The Loathe Boat

by Cindy Dorminy

The Loathe Boat is about to set sail! All aboard!

Chrissy Parks already has one failed marriage under her belt, and despite being on good terms with her ex, she has no desire to put another ring on her left hand anytime soon. Life is good with Deacon, her amazing boyfriend, so there’s no need to rock the boat.

Deacon Youngblood has other plans. He pops the question just days before they plan to set sail on a role-playing-themed cruise. When Chrissy flips out and turns down his proposal, he begins to think that she may not be over her ex.

The situation escalates into a breakup, but neither will relinquish their cruise ticket. Chrissy climbs aboard the Sovereign of the Sea with the goal of clearing her head and enjoying all the cruise has to offer. Deacon follows with the hope of winning her back.

Chrissy has a nagging feeling that Deacon is hiding something from her. And he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Chrissy must search her heart and decide who she wants. Or maybe she should abandon ship.

Genres: Romance, Adult, Contemporary Romance

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2025

About the author

I'm just a girl born in a two traffic light town, raised in the burbs, and now lives in Music City, USA. I love reading and writing YA and adult sweet romances about love when it's least expected.

My must haves when writing:
Diet Coke
Pretzels (or Gold Fish)
Netflix
My sweet dachshund

I recently built a she-shed and I'm in love with it!!! It's all mine - no music instruments allowed (ahem, hubby).

Sign up for my newsletter to hear about my latest bookish news. (I promise I won't fill your inbox with tons of mail).

http://www.cindydwrites.com

Reviews

[Cassondra Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What do you get when you combine duck costumes, a hockey rink, and a competitive couple? A free cruise aboard the Sovereign of the Sea! After being named the victors, Chrissy Parks and Deacon Youngblood, opt to set sail on a week long, role-playing cruise.

Wanting to utilize the cruise as a celebration, Deacon proposes to Chrissy. Unfortunately, Chrissy, a recent divorce, is caught completely off guard. Her reaction leads to the dissolution of their relationship. When neither party is willing to forgo the cruise, they agree to stay out of each other’s way.

Every now and then a book comes along and catches me by surprise. Cindy Dorminy’s novel, The Loathe Boat, is the perfect example of such a book. This second chance romcom was a true five star read!

I was captivated by this book from the very start. Dorminy drew me in with her witty writing and ability to build palpable tension between the main characters. Needless to say, I devoured this book in a matter of hours. If the rest of Dorminy’s writing is anything like this, I have a lot of reading to catch up on.

Be sure to read this book for:
-Dual POVs
-Forced Proximity
-Love Triangle
-Miscommunication Trope
-LARPing References

Special thanks to Netgalley, Red Adept Publishing, and Cindy Dorminy for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kasey Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: RomCom


Just released this past Tuesday! Go check it out! This was a fun, quick, silly read. It was perfect for my cruise to the Bahamas (just like in the story!)


Synopsis:

The Loathe Boat is about to set sail! All aboard!


Chrissy Parks already has one failed marriage under her belt, and despite being on good terms with her ex, she has no desire to put another ring on her left hand anytime soon. Life is good with Deacon, her amazing boyfriend, so there’s no need to rock the boat.


Deacon Youngblood has other plans. He pops the question just days before they plan to set sail on a role-playing-themed cruise. When Chrissy flips out and turns down his proposal, he begins to think that she may not be over her ex.


The situation escalates into a breakup, but neither will relinquish their cruise ticket. Chrissy climbs aboard the Sovereign of the Sea with the goal of clearing her head and enjoying all the cruise has to offer. Deacon follows with the hope of winning her back.


Chrissy has a nagging feeling that Deacon is hiding something from her. And he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Chrissy must search her heart and decide who she wants. Or maybe she should abandon ship.

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman and her boyfriend win a cruise at a hockey game. A couple months before they go the boyfriend decides to prepose. Since the woman MC is 30 and already traumatized through her first divorce she freaks out and says no. He takes the rejection badly so then he freaks out and completely moves out of their house. Months later he decides to go on the cruise to win her back. The problem is so does her other ex. The female MC has to come to terms with why marriage was so awful the first time around and whether it would be a good idea to go back to her ex fiancé.

The book was a super quick read. The book didn't get super interesting until the middle of the book when the couple started to be adults about things. Also, when they started to join the larpers then you were glued. This is definitely for a specific audience and generation. This book is definitely targeted for the "healing group".

There is no spice in this book.

[Suzan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute and entertaining romance.

Chrissy and Deacon are a happy couple and they’re deeply in love. They win a cruise together, and then right before the cruise, Deacon proposes. Chrissy is divorced and not quite ready to get married again, so she panics and says no to his proposal. The situation quickly escalates, and they break up.

They each decide to go on the trip anyway, and then realize they unknowingly booked a roleplaying themed cruise. There’s some craziness going on with that, as well as her ex-husband and his ex-girlfriend showing up on the same cruise.

Will they get a second chance, or will someone’s ex make sure that doesn’t happen?

You can expect —
Closed door
Second chance
Miscommunication trope
Love triangle
Forced proximity
Dual POV
Fun setting
Lighthearted read

Many thanks to the author for an ARC.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
0.5🌶

I really needed a palate cleanser between my fantasy books and this hit the spot perfectly. It was short, funny and sweet!

This story follows Chrissy who is trying to live her best life despite her failed marriage before age 30. She and her new love Deacon enter a competition and win a cruise but when they hit a few bumps in the road before the cruise departs, they break up. But neither wants to miss the free cruise, so they must manage their expectations and come to terms with their situation. Little do they know, there are more waves coming while at sea. 🌊

[Jackie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and this author! I can typically predict these types of books, but this one had several unexpecting surprises.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pà · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want a light read, entertaining, romantic that can be read so so fast, this is the book for you. I enjoyed it very much. It was funny and romantic at the same time. Characters are so well build. Miscommunication is the big trope of this book but it's so well written that you want to know how it will end.

I received an ARC copy from Netgallery. Thank you so much.

[Haley T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute quick and easy rom com read! No spice and reminds me of something you’d find on the Hallmark channel. There’s a cute story with some twists and turns along the way to keep you interested throughout. I read it in a few days so I felt the length was perfect. I received an advanced reader copy through Netgalley.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Chrissy has already gone through one divorce and panics when her current boyfriend proposes. One thing leads to another, and they end up separated but determined to both go on the cruise they won together. Can they work out their differences, or are they not meant to be?

Thoughts 💭
This was so cute! I absolutely loved the main characters, Chrissy and Deacon. For a closed door romance, they had magnetic chemistry! They couldn't stay away from each other even with a lot of events and characters interfering. They unknowingly booked a roll playing themed cruise, which was hilarious and fun. I enjoyed the drama of her ex-husband and his ex-girlfriend showing up on this same cruise. This was an all-around awesome read to escape into. The only reason I didn't give it a full five stars is because a lot of the plot hinged on miscommunication which isn't my favorite trope but it was done well and I still really enjoyed this book! Go check this one out!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Hilary Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy Dorminy did it again! The Loathe Boat is an impossible-to-put-down, action-packed rom-com that delivers all the feels. The characters are terrific, the setting is spectacular, and the story has the perfect amount of tension and spice. This story featured some of my favorite tropes: second -chance love, forced proximity, and love triangles. I've never had any desire to go on a cruise, but after traveling with Chrissy and Deacon, my entire thought about sailing has changed....

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy is so cute and plays on miscommunication between the characters.

Will Chrissy and Deacon find their way back to each other?

Chrissy
Chrissy comes from a wealthy background, but money is not very important to her. She met Deacon in physical therapy, and the two of them immediately clicked. However, they need to learn to communicate better. Chrissy also doesn't understand men well, as she is friends with her ex-husband. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but it doesn't allow for closure or peace of mind.

I like Chrissy because she is fun. She is always willing to try something new, even if it scares the heck out of her. I love her positive outlook and her ability to find the good in people and situations.

Deacon
Deacon is a good guy, even though he keeps many secrets from Chrissy—okay, maybe not many, but definitely major ones. He truly needs to have faith in himself and Chrissy.

I like that Deacon is outgoing and willing to do things Chrissy wants to do. Sometimes, those things aren't fun for him, but it's good that he does them with her. Deacon has a good outlook, but he needs to work on his issues as he allows those issues to control his attitude and ability to trust.

The Cruise
I had no idea what LARPing was until this book. It stands for Live Action Role Playing. I was like, people really do that on a cruise, but according to some cruise websites, there are cruises for so many different hobbies. I didn't see this one specifically, but keep looking.

I love the characters that meet up on the cruise ship. Ms. Dorminy has a lovely way of bringing people from all walks of life together and creating beautiful friendships.

Five Stars
My rating for The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy is five stars. I truly enjoyed the crazy miscommunication and events that separate and bring Deacon and Chrissy together. I recommend this book to all you romance readers. 

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy.

Until the next time,

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Mar ─☆*:・ﾟ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Red Adapt Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC 🙂

The Loathe Boat is a story about two people who have recently broken up, but won a cruise and are both too stubborn to stay home. Add to the mix that it's not just any cruise, but a LARPing cruise and you have a story with a great premise that I had high hopes for. Sadly, I was really disappointed with the story, for multiple reasons.

Firstly, the main characters, Chrissy and Deacon, both felt flat and somewhat boring. Their personalities weren't developed enough and I really didn't connect to them. Chrissy's whole thing is that she's quirky and spontaneous, whereas Deacon is just Fit. The author tried to add more to these characters, for example with Chrissy's family issues and Deacon's addiction issues in his past, but the way that it was written didn't have nearly enough impact because of how shallow the feelings about these issues felt were described. The characters just lacked a lot of depth, which was unfortunate.

Another issue I had is with the relationship between Chrissy and Deacon. Their whole relationship breaks off because of the miscommunication trope - which I'm just not a fan of. The fact that it happens multiple times throughout the book and is consistently the only thing that causes issues between them just made me not invested in this relationship whatsoever. They both have feelings about how the relationship ended but neither of them own up to it until like 90% into the book, which made it feel like a waste of a lot of time. I was actually rooting for Chrissy and Elliot to get back together for quite a while, until suddenly Elliot turned into a super villain. His whole Evil Guy attitude came out of nowhere and was so over the top that it made the whole thing feel quite unbelievable too.

My final big issue with this is that LARPing is used as the butt of the joke quite often during the book. LARPers are usually only there for comedic purposes and LARPing as a whole is looked down on consistently throughout the entire book. Only at the end in the epilogue does it show that Chrissy and Deacon enjoyed LARPing, which felt like it came out of nowhere with how they'd been shown reacting to LARPing throughout the book.

All this, together with some weird comments in the book that left a bad taste in my mouth (Deacon's whole spiel on the cycle of obesity, a passage about an "overweight man wobbling a few times as he attempts to surf.") made me give this book 2 stars, which I think is very generous considering the issues I have with it. The idea was fun enough and the writing was easy to read, but that's about it. I really wanted to like this more.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Cruise Read. But It Has The Wrong Best Video Game Ever. When this book releases on my birthday - US Presidential Inauguration Day as well, this year - I will literally be out of the country. Specifically, I'll be on Grand Turk with the Carnival Mardi Gras... yes, on a cruise myself that week. :D

Reading this one in the last few days before I drop down to Orlando and Port Canaveral to meet up with the Mardi Gras was particularly fun, but I can tell you from over 4 months of cruising across nearly 20 years now that this book really does capture the spirit of the modern cruise industry quite well. Some of the other aspects re: group cruises or partial charters (and particularly the type of group doing the charter here), I'm less familiar with as neither group cruises nor this particular type of group are really my scene. Even there, from what I've seen of that group, Dorminy shows the group in a favorable light and does a solid job of incorporating the better elements of that group within the overall story being told here.

And the story being told here is actually one of the more interesting romcoms I've read in quite some time, mostly because even though it uses several tropes (what romance book these days doesn't?), it uses them in far more rare and interesting ways. The comedy segments are done particularly well in many different aspects, including some that will have you literally laughing out loud. The "spice" is somewhere around call it habanero or so. It gets a bit interesting without going so far as to cause really anyone to "get the vapors" or anything, though it *is* more than some will want to handle.

Overall a fun and interesting read, great for getting in the "vacation mood" without necessarily hearing Jimmy Buffett (but also, thankfully, no Sweet Caroline either).

Oh, and the *actual* best video game ever? Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Find it on any console or PC, and you'll thank me for the game recommendation even more than the book recommendation.

Very much recommended.

[DayDreamer8912 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Genre: Closed door/Sweet Romcom
🚨TW: exes just won’t leave them, almost harassed, betrayed, mentions about being alcoholic
🚨CW: hot kisses, mentions about boobs/breast, mild innuendos (fade to black), mild swearing

Read it if you like:
🚢Dual POV
🚢 lovers to enemies to lovers
🚢 Role-play cruise
🚢 Annoying exes
🚢 So the Drama
🚢 Forced Proximity
🚢 Closed Door


Favourite Moments
🚢 When they were in the competition.
🚢 Friends and his sister trying to help them (can’t spoil it)
🚢 The crazy role-playing cruise haha…
🚢 Moments with Charmaine
(lots more)

Swoony Moments
🚢 He loves her for who she is and not her money.
🚢 He cares for her
🚢 He helps his friend to continue be sober.


Synopsis:
Chrissy found her love of her life; Deacon and they are in love with each other but because of an misunderstanding they drifted apart even worse it was before their trip to the cruise that they had won together from the competition. And on that day itself they found out they choose a very different role-play cruise that they could ever imagine. Worst they are stuck in the same room. Will they able to get along? Will they just hear each other out to get back together? What? Their exes are on the cruise? What is going to happen? Read The Loathe Boat to find out!!

Review:
They can’t keep their hands off each other until one day a misunderstanding happened. The story goes on to Deacon trying to win back her heart however during their stay on the ship which is the LARPers cruise, there are lots of thing happens which interrupted them. Worst still their exes just wouldn’t leave them in piece. He cares for her and she cares for him however they are both really stubborn. I love that Charmaine (the one that they met in the cruise) tried her best to help them and also his sister and her friend also helping them to realised that communication is the key. And love that the people around them also help out too. They got to know a few friends there and enjoyed their time there though they are not into the LARPers role play because in the first place they think that it was a normal role playing like dress up as who you want to be during Halloween. Haha… it was so funny. Though it is not really my kind of trope that I like but their banters and flirting are just so fun. This book made me smile, laugh, frustrated at times (because they are so stubborn to hear each other) and also felt the fun of the roleplayers.


I was gifted complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Thanks @cindydorminy for the ARC.

You can purchase this story from Amazon and it is available on KU.

[Angela Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book.

I’m going to rate this one 3.5 stars. It was a cute rom-com, but there was nothing remarkable about it to make it stand out in a sea of other rom-com novels. I did find the forced proximity on a cruise ship a fun twist and I love a punny title, which is why I bumped it up from a 3 star “average” with the extra ½ star.

Quick synopsis without giving any spoilers: Chrissy and Deacon are in love. Deacon pops the question. Chrissy has a mini freakout, so they fight and breakup. However they are both too stubborn to give up their ticket for a cruise they’d booked, so they end up sharing a room. As expected, their relationship ebbs and flows during the trip. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

The cruise the couple goes on has a theme, which adds some fun and silliness to the story while also helping the move the story along. I thought that was a pretty unique backdrop. I also enjoy the “there’s only one bed” trope, especially with a fighting couple.

I do have a couple of criticisms though. The first one is a writing thing… I noticed a few times that a character would use language that felt kind of stilted, or unrealistic to me. It wasn’t in keeping with their voice. For example, a couple of times Chrissy used the word ‘must.’ “We must wear them to dinner…” “We must do everything available.” But she doesn’t speak formally the rest of the time, saying ‘huh’ and using normal everyday language. Maybe that’s nitpicky, but it caught my eye, and I couldn’t NOT see it. The second one would be a spoiler, so I’ll just say that a main character held onto a bit of information way longer than was in keeping for his personality and felt unbelievable.

Overall though, this is a solid enough story. It’s fast paced and is exactly what it claims to be; a lighthearted, entertaining, rom-com. If you’re looking for something quick and fun, this is a good way to spend a couple of days. It’s just not a book that I am going to go out of my way to recommend to friends.

[Peyton-Leigh Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers included.

I think I’m leaning towards 2.5 stars. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t absolutely hate it either.

I was excited to dive into this book, but I had a hard time really just losing myself in it. The main characters, Chrissy and Deacon, are victims of, not just one, but a series of miscommunication tropes. It got to the point where I was amazed that this couple claimed to love each other more than anything, yet still not be willing in any way to actually communicate. It ends up making their relationship feel superficial. They also were supposedly trying to win each other back, yet they were also fine plotting revenge against each other. It didn’t feel like people trying to win someone back to me.

I’m not part of LARPing, but it left a bad taste in my mouth with how snooty Chrissy and Deacon were towards the people who were part of that community. These two were in the minority on the role playing cruise, yet they constantly made snide comments directly to the people dressed up. Between that stuff and their complete lack of communication, it makes it hard to truly like these characters. Oh, but then magically by the end of the cruise, they’ve embraced the LARPers, and they decide to be a part of it. They also have a LARPing themed wedding at the end. SMH

I kept going after I just told myself to keep it all superficial. Since the author wanted me to like and root for these two, I kept reading with that surface-level engagement.

One thing I did find fun was that they get married in Elmington Park in Nashville because of the LARPers. I live in the Nashville area, and Elmington is indeed where LARPers meet up.

A chuckle worthy part is that the NHL team is the Nashville Crooners and that people who stick around during intermission really cheer and pay attention to the on-ice antics. It might’ve been fun if she had used one of the names actually considered before Predators was chosen (Ice Tigers, Attack, Fury).

[Matilda Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loathe Boat by Cindy Dorminy is a dramatic romance that follows Chrissy Parks and Deacon Youngblood, a couple who unexpectedly win a cruise ticket while performing a dance in outrageous costumes. As they prepare for their role-playing-themed cruise, Deacon surprises Chrissy with a marriage proposal. However, Chrissy, still grappling with her past divorce, panics and declines, leading to a breakup. Despite the tension, neither is willing to give up their cruise ticket, resulting in an awkward journey aboard the Sovereign of the Sea. With Deacon determined to win Chrissy back and lingering feelings from her ex-husband complicating matters, the cruise becomes a backdrop for self-discovery and potential reconciliation. Amidst humorous situations and unexpected encounters, Chrissy must navigate her emotions and decide whether to embrace a second chance at love or abandon ship altogether.

The dual perspectives provide a deeper understanding of Chrissy and Deacon's motivations, while the forced proximity of the cruise setting adds to the comedic tension. The exploration of relationship dynamics, including miscommunication and the challenges of moving on from past relationships, resonates with many readers. The lighthearted tone and humorous situations keep the story entertaining, making it a perfect escape. Additionally, the unique twist of a LARPing cruise adds an adventurous element, enhancing the romantic escapade. With memorable characters and a satisfying journey toward love, this book is a delightful read for anyone who enjoys a mix of humor, romance, and self-discovery. There is a lot of drama and some sexy times. I think some of the past reviews went in a little hard on a book that is meant to be a fun escape. This would be THE perfect book to pack for a cruise. I think it would also appeal to fans of Below Deck and Dr. Odyssey - ship romances are having a moment!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

My feelings about THE LOATHE BOAT are mixed and that’s entirely on me.

It’s a lighthearted rom-com with plenty of moments that made me chuckle. I loved Chrissy and Deacon at the start of the book. They were a fun loving couple willing to laugh at themselves which seemed perfect based on the book’s synopsis placing them in the middle of a LARP (Live Action Role Play) cruise. I expected to find them in ridiculous scenarios and for high jinx to ensue, and there was some of that which was fun.

Things went sideways for me due to my least favorite rom-com trope: the dreaded MISCOMMUNICATION. I can deal with miscommunication if it’s a small part of the plot that’s resolved quickly. Unfortunately, miscommunication is the entire plot of this book. Deacon had ample opportunities to clear things up with Chrissy and just didn’t. Chrissy, for her part, vacillated like the wind. It’s almost as if she was plucking petals from a daisy … “I love him, I love him not,” and it irritated me. But, again, that’s on me.

That being said, I found myself rooting for Chrissy and Deacon to find their happiness. I liked most of the side characters (Not you, Elliott!) and thought they added positively to the story.

I would definitely read more from this author and believe readers who don’t share my aversion to miscommunication will find a lot to like about this book.

Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours and Red Adept Publishing for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chrissy Parks already has one failed marriage under her belt, and despite being on good terms with her ex, she has no desire to put another ring on her left hand anytime soon. Life is good with Deacon, her amazing boyfriend, so there’s no need to rock the boat.
Deacon Youngblood has other plans. He pops the question just days before they plan to set sail on a role-playing-themed cruise. When Chrissy flips out and turns down his proposal, he begins to think that she may not be over her ex. The situation escalates into a breakup, but neither will relinquish their cruise ticket. Chrissy climbs aboard the Sovereign of the Sea with the goal of clearing her head and enjoying all the cruise has to offer. Deacon follows with the hope of winning her back.
Chrissy has a nagging feeling that Deacon is hiding something from her. And he’s not the only one vying for her attention. Chrissy must search her heart and decide who she wants. Or maybe she should abandon ship.
Chrissy and Deacon’s story is full of misunderstandings, exes, live-action role playing on a cruise, and funny scenes. It’s a very light-hearted read without much drama and with a happily ever after.
I never knew what LARPers were, but now I do!
Thank you Netgalley, Red Adept Publishing and Cindy Dorminy for providing an advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed it; all thoughts and opinions are my own. .

[Anjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read in its own way. It has two different aspects to it ( at least for me). One was the more serious relationship issues, where trust and personal history have weight. The second was the commentary on figures and clothes. I know it’s meant to be a light and romantic book, but the second part didn’t work for me.

The couple at the center of the plot win a cruise ticket thanks to a dance they perform dressed in absurd costumes. Before they go on that cruise they end up separated. The fact that there was so much underlying conversation that hadn’t taken place before they moved to the next step should have been a red flag but both end up on the cruise anyway.

I liked parts of the story enough to read it all the way through. I just wish I felt that way about more sections of the book than I did. I also like the fact that the supporting cast calls out the more random thoughts that our leading pair end up getting into their heads, it made sense that way. It was just the lingering descriptions on clothes and figures got a little repetitive after a point.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Tracie Banister · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you’re in for a good time with The Loathe Boat when the heroine and her boyfriend first appear on the page wearing duck costumes! After winning cruise tickets, Chrissy and Deacon can’t wait to embark on the romantic trip of a lifetime. Too bad they break up before they can set sail.

As these exes are equally stubborn and still harboring feelings for each other that are buried beneath a tremendous amount of hurt and anger, neither is willing to give up their prize. So, they end up stuck together in a cabin on a LARP-themed voyage, which they mistakenly booked in happier times thinking it would be an altogether different type of role-playing. LOL

Chrissy and Deacon’s trip is an eventful one, with lots of emotional ups and downs not to mention several shocking revelations. Their potential reunion plays out against the backdrop of the LARPers’ shenanigans, which are highly entertaining, and they become even more fun when Chrissy and Deacon start getting involved in them. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right?

The LARPing aspect of this story is clearly well-researched, and it adds such a great comedic element to the story, which balances out the angsty relationship bits perfectly. I lost track of how many times I snort laughed while reading this book and I would now love to participate in some LARPing myself!

All the characters, including the supporting ones (one of whom I got such a kick out of I’d like to see her spun off into her own book!), are interesting and well-developed. I especially like that Chrissy and Deacon did so much learning and growing throughout the story. They both have flaws and their relationship is messy, which is true to life, and I appreciate seeing that in a romance! Their moments of connection feel organic, which makes them an easy couple to root for.

RomCom readers will have a memorable trip on The Loathe Boat, which is a fun, fast read with a very clever storyline. Cindy Dorminy is a writer who never disappoints, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Working Out Problems . . .

Chrissy Parks and Deacon Youngblood are so excited when they win a cruise trip! Although Chrissy is divorced, she has remained on good terms with her ex-husband; but she is definitely not interested in marriage right now. However, Deacon has purchased and perfect ring and is ready to get engaged to her, so right before they set sail, he asks her to marry him. Needless to say, it does not go well and their fight over it has both of them angry. He is also imagining she might not be over her ex yet. However, the two of them stubbornly decide they are not going to give up this cruise opportunity and they end up sharing a cabin with one bed. To make matters even more complicated, Chrissy’s ex-husband Elliot Whitaker and Deacon’s ex-girlfriend Angela are taking the same cruise trip. Will they be courteous and try to avoid each other? Or has the battle only just begun with Elliot trying to win Chrissy back? Two things would strongly help Chrissy and Deacon to repair their relationship: trust each other and communicate honestly with each other.

[Hillary Gurrola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun! It follows couple Chrissy and Deacon as they win a contest with a prize of a cruise vacation. Right before they are ready to set sail, Deacon’s proposal of marriage does not go as planned. Misunderstandings and stubbornness on both sides play into it, and neither wants to give up their ticket to the cruise. This sees the recently broken up couple in forced proximity for the cruise vacation.

There is an enjoyable cast of side characters, lots of side drama from previously relationships on both sides, and did I mention the theme of the cruise is not the role playing they expected? It’s LARPing! This was a hilariously enjoyable detail that I was not expecting to love but it just works!

Will the former couple resolve their issues? Or at least enjoy the vacation? You have to read to find out. I couldn’t put it down. There was so much drama, fun, secrets, silliness, pettiness, stubbornness, and nail biting- what is going to happen next- moments. I just loved it so much!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️





Chrissy y Deacon llevan un año de relación cuando él le pide matrimonio. Ella se asusta porque su anterior matrimonio fue un fracaso y no quiere que le pase lo mismo y en lugar de darle una respuesta, sale corriendo. Él la persigue y se encuentra con una escena que le rompe el corazón, no la deja explicarse y termina con la relación.

Un mes después, se reencuentran en un crucero, un viaje que ambos ganaron. Ninguno de los dos permitirá que el otro les arruine las vacaciones, y esperan poder aclarar los malentendidos y retomar su relación.




Tengo que decir que si hubiera leído esto en otro momento, mi calificación habría sido mucho más baja. Sin embargo, hoy estoy muy relajada y de buen humor, por lo que la tremenda falta de comunicación y el drama por cosas tan tontas no me afectaron y hasta me dieron risa.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this romcom about Chrissy and Deacon as they struggled to learn how to trust and communicate with each other in order to create the life and love they want. When their relationship ends they agree to share the vacation on the themed cruise ship, will this be their chance to work on their communication and find their way back to each other? Is there such a thing as a love square? Chrissy and Deacon both had ex’s that are trying to get back with them and show up on the cruise making the whole situation messy and complicated.
There were moments that made me laugh, the competition to win the cruise tickets and being on a ship filled with LARPers in costume.There were also moments that frustrated me when they didn’t communicate or when there was miscommunication. All in all I enjoyed this book and recommend it to romcom readers looking to sail away from their everyday.

Thanks to Kate Rock Book Tours and the author for providing a copy for my honest review.

[Gwendolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LOVE the cover, but unfortunately, not the book. Instead of flowing nicely, the writing felt choppy and flat. It actually reminded me of some elementary grade books where the writing is just simple and basic. I also really, truly did not like the main characters. There was little character development and they came off as very immature and annoying. For example, Deacon was shallow, self-centered, insecure, fat-phobic, and obnoxious about sugar and "unhealthy foods." Um, no thank you. Who wants to be around that? Yes, this is the description of the love interest. (apparently, he was seriously hot and that seemed to be the draw). Rather than using new ways to describe events, personalities, etc., things were just repeated...a lot. I can see how it could be an escape read for some, but it just didn't work for me.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much more complicated than a love triangle - A man in love, his ex and his love's ex all aboard one ship while the man is trying to win back his love. Now that's a great joke opener. A non-comedy of errors is the best way to sum up Deacon and Chrissy's relationship after she fled when he proposed. It didn't help that her ex was conveniently around to lend an ear. Now they're stuck in a cabin together for several days, each longing for the other but too stubborn to make amends. And both of their exes are onboard, though only one wants their partner back.

One step forward, two steps back is Deacon and Chrissy's pattern as they slowly make their way back to each other. A fun read with lovely characters (except Elliot), a planted fairy godmother and a LARPing experience they both scoff at and dive into adding great color to this tale. My first read by this author, surely not my last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two and half stars (rounded to 3) for The Loathe Boat.

Deacon is a physical therapist, kind and handsome (it is especially this last point that our heroine focuses on). For her part, Chrissy is wealthy, but doesn't want to put it forward, and I think she's pretty and that's also enough to justify her being the main character.
They are not very detailed and I didn't particularly see chemistry between them. Which is sad for a romance.

Our characters' problem is lack of communication and since this is the only problem they encounter repeatedly in the book, it becomes boring.

No interesting use of the role players, the MCs relatively often make fun of them and don't seem to like role playing at all: the ending is therefore completely surprising and seems superficial.

Charmaine, Eliott, Angela: these people have plenty of money to buy a last minute cruise (especially Angela) ! Their presence at all prevents the MCs from experiencing the real adventure of the cruise, since they are always taken into one drama or another with someone from their daily lives. I found it a bit easy on the author's part.

Thank you to Netgalley and Red Adept Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best 90s rom com - the only thing missing is Hugh Grant. I was laughing as Declan and Chrissy were introduced at a Hockey Game half time entertainment as they worked in duck costumes to win a cruise, I knew Declan had my heart and Chrissy's by the end of chapter one, so when she turns down his proposal I just stared blankly at the page because it didn't make sense. It felt out of character, but as they spend time on the cruise that neither will not go on, and meet new friends on the LARP style activities you will wish you could be written into the story. Add to this Chrissy ex-husband crashes their cruise in an attempt to win Chrissy back and show how his money and polish outshine Declan's sweet and golden heart. Filled with all the best banter, wit, and well paced plotting this story will leave you laughing and cheering!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if you’re boyfriend proposed, you panic, then he finds you hugging your ex-husband? This isn’t what he thinks it is… but Chrissy may have just ruined everything.

The Loathe Boat focuses on a second-chance at romance but also has a love triangle that makes you speeding through the pages just to see what happens next! Just weeks after their failed proposal and break-up, Chrissy and Deacon embark on a cruise they won together. Will this LARPing role playing cruise reconnect them or does their exes have something else in mind?

With this being my second ARC by Cindy Dorminy it didn’t disappoint! I truly appreciate her allowing me to have this advanced copy in order for me to provide my honest review. It was truly a light-hearted enjoyable read that releases January 20, 2025.