Hook, Line and Single is the story of Ruby and Sam, two best-friends who go on a cruise for single people, but Ruby who's sworn herself off men doesn't know what this cruise is about. Against her wishes, she takes part in the various activities proposed by thr cruise and has to stay with Cameron as Sam met someone and matched with him.

I liked this book. It was entertaining, and cute. I did not connect with Ruby as much as I would have liked to, but I loved Sam and Samson -her cat, as well as Cameron. I would give it a 3.75 -rounded to 4- as I found it enjoyable, but it was not the best book I've read. I found the end rather rushed and having too much info-dumping.

Oh what a perfect read !!! I laught so bad during this book.

I am a bit prejudiced about cruises and wouldn't take one myself BUT I must admit that Pheobe MacLeod almost made me reconsider ...

The scenery is fantastic to forget the awful weather we're currently having.

Ruby and Cameron are so sweet together, the vibe between them is spot on from the start.
I really thought Cameron happens to be a lord or something similar when he takes her clay pigeon shooting, and not a police officer. Like a last twist to this very eventful story !

And hurra for Samson ;)

Thank you to Netgalley and Bolwood Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Boldwood books & netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not what it is advertised to be. I thought I was going to get a fun romcom story that takes place on a cruise but instead I got the complete opposite? 25% of the way through the book, they're not even on the cruise and the MMC and FMC haven't even met yet?? You spent the first half of the book following along Sam's (the FMC's best friend) love life more than the actual FMC. I started to even wonder if this book was about Sam's love life told from the prospective of her best friend?!?

Hook, Line and Single: ★☆☆☆☆ (1)

A fun easy read and I’ll be looking forward to reading more of the authors books.

I thought the characters in this book were well written and loved Ruby’s family, would’ve liked to have seen more from them.

Sam and Ruby’s friendship was funny and same lovely girlie moments even if Ruby seemed like a better friend most of the time 😂

I enjoyed how Cameron and Ruby’s relationship developed and loved all the cruise ship aspect and their little adventures off ship!
Little Cameron and Beacon were not word I thought I’d read in the same sentence 😂🙈

I found the cruise ship characters to be entertaining and would’ve welcomed knowing a few more

I would’ve liked the issues behind Ruby’s love life to have maybe came to light a bit sooner and seen her working to overcome them as the ending seemed a little ‘rushed’ in this respect with it all coming out and then the story moving forward.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

Hook, Line, and Single is a fun, lighthearted read, but it didn’t quite hook me as much as I hoped. The premise of Ellie diving back into the dating world after being dumped is relatable and has some laugh-out-loud moments, but some parts felt a bit predictable. I appreciated her growth and the friendships she leans on, though I wished the love story had a bit more spark or depth. It’s an easy read for a cozy weekend, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. Still, if you’re into breezy romantic comedies, it’s worth checking out!

Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe MacLeod is a charming, lighthearted rom-com about Ruby, a woman who’s sworn off men but finds herself on a singles cruise thanks to her meddling flatmate. Determined to avoid romance, Ruby pairs up with Cameron, a fellow cruise passenger who is also less than thrilled with the trip. What begins as a convenient ploy to fend off unwanted attention soon evolves into a fun and heartwarming connection as they explore the Mediterranean together. With witty banter, relatable characters, and a slow-burn romance, MacLeod delivers a feel-good story about love, self-discovery, and the unexpected turns life can take.

3.5 stars for me! I really enjoyed this book! I’ve never read a romance book about people on a cruise so that was a cool twist on meeting people. I really liked how we got to see Ruby’s best friends love journey as well as Ruby’s. You don’t get to see that a lot in romance books. I enjoyed all the little fun things that happened along the way and how Ruby adapted to everything even though she wasn’t really happy to be there in the first place.

I have to say, the fake dating trope always gets me, but this was really good because they were acquaintances turned into friends which made it a cool storyline. And all the mishaps and challenges throughout the way made it more enjoyable. All the other side characters made me laugh too, I was laughing multiple times throughout the book.

Overall this was a really good romance throughout and I loved the banter and chemistry that Ruby had with Cameron. A cute little romcom if you need something to pick you back up from a slump or just a fun time.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

1 star ⭐️

This was not my first boo by Pheobe MacLoud I think I’ve read all hers but one or two. But this book wasn’t it. It’s suppose to be a love story based on a cruise ship and it was not at all. I didn’t like the characters or the plot. I didn’t appreciate the bashed of religions it’s unnecessary for a book. It just really feel short which disappointment me because I am a big fan of MacLeod.

I really wanted to love this book, but I found myself feeling indifferent by the end. The premise had a lot of potential—a fresh take on relationships, self-discovery, and the complexities of love and friendship—but the execution left me underwhelmed.

Ruby, who's sworn off men after a string of bad relationships, embarks on a singles cruise with her best friend, Sam. Onboard, she meets Cameron, and the two agree to stay in a platonic relationship, which is supposed to be the heart of the story. However, I never truly felt the depth of their bond. The “platonic” arrangement seemed to lack any real tension or emotional engagement, making their dynamic feel flat and unremarkable.

There was one shining light for me in this story—Samson, the cat. As a fellow cat owner, I couldn’t help but enjoy the moments that featured him. He added a much-needed charm to the otherwise lackluster narrative. Honestly, I wished there had been more of him.

Overall, while the concept was interesting, the execution didn’t pull me in the way I hoped. The book left me wishing for a stronger connection between the characters and more meaningful moments. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t as engaging as I thought it would be. I'm giving this book therefore 1 ⭐.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. The premise was amazing but the execution wasn’t exactly as I was thinking. I just felt so disconnected from this book and the characters.

Ruby has sworn off all men but ends up going on a singles cruise with her best friend, Sam. She befriends Cameron and they decide to be in a platonic relationship and that is essentially all the relationship is. I did not feel the spark between them beyond being just friends.

The best part about this book was the cat named Samson (coming from someone with their own cat named Samson) and I wished we got to see even more of him.

Ruby has sworn off men, and dating in general. She is happy at home with her roommate/best friend Sam and their cat Samson. When Sam suggests that the two of them go on a vacation, they decide that a cruise sounds perfect.

What Ruby DOESN'T know, is that Sam has signed them up to join a Singles Cruise. Of course Sam almost immediately meets a man she is interested in dating, leaving Ruby all alone on excursions they had planned to go on together.

Enter Cameron. Cameron is also not interested in dating, so Ruby and Cameron start hanging out and exploring their ports together. As soon as Cameron and Ruby start spending time together I was hopeful that they would change their minds about dating and start a relationship, I was so curious to see how things would end up for them that I could not put the book down once they started spending more and more time together.

As a cruise lover, I loved all of the cruise aspects discussed! I'm also a big cat lover, so was happy to hear all about Samson before and after their cruise.

The writing was fun and easy to read. I didn't want to put the book down! The characters were likable, at least the ones you were supposed to like!

This was my first book by Phoebe MacLeod, but it will absolutely not be my last!

I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, Net Galley and Publisher!

what a cute romance. this is the second time ive read a cruise romance, and i love how they always have these parties and activities, and how you have some forced proximity. this makes you get to know people relatively fast, as we read about in this book. i love how this romance develops, and how her best friends romance develops. i also really wasnt expecting the backstory, which is explained a bit later on in the book. the characters are cute, and i love their story, but it felt a little bit superficial to me, i would have love more depth.

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I’m a little torn about this book overall. I was very excited about the cruise ship aspect of this book, it was something new that I hadn’t read before and thought was a fun idea. It was a little less on the cruise ship than I was expecting and so I was a tad disappointed about that.

I think the FMC, Ruby, was well written and likeable. I enjoyed her story. But the MMC, Cameron, fell a little flat for me. I had a hard time attaching to him. Definitely a slow burn, it took a long time for anything to develop between them, and was overall a slow start. Once you got into it, it was a cute book. I also love a good book with a pet that plays an important role, and this had that.

Overall a nice, easy read. A little thought provoking at times, will give you some good laughs, but nothing super deep.

Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe Macleod is an absolute delight from start to finish. The story is warm, funny, and filled with charm, with Ruby and Cameron standing out as wonderfully relatable characters. Their dynamic is engaging and heartwarming, and the Mediterranean cruise setting adds a perfect sense of escapism that makes the book so easy to lose yourself in.

The humor is spot-on, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and the pacing keeps you hooked throughout. Macleod’s writing has a natural, conversational flow that makes it feel like catching up with an old friend. My only small critique is that the ending felt a bit longer than necessary—it could have been wrapped up more quickly without losing any of the story’s impact.

Overall, this is a fantastic rom-com that leaves you smiling and is perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good, romantic escape.

3.5*

A light hearted, easy to read and feel good romance.

Summary
After a bad break up several years earlier Ruby has sworn off men so when her best friend, and serial dater, Sam tricks her into a singles cruise she’s furious. Luckily, she is befriended by fellow unwilling participant Cameron and they agree to fake a partnership to dodge unwanted attention. But as they explore the Mediterranean together, Ruby starts to realise Cameron isn’t just a safe bet—he’s funny, kind, and way too charming. Can Ruby stick to her no-romance rule, or is her heart already overboard? Can she overcome her demons?

Thoughts
This story has all the hallmarks of a good romcom:
🎭 Fake dating
🚢 Forced proximity
🌞 Idyllic location
🌴 Holiday romance/fling
😁 Situational comedy
☀️ Grump and sunshine relationship (friendship)

I liked the main characters and the cast of supporting characters bring warmth and humour to the story.

The plot was predictable but enjoyable all the same- but I think most romances are that way. I did find the beginning a little slow but when it picks up it's really enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**A Witty and Heartwarming Rom-Com You Won’t Want to Miss**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Phoebe MacLeod’s *Hook, Line and Single* is an absolute delight from start to finish! Packed with humor, charm, and heartfelt moments, this novel captures the awkward yet endearing journey of navigating single life and finding love in the modern world.

The protagonist is instantly relatable—smart, funny, and refreshingly real as she tackles the ups and downs of dating after a breakup. MacLeod’s witty and engaging writing style makes every page a pleasure to read, filled with laugh-out-loud moments and sharp observations about relationships and self-discovery.

The supporting cast of characters is equally lovable, adding depth and fun to the story. Whether it’s hilarious dating disasters or heart-to-heart moments with friends, every interaction feels authentic and meaningful.

MacLeod excels at blending comedy with heartfelt emotion, creating a story that’s as touching as it is entertaining. The pacing is perfect, with just the right amount of romantic tension and personal growth to keep you hooked until the very end.

*Hook, Line and Single* is not just a rom-com; it’s a celebration of resilience, self-acceptance, and the courage to embrace life’s surprises. Phoebe MacLeod has delivered a wonderfully uplifting and feel-good read that’s perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a lot of heart. Highly recommended!

25% into the book before they get on the cruise and she finds out it's a singles cruise. And very little of the first 25% of the book felt necessary to the story, 8 chapters that I feel could have been 1.

35% in and she finally meets the love interest. Again most of this could be skipped or been much more concise.

45% in and it's platonic and friendly, is this meant to be a slow burn?! There's been no sparks at all, it's all very comfortable and friendly and mutually beneficial, which doesn't really lead to a great story. There's been no conflict, no real needs being met, it's just a slow and steady telling of how two folks meet and maybe it eventually grows into more, but do we need to read about it for so many pages?! I'm at a loss to know what compelled the author to write this story? Very little is compelling me to keep reading it.

Okay 46% first sparks (hand holding, first kiss for the benefit of the crowd but at least the sparks were felt)

58% in, is there a point to this?

69% and she is starting to have some bursts of attraction, we may get some sexual tension built by 80% in?! Otherwise, it's been a fairly bland travelogue for the last 40% of the book.

84% in and the past that made her swear off dating comes out, but it really has not been well established that there was a history to tell, no hint of the secret before now, no internal struggle that we have watched her try to overcome and fear she never would. It could have been hanging over her but the reader sure didn't know it until now, so there was very little tension and yearning for her to figure it out in order to let in a good man who had now confessed his feelings to her.

92% and the book is over, the other 8% is post book content, so all these things happened even later in the book than I noted...

They got themselves there, but it was rough. I don't know if I'd want less, and just have this be a novella or if I want it to just be better, but lots of it didn't need to be there and didn't help the story, lots of the internal story that should have been there wasn't. It just wasn't up to par, which is sad cause I liked all the characters and the premise of fake dating for the singles cruise could have worked and the circumstances that led her to her current situation is actually something that should be hashed out in a romance book, but we didn't get enough of her internal struggle throughout the book. It had potential but just didn't come together in a satisfying way.

The premise of this book is so exciting, with two characters who are adamant they aren't looking for love finding themselves unexpectedly on a singles cruise.

I loved the way Ruby and Cameron actually got to know each other. I'm so used to insta-love romances that it was very refreshing to see a natural relationship progression, making it feel all the more real.

I wish we had gotten more of them by the halfway through mark however. They definitely grew as friends first, which I found very heartwarming. But I was wishing there was a little something more drawing me to Cameron, other than how kind he was.

When my kindle reading speed told me I had less than an hour left of reading, I realised that very little solidified romantic moments had happened between Ruby and Cameron. Combined with Ruby not spending much time with her friend Sam on the holiday either, things felt a little lackluster. Although this is likely a more realistic approach to how a romance plays out, I think there needed to be more to hook the reader and keep things exciting. It would have been fun to watch Sam and her new romance with Robin play out too.

Unfortunately I didn't feel much sparks fly between our two main characters, but I did really enjoy the book. The writing was great and easy to read, and the plot kept my interest. There was lots of exploration off the cruise ship, and the group activities were fun. I wish there was a little more time spent on the cruise ship, in restaurants, or enjoying musical entertainment; perhaps even just on a balcony enjoying the sea, as this is marketed as a cruise ship romance.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this!

*I received this book as an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me a copy of Hook, Line and single in return for an honest review. I thought this book was cute! It follows a Ruby Johnson as she travels the Mediterranean on a cruise with her best friend Sam. The catch? Sam forgot to mention that it was a single cruise. Luckily she meets Cameron who is able to provide her with a cover. Ruby was very relatable as I’m sure we all have, or have experienced, a friend like Sam. I absolutely loved the story!

This closed-door romance is a quick, short read with an enjoyable main character, Ruby. She has sworn off men and dating for years after a break-up with her boyfriend in college, and happily lives in season England, sharing a flat with her best friend, Sam. Unlike Ruby, Sam is desperate to find love, and her dating history and dalliances provide much of the comedic relief in the book.

As part of her quest to find love and force Ruby to expand her horizons, Sam books them on a singles cruise through the Mediterranean. Sam immediately drops Ruby like a hot potato to find herself a partner. Ruby, alone and still not seeking attention from men, buddies up with Cameron, a cute guy who also swears he is not seeking love, in a mutually-agreeable ruse to keep unwanted suitors at bay.

Predictably, hijinks ensue. Ruby and Cameron are forced to come to terms with potential feelings and we realize there may be more there. The chemistry between Ruby and Cameron is fine but not amazing, although the banter was entertaining. There is basically zero spice in this book, so for those looking for a chaste read, this could be a good option for you. The friendship between Ruby and Sam is the best part of the book, as you believe they do love each other as best friends. The ending felt a little rushed (They're off the boat already? Did I skip a chapter?), but gives you the happily ever so many romance readers crave. I'd give this 2.5 stars, but have to round down on this system.