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sdupont's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Despite being a book about a character working through their grief, Float Plan is a light and fun read that will have you itching to travel to the tropics. I enjoyed seeing the progression of Anna and Keane’s relationship. Best of all was seeing Anna come into her own and be able to stand back on her feet. Would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Suicide
Moderate: Car accident
mel_s_bookshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐
This book was highly recommend to me by a friend, and from the synopsis I was prepared for a beautiful story about self discovery and overcoming grief, with a little bit of romance splashed in.
Instead, this was very much a romance novel. I did actually really enjoy it, despite it not being quite what I hoped. I liked both of the main characters and had fun following them along on their trip, learning a bit about sailing and some of the Carribbean islands along the way.
I think this could have been a really great book if it had been a bit longer, allowing for deeper character development of Anna. I would have loved to have seen more of her self-discovery happen on page, rather than off, and have her love interest introduced a little later in the book.
That being said, I definitely think this is one for the romance lovers, particularly those who like romance based on forced proximity. There is also a loveable four legged friend that made my soul extra happy when reading this book
This book was highly recommend to me by a friend, and from the synopsis I was prepared for a beautiful story about self discovery and overcoming grief, with a little bit of romance splashed in.
Instead, this was very much a romance novel. I did actually really enjoy it, despite it not being quite what I hoped. I liked both of the main characters and had fun following them along on their trip, learning a bit about sailing and some of the Carribbean islands along the way.
I think this could have been a really great book if it had been a bit longer, allowing for deeper character development of Anna. I would have loved to have seen more of her self-discovery happen on page, rather than off, and have her love interest introduced a little later in the book.
That being said, I definitely think this is one for the romance lovers, particularly those who like romance based on forced proximity. There is also a loveable four legged friend that made my soul extra happy when reading this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Vomit
ngb1980's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I know a lot of people like this book. I can be a harsh critic, but I definitely try to be honest and fair when I review a book. Romantic books aren't usually my genre, but I rated this book for what it is.
The writing itself was good and interesting. I learned a few things about sailing (I really know close to nothing), but some things could have been explained a little instead of assuming every reader knows much about sailing. (Just a little criticism really.)
For the most part the romance was fairly low key actually, which is what I prefer. I may have rated this a 4 star instead of 3 had the cursing and sexual content been brought down or eliminated altogether. While I'm sure it was low compared to some, for me, it was too much.
I would not be able to recommend this book to a friend.
The writing itself was good and interesting. I learned a few things about sailing (I really know close to nothing), but some things could have been explained a little instead of assuming every reader knows much about sailing. (Just a little criticism really.)
For the most part the romance was fairly low key actually, which is what I prefer. I may have rated this a 4 star instead of 3 had the cursing and sexual content been brought down or eliminated altogether. While I'm sure it was low compared to some, for me, it was too much.
I would not be able to recommend this book to a friend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
jessgreads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨⬜⬜
Title: Float Plan
Author: Trish Doller
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida / Various islands across the Caribbean
Month Read: January 2022
Book Type: Paperback
Publication: 2021
Pages: 272
TRIGGER WARNING-
Suicide / Grieving / Sexual Themes
"But before you go down this road, you need to be certain what you want. If anyone will do, you need to find someone else."
No Spoiler Summary:
Float Plan is a contemporary romance novel by Trish Doller, and tells the Story of Anna - whose fiancé has recently committed suicide. After spending close to a year in a fog of depression, Anna decides to take their boat out and do the sailing he had been planning on the day it popped up in their phone calendar.
But sailing is a lot tougher alone than Anna thought it would be, and after a close call and a near death experience, Anna decides to enlist some help for the especially tough crossing to Puerto Rico. Keane has also had a tough life, and things are certainly not going the way that he had planned, but he can't refuse her offer and needs to get to Puerto Rico. They work together to chart their own course, on the ocean, and hopefully to love.
Review:
I'm really happy I got this book on a whim on BookOutlet nearly a year ago- and it reminded me a lot of Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens. It's a cute, slightly predicatble, read-in-a-sitting romance book that I tackled during a blizzard in Connecticut this past weekend. Anna is a lovely character fighting through the grief of losing the man she thought she'd be with forever, and Keane is a tough Irish man, who is having a tough time after losing a leg in an accident.
The two characters spend most of the novel living together on a boat, filled with cautious courtesy, and wondering if they harbor secret crushes on each other. I did like the slow, slow burn of this novel, because the feelings involved were very complicated, and Anna spends a lot of time feeling like if she can feel something for Keane, this stranger she barely just met, did her feelings for Ben really mean anything. I think this back and forth in her mind was actually a highlight of the book, and really easy to relate to in many different ways. I also like that she was open and honest about these feelings, and because of this Keane may be even more cautious to step into something with her. One of the lines I loved a lot in this book was: “You can't expect me to play rebound to a ghost. I won't do that.”
I wasn't expecting to learn anything about sailing while reading a cute romance novel, but fortunately, Anna and her husband actually do sail, and I found myself looking up terms, photos, and other boat-related things while reading this to help foster the images I was making in my head. Also, now I 100% want to leave my entire life to go sailing around the Caribbean, so many of these islands sounded so beautiful, and so wonderful, and I hope that in this lifetime I can go to a handful. (I have checked off the Bahamas, and their view of Nassau was exactly the same one I have, which I chuckled at.) The supporting cast of characters was also lovely, and everyone brought somethign new and fresh to the story. I would say I wish we got more of Carla, and more of Anna's family back home- but we're actually getting an entire new book this year for Anna's sister. I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy! I really enjoyed reading this, and also loved that it was one I could dive into for a day or two, and come on the other side of it happier, and with some new character crushes.
^Pun Intended
Recommendation:
Romance that Takes you on a Journey:
Just Haven't Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Books That Take you to Fun Places:
The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel by Elyssa Friedland
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
"Have a care, Anna. I tend to fall for girls who say complimentary things about my mother."
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
lauramarkey's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident and Slavery
chellyduke's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Grief
Minor: Death and Car accident
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Title: Float Plan
Author: Trish Doller
Series: Beck Sisters, #1
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.0
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Quick • Fearless • Adventurous
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ten months following the unexpected suicide of her fiancé, Anna finds herself at a complete loss. When she gets a reminder for the sailing trip Ben and her were supposed to embark on, she decides to pack up and go it alone. After just one night, she realizes there is no way she's going to be able to do this alone. Enter Keane, himself reeling from a life upended, who offers to help her set sail on the path Ben planned out. Together they set sail, finding ways to rebuild their lives, and find themselves.
💭 T H O U G H T S
My own partner died in 2020, so even before I began reading, I knew I shared a connection with the main character. But for me Float Plan lacked the emotional depth, I was hoping for, and which so many readers have alluded to. It felt as though the trauma surrounding Ben's suicide and Anna's grief took a back seat, while they should have played a bigger role. As a whole, the aspect of grief felt entirely rushed and inauthentic. Don't get me wrong, I know firsthand how every grief journey is different, but to me there was so much potential to develop emotional depth and grief awareness here. And maybe for the average reader, the author has accomplished that.
If I could put myself outside my own grief journey, I'd likely be more forgiving of that side of the story because there's certainly a solid story, welcoming cast of characters, and the writing has a good flow. I just constantly found myself yearning for more of Anna's relationship with Ben, and his life. The locals in each of the places they visited were a definite bright spot in this story.
Even though this one was underwhelming for me on a personal level, I will be keeping an eye out for the follow up book coming out this year.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• slow-burn romance readers
• anyone needing an escape
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Someone at his funeral told me that Ben will always be alive in my memories, but it's not the fucking same at all."
"'Eventually - and I say this from experience - you'll start building a new house beside the ruins of the old. When you're ready, you'll know.'"
"The stages of grief are not linear. They are random and unpredictable, folding back on themselves until you begin mourning all over again. I have bargained with a universe that is not listening. I have cried myself hollow. I have leaned into the belief that I can't live without Ben Braithwaite, but kneeling here in the sand on a beach four hundred miles from home says maybe I can - and that terrifies me."
Author: Trish Doller
Series: Beck Sisters, #1
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.0
Pub Date: March 2, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Quick • Fearless • Adventurous
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Ten months following the unexpected suicide of her fiancé, Anna finds herself at a complete loss. When she gets a reminder for the sailing trip Ben and her were supposed to embark on, she decides to pack up and go it alone. After just one night, she realizes there is no way she's going to be able to do this alone. Enter Keane, himself reeling from a life upended, who offers to help her set sail on the path Ben planned out. Together they set sail, finding ways to rebuild their lives, and find themselves.
💭 T H O U G H T S
My own partner died in 2020, so even before I began reading, I knew I shared a connection with the main character. But for me Float Plan lacked the emotional depth, I was hoping for, and which so many readers have alluded to. It felt as though the trauma surrounding Ben's suicide and Anna's grief took a back seat, while they should have played a bigger role. As a whole, the aspect of grief felt entirely rushed and inauthentic. Don't get me wrong, I know firsthand how every grief journey is different, but to me there was so much potential to develop emotional depth and grief awareness here. And maybe for the average reader, the author has accomplished that.
If I could put myself outside my own grief journey, I'd likely be more forgiving of that side of the story because there's certainly a solid story, welcoming cast of characters, and the writing has a good flow. I just constantly found myself yearning for more of Anna's relationship with Ben, and his life. The locals in each of the places they visited were a definite bright spot in this story.
Even though this one was underwhelming for me on a personal level, I will be keeping an eye out for the follow up book coming out this year.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• slow-burn romance readers
• anyone needing an escape
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Someone at his funeral told me that Ben will always be alive in my memories, but it's not the fucking same at all."
"'Eventually - and I say this from experience - you'll start building a new house beside the ruins of the old. When you're ready, you'll know.'"
"The stages of grief are not linear. They are random and unpredictable, folding back on themselves until you begin mourning all over again. I have bargained with a universe that is not listening. I have cried myself hollow. I have leaned into the belief that I can't live without Ben Braithwaite, but kneeling here in the sand on a beach four hundred miles from home says maybe I can - and that terrifies me."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Grief and Mental illness
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, Sexual content, and Vomit
depression, death of a partnerrrubin97's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Interesting story about a woman who goes sailing to be Closer to her dead fiancée and ends up learning to let him go
I enjoyed also reading about the different carribean islands as they sailed through the descriptions of the land and cultures they encountered
I enjoyed also reading about the different carribean islands as they sailed through the descriptions of the land and cultures they encountered
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Suicide
lenaricharz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Suicide
dlrosebyh's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
well, controversially, i hated this book.
it was good but once it marked the 70% mark, it started going downhill. i loved anna’s character development. her growth was amazing. i loved the disability representation in the book.
i wouldn’t say i loved the hero, he was extremely disloyal. i liked him at first, but he can’t even be loyal to the heroine. another thing about this book is that the major themes of it were depression and grief. the grief part was handled well. as i’ve said, anna’s character development was amazing; i think that part was done well. however, the depression theme wasn’t handled properly. for me, the depression representation was very stereotypical.
the book itself was lacking survival instincts, if this was real life, i don’t think they would’ve survived.
this book was a huge disappointment for me, i do not recommend it for anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Grief
Minor: Self harm