Swept Away

by Mimi Flood

She needs a job. He needs a muzzle. Neither of them needs this kind of temptation.

Bethany

I’m back in Oakwhite Bay for the summer, flat broke and desperate, so I’m willing to take any job. Even if it means becoming the glorified babysitter to Spencer Larson-Perry. Ex-Hollywood heartthrob and once the king of teen television dramas, he’s still stupidly handsome and hiding out in his family’s ocean-front house like a scandalized freeloader. He may be thirty, but his charm, attitude and jawline haven’t aged a bit!

The job was simple. No kissing. No touching. Definitely no hooking up in the guest house… Or the pool… Or the beach… Or—yeah, you get the idea.

Spencer

I’m lying low, but I’m not dead. Being under house arrest in this boring small town was already bad enough. But my mother seems to think I need supervision, so she hires Bethany Buckner: snarky, stubborn, and ten years younger with a smile that could short-circuit any man’s brain and curves that keep me way too distracted. She’s supposed to keep me out of trouble. Instead, she becomes it.

She’s got plans that don’t include staying in Oakwhite Bay. I’ve got demons that don’t include falling for my assistant. But some temptations are worth breaking the rules for.

A sizzling small-town romance full of banter, forbidden heat, and one very inconvenient attraction, Swept Away is perfect for readers who love Melanie Harlow, Devney Perry, K.A. Tucker and Elsie Silver.

Author’s note: These books contain explicit scenes and content not suitable for readers under 18 or those with high morals. Reader discretion is advised.

Genres: Age Gap Romance

451 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2025

About the author

Author of The Long Weekend, The Way It Was, One Night with Frankie, Before You, With Reservations, Without Hesitations, Verses of Us, Roomies

Mimi Flood writes sizzling romances packed with heart, heat, and just the right amount of angst. A lifelong lover of movies, screenwriting, and happily-ever-afters, her stories will make you laugh, cry, and swoon (sometimes all at once).

Aside from writing, Mimi is also a bad-mom, an alright wife, a die-hard Supernatural and Friends fan, and an unapologetic apple pie connoisseur. Her debut novel, The Long Weekend—a contemporary small-town romance set in her beloved Quebec—was a 2019 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize finalist.

Mimi currently calls Montreal home, where she’s probably plotting her next book over a cup of coffee or a glass of pinot grigio.

Dive into her worlds at mimiflood.ca or follow her adventures @mimifloodauthor.


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Reviews

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUPER conflicted on my review for this one 😅
I think I'm going with 3.5⭐️
I wanted to love this one more than I did, supporting a local author! 🇨🇦

there were quite a few things that just did not work for me AT ALL.
I felt like consent was lacking, I don't love reading about the MCs with other people (no cheating but I didn't need the details...) & I had a few questions on bits that didn't make sense to me.

Other than that, I was super hooked & invested in these characters, and I'm considering continuing the series cause I was intrigued by the side characters too!

The dynamic between Bethany & Spencer was fun, their push & pull, and how she wasn't phased at all by his celebrity status (if anything she was turned off by his fame).

I did also find it a bit long, and found myself skimming near the end.

✦ tropes & stuff:
🌊 age gap (20/30)
🌊 different worlds
🌊 boss/assistant
🌊 opposites attract
🌊 celebrity (actor) with a famous family
🌊 reformed playboy
🌊 virgin fmc
🌊 small town
🌊 dual 1st person pov
🇨🇦 Canadian author & setting

[mrsljgibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually the first book from the new series by Mimi Flood called Oakwhite Bay and it is the coziest small town romance mainly set in one hot Summer…

Swept Away was an amazing slow burn read and it definitely set the bar for the rest of the series.

This book had everything that i love from a small-town romance including a beach house by the sea complete with its own balcony, guest house and swimming pool. I loved getting to know Oakwhite Bay and i very easily fell in love with it and all of its residents. I absolutely loved all the side characters and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them all and i am really hopeful that we see these characters in future books…

The chemistry between Spencer & Bethany is top notch and their banter was amazing…I loved it! Spencer Larsen-Perry is a 30 year old, ex-Hollywood actor hiding away from it all…he’s tall with swoonworthy blue eyes and thick, wavy, dark golden hair and a gravelly voice…swoon!! He is also the smart ass boss with a heart of gold! Bethany Buckner has a pin-up style body, hazel eyes, caramel skin and long, coffee coloured curly hair and can give as good as she gets when it comes to all the banter!!

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t get through it quick enough, there was forbidden love, soooo much tension, it was sizzling & spicy, a slow burn, with forced proximity, small town vibes, found family and it thoroughly made me happy and set my heart on fire…..

[Alison Chorney-Dubien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany is a 20 year old (curvy), university student who is unemployed and desperate for a job to save money for her planned school year in London. Spencer is a 30 year old, Hollywood child star, hiding out and brooding in a small town (Oakwhite Bay) after getting into trouble in Hollywood.

He needs an assistant, she needs the job! She has preconceived ideas about the “richies” who vacation in Oakwhite Bay and only takes the job out of desperation.

Themes of break up, heart break, age gap, grief/loss, being misunderstood, body confidence, forced proximity and support of family and friends. Plenty of spice 🥵🔥🌶️ and bantering to keep me completely enthralled and entertained 😉

I LOVED the characters, storyline, tropes and flow of this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Nichoel Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fantastic. Mimi has set the tone for this new series. Spencer and Bethany's characters are on point, and to bring in their headstrong ways puts a twist on who they become. if you are looking for a bit of spice, you will find a bit of 🌶🌶🔥🌶🌶🔥🔥🌶 in this one. I enjoyed this book, and I hope many more do as well. Great work, Mimi Flood!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swept Away ! I certainly was with this great book by Mimi Flood . It really is that good . In fact it’s awesome and her writing is sublime every time. Our FMC is Bethany,she’s back in Oakwhite Bay for the summer. She is flat broke and out of work so will do anything . She gets a waitressing job and meets this guy called Jack who’s quite becoming , little does she know what the future will bring … she has her talents and like I said will doing anything to earn her keep … including ,babysitting a bloke?! Eep! Yup that’s in fact correct ,she’s babysitting a full grown man . His mam thinks she can do it ,not get involved with the heartthrob with a big ego ,the high and mighty nob. He’s famous but he’s a slob and fed up of being hold up because he is actually laying low as he’s someone who everyone does know . Ex Hollywood heartthrob Spencer Lawson-Perry who doesn’t hurry to greet her when she shows up for work ,the entitled jerk until he sees who she is.You see Bethany Buckner is not your average type that he’s seen the type of before . He’s actually been dreaming about her so demure and unsure. Oh no he doesn’t know what he’s in for that’s for sure. . She’s snarky,she’s sass and has the backchat down pat she’s stubborn at that. This new assistant of his is hard to resist,she’s ten years younger and she feels the sizzle as much as does him that’s sparking between them . Will it end in a tsunami wave of intense pleasure? Or a mere drizzle ? I think we all know how this hot story will go .The Title ,it means something you know. Absolutely divine storyline by Mimi Flood the storytelling is superb , I could tell it would be from the blurb. It’s compelling as all heck and I can’t wait to read what this talented author writes next.

[Jennie Fortna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swept Away is book 1 in the Oakwhite Bay series by Mimi Flood 4.5 stars

Great start to a new series filled with slow burn vibes, between Spencer Larson-Perry former teenage Hollywood heartthrob who’s laying low after years of troubles and Bethany Bruckner who’s leaving for London at the summer’s end for a college semester … Spicy, banter,, age gap, love/hate relationship, found family, small town and more…

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Swept Away . It's a wonderful Romance . Bethany Buckner finds herself desperate for money . She agrees to watch over - babysit one Spencer Larson-Perry . Hired by his mother to keep him inline neither expected to fall for each other except they had attraction from the start . Bethany plans to spend a year abroad studying . Spencer plans to stay in Oakwhite Bay permanently . This is a delightful and fantastic romance . I highly recommend taking the time to read .

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Swept Away! The characters Spencer and Bethany are well written, with a storyline that is entertaining and pulls you in.

The chemistry between these two was fantastic and the banter was perfect. Bethany had her opinion about the “richies” but it didn’t take long to see Spencer proved her opinion wrong. But the character growth with both of them is amazing.

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great first book in a new series!! I loved the setting of Oakwhite Bay. It's definitely a good summer read! Bethany and Spencer are opposites, have an age gap, and are assistant and boss!! This book has a good forbidden love, should they/shouldn't they vibe.

[Alibi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story that drew me in from the beginning. Spencer and Bethany are from opposites sides of the tracks, so to speak, but an instant attraction simmers when they meet in an interesting way. Fate seems to have big plans with their hearts, as they keep ending up in each other's orbits. Their journey has it's shares of bumps and obstacles, but love wins.

[Christy Acc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this easy read, well written book. A sure way to win me over is a story with slow burn, small town, forced proximity and found family tropes! There’s just the right amount of banter and spice. A book I would definitely recommend!!!

[Roxs Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mimi Flood is a new-to-me author whom I was excited to finally read. I love trying out new authors, and after meeting her at a local signing, I learned that she is a fellow Canadian and lives mere miles from me. These facts put her high on my TBR list. When I learned she was starting the new Oakwhite Bay series, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me, and I was not disappointed.



Swept Away was filled with mini-tropes that I enjoy in a romance story. I love the age gap, boss/assistant, and celebrity/commoner themes in this book. It gives the relationship a taboo or forbidden vibe, and I was sucked into their vortex immediately. I felt the story was well-paced, and I appreciated the building of the relationship between Spencer and Bethany. They have fantastic chemistry, which I suppose was the reason I questioned why they doubted that a relationship between them could work. I felt they were natural together, like two peas in a pod, just from different varieties. Their conversations had such great banter, and the innuendos were sizzling.



Their story is filled with sexual tension as they try to deny their feelings and “do what’s right.” I do have to say that the slow-burn and Bethany’s preconceived notions, as well as perhaps her stubbornness, grated on my last nerve. That being said, it did actually make sense for them, and I appreciated that they both prioritized themselves and their own futures. Don’t despair! The story has plenty of steamy scenes despite the time it took them to meet in the middle.

I always enjoy books that include small-town and/or seaside romances, as well as tight-knit groups of friends. Spencer’s friends shine in this book and give great advice; I’m just not sure what took him so long to get his act together. This takes me back to them prioritizing themselves, so it does all makes sense, even though they had me shaking my head a time or two.

Swept Away earns 4.5 stars from me, and I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for the other Oakwhite Bay characters. Up next is his best friend, Hunter. He seems like a fun-loving hippie, so his story ought to be quite entertaining.

[Spicy_bookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕BOOK REVIEW📕

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Spencer Larson Perry-actor and renowned playboy meets Oakwhite Bay resident, Bethany and decides that after a few encounters, she is nothing like the types of women he has surrounded himself with. However, Sydney cannot deny that she is attracted the handsome, yet frustrating man, but there
a few hiccups though: 1) Bethany hates ‘richies’ like Spencer. 2) She is employed to become his babysitter as his mum her cannot trust him and 3) Sydney is leaving for London after her two months are up.

This book is a wild ride. I’ve not read anything from the author before, and I need more. My goodness, what a journey you take with the characters. Spencer really fights his feelings towards Bethany, to the point I wanted to jump into the book and shake his cute face.
His relationship with his mum was pretty shocking, and I think this led to him not wanting to get close to anyone.

Bethany was amazing! I loved her. There were times where I felt she was a little judgemental about rich people, but actually, she grew and I think getting to know Spencer made her see people in a different light.

I loved how wholesome this book was, especially Spencer’s friends, and how close they were. Spencer doesn’t care about status and money, which is why Bethany was perfect for him. I enjoyed the fact that she made him work for it, she too aside her issues to try and grow as a character.

Their romance was HOT. I loved how feral they were for each other. I honestly just loved everything.

I cannot wait for book 2.

🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Megs · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌊🩵ARC Review🩵🌊
Swept Away

Thank you so much Mimi Flood for this ARC copy of Swept Away!!
Such a perfect read for summer! You will definitely get swept away with Spencer and Bethany 🫶
This was the definition Mute Cute Chaos!
From their first “run in” to bumping into each other again and then Spencer finding out that his mother hired Bethany to be his Personal Assistant for the summer.
I love how celebrity blind Bethany was, how she had no idea who Spencer was and because of that she didn’t shy away from being brutally honest with him.

The banter between these two was amazing! The give and take was fabulous, and when they finally acted on their chemistry in little ways and then with Spencer taking Bethany’s virginity it was beautiful, until Bethany got in her head and that broke a piece of me 😭

How Spencer fought so hard to make Bethany see how they were meant to be was quite the long game! I want a bonus epilogue of where they are 1-2 years down the road 🤭

Tropes:
🩵Boss/Assistant
🌊Age Gap (but didn’t seem like it)
🩵Forced Proximity
🌊Virgin FMC
🩵Celebrity MMC
🌊Meet Cute Chaos
🩵He Calls Her Princess

[Hailey Brzoska · Rating 4 out of 5]

📒📒📒📒/5

What a fun start to a new series!

I love the general vibe of Oakwhite. The high class living on the beach who come “home” only for the summer season, versus the normal everyday people who make up this community that live there permanently. So naturally, we ended up with one character from each “side of the track” so to speak. Which brings a great dynamic to the story and lots of emotional baggage too.

This story is a bit more slow burn than some. But I never really felt like we had to wait that long because the story progressed naturally. Although sometimes I felt the characters were a bit redundant in their “should I or shouldn’t I?” decisions regarding the other.

We have Bethany who sometimes frustrated me with her inability to just let go. She needed to plan her entire life away and if something didn’t fit, she got frustrated. Which is very relatable and real for a character. She was very mature for her age in terms of that and being practical versus impulsive. But sometimes I just really wanted to shake her to sensibility.

Then there is Spencer. I loved him and hated him. Which is always a pleasure for me, because it means I want more for them. I felt like there were times he was too pushy to Bethany and a little immature in his reasonings. But I understood him and where he was coming from most of the time. And he’s never had to fight for something before so it’s only natural he’d act like that. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be with the rich playboy who is giving all his attention to you and no one else?! And don’t tell me you would decline that…’cause not many people could resist as long as Bethany did.

This book was full of will they won’t they moments. Silly scenes. Spicy scenes. Sweet moments of friendship and walls breaking down. And fun side characters that make you want to know their stories too. So come on in and visit Oakwhite Bay!

[Sunstarandsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Mimi Flood for the ARC read.

Super fun and cute read. The chemistry & banter was so engaging; I love when the MCs have this overwhelming attraction but have to keep their hands to themselves because of their circumstances. Then, of course, the F it moment where the dam breaks. Above all, it was a well written story. I love the author's style and flow of writing, so that really made the story for me.

Bethany & Spence. They're from opposite ends of the wealth spectrum & they've got preconceived notions about each other (Bethany more than Spence). She ends up being his personal assistant/baby sitter for the summer, and the added benefit being that she helps to provide some direction to his aimless life. He - on the other hand - helps her to let go, give in and embrace what they have, without believing the stereotype of their respective circumstances. So something for everyone.

Definitely recommend. It's a bit of a slow burn but worth it.

[BorderBrewBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to receive an ARC for Swept Away by the amazing Mimi Flood. This book was a fantastic summer read! I loved meeting the characters and learning their backgrounds. It's always easy to assume what someone's life might be like based on their outward persona, but take a deeper dive, and you might be swept away by what you can find out about them. I loved how the theme of "Don't judge a book by its cover" resonated throughout this book, though, let's be honest, we all do judge a book by its cover. I loved the first book of the Oakwhite Bay series and am looking forward to the next one. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a feel-good summer read with waves of emotions.

[Sarah Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this summer beach read. The characters pulled you into the world and I didn’t want to leave it. Bethany and Spencer have great banter and you see how they fall for each other even while trying to deny it.

The spice was spicing in the best possible way. HOT!! Bethany has spunk and determination to follow her dreams even when her world was crashing around her. Spencer even though it took him time finally found his way back. Loved seeing the friendships on the sideline would love to see more of Oakwhite Bay.

Can’t wait to read hunters book next!

[Alicia S · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a start to a new series!

The scene is set in a small sea town, creating the classic opposites attact/ will they won't they.
The MCs clash more than anything, in this slow burn, but when the spice hits it hits good!

The FMC has some stereotypical views about the "richies" which would've been nice to have a more specific reason and more meat on that section. If anything there seems to be more character growth on his side than hers

[Lila Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG YESSSSSSS!!!!!

Amazing start to this new series by Mimi and I am so eager for more already.
Loved the seaside town setting and the slow burny goodness between Spencer and Bethany. I loved how she ended up working for him, give me all that forced proximity heat and and bubbling tension. And when we were gifted with the steam - CHEF KISS AS PER USUAL WITH MIMI! So satisfying and such a great read - highly recommend!

[Sara M · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a sweet but also spicy summer read then Swept Away by Mimi Flood is it! This is a wonderful start to a new smalltown series, I loved the seaside vibes, the friendships, and the banter and the chemistry between the two main characters.

Thank you so much Mimi for the book, I really really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read what comes next!

[Renee Muston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by author n I really enjoyed it, Spencer is a washed up actor who’s a little lost n Bethany is a broke uni student and I loved them together n once I got into it I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to read next book in series n hopefully get a little glimpse of Spencer and Bethany in the future ❤️❤️

[Literaryadventuresofthetarabun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bethany returns to her small hometown of Oakwhite Bay for the summer, struggling financially and accepts an assistant job for Spencer Larson-Perry, a reclusive former TV star. Though their arrangement forbids romantic involvement, mutual attraction makes things complicated relatively quickly. Spencer, hiding out from Hollywood in Oakwhite Bay, finds Bethany both a distraction and temptation, while Bethany hopes for more than small-town life.

Swept Away is a steaming hot yet, slow burn small town romance set in a picturesque coastal town (which fans will recognize from One Night with Frankie). I couldn't put this novel down, I flew through it. I love the small town vibes and charm, I wish it was a real town! The chemistry and banter between Bethany and Spencer leaps off the page, it's undeniable, intense and amazing. I never liked the nickname "princess" however, for some reason coming from the charming Spencer it was swoonworthy.

As someone who calls a summer cottage town home, I felt a deep kinship with Bethany’s relationship to her surroundings however, for reasons slightly different from her own.

I absolutely adored this book and am thrilled that it’s only the beginning of a new series with the new installment releasing soon! I've already pre-ordered book #2 and can't wait to start the day it's delivered!