Photo credits: A Clker-Free-Vector-Images (pixabay), A Denis_Azarenko (pixabay) Edited by Vaishali Title: The Sailor in Polynesia Author: Liz Alden Series: Love and Wanderlust #2 Publisher: Self Published Year of Publication: 2021 Format: E-book copy/kindle app Genre/Themes: Adult Romance/Adult Fiction, Contemporary romance, Sailor romance ISBN-13: 978-1-954705-03-6 Review I had the most wonderful time with this sweet, slow-burning, gently-moving sailor/sailor romance set at sea and one that spans a quietly moving personal adventure in the South Pacific. I wouldn't expect an overcomplicated storyline with complicated interrelations in The Sailor in Polynesia. Its attraction is softer, sweeter, slower, cooler, sails itself on milder waters with balmy scents on the wind and the arrival of a tentative romance in paradise awaits our heroine like an unbeatable view. It was so refreshing to shift into a completely different setting with this book. The locational clime was beautifully exotic and I loved being privy to the day to day of sailing life. I've never been understated with my profile preferences: I absolutely love unique heroine roles that venture into original lifestyles, and the fact that we have an adventursome female sailor who's an adventurer at heart inflated my delight in volume. I was excited to follow Mia's nautical travel, refreshed by a beautiful backdrop of salt-scented seas, shifting culture, sea-life, radiant reefs and island hopping. Learning about the experiences and intricacies of the sailing way of life, I kept wondering over how confidently-described and accurate the technicalities have been written into the story. I can accurately report that, land lodger that I am, I know absolutely nothing about sailing and sailboat custom and conduct. My knowledge is limited to 'wow, boats, sails, the sea!' And that time I tuned into a few series' of Below Deck. But upon discovering that the author is a passion cruiser herself, and has not only sailed the seas but has sailed the expanse of the world, all made sense to me. Inspired by her real-life travel, Alden's Wanderlust series is sea life, sailing-centered and adventuresqe with travel. With a dedication to 'the women who adventure alone' I knew this was going to embrace Mia's place in the story. It's also her seminal inner struggle to face in this stage of a ‘new normal’. Alden's heroine finds herself in a bit of an isolation crisis, feeling more alone than she's ever been in her life. And yet, she still reads as a strong, mature and capable lead. Sailing in twos may have been a more manageable, companionable practice but just freshly divorced from a deteriorated marriage that left a mark, alone for the first time on her sailing boat Welina and transitionally off-kilter in this new stage in her life, Mia's a solitary island who can't find it in herself to move herself and her boat forward. Docked in the rich, sparkling waters of a French Polynesian harbour, as her place in life idles, so does her ship. While most cruisers pass her by, anchored no longer than a passing visit, she's irritated by an incoming ship that stills too close for her liking. Mia doesn't consider herself a high-profile sailing vlogger, but she's about to discover that there's a handsome Norwegian fan on board the ship parked next to her who believes otherwise. A drop-his-tuna-into-the-sea sort of fan. A shy, blushing sort of fan. As opposed to his usually composed and undisturbed self, Jonas finds himself starstruck, awestruck and unable to look away from the red-headed sailing sensation who stars in one of his favourite sailing channels. I was quickly reeled in by the story and setting when I started reading. That feeling never quelled. With gentle, undramatic headway this book channels the more realistic side of life with grounded, tactful sentimentality that always brings it home. Even as I always hoped for something to rock the boat or conflict to enter the framework, I never tired of the story. It's easy to appreciate the absence of melodrama. With slow-burners, I do personally look for more connective gravity, emotional connection, lingering tension and prose that reflects and elucidates that to tighten the intimacy. I did find the romance withdrawn in that particular regard, especially where the growing feelings are laid to rest without closer examination through the writing. As a consequence, Mia's inner monologue could have been better braced on the feelings front. With a slow burn, I typically require more from the burn. The relationship didn't feel particularly fierce, but again my desire to continue reading never wavered. And Jonas and Mia have a way about them that's fit for open sailing, and fit for a beautiful and dependable partnership. For me, this felt more predominantly Mia; her arc as she's challenged by a lack of faith in herself. As she figures out her life aboard and how to overcome who she's become since her failed marriage, rediscovery, how to take the next leap and trust in who she is, even with all the loneliness and lack of self-possessions she feels. And how to face the ache of sailing on her lonesome. But with open skies and open waters, I was always optimistic and upbeat for what would sail into her life. Especially when Eik sidles next to her. There are some minor conflicts such as the separation, a boat inconvenience, Mia's ongoing insecurity but they all prove to purpose the main romance, which is to present smaller obstacles and highlight the difference in working through it in comparison to the unhealthy dynamic of her past relationship. The Sailor in Polynesia is also a one-person POV so I share that the hero doesn't have a narrative voice to call his own, and I have a suspicion that the first book may also have been a heroine-only perspective, though I can't be sure. True series readers can be trusted with that knowledge. It's all Mia with this one however. Jonas being a close watcher of Mia's sailing life and hence an eager fan was an element that I was truly giddy over. He was absolutely adorable, sweet and patient, bringing her coconuts every morning. This genre isn't studied or recognised for its bashful, sheepish heroes and Jonas was so easy to love for it. While her series follows male heroes of all types, I'm so glad we get a shy sweetheart with this one. Though, he's also a somber, stellar companion, someone you'd want on your team in any situation, emotionally honest yet confident, a responsible and trusting crew lord and a calm leader. He's so very patient and gentle, just waiting for Mia to want him like he does her, and that's discernible even without a male POV for reassurance. He crushes hard. The romance that develops is light, sweet, trusting and one that takes its respectable time. The plot conflict is very character driven in that it's a personal, decisional life consideration for Mia as she works through life ahead, in her desiring support rather than continuing on alone, and among open life, the setting boasted of better things to come for her. Even though Mia doesn't feel as convinced and sanguine as she once was, she's still a strong anchor, even if she’s remiss in the face of her own capability. And with so many channel watchers who look up to her, like Jonas, she has that invisible support of an entire community. Authentic, disarming and so refreshing. The second book in the Love and Wanderlust series promises a tropical, transitional and tender get-together for two divorces who tangle passionately with life on the water. Those who sail together don't always stay together. Mia's memorised the lesson and feels the price paid every day she's on the water. She's now a one-woman cruiser silently fretting through the longevity of sailing alone. She's the definition of a one-person ship on an empty island until a fellow sailor neighbour steals her still water. Opportunities don't always come knocking though, sometimes they come paddling, while being courted with coconuts every morning, while she inadvertently reduces her promised hero from a man who knows his way around a boat to a floundering fish on the nearest shore. With cool washes of the Pacific, new sailing experiences, the daily motions and responsibilities of sailing life, snorkelling with sea creatures and swimming with friends, camaraderie, boat gatherings and companionship in sailing fellowship, opportunities to alleviate Mia's insulation are never far from her boat. Wistful, scenic, balmy and lovely, this transitional sailing romance was fragrant with the seafaring spirit, travel and protagonists who want their adventures easier to love with someone to love. As a chaser of fictional adventure and difference, this was refreshing escapism and the scape promises a wonderful indulgence. A lovely cultural celebration in a book with a boatful of accents in a supporting cast. Jonas and Mia don't meet as two ships passing in the literal night, but they do meet stationed right next to each other, in broad daylight, and that sets in motion a temperate adventure for the moment, with or without their vessels to lean on, and with more life adventure to come. The Sailor in Polynesia was a beautiful break with custom, fragrant with a voyage on drifting waters. And let’s just say I was very happy I coasted along and took to the seas and sails with this book. A fetching dreamboat of a modern romance. I gave this book 4 stars - Content Listing/Warning: Mentions a family death from dementia. Very minimal swearing, if any. Few bedroom scenes. Also mentions a past emotionally abusive domestic relationship. --------------------------------------- M Y R A T I N G S Y S T E M: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read --------------------------------------- I love interacting with fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and writers. Hearing about reader opinion is the fuel to my reader appetite, so get in touch and comment below! SHARE ON FACEBOOK Leave a comment and let's talk about |
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