Love Overboard by: Kandi Steiner

Love Overboard
Author: Kandi Steiner
Published: April 2026
Publisher: Arndell
Pages: 444
Format: ARC eBook/ Paperback
Rating: 5/5
Summary:

Ember Reed is finally living her chief stew on a Mediterranean superyacht, sun-kissed days at sea, and the star of Close Quarters, the hottest new reality TV show. But just as she finds her stride, the producers throw her a curveball—by hiring the one man who nearly sank her.

Finn Pearson was the one that got away. The boy who kissed her like they had forever, then left without a word. But now he’s the chef in her new crew, and the cameras are watching their every move, innocent, or not.

Even on a superyacht, there's nowhere to hide from the past. Every stolen glance, every whispered argument, every lingering memory threatens to ignite what never fully burned out. And as the tension spills into their day jobs, even the dinner service is spiralling into disaster.

They’ve crashed before… but could eight weeks at sea be their second chance to get it right? Or will it be the storm that finally sinks them for good?

Review:

First, I'd like to thank Arndell for sending me a copy to review! I have to say, this might be my favorite Kandi Steiner book right now. I'm still working my way through her backlist, but let me tell you this one had me in a CHOKEHOLD. The angst, the feels, the tension... giving it to me all on a six course platter that I was eating up!!

Right from the beginning you're hooked in the style that Kandi has written the book. Since it's set on a boat reality show, you get to read little snippets of the characters POV without feeling like you have whiplash from reading so many. It's the perfect amount to give you what you need without having too many POV's laced throughout the story.

Personally I wasn't sure how I would feel about it since I've seen like half an episode of Below Deck, and I know there's a huge fan base behind that, but I have to say it was perfection. Of course this is fiction, but you can totally see the similarities between the two, so if you're a fan of the show... you'll LOVE Love Overboard!!

If you're also a fan of the really drawn SLOW BURN, then you'll love this. Watching Ember and Finn navigate their past and present on a boat while tending to guests and running the show -- not to mention the added camera crew stalking you -- it was really entertaining to see that the fire that was burning for their relationship had never truly died. It may have been snuffed out by the distance and Finn's girlfriend (who makes her appearance well known) but the embers never cooled.

I couldn't put the book down as I DEVOURED the pages. Reading as fast as I could to see when and how they were going to get back together was addictive. Their story was messy as all, and I was here for it! It was an interesting take how everything unfolded, yet it was so perfectly delivered, I still can't stop thinking about it!

Another thing I loved within the story is when they're off the boat and having their own downtime. It just shows more of a connection between the crew and I really enjoyed getting to see them let loose and enjoy their off nights. Even if it ended not so great at times... haha!

And there's little parts within the story that I loved. I can't talk about it in detail due to spoilers but the only thing I'll say is firefly... ughh my heart!!!! The way that Finn and Ember take care of one another, even if only friendly, it shows how much they care about the other person. How much they know the other person and are able to get them down from whatever spiral they're going through.

Overall, this was a fanstastic story. I was entertained not only with the guests that were boarding the boat, but the characters that made up the crew. Reading Love Overboard, I felt like I was truly watching a reality show and getting to see the growth, spice (because it did get SPICY), love and just natural human bond between the characters was everything! I didn't want it to end, but the ending was so perfect, I was rooting for Ember and Finn from beginning to end, I loved it so much!

That's all for my review, I hope you enjoyed it and if you haven't yet, be sure to grab your copy today!!

So until the next time, keep reading!

Your Graduated Bookworm!! :)