I read and enjoyed Heather Wardell’s At Sea, and this is a continuation of that story, though you do not need to have read it or any of the others in this series to follow this story. In this book, Corrine, after not getting her coveted spot as a clarinetist in the local orchestra, falls into a funk. She emerges a new person, rejecting her boyfriend and friends, because they are part of her “music” person, not the “new” person she has decided to and plans to become. In her big change to a different life, she sets out to do one thing she has always wanted, having an in vitro pregnancy, because she has always wanted a child. While this is a worthwhile desire and one she probably should pursue, I thought Corrine stumbled into this decision, which is irreversible once it is a fait accompli, without good forethought. Yes, she develops a “plan” for her life, but I did not get the idea that this was a solid, workable plan, and we are talking about having a baby here, not something you can reverse or change much once done. As the story opens, she goes on a cruise with her brother and his friends and literally falls head over heels with a reputed bad boy, a playboy she meets. I was beginning to wonder about her maturity—it seemed like she jumped into things rather quickly without enough good thought of the repercussions. The guy, Austin, is a real love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy, but they nevertheless both continue to pursue what looks like a shipboard fling. Franky, I really did not take all that well to either Corrine or Austin for most of the book. The author portrays Corrine as the solid, thoughtful, mature character, but she did things that I found not in keeping with that image. Eventually, things work out for the best, but should a mother-to-be just jump into a fling with a reputed player, let alone should a woman, with little financial security and little training beyond her music, go for in vitro when she is rejecting her music, potential jobs and friends within the music community? I am not sure I would look up to her as the thoughtful, stable person after this, even though things do work okay for her. In addition, I guess her finances were better than most, as she never seemed to have much difficulty with expenses (except for her broken ac unit) throughout the book and lived what appeared to be an okay lifestyle—but, then this is fiction, so rules can be bent or not taken into account to fit the situation.

The character of Corrine and Austin were fairly well developed. I liked the way both “stepped up to the plate” with the baby and their relationship. However, I think it would have been a bit more believable that Austin would come around, if he had not been painted so vividly as a “player”, moving from one woman to the next, without any thought or hesitation. Yes, the author had him go through a lot of hand wringing and serious thought throughout the book, but it just did not ring true to me. Even Corrine goes through thought and hand wringing herself over what she should do, but she did not come across to me as the adult in the room as the author painted her. Finally, the book’s storyline and plot were very predictable. This just will never be my favorite book by the author, mostly because it never did ring true to me. I enjoyed the growth of the two main characters, but this was not done well enough to make me feel they really were growing. It seemed as if there was a rush to make them both seem more adult and accepting of every situation. Perhaps the book should have been longer than it was, to make me feel better. As it is, the book makes for a good beach read, fast moving and not that long. I think many would enjoy this if they realize that this is fiction and things in reality may not always go as smoothly as they do here or fall into place as nicely or quickly. I received this from the author to read and review honestly. ( )

As a fan of author Heather Wardell, I was not surprised that I would love reading the Toronto Series novels, All At Sea and its sequel Plan Overboard! Heather weaves a fun tale that easily draws the reader into the characters' lives and relationships.

The storylines in this series flow smoothly from one book to the next, they feature past characters and new characters who are realistic, quirky, and easy to relate to; each has an enjoyable mixture of romance, humor, and relationship drama that keeps the reader engaged and thoroughly entertained; and if you haven't read them in sequence, don't worry they are just as good as a stand alone read.

In true Heather Wardell style, she creates stories that are so much more than your normal romance novel. She interweaves life's challenges and relationship quirks that are realistic; you can't help but make a connection with the down-to-earth characters; and she even makes you ponder the story's message that sometimes life won't always go as you have planned, but it's definitely worth the journey.

If you check out Author Heather Wardell's entire Toronto Series, don't pass up the chance to read these thoroughly entertaining romance stories, you can thank me later!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

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