Cruise Crush by Kathleen Allen is basically the ultimate vacation rom-com wrapped in cruise ship glamour. It follows Andrew, a hot workaholic on the brink of becoming CEO of Pinnacle Cruise Lines, and Delaney, a witty former Olympic gymnast turned travel writer, as their lives crash—literally—into each other during a seven-day cruise through the Caribbean. It’s dual POV, packed with hilarious inner monologues, a slow-burn romance, gorgeous settings, and a whole lot of sexual tension.

I love how Kathleen Allen writes people. Andrew isn’t just your typical brooding rich guy—he’s got depth, manners, and a thing for Bath & Body Works candles. I laughed when he proudly talked about knowing the difference between tampons and pads thanks to his sisters. And Delaney is so relatable it hurts. Her hungover airport dash had me wheezing. She’s sharp, sweet, a little chaotic, and totally someone I’d follow on Instagram. Also, she’s secretly reviewing the cruise under a pen name, and I love a girl with secrets.

One scene that absolutely did it for me was their first real dinner together at Emilio’s. The way she panics when she sees him across the restaurant was classic. He thinks she’s married because of her fake ring, and she thinks he’s just being nice until he sends over a $250 bottle of Dom with a note. My heart melted. And when she tells him, Their chemistry was giving “slow-burn with tension so thick you could cut it with a steak knife.”

The writing itself is super fun. Fast-paced, flirty, and loaded with inner thoughts that feel so real. Like when Delaney’s ogling his forearms and planning his tattoo location. And the ship descriptions made me want to pack a bag. From the buttery towels to the fancy spa to the lobster-stuffed ravioli, Allen nails the vibe of a luxury cruise without being over-the-top. Even the side characters—like Kristen the badass assistant and Ally-Cat the cruise director—are well-drawn and add layers.

If you love rom-coms, flirty banter, “whoops I fell for him” plots, and cruise ship fantasies, this is for you. Perfect for beach reads, bubble baths, or days when your real life feels like a sad salad. It’s playful, sexy, and gives off strong “Hallmark movie but with better sex appeal” energy. I’m already hoping for a sequel.

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