This book kicks off with one of the boldest setups I’ve ever read—a one-night stand that turns into an eight-day survival story at sea. Lexi and Zeke, total strangers, find themselves adrift on a houseboat with no land in sight and a rescue seagull named Eugene for comic relief. From forced proximity to emotional unraveling, their time at sea is tense, chaotic, and unexpectedly tender.
Lexi and Zeke weren’t instant favourites, but they grew on me. Their baggage and backstories emerged gradually, and while neither was particularly charming at first, I was rooting for them by the halfway mark. O’Leary does a fantastic job portraying PTSD and emotional healing in the "After" sections—something not often tackled in romances. Plus, the continuation of their story back on land added depth, even when it got frustrating.
The pacing? Mostly brilliant, especially early on when I couldn’t put it down. But the middle dragged a little, and the third-act breakup—based on miscommunication—really tested my patience. It felt out of character for O’Leary and didn’t quite land emotionally. I also wasn’t sold on the twist or the epilogue, both of which felt too neat for such a wild journey.
Still, *Swept Away* is one of the most unique romances I’ve read in ages—funny, heartfelt, and absolutely immersive. Not my favourite O’Leary (I prefer *The No-Show* and *The Flatshare*), but I admire her willingness to experiment. Shoutout to Eugene the seagull—he deserved more page time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Recommended for fans of survival fiction with a romantic twist, lovers of emotional depth, and anyone curious about what happens when two strangers are thrown into chaos—and slowly find each other in the mess.
