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Potomac Shores #2
Santa Overboard
‘Twas the night before Cruisemas…
Katie Young is embracing her new life in a charming riverfront town in Virginia. With her devoted friends, the Beach Bonfire Babes, a budding romance with a swoon-worthy scientist, and her college-age daughter baking up holiday traditions in their cozy river house, the season promises to make up for past struggles.
As captain of the town’s Christmas boat parade, Katie can’t wait to ferry Santa to the dock on her new boat. But when plans go off course and Santa takes an unexpected dip, Katie and her trusty crew navigate the stormy seas of midlife in the best way they know how—with their favorite foods, a cocktail or two, and a dash of holiday magic.
Brimming with laughter, the natural beauty of the Potomac Shores, and yummy holiday recipes, Santa Overboard is a quick read that delivers the perfect Christmas gift: a second chance at a forever love.
For the backstory on Katie and the Beach Bonfire Babes, check out Carolyn McBride’s The Cicada Spring, the first book in the Potomac Shores series.
Katie Young is embracing her new life in a charming riverfront town in Virginia. With her devoted friends, the Beach Bonfire Babes, a budding romance with a swoon-worthy scientist, and her college-age daughter baking up holiday traditions in their cozy river house, the season promises to make up for past struggles.
As captain of the town’s Christmas boat parade, Katie can’t wait to ferry Santa to the dock on her new boat. But when plans go off course and Santa takes an unexpected dip, Katie and her trusty crew navigate the stormy seas of midlife in the best way they know how—with their favorite foods, a cocktail or two, and a dash of holiday magic.
Brimming with laughter, the natural beauty of the Potomac Shores, and yummy holiday recipes, Santa Overboard is a quick read that delivers the perfect Christmas gift: a second chance at a forever love.
For the backstory on Katie and the Beach Bonfire Babes, check out Carolyn McBride’s The Cicada Spring, the first book in the Potomac Shores series.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2024
36 people are currently reading
2828 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn McBride
2 books40 followersCarolyn McBride, a seasoned boater, has always been drawn to the water, and Virginia’s Potomac River is the stunning backdrop in her Potomac Shores series. Like Carolyn, her characters are grandmothers, mothers, wives, daughters, friends, pet lovers...and boat captains.
Carolyn's holiday novella, Santa Overboard, is told through the eyes of a female boat captain as she restores her inner compass on a rollicking yet poignant cruise of second chances. The first book in the series, The Cicada Spring, is a poignant and heartwarming novel for women who are ready to rewrite their own stories and discover the strength that lies within.
Carolyn writes about the places she lives and loves, from South Florida's Intracoastal Waterway to Virginia’s Occoquan River. A former editor and columnist for National Geographic Traveler, she is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds an MFA in fiction writing.
Carolyn's holiday novella, Santa Overboard, is told through the eyes of a female boat captain as she restores her inner compass on a rollicking yet poignant cruise of second chances. The first book in the series, The Cicada Spring, is a poignant and heartwarming novel for women who are ready to rewrite their own stories and discover the strength that lies within.
Carolyn writes about the places she lives and loves, from South Florida's Intracoastal Waterway to Virginia’s Occoquan River. A former editor and columnist for National Geographic Traveler, she is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds an MFA in fiction writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
December 26, 2024
Santa Overboard - ★★☆☆☆
Thank you, NetGalley and Make Waves Press, for the audio ARC!
This was a quick, cozy read that brought some holiday vibes. While I appreciated the lighthearted tone and festive setting, I struggled to connect with the characters. They felt a bit one-dimensional, and their actions often left me scratching my head.
On top of that, the book seemed to lose its way plot-wise, with certain elements feeling underdeveloped or entirely forgotten. What started as a promising holiday mystery became more of a scattered journey that I couldn’t fully enjoy.
If you’re looking for something easy to breeze through during the season, this might work for you, but it wasn’t my favorite holiday read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Make Waves Press, for the audio ARC!
This was a quick, cozy read that brought some holiday vibes. While I appreciated the lighthearted tone and festive setting, I struggled to connect with the characters. They felt a bit one-dimensional, and their actions often left me scratching my head.
On top of that, the book seemed to lose its way plot-wise, with certain elements feeling underdeveloped or entirely forgotten. What started as a promising holiday mystery became more of a scattered journey that I couldn’t fully enjoy.
If you’re looking for something easy to breeze through during the season, this might work for you, but it wasn’t my favorite holiday read.
November 14, 2024
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride is a cozy, quick holiday read that left me with mixed feelings. 🥰 It's exactly what I needed to unwind from the usual drama and indulge in a lighthearted dose of holiday cheer! 🎄 Katie Young is living life in small-town Occoquan, preparing for a boat parade, and trying to make her new relationship with Deke work—if only he weren’t off in the Galapagos for the holidays! 🌴 The story is cute and relaxing, but it doesn’t dive deep into major conflicts or emotions. It's like a comfy, familiar blanket, but I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. 🤷♀️
✧ Small Town Romance 💕
✧ Holiday Cheer 🎄
✧ Second Chance Romance 💘
✧ Friend Group Dynamics 👯♀️
✧ Lighthearted Fun 🥳
✧ Slow Burn Romance 🔥
Now, let's talk about what I loved! The friend group was the highlight! 💕 I absolutely adored their dynamic and how they rallied around each other through life’s ups and downs. Their bond felt so genuine, and it was fun seeing how they helped Katie handle her holiday stress. 😅 Also, the narration by Maria Marquis was top-notch! She really brought the characters to life, and I could easily tell who was speaking at any moment, which made the audiobook experience so much more enjoyable. 🎧
But, of course, there were a few bumps along the way. The romance and pacing, for instance, didn’t quite hit the mark. 🐢 Deke and Katie’s relationship lacked that sizzling chemistry—maybe because I didn’t read the first book—but there wasn’t enough to really pull me in. 💔 The central conflict felt weak too—Katie’s boat parade disaster and Deke’s absence were decent challenges, but they didn’t feel like high stakes or give me those big emotional moments I was craving. And then there were the pandemic references—while they made sense for the timeline, I wasn’t thrilled about how often COVID popped up. 😷 Some readers may feel the same, especially if they’re looking for an escape from pandemic talk in their fiction.
All in all, Santa Overboard is a sweet, easy story that’s perfect for a quick read, but it didn’t blow my mind. It could’ve benefited from a little more depth and substance. Still, I’ll definitely check out the rest of the series—I’m curious about how the characters develop! 🌟
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for the audiobook ARC! 🎧✨
✧ Small Town Romance 💕
✧ Holiday Cheer 🎄
✧ Second Chance Romance 💘
✧ Friend Group Dynamics 👯♀️
✧ Lighthearted Fun 🥳
✧ Slow Burn Romance 🔥
Now, let's talk about what I loved! The friend group was the highlight! 💕 I absolutely adored their dynamic and how they rallied around each other through life’s ups and downs. Their bond felt so genuine, and it was fun seeing how they helped Katie handle her holiday stress. 😅 Also, the narration by Maria Marquis was top-notch! She really brought the characters to life, and I could easily tell who was speaking at any moment, which made the audiobook experience so much more enjoyable. 🎧
But, of course, there were a few bumps along the way. The romance and pacing, for instance, didn’t quite hit the mark. 🐢 Deke and Katie’s relationship lacked that sizzling chemistry—maybe because I didn’t read the first book—but there wasn’t enough to really pull me in. 💔 The central conflict felt weak too—Katie’s boat parade disaster and Deke’s absence were decent challenges, but they didn’t feel like high stakes or give me those big emotional moments I was craving. And then there were the pandemic references—while they made sense for the timeline, I wasn’t thrilled about how often COVID popped up. 😷 Some readers may feel the same, especially if they’re looking for an escape from pandemic talk in their fiction.
All in all, Santa Overboard is a sweet, easy story that’s perfect for a quick read, but it didn’t blow my mind. It could’ve benefited from a little more depth and substance. Still, I’ll definitely check out the rest of the series—I’m curious about how the characters develop! 🌟
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for the audiobook ARC! 🎧✨
September 28, 2024
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride
Potomac Shores series #2. Cozy mystery. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Katie Young moved to Occoquan, on the Potomac and is working towards her getting her Captains license. She’s slowly getting to know and love Deke, the town’s resident scientist and captain the boat parade to deliver Santa to the town down.
But Deke has a standing job every Cruisemas to cover for the scientists in the Galapagos and won’t around for the holidays. Katie isn’t sure now if she can believe in love if Deke won’t be there with her.
The Beach Bonfire Babe, a friend of Katie’s helps survive the holiday.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Maria Marquis which was vocalized with different voices for the main characters with discernible emotions to help make the story enjoyable.
I love the holidays but didn’t understand why they couldn’t just celebrate a different weekend. He’s helping others and had been doing it annually for a lot of years. Maybe it’s just my family. We will celebrate together at some point but it’s rarely on the actual holiday.
A charming holiday story with just a touch of mystery and romance. A hometown tradition that goes a bit awry but friendships prevail and win the day.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Make Waves Press.
Potomac Shores series #2. Cozy mystery. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Katie Young moved to Occoquan, on the Potomac and is working towards her getting her Captains license. She’s slowly getting to know and love Deke, the town’s resident scientist and captain the boat parade to deliver Santa to the town down.
But Deke has a standing job every Cruisemas to cover for the scientists in the Galapagos and won’t around for the holidays. Katie isn’t sure now if she can believe in love if Deke won’t be there with her.
The Beach Bonfire Babe, a friend of Katie’s helps survive the holiday.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook version narrated by Maria Marquis which was vocalized with different voices for the main characters with discernible emotions to help make the story enjoyable.
I love the holidays but didn’t understand why they couldn’t just celebrate a different weekend. He’s helping others and had been doing it annually for a lot of years. Maybe it’s just my family. We will celebrate together at some point but it’s rarely on the actual holiday.
A charming holiday story with just a touch of mystery and romance. A hometown tradition that goes a bit awry but friendships prevail and win the day.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Make Waves Press.
November 27, 2024
- holiday vibes
- based on the time of the pandemic
- MCs in their 50 🧐
It is so bad; I wanted to give it a zero.. but it's not possible, so I gave it a one. I only ended this bcoz it's short and for my NetGalley profile the narration is good tho
- based on the time of the pandemic
- MCs in their 50 🧐
It is so bad; I wanted to give it a zero.. but it's not possible, so I gave it a one. I only ended this bcoz it's short and for my NetGalley profile the narration is good tho
November 8, 2024
I listened to this thanks to Makes waves press who provided me an audio copy via NetGalley.
All I can say is if you like stories with little storyline and minimal drama then this might be more your thing. I'm glad it was short and I was listening to it because I could not have got through it otherwise. We have a story about a 50 something old triple divorced woman who has gone through her trauma with it all and is starting a new romance. They have gone at it slow and cautiously but when he has to go away for Christmas for research work she does NOT take it well. That's pretty much as dramatic as it gets. She meets a new friend, decides to go into business with her and poof everything gets resolved and tied up in a bow.
Slow paced and sorry to say but boring. There is also a LOT of CoViD mentioned and whilst I get that is meant to be set in covid time I'm guessing Xmas 2021? I wasn't keen on being reminded of it all so in general it was a big PASS from me.
All I can say is if you like stories with little storyline and minimal drama then this might be more your thing. I'm glad it was short and I was listening to it because I could not have got through it otherwise. We have a story about a 50 something old triple divorced woman who has gone through her trauma with it all and is starting a new romance. They have gone at it slow and cautiously but when he has to go away for Christmas for research work she does NOT take it well. That's pretty much as dramatic as it gets. She meets a new friend, decides to go into business with her and poof everything gets resolved and tied up in a bow.
Slow paced and sorry to say but boring. There is also a LOT of CoViD mentioned and whilst I get that is meant to be set in covid time I'm guessing Xmas 2021? I wasn't keen on being reminded of it all so in general it was a big PASS from me.
October 17, 2024
My 100th NetGalley review! 🥳
Santa Overboard (audio)
Book #2 in the Potomac Shores series
3.5⭐️
This is a quick easy read/listen. I listened at 2x speed and was finished around 2 hours. I have not read the first book in the series, but felt “caught up” with references from “before”. With it being a short book things didn’t get too in depth, but it was still enjoyable with good writing and narration. It felt like something was missing. Like, the story provided could have been subplots to a larger main story, but that wasn’t the case. I think some will feel this was lacking in storyline. It should also be pointed out that the story takes place mid pandemic and refers to COVID quite a bit. The reality is 2021 still revolved heavily around COVID, so I get it, but I also recognize some people do not want to read works of fiction with a hyper-focus on COVID. Overall, I enjoyed the light and airiness of a quick book and relatable/real characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Make Waves Press for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Santa Overboard (audio)
Book #2 in the Potomac Shores series
3.5⭐️
This is a quick easy read/listen. I listened at 2x speed and was finished around 2 hours. I have not read the first book in the series, but felt “caught up” with references from “before”. With it being a short book things didn’t get too in depth, but it was still enjoyable with good writing and narration. It felt like something was missing. Like, the story provided could have been subplots to a larger main story, but that wasn’t the case. I think some will feel this was lacking in storyline. It should also be pointed out that the story takes place mid pandemic and refers to COVID quite a bit. The reality is 2021 still revolved heavily around COVID, so I get it, but I also recognize some people do not want to read works of fiction with a hyper-focus on COVID. Overall, I enjoyed the light and airiness of a quick book and relatable/real characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Make Waves Press for this audio ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
October 7, 2024
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride
Santa Overboard is a contemporary fiction book about a group of friends and the area they live in. This is a cute fast story with no real conflict or action, other than minor occurrences.
Pros. Fast story. Some cute points. Liked the prayer sessions at the end of their beach gatherings. I liked the way the women are coming together to create businesses that can support each other and the town they live in. I enjoyed the group of friends. I like that it centers on a different age bracket than twenty something’s and brings in some of the issues that are associated with that age. I liked the mention of traditions and the family cookbook. I liked Deke again in this book.
Cons The Covid storyline. I understood the last book because it was the reason her mom passed away, but continuing it in this one was too much. The timeline also didn’t match with the last book. In this book she is talking to her brother and he says he can’t come for Thanksgiving because he was just there in the spring when their mother died. The book also mentions the trial from the previous book. If she died in the spring, and everything was closed until June and later with Covid, how was the court case heard so quickly, maybe my timing is off but I felt like the timeline was much longer in the Cicada Spring.. I didn’t pay attention to the blurb of the book and thought it was a cozy mystery, that aside I would have liked it had it centered more around the holidays. Instead it fell flat. Had I not read the previous book, I would have no connection to the characters in this book at all as no development is made here. The Santa Overboard was minor compared to the continuous mention of Covid. It pulled away from the story and was just unnecessary.
Overall I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series, especially if Covid remains a central theme. If that had be.en left out, the book would have been better.
I enjoyed the narrator, which kept me listening.
Santa Overboard is a contemporary fiction book about a group of friends and the area they live in. This is a cute fast story with no real conflict or action, other than minor occurrences.
Pros. Fast story. Some cute points. Liked the prayer sessions at the end of their beach gatherings. I liked the way the women are coming together to create businesses that can support each other and the town they live in. I enjoyed the group of friends. I like that it centers on a different age bracket than twenty something’s and brings in some of the issues that are associated with that age. I liked the mention of traditions and the family cookbook. I liked Deke again in this book.
Cons The Covid storyline. I understood the last book because it was the reason her mom passed away, but continuing it in this one was too much. The timeline also didn’t match with the last book. In this book she is talking to her brother and he says he can’t come for Thanksgiving because he was just there in the spring when their mother died. The book also mentions the trial from the previous book. If she died in the spring, and everything was closed until June and later with Covid, how was the court case heard so quickly, maybe my timing is off but I felt like the timeline was much longer in the Cicada Spring.. I didn’t pay attention to the blurb of the book and thought it was a cozy mystery, that aside I would have liked it had it centered more around the holidays. Instead it fell flat. Had I not read the previous book, I would have no connection to the characters in this book at all as no development is made here. The Santa Overboard was minor compared to the continuous mention of Covid. It pulled away from the story and was just unnecessary.
Overall I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series, especially if Covid remains a central theme. If that had be.en left out, the book would have been better.
I enjoyed the narrator, which kept me listening.
July 1, 2025
This book is perfect if you’re looking for a short story for the holiday season with characters navigating through a small town,friendships, and romance.
I thought throughout the book there was some unnecessary small miscommunication, however the romance was wholesome. Along with the pacing, it started to get a little slow throughout. I also didn’t expect our mc’s to be around their 50’s, so that was interesting…
Thanks to Make Waves Press I was able to access the audiobook. Good Narration 👍
I thought throughout the book there was some unnecessary small miscommunication, however the romance was wholesome. Along with the pacing, it started to get a little slow throughout. I also didn’t expect our mc’s to be around their 50’s, so that was interesting…
Thanks to Make Waves Press I was able to access the audiobook. Good Narration 👍
October 5, 2024
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
This book ended up really surprising me! It was such a nice and cozy read, full of Christmas vibes and traditions.
In my opinion, the main characters seemed pretty realistic. They had life problems and worries I could relate to. I also really enjoyed the Ucranian character's passages explaining some Christmas traditions they have there. I think it added a nice diversity touch to the story.
The only down part for me was the amount of COVID references throughout the book. I believe the story is based a few years ago, which seems appropriate and relevant, but it does bring back not so good memories. It ended up sounding a bit exhausting.
I really enjoyed the audiobook narration. Although the male lines/speech style seemed a bit cringy sometimes, it was a nice experience overall.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
This book ended up really surprising me! It was such a nice and cozy read, full of Christmas vibes and traditions.
In my opinion, the main characters seemed pretty realistic. They had life problems and worries I could relate to. I also really enjoyed the Ucranian character's passages explaining some Christmas traditions they have there. I think it added a nice diversity touch to the story.
The only down part for me was the amount of COVID references throughout the book. I believe the story is based a few years ago, which seems appropriate and relevant, but it does bring back not so good memories. It ended up sounding a bit exhausting.
I really enjoyed the audiobook narration. Although the male lines/speech style seemed a bit cringy sometimes, it was a nice experience overall.
Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
September 26, 2024
Santa Overboard is the perfect Christmas themed red. It's sweet and not too long which is great for a busy season when time is short.
Katie has had one challenge after another the past year. A divorce has left her a single parent, navigating the chaos of the pandemic, and mourning the death of her mother. She heads to Potomac Shores to hopefully turn her life around. Sprinkled with holiday magic and blooming romance, this is a delight to read.
I loved the determination Katie had and also the strong female bonds that were formed throughout.
The narration was hard for me to get into at first, but soon worked out and enjoyed the inflection she gave each character.
Thank you NetGalley and Make Waves Press for early access.
Katie has had one challenge after another the past year. A divorce has left her a single parent, navigating the chaos of the pandemic, and mourning the death of her mother. She heads to Potomac Shores to hopefully turn her life around. Sprinkled with holiday magic and blooming romance, this is a delight to read.
I loved the determination Katie had and also the strong female bonds that were formed throughout.
The narration was hard for me to get into at first, but soon worked out and enjoyed the inflection she gave each character.
Thank you NetGalley and Make Waves Press for early access.
November 4, 2024
Oh this was actually such a cute little book! Was listening to it while just doing my work and daydream about christmas. I honestly wasn't in the christmas mood before, so I waited until halloween was over and now the mood is slowly coming up. Katie was such a relatable character, facing challenge after challenge but she didn't give up and I really liked reading about her.
What really wasn't much of my cup of tea, was the amount of times they had mentioned covid. It was just a bit too much and two times could have been just enough.
All in one, it was a cute read to clean your palette and get in some christmas mood.
3.5*
What really wasn't much of my cup of tea, was the amount of times they had mentioned covid. It was just a bit too much and two times could have been just enough.
All in one, it was a cute read to clean your palette and get in some christmas mood.
3.5*
November 12, 2024
3.25 stars rounded down
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride follows Katie as she gears up for a boat parade before the holidays and navigates her new relationship with Deke. Everything stars to unravel when her boat is no longer going to make it to the parade and Deke has decided to spend the holidays in the Galapagos Island. She must figure out what to do about the boat and her relationship before the holidays.
I thought this audiobook was cute. It did exactly what I wanted it to, distract me for a little bit and cheer me up. I thought the narrator was absolutely phenomenal! I think Maria Marquis does a great job at all the voices and really making you feel immersed in the story. Now talking about the contents of the book: my favorite part was the Beach Bonfire Babes, Katie's group of friends. I thought they were so fun! Unfortunately, I didn't really think Deke and Katie had a lot of chemistry. Maybe it was because I didn't read the first book, maybe their introduction is there but in this book it very much felt like I was placed mid story. I will check out the other books because I liked it enough for that but maybe I would recommend to read the first book before reading the second.
This book is available in KU.
Thank you to NetGalley, Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, and Carolyn McBride for letting me listen to this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Santa Overboard by Carolyn McBride follows Katie as she gears up for a boat parade before the holidays and navigates her new relationship with Deke. Everything stars to unravel when her boat is no longer going to make it to the parade and Deke has decided to spend the holidays in the Galapagos Island. She must figure out what to do about the boat and her relationship before the holidays.
I thought this audiobook was cute. It did exactly what I wanted it to, distract me for a little bit and cheer me up. I thought the narrator was absolutely phenomenal! I think Maria Marquis does a great job at all the voices and really making you feel immersed in the story. Now talking about the contents of the book: my favorite part was the Beach Bonfire Babes, Katie's group of friends. I thought they were so fun! Unfortunately, I didn't really think Deke and Katie had a lot of chemistry. Maybe it was because I didn't read the first book, maybe their introduction is there but in this book it very much felt like I was placed mid story. I will check out the other books because I liked it enough for that but maybe I would recommend to read the first book before reading the second.
This book is available in KU.
Thank you to NetGalley, Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, and Carolyn McBride for letting me listen to this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2024
Santa Overboard
Potomac Shores, Book 2
I Picked Up This Book Because: The title and local vibes.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 12/20/24 - 12/22/24
Stars: 2.75 Stars
Narrator(s): Maria Marquis
The Characters:
Katie Young:
Deke
A menagerie of characters
The Story:
Writing: Good but confusing at times. Especially since so many characters were added so quickly and stories jumped back and forth rapidly.
Overall Interest: Shaky. If it weren’t so short I might not have finished it.
Length of Reading Time: Good.
Re-read-ability: No.
I really wanted to like this one but I had such a hard time following the story. I think I could have benefited from reading book 1. There were so many characters and several story arcs and I’m not sure I ever got a firm grasp on any of them. I loved Katie’s strong friendships and how her friends are coming together to build their dreams.
Potomac Shores, Book 2
I Picked Up This Book Because: The title and local vibes.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 12/20/24 - 12/22/24
Stars: 2.75 Stars
Narrator(s): Maria Marquis
The Characters:
Katie Young:
Deke
A menagerie of characters
The Story:
Writing: Good but confusing at times. Especially since so many characters were added so quickly and stories jumped back and forth rapidly.
Overall Interest: Shaky. If it weren’t so short I might not have finished it.
Length of Reading Time: Good.
Re-read-ability: No.
I really wanted to like this one but I had such a hard time following the story. I think I could have benefited from reading book 1. There were so many characters and several story arcs and I’m not sure I ever got a firm grasp on any of them. I loved Katie’s strong friendships and how her friends are coming together to build their dreams.
January 8, 2025
The premise of this book sounded interesting and I tend to like a cozy holiday romance but I feel like this book focused on a lot of negatives. Like the main character liked Deke but the guy before him had been bad and it seemed like the author was going off of the same type of character for the females exes because Kendal ex was the same kind of man as Katie’s. There were also a lot of remarks about Covid. It was constant and in every chapter where it was mentioned how Covid changed her life and is still effecting it. While it is valid and Covid did change a lot of people lives it shouldn’t be mentioned so many times.
September 30, 2024
This was a short sweet audio book.
I do love myself a short audio book while I’m out and about doing my day to day bits and bobs.
Unfortunate this did not hit well for me.
I did love that Katie was middle aged it was refreshing it showed us older women still can find someone even if they are single with kids and older (past our prime)
However the plot was lacking, to many side character to follow and a lot of Covid referencing which is fine but was a bit repetitive.
I’ve listened to a lot of short audio books some being just an hour to 2 hours long and there is a certain knack to it that I felt this didn’t have. It needed a short tiny plot and with a lot of short stories the begging needs to be tiny the middle and end are the story but this just wasn’t made to be a short story.
Thank you Netgalley and make waves press for the audio book arc.
⭐️⭐️
I do love myself a short audio book while I’m out and about doing my day to day bits and bobs.
Unfortunate this did not hit well for me.
I did love that Katie was middle aged it was refreshing it showed us older women still can find someone even if they are single with kids and older (past our prime)
However the plot was lacking, to many side character to follow and a lot of Covid referencing which is fine but was a bit repetitive.
I’ve listened to a lot of short audio books some being just an hour to 2 hours long and there is a certain knack to it that I felt this didn’t have. It needed a short tiny plot and with a lot of short stories the begging needs to be tiny the middle and end are the story but this just wasn’t made to be a short story.
Thank you Netgalley and make waves press for the audio book arc.
⭐️⭐️
October 14, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it was a more "mature" single mom of a college girl, love story (I am in the younger age group compared to this😉), it was such a nice book.
If you need a Christmas-y heart warming story with some laughter this book is for you!
@carolynmcbridewriter also has another book called The Cicada Spring out. Looking forward to reading that one.
Thank you @netgalley for letting me listen to this book through you.
Santa Overboard By Carolyn McBride is out now for you to enjoy this upcoming holiday season!
Narrated by @soundslikemarquis , which did an amazing job!
If you need a Christmas-y heart warming story with some laughter this book is for you!
@carolynmcbridewriter also has another book called The Cicada Spring out. Looking forward to reading that one.
Thank you @netgalley for letting me listen to this book through you.
Santa Overboard By Carolyn McBride is out now for you to enjoy this upcoming holiday season!
Narrated by @soundslikemarquis , which did an amazing job!
November 22, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler: The friendship group was to die for.
I think that was my favourite aspect of this book. I loved the friendship between the women, and the way they always supported each other through thick and thin. Their bond felt very genuine. The narrator also did a great job bringing the characters to life. I could easily tell who was speaking, and honestly, it really made me feel like I was a part of that group.
At the opposite side, I did not love the romance. At first I was really excited about Katie, the main character, being in her 50s. I did, however, feel like her and Deke were lacking chemistry. They were so in love and happy, but to me it felt a bit lacking. Unlike the friendship group, it didn't feel that genuine. Also, his name being Deke gave me the ick. I'm sorry, I cannot ignore it.
The main conflict also didn't feel very strong, and it could all have been solved with a conversation and some therapy. They could have celebrated the holidays a different weekend. She felt very hurt that he was leaving, but instead of expressing that, she was being short and snappy. Again, could have easily been solved by just talking to each other.
And then there was the pandemic references. I get that the author wanted to really show how the world had changed and it made sense with the timeline, but it felt like COVID popped up a bit too much for me. A lot of readers might look to escape the pandemic reminders in what they consume, and it just felt like a lot.
Still, overall it was a cute book that got me into the Christmas book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Make Waves Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler: The friendship group was to die for.
I think that was my favourite aspect of this book. I loved the friendship between the women, and the way they always supported each other through thick and thin. Their bond felt very genuine. The narrator also did a great job bringing the characters to life. I could easily tell who was speaking, and honestly, it really made me feel like I was a part of that group.
At the opposite side, I did not love the romance. At first I was really excited about Katie, the main character, being in her 50s. I did, however, feel like her and Deke were lacking chemistry. They were so in love and happy, but to me it felt a bit lacking. Unlike the friendship group, it didn't feel that genuine. Also, his name being Deke gave me the ick. I'm sorry, I cannot ignore it.
The main conflict also didn't feel very strong, and it could all have been solved with a conversation and some therapy. They could have celebrated the holidays a different weekend. She felt very hurt that he was leaving, but instead of expressing that, she was being short and snappy. Again, could have easily been solved by just talking to each other.
And then there was the pandemic references. I get that the author wanted to really show how the world had changed and it made sense with the timeline, but it felt like COVID popped up a bit too much for me. A lot of readers might look to escape the pandemic reminders in what they consume, and it just felt like a lot.
Still, overall it was a cute book that got me into the Christmas book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2024
2.75 / 3 ⭐️
this one missed the make for me, unfortunately. I initially picked this up because the cover is adorable and I’ve been wanting to read all the holiday romances as well enter December. With that the overall idea is the book was cute. I liked the idea of the plot and the characters but i feel like it all fell a little flat for me.
I wanted more chemistry between the MCs and the lack of chemistry made it hard to be emotionally attached to their romance and the story. I felt like the overall conflict felt a little disjointed as well.
I felt like I was checking the audio to see how long I had left way too often and that’s a downside to me. I want to be so emerssed in the story that it flys by / i don’t want it to end.
I think the story needed to be longer and more thought out. I did enjoy the narrators - I added a star to bump it up to 3 ⭐️ due to them.
Overall, i don’t know that i would recommend this book to my peers. I’m sorry! If you loved this book I absolutely love that for you & i’m so glad it’s getting flowers from those who enjoyed it.
this one missed the make for me, unfortunately. I initially picked this up because the cover is adorable and I’ve been wanting to read all the holiday romances as well enter December. With that the overall idea is the book was cute. I liked the idea of the plot and the characters but i feel like it all fell a little flat for me.
I wanted more chemistry between the MCs and the lack of chemistry made it hard to be emotionally attached to their romance and the story. I felt like the overall conflict felt a little disjointed as well.
I felt like I was checking the audio to see how long I had left way too often and that’s a downside to me. I want to be so emerssed in the story that it flys by / i don’t want it to end.
I think the story needed to be longer and more thought out. I did enjoy the narrators - I added a star to bump it up to 3 ⭐️ due to them.
Overall, i don’t know that i would recommend this book to my peers. I’m sorry! If you loved this book I absolutely love that for you & i’m so glad it’s getting flowers from those who enjoyed it.
Read
December 2, 2024Carolyn McBride's “Santa Overboard” offers a delightful escape to the charming town of Occoquan. Katie, a single mom navigating midlife, finds herself caught up in holiday cheer and a budding romance with the intriguing Deke. The story is filled with heartwarming moments, quirky characters, and a touch of holiday magic.
While the plot is predictable at times, the author's vivid descriptions of the town and its festive atmosphere create a cozy ambiance. The audiobook, narrated by Maria Marquis, is well-paced and brings the characters to life.
If you're looking for a light and enjoyable holiday listen, Santa Overboard is a perfect choice. It's a cozy read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, NetGalley, and the editorial team - thanks for giving me the opportunity to review an audiobook ARC of this publication!
For more reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#SantaOverboard #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
Note: This review is based on an ARC copy
While the plot is predictable at times, the author's vivid descriptions of the town and its festive atmosphere create a cozy ambiance. The audiobook, narrated by Maria Marquis, is well-paced and brings the characters to life.
If you're looking for a light and enjoyable holiday listen, Santa Overboard is a perfect choice. It's a cozy read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
Make Waves Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks, NetGalley, and the editorial team - thanks for giving me the opportunity to review an audiobook ARC of this publication!
For more reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads!
#SantaOverboard #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
Note: This review is based on an ARC copy
October 23, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity for this ARC.
I love short audiobooks but this was a miss for me. It fell flat in regards to the story and characters.
I did enjoy the fact that the FMC was middle-aged because it created a new perspective for romances and second chances.
The plot lacked and I felt there were too many side characters in such a short span. The references to Covid were repetitive, like I understand referencing a global pandemic but it overtook other stories.
I don't think this should have been a short story. It was too much happening to cram into such a short book. I do think this would have been better as a longer version, or with less side characters involved. It didn't allow us the character development needed.
I love short audiobooks but this was a miss for me. It fell flat in regards to the story and characters.
I did enjoy the fact that the FMC was middle-aged because it created a new perspective for romances and second chances.
The plot lacked and I felt there were too many side characters in such a short span. The references to Covid were repetitive, like I understand referencing a global pandemic but it overtook other stories.
I don't think this should have been a short story. It was too much happening to cram into such a short book. I do think this would have been better as a longer version, or with less side characters involved. It didn't allow us the character development needed.
December 11, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and Make Waves Press, for the audio in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook was really good, the narrator did a good job, but I won’t lie, this book was not my cup of tea. I felt completely disconnected from the characters and their problems. A lot of dialogue was unnecessary and it went nowhere. Too many side characters that didn’t add to anything. And waaay too many COVID references; that’s something that a lot of us can agree, is not something we want to remember. The cover made me think it was a cute, funny, Christmas story, but it wasn’t cute, nor funny, and barely Christmas-y😅
The audiobook was really good, the narrator did a good job, but I won’t lie, this book was not my cup of tea. I felt completely disconnected from the characters and their problems. A lot of dialogue was unnecessary and it went nowhere. Too many side characters that didn’t add to anything. And waaay too many COVID references; that’s something that a lot of us can agree, is not something we want to remember. The cover made me think it was a cute, funny, Christmas story, but it wasn’t cute, nor funny, and barely Christmas-y😅
Read
November 1, 2024This cute little novella dealt with a few heavy issues. While I don’t mind the “COVID” troupe, many may find it overbearing. I enjoyed the romance with older characters! It can be difficult to find mature characters. The love wasn’t easy to get and our FMC handled herself well. There was minor language and a few closed door scenes. Overall I enjoyed this short sweet novella.
October 16, 2024
Picked up looking for a laugh or two, a change of pace. The cover insinuated fun.
A middle-aged woman with the actions and dialogue of a high school teen didn't work for me.
The story was too heavy.
A middle-aged woman with the actions and dialogue of a high school teen didn't work for me.
The story was too heavy.
October 9, 2024
2.5-3
I think Covid was mentioned every over paragraph and I couldn’t handle it anymore by the end. I get mentioning once or twice since it clearly impacted the characters but time after time bringing it up and saying the same thing.
It was a novella so a short and quick read. The characters were ok and the main romance was cute. But not sure this was enough to bring it higher stars.
I think Covid was mentioned every over paragraph and I couldn’t handle it anymore by the end. I get mentioning once or twice since it clearly impacted the characters but time after time bringing it up and saying the same thing.
It was a novella so a short and quick read. The characters were ok and the main romance was cute. But not sure this was enough to bring it higher stars.
October 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but it didn’t capture much of a Christmas vibe. It wasn’t as funny as I’d hoped, and the “Santa falling overboard” part was a minor aspect of the plot. The pandemic was mentioned too often for my liking, which made it harder to stay engaged. While I don’t mind pandemic themes, this felt excessive. On the bright side, the narrator was excellent and made the audiobook enjoyable.
Thank you to Carolyn McBride, NetGalley and Make Waves Press for an Audio Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Carolyn McBride, NetGalley and Make Waves Press for an Audio Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Make Waves Press for a free arc in exchange for an honest review!
3.5⭐️
This a holiday read set on the Potomac River, about a 51 year FMC that delivers a healthy dose of holiday charm, coupled with real life issues. It was definitely a change (from my personal norm) to read about a “mid-life” coming of age story, but it was nice to see.
I found the FMC’s desire for the MMC to forgo his planned volunteering trip and stay home with her for the holidays a bit selfish. I understand, of course you want your boyfriend with you for the holidays, but that whole storyline felt a little immature to me.
*spoilers ahead!*
I do like that he didn’t go on the trip not just to be with the FMC, but because his passport was expired. Made it a bit more realistic for me and less fairytale, which was nice.
Additionally, the references to COVID felt somewhat jarring in the context of a holiday romance. While it’s understandable to acknowledge current events, these mentions occasionally interrupted the otherwise cheerful tone of the story.
I enjoyed the side characters, and thought they were all quirky and fun in their own ways - especially enjoyed the storyline regarding Kendall, and how she is a widow just trying to find love again, and took a chance on Larry but he was a total creep. I thought that was a really interesting story and would totally love to see Kendall again and hope she finds a little love and healing.
3.5⭐️
This a holiday read set on the Potomac River, about a 51 year FMC that delivers a healthy dose of holiday charm, coupled with real life issues. It was definitely a change (from my personal norm) to read about a “mid-life” coming of age story, but it was nice to see.
I found the FMC’s desire for the MMC to forgo his planned volunteering trip and stay home with her for the holidays a bit selfish. I understand, of course you want your boyfriend with you for the holidays, but that whole storyline felt a little immature to me.
*spoilers ahead!*
I do like that he didn’t go on the trip not just to be with the FMC, but because his passport was expired. Made it a bit more realistic for me and less fairytale, which was nice.
Additionally, the references to COVID felt somewhat jarring in the context of a holiday romance. While it’s understandable to acknowledge current events, these mentions occasionally interrupted the otherwise cheerful tone of the story.
I enjoyed the side characters, and thought they were all quirky and fun in their own ways - especially enjoyed the storyline regarding Kendall, and how she is a widow just trying to find love again, and took a chance on Larry but he was a total creep. I thought that was a really interesting story and would totally love to see Kendall again and hope she finds a little love and healing.
November 15, 2024
“Santa Overboard” is a short small-town contemporary romance which focuses on a wide range of characters during the Christmas season. I have very mixed feelings towards this book, unfortunately.
While some of the characters were somewhat enjoyable to read about, I didn’t feel any chemistry within the relationships or friendships, particularly between the FMC and MMC. Not only that, I felt their romantic relationship was kind of toxic in a couple ways which is really off-putting. Don’t get me wrong - they had a few cute scenes, and the ending was sweet, but it wasn’t enough to sway me.
There’s also a really dodgy scene towards the end which raised a lot of alarm bells for me but was romanticised within the book. I feel like informed consent is very necessary and this specific scene just made me feel very uncomfortable and completely caught me off-guard.
I enjoyed that the story focused around an older generation, talking briefly upon menopause, marriage and divorce, and the process of children growing up and moving on. I feel like it would have been nice if the book spent a little more time speaking on those, considering the tone of which the book is written.
There’s not much at all going on plot-wise, so characterisation is very important and I think those topics amplified my interest.
COVID-19 was referenced many, many times, which I hadn’t expected. I didn’t particularly mind it (beside it being slightly overbearing) but if you’re interested in reading this it is something to keep in mind.
I feel like there was supposed to be an element of humour which just really didn’t come across well, at least to me. I had expected a more light-hearted, whimsical read, which this did not supply.
The ARC I was provided was in audiobook format so I will touch on that as well:
The narration was pretty good and easy to follow! There was a note from the author added towards the end narrated by herself, which kind of threw me off as the message mostly consisted of asking her readers to give authors more charitable reviews?! I’m sure it wasn’t meant in a way which was snarky but It just kind of left me feeling slightly offput.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me and I feel it could’ve been executed better. I don’t think I could wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone, sadly.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC.
While some of the characters were somewhat enjoyable to read about, I didn’t feel any chemistry within the relationships or friendships, particularly between the FMC and MMC. Not only that, I felt their romantic relationship was kind of toxic in a couple ways which is really off-putting. Don’t get me wrong - they had a few cute scenes, and the ending was sweet, but it wasn’t enough to sway me.
There’s also a really dodgy scene towards the end which raised a lot of alarm bells for me but was romanticised within the book. I feel like informed consent is very necessary and this specific scene just made me feel very uncomfortable and completely caught me off-guard.
I enjoyed that the story focused around an older generation, talking briefly upon menopause, marriage and divorce, and the process of children growing up and moving on. I feel like it would have been nice if the book spent a little more time speaking on those, considering the tone of which the book is written.
There’s not much at all going on plot-wise, so characterisation is very important and I think those topics amplified my interest.
COVID-19 was referenced many, many times, which I hadn’t expected. I didn’t particularly mind it (beside it being slightly overbearing) but if you’re interested in reading this it is something to keep in mind.
I feel like there was supposed to be an element of humour which just really didn’t come across well, at least to me. I had expected a more light-hearted, whimsical read, which this did not supply.
The ARC I was provided was in audiobook format so I will touch on that as well:
The narration was pretty good and easy to follow! There was a note from the author added towards the end narrated by herself, which kind of threw me off as the message mostly consisted of asking her readers to give authors more charitable reviews?! I’m sure it wasn’t meant in a way which was snarky but It just kind of left me feeling slightly offput.
Overall, this book just wasn’t for me and I feel it could’ve been executed better. I don’t think I could wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone, sadly.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC.
November 18, 2024
Thank you to Make Waves Press and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this audiobook. Here are my honest thoughts and review.
This book was a predictable holiday novella. While I appreciated certain aspects, the overall plot fell flat for me, leaving me somewhat disappointed.
What stood out, however, was the representation of the FMCs as adult women rather than the more common trope of women in their early 20s—we love to see it! The true highlight of the story for me was the friendship dynamic within the group. Their relationships felt authentic and not just thrown together to serve the plot. I love it when side characters have distinct personalities and make a genuine impact.
As for the holiday elements, the small-town setting and its charming traditions were enjoyable, but the story as a whole didn’t resonate with me. There were moments where it felt like too much was happening without anything meaningful actually taking place. Ultimately, I’m left confused and disappointed, though I’m glad it was a short listen.
The Narration
The narration by Maria Marquis was excellent and truly a saving grace. This was my first audiobook narrated by her, and I was blown away. Her delivery was captivating, making each character sound unique and their emotions come to life. Her performance elevated the material and kept me engaged despite my misgivings with the story.
Tropes
Small-town 🏡
Second-chance 💔🔄
Slow-burn 🔥⏳
Overall, while this book wasn’t for me, fans of cozy holiday novellas may enjoy the blend of romance, friendship, and holiday traditions.
This book was a predictable holiday novella. While I appreciated certain aspects, the overall plot fell flat for me, leaving me somewhat disappointed.
What stood out, however, was the representation of the FMCs as adult women rather than the more common trope of women in their early 20s—we love to see it! The true highlight of the story for me was the friendship dynamic within the group. Their relationships felt authentic and not just thrown together to serve the plot. I love it when side characters have distinct personalities and make a genuine impact.
As for the holiday elements, the small-town setting and its charming traditions were enjoyable, but the story as a whole didn’t resonate with me. There were moments where it felt like too much was happening without anything meaningful actually taking place. Ultimately, I’m left confused and disappointed, though I’m glad it was a short listen.
The Narration
The narration by Maria Marquis was excellent and truly a saving grace. This was my first audiobook narrated by her, and I was blown away. Her delivery was captivating, making each character sound unique and their emotions come to life. Her performance elevated the material and kept me engaged despite my misgivings with the story.
Tropes
Small-town 🏡
Second-chance 💔🔄
Slow-burn 🔥⏳
Overall, while this book wasn’t for me, fans of cozy holiday novellas may enjoy the blend of romance, friendship, and holiday traditions.
November 24, 2024
Santa Overboard is a fun, fast-paced holiday romance with some very unique elements. This is the second book in the Potomac Shores cozy mystery but can be enjoyed as a standalone. The story follows Katie Young, a middle-aged woman who’s moved to the town of Occoquan, where she meets and falls for Deke, the town's resident scientist. As Deke is set to venture on a work assignment over the holidays and won’t be with Katie, she becomes unhappy with their relationship. The book features some popular romance tropes, including small town romance, second chance romance, and slow burn romance.
The story’s main protagonists being middle-aged brings a fresh and unique take on the holiday romance trope. Even still, some of Katie’s actions, especially her unwillingness to have Deke spend the holidays away from her, come across as quite immature and selfish. Overall, the characters are realistic and relatable, and their dialogue has some meaningful moments, especially for such a short book.
It should be noted that this story takes place in 2021, and there are references to COVID and some challenging related experiences for the characters. Unfortunately, the amount of COVID mentions takes some of the cheer from the story; it would have been more effective to have limited the COVID references and added a bit more substance to the storyline.
Narrator Maria Marquis does a great job narrating this audiobook using an exuberant voice filled with emotion and well-placed dramatic flair for the climactic moments. Her excellent pacing and delivery of distinct, authentic voices for the characters enhance the listening experience.
Overall, this is a lighthearted holiday romance with unconventional middle-aged characters. Being a short listen at less than 4 hours, the story can be read in a single sitting. If you enjoy small town romance, realistic characters, and quick holiday reads, this book is one to consider for the holidays!
The story’s main protagonists being middle-aged brings a fresh and unique take on the holiday romance trope. Even still, some of Katie’s actions, especially her unwillingness to have Deke spend the holidays away from her, come across as quite immature and selfish. Overall, the characters are realistic and relatable, and their dialogue has some meaningful moments, especially for such a short book.
It should be noted that this story takes place in 2021, and there are references to COVID and some challenging related experiences for the characters. Unfortunately, the amount of COVID mentions takes some of the cheer from the story; it would have been more effective to have limited the COVID references and added a bit more substance to the storyline.
Narrator Maria Marquis does a great job narrating this audiobook using an exuberant voice filled with emotion and well-placed dramatic flair for the climactic moments. Her excellent pacing and delivery of distinct, authentic voices for the characters enhance the listening experience.
Overall, this is a lighthearted holiday romance with unconventional middle-aged characters. Being a short listen at less than 4 hours, the story can be read in a single sitting. If you enjoy small town romance, realistic characters, and quick holiday reads, this book is one to consider for the holidays!
September 8, 2024
Thank you to the author for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Katie Young has had quite the year. After discovering her new husband’s infidelities and losing her mother during the COVID-19 lockdown, she moved home to the Potomac shores and her childhood home in Occoquan. The past few months have been full of memorable moments with her daughter and their friends, and even meeting a new beau. But when her new relationship turns rocky and a new friend has her own relationship drama, Katie’s new life starts to unravel. Will all be made right again, or will she have to start over again?
Carolyn McBride is back with a follow up to her debut novel The Cicada Spring with a fun trip to Occoquan during the holiday season in Santa Overboard. True to what made The Cicada Spring a reader favorite, McBride delivers a charming book full of realistic relationships with a little humor and mystery woven in. Peppered with facts about the region and beautiful imagery of the town, Santa Overboard will leave you wanting to plan your own visit to Occoquan this holiday season!
I give Santa Overboard 5 out of 5 stars. I love the imperfect tale of Katie and Deke’s romance that is both passionate, and not overly direct in descriptions of their bedroom activities. Quite possibly my favorite part of both this book and it’s predecessor is the collection of strong female characters and their bonds. Whether it is Katie and her daughter, or the Beach Bonfire Babe, the author displays the power of genuine connection between women – their ability to help correct one another and also celebrate each other’s successes along the way.
I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light holiday themed read. With some references to stalking, I would caution readers who may be triggered by this storyline. This would make a great choice for a holiday girlfriend getaway. McBride includes recipes for many of the foods discussed throughout the novel in the appendix which would be a perfect accompaniment for a book club discussion!
I was excited when the author reached out to me with the opportunity to read an early copy of this book before it’s mass release. I am a huge fan of Carolyn McBride and her work, and can’t wait to see what comes next for both her and the Potomac Shores series. Santa Overboard will release in a few weeks, but you can preorder your copy today!
Katie Young has had quite the year. After discovering her new husband’s infidelities and losing her mother during the COVID-19 lockdown, she moved home to the Potomac shores and her childhood home in Occoquan. The past few months have been full of memorable moments with her daughter and their friends, and even meeting a new beau. But when her new relationship turns rocky and a new friend has her own relationship drama, Katie’s new life starts to unravel. Will all be made right again, or will she have to start over again?
Carolyn McBride is back with a follow up to her debut novel The Cicada Spring with a fun trip to Occoquan during the holiday season in Santa Overboard. True to what made The Cicada Spring a reader favorite, McBride delivers a charming book full of realistic relationships with a little humor and mystery woven in. Peppered with facts about the region and beautiful imagery of the town, Santa Overboard will leave you wanting to plan your own visit to Occoquan this holiday season!
I give Santa Overboard 5 out of 5 stars. I love the imperfect tale of Katie and Deke’s romance that is both passionate, and not overly direct in descriptions of their bedroom activities. Quite possibly my favorite part of both this book and it’s predecessor is the collection of strong female characters and their bonds. Whether it is Katie and her daughter, or the Beach Bonfire Babe, the author displays the power of genuine connection between women – their ability to help correct one another and also celebrate each other’s successes along the way.
I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a light holiday themed read. With some references to stalking, I would caution readers who may be triggered by this storyline. This would make a great choice for a holiday girlfriend getaway. McBride includes recipes for many of the foods discussed throughout the novel in the appendix which would be a perfect accompaniment for a book club discussion!
I was excited when the author reached out to me with the opportunity to read an early copy of this book before it’s mass release. I am a huge fan of Carolyn McBride and her work, and can’t wait to see what comes next for both her and the Potomac Shores series. Santa Overboard will release in a few weeks, but you can preorder your copy today!
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