I am forever OBSESSED with Poppy and Isaiah. It’s a pretty hard concept to write a book that is both a thriller and a romance, but this book blended the two perfectly. The twists and turns that I never saw coming had me guessing the whole way through, but the love story had me swooning. On top of it all, there was a whole other story line of friendship and finding your people to help survive the chaos of life together. Kate Callaghan got it all right with this book.

Poppy, a famous singer, boarded an exclusive cruise after living a pretty traumatic life and losing her aunt. Due to recent events, a detective on leave, Isaiah, joins her as her bodyguard. Nothing could have prepared anyone for what that dream vacation would truly entail though. You’ll spend the whole book guessing who did what and what the motive was. A definite must read.

thank you to Net Galley and Kate Callaghan for an e-book and exchange for an honest review!

rating four out of five stars

this was a really fun romantic murder mystery. it did take me a bit to get through but overall it was really fun and a different type of book. I do like this authors writing as well!

Love love love
This is a new genre for me. I picked it up solely based on the cover! I was like cruise, I like cruises. I am normally a hockey romance reader. I normally avoid anything with high intensity, but this book was amazing. I was screaming at the pages. I could not put it down. Likeable characters and a great plot. Probably a 2/5 on the spice scale.

🇮🇹
Innanzitutto, devo ringraziare NetGalley per avermi concesso l’ARC di questo libro!

Tropes:
Cruise Ship Romance
Murder Mystery
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
Detective X Pop Star
Shared Cabin
Morally Gray Characters

Immaginate di essere una superstar del pop perseguitata dalla sfortuna: prima perdete vostra madre, poi vostra zia, e ora vi ritrovate intrappolata su una nave da crociera di lusso con qualcuno che vuole la vostra pelle. Questa è la situazione di Poppy Roe, che dopo aver scoperto un complotto orchestrato dal suo ex fidanzato e manager per eliminarla, decide di assumere nuovi collaboratori fidati. Tra questi c’è Isaiah Rivers, un detective che dovrebbe essere in vacanza ma che in realtà è convinto che Poppy sia coinvolta nelle misteriose morti che la circondano e vuole indagare su di lei dall’interno, spacciandosi per la sua guardia del corpo. Ma quando la nave Midas salpa e una scia di omicidi inizia a seguire ogni movimento di Poppy, i due si rendono conto che dovranno mettere da parte i sospetti reciproci e collaborare per scoprire chi è il vero assassino prima che sia troppo tardi.

Poppy Roe è una donna determinata e combattiva, con una personalità tagliente che nasconde un passato complicato. Nonostante la sua vita dorata in apparenza, si trova ad affrontare una realtà molto più dura, cresciuta da una zia distaccata dopo aver perso i genitori e ora alla ricerca disperata di qualcosa di autentico nella sua vita. Ho ammirato la sua capacità di non farsi piegare dalle avversità, ma quello che la rende davvero interessante è il fatto che non è la classica eroina immacolata ma ha le sue zone d’ombra, i suoi segreti e una nonchalance verso certe situazioni che può risultare spiazzante. È riservata ma non fredda e vederla abbassare gradualmente le sue difese è uno degli aspetti più belli del personaggio.

Isaiah Rivers è l’incarnazione perfetta dell’anti-eroe. È un detective talmente dedito al lavoro da non riuscire a staccare nemmeno in vacanza. Cupo e misterioso, riservato e cauto, abituato a fidarsi solo del proprio istinto investigativo, ma che si ritrova a dover rimettere in discussione tutte le sue certezze.

La chimica tra Poppy e Isaiah è innegabile, alimentata dalla tensione costante tra attrazione e diffidenza. Il loro rapporto nasce dalla necessità di collaborare per sopravvivere ma non mancano battibecchi divertenti.
Devo ammettere che la loro storia si sviluppa abbastanza rapidamente e questo mi ha fatto un po’ storcere il naso.

La narrazione è in terza persona e sinceramente non mi è dispiaciuta.

Lo consiglio? Perché no.

🇬🇧
First off, big thanks to NetGalley for the arc of this book!

Tropes:
Cruise Ship Romance
Murder Mystery
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
Detective x Pop Star
Shared Cabin
Morally Gray Characters

Picture this: you’re a pop superstar with the worst luck ever. First you lose your mom, then your aunt and now you’re stuck on a luxury cruise with someone out to kill you. That’s exactly what happens to Poppy Roe. After discovering a plot cooked up by her ex-boyfriend and manager to get rid of her, she brings in some new people she can actually trust. One of them is Isaiah Rivers, a detective who’s supposed to be on vacation but he suspects Poppy might be connected to the mysterious deaths surrounding her and signs on as her bodyguard to investigate from the inside.
But once the Midas sets sail and bodies start piling up, the two realize they’ll have to set aside their doubts and team up to catch the killer before it’s too late.

Poppy Roe is a determined, fierce woman with a sharp personality that hides a complicated past. Despite her seemingly golden life, she’s dealing with a much harsher reality, raised by a distant aunt after losing her parents and now desperately searching for something authentic in her life. I admired her ability to not let adversity break her but what makes her truly interesting is that she’s not your typical flawless heroine. She has her dark sides, her secrets and a nonchalance toward certain situations that can be quite disarming. She’s guarded but not cold and watching her gradually lower her defenses is one of the most beautiful aspects of her character.

Isaiah is the classic anti-hero. A detective so committed to his job he can’t even take a proper break. He’s quiet, broody, and extremely intuitive, always relying on his gut. But being around Poppy starts making him question everything, including himself.

The chemistry between Poppy and Isaiah is undeniable, fueled by the constant tension between attraction and mistrust. Their relationship stems from the necessity of working together to survive, but there’s no shortage of entertaining banter. Sure, their connection grows a bit fast at times, I did raise an eyebrow here and there, but I was still hooked.

The book’s written in third person and honestly, I didn’t mind it.

Would I recommend it? Yeah, why not.

Thank you NetGalley, CallaghanWriter, and Kate Callaghan for the ARC Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3/5 ⭐️ - The Situation Ship

To start, I was really intrigued by the cover of the book and the blurb caught my attention, Ms. Poppy Roe a famous pop star just lost her mother and is now trapped on a cruise ship with a murderer.

In the story we follow along between Poppy the princess of pop and Isaiah the detective that is too invested in his worked and forced to go on vacation but has other motivates, find out more about Poppy’s involvement with recent deaths of people close to her.

Can they solve who is behind the murders before it’s too late?

I really enjoyed Poppy’s character, very fierce and strong willed, trying to go forward making decisions for herself. I also liked Isaiah’s character, but had a bunch of questions of how good of a detective he could really be since de decided to turn a blind eye to Poppy admitting to multiple murders. Their romance felt very rushed and forced, really playing into the forced proximity aspect of the book.

I definitely struggled getting through this book as it was difficult to grab my attention, I found the pacing to be a bit weird and jumping around. At other points I was fully engrossed with the book and unable to put it down.

Overall, the book was just okay. Would recommend for people who want a closed door mystery/romance book.
Thank you again NetGalley and Kate Callaghan for this ARC read.

The Situation Ship releases on July 27th!

⚓️ARC review⚓️

The situation ship by @katecallaghanwriter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
What’s a little murder when you are finding true love. This seriously kept me on my toes the entire time. I had no idea what to expect but the ending was definitely not it. SHOCKED is what I was but also very sad that this book came to an end. I wanted more and now I will be going to see what else you have written so I can start those too 💥

The Situation Ship sets out to be a romantic thriller, but struggles to fully commit to either genre. The premise: Poppy, a world famous pop star, boards a luxury cruise ship only to be followed by a string of murders shortly after the ship sets sail. It sounds like the perfect setup for a gripping, emotional ride, but unfortunately, the execution doesn’t live up to the potential.

The romance falls flat and the mystery feels like it's checking off plot points to get to the whodunnit.

Big plot reveals felt underdeveloped and the dialogue didn't add any emotional depth to these moments.

While the over-the-top luxury cruise could have added a really cool setting for the story, it wasn't enough.

I think with tighter plotting and stronger character development this book could really shine. As it stands, it’s a decent beach read but if you were hoping for a book you can't put down with twists you won't see coming, this one might leave you disappointed.

3/5 stars

I will keep admitting is, but the cover drove me to request this book on Netgalley. I am a sucker for fun and unique covers and this one definitely caught my eye. Next to that I also found the title interesting and amusing.

Poppy Roe's aunt dies at the beginning of this story. She's not entirely innocent, but she tries to keep up appearances. After the funeral, she boards a cruise named Midas, together with her new personal assistant Mina and her new bodyguard, Isaiah, who is a detective with a special interest in Poppy because of the people dying around her. When people start dying on the ship however, Poppy and Isaiah need to work together to find out who the murderer is. Will they catch the culprit?

This book is told from Poppy and Isaiah's point of view. I also loved that the author indicates in advance which chapters are spicy, so you can choose to skip the scenes. I have to say that even though there was some spice in it, it didn't command your attention like is sometimes the case in books with a romantic plot. Next to that the prologue was interesting and a good introduction to the story and Poppy as a character. The headers above the chapters were a beautiful detail as well.

Even though it started interesting, the story didn't really compel me to keep reading. Hence the three star rating. The story in itself was definitely okay and a fun read, but it lacked some pizzazz for me to keep reading. The plot twist didn't twist enough for me either. I definitely had my eyes on this person for a while.

All in all this was a good story, but it wasn't that little extra that I usually like. I thank Netgalley and Kate Callaghan for the eARC of this book. I wrote this review voluntarily and it's my own opinion as always. I hope this book can entertain more readers in the future!

The Situation Ship was such a wild, entertaining ride. The idea of a pop star, a detective, and a string of murders on a luxury cruise ship got me reading late into the night. It’s part murder mystery and part slow-burn romance, with just enough chaos and glam to keep things fun even when the stakes get deadly.

Poppy Roe is a pop princess with a sharp tongue and a complicated past, and I really liked her as a lead. She’s guarded, but not cold, and watching her slowly let her walls down was one of the highlights. Isaiah is the broody off-duty detective posing as her bodyguard, who has just the right mix of gruff and gentle. Their chemistry is very much a simmer that turns into a satisfying spark.

The mystery was engaging- there were twists I didn’t see coming, and I found myself genuinely curious about who was behind everything. Some plot points were a little over-the-top or convenient (classic cruise ship thriller vibes), but honestly, I didn’t mind. I was along for the ride.

My only wish was for a bit more emotional payoff at the end. The romance wrapped up a little quickly for me, and I would’ve loved an epilogue or even a final scene that gave more closure. Still, if you’re in the mood for a fast-paced story full of murder, mayhem, and a morally gray man falling hard for the FMC, this one is worth checking out. Just maybe don’t read it on a cruise!

A propulsive, fast-paced story featuring two morally gray MCs and a series of murders on a (comically luxurious) cruise ship.

The set up tells the reader pretty early on that this is going to be an OTT plot, so go into it expecting that. The synopsis doesn’t match the actual plot IMO, it seems like Isaiah is on board by happenstance when in reality he was hired as Poppy’s bodyguard…with a secret motive. As the bodies start to fall, I would have expected more snooping and investigating from Isaiah, the detective, instead of the Princess of Pop. I will never buy a couple that is in love after two weeks, but even so I would have liked to see more of the relationship develop between Poppy and Isaiah especially given where Isaiah started.

The mystery itself had some definite twists and turns but the entire murder/stalker plot was a bit convoluted with layers of secrecy and betrayal. This is exactly the type of book to read on a summer vacation where a fast-paced, glitzy setting is the backdrop to murder and romance.

Plot points that needed more:
- The intro letter to be released upon Poppy’s death. This didn’t feel it fit in given everything else that happened - either it didn’t need to exist or needed a LOT more detail about her Aunt Martha.
- How did (spoiler alert- redacted) end up on board? The timeline doesn’t make sense
- What was up with the room access bracelets not working?
- For a ship so luxurious and about ensuring passenger privacy, there sure was a lot of sneaky access to rooms that shouldn’t have been doable

Overall, this book was entertaining. A mystery novel with a dash of romance - what a fantastic blend of my two favorite genres! I applaud the concept!!
I love the dual point of views; usually, it helps me connect with the characters and makes me feel more invested as a reader, which makes me enjoy the book more. However, both POVs were written in third person, so I felt removed from the situation and didn't end up caring too much about the characters as a result.
The romance aspect of the novel was decent, though definitely rushed. The entire novel takes place over the course of two weeks, and I'm not a fan of insta-love or rushed relationships, so the romantic plot fell a bit flat for me. There was some witty banter, though, so it wasn't a lost cause altogether.
My main problem with the novel was the mystery plot. It could be that I was raised on Agatha Christie and thus expecting some genius ending with a mind-bending twist, but the ending of the novel left me largely unsatisfied. I had questions about the revelations that were shared and found what I consider to be plot holes (though perhaps not because again- questions).
This wouldn't be the first mystery book I recommend to a friend, but I wouldn't dissuade them from reading it either. It was just okay, but at least it kept my attention for an afternoon and entertained me.

A reasonably well written book. The murder mystery part of the book was very well done and when you thought you knew how did it - it proved there was another twist/ red herring. The disappointment was the romantic aspect between the main characters wasn’t quick as well done and didn’t really flow very well. The overall feeling is was a good all round read a note is that there are a few sensitive issues in the book and this should be noted to read the disclaimer before reading the book .

3.5⭐
I've never read a murder mystery romance and I must say, I think I've found a new favourite category. I ate this book up! Loved the setting in this one. 🥰 The vibes of this book remind me of The Noahtic Act from Moriarty the Patriot, which I actually really loved! The romance was a huge bonus 💗

I actually genuinely liked the Poppy's character. I admire her firmness, her confidence and her quick wit. Isaiah was a dreamboat and I loved how protective, warm and supportive he was. These two together - chef's kiss! 💋 The romance wasn't too much and it didn't overshadow the murder mystery going on. If anything, it helped balance it out.

While I loved most of this book, I docked points because I was quite let down by the way the true culprit was revealed. 🥲 Their crimes and motives were basically just given away, and the following action sequence that led to their downfall was rather disappointing. 💔 I didn't feel that the case was closed in a convincing way; it felt too convenient and contrived.

Additionally, I wish we got closure from Poppy and Isaiah's relationship. The book ended too quickly and we don't know if they're going to move in together, will they get married, etc. Just a small window into their future together would have been an amazing icing on the cake.

All in all, I still enjoyed this book a lot. 💗 The characters are so likeable, the pacing was great, the romance was sweet and the writing was lovely. Would I recommend this to a friend who loves murder mysteries and also reads romance? Yes, I would. 🥰

I really tried to give this one a benefit of the doubt because I loved Mr. Perfectly Fine. There was just many things in the book that I struggled with wanting to finish. I was very excited with the premise because I always want to read stories set on about cruise ships. The love story just went from 0 to 100% very quickly and it just felt a little off. All the murders were a little confusing with the ones done off the ship and on the ship.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I would like to thank NetGalley, Kate Callaghan and CallaghanWriter for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3⭐ - I've never been on a cruise before, so this book intrigued me - so a murder mystery and a romance that takes on a cruise ship, I couldn't wait to start this book.

We follow Popstar Poppy, she has death following her wherever she goes. This seems to pique the interest of Detective Isaiah. Who quickly takes a job as Poppy's bodyguard on the ship. Will they find out who's behind the murders?

I loved the murder mystery part of the story however I wasn't a huge fan of the romance between Poppy and Isaiah, it felt a bit forced?

The Situation Ship is out on July 27th!

i loved the concept of this book. I did enjoy reading it but felt i had to push myself through some parts of it. I didn’t feel connected with the characters maybe because it was written in 3rd person POV. There were a few grammatical errors that i did notice. It was a little predictable but in the end i would rate ⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.75/5 stars.
This was such a fun mix of mystery, thriller, and romance all wrapped into one. The story kept me guessing and had me asking “who dunnit?” the whole way through. I also loved that it had a solid plot and didn’t just revolve around the romance. That said, the romance did feel a bit quick and lacked some depth, so I didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped.

Overall, it was an entertaining read with enough twists to keep me hooked. If you’re looking for something light and suspenseful that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this is worth picking up. Thanks to the publisher, Kate Callaghan, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was such a fun, messy, and painfully relatable ride. Kate Callaghan captures the confusion and chaos of modern dating in a way that feels both hilarious and deeply real. It’s not just about romance—it’s about figuring out what you actually want when you’re caught somewhere between flings, feelings, and the fear of commitment.

The main character is sharp, flawed, and refreshingly honest. I loved how her internal monologue often made me laugh out loud, even when she was making questionable choices. The situations she found herself in were awkward in the best way. At times, I wanted to shake her and other times I wanted to hug her, which says a lot about how well she was written.

The dialogue was quick and clever, and the pacing never dragged. It struck a nice balance between humor and heartache. While there’s romance, this is just as much a story of self-discovery, and it doesn’t tie everything up with a neat little bow, which I appreciated.

It’s a great pick if you're into witty, emotionally honest stories about the grey areas of relationships. Definitely recommended for fans of millennial fiction and romantic comedies that don’t always play by the rules.

Thank you to NetGalley and Callaghanwriter for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Situation Ship was a fun read, really comical situations throughout all the book.

The romance between Poppy and Isaiah throw me off a bit, didn’t feel believable to me, really forced.

However i liked the friendship with Mina and her loyalty to Poppy.

A bit of trauma dump that was not touch enough.

Over all it was a nice story.

‘The problem with fame is that someone will write my story one day.’

Atmospheric, chilling, beautiful world building. The pacing was too slow for my liking, but I truly didn’t mind. It’s pretty easy for me to guess who the stalker was from the first few chapters, but the plot twist caught me off-guard. I wasn’t a fan of the romance aspect of this book though, it felt unnatural at times, maybe because it was written in 3rd person. I’d recommend this book if you love Death on The Nile.