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The Cruise
Bailey Collins believed she had outrun what Eli Murphy did to her in high school. Ten years and thousands of miles away from the scene of the crime, Bailey is laser-focused on her career. She's a rising star at her TV network, newly promoted as senior producer for the reality show, The Cruise. Things are on the up. And then Eli Murphy applies to be a contestant on The Cruise.
It’s taken a lot for Bailey to make something of her life and to heal from her adolescent trauma. She's changed her name and chopped her hair into a severe blonde pixie. But what she really owes her new life to is The Squad, the group of ride-or-die sisters-for-life survivors who have bonded over group therapy and stayed closely linked. They're always ready to assist one of their own in seeking the justice so often denied them.
Being stuck incognito on a luxury yacht with Eli might actually provide the opportunity for closure that Bailey has been waiting a decade for. As senior producer, she's in the perfect position to cast him and five members of The Squad as the female contestants on the show. As an all-new season of The Cruise sets sail, Bailey and her secret squad begin their own game for the ultimate revenge.
The complete list of narrators Catherine Văn-Davies, Mitchell Bourke, Genevieve Hegney, Lola Bond, Chika Ikogwe, Andrea Solonge, Ayeesha Ash, Chloe Tobin, JR Reyne, Nic English, Cam Ralph, Ben Chapple, Emma Jones, Rowan Witt, Katherine Beck, and Jayden Koulizakis
It’s taken a lot for Bailey to make something of her life and to heal from her adolescent trauma. She's changed her name and chopped her hair into a severe blonde pixie. But what she really owes her new life to is The Squad, the group of ride-or-die sisters-for-life survivors who have bonded over group therapy and stayed closely linked. They're always ready to assist one of their own in seeking the justice so often denied them.
Being stuck incognito on a luxury yacht with Eli might actually provide the opportunity for closure that Bailey has been waiting a decade for. As senior producer, she's in the perfect position to cast him and five members of The Squad as the female contestants on the show. As an all-new season of The Cruise sets sail, Bailey and her secret squad begin their own game for the ultimate revenge.
The complete list of narrators Catherine Văn-Davies, Mitchell Bourke, Genevieve Hegney, Lola Bond, Chika Ikogwe, Andrea Solonge, Ayeesha Ash, Chloe Tobin, JR Reyne, Nic English, Cam Ralph, Ben Chapple, Emma Jones, Rowan Witt, Katherine Beck, and Jayden Koulizakis
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Published September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 29, 2025
Sharks don't always remember every fish they have devoured.
Bailey Collins is so thrilled when she is promoted to senior producer of the hit reality television show called "The Cruise." As she is filtering through videos of possible contestants for the next season, a familiar face fills her screen. Eli Murphey is not a name that Bailey has heard in a long time, but one that brings up raw emotions that she has suppressed for years. For in this name, Bailey is brought back to her high school years, where Eli did something terrible to her that completely changed the trajectory of her life. Baliey knows there is only one thing to do. She needs "the squad"(a group of friends who have been wronged in the past) to come together to make things right and take Eli down for good. As the new season begins, Bailey and the Squad plan a revenge game of their own that will make headlines for years to come.
**Wonderful story and production! Loved it!** 💙⛴️🌊
Audible Original
Duration: 8 hours and 43 minutes
Full Cast Narration
Bailey Collins is so thrilled when she is promoted to senior producer of the hit reality television show called "The Cruise." As she is filtering through videos of possible contestants for the next season, a familiar face fills her screen. Eli Murphey is not a name that Bailey has heard in a long time, but one that brings up raw emotions that she has suppressed for years. For in this name, Bailey is brought back to her high school years, where Eli did something terrible to her that completely changed the trajectory of her life. Baliey knows there is only one thing to do. She needs "the squad"(a group of friends who have been wronged in the past) to come together to make things right and take Eli down for good. As the new season begins, Bailey and the Squad plan a revenge game of their own that will make headlines for years to come.
**Wonderful story and production! Loved it!** 💙⛴️🌊
Audible Original
Duration: 8 hours and 43 minutes
Full Cast Narration
Read
September 17, 2025I listened to this while doing my daily steps. I will say that it really got me going, though when I finished I felt a bit depressed and maybe a bit guilty, as though I'd stood by at a lynching. Strong words, I realize, but this is such an angry book, though on the surface it's a revenge fantasy against the predators who ruin women's lives, via the vehicle of a popular reality TV show. Its best aspect is that it also fosters female friendship through an off-book, very very secret, support circle called The Squad.
But mostly this book is angry. The key women's backstories are woven in, set in separate chapters interspersed through the ongoing plot. These followed the same exact emotional arc: normal life, introduce predator (from crazy stalker to school shooter to groomer and predator on teenagers), angry results and finding one another in the Squad, reinforcing one another's rage. These are repeated high-emotional notes that justify lethal anger without really examining it and its consequences. Even in the chapter where our first person narrator .
The reality TV plot was interesting (and reinforces my wish to stay away from that particular form of entertainment), the writing sharp and vivid. Dynamic interactions outside of the main revenge thrust.
It also has the ring of truth, right down to the migraines; this narrator is a broken person, consumed by toxic anger, and though achieving the goal, after which we're told everything is fine, great-- there's even a totally unexpected romance that gets two lines of "tell"--we end up without any insight or acknowledgment of what anger does to human beings. What focused group anger does to civilization. Reading that especially now was . . . disturbing. And though the ending was upbeat on the surface, I was left wondering when this ticking time bomb of a narrator would explode, taking out all around her in the name of totally justified female rage.
But mostly this book is angry. The key women's backstories are woven in, set in separate chapters interspersed through the ongoing plot. These followed the same exact emotional arc: normal life, introduce predator (from crazy stalker to school shooter to groomer and predator on teenagers), angry results and finding one another in the Squad, reinforcing one another's rage. These are repeated high-emotional notes that justify lethal anger without really examining it and its consequences. Even in the chapter where our first person narrator .
The reality TV plot was interesting (and reinforces my wish to stay away from that particular form of entertainment), the writing sharp and vivid. Dynamic interactions outside of the main revenge thrust.
It also has the ring of truth, right down to the migraines; this narrator is a broken person, consumed by toxic anger, and though achieving the goal, after which we're told everything is fine, great-- there's even a totally unexpected romance that gets two lines of "tell"--we end up without any insight or acknowledgment of what anger does to human beings. What focused group anger does to civilization. Reading that especially now was . . . disturbing. And though the ending was upbeat on the surface, I was left wondering when this ticking time bomb of a narrator would explode, taking out all around her in the name of totally justified female rage.
October 19, 2025
This would have been perfect if not for the Scooby Doo-esque ending.
Top tier narration, actual execution of promised revenge —no come to Jesus moment where the protagonist decides the best revenge is living well🙄, compelling side characters, you name it.
Loved watching the protagonist lose her marbles in real time. If you promise revenge, GIVE ME IT. This? Watching her so hyperfocused on it that she's willing to ruin her life if it means he goes down?
Exactly what I went into this hoping for.
Everything was going great until the villain's comeuppance scene. It felt a little too contrived? Too neat?
If not for the collateral damage, would have preferred the jet ski(?) plan.
And what the hell happened to Lauren? Sigh. This is why we don't commit murder for our friends, people. I want to be understanding of her traumatic past but I'm really not. Everyone there had trauma. GET. WITH. THE. PROGRAM.
Geez.
Top tier narration, actual execution of promised revenge —no come to Jesus moment where the protagonist decides the best revenge is living well🙄, compelling side characters, you name it.
Loved watching the protagonist lose her marbles in real time. If you promise revenge, GIVE ME IT. This? Watching her so hyperfocused on it that she's willing to ruin her life if it means he goes down?
Exactly what I went into this hoping for.
Everything was going great until the villain's comeuppance scene. It felt a little too contrived? Too neat?
If not for the collateral damage, would have preferred the jet ski(?) plan.
And what the hell happened to Lauren? Sigh. This is why we don't commit murder for our friends, people. I want to be understanding of her traumatic past but I'm really not. Everyone there had trauma. GET. WITH. THE. PROGRAM.
Geez.
October 26, 2025
As a reality TV lover I ATE THIS UP. As a reality lover, I also acknowledge this could never happen. That’s why it’s fiction, and I loved it.
October 4, 2025
I’ve never read a book like this. I really enjoyed. Five stars wasn’t enough.
September 22, 2025
This book was not bad. It just needs a one giant trigger warning. Like the entire freaking thing.
September 13, 2025
This book was written by an author who doesn’t know the difference between a headache and a migraine. The concept was interesting but the plot was a little boring, every point of tension seemed to magically go the narrators way in convenient but unrealistic ways. Idk if it’s because I listened as an audiobook but I found the accent changes confusing
September 8, 2025
This was really good...included with an audible subscription. I enjoyed the full cast.
September 11, 2025
I see Kim is liking my updates right this second so I gotta update that I finished this book and it was good but could’ve been better 🫡 HI KIM LOVE YOU
September 14, 2025
Intriguing. Kept me until the end but didn't go where expected. Check your triggers.
November 2, 2025
I got fed up hearing of the 'squad' and the 'missions'. The Cruise would have been the most boring reality TV show and the characters apart from wanting revenge had no personality.
October 20, 2025
2.25: if I hear “the squad” one more time I’m going to explode
October 10, 2025
Bailey Collins believed she had outrun what Eli Murphy did to her in high school. Ten years and thousands of miles away from the scene of the crime, Bailey is laser-focused on her career. She's a rising star at her TV network, newly promoted as senior producer for the reality show, The Cruise. Things are on the up. And then Eli Murphy applies to be a contestant on The Cruise.
It’s taken a lot for Bailey to make something of her life and to heal from her adolescent trauma. She's changed her name and chopped her hair into a severe blonde pixie. But what she really owes her new life to is The Squad, the group of ride-or-die sisters-for-life survivors who have bonded over group therapy and stayed closely linked. They're always ready to assist one of their own in seeking the justice so often denied them.
Being stuck incognito on a luxury yacht with Eli might actually provide the opportunity for closure that Bailey has been waiting a decade for. As senior producer, she's in the perfect position to cast him and five members of The Squad as the female contestants on the show. As an all-new season of The Cruise sets sail, Bailey and her secret squad begin their own game for the ultimate prize: revenge.
This book was quite entertaining. I enjoyed the plot of getting revenge on a man who had wronged someone no matter how many years it has been. This book laid out clearly and concisely how traumatic something can be, whether it be attempted or fully followed through and accomplished on the villians side. I honestly had no idea how much rape/SA was going to be brought up and discussed in this book, so I will definitely say to anyone wanting to listen to this audiobook that is triggered by rape/SA to please not listen unless you know you will be ok and have a good mental stability. I have read about so much different stuff, stuff that would have someone question your mentality 😅, but even for me rape/SA are really hard to hear or read about. Now, again the plot was good and I liked the feeling that the game show gave vibes of Big Brother. I did find myself caught between crossroads however on this book as even though the plot was there and it kept me entertained and enthralled, I found Bailey to be very contradictory. Her being a producer means that she doesn't mind the drama and finding things out and exposing some weaknesses of contestants, but since her girls were on board she didn't want to do any of that to them but if it were anyone else she didn't care and she brings this up within the book. As time went on she also got very messy with her revenge plan, she could've already lost her job with all the stuff she pulled and lies she told. She had to almost lose one of her girls forever to wake up and realize that she needed to calm down and talk to the squad about these things and talk out ideas or plans for her revenge. The revenge scene also seemed anticlimactic unfortunately. I almost wished for more to have happened as it felt like it was done and over with quickly but yet it took us so long to get to that very point. Now, dont get me wrong the revenge still left plenty satisfied but I just personally expected more. Unfortunately these few things had me rating the book 3.5 stars but I will say that it was plenty entertaining and kept my full attention the whole time. I was kept on the edge of my seat with anxiety for Bailey and her girls hoping that they would be successful. Im happy with the ending and the happy ending for Bailey. I would honestly like to see more books that branch off from this book that revolve around the other girls, maybe and hopefully the author is thinking about writing about the girls as well.
It’s taken a lot for Bailey to make something of her life and to heal from her adolescent trauma. She's changed her name and chopped her hair into a severe blonde pixie. But what she really owes her new life to is The Squad, the group of ride-or-die sisters-for-life survivors who have bonded over group therapy and stayed closely linked. They're always ready to assist one of their own in seeking the justice so often denied them.
Being stuck incognito on a luxury yacht with Eli might actually provide the opportunity for closure that Bailey has been waiting a decade for. As senior producer, she's in the perfect position to cast him and five members of The Squad as the female contestants on the show. As an all-new season of The Cruise sets sail, Bailey and her secret squad begin their own game for the ultimate prize: revenge.
This book was quite entertaining. I enjoyed the plot of getting revenge on a man who had wronged someone no matter how many years it has been. This book laid out clearly and concisely how traumatic something can be, whether it be attempted or fully followed through and accomplished on the villians side. I honestly had no idea how much rape/SA was going to be brought up and discussed in this book, so I will definitely say to anyone wanting to listen to this audiobook that is triggered by rape/SA to please not listen unless you know you will be ok and have a good mental stability. I have read about so much different stuff, stuff that would have someone question your mentality 😅, but even for me rape/SA are really hard to hear or read about. Now, again the plot was good and I liked the feeling that the game show gave vibes of Big Brother. I did find myself caught between crossroads however on this book as even though the plot was there and it kept me entertained and enthralled, I found Bailey to be very contradictory. Her being a producer means that she doesn't mind the drama and finding things out and exposing some weaknesses of contestants, but since her girls were on board she didn't want to do any of that to them but if it were anyone else she didn't care and she brings this up within the book. As time went on she also got very messy with her revenge plan, she could've already lost her job with all the stuff she pulled and lies she told. She had to almost lose one of her girls forever to wake up and realize that she needed to calm down and talk to the squad about these things and talk out ideas or plans for her revenge. The revenge scene also seemed anticlimactic unfortunately. I almost wished for more to have happened as it felt like it was done and over with quickly but yet it took us so long to get to that very point. Now, dont get me wrong the revenge still left plenty satisfied but I just personally expected more. Unfortunately these few things had me rating the book 3.5 stars but I will say that it was plenty entertaining and kept my full attention the whole time. I was kept on the edge of my seat with anxiety for Bailey and her girls hoping that they would be successful. Im happy with the ending and the happy ending for Bailey. I would honestly like to see more books that branch off from this book that revolve around the other girls, maybe and hopefully the author is thinking about writing about the girls as well.
November 4, 2025
I just wrapped this book and up until the final 1/2hr of it I was all aboard. The story was simple, engaging enough, and I was waiting for the big twist. Well the big twist sure came! It just wasn’t in the form of how I was expecting a novel to twist on me…y’know, I’m a story-altering, surprise, that leaves you dating “no way!” Turns out the ending was about as interesting as a bologna sandwich on Wonder Bread. The twist was that there WAS NO TWIST! The ending just rolled thru across the finish line like a bicycle with nobody sitting on it. Just wobbling along, coasting towards its inevitable end as you stand by amazed that it’s even still up.
THAT was right about the time the TSUNAMI washed over me! It went from “novel” to an after school special called “Girl Power!” Oh my stars! (As Nancy Grace would say!) it was just an unbearable “c’mon girls, let’s hold each other up, find everything that’s ever bothered us about men, and stick to the plan!” celebration that carried on for a full 45mins until the final bell. Just SO corny. Of course EVERYTHING worked out to perfection for the ladies plans, nobody was even held in the least suspicious of any wrongdoing, and there HAD to be the eyeroll serving of icing on the cake as EVERYONE’S life magically improved 3-fold while the band stuck together tighter than the Blues Brothers regardless of all the brand new perfect boyfriends they all naturally ended up with as the sunset over the whole chick-fest.
It’s actually too bad because as this book was coming to a close I was looking forward to a great ending to a pretty good story. Instead I was frantically looking over my shoulder at every woman I passed by assuming she hated me just for being a guy. I’m looking forward to the book being written someday by a man talking about ALL the ways women do us wrong over the course of a lifetime! But it will never come because a greater percentage of men are stronger than most women which results in a whole lot of pointing fingers, sensitivity to the littlest things, and long conversations about what is called “abuse” way too often. Insert eyeroll. There’s abuse…and then there’s ABUSE. Tsunamis like this one only makes the rest of us a little bit more desensitized to claims when they’re made. It’s way too over the top. What happened to women like my Grandmother, Mother, and my old Aunts? Life is hard. Strap on the helmet ladies.
Obviously I’m not disregarding the terrible things that do happen, and probably more often than we hear about. I’m not heartless, dumb, or lack empathy at all! Yall know what I’m talking about and who I’m talking about…the types that look for an identity sometimes in the slightest instances. They adopt it for so many different reasons too. This ending just washed over me with all of that and had me to the point of saying out loud…”you have to be kidding me!”
THAT was right about the time the TSUNAMI washed over me! It went from “novel” to an after school special called “Girl Power!” Oh my stars! (As Nancy Grace would say!) it was just an unbearable “c’mon girls, let’s hold each other up, find everything that’s ever bothered us about men, and stick to the plan!” celebration that carried on for a full 45mins until the final bell. Just SO corny. Of course EVERYTHING worked out to perfection for the ladies plans, nobody was even held in the least suspicious of any wrongdoing, and there HAD to be the eyeroll serving of icing on the cake as EVERYONE’S life magically improved 3-fold while the band stuck together tighter than the Blues Brothers regardless of all the brand new perfect boyfriends they all naturally ended up with as the sunset over the whole chick-fest.
It’s actually too bad because as this book was coming to a close I was looking forward to a great ending to a pretty good story. Instead I was frantically looking over my shoulder at every woman I passed by assuming she hated me just for being a guy. I’m looking forward to the book being written someday by a man talking about ALL the ways women do us wrong over the course of a lifetime! But it will never come because a greater percentage of men are stronger than most women which results in a whole lot of pointing fingers, sensitivity to the littlest things, and long conversations about what is called “abuse” way too often. Insert eyeroll. There’s abuse…and then there’s ABUSE. Tsunamis like this one only makes the rest of us a little bit more desensitized to claims when they’re made. It’s way too over the top. What happened to women like my Grandmother, Mother, and my old Aunts? Life is hard. Strap on the helmet ladies.
Obviously I’m not disregarding the terrible things that do happen, and probably more often than we hear about. I’m not heartless, dumb, or lack empathy at all! Yall know what I’m talking about and who I’m talking about…the types that look for an identity sometimes in the slightest instances. They adopt it for so many different reasons too. This ending just washed over me with all of that and had me to the point of saying out loud…”you have to be kidding me!”
October 27, 2025
*•🚢 ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴜɪsᴇ *•🚢
ʙʏ ɴᴀɪᴍᴀ ʙʀᴏᴡɴ
🎧: ᴀᴜᴅɪʙʟᴇ
🌟: 4.30
{Definitely read Trigger Warnings before picking up this story }
🚢 Reality TV Show
❤️🩹 Healing Inner Childs
👹 Facing Monsters
😈 Revenge
Blurb: Bailey Collins believed she had outrun what Eli Murphy did to her in high school. Ten years and thousands of miles away from the scene of the crime, Bailey is laser-focused on her career. She’s a rising star at her TV network, newly promoted as senior producer for the reality show, The Cruise. Things are on the up. And then Eli Murphy applies to be a contestant on The Cruise.
It’s scary to think that there are monsters like this out there… this definitely leans heavily on men are monsters and none of them are any good and I’m not a fan of that, but to these women… well men really are monsters because they did some horrible things to these ladies.
This story is heavily focused on empowering women to overcome monsters via the “squad” these women seek the help of one another when they are faced with their monsters and they make sure that these people pay. The support system aspect is absolutely beautiful because there is nothing that these women wouldn’t do for one another.
What happened to Eli was so deserved and I cheered more than Bailey at the end. This was a hard read for me and honestly I considered more than one time to DNF but I’m glad that I powered through to the end.
Honestly I was expecting like a murder mystery on a cruise when I picked this book so I was taken massively off guard. This wasn’t my favorite by any means and would have scored lower on ranking had the revenge aspect not captivated my attention.
ʙʏ ɴᴀɪᴍᴀ ʙʀᴏᴡɴ
🎧: ᴀᴜᴅɪʙʟᴇ
🌟: 4.30
{Definitely read Trigger Warnings before picking up this story }
🚢 Reality TV Show
❤️🩹 Healing Inner Childs
👹 Facing Monsters
😈 Revenge
Blurb: Bailey Collins believed she had outrun what Eli Murphy did to her in high school. Ten years and thousands of miles away from the scene of the crime, Bailey is laser-focused on her career. She’s a rising star at her TV network, newly promoted as senior producer for the reality show, The Cruise. Things are on the up. And then Eli Murphy applies to be a contestant on The Cruise.
It’s scary to think that there are monsters like this out there… this definitely leans heavily on men are monsters and none of them are any good and I’m not a fan of that, but to these women… well men really are monsters because they did some horrible things to these ladies.
This story is heavily focused on empowering women to overcome monsters via the “squad” these women seek the help of one another when they are faced with their monsters and they make sure that these people pay. The support system aspect is absolutely beautiful because there is nothing that these women wouldn’t do for one another.
What happened to Eli was so deserved and I cheered more than Bailey at the end. This was a hard read for me and honestly I considered more than one time to DNF but I’m glad that I powered through to the end.
Honestly I was expecting like a murder mystery on a cruise when I picked this book so I was taken massively off guard. This wasn’t my favorite by any means and would have scored lower on ranking had the revenge aspect not captivated my attention.
November 2, 2025
I did the audio for this one and wow! That was a piece of audio theatre - 17 actors performed this audio book it was an audio book performance! I’m not sure I’d have read read it if that was the option but boy I’m I glad I listened to this one!
I also loved the storyline…the story went exactly where it was meant to, no twists or turns…for someone who is used to major twists, I kept looking for them but in the end appreciated that they made no effort to…
Also, doesn’t everyone need a ‘squad’! It was great to hear its premise and all the backstories that made the ladies part of the squad.
As for Laura…hmmm. I know they said it was a trauma reaction but giiiiirrrrlll!!! Considering everything Bailey did when she called for her mission???!!! Girl stepped out baaad!!!!! Would have wanted to hear more about her in the end but understood why she had to step out after losing track of the mission’s focus!
An overall 4 star for me!
I also loved the storyline…the story went exactly where it was meant to, no twists or turns…for someone who is used to major twists, I kept looking for them but in the end appreciated that they made no effort to…
Also, doesn’t everyone need a ‘squad’! It was great to hear its premise and all the backstories that made the ladies part of the squad.
As for Laura…hmmm. I know they said it was a trauma reaction but giiiiirrrrlll!!! Considering everything Bailey did when she called for her mission???!!! Girl stepped out baaad!!!!! Would have wanted to hear more about her in the end but understood why she had to step out after losing track of the mission’s focus!
An overall 4 star for me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
Let’s start with my response: “Well, damn!”
This story covers multiple accounts from different characters on some very hard topics regarding violence against women. So please go into this story with a clear head and good mental health.
This story is one of the most edge-of-your-seat stories I’ve read/heard thus far. The level these ladies have gone to in order to bring just once to their abusers is next level on another planet. But The Cruise follows one character’s, Sarah (Bailey throughout the story), plot for renegade justice.
The story begins with one of the abusers, Teddy Griffin, Gianna’s abuser, being released after serving only 6 of a 39 year prison sentence. Gianna tells Bailey her story, not knowing she had indirectly set in motion a series of events that would change her life and forever link her to the squad.
Give The Cruise a listen on audible to find out how.
This story covers multiple accounts from different characters on some very hard topics regarding violence against women. So please go into this story with a clear head and good mental health.
This story is one of the most edge-of-your-seat stories I’ve read/heard thus far. The level these ladies have gone to in order to bring just once to their abusers is next level on another planet. But The Cruise follows one character’s, Sarah (Bailey throughout the story), plot for renegade justice.
The story begins with one of the abusers, Teddy Griffin, Gianna’s abuser, being released after serving only 6 of a 39 year prison sentence. Gianna tells Bailey her story, not knowing she had indirectly set in motion a series of events that would change her life and forever link her to the squad.
Give The Cruise a listen on audible to find out how.
September 17, 2025
I loved the uniqueness of this audible original! Bailey Collins is a producer fod the reality-tv show the Cruise. The TV show has 5 woman and 5 men contestants vying for the grand prize of 500,000$. But while searching for the season 2 contestants, Bailey discovers that one of the people hoping to be chosen for the show is Eli Murphy, the guy who sexually assaulted her on prom night years ago. Bailey enlists her gang of women friends, fellow abuse survivors to help her get revenge. I thought the stories being told about each victim were done delicately and with great realism. It had great social commentary and highlighted the power of women when they band together. Loved the full cast audiobook!!!
November 12, 2025
3.75 stars
This audiobook is certainly not for everyone. SA and violence are the backbone of this story.
A few nitpicky issues I had: the author is Australian, three of the characters are Australian, the ship set sail from Australia, but the majority of the characters were supposed to be from the US. As far as I could tell, all of the narrators were Australian, so it’s a bit odd for the main character to be talking about her upbringing in San Diego and saying “ellervator” for “elevator” because the narrator is overcorrecting her natural accent, for example. But I certainly can’t even pretend to do an Aussie accent, so good for these narrators.
This audiobook is certainly not for everyone. SA and violence are the backbone of this story.
A few nitpicky issues I had: the author is Australian, three of the characters are Australian, the ship set sail from Australia, but the majority of the characters were supposed to be from the US. As far as I could tell, all of the narrators were Australian, so it’s a bit odd for the main character to be talking about her upbringing in San Diego and saying “ellervator” for “elevator” because the narrator is overcorrecting her natural accent, for example. But I certainly can’t even pretend to do an Aussie accent, so good for these narrators.
Read
October 13, 2025This whole audiobook is a trigger.
mild spoiler, but also kinda not really:
if you're sensitive to all sorts of violence against women, even if women get the last laugh, put this on your tbr for later.
I enjoyed it, but it makes me a bit heated, and frustrated by feeling heated.... I think I need to physically shake some energy off.
Take care of yourselves.
I haven't been feeling like giving things actual ratings lately, but I thought it was good, even if I'm less able to handle stress atm.
mild spoiler, but also kinda not really:
if you're sensitive to all sorts of violence against women, even if women get the last laugh, put this on your tbr for later.
I enjoyed it, but it makes me a bit heated, and frustrated by feeling heated.... I think I need to physically shake some energy off.
Take care of yourselves.
I haven't been feeling like giving things actual ratings lately, but I thought it was good, even if I'm less able to handle stress atm.
October 17, 2025
All in all, a great book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and what has created who they are. There were times that it was a bit difficult to listen to, but there wasn't a great amount of detail in those areas.
TW: SA, Assault, etc.
I did really like this book. The content is fascinating, while the author explores types of getting closure and revenge. I can appreciate that as a survivor and while I don't condone the characters tactics, they probably aren't too far from things that should happen to perps.
TW: SA, Assault, etc.
I did really like this book. The content is fascinating, while the author explores types of getting closure and revenge. I can appreciate that as a survivor and while I don't condone the characters tactics, they probably aren't too far from things that should happen to perps.
December 8, 2025
What horrible women.
Yes, I think that violence against women is a terrible and too common thing. I too have been harmed by one of these jerks.
But getting revenge by killing them?
ugh.
Plus, as this was on Audible and presumably supposed to be a bunch of Americans, learn that nobody in America or Canada calls a pen a biro, or pronounces oriented as orientated or specialty as speciality. Those are Australiaisms ( or UKisms).
Land dedications. ugh
This was chick lit at its worst. do not recommend.
Yes, I think that violence against women is a terrible and too common thing. I too have been harmed by one of these jerks.
But getting revenge by killing them?
ugh.
Plus, as this was on Audible and presumably supposed to be a bunch of Americans, learn that nobody in America or Canada calls a pen a biro, or pronounces oriented as orientated or specialty as speciality. Those are Australiaisms ( or UKisms).
Land dedications. ugh
This was chick lit at its worst. do not recommend.
December 28, 2025
Why a 1 star - which is rare from me?
Squad - please get a thesaurus. This word was constantly used.
Petty and Cruel - a bit of revenge can be fun but the author came at it from a person so bitter that she came across as evil. I get it, my last name and being on the shy and highly ADHD side, I got picked on a lot growing up (70s and 80s).
Unrealistic - it was so OTT that I kept skipping forward to clear the section so my eyes wouldn't get stuck at the top of the eye roll.
The book would have been a three star but the h learned nothing at the end. Pity parties drive me crazy.
Squad - please get a thesaurus. This word was constantly used.
Petty and Cruel - a bit of revenge can be fun but the author came at it from a person so bitter that she came across as evil. I get it, my last name and being on the shy and highly ADHD side, I got picked on a lot growing up (70s and 80s).
Unrealistic - it was so OTT that I kept skipping forward to clear the section so my eyes wouldn't get stuck at the top of the eye roll.
The book would have been a three star but the h learned nothing at the end. Pity parties drive me crazy.
December 11, 2025
3.5 🌟
Huge trigger warning for SA and violence with this one as it’s the main plot and is mentioned throughout the entire book.
This was a combo of love island + below deck + feminine rage, with a full cast of narrators so it was like listening to a reality TV show with dark themes. I could tell a lot of this came from personal experiences and my heart breaks for any woman that went through any similar situations 💔
Huge trigger warning for SA and violence with this one as it’s the main plot and is mentioned throughout the entire book.
This was a combo of love island + below deck + feminine rage, with a full cast of narrators so it was like listening to a reality TV show with dark themes. I could tell a lot of this came from personal experiences and my heart breaks for any woman that went through any similar situations 💔
November 10, 2025
This book was good. Not great. Not terrible. Very predictable. Listening to it was good because it had some fun sounds and voices, but it was a quick read. There should be trigger warnings for those who have suffered trauma. I haven’t had past trauma and some of the stuff was hard to listen to. So just an FYI.
September 4, 2025
4.5 Stars Rounded Up
This was considerably better than I expected. This had a ton of narrators and background noises, sort of similar to enhanced audio. I found it distracting but still enjoyed this very much.
This was considerably better than I expected. This had a ton of narrators and background noises, sort of similar to enhanced audio. I found it distracting but still enjoyed this very much.
September 9, 2025
I 100% did not expect this to go where it did. I admit I didn’t read the blurb, just liked the cover and Naima’s latest book is high on my TBR list so I thought why not. Since I’m a psycho and listen to books on 1.7 speed I tore through this. It was riveting with the full cast and the sound effects and a piece of true audio theatre. It was funny, full on, entertaining and I enjoyed it..
September 25, 2025
Decent premise, but everything that has to happen is all just too unbelievable. She almost kills her friend in her revenge plot and everyone else is just like "okay"????
I did like the different narrators in audio version.
I did like the different narrators in audio version.
October 8, 2025
I typed in the title, "The Cruise" in the search box of the Goodreads app I did expect to see Naima Brown's name listed as the author, however that was not the case. Many narrators were listed instead with the author's name listed 4th. What gives Goodreads?
October 22, 2025
Unrealistic story line. The voice actors were annoying especially the main one as she kept saying the same word in different ways or pronounced words like someone from Europe would when the main character was American.
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