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Love Overboard
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Expected 21 Apr 26From USA TODAY bestselling author and BookTok sensation 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 spiraling 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?
-second chance
-reality TV
-forced proximity
-forbidden
-high stakes
-angsty
-Below Deck vibes
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 spiraling 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?
-second chance
-reality TV
-forced proximity
-forbidden
-high stakes
-angsty
-Below Deck vibes
Audible Audio
Expected publication April 21, 2026
99 people are currently reading
11676 people want to read
About the author
Kandi Steiner
94 books15.2k followersKandi 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
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
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Want to read
March 10, 2026𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 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!!!
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!!!
Currently reading
March 19, 2026♡ pre-read ♡
Another ARC buddy read with Jay! Sooo excited!
Thank you to Kandi Steiner, Keeperton | Arndell, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Another ARC buddy read with Jay! Sooo excited!
Thank you to Kandi Steiner, Keeperton | Arndell, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
pre-read:
Thank you to NetGalley, Kandi Steiner and Keeperton| Arndell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Budding reading this with the lovely Berry🍓!
I have never read anything by this author before and i really enjoyed my time reading her writing style. I have heard many people say that this book gives"Blow Deck" and they were correct. As an avid "Below Deck" fan i thoroughly enjoyed seeing the dynamics between chief stew and the chef. From the first interview i knew that Ember would be my girl. I'm glad that we got to see her relationship with her dad and how that affects how she sees herself. At first I despised Finn, but as we started to see more of their relationship i grew to like him. The way that he defended Ember and how unconditionally he loved her was beautiful. I'm glad that they got what they dreamt of.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kandi Steiner and Keeperton| Arndell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Budding reading this with the lovely Berry🍓!
I have never read anything by this author before and i really enjoyed my time reading her writing style. I have heard many people say that this book gives"Blow Deck" and they were correct. As an avid "Below Deck" fan i thoroughly enjoyed seeing the dynamics between chief stew and the chef. From the first interview i knew that Ember would be my girl. I'm glad that we got to see her relationship with her dad and how that affects how she sees herself. At first I despised Finn, but as we started to see more of their relationship i grew to like him. The way that he defended Ember and how unconditionally he loved her was beautiful. I'm glad that they got what they dreamt of.
Currently reading
February 21, 2026oh 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 🙂↕️
i can already feel the 5 stars in the air 🙂↕️
November 17, 2025
read this one early and it is SOO good!!!!!! KANDI LEFT NO CRUMBS!!!!
February 24, 2026
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*****
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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)
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*****
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
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)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
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!
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!
December 25, 2025
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!!!
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!!!
December 2, 2025
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.
March 11, 2026
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
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
February 10, 2026
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!!!!
March 18, 2026
ARC REVIEW ✨
📆 Releasing: April 21st on KU
Love Overboard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Y’all are going to be so sick of me because I’m never going to shut up about this book! If you’re a reality tv fan (even better if you love Below Deck), you HAVE to have to have to read this one on April 21. I am such a huge Kandi fan, but even I’m blown away at how much mental space this damn book is taking up in my mind. From the first few chapters, you already feel the angst and tension that Kandi is so well known for and I couldn’t put it down/ stop listening until I finished it! Don’t let the cute cover fool you, it packs a punch 😮💨
Ember is setting sail for the first time as chief stew on a super-yacht and as a cast member of the popular reality show, Close Quarters. She’s anxious to prove to her crew, her parents, and herself that she’s ready for this next step in the career she’s worked so hard for. However, the season is already experiencing rough waters, when she steps aboard and runs into Finn- the man who broke her heart when he left her in Greece two years ago, and the new chef of the ship she’s working on for 8 weeks.
I swapped between the audio and the ebook, and I’m not even joking when I say this is one of best audiobooks I’ve listened to. I couldn’t even multitask while listening like I normally do- I just sat with my headphones in and stared at a wall so I could give the story my undivided attention 🤣 I’ll be raving about this book until my lungs give out- it’s a new Kandi favorite!
Thank you so much to @kandisteiner and @arndellbooks for the gifted copy!
🌊 second chance
🛳️ forced proximity / workplace
🌊 they’re starring on a reality tv show together
🛳️ soooo much angst and tension
🌊 amazing audiobook!!
📆 Releasing: April 21st on KU
Love Overboard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Y’all are going to be so sick of me because I’m never going to shut up about this book! If you’re a reality tv fan (even better if you love Below Deck), you HAVE to have to have to read this one on April 21. I am such a huge Kandi fan, but even I’m blown away at how much mental space this damn book is taking up in my mind. From the first few chapters, you already feel the angst and tension that Kandi is so well known for and I couldn’t put it down/ stop listening until I finished it! Don’t let the cute cover fool you, it packs a punch 😮💨
Ember is setting sail for the first time as chief stew on a super-yacht and as a cast member of the popular reality show, Close Quarters. She’s anxious to prove to her crew, her parents, and herself that she’s ready for this next step in the career she’s worked so hard for. However, the season is already experiencing rough waters, when she steps aboard and runs into Finn- the man who broke her heart when he left her in Greece two years ago, and the new chef of the ship she’s working on for 8 weeks.
I swapped between the audio and the ebook, and I’m not even joking when I say this is one of best audiobooks I’ve listened to. I couldn’t even multitask while listening like I normally do- I just sat with my headphones in and stared at a wall so I could give the story my undivided attention 🤣 I’ll be raving about this book until my lungs give out- it’s a new Kandi favorite!
Thank you so much to @kandisteiner and @arndellbooks for the gifted copy!
🌊 second chance
🛳️ forced proximity / workplace
🌊 they’re starring on a reality tv show together
🛳️ soooo much angst and tension
🌊 amazing audiobook!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
March 16, 2026
Kandi Steiner never disappoints! Love Overboard is another phenomenal read! This was my first time reading a story that is written like a reality TV show, and I absolutely loved it (which is saying a lot because I don’t watch reality TV.) The whole experience was incredible. I loved learning about everything that goes into running a superyacht safely and smoothly, how hard the characters work, and how essential teamwork is. I gained a real respect for the careers behind a luxury yacht experience and an appreciation for the art of creating it.
And that’s not even touching the angsty, swoony, second-chance romance between Finn and Ember! The tension and heat practically jump off the pages. I absolutely love their story, and the ending; the phone call with her dad was perfect, and there’s one part I won’t spoil that completely melted my heart.
Wow. Five stars, no question!
And that’s not even touching the angsty, swoony, second-chance romance between Finn and Ember! The tension and heat practically jump off the pages. I absolutely love their story, and the ending; the phone call with her dad was perfect, and there’s one part I won’t spoil that completely melted my heart.
Wow. Five stars, no question!
March 14, 2026
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 🤤🤤🤤
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 🤤🤤🤤
Want to read
October 8, 2025"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
sounds fun
March 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️! Messy & angsty… some of my favorite ingredients! 🤤 when this audiobook drops I’ll be listening because I need to hear these accents.
Want to read
March 15, 2026hearing Kandi talk about how obsessed she is with Below Deck has me feral to pick this up bc S A M E!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⚓ Yacht / Luxury Superyacht Setting
🎥 Reality TV Show
💔 Second Chance Romance
🏠 Forced Proximity
👀 Lingering Looks & Tension
🔥 Rekindled Chemistry
🤫 Unfinished Past
💞 Love That Never Faded
🎭 Workplace Drama
🛟 Emotional Growth
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrators: Hannah Chiclana | Walker Williams
Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner is a fun, emotionally charged second chance romance set against the glamorous yet chaotic backdrop of a Mediterranean superyacht and a reality TV show. With forced proximity, unresolved feelings, and cameras capturing every moment, this story blends drama, romance, and just enough tension to keep the pages turning.
Ember Reed has worked hard to reach her dream role as chief stew on a luxury superyacht. Life at sea is already demanding, but when she becomes part of the new reality show Close Quarters, every moment of her job is suddenly under a spotlight. Ember prides herself on keeping things professional, organized, and under control, which becomes nearly impossible when the producers hire the one person she never expected to see again.
Finn Pearson is the boy who once meant everything to her. Their past is filled with chemistry, unanswered questions, and a goodbye that never really made sense. Now he is the yacht’s chef and working just a few steps away from her every single day. With cameras watching and nowhere to escape, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore.
What makes this story so engaging is the combination of second chance romance with the forced proximity of yacht life. The setting creates constant interaction between Ember and Finn, and the reality TV angle adds another layer of pressure that amplifies every emotion. The story balances moments of humor and chaos with heartfelt conversations as both characters confront the past they never fully moved on from.
Ember is a strong and capable heroine who takes pride in her work and refuses to let old feelings derail her career. Finn brings warmth, charm, and a bit of vulnerability as the story slowly reveals why he walked away years ago. Their chemistry feels natural and intense, built on history, longing, and the kind of connection that never truly disappears.
The Mediterranean yacht setting adds a vibrant atmosphere to the story. Between luxury charters, stressful dinner services, and the constant presence of cameras, the environment feels lively and immersive. It heightens both romance and tension, especially when private moments are nearly impossible to find.
Love Overboard delivers a satisfying blend of second chance romance, forced proximity, and emotional growth. It is a story about unfinished love, confronting the past, and discovering that sometimes the right person simply arrives at the wrong time. For readers who enjoy romance filled with tension, chemistry, and a unique setting, this book is an entertaining and heartfelt escape.
🎥 Reality TV Show
💔 Second Chance Romance
🏠 Forced Proximity
👀 Lingering Looks & Tension
🔥 Rekindled Chemistry
🤫 Unfinished Past
💞 Love That Never Faded
🎭 Workplace Drama
🛟 Emotional Growth
Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrators: Hannah Chiclana | Walker Williams
Love Overboard by Kandi Steiner is a fun, emotionally charged second chance romance set against the glamorous yet chaotic backdrop of a Mediterranean superyacht and a reality TV show. With forced proximity, unresolved feelings, and cameras capturing every moment, this story blends drama, romance, and just enough tension to keep the pages turning.
Ember Reed has worked hard to reach her dream role as chief stew on a luxury superyacht. Life at sea is already demanding, but when she becomes part of the new reality show Close Quarters, every moment of her job is suddenly under a spotlight. Ember prides herself on keeping things professional, organized, and under control, which becomes nearly impossible when the producers hire the one person she never expected to see again.
Finn Pearson is the boy who once meant everything to her. Their past is filled with chemistry, unanswered questions, and a goodbye that never really made sense. Now he is the yacht’s chef and working just a few steps away from her every single day. With cameras watching and nowhere to escape, the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore.
What makes this story so engaging is the combination of second chance romance with the forced proximity of yacht life. The setting creates constant interaction between Ember and Finn, and the reality TV angle adds another layer of pressure that amplifies every emotion. The story balances moments of humor and chaos with heartfelt conversations as both characters confront the past they never fully moved on from.
Ember is a strong and capable heroine who takes pride in her work and refuses to let old feelings derail her career. Finn brings warmth, charm, and a bit of vulnerability as the story slowly reveals why he walked away years ago. Their chemistry feels natural and intense, built on history, longing, and the kind of connection that never truly disappears.
The Mediterranean yacht setting adds a vibrant atmosphere to the story. Between luxury charters, stressful dinner services, and the constant presence of cameras, the environment feels lively and immersive. It heightens both romance and tension, especially when private moments are nearly impossible to find.
Love Overboard delivers a satisfying blend of second chance romance, forced proximity, and emotional growth. It is a story about unfinished love, confronting the past, and discovering that sometimes the right person simply arrives at the wrong time. For readers who enjoy romance filled with tension, chemistry, and a unique setting, this book is an entertaining and heartfelt escape.
March 18, 2026
I don’t like reality TV, like really don’t like, and this book gave a lot of such vibes (as could be expected based on blurb) and yet I ended up with 4 stars 😉
I’m gonna be honest, it took quite long for it to hit right for me. I didn’t feel the romance or the angst much (it’s marketed as angsty!) but it was more due to one POV and strong reality TV formula vibes (and as I mentioned I’m not a fan of reality TV) but once it hit 70% it went from zero to sixty in a nanosecond.
TRUST THE PROCESS
I did and I wasn’t disappointed. It still won’t be my fav of Kandi but it’s more because of my personal preferences, and not the writing or execution itself. The writing is good and the formula of the whole thing was interesting. There are short interviews with different cast members at the beginning of each chapters and while it’s NOT dual timeline, there are a couple scenes from the past.
Because we don’t have Finn’s POV and the romance is not the main-main focus of the story, just be prepared to wait to have your questions answered.
Once the fire hits around 70%, it HITS (hope you know what I mean).
For the most part I felt like Finn and Ember had just a fling 2 years ago, I didn’t feel it being that deep, and it was so obvious Finn and Giselle (current timeline) are nothing serious, just surface level type of relationship. But: TRUST THE PROCESS. It’s all wrapped up nicely at the end and all makes sense AND when Finn and Ember reconnect, their connection is palpable.
While you have to wait to get to know what is inside Finn’s head, I think the one POV worked really well for this story. So once again: just trust the process.
There were couple things I wasn’t a fan of:
-strong reality TV vibes (but this was expected from the blurb)
-Ember’s “daddy issues” - I still don’t understand why it was such a big deal
-the whole drama when “it all went down”. I don’t understand why it was so dramatic. I mean, I do and I don’t. I know people act this way and especially if we’re in reality TV bubble, but it is so not my vibe
-overall there were bits that I didn’t like the level of dramatics but it’s more of my personal preference, when it comes to how it was written - zero notes
I recommend this book but it’s not the usual type of romance so maybe don’t jump into it blindly but read the blurb and couple of reviews before you decide if it’s something for you.
The spice level is mild. There were sth like 3 spicy scenes so more of an addition to the story rather than main focus, it’s 400 pages long (or maybe even a bit over 400) so 3 scenes and hitting near the end is mild spice imo.
Let’s talk the audiobook:
The production was NEXT LEVEL GOOD!!!
The accents - magnificent. The “special effects” - brilliant.
The accents were too good 😂 English is not my native language so at times I had to go back or slow the listening speed (from my usual 2x) or grab the ebook to understand some parts.
Thank you Kandi and Arndell for ALC+ARC 💙
I’m gonna be honest, it took quite long for it to hit right for me. I didn’t feel the romance or the angst much (it’s marketed as angsty!) but it was more due to one POV and strong reality TV formula vibes (and as I mentioned I’m not a fan of reality TV) but once it hit 70% it went from zero to sixty in a nanosecond.
TRUST THE PROCESS
I did and I wasn’t disappointed. It still won’t be my fav of Kandi but it’s more because of my personal preferences, and not the writing or execution itself. The writing is good and the formula of the whole thing was interesting. There are short interviews with different cast members at the beginning of each chapters and while it’s NOT dual timeline, there are a couple scenes from the past.
Because we don’t have Finn’s POV and the romance is not the main-main focus of the story, just be prepared to wait to have your questions answered.
Once the fire hits around 70%, it HITS (hope you know what I mean).
For the most part I felt like Finn and Ember had just a fling 2 years ago, I didn’t feel it being that deep, and it was so obvious Finn and Giselle (current timeline) are nothing serious, just surface level type of relationship. But: TRUST THE PROCESS. It’s all wrapped up nicely at the end and all makes sense AND when Finn and Ember reconnect, their connection is palpable.
While you have to wait to get to know what is inside Finn’s head, I think the one POV worked really well for this story. So once again: just trust the process.
There were couple things I wasn’t a fan of:
-strong reality TV vibes (but this was expected from the blurb)
-Ember’s “daddy issues” - I still don’t understand why it was such a big deal
-the whole drama when “it all went down”. I don’t understand why it was so dramatic. I mean, I do and I don’t. I know people act this way and especially if we’re in reality TV bubble, but it is so not my vibe
-overall there were bits that I didn’t like the level of dramatics but it’s more of my personal preference, when it comes to how it was written - zero notes
I recommend this book but it’s not the usual type of romance so maybe don’t jump into it blindly but read the blurb and couple of reviews before you decide if it’s something for you.
The spice level is mild. There were sth like 3 spicy scenes so more of an addition to the story rather than main focus, it’s 400 pages long (or maybe even a bit over 400) so 3 scenes and hitting near the end is mild spice imo.
Let’s talk the audiobook:
The production was NEXT LEVEL GOOD!!!
The accents - magnificent. The “special effects” - brilliant.
The accents were too good 😂 English is not my native language so at times I had to go back or slow the listening speed (from my usual 2x) or grab the ebook to understand some parts.
Thank you Kandi and Arndell for ALC+ARC 💙
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
“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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will probably never shut up about this book, and this is now one of my auto-recommends. As a super-fan of Below Deck, I was a little hesitant at first because how do you convey the drama, the tension, high stakes and stress of working in such close quarters on a charter yacht? I shouldn't have worried because Kandi has done a phenomenal job.
Love Overboard was executed perfectly. A lot can happen in eight weeks on a charter yacht, and we are privy to it all. The main focus is on our main character, Ember Reed. She's worked her way to chief stew, her dream and her way to prove herself worthy of respect. (It wasn't mentioned much within the story, but the little glimpse we got into Ember's family was so important to her character, and it made so much sense. I really appreciated that.) We immediately see how methodical Ember is in her work and what it will take to put a crack in those stripes.
The story follows Ember, but as she is part of a reality TV show, the cameras not only follow her but also her co-workers. I loved the post-production confessionals: the production team stirring the pot, planting information to create more drama. It was great to hear directly from the other characters without having dedicated chapters to them. Kandi did such a wonderful job conveying multiple personalities and accents/languages within the book. I really enjoyed how she wrote the accents into the book; rather than expecting us to remember, it made each character more memorable.
Kandi structured everything well, we got insight into production, charter guests and their particular way of things, beach picnics and what happens when the cameras catch it all? I wanted more. The angst, the yearning, the moral dilemmas, the crux of secrets coming out? Perfection!
I'm really impressed with how raw and true Love Overboard felt. We have unreliable narrators, characters trying to create their own narrative for the TV show; it gave me unease at times, and it felt real and raw. There are SO many layers to each character and their choices, I could go on and on about it all. This was a great one.
I want to give a HUGE thank you to Netgalley, Kandi Steiner, and Keeperton for the chance to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I'm on my way to pre-order a signed edition right now!
Love Overboard was executed perfectly. A lot can happen in eight weeks on a charter yacht, and we are privy to it all. The main focus is on our main character, Ember Reed. She's worked her way to chief stew, her dream and her way to prove herself worthy of respect. (It wasn't mentioned much within the story, but the little glimpse we got into Ember's family was so important to her character, and it made so much sense. I really appreciated that.) We immediately see how methodical Ember is in her work and what it will take to put a crack in those stripes.
The story follows Ember, but as she is part of a reality TV show, the cameras not only follow her but also her co-workers. I loved the post-production confessionals: the production team stirring the pot, planting information to create more drama. It was great to hear directly from the other characters without having dedicated chapters to them. Kandi did such a wonderful job conveying multiple personalities and accents/languages within the book. I really enjoyed how she wrote the accents into the book; rather than expecting us to remember, it made each character more memorable.
Kandi structured everything well, we got insight into production, charter guests and their particular way of things, beach picnics and what happens when the cameras catch it all? I wanted more. The angst, the yearning, the moral dilemmas, the crux of secrets coming out? Perfection!
I'm really impressed with how raw and true Love Overboard felt. We have unreliable narrators, characters trying to create their own narrative for the TV show; it gave me unease at times, and it felt real and raw. There are SO many layers to each character and their choices, I could go on and on about it all. This was a great one.
I want to give a HUGE thank you to Netgalley, Kandi Steiner, and Keeperton for the chance to read this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I'm on my way to pre-order a signed edition right now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*ARC REVIEW* 5⭐ | 3🌶️ It’s been a long time since I’ve rooted for two characters this hard. If you love a classic RomCom and second chance romance, you MUST read this.
Tropes:
❤️🩹 Second Chance Romance
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🏖️ Beach Read
🌴 Tropical Setting
📺 Reality TV
🤝 Forced Proximity
Review:
I love Kandi Steiner, and this is the absolute best book I've read from her since A Love Letter to Whiskey. I started it at 10 p.m. last night after a long day and was so tired, but I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading because I legitimately could not put it down. I loved it so much I want to tell everyone about it, force them to read it, and then talk about it.
The plot is great — I love a second chance romance and really enjoyed the dynamics of a yachting crew on a reality TV show. This is probably the best reality TV romance book I've read. What truly made the book amazing, though, was the character depth, dialogue, pacing, and the god-tier level of angst and yearning. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted two people to be together as badly as I wanted Ember and Finn, and I felt their love and chemistry viscerally.
The character depth was incredible. I felt like I knew exactly who Finn and Ember were — their backgrounds, their motivations, their fears — and it made their actions feel so real and understandable. The emotional depth was just as strong. There was a deeper layer to the story, especially in Ember’s journey and her need to please her father, and I loved seeing her finally feel fulfilled living for herself by the end. That said, the depth never took away from the lighthearted, cozy feel of the book. It’s still very much an enjoyable romcom you could read on the beach — it just happens to have a lot of heart.
The romance and spice were amazing. From a romance perspective, I loved Finn and Ember together, especially how sweet he was to her and their heartwarming dialogue. When he made her banana pancakes to cure her hangover? Swoon. The tattoos? So sweet. The stolen moments and secret touches? Kill me now. Kandi always writes great spice, but this book was HOT. Every scene was tantalizing and gripping.
I can’t wait to read this again and recommend it to everyone I know who’s looking for a consuming but heartwarming beach read or romance.
Tropes:
❤️🩹 Second Chance Romance
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🏖️ Beach Read
🌴 Tropical Setting
📺 Reality TV
🤝 Forced Proximity
Review:
I love Kandi Steiner, and this is the absolute best book I've read from her since A Love Letter to Whiskey. I started it at 10 p.m. last night after a long day and was so tired, but I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading because I legitimately could not put it down. I loved it so much I want to tell everyone about it, force them to read it, and then talk about it.
The plot is great — I love a second chance romance and really enjoyed the dynamics of a yachting crew on a reality TV show. This is probably the best reality TV romance book I've read. What truly made the book amazing, though, was the character depth, dialogue, pacing, and the god-tier level of angst and yearning. It’s been a while since I’ve wanted two people to be together as badly as I wanted Ember and Finn, and I felt their love and chemistry viscerally.
The character depth was incredible. I felt like I knew exactly who Finn and Ember were — their backgrounds, their motivations, their fears — and it made their actions feel so real and understandable. The emotional depth was just as strong. There was a deeper layer to the story, especially in Ember’s journey and her need to please her father, and I loved seeing her finally feel fulfilled living for herself by the end. That said, the depth never took away from the lighthearted, cozy feel of the book. It’s still very much an enjoyable romcom you could read on the beach — it just happens to have a lot of heart.
The romance and spice were amazing. From a romance perspective, I loved Finn and Ember together, especially how sweet he was to her and their heartwarming dialogue. When he made her banana pancakes to cure her hangover? Swoon. The tattoos? So sweet. The stolen moments and secret touches? Kill me now. Kandi always writes great spice, but this book was HOT. Every scene was tantalizing and gripping.
I can’t wait to read this again and recommend it to everyone I know who’s looking for a consuming but heartwarming beach read or romance.
March 12, 2026
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 ⭐️ and one hell of a time 😍
kandi did the unthinkable and somehow made me FEEL like I was watching a reality show while reading this book. it was 450+ pages of messy drama, angst, addicting tension, and high stakes.
it went above & beyond a simple romance & transported me into a world with sweet friends, evil tv villains, trustworthy mentors, & hilarious guests - all stuck together in the close quarters of a super yacht 🛥️
the vibes were 10/10 🌞👙🥂 the luxury italian vacation setting had me feeling like I was sitting in the sunshine. and while the characters were working, it still had that beach read feel (a must for your next vacation) 🌴🐚❤️🔥
it had all the reality tv goodness you crave from a story with cameras watching our characters 24/7. definitely for any fans of the show, below deck ⚓️ the confessional scenes were hilarious & made it feel so much more REAL. I could really picture it.
now let’s talk romance 🥰🙈 this man is down bad… like down down down bad (& it’s delish - almost as delish as his food sounds - because he’s a chef, duh) 🧑🍳💗
there were lingering looks, secret touches, secret tattoos, and enough tension to melt you 🫠😍
he calls her firefly!!! and has an irish accent ☘️🇮🇪🥹
my only complaint (which isn’t really even a complaint) is that we didn’t get the mmc’s pov ~ which I think was done intentionally. if we had known his thoughts from the jump, the tension would’ve evaporated. but I do wish at SOME point we’d gotten it - just so we had a few moments in his brain. we got to know the fmc SO WELL… like I know the inner workings of every corner of her brain… & i wanted that with our hottie irish chef too. but blah blah it doesn’t matter because this was amazing & spectacular & unlike anything else I’ve ever read 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
- second chance
- workplace romance
- forced proximity (boat, duh)
out april 21st!! 🌦️🌈
s/o to kandi for the early copy!
kandi did the unthinkable and somehow made me FEEL like I was watching a reality show while reading this book. it was 450+ pages of messy drama, angst, addicting tension, and high stakes.
it went above & beyond a simple romance & transported me into a world with sweet friends, evil tv villains, trustworthy mentors, & hilarious guests - all stuck together in the close quarters of a super yacht 🛥️
the vibes were 10/10 🌞👙🥂 the luxury italian vacation setting had me feeling like I was sitting in the sunshine. and while the characters were working, it still had that beach read feel (a must for your next vacation) 🌴🐚❤️🔥
it had all the reality tv goodness you crave from a story with cameras watching our characters 24/7. definitely for any fans of the show, below deck ⚓️ the confessional scenes were hilarious & made it feel so much more REAL. I could really picture it.
now let’s talk romance 🥰🙈 this man is down bad… like down down down bad (& it’s delish - almost as delish as his food sounds - because he’s a chef, duh) 🧑🍳💗
there were lingering looks, secret touches, secret tattoos, and enough tension to melt you 🫠😍
he calls her firefly!!! and has an irish accent ☘️🇮🇪🥹
my only complaint (which isn’t really even a complaint) is that we didn’t get the mmc’s pov ~ which I think was done intentionally. if we had known his thoughts from the jump, the tension would’ve evaporated. but I do wish at SOME point we’d gotten it - just so we had a few moments in his brain. we got to know the fmc SO WELL… like I know the inner workings of every corner of her brain… & i wanted that with our hottie irish chef too. but blah blah it doesn’t matter because this was amazing & spectacular & unlike anything else I’ve ever read 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
- second chance
- workplace romance
- forced proximity (boat, duh)
out april 21st!! 🌦️🌈
s/o to kandi for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.25/5
🎧Thank you @simonmaverickaudio #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
Ahoy romance lovers! I have been on such a second chance romance kick lately! Love Overboard absolutely delivered all the drama and the emotional waves. I listened to this one and the cast was PERFECT for this audiobook!
This story takes place on a luxury yacht where the crew lives and works together at sea. Our FMC Ember is thrilled to start the adventure…until she boards the boat and realizes the chef on staff is none other than her ex, Finn. Ope. Talk about rough waters.
But wait…it gets worse. The entire experience is being filmed as a reality TV show and Finn is also dating someone else on the yacht. So now we have forced proximity, unresolved history, cameras everywhere and emotions. Pretty much the perfect makings of a storm at sea. MUHAHAHA.
This was my first book by this author and I thought it was a fun adventure! To me the whole story played out like watching a reality show. There was SO much drama, plenty of awkward moments with the girlfriend situation and of course some hurt feelings. I pretty much grabbed my popcorn and watched it all go down. Ha! It was certainly entertaining!
I also really enjoyed that Ember and Finn had some good chemistry between the two of them. I didn’t love that he had a girlfriend (that’s a me thing) but it was fun to watch there unresolved lingering connection play out.
I also really enjoyed the yacht setting because it took all that tension up a few notches. It’s almost impossible not to when you’re living and working in the same tight space! There’s really no escaping each other.
In the end I loved seeing how the story came full circle. It was obvious that Ember and Finn clearly couldn’t stay away from each other. I personally found myself rooting for them to get back together with each other the entire time.
This is perfect for anyone who loves:
👩❤️💋👨Second chance romance
🎥Reality TV
🤝Force proximity
🌊Drama at sea
I am officially on board (HAHA GET IT) with reading more from Kandi!
🎧Thank you @simonmaverickaudio #partner for the gifted copy of this book!
Ahoy romance lovers! I have been on such a second chance romance kick lately! Love Overboard absolutely delivered all the drama and the emotional waves. I listened to this one and the cast was PERFECT for this audiobook!
This story takes place on a luxury yacht where the crew lives and works together at sea. Our FMC Ember is thrilled to start the adventure…until she boards the boat and realizes the chef on staff is none other than her ex, Finn. Ope. Talk about rough waters.
But wait…it gets worse. The entire experience is being filmed as a reality TV show and Finn is also dating someone else on the yacht. So now we have forced proximity, unresolved history, cameras everywhere and emotions. Pretty much the perfect makings of a storm at sea. MUHAHAHA.
This was my first book by this author and I thought it was a fun adventure! To me the whole story played out like watching a reality show. There was SO much drama, plenty of awkward moments with the girlfriend situation and of course some hurt feelings. I pretty much grabbed my popcorn and watched it all go down. Ha! It was certainly entertaining!
I also really enjoyed that Ember and Finn had some good chemistry between the two of them. I didn’t love that he had a girlfriend (that’s a me thing) but it was fun to watch there unresolved lingering connection play out.
I also really enjoyed the yacht setting because it took all that tension up a few notches. It’s almost impossible not to when you’re living and working in the same tight space! There’s really no escaping each other.
In the end I loved seeing how the story came full circle. It was obvious that Ember and Finn clearly couldn’t stay away from each other. I personally found myself rooting for them to get back together with each other the entire time.
This is perfect for anyone who loves:
👩❤️💋👨Second chance romance
🎥Reality TV
🤝Force proximity
🌊Drama at sea
I am officially on board (HAHA GET IT) with reading more from Kandi!
netgalley
March 20, 2026⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
If you enjoy second-chance romances with a touch of comedy, this one might be perfect for you.
This was my first read by this Kandi Steiner, and since I’ve never watched Below Deck, I went into the story completely unbiased—and I think that actually worked in my favor.
Overall, this was a fun and engaging read. The angst was present but not overwhelming, which I personally appreciated. There’s plenty of drama, both among the crew and the guests, which adds entertaining side plots. Some characters did annoy me at times, but not to the point where it affected my overall enjoyment.
The story explores themes of longing, family issues, heartbreak, and emotional messiness. I liked the main characters, and their connection felt genuine—it was palpable how much they meant to each other.
I do think a dual POV would have enhanced the story, especially to better understand Finn’s thoughts and feelings. However, the single POV still worked well overall. The pacing was solid, even though the book leans on the longer side. I especially enjoyed the tropes: stolen moments, secret tattoos, and acts of service.
Even as exes, you can clearly sense there is unresolved business between Ember and Finn. Their relationship carries a deep, almost soulmate-like love, which was portrayed beautifully. Both characters are ambitious and driven, each with their own goals and dreams.
Around the 70% mark, the drama really starts to unfold, which added another layer of tension to the story.
Perfect for fans of:
• Slow burn
• Angst
• Forced proximity
• Second chance romance
• Forbidden love
#LoveOverboard #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
If you enjoy second-chance romances with a touch of comedy, this one might be perfect for you.
This was my first read by this Kandi Steiner, and since I’ve never watched Below Deck, I went into the story completely unbiased—and I think that actually worked in my favor.
Overall, this was a fun and engaging read. The angst was present but not overwhelming, which I personally appreciated. There’s plenty of drama, both among the crew and the guests, which adds entertaining side plots. Some characters did annoy me at times, but not to the point where it affected my overall enjoyment.
The story explores themes of longing, family issues, heartbreak, and emotional messiness. I liked the main characters, and their connection felt genuine—it was palpable how much they meant to each other.
I do think a dual POV would have enhanced the story, especially to better understand Finn’s thoughts and feelings. However, the single POV still worked well overall. The pacing was solid, even though the book leans on the longer side. I especially enjoyed the tropes: stolen moments, secret tattoos, and acts of service.
Even as exes, you can clearly sense there is unresolved business between Ember and Finn. Their relationship carries a deep, almost soulmate-like love, which was portrayed beautifully. Both characters are ambitious and driven, each with their own goals and dreams.
Around the 70% mark, the drama really starts to unfold, which added another layer of tension to the story.
Perfect for fans of:
• Slow burn
• Angst
• Forced proximity
• Second chance romance
• Forbidden love
#LoveOverboard #NetGalley
March 11, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'll admit that I wasn't overly excited about this story when I first read the blurb. Reality TV isn't one of my go-to tropes when it comes to my romance reads, but I'm a huge fan of this author, so I was determined to give this one a try. Why did I ever doubt that I'd love it?! This book will probably be among my top reads of this year. It has everything else that I love: a second chance, forced proximity, forbidden romance, and angst...SO MUCH ANGST. I was consumed by this story and didn't want to put it down to do real life!
Ember Reed is living her dream as the chief stew on a superyacht. She's also the star of Close Quarters, a reality TV show, and it seems as though the producers may have it in for her when her ex, Finn Pearson, shows up to man the galley kitchen.
Two years ago, after falling for Finn at sea, Ember thought that they'd walk off toward the shore together, but then Finn destroyed their plans and broke her heart. Now, they're back together in very close quarters with cameras watching every moment. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot actually.
This story really does have it all as far as I'm concerned. Parts of this story were fun and flirty while other parts had me biting my nails and on the verge of tears. The drama in this story is top notch and had me frantically flipping the pages at times, while other scenes had me slowly savoring every beautiful word.
While I absolutely loved the way that this book ended, I could easily see this world turning into a series. I'd definitely be on board if some of these crew members wanted to take me along on their next adventure at sea.
Ember Reed is living her dream as the chief stew on a superyacht. She's also the star of Close Quarters, a reality TV show, and it seems as though the producers may have it in for her when her ex, Finn Pearson, shows up to man the galley kitchen.
Two years ago, after falling for Finn at sea, Ember thought that they'd walk off toward the shore together, but then Finn destroyed their plans and broke her heart. Now, they're back together in very close quarters with cameras watching every moment. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot actually.
This story really does have it all as far as I'm concerned. Parts of this story were fun and flirty while other parts had me biting my nails and on the verge of tears. The drama in this story is top notch and had me frantically flipping the pages at times, while other scenes had me slowly savoring every beautiful word.
While I absolutely loved the way that this book ended, I could easily see this world turning into a series. I'd definitely be on board if some of these crew members wanted to take me along on their next adventure at sea.
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