SOLVED. Romance/Mystery-not YA-not historical-not supernatural. [s]

[Alyssa]

When: I read this book maybe when I was thirteen years old. I'm not exactly sure but I know I was old enough to dog-ear the sex scenes like a little dork. So I want to say it was within the 2000-2004 year range.

Reading level: I'm almost certain it was a romance novel (perhaps Harlequin) so the reading level was mature.

What the story is about: What I remember is that it's some woman who is undercover or something and she goes on a cruise ship to solve a crime (maybe it was a jewel theft?). The man that she suspects is the criminal she ends up being intensely attracted to and eventually falls in love with. However, the book specifically mentions her being spurned by a previous shipboard romance explaining away part of her reluctance to develop feelings for this man. I remember a very specific scene where she and the suspect go to the beach and she wears a flesh-tone bikini. They go into the water together and begin kissing passionately. Thirteen-year-old me thought that was quite romantic.

Genre: I'm almost certain it was a romance but the plot did have a bit of mystery involved as the criminal was not revealed until the end etc.

Format: It was a paperback that I think had a blue cover with a ship on it...?

Thanks for any and all help!

[SparksofEmber]

Maybe Not Without Risk?

Are they both passengers or do either of them work for the cruise ship?

[Alyssa]

SparksofEmber wrote: "Maybe Not Without Risk?

Are they both passengers or do either of them work for the cruise ship?"

Both are passengers, I think...

[Alyssa]

SparksofEmber wrote: "Maybe Not Without Risk?

Are they both passengers or do either of them work for the cruise ship?"

I don't think that's it because they don't have a previous relationship. She just had a shipboard romance with someone else that ended in heartbreak which makes her reluctant to pursue one with this guy.
That was a good guess though!

[Ayshe]

Meg & the Mystery Man maybe?

[Alyssa]

Ayshe wrote: "Meg & the Mystery Man maybe?"

YOU FOUND IT!!! How did you do that??? Thank you so much!!!

[Kris]

I like your header ("...-not YA-not historical-not supernatural"), Alyssa. Telling us what it's not is very helpful!

[Alyssa]

Kris wrote: "I like your header ("...-not YA-not historical-not supernatural"), Alyssa. Telling us what it's not is very helpful!"

I was hoping to be as helpful as possible because there was very little I actually remembered about it (heroine's name, etc.). I'm so glad someone was able to help me find this book! I thought it was a long-shot...!

[Ayshe]

You're welcome! It was in Google books search results for cruise ship theft harlequin subject:fiction and year range 1980-2005

[Alyssa]

Ayshe wrote: "You're welcome! It was in Google books search results for cruise ship theft harlequin subject:fiction and year range 1980-2005"

That is so cool! I need to up my Google search game! Thanks again! I can't wait to re-read it and reminisce...!