This book hooked me right away! And started a little differently than I expected! It had twists and turns and also tension between Poppy and her bodyguard (who's also a detective) Isaiah.

And if you read Not Another Rockstar, you will be reunited with some characters! :)

Thank you for this ARC from NetGalley

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The main character Poppy was great and had depth along with many of the side characters. I loved the murder mystery plot and I think the murder mystery plot was done very well. I was very invested and curious about who the murderer was and the details that were given and not given was done well. However, I did not like the romance in the book because I feel like it was rushed and under developed. Isaiah and Poppy were attracted to each other physically but that was about it. Maybe if the first kiss scene would have been pushed off and they got to know each other better, it would be better romance wise. Don't let that deter you from reading this though if you like murder mysteries. Thanks again for this ARC.

📚Book Review📚
Book: The Situation Ship
Author: Kate Callaghan

The Situation Ship was so much more than I expected in the best way possible! I thought it would be more of a summer romance, but it had so many turns! Popstar Poppy Roe gets ready to go on a summer cruise after the passing of her aunt, with her bodyguard, Isaiah, and her new friend, Mina. Shortly after boarding the ship, we learn about a slew of deaths following Poppy around. We follow this trio on the cruise which ends up being filled with more murder, mystery and intrigue all the while Isaiah and Poppy are discovering a romance between them. Callaghan really builds depth in each of the characters as we learn more about their paths and how they come together to figure out who is causing all this mayhem. It was such a fun read with so many twists that I was not expecting!

Thank you very much to Kate Callaghan, and Net Galley for the ARC.

4.5 star!

I loved the setting of this story, making it a great summer read. It had everything I loved in a book- mystery, thrills, romance. The twists at the end were so good and I definitely didn't see it coming. Everything was so well thought out and fun to try to puzzle together!

I was so excited to pick this book up because I love books with romance, spice, and murder mysteries, throw in the addition of it being on a cruise ship, SIGN ME UP! This book was everything I wanted, a fun enemies-to-lovers romance, a Law-Abiding Citizen vibe, and it’s all wrapped up in one nice FUN entertaining read. I'm not sure how Kate Callaghan managed to maintain the suspense of "who did it", kept me guessing, all while thinking I'm on the cruise vacation enjoying my time, but she did it!

I was not expecting the twist at the end, came out of left field and knocked my brain off its axis for a minute until all the clues started coming together.

Thank you, NetGalley, IBPA, and Kate Callaghan for this advanced reader copy, I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book.

I honestly loved this one. Poppy was a relatable character with some dark secrets, and Isaiah was swoon worthy with his own past. I loved seeing these characters develop and the plot was truly engaging.

It was twisty, dark at times, and fast paced. Nothing is more fun than a who done it while being trapped on a boat.

Kate Callaghan’s The Situation Ship is a high-stakes blend of glamour, grit, and gripping tension. Set aboard a luxury cruise ship, the novel plunges readers into a world where fame meets fear, and every glittering surface hides a darker truth. Pop star Poppy Roe is a magnetic lead—vulnerable yet fierce, navigating a surreal descent into danger with a voice that’s as sharp as it is soulful.
The atmosphere is claustrophobic and cinematic, with Callaghan’s prose capturing both the opulence of the setting and the creeping dread that permeates every deck. The romantic tension simmers alongside the suspense, offering a dynamic push-pull between trust and vulnerability. It’s a story that thrives on contrasts: light and dark, fame and isolation, desire and danger.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was so excited for this book. I was initially drawn in because of the cute cover. But then I read the blurb and thought that it sounded like something right up my alley. I hadn’t read a romantic suspense in a while so was keen to find another that I loved. This unfortunately just wasn’t it.

There was so much potential: a pop star in danger, a bodyguard romance, forced proximity, murders on a cruise ship. But it just fell flat for me.

I didn’t understand the relationship between the characters. Like in what world do you meet someone and then instantly (as in the very same interaction where you first meet them) start planning a murder.

And also a cop turning a blind eye to all the murders because of one very shallow conversation between him and Poppy was just ridiculous and seemed super out of character for him. I also didn’t feel as though Poppy and Isaiah had any chemistry until towards the end of the book. I would have enjoyed seeing more conversations between them to understand their attraction to one another beyond just finding the other physically attractive.

Also, Poppy was the epitome of the dumb girl in a scary movie. She would literally pick the worst thing she could every single time. Like girl, where is your self-preservation?

I also found the plot to be quite linear and basic. There would only really be one issue at any given time. That would get resolved through a really simple solution and then the next issue would crop up. I think I would have found it more captivating if the issues the characters faced were more interwoven and the solutions to those issues a bit more complex.

But on the plus, I didn’t guess who the murderer was. It was also an easy and quick read so could be great as a palate cleanser.

All in all, it wasn’t a bad book but it just read a bit too simplistically for my liking.

Lately Ive been in a mood for rom-coms and mystery, so The Situationship has been a perfect blend of the two.

Poppy, the Princess of Pop, finally gets her life back, after her controlling aunt passes away. Free to do as she pleases, she removes everyone and anyone who ever did her bad from her circle. Happy and pleased with herself, she is looking forward to relaxing upon the Midas, a fabulous ship that’s been sold out for months. That is, until she learns about the plot from those she trusted… a plot that’s meant to take her out.

Isaiah Rivers, Irish detective, has bad feelings about Poppy. Her aunts death is the latest in a string that seems to follow the star wherever she goes. On a forced leave from work, he heads to his friends workplace… only to be given the rather unpleasant task of becoming Poppy’s bodyguard. But then, is there any better way to determine if she’s a killer, than following her around?

And so starts the voyage, filled with sun, laughter and bodies. Seems like not only Isaiah has a feeling that Poppy is not as innocent as she seems, and they’re hell bent on killing her.

This was a perfect summer romance with a mystery to keep you on your toes. Poppy is absolutely loveable, Isaiah was the reluctant bodyguard that made him adorable, and supporting cast was fun and varied. I felt like I was alongside them, and I really loved seeing the interactions between the main protagonists.

I’ll be definitely reading more books on this universe, and I’m really thrilled that I got to experience the story! Cannot recommend it enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for a honest review!

I was first intrigued by this book cause not many settings are on cruises and I liked there was a thriller/mystery aspect to it. I loved the idea of Poppy and the consequences of stardom and "nepo" lifestlyle, but I am not going to lie I only kept reading after 60% through because I wanted to know who the killer was and I was pretty disappointed at who was chosen. I think I would have liked it alot more if it was a person who was shown more in the book throughout like her accomplice but thats where I think it fizzled out for me.

Overall I think it was pretty interesting but I gave it 3 stars

If you’re looking for a suspense‑tinged romance with high stakes, unexpected humor, and a brooding detective + celebrity lead, this is a fun, spicy escape. Just be prepared for a few lulls and a romance that leans more subtle until the final chapters.

The overall concept was fun and unique. A cruise ship murder mystery rom com checks a lot of boxes for me, but this story suffers from the length. None of the characters were particularly likable or memorable. There were some interesting twists and turns but the ending was a little flat and anticlimactic comparatively. The story was easy to read but not exciting enough to make me want to seek out other books by the author.

4.25⭐🌶️

This was a fun mystery/romance novel that I was not expecting to enjoy as much as I did. The banter and chemistry between Isaiah and Poppy was cute, even though I think they fell for each other rather too quickly. Is it insta-love? Yeah, probably, but it didn’t feel rushed or ridiculous. The situation they were in and them being so transparent and vulnerable with each other did add depth to their relationship, so I didn’t mind them falling for each other in such a short span of time.

The mystery itself was pretty interesting, especially how Poppy was linked to the murders happening all around her. I’m kind of ashamed to say that I didn’t really know who the killer was, but I wasn’t surprised when they revealed themselves towards the end. 😅 But what I enjoyed most was the friendships and life lessons Poppy and Isaiah received during their time on the ship. I don't usually read thriller romance but this book was pleasant surprise.

Thank you netgalley for the arc

This was a fun book! There was a lot of things I liked and disliked about it.

I loved the characters. Poppy was a very heartfelt, kind of sad character. I loved the development of seeing her mask disappear as they got more into the murder mystery. She starts off cold-hearted, but it quickly thaws into who she truly is, a good person. Isaiah was very fun in the way of how clever and obsessive he is. I love how quick he can think on his feet. It gets them out of plenty of situations. He's very obsessed with any case he has and will solve it. It gives him more insight into how to get what he wants, as in knowing when and when not to push.
I loved the close door mystery aspect of it. They cannot escape because the murderer is on the ship. It made it more fun. Especially after we discovered the pattern of the killings.

I disliked the murderer. It felt like it came out of nowhere. She wasn't even introduced until close to the end of the book. It just felt like I couldn't piece this mystery together with the information given. I wish it would have been a different motivation too.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 stars - Rom-com mystery thriller.

Pop princess Poppy sets sail on a two week cruise with her bodyguard Isaiah, and new friend Mina. It’s not long before the murders start and Poppy seems to be the intended target.

Lighthearted murderous fun, a totally unbelievable plot line paired with highly likeable characters, made this a very bingeable trashy read. I read after a high stakes fantasy so this was the perfect palate cleanser book, perfect for summer.

I would have like more scenes with the cruise amenities and the docking in Amalfi for the arm chair traveller within me but enjoyed trying to work out who the killer was - the person who I suspected was innocent in the end.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

When I read the blurb, I was expecting a lot from this book and unfortunately, it didn't deliver. Whether story-wise or writing-wise, the book fell short.

When it came to writing, it felt YA which definitely didn't fit in an adult book. There was excessive dialogue, taking over most of the book. Things that could be said in inner monologues were dumped in a long cringy info dump filled back and forth between the characters.

What made it worse was the fact that all the characters had similar voices, sometimes even saying or doing things that were unfit for their personalities.

The pacing was another issue. It took 50% of the book to get to the investigation!

The relationships between the characters were weird. Mina and Poppy meeting up and immediately plotting a murder together was just very unrealistic on every scale. That was not the only relationship that didn't make much sense to me; unfortunately, I enjoyed none. The characters themselves felt badly written. They had no depth whatsoever, and somehow, a simple conversation was enough to convince them to cover up a murder.

And why were both the FMC and MMC confessing to the crimes they did as if it was a casual Sunday at group therapy where everyone talks about their experience? It was just so weird.....

The FMC and MMC were so unlikeable, especially the MMC. The way he talked to the FMC during the first time they kissed was unsettling, especially since there was a lack of explicit consent that would lead to that kiss....

And then the romance.... I'm sorry but going from not trusting each other to being head over heels for each other in a few days, maximum one week.... Yeah, that definitely didn't work. As for the smut, it was painfully generic. It wasn't written to fit their couple dynamic at all. All in all, it felt badly written to me, especially since it was sometimes timed right after the murders...

Once again, thank you to the author, Lake Union publishing and NetGalley for the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a 5-star read that I devoured in a single sitting—because who needs sleep when there are murders to solve?

The prologue immediately hooked me, and from that moment I couldn’t put the book down. Just when I thought I was clever and had figured out the twist, the rug was pulled completely out from under me. I quickly realised I had absolutely no clue where things were going, and that Kate Callaghan is truly the Queen of twists.

I haven’t read many suspects-to-lovers romances, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’ve definitely found a new favourite trope. The mix of romance, mystery, humour, and shocking turns was perfectly balanced and kept me invested until the final page.

This was a fantastic read, and I can’t recommend it enough for fans of twisty romantic mysteries.

I don’t know why, but the final twist for this kind of fell flat. I was super excited about the way the book started (they say the first line can make or break a book and I feel like that prologue was incredible - if I’m honest, I want to read more of that story).

There wasn’t any one thing that turned me off as I was reading. Maybe the problem is that I started at such a high and everything sort of fell shorter of that initial excitement for the story.

Spoilers past this point, will try to keep vague, but read at your own risk:






I can suspend a lot of disbelief, but how does someone who has been drugged and drowned have the capacity to do what she did?

Also, at the end, there is just zero world in which both of them leave her alone at the same time. Knowing she’s being hunted?

The Situation Ship // Kate Callaghan

Thank you Independent Book Publisher’s Association, @netgalley & @katecallaghan for the arc! This book is OUT NOW (July 27 2025) - on KU.

The Deeper You Sink, The Darker It Gets…

Pop star Poppy Roe’s glittering life of fame takes a sinister turn when she finds herself trapped in a nightmare aboard a luxurious cruise ship. As her every move is monitored by a sinister stalker, the ship becomes a hunting ground for a relentless predator. In a desperate bid for survival, Poppy turns to enigmatic detective Isaiah Rivers, also a passenger on the ill-fated voyage. Haunted by his own demons, he never expected to get caught up in a web of danger on the high seas. Determined to protect Poppy, he joins forces with her, seeking to unravel the twisted secrets that lurk beneath the ship’s glamorous façade. Amid the horrifying murders, a thrilling romance blossoms, intertwining their fates in a dangerous dance of trust and vulnerability.

As danger lurks on every deck and passions ignite, Poppy and Isaiah must navigate a treacherous sea of suspicion and desire. Will they unmask the killer before the final note of their haunting melody?

✨Tropes & Themes✨
Detective/Bodyguard X Pop Star
Cruise Ship
Murder Mystery
Opposites Attract
Shared Cabin
Reluctant Allies

This book contains mature content not suitable for those under 18. This is a stand-alone novel with mentions of trauma, stalking, murder, emotional and physical abuse which may be triggering.

Includes spice 🌶️

I love a good romantic suspense and murder mystery 🤌🏼 this was very unique with the cruise ship setting! 👏🏼
I definitely need to read ‘Not Another Rockstar’ from this author, too! 🔥 — another romantic suspense.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3 ⭐️ / 1.5-2 🌶️

There was many things done right with this book. I found the plot thrilling, the twists and turns exciting, and the overall premise very engaging! A murder mystery, who-done-it plot with the FMC as a suspect and the MMC as the investigator? LOVED THIS!

But what I found fell short is the romance side of things. There was a little flirting prior to the inevitable “screw it” moment when Poppy and Isaiah kiss etc. But all of the romance felt like an afterthought or rushed. It’s due to this small short coming that kind of became disengaged towards the last 75-80% of the book. I did finish it thought! And even though it is a HEA, the ending felt too abrupt too.

I think, ultimately, what Poppy and Isaiah lacked is on-page chemistry. Take Mina and Eckells (side characters) for instance, they had palpable chemistry that you could basically feel radiating through the pages. So, I know the author is capable of writing it!

Unfortunately, despite loving the murdery suspense plot, the execution of the romance aspect had me rate this book 3 stars!⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!