It took me a really long time to read this one, and I’m not sure why I kept putting it off. But I really enjoyed it! I liked the forced proximity aspect, and the antics of the cruise ship. I did not love the lack of communication between pretty much everyone. But I enjoyed the chemistry between Eliza and Oscar. I’m definitely interested to see what the rest of this series will bring!

An utter joy to read, thoroughly entertaining, and HOT! This book surprised me by being really horny all the way through, not making me wait until the end for some very steamy action. The main character is funny and believable and watching her grow and change over the novel was delightful. Add to that an eclectic and fun cast of characters and hilarious new party games that I might bust out some day, and I had a great time with this one. Thanks to netgalley for the copy!

This book was such a fun read! It reminded me a lot of the TV show, Below Deck. The adventures and blooming love made for an exciting story.

This book is not for the fainthearted. Go into it knowing that there are more than a few scenes that are of a sexual nature.
Personally, I didn't feel it was too much but I think it would depend on the person. The main characters were easy to care for and written very well.
I liked the setting and felt that it worked in favour of the story. It meant there was a forced proximity trope which meant the story flowed even better

Philippa Young's *More Than Shipmates* is a fun and steamy romantic comedy that sails through themes of self-discovery, fresh starts, and the complications of love.

The story follows Eliza Chapman, a woman desperate to prove herself after a string of disappointments. Her new job as an entertainment host on a Caribbean cruise promises adventure and a chance to rewrite her narrative. Eliza’s relatable struggles with self-worth and her determination to succeed make her a sympathetic protagonist. Her witty inner monologues add humor and heart, drawing readers into her world of onboard drama and late-night escapades.

The romance is where the story shines. The tension between Eliza and her two potential love interests, cheeky Tom and charming Oscar, is palpable. Young excels at capturing the highs and lows of workplace flirtation and forbidden romance. The dynamic between Eliza and the two men feels authentic, filled with awkward, sexy, and sometimes hilarious moments.

However, the plot occasionally loses its course, with certain subplots and supporting characters feeling underdeveloped. The cruise setting, while vibrant and entertaining, could have been explored more deeply to enhance the story's atmosphere. Additionally, Eliza’s growth feels slightly rushed in places, leaving some emotional beats unresolved.

Despite these flaws, *More Than Shipmates* is an engaging read, blending romance, comedy, and self-discovery. The sizzling chemistry, humorous dialogue, and moments of vulnerability make it a delightful escape for fans of romantic comedies.

A solid 3.5 stars—a charming and steamy journey with just a touch of turbulence!

Loved the banter, the games the whole cruise ship setting, I liked it, at times it felt a little juvenile with the games they all played for “fun” and also I didn’t feel the connection when it came to the romance between them all. I for sure want to be in a cruise with these characters because they are funny AF, and creative lol.

More Than Shipmates by Philippa Young is a light-hearted cruise ship romance that sets sail with promise but encounters some choppy waters.

— 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚜:

Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Steamy encounters

The banter between the main characters is cute, and the concept of finding love on a cruise is delightful. However, I found the back-and-forth between the steamy scenes and emotional moments felt disjointed, lacking the smooth flow I was hoping for. While the chemistry is there, it often slips into cliché territory, and the characters could have used more depth.

TL;DR: A fun, breezy read with charming moments, but the disconnect between the erotic and emotional scenes made it feel uneven. Perfect for fans of light rom-coms, though it left me wanting more substance.

I had really high hopes for this one when I first Requested it but my reading preferences have changed since I requested and it wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I do think that there is an audience for this book and they would really enjoy it!

This book was generously provided to me by NetGalley!

Oh there’s smut in here!🥵

I loved everything about this book! Even the love triangle turned out to be so fun. Like she can make it work!! Read this book, I will force you otherwise.

A fun steamy romance. Giving me reality tv vibes. It was an easy ready and thoroughly enjoyable but I have read a lot in this genre and it didn’t quite make the top stars for me. That being said it is a debut and a good fun one at that.

Such a fun rom com! I loved this spicy, summery romance, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This is such a fun entertaining book. I loved every minute of reading it. The main character is so relatable and I couldn't wait too see what happens next. The book setting is on a cruise where our main characters work. It follows them in their daily routine and after hours. These characters are in their twenties which makes this read like a new adult novel in the best way. We get to know all the characters in a deep and meaningful way. I highly recommend reading this book if you want a fun summer read with steaming romance.

More Than Shipmates is the debut novel by Philippe Young. I was interested in this book after reading the synopsis. Unfortunately I had difficulties connecting to this characters after 30%. Sometimes a love triangle works but this one did not hold my interest. Perhaps other people will enjoy this book. I will not be reviewing this book on my social media accounts.

Who doesn't love a good love triangle. The characters were fun and whitty, yet still had depth, and the writing kept me interested. Solid 3 star debut for me!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Ella Chapman has been dealt a crappy deal. She did not get into drama school, her boyfriend has been cheating on her, and her best friend has replaced her with someone else. And now, she wants a change.

Ella signed a six-month contact on a cruise line to be an entertainment talent on the ship. She vows to start anew, no dating, no hooking up, no nothing. But, once on the ship, there are things out of her control and she finds herself caught between two men.

While this is a fictional piece, part of me hopes that the castmates have this much fun on their off time!

Dive into the delightful blend of adventure and romance! Eliza Chapman's journey from setbacks to success is captivating, with unexpected twists and a spicy love triangle that keeps you hooked.

A must-read romcom that sails through character growth and unexpected love encounters.

"More Than Shipmates" by Philippa Young follows the story of Eliza Chapman, who has always felt like she's fallen short in various aspects of her life. From failing to get into drama school to struggling to maintain relationships, Eliza's self-esteem has taken a hit. However, when she lands a job as an entertainment host on a Caribbean cruise, she sees it as an opportunity for a fresh start.

Determined to focus solely on her career and avoid any romantic entanglements, Eliza pledges to stay away from men during her time on the cruise. But her resolve is put to the test when she finds herself drawn to two intriguing colleagues: the cheeky American Tom and the charming Brit Oscar. As the lines between professionalism and personal feelings blur, Eliza must navigate the challenges of romance in the midst of her new job.

"More Than Shipmates" promises to deliver a tension-fueled, steamy romantic comedy with multiple points of view, offering readers a story of fresh starts, self-discovery, and learning to open oneself up to love.

This was everything I didn't know I needed in a book! I loved the writing style, it felt fun, easy to read and definitely kept me hooked. Characters and storyline were brilliantly written, with some real laugh out loud moment and some great spice too. Brilliant summer read.

I’m an idiot for not reading this sooner. It was brilliant. I absolutely loved the style of writing. It kept me engaged the whole time, and when I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it.

The character growth from all was written so well. I loved how they all helped each other grow.

My only complaint is the constant self doubt from the main characters. After finishing I understand and appreciate the need for it but at the time I found it a little annoying.

Everything else was fab, and I can’t wait for the next instalment!!!

3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this E-ARC. I could not handle the build up in this book. I was here just screaming just do it with someone already I dont care who. All that sexual tension just made me feel like a teenager again and I was not mad at it. I loved all the characters I enjoyed seeing the growth in them and cant wait for the next book