The Oceanic Dreams Series
Today I will be featuring, not one but eight books! They are all part of The Oceanic Dreams Series written by different authors.
Thank you to the authors of The Oceanic Dreams Series for supplying copies of the books which I have reviewed honestly.
Each book features life on the cruise ship Oceanic Aphrodite but each one is written by a different author and they can all be read as a standalone. I think the books will appeal to young readers who love funny, romantic stories which can be consumed in one sitting.
I read the first four in the series and have written mini-reviews for each one. The writing was good throughout, with interesting stories and an absolute host of well-drawn characters.
The cruise ship location gave a refreshing holiday feel and I certainly learned lots about life on the ocean waves!
Here is the link to The Oceanic Dreams Series Website where you can take a look at all the books and meet the authors too.
They make great holiday reads, I hope you like them.
Time of My Life by Laura Heffernan
Janey’s never felt this way before, but staff is forbidden from dating passengers. It’s only one dirty dance…
Legend says everyone who boards the Oceanic Aphrodite finds love. Janey’s on the ship to teach pole fitness, not for romance. Then she meets Frank. He’s everything Janey isn’t–refined, classy, rich–but his good looks and charm make him undeniably appealing. Unfortunately, he’s also a passenger.
When Janey’s partner can’t perform in the end-of-cruise talent show, Frank offers to fill in. He’s never done pole, but she’s got time to teach him. As they grow closer, Janey finds herself hoping the legend is real–but if she gives in to temptation, she could be out of a job.
My Thoughts
You may have guessed from the title that this book is a really unique twist on the movie Dirty Dancing, which just happens to be my favourite film!
Janey meets gorgeous doctor Frank just as they are boarding the cruise ship, Aphrodite. She works on board as a dancer, he is a passenger, and relationships are firmly off-limits between the two. However, Frank comes to the rescue when Janey finds herself without a dance partner. Can he shape up in time for the talent show?
This is such a fun and enjoyable read. The concept could easily have failed but Laura Heffernan has totally nailed it!
This stowaway sets sail for love!
Small-time con artist Siggy needs to get out of town fast. When she’s offered tickets on the legendary Oceanic Aphrodite cruise, Siggy jumps at the chance. A week on a luxury cruise ship, with a suitcase full of clothes and all expenses paid? Yes, please! The only catch is that she has to pretend to be someone else.
No problem. Siggy has no intention of getting close enough anyone to discover her secrets.
But this is the Oceanic Aphrodite and love is in the air. When Siggy sees assistant cruise director Will taking tickets, Cupid’s arrow hits the target. Luckily, Will’s too busy smiling at her to check out her fake passport because he’ll toss Siggy off the ship if he finds out about the scam.
Onboard, dolphins and cameras and runaway ferrets bring Siggy and Will together. The more time they spend together, the more Siggy wants to tell him the truth. Cupid’s arrow has struck deep but is it worth it for Siggy to stop running?
My Thoughts
Siggy is a failed con artist who finds herself on a cruise with a fake identity and a suitcase of designer clothes. Will she be able to keep up her false identity and put a troubled past behind her?
I loved Siggy she was like a breath of fresh air and I rooted for things to turn out well for her. A real summer escape, I read in one sitting.
Circle In The Sand by Tracey Krimmer
Follow the rules. Be reliable. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.
Living by these words didn’t put librarian Isla Hunter any closer to the life she imagined at thirty. With her birthday in only a few days, she can’t wait to sail away on a week in the sun with her friends Asher and Charlotte. It may be just what she needs.
When an attractive woman takes a liking to Asher, Isla’s heart feels threatened in an unfamiliar way. She’s used to Asher flipping through women like a playbook without a second thought, but this time it’s different. As she tries to sort out her emotions, she struggles with Asher’s connection with this woman. Is it time for Isla to finally break the rules or will that only lead her in hot water?
My Thoughts
Isla had booked a cruise with two friends to celebrate her birthday. At the last minute, friend Charlotte announces that she can’t go. This means that Isla only has male friend Asher for company and he attracts women like a magnet!
I loved the chemistry between Isla and Asher and willed them to get together right from the start. This story melted my heart!
I Thought It Was You by Kirsty McManus
When Liv Turner takes a cruise to get away from a bad break-up, all she wants to do is hide from the world for a while—and maybe hang out with her brother, who works in the ship’s casino. But soon after boarding, three things happen in quick succession:
- Liv meets Wells, a gorgeous charity worker on his way to Cozumel.
- She discovers that her ex has completely drained her bank account.
- TV celebrity Jamila Castro begs Liv to take on the role of her rehab nurse to stop a vengeful ex co-star from ruining her career.
With Liv broke, and a twenty-thousand dollar incentive to help Jamila out, she reluctantly agrees to a week of pretending to be Nina from Louisiana. The only catch? She isn’t allowed to talk to Wells again. But that becomes difficult when he keeps showing up all over the ship and proving himself to be the perfect guy.
To make matters more complicated, Liv’s brother had booked her trip through a singles group, where it is a requirement to participate in their activities—as herself.
Will Liv be able to avoid having her cover blown, and stop Jamila from being exposed in the media? And will she be able to put Wells out of her mind?
Anything can happen on the Oceanic Aphrodite, but smooth sailing isn’t always one of them.
My Thoughts
Liv is an Australian passenger on a cruise booked for her by her brother, who works on the ship. He has failed to tell her that the cruise is a singles holiday which is the last thing she wants after a recent breakup. Then, she finds that her ex has drained her bank account leaving her broke. However, an interesting way to make some cash falls in her lap when she meets Jamila Castro, an American actress and so, the fun begins…
An enjoyable read if you need a little escapism in your life!
Here are links to the remaining four books in the series.
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