This second-chance romance made a big splash. For one, it takes place on a superyacht in the Caribbean where Nina works as chief stewardess (fantasy job and setting) alongside a crew full of dramatic characters, including roguish Irish chef Ollie. This is also a romance that’s so much more than a love story because Nina and Ollie’s history is so heavy, full of tangled intimacies—shared secrets, family baggage, and professional perfectionism—told seamlessly through a really well-written flashback-flash-forward structure (I was just as engaged in the past as I was with the present). The ebb and flow of Ollie and Nina’s complicated relationship could’ve gotten annoying—they’re together, they’re not, they’re friends, they’re more—but Ollie’s ultimatum to Nina’s commitment-phobia provided just the right amount of tension, making them a couple you enjoy rooting for from beginning to end. ( )

Well, I certainly didn’t see that coming! I imagined the second book in the Love, Lists & Fancy Ships series would just sail on from where the last one left off but that little twist sent it in a completely new direction. ( )

Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz is a 2022 Berkley publication.

Nina Lejeune is in love with Ollie Dunne, but doesn’t want to admit it. She doesn’t do commitment and that is non-negotiable. She just wants their relationship to remain at status quo…

But Oliver has thrown down the gauntlet. He’s tired of spinning his wheels with Nina- it’s time to get serious or move on. Oliver ups the pressure by taking back his old chef job on board the ‘Serendipity” yacht, where the couple also happen to be bunkmates, much to Nina’s chagrin.

Can Oliver convince Nina to go all in or will they finally go their separate ways?

I loved Nina in “Love, List’s and Fancy Ships”. She was sarcastic and provided some comic relief when the storyline got a bit heavy. In this book, she takes center stage. But her quips are perhaps too much of a good thing. She was a little off-putting at first- way too mean- her remarks too cutting, and her banter with Ollie felt a little immature- which kept me from finding a groove with this book for a little while.

Ollie, on the other hand, had my sympathy all the way through. But as the book progressed, and more information is added to the couple’s backstory, I found myself highly invested in Ollie and Nina’s saga. Obviously, some of Nina’s outbursts are a result of her absolute misery. I was able to relax and give her the benefit of the doubt. By the end of the book the author had me eating out of her hand!! I was soaking the whole thing up like a sponge!

I really liked this story- a lot! It occurred to me as we headed down the home stretch that Ruiz has done something amazing… and long overdue… by turning the tables on traditional romantic roles- it was a like a ‘role-reversal’ in some ways- and it was SO refreshing! I LOVED it!

Overall, Ruiz impressed me with her first book, and despite the slightly bumpy start, she solidified her reputation for me with this sophomore effort. I hope she’s working furiously on her next book because I can’t wait to read it!! Well done! ( )