But I Smile Anyway…

Please join me on the blog tour for Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe Macleod

Can the future be rewritten?

Ruby may be young, free and single… but she’s absolutely not ready to mingle.

Ruby is happily sworn off men. There’s nothing she needs that can’t get from her friends, cat or, frankly, the wonders of modern technology. So when her flatmate tricks her into going on a singles cruise, she’s furious.

Thankfully, Ruby isn’t the only one onboard under false pretences. Cameron also had no idea what he was letting himself in for. So after Ruby and Cameron strike up conversation, they agree to platonically pair off, to protect each other from the flirtatious advances of the other guests – not to mention the matchmaking efforts of Barry, the enthusiastic host.

There’s just one problem. Cameron isn’t just in the same boat as Ruby – he’s also good looking, kind and fun. As they explore the picturesque towns of the Mediterranean, Ruby finds herself enjoying his company much more than she’d intended.

Can Ruby keep her heart safe, or will she be in too deep by the time the boat docks at its final destination?

My Review

Hook, Line and Single by Phoebe MacLeod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise, and I’m drawn to books that include cruises in their timelines, so this was a good choice.
Ruby is perfectly happy living with her best friend, Sam, who is hopeless at dating but doesn’t give up, and their cat, Samson, the most handsome cat in Margate, and working in her bookshop with her friend Jono.
There’s no need for a man, She’s sworn off them.
When an opportunity arises for the two BFs to go on a cruise, she reluctantly agrees, only to find that Sam has signed them up for a cruise with a minor difference; they are part of a singles group, with the intent of ‘mingling’.
Not best pleased, Ruby grudgingly gives it a go, with unexpected results.
Cameron, the inevitable love interest, is a caring, considerate bloke, and, as a reader, I did find myself rooting for him.
The side characters are all great, with members of Ruby’s family, like her sister, Em, who could probably do with her own novel outing. Samson the cat has his special appearances, and any story with a cat will reel me in.
It’s a romance. Of course, there is a love story, but there is a darkness behind it, and Ruby’s reluctance to even consider a relationship is slowly revealed at the end, giving her a great character arc.
An easy, enjoyable read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/hooklinesingle

Author Bio –

Phoebe MacLeod is the author of several popular laugh-out-loud romantic comedies. She mainly sets her books in her home county of Kent and her first new title for Boldwood will be published in November 2022.

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