Jasmine Randhawa likes everyone to think she has it all—great job, perfect Seattle apartment, and a handsome boyfriend. But she’s not as confident or successful as she seems, and her relationship is at a breaking point.
When Jasmine finds herself single and tagging along on her parents’ vacation, she’s not sure her life can get any farther off course. It’s a nightmare for someone who’s been so fiercely independent to find herself on a cruise full of family friends who’ve judged her since childhood. Things only get worse once the ship leaves the harbor and she realizes that this is a seniors’ cruise, and the only other person under fifty on the entire boat is her childhood acquaintance, cocky and successful Jake Dhillon.
Jasmine and Jake clash right away, with Jasmine smarting over how their South Asian community puts him on a pedestal as the perfect Indian son, whereas her reputation as a troublemaker precedes her. Except they can’t avoid each other forever during the ten-day cruise, and they soon recognize a surprising number of similarities, especially in how many secrets they’re keeping hidden from their families. Their restlessness seems to disappear whenever they’re together, but is this relationship strong enough to last on land?
Release Date: Apr 18, 2023
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Jasmine knows how to keep up her appearances. She had to for the last few years. She hasn’t always made the best decisions, and her family has held that against her. Her recent breakup with her boyfriend is just the start of another potential upset. Now she is forced to take a break from her job.
Jasmine is determined to prove everyone wrong, so she joins her parents on a cruise to Alaska. She doesn’t realize the cruise is not for people in her age group. Then to see the same community she has been trying to avoid on the cruise is so frustrating. The only person on the cruise close in age is Jake, and he annoys her. But spending days on a ship in close proximity to someone has a way of changing how you see them.
This was an interesting story. I don’t know if it is my favorite, but I did enjoy it. I rooted for Jasmine the entire book. It is not easy to be on a cruise for ten days with all your senior peers. The aunties and uncles judging her every move. She really didn’t have anyone to turn to except Jake. She accepted all her issues and really tried to work on them and everything.
I did, however, dislike her attitude toward Jake at times. She is downright mean to him. I think it’s because of the biases that the aunties and uncles show him. Culturally it is accurate, but Jasmine didn’t need to act so immaturely about every situation.
The story is slow in parts if you are seeking a straight romance. However, I love these stories of family, culture, and community. I look forward to reading more by this author.
~ Samantha
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