Joey and the Ocean of Possibilities

by Mike Jakubowski

A week before Joey is set to marry his fiancé Luca, he and his best friend Kris set off to celebrate his bachelor weekend. Joey and Kris return to the town of Beacon Point, the place they called home during their college years. Kris planned a weekend filled with beach adventures, hitting up old haunts, and celebrating with old friends.

Their plans are thwarted when Joey and Kris stumble into a shop and meet “The Woman,” who claims she has the ability to show Joey how any of his prior relationships could have turned out. Joey is soon thrust into the past, reliving former love and how different life could have been. Will Joey realize his life is better off with Luca, or will he be caught up in one of the what-ifs?

406 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2025

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a bit biased (the author is a friend) but this was such a great book from start to finish. I connected with Joey and his story almost immediately- who doesn’t wonder what life would have been like if we had made another choice or ended up with an ex long in the past? Joey gets to find that out on the weekend of his bachelor party. This is the author’s second novel and while not a sequel to The Kings of Beacon, it exists in the same universe which is a welcomed treat (I really want a Beacon donut). I went through all the emotions reading this story but never felt tricked or manipulated. There’s a genuineness to the writing that I believe the author has only sharpened since his first book. I hope we’ll get another chance to go back to Beacon Point in the future, but in the meantime this one will be worth a re-read 😊

[Joe McGowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

have a box of tissues

Outstanding second novel. Everyone wonders about the what have could beens. All too often we lament past decisions and choices, the Ocean of Possibilities takes a young gay college student through several different life tracks. The main character, Joey is given the opportunity to see what different life choices might result in. Will he make the correct choice?

[JAEGR Rancourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wonder what would’ve happened if you took a left instead of a right? This book explores those unexamined past relationships that didn’t work out, or would they have? Again, the author creates characters that we know, we care about, and we’re invested in. Definitely worth reading! Bravo!

[Mary Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a way to reminisce about college days of yore

I feel like this book was a throw back Thursday Facebook post that went way off the rails, then overstayed it's welcome.

We got tons of exposition on drinking, college food and fun, class time. But there wasn't a very structured point to this story.

If I had to guess what the point was, it would be that Joey realizes he's about to embark on this huge life decision, and is he making the right decision marrying Luca? I think that's what the story it's about but I'm unsure...

I would have liked to have seen some stakes as to why all these other relationships were a threat to Joey and Luca. But there was no setup for the couple or decision Joey has made for himself.

A barely passing mention in the beginning of the book that they are getting married isn't enough for me to care or root for Luca and Joey. How do I know he isn't a jerk like all the other guys? I don't.

And as I'm seeing all these other potential "threats" come into play, I just don't care whether he chooses Steve, or Cooper, or Luca because there was nothing making me want to root for a relationship I know nothing about.

I maybe would have bumped this up to 2 or 3 stars but the ending made me so mad.

The wedding at the end was like 1-2 pages. That's it!?

There were long, lengthy parts (page after page) with other boyfriends, dates, lives, etc. Then this ending with the guy he's supposed to be with, his fated mate essentially, and I barely get 2 pages of romance. I can't even remember if they kiss. It's a very rushed ending. Wasn't satisfactory at all.

Basically, the guy I'm supposed to be happy about Joey being with, again, is barely mentioned at the end. Their life story is short and brief and if I had to read through all the other long-winded relationship failures, I at least wanted some satisfaction with a bigger finale with Luca and Joey.

But that wasn't the case. I feel like I got a hint that Luca was this wonderful guy, but then got shortchanged on seeing him and Joey actually be together after reading about jerk after jerk.

I wish the author had shortened the other terrible relationships, and interdispersed relationship buildup with Joey and Luca so I would have felt something for them. But since there was no development there, I didn't care that he ended up with Luca.

Also, the characters were sometimes a mere name on a page. No descriptions or defining features to distinguish this person from the next. Especially Luca. And that was the most disappointing! The one guy we should be rooting for.

The only two characters that seemed to have been flushed out were Kris and Joey. But with such a full cast, it would have been nice to feel like the other people were real too.

I think the concept was interesting and I was really hopeful. But maybe a good content editor could have helped. Especially the end. I was so very disappointed with that ending.

[Sarah Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to be paired with Mike Jakubowski at an author event, and we had such a great time chatting that the hours flew by. I had a feeling his adult novel would be a treat, and Joey and the Ocean of Possibilities did not disappoint. It’s a relationship-driven novel that draws readers into the emotional interior of college-age life. Through Joey’s romantic entanglements, the story explores choice, longing, and missed connections—not just as they happened, but as they might have happened if life had taken a different turn. With plenty of fun, partying, work, and everyday struggles woven throughout, the novel offers an immersive and thoughtful portrait of young adulthood that lingers in the space between certainty and possibility. Well done, Mike!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great second novel, imaginative and well written

I loved The Kings of Beacon and Mike Jakubowski's second novel did not disappoint. Right before Joey is to be married, his best friend brings him to a woman who shows him how his life could have turned out if he had taken a different direction with 3 previous relationships. Each was unique and believable. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more in the series.

[Melissa Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book over that last two days. It felt very much like the movie where the guy revisits all his past relationships… High Fidelity? Maybe? but better and more relatable. I think we all kind of wonder what could have been and this hit the mark with Joey’s journey. I also came away from it wanting a donut or six. I also don’t think it was disloyal to Luca for Joey to explore his past relationships.

[Molly DePaiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the moon for the second book from Jakubowski!! I love his writing. It could be that I relate so much to the daily life of his characters- donuts, cats, reading, partying (former party-er here), and love. I didn’t want to put the book down, but also didn’t want it to end!! It’s a story of different paths in life. I do t want to give too much away. I loved it!!

[Jess Cowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me back to my old college days. I felt like I was living out my old college dreams again. So much nostalgia. Wine week, the gym job, Willie’s, the adventures. The plot was so thought out. How many audible laughs, gasps and a tear or two did I have? Ugh So so good. Now I’m craving a donut…

[Mike Jakubowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a bit biased as the author of the book, but I loved writing about Joey and his adventures into current and past relationships. I hope readers enjoy this trip back into Beacon as much as I did!

[Cameron Eagleston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was just okay. After the authors first book, I was very excited to see he came out with a second. While I enjoyed all the main characters, the entire premise and plot of the book never engulfed me. It also felt like a slightly disrespectful thing to do on your bachelor weekend.

[Winifred E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the premise very much. Don’t we all spend some time thinking about the “what ifs”? Engaging characters involved in “real life” relationships and dilemmas. Not going to lie, I shed a few tears, smiled frequently and even tried to predict outcomes. Excellent writing.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully unique story filled with characters that feel like they could be your friends. Who hasn’t wondered “what-if” with past relationships. Each storyline had you wanting to know what happens next. Excellent second book from the author, I can’t wait for more!!

[James Saylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Much like his last book, The Kings of Beacon, this one also brought me to tears. Sometimes they were from sadness, other times from pure happiness. Mike has such a way of making you feel like you truly know the characters and have an emotional attachment to them.

[Caitlin Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Interesting story line and great characters, and made me think about it when I wasn’t reading it and after I finished it. Definitely a must read!

[Shar Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flap of a butterfly wings. The what-ifs that keep us up at night. Like Jakubowski’s debut, the book draws you in with light humor and banter. Then comes the character investment and out comes the crash. Classic plot but delivered so uniquely. Book will stick with you for a while after you finish it—in a hauntingly delicious way.

[Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible book by Mike. The character development is truly spectacular. I can't wait for his third book! Until then, I may need to reread it with the added playlist :)

[Nicole M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why did I wait so long?!?! This is a must read I cried very easily due to the hormones but you def still will cry while reading this.