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Two Tickets to Love
Two wounded hearts. One luxury cruise. Ten unforgettable days that could change everything.
The best souvenirs aren't things - they're second chances.
After a painful divorce, Ethan has rebuilt his life around routine, discipline, and keeping his heart safely out of reach. Love belongs in his past—not in his future.
Clarissa has sworn off romance after discovering her fiancé's devastating betrayal. A Caribbean cruise with her best friends is supposed to be a chance to heal, sip tropical drinks, and forget the life she left behind—not meet another man.
But aboard the luxurious Pinnacle Cruise Lines, fate—and a determined group of friends—has other plans.
From breathtaking ocean sunsets and moonlit dinners to tropical island adventures, lively excursions, and unforgettable nights at the ship's piano bar, Ethan and Clarissa can't seem to avoid each other. Every chance encounter chips away at the walls they've built around their hearts, and what begins as reluctant companionship slowly becomes something neither of them expected.
As their voyage draws to a close, they'll have to decide whether protecting themselves from heartbreak is worth losing the chance at the love they've both been searching for.
Filled with tropical escapes, laugh-out-loud moments, slow-burn chemistry, emotional healing, and the promise of second chances, Two Tickets to Love is the perfect feel-good contemporary romance for readers who dream of vacation love stories, cruise ship romance, and unforgettable beach reads that linger long after the final page.
Book your passage aboard Pinnacle Cruise Lines today!
Let the Caribbean breeze, sparkling ocean sunsets, unforgettable adventures, and a romance worth rooting for sweep you away.
The best souvenirs aren't things - they're second chances.
After a painful divorce, Ethan has rebuilt his life around routine, discipline, and keeping his heart safely out of reach. Love belongs in his past—not in his future.
Clarissa has sworn off romance after discovering her fiancé's devastating betrayal. A Caribbean cruise with her best friends is supposed to be a chance to heal, sip tropical drinks, and forget the life she left behind—not meet another man.
But aboard the luxurious Pinnacle Cruise Lines, fate—and a determined group of friends—has other plans.
From breathtaking ocean sunsets and moonlit dinners to tropical island adventures, lively excursions, and unforgettable nights at the ship's piano bar, Ethan and Clarissa can't seem to avoid each other. Every chance encounter chips away at the walls they've built around their hearts, and what begins as reluctant companionship slowly becomes something neither of them expected.
As their voyage draws to a close, they'll have to decide whether protecting themselves from heartbreak is worth losing the chance at the love they've both been searching for.
Filled with tropical escapes, laugh-out-loud moments, slow-burn chemistry, emotional healing, and the promise of second chances, Two Tickets to Love is the perfect feel-good contemporary romance for readers who dream of vacation love stories, cruise ship romance, and unforgettable beach reads that linger long after the final page.
Book your passage aboard Pinnacle Cruise Lines today!
Let the Caribbean breeze, sparkling ocean sunsets, unforgettable adventures, and a romance worth rooting for sweep you away.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
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July 21, 2026
In Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron, we meet Ethan, a former Marine and a man haunted by the memory of his ex-wife's heartbreaking declaration that she doesn’t want him anymore.
Ethan is later confronted by his friend Mark, who believes that Ethan allowed his ex to make him believe he doesn't deserve to enjoy life. This is in light of a Pinnacle cruise aboard its newest vessel, Gem of the Seas, which Mark and his wife have organized for him alongside themselves, in the hope that he comes back with a renewed sense of purpose. When readers meet Ethan on the cruise ship, he is wearing a casual shirt and jeans, which shows us that he no longer cares about his appearance. He feels disconnected from everyone and believes that the ship will have nothing to offer except the gourmet meals and breathtaking scenery. But then he meets Clarissa, a woman who learned the hard way that love stories lie after she came home early eight months ago only to find her fiancé cheating on her with another woman. Clarissa is the maid of honor for her best friend Maddie, who is getting married in a week. When readers meet Clarissa, though she is still raw from the betrayal, her eyes are looking brighter and her shoulders are unburdened as she celebrates Maddie's bachelorette party. But when her gaze lands on a man seated at a grand piano, something in her carefully guarded heart begins to shift.
As the reader delves deeper into the story, questions emerge of whether two people carrying such deep emotional wounds can ever risk loving again, and whether music, shared experiences, and conversations can actually be the bridge that heals these wounds. But the answers aren't offered easily; instead, the book intentionally delays them, prolonging the tension through self-judgments, misinterpretations, and escalations that seem to keep the characters at continued odds. The authors use references such as the celebrated Top Gun scene where Maverick sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” to allow readers to recognize the significance and weight of key moments and tap into familiar emotions. Readers will appreciate the book's dual narration, which aims at making them know more long before either character does, as well as witnessing the characters' parallel healing and recovery, and how differently they interpret the same events and situations.
Quill says: In Two Tickets to Love, Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron have used twists and turns effectively. In particular, the story features one major twist which readers will find chilling, leaving them gasping in horror and wondering if the characters were ever in control of their own stories. The authors have utilized a cone of honesty approach in that they refuse to resolve the romance misunderstandings too easily; they delve into the survivor's guilt theme with real depth; and lastly, they use friends as antagonists in the final act. These authors know the beats, the tropes, and the emotional realism required to make the romance feel earned. Two Tickets to Love is a story about trust as much as about love, and will leave readers reflecting on their own walls and whether they are brave enough to let someone past their defenses.
Ethan is later confronted by his friend Mark, who believes that Ethan allowed his ex to make him believe he doesn't deserve to enjoy life. This is in light of a Pinnacle cruise aboard its newest vessel, Gem of the Seas, which Mark and his wife have organized for him alongside themselves, in the hope that he comes back with a renewed sense of purpose. When readers meet Ethan on the cruise ship, he is wearing a casual shirt and jeans, which shows us that he no longer cares about his appearance. He feels disconnected from everyone and believes that the ship will have nothing to offer except the gourmet meals and breathtaking scenery. But then he meets Clarissa, a woman who learned the hard way that love stories lie after she came home early eight months ago only to find her fiancé cheating on her with another woman. Clarissa is the maid of honor for her best friend Maddie, who is getting married in a week. When readers meet Clarissa, though she is still raw from the betrayal, her eyes are looking brighter and her shoulders are unburdened as she celebrates Maddie's bachelorette party. But when her gaze lands on a man seated at a grand piano, something in her carefully guarded heart begins to shift.
As the reader delves deeper into the story, questions emerge of whether two people carrying such deep emotional wounds can ever risk loving again, and whether music, shared experiences, and conversations can actually be the bridge that heals these wounds. But the answers aren't offered easily; instead, the book intentionally delays them, prolonging the tension through self-judgments, misinterpretations, and escalations that seem to keep the characters at continued odds. The authors use references such as the celebrated Top Gun scene where Maverick sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” to allow readers to recognize the significance and weight of key moments and tap into familiar emotions. Readers will appreciate the book's dual narration, which aims at making them know more long before either character does, as well as witnessing the characters' parallel healing and recovery, and how differently they interpret the same events and situations.
Quill says: In Two Tickets to Love, Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron have used twists and turns effectively. In particular, the story features one major twist which readers will find chilling, leaving them gasping in horror and wondering if the characters were ever in control of their own stories. The authors have utilized a cone of honesty approach in that they refuse to resolve the romance misunderstandings too easily; they delve into the survivor's guilt theme with real depth; and lastly, they use friends as antagonists in the final act. These authors know the beats, the tropes, and the emotional realism required to make the romance feel earned. Two Tickets to Love is a story about trust as much as about love, and will leave readers reflecting on their own walls and whether they are brave enough to let someone past their defenses.
July 22, 2026
Quick Summary: A second chance to love romance
My Review: Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron is book #1 in the Pinnacle Cruises Guest Romance series. Today marks its official release!
About the Book: "Two wounded hearts. One luxury cruise. Ten unforgettable days that could change everything."
In My Own Words: Love found on the right side of forever allows two lost souls to find healing and home.
About the Characters: Clarissa and Ethan were both dealing with their broken hearts in the only way they knew how. They both operated out of survival mode. When their friends encouraged them to have an adventure, it allowed them to operate in a new space, both mentally and physically. The emotional strength and courage they needed to surrender to what was blooming between them was beautiful to watch.
About the Conflict: Learning to trust self after devastating heartbreak and loss is no small thing. I think the major conflict in this story orbited around this element. Of course, relationships of various varieties were a huge part of this story as well.
My Favorite Scenes (coded, as to avoid spoilers):
❤️🩹 - Battle Scars & Broken Hearts
🥀 - I Dare You to Tango
🛡️ - Operation Pool Protection
🕺 - May I Have This Dance?
❤️ - Beside You, Beside Me
💍 - Hello, Goodbye, and...
🏖️ - Speaking Truths
My Final Say: This is a diamond in the rough love story. It had me tearing up at 10%, laughing at 21%, and going through a myriad of emotions the rest of the way through. I absolutely loved it. It didn't have to be perfect; it was perfectly real and that was enough.
I loved the leads. I liked the friend group. I appreciated the real life messiness. I adored the hidden gem moments that reminded me of An Officer and a Gentleman, as well as the A Thousand Years moment that landblasted my heart. I could not look away from this couple.
I loved the contemporary, modern vibe this book had. From the songs to the movie references, it captured my attention and kept it. It was easy to love. I also liked the slow burn journey this couple took.
In the end, all I will say is that this earned a golden heart for so many reasons and then some.
Other: Readers who enjoy life and love stories where the unexpected connections of the heart happen when least expected will fall for this one. It is a keeper.
I will happily and enthusiastically read any books in this series that come hereafter.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Level: 💎
Chemistry/Heat Factor: 💛💖❤️
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the authors, to the publisher (Warrington Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a wonderful story. I cannot wait to read more books in the series. I am grateful for the opportunity.
My Review: Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron is book #1 in the Pinnacle Cruises Guest Romance series. Today marks its official release!
About the Book: "Two wounded hearts. One luxury cruise. Ten unforgettable days that could change everything."
In My Own Words: Love found on the right side of forever allows two lost souls to find healing and home.
About the Characters: Clarissa and Ethan were both dealing with their broken hearts in the only way they knew how. They both operated out of survival mode. When their friends encouraged them to have an adventure, it allowed them to operate in a new space, both mentally and physically. The emotional strength and courage they needed to surrender to what was blooming between them was beautiful to watch.
About the Conflict: Learning to trust self after devastating heartbreak and loss is no small thing. I think the major conflict in this story orbited around this element. Of course, relationships of various varieties were a huge part of this story as well.
My Favorite Scenes (coded, as to avoid spoilers):
❤️🩹 - Battle Scars & Broken Hearts
🥀 - I Dare You to Tango
🛡️ - Operation Pool Protection
🕺 - May I Have This Dance?
❤️ - Beside You, Beside Me
💍 - Hello, Goodbye, and...
🏖️ - Speaking Truths
My Final Say: This is a diamond in the rough love story. It had me tearing up at 10%, laughing at 21%, and going through a myriad of emotions the rest of the way through. I absolutely loved it. It didn't have to be perfect; it was perfectly real and that was enough.
I loved the leads. I liked the friend group. I appreciated the real life messiness. I adored the hidden gem moments that reminded me of An Officer and a Gentleman, as well as the A Thousand Years moment that landblasted my heart. I could not look away from this couple.
I loved the contemporary, modern vibe this book had. From the songs to the movie references, it captured my attention and kept it. It was easy to love. I also liked the slow burn journey this couple took.
In the end, all I will say is that this earned a golden heart for so many reasons and then some.
Other: Readers who enjoy life and love stories where the unexpected connections of the heart happen when least expected will fall for this one. It is a keeper.
I will happily and enthusiastically read any books in this series that come hereafter.
Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Level: 💎
Chemistry/Heat Factor: 💛💖❤️
Format: 📱
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Title: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the authors, to the publisher (Warrington Publishing), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for granting access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a wonderful story. I cannot wait to read more books in the series. I am grateful for the opportunity.
July 17, 2026
Two very damaged and jaded people have their friends convince them to go on a cruise to get out of their ruts and find themselves again. What could possibly go wrong?!
A lot of parts of this were very good, the banter was spot on, the cone of honesty was refreshing and added a special touch to the blossoming relationship between Clarissa and Ethan and many parts were funny and lighthearted. I do wish that we had more actual dialogue in some parts instead of kind of leaving it to interpretation but overall this was a solid book.
Ethan was married and his wife left him and said some particularly nasty stuff on her way out (super unnecessary to be honest) and after the way that ends, naturally he isn’t gung ho on finding love and opening up to someone after that. He takes up dance lessons, plays the piano and goes to the gym and work and that’s it. His married friend calls him up and tells him that they bought him a ticket to go on a cruise with him and his wife and all he’s gotta do is get plane tickets. Just what you want to do after your wife leaves you, travel with a married couple!
Clarissa’s ex really puts the ass into asshole and that’s putting it nicely. The guy is a total scumbag. After the many ways he betrayed her, she feels like a shell of who she was and is pretty broken up about everything. She stops doing the things she loves, like dance and shuts herself off from people to protect her heart.
When these two meet, it is insane fireworks - not necessarily in a great way, but Ethan being the absolute knockout that he is, makes up for that and gives Clarissa a safe space to talk and open up. They do a dance together after Clarissa challenges him which was steamy as heck and is basically when things start turning for them.
The romance overall is well done, paced well and it’s a gradual, believable connection. Where things could have been better was the ending. I don’t have a hatred for a third act breakup BUT this one was so close to the end of the book that the actual reunion felt rushed and like we didn’t get that reach for the stars, World Series kind of love story ending I was hoping for. Maybe a longer epilogue would have fixed that but it was not a bad ending, it just could have been more satisfying.
4⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
A lot of parts of this were very good, the banter was spot on, the cone of honesty was refreshing and added a special touch to the blossoming relationship between Clarissa and Ethan and many parts were funny and lighthearted. I do wish that we had more actual dialogue in some parts instead of kind of leaving it to interpretation but overall this was a solid book.
Ethan was married and his wife left him and said some particularly nasty stuff on her way out (super unnecessary to be honest) and after the way that ends, naturally he isn’t gung ho on finding love and opening up to someone after that. He takes up dance lessons, plays the piano and goes to the gym and work and that’s it. His married friend calls him up and tells him that they bought him a ticket to go on a cruise with him and his wife and all he’s gotta do is get plane tickets. Just what you want to do after your wife leaves you, travel with a married couple!
Clarissa’s ex really puts the ass into asshole and that’s putting it nicely. The guy is a total scumbag. After the many ways he betrayed her, she feels like a shell of who she was and is pretty broken up about everything. She stops doing the things she loves, like dance and shuts herself off from people to protect her heart.
When these two meet, it is insane fireworks - not necessarily in a great way, but Ethan being the absolute knockout that he is, makes up for that and gives Clarissa a safe space to talk and open up. They do a dance together after Clarissa challenges him which was steamy as heck and is basically when things start turning for them.
The romance overall is well done, paced well and it’s a gradual, believable connection. Where things could have been better was the ending. I don’t have a hatred for a third act breakup BUT this one was so close to the end of the book that the actual reunion felt rushed and like we didn’t get that reach for the stars, World Series kind of love story ending I was hoping for. Maybe a longer epilogue would have fixed that but it was not a bad ending, it just could have been more satisfying.
4⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author for this advanced reader copy of the book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 31, 2026
Thank you to Warrington Publishing for the ARC of this book, Two Tickets to Love.
Okay girls, I am super passionate about this book. So, forgive the cursing.
I am not 100% sure how to feel about this. It was written so well and it's so funny. The characters all have so much depth, it was super spicy and still had great plot, but there were some big things that irked me so much.
Continuing my pro list: omg I loved Ethan. He was a FANTASTIC character. I loved Mark and Amber as well. They made the book so funny and I was laughing out loud at Mark's lines.
I loved the part written in portion from the game. It was so cool to see their answers, "she's brave even when she's terrified."
Ethan gave some beautiful quotes.
My con list:
God, Clarissa SHUT UP. I was saying that the entire book. Ethan deserved better because she was so petulant and fucking whiney. Good gods go to therapy.
And the third act break up? Yeah that can fuck right off. One of the tropes I loathe. I skimmed the last 20% after that because it pisses me off so much. I would have given this book a 5, if it hadn't been for that
Okay girls, I am super passionate about this book. So, forgive the cursing.
I am not 100% sure how to feel about this. It was written so well and it's so funny. The characters all have so much depth, it was super spicy and still had great plot, but there were some big things that irked me so much.
Continuing my pro list: omg I loved Ethan. He was a FANTASTIC character. I loved Mark and Amber as well. They made the book so funny and I was laughing out loud at Mark's lines.
I loved the part written in portion from the game. It was so cool to see their answers, "she's brave even when she's terrified."
Ethan gave some beautiful quotes.
My con list:
God, Clarissa SHUT UP. I was saying that the entire book. Ethan deserved better because she was so petulant and fucking whiney. Good gods go to therapy.
And the third act break up? Yeah that can fuck right off. One of the tropes I loathe. I skimmed the last 20% after that because it pisses me off so much. I would have given this book a 5, if it hadn't been for that
July 29, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 ⭐️
So I loved the forced proximity of the cruise setting. I also mostly enjoyed the cast of characters. What didn’t work for me was the FMC’s trauma trumping everyone else’s lives, trauma, good time. It just felt all about her. I also felt that reaction to her “sisters” at the end of the cruise was harsh. Don’t even get me started about her constantly calling her sorority friends, her “sisters”. Cringe. And yes, I’ve been in a sorority. We didn’t do that.
Now onto the spice. Um, appears out of nowhere, gross depiction of body sounds and bodily fluids. And so many orgasms that this should be categorized as “fantasy” because it exceeded what even fiction can make believable. Spice is fine, but this portrayal makes me speed read.
Finally, I thought this book had to have been over 400 pages. I was reading on my kindle and turns out it was under 300. Clearly there were some pacing issues. I also didn’t love how the ending was handled. The third act breakup was weak. Games were played, friends repeating the same things the FMC hated. The “cone of honesty” was apparently crushed and discarded.
2.5 ⭐️
So I loved the forced proximity of the cruise setting. I also mostly enjoyed the cast of characters. What didn’t work for me was the FMC’s trauma trumping everyone else’s lives, trauma, good time. It just felt all about her. I also felt that reaction to her “sisters” at the end of the cruise was harsh. Don’t even get me started about her constantly calling her sorority friends, her “sisters”. Cringe. And yes, I’ve been in a sorority. We didn’t do that.
Now onto the spice. Um, appears out of nowhere, gross depiction of body sounds and bodily fluids. And so many orgasms that this should be categorized as “fantasy” because it exceeded what even fiction can make believable. Spice is fine, but this portrayal makes me speed read.
Finally, I thought this book had to have been over 400 pages. I was reading on my kindle and turns out it was under 300. Clearly there were some pacing issues. I also didn’t love how the ending was handled. The third act breakup was weak. Games were played, friends repeating the same things the FMC hated. The “cone of honesty” was apparently crushed and discarded.
July 13, 2026
Rating: 3 stars
Spice level: 3 stars
Review of arc received from NetGalley.
It was a sweet romance. I liked the fact that the MMC could communicate his feelings well and that he showed a lot of patience and understanding.
I just felt like there was no plot. Nothing really happened. I wanted there to have been some sort of aim or goal they were working towards.
I liked the build up towards the first time they had sex... but after the first time, it kept happening again and again, and I skipped those scenes because it was too repetitive, and I felt like it did nothing to help progress the story.
I thought the chapters were too long. I understand each chapter covered a day, but it was very chunky and I didn't like how it kept changing perspective within. I think I would have preferred it if the book was divided into the different days / parts, with shorter chapters within. It was a bit daunting to see each chapter lasting over 35 minutes.
Spice level: 3 stars
Review of arc received from NetGalley.
It was a sweet romance. I liked the fact that the MMC could communicate his feelings well and that he showed a lot of patience and understanding.
I just felt like there was no plot. Nothing really happened. I wanted there to have been some sort of aim or goal they were working towards.
I liked the build up towards the first time they had sex... but after the first time, it kept happening again and again, and I skipped those scenes because it was too repetitive, and I felt like it did nothing to help progress the story.
I thought the chapters were too long. I understand each chapter covered a day, but it was very chunky and I didn't like how it kept changing perspective within. I think I would have preferred it if the book was divided into the different days / parts, with shorter chapters within. It was a bit daunting to see each chapter lasting over 35 minutes.
August 6, 2026
3.5 ⭐
I saw this book on Netgalley and wwas intigued by the plot. Two people with their own baggage meeting each other on a cruise, cute and simple, straightforward.
I did enjoy this book. I think Ethan and Clarissa are a cute couple that really could help each other overcome previous struggles. I liked the idea of the "closed proximity" that a cruise provides. It's totally reasonable that people walk into each other again and again and again, which made for cute banter at the beginning and good conversations in the middle. The activities were fun to read about and the switching between POV's felt fun and natural. I liked Ethan's POV a bit more, yet at the same time I don't think anyone is that reflective all the time.
But as you can see by my star rating, this wasn't a five star book for me. Through the book, some things started to annoy me and that feeling never really got away.
1) First thing that didn't resonate with me is the fact that every day is a full chapter. Chapters felt really long that way, which discouraged me to continue reading quite a bit. Every chapter felt like quite a commitment, which personally doesn't work for me.
2) The Cone of Honesty was cute at the beginning, but the use of the term got old real fast. It's overused and could be dropped after a few chapters. Small ick thing, I know, but I still felt like "ugh here we go again" when that term popped up again. Just communicate people, you don't need an excuse.
3) The dance scenes and the piano scene felt more cringe than cute, also really forced. But I think a lot of people love those scenes, so it's definitely a me-problem.
4) With a romance book, you expect that the climax would be the fact that these people fall in love. In this book, the sex felt like the climax (literally and figuratively). And damn they just couldn't stop after the first time. A note for the authors: a fade away or a short description of the fact that they did it over and over again is also an option. I don't need to be present in every session.
5) The whole Brock plot felt rushed and forced, this book could easily do without it.
6) And then the ending... Please people if you have not read the book, skip this past of the review. The story was fully set up for a bittersweet ending. I think it would be better that way. If Ethan didn't show up, and they both move on. That would be the shocker that would stay with you for a while. But no, they dress him up (?!?!) so that HE can check whether SHE is serious (?!?!?!?!) and by doing this, the friends betray her trust AGAIN (?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!). I was kind of disgusted by it. Why purposefully hurt your friend on your big day so that the reveal at the end would be better? Why give him the opportunity to see if she is serious when she doesn't get that option? No I hated that part, made me feel dirty.
Hi people that still have to read the book, welcome back. Should you start this book? Yeah, go for it. It's cute and fun, and if you like the idea of closed proximity, some trauma dumping and tropical vibes, I don't see a reason to not read it. But if you really want to believe in the relationship at the end, maybe this book isn't for you.
Thank you Netgalley and Warrington Publishing for providing the ebook in exchange for my honest review!
I saw this book on Netgalley and wwas intigued by the plot. Two people with their own baggage meeting each other on a cruise, cute and simple, straightforward.
I did enjoy this book. I think Ethan and Clarissa are a cute couple that really could help each other overcome previous struggles. I liked the idea of the "closed proximity" that a cruise provides. It's totally reasonable that people walk into each other again and again and again, which made for cute banter at the beginning and good conversations in the middle. The activities were fun to read about and the switching between POV's felt fun and natural. I liked Ethan's POV a bit more, yet at the same time I don't think anyone is that reflective all the time.
But as you can see by my star rating, this wasn't a five star book for me. Through the book, some things started to annoy me and that feeling never really got away.
1) First thing that didn't resonate with me is the fact that every day is a full chapter. Chapters felt really long that way, which discouraged me to continue reading quite a bit. Every chapter felt like quite a commitment, which personally doesn't work for me.
2) The Cone of Honesty was cute at the beginning, but the use of the term got old real fast. It's overused and could be dropped after a few chapters. Small ick thing, I know, but I still felt like "ugh here we go again" when that term popped up again. Just communicate people, you don't need an excuse.
3) The dance scenes and the piano scene felt more cringe than cute, also really forced. But I think a lot of people love those scenes, so it's definitely a me-problem.
4) With a romance book, you expect that the climax would be the fact that these people fall in love. In this book, the sex felt like the climax (literally and figuratively). And damn they just couldn't stop after the first time. A note for the authors: a fade away or a short description of the fact that they did it over and over again is also an option. I don't need to be present in every session.
5) The whole Brock plot felt rushed and forced, this book could easily do without it.
6) And then the ending... Please people if you have not read the book, skip this past of the review. The story was fully set up for a bittersweet ending. I think it would be better that way. If Ethan didn't show up, and they both move on. That would be the shocker that would stay with you for a while. But no, they dress him up (?!?!) so that HE can check whether SHE is serious (?!?!?!?!) and by doing this, the friends betray her trust AGAIN (?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!). I was kind of disgusted by it. Why purposefully hurt your friend on your big day so that the reveal at the end would be better? Why give him the opportunity to see if she is serious when she doesn't get that option? No I hated that part, made me feel dirty.
Hi people that still have to read the book, welcome back. Should you start this book? Yeah, go for it. It's cute and fun, and if you like the idea of closed proximity, some trauma dumping and tropical vibes, I don't see a reason to not read it. But if you really want to believe in the relationship at the end, maybe this book isn't for you.
Thank you Netgalley and Warrington Publishing for providing the ebook in exchange for my honest review!
August 4, 2026
🚢🌴 Second Chances Set Sail 🌴🚢
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Two Tickets to Love is exactly the kind of romance that makes you want to book a vacation the minute you finish reading. Between the Caribbean setting, the cruise ship adventures, and two wounded hearts slowly finding their way back to love, this was a sweet, entertaining escape.
Ethan and Clarissa are both carrying the weight of painful betrayals. Ethan has spent years believing the hurtful words of his ex-wife, while Clarissa is still trying to rebuild after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. Their friends may have orchestrated the cruise to help them move forward, but neither of them expects to find healing in each other.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the course of the trip. The romance never felt rushed, and the gradual trust they built made their connection believable. Ethan was especially easy to root for. His patience, emotional maturity, and willingness to communicate made him such a refreshing romance hero. Clarissa's journey of learning to trust again also felt genuine, and I appreciated that neither of them magically moved past their emotional scars overnight.
The cruise setting was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. From the excursions and piano bar to the dance lessons and beautiful ocean views, it created the perfect backdrop for a vacation romance. The banter between Ethan and Clarissa was fun, and I enjoyed spending time with the supporting cast throughout the trip.
The biggest reason this lands at four stars instead of five is the ending. While I enjoyed the overall romance, the final conflict arrived so late that the resolution felt a little rushed. I also found myself wishing for a bit more dialogue during some of the emotional moments, and a longer epilogue would have made the ending feel even more satisfying.
Overall, Two Tickets to Love is a heartfelt story about healing, taking chances, and allowing yourself to believe in love again after heartbreak. If you're looking for a vacation romance filled with slow-burn chemistry, emotional growth, beautiful scenery, and two characters who truly deserve their happily ever after, this is a lovely book to add to your beach bag.
Thank you to Kathleen Allen, Kelli Mascaron, and NetGalley for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️
Two Tickets to Love is exactly the kind of romance that makes you want to book a vacation the minute you finish reading. Between the Caribbean setting, the cruise ship adventures, and two wounded hearts slowly finding their way back to love, this was a sweet, entertaining escape.
Ethan and Clarissa are both carrying the weight of painful betrayals. Ethan has spent years believing the hurtful words of his ex-wife, while Clarissa is still trying to rebuild after discovering her fiancé's infidelity. Their friends may have orchestrated the cruise to help them move forward, but neither of them expects to find healing in each other.
I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop over the course of the trip. The romance never felt rushed, and the gradual trust they built made their connection believable. Ethan was especially easy to root for. His patience, emotional maturity, and willingness to communicate made him such a refreshing romance hero. Clarissa's journey of learning to trust again also felt genuine, and I appreciated that neither of them magically moved past their emotional scars overnight.
The cruise setting was easily one of my favorite parts of the book. From the excursions and piano bar to the dance lessons and beautiful ocean views, it created the perfect backdrop for a vacation romance. The banter between Ethan and Clarissa was fun, and I enjoyed spending time with the supporting cast throughout the trip.
The biggest reason this lands at four stars instead of five is the ending. While I enjoyed the overall romance, the final conflict arrived so late that the resolution felt a little rushed. I also found myself wishing for a bit more dialogue during some of the emotional moments, and a longer epilogue would have made the ending feel even more satisfying.
Overall, Two Tickets to Love is a heartfelt story about healing, taking chances, and allowing yourself to believe in love again after heartbreak. If you're looking for a vacation romance filled with slow-burn chemistry, emotional growth, beautiful scenery, and two characters who truly deserve their happily ever after, this is a lovely book to add to your beach bag.
Thank you to Kathleen Allen, Kelli Mascaron, and NetGalley for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2026
“And you stared at him like you were seeing something you had lost.” -Lauren, Clarissa’s friend
I’ve never been as happy to be aboard another Pinnacle Cruise as I was when I started reading Two Tickets to Love! The magic is totally back. This book was so great. The story, the emotions, the characters, and so great to get Ali and Marcus (previous book) in this one as well. If you haven’t read Kathleen Allen before the thing you need to know is that she is heavy on describing everything - you’ve got a really good image of what she’s talking about. This is a positive for me because I’m interested in almost everything and always have a ton of questions about how things worked or looked or felt, etc. You know the type.
Clarissa and Ethan are dream characters - both so hurt, so loved by friends, but looking at their futures in different ways. Ethan is a former Marine and a combat veteran, who has been through a lot and had a marriage that fell apart. Clarissa is a former dance instructor who lost her excitement and drive for it, and had a fiancé and then she didn’t. When these two came together, it was clear they weren’t looking but fate didn’t care - neither did their friends.
Their story is beautiful and steamy, the friends are fun and supportive on both sides and were great at pulling strings - even against the couple’s wishes. I think this is the only part where I paused and thought perhaps they should stop that since it hadn’t worked out so well for them in the first place. If I were Clarissa I’m not sure I’d ever trust them again. But really, the friends are lovely.
I love the overall pacing of this book, the way their relationship grew, the third act break up and the reunion (I mean, it was a cruise and they have to go home, right?). The things they did to get to the HEA gave me pause - like, why? Except for that blip, and the friends’ continued meddling, I was 100% in on this story. I loved it.
The Pinnacle Series featured the actual family that owns Pinnacle Cruise Lines and this is the beginning of the Pinnacle Cruises Guest Romance. This is a complete standalone and you will not be confused by anything.
“My body thinks it’s heaven…my heart thinks it’s home”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Two Tickets To Love ARC. As always my opinions are my own so take them with a grain of salt. I knew right off this was going to be a definite recommendation to romcom lover’s, especially if detailed location is imported to you. Honestly I’m not that kind of reader, I revel in the banter between love interests and angst of stories. But even I couldn’t help but get swept up in the cruise ship, a bulk of the story takes place on it, and the beautiful locations they docked at and went on excursions. Trust me the banter was delicious between these two, our FMC, Clarissa gave as good as she got, but it was MMC, Ethan’s honesty that stole my heart. Still reeling from his divorce Ethan decides to always be 100% truthful, a quality poor Clarissa didn’t have with her ex fiancé. These two had so much chemistry in any interaction between them, but there is a scene where these two are dancing the Tango, and our authors wrote it with such sexual tension it felt hotter than a sex scene to me. I’ve got two left feet but dang, after reading that scene, made me want dance lessons. The secondary characters were fun and I loved the sisterhood Clarissa had with them still after college is long gone. A couple of the ladies had their own little side drama, but it didn’t take away from our main characters, it added so much to their story. I was invested in the ladies as well as Ethan’s friends he travelled with. There is big drama on the ship as well as off, and some unresolved pain from their past experiences get in the way, but ultimately they find their way back to each other. The epilogue was so fulfilling giving updates on the whole crew! I want more of this cruise line, and more from this pair of authors so I’ll definitely be following this pair.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Two Tickets To Love ARC. As always my opinions are my own so take them with a grain of salt. I knew right off this was going to be a definite recommendation to romcom lover’s, especially if detailed location is imported to you. Honestly I’m not that kind of reader, I revel in the banter between love interests and angst of stories. But even I couldn’t help but get swept up in the cruise ship, a bulk of the story takes place on it, and the beautiful locations they docked at and went on excursions. Trust me the banter was delicious between these two, our FMC, Clarissa gave as good as she got, but it was MMC, Ethan’s honesty that stole my heart. Still reeling from his divorce Ethan decides to always be 100% truthful, a quality poor Clarissa didn’t have with her ex fiancé. These two had so much chemistry in any interaction between them, but there is a scene where these two are dancing the Tango, and our authors wrote it with such sexual tension it felt hotter than a sex scene to me. I’ve got two left feet but dang, after reading that scene, made me want dance lessons. The secondary characters were fun and I loved the sisterhood Clarissa had with them still after college is long gone. A couple of the ladies had their own little side drama, but it didn’t take away from our main characters, it added so much to their story. I was invested in the ladies as well as Ethan’s friends he travelled with. There is big drama on the ship as well as off, and some unresolved pain from their past experiences get in the way, but ultimately they find their way back to each other. The epilogue was so fulfilling giving updates on the whole crew! I want more of this cruise line, and more from this pair of authors so I’ll definitely be following this pair.
July 31, 2026
Reseña de la copia anticipada recibida de Netgallery
Cuando vi en la sinopsis que la historia se desarrollaba dentro de un crucero dije "necesito leer este libro!" y que decisión acertada.
Me encanto la ambientacion: esas vibras veraniegas y alegres me hicieron creer de momentos que yo misma me encontraba veraneando (donde vivo en este momento es invierno)
Me gusto lo ligero que se sintió el libro incluso cuando trata temas cotidianos que son difíciles. Los personajes tambien me gustaron bastante.
Por otro lado me hubiese gustado una descripción un poco mas detallada del viaje y un poco mas de enfoque en las relaciones de amistad y no tanto en la pareja principal (pareja que me encanto por cierto). Si hubo algunas escenas que me parecieron un poco irreales o improbables pero siento que te dejan con la sensacion de que el romance sigue existiendo, asi como una sensación de esperanza.
Super recomendado!!
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Review of the advance copy received from Netgallery
When I saw in the synopsis that the story took place on a cruise ship, I said, "I need to read this book!" and what a great decision it was.
I loved the setting: those summery and cheerful vibes made me feel like I was actually on vacation (where I live right now it's winter).
I liked how light the book felt, even when dealing with difficult everyday topics. I also really liked the characters.
On the other hand, I would have liked a slightly more detailed description of the trip and a bit more focus on the friendships and less on the main couple (a couple I adored, by the way). There were some scenes that seemed a little unrealistic or improbable, but I feel they leave you with the feeling that the romance is still there, as well as a sense of hope. Highly recommended!!
Cuando vi en la sinopsis que la historia se desarrollaba dentro de un crucero dije "necesito leer este libro!" y que decisión acertada.
Me encanto la ambientacion: esas vibras veraniegas y alegres me hicieron creer de momentos que yo misma me encontraba veraneando (donde vivo en este momento es invierno)
Me gusto lo ligero que se sintió el libro incluso cuando trata temas cotidianos que son difíciles. Los personajes tambien me gustaron bastante.
Por otro lado me hubiese gustado una descripción un poco mas detallada del viaje y un poco mas de enfoque en las relaciones de amistad y no tanto en la pareja principal (pareja que me encanto por cierto). Si hubo algunas escenas que me parecieron un poco irreales o improbables pero siento que te dejan con la sensacion de que el romance sigue existiendo, asi como una sensación de esperanza.
Super recomendado!!
-------------------------------------------------------
Review of the advance copy received from Netgallery
When I saw in the synopsis that the story took place on a cruise ship, I said, "I need to read this book!" and what a great decision it was.
I loved the setting: those summery and cheerful vibes made me feel like I was actually on vacation (where I live right now it's winter).
I liked how light the book felt, even when dealing with difficult everyday topics. I also really liked the characters.
On the other hand, I would have liked a slightly more detailed description of the trip and a bit more focus on the friendships and less on the main couple (a couple I adored, by the way). There were some scenes that seemed a little unrealistic or improbable, but I feel they leave you with the feeling that the romance is still there, as well as a sense of hope. Highly recommended!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron was easily one of my favorite reads of the year...a total 5-star masterpiece! 🚢✨ Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly felt like I was living this story right alongside the characters, and I’m still not quite ready to be back on land. 🌊💖
The way the authors handled the "love finds you when you aren't looking" theme was executed so beautifully, but what truly stole my heart was Ethan. 🫠 His honesty and vulnerability were so refreshing; he was such a grounded, genuine character that I found myself falling for him just as hard as the protagonist did! Seeing him let his guard down was such a poignant, beautifully written arc...it felt incredibly real and deeply moving. 🥂😍
I was completely obsessed with the setting. The cruise ship atmosphere was so immersive, and the authors have this incredible talent for sensory writing. From the specific tracks playing in the background to the intricate, fluid descriptions of the dance floor, I felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. 🎶💃 It’s one thing to read a romance, but it’s another to feel the rhythm and the heat of every scene as if you’re a passenger on the ship yourself.
The chemistry between the leads was electric, and their journey to becoming soulmates felt so earned and natural. Plus, the side characters were absolute gems....they added so much layers to the plot and made the whole world feel vibrant and full of life. 🍹⚓ If you’re looking for a read that feels like a sunset cocktail on the open ocean mixed with a genuine, heartfelt connection, look no further. This one is pure magic!
The way the authors handled the "love finds you when you aren't looking" theme was executed so beautifully, but what truly stole my heart was Ethan. 🫠 His honesty and vulnerability were so refreshing; he was such a grounded, genuine character that I found myself falling for him just as hard as the protagonist did! Seeing him let his guard down was such a poignant, beautifully written arc...it felt incredibly real and deeply moving. 🥂😍
I was completely obsessed with the setting. The cruise ship atmosphere was so immersive, and the authors have this incredible talent for sensory writing. From the specific tracks playing in the background to the intricate, fluid descriptions of the dance floor, I felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. 🎶💃 It’s one thing to read a romance, but it’s another to feel the rhythm and the heat of every scene as if you’re a passenger on the ship yourself.
The chemistry between the leads was electric, and their journey to becoming soulmates felt so earned and natural. Plus, the side characters were absolute gems....they added so much layers to the plot and made the whole world feel vibrant and full of life. 🍹⚓ If you’re looking for a read that feels like a sunset cocktail on the open ocean mixed with a genuine, heartfelt connection, look no further. This one is pure magic!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a solid 4 read.
It made me smile, curled my toes, tear up and some other emotions I could not name.
I loved the friend groups (old and new), the dynamics, the scenery, heartfelt conversations.
Ethan is almost too good to be true but common, we love men in fiction. :)
Clarissa may be sometimes annoying, I still love her. She's strong yet doesn't shy in showing her vulnerability.
I like the girls friendship. There's realness to it that real people/friends do like setting their friend to a stranger with the intention of making the said friend happy. Realizing later that it could be an ultimate betrayal and friendship buster.
I know it is Ethan and Clarissa's story but I was invested into knowing more of Mark and Jillian story as well.
I am not a fan of the 3rd act break up but I think it's necessary in the story. However, I wasn't a fan on how it was resolved. I guess, big grand gesture was important to the plot but on her best friend's wedding? Well, maybe this is the only way Maddie can think of making it up to Clarissa by taking the spotlight away from her and her new husband. Cringey honestly but then again, this is fiction. I would've wanted it to be less flashy and more mature, grounded. I loved Ethan and Clarissa's conversations. It would've felt more satisfying, at least for me if they have talked like how they talked during the cruise. Having that honest and sincere talk without the audience. Maybe still during the wedding but away to the prying eyes.
Overall, it was a fun and easy read. Although there were 2-3 scenes that were a little too cringey for my liking, I still devoured the rest.
It made me smile, curled my toes, tear up and some other emotions I could not name.
I loved the friend groups (old and new), the dynamics, the scenery, heartfelt conversations.
Ethan is almost too good to be true but common, we love men in fiction. :)
Clarissa may be sometimes annoying, I still love her. She's strong yet doesn't shy in showing her vulnerability.
I like the girls friendship. There's realness to it that real people/friends do like setting their friend to a stranger with the intention of making the said friend happy. Realizing later that it could be an ultimate betrayal and friendship buster.
I know it is Ethan and Clarissa's story but I was invested into knowing more of Mark and Jillian story as well.
I am not a fan of the 3rd act break up but I think it's necessary in the story. However, I wasn't a fan on how it was resolved. I guess, big grand gesture was important to the plot but on her best friend's wedding? Well, maybe this is the only way Maddie can think of making it up to Clarissa by taking the spotlight away from her and her new husband. Cringey honestly but then again, this is fiction. I would've wanted it to be less flashy and more mature, grounded. I loved Ethan and Clarissa's conversations. It would've felt more satisfying, at least for me if they have talked like how they talked during the cruise. Having that honest and sincere talk without the audience. Maybe still during the wedding but away to the prying eyes.
Overall, it was a fun and easy read. Although there were 2-3 scenes that were a little too cringey for my liking, I still devoured the rest.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
That tango scene alone lives rent-free in my mind! 💃🔥 If you love a romance where the characters actually act like emotionally mature adults, add this to your TBR immediately.
Here is my honest breakdown:
What I Loved:
Dual POV: I loved the dual POV, especially how it shifted seamlessly within chapters rather than just between them.
The Sims Energy: When Ethan first met Clarissa, it literally felt like meeting a nemesis on The Sims. He started so far in the negative and had to spam positive interactions just to get to neutral! 🎮😂
Green Flag King: Ethan is an absolute dream. He is so attuned to Clarissa’s emotions and his own. When she needs space, he respects it without making it about himself. The reassurance, honesty and emotional maturity? Refreshing! 👑💚
Slow Burn Trust: The "cone of honesty" was everything. Watching Clarissa's walls drop and seeing them build a foundation of trust and respect before the romance started felt so rewarding.
The Heat: While the spicy scenes felt a bit piled on one after another near the end, honestly... after waiting SO long for them, I wasn't even mad.
What Gave Me the Ick:
The Friend Drama: I disliked Amber & Ethan's interactions. The conversations between her and Ethan gave me major icks. I get being honest but I didn't like where she was directing the conversations knowing her friend was into him.
Overall, the emotional maturity in this book was such a breath of fresh air. It proves that honesty and showing up for someone is the ultimate romance.
Thank you Warrington Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Here is my honest breakdown:
What I Loved:
Dual POV: I loved the dual POV, especially how it shifted seamlessly within chapters rather than just between them.
The Sims Energy: When Ethan first met Clarissa, it literally felt like meeting a nemesis on The Sims. He started so far in the negative and had to spam positive interactions just to get to neutral! 🎮😂
Green Flag King: Ethan is an absolute dream. He is so attuned to Clarissa’s emotions and his own. When she needs space, he respects it without making it about himself. The reassurance, honesty and emotional maturity? Refreshing! 👑💚
Slow Burn Trust: The "cone of honesty" was everything. Watching Clarissa's walls drop and seeing them build a foundation of trust and respect before the romance started felt so rewarding.
The Heat: While the spicy scenes felt a bit piled on one after another near the end, honestly... after waiting SO long for them, I wasn't even mad.
What Gave Me the Ick:
The Friend Drama: I disliked Amber & Ethan's interactions. The conversations between her and Ethan gave me major icks. I get being honest but I didn't like where she was directing the conversations knowing her friend was into him.
Overall, the emotional maturity in this book was such a breath of fresh air. It proves that honesty and showing up for someone is the ultimate romance.
Thank you Warrington Publishing & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2026
This was cruising towards a meh-level three stars until the last few pages.
I mostly liked the main characters; I liked the setup. Unlike a lot of reviews I’ve seen, I even MOSTLY liked Clarissa; the extent and manifestations of her trauma felt real to me.
I did NOT like the blow by blow descriptions in every scene involving a song or a dance. Here’s what we did during this verse, then we did this awesome move in the next verse, etc. It’s like the authors want us to be so moved by the scene that we’re compelled to learn the choreography and dance along at home (in which case: just print a bloody diagram).
I did NOT like the entire cruise getting super invested in their relationship, to the point where they were all cheering for Clarissa and Ethan instead of enjoying their own damn vacation.
I did NOT like that the only thing we learned about the other female characters was their hair colors and their marital status (Lauren and Taylor are MARRIED! Madison is ENGAGED! Amber is the GROUP SLUT!), not their jobs or anything that would give them a semblance of a distinguishing personality.
And honestly, I was ok with the reveal that the friends and crew had tricked them — because at least that explained the cruise director’s psychotic level of engagement in their romance.
But after that caused Clarissa to have the flip out to end all flip outs, then the narratively necessary period of separation and yearning, to have Ethan pair up with the friends AGAIN to trick her so that they’d get back together?
Absolutely not. I hope they all drown on their next cruise.
I mostly liked the main characters; I liked the setup. Unlike a lot of reviews I’ve seen, I even MOSTLY liked Clarissa; the extent and manifestations of her trauma felt real to me.
I did NOT like the blow by blow descriptions in every scene involving a song or a dance. Here’s what we did during this verse, then we did this awesome move in the next verse, etc. It’s like the authors want us to be so moved by the scene that we’re compelled to learn the choreography and dance along at home (in which case: just print a bloody diagram).
I did NOT like the entire cruise getting super invested in their relationship, to the point where they were all cheering for Clarissa and Ethan instead of enjoying their own damn vacation.
I did NOT like that the only thing we learned about the other female characters was their hair colors and their marital status (Lauren and Taylor are MARRIED! Madison is ENGAGED! Amber is the GROUP SLUT!), not their jobs or anything that would give them a semblance of a distinguishing personality.
And honestly, I was ok with the reveal that the friends and crew had tricked them — because at least that explained the cruise director’s psychotic level of engagement in their romance.
But after that caused Clarissa to have the flip out to end all flip outs, then the narratively necessary period of separation and yearning, to have Ethan pair up with the friends AGAIN to trick her so that they’d get back together?
Absolutely not. I hope they all drown on their next cruise.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Back on the Pinnacle cruise line we go! I love these stories so much and I hope they never end.
Two Tickets to Love follows Clarissa and Ethan, who are both on a cruise to escape the baggage of their real life. Clarissa (who is there with her friends on a bachelorette trip) found her ex cheating on her not too long before they were supposed to get married, and it completely turned her off men. She believes that none are trustworthy, and has sworn them off. Ethan (who is third wheeling his friends), on the other hand, is still reeling from his divorce.
When they meet, Clarissa is a bit…prickly towards him, but Ethan is intrigued by her. An ex-Marine, he respects her wishes to not get too close but despite their rocky start, the two keep finding themselves together. As Clarissa sees more into the kind and honorable person Ethan really is, she starts to let her guard down around him and realize that maybe this man in particular isn’t so terrible.
I love stories that take place on cruise ships, I think it’s such a fun backdrop for two people falling in love. Because cruises only last a few days, there is a level of quickness in the progression of feelings that I don’t usually love, but this is the one exception I’m willing to make.
Clarissa and Ethan work really well together, and I love how he’s able to knock down her walls while also opening himself up to the possibility of love again after he thought it would never work out for him. He’s so honest and good, it’s easy to root for him, and for them as a couple.
Two Tickets to Love follows Clarissa and Ethan, who are both on a cruise to escape the baggage of their real life. Clarissa (who is there with her friends on a bachelorette trip) found her ex cheating on her not too long before they were supposed to get married, and it completely turned her off men. She believes that none are trustworthy, and has sworn them off. Ethan (who is third wheeling his friends), on the other hand, is still reeling from his divorce.
When they meet, Clarissa is a bit…prickly towards him, but Ethan is intrigued by her. An ex-Marine, he respects her wishes to not get too close but despite their rocky start, the two keep finding themselves together. As Clarissa sees more into the kind and honorable person Ethan really is, she starts to let her guard down around him and realize that maybe this man in particular isn’t so terrible.
I love stories that take place on cruise ships, I think it’s such a fun backdrop for two people falling in love. Because cruises only last a few days, there is a level of quickness in the progression of feelings that I don’t usually love, but this is the one exception I’m willing to make.
Clarissa and Ethan work really well together, and I love how he’s able to knock down her walls while also opening himself up to the possibility of love again after he thought it would never work out for him. He’s so honest and good, it’s easy to root for him, and for them as a couple.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
I really enjoyed Two Tickets to Love! It was such a sweet, easy romance that kept me wanting to pick it back up.
One of my favorite things was that this wasn’t an insta-love story. Ethan and Clarissa actually took the time to get to know each other, which made their relationship feel much more genuine. I also thought the way the book explored the lasting effects of betrayal and learning to trust again was done really well. It gave the story more emotional depth without making it feel too heavy. The friend groups were another highlight for me—they added so much fun and made the story feel even more comforting.
Ethan was definitely my favorite character. He was patient, supportive, and just so easy to root for. Clarissa did frustrate me at times, but I could understand why she reacted the way she did because of everything she’d been through.
My biggest complaints were that some of the chapters felt a little long, there were a few moments that made me cringe, and I’m never a huge fan of a third-act breakup, so that didn’t totally work for me.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable romance that was equal parts sweet and emotional. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good, easy read with lovable characters.
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Two Tickets to Love! It was such a sweet, easy romance that kept me wanting to pick it back up.
One of my favorite things was that this wasn’t an insta-love story. Ethan and Clarissa actually took the time to get to know each other, which made their relationship feel much more genuine. I also thought the way the book explored the lasting effects of betrayal and learning to trust again was done really well. It gave the story more emotional depth without making it feel too heavy. The friend groups were another highlight for me—they added so much fun and made the story feel even more comforting.
Ethan was definitely my favorite character. He was patient, supportive, and just so easy to root for. Clarissa did frustrate me at times, but I could understand why she reacted the way she did because of everything she’d been through.
My biggest complaints were that some of the chapters felt a little long, there were a few moments that made me cringe, and I’m never a huge fan of a third-act breakup, so that didn’t totally work for me.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable romance that was equal parts sweet and emotional. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a feel-good, easy read with lovable characters.
Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2026
Advanced Readers Copy provided by NetGalley🌴💌🚢
Two Tickets to Love was everything I wanted in a summer romance and more.
From the moment these two met, I was invested. The enemies-to-lovers tension was playful without feeling overdone, and watching their relationship slowly evolve aboard a cruise ship made every chapter feel like a mini vacation.
One of my favorite parts was the pairing of the characters. The former Marine MMC was protective, dependable, and incredibly swoon-worthy, while the dance teacher FMC brought warmth, confidence, and so much heart to the story. Their personalities complemented each other beautifully, and their chemistry felt natural from start to finish.
The romance had just the right amount of spice—enough to make you blush without overshadowing the emotional connection between the characters. I also appreciated how the story handled past relationship trauma, allowing both characters to grow while learning to trust again.
If you’re looking for a feel-good romance filled with tropical vibes, heartfelt moments, lovable characters, and a satisfying happily ever after, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🌺📚
Two Tickets to Love was everything I wanted in a summer romance and more.
From the moment these two met, I was invested. The enemies-to-lovers tension was playful without feeling overdone, and watching their relationship slowly evolve aboard a cruise ship made every chapter feel like a mini vacation.
One of my favorite parts was the pairing of the characters. The former Marine MMC was protective, dependable, and incredibly swoon-worthy, while the dance teacher FMC brought warmth, confidence, and so much heart to the story. Their personalities complemented each other beautifully, and their chemistry felt natural from start to finish.
The romance had just the right amount of spice—enough to make you blush without overshadowing the emotional connection between the characters. I also appreciated how the story handled past relationship trauma, allowing both characters to grow while learning to trust again.
If you’re looking for a feel-good romance filled with tropical vibes, heartfelt moments, lovable characters, and a satisfying happily ever after, I definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 🌺📚
July 29, 2026
3.5⭐️
Thank you to the authors and Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a good book. I won’t lie and say that I completely enjoyed the characters, because for a good portion of the book I found Clarissa to be insufferable, honestly.
I understand being a bit bitter and resentful after what happened to her, but I think it was sort of ridiculous to be so hateful and cold towards all men because of it, it’s truly not hard to be nice. I didn’t enjoy how rude she was just for the sake of being rude. Ethan was really enjoyable though, no complaints there. I liked how honest he was.
Their relationship was fairly fast to me, not that that’s a bad thing, but the book also felt fairly fast paced, and honest just a tiny bit insta-love. I feel like the book told you more than it showed you, and I’m not the biggest fan of that.
Overall though, this was still a good book and I loved the story of two broken people mending themselves and finding each other. It was very enjoyable!
Thank you again to the authors and to Netgalley for providing me with this book.
Thank you to the authors and Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a good book. I won’t lie and say that I completely enjoyed the characters, because for a good portion of the book I found Clarissa to be insufferable, honestly.
I understand being a bit bitter and resentful after what happened to her, but I think it was sort of ridiculous to be so hateful and cold towards all men because of it, it’s truly not hard to be nice. I didn’t enjoy how rude she was just for the sake of being rude. Ethan was really enjoyable though, no complaints there. I liked how honest he was.
Their relationship was fairly fast to me, not that that’s a bad thing, but the book also felt fairly fast paced, and honest just a tiny bit insta-love. I feel like the book told you more than it showed you, and I’m not the biggest fan of that.
Overall though, this was still a good book and I loved the story of two broken people mending themselves and finding each other. It was very enjoyable!
Thank you again to the authors and to Netgalley for providing me with this book.
July 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen & Kelli Mascaron
Ethan & Clarissa
After going through a divorce, Ethan’s friend convinces him to take a cruise to get away and start fresh. Meanwhile, Clarissa catches her fiancé with another woman and ends up taking the cruise with her friends instead.
They first meet when Clarissa and her friends challenge Ethan to play the piano. As he performs, his music catches Clarissa completely off guard, stirring up emotions and reminding her of the heartbreak she’s trying to leave behind.
As they keep running into each other throughout the cruise, Clarissa has to deal with a creepy passenger who won’t leave her alone. Ethan doesn’t hesitate to step in, making her feel safe and showing the kind of man he truly is.
This is a sweet, heartwarming romance about finding a second chance at love—not with each other from the past, but after heartbreak. I really enjoyed watching Ethan and Clarissa heal, grow, and open their hearts again. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance set on a cruise with supportive friendships and plenty of sweet moments, this is a great pick!
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC and this is my honest review.
Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen & Kelli Mascaron
Ethan & Clarissa
After going through a divorce, Ethan’s friend convinces him to take a cruise to get away and start fresh. Meanwhile, Clarissa catches her fiancé with another woman and ends up taking the cruise with her friends instead.
They first meet when Clarissa and her friends challenge Ethan to play the piano. As he performs, his music catches Clarissa completely off guard, stirring up emotions and reminding her of the heartbreak she’s trying to leave behind.
As they keep running into each other throughout the cruise, Clarissa has to deal with a creepy passenger who won’t leave her alone. Ethan doesn’t hesitate to step in, making her feel safe and showing the kind of man he truly is.
This is a sweet, heartwarming romance about finding a second chance at love—not with each other from the past, but after heartbreak. I really enjoyed watching Ethan and Clarissa heal, grow, and open their hearts again. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance set on a cruise with supportive friendships and plenty of sweet moments, this is a great pick!
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this story. These opinions are my own.
Clarissa and Ethan find themselves tagging along with friends headed out of a Caribbean cruise. Clarissa (recently broken up with her cheating boyfriend/fiancee) with her girlfriends for a bachelorette trip, Ethan (recently divorced) as a third wheel with his friend Mark and his wife Jillian. After a chance meeting with Ethan making an impression on Clarissa by playing piano, then by dancing with her & wowing the crowd, these two keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time & both of their walls start coming down.
These two had me - both dealing with their own hurt and baggage, Ethan with his absolute commitment to honesty even if painful, and their chemistry. Loved their friends & their nudges to keep these two in the other’s orbit.
The side characters and the setting were so easy to get into, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story - I’m really looking forward to seeing if there is more going on at Pinnacle Cruise Lines!
Clarissa and Ethan find themselves tagging along with friends headed out of a Caribbean cruise. Clarissa (recently broken up with her cheating boyfriend/fiancee) with her girlfriends for a bachelorette trip, Ethan (recently divorced) as a third wheel with his friend Mark and his wife Jillian. After a chance meeting with Ethan making an impression on Clarissa by playing piano, then by dancing with her & wowing the crowd, these two keep finding themselves in the same place at the same time & both of their walls start coming down.
These two had me - both dealing with their own hurt and baggage, Ethan with his absolute commitment to honesty even if painful, and their chemistry. Loved their friends & their nudges to keep these two in the other’s orbit.
The side characters and the setting were so easy to get into, and I thoroughly enjoyed this story - I’m really looking forward to seeing if there is more going on at Pinnacle Cruise Lines!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two Tickets to Love by Kathleen Allen and Kelli Mascaron is a heartfelt contemporary romance that blends the excitement of a luxury cruise with a deeply emotional story about healing, trust, and second chances. Set aboard the Pinnacle Cruises line, we are introduced to the FMC Clarissa, a woman who has sworn off romance after discovering her fiancé's devastating betrayal and the MMC Ethan, a former Marine who is struggling with loss, regret, and the emotional scars left behind after his marriage falls apart. One of the things that stood out to me the most about this novel was the emotional depth given to the characters. Ethan and Clarissa's journey was not simply about finding romance; it was about learning to open their heart again after loss. Overall, Two Tickets to Love was a sweet and emotional vacation romance that is the perfect summer read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you both for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel!
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley. Thank you both for giving me the chance to read this novel and share my honest review of the novel!
July 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Warrington Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!
4 star read!
A fun, enemies-to-lovers romance set aboard a beautiful Caribbean cruise!
Ethan and Clarissa have both recently had their hearts broken, so neither expects to find love when they join their friends on a cruise—let alone with each other.
This was such a cute, enjoyable read that I flew through in just a couple of sittings. Romance novels can sometimes give me the "ick" when the characters are overly forward or the relationship develops unrealistically fast, but that wasn't the case here. Ethan and Clarissa are both appropriately guarded after their past experiences, and their relationship unfolds at a believable, natural pace, making it all the more satisfying to read.
The story is set aboard the luxury cruise ship The Pinnacle as it sails through the Caribbean, providing the perfect backdrop for a romance. The ship is enormous, with plenty of unique venues and cozy spots where the romance can blossom. Along the way, the itinerary includes stops at beautiful island ports, adding even more adventure and charm to the story.
If you're looking for a lighthearted romance with plenty of vacation vibes, witty banter, and a slow-burn relationship, this is a great pick.
4 star read!
A fun, enemies-to-lovers romance set aboard a beautiful Caribbean cruise!
Ethan and Clarissa have both recently had their hearts broken, so neither expects to find love when they join their friends on a cruise—let alone with each other.
This was such a cute, enjoyable read that I flew through in just a couple of sittings. Romance novels can sometimes give me the "ick" when the characters are overly forward or the relationship develops unrealistically fast, but that wasn't the case here. Ethan and Clarissa are both appropriately guarded after their past experiences, and their relationship unfolds at a believable, natural pace, making it all the more satisfying to read.
The story is set aboard the luxury cruise ship The Pinnacle as it sails through the Caribbean, providing the perfect backdrop for a romance. The ship is enormous, with plenty of unique venues and cozy spots where the romance can blossom. Along the way, the itinerary includes stops at beautiful island ports, adding even more adventure and charm to the story.
If you're looking for a lighthearted romance with plenty of vacation vibes, witty banter, and a slow-burn relationship, this is a great pick.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two Tickets to Love is an amazing summer romance novel, I absolutely loved it! Huge thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publisher for an ARC of this book.
Everything about this book was five stars for me. I loved the cruise ship setting and summer vibes so much. I loved that neither of them expected to find love again after being broken by their past relationships, but they found each other and were able to help each other heal. I loved Ethan's honesty and how it inspired everyone else to be honest as well. The tension and heat were absolutely delicious, and everything about the romance and spice was written beautifully.
I loved the side characters, especially Clarrissa's friends, but I wish we had gotten even more of them. I loved how everyone rallied together in the end to try to get them back together, it was very sweet and wholesome. This book is perfect for someone looking for a sweet, steamy, and emotional summer romance!
Everything about this book was five stars for me. I loved the cruise ship setting and summer vibes so much. I loved that neither of them expected to find love again after being broken by their past relationships, but they found each other and were able to help each other heal. I loved Ethan's honesty and how it inspired everyone else to be honest as well. The tension and heat were absolutely delicious, and everything about the romance and spice was written beautifully.
I loved the side characters, especially Clarrissa's friends, but I wish we had gotten even more of them. I loved how everyone rallied together in the end to try to get them back together, it was very sweet and wholesome. This book is perfect for someone looking for a sweet, steamy, and emotional summer romance!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this copy!
If you’re looking for a summer read, this book is perfect! The cruise setting got my interest because I have never read a book like it. The found family they found along the way was heartwarming and how the “cone of honesty” brought them together and made their relationships stronger. A book about giving romance a second chance.
Clarissa and Ethan’s story was somehow realistic, because coming from broken relationships, walls will most definitely be up. However, I was expecting more walls and boundaries from Ethan, since he was also stern into the not looking for a relationship type of vibe as he entered the cruise.
All in all, I literally devoured this book and read it in a day because I was so hooked on how their love story was going to play out along with the side characters! Also, can we talk about how their Tango added a whole new level of spice?? Fun read!
3.5 stars! ⭐️
If you’re looking for a summer read, this book is perfect! The cruise setting got my interest because I have never read a book like it. The found family they found along the way was heartwarming and how the “cone of honesty” brought them together and made their relationships stronger. A book about giving romance a second chance.
Clarissa and Ethan’s story was somehow realistic, because coming from broken relationships, walls will most definitely be up. However, I was expecting more walls and boundaries from Ethan, since he was also stern into the not looking for a relationship type of vibe as he entered the cruise.
All in all, I literally devoured this book and read it in a day because I was so hooked on how their love story was going to play out along with the side characters! Also, can we talk about how their Tango added a whole new level of spice?? Fun read!
3.5 stars! ⭐️
July 17, 2026
It was a nice romance novel. Ethan was fleshed out and I liked the way he was going about navigating life after his divorce. I didn't vibe as much with Clarissa, although I understand how you would hate men after what happened to her. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. The friend groups, specifically the bachelorette group, were fun to see the dynamics of. There was a refreshing realism with the girlhood they shared.
Overall, I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. For me personally, there was a bit too much spice that felt like it was there just because, and I didn't like how often the authors used curse words. At times it just felt unnecessary. The chapters were long, but you're able to stop where you want since there are many breaks throughout shifting POV.
(ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Overall, I didn't love it but I didn't hate it. For me personally, there was a bit too much spice that felt like it was there just because, and I didn't like how often the authors used curse words. At times it just felt unnecessary. The chapters were long, but you're able to stop where you want since there are many breaks throughout shifting POV.
(ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely ADORED this book! Two broken-hearted souls learning to trust and find love again on a cruise ship!
I loved that Ethan was so open and vulnerable despite his marine background. I could have cried when he said he started dance lessons because he missed human interaction. Clarissa is so strong and independent and doesn’t shy away despite n her past. The chemistry between the two is electric and they balance each other perfectly.
The authors made the cruise ship setting so immersive with their descriptions. I loved that each day on the cruise was a different chapter.
The only downfall for me was Ethan and Clarissa’s friends conspiring behind their backs to push them together. I like the dynamics of the friend groups but you could tell that would be the big conflict in the third act.
I loved that Ethan was so open and vulnerable despite his marine background. I could have cried when he said he started dance lessons because he missed human interaction. Clarissa is so strong and independent and doesn’t shy away despite n her past. The chemistry between the two is electric and they balance each other perfectly.
The authors made the cruise ship setting so immersive with their descriptions. I loved that each day on the cruise was a different chapter.
The only downfall for me was Ethan and Clarissa’s friends conspiring behind their backs to push them together. I like the dynamics of the friend groups but you could tell that would be the big conflict in the third act.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2026
Summary:
Ethan is trying to move forward from his divorce but finds himself kind of running in place. His friend Mark books them a cruise thinking it will help Ethan push forward with his life. Clarissa is still reeling from catching her fiance cheating and she’s hiding out from the world. She reluctantly agrees to go on a cruise with her friends but only because it’s what her best friend Maddie wants to do for her bachelorette party. Ethan and Clarissa are brought together on the cruise by their similar trauma but they quickly realize their connection might be so much more.
Read if you like:
-Dual POV
-forced proximity
-divorced MMC
-marine
-dancing
My thoughts:
This book was a very easy read. The writing flowed well. I liked the friend group. Unfortunately I didn’t really love either main character. I can’t decide if I didn’t care for either of them and that made me not buy into their relationship or if it was two separate issues. The timeline of the cruise being 10 days and them having so much trauma made the pace of their relationship a bit hard to buy into for me. I also thought that it was flipping between POV’s too often -often multiple flips between characters per chapter. It’s not that this was bad it just more so wasn’t for me I think. Thank you to Warrington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Ethan is trying to move forward from his divorce but finds himself kind of running in place. His friend Mark books them a cruise thinking it will help Ethan push forward with his life. Clarissa is still reeling from catching her fiance cheating and she’s hiding out from the world. She reluctantly agrees to go on a cruise with her friends but only because it’s what her best friend Maddie wants to do for her bachelorette party. Ethan and Clarissa are brought together on the cruise by their similar trauma but they quickly realize their connection might be so much more.
Read if you like:
-Dual POV
-forced proximity
-divorced MMC
-marine
-dancing
My thoughts:
This book was a very easy read. The writing flowed well. I liked the friend group. Unfortunately I didn’t really love either main character. I can’t decide if I didn’t care for either of them and that made me not buy into their relationship or if it was two separate issues. The timeline of the cruise being 10 days and them having so much trauma made the pace of their relationship a bit hard to buy into for me. I also thought that it was flipping between POV’s too often -often multiple flips between characters per chapter. It’s not that this was bad it just more so wasn’t for me I think. Thank you to Warrington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Advanced copy received*
If you’re looking for a silly, witty rom com, this is not the book. While there are entertaining moments, it’s thoughtfully written, exploring the traumas both main characters carry from past betrayals. It’s about hurting, healing, and pushing yourself forward, even through fear. It touches on the importance of consent, honesty, and true friendship.
Clarissa and Ethan’s story is not insta-love or insta-lust, it’s two people choosing to trust again, rather than simply acting on a spark. There are misunderstandings and miscommunications and a third act breakup that eventually leads to two emotionally mature adults.
As much as I hate a third act breakup, I love a happily ever after even more. While I went in prepared for silly antics on a cruise, I still enjoyed their story and the reality of it all.
If you’re looking for a silly, witty rom com, this is not the book. While there are entertaining moments, it’s thoughtfully written, exploring the traumas both main characters carry from past betrayals. It’s about hurting, healing, and pushing yourself forward, even through fear. It touches on the importance of consent, honesty, and true friendship.
Clarissa and Ethan’s story is not insta-love or insta-lust, it’s two people choosing to trust again, rather than simply acting on a spark. There are misunderstandings and miscommunications and a third act breakup that eventually leads to two emotionally mature adults.
As much as I hate a third act breakup, I love a happily ever after even more. While I went in prepared for silly antics on a cruise, I still enjoyed their story and the reality of it all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow...just WOW! The emotion in this novel is intense. Ethan and Clarissa have had their hearts broken in previous relationships. Reluctantly going on a cruise with their friends, the last thing either of them expect is to find love. Through dance, forced proximity, and the cone of honestly, they share a real connection and begin to open their hearts again. What happens when the cruise ends? Will they fight for their future? This is an emotional deep dive for both romantic relationships and friendships.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC of Two Tickets to Love in exchange for an honest review. The ending really pulls at the readers heartstrings, but provides messages of not giving into fear and being honest for the best outcome in all relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC of Two Tickets to Love in exchange for an honest review. The ending really pulls at the readers heartstrings, but provides messages of not giving into fear and being honest for the best outcome in all relationships.
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