how at the beginning of each chapter you get an interview of some kind whether it was a side character or main, just like you see in reality shows. Made me feel like I was watching tv in my head.

Thank you Kandi Steiner, NetGalley, and Arndell for this ARC!!

Tropes:

-reality tv
-second chance romance
-chief stew x chef
-angsty
-high stakes
-forbidden
-forced proximity

[hannah 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅🪽 · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you edelweiss and publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review

this story was definitely for someone, i just don’t think it was for me.

the things i liked:
- the fact that the author really made it feel like when you watch a reality tv show, with the drama and the crew never being able to take their mics off, etc. i really enjoyed that aspect
- the setting being on a boat; i’ve never read any book (as far as i’m aware) where a boat was involved and i loved it
- leah <3 and eli too
- the writing was simple and easy to understand and the story was fast-paced, so it was easy to consume and finish quickly

what i didn’t like:
- most of the cast, especially gisella and ember, felt like watching two teenage girls fighting because they liked the same guy. it felt kind of juvenile to me
- the writing felt slightly juvenile to me too occasionally. no shade to the author, of course!

overall if you like books where it feels like you’re literally watching reality television, this one’s for you :)

[nihaarika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

reading love overboard felt like i was watching a reality tv show - it was messy, chaotic and something you couldn't look away from. i can imagine working in close quarters on a boat can be crazy, but throw in cameras too? that'll be a whole other level of mess. and that's what made this book so much fun. there were laugh out loud moments, emotionally intense scenes, and some really hot moments between ember and finn (although this book toes a fine line between flirting and going into cheating territory, and personally, i'm not a fan of that).

nevertheless, this was a really cute, fun romance and the perfect way to relax after reading some heavy and emotional fantasy books. love overboard is the first book i've read from kandi steiner and probably not the last, because her writing was soo fun. can't wait to try out more of her books in the new year!

***i work as a bookseller and received a physical arc through my workplace***

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Overboard
Kandi Steiner

Finn and Ember

Two years ago, Ember was living her dream, working on a yacht. She met Finn and everything just clicked. She found love. She was so happy. But then….

Love Overboard takes you on a journey. The characters are working on a yacht, private charters, while also being filmed for a reality show. While the team sits for interviews, and answers questions about their experience on the yacht, simultaneously the story is being told. A story of a new team coming together for a couple of months, dealing with anything, and everything, that can happen at sea. Add in the cameras and mics, and the goal of any reality television show…drama..and you quite the story.

LOVED everything about this book. It was fresh, great concept, unique, entertaining, funny, and heartfelt. It truly was a journey. Lot of fun to read. Great book!
Thank you #ArndellBooks #Keeperton

[Lesa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this. Ember and Finn have that true scorned lovers enemies vibes. I loved how it’s written as a reality tv show. Kandi bringing back her tv show vibes she had back in the Palm South University series with was great. I thought for sure only being told in Embers POV (aside from little snippets from the rest of the yacht’s crew) would bug me but it didn’t. As with all reality tv there is a very dramatic fight type scene and I loved how that was written. If it was a really reality show that scene alone would have been my favorite.

One of my favorite quotes from this is
“I can’t imagine anything that big coming near my ass, but different strokes for different folks, I guess.” “What exactly is the appropriate size for things coming near your ass?” Finn asked with a smirk. “Just so I can pocket that information”

I died of laughter for that.

Kandi did this beautifully. I felt all the emotions of the characters.

[Romancereadingaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is essentially Below Deck meets Persuasion. It follows Ember, a Chief Stew on the superyacht Sinking Sun, who finds herself trapped in a reality TV nightmare when her ex-boyfriend Finn joins the crew as the chef. To make matters worse, he’s brought along his new girlfriend, who also happens to be Ember’s cabin mate.
The author does a fantastic job with the "forced proximity" trope. You can feel the thick tension in every galley scene. The revelation of their matching tattoos—a firefly for him and an Irish bird for her—added such a poignant layer to their history. While Ember tries to move on by accepting a date with Eli, it’s clear that her heart is still anchored to Finn.
The charter guest drama kept the pace moving fast, but it was the slow-burn pining between Finn and "Firefly" that kept me reading late into the night. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance and nautical drama.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

The tension and angst between Finn and Ember built throughout the story. I was rooting for them to be able to work things out and get their happy ending together.

I really enjoyed the interviews with the crew that were placed throughout the story. It gave some added insight into what was going on while the show was being filmed. I also enjoyed the flashbacks to Finn and Ember, showing what happened between them and what lead them to their present situation.

I listened to the audio version of this book, narrated in duet by Hannah Chiclana and Walker Williams. This was my first time listening to both of these narrators, and wow! They were both amazing. There were so many characters and different accents and these narrators nailed them all! They did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life and showing all of the emotions in this story.