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High Tides And Low Bars (A Spicy Grumpy Sunshine Romcom)
She lives for the likes. He just wants to be left alone. But when a travel disaster strands them together, the only thing rising faster than the tide is the tension.
Travel influencer Lily St. John has built an empire on the belief that "disappointment is a choice"—but her optimism meets its match when a booking error dumps her on a deserted research island instead of a luxury resort. No Wi-Fi. No cocktail bar. No escape for two weeks. And her only company? A grumpy marine biologist who treats her like an invasive species.
Dr. Alex Carmichael spent two years fighting red tape for the chance to study coral reefs in peace. He has a strict schedule, an allergy to human connection, and zero patience for a woman who "destroys ecosystems one viral post at a time." His ignore the intruder, focus on data, survive.
But when a tropical storm forces them into a one-bed cabin, the walls—and Alex's defenses—start closing in. As hostility melts into something far more dangerous, Alex finds himself breaking every rule he's ever made.
The problem? Paradise has an expiration date. And when the boat returns, Alex must decide if he's brave enough to risk his carefully controlled life—or let the best thing that ever washed ashore sail away without him.
Travel influencer Lily St. John has built an empire on the belief that "disappointment is a choice"—but her optimism meets its match when a booking error dumps her on a deserted research island instead of a luxury resort. No Wi-Fi. No cocktail bar. No escape for two weeks. And her only company? A grumpy marine biologist who treats her like an invasive species.
Dr. Alex Carmichael spent two years fighting red tape for the chance to study coral reefs in peace. He has a strict schedule, an allergy to human connection, and zero patience for a woman who "destroys ecosystems one viral post at a time." His ignore the intruder, focus on data, survive.
But when a tropical storm forces them into a one-bed cabin, the walls—and Alex's defenses—start closing in. As hostility melts into something far more dangerous, Alex finds himself breaking every rule he's ever made.
The problem? Paradise has an expiration date. And when the boat returns, Alex must decide if he's brave enough to risk his carefully controlled life—or let the best thing that ever washed ashore sail away without him.
410 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
About the author
Alexx Andria
191 books444 followersAlexx Andria is a USA TODAY bestselling author of spicy romance novels ranging from rom-coms to billionaire and everything in between.
Signed books available on her website!
Signed books available on her website!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 25, 2026
This was a really good book. Lily is a travel influencer who gets stuck on a remote island by mistake. Her sole companion is Alex, a scientist with no time for anything but research. She is smiles and light and fun. He’s grimaces and brooding and work.
At first they seem to have nothing in common. It isn’t until Lily starts breaking down Alex’s walls, and letting her walls crumble too, that things between them start to warm up. They take the chance to really get to know one another, and find that they like what they see. But there is a limit on their time together and they have to decide if they are brave enough to take the next step.
There were quite a few laughs amongst the drama and spice, and the descriptions of the island they were on helped the book come alive. Alex and Lily were perfect for one another, even if Alex did make me want to smack him a time or two. And it was so sweet to see the way the two of them found joy in working with one another. The book explored finding your passion not just in your romantic life, but in life in general. It had loads of spice, but plenty of sweet moments as well. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
At first they seem to have nothing in common. It isn’t until Lily starts breaking down Alex’s walls, and letting her walls crumble too, that things between them start to warm up. They take the chance to really get to know one another, and find that they like what they see. But there is a limit on their time together and they have to decide if they are brave enough to take the next step.
There were quite a few laughs amongst the drama and spice, and the descriptions of the island they were on helped the book come alive. Alex and Lily were perfect for one another, even if Alex did make me want to smack him a time or two. And it was so sweet to see the way the two of them found joy in working with one another. The book explored finding your passion not just in your romantic life, but in life in general. It had loads of spice, but plenty of sweet moments as well. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 25, 2026
His perfect plan takes a sharp left when she arrives on the island
High Tides And Low Bars is the first book in the new Off The Grid series. This is a fun, flirty, romantic, and sexy forced proximity romance. Lily St. John is a travel influencer who is only concerned with building her brand and seems to live for the likes. Her latest destination turns out to be somewhere she was not expecting, a somewhat island. There she is stranded with Dr. Alex Carmichael, a marine biologist who is there to study the coral reefs. He has worked hard to get to the island, overcoming a lot of roadblocks in the way. He has a plan set out for his time on the island and is determined to stick to it. But that was before Lily shows up and her presence and perkiness threatens to upend everything. Add in a tropical storm heading their way, one cabin with one bed, and quickly Alex's perfectly planned schedule takes a sharp left and into uncharted waters. Will these two be able to survive not just the storm bearing down on them but the storm that is swirling around inside the the cabin.
High Tides And Low Bars is the first book in the new Off The Grid series. This is a fun, flirty, romantic, and sexy forced proximity romance. Lily St. John is a travel influencer who is only concerned with building her brand and seems to live for the likes. Her latest destination turns out to be somewhere she was not expecting, a somewhat island. There she is stranded with Dr. Alex Carmichael, a marine biologist who is there to study the coral reefs. He has worked hard to get to the island, overcoming a lot of roadblocks in the way. He has a plan set out for his time on the island and is determined to stick to it. But that was before Lily shows up and her presence and perkiness threatens to upend everything. Add in a tropical storm heading their way, one cabin with one bed, and quickly Alex's perfectly planned schedule takes a sharp left and into uncharted waters. Will these two be able to survive not just the storm bearing down on them but the storm that is swirling around inside the the cabin.
February 7, 2026
This is book 1 in Andria's Off the Grid series. A great start to a new series. Our main characters are marine biologist, Dr. Alex Carmichael and social media travel influencer, Lily St. John. Lily gets stranded on an all but isolated island when she thought she was going to an all-inclusive beach resort. Alex is furious when Lily shows up after he's jumped through 2 years of government hoops and red tape to finally have a limited time to study this island paradise untouched by civilization. There is immediate physical attraction and soon an intellectual respect comes as well. I loved the banter and humor these two share. Of course, it's only a matter of time before they indulge in their attraction but their time on the island is limited...what will become of their budding romance when real life askes them to take a chance on each other? Well written and captivating I loved these characters and related with them both. Sweet and funny with some heat. I'm very much looking forward to more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
March 23, 2026
Why it's so hard to find a good book nowadays?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews