Love Ahoy!

by Jo Lyons

The BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, feel-good romantic comedy from Jo Lyons ❤️ Set sail for the summer of a lifetime… ⛵☀️ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ '90s humour meets Below Deck in this hilarious romantic comedy.' Laura Carter

Maddie Summers has never been the impulsive type. So taking a new job as a holiday rep in Turkey is way out of her comfort zone. Will embarking on a boat trip with a host of demanding passengers see her all at sea - literally?

But then there’s Jackson, the sexy Australian rep who she’s falling for, hook, line and sinker. Though any chance of romance is complicated by Maddie’s gift for chaos, the powerful family onboard ship (including their light-fingered five-year-old), and a supervisor with secrets he’ll do anything to keep hidden.

Amid the rough waves of jealous crewmates, missing jewellery and even a potential man overboard, Maddie must be brave and throw logic to the wind. Can she take a risk and set a course for love?

This funny, hot, spicy rom-com is perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Portia MacIntosh and Abby Jimenez.

Praise for Jo

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'This book is a riot! Funny, sexy and sweet.' Christy McKellen

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'AMAZING!!! Highly recommend this book to everybody. Laugh out loud funny.' Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Once I started reading I couldn't stop. Practically reading through the night laughing' Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'If you want to belly laugh your way through a book then this is the one for you! Full of sunshine, hilarious mishaps, love, heart warming friendships and a good bit of raunchiness' Reader Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I read a lot of romcoms, but few have made me laugh as much as this one did.' Reader review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Jo's knack of creating believable characters and a great plot line, mingled with romance, reality and hilarity is inspired.' Reader review

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 14, 2026

Reviews

[Rachel Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Lyons is fast becoming one of my favourite authors, especially after reading Love Ahoy! which was totally and utterly entertaining.

Set in the mid 90's so before the internet was widely available, let alone smart tech etc.. but as package holidays were going from strength to strength, this was a wonderfully nostalgic book for me.

Not just for the 90s, but also because I spent a few seasons as a children's rep for TUI and thus could relate to Maddie a lot, especially in not overly feeling like she belongs. Although in my case it's because I'm not a huge drinker and was generally a bit older than the rest of the reps. Whereas Maddie believes she has been hired to work in accounts at head office in Bodrum, but in fact is made to be a rep with the not overly professional Bodrum South team, and to spend a week on a Gulet, hosting a rather rich and powerful family.

Maddie has never flown before, and so her opening chapters, leaving for the airport, her mother's worry, and then the reminder that back in the 90s you could smoke on planes and that airport security wasn't like it is now. I even enjoyed that she was flying on a Thomson plane (who would of course years later in real life become TUI).

Maddie's first encounter with the LoveIt Holidays reps is in the coach park of the airport, when she implies she can do their job better than they can, and it leads to a nightmare of a situation. Having had to deal with airport transfers myself in Mallorca, I could picture everything so so clearly

Her encounters with Jackson and her first night in resort, were surreal, and totally in line with the sorts of antics you would potentially expect.

And the boat trip itself, well the rest of the team are iffy, some more so than others, and add in a kleptomaniac 5 year old boy who is utterly adorable and incredibly smart and observant, and the lot of horny young people, getting up to stuff in any semi private space possible and you have the ingredients for a hilarious book

This whole story just felt so familiar to me (Ok maybe not one of the latter storylines, I definitely didn't experience the bits I can't spoil for anyone), and I devoured it over the course of an afternoon (when I possibly should have been working, but didn't want to leave the book).

Loved every single word of this. Bring on the next book from this author!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

[Linda Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maddie Summers is a no nonsense recent mathematical graduate dealing with a bad breakup where she humiliated herself and is now banned from the local pub. What's a girl to do? Get a new job working at the head office of LoveIt Holidays in exotic Turkey much to her mother's chagrin.
Maddie leaves on her adventure and everything goes wrong from the plane trip to her immediately making enemies of the company's holiday reps earning her the most complaints in the company's history.
She meets Jackson on her way to the company's welcoming party and her life becomes even more chaotic than it was already. After an event filled night, instead of her head office job she is placed on a cruise ship with the company's misfits and a rich, entitled family.
I probably would have rated the book one star higher but I just couldn't connect with the characters. They all just seemed over the top to me and were quite annoying. I am sure that was Jo Lyon's intention but it just distracted from the story. The most endearing part of the story was the connection between Maddie and the 5 year old son of the family who was usually ignored but developed a great friendship with Maddie.
All in all this was a quick read. It was not as comedic as I was expecting and had more of a mystery involved that I enjoyed. Mostly made me wishing I was cruising the Aegean Sea on a holiday myself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷 Blurb-
The BRAND NEW laugh-out-loud, feel-good romantic comedy from Jo Lyons ❤️ Set sail for the summer of a lifetime… ⛵☀️ Maddie Summers has never been the impulsive type. So taking a new job as a holiday rep in Turkey is way out of her comfort zone. Will embarking on a boat trip with a host of demanding passengers see her all at sea - literally?
But then there’s Jackson, the sexy Australian rep who she’s falling for, hook, line and sinker. Though any chance of romance is complicated by Maddie’s gift for chaos, the powerful family onboard ship (including their light-fingered five-year-old), and a supervisor with secrets he’ll do anything to keep hidden.
Amid the rough waves of jealous crewmates, missing jewellery and even a potential man overboard, Maddie must be brave and throw logic to the wind. Can she take a risk and set a course for love?
💓 Review -
This was such a cute and fun read. It's the perfect book to read for when you want something fun and fluffy in-between all the heavier fantasy books. The story was fun and easy to follow and had a great cast of characters. I loved Maddie's character and following her journey through the book. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💛 Thank you to Boldwood Books, the author Jo Lyons and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tanisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge romance reader, and I especially love books that make me laugh along the way. Any time a romance promises humor, I am immediately interested, so I was pretty excited to pick this one up. I went in expecting something light, fun, and easy to get swept up in.

While there were a few elements I enjoyed, this book ultimately was not quite what I expected. The story felt a little scattered to me, and I had a hard time fully settling into it. I did appreciate that it is told in first person, which is always a format I enjoy, and the 90s setting was an interesting choice that added a bit of nostalgia. Unfortunately, those positives were not quite enough to fully pull everything together for me.

I really wanted to love this book more than I did, but in the end it just was not my cup of tea. That said, I can still see how it might work better for other readers, especially those who enjoy unconventional storytelling or nostalgic settings. While this one landed at about three stars for me, I am still glad I gave it a chance.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Going into Love Ahoy! I was expecting a light, funny rom-com, but the beginning caught me off guard. It was more extreme and open-door than I’m used to, and the first part of the story felt a bit all over the place. It took me some time to really get into it.

Once it settled, though, I enjoyed it much more. I liked the first-person narration, the mid-90s setting, and the cruise-ship atmosphere. Maddie grew on me as the story went on, and her friendship with the neglected little boy was easily the most touching part of the book. Emir was also a highlight.

This felt less like a true rom-com and more like a mystery with romantic elements, almost like reading a Below Deck episode. The romance itself didn’t fully click for me, and I wished for more depth in both the relationship and the side characters. The humor and pacing were a little uneven too.

Overall, Love Ahoy! was a quick, easy, and unconventional read. It wasn’t quite the rom-com I had hoped for, but it was still enjoyable in its own way, and I’d recommend it to readers who like nostalgic settings and something a little different.

Thank you NetGallet for the eARC.

[amaareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Maddie, who signs up to be a holiday rep in Turkey and immediately gets dumped onto a boat with:
╰┈➤a nightmare rich family,
╰┈➤their tiny kleptomaniac child who keeps pocketing jewellery,
╰┈➤a shady supervisor,
╰┈➤and Jackson, the stupidly attractive Aussie rep with “I surf and have feelings” energy.

Love those scenes where Maddie trying to keep the peace while the 5 yo is out here committing petty theft like it’s a sport, Maddie internally screaming as the powerful family starts suspecting staff of stealing their stuff, and any moment where the boat schedule goes to hell and she’s just panic‑rep-ing her way through it. The “we’re stuck on this boat together so now we have to talk about our feelings” energy with Jackson was cute in a low‑stakes, holiday‑fling‑that-might-not-survive-customs way.

Overall, it was fun, easy, sun‑lounger energy. I laughed, I rolled my eyes, I did not hate my time but I also won’t be writing “Maddie + Jackson 4ever” on any metaphorical cabin walls.

[Carolina CHC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Ahoy! by Jo Lyons is one of those books with a very specific sense of humor—you either love it or hate it. Personally, I enjoyed every chaotic moment the FMC experiences during this job venture in Turkey.

Maddie Summers has spent her entire life sheltered in a bubble created by her parents. After a very public meltdown triggered by her boyfriend’s widely known betrayal, she decides she needs a drastic change—preferably in a faraway country. While Maddie is prone to disruptive and embarrassing situations, she’s also incredibly skilled at math, especially statistics, and that just might be what saves her from completely derailing her journey.

Expect steamy romance, awkward and laugh-out-loud moments, and a touch of mystery. This book grabs your attention from the start. Be patient with the over-the-top, slapstick-style humor—very Chevy Chase/Mr. Bean vibes—because it’s worth it if you’re looking for a fun, entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Thanks the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

After a painful breakup, Maddie steps far outside her comfort zone, leaving behind her ex, her family, and her old job for what she believes will be a fresh start as an accountant at the head office of LoveIt Holidays. Instead, she finds herself assigned to work on a cruise ship alongside a lively, slightly overwhelming crew and a busy restaurant-owning family celebrating a wedding anniversary. What follows is a charming mix of romance, adventure, and a touch of mystery—often delightfully chaotic in the best way.

This was a cute, fun read that kept me entertained throughout. I loved how vividly the locations were described—I found myself googling many of them, and they’re absolutely beautiful. Overall, this would make a perfect vacation read: light, engaging, and full of wanderlust.

Thank you Net Galley, Jo Lyons, and Boldwood Books for an ARC copy of this book!

[Sarah Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting, quick read, but very two-dimensional. We don’t get much information on any of the characters, including our main man and lady. We are, instead, instantly thrust into the drama that is Maddie’s trip, which heralds what is supposed to be her new career.

It’s not a bad book, but it’s definitely fluff.

Two critiques, the first of which is a HUGELY GLARING continuity error:

- Change the year to 1995. “The Rachel” hairdo didn’t debut until S:1 E:20 of 𝘍𝘙𝘐𝘌𝘕𝘋𝘚, which aired 6 April 1995.

- Once the baby, Kylie-Jay, is established to be a girl, why is Lyons still referring to her as “it”? That’s kind of gross.

•𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.•

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Portia Macintosh, Catherine Walsh or Sophie Gravia you will love this book! The dry humour gets me every time, I will never get bored of this author.

I was worried that the FMC might annoy me a bit, or get herself into situations that were too cringy, but it wasn’t like that at all. Her relationship with emir (a 5 year old boy) was so sweet, infact he was one of my favourite characters!

This is a perfect beach read, it was light, humorous with a hint of mystery that I didn’t see coming.

Solid 5 stars for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed the plotline. A little different situation and an earlier time frame (mid-90's). Maddie is a nerdy mathematician who seems to find trouble wherever she goes. I did giggle a few times, but it was tough to get through the first part of the book. The first third (when she arrives in Turkey) was all over the place. At one point, I had to go back to scan to make sure I didn't miss something because the whole scenario was a bit delusional and extreme. I was glad I kept going, because I enjoyed the rest of the book.

Thank you, Netgalley, publisher, and Jo Lyons for the eARC.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I feel like I have struggled my way through this, particularly the first half. While I generally enjoy the first person narration, I found Maddie to be incredibly annoying and self absorbed. Her character did improve as the story went on and that made it more compelling to read. Jackson wasn’t the best in terms of a romantic interest and their relationship didn’t spark much for me. So much of the story doesn’t even feature him in it and so in many ways this didn’t feel like a romance at all! There were some funny moments and my favourite character was actually probably Emir! A good lighthearted read but a bit slow to start.

[Martha Woodruff · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a light read that doesn't require much thinking, this could be the book for you, otherwise you may be disappointed.

The book follows Maddie, a woman who abruptly takes a new job as a travel...something...in Turkey after a breakup, landing on a boat cruise with the hots for her boss & a random mystery thrown in at the end. Characters were shallow, I didn't understand the attraction between her & the love interest (especially on his part), and the pacing was off--it took too long to get started, and the "mystery" wasn't added until ~60% into the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tanmeet Samra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I would give this book a 2.5 maybe but it’s not worth the rounded up 3 stars in my opinion. This book is described as a romantic comedy but I would hardly describe it like that. Yes, there is romance, yes, there is maybe some comedy but it’s not a rom com. Majority of the book was more of a “mystery” mixed with Below Deck vibes. The characters were annoying and the ending was predictable. I feel like this lacked personality and there were so many ends not tied up. I’ve read worse but this was not a “to recommend” book for me - sorry.

[Clairelettersandmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Ahoy has a great premise and plenty of charm, but I struggled with the first third of the book.

It took a while for me to find my footing as I was a bit unclear about when the book was meant to take place, which made it harder to fully immerse myself in the setting. Once things picked up, it became more enjoyable, but the slow start definitely impacted my overall impression.

A decent read with a fun idea, with some laugh out loud moments

[Emma H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was laughing so loudly in some chapters, other people in the room were staring at me! A charming, quick read that had it all really - mysteries, controversy, romance, lust, heat, love and laughter - what more does a good romance need? A clever, shy, slightly nerdy girl breaking away and discovering a strong, wild confident woman underneath. I wish there was a second book to find out what she does next.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Love Ahoy from NetGalley. This was a cute, lighthearted read, though it took a bit to get going and definitely not a romantic comedy. The opening leans hard into descriptive adjectives (a little too hard), which slowed things down for me at first. Once the story settled in, though, it was easier to read. The scenery is definitely one of the stronger parts of the book. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Laura-Elise Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo has done it again! Another hilarious rom com packed with laughs, spice and a mystery to be solved!
I loved all of the references to the 90s, so much of it was familiar, and the chemistry between Jackson and Maddie was electric. As usual with Jo's books I was gripped from the first page. Not only were Jackson and Maddie great, well written characters but the entire cast were too. Brilliant work, can't wait for the next one.

[Sam Ing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

This was a quick read for me. I really enjoyed the story line, set in the 90s, Maddie has suffered a bad break up, so she signs up to be an accountant, somehow though she ends up as a holiday rep on a cruise ship. There she becomes friends with a rich 5, almost 6 year old and has to deal with suspicious workers.

[TD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

This was a super fun read and I really enjoyed it. The cover and the fact that this takes place in Turkey (yay Turkiye!!) was what drew me in and I binged it so quickly. I love a good summer romance and the characters were super cute. I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Jennifer Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Ahoy! was a wonderful entertaining read. Not the typical RomCom I was expecting. I’d lay it more towards a good mystery read. The characters were well written and held my interest throughout.

My 3 star rating is because I was expecting a more romantic comedy story. But still worth the read.

Thank you published and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity.

[Kristen McDaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley for Love Ahoy. It was a cute, fun read. It started off a bit slow for me but picked up quickly enough. This one is full of adventure, romance, and humor. Picturesque descriptions. It’s a good, fun read. Three stars. Thank you for the ARC!

[JXRReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

light, cute, and fun romcom! the opening is significantly more open-door than I was expecting, but it moves to a really fun plot. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.