By: Kathleen Allen
Publisher: Warrington Publishing
Publication Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 978-1-944972-51-6
Reviewed by: Shrubaboti Bose
Review Date: March 17, 2025
Kathleen Allen’s debut novel Cruise Crush is not your usual romance story. Of course, like the title suggests, it involves Delaney - the main character, developing a crush on a handsome young man on the cruise ship, but there is more to the story than meets the eye.
Their first encounter is simultaneously hilarious and memorable. He accidentally bumps into Delaney, spilling cocktail sauce all over her clothes. But without making a big deal out of it, she simply lets it pass. During the brief exchange that follows, as she turns her head up, she is immediately mesmerized by the genuine look of concern reflected in his dark brown eyes. From the young man’s point of view, who we come to know as AJ later on, he is equally enchanted by Delaney’s dazzling blue eyes, which exuded both calmness and confidence despite the mess he had made.
By this point of the story, it is clear that Allen has a gift for describing things and using little details to bring a scene into life. Her sharp observation skills help to portray characters in a realistic light, allowing us to connect with them at a deeper level. For instance, when Andi (AJ’s elder sister) talks to AJ and refers to Greg (her long lost husband) while doing the dishes, we can sense her longing and grief for her partner. When their family gets together for any reason, be it to share a dinner or to bid each other goodbye at the porch before leaving, we can feel the warmth in their hugs. It might be possible to even assume that due to such a detailed narration, the story is able to maintain its element of suspense while consistently contributing to the slow build-up of an intense chemistry between the protagonists.
Therefore, it is no surprise that when it comes to steamy details too, the author undoubtedly delivers. It is certainly difficult to mold sexual attraction in a fashion which keeps it sensual without making it seem like objectification of the other party. But in this regard, Allen does a good job by giving both characters an equal standing, subjecting both of them to a similar gendered gaze and more importantly, making sure that they are characters who understand the meaning of consent. A big part of Delaney’s attraction to the mysterious young man onboard is also his thoughtful gestures and courteous behavior, apart from him being well-groomed and properly dressed, so what stays significant here is the establishment of his character as a gentleman.
One of the many aspects that makes this novel intriguing is how the author chose to keep the real identities of the characters hidden from one another. Although as readers we have the upper hand here and can see their every thought and emotion, they remain unknown to the characters themselves and we are left to anticipate the direction in which the plot would progress. In this context, the shifting point of view makes it easier for us to follow the gradual development of the storyline and to further trace character growth. In fact, within the span of seven and a few more days, the readers, along with the characters, are taken for a roller coaster ride, full of unpredictable events that eventually align perfectly once we come towards the end of the story.
Quill says: Cruise Crush is a journey worth taking, especially for those who love reading romance novels with an added bit of spice!
For more information on Cruise Crush, please visit the author's website at: kathleenallenromance.com
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