Review: Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean
Thank you Delacourte Press for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
One thing about me: if it’s set in Alaska, I will read it. I have never been there but it’s on my bucket list of travel. I have this author’s other books on my shelves and I think I’ll go back and read them. Overall, I think this is a great YA read and will be popular with that age group because it’s adventurous and swoony. I really liked Tanner and I liked that Savannah pushed herself outside her comfort zone while still remaining true to herself.
Synopsis:
“After a very public breakup during which her ex, Caleb, tells her she is both (a) boring and (b) stuck in her ways, Savannah Moore decides that going with her mom on her company cruise to Alaska presents the perfect opportunity to show people how fun she is.
It won’t be easy, though. Her longtime nemesis, Tanner Woods, is also on the ship. His family and Savannah's are friends, and Tanner knows her better than she’d like to admit. When he learns of her plan, Tanner wants to help, and he encourages her to try everything: zip-lining and dogsledding, hiking the bear-infested Alaskan wilderness, singing late night karaoke, and taking a polar plunge. That’ll show Caleb just what he’s missing.
Except after spending so much time with Tanner, Savannah’s not sure Caleb is the one she wants anymore.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Setting—I picked up this title because it promised an Alaskan cruise setting and it delivered! It’s my dream trip right now and I had to experience it through the pages.
The Concept—One of my favorite tropes is forced proximity because it creates a situation where a character can’t run from their thoughts/problems/feelings. I liked how Savannah needed to confront what she was working through as well as her growing feelings for Tanner while in the confined space and time frame of the cruise.
The Banter—I loved how the characters went back and forth with each other. There’s something so nostalgic about it and I think YA readers will enjoy it.
What Didn’t Work:
Wanted a Little More Resolve—I would have liked a little more resolution for the ending. Maybe even an epilogue with both families gathering for a meal where we could see Tanner and Savannah in their new surroundings. But overall, I thought this was a fun, sweet, adventurous summer read.
Food/Diet Talk—There were some lines in this book regarding food intake/diet that didn’t sit right with me. I wasn’t sure if I was being overly sensitive but I think they weren’t necessary.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings:
parental abandonment