She can handle anything in her job.
Even a week on a boat
with a handsome but annoying sailor.
Josh tells himself he’s the luckiest guy in the world. Living on his sailboat and taking tourists on occasional chartered trips, he’s not tied down to routines and responsibilities. He even named his sailboat Solitude, because that’s what he enjoys much of the time.
Danae works at a boat company, and … of the time.
Danae works at a boat company, and she just got promoted—sort of. To keep her dream job, she must get her opinionated coworkers to all agree on a marketing plan. Her boss directs her to set up a week-long sailing tour with them as a work trip and a bonding experience.
At first, Danae isn’t completely on board with Josh’s laid-back approach to the excursion. But during visits to quaint New England towns and seafaring adventures, she and Josh start to see one another’s true colors…and Josh begins to question his solitary life.
This feel-good romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Crunchy Salmon Cakes.
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Sweet comfy romance with the magic of the sea to help. This is the perfect summer beach read. A work team bonding trip has a two opposites working in tight spaces, tingles happen, denial steps up, an undeniable attraction, and yet they fight it. She is super organized, a bit of a control nut, focused with her life plan set. He’s a recovered executive who’s determined to live free from schedules, complications and demands. They each cringe at the other’s way and yet…fun time watching the relationship stumble and grow. The is a HEA, the way to it is filled with fun and romance.
I received a review copy for an honest review
While reading this book, it felt like I was actually watching a Hallmark movie — from the sailing to the towns, restaurants, and shops that were visited. It’s a story about two people who seem to be polar opposites, but who may have more in common than either of them realizes. Danae is a newly-appointed, interim chief marketing officer for Barton Boating Co. and the queen of organization and punctuality, who thinks she always needs to handle it all. Then there’s Josh, owner of a charter sail boat named Solitude, who was more than happy to leave the rigid corporate world behind to be his own boss after a failed marriage. It was fun following Danae and her team — one member who is her ex-boyfriend and work rival, Mark — as they were sent on a week-long cruise aboard one of the company boats, with Josh as their captain and guide, in order to bond and come up with a mutually agreed upon marketing plan. Of course, Danae and Josh get off on the wrong foot before they even meet face-to-face, and they both soon find out that not everything in life can stick to a plan or schedule. One thing I wasn’t sure of until almost the end was whether or not Mark was being sincere or if he was actually a sabotaging snob. And Danae and Josh did their fair share of sabotaging their own relationship. The interactions of all of the characters in this story added to the enjoyment, and this book made me want to go up to New England (which I actually will be at the end of August) and visit every place the characters did. Luckily, Danae and Josh got a little help from their friends in planning and getting to their destined HEA, while learning that there’s always room for compromise.
I received an ARC and have voluntarily written this review.
I truly enjoyed reading about Josh and Danae. They are wonderful character’s. It is a wonderful written story. I loved the storyline. Its a page turner. It held my attention throughout the story. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story was OK, but what got me to buy the book was the cover. As a life long recreational sailor myself, the setting on a 70 foot “luxury” sailboat caught my interest. I confess I had some issues with the book, but that’s mostly on me. Not offered as criticism, but just a few comments: The author uses the terms “Ship” and “Boat” interchangeably. A 70 foot “sailboat” is not a “ship”! (Check Websters.) Many incorrect nautical terms were used, e,g,: “kitchen” (should be “galley”) that should have been caught and corrected be the editors. There was almost no word picture (description) of actually sailing this 70 foot sailboat (which the cover lead be to expect). Again not criticism, just one person’s comments. The descriptions of the shore excursions was well done.
The story within a story, as the islands and their quaint towns off Rhode Island and Massachusetts, are featured prominently as we sail with Danae and her marketing team, plus Josh their captain. A sweet, opposites attract, entertaining story! While Danae and Josh should not work, they do. He has given up the corporate life and she is climbing it. The week together for a corporate team bonding, and some relaxation has them both realizing they can change.
A great Summer beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Loved this so much. Cindi Madsen’s voice is the perfect blend of humor and heartwarming. And what a wonderful setting for a summer romance!
Alpaca yoga. Heard of goat yoga but not alpaca yoga. The description of it made me laugh out loud. Good thing I was by myself. Team building and planning a marketing campaign on a chartered cruise with Danae the interim chief marketing officer wanting to plan everything to the minute and boat captain Josh not into planning. What could go wrong? There were some stressful moments for all members of the team that were told well. Besides the team building, there was the romance between two people attracted to each that were total opposites – one is open to it and the other is not. I could relate to Danae and her obsessive need to be organized and scheduled and not so much to Josh. The story of how the team came together while Danae learned some lessons about running a team and being able to relax and laugh at herself, fell in love with someone who did not want a permanent relationship, and a happy ending were told well. I was a little concerned at the end, but Josh came to his senses. Danae and Josh were able to compromise and ended up each learning to adjust and being better for it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing for an honest review.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Repost of my original review at Amazon.com.
The perfect read for anyone who is looking to escape. This boat based adventure gives all of us a mini-vacation even as we all stay home.
The cover sets the story , beautiful descriptions , makes you want to step inside the book and tag along with Danae and her crew as they go on a work retreat , sailing and sightseeing. A little romance don’t hurt either , as both she and the captain of the boat find that there’s more to sailing and work schedules as they get to know each other .
4.5 Stars for Sailing at Sunset
This entertaining, fun read drew me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down until I had read the final line, I was captivated by Josh and Danae’s story.
This is a couple that are total opposites but as they say “ opposites attract “ and this is certainly the case for career driven Danae and laid back Josh who meet on a team building trip on Josh’s boat.
The attraction is instant and being in the confines of a small boat the sparks fly as this couple find themselves questioning the life’s they lead. Will the attraction and chemistry be enough to fight for a future when they both seem to want different things…..
This fun read was just what I needed, I escaped into Josh and Danae’s world and I loved watching their relationship grow, I loved the characters and the story so all that’s left for me to say is please one click this gem of a read.
I’m a long-time fan of Cindi Madsen’s writing. She’s just…very versatile. Whether it’s a rom-com, angsty, or sweet romance, she does it all, and she does it all well. Sailing at Sunset is a Hallmark book, so it’s a very sweet romance. But just because it’s sweet, and just because it’s a Hallmark book, doesn’t mean it easily fits into what you’d call the typical Hallmark mold.
NICUnurse’s Rating: Now, full confession…I love Hallmark movies, and I especially love Hallmark Christmas movies. But so many of those Hallmark stories fall into this fairly predictable box. Not saying that’s all bad. Obviously, at times that’s what I’m in the mood for and totally gobble those predictable stories up. I do think there’s a great market for them, as we all know Hallmark isn’t hurting in that aspect of things. But there are times where I’m in the mood for a good, sweet romance that has some real meat to it. And Sailing at Sunset has just that. The H & H both showed a lot of growth throughout the story. It wasn’t just a meet-cute. And I loved how the team grew and meshed as well as the H & H did. Maybe it’s just me, but at a time in history that is so controversial, this story really was uplifting in showing that despite coming from different backgrounds and having our own prejudices, that doesn’t have to make us natural enemies. That each person’s strengths and weaknesses can make for a cohesive group of coworkers that can also become a cohesive and uplifting group of friends. The positivity in this story was very uplifting without being saccharine and just what I was looking for at this point in our crazy year that is 2020. So whether Hallmark stories and/or movies are your thing or not, I really encourage you to give Sailing at Sunset a try. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
I give Sailing at Sunset by Cindi Madsen 4.5 out of 5 stars!
I always enjoy Cindi’s books and this one is also so good. It’s a perfect summer read, light, fun, sweet and loving book. This opposite attract story where the sparks fly and you can’t help but want to be on a boat with Danae and Josh.
The couple couldn’t be more different. While Danae is a little control freak and highly organized, Josh is a free spirit. She works super hard to create a good life for herself so she can’t never be worried about any bad unexpected turns. With a promotion to a Marketing position she has a come up with a marketing plan for a week long sailing tour.
Josh is done with the corporate and uptight world. He quit and after his divorce, he found out that he wants to be in sea all the time and now works doing tours on a boat. And his ultimate job? A week long sailing tour!
And that exactly on a boat that they met. They clash, burn and their banter is amazing. While Danae try to be organized and do everything according to her plan, he does everything on contrary, the less planning the better. And I enjoy a lot reading how they try to learn a little with each other, creating an off charts chemistry and friendship.
I loved the ending. If you are looking for a feel good book, full of romance and banter, this is for you. This is a clean romance, so don’t expect steamy scenes, in the hallmark style.
Sailing at Sunset is a wonderful sweet romance that just makes you smile. It’s an opposites attract story and the laid back solitude loving Josh and the over achieving Danae are the perfect couple. Each softening the others rougher edges. The story is beautifully written and these characters will melt your heart. Definitely a book you don’t want to miss.
Danae Danvers is a hardworking, organized business woman who likes to map out her life in a planner. When her boss tosses a new plan at her in order to maintain a new position in the company she is thrown off kilter and into the path of Josh Wheeler. Josh is an avid ship sailor and gives tours for companies and couples alike. You’ll fall in love with these characters and their story!
5 Star Review of Sailing at Sunset by Cindi Madsen
Sailing at Sunset was a humorous romantic read, with characters you cannot help but fall for and I was riveted from the first to the last chapter I enjoy Ms. Madsen’s writing style, her writing is strong and the story flowed well.
Josh and Danae are opposites, he likes the laid back way of life and Danae is more career driven. These two should not work but they do and I am not sure who is more surprised. While on a team building trip on Josh’s boat Solitude, Danae and her team visit New England towns.
In the small confines of the boat, the attraction between Josh and Danae builds and in fact Josh begins to questions his lonely life. They really are opposites, Danae is very organized, a control freak and totally focused on her goals. Whilst Josh has left the rate race behind after leaving a successful career and has no plans to return to it.
It was fun watching these two explore their blossoming relationship even while they were fighting it. Both characters were easy to relate to and I really liked them. An entertaining read that ticked the boxes for me.
A romantic, love story as different as the tide in the sea and the changing sunset easily describes this book about Danae, the new interim Chief Marketing Officer of Barton Boating Company and Josh, their hired captain for their company’s weeklong boat retreat.
Josh and Danae were two, hurt, lost souls that were better when they were together. They brought out the best in each other. They were opposites, but they fit together. Danae was such a planner and ironically cannot live without her planner, colored pens, and stickers. Josh was more spontaneous, enjoyed the ocean, and had given up the corporate life after he got divorced.
I enjoyed the places they ventured to and the beautiful sites they saw, It makes me want to go on a sailboat and see the New England sites and eat the fresh seafood, while enjoying sunsets and the stars.
I was surprised and pleased with how the book ended. I would love to see a sequel to this book because it was so much fun to read. m I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
Sweet second chance at love story.
Danae and Josh couldn’t be more opposite. Danae maps out every second of every day in her organized planner while Josh captains his boat and sails where the winds take him or where the paying customers pay him to take them which is how they meet.
Danae gets a conditional promotion that leads to a team building retreat with Josh at the helm. They each have preconceived notions about the other one, but those are slowly chipped away as they get to know each other and both see the value of the other’s personality. The team building is a challenge as there are very differing personalities AND Danae’s ex is on the team.
Danae and Josh both start to fall, but both have been burned in the past, so they are gun shy and run away from this second chance. They both seem to want different things which seem to be incompatible.
This is a Hallmark romance, so a HEA is a guarantee, but the way it works is so very sweet. The epilogue does not disappoint. It is great to see people grow and bring out the best in each other.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy via the author and Hallmark Publishing.
Sailing at Sunset by Cindi Madsen is a sweet romance at sea adventure. It is an opposite attraction story where the couple just meet but must work together to make the sailing tour a success. Right off the bat, you know Danae is a person with a few compulsive and controlling habits. Why before the first page is finished you know that crossing off items on her lists is her favorite thing to do. I’m good with lists but she takes it a bit to far. Still she is adorable in her must organized everything personality. Josh is totally opposite and could use a list now and then.
A sweet story with the predictable Hallmark ending. Still a traditional feel-good romance is not to criticize in today’s world of unpredictable 2020. It is well-written so that you feel the wind on your face, enjoyed the sunsets on the sea and feel like we will all make. A great beach read or a great wish I was at the beach reach.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sailing at Sunset is another delightful offering from author Cindi Madsen. Danae Danvers was up for promotion to chief marketing officer for Barton Boating Company, established in 1930 and now run by Walter Barton. Mr Barton does award Danae the promotion, but with the caveat that the marketing team, including PR, social media website, and sales, are to go on a week long work retreat to pull together and bring about a brand new marketing plan, and they will be doing so on a Fortune 703 Barton Boat, the largest, most luxurious sailboat in their line. A charter captain has been hired and they are set to sail in just a few days. And, oh by the way, her promotion depended on getting this rag tag marketing group on the same page and with a new plan.
Josh Wheeler had spent a long time in corporate America, that is until his marriage failed and he decided that he was going to live his life rather than work his life away. He had returned to Newport and established his position as a charter sailing captain living on an older sailboat he had restored himself. The Barton job was just another charter, but the organizer of the trip was going to drive him nutty! What kind of control freak was this Danae Danvers anyway?
Danae and Josh couldn’t be more different. She likes to be highly organized, a trait that had been a sticking point with her last boyfriend. Josh was a free wheeling fellow who only used his planner for charters, but there was an undeniable spark. What could she learn about life from this easygoing man, and how could that help her with this contentious group she was trying to lead?
This is another lovely novel by Ms. Madsen. It is filled with endearing characters and takes them on unexpected turns as the story unfolds. I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!
Compulsively organized Danae Danvers is excited with her new position as Chief Marketing Officer at Barton Boating until she finds out the position is contingent upon getting her team to connect better, and for her to personally learn to listen and become a team player. Hearing her boss’s constructive criticism is horribly hard to hear after all she has been through. Now she must pull her team together, brainstorm the launching of their new campaign and website while trapped for a week on a chartered boat or lose what she’s worked so hard for.
Josh Wheeler gave up the stress of suits and ties, long meetings and strict deadlines for the relaxation he discovered chartering tours in his sail boat. But his newest client is wearing his patience thin with her excessive texts and repeated changes to the itinerary before he’s even met her. Once he does meet the group he knows he has his work cut out for him with the rigid leader. But what was he supposed to do with the feelings he was developing for a woman who represents a lifestyle he didn’t want to repeat.
Although good, the main portion of this book takes place on a top of the line sail boat, yet any descriptions of the boat were glaringly missing. No sense of the size of it, details of the cabins, who did the cooking, etc. I couldn’t get a clear picture of it or how the group lived on it.
I also thought the book was TOO squeeky clean. It gets old having little more than a few near miss kisses in a ROMANCE novel.
I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.