A review by onemorepagecrew
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

I picked up The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith at a second-hand bookstore on a whim and sank into while I was off work for the new year.  It was such a touching book, and I loved reading it.  In it we meet Greta, an indie rockstar who is taking a break from touring to process the loss of her mother.  
 
She’s taking an Alaskan cruise with her father, the one her mother is supposed to be on celebrating their wedding anniversary, to help them both process their grief together.  Greta and her father don’t see eye-to-eye on her career choice and without her mother there to diffuse their tension, it leaves them navigating their new dynamic.  
 
Also on the ship are her parents’ best friends and a historian, Ben, who she meets on the ship and forms an instant connection with.  Greta is working through her relationship choices, her feelings for Ben, and trying to reconnect with her love of music.  The grief is present, but it’s only part of the story.  There’s so much more to it and I really encourage you to read it, if you enjoy books with wistful sadness with a hopeful undertone. 
 
Content warnings: Death of parent, Grief
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