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First Class Novels #4
First Class Voyage
First Class Voyage is the 4th book in the First Class Novels adult contemporary romance series by AJ Harmon.
When best friends Janie and Katy fell in love with the rich and sexy Lathem brothers Matt & Mark they didn’t realize the new family dynamics they would be sucked into.
Family time takes on a whole new meaning when Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem clan, decides she wants to celebrate her wedding anniversary by taking the entire family on a Caribbean cruise. She drags her husband, seven adult sons, their significant others, five grandchildren and a mother-in-law onto a floating city in the Caribbean Sea with 3000 other passengers… where insecurities and tension between in-laws begin to surface.
Matt and Janie are still enjoying their happily ever after while Katy struggles to find her place in the large family. Frustrated by Maureen’s constant pressure to transform her 3 year engagement into wedding bells, Katy boards the ship expecting it to be the worst 14 days of her life. Mid-voyage, panic sets in when Janie’s best friend fails to return from a shore excursion with Mark. Remember what happened the last time Katy went missing?
In this book you’ll be introduced to Matt and Mark’s five younger brothers including Paul, a Navy Seal on leave between tours of duty. He’s not excited about being trapped on a boat surrounded by the circus called his family. Is Paul ready to trade in the organized discipline of military life to be a civilian with a wife and family?
First Class Voyage is a light, easy, smile-inducing read that explores love and family in the 21st century.
When best friends Janie and Katy fell in love with the rich and sexy Lathem brothers Matt & Mark they didn’t realize the new family dynamics they would be sucked into.
Family time takes on a whole new meaning when Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem clan, decides she wants to celebrate her wedding anniversary by taking the entire family on a Caribbean cruise. She drags her husband, seven adult sons, their significant others, five grandchildren and a mother-in-law onto a floating city in the Caribbean Sea with 3000 other passengers… where insecurities and tension between in-laws begin to surface.
Matt and Janie are still enjoying their happily ever after while Katy struggles to find her place in the large family. Frustrated by Maureen’s constant pressure to transform her 3 year engagement into wedding bells, Katy boards the ship expecting it to be the worst 14 days of her life. Mid-voyage, panic sets in when Janie’s best friend fails to return from a shore excursion with Mark. Remember what happened the last time Katy went missing?
In this book you’ll be introduced to Matt and Mark’s five younger brothers including Paul, a Navy Seal on leave between tours of duty. He’s not excited about being trapped on a boat surrounded by the circus called his family. Is Paul ready to trade in the organized discipline of military life to be a civilian with a wife and family?
First Class Voyage is a light, easy, smile-inducing read that explores love and family in the 21st century.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
173 people are currently reading
613 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Harmon
36 books219 followers AJ grew up in Perth, Western Australia. She is the third of six children and her first exposure to romance was her parents. Now married for almost 55 years, they have always been her example when working on her own marriage and parenting skills.
Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Georgette Heyer, were the writers she grew to love in adolescence and still loves now. Her list of favorite authors now has grown to include, not only historical but also contemporary authors as well. Sadly, she doesn’t have as much time to indulge in novels as much as she would like. Her family and now writing her own novels, keeps her very busy, but you will always find a book on her nightstand.
Other hobbies include cooking, one her favorite television shows is The Next Iron Chef on Food Network, and traveling, the UK and the Caribbean her favorite places to visit.
She and her husband of 28 years, reside on the west coast of the USA and have two grown children, making them empty-nesters, and recently adopted a rescued puppy, Max, from the local humane society.
Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters and Georgette Heyer, were the writers she grew to love in adolescence and still loves now. Her list of favorite authors now has grown to include, not only historical but also contemporary authors as well. Sadly, she doesn’t have as much time to indulge in novels as much as she would like. Her family and now writing her own novels, keeps her very busy, but you will always find a book on her nightstand.
Other hobbies include cooking, one her favorite television shows is The Next Iron Chef on Food Network, and traveling, the UK and the Caribbean her favorite places to visit.
She and her husband of 28 years, reside on the west coast of the USA and have two grown children, making them empty-nesters, and recently adopted a rescued puppy, Max, from the local humane society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 13, 2016
This is the 4th book I have read in the "First Class" series, and definitely not the best, in my opinion. This time, the dominant mother of the 7 Lathem sons, insists to take her family - 17 members, including the 2 spouses of the eldest sons and their 2 grandchildren, on a 2 week cruise in the Carribean. The cruise is not paid by her but by her eldest son, Matt, a wealthy stockbroker, ... of course... The story describes their daily activities and is as boring as it sounds. The selfish mother thinks that she's the center of the world and does not want to consider her daughther-in-law, Katy, engaged to her second son David as a real member of the family because she hesitates to marry David. Both daughters in law on the other hand are spineless and weak characters. The daily activities on the ship are boring: eating, playing basketball, playing quizzes on demand of the mother in law who is annoyed when she feels her family has not helped her enough to win the competition, excursions on the islands,... There are also too many "rich and beautiful" elements in the story. Why can't the story relate about normal people? I also found the story much too predictable; you always know exactly what is going to happen; no surprises at all. So, I'm not sure I will read the other books in the series, as I am actually rather fed up with this boring Lathem family....
March 8, 2017
Did not enjoy it at all. The Mother, Maureen was annoying and irked my nerves through the whole book. The apparently this was the last of a series and did not make me want to read the previous stories. Too many moving parts to stay engaged with the characters.
February 24, 2017
This was a freebie e-book for my Kindle via Bookbub. It's the 4th in a series and with hindsight perhaps I shouldn't have got it, as to be honest it wasn't the best story to read as a standalone, I felt that with not having read the first 3 that I'd missed out on some of the back story of the Lathem family. I won't be reading any of the books before or after it, as I've TOO many other GOOD books waiting to be read.
The writing was very simplistic and meandered along at times at a slow pace. Occasionally pages seemed to go on in detail about what all the family were doing, this didn't really seem to enhance or move the story on.
The storyline surrounding one couple was a tad predictable and I spotted what was going to happen a mile off. The fact that they were pushed into the decision surrounding the events by the matriarch of the family, played a huge part in what they did and why they did it.
It was in the words of Goodreads (with the 2 star that I've given it), OK and that's about all you can say.
The writing was very simplistic and meandered along at times at a slow pace. Occasionally pages seemed to go on in detail about what all the family were doing, this didn't really seem to enhance or move the story on.
The storyline surrounding one couple was a tad predictable and I spotted what was going to happen a mile off. The fact that they were pushed into the decision surrounding the events by the matriarch of the family, played a huge part in what they did and why they did it.
It was in the words of Goodreads (with the 2 star that I've given it), OK and that's about all you can say.
February 21, 2017
This was my first read of this series, it being a free e-book offer. I kept waiting for something to happen...thinking at first it was maybe one of my Cozy mysteries. To be honest, as a romance, what failed for me most, was not being able to tell who the book was about. I didn't find it particularly well written, or interesting. It seemed to be a 241 page prologue to something waiting just a few pages away. At least it was a very short read.
April 17, 2016
So the whole Lathem clan goes on a 2-week cruise.
This felt like a transition book, wrapping up the Mark/Katy relationship and moving on to Paul.
Spoilers:
Maureen needed a bitch slap re the whole living in sin issue. Mark and Katy have been living together for 3 years. Yes, it's a long engagement, but it's their engagement. And Mark needed to get some balls and support his fiance even if he does agree with his mother.
Andrew and Rory adopt a baby.
Katy needed to get over her fear of marriage (or maybe fear of overbearing mother-in-laws.
Paul meets a kindergarten teacher who wants nothing to do with him.
Patty (Janie's mom) meets a man and apparently moves to Miami.
Matt and Janie are so in love and so happy with their new family that it's over the top.
This felt like a transition book, wrapping up the Mark/Katy relationship and moving on to Paul.
Spoilers:
Maureen needed a bitch slap re the whole living in sin issue. Mark and Katy have been living together for 3 years. Yes, it's a long engagement, but it's their engagement. And Mark needed to get some balls and support his fiance even if he does agree with his mother.
Andrew and Rory adopt a baby.
Katy needed to get over her fear of marriage (or maybe fear of overbearing mother-in-laws.
Paul meets a kindergarten teacher who wants nothing to do with him.
Patty (Janie's mom) meets a man and apparently moves to Miami.
Matt and Janie are so in love and so happy with their new family that it's over the top.
September 19, 2014
I received this book off of Goodreads First Reads. It was a very quick read, but I found it very boring and bland. It didn't hold my attention or catch my interest at all. The author did a poor job transferring the storyline from one character to the other, making it difficult to actually keep up and keep track of where everything was okay. It created more of a headache then anything. The plot was very weak and there was absolutely nothing unique or that stood out about this book. I didn't enjoy this read at all.
November 8, 2016
Tough read but I powered through.
The mother-in-law Maureen was just a nuisance, she was majorly annoying. She did not come across that bad in the first three books.
It was very mundane, following each every family member ( parents, 7 brothers, three stepsons, wives grandchildren and some extended family...) on their family cruise without a great connection to any one character. Anyway it could be skipped easily.
I struggled to finish this one.
The mother-in-law Maureen was just a nuisance, she was majorly annoying. She did not come across that bad in the first three books.
It was very mundane, following each every family member ( parents, 7 brothers, three stepsons, wives grandchildren and some extended family...) on their family cruise without a great connection to any one character. Anyway it could be skipped easily.
I struggled to finish this one.
January 6, 2017
This book just didn't do it for me. It was too happy and cheesy, too many characters to really make the book worth while, and was just boring and predictable. I think if there were fewer characters and storylines involved, this would have been much better. It wasn't hard to follow, it was just dull because of the lack of depth. I wasn't a fan.
March 2, 2016
First class series
I have yet to read one of these books that I didn't fall in love with it. The whole Latham family is such a joy to read about. So much love for family found in every one. Great series.
I have yet to read one of these books that I didn't fall in love with it. The whole Latham family is such a joy to read about. So much love for family found in every one. Great series.
November 23, 2013
A truly beautiful family with trials & tribulations - a truly warm and loving mother as head of the family - lovely story
October 15, 2013
AJ does it again. Another amazing story. Perfect pace. I love the Latham family!
January 1, 2014
this was the best --- what an awesome family --- finally they did it and then the Mom --- love Maureen she is a riot
January 1, 2019
I hemmed and hawed on my rating for this and finally settled on 4 stars because of the romance of Mark and Katy. (Plus, we get to see a continuation of Matt and Janie!! -- Actually, what I loved about this series of books is that while each focuses on another of the Latham brothers, we get to see how all the families and characters are faring.)
Anyway... In this edition, the family is on a cruise to celebrate Maureen and Peter's wedding anniversary. Since they don't do anything small, the ENTIRE family is present, including the grandchildren. We finally get to see the brother Paul, who's visiting from the service, but the story is mainly about Katy and Mark and Maureen.
I almost gave this two or three stars because Maureen, who had been nothing but welcoming in the first three books seems to have gone out of her mind because Katy and Mark, though engaged, are not yet married. She treats Katy like crap for most of the trip. It was so irritating. What's worse, is that no one said anything to her snide (and unkind!) comments. They just kept telling Katy that Maureen loved her, but was set in her ways. What?! and Whatever!
In the end, it was Katy and Mark's romance and the updates on Matt and Janie (and seeing the start to Paul's story) that pulled it out. That and Maureen finally came to her senses.
Anyway... In this edition, the family is on a cruise to celebrate Maureen and Peter's wedding anniversary. Since they don't do anything small, the ENTIRE family is present, including the grandchildren. We finally get to see the brother Paul, who's visiting from the service, but the story is mainly about Katy and Mark and Maureen.
I almost gave this two or three stars because Maureen, who had been nothing but welcoming in the first three books seems to have gone out of her mind because Katy and Mark, though engaged, are not yet married. She treats Katy like crap for most of the trip. It was so irritating. What's worse, is that no one said anything to her snide (and unkind!) comments. They just kept telling Katy that Maureen loved her, but was set in her ways. What?! and Whatever!
In the end, it was Katy and Mark's romance and the updates on Matt and Janie (and seeing the start to Paul's story) that pulled it out. That and Maureen finally came to her senses.
March 30, 2018
Not a stand alone book.
17 family members go on a cruise together, I never straightened out the children.
I am still confused that Janie’s boys are 25, it says her husband dies 5 years ago, leaving her to raise 2 young boys. Ummm.... wouldn’t they be 20 years old?
Many inconsistencies made the story hard to follow.
As a cruiser, it was cute to read, but again, reality of 17 folks walking into the main dining room and all being seated together without reservations is not going to happen. Or all 17 on the same excursion.
17 family members go on a cruise together, I never straightened out the children.
I am still confused that Janie’s boys are 25, it says her husband dies 5 years ago, leaving her to raise 2 young boys. Ummm.... wouldn’t they be 20 years old?
Many inconsistencies made the story hard to follow.
As a cruiser, it was cute to read, but again, reality of 17 folks walking into the main dining room and all being seated together without reservations is not going to happen. Or all 17 on the same excursion.
May 22, 2018
Great read
My first time reading AJ Harmon. The title got my attention, as my husband and I are addicted to cruising. Love the family, enjoyed reading about their lives, and the family bond. Since we cruise many times with multiple people (family and friends), it was relatable in getting everyone together for meals, etc.
My first time reading AJ Harmon. The title got my attention, as my husband and I are addicted to cruising. Love the family, enjoyed reading about their lives, and the family bond. Since we cruise many times with multiple people (family and friends), it was relatable in getting everyone together for meals, etc.
November 18, 2018
I love this book. From the first line to the last, it had me hooked. Something new is always happening and the family is fantastic. No spoilers and I’m going to post the same review for all 9 books. This is the umpteenth time I have read them. I give them another read when I want to be completely immersed in the Lathem family and come out feeling great. Wonderful romances. Read them all!
February 13, 2017
Fascinating
What a nice and happy book o read. Not only was it a family read it had the whole family as having fun and not dead or sick and dieing. Refreshing and truly a great read.
What a nice and happy book o read. Not only was it a family read it had the whole family as having fun and not dead or sick and dieing. Refreshing and truly a great read.
February 15, 2020
This has been on my Kindle for a few years. It was a free book via Bookbub. I decided to give it a go, It was dire. It is the story of a family group who go off on a cruise together for their parents anniversary. That is it! Really boring. I wouldn't bother if I were you. 1 star.
July 26, 2025
I didn’t really care for Maureen in the first 2 books.
She was very controlling.
But in this book she is very disgusting and manipulating.
She the mother in law from hell.
She is just a mean old cow.
Other than that the book was beyond boring.
She was very controlling.
But in this book she is very disgusting and manipulating.
She the mother in law from hell.
She is just a mean old cow.
Other than that the book was beyond boring.
December 30, 2017
From what I remember it came off as rather cloying.
March 11, 2018
A nice, light read. Predictable and corny. Characters somewhat stereotypical.
June 18, 2018
I enjoyed reading. I didn’t know this story was in the middle of a series when I chose to read it.
March 27, 2019
Too many characters to try and keep track of.
February 19, 2022
Dull and uninteresting, it unfortunately didn't keep my attention .
May 2, 2022
The Lathem family embark on a vacation that dreams are made of. New journeys begin when they least expect it. I absolutely adore this family!!
Want to read
July 6, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/6/2023)! 🎁
March 17, 2017
Excellent book
I really enjoyed the book. I have been on a cruise before,
So it was very neat how the book was set up. Made it seem very realistic.
I really enjoyed the book. I have been on a cruise before,
So it was very neat how the book was set up. Made it seem very realistic.
May 11, 2015
First Class Voyage is the fourth book in the A.J. Harmon series First Class Series.
Family time takes on a whole new meaning when Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem clan, decides she wants to celebrate her wedding anniversary by taking the entire family on a Caribbean cruise. She drags her husband, seven adult sons, their significant others, five grandchildren and a mother-in-law onto a floating city in the Caribbean Sea with 3000 other passengers… where insecurities and tension between in-laws begin to surface. Matt and Janie, from book one and two, are still enjoying their happily ever after while Katy, from book three, struggles to find her place in the large family. Frustrated by Maureen’s constant pressure to transform her 3 year engagement into wedding bells, Katy boards the ship expecting it to be the worst 14 days of her life. Mid-voyage, panic sets in when Katy fails to return from a shore excursion with Mark. Janie remembers, like yesterday, what happened the last time Katy went missing.
I do not see this book as a stand alone. Most of the characters the reader has met in books one through three so it makes no sense to call this book a stand alone. It was a good story as a continuing saga of the Lathem clan. Having said that I would recommend reading the series, but as I have said in another review I would purchase the box set as I did that way you have all of the books in the series. Sensual level I would rate this book a 4.
In this book you’ll be introduced to Matt and Mark’s five younger brothers including Paul, a Navy Seal
Family time takes on a whole new meaning when Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem clan, decides she wants to celebrate her wedding anniversary by taking the entire family on a Caribbean cruise. She drags her husband, seven adult sons, their significant others, five grandchildren and a mother-in-law onto a floating city in the Caribbean Sea with 3000 other passengers… where insecurities and tension between in-laws begin to surface. Matt and Janie, from book one and two, are still enjoying their happily ever after while Katy, from book three, struggles to find her place in the large family. Frustrated by Maureen’s constant pressure to transform her 3 year engagement into wedding bells, Katy boards the ship expecting it to be the worst 14 days of her life. Mid-voyage, panic sets in when Katy fails to return from a shore excursion with Mark. Janie remembers, like yesterday, what happened the last time Katy went missing.
I do not see this book as a stand alone. Most of the characters the reader has met in books one through three so it makes no sense to call this book a stand alone. It was a good story as a continuing saga of the Lathem clan. Having said that I would recommend reading the series, but as I have said in another review I would purchase the box set as I did that way you have all of the books in the series. Sensual level I would rate this book a 4.
In this book you’ll be introduced to Matt and Mark’s five younger brothers including Paul, a Navy Seal
December 8, 2014
4.5 Star Review
When Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem family decides to take all of her 7 sons and their wives, (who are married) grandchildren on a cruise to the Caribbean Sea. We finally get to meet all the brothers.
We first meet and fall in love with Matt in Janie, then Mark and Katy, along the way we get glimpse into the entire family but in book four, we get to revisit the characters we have already bonded with. And get to know the story lines of each individual brother. What an amazing concept to set up the continuation of the series.
I thought book four, was a great catalyst for the books to come, I can’t wait to dive into the next brother! All throughout the book you get snippets of each one, getting to know them better, connecting with them, even though the first two books focused on the first two brothers. You get so much story line on them too.
I’m hooked. And you will be too, great writing, great story telling, and you never have to let go of the characters you fell for in Book one (free BTW) you just keep going and it pulls at your heart strings in every way.
Join the Lathem family as they celebrate life, love and the struggles of modern family dynamics. Download your copy now!
Other Books on Kindle from Top Rated Romance Author AJ Harmon
Look for First Class books1-9 on Amazon (THE COLLECTION)
When Maureen, the matriarch of the Lathem family decides to take all of her 7 sons and their wives, (who are married) grandchildren on a cruise to the Caribbean Sea. We finally get to meet all the brothers.
We first meet and fall in love with Matt in Janie, then Mark and Katy, along the way we get glimpse into the entire family but in book four, we get to revisit the characters we have already bonded with. And get to know the story lines of each individual brother. What an amazing concept to set up the continuation of the series.
I thought book four, was a great catalyst for the books to come, I can’t wait to dive into the next brother! All throughout the book you get snippets of each one, getting to know them better, connecting with them, even though the first two books focused on the first two brothers. You get so much story line on them too.
I’m hooked. And you will be too, great writing, great story telling, and you never have to let go of the characters you fell for in Book one (free BTW) you just keep going and it pulls at your heart strings in every way.
Join the Lathem family as they celebrate life, love and the struggles of modern family dynamics. Download your copy now!
Other Books on Kindle from Top Rated Romance Author AJ Harmon
Look for First Class books1-9 on Amazon (THE COLLECTION)
February 8, 2014
Time for a vacation with the Lathem family, as a celebration of the matriarch's of the family Peter and Maureen, well mostly Maureen, decide they want a vacation with everyone. All 7 sons, 2 spouses, 1 fiance, 5 grandkids, and Janie's mother. All in all it's one crazy good time, and sometimes it's just plain crazy. Maureen is trying to get Mark and Katy to finally set a date after a 3 year engagement, Matt and Janie are enjoying their time together and with their little ones. Andrew and his husband Rory are trying to adopt, Paul is trying to make decisions about his future. And everyone else all combined, it's tons of fun this one isn't about one specific couple, but is an overview of the entire Lathen clan and their signifigant others. With 2 suprise weddings and a surprise baby you get to see more of the family we've been getting to know in the first few books and see more of everyone.
Great read I loved seeing the entire family and their dynamic and even the strongest men crumbling in frount of their fiery mother Maureen. This is a fun story to see the couples you already know and the ones you wanted to know more about. And you get a glimpse of the ones the other books in the series will be about.
Great read I loved seeing the entire family and their dynamic and even the strongest men crumbling in frount of their fiery mother Maureen. This is a fun story to see the couples you already know and the ones you wanted to know more about. And you get a glimpse of the ones the other books in the series will be about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews