Weathering The Storm: A Friends To Lovers MM Romance

by Mandy Mackay

Rough seas, freezing temperatures... secret desires. Which will prove the hardest to survive?

Nick
I’ve endured the worst weather the Bering Sea has to offer. Minus-30 temperatures. 40-foot swells. 50-knot winds.

But freezing rain and violent whitecaps aren’t what scares me the most out here. Every crabbing season, it gets harder to stay away from my first mate.

One heart-stopping smile at a time, Seth Rittenburg keeps chipping away my walls. I know he’s just being a friend… but I can’t stop myself from wanting more.

Seth
I’ve crewed the Suoja long enough to know what makes her tick. If only I could say the same for her captain.

Beneath Captain Lundvall’s calmly commanding exterior, there’s a warmth that calls to me as the bitter Alaskan winter approaches. And the body hiding under his sweatshirts and windbreakers… yeah, okay. That calls to me, too.

But Nick is my boss. More importantly, he’s straight.

Isn’t he?
---
Weathering The Storm is a high-heat, blue-collar MM workplace romance featuring a captain and first mate, mutual pining, and allll the emotional hurt/comfort. It features high environmental stakes, but no third-act breakup, and of course, an HEA.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, Queer

313 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2026

About the author

Mandy Mackay writes scorching hot romance for readers who like their heroes rugged, their settings real, and their love scenes unapologetically filthy. Her stories are as emotional as they are explicit, featuring tender, competent characters you can root for and relationships built on chemistry and communication.

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh, the PINING 😩 and the HEAT 😏

And the yearning and the (supposedly) unrequited love and lust and did I mention the PINING??

Unsurprisingly, that was my fav part, so I’d have wished the yearning would have lasted even longer because once these two realise their unrequited feelings weren’t - in fact - unrequited, never have been actually, there’s a whole lot of fucking going on. And while I’m not usually a fan of high heat, my GOD, was this good Heat (that engine room scene, everybody? 🔥). Pure want and need and obsession and just.. sinking into each other, body and soul every chance they get.
Smoking hot, beautiful, intensely emotional. Still, the anticipation could’ve lasted a bit longer imo 😏

I also absolutely loved the setting here, in this boat, in the middle of the Bering sea, harsh winter, hard labour, real danger - I was holding my breath more than once because I was so immersed in the crab fishing aspect of it all. In the sea and all her beauty and especially all her unforgiving power and might. Jesus 😳

I actually teared up at some scenes, that’s how intense everything was 🥹

So yeah. A beautiful, smutty and emotional read with lots of crab fishing action. Loved it!

[~ Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ & semicolons ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5~

Reading a new-to-me author, especially an author who predominantly writes MF/MMF, is always risky, but I was pleasantly surprised by this book.

The standout for me was the setting: a fishing vessel off the coast of Alaska. Descriptions of the churning seas, floating sheets of ice, and windswept waves lent the book a haunting vibe. I'm convinced the author either lived on a fishing boat or someone close to her did.

The first 20% is all longing looks and pining. UST for miles. Bring it!

The MCs, Captain Nick and his first mate Seth, have been yearning for four long years, so it doesn't take much to have them falling into each other's arms. The next 40% is essentially sex and more sex, too much sex imo, but experience will vary.

At 60% a big storm hits, and there's danger and excitement. By 67%, everyone's been saved, and Nicky and Seth are all lovey-dovey and ready to move in together.

While we're told that they've been good friends for years, we don't actually see it on page, so the declarations of love kind of come out of nowhere.

I was hoping for more friendship and hankering, not to mention inclement weather and brave rescues. Oh, and while I liked the three crew members and the camaraderie between all the guys, I wish the talk of screwing women hadn't been quite so graphic. No thanks.

I often complain about abrupt endings, but this one is a little too slow and drawn-out, what with family, therapy, and, yup, more sex. The epilogue is rainbows and sprinkles, though, and I adored Seth and Nicky.

And then there's Squid who gets introduced in the last chapter and sadly doesn't get much page time, but I gotta round up for Squid!

[Gaby · Rating 2.75 out of 5]

Nobody is more disappointed than I am that I didn’t love this, but sadly, it just didn’t work for me. At best, I was bored, and I really couldn’t care much about what was happening.

It felt like 3 stories in one; I couldn’t figure out what the real plot of the book was. Was it the mutual pining and yearning? Not really, cuz that got solved at 20%. Was it the storm? Again, no, because there’s a huge chunk of the book afterwards. Was it then, Nick’s mental health and his struggle to move on? Again, I don’t think so, because it was glossed over pretty quickly.

The spice was abundant, and it sometimes was cringeworthy. I really think the book would have benefited from less sexy times and poetic declarations and more character and relationship development.

So yeah, I don’t know what the core of the book was. The romance was there, but they got together so fast that it didn’t make me root for them or anything. They were basically already in love when the book started, and we just didn’t see that happening.

[phoenix *ੈ✩‧₊˚]

There is just something about friends to lovers that gets me every time. The setting alone made want to read this book. Instead of another small town romance, we're out on the Bering Sea, and I loved how much the job itself became part of the story. You can tell the author really did research and cared about making it feel authentic. 🌊

Nick and Seth were so easy to root for. They're best friends, they've worked side by side for years, and both have been hopelessly in love with the other for a loooong while. I'm always a sucker for mutual pining, so this worked really well for me. Once they finally admitted their feelings, their relationship felt so effortless. They were two people who already knew and trusted each other, and this what I love about this trope. It feels kinda like insta-lovey, but I don't mind that at all. It's just cute and sweet and easy AND there was no drama or third-act breakup (I really hate that).

One thing I especially loved was how healthy their realtionship was. They communicated, supported each other, and wanted the other person to succeed. The chemistry was definitely there—and yep, the spice was spicing! 🔥 But what I really loved was how comfortable they were with each other. The epilogue has my heart. (I recommend reading the spicy bonus scene.)

I also loved the side characters. Everyone aboard the Suoja felt like a family rather than just coworkers. I also enjoyed seeing both Nick's and Seth's families. It's refreshing to read a queer romance where the biggest problem isn't homophobia or unsupportive relatives. Instead, the real antagonist is simply the sea itself.

And speaking of that... I don't think I've ever read a romance where Mother Nature felt like the main villain, but that's exactly what happened here. The storms were intense, the working conditions were brutal, and a trip out onto the water reminds you how dangerous this profession really is. And especially towards the end... let's just say it was emotional.

Overall, this was just such a cozy, heartfelt book. The romance was adorable, the atmosphere was fantastic, and it was really well written. If you like spicy friends-to-lovers romances with an interesting setting, I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up. I'll happily read more from the author!

✧ Thanks to the author for providing the ARC.

[Lily Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone has to read this book! I cannot do this book justice. I am always a bit hesitant to request an ARC from a new to me author but I read the sample on Book Sirens and I liked it so I decided to go for it. I thought it sounded too good to be true; fishermen on the Bering Sea, the captain and first mate at that! Both of them quietly pining for the other for 4 years. How could this perfect set up be done so well? I thought for sure something would not sit right with me. But as I kept reading and loving this book more and more I got more excited.

I adored Nick and Seth. Their love was so beautiful. I loved the crew of the Suoja and Seth’s family and Nick’s dad and mom. These men had such a touching love story that never went off the rails. The book was written beautifully and the pacing and build up to them getting together was done so well. I loved the setting and every other thing about this book. This is one of my favorites! I am so glad I took a chance and read it.

ARC received for review
All thoughts and opinions are my own

[ivanareadsalot · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Aww this was a very cute and veeeeery spicy romance, and I enjoyed it! I thought for sure, after the opening chapter, that Nick was gonna have me crying over his heart-eyes pining. But Seth was a total babe and THE perfect mate for his Captain, and I was happy that it didn't take them very long at all to get into the sweet sweet business of falling in love! Seth and Nick's adventurous sexy times were spicing up rooms on the Suoja that most captains would vm not approve of, but yolo.

It wasn't always easy or comfortable though, as king crab fishing in the intense, tempestuous, frigid conditions of the Bering Sea is not for the faint of heart! Luckily the crew of the Suoja were a tight group of fishermen, who'd bonded over the dangerous work they did together, and kicked it at the bar during their down time.

So, other than the stormy, life-threatening conditions that challenged Seth and Nick's ability to love each other while being alive, their romance was a low-angst, soft and caring one that they got to share with the friends they'd made aboard the Suoja, alongside the kind of wonderful, loving, and supportive families we love to read!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This was such a sweet story.

A captain and his first mate dancing around each other because they both believe the other to be straight. It doesn’t take too long for them to realise that they have feelings for each other, though.

Then we get to experience their journey becoming a couple whilst navigating a very tough career. There are ups and downs, but they’re there for each other throughout.

Really enjoyable.


………………………………………………..

I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.

[Lore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently, 2026 is my fishermen-who-fall-in-love era and with this cover I couldn't do anything else but read it.

This is a great low angst story that is easy to read in one sitting, if that is something you're looking for.

Because it is advertised as a friends to lovers I missed the friends phase in their story. They admit pretty quickly to their feelings for each other and as someone who loves the hurt of a pining man, it felt to me like they skipped a stage.

Super sweet story but lacked some depth.

[AngstLover-Jing · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A bit of a mixed bag for me—not a bad read by any means, but a few things kept bugging me.

Pros:

✅ Vivid, solid prose. Huge shoutout to the author for the research; the immersive crab fishing was top-tier. The opening and the shipwreck around the 60% mark had my hair standing on end—definitely the highlights for me.

✅ The MCs have a super supportive circle of friends and family (though this creates a side-issue I'll get into below). Zero unnecessary melodrama, and a satisfying HEA.

✅ Plenty of long, spicy scenes. The flip-fuck? Nice! Even though I skimmed a lot of them, they're definitely worth a mention!

Cons:

❌ The "friends-to-lovers" trope made zero sense here. This isn’t a double bi-awakening; these are two unapologetically gay guys who’ve been secretly pining for each other for FOUR YEARS while completely missing every romantic cue. Bro! Either you didn't love each other enough to actually show it, or you're both legally blind. Your straight friends figured out you were gay ages ago, yet two grown gay men have absolute zero gaydar?! I don't want to overanalyze, but the last time I read a story with two guys dragging their feet with this much hesitation, it was written by an author who mostly writes MF and was dabbling in MM for once.

❌ Did their reasons for hesitating actually hold up? Not really. Their uncertainty about each other's sexuality—"I'm gay." "No way, me too!"—gets resolved instantly. And Nick's hesitation about coming out to family and friends—"I'm gay." "We support you!"—gets brushed aside just as easily. So those conflict points felt completely weightless. Combined with my previous point, honestly, this would've worked so much better as a strangers-to-colleagues-to-lovers slow burn where at least one of them has a bi-awakening.

❌ The MCs were one-dimensional and entirely lacked the punch I look for in my reads, so I couldn't connect with them at all from start to finish. On top of that, sex took up way too much space compared to actual relationship-building. It didn't make my heart race, which means the romance element was a complete miss for me.

❌ Strip away the sex, the storms, and the massive shipwreck set pieces, and the core plot of this book is astonishingly bare-bones: A fishing boat gets caught in a storm and sinks, the captain and his crew (including his newly minted boyfriend) fight to survive, they recover, buy a new boat, and get ready to head back out to sea. The end.

❌ The story lacks true conflicts. It is told in a completely linear, single-thread way with zero side plots or driving purpose.That makes it feel sluggish and dragged out, except for the fishing and shipwreck scenes, so I found myself zoning out and having to force myself to finish it.

❓I couldn't help thinking—if Nick had been hit with some financial trouble, making it possible he might lose his boat and absolutely needing this catch to make enough money—wouldn't that have made the story so much more suspenseful and purposeful?

[-`♡´- · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Oh, kullanmuru, I’m so happy for you. All this time, I worried you were too in love with the sea to love anyone on land.”

I am feeling spoiled rotten by devouring another amazing read. Who knew romance meets deadliest catch could be so electric? I absolutely loved this. It made me emotional, tore my heart apart, and put it back together.

I loved the writing. I was iffy about “journal entries” being involved but I really like how they were used and incorporated into the story.

Received an arc in an exchange for my honest review.

Ps: I need more crab fishing roms in my life, thx!

[❀ Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad Patrícia put this on my radar, this was such a sweet story.

I loved watching Deadliest Catch so of course I was all too happy to see that as the setting, I ate up every dangerous minute of being out at sea.

Tho I do have a complaint that's become all too common for me which is that I personally felt like after they got together it was just so much sex scene after sex scene and I get that they were on the job so they took those brief moments to really go at it but I wished there were some more scenes of them interacting in a romantic but non sexual way, it did help that they were already halfway to being in love while all the sex was happening so I did appreciate that it wasn't all lust fueled and there were feelings involved, soft mushy feelings, the forever kind 🥺 + bonus points because i'm always a sucker for MCs pining for eachother thinking the other could never want them back while the other is equally as obsessed and thinking the same, i just wished there was a little more tension before it snapped😂

Otherwise I really loved these two, and I especially appreciate there wasn't a focus on their different experience levels because they just wanted to focus on how it felt being with eachother without past history with others coming through, it highlighted that they've never felt how they feel together without needing to provide comparisons. 🥰

[Emmie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captain Nick and First Mate Seth have been friends and colleagues for four years. They’ve also been mutually pining for just as long, convinced that the other is straight. Once these lovable idiots get out of their own way, the sizzling tension turns into waves of passion! This romance was equal parts sweet and spicy and I honestly couldn’t tell you which parts I preferred!

I loved their dynamic, both together and as captain and first mate. Nick’s self-enforced loneliness, brought on by his fear of coming out, prevented Nick from truly feeling a part of the family he’d created with his crew. Seth gently pushed Nick into accepting himself and finding his place.

But! Don’t expect this book to be all sunshine and roses. Our MMCs fish off the coasts of Alaska during the winter months, which brings all kinds of danger ‼️ Their story takes a scary turn that had me frantically reading to make sure my boys were okay.

[Kassu · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

This is a very conventional romance in an unconventional setting, and both of these are largely positive things.

I picked up this book for the Finnish connection but it's very minor. There are a couple of Finnish words in the book, and even though one of them is the third MC—the ship Suoja the guys are onboard for the most of the story—that's really the extent of it. (Btw, letter J in Finnish is pronounced like the consonant Y. And while the translations for Suoja are not wrong at all, I personally would say shelter and protection before the mentioned refuge, guard, and shield.)

I don't know much about the practical things in commercial fishing, but I always enjoy when people who have careers which they love are properly shown doing their jobs. The reader is living on that boat with these guys and even though a lot of the details fly right over my head, the atmosphere has still been built. (One of my pet peeves are stories with a couple of vague mentions of meetings or reports and otherwise pretending like work doesn't really exist, when it takes most of our awake hours.)

Romance-wise we get secret pining, good keeping-it-a-secret smut (and later on all-in-the-open smut too), all the giggles when others find out, super cute couple moments, and being there for each other in thick and thin. It's lovely. Very angst-free, but still not boring. The dangers of the job as well as coming out create enough tension to the story to not make it all fluff.

The story did not lose its momentum when the couple got together initially and not even when they became public, but I have to admit that closer to the end I had already had my share of sugary sweetness. And since this book is a very conventional romance, of course there was still an unnecessary epilogue. It wasn't bad: short and cute, showing everyone all happy. Very unnecessary to me, because it was evident a while ago already, that everything will be sorted out and they were on their HEA. After tackling through that epilogue though, there was another one, this time more along what they are to me usually: unnecessary (derogatory).

I never let unsatisfying endings reduce the final score much, and I wouldn't even say this was unsatisfying, I was just a bit done with the sweetness and the conventions. Overall I also would have wished a bit more distinction to the character POVs. But it is rare for a contemporary romance to get full marks from me, 4 stars means it's very good.

Reading tired creates some extra funny moments, like forgetting a dog's name was Squid.

Squid trots over and sticks her nose in both of our faces before she flops down and chews on the sole of Seth’s boot—

I was all 👀. A squid came out suddenly and did what?

My thanks to the author and BookSirens for the ARC.

[Nijntje Pluis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like books where the setting is very vivid, and this one had that in spades. For most of the book we're on a crab boat in the Bering sea and it really sounded like the author knows what she's talking about. Loved that.
Because both mc's have been pining after each other for years, they get together fairly early in the story, without a lot of trouble. I would have liked to see a bit more conversation and them just being together, instead of focusing on the physical attraction so much, but other than that it was great. I believed in the connection and never doubted these guys would make it as a couple.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was the most straightforward romance I've read all year. It was very sweet and profoundly uncomplicated. We get a friends-to-lovers romance featuring the captain of a small commercial crab fishing vessel and his first mate, each of them pining for the other for years but each convinced that the other is straight. It comes to a head one eventful Winter in the Bering sea and after confessing their feelings, these two embark on a sweet and steamy romance with some hypothermia thrown in for drama. It did get a little boring for me towards the end, but I think if you are in the mood for something simple and wholesome and cozy, this may do it for you.

[Madam Ra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful! Nick and Seth were delightful, and very cute together. I always loved Deadliest catch, but never thought I would read a mm romance set in the cold Alaskan waters. There’s enough plot, but the journey is more on their budding love. Also Nick isn’t out yet, so he does quite a bit of self discovery and growth. I loved Seth, so considerate and kind (but omg his filthy mouth 🫣😊) he was perfect for Nicky, to calm him and reassure him, to help him after a very traumatic time. The epilogue was awesome. The vows omg 🫠🫠🫠

[Matthew Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, even when reading exceptionally well-written books, I struggle to fully visualise the world an author has painted in words. I had no such problem with Weathering the Storm. Mandy Mackay renders Nick, Seth, the Suoja, its crew and the Bering Sea with such extraordinary clarity that it felt less like imagining the setting than remembering it.

For me, this story is awash in darkness punctured by light. It begins in the pre-dawn blackness of a remote Alaskan fishing town as Captain Nick Lundvall prepares the Suoja for another crabbing season. From there come the lights of the wheelhouse against an apparently endless black sea, the distant glow of safe harbour, sunsets reflected through sea ice, the aurora overhead and the sickly pallor of the sky as bad weather approaches. Darkness and light are constant companions, and Mackay uses both to make one of the largest possible settings feel astonishingly intimate.

The Bering Sea is vast, empty and profoundly indifferent. The world aboard the Suoja is the opposite. Cabins are cramped. Bunks are too small. The galley barely seems capable of containing two grown men without the movement of the boat knocking them together. Men live, work, sleep and eat within metres of one another for weeks at a time. Privacy barely exists.

It is the perfect environment to tell the tale of two men who have spent four years trying very hard not to reveal that they are in love with each other.

Nick is captain and Seth is his first mate. Both believe the other is straight. Both have therefore spent years subjecting every interaction to the exhausting mathematics of the closet. Did that touch linger too long? Are we standing too close together? Did I react too strongly when the boat rolled and threw his body against mine?

There is something painfully authentic about this constant self-surveillance. Neither man appears ashamed of being attracted to men. Their fear, Nick’s especially, is more practical and environmental. Commercial fishing is an insular, traditionally masculine industry in which men live in extremely close quarters, and Nick has convinced himself that openness might make his crew uncomfortable or alter the professional relationships on which all of them depend. Importantly, Mackay does not need to populate the novel with cartoonishly homophobic fishermen to make that fear credible. Sometimes the closet is maintained less by what anyone has actually said than by decades of fearing what might be said.

Nick and Seth’s early scenes are some of my favourites in the novel. Nick preparing food for the crew, something we are told captains do not ordinarily bother doing. Seth joining him. Both men attempting to behave normally while working beside one another in a galley barely wider than their combined size. The boat rolls. Arms brush. Bodies collide. Poseidon, apparently tired of waiting for them to sort themselves out, repeatedly assists.

This tentative phase is also the one part of the novel I wanted substantially more of. Their mutual pining has lasted four years before the book begins, but once we join them, the stalemate resolves earlier than I expected. The progression makes emotional sense, and I never doubted that these two men already had enough history to support what follows. I simply enjoyed the restraint, yearning and hyper-awareness so much that I would happily have read another hundred pages of it. I trusted Mackay enough to believe she could have written a substantially longer novel and kept me enthusiastically trapped alongside them on this fishing vessel.

Care is the thing that draws Nick and Seth together. Nick cares for everybody. As captain, he monitors the vessel, the weather, the catch and the people whose safety ultimately rests with him. He is competent because other people need him to be. He feeds his crew, watches them, worries about them and carries the burden of being the person who must make decisions when conditions turn dangerous.

The Suoja itself is inseparable from that identity. Its Finnish name means shelter or refuge, and that meaning couldn’t be more appropriate. The boat belonged to Nick’s father before him. It is workplace, inheritance, home and responsibility. Nick is more comfortable aboard it than in his cabin during the off-season. Being its captain is not simply what he does; it is the principal way he understands himself.

Seth is maybe the one person who notices the man underneath the captain. He makes sure Nick drinks his coffee. He makes sure he eats. He notices when responsibility has consumed so much of Nick’s attention that he is running on empty. Coffee and meals are hardly grand romantic gestures, but that is precisely why they work: Seth knows what Nick forgets to do for himself.

That also keeps their professional hierarchy from ever feeling uncomfortable once their feelings are out in the open. Nick may captain the Suoja, but he never attempts to captain their relationship. If anything, intimacy becomes one of the few places where he willingly stops being the person in charge, and he allows himself to be cared for without the novel turning their dynamic into something rigidly D/s.

Sexually, the book certainly understands the appeal of letting two extremely physical men finally stop pretending they do not want to touch each other. Once the proverbial floodgates open, Weathering the Storm becomes very high heat. The sex is explicit and plentiful, although I would not describe it as particularly kink-forward. Its defining quality is physicality. There is a specific flavour of blue-collar sex in MM romance that foregrounds the sheer physical presence of men who work with their bodies: weight, sweat, heat, strength, rough hands and the pleasure of one solid body pressed against another. Mackay writes that extremely well.

What elevates the sex is the tenderness threaded through it. Nick and Seth do not merely want to fuck each other into the nearest bulkhead. They want the other man to feel good while they do it. They check in. They protect each other from discomfort. They are versatile and increasingly adventurous, but the reciprocal nature of their sex matters more than assigning either man a permanent role.

The romance remains sweet throughout all of this. Not saccharine, and certainly not sexually demure. Nick and Seth like each other. They respect each other. They enjoy spending time together. Years of friendship mean that becoming lovers does not require them to construct intimacy from nothing; it allows them to finally recognise the intimacy that has already been there.

That warmth is supported by the wider crew. Mackay gives each man aboard the Suoja enough individual personality that the boat never feels populated by Generic Fisherman Numbers One, Two and Three. They feel textured and their camaraderie feels genuine.

The commercial fishing material is similarly convincing. I am not an avid viewer of Deadliest Catch, though after twenty years of that programme existing in the cultural background I suspect most of us have absorbed at least some understanding of Bering Sea crab fishing by osmosis. Mackay provides enough technical and procedural detail to make the setting legible without turning the novel into a deep-sea fishing training manual.

What really sold me, though, was the sea. Nick loves it. He reveres its beauty and respects its power. He also understands the fundamental distinction between commanding a vessel and controlling the environment through which it moves. The Bering Sea does not care how experienced he is, how prepared the crew may be or how desperately anyone aboard wants to return home.

By the end, what stayed with me most was how Weathering the Storm takes an enormous landscape and makes it intimate. It places two men in one of the least controllable environments imaginable and gives them something tender and dependable to hold onto. Against an endless black sea, Mackay keeps returning to small islands of light: a lit wheelhouse, a cramped galley, coffee placed into someone’s hand, bodies sharing a too-small bunk, another person lying beside you in the darkness.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Captain… sir… just no. Too little plot and too much spice, and I didn’t feel the chemistry between these two. Plus, I didn’t vibe with the writing. Overall a miss.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

This book has great atmosphere aboard a crabbing boat in the Bering Sea. The crew sail the deadliest waters bringing in the deadliest catch and they thrive on every aspect of it. The current crew has been together for a while and they all respect their jobs and the hierarchy of the boat. When the story opens, Seth has been on Nick’s crew for four years and we learn they are good friends. They are at the point where their attraction is boiling over and their story here starts in the middle of their attraction. Nick doesn’t think he can ever come out. The fishing world can be rough and he has never had someone to come out for. His crew thinks he has a girlfriend and that thought drives Seth mad.

They get the happiest of endings and if at the end you are still not ready to let them go, the author has a short bonus story available through her newsletter. I have already looked at the author’s schedule to see what she has coming up next and I will look forward to more stories from this new-to-me author.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Asheley · Rating 4 out of 5]

** ARC Review Incoming **

Thank you to Mandy Mackay and Booksprout for allowing me to be part of the Arc Team and for giving me a free copy of this book.

Weathering the Storm by Mandy Mackay is a wonderfully written MM romance with a unique setting that really makes the story stand out. The unusual backdrop adds an extra layer of tension and gives the romance so much more impact.

The story is both exciting and spicy, with plenty of nail-biting moments that kept me turning the pages. The two MMCs are absolutely adorable, and watching their relationship develop in the midst of such frightening circumstances made their romance all the more compelling.

A well-written, emotional, and engaging MM romance with a satisfying HEA, memorable characters, and just the right balance of suspense and heat. Definitely worth picking up!

[Taylor Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in 3 hours. I could not stop. I didn’t want to put this book down. Not only did the author manage to snag my attention (and keep it the whole time) with the romance between the two MMCs, but also with the plot! I have always heard that crab fishing can be scary, but she really put it into perspective what it is like out there. The research that went into this book must have been extensive! The plot and the spice were top notch. I have rarely read a book that made me sob as much as I did with this one, because there were real tears. I absolutely loved this journey.

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review: Weathering The Storm by Mandy Mackay
MC:Seth&Nick 5⭐

Alaskan fishermen, mutual pining, and all the feels and all the hotness? Licking-my-fingers delicious. 🤌😋

Tropes & tags
🌊 Blue-collar MM workplace romance
⚓ Captain × First Mate
❤️ Friends to Lovers
🥹 Mutual Pining
🤍 Hurt/Comfort
🫂 Touch-Starved MCs
🚫 No Third-Act Breakup
🌊 A perfectly timed rogue wave
🐟 Absolutely smitten Alaskan fishermen
👀 Slightly nosy but supportive crewmates
⏳ Years of pining
🚤 Every room on the boat has history
🌶️ High heat (+ bonus scene!)

I have such a soft spot for blue-collar romances, especially when they're set at sea, and Weathering the Storm completely delivered. I loved it from the very first page and honestly couldn't get enough of Seth and Nicky. 🦀⚓

Years of mutual pining? Sign me up. Watching these two finally stop dancing around their feelings and give in to what had always been there was so incredibly satisfying. Their connection felt effortless, built on years of trust, friendship, and quiet longing. Once they finally crossed that line... I was done for. 🥹❤️

They were everything I wanted in a couple—sweet, attentive, protective, supportive, and perfectly balanced. Seth instinctively knew when to take charge, while giving Nicky the space to simply let go, breathe, and feel safe. Their dynamic melted my heart.

And yes... there are a lot of spicy scenes. 🌶️🥵 But not once did they feel repetitive or thrown in just for the sake of it. Every intimate moment deepened their relationship, and they were ridiculously hot. The dirty talk is to die for… I’m glad we spend this book in the cold waters of the Bearing Sea… or else🥵🥵🥵🥵🥵 Let's just say this boat has seen things... and apparently every room deserved to be christened. And two words “ Engine Room” 😂🚤

“Come on, baby,” I beg. “Make love to me.”
“Is that what this is?”
“That’s what it’s always been. From the very first time.”

"You’re so tight.” He pushes deeper with gradual rocks of his hips. Transporting me into an ecstasy that extends beyond orgasm.
‌‌‌‌‌​​​​​​​​​​​‌​‌“What about you?” I groan as he bottoms out. “Can you still feel me in your ass? Do you feel nice and loose for me while you’re stretching me out with this long, thick cock of yours?”
“Holy fuck, Seth.”
“Do you?”“Yes.” He pulls back and punches forward, knocking the wind out of me.
“I feel you every. Fucking. Time. I move.” Each word, he slides home. Fills me with blinding intensity.‌‌‌‌‌​​​​​​​​​​​‌​‌
“You wreck me.” Thrust.
“I want you constantly.” Thrust.
“All I think about is you.” Thrust.
My harsh exhales blow into the small open window of the anchor locker door and reverberate inside the confined chamber. Whistling through rope and chain links.He bends over, kissing the shell of my ear and winding his fingers into my hair.
“I need to come so bad, but all I wanna do is keep touching you. Making love to you.”

I also adored all the moments with the crew. They felt like a real family—slightly nosy, endlessly supportive, and always there when it mattered most. Those quieter scenes added so much warmth to the story and made the romance feel even stronger. ❤️

One thing I really appreciated was that, while this is first and foremost a romance, it never glosses over the realities of commercial fishing. The danger is always present, reminding you just how risky this job really is, which made me appreciate every safe return home that much more, specially after that scary AF moment 🌊

The only tiny thing that felt a little stretched for me was how long Nicky stayed in the closet. But considering the environment he worked in and the fears he carried with him, I completely understood why it wasn't an easy step to take.

From first mates to soulmates... this book completely stole my heart. If you love hardworking men, years of pining, found family, incredible chemistry, homey food, and fishermen who somehow manage to be both rugged and ridiculously soft, don't miss this one. 🦀⚓❤️

I want you everywhere I am, baby. I wanna fall asleep beside you every night and wake up next to you every morning. I wanna go fishing and hiking together. Get an RV and take a stupid-long road trip. I wanna get a dog with you. Two, so they each have a friend. We can wait until we retire from the commercial shit, or we could go adopt them right now.

I received a copy of this book from GRR, and this is my honest review.

⚠️Author Content Warnings
Dangerous commercial fishing conditions and life-threatening situations at sea
Alcohol use
Internalized homophobia/coming out
‌‌‌‌‌​​​​​​​​​​​‌​‌Life-threatening danger and injury
Depictions of PTSD and survivor's guilt
Referenced loss of life (off-page, unnamed characters)

❣️Book Safety & Content
Other Person Drama: No
Third-Act Breakup: No
Role Dynamics: Versatile but there's a preference
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Series
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: Low
Spice Level: High heat 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 alert theres flip fucking
Communication:Some miscommunication
Pining: Mutual

[Sandy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to @patrícia for assuring me I could read this one!

I had the odd happenstance of choosing to review two books featuring the same rare/unique career, deep sea crab fishing in the unforgiving Bering Sea, and this was one of them. I enjoyed it a lot, in no small part (and this is true of both) for the authentic look at how rough and dangerous that living truly is. The sea takes no prisoners.

This one was the lighter of the two books, more of a sweet friends-to-lovers (good pining in the opening!) story with some hair-raising dangerous moments due to the conditions. At first it seemed almost too sweet, not really plotty, but, once I got through the first third or so of rather insta-confessions (not insta-love; these two have worked together/been falling for each other for 4 years), and into more work and storms and reality, it picked up and floated me through to a lovely finish. With some very rough waters in the midst! But ultimately...lovely.

Nick has captained the Suoja (means refuge, guard, shield…) ever since he took over from his father (happens a lot in this world). And the start of reb crab season means one important thing…his first mate, Seth. The man Nick yearns for, pines over, hides his desire for with a steadfast calm in the face of the man’s sunny warmth and kindness. He’s even made up a casual girlfriend to hide his desperate longing for the man.

Seth I clocked as into Nick “Nicky” from word one when he gives him the kind of hug that says you’re the only thing I see in this world, then gave him an incredibly thoughtful simple gift to say I’m happy to see you again.

It doesn’t actually take long for them to get their heads out of their butts, hence, kinda insta-relationship feeling, but they are SO great together, so attuned, so lovely, I didn’t mind. Fabulous chemistry, explosive passion, really wonderful friendship turned to soulmate-type lovers…ah, satisfying for my romantic little heart. No annoying mention of specific past lovers either, just nods to they aren’t virgins, and Nick’s never had a relationship, and I’m not sure if Seth has (happy not to know!), they’re so into each other they have important communications about preferences without making it about anyone but them. Perfectly pitched for me!

The entire crew is found family, working together for years, one’s success being all their success, and the jokes and camaraderie are a soothing balm for the soul as they head into the unpredictable Bering Sea and check their traps for crab.

I could smell the brine, taste the salt, feel the triumph of a good catch and the fear of the dwindling bounty of the ocean from human failures. My heart was in my throat with every crashing wave and gathering storm, and the culmination of their main adversary, the weather, was powerful, sad, riveting, and in a way, triumphant. Close calls indeed.

Both MCs have good families, and seeing Nick become part of Seth’s was lovely. I felt we were a bit short-shrifted on the reverse though, we don’t see Nick’s parents meet Seth/how that went. It’s kind of all intimated that all is great later.

Overall, I was swept away and enjoyed the heck out of the story.

It’s funny though, it has so many similarities (not romance-wise, just, setting, sea voyage, some plot beats) to the other book, I keep mixing up which characters were part of what crew! And how the heck these authors can make me feel like I’m about to be swept overboard while dragging up a crab trap from the depths, I do not know, but, mission accomplished.

HEA, friends and boss-employee (but very equals/colleagues in feel, not forbidden at all) to lovers, deep-sea crab fishing. All drama from the real antagonists, the sea and the weather. Very The Perfect Storm level of danger/feel. But all ends well. Totally safe for me. Recommended.

My thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.

[Mark F · Rating 5 out of 5]

My latest read was Weathering the Storm, the first book in the Perfect Catch series, by Mandy Mackay. I was fortunate enough to be given an ARC of this book, but this review is given voluntarily. This is the story of Nicolas “Nick” or “Nicky” (to Seth) Lundvall, Captain of the Suoja, and his best friend and first mate, Seth “Rit” Rittenburg, who each share hidden crushes on each other. Once their true feelings for one another are revealed, they learn what true happiness is, and their journey as a couple begins, not yet knowing that their biggest challenge lies just ahead.

Let me start by saying that I absolutely loved this book. It was a unique storyline for me, taking place on a fishing/crabbing boat, with a bit of drama, a bit of angst, a bit of tragedy, and a whole lot of friendship and romance. The characters were so well-written that I feel like they’re part of my fictional family. What can I say about Nick and Seth, other than that they were made for each other. Both the friendship and love are strong enough to get them through anything. Perry, Orlov, and Jorgensen made up the rest of the crew, and you couldn’t ask for better men. Or a better Captain, though Nick also acts as a big brother to them. Nick treated his crew like family, and they did the same in return. They’re all so caring, supportive, and dedicated, and the witty banter between them all is how brothers would behave with each other, and just enough to add a bit of humor to the story. Both Nick’s and Seth’s parents, and Seth’s other family members, round out the list of characters that add joy to their lives and support that every family member should be lucky enough to have.

The spice level was about a 4 out of 5, hot enough to nearly melt my Kindle, which is more than I prefer, but it worked well with the main characters’ relationship with each other. At first, I wondered if blending such spicy scenes into a book that had a fair amount of drama and tragedy would work, but I didn’t have to wonder for long. While the scenes were scorching, they played out so well because of the strong connection and long-felt feelings that Nick and Seth had for each other, solid enough to make it work, and work well. And in Seth’s own words, “There’s no shy with us. Not anymore.”

The “8 months later” chapter and the Epilogue were the icing on the cake. Actually, it was like my favorite icing on my favorite cake, that’s how much I loved them. And they were just what I needed. So many MM romance books I’ve read recently tended to hint at a possible HEA, rather than have a solid one, so I was so relieved and overjoyed to find out how things turned out for Nick and Seth. So, to Mandy Mackay, thank you for that, and thank you for not having a third-act breakup as so many romance novels often do.

All things considered, the story, the romance, the connection, the characters, even the higher level of spice, all just came together so well. As for the cover, I loved it! I strongly prefer illustrated covers such as this one, over those with random shirtless men that don’t correctly depict the characters involved. That’s just my preference though. To each their own. For these reasons, I rate this book a 9.5 out of 10, converted to a 5 out of 5 for a 1-5 rating scale.

Memorable quote: “I just hate that hiding means losing more time we could’ve had together. We’ve already lost enough.” - Seth

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading an MM or FF romance. I wanted a Mandy Mackay book to be my first because I already love the way she writes romance. And I wanted to read an MM for the same reason I read any romance: the dreamy, HEA aspect of love stories that’s such a balm compared to the world on the news.

I’ve always said love is love, and everyone should be free to love whomever they want. It seemed like time to put my bibliophile tendencies where my mouth is, so to speak. If I believe that, I figured, then what is really different about an MM romance vs. an MF or a MMF? And it turns out, nothing! But perhaps the mechanics of intimacy itself.

Mackay eloquently writes about two men falling in love in a dangerous profession where the stakes are literally life or death. And in fact, this might be her most swoon-worthy romance yet. Somewhere in the flowery [but never too flowery that you need an advanced degree to read] prose about the majestic drama of life at sea and the longing two humans feel for one another, you completely forget you’re reading queer romance and instead just get sucked in to the passion of two people who think they can’t have one another learning that they can have that, and so much more. (I think "Weathering The Storm" should be celebrated for the queer romance it is! But I don't believe you have to prefer that subgenre to enjoy this book.)

I love that Mackay isn’t a “third act breakup” author. She gives us more time than most to enjoy what happens after the couple become… a couple. And it’s such a joy to experience with Nick and Seth. There are dramatic moments that raise the stakes. And there’s a gravity to this love that a college romance about two enemies becoming lovers could never!

It’s not long; I finished it in less than 24 hours. And it’s steamy! But it’s not only that. Mackay has managed to write a surprisingly profound little love story I'll pull out when I need a reminder that love really is as constant as the sea itself. And as vital to us all as the air we breathe. [Not just romantic love, but all kinds.]

I’m glad I was approved for a Booksirens ARC, and I am happy to be leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jay M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Highlights:
-(331 pages on Booksprout, 226 on Google Books)
-Sensual racy spice scenes
-Wholesome Chemistry(supportive and loving couple)
-Interesting theme: crab fishing expedition
-Lovely ending
-Bonus chapter(if you sign up for newsletter)
-Seth is so cute

Possible Triggers
-Mentions of death
-Being in an LGBTQA+ intolerant space/industry
-Destructive weather at Sea
-Fear of coming out

Tldr; Wonderful book, great plot and spice. Needs more romantic/intimate non-spice scenes. Worth it.

This author is absolutely wonderful at world building and character creation, and on this she once again does not disappoint. As someone who is not intimately familiar with the lives or experiences of any fishing jobs, that aspect was enthralling. The crew was interesting and each person aboard had a unique voice that added to the story. The relationship between Seth and Nick is absolutely wholesome and supportive. Since Nick is so informal with the crew(especially Seth), you don't feel a power imbalance when they finally get together(which I like). Every scene with them together is enjoyable or leaves you on edge because of the predicaments they find themselves in.

The beginning of the book/right before their relationship actually starts is torture, pure blissful/torture of “will they won't they”; exactly the kind of drama you want. Then the middle is a different more pent up/sexual drama and the end deals with the repercussions of what happens in the plot.

Which led to the only problem I had with the book; I wanted more intimate moments of them as a couple. The spice scenes are fantastic and exciting as usual, the way they react with the world around them and the events that happen are understandable and interesting too, but because of what happens plot-wise it doesn't leave them a lot of mental or physical space for them to just be cute or romantic with each other.

All-in all, I really enjoyed it, Seth and Nick are great characters that you want to root for, I just wanted more of them romantically.

[Rishabh · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - An overall enjoyable read, if somewhat lacking that extra 'punch'.

I quite enjoyed reading this book - Friends To Lovers is a favorite theme/catnip of mine, and the plot portrayed the yearning between Nick and Seth quite well. Once they realize that their attraction and feelings are mutual; they delve into smexy intimate times which were abundantly and spicily written. 🔥

I liked the unconventional setting for the book, and appreciated the care and attention to detail. This is the first time I've read an MM romance set amidst the tempestuous high seas, buffeting and challenging a fishing vessel off the coast of Alaska. And while the romance was between the Captain and his First Mate, I liked that there wasn't any major power imbalance between them. If anything, they both worked to make sure that such an imbalance wouldn't come in between them. Kudos also to the author for their very immersive and descriptive prose - the description of the shipwreck and how the crew fight to survive and recover, was well done.

There were some things I did wish could have been portrayed a bit better, hence my gut feel that while the book was overall satisfying, it didn't 'wow' me. For one thing, the friendship between Nick and Seth became more of a 'tell' rather than 'show' - we're told they've been very close buddies for four years (and pining after each other for almost all of that time), but we don't really 'feel' it on page. It was a bit difficult to fathom how two gay men thrown into close quarters for years, and who've become extremely close friends over that period; would not have been able to pick out any inkling or hint of each other's orientation and their mutual desire. There were also stretches of the narrative where the spice and erotica outweighed the plot, instead of becoming an organic/intrinsic part of it.

But overall, this was a fascinating read with a very novel setting. A very satisfying palate cleanser from some overdone tropes which have become entrenched in MM romance of late.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WEATHERING THE STORM was such a delight to read! I've been a huge fan of this author since I discovered her books last year and this was no exception. I didn't know I could fall in love with the icy cold ocean and a crab boat but here we are. Mandy Mackay's writing is so engaging, from the way she describes the setting, to the way she creates such fully dimensional characters, both main and secondary. I always find myself completely immersed in the story and the romance.

Nick and Seth have been friends for several years as captain and first mate on Nick's crab boat but what they don't know is that they each have feelings for the other person. These two were opposites in many ways -- Nick steadfast, contained, and calm while Seth was charming, outgoing, and flirty -- but together they balanced each other perfectly. The way these two yearned for each other had me smiling so hard! Luckily they didn't have to pine for long before feelings come out and I loved that they jumped in with both feet because they weren't afraid to wear their hearts on their sleeves. The relationship itself was very low-angst and filled with the perfect blend of spicy and tender moments (something this author excels at), while the plot surrounding the romance steadily picked up as the reader discovers the danger of Alaskan crab fishing.

While this was a very high heat romance, it was also so tender and caring and introspective, especially in the second half. I really felt the complicated emotions Nick had toward the ocean; it was where he grew up, what kept him going each day, but also the thing that brought him the most pain. The scenes exploring Nick's grief and fears were so beautifully written in their simplicity. And the way Seth supported and cared for Nick in those moments just showed how strong their love was.

It looks like this might be the start of a new series and I can't wait to read more!


**ARC provided by the author via BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.**

[M H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of an advance copy from GRR No incentive was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was quite a surprise, I went in with moderate expectations based on the blurb and no knowledge of the author. The storyline is a love letter to the ocean, Alaska, and the fishermen, and it was a fun. I knew nothing about the setting or the industry and came away feeling like I'd learnt something. Like I said not what I expected.

Nick and Seth are fun characters to follow. Their is a little bit of an insta-lust/love scenario. But it's framed in such a way that I wasn't annoyed. This is a high spice story, written well in my opinion, but steer clear if that's not your thing.

There's some genuinely sad moments, moments that make you wonder if everyone and everything is going to be alright. Which is fun and unusual for this genre in my experience.

Homophobia is a big part of the narrative, not in the instant outrage sense. But in a more quiet and corrosive, internalised sense. The belief that being openly gay poses a risk to your social status, which is tied to your career. And you therefore need to censor your behaviour, and castigate yourself for acting on your desires because you believe it is necessary in order to maintain the status quo. Fortunately things unfold in a way that allows to enjoy the story as our 2 main characters develop.

I also appreciated the moments that tackled the stigma surrounding trauma. It's an overused word in my opinion, but also undertreated. Mainly because people develop coping mechanisms that mean they're "fine". In this instance, the issue is broached tastefully, and woven into the story. Unlike some other stories where it feels like a clanging PSA with some story thrown in as an afterthought.

Without giving too much away, I liked the ending. It stayed true to how the story unfolded, and the awww full circle of it all was sweet. 4.5* as personally I'd have like a little bit more of a buildup through the early chapters before they get together.

[Dalegendaryreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick and Seth had been working together for years as a king-crab fishermen. As they venture out to the sea, feelings surfaced and they embarked on a relationship. But not everything's easy at the sea.

Friends-to-lovers is one of my not-so favorite trope, but the idea of the characters as king-crab fishermen and the setting on the sea itself sounded intriguing.

I love both our characters. Nick is the captain and been harboring a crush on Seth. He's the grump to his sunshine, and I love that. Seth has been yearningggg for Nick. He did all these little things to talk to Nick and make sure he's okay as Nick tends to carry a lot of responsibilities. They both complement each other really well, and I get to see that.

Now, the friends-to-lovers thing usually have this hesitancy in crossing the line between showing a lot of interest or potential for more of just being in a safe space as friends. The will-they-won't-they situation is usually prominent, and that's usually I get from that trope. With this book, I got that for 20% then not. So idk, I was a bit disappointed? But at the same time, I always love seeing characters being in an actual relationship in books.

The thing is we don't really see a lot of history between the two of them so we don't see them being 'friends' much but we know they have history together since it's heavily implied.

Anyways, I love the yearning especially on Seth's part. He can't help himself because Nick's a great guy, and hiding those feelings were brutal for sure.

The relationship was a bit unconvential but I didn't really see any changes in their job so there's no power dynamic issue, and considering they're at the sea and stuck together yet can barely see each other was also refreshing to see.

The spice tho was spicing lol. I'm not a huge reader of spice this had a lot. I'm not complaining but just a heads up for people who's not into that.

Overall, I did love my reading experience with this book. I love the characters, the setting and their relationship plus the found family was great to see.