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Die Yacht
Als Hannah von Libby zu deren Silvesterfeier auf einer Luxusyacht in einem italienischen Hafen eingeladen wird, sieht sie dem Abend nicht nur mit Vorfreude entgegen. Obwohl die beiden schon lange befreundet sind, wiegen die sozialen Unterschiede schwer. Schon bald nach ihrer Ankunft fühlt Hannah sich, als sei sie Libbys persönliches Sozialprojekt. Tapfer beschließt sie, sich zusammenzureißen, die Party durchzustehen und an Neujahr frühstmöglich abzureisen. Doch am nächsten Morgen stellt sie mit Entsetzen fest, dass die Yacht auf dem offenen Meer treibt - ohne Treibstoff im Tank, ohne Vorräte und ohne die Möglichkeit, Hilfe zu rufen. Und dann wird auch noch die erste Person vermisst ...
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2024
1856 people are currently reading
2707 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Goodwin
22 books754 followersAlso writing as Amy Cunningham (The Serial Killer's Party) and Amelia Wildwood (rom-com coming in summer 2026)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 489 reviews
December 15, 2023
With friends like these.....
Hannah's friends are having a New Years Eve party upon a luxurious yacht in an Italian marina. Hannah is looking forward to partying with her friends, but upon arrival gets a frosty reception from some. As the night goes on, they drink, they argue, they strut their stuff, many show off their money, and Hannah feels out of place as she is struggling to get by while they are rolling in money.
Money can't buy everything. Not when you are trapped and lost at sea.
But not everything is as it seems. When they wake up the next day, they find that they are not still moored in the marina but lost at sea. Someone has cut them loose and none of them know how to pilot the ship.
I loved the trapped feeling in this book. I also loved the drama. As they become worried about their situation, they begin to argue, place blame, secrets see the light of day, and some bully others. I loved the tension and the mounting sense of danger. Who will find them? Will their supplies run out?
This was a juicy, gripping, and hard to put down mystery. I enjoyed the writing and how things played out. I thought Goodwin did a great job showing the anxiety in some of the characters, the arrogance in others, and how it dawned on each of them that they were in over their heads.
This was a captivating and gripping tale of survival. Goodwin had me from the first chapter and my attention never wavered. I loved the pacing. There are no slow parts or anything that feels drawn out. This book also has a nice number of twists and turns and a reveal which I did not see coming!
Well written, gripping, dramatic and hard to put down!
Thank you to Avon Books UK, Avon and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Hannah's friends are having a New Years Eve party upon a luxurious yacht in an Italian marina. Hannah is looking forward to partying with her friends, but upon arrival gets a frosty reception from some. As the night goes on, they drink, they argue, they strut their stuff, many show off their money, and Hannah feels out of place as she is struggling to get by while they are rolling in money.
Money can't buy everything. Not when you are trapped and lost at sea.
But not everything is as it seems. When they wake up the next day, they find that they are not still moored in the marina but lost at sea. Someone has cut them loose and none of them know how to pilot the ship.
I loved the trapped feeling in this book. I also loved the drama. As they become worried about their situation, they begin to argue, place blame, secrets see the light of day, and some bully others. I loved the tension and the mounting sense of danger. Who will find them? Will their supplies run out?
This was a juicy, gripping, and hard to put down mystery. I enjoyed the writing and how things played out. I thought Goodwin did a great job showing the anxiety in some of the characters, the arrogance in others, and how it dawned on each of them that they were in over their heads.
This was a captivating and gripping tale of survival. Goodwin had me from the first chapter and my attention never wavered. I loved the pacing. There are no slow parts or anything that feels drawn out. This book also has a nice number of twists and turns and a reveal which I did not see coming!
Well written, gripping, dramatic and hard to put down!
Thank you to Avon Books UK, Avon and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 10, 2023
What better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than on a private luxury yacht with your closest friends?! Even though a few of the party goers would prefer not everyone attend.
Six people are about to board the yacht for a cruise like no other. The next morning the yacht sets sail and one party goer is missing. Tempers are high. Fingers are pointing! Who can you trust? Who will survive!
This is no Gilligan's Island, folks. So grab a life-vest. We’re about to hit some choppy waters!
This locked room thriller was unputdownable! I devoured it in 2 sittings! I was at a complete loss as to who to trust or who to run from! Witnessing everyone come apart at the seams as the danger increases, with lives hanging in dire jeopardy.
This was my second read from Sarah Goodwin. She has a remarkable insight as to what humans are capable of when they feel their lives are at risk. Survival.
I have one more book from Sarah Goodwin on my shelf, and that will have to hold me until her next release The Festival which she provides a sneak-peak for at the end of her acknowledgments!😱 (Gimme! Gimme!)🙏
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK
Six people are about to board the yacht for a cruise like no other. The next morning the yacht sets sail and one party goer is missing. Tempers are high. Fingers are pointing! Who can you trust? Who will survive!
This is no Gilligan's Island, folks. So grab a life-vest. We’re about to hit some choppy waters!
This locked room thriller was unputdownable! I devoured it in 2 sittings! I was at a complete loss as to who to trust or who to run from! Witnessing everyone come apart at the seams as the danger increases, with lives hanging in dire jeopardy.
This was my second read from Sarah Goodwin. She has a remarkable insight as to what humans are capable of when they feel their lives are at risk. Survival.
I have one more book from Sarah Goodwin on my shelf, and that will have to hold me until her next release The Festival which she provides a sneak-peak for at the end of her acknowledgments!😱 (Gimme! Gimme!)🙏
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK
January 18, 2024
The best part was at the end of the book, the main character really did impress me then. But other than that it was hard to relate to the story and characters, some of which were truly unlikable.
February 28, 2024
My thanks to Avon Books UK, Sarah Goodwin and Netgalley.
This is my third or fourth Goodwin book and it's fair to say that I've had varying reading experiences with them all.
My first book of Sarah's was Stranded. I can't tell you how much I loved that book, but rest assured that a few years down the road, I still think about that story.
None of Sarah's books have hit me near as hard as that first one, but I keep coming back hoping for another.
This was not another. Matter of fact, the others were not even close.
It was a fast read, so I'm down with that. But it was so frustrating! The people were unlikable, but not people you would love to hate. Nope, it was just full on hate.
After saying all that, I'll confess that it's not a bad book. Mostly it's like every other book that seems to have this trope. I'm just freaking done with it. Too many author's are so busy jumping on the bandwagon of what an author with an original idea came up with that they lose sight of the fact that what they are doing is already tiresome.
Other people loved this book, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
As for Sarah Goodwin, I think I'll give it one more book and if it doesn't work out, then Sarah and I will be parting ways.
2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3.
This is my third or fourth Goodwin book and it's fair to say that I've had varying reading experiences with them all.
My first book of Sarah's was Stranded. I can't tell you how much I loved that book, but rest assured that a few years down the road, I still think about that story.
None of Sarah's books have hit me near as hard as that first one, but I keep coming back hoping for another.
This was not another. Matter of fact, the others were not even close.
It was a fast read, so I'm down with that. But it was so frustrating! The people were unlikable, but not people you would love to hate. Nope, it was just full on hate.
After saying all that, I'll confess that it's not a bad book. Mostly it's like every other book that seems to have this trope. I'm just freaking done with it. Too many author's are so busy jumping on the bandwagon of what an author with an original idea came up with that they lose sight of the fact that what they are doing is already tiresome.
Other people loved this book, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.
As for Sarah Goodwin, I think I'll give it one more book and if it doesn't work out, then Sarah and I will be parting ways.
2 1/2 stars rounded up to 3.
June 30, 2025
Hannah has been best friends with Libby and Maggie since they were kids. As they've aged into adulthood though, their lifestyles have taken them in different directions.
Libby and her husband Ollie are incredible wealthy. Maggie, a successful fashion designer, and her husband, Leon, are quite wealthy as well.
Then there's Hannah, who has struggled since Uni. She's not flat broke or anything, but in comparison to the other two gals, she's definitely the 'poor' friend.
Hannah would be lying if she said that the differences didn't make her self-conscious. They do, but they're her oldest and dearest friends. They love her really. Don't they?
For New Year's Eve, Libby decides to throw an intimate party on their yacht, located at a marina in Italy. It will be just her, her husband, Ollie, Maggie, Leon, Hannah, and their other dear friend, Harry, a recently successful artist.
Hannah is excited, but also anxious. It's just another chance for Libby to rub her nose in their money. Nevertheless, Hannah decides to go and make the best of it. Of course, she has to drive like 11-hours, or something ridiculous to get there, because she can't afford the plane fare.
The party is...let's say, eventful. By the time Hannah gets herself to her cabin that night, she's happy to be away from the lot of them. She's ready for morning to come so she can get the hell out of there and never look back.
As she awakes the next day, hungover and anxious to leave, Hannah makes a startling discovering. The yacht, previously docked at the marina, has now been set free. They're adrift, unpowered, with no harbor in sight.
The New Year's Eve party has suddenly turned into a desperate fight for survival, but how and why?
When someone disappears, the stakes are raised even higher? Is there a murderer in their midst? Will any of them survive, or will they all go down with the ship?
The Yacht is the epitome of a Popcorn Thriller. We have an exciting destination, an OTT-circumstance, an unlikable group of characters and a fast-paced race to the end.
I had a lot of fun reading this. I enjoyed Hannah's perspective. There were times, of course, when I wanted to shake her, but I was also fully in her corner.
Some of these other characters were absolutely reprehensible and I wanted to get away from them as badly as Hannah did.
I enjoyed how Goodwin truly turned this one into a survival story, in the truest sense of the term. That bit was unexpected and I liked that she actually took it there.
I was happy to go along with Hannah on this journey. Even though my heart broke for her at times, particularly in the last couple of scenes, I was pleased with her growth and the ultimate conclusion.
I would recommend this one to any Reader who loves OTT-dramatic, messy friendship stories. Particularly if you are into Survival Thrillers.
Thank you to the publisher, Avon, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to more from this author!
Libby and her husband Ollie are incredible wealthy. Maggie, a successful fashion designer, and her husband, Leon, are quite wealthy as well.
Then there's Hannah, who has struggled since Uni. She's not flat broke or anything, but in comparison to the other two gals, she's definitely the 'poor' friend.
Hannah would be lying if she said that the differences didn't make her self-conscious. They do, but they're her oldest and dearest friends. They love her really. Don't they?
For New Year's Eve, Libby decides to throw an intimate party on their yacht, located at a marina in Italy. It will be just her, her husband, Ollie, Maggie, Leon, Hannah, and their other dear friend, Harry, a recently successful artist.
Hannah is excited, but also anxious. It's just another chance for Libby to rub her nose in their money. Nevertheless, Hannah decides to go and make the best of it. Of course, she has to drive like 11-hours, or something ridiculous to get there, because she can't afford the plane fare.
The party is...let's say, eventful. By the time Hannah gets herself to her cabin that night, she's happy to be away from the lot of them. She's ready for morning to come so she can get the hell out of there and never look back.
As she awakes the next day, hungover and anxious to leave, Hannah makes a startling discovering. The yacht, previously docked at the marina, has now been set free. They're adrift, unpowered, with no harbor in sight.
The New Year's Eve party has suddenly turned into a desperate fight for survival, but how and why?
When someone disappears, the stakes are raised even higher? Is there a murderer in their midst? Will any of them survive, or will they all go down with the ship?
The Yacht is the epitome of a Popcorn Thriller. We have an exciting destination, an OTT-circumstance, an unlikable group of characters and a fast-paced race to the end.
I had a lot of fun reading this. I enjoyed Hannah's perspective. There were times, of course, when I wanted to shake her, but I was also fully in her corner.
Some of these other characters were absolutely reprehensible and I wanted to get away from them as badly as Hannah did.
I enjoyed how Goodwin truly turned this one into a survival story, in the truest sense of the term. That bit was unexpected and I liked that she actually took it there.
I was happy to go along with Hannah on this journey. Even though my heart broke for her at times, particularly in the last couple of scenes, I was pleased with her growth and the ultimate conclusion.
I would recommend this one to any Reader who loves OTT-dramatic, messy friendship stories. Particularly if you are into Survival Thrillers.
Thank you to the publisher, Avon, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm looking forward to more from this author!
November 28, 2023
A locked room mystery and a vaction-gone-wrong...my absolute favorite!
Hannah makes the mistake of attending a party with her old college friends. All of the friends are wildly successful which highlights Hannah's lack of a profession and steady paycheck all the more. The ultra rich couple throwing the party invite Hannah onto their yacht which will stay docked for the duration of the party weekend.
The night is fraught and Hannah isn't sure if she should stay. It's not until she hears some of the friends disparaging her, in another room that she decides to leave in the morning. When she wakes, however, she finds the the yacht is a sea and there are multiple obstacles to returning to lan d. Before long one of the friends disappear.
Suddenly Hannah can only count on herself and has to work against the clock to find a rescue plan and solve the mystery of the missing friend. Great fun! Recommended!
.#Avonbooksuk #theyacht #sarahgoodwin
Hannah makes the mistake of attending a party with her old college friends. All of the friends are wildly successful which highlights Hannah's lack of a profession and steady paycheck all the more. The ultra rich couple throwing the party invite Hannah onto their yacht which will stay docked for the duration of the party weekend.
The night is fraught and Hannah isn't sure if she should stay. It's not until she hears some of the friends disparaging her, in another room that she decides to leave in the morning. When she wakes, however, she finds the the yacht is a sea and there are multiple obstacles to returning to lan d. Before long one of the friends disappear.
Suddenly Hannah can only count on herself and has to work against the clock to find a rescue plan and solve the mystery of the missing friend. Great fun! Recommended!
.#Avonbooksuk #theyacht #sarahgoodwin
November 28, 2023
"The Yacht" by Sarah Goodwin revolves around a group of uni friends who find themselves stranded at sea. I am a sucker for locked-room mysteries and books that take place on a boat, so I grabbed the book once I read the blurb. And, boy, what a ride!
A group of friends from England, consisting of Maggie and her fiance Leon, Harry, and Hannah, come to celebrate New Year's Eve on Libby and her husband Olly's yacht, which is anchored at the Italian marina. All of them have made it big and are rich, except Hannah, who is stuck in a dead-end job and single due to unresolved issues. Maggie, Libby, and their partners look down on Hannah, the poor one in their midst.
At first, the party is going relatively well, aside from some snide comments toward Hannah. The atmosphere becomes tense the more they drink and do drugs, and masks are removed. The plot takes a turn the next morning when they find themselves stranded at sea with no Wi-Fi, no food, and no fuel. While they try to figure out what happened and what to do, tensions rise, and secrets are revealed, tearing them apart. As they lurch from one disaster to another, "Swim or sink" becomes their new reality.
I loved the book and couldn't stop reading. Sure, the premise isn't original; this trope has been done many times, but its execution makes it shine. The book is written in the first person from Hannah's perspective. She was a great character, one I could relate to and root for, which is more than I can say for the other characters. The other characters, with the exception of Harry, were insufferable and thought themselves superior to less fortunate people. I was glad when Hannah finally grew a backbone and didn't bow to her friends.
I appreciate the writing and the way the story unfolded before my very eyes. The author made the characters and scenes come to life. There were surprising developments and turns, and although there were some scenes that required a suspension of disbelief, I could live with it.
The setting was great, and I could feel the atmosphere as conditions deteriorated. The descriptions of the storm, the cold, and the despair were very realistic. The book explores various themes like bullying, toxic relationships, loss, and fear of getting close to someone and getting hurt in the process. The book is exceptionally well-crafted and compelling, and I found myself thoroughly caught up in the tale. Readers will be hooked until the very end, wondering where all of this is going. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
A group of friends from England, consisting of Maggie and her fiance Leon, Harry, and Hannah, come to celebrate New Year's Eve on Libby and her husband Olly's yacht, which is anchored at the Italian marina. All of them have made it big and are rich, except Hannah, who is stuck in a dead-end job and single due to unresolved issues. Maggie, Libby, and their partners look down on Hannah, the poor one in their midst.
At first, the party is going relatively well, aside from some snide comments toward Hannah. The atmosphere becomes tense the more they drink and do drugs, and masks are removed. The plot takes a turn the next morning when they find themselves stranded at sea with no Wi-Fi, no food, and no fuel. While they try to figure out what happened and what to do, tensions rise, and secrets are revealed, tearing them apart. As they lurch from one disaster to another, "Swim or sink" becomes their new reality.
I loved the book and couldn't stop reading. Sure, the premise isn't original; this trope has been done many times, but its execution makes it shine. The book is written in the first person from Hannah's perspective. She was a great character, one I could relate to and root for, which is more than I can say for the other characters. The other characters, with the exception of Harry, were insufferable and thought themselves superior to less fortunate people. I was glad when Hannah finally grew a backbone and didn't bow to her friends.
I appreciate the writing and the way the story unfolded before my very eyes. The author made the characters and scenes come to life. There were surprising developments and turns, and although there were some scenes that required a suspension of disbelief, I could live with it.
The setting was great, and I could feel the atmosphere as conditions deteriorated. The descriptions of the storm, the cold, and the despair were very realistic. The book explores various themes like bullying, toxic relationships, loss, and fear of getting close to someone and getting hurt in the process. The book is exceptionally well-crafted and compelling, and I found myself thoroughly caught up in the tale. Readers will be hooked until the very end, wondering where all of this is going. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
February 19, 2024
Nop. Just no
The characters were shallow and one dimensional and the story just dragged
Usually i like whodunits set in isolated locations but i didn't care for this one and any of its characters
The characters were shallow and one dimensional and the story just dragged
Usually i like whodunits set in isolated locations but i didn't care for this one and any of its characters
October 12, 2025
“Who wouldn’t colour coordinate their helicopter to their yacht? What were we, savages?”
― Sarah Goodwin, The Yacht
I really struggled with what rating to give this book.
On one hand, I absolutely fell in love with, utterly adored, the plot.
Hannah , A poor girl is attending a party given by a rich girl, on a yacht on New Year’s Eve.
Hannah must drive 12 hours, through European countries to get to the yacht. You see this particular group of friends knew each other way back when.
Now, all of them have gone on to be extremely wealthy, except for Hannah.
But they have a tradition! Every year, Libby, the queen, bee of the group, throws an extravaganza for New Year’s. So, of course, even though the event is to be scaled down this year, Hannah wants to go.
And she does go. And much goes wrong at the party. This is not a spoiler as it happens pretty much at the beginning.
Anyway, Hannah spends the night.
When she awakens in the morning, wanting only to get the heck out of there, hung over, and irritable, she finds to her, horror, , that something or someone, has untied the yacht from being anchored, and instead of seeing the gang plank, all she sees is – water.
Ocean water, lots and lots of water. That’s because they’re in the middle of the sea lost in the ocean.
I mean, can you just imagine? Can you imagine going to a party on board a yacht and waking up and finding that you can’t get off because somehow the yacht has decided to abscond with a bunch of angry at each other friends on board and now you’re in the middle of the ocean , and you don’t know if you’re ever going to see land again?
Oh my gosh, this was a must read!
Unfortunately, I had to do a lot of skimming. It’s not that I didn’t like the writing, or the premise. As I said, I loved the premise, and I liked the writing, and all the metaphors used.
But I hated with the exception of Hannah, every other single miserable person on the boat.
I did not know when I chose this , that I was going to be spending a few hours in the minds of the certifiably insane.
Man oh man, I thought I had dysfunctional friends in my past! I mean they’re a picnic next to these nut jobs.
I don’t think I’ve ever read about a group of friends so dysfunctional in my life, I mean at first it was amusing, but man oh man, these people actually gave me a headache. I so wanted to kick them all, and I am not a violent person, but man oh man oh man. What blithering idiots , what boring stupid empty-headed losers they are.
So needless to say that really interfered with my enjoyment of the book. My mind was already going like a wayward train about to fall off the tracks, desperately trying to think what my rating would be. I discarded number after number ,choice after choice.
Please bear in mind this review is being written, purposely, tongue-in-cheek, and purposely melodramatically.
At last! I hit up on the magical number three. At first I thought I might give it two but you know what? This writer really can write, and I’m already looking forward to reading. I think it’s called stranded.
So many reviews have mentioned what magic “Stranded” is that I just have to read it.
Plus, I really liked Hannah. I found her to be an interesting protagonist, but the rest of my review will be done with spoilers so if you have an interest in reading the whirling dervish, that is this book, I highly suggest you stop reading my review now.
SPOILERS
OK. What really irritated me and made me almost give a two rating, was the castaway stuff. I mean, at least she didn’t fall in love with a basketball named Wilson. Not that there’s anything wrong with Wilson.
But I am not a fan of that whole cast away stranded on an island thing. I think I gave the blue Lagoon, A book I utterly, despised a one or two star. I have no patience for one person being stranded on an island alone type of story lines.. Now I love Agatha Christie type mysteries, taking place on islands or boats or yachts and that’s what I kind of thought this would be. You know I loved “And then there were none.”
But she swims to a rock in the ocean and then she has to think about how to survive, and then Bren began to skim, and to skim and to skim and to skim and to skim.
Then there’s the ending. Whatever happened to Libby? I don’t know because we were never told. I felt a little cheated. I really would’ve like to know what happened to her.
I really didn’t like all the fighting in the chase scenes especially when the boat got
Flooded.
I mean it was just sometimes less is more you know? There was no less with This. There was a lot of more and more and more and more and more.
Am I being snotty? I hope not. The bottom line is some part of Me must have liked this book because I gave a three and if good reads had one to 10 ratings, as half the people on here have been begging for, I’d probably give it a seven. The fact is that the writing is utterly delightful, and I fell in love with her style.
So I would kind of recommend? I mean it is so bizarre, but just like if you’re gonna read it, be prepared for the fact that you will meet some truly bratty, snot, nosed,, annoying, moronic, assholes. People you would run screaming from a bar from, rather than ever spend five minutes of your time being friends with. Oh well. At least Hannah got a happy ending. And that’s another reason I gave it a three
PS Harry is a dickhead.
― Sarah Goodwin, The Yacht
I really struggled with what rating to give this book.
On one hand, I absolutely fell in love with, utterly adored, the plot.
Hannah , A poor girl is attending a party given by a rich girl, on a yacht on New Year’s Eve.
Hannah must drive 12 hours, through European countries to get to the yacht. You see this particular group of friends knew each other way back when.
Now, all of them have gone on to be extremely wealthy, except for Hannah.
But they have a tradition! Every year, Libby, the queen, bee of the group, throws an extravaganza for New Year’s. So, of course, even though the event is to be scaled down this year, Hannah wants to go.
And she does go. And much goes wrong at the party. This is not a spoiler as it happens pretty much at the beginning.
Anyway, Hannah spends the night.
When she awakens in the morning, wanting only to get the heck out of there, hung over, and irritable, she finds to her, horror, , that something or someone, has untied the yacht from being anchored, and instead of seeing the gang plank, all she sees is – water.
Ocean water, lots and lots of water. That’s because they’re in the middle of the sea lost in the ocean.
I mean, can you just imagine? Can you imagine going to a party on board a yacht and waking up and finding that you can’t get off because somehow the yacht has decided to abscond with a bunch of angry at each other friends on board and now you’re in the middle of the ocean , and you don’t know if you’re ever going to see land again?
Oh my gosh, this was a must read!
Unfortunately, I had to do a lot of skimming. It’s not that I didn’t like the writing, or the premise. As I said, I loved the premise, and I liked the writing, and all the metaphors used.
But I hated with the exception of Hannah, every other single miserable person on the boat.
I did not know when I chose this , that I was going to be spending a few hours in the minds of the certifiably insane.
Man oh man, I thought I had dysfunctional friends in my past! I mean they’re a picnic next to these nut jobs.
I don’t think I’ve ever read about a group of friends so dysfunctional in my life, I mean at first it was amusing, but man oh man, these people actually gave me a headache. I so wanted to kick them all, and I am not a violent person, but man oh man oh man. What blithering idiots , what boring stupid empty-headed losers they are.
So needless to say that really interfered with my enjoyment of the book. My mind was already going like a wayward train about to fall off the tracks, desperately trying to think what my rating would be. I discarded number after number ,choice after choice.
Please bear in mind this review is being written, purposely, tongue-in-cheek, and purposely melodramatically.
At last! I hit up on the magical number three. At first I thought I might give it two but you know what? This writer really can write, and I’m already looking forward to reading. I think it’s called stranded.
So many reviews have mentioned what magic “Stranded” is that I just have to read it.
Plus, I really liked Hannah. I found her to be an interesting protagonist, but the rest of my review will be done with spoilers so if you have an interest in reading the whirling dervish, that is this book, I highly suggest you stop reading my review now.
SPOILERS
OK. What really irritated me and made me almost give a two rating, was the castaway stuff. I mean, at least she didn’t fall in love with a basketball named Wilson. Not that there’s anything wrong with Wilson.
But I am not a fan of that whole cast away stranded on an island thing. I think I gave the blue Lagoon, A book I utterly, despised a one or two star. I have no patience for one person being stranded on an island alone type of story lines.. Now I love Agatha Christie type mysteries, taking place on islands or boats or yachts and that’s what I kind of thought this would be. You know I loved “And then there were none.”
But she swims to a rock in the ocean and then she has to think about how to survive, and then Bren began to skim, and to skim and to skim and to skim and to skim.
Then there’s the ending. Whatever happened to Libby? I don’t know because we were never told. I felt a little cheated. I really would’ve like to know what happened to her.
I really didn’t like all the fighting in the chase scenes especially when the boat got
Flooded.
I mean it was just sometimes less is more you know? There was no less with This. There was a lot of more and more and more and more and more.
Am I being snotty? I hope not. The bottom line is some part of Me must have liked this book because I gave a three and if good reads had one to 10 ratings, as half the people on here have been begging for, I’d probably give it a seven. The fact is that the writing is utterly delightful, and I fell in love with her style.
So I would kind of recommend? I mean it is so bizarre, but just like if you’re gonna read it, be prepared for the fact that you will meet some truly bratty, snot, nosed,, annoying, moronic, assholes. People you would run screaming from a bar from, rather than ever spend five minutes of your time being friends with. Oh well. At least Hannah got a happy ending. And that’s another reason I gave it a three
PS Harry is a dickhead.
December 11, 2023
It wont take any reader a second looking at the pic and blurb to work put what this book is about, it makes no apologies and is very good at what the author has set out to do
6 reunited friends’ on a luxury yacht for a New Years Eve party and nothing is as seems and none of the 6 are either, there are some total psychopaths amongst the group and ‘love to hate’ characters that the phrase could have been invented for…..
There’s peril, high dudgeon and survival and an ultimate ending that I think most will guess but tbh didn’t change my enjoyment of the book
As say its done well, good writing and great characters but I can’t help but think maybe reunions and possibly/ boats, yachts etc have been overdone, still I chose to read it and I do enjoy them so can’t have it both ways!
All aboard for a good thriller 🤗
6 reunited friends’ on a luxury yacht for a New Years Eve party and nothing is as seems and none of the 6 are either, there are some total psychopaths amongst the group and ‘love to hate’ characters that the phrase could have been invented for…..
There’s peril, high dudgeon and survival and an ultimate ending that I think most will guess but tbh didn’t change my enjoyment of the book
As say its done well, good writing and great characters but I can’t help but think maybe reunions and possibly/ boats, yachts etc have been overdone, still I chose to read it and I do enjoy them so can’t have it both ways!
All aboard for a good thriller 🤗
January 18, 2024
Now I'm more than willing to admit that I picked this up to make fun of it- the synopsis just seems a little overdramatic. But it turns out this book genuinely sucks.
Not only does the synopsis pretend these people are friends- which they are absolutely not- it also pretends this will be about normal people. Which also isn't true. Two of the three men are so violently misogynistic, constantly spouting their hate and "superiority". One of them literally tries to sexually assault the main character within like the first quarter of the book, while he is engaged to one of the other women on board. He then turns out to be an abuse asshole and like? We establish later on that the women are the ones with money and should therefore also be the ones with power, yet I'm supposed to believe they would stay with these cretins? Secrets about their horrible relationships and actual financial status are revealed but, as always, all of this hinges on me giving a single shit about any of these people and I truly didn't. I wish more of them had died, I think the world truly is a better place without them in it.
Our main character is also deeply annoying from the get go and there is no way in hell anyone would stay to sleep on that boat after the way her "best friends" treated her and after literally being sexually assaulted by someone. She feels so unsafe she tries to barricade the door (even on that first night!) but it never occurs to her to just go sleep in her car since she's too drunk to drive.
Like I said, all that follows is incredible misogyny, idiocy beyond your wildest dreams and interpersonal drama I truly could not be payed to care about.
At least our main character learns something meaningful throughout her ordeal and we get a nice ending for her I didn't need because I didn't care about her. Especially not after she keeps ignoring the absolutely obvious signs that there is not one decent person in her friend group.
But really, the whole thing is just wildly unbelievable.
-Rich people trying to flaunt their wealth (even if it is pretend) don't just invite one poor friend to feel better
-None of them would have stayed in touch with her- not with the way they hated her
-who used that condom and if it was the two people having an affair why leave that lying around so openly? There's only one other couple on board
-not a single person turned off any electronic devices to save energy
-they didn't turn off a single phone to preserve that battery while sending out the sos texts
-the women didn't leave their men sooner
-one of the men has a misogynistic podcast, cheats on his fiancé and abuses her while living in her flat on her money and she's fine with all that for some reason
-the MC is like "I'll never fall in love" while spending the whole book and apparently most of her adult life in love with one of her bfs
-the only person we're supposed to believe to be normal and trustworthy until the end of the book (Goodwin fails at this) was literally fine with putting everyone's life in danger to force one woman to finally talk to him
-body shaming
-slut shaming
-one of them apparently has a psychotic break which doesn't register until the MC points it out because his behavior hasn't changed one bit
Maybe I have more but this is all the effort I'm willing to exert on this book. It is truly not even worth the hate read. Skip this one.
Not only does the synopsis pretend these people are friends- which they are absolutely not- it also pretends this will be about normal people. Which also isn't true. Two of the three men are so violently misogynistic, constantly spouting their hate and "superiority". One of them literally tries to sexually assault the main character within like the first quarter of the book, while he is engaged to one of the other women on board. He then turns out to be an abuse asshole and like? We establish later on that the women are the ones with money and should therefore also be the ones with power, yet I'm supposed to believe they would stay with these cretins? Secrets about their horrible relationships and actual financial status are revealed but, as always, all of this hinges on me giving a single shit about any of these people and I truly didn't. I wish more of them had died, I think the world truly is a better place without them in it.
Our main character is also deeply annoying from the get go and there is no way in hell anyone would stay to sleep on that boat after the way her "best friends" treated her and after literally being sexually assaulted by someone. She feels so unsafe she tries to barricade the door (even on that first night!) but it never occurs to her to just go sleep in her car since she's too drunk to drive.
Like I said, all that follows is incredible misogyny, idiocy beyond your wildest dreams and interpersonal drama I truly could not be payed to care about.
At least our main character learns something meaningful throughout her ordeal and we get a nice ending for her I didn't need because I didn't care about her. Especially not after she keeps ignoring the absolutely obvious signs that there is not one decent person in her friend group.
But really, the whole thing is just wildly unbelievable.
-Rich people trying to flaunt their wealth (even if it is pretend) don't just invite one poor friend to feel better
-None of them would have stayed in touch with her- not with the way they hated her
-who used that condom and if it was the two people having an affair why leave that lying around so openly? There's only one other couple on board
-not a single person turned off any electronic devices to save energy
-they didn't turn off a single phone to preserve that battery while sending out the sos texts
-the women didn't leave their men sooner
-one of the men has a misogynistic podcast, cheats on his fiancé and abuses her while living in her flat on her money and she's fine with all that for some reason
-the MC is like "I'll never fall in love" while spending the whole book and apparently most of her adult life in love with one of her bfs
-the only person we're supposed to believe to be normal and trustworthy until the end of the book (Goodwin fails at this) was literally fine with putting everyone's life in danger to force one woman to finally talk to him
-body shaming
-slut shaming
-one of them apparently has a psychotic break which doesn't register until the MC points it out because his behavior hasn't changed one bit
Maybe I have more but this is all the effort I'm willing to exert on this book. It is truly not even worth the hate read. Skip this one.
December 31, 2023
I don't think anything will reach the heights of my love for Sarah Goodwin's debut novel Stranded. Every other book I've read from her has fallen flat, including this one. They're not bad by any means. The stories are always original and I like the writing style. They just never get there for me. Also, oddly I seem to gravitate towards every second book from this author so fingers crossed the next one better suits me.
I received a free ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Hoopla
Atmospheric and suspenseful!!
Atmospheric and suspenseful!!
February 28, 2024
Only one word comes to mind after trudging through this book. Absurd. Everything about it.
May 26, 2024
Was kinda hoping that they all would have died to be honest… and the motive? Oh, brother 🙄
November 27, 2023
This wasn’t bad at all.
It’s VERY entertaining and I loved when the secrets started coming out. Our richie rich people were so horrible!
Our Main Character is largely likable – especially when she starts showing a spine.
I wasn’t terribly surprised by the *who* of everything, but I still enjoyed the very dangerous ride.
Enjoyed this one!
• ARC via Publisher
It’s VERY entertaining and I loved when the secrets started coming out. Our richie rich people were so horrible!
Our Main Character is largely likable – especially when she starts showing a spine.
I wasn’t terribly surprised by the *who* of everything, but I still enjoyed the very dangerous ride.
Enjoyed this one!
• ARC via Publisher
January 20, 2024
Do not read. Do not buy it, do not borrow. Frankly, avoid wasting the time on reading reviews. Obscenely ridiculous with an impossible premise and tediously told.
January 30, 2024
Meh, this is a miss for me.
Solid ending but this needed to be shorter or something 🤷🏾♀️
Usually I adore unlikable characters but not this time.
Solid ending but this needed to be shorter or something 🤷🏾♀️
Usually I adore unlikable characters but not this time.
December 29, 2023
I didn't really enjoy this one. The characters were shallow and cared more for their clothes and looks a d how much booze they could drink. Shame as I've enjoyed her others. Hopefully her next one is better. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
December 6, 2024
A heart-wrenching journey!
Hannah's old friends from school always get together on New Year's and Libby throws an impressive bash. This year it's scaled down, if you can call being on a yacht scaled down. Hannah is just happy to still be in this group.
Libby is married now, to an Old Money jerk. Her other bestie Maggie is married to a manosphere podcaster. Secretly though, the women are really holding these guys afloat and the secrets are coming out as the yacht accidentally floats off into the ocean. Was this by accident or by design?
It's a powderkeg as they realize this might go on for a while. As things get more desperate and truths are revealed, no one can really trust anyone on this boat.
This ended up a beautiful tale of survival that was touching and, at times, exhausting. The story really comes full circle and I felt privileged to have experienced this journey with Hannah. I'm just glad I wasn't on the boat lol
This will make you laugh, roll your eyes, want to scream, want to punch someone. All the feelings. The characters are all culturally relevant, especially if you spend a lot of time online. You'll know these guys!
The ending was original. It wasn't what I'd expected but I respected it and I understood it. I love this author. She is amazing with "locked-room" and "one-by-one they go" mysteries but she's outdone herself with this one.
Hannah's old friends from school always get together on New Year's and Libby throws an impressive bash. This year it's scaled down, if you can call being on a yacht scaled down. Hannah is just happy to still be in this group.
Libby is married now, to an Old Money jerk. Her other bestie Maggie is married to a manosphere podcaster. Secretly though, the women are really holding these guys afloat and the secrets are coming out as the yacht accidentally floats off into the ocean. Was this by accident or by design?
It's a powderkeg as they realize this might go on for a while. As things get more desperate and truths are revealed, no one can really trust anyone on this boat.
This ended up a beautiful tale of survival that was touching and, at times, exhausting. The story really comes full circle and I felt privileged to have experienced this journey with Hannah. I'm just glad I wasn't on the boat lol
This will make you laugh, roll your eyes, want to scream, want to punch someone. All the feelings. The characters are all culturally relevant, especially if you spend a lot of time online. You'll know these guys!
The ending was original. It wasn't what I'd expected but I respected it and I understood it. I love this author. She is amazing with "locked-room" and "one-by-one they go" mysteries but she's outdone herself with this one.
July 13, 2025
Eine glamouröse Einladung entwickelt sich zum Albtraum auf offener See. Eine Silvesternacht auf einer luxuriösen Yacht wird für Hannah zur Katastrophe. Alte Freundschaften bröckeln, Misstrauen wächst und die schippernde Beschaulichkeit droht, in gefährliche Abgründe zu kippen.
Nach zwei eher ernüchternden Leseerlebnissen mit Sarah Goodwin war ich mir eigentlich sicher, dass es nichts mehr mit mir und der Autorin wird. Ihre Thriller bieten ungewöhnliche Settings, interessante Grundideen und fangen stark an. Dann verlieren sie sich aber irgendwo zwischen Leerlauf und seltsamer Dramaturgie. Als ich „Die Yacht“ gesehen habe, bin ich dann doch schwach geworden. Bei einer noblen Silvesterparty auf einer Luxusyacht, dem unerklärlichen Abdriften aufs Meer hinaus und einer verschwundenen Person konnte ich nicht widerstehen. Die Ausgangslage klang einfach zu gut. Daher habe ich der Autorin eine weitere Chance gegeben. Tatsächlich war dieser Thriller anders. Nicht perfekt, aber spannend, atmosphärisch und stellenweise überraschend intensiv.
Bereits mit Hannahs Ankunft auf der Yacht wurde klar, dass das kein entspannter Abend unter alten Freunden werden wird. Obwohl sie und Gastgeberin Libby seit Schulzeiten befreundet sind, klaffen finanzielle, gesellschaftliche und emotionale Welten zwischen ihnen. Hannah fühlt sich fehl am Platz. Es wirkt, als wurde sie von Libby eingeladen, damit sich die Freundin selbst auf die Schulter klopfen kann. Die glamouröse Yacht, der Champagner und die Designeroutfits wirken auf Hannah eher einschüchternd als beeindruckend. Während es auf den ersten Blick nach einer glanzvollen Silvesternacht aussieht, brodelt unter der Oberfläche von Anfang an Missgunst in allen Kajüten.
Die Gruppe wirkt von Beginn an zerrissen. Die Dialoge sind gespickt mit Sticheleien und zweideutigen Bemerkungen. Ich hatte sofort den Eindruck, dass sich hier niemand wirklich leiden kann. Allen geht es eher um Status, Eitelkeit und Fassade. Meiner Meinung nach hat Sarah Goodwin dieses Spannungsfeld richtig gut eingefangen. Ich fand es, äußerst interessant zu beobachten, wie schnell das äußerliche Glitzern verschwindet und die Façon Risse bekommt.
Am Morgen danach erwacht Hannah nicht nur mit einem Kater, sondern auch mit einem mulmigen Gefühl. Die Yacht ist von der nächtlichen Ausgelassenheit regelrecht verwüstet. Die Gäste leiden unter den Nachwehen der Partynacht und das Schiff treibt auf dem offenen Meer. Es hat keinen Treibstoff, der Kontakt zur Außenwelt ist gekappt und Vorräte sind rar. Warum das überhaupt passieren konnte, klärt sich im Lauf der Geschichte. Meiner Meinung wirkt es zumindest innerhalb der Logik der Handlung einigermaßen plausibel und reicht, um Schwung ins weitere Geschehen zu bringen.
Fraglich ist für mich, ob das alles in der Realität so schnell eskalieren würde. Darüber lässt sich bestimmt streiten. Aber als Leser:in ist man mittendrin, wenn die luxuriöse Hülle fällt und es nur mehr ums nackte Überleben geht. Denn ausgerechnet in dieser fragilen Stimmung verschwindet jemand und das verschärft die Lage zusätzlich. Ab dem Punkt liegen die Nerven blank. Man fragt sich unweigerlich, wem hier zu trauen ist.
Der Thriller wird komplett aus Hannahs Sicht erzählt. Dadurch wird die Anspannung unmittelbar spürbar. Ihre Gedanken kreisen ständig um die Fragen, wer vertrauenswürdig ist, wer sich merkwürdig verhält, und ob sie selbst schon paranoid geworden ist. Ihre Beobachtungen sind scharf und ihre Ängste konnte ich nachvollziehen. Gemeinsam mit ihr habe ich die Situation immer wieder durchgespielt. Wir haben uns gefragt, was, wenn der oder die lügt? Was, wenn keine Rettung kommt? Zwar war ich nicht immer ihrer Meinung, aber ihr Verhalten erschien mir zu einem gewissen Teil plausibel. Sie wirkt verletzlich und stark zugleich. Je länger die Gruppe auf sich gestellt war, umso aufgewühlter wurde ich. Ich habe die ganze Zeit über mitgefiebert.
Sarah Goodwin hat diesmal richtig gut Spannung aufgebaut. Der Druck steigt mit jedem Kapitel. Mit der Zeit fragt man sich, ob die äußeren Bedingungen oder die Situation innerhalb der Gruppe bedrohlicher sind. Die Konflikte eskalieren und Misstrauen wird zur Paranoia. Im Finale kommt es zu einer epischen Wende, die ich als zu viel des Guten empfunden habe. Es kam zwar nicht völlig aus dem Nichts, wirkte aber überzogen auf mich. Dennoch geht es intensiv und dramatisch weiter. Es mündet in einem eigenartigen, hoffnungsvollem Ende, das man irgendwie schluckt. Emotional war es dennoch auf seine Art für mich stimmig.
„Die Yacht“ hat mich überrascht. Es war zwar nicht alles perfekt, dennoch hat die Geschichte trotz der Schwächen erstaunlich gut funktioniert. Das Setting ist wieder großartig gewählt und die Figurenkonstellation heizt die Atmosphäre durchgehend an. Zwar ist nicht jedes Verhalten nachvollziehbar und manches wirkt deutlich drüber, aber ich habe mitgefiebert, mich geärgert und gerätselt. Dadurch habe ich mich insgesamt wirklich gut unterhalten gefühlt.
Unterm Strich ist es eine Mischung aus Thriller, Psychospiel und Survival-Drama, die einwandfrei funktioniert. Wer Geschichten mag, in denen die glänzende Fassade bröckelt und Menschen unter Druck ihr ungeschminktes Gesicht zeigen, dürfte mit „Die Yacht“ fesselnde Unterhaltung in den Händen halten. Für mich war es jedenfalls Sarah Goodwins bester Roman bisher.
Nach zwei eher ernüchternden Leseerlebnissen mit Sarah Goodwin war ich mir eigentlich sicher, dass es nichts mehr mit mir und der Autorin wird. Ihre Thriller bieten ungewöhnliche Settings, interessante Grundideen und fangen stark an. Dann verlieren sie sich aber irgendwo zwischen Leerlauf und seltsamer Dramaturgie. Als ich „Die Yacht“ gesehen habe, bin ich dann doch schwach geworden. Bei einer noblen Silvesterparty auf einer Luxusyacht, dem unerklärlichen Abdriften aufs Meer hinaus und einer verschwundenen Person konnte ich nicht widerstehen. Die Ausgangslage klang einfach zu gut. Daher habe ich der Autorin eine weitere Chance gegeben. Tatsächlich war dieser Thriller anders. Nicht perfekt, aber spannend, atmosphärisch und stellenweise überraschend intensiv.
Bereits mit Hannahs Ankunft auf der Yacht wurde klar, dass das kein entspannter Abend unter alten Freunden werden wird. Obwohl sie und Gastgeberin Libby seit Schulzeiten befreundet sind, klaffen finanzielle, gesellschaftliche und emotionale Welten zwischen ihnen. Hannah fühlt sich fehl am Platz. Es wirkt, als wurde sie von Libby eingeladen, damit sich die Freundin selbst auf die Schulter klopfen kann. Die glamouröse Yacht, der Champagner und die Designeroutfits wirken auf Hannah eher einschüchternd als beeindruckend. Während es auf den ersten Blick nach einer glanzvollen Silvesternacht aussieht, brodelt unter der Oberfläche von Anfang an Missgunst in allen Kajüten.
Die Gruppe wirkt von Beginn an zerrissen. Die Dialoge sind gespickt mit Sticheleien und zweideutigen Bemerkungen. Ich hatte sofort den Eindruck, dass sich hier niemand wirklich leiden kann. Allen geht es eher um Status, Eitelkeit und Fassade. Meiner Meinung nach hat Sarah Goodwin dieses Spannungsfeld richtig gut eingefangen. Ich fand es, äußerst interessant zu beobachten, wie schnell das äußerliche Glitzern verschwindet und die Façon Risse bekommt.
Am Morgen danach erwacht Hannah nicht nur mit einem Kater, sondern auch mit einem mulmigen Gefühl. Die Yacht ist von der nächtlichen Ausgelassenheit regelrecht verwüstet. Die Gäste leiden unter den Nachwehen der Partynacht und das Schiff treibt auf dem offenen Meer. Es hat keinen Treibstoff, der Kontakt zur Außenwelt ist gekappt und Vorräte sind rar. Warum das überhaupt passieren konnte, klärt sich im Lauf der Geschichte. Meiner Meinung wirkt es zumindest innerhalb der Logik der Handlung einigermaßen plausibel und reicht, um Schwung ins weitere Geschehen zu bringen.
Fraglich ist für mich, ob das alles in der Realität so schnell eskalieren würde. Darüber lässt sich bestimmt streiten. Aber als Leser:in ist man mittendrin, wenn die luxuriöse Hülle fällt und es nur mehr ums nackte Überleben geht. Denn ausgerechnet in dieser fragilen Stimmung verschwindet jemand und das verschärft die Lage zusätzlich. Ab dem Punkt liegen die Nerven blank. Man fragt sich unweigerlich, wem hier zu trauen ist.
Der Thriller wird komplett aus Hannahs Sicht erzählt. Dadurch wird die Anspannung unmittelbar spürbar. Ihre Gedanken kreisen ständig um die Fragen, wer vertrauenswürdig ist, wer sich merkwürdig verhält, und ob sie selbst schon paranoid geworden ist. Ihre Beobachtungen sind scharf und ihre Ängste konnte ich nachvollziehen. Gemeinsam mit ihr habe ich die Situation immer wieder durchgespielt. Wir haben uns gefragt, was, wenn der oder die lügt? Was, wenn keine Rettung kommt? Zwar war ich nicht immer ihrer Meinung, aber ihr Verhalten erschien mir zu einem gewissen Teil plausibel. Sie wirkt verletzlich und stark zugleich. Je länger die Gruppe auf sich gestellt war, umso aufgewühlter wurde ich. Ich habe die ganze Zeit über mitgefiebert.
Sarah Goodwin hat diesmal richtig gut Spannung aufgebaut. Der Druck steigt mit jedem Kapitel. Mit der Zeit fragt man sich, ob die äußeren Bedingungen oder die Situation innerhalb der Gruppe bedrohlicher sind. Die Konflikte eskalieren und Misstrauen wird zur Paranoia. Im Finale kommt es zu einer epischen Wende, die ich als zu viel des Guten empfunden habe. Es kam zwar nicht völlig aus dem Nichts, wirkte aber überzogen auf mich. Dennoch geht es intensiv und dramatisch weiter. Es mündet in einem eigenartigen, hoffnungsvollem Ende, das man irgendwie schluckt. Emotional war es dennoch auf seine Art für mich stimmig.
„Die Yacht“ hat mich überrascht. Es war zwar nicht alles perfekt, dennoch hat die Geschichte trotz der Schwächen erstaunlich gut funktioniert. Das Setting ist wieder großartig gewählt und die Figurenkonstellation heizt die Atmosphäre durchgehend an. Zwar ist nicht jedes Verhalten nachvollziehbar und manches wirkt deutlich drüber, aber ich habe mitgefiebert, mich geärgert und gerätselt. Dadurch habe ich mich insgesamt wirklich gut unterhalten gefühlt.
Unterm Strich ist es eine Mischung aus Thriller, Psychospiel und Survival-Drama, die einwandfrei funktioniert. Wer Geschichten mag, in denen die glänzende Fassade bröckelt und Menschen unter Druck ihr ungeschminktes Gesicht zeigen, dürfte mit „Die Yacht“ fesselnde Unterhaltung in den Händen halten. Für mich war es jedenfalls Sarah Goodwins bester Roman bisher.
December 26, 2023
Unfortunately this book was a miss for me. I liked the ‘locked door’ part where the characters were stuck on the yacht, but found the ‘castaway’ part hard to believe and very slow. I was hoping for a big payoff with the ending but it was somewhat predictable. It was a short book that had some good action so while it didn’t work for me, others might find it an entertaining read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 24, 2023
Another great book from Sarah Goodwin who can do no wrong when it comes to writing exciting thrillers. This is the fifth book I have read of hers and have loved them all and this was no exception.
This book is based on a luxurious yacht at a marina in Italy . Hannah has been invited to her very rich friend Libby and her husband Olly's New Year's Eve party, though this time they've gone even more upmarket and limited to guestlist to 6 to include Maggie and her fiancé Leon, Hannah and Harry,
All apart from Hannah are very well off and Hannah begins to wonder why they invited her. She seems to only have one ally as they all fall out after a drunken night and a few drugs along the way, they then find themselves drifting out to sea. they were only supposed to be tied to the quay but someone the rope has been untied. the following day, one of the friends goes missing but who did it? a very bumpy ride with so many twists and turns and a cat and mouse trail.
This book is a very exciting, edge of your seat thriller that will keep you up all night needing to know what
happens next. I loved every second. My only issue was in relation to an anchor. I don't know a lot about yachts but they must all have one or more than one when I googled it?
A big thanks to Avon Books UK, Avon and Netgalley for the advance copy.
This book is based on a luxurious yacht at a marina in Italy . Hannah has been invited to her very rich friend Libby and her husband Olly's New Year's Eve party, though this time they've gone even more upmarket and limited to guestlist to 6 to include Maggie and her fiancé Leon, Hannah and Harry,
All apart from Hannah are very well off and Hannah begins to wonder why they invited her. She seems to only have one ally as they all fall out after a drunken night and a few drugs along the way, they then find themselves drifting out to sea. they were only supposed to be tied to the quay but someone the rope has been untied. the following day, one of the friends goes missing but who did it? a very bumpy ride with so many twists and turns and a cat and mouse trail.
This book is a very exciting, edge of your seat thriller that will keep you up all night needing to know what
happens next. I loved every second. My only issue was in relation to an anchor. I don't know a lot about yachts but they must all have one or more than one when I googled it?
A big thanks to Avon Books UK, Avon and Netgalley for the advance copy.
February 28, 2024
One of the worst thrillers I've ever read. Characters flat like cardboard, there wasn't really any twists and turns (there's exactly like two "twists" at the end that were painfully obvious) and the writing was just very bland.
Other things that annoyed me:
- Why do I have to know all the time what the characters are wearing? And like it's the first thing that is told about them anytime they enter the scene in a new clothing.
- Rich people being awful and our main character the "poor" person being a perfect angel? Groundbreaking.
- 300 pages for this?? This book could have been an email.
- Literally where are the thrills, the twists, tension, anything??
In the acknowledgements the author says that she was writing three books and editing two in a year. Great example of how quantity doesn't equal quality. But hey maybe the other books she worked that year got all the plot, twists, writing skill etc.
Okay I will stop ranting now.
Other things that annoyed me:
- Why do I have to know all the time what the characters are wearing? And like it's the first thing that is told about them anytime they enter the scene in a new clothing.
- Rich people being awful and our main character the "poor" person being a perfect angel? Groundbreaking.
- 300 pages for this?? This book could have been an email.
- Literally where are the thrills, the twists, tension, anything??
In the acknowledgements the author says that she was writing three books and editing two in a year. Great example of how quantity doesn't equal quality. But hey maybe the other books she worked that year got all the plot, twists, writing skill etc.
Okay I will stop ranting now.
July 19, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️
I really struggled with this one. I was rooting for Hannah and Harry to survive the ordeal from the beginning, but slowly stopped caring about all the characters and their fates. I found myself thinking "just get on with it" and that's when I knew I wasn't enjoying it. The ending was bad, it didn't feel resolved. The plot twist had me shrugging my shoulders and going "meh, called it".
I really struggled with this one. I was rooting for Hannah and Harry to survive the ordeal from the beginning, but slowly stopped caring about all the characters and their fates. I found myself thinking "just get on with it" and that's when I knew I wasn't enjoying it. The ending was bad, it didn't feel resolved. The plot twist had me shrugging my shoulders and going "meh, called it".
March 4, 2024
If you can get past the fact that not one of these lameass characters had a clue how to handle what was initially not all that dire a situation, whatsoever, without your head exploding, this becomes a really suspenseful page-turner for quite a while…right up until the lackluster, anticlimactic twist(s) at the end, that is. But if you’re into adventure-on-the-high-seas type thrillers, I’d say this one’s still worth checking out, because once it gets going, it’s a lot of fun to read, with a decently claustrophobic atmosphere and some truly exciting moments!
February 25, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Nice twists and quick read. Not a likeable character in the bunch; Hannah's whininess for most if the book was so annoying.
Nice twists and quick read. Not a likeable character in the bunch; Hannah's whininess for most if the book was so annoying.
May 28, 2024
Un grupo de amigos ricos y una amiga de la infancia quedan a la deriva en un yate mientras tienen que intentar sobrevivir.
December 5, 2023
It was OK and would give the book 2.5 stars. I hated the characters, none of them had any redeeming qualities. Hannah was the most tolerable and realistic, but even she made questionable decisions. Hannah's first mistake was driving twelve hours for the worst weekend of her entire life. If someone tries to kill you multiple times, you don't continue to argue with them. Why would you risk your life to save him when he gets trapped? The guy was just trying to kill Hannah with a knife. I really don't understand why Hannah was friends with Libby and Maggie. Jumping into the icy cold water in the middle of the ocean would have been better than spending a minute with these people. Olly and Harry were extremely obnoxious and felt entitled to everything. I'm not sure how Hannah was able to survive on the rock island. She would have froze to death, there's no way her clothes would have dried. I would have loved to find out what really happened to Libby and who was responsible. I would have never guessed the reason for the yacht drifting out into the ocean or the person responsible.
Recommend giving the books a try. It wasn't my favorite but I enjoyed it. It was a quick read because I wanted to know who was responsible for all the chaos. It's the most terrifying yacht trip imaginable. The biggest surprise of the book was that no one died from drugs or alcohol. That seemed to be what was consumed most on the yacht. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Recommend giving the books a try. It wasn't my favorite but I enjoyed it. It was a quick read because I wanted to know who was responsible for all the chaos. It's the most terrifying yacht trip imaginable. The biggest surprise of the book was that no one died from drugs or alcohol. That seemed to be what was consumed most on the yacht. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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