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The Unsinkable Greta James
An indie musician reeling from tragedy reconnects with her estranged father on a week-long cruise in this tale of grief, fame, and love from bestselling author Jennifer E. Smith.
Greta James's meteoric rise to indie stardom was hard-won. Before she graced magazine covers and sold out venues, she spent her girlhood strumming her guitar in the family garage. Her first fan was her mother, Helen, whose face shone bright in the dusty downtown bars where she got her start--but not everyone encouraged Greta to follow her dreams. While many daydream about a crowd chanting their name, her father, Conrad, saw only a precarious life ahead for his daughter.
Greta has spent her life trying to prove him wrong, but three months after Helen's sudden death, and weeks before the launch of her high-stakes sophomore album, Greta has an onstage meltdown that goes viral. Attempting to outrun the humiliation and heartbreak, she reluctantly agrees to accompany her father on a week-long Alaskan cruise, the very one that her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth anniversary.
This could be the James family's last chance to heal old wounds and will prove to be a voyage of discovery for them, as well as for Ben Wilder, a historian also struggling with a major upheaval in his life. Ben is on board to lecture about Jack London's The Call of the Wild, the adventure story Greta's mother adored, and he captures Greta's attention after her streak of dating hanger-ons. As Greta works to build up her confidence and heal, and Ben confronts his uncertain future, they must rely on one another to make sense of life’s difficult choices. In the end, Greta must make the most challenging decision of all: to listen to the song within her or make peace with those who love her.
Greta James's meteoric rise to indie stardom was hard-won. Before she graced magazine covers and sold out venues, she spent her girlhood strumming her guitar in the family garage. Her first fan was her mother, Helen, whose face shone bright in the dusty downtown bars where she got her start--but not everyone encouraged Greta to follow her dreams. While many daydream about a crowd chanting their name, her father, Conrad, saw only a precarious life ahead for his daughter.
Greta has spent her life trying to prove him wrong, but three months after Helen's sudden death, and weeks before the launch of her high-stakes sophomore album, Greta has an onstage meltdown that goes viral. Attempting to outrun the humiliation and heartbreak, she reluctantly agrees to accompany her father on a week-long Alaskan cruise, the very one that her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth anniversary.
This could be the James family's last chance to heal old wounds and will prove to be a voyage of discovery for them, as well as for Ben Wilder, a historian also struggling with a major upheaval in his life. Ben is on board to lecture about Jack London's The Call of the Wild, the adventure story Greta's mother adored, and he captures Greta's attention after her streak of dating hanger-ons. As Greta works to build up her confidence and heal, and Ben confronts his uncertain future, they must rely on one another to make sense of life’s difficult choices. In the end, Greta must make the most challenging decision of all: to listen to the song within her or make peace with those who love her.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
About the author
Jennifer E. Smith
22 books7,538 followersJennifer E. Smith is the author of nine books for young adults, including The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, both of which were recently adapted for film. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and her writing has been translated into 33 languages. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,339 reviews
September 22, 2022
I already enjoy those sentimental YA books of Jennifer E. Smith before and as far as I can see she can successfully achieve to switch genres to create this heartfelt adult/ women’s fiction/ family drama!
An Alaskan trip bring Greta James, grieving daughter who recently choke up at the stage in front of her fans which went viral and threatened her to lose her entire musical career she’s hardly built and her father who never believed in her dream, lost without his wife’s existence in his life.
She involuntarily replaces her mother’s place in this long awaited trip which was planned to celebrate her parents’ 40th anniversary and 4 close friends of the family also join them. Poetic, isn’t it?
Greta feels lost, aching deeply because from the beginning of her musical journey, her mother is her supporter, confidante, her best friend who encouraged her to chase her dreams. She wrote the song called “Astronomy “ for her mother but she could never hear it, she suddenly passed away. That’s why she had her emotional breakdown at the stage. She couldn’t finish the song. Now she’s a mess. And her brother convinces her to take trip to Alaska to accompany her father.
Well, I have to admit the depictions of sightseeings were brilliant and this book is like travel guide that encourages you to cancel everything in your life to go to visit to Alaska.
The father- daughter’s dysfunctional relationship, past wounds, resentments, misunderstandings were perfectly analyzed. And the romance parts with nerdy professor whose main focus is Jack London novels was also sweet!
This is well written, heart warming, positive, inspirational, lovely women’s fiction/ family novel about grief, love, choices, second chances! Especially I recommend it to the fans of the author and lovers of well developed, relaxing, sweet- enchanting novels!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ Ballentine’s for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
An Alaskan trip bring Greta James, grieving daughter who recently choke up at the stage in front of her fans which went viral and threatened her to lose her entire musical career she’s hardly built and her father who never believed in her dream, lost without his wife’s existence in his life.
She involuntarily replaces her mother’s place in this long awaited trip which was planned to celebrate her parents’ 40th anniversary and 4 close friends of the family also join them. Poetic, isn’t it?
Greta feels lost, aching deeply because from the beginning of her musical journey, her mother is her supporter, confidante, her best friend who encouraged her to chase her dreams. She wrote the song called “Astronomy “ for her mother but she could never hear it, she suddenly passed away. That’s why she had her emotional breakdown at the stage. She couldn’t finish the song. Now she’s a mess. And her brother convinces her to take trip to Alaska to accompany her father.
Well, I have to admit the depictions of sightseeings were brilliant and this book is like travel guide that encourages you to cancel everything in your life to go to visit to Alaska.
The father- daughter’s dysfunctional relationship, past wounds, resentments, misunderstandings were perfectly analyzed. And the romance parts with nerdy professor whose main focus is Jack London novels was also sweet!
This is well written, heart warming, positive, inspirational, lovely women’s fiction/ family novel about grief, love, choices, second chances! Especially I recommend it to the fans of the author and lovers of well developed, relaxing, sweet- enchanting novels!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/ Ballentine’s for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
August 8, 2023
beach reading fail.
all i wanted was a fluffy book with an ocean somewhere in it. and look at the cover of this!!! doesn't that seem like what i signed up for?!
instead, i got a Big Problems book, but with all of the depth and thoughtfulness of fluff. which i believe is known in the scientific community as a "lose/lose."
i would read 900 pages of Woman Who Doesn't Want To Be Married Or Have Kids fiction and 700 pages of Woman Heals Complicated Relationship With Her Father content, but this managed to be about neither while ostensibly being about both.
see the above scientific term.
bottom line: somehow too much AND not enough.
all i wanted was a fluffy book with an ocean somewhere in it. and look at the cover of this!!! doesn't that seem like what i signed up for?!
instead, i got a Big Problems book, but with all of the depth and thoughtfulness of fluff. which i believe is known in the scientific community as a "lose/lose."
i would read 900 pages of Woman Who Doesn't Want To Be Married Or Have Kids fiction and 700 pages of Woman Heals Complicated Relationship With Her Father content, but this managed to be about neither while ostensibly being about both.
see the above scientific term.
bottom line: somehow too much AND not enough.
March 2, 2022
Now Available!
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith is a lovely story about a daughter trying to make peace with her father after her mother’s unexpected death. The daughter just happens to be an up-and-coming indie rock star. That was until she had a melt-down while performing right after her mother’s passing. It’s been three months and Greta hasn’t performed and can’t seem to move forward. And while her mother was her biggest supporter, her father wants her to have a more normal life. The two of them have butted heads for years, with Greta’s mother playing referee. On what would have been her parents’ 40th-anniversary trip, Greta joins her father and her parent’s best friends on an Alaskan cruise. On the ship, she befriends the handsome guest lecturer, Ben Wilder, who has written a successful novel about Jack London. He is also having an identity crisis from struggling with his own family and career issues.
Sprinkled with occasional humor, the author treats the issues respectfully and realistically. Nothing is fast or easy when it comes to rebuilding relationships or careers. In the end, there is an overall feeling of hopefulness and healing, along with the possibility of romance.
4 stars. Book club recommended because there will be lots of juicy discussions about parent-child relationships. Thank you to #NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced reader copy. Also thanks to Taylor Noel whose review brought this to my attention. This book will be published on March 1, 2022.
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith is a lovely story about a daughter trying to make peace with her father after her mother’s unexpected death. The daughter just happens to be an up-and-coming indie rock star. That was until she had a melt-down while performing right after her mother’s passing. It’s been three months and Greta hasn’t performed and can’t seem to move forward. And while her mother was her biggest supporter, her father wants her to have a more normal life. The two of them have butted heads for years, with Greta’s mother playing referee. On what would have been her parents’ 40th-anniversary trip, Greta joins her father and her parent’s best friends on an Alaskan cruise. On the ship, she befriends the handsome guest lecturer, Ben Wilder, who has written a successful novel about Jack London. He is also having an identity crisis from struggling with his own family and career issues.
Sprinkled with occasional humor, the author treats the issues respectfully and realistically. Nothing is fast or easy when it comes to rebuilding relationships or careers. In the end, there is an overall feeling of hopefulness and healing, along with the possibility of romance.
4 stars. Book club recommended because there will be lots of juicy discussions about parent-child relationships. Thank you to #NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my advanced reader copy. Also thanks to Taylor Noel whose review brought this to my attention. This book will be published on March 1, 2022.
July 23, 2022
An emotional, heartfelt read! Overall, this was a very enjoyable book. Greta and Ben were dynamic characters that I loved, but I personally didn’t care much for Conrad. I wanted him to support his daughter and her lifestyle more, so he was a bit of a bummer. The author did a fantastic job bringing the Alaskan setting alive in this book, adding a lot of details, which I appreciated. I would have loved an epilogue a bit further into the future. I would have enjoyed knowing what happened with Ben and what direction he decided to go in with his life. Bonus points for a cute cover that grabs your attention!
Thank you, Net Galley and Ballantine, for an ARC in return for my honest review!
Thank you, Net Galley and Ballantine, for an ARC in return for my honest review!
May 10, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine, and Jennifer E. Smith for a gifted copy of this book!! Now available as of 3.1!!**
"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain"- Bob Marley
Greta James has been proving this adage since her teenage years. Starting as many guitarists do, in tiny coffee shops and school talent shows, she is now A Name in the music biz. Her climb to semi-stardom, however, is interrupted when tragedy arrives at her doorstep: her mother has unexpectedly passed away. Greta made the decision not to leave her gig, but is wracked with guilt and dealing with the fall out of her first (and biggest) fan's passing. After losing it mid-song in front of a live audience, Greta feels the pressure to keep her career on an uphill trajectory while trying to heal emotionally. As if this weren't enough, brother Asher encourages her to accompany their father Conrad on a week long Alaskan cruise...one that he was SUPPOSED to take with Greta's mother to celebrate their anniversary. And of course there's the tiny fact that Conrad has never approved of Greta's 'unstable' career in the first place...
Once aboard, Conrad and Greta are forced to spend a LOT of time together, with friends and neighbors as their only occasional buffer...until Greta meets Your Stereotypical History Professor and Ultra-Cute Nerd Ben Wilder, who is obsessed with Jack London's Call of the Wild and has boarded the ship to deal with some emotional trauma of his own. Will Greta make it through the week in one piece? What does she have to learn from Ben...and will the ice, the snow, and the ever-widening chasm between her and Conrad hold fast...or like an ice floe, split off for good?
I've been wanting to dive into Jennifer Smith's work for a while, which up until this point has been in the YA world. I'm not sure how I'd feel about her YA work...but I have a pretty good feeling after reading this book, that I would ABSOLUTELY love it! The writing in this book is reminiscent of YA in certain respects, with fairly quick chapters, a reasonable page count, and characters you can grasp fairly quickly. In many respects, this COULD have been changed and pared down to fit a teenage audience...but I am SO grateful Smith didn't do that. The relationships in this one are so better realized as fully fledged adult relationships, with poignant reflections on careers, relationships, and most importantly, parent-child dynamics. The strife between Conrad and Greta was palpable, relatable, and beautifully crafted. It was hard to read at times, but gripping all along. Smith's choice to give the novel a bit of balance with the blossoming relationship between Greta and Ben was wise: it kept the novel from feeling TOO tragic, heavy, and dark.
Music is of course the through line for Greta, but she is far from the cliched rock star, and the layers of her personality slowly unfurl over the course of the narrative. I also appreciate that Smith didn't tack ANY sort of a groan inducing 'too-good-to-be-true' ending on this tale. It didn't need it, and would have done the character of Greta a great disservice. Grief doesn't get boxed away and tied up neatly just because a certain amount of time has passed, or a certain event has happened. It is simply to be managed, worked through, and used to create something better and more beautiful in the world. Greta does all of this and more. This is a tragic, lovely, and moving story that will have you reflecting on your own family, music, love, and so many other essential facets of life.
Molly Brown might be the first Unsinkable woman---but Greta James is by far the most unshakable AND unbreakable!
4 stars
Now available in paperback!
"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain"- Bob Marley
Greta James has been proving this adage since her teenage years. Starting as many guitarists do, in tiny coffee shops and school talent shows, she is now A Name in the music biz. Her climb to semi-stardom, however, is interrupted when tragedy arrives at her doorstep: her mother has unexpectedly passed away. Greta made the decision not to leave her gig, but is wracked with guilt and dealing with the fall out of her first (and biggest) fan's passing. After losing it mid-song in front of a live audience, Greta feels the pressure to keep her career on an uphill trajectory while trying to heal emotionally. As if this weren't enough, brother Asher encourages her to accompany their father Conrad on a week long Alaskan cruise...one that he was SUPPOSED to take with Greta's mother to celebrate their anniversary. And of course there's the tiny fact that Conrad has never approved of Greta's 'unstable' career in the first place...
Once aboard, Conrad and Greta are forced to spend a LOT of time together, with friends and neighbors as their only occasional buffer...until Greta meets Your Stereotypical History Professor and Ultra-Cute Nerd Ben Wilder, who is obsessed with Jack London's Call of the Wild and has boarded the ship to deal with some emotional trauma of his own. Will Greta make it through the week in one piece? What does she have to learn from Ben...and will the ice, the snow, and the ever-widening chasm between her and Conrad hold fast...or like an ice floe, split off for good?
I've been wanting to dive into Jennifer Smith's work for a while, which up until this point has been in the YA world. I'm not sure how I'd feel about her YA work...but I have a pretty good feeling after reading this book, that I would ABSOLUTELY love it! The writing in this book is reminiscent of YA in certain respects, with fairly quick chapters, a reasonable page count, and characters you can grasp fairly quickly. In many respects, this COULD have been changed and pared down to fit a teenage audience...but I am SO grateful Smith didn't do that. The relationships in this one are so better realized as fully fledged adult relationships, with poignant reflections on careers, relationships, and most importantly, parent-child dynamics. The strife between Conrad and Greta was palpable, relatable, and beautifully crafted. It was hard to read at times, but gripping all along. Smith's choice to give the novel a bit of balance with the blossoming relationship between Greta and Ben was wise: it kept the novel from feeling TOO tragic, heavy, and dark.
Music is of course the through line for Greta, but she is far from the cliched rock star, and the layers of her personality slowly unfurl over the course of the narrative. I also appreciate that Smith didn't tack ANY sort of a groan inducing 'too-good-to-be-true' ending on this tale. It didn't need it, and would have done the character of Greta a great disservice. Grief doesn't get boxed away and tied up neatly just because a certain amount of time has passed, or a certain event has happened. It is simply to be managed, worked through, and used to create something better and more beautiful in the world. Greta does all of this and more. This is a tragic, lovely, and moving story that will have you reflecting on your own family, music, love, and so many other essential facets of life.
Molly Brown might be the first Unsinkable woman---but Greta James is by far the most unshakable AND unbreakable!
4 stars
Now available in paperback!
April 11, 2022
its been a minute since ive read a JES book. this sounded like it would tug on all the heartstrings, so i couldnt resist.
i think at its core, this story has all the best intentions. its touches all of the emotions of real life - loss and grief, coping and hope, moving on and finding new love, and the courage of defending your past. it covers a lot, so there are plenty of moments to feel something, which is why im so bummed that i didnt. i felt perfectly neutral the entire time.
totally a me problem, though, and not the books. but i think this story has a pretty wide reach - theres something everyone can relate to within its pages - so i hope other readers can find this more impactful than i did.
↠ 3.5 stars
i think at its core, this story has all the best intentions. its touches all of the emotions of real life - loss and grief, coping and hope, moving on and finding new love, and the courage of defending your past. it covers a lot, so there are plenty of moments to feel something, which is why im so bummed that i didnt. i felt perfectly neutral the entire time.
totally a me problem, though, and not the books. but i think this story has a pretty wide reach - theres something everyone can relate to within its pages - so i hope other readers can find this more impactful than i did.
↠ 3.5 stars
December 30, 2021
At the end of 2021, I find myself involved with two books both targeting family dynamics. Luckily, both of them were enjoyable stories that I can recommend.
Greta James is a fairly successful indie musician who is dealing with her mother’s death. Her mother had been the one to stand between Greta and her father, who disapproves of her life. Now, she finds herself taking her mother’s place on an Alaskan cruise with her father. On board, she meets a professor hired to lecture on Jack London. He’s dealing with his own family dramas and the two hit it off.
I enjoyed this family drama. I’ve found that death always shakes up the family dynamics. Greta was a fully realized character. At age 36, she’s wondering how long her current lifestyle will work for her. I felt her grief, her doubts and her disappointments. But also her slowly dawning awareness of her father’s situation. I enjoyed seeing how these two were able to find their way towards not just a truce but an understanding of each other. I found myself shedding more than a few tears at the end.
I understand that Smith’s prior books were in the YA genre. But here, she writes an adult story. It’s heartwarming, but not at all sappy. I did struggle a little that Greta’s on stage meltdown after her mom’s death became such a big deal. But that’s a minor quibble.
I was impressed with Miller’s ability to create the Alaskan cruise ship atmosphere, both on and off the ship. This would make a great transfer onto the screen.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House -Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
Greta James is a fairly successful indie musician who is dealing with her mother’s death. Her mother had been the one to stand between Greta and her father, who disapproves of her life. Now, she finds herself taking her mother’s place on an Alaskan cruise with her father. On board, she meets a professor hired to lecture on Jack London. He’s dealing with his own family dramas and the two hit it off.
I enjoyed this family drama. I’ve found that death always shakes up the family dynamics. Greta was a fully realized character. At age 36, she’s wondering how long her current lifestyle will work for her. I felt her grief, her doubts and her disappointments. But also her slowly dawning awareness of her father’s situation. I enjoyed seeing how these two were able to find their way towards not just a truce but an understanding of each other. I found myself shedding more than a few tears at the end.
I understand that Smith’s prior books were in the YA genre. But here, she writes an adult story. It’s heartwarming, but not at all sappy. I did struggle a little that Greta’s on stage meltdown after her mom’s death became such a big deal. But that’s a minor quibble.
I was impressed with Miller’s ability to create the Alaskan cruise ship atmosphere, both on and off the ship. This would make a great transfer onto the screen.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House -Ballantine Books for an advance copy of this book.
March 2, 2022
Thirty-six year old Greta James is forced to go on an Alaskan Cruise with her father and a group of her parents’ friends. This was originally intended to be an anniversary trip for her parents - a trip that her late mother had been planning for and was looking forward to for a long time. Her mother’s sudden demise, three months ago, came as a shock to everyone who knew her and has left both Greta and her father submerged in their own grief.
Greta is an indie musician by profession. Her relationship with her father is complicated (and has been so ever since she was a teenager) as a result of his disapproval of her life and career choices. While her mother,Helen, was a constant source of support and never failed to cheer her on, her father chose to remain on the sidelines. But now, forced to spend time together on an eight-day cruise they are made to address past resentments and the strain in their relationship while trying to come to terms with their loss. Greta’s professional life has also suffered a setback on account of her having an emotional breakdown onstage during her last performance, seven days after her mother’s death which was splashed all over the media. Greta’s next performance is days away and she has a lot to figure out in order to move forward .She also meets Ben, a scholarly professor separated from his wife and the father of two young daughters, who is traveling alone while promoting his latest book. Will this trip help her heal and give her an opportunity to mend her relationship with her father or will it lead to further friction? Will Greta be able to salvage her career or will she have to give up on her dreams?
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E Smith is a moving story about family, loss, grief, healing and moving on. Losing a loved one is never easy and everyone has to go through a very personal process of healing. The author's depiction of Greta's journey will touch your heart. I found the heartfelt conversations between Ben and Greta to be profoundly insightful. Her interactions with him are sweet, romantic and cathartic for Greta allowing her moments of pause and reflection. The author's portrayal of Greta and her father Conrad , both overwhelmed with their own grief and unable to acknowledge or understand or share in each other's pain, is very real. The author eloquently describes the emotions of the main characters and the dynamics of the parent-child relationship with quiet dignity. The vivid imagery of the natural beauty of Alaska and Glacier Bay make for a breathtaking backdrop to this lovely story. Though there was a bit of repetition and a few slow moments in the narrative, overall this is a beautifully-penned and engaging read, heavy in emotion with moments of wit and humor, that will leave you smiling through your tears.
Thanks to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Greta is an indie musician by profession. Her relationship with her father is complicated (and has been so ever since she was a teenager) as a result of his disapproval of her life and career choices. While her mother,Helen, was a constant source of support and never failed to cheer her on, her father chose to remain on the sidelines. But now, forced to spend time together on an eight-day cruise they are made to address past resentments and the strain in their relationship while trying to come to terms with their loss. Greta’s professional life has also suffered a setback on account of her having an emotional breakdown onstage during her last performance, seven days after her mother’s death which was splashed all over the media. Greta’s next performance is days away and she has a lot to figure out in order to move forward .She also meets Ben, a scholarly professor separated from his wife and the father of two young daughters, who is traveling alone while promoting his latest book. Will this trip help her heal and give her an opportunity to mend her relationship with her father or will it lead to further friction? Will Greta be able to salvage her career or will she have to give up on her dreams?
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E Smith is a moving story about family, loss, grief, healing and moving on. Losing a loved one is never easy and everyone has to go through a very personal process of healing. The author's depiction of Greta's journey will touch your heart. I found the heartfelt conversations between Ben and Greta to be profoundly insightful. Her interactions with him are sweet, romantic and cathartic for Greta allowing her moments of pause and reflection. The author's portrayal of Greta and her father Conrad , both overwhelmed with their own grief and unable to acknowledge or understand or share in each other's pain, is very real. The author eloquently describes the emotions of the main characters and the dynamics of the parent-child relationship with quiet dignity. The vivid imagery of the natural beauty of Alaska and Glacier Bay make for a breathtaking backdrop to this lovely story. Though there was a bit of repetition and a few slow moments in the narrative, overall this is a beautifully-penned and engaging read, heavy in emotion with moments of wit and humor, that will leave you smiling through your tears.
Thanks to Random House-Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2022
3.5 Stars
The timing of this read is kind of funny as I literally read this the day after getting home from a cruise vacation...and I will actually be going on an Alaskan cruise this June (a 2020 holdover trip). Perhaps I should have saved this for when I was on the Alaskan cruise...but I felt like reading it now.
I digress.
I enjoyed this book well enough and ended up reading it in one sitting. I thought the story flowed well and it held my attention; however, I had expected this to be a deep emotional read about a father, his daughter, and their fractured relationship. And it was...But it also really wasn't.
Instead, the book seemed to focus more on Greta's ship romance and less about her relationship with her father, which I kind of found disappointing.
Still, while I doubt this book will stick in my memory for long, it was a decent enough way to spend a lazy, post-vacation afternoon.
The timing of this read is kind of funny as I literally read this the day after getting home from a cruise vacation...and I will actually be going on an Alaskan cruise this June (a 2020 holdover trip). Perhaps I should have saved this for when I was on the Alaskan cruise...but I felt like reading it now.
I digress.
I enjoyed this book well enough and ended up reading it in one sitting. I thought the story flowed well and it held my attention; however, I had expected this to be a deep emotional read about a father, his daughter, and their fractured relationship. And it was...But it also really wasn't.
Instead, the book seemed to focus more on Greta's ship romance and less about her relationship with her father, which I kind of found disappointing.
Still, while I doubt this book will stick in my memory for long, it was a decent enough way to spend a lazy, post-vacation afternoon.
January 25, 2022
This is a terrific novel about grief and family and how life doesn’t always give you what you want. It’s a very engaging read with some wonderful in-depth characters, humor and a smattering of romance.
Greta James is a thirty six year old indie musician and songwriter who has had major success with her first album and is working hard to launch her second, when she is derailed by grief over the sudden death of her mother and biggest fan as well as the break-up of her relationship. Taking a break, she finds herself talked into accompanying her father on the Alaskan cruise her mother had booked before she died, to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, accompanied by two couples of family friends.
At best, Greta and her father have a prickly relationship. He’s never understood her desire to be a rock musician and doesn’t see it as a viable long-term prospect. He would prefer her to settle down with a nice man and take up a more stable profession (like her brother), while Greta finds it hard to accept that he doesn’t want her to do what she loves best and excels at. Greta and her dad have always had trouble talking to each other so they don’t get off to the best start on the cruise, but gradually they start to understand what the other is feeling and start to build some shaky bridges.
I loved the descriptions of Alaska, the places the cruise stopped and the various activities they went on (all booked previously by Greta’s mother). I also enjoyed Greta’s romance with Ben, a successful writer, undergoing doubts about the viability of his future as a writer in the midst of his own family issues. Despite the very real heartfelt grief and pain underlying Greta and her father’s relationship, the wit and humour of the writing makes this an uplifting book.
With thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
Greta James is a thirty six year old indie musician and songwriter who has had major success with her first album and is working hard to launch her second, when she is derailed by grief over the sudden death of her mother and biggest fan as well as the break-up of her relationship. Taking a break, she finds herself talked into accompanying her father on the Alaskan cruise her mother had booked before she died, to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, accompanied by two couples of family friends.
At best, Greta and her father have a prickly relationship. He’s never understood her desire to be a rock musician and doesn’t see it as a viable long-term prospect. He would prefer her to settle down with a nice man and take up a more stable profession (like her brother), while Greta finds it hard to accept that he doesn’t want her to do what she loves best and excels at. Greta and her dad have always had trouble talking to each other so they don’t get off to the best start on the cruise, but gradually they start to understand what the other is feeling and start to build some shaky bridges.
I loved the descriptions of Alaska, the places the cruise stopped and the various activities they went on (all booked previously by Greta’s mother). I also enjoyed Greta’s romance with Ben, a successful writer, undergoing doubts about the viability of his future as a writer in the midst of his own family issues. Despite the very real heartfelt grief and pain underlying Greta and her father’s relationship, the wit and humour of the writing makes this an uplifting book.
With thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
February 25, 2022
You got me, Jennifer E. Smith! Thank you for those tissue-worthy moments. They were all precious, but I could feel them building and the last was such a delight. Having cruised the inside passage twice, I was thrilled to visit Alaska with Greta and her dad Conrad. Sadly, Greta's mother was not with them. Her unexpected death was still weighing heavily on the family. The week on the ship (not a boat) seems like too much togetherness at first. Can Greta and Conrad find a way to communicate without Grace as their translator. Greta's career as an indie rock star is on the rocks. Is this trip to Alaska a retreat for recovery or just another way to runaway from her grief? This would make a fantastic book club pick.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2022
I thought this was boring, the characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue wasn't well-written. There was too much focus on an insta-love romance, when there should have been more focus on the relationship between the main character and her dad, since that's what this book is supposed to be about.
March 19, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Contemporary
Greta James is a rock star. Her mother Helen passed away recently just before going on an Alaskan ship cruise with her father. This was the trip her mother has booked to celebrate her 40th marriage anniversary with her husband. Greta and her brother argue about who should go with their father and the rock star ends up going with him. The story takes place in a week timeframe. Greta and her father didn’t have a strong relationship especially because her father had no faith in her as a musician. Could this trip change things between them? That’s is what the bigger part of the story is about.
The concept of the story is really good. I enjoy reading about family members when they sort out their issues and try to rekindle their bonds. In this story what both the father and daughter share is the grief of losing a loved one. Helen’s passing away and the trip makes the father and his daughter put aside their differences and know each other better. The end result is beautiful. There is also a romantic interest (Ben) that Greta gets to know on the ship. But I felt something was missing between the two. I don’t know what exactly. Their chemistry was not strong and I feel something was absent in that new relationship. Another thing that didn’t convince me is Greta’s character and her being a rock star or musician. I kept forgetting that she was a musician in the story until something was coming up about her job. Maybe her behavior did not feel like a celebrity. I feel her character needed some more fine-tuning in that area. However, these points I mentioned do not outweigh the perks that this story has. The main highlight for me is the father and daughter relationship which is the core of this book.
Many thanks to the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Genre: Contemporary
Greta James is a rock star. Her mother Helen passed away recently just before going on an Alaskan ship cruise with her father. This was the trip her mother has booked to celebrate her 40th marriage anniversary with her husband. Greta and her brother argue about who should go with their father and the rock star ends up going with him. The story takes place in a week timeframe. Greta and her father didn’t have a strong relationship especially because her father had no faith in her as a musician. Could this trip change things between them? That’s is what the bigger part of the story is about.
The concept of the story is really good. I enjoy reading about family members when they sort out their issues and try to rekindle their bonds. In this story what both the father and daughter share is the grief of losing a loved one. Helen’s passing away and the trip makes the father and his daughter put aside their differences and know each other better. The end result is beautiful. There is also a romantic interest (Ben) that Greta gets to know on the ship. But I felt something was missing between the two. I don’t know what exactly. Their chemistry was not strong and I feel something was absent in that new relationship. Another thing that didn’t convince me is Greta’s character and her being a rock star or musician. I kept forgetting that she was a musician in the story until something was coming up about her job. Maybe her behavior did not feel like a celebrity. I feel her character needed some more fine-tuning in that area. However, these points I mentioned do not outweigh the perks that this story has. The main highlight for me is the father and daughter relationship which is the core of this book.
Many thanks to the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
July 12, 2022
This is a character-driven story that takes place on an Alaskan cruise. At the center of the story are the family’s grief, and broken relationship between father and daughter. I expected to like this story, but ultimately it didn’t work for me. The issues and feelings experienced by the characters could apply to anyone, so I didn’t appreciate the sporadic comments about certain groups, which had nothing to do with the story.
October 9, 2021
This quiet story is about a week spent on an Alaskan cruise, and the grieving father and daughter who find it hard to be around each other now that the gaping hole of where Mom should be is ever present.
Full of deep, heartfelt pain and hope, it is brilliantly written mix of lit and women's fiction, with almost every page full of word-painted descriptions of the Alaskan landscape.
All three (including the love interest) must work through their perspectives and decide what to keep and what to let go of in order to move forward in life, and also what to do with what they decide to keep; for as we know, nothing ever stays the same and we either move with the changes or become trapped in amber.
Full of deep, heartfelt pain and hope, it is brilliantly written mix of lit and women's fiction, with almost every page full of word-painted descriptions of the Alaskan landscape.
All three (including the love interest) must work through their perspectives and decide what to keep and what to let go of in order to move forward in life, and also what to do with what they decide to keep; for as we know, nothing ever stays the same and we either move with the changes or become trapped in amber.
April 11, 2022
(I can't tell you how many times I thought of this as
The Unsinkable Molly Brown
, but I'm an old musical theater fan, so get off my lawn.)
In Jennifer E. Smith's first adult contemporary novel (she's a prolific YA writer), grief and resentment can make you feel far away from a person, even when you’re with them.
Greta James is a talented singer/songwriter on the verge of releasing her second album. She’s had some notoriety and a few hits. But when she completely falls apart during a performance shortly after her mother's death, and the video of it goes viral, she needs a little bit of a break to figure things out.
Since she has some free time, her brother suggests she accompany her father on the Alaskan cruise he and their mother were supposed to go on to mark their 40th anniversary. Even though her parents were supposed to travel with two other couples, Greta joining her father would help him feel less like a third wheel.
The thing is, Greta and her father don’t get along, and her mother often played peacemaker between them. Her father hasn’t ever been particularly supportive of her music career or most of her life choices, thinking she should have a backup plan and settle down to have a family like her brother. And Greta hasn’t always remained silent about his criticism—her first hit was a song about his disapproval.
But healing and reaching understanding isn’t going to be easy, even when they’re on a ship together. Greta must figure out how to meet her father halfway, and at the same time, she needs to figure out how to find the courage to get back up on stage again, as her record label is expecting her to. And when she meets Ben, an author and college professor dealing with his own uncertainties, will their connection prove distracting or help her along her journey?
The Unsinkable Greta James was a powerful exploration of how grief and regret and hurt can affect you in ways you’ve not realized, as well as how we hurt others. At times, Greta's father really is hurtful, but you know it comes from a place of love and sadness. I’m definitely a fan of Smith’s storytelling, and I cared about these characters and what would happen to them.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2021 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2021.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
In Jennifer E. Smith's first adult contemporary novel (she's a prolific YA writer), grief and resentment can make you feel far away from a person, even when you’re with them.
Greta James is a talented singer/songwriter on the verge of releasing her second album. She’s had some notoriety and a few hits. But when she completely falls apart during a performance shortly after her mother's death, and the video of it goes viral, she needs a little bit of a break to figure things out.
Since she has some free time, her brother suggests she accompany her father on the Alaskan cruise he and their mother were supposed to go on to mark their 40th anniversary. Even though her parents were supposed to travel with two other couples, Greta joining her father would help him feel less like a third wheel.
The thing is, Greta and her father don’t get along, and her mother often played peacemaker between them. Her father hasn’t ever been particularly supportive of her music career or most of her life choices, thinking she should have a backup plan and settle down to have a family like her brother. And Greta hasn’t always remained silent about his criticism—her first hit was a song about his disapproval.
But healing and reaching understanding isn’t going to be easy, even when they’re on a ship together. Greta must figure out how to meet her father halfway, and at the same time, she needs to figure out how to find the courage to get back up on stage again, as her record label is expecting her to. And when she meets Ben, an author and college professor dealing with his own uncertainties, will their connection prove distracting or help her along her journey?
The Unsinkable Greta James was a powerful exploration of how grief and regret and hurt can affect you in ways you’ve not realized, as well as how we hurt others. At times, Greta's father really is hurtful, but you know it comes from a place of love and sadness. I’m definitely a fan of Smith’s storytelling, and I cared about these characters and what would happen to them.
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2021 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2021.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
June 16, 2023
After the recent sudden death of her mother, Greta falls apart on stage. And of course it all goes viral. Her mother was Greta’s greatest supporter of her talent and career as a musician. Her father, Conrad, has always been more circumspect and it is one of the issues between them. When her brother Asher suggests she accompany their father on the week long Alaskan. Cruise their parents had planned for their fortieth wedding anniversary, Greta is at first horrified by the suggestion. Later she comes around. Just maybe her and her father can heal old wounds. But could it end up making things worse?
On board there are a number of friends of her parents. She also meets Ben Wilder, a charming historian with a fascination for Jack London. Greta finds herself strangely attracted to him. Is it a case of opposites attract? And will Greta be able to resurrect her music career?
This story probes issues of grief and loss, family relationships, guilt, taking chances and choices. Family dynamics are easily relatable even if the reader is not a musician like Greta. I could really relate to and feel the sensitively handled grief of Greta after the death of her mother. Main characters are well developed and the Alaskan cruise setting is beautiful. Lots to explore in this recommended read which I really enjoyed.
On board there are a number of friends of her parents. She also meets Ben Wilder, a charming historian with a fascination for Jack London. Greta finds herself strangely attracted to him. Is it a case of opposites attract? And will Greta be able to resurrect her music career?
This story probes issues of grief and loss, family relationships, guilt, taking chances and choices. Family dynamics are easily relatable even if the reader is not a musician like Greta. I could really relate to and feel the sensitively handled grief of Greta after the death of her mother. Main characters are well developed and the Alaskan cruise setting is beautiful. Lots to explore in this recommended read which I really enjoyed.
March 1, 2022
I can’t remember the last time I felt so emotionally connected to a novel.
This book is compulsively readable and I cared so deeply for Greta and her dad. I thought their relationship was incredibly well-constructed – the tension between them was palpable and believable and tugged at my heart. Even though I have a great relationship with my parents, I think there’s something universal about needed approval from the people who raised you. I also loved Ben and the moments of comic relief and romance that he brought to the story without overwhelming it.
I teared up so many times while reading this book, but I also smiled a lot and I wrote down so many sentences that I wanted to hold onto a little longer (including a few below). THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES was such a cathartic read and I just loved every minute of it.
I think it's perfect for fans of EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER, DAISY JONES & THE SIX, DEAR EDWARD and WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE.
A FEW FAVORITE QUOTES
“It’s what’s driven her all these years, the fear of all that – of getting stuck, of standing still, of being ordinary.”
“It’s that the life he wants for her is fundamentally different than the life she wants for herself, and music is the boat that’s forever carrying her away from it.”
“It’s a particularly strange kind of loss, when something you don’t think you even want gets taken away from you.”
“But she’ll never fully understand why skepticism is most people’s first reaction. Maybe it’s jealous. Or maybe it’s something deeper than that, a kind of resentment for having the audacity to be living her dream when their had to be left behind.”
#teamprh
This book is compulsively readable and I cared so deeply for Greta and her dad. I thought their relationship was incredibly well-constructed – the tension between them was palpable and believable and tugged at my heart. Even though I have a great relationship with my parents, I think there’s something universal about needed approval from the people who raised you. I also loved Ben and the moments of comic relief and romance that he brought to the story without overwhelming it.
I teared up so many times while reading this book, but I also smiled a lot and I wrote down so many sentences that I wanted to hold onto a little longer (including a few below). THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES was such a cathartic read and I just loved every minute of it.
I think it's perfect for fans of EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER, DAISY JONES & THE SIX, DEAR EDWARD and WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE.
A FEW FAVORITE QUOTES
“It’s what’s driven her all these years, the fear of all that – of getting stuck, of standing still, of being ordinary.”
“It’s that the life he wants for her is fundamentally different than the life she wants for herself, and music is the boat that’s forever carrying her away from it.”
“It’s a particularly strange kind of loss, when something you don’t think you even want gets taken away from you.”
“But she’ll never fully understand why skepticism is most people’s first reaction. Maybe it’s jealous. Or maybe it’s something deeper than that, a kind of resentment for having the audacity to be living her dream when their had to be left behind.”
#teamprh
August 20, 2022
THIS STRUCK. Wowie. The darker pockets of my heart have now seen some rays of sunlight. This was deep, poetic, HUMAN, and real. Very, very real!
4.5 ⭐️
4.5 ⭐️
August 11, 2024
First things first - it was fun but also a little strange to read a book in which the main character has my name. Good thing I liked her 😊
This was an easy read but it was full of love and grief and self reflection.
Greta, a famous indie songwriter, guitarist and singer froze up on stage about a month after losing her mom suddenly and unexpectedly. The sharks have shared the video millions of times and now 3 months later she has her tour on hold and is wondering if she can even do it again.
Her parents had an Alaskan cruise planned for their 40th anniversary and Greta decides (when pushed by her brother) to go with her dad. They haven’t had the best relationship- her mom has been her biggest fan but her dad hasn’t seemed like he likes this career choice of Greta’s.
The backdrop of the Alaskan cruise makes the story move along in a fun way and I think it worked really well.
No spoilers - you’ll have to read it in your own but I will say there is a playlist at the end of the book that is eclectic and interesting.
Happy sailing! 🚢 🎸
This was an easy read but it was full of love and grief and self reflection.
Greta, a famous indie songwriter, guitarist and singer froze up on stage about a month after losing her mom suddenly and unexpectedly. The sharks have shared the video millions of times and now 3 months later she has her tour on hold and is wondering if she can even do it again.
Her parents had an Alaskan cruise planned for their 40th anniversary and Greta decides (when pushed by her brother) to go with her dad. They haven’t had the best relationship- her mom has been her biggest fan but her dad hasn’t seemed like he likes this career choice of Greta’s.
The backdrop of the Alaskan cruise makes the story move along in a fun way and I think it worked really well.
No spoilers - you’ll have to read it in your own but I will say there is a playlist at the end of the book that is eclectic and interesting.
Happy sailing! 🚢 🎸
March 6, 2022
Perhaps this book appeals more to a younger reader but I found it a bit dull. The main character struggles with family issues and decides to spend some time with her Dad on an Alaskan cruise. The cruise is 8 days and believe me, I could not wait for that cruise to be over! Every detail of every conversation and feeling was expressed. The protagonist was young with a great deal of angst and regret plus she is a bit immature. As you can tell, I did not like her character.
March 5, 2022
I liked this one! Didn’t love it though.
I thought the exploration of Greta’s grief was well done, but honestly I was a little frustrated how this book turned more into a romance with Ben than fixing her relationship with her Dad. They were on a cruise ship together for 7-8 days and yet their time together was limited. It didn’t feel like any progress and I think that’s a bit unrealistic to be honest.
It was definitely a “coming of age” vibe with the main focus on Greta as she had reflective moments from her past and forward growth through her mothers passing and her music meltdown. I do think this one might be fun as a book club discussion.
Audiobook Review: loved the narration!
I thought the exploration of Greta’s grief was well done, but honestly I was a little frustrated how this book turned more into a romance with Ben than fixing her relationship with her Dad. They were on a cruise ship together for 7-8 days and yet their time together was limited. It didn’t feel like any progress and I think that’s a bit unrealistic to be honest.
It was definitely a “coming of age” vibe with the main focus on Greta as she had reflective moments from her past and forward growth through her mothers passing and her music meltdown. I do think this one might be fun as a book club discussion.
Audiobook Review: loved the narration!
June 7, 2022
The Unsinkable Greta James is a book that was tailor-made for my heartstrings. It's like it was created in a lab just for me.
November 7, 2022
November is non-fiction month so most of my books for this month will be non-fiction. However, I am reading a few novels that are quick, fun, easy reads. The Unsinkable Greta James fit the bill perfectly.
The setting is a cruise to Alaska where hardened family dynamics get resolved and new romance blooms between the rock star, Greta James, and a writer, Ben, who is separated from his wife.
There are definitely some tissue-worthy moments.
Highly recommend for those who love rom-com books.
The setting is a cruise to Alaska where hardened family dynamics get resolved and new romance blooms between the rock star, Greta James, and a writer, Ben, who is separated from his wife.
There are definitely some tissue-worthy moments.
Highly recommend for those who love rom-com books.
June 17, 2022
Good, but not great. I enjoyed it, but there's nothing that I really love about it. It's not a book that I would reread, so now I'm wishing that I had chosen a different book for my June 2022 BOTM selection.
June 9, 2022
A great novel about romance, grief, family, music—all set on an Alaskan cruise ship.
August 14, 2024
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith follows Greta, a musician as she mourns her mom’s death, her struggling career and reuniting with her estranged father. While reuniting with her father on a cruise to Alaska Greta takes the time to heal. She finds herself rediscovering herself, dealing with her grief and finding a way to bond with her father again. This novel has a lot of emotional depth. Dealing with real life situations and how to heal the hurt from the past and move on from present loss. Maybe a little too much emotional drama; dad, friend, career. Kept me engaged all day. All n all an enjoyable read.
July 23, 2022
I decided to finally check this book out because I saw it popping up all over the place especially on bookstagram. Glad I did because it was an interesting story about a women trying to find herself after the recent death of her mother. The Alaskan cruise setting was so picturesque I'm itching to go visit the 49th state.
Greta James is living the dream, touring the world as a famous musician. Her mother, Helen, was supportive from the get go and was her biggest fan. Greta's dad, Conrad, wasn't happy though when it became clear Greta was going to turn her hobby into a career. After the sudden death of Helen, father and daughter go on an Alaskan cruise with family friends to honor Helen's memory. A chance for Greta and Conrad to repair their rocky relationship or will it cause a further division?
With the mom being the heart of the family and the glue that held things together, her loss certainly left an impact. Even though the story is told from Greta's perspective eventually you are able to see where the dad is coming from in regards to his actions and behavior. Parent-child relationships can be complicated and I like how the author was able to explore that a bit.
Ben, a writer and historian, was a good character to throw into the mix. It's funny because at some point I almost felt like I was right there on the ship with these people. Even though this story is about grief, my spirits were lifted while I read this book. Among other things it serves as a good reminder to go out and see the world as we only get one shot here on Earth.
Greta James is living the dream, touring the world as a famous musician. Her mother, Helen, was supportive from the get go and was her biggest fan. Greta's dad, Conrad, wasn't happy though when it became clear Greta was going to turn her hobby into a career. After the sudden death of Helen, father and daughter go on an Alaskan cruise with family friends to honor Helen's memory. A chance for Greta and Conrad to repair their rocky relationship or will it cause a further division?
With the mom being the heart of the family and the glue that held things together, her loss certainly left an impact. Even though the story is told from Greta's perspective eventually you are able to see where the dad is coming from in regards to his actions and behavior. Parent-child relationships can be complicated and I like how the author was able to explore that a bit.
Ben, a writer and historian, was a good character to throw into the mix. It's funny because at some point I almost felt like I was right there on the ship with these people. Even though this story is about grief, my spirits were lifted while I read this book. Among other things it serves as a good reminder to go out and see the world as we only get one shot here on Earth.
August 9, 2022
3 out of 5 stars.
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Looks like the new trend in book industry is for YA authors to write Adult books, but, hey, I'm not complaining.
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Looks like the new trend in book industry is for YA authors to write Adult books, but, hey, I'm not complaining.
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