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cometreadings's review against another edition
4.0
Wherever the Wind Takes Us is an uplifting, heartwarming story of courage, resilience, and hope. Kelly Harms vividly portrays Becca’s journey as she attempts to navigate her new life after divorce by sailing from Maine to Miami with her daughter, Liv. Along the way, we are introduced to Grant Murphy, who helps them and ultimately helps Becca rediscover her passion for life. This book is sure to be a hit amongst readers looking for an inspiring story of overcoming adversity and finding one’s true purpose in life. Highly recommended!
swooningandstepbacks's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars This book read as a cross between Trish Doller’s Float Plan and Robinne Lee’s The Idea of You and I loved every minute of it. As a newly divorced 42 year old, Rebecca Ann, has never lived on her own or really lived outside of the wealthy bubble her life provided. But set free with literally nothing to her name except for a fancy sailboat she receives as a settlement, she plans to set sail with her college-aged daughter and sell the boat to a wealthy investor. Only problem? Becca doesn’t sail and the boat has to get to Miami from Maine within 3 weeks.
This book primarily was about the growth of Becca as she tries to navigate life “after” divorce. Marrying Alistair Larkin (known for his family’s defense of famous sleezeballs), having a child young and being provided for her entire life has left her insecure and unsure about her self-worth, her wants, and desires. I loved that the protagonist was close to my age and could feel both old and young at the same time, clearly needing a life change after staying in a dead marriage 10 years beyond what she should have. And Becca instantly being attracted to a younger marina/dock worker seems completely fitting since the idea of sex has not even been on the table in years. As Becca and Liv (her daughter) set off for their mother-daughter adventure, it becomes clear that maybe the trip isn’t all they had hoped for and that perhaps it will take the help of someone with more experience to get this duo down to Miami. Becca begins to see her relationship with Liv change and she is able to process and separate her roles of mother, friend, and wife, sometimes not without heartache. I loved the sailing references and even though many times had no clue what was being described on the boat, felt that I was along for the ride with Becca, literally learning the ropes along with her. And let’s talk about Grant. 26, unbelievably hot, and a hard worker to boot. He is exactly what Becca never imagined for herself, but quite possibly exactly what she needs. Grant allows her to be her best self and he encourages Becca, teaches her, and is gentle with her feelings, but is also honest and completely open with her. I think it’s under this time with Grant that Becca begins to imagine for herself what she actually wants out of life regardless of any prior notions of what a 42 year old should be doing with her self. Although I had some ideas about the ending, it is so perfect and really explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Every woman married, single, or divorced who feels past her prime or like life has passed her by should read this book. It is invigorating and a perfect fantasy for the questions about “what else is out there” beyond your current life. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book primarily was about the growth of Becca as she tries to navigate life “after” divorce. Marrying Alistair Larkin (known for his family’s defense of famous sleezeballs), having a child young and being provided for her entire life has left her insecure and unsure about her self-worth, her wants, and desires. I loved that the protagonist was close to my age and could feel both old and young at the same time, clearly needing a life change after staying in a dead marriage 10 years beyond what she should have. And Becca instantly being attracted to a younger marina/dock worker seems completely fitting since the idea of sex has not even been on the table in years. As Becca and Liv (her daughter) set off for their mother-daughter adventure, it becomes clear that maybe the trip isn’t all they had hoped for and that perhaps it will take the help of someone with more experience to get this duo down to Miami. Becca begins to see her relationship with Liv change and she is able to process and separate her roles of mother, friend, and wife, sometimes not without heartache. I loved the sailing references and even though many times had no clue what was being described on the boat, felt that I was along for the ride with Becca, literally learning the ropes along with her. And let’s talk about Grant. 26, unbelievably hot, and a hard worker to boot. He is exactly what Becca never imagined for herself, but quite possibly exactly what she needs. Grant allows her to be her best self and he encourages Becca, teaches her, and is gentle with her feelings, but is also honest and completely open with her. I think it’s under this time with Grant that Becca begins to imagine for herself what she actually wants out of life regardless of any prior notions of what a 42 year old should be doing with her self. Although I had some ideas about the ending, it is so perfect and really explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Every woman married, single, or divorced who feels past her prime or like life has passed her by should read this book. It is invigorating and a perfect fantasy for the questions about “what else is out there” beyond your current life. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
michivega17's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
beachreading1's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely delightful read!! I was really excited about this book due to the main premise being on a sailboat and venturing down the each coast. I took a semester at sea during college we went from New York down to Miami.
This book has sailing, adventure, romance and a new start on life. Becca is coming out of a 20 year divorce and in the settlement received their sailboat. She sells it and has to get it to Miami to the buyer. Her daughter, Olivia and her venture out on sailboat to make the journey. After the first stop Liv brings in a young experienced sailor, Grant.
Loved the book- the mother daughter adventure and Becca’s new beginnings. Many thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own
This book has sailing, adventure, romance and a new start on life. Becca is coming out of a 20 year divorce and in the settlement received their sailboat. She sells it and has to get it to Miami to the buyer. Her daughter, Olivia and her venture out on sailboat to make the journey. After the first stop Liv brings in a young experienced sailor, Grant.
Loved the book- the mother daughter adventure and Becca’s new beginnings. Many thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own
spowers2627's review against another edition
4.0
Becca is starting over after leaving her husband. I enjoyed reading about Becca’s struggles and transition from married woman to single mother of an adult. Her quest to start fresh begins with selling a sailboat and sailing from Maine to Miami-with no sailing experience herself. As she undertakes the journey she learns a lot about herself, her inner strength and her relationship with her daughter. I enjoyed this one.
kimhamiltonn_'s review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of Wherever the Wind Takes Us!
3.5 stars rounded to 4. While I enjoyed reading Rebecca's journey though her post divorce life, I found this story to be little predictable and the sailing jargon was a bit much (even with the resources included in the book).
Fans of summery rom-coms will definitely enjoy this!
3.5 stars rounded to 4. While I enjoyed reading Rebecca's journey though her post divorce life, I found this story to be little predictable and the sailing jargon was a bit much (even with the resources included in the book).
Fans of summery rom-coms will definitely enjoy this!
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
After Becca divorces her husband of 22 years, the only thing she is left with is his super fancy sailboat. The boat is worth a lot and a buyer is found – but Becca has to get the boat from Maine to Miami. She enlists her 21 year old daughter Liv to help her get it there. I expected this to lead to some mother daughter bonding, and it somewhat did, until Becca ends up continuing her journey with someone else – Grant, an Irish sailing coach who is 16 years younger than Becca but who she finds very attractive. I found this a cute and fun read about starting over and finding yourself as an adult. It reminded me a bit of Float Plan!
purrfectpages's review against another edition
3.0
Becca Larkin’s life changed course the day she finally decided to leave her ailing marriage. But spending the last twenty-two years with a self-centered man also left her at a loss for being self-sufficient. Now in her early 40s, Becca is ready to set sail on a new chapter in her life. Inheriting her ex husband’s expensive boat, however, wasn’t exactly the smooth sailing she bargained for.
Admittedly knowing next to nothing about boats, Becca decides to sell her namesake, taking the profits made to start anew. With the help of a hunky Irish sailing coach named Grant, Becca acquires a sweet deal rather quickly. Then she finds out the boat has to be taken from Maine to Miami to its intended buyer. Taking the wind out of her sails, but not the wanting out of the woman, Becca decides to take the trip, her 21
year old daughter, Liv, in tow, hoping for a much needed bonding experience.
But both women quickly realize they don’t know nearly enough about sailing to be successful, nor do they know as much about each other as they once thought. As they try to navigate differing depths of adulthood together, they enter choppy waters. Can this mother and daughter salvage the shipwreck their relationship has become or are they meant clear the deck and start anew?
Wherever the Wind Takes Us is a quick read that features strong women who have to batten down life’s hatches and make some waves to get results. There were times throughout the story both women annoyed me a bit, both separately and as a unit. In these moments it was hard to determine who was the mother and who was the daughter as both came across childish and whiny. There also was a lot of boating terminology in this book. You might feel that makes sense considering the story, in large part, takes place on a boat. But for two women who didn’t know much about sailing, their confidence in vernacular seemed a bit off course.
In the end, this is a swell story about women reinventing themselves, reminding the reader that sometimes you have to go bottoms up before you can get to life’s higher ground.
Admittedly knowing next to nothing about boats, Becca decides to sell her namesake, taking the profits made to start anew. With the help of a hunky Irish sailing coach named Grant, Becca acquires a sweet deal rather quickly. Then she finds out the boat has to be taken from Maine to Miami to its intended buyer. Taking the wind out of her sails, but not the wanting out of the woman, Becca decides to take the trip, her 21
year old daughter, Liv, in tow, hoping for a much needed bonding experience.
But both women quickly realize they don’t know nearly enough about sailing to be successful, nor do they know as much about each other as they once thought. As they try to navigate differing depths of adulthood together, they enter choppy waters. Can this mother and daughter salvage the shipwreck their relationship has become or are they meant clear the deck and start anew?
Wherever the Wind Takes Us is a quick read that features strong women who have to batten down life’s hatches and make some waves to get results. There were times throughout the story both women annoyed me a bit, both separately and as a unit. In these moments it was hard to determine who was the mother and who was the daughter as both came across childish and whiny. There also was a lot of boating terminology in this book. You might feel that makes sense considering the story, in large part, takes place on a boat. But for two women who didn’t know much about sailing, their confidence in vernacular seemed a bit off course.
In the end, this is a swell story about women reinventing themselves, reminding the reader that sometimes you have to go bottoms up before you can get to life’s higher ground.
lucyh96's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book!
Wherever the Wind Takes Us by Kelly Harms really surprised me. What I thought would be a sort of “coming of age” book about life after marriage really turned into an adventure/rom-com. It took a while for me to get hooked but about half way through the book, I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a unique romance with a bit of adventure, I would definitely recommend Wherever the Wind Takes us!
Wherever the Wind Takes Us by Kelly Harms really surprised me. What I thought would be a sort of “coming of age” book about life after marriage really turned into an adventure/rom-com. It took a while for me to get hooked but about half way through the book, I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a unique romance with a bit of adventure, I would definitely recommend Wherever the Wind Takes us!
donnareadathon2021's review against another edition
4.0
The story
Becca is 42, and recently divorced. She was a stay at home mom and wife for the last 22 years but is walking away from her marriage with almost nothing, except the kind judge decided she was entitled to her wealthy ex husband’s yacht. Becca aims to sell the yacht but the buyers she finds wants it delivered to Miami. This involves an seemingly epic voyage of self discovery for both Becca and her daughter Olivia. When Olivia bales out after a week and a bit, she calls her sailing teacher, Irishman Grant to take her place.
My thoughts
This story had very strong vibes of Trish Doller’s Float Plan, but replacing death with divorce as a place to grieve and make a second act, complete with a charming Irish sailor. Having said that, the sailing seems to be more of a metaphor for taking control of your life in this story, and I really enjoyed how the author did not shy away from the scary and technical aspects here. It underlined how serious an endeavour this was, and how hopelessly unprepared both Becca and Olivia were for this trip. The craziness of Becca’s ex-husband’s antics interspersed with his supposed generosity (suspect trying to keep control) provide a dollop of spice and interest. I have really enjoyed Kelly Harms’ other books and this one was great too!
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Becca is 42, and recently divorced. She was a stay at home mom and wife for the last 22 years but is walking away from her marriage with almost nothing, except the kind judge decided she was entitled to her wealthy ex husband’s yacht. Becca aims to sell the yacht but the buyers she finds wants it delivered to Miami. This involves an seemingly epic voyage of self discovery for both Becca and her daughter Olivia. When Olivia bales out after a week and a bit, she calls her sailing teacher, Irishman Grant to take her place.
My thoughts
This story had very strong vibes of Trish Doller’s Float Plan, but replacing death with divorce as a place to grieve and make a second act, complete with a charming Irish sailor. Having said that, the sailing seems to be more of a metaphor for taking control of your life in this story, and I really enjoyed how the author did not shy away from the scary and technical aspects here. It underlined how serious an endeavour this was, and how hopelessly unprepared both Becca and Olivia were for this trip. The craziness of Becca’s ex-husband’s antics interspersed with his supposed generosity (suspect trying to keep control) provide a dollop of spice and interest. I have really enjoyed Kelly Harms’ other books and this one was great too!
Read an eARC copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher
My rating 4/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️