Emma St. Clair’s latest offering, “If All Else Sails,” proves that sometimes the most turbulent storms happen not on the ocean, but within the human heart. This enemies-to-lovers romance takes readers on an emotional voyage that’s equal parts healing journey and passionate love story, wrapped in the authentic nautical setting of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The premise is deliciously simple yet emotionally complex: school nurse Josie Rowland arrives at what she expects to be her brother’s annual sibling extravaganza, only to find herself stranded at a run-down Virginia cottage with Wyatt Jacobs—a grumpy professional hockey player nursing both a career-threatening Lisfranc injury and a bruised ego. When Josie discovers Wyatt’s plan to sail south to scatter his uncle’s ashes, she makes an unexpected offer to serve as his first mate, setting the stage for a journey that will challenge everything they thought they knew about each other.
Character Development That Runs Deep
Josie: More Than Meets the Eye
St. Clair crafts Josie as a heroine who defies the typical romance novel archetype. She’s not the traditionally feisty protagonist we often see in contemporary romance; instead, she’s quietly strong, carrying the weight of past trauma with a dignity that feels authentic. Her history with attempted sexual assault is handled with remarkable sensitivity, never exploited for drama but acknowledged as a real part of her story that affects her interactions with men, particularly athletes.
Josie’s professional background as a school nurse adds layers to her character that extend beyond the romance. She approaches Wyatt’s recovery with clinical expertise while battling her own emotional barriers. Her growth throughout the novel—from someone who minimizes her own trauma to someone who recognizes her worth—feels organic and earned.
Wyatt: The Anti-Hero We Didn’t Know We Needed
Wyatt Jacobs is grumpy in the best possible way. St. Clair avoids the trap of making him merely a brooding athlete by giving him genuine depth and vulnerability. His relationship with his late Uncle Tom provides the emotional anchor for his character development, and his struggle with his injury goes beyond the physical to encompass questions of identity and purpose.
The author deserves credit for not making Wyatt’s grumpiness simply a facade hiding a heart of gold. He’s genuinely difficult, stubborn, and proud—traits that make his eventual vulnerability and growth all the more compelling. His protective instincts toward Josie feel genuine rather than possessive, a fine line that romance authors don’t always navigate successfully.
The Supporting Cast That Anchors the Story
Jacob, Josie’s brother and Wyatt’s agent, serves as more than just a plot device. His scheming to get them together feels authentic to the character of an overprotective brother who genuinely cares about both parties. The introduction of Wyatt’s parents, particularly his mother Susan’s immediate adoption of Josie, provides heartwarming moments that contrast beautifully with the main characters’ emotional walls.
Even minor characters like the overly flirtatious Dr. Parminder (“Dr. Dimples”) serve their purpose, creating moments of levity while also highlighting Wyatt’s growing feelings for Josie.
Sailing Into Authentic Territory
Nautical Knowledge Without the Lecture
St. Clair’s sailing sequences demonstrate impressive research without overwhelming readers with technical jargon. The author strikes an excellent balance between authenticity and accessibility, making the sailing portions engaging even for landlubbers. Terms like “baggywrinkle” (which Josie notes sounds like a hobbit name) are introduced with humor, making the learning curve enjoyable rather than daunting.
The physical challenges of sailing with an injury add genuine tension to the story. Wyatt’s struggle to manage the boat while protecting his foot creates real stakes that go beyond romantic conflict.
Geographic Authenticity
The journey along the Intracoastal Waterway from Virginia to Georgia provides a rich backdrop that feels lived-in rather than researched. St. Clair’s attention to detail—from the “murder cottage” setting to the various harbors and marinas—creates a sense of place that enhances rather than overshadows the romantic development.
Romance That Feels Real
The Slow Burn That Actually Burns
The enemies-to-lovers trope can feel forced when authors rush the transition from hostility to attraction. St. Clair avoids this pitfall by allowing genuine friendship to develop first. The shift from antagonism to understanding feels natural, built on shared experiences and gradual revelation rather than sudden attraction.
The romantic tension builds effectively through small moments—shared glances, protective gestures, and the gradual breaking down of emotional barriers. When physical attraction does surface, it feels earned rather than convenient.
Chemistry Without the Cheese
St. Clair maintains her trademark “bedroom door closed” approach while still delivering sizzling chemistry. The romantic scenes pulse with tension and desire without relying on explicit content. This approach serves the story well, keeping the focus on emotional intimacy and character development.
Addressing Serious Themes With Care
Trauma and Healing
The handling of Josie’s past assault deserves particular praise. St. Clair avoids both the minimization and the melodrama that can plague such storylines in romance novels. Josie’s tendency to downplay her experience (“legally speaking, it was barely assault”) rings true to how many survivors actually process trauma, while Wyatt’s response—validating her feelings without trying to “fix” her—provides a healthy model for support.
The author’s treatment of both characters’ healing journeys—Josie from trauma, Wyatt from injury and loss—creates parallel character arcs that enhance rather than compete with the romantic plot.
Family Dynamics and Neglect
The subtle exploration of both characters’ family relationships adds depth to their individual journeys. Josie’s relationship with somewhat emotionally distant parents and Wyatt’s complicated family dynamics provide context for their individual walls and desires for connection.
Areas Where the Story Could Anchor Better
Pacing Challenges
While the slow build works for character development, some sections in the middle feel slightly sluggish. The physical therapy appointments, while realistic, occasionally bog down the narrative momentum. A tighter focus on the most essential scenes could have strengthened the overall pacing.
Predictable Plot Points
Certain story beats follow expected romance patterns a bit too closely. The “misunderstanding that temporarily separates the couple” element feels somewhat manufactured, though St. Clair handles it better than many authors in the genre.
Secondary Character Development
While the supporting characters serve their purposes, some feel more like plot devices than fully realized people. Dr. Parminder’s over-the-top flirtatiousness borders on caricature, and some of the other marina characters could have been more fully developed.
Writing Style That Flows Like Water
St. Clair’s prose maintains her signature warmth and humor throughout. Her ability to balance wit with emotional depth creates a reading experience that’s both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. The dual POV structure works well, allowing readers to understand both characters’ internal struggles without redundancy.
The author’s voice feels confident and mature, suggesting growth from her earlier works. The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, particularly the banter between Josie and Wyatt as they gradually warm to each other.
Themes That Resonate Beyond Romance
Second Chances and New Directions
Both protagonists face crossroads in their lives—Josie considering her professional future and Wyatt facing potential career-ending injury. The theme of finding new directions when original plans fall through resonates beyond the romantic plot.
Trust and Vulnerability
The gradual building of trust between two wounded people provides the emotional core of the story. St. Clair explores how past hurts can create barriers to connection while also demonstrating how the right person can provide a safe harbor for healing.
The Verdict: A Romance Worth Boarding
“If All Else Sails” represents Emma St. Clair at her finest. While it doesn’t break entirely new ground in the romance genre, it executes familiar tropes with skill, sensitivity, and genuine emotional depth. The nautical setting provides fresh scenery for a love story that ultimately succeeds because of its focus on character development and authentic relationship building.
This novel will particularly appeal to readers who appreciate slow-burn romance, outdoor adventure settings, and stories that handle serious themes with maturity. St. Clair has created a romance that feels both escapist and grounded, offering readers a satisfying emotional journey alongside the geographical one.
The book succeeds in creating characters who feel like real people facing real challenges, rather than romance novel archetypes going through predetermined motions. While some plot elements remain predictable, the journey feels worthwhile for the destination.
For Readers Who Enjoyed
If you loved “If All Else Sails,” consider picking up these similar reads:
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – Another enemies-to-lovers story with emotional depth and dual POV
- “The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren – For readers who enjoy the forced proximity trope with humor
- “The Hating Game” by Sally Thorne – A classic enemies-to-lovers with workplace tension
- “Get a Life, Chloe Brown” by Talia Hibbert – Features a grumpy male lead and trauma-informed romance
- “The Kiss Quotient” by Helen Hoang – Another romance that sensitively handles past trauma
Other Emma St. Clair Recommendations
For readers new to St. Clair’s work, her previous novels in the same style include her contributions to various romance series, though “If All Else Sails” represents her most mature and accomplished standalone work to date.
Final Navigation
“If All Else Sails” charts a course through familiar romance waters but does so with skill, heart, and genuine emotional intelligence. St. Clair has created a love story that honors both the healing power of connection and the importance of individual growth. While not every plot point surprises, the journey proves rewarding for readers seeking romance with substance.
For fans of contemporary romance who appreciate outdoor settings, slow-burn attraction, and stories that handle serious themes with care, this novel provides a satisfying anchor point in an increasingly crowded genre. St. Clair proves that sometimes the most important journeys aren’t about reaching a destination, but about discovering who you become along the way.
