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Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat
An impulsive decision to join an Alaskan cruise getaway brings the chance for an onboard romance in this new enemies-to-lovers romance from the author of A Holly Jolly Diwali.
Jasmine Randhawa likes everyone to think she has it all—great job, perfect Seattle apartment, and a handsome boyfriend. But she’s not as confident or successful as she seems, and her relationship is at a breaking point.
When Jasmine finds herself single and tagging along on her parents’ vacation, she’s not sure her life can get any farther off course. It's a nightmare for someone who's been so fiercely independent to find herself on a cruise full of family friends who’ve judged her since childhood. Things only get worse once the ship leaves the harbor and she realizes that this is a seniors’ cruise, and the only other person under fifty on the entire boat is her childhood acquaintance, cocky and successful Jake Dhillon.
Jasmine and Jake clash right away, with Jasmine smarting over how their South Asian community puts him on a pedestal as the perfect Indian son, whereas her reputation as a troublemaker precedes her. Except they can’t avoid each other forever during the ten-day cruise, and they soon recognize a surprising number of similarities, especially in how many secrets they’re keeping hidden from their families. Their restlessness seems to disappear whenever they’re together, but is this relationship strong enough to last on land?
Jasmine Randhawa likes everyone to think she has it all—great job, perfect Seattle apartment, and a handsome boyfriend. But she’s not as confident or successful as she seems, and her relationship is at a breaking point.
When Jasmine finds herself single and tagging along on her parents’ vacation, she’s not sure her life can get any farther off course. It's a nightmare for someone who's been so fiercely independent to find herself on a cruise full of family friends who’ve judged her since childhood. Things only get worse once the ship leaves the harbor and she realizes that this is a seniors’ cruise, and the only other person under fifty on the entire boat is her childhood acquaintance, cocky and successful Jake Dhillon.
Jasmine and Jake clash right away, with Jasmine smarting over how their South Asian community puts him on a pedestal as the perfect Indian son, whereas her reputation as a troublemaker precedes her. Except they can’t avoid each other forever during the ten-day cruise, and they soon recognize a surprising number of similarities, especially in how many secrets they’re keeping hidden from their families. Their restlessness seems to disappear whenever they’re together, but is this relationship strong enough to last on land?
336 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2023
36 people are currently reading
8234 people want to read
About the author
Sonya Lalli
8 books797 followersSonya Lalli is a Canadian writer of Indian heritage. She studied law in her hometown of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and at Columbia University in New York City. She completed an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at City University London in 2015, and currently works as a journalist at a legal magazine in London. She has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and loves travel, yoga, piano, reading and cocktail bartending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
November 3, 2025
Updated Review: I got much further and enjoyed this book more too a second time around. However, I sadly have to DNF this book because a character died tragically from cancer. It’s nearly the time of year when my cat passed away from cancer and unfortunately I can’t continue reading this book of this and my equine therapy ending as well which I am still very upset about.
Update: I think I can move past the issue I had with this book the first time and I look forward to continuing this series!!!
This is unfortunately another DNF for me tonight. I absolutely adore the first book in this series. Like Jasmine, I wasn’t invited to go on a trip with my family to a water park around Christmas time because my dad didn’t think that I would ever want to go to a water park for some very odd reason. So this book really reminds me of that time and I am unfortunately still upset about that I still realize. I might return to reading this book sometime in the future since I love the first book so much.
Update: I think I can move past the issue I had with this book the first time and I look forward to continuing this series!!!
This is unfortunately another DNF for me tonight. I absolutely adore the first book in this series. Like Jasmine, I wasn’t invited to go on a trip with my family to a water park around Christmas time because my dad didn’t think that I would ever want to go to a water park for some very odd reason. So this book really reminds me of that time and I am unfortunately still upset about that I still realize. I might return to reading this book sometime in the future since I love the first book so much.
October 9, 2023
Get ready for another entertaining and thought-provoking romance novel from Sonya Lalli, the brilliant author behind "A Holly Jolly Diwali"!
This time, we follow the journey of Jasmine Randhawa, who embarks on a cruise trip with her parents—two people she's had a strained relationship with throughout her life, individuals who've never respected her choices. She's also surrounded by judgmental South Asian aunties and uncles who ostracized her from the community when she was just fifteen years old for the "crime" of kissing a boy, a rebellious act that defied the restrictive family traditions.
Jasmine agrees to this holiday partly because she's still nursing a broken heart after ending her four-year-long relationship with her ex, Brian. (For the record, Brian was a real jerk, and he's the one who dumped her. Now they're awkwardly sharing the same corridor in their apartment building while co-parenting their dog, Mango.)
On top of her emotional baggage, Jasmine is dealing with financial troubles, sharing a spare room in her bestie Amber's apartment, which just so happens to be conveniently located across from her ex-boyfriend's place that they used to share.
When she discovers that her parents only invited her sweet sister and her fiancé on the cruise, leaving her out, jealousy takes over, and she impulsively volunteers to join them on vacation.
The result? This is a seniors' cruise, and the only other person under the age of fifty is Jake Dhillon, the cocky, successful nephew of the evil auntie Queen Bee—the very same boy she used to babysit when she was fifteen.
Jake is on the brink of graduating from one of the country's top law schools—the University of Chicago Law School. He previously majored in political science at USC on a swimming scholarship. To top it off, he's already secured a job at one of the West Coast's premier law firms. Another cocky guy, just like her ex Brian, right?
However, as Jasmine and Jake spend more time together, collaborating to organize a dancing contest in the ship's auditorium, Jasmine realizes they have much more in common than she initially thought. Both of them are desperately seeking their parents' approval and working hard to keep up appearances.
Jasmine fights her attraction to Jake because she knows deep down that her parents and judgmental relatives will shame her as soon as they find out she's gotten involved with the precious Jack. They'll criticize her more than she deserves. But what if she takes a chance and follows her heart this time? What if this relationship doesn't end like her past ones? Can she be brave enough to risk her heart once again?
Overall, I initially found the enemies-to-lovers trope a bit forced because Jack was kind and understanding from the beginning, while Jasmine acted immature and impulsive. However, my opinion changed after delving into Jasmine's backstory, understanding her unfair circumstances, and witnessing the biased treatment from her own parents and relatives.
Trapped on a cruise ship, the sweet blossoming romance and Jasmine's journey of self-discovery were the highlights of the book, prompting me to round up my rating from 3.5 to a solid 4 stars—an Asian, cultural, entertaining, educational, and self-respect-filled four stars!
A special thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for generously providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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This time, we follow the journey of Jasmine Randhawa, who embarks on a cruise trip with her parents—two people she's had a strained relationship with throughout her life, individuals who've never respected her choices. She's also surrounded by judgmental South Asian aunties and uncles who ostracized her from the community when she was just fifteen years old for the "crime" of kissing a boy, a rebellious act that defied the restrictive family traditions.
Jasmine agrees to this holiday partly because she's still nursing a broken heart after ending her four-year-long relationship with her ex, Brian. (For the record, Brian was a real jerk, and he's the one who dumped her. Now they're awkwardly sharing the same corridor in their apartment building while co-parenting their dog, Mango.)
On top of her emotional baggage, Jasmine is dealing with financial troubles, sharing a spare room in her bestie Amber's apartment, which just so happens to be conveniently located across from her ex-boyfriend's place that they used to share.
When she discovers that her parents only invited her sweet sister and her fiancé on the cruise, leaving her out, jealousy takes over, and she impulsively volunteers to join them on vacation.
The result? This is a seniors' cruise, and the only other person under the age of fifty is Jake Dhillon, the cocky, successful nephew of the evil auntie Queen Bee—the very same boy she used to babysit when she was fifteen.
Jake is on the brink of graduating from one of the country's top law schools—the University of Chicago Law School. He previously majored in political science at USC on a swimming scholarship. To top it off, he's already secured a job at one of the West Coast's premier law firms. Another cocky guy, just like her ex Brian, right?
However, as Jasmine and Jake spend more time together, collaborating to organize a dancing contest in the ship's auditorium, Jasmine realizes they have much more in common than she initially thought. Both of them are desperately seeking their parents' approval and working hard to keep up appearances.
Jasmine fights her attraction to Jake because she knows deep down that her parents and judgmental relatives will shame her as soon as they find out she's gotten involved with the precious Jack. They'll criticize her more than she deserves. But what if she takes a chance and follows her heart this time? What if this relationship doesn't end like her past ones? Can she be brave enough to risk her heart once again?
Overall, I initially found the enemies-to-lovers trope a bit forced because Jack was kind and understanding from the beginning, while Jasmine acted immature and impulsive. However, my opinion changed after delving into Jasmine's backstory, understanding her unfair circumstances, and witnessing the biased treatment from her own parents and relatives.
Trapped on a cruise ship, the sweet blossoming romance and Jasmine's journey of self-discovery were the highlights of the book, prompting me to round up my rating from 3.5 to a solid 4 stars—an Asian, cultural, entertaining, educational, and self-respect-filled four stars!
A special thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for generously providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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April 19, 2023Contemporary romance with Jasmine, who is a bit of a mess. She has a good job but spends above her means, a useless ex she keeps going back to, a dismal relationship with her parents, and a lot of front to hide the hole in her self esteem. She has a lot of work to do on herself. Luckily she finds herself on a seniors cruise to Alaska with gorgeous younger Jake and has an impetus to think things through.
It's a very likeable story, though I didn't quite love it. Possibly because it teeters the line between romance and women's fiction: it's very much about Jasmine sorting her life out, with Jake something between an obstacle and a goal, but with a lot of the story about their head-butting relationship. I kind of wanted either more or less focus on the romance, I think. It's well written and there's a lot of painful stuff about expectations and the damage they can do. Re which I didn't quite buy into the resolution with Jasmine's parents. The set up, of their disappointment and lack of support, works very well, but gives the book a mountain to climb.
Still, there is a lot of fun here, plenty of good banter, and Jake is a very likeable hero who occasionally, as Jasmine says, puts on a dick costume.
It's a very likeable story, though I didn't quite love it. Possibly because it teeters the line between romance and women's fiction: it's very much about Jasmine sorting her life out, with Jake something between an obstacle and a goal, but with a lot of the story about their head-butting relationship. I kind of wanted either more or less focus on the romance, I think. It's well written and there's a lot of painful stuff about expectations and the damage they can do. Re which I didn't quite buy into the resolution with Jasmine's parents. The set up, of their disappointment and lack of support, works very well, but gives the book a mountain to climb.
Still, there is a lot of fun here, plenty of good banter, and Jake is a very likeable hero who occasionally, as Jasmine says, puts on a dick costume.
April 23, 2023
This one did some very interesting things regarding growth and right person wrong time. I can’t say it made for the most interesting book ever, but it was an enjoyable experience. I’d previously really loved Holly Jolly Diwali, and I can definitely say now that I love Lalli’s heroines. I found myself really relating to Jasmine. She wasn’t perfect, but she embraced who she was and actively worked on being okay with herself.
I’d say both books are more general fiction esque, but this one especially felt like Jasmine’s personal growth arc with a subplot of romance. Jake felt like a side character for most of the book, but he was real fine and wasn’t afraid to get vulnerable. I don’t think Holly Jolly Diwali even mentioned the characters having sex (if it did it was BRIEF), which I really enjoyed because the fade to black here definitely HURT. I’d rather not get anything than get teased, but that’s a personal preference.
So while I really appreciated that Jasmine took her time to really know herself until getting in the relationship, the snail’s pace of their dating just didn’t make for an engaging last third of the book. Especially with the only sex scene being fade to black. In the SHOWER. Robbery, my lord.
As an overall experience though, I really loved the audiobook narration!! The narrator was super emotive and I just love when you can hear the smile in someone’s voice 🥰 I also just really enjoyed the cruise ship setting, and the premise of being stuck on a seniors’ cruise was so much FUN. It was a very mellow and cozy book, so I think it was more of a nice drifting along read rather than a rocking the boat one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️*/5
*The characters have sex at the end, but it’s pretty immediately fade to black. He gets pretty serious with footsie which was fun, but it doesn’t go anywhere.
Thanks so much to PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
I’d say both books are more general fiction esque, but this one especially felt like Jasmine’s personal growth arc with a subplot of romance. Jake felt like a side character for most of the book, but he was real fine and wasn’t afraid to get vulnerable. I don’t think Holly Jolly Diwali even mentioned the characters having sex (if it did it was BRIEF), which I really enjoyed because the fade to black here definitely HURT. I’d rather not get anything than get teased, but that’s a personal preference.
So while I really appreciated that Jasmine took her time to really know herself until getting in the relationship, the snail’s pace of their dating just didn’t make for an engaging last third of the book. Especially with the only sex scene being fade to black. In the SHOWER. Robbery, my lord.
As an overall experience though, I really loved the audiobook narration!! The narrator was super emotive and I just love when you can hear the smile in someone’s voice 🥰 I also just really enjoyed the cruise ship setting, and the premise of being stuck on a seniors’ cruise was so much FUN. It was a very mellow and cozy book, so I think it was more of a nice drifting along read rather than a rocking the boat one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️*/5
*The characters have sex at the end, but it’s pretty immediately fade to black. He gets pretty serious with footsie which was fun, but it doesn’t go anywhere.
Thanks so much to PRHaudio for an ALC. All opinions are honest and my own.
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February 13, 202333-year-old Jasmine Randhawa thought the Alaskan cruise her parents booked would include people her own age, Ooops. she finds herself trapped on a cruise ship with a horde of Punjabi aunties and uncles--and Jake Dillon, whom she used to babysit.
But five years in adulthood is not the same as five years when you're kids, something it takes Jasmine a while to register. It doesn't help that the alpha auntie who organized the cruise, and even her own parents, feel it their duty to criticize every aspect of her lifestyle at every turn, especially as she had been living with her ex before dumping him. While Jake, of course, being male, gets praise for everything he does.
Watching these two navigate the shoals of cultural expectations while trying to find out who they are to one another (and Jasmine to discover who she is to herself) is what pulls this book along. I really loved the personalities and the cultural details.
But five years in adulthood is not the same as five years when you're kids, something it takes Jasmine a while to register. It doesn't help that the alpha auntie who organized the cruise, and even her own parents, feel it their duty to criticize every aspect of her lifestyle at every turn, especially as she had been living with her ex before dumping him. While Jake, of course, being male, gets praise for everything he does.
Watching these two navigate the shoals of cultural expectations while trying to find out who they are to one another (and Jasmine to discover who she is to herself) is what pulls this book along. I really loved the personalities and the cultural details.
April 18, 2023
What a fun romantic treat, with an enemies to lovers vibe I truly dug. Perfect for RomCom fans who adore South Asian flair and characters you grow to care about in their quest to find themselves and heal family hurts. Recommended!
June 5, 2023
I'm sorry but I have to DNF!!! OUR HEROINE is so childish and LITERALLY spells out how childish she is to our much younger hero. I know she's messed up because of her relationship with her parents but at some point she needs to take ownership for her actions.
July 8, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
𝘼𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙩𝙤-𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.
📍 Read if you like:
• Second Chance Romances
• Enemies To Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Alaskan Cruises
• Personal Growth
This was such a fun read, I loved the Alaskan cruise setting. This is my first read by this author, but it most definitely won’t be my last - I enjoyed the writing style.
There’s a sort of enemies-to-lovers trope I really enjoyed, and the forced proximity on this cruise was so fun(ny). Both characters are stuck with an older age group and it’s hilarious reading about how they’re the only two young ones on board - *cough cough* forced proximity.
It also turns out that Jasmine used to babysit Jake, which brings a second chance trope. I honestly really think this story was written so well. I loved the pop references and the journey both characters took. There’s also a huge theme of personal growth, which makes you enjoy these characters more.
I will say, this book did take me a while to get into. It also felt very slow at times, and some of the decisions the characters made were over the top. There wasn’t a huge feeling of romance, but I do think both characters were portrayed well - I just wish their chemistry was a bit stronger.
Overall, this was such a fun and delightful read. I loved the amount of humor and heartwarming moments. This isn’t your typical kind of romance, which was very fun to read. It was fun for what it was and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Bullying, Emotional Abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
𝘼𝙣 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙖𝙣 𝙘𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙤𝙣𝙗𝙤𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙚𝙨-𝙩𝙤-𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.
📍 Read if you like:
• Second Chance Romances
• Enemies To Lovers
• Forced Proximity
• Alaskan Cruises
• Personal Growth
This was such a fun read, I loved the Alaskan cruise setting. This is my first read by this author, but it most definitely won’t be my last - I enjoyed the writing style.
There’s a sort of enemies-to-lovers trope I really enjoyed, and the forced proximity on this cruise was so fun(ny). Both characters are stuck with an older age group and it’s hilarious reading about how they’re the only two young ones on board - *cough cough* forced proximity.
It also turns out that Jasmine used to babysit Jake, which brings a second chance trope. I honestly really think this story was written so well. I loved the pop references and the journey both characters took. There’s also a huge theme of personal growth, which makes you enjoy these characters more.
I will say, this book did take me a while to get into. It also felt very slow at times, and some of the decisions the characters made were over the top. There wasn’t a huge feeling of romance, but I do think both characters were portrayed well - I just wish their chemistry was a bit stronger.
Overall, this was such a fun and delightful read. I loved the amount of humor and heartwarming moments. This isn’t your typical kind of romance, which was very fun to read. It was fun for what it was and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!
•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Bullying, Emotional Abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
April 22, 2023
4.5⭐️ This was SO CUTE! I normally don’t care for reverse age gap but I LOVED Jake.
~Single again, Jasmine finds herself on a last minute cruise with her parents and family friends.. all over the age of 50. The only other person near her age is Jake, who can do no wrong except be associated with her.~
Jake and Jasmine are such an unlikely couple.. on the outside. Who they are inside t hough.. 😍 I cracked up finding out how they knew each other from childhood. LOL I did not see that coming.
I am absolutely clueless to Indian customs and culture so I loved reading about it. I really felt for Jasmine and the judgement she’s dealt with her whole life.. The way she overcomes it though made the whole book for me. Her journey as a person is so beautiful.
I loved the family aspect. It is a bit rocky at times but aren’t all families? I love how real and honest it was.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*
~Single again, Jasmine finds herself on a last minute cruise with her parents and family friends.. all over the age of 50. The only other person near her age is Jake, who can do no wrong except be associated with her.~
Jake and Jasmine are such an unlikely couple.. on the outside. Who they are inside t hough.. 😍 I cracked up finding out how they knew each other from childhood. LOL I did not see that coming.
I am absolutely clueless to Indian customs and culture so I loved reading about it. I really felt for Jasmine and the judgement she’s dealt with her whole life.. The way she overcomes it though made the whole book for me. Her journey as a person is so beautiful.
I loved the family aspect. It is a bit rocky at times but aren’t all families? I love how real and honest it was.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review with my honest opinion.*
April 4, 2023
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is a wonderful romance and coming of age story from Sonya Lalli! I'm a fan of Lalli's previous books, specifically the coming of age plots she includes in all of her women's fiction and romance novels. However, I think Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat may be my favorite novel that she's written. I adored Jasmine as a character and related to her so much as the eldest and firstborn daughter in a desi household. The scrutiny and judgement Jasmine endured from her local desi community in Seattle felt all-too-real. Additionally, the commentary on the double standards that South Asian women are unfairly held compared to their male counterparts in South Asian communities was incredibly thoughtful and realistic. I highly recommend this book to any South Asian with generational trauma, as the arc of Jasmine feeling neglected from her parents compared to her sister Niki was heartbreaking. I really enjoyed the scenes that explored her relationship with her mother and father, and the discussions they had about the cultural differences between them.
The romance was also very sweet! I liked how much of the story was dedicated to Jasmine and Jake's growing relationship and slowburn. Most romance novels do not feature an older woman x younger man pairing to begin with, and it was super interesting to see this played out in a South Asian setting. I really enjoyed watching their romance blossom while they discussed the similarities between their upbringings and again, the differences in how they are treated in their Punjabi community.
I think fans of strong female South Asian characters and discussions of family dynamics and societal expectations in South Asian communities will love Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat! I look forward to reading more South Asian romance from Sonya Lalli. I'd rate this 4.5 stars rounded up.
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Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is a wonderful romance and coming of age story from Sonya Lalli! I'm a fan of Lalli's previous books, specifically the coming of age plots she includes in all of her women's fiction and romance novels. However, I think Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat may be my favorite novel that she's written. I adored Jasmine as a character and related to her so much as the eldest and firstborn daughter in a desi household. The scrutiny and judgement Jasmine endured from her local desi community in Seattle felt all-too-real. Additionally, the commentary on the double standards that South Asian women are unfairly held compared to their male counterparts in South Asian communities was incredibly thoughtful and realistic. I highly recommend this book to any South Asian with generational trauma, as the arc of Jasmine feeling neglected from her parents compared to her sister Niki was heartbreaking. I really enjoyed the scenes that explored her relationship with her mother and father, and the discussions they had about the cultural differences between them.
The romance was also very sweet! I liked how much of the story was dedicated to Jasmine and Jake's growing relationship and slowburn. Most romance novels do not feature an older woman x younger man pairing to begin with, and it was super interesting to see this played out in a South Asian setting. I really enjoyed watching their romance blossom while they discussed the similarities between their upbringings and again, the differences in how they are treated in their Punjabi community.
I think fans of strong female South Asian characters and discussions of family dynamics and societal expectations in South Asian communities will love Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat! I look forward to reading more South Asian romance from Sonya Lalli. I'd rate this 4.5 stars rounded up.
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April 7, 2023
This was a fun reverse age gap vacation fling between two of the youngest members stuck on a seniors Alaska cruise. Initially Jake and Jasmine butt heads but eventually they mend fences and bond over a shared love of Outlander and some funny past history.
Great on audio and with a lot of emotional depth, I liked how Jasmine had to work through her reputation issues, growing up considered the 'fast girl' in her very conservative South Asian community. The cruise was a unique opportunity for her to mend fences with her parents and take steps toward a more positive self-image.
Many thanks to NetGalley and @prhaudio for complimentary digital copies in exchange for my honest review. This was definitely my favorite book by Canadian author Sonya Lalli!
CW: slut shaming
Great on audio and with a lot of emotional depth, I liked how Jasmine had to work through her reputation issues, growing up considered the 'fast girl' in her very conservative South Asian community. The cruise was a unique opportunity for her to mend fences with her parents and take steps toward a more positive self-image.
Many thanks to NetGalley and @prhaudio for complimentary digital copies in exchange for my honest review. This was definitely my favorite book by Canadian author Sonya Lalli!
CW: slut shaming
April 12, 2023
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is a fun and heartwarming contemporary romance with dynamic characters, a gorgeous setting, and a wonderful love story.
In the story, Jasmine finds herself on a cruise with her parents and a bunch of meddlesome aunties and uncles. Since Jasmine has a recent break-up with her long-time boyfriend, she has no place to live. Pushed to take her vacation days, Jasmine sees the cruise as the perfect escape even though her parents didn’t really invite her. Unbeknownst to her, however, it is a senior cruise, and the only other person under 50 on the cruise is Jake, who Jasmine babysat when they were younger. Now, Jake’s all grown up and awaiting results from his bar exam.
When Jasmine first meets Jake, they do not hit it off. She sees the same cocky, arrogant attitude her ex had. As they spend more time together, they see past the superficial, and their feelings start to grow. But they’re on a cruise with their families. Jasmine is also older than Jake, and she babysat him once upon a time. Plus, she just got out of a relationship, and her life is a little chaotic. She finds a million reasons not to go forward with Jake, but her heart is telling her to take a risk. She is so conflicted, and the comical, antagonistic, and goading banter shows it. They have the best back-and-forth that highlights all of their chemistry and sexual tension.
The story is definitely a romance, but the focus is really on Jasmine’s growth as a character. She learns a lot about herself during the cruise, and I think she takes a hard look at herself and her relationships with her parents and her ex. Jasmine has always felt she was a disappointment to her parents, and they have a very strained relationship. The outcast of her family, Jasmine struggles with confidence and self-worth because of the years of judgment, disapproval, and berating she received. She goes through an amazing amount of growth over the course of the story, and the cruise that seemed like it was going to be a dull and unpleasant time becomes an experience of a lifetime and an opportunity to med old hurts and start new relationships. At first, I felt like Jasmine was immature, and I didn’t really understand her. However, I ended up really liking her and thought she had a lot of depth.
Unlike Jasmine, Jake has always been treated like the golden boy. He can do no wrong. However, this comes with its own pressures, and Jake has familial expectations and responsibilities too. I thought the author did a great job of highlighting the double standards that Jasmine faces while also revealing how both characters struggle with the labels placed upon them and the inability to be seen as anything but those labels.
There are a lot of other great messages and themes that I think readers will relate to. Trying to live up to the expectations of others, struggling with family scrutiny and pressures, break-ups, taking a chance on love, healing, and forgiveness are all woven seamlessly through the plot. I like that, though the story tackles some tough issues, it’s balanced well with other more lighthearted and empowering moments.
Special thanks to Berkley Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
In the story, Jasmine finds herself on a cruise with her parents and a bunch of meddlesome aunties and uncles. Since Jasmine has a recent break-up with her long-time boyfriend, she has no place to live. Pushed to take her vacation days, Jasmine sees the cruise as the perfect escape even though her parents didn’t really invite her. Unbeknownst to her, however, it is a senior cruise, and the only other person under 50 on the cruise is Jake, who Jasmine babysat when they were younger. Now, Jake’s all grown up and awaiting results from his bar exam.
When Jasmine first meets Jake, they do not hit it off. She sees the same cocky, arrogant attitude her ex had. As they spend more time together, they see past the superficial, and their feelings start to grow. But they’re on a cruise with their families. Jasmine is also older than Jake, and she babysat him once upon a time. Plus, she just got out of a relationship, and her life is a little chaotic. She finds a million reasons not to go forward with Jake, but her heart is telling her to take a risk. She is so conflicted, and the comical, antagonistic, and goading banter shows it. They have the best back-and-forth that highlights all of their chemistry and sexual tension.
The story is definitely a romance, but the focus is really on Jasmine’s growth as a character. She learns a lot about herself during the cruise, and I think she takes a hard look at herself and her relationships with her parents and her ex. Jasmine has always felt she was a disappointment to her parents, and they have a very strained relationship. The outcast of her family, Jasmine struggles with confidence and self-worth because of the years of judgment, disapproval, and berating she received. She goes through an amazing amount of growth over the course of the story, and the cruise that seemed like it was going to be a dull and unpleasant time becomes an experience of a lifetime and an opportunity to med old hurts and start new relationships. At first, I felt like Jasmine was immature, and I didn’t really understand her. However, I ended up really liking her and thought she had a lot of depth.
Unlike Jasmine, Jake has always been treated like the golden boy. He can do no wrong. However, this comes with its own pressures, and Jake has familial expectations and responsibilities too. I thought the author did a great job of highlighting the double standards that Jasmine faces while also revealing how both characters struggle with the labels placed upon them and the inability to be seen as anything but those labels.
There are a lot of other great messages and themes that I think readers will relate to. Trying to live up to the expectations of others, struggling with family scrutiny and pressures, break-ups, taking a chance on love, healing, and forgiveness are all woven seamlessly through the plot. I like that, though the story tackles some tough issues, it’s balanced well with other more lighthearted and empowering moments.
Special thanks to Berkley Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
May 28, 2023
I liked this one but it wasn’t amazing or really that memorable. I think there were some definite pacing errors and the ending was just kind of meh. That being said I loved the Indian culture aspect and the character growth of Jasmine, it was super nice to see her value her worth and come to like who she is as the book went on.
December 28, 2024
Started this while on a cruise ship in Norway, which was quite fitting. Cute romance, cute story, enjoyed reading but it propably won’t be something I remember for a long time.
April 9, 2023
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an advance copy of this!
This book will be published on April 18th.
This is my first Sonya Lalli book and won't be my last. This was such a delightful read with heart and humor! I also loved some of the pop culture references that Lalli threw in there that made me laugh.
Quick Recap: Jasmine and her boyfriend broke up (again) and she decided to join her parents on a Alaskan cruise. Expecting that it was going to be filled with childhood friends that she would reconnect with instead it was a senior cruise. She spots another young cruise goer whom she mistakens for a waiter. Turns out Jake was someone she babysat as a teen. While navigating these new feelings for Jake she is also working to improve her relationship with her parents who never took her serious.
Jasmine had tried so hard not to fall for Jake but his charm was undeniable. Heck I was even charmed by him. He never gave a reason to doubt Jasmine but she just wasn't sure if he was just being a flirt/playboy and didn't want to end up hurt. Could a 28 year old be ready for a relationship with a slightly older woman who is ready for a serious committed relationship? I love when they would have their heart to heart that allowed them both be vulnerable to each other. They were playful with each other and Jake could tell when Jasmine needed backup to deal with the aunties on the ship.
I had seen reviews prior to reading saying that this was women's lit as oppose to a romance. Was this a full open door romance? No but I thought there was enough of the dynamic with Jake to make it a romance. I thought this gave a good balance between her growing relationship with Jake and her mending the relationship with her parents.
This book would be a perfect palate cleanser that has just enough sweetness and humor that would make you smile after an emotional read or opposite a scary thriller.
In addition, I paired my reading with the audio via Penguin Random House and the narrator Mayuri Bhandari was the perfect choice to voice Jasmine.
This definitely made me want to go to Alaska (which I already wanted to go to) and heck I would even do a cruise! You'll want to read this if you like forced proximity (hello cruise ship), dreams of Alaska & meddling family members.
This book will be published on April 18th.
This is my first Sonya Lalli book and won't be my last. This was such a delightful read with heart and humor! I also loved some of the pop culture references that Lalli threw in there that made me laugh.
Quick Recap: Jasmine and her boyfriend broke up (again) and she decided to join her parents on a Alaskan cruise. Expecting that it was going to be filled with childhood friends that she would reconnect with instead it was a senior cruise. She spots another young cruise goer whom she mistakens for a waiter. Turns out Jake was someone she babysat as a teen. While navigating these new feelings for Jake she is also working to improve her relationship with her parents who never took her serious.
Jasmine had tried so hard not to fall for Jake but his charm was undeniable. Heck I was even charmed by him. He never gave a reason to doubt Jasmine but she just wasn't sure if he was just being a flirt/playboy and didn't want to end up hurt. Could a 28 year old be ready for a relationship with a slightly older woman who is ready for a serious committed relationship? I love when they would have their heart to heart that allowed them both be vulnerable to each other. They were playful with each other and Jake could tell when Jasmine needed backup to deal with the aunties on the ship.
I had seen reviews prior to reading saying that this was women's lit as oppose to a romance. Was this a full open door romance? No but I thought there was enough of the dynamic with Jake to make it a romance. I thought this gave a good balance between her growing relationship with Jake and her mending the relationship with her parents.
This book would be a perfect palate cleanser that has just enough sweetness and humor that would make you smile after an emotional read or opposite a scary thriller.
In addition, I paired my reading with the audio via Penguin Random House and the narrator Mayuri Bhandari was the perfect choice to voice Jasmine.
This definitely made me want to go to Alaska (which I already wanted to go to) and heck I would even do a cruise! You'll want to read this if you like forced proximity (hello cruise ship), dreams of Alaska & meddling family members.
April 18, 2023
Huge thank you to Berkley for an advance copy via NetGalley as part of a #JoyfulChaosBookClub buddy read!
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is a lovely, fun book about two younger people (late 20s/early 30s) who find themselves on an Alaskan cruise as part of a senior's group, which includes their parents, aunts and uncles, and other members of their extended Sikh community. The book is told from Jasmine's POV.
Jasmine has just broken up with her long-time boyfriend for the third time and despite being broke, goes on the trip to spite her parents who prefer to spend time with Jasmine's younger sister than their oldest 'bad girl' daughter. On the cruise, she reunites with Jake, whom she had known years before, and is on the cruise with his father.
Over the course of the cruise, Jasmine and Jake spend a lot of time together, first by accident and then because they are growing more and more attracted to each other. However, Jasmine desperately wants to get her life back in order, and Jake has a bit of growing up to do as he vacillates between being a 'bro boy' and a thoughtful man who has just graduated law school. Both of them need to figure out some things before they can even think seriously about acting on their mutual attraction and date each other.
Overall, I really liked this book. The author did a great job of showing the messiness of being an adult, that we don't all have our sh!t together, and that it takes work to be different and not repeat destructive habits.
There was lots of humour sprinkled throughout, which helped to balance out the more serious discussions that took place. I was laughing at various scenes, especially when both Jasmine and Jake were in on the joke.
This is definitely a slow burn book, with Jasmine and Jake taking their time before committing to being in a romantic relationship with each other. I think this approach really serves the story well and allows for their individual growth, and for Jasmine in particular to nurture her relationship with her parents.
I will definitely be seeking out other books by the author to read after enjoying this one so much!
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is a lovely, fun book about two younger people (late 20s/early 30s) who find themselves on an Alaskan cruise as part of a senior's group, which includes their parents, aunts and uncles, and other members of their extended Sikh community. The book is told from Jasmine's POV.
Jasmine has just broken up with her long-time boyfriend for the third time and despite being broke, goes on the trip to spite her parents who prefer to spend time with Jasmine's younger sister than their oldest 'bad girl' daughter. On the cruise, she reunites with Jake, whom she had known years before, and is on the cruise with his father.
Over the course of the cruise, Jasmine and Jake spend a lot of time together, first by accident and then because they are growing more and more attracted to each other. However, Jasmine desperately wants to get her life back in order, and Jake has a bit of growing up to do as he vacillates between being a 'bro boy' and a thoughtful man who has just graduated law school. Both of them need to figure out some things before they can even think seriously about acting on their mutual attraction and date each other.
Overall, I really liked this book. The author did a great job of showing the messiness of being an adult, that we don't all have our sh!t together, and that it takes work to be different and not repeat destructive habits.
There was lots of humour sprinkled throughout, which helped to balance out the more serious discussions that took place. I was laughing at various scenes, especially when both Jasmine and Jake were in on the joke.
This is definitely a slow burn book, with Jasmine and Jake taking their time before committing to being in a romantic relationship with each other. I think this approach really serves the story well and allows for their individual growth, and for Jasmine in particular to nurture her relationship with her parents.
I will definitely be seeking out other books by the author to read after enjoying this one so much!
April 6, 2023
When 33 year old Jasmine decides to spend more time with her parents by attending their Alaskan cruise with them, she doesn't realize she is signing up for a seniors cruise. As it transpires, 28 year old Jake is also onboard, attending with his father. But when J&J meet, they immediately fall out. Jasmine knows her reputation isn't the best considering she isn't the typical good Indian girl and with all the Aunties watching her every move on the ship, she is determined to stay as far away as possible from Jake. But Jake seems to have other ideas...
I really enjoyed this book! There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, cute banter and the chemistry was sizzling. I was really hoping we might have gotten an epilogue but maybe there is a sequel in the works?! Please Sonya 🙏
Thanks to Penguin Random House International and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book! There were plenty of laugh out loud moments, cute banter and the chemistry was sizzling. I was really hoping we might have gotten an epilogue but maybe there is a sequel in the works?! Please Sonya 🙏
Thanks to Penguin Random House International and Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Jasmine Randhawa's life is far from ideal. She has had a rocky relationship with her parents for years due to some behaviors they did not approve of and the local South Asian community holds it against her too. Her sister is the favored one. Jasmine can't seem to quit her romantic ex either even though she should have long ago. She is also living well beyond her means but an impulsive decision has her going on a 10-day Alaska cruise with her parents hoping to reconnect with some old friends. It isn't until she is onboard the ship and looks around that she realizes she is on a Seniors' Cruise and the only person close to her age is a kid she used to babysit, Jake Dhillon.
Jasmine really wants nothing to do with Jake but she loves how much any time they spend together upsets the organizer of the tour who happens to be his biological Auntie. They end up spending more and more time together but she is still afraid to take another chance on any man, let alone a younger man.
_____
This is definitely Jasmine's story of trying to get her life on track but reading about how she was raised and ridiculed was heartbreaking. I know it is a cultural thing but a whole community of people judging you has to be so hard. Behavior held against her would have been praised if she was male. I was so happy Jake was on that ship. Could you imagine how hard 10 days would be if she was there by herself with all the seniors and their snide looks and comments?
Both Jasmine and Jake grow over the course of the book. It is easy to root for them but mostly for Jasmine. I enjoyed the way the author had Jasmine take a hard look at herself and allowed her to try to make inroads with her parents. Jake seems to be the "golden boy". His father and Auntie heaped praise upon him throughout his life. That is pressure too. Both characters didn't want to disappoint their family. The author did an excellent job of shining a light on the double standard within the South Asian community.
I really enjoyed that the story took place on a cruise ship and the main characters were surrounded by seniors that they had grown up with and for the most part respected. It gave everyone excellent opportunities to mend fences and get to know Jasmine for who she really is. It also gave Jasmine and Jake to get to know each other pretty well in a short amount of time. Jasmine's roommate had a lot of spunk and gave Jasmine some good advice. I enjoyed learning more about South Asian culture too although hated the way Jasmine and I suppose other women like her were treated. It felt very much like bullying.
Sonya Lalli has given readers a very well-written story that is much more than a contemporary romance. Jasmine has a lot of depth with many layers to be peeled away. Jake while almost secondary in many parts of the story turned out to be the right person in the right place at the right time. I was very happy with the ending.
I found Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat to be very entertaining with spirited characters, a clean romance, some nice bits of humor, and views of the Northern Lights all aboard a wonderful cruise ship. I enjoyed my virtual vacay with Jasmine and Jake.
This is the 1st book I have read by Sonya Lalli but am very interested in reading more of her stories.
Jasmine Randhawa's life is far from ideal. She has had a rocky relationship with her parents for years due to some behaviors they did not approve of and the local South Asian community holds it against her too. Her sister is the favored one. Jasmine can't seem to quit her romantic ex either even though she should have long ago. She is also living well beyond her means but an impulsive decision has her going on a 10-day Alaska cruise with her parents hoping to reconnect with some old friends. It isn't until she is onboard the ship and looks around that she realizes she is on a Seniors' Cruise and the only person close to her age is a kid she used to babysit, Jake Dhillon.
Jasmine really wants nothing to do with Jake but she loves how much any time they spend together upsets the organizer of the tour who happens to be his biological Auntie. They end up spending more and more time together but she is still afraid to take another chance on any man, let alone a younger man.
_____
This is definitely Jasmine's story of trying to get her life on track but reading about how she was raised and ridiculed was heartbreaking. I know it is a cultural thing but a whole community of people judging you has to be so hard. Behavior held against her would have been praised if she was male. I was so happy Jake was on that ship. Could you imagine how hard 10 days would be if she was there by herself with all the seniors and their snide looks and comments?
Both Jasmine and Jake grow over the course of the book. It is easy to root for them but mostly for Jasmine. I enjoyed the way the author had Jasmine take a hard look at herself and allowed her to try to make inroads with her parents. Jake seems to be the "golden boy". His father and Auntie heaped praise upon him throughout his life. That is pressure too. Both characters didn't want to disappoint their family. The author did an excellent job of shining a light on the double standard within the South Asian community.
I really enjoyed that the story took place on a cruise ship and the main characters were surrounded by seniors that they had grown up with and for the most part respected. It gave everyone excellent opportunities to mend fences and get to know Jasmine for who she really is. It also gave Jasmine and Jake to get to know each other pretty well in a short amount of time. Jasmine's roommate had a lot of spunk and gave Jasmine some good advice. I enjoyed learning more about South Asian culture too although hated the way Jasmine and I suppose other women like her were treated. It felt very much like bullying.
Sonya Lalli has given readers a very well-written story that is much more than a contemporary romance. Jasmine has a lot of depth with many layers to be peeled away. Jake while almost secondary in many parts of the story turned out to be the right person in the right place at the right time. I was very happy with the ending.
I found Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat to be very entertaining with spirited characters, a clean romance, some nice bits of humor, and views of the Northern Lights all aboard a wonderful cruise ship. I enjoyed my virtual vacay with Jasmine and Jake.
This is the 1st book I have read by Sonya Lalli but am very interested in reading more of her stories.
May 4, 2023
Cute and entertaining. I love the setting of a cruise ship in Alaska (one of my favorite vacations) and liked the interaction with Jasmine and Ethan. While this story had romance, this was more about finding a way to communicate with your parents and stand up for yourself in all areas of your life. I liked Jake more than Jasmine, who could be a little annoying, but overall, enjoyed this story. It took me until the very end of the book to realize that Jasmine’s sister’s story is in A Holly Jolly Diwali.
May 1, 2023
I’m always in the mood for a good enemies to lovers story and Sonya Lalli did not let me down with her latest contemporary romance, Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat.
When we first meet Jasmine, her life is kind of a mess. She has just broken up with her loser boyfriend for the third time and has moved in with a friend. She has a good job but somehow still has no money, and as much as she would love to have a close relationship with her parents, that situation is a mess too. Her parents, as well as most of their South Asian community, view Jasmine as a bad girl and openly criticize her life choices and her “old maid” status since she is over 30 and has yet to land a husband. In what can only have been a moment of insanity, Jasmine agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her parents and dozens of others from their community, not realizing that it’s actually a cruise for seniors and that she’ll be surrounded by meddling Aunties and Uncles at every turn. The only other person even close to her age on the trip is Jake, a handsome but arrogant young man who is traveling with his dad.
Lalli gets me invested in this couple immediately by revealing that Jake and Jasmine have history. Jasmine actually used to babysit Jake when they were younger. Now Jake is all grown up and he is clearly attracted to his former babysitter. Reverse age gap romance anyone? Jasmine finds Jake to be incredibly annoying and tries to avoid him as much as possible at first, but being stuck on a ship, their paths cross way more than she would like. Although they are initially reluctant to hang out, they soon realize that they enjoy each other’s company and have more in common than they thought. I thought their scenes together were really sweet and that they made a pretty great team.
What I really enjoyed about this story is that even though it’s technically a romance, there’s still a pretty major personal journey for Jasmine. While Jasmine can admit that she really is attracted to Jake, she fights the idea of getting into a relationship with him. She has too much going on in her own life and really needs to sort herself out rather than just jump from one man to the next. Jasmine’s journey on this cruise is more about finding herself and redefining her relationship with her parents and her community than it is about finding love, and I loved the growth she experienced throughout the story.
Full of heart, wonderful character development, and a sweet slow burn enemies to lovers romance, Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat makes for a delightful read.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
When we first meet Jasmine, her life is kind of a mess. She has just broken up with her loser boyfriend for the third time and has moved in with a friend. She has a good job but somehow still has no money, and as much as she would love to have a close relationship with her parents, that situation is a mess too. Her parents, as well as most of their South Asian community, view Jasmine as a bad girl and openly criticize her life choices and her “old maid” status since she is over 30 and has yet to land a husband. In what can only have been a moment of insanity, Jasmine agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her parents and dozens of others from their community, not realizing that it’s actually a cruise for seniors and that she’ll be surrounded by meddling Aunties and Uncles at every turn. The only other person even close to her age on the trip is Jake, a handsome but arrogant young man who is traveling with his dad.
Lalli gets me invested in this couple immediately by revealing that Jake and Jasmine have history. Jasmine actually used to babysit Jake when they were younger. Now Jake is all grown up and he is clearly attracted to his former babysitter. Reverse age gap romance anyone? Jasmine finds Jake to be incredibly annoying and tries to avoid him as much as possible at first, but being stuck on a ship, their paths cross way more than she would like. Although they are initially reluctant to hang out, they soon realize that they enjoy each other’s company and have more in common than they thought. I thought their scenes together were really sweet and that they made a pretty great team.
What I really enjoyed about this story is that even though it’s technically a romance, there’s still a pretty major personal journey for Jasmine. While Jasmine can admit that she really is attracted to Jake, she fights the idea of getting into a relationship with him. She has too much going on in her own life and really needs to sort herself out rather than just jump from one man to the next. Jasmine’s journey on this cruise is more about finding herself and redefining her relationship with her parents and her community than it is about finding love, and I loved the growth she experienced throughout the story.
Full of heart, wonderful character development, and a sweet slow burn enemies to lovers romance, Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat makes for a delightful read.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2023
In the middle of another break in her on-again-off-again, longterm relationship and forced to take vacation time away from work, 33-year-old Jasmine Randhawa makes a rash, last-minute decision to join her parents on an Alaskan cruise with other members of the South Asian community. The South Asian community of aunties and uncles who judged and gossiped about her and her bad reputation growing up. The South Asian aunties and uncles who are still judging Jasmine, despite her attempts to project a put-together and highly successful image.
And, as it turns out, the cruise is for seniors. The only other young passenger on the boat is 28-year-old Jake Dhillon—hot, handsome, cocky, about-to-become-a-lawyer, favorite son Jake Dhillon. And their first encounter on the boat does not go smoothly. Nor does their second. And so on.
As the two spend more time together, however, they learn that they may not be so different after all, and those enemies vibes from early in the cruise start to turn into something else entirely.
I enjoyed the chemistry and sizzle between Jasmine and Jake—especially during the cruise—and appreciated the family reconciliation aspects of the novel and the depiction of the disparity between how males and females are treated and the expectations placed upon them in the South Asian community.
If you pick this one up, be aware that Jasmine has a lot of growing up to do, and she is just starting to realize that—at age 33. And while we do see character growth in the novel, there are definitely growing pains.
Overall, I appreciated the deeper themes but did not always enjoy or connect with Jasmine, her behavior, and her choices—even with the knowledge of the history and culture that shaped her.
I received an advance copy from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
And, as it turns out, the cruise is for seniors. The only other young passenger on the boat is 28-year-old Jake Dhillon—hot, handsome, cocky, about-to-become-a-lawyer, favorite son Jake Dhillon. And their first encounter on the boat does not go smoothly. Nor does their second. And so on.
As the two spend more time together, however, they learn that they may not be so different after all, and those enemies vibes from early in the cruise start to turn into something else entirely.
I enjoyed the chemistry and sizzle between Jasmine and Jake—especially during the cruise—and appreciated the family reconciliation aspects of the novel and the depiction of the disparity between how males and females are treated and the expectations placed upon them in the South Asian community.
If you pick this one up, be aware that Jasmine has a lot of growing up to do, and she is just starting to realize that—at age 33. And while we do see character growth in the novel, there are definitely growing pains.
Overall, I appreciated the deeper themes but did not always enjoy or connect with Jasmine, her behavior, and her choices—even with the knowledge of the history and culture that shaped her.
I received an advance copy from Berkley and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.
March 12, 2023
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli is a fiction book revolving around 33 year old Jasmine Randwawa as she sets sail on a journey of self discovery & healing whilst actually sailing abroad a seniors’ cruise. As certain chapters have closed for Jasmine, this unexpected trip is the perfect place to refresh. This trip becomes infinitely more interesting once she realizes there’s another person around her age on the boat that just so happens to be attractive, intelligent & maybe a blast from her past.
I feel like this was more women’s fiction with a side of romance than romance, but it was still fantastic.
The chemistry between Jasmine & Jake was electric with quick witted banter. I enjoyed being along for the ride as both main characters worked through their personal struggles. My heart ached for her as she worked through some of her past traumas including her familial expectations as well as societal standards that are unfortunately placed on women.
This was a unique setup with the cruise creating forced proximity, which I always love. The fact that this was basically a huge family get together, which created a mashup of personalities, difficulties & drama, but was handled in a humorous manner. The importance of family & love for community were obvious & braided a heartfelt message through the story.
Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.
I feel like this was more women’s fiction with a side of romance than romance, but it was still fantastic.
The chemistry between Jasmine & Jake was electric with quick witted banter. I enjoyed being along for the ride as both main characters worked through their personal struggles. My heart ached for her as she worked through some of her past traumas including her familial expectations as well as societal standards that are unfortunately placed on women.
This was a unique setup with the cruise creating forced proximity, which I always love. The fact that this was basically a huge family get together, which created a mashup of personalities, difficulties & drama, but was handled in a humorous manner. The importance of family & love for community were obvious & braided a heartfelt message through the story.
Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.
August 21, 2023
3.75/5
Jasmine is a hot mess. She knows that she is a problem, but won't do anything to change. Jasmine's relationship with her conservative Indian parents has always been strained, and she is jealous of her sister Nikki being the favorite. When Jasmine hears that they have invited Nikki on their upcoming Alaskan cruise, she is bitter and calls them out. Her parents tell Jasmine she can come, and she says yes out of spite. Turns out the cruise has 200+ gossiping aunties who have judged Jasmine since she was a child. The only other person her age is a childhood acquaintance Jake, who she initially does not recognize after being all grown up and handsome now.
Given the low ratings, I didn't have high expectations so maybe that's why I found it alright! Jasmine was annoying at times and just a hot mess. Other than that, I liked the cultural representation and learned more about Sikh culture. Jake was more likeable than Jasmine, and I don't know why she was so mean to him sometimes. I also liked reading about the complicated relationship between Jasmine and her parents, and how their Indian culture plays a part in it. The book didn't have any steamy scenes but I didn't mind. The cruise setting was enjoyable and I liked reading about the Alaskan towns. Overall, this story didn't bring anything new to the table but it was an easy read with representation while escaping on an Alaskan cruise.
Jasmine is a hot mess. She knows that she is a problem, but won't do anything to change. Jasmine's relationship with her conservative Indian parents has always been strained, and she is jealous of her sister Nikki being the favorite. When Jasmine hears that they have invited Nikki on their upcoming Alaskan cruise, she is bitter and calls them out. Her parents tell Jasmine she can come, and she says yes out of spite. Turns out the cruise has 200+ gossiping aunties who have judged Jasmine since she was a child. The only other person her age is a childhood acquaintance Jake, who she initially does not recognize after being all grown up and handsome now.
Given the low ratings, I didn't have high expectations so maybe that's why I found it alright! Jasmine was annoying at times and just a hot mess. Other than that, I liked the cultural representation and learned more about Sikh culture. Jake was more likeable than Jasmine, and I don't know why she was so mean to him sometimes. I also liked reading about the complicated relationship between Jasmine and her parents, and how their Indian culture plays a part in it. The book didn't have any steamy scenes but I didn't mind. The cruise setting was enjoyable and I liked reading about the Alaskan towns. Overall, this story didn't bring anything new to the table but it was an easy read with representation while escaping on an Alaskan cruise.
April 21, 2023
I have mixed feelings on this book, there are things I really enjoyed, like the banter between Jasmine and Jake and their enemies to lovers journey and the aunties who had some of the funniest parts, but there were many times throughout the book where I just didn't like Jasmine and how immature she could be. I know that is a part of the story, watching her evolve and how she copes with spending a vacation with her parents who haven't treated her so well over the years, but she was so rude to Jake at times that I was shocked he was sticking around.
The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I wish some pieces were cut from the middle so the last few chapters could've been longer. I would've liked to have seen more conversation between Jasmine and her parents as they worked on their relationship. And while I liked the conclusion between Jasmine and Jake, I would have loved an epilogue to peak into their lives in the future.
Thank you to Berkley for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
The ending felt a bit rushed to me and I wish some pieces were cut from the middle so the last few chapters could've been longer. I would've liked to have seen more conversation between Jasmine and her parents as they worked on their relationship. And while I liked the conclusion between Jasmine and Jake, I would have loved an epilogue to peak into their lives in the future.
Thank you to Berkley for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2023
This is a fun book that I really enjoyed. Jasmine and Jake met before when they were young in Indian venues, now they’re all grown-up on a cruise with their parents to Alaska.
What Jasmine didn’t realize was that it’s a seniors cruise. As they spend time together on excursions and planning a Bollywood dance routine, they develop feelings for each other. They have to be extremely careful, because their Indian parents and Jake’s aunt are very traditional.
I like learning about the customs of different cultures, and reading about how the young people chafe against the restrictions.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with relatable characters and a beautiful setting.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
What Jasmine didn’t realize was that it’s a seniors cruise. As they spend time together on excursions and planning a Bollywood dance routine, they develop feelings for each other. They have to be extremely careful, because their Indian parents and Jake’s aunt are very traditional.
I like learning about the customs of different cultures, and reading about how the young people chafe against the restrictions.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with relatable characters and a beautiful setting.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
April 19, 2023
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat
Happy publication week to this Alaskan adventure! Thank you to the #joyfulchaosbookclub and @berkleypub for this ARC!
Jasmine sets off on an Alaskan cruise with her parents, only to realize it’s a cruise for seniors with the South Asian community she felt judged by growing up. There’s only one other young person on the boat - a childhood acquaintance, Jake, who immediately rubs her the wrong way. However, you can only get so far away when you’re trapped on a boat!
Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🚢 Forced proximity
🚢 Enemies to lovers
🚢 Reverse age gap
🚢 South Asian rep
🚢 Complicated family relationships
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is on shelves now!
Happy publication week to this Alaskan adventure! Thank you to the #joyfulchaosbookclub and @berkleypub for this ARC!
Jasmine sets off on an Alaskan cruise with her parents, only to realize it’s a cruise for seniors with the South Asian community she felt judged by growing up. There’s only one other young person on the boat - a childhood acquaintance, Jake, who immediately rubs her the wrong way. However, you can only get so far away when you’re trapped on a boat!
Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🚢 Forced proximity
🚢 Enemies to lovers
🚢 Reverse age gap
🚢 South Asian rep
🚢 Complicated family relationships
Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat is on shelves now!
January 2, 2024
Another cute, silly romcom from Lalli. This book follows Jasmine, the black sheep to her sister’s “perfect daughter” role as she accidentally (read: out of spite and completely avoidable) ends up on a cruise with her parents and 200 aunties & uncles. When she realizes 1 other “kid” is on the cruise a romance ensues.
This was super light & low stakes. Jasmine jumps to conclusions with little evidence or provocation and Jake is just randomly a dick sometimes, but it’s fun and predictable and a great way to start off the year.
This was super light & low stakes. Jasmine jumps to conclusions with little evidence or provocation and Jake is just randomly a dick sometimes, but it’s fun and predictable and a great way to start off the year.
February 7, 2023
I loved this book! Although I think it was named badly. It was more of a book of self discovery, family, and healing old wounds than a romance. I felt so deeply with Jasmine. My heart broke for her relationship with her parents. The romance felt very secondary to me and I think that it worked very well. Just not with the title.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which has not affected my review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which has not affected my review.
April 11, 2023
A cruise to Alaska, but with a twist....well a few!
This was so fun. The banter. The community. The growth! Also, there was communication. I LOVE when we get communication.
I love Sonya Lalli books! And character alliteration names.
Thank you Berkley, Berit, and Netgalley for access to this title. I'm excited to talk about it in our group.
This was so fun. The banter. The community. The growth! Also, there was communication. I LOVE when we get communication.
I love Sonya Lalli books! And character alliteration names.
Thank you Berkley, Berit, and Netgalley for access to this title. I'm excited to talk about it in our group.
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