JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruise—complete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.
Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ can’t help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the ship’s enchanting horticulturist. There’s just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.
With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley can’t let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.
From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.
Packed with laughter, longing, and a grandmother who refuses to play by the rules, Roped Into Paradise is a heartwarming romantic comedy about family, hope, and finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn romance, and cruise ship escapades that sweep you off your feet.
“Have you done this before? A cruise, I mean?” JJ questioned as they moseyed forward a few steps.
Wynn shook his head. “Nope. Don’t want to be on one now, but what do you do when you get unwittingly signed up to be a wingman to an octogenarian?”
JJ laughed, thinking he might have at least one kindred spirit and friend on board if they ever actually got onto the ship.
Finally, they made it to the point where they were in possession of their Set Sail cards—their personalized key to the floating city.
Grams explained that the cards served as room keys, provided access to specific areas, and were used to make charges on the ship, arrange outings, and book reservations. They were also scanned at every port, both coming and going, and were necessary to board the ship.
“Don’t lose your card, Skippy,” Grams said, patting his hand as though he was back in junior high. Just because he’d lost his lunch money a few times, would she never let him forget it?
Besides, more crucial to the insult was her use of that infernal, abominable name. Why, after seventeen years of never speaking it, had she decided to dust it off and put it on repeat today?
At least Ted and Wynn didn’t seem to notice or hear her as Ted offered his grandson commentary on carrying a better style of wallet than the one he shoved into his pocket.
The meandering path along the gangway was a trial to JJ’s already flagging patience, but they reached the point where they scanned their Set Sail cards and were finally aboard the ship.
When JJ scanned his card, a loud electronic voice said, “Welcome, Skippy.”
What now?
Heat burned up his neck, searing his skin at a swift pace. He glared at his card, noticing the name printed on it. Sure enough, in black and white, he was registered as JJ “Skippy” McKade.
His grandmother wanted him dead. He was sure of it because he would die of humiliation before they ever set sail.
“Skippy?” Wynn asked in a quiet voice as Ted and Grams went ahead of them into the ship.
“My grandfather used to call me Skipper, since I was named after a ship captain. Grams always referred to me as Skippy until I begged her to stop in my grade-school years. I have no idea why she’s calling me Skippy now, or why she put it on all my information.” JJ sighed. If nothing else on this trip, he should build up his lung capacity by expelling pent-up exasperation-loaded air with regularity.
“Don’t let it get to you. At least she’s not telling everyone you’re the wingman to help pick up hot chicks. They look more like over-baked chickens,” Wynn said, then glanced at JJ. “No offense meant to your grandmother.”
“None taken,” JJ said, swiping through the information on the cruise app on his phone and realizing everything, absolutely everything, said Skippy.
Perfect. This day could not possibly get any worse.
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope.
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