Allison’s Book Report - “The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

A random fact about me: I refuse to get on a boat. Okay, I would go river rafting for an afternoon. And maybe I would like those little bumper boats that used to be at the fair when I was a kid. But a speed boat? Nope. A rowboat? A canoe? A dinghy? Nope x3. And a cruise ship is the biggest nope of all. I occasionally see a story on the news where people are stuck on a cruise ship, septic tanks and trash cans overflowing, waiting to be rescued – or maybe just waiting for the boat to sink, I don't know. I know that I will never be involved in a scenario like this because I will never get on a cruise ship. The closest I will come is reading a book that takes place on a cruise ship, and this week that is just what I have for you. 

“The Unsinkable Greta James” by Jennifer E. Smith is part rom-com, part comeback story, part family saga – and all a fun and quick read I know you will love. Just after the death of her mother and weeks before the launch of her sophomore album, indie singer Greta James has an embarrassing on-stage meltdown. The footage quickly goes viral, and she stops playing. Her career is suddenly in jeopardy – the kind of jeopardy that her father, Conrad, has always predicted. Months go by, and Greta is still reeling, but she reluctantly agrees to accompany Conrad on an Alaskan cruise that her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. It could be an opportunity to mend their relationship and bond over their recent shared loss. Enter Ben Wilder, a charming historian who is struggling with some major upheaval of his own. As Greta works on building back her confidence and Ben confronts an uncertain future, they find themselves drawn together. On this huge floating city against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness, far from the packed venues she is used to, Greta has to learn to find her voice again.

Despite my disdain for cruise ships, I adored “The Unsinkable Greta James.” It has everything I love in a romantic comedy – flawed but loveable characters on a journey of self-discovery who happen to find love while finding themselves. Greta James is laugh-out-loud funny and will surely tug at your heartstrings at other times. 

Don't forget to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader and let me know what you think of Greta James. Maybe you can convince me to go on a cruise? Probably (read: most definitely) not, but I can't wait to hear what you think.