Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships

Sarah Grunder Ruiz

Nov 2021 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

Sometimes a yacht, a bold bucket list, and a kiss with a handsome stranger are all a person needs to dive into the deep end of life.

For the last year, yacht stewardess Jo Walker has been attempting to complete a bucket list of thirty things she wants to accomplish by her thirtieth birthday. Jo has almost everything she's ever wanted, including a condo on the beach (though she's the youngest resident by several decades) and an exciting job (albeit below deck) that lets her travel the world.

Jo is on track until the death of her nephew turns her life upside down, and the list falls by the wayside. But when her two nieces show up unannounced with plans to stay the summer, they discover her list and insist on helping Jo finish it. Though the remaining eight items (which include running a marathon, visiting ten countries, and sleeping in a castle) seem impossible to complete in twelve weeks, Jo takes on the challenge.

When she summons the courage to complete item number five--kiss a stranger--and meets Alex Hayes, all bets are off. As her feelings for Alex intensify and Jo's inability to confront difficult emotions about her family complicates her relationships, she must learn to quit playing it safe with her heart before she loses what matters most.

Ratings and reviews

Yacht stewardess Jo is working to complete a list of thirty things she wants to do by the time she turns thirty. With only a few weeks to go, and ten items left, she's not sure she'll make it. Then, her plans get upended when her grieving nieces come to visit for the summer. The loss of their eleven-year-old brother has left Jo and her whole family reeling. At the same time, handsome chef Alex walks into her life, making her want things she can't have. Can she hold it together for herself and her family? This is a heart-wrenching yet ultimately uplifting story of finding a path through grief to the life that lies beyond. It's more women's fiction than romance, with Jo's work life and her relationship with her nieces holding as much space in the story as her relationship with Alex. It's not a light read, but it mixes humor and fun in with the sadness (much like life). If you like romance or women's fiction, this is an emotional and fulfilling read. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

About the author

Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a writer, educator, and karaoke enthusiast. Originally from South Florida, she now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and two children. She holds an MFA in creative writing from North Carolina State University, where she now teaches First-Year Writing.