REVIEW: Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli

Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat by Sonya Lalli: With her perfectly crafted life having a somewhat speed bump, Jasmine can’t help but want to do a little reset especially in the dating department. Which is why she jumped at the chance to accompany her parents on their cruise vacation…however Jasmine had no idea that this was going to be a seniors cruise. Now Jasmine has to face ten days of meddling aunties, a whole bunch of nosey family friends and absolutely no one under the age of 50 to talk to, well not no one, there is golden boy and her childhood acquaintance Jake. If only they didn’t clash right from the very first meeting, with no where to really hide from each other Jake and Jasmine begin to realise that they actually have a lot in common especially when it comes to keeping things from their overly involved families. Could a seniors cruise really be the love boat for Jasmine and Jake or will their fleeting romance not find its land legs?

I have to say that I actually enjoyed this book a whole lot more than I had expected, Jake and Jasmine were absolutely great. I loved the fact that this book was so relatable and such an easy read. Both main characters were really just trying to find their feet in the big bad world while still trying to live up to their parents expectations. I will say that going in with a title like Jasmine And Jake Rock The Boat, I had thought this would be a pretty steamy romance but this read as more of a book of self discovery, figuring out family dynamics and healing from past wounds with a touch of romance thrown into the mix.

There was something very enduring about Jasmine, I’m not sure if it was the fact that she was the black sheep of her family or if it was her desire to try and live up to her family’s high expectations while still being true to herself. I really enjoyed getting to see the dynamic between Jasmine and her family and how this fitted in with the typical Indian family stereotype. For the most part I actually enjoyed seeing the over the top Panjabi aunties and all of their antics. Now when it came to our hero Jake, I think he played into the Indian son stereotype pretty well, where he could get away with a lot where as Jasmine not so much. Though I will say that as the book progressed and we got to see more of Jake, the more I found myself liking his character. Not only was he facing a lot of the same dilemmas that Jasmine had been but he was actually a nice guy.

Like I said earlier the romance in this book was on the lower side but that really wasn’t a major issue for me. I think the connect that these two characters formed while on the cruise helped both of them open up and see their true potential in more ways than one. I will say that I would have liked to have an epilogue with a sneak peek at how they faired post cruise but again this was just a minor thing. If you are looking for a relatable read with some quirky family members then Jasmine And Jake Rock The Boat is a must read.

Book Info:

Publication: April 18, 2023 | Berkley Books |

Jasmine Randhawa likes everyone to think she has it all–great job, perfect Seattle apartment, and a handsome boyfriend. But she’s not as confident or successful as she seems, and her relationship is at a breaking point.

When Jasmine finds herself single and tagging along on her parents’ vacation, she’s not sure her life can get any farther off course. It’s a nightmare for someone who’s been so fiercely independent to find herself on a cruise full of family friends who’ve judged her since childhood. Things only get worse once the ship leaves the harbor and she realizes that this is a seniors’ cruise, and the only other person under fifty on the entire boat is her childhood acquaintance, cocky and successful Jake Dhillon.

Jasmine and Jake clash right away, with Jasmine smarting over how their South Asian community puts him on a pedestal as the perfect Indian son, whereas her reputation as a troublemaker precedes her. Except they can’t avoid each other forever during the ten-day cruise, and they soon recognize a surprising number of similarities, especially in how many secrets they’re keeping hidden from their families. Their restlessness seems to disappear whenever they’re together, but is this relationship strong enough to last on land?