Total Dreamboat By Katelyn Doyle Book Review

I will be honest. I chose Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle because I wanted a fast, fun story. I finished it in one sitting. My feet were up and I was smiling the whole time. If you want a funny cruise ship romance with lots of laughs, this book gives you that.

Key Takeaways

Total Dreamboat is a fun and quick cruise ship romance. It has lots of jokes and likable characters.
Hope is the main character. She feels real and easy to understand.
Her story about finding herself and love is interesting. The book is simple and not hard to read.
Some parts might be easy to guess. It does not have many deep or sad moments.

Overview

Main Character

Hope Lanover is the heart of Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle. She feels real and relatable. I found myself rooting for her from the first chapter. Hope is not your typical rom-com heroine. She’s a little awkward, sometimes anxious, and she carries a lot of self-doubt.

She’s just been through a rough breakup and feels stuck in her life. I could see myself in her—she wants to move forward but doesn’t know how. Her inner thoughts made me laugh and cringe at the same time. She’s the kind of character who says the wrong thing at the wrong time, but you can’t help but love her for it.

Hope’s journey is about more than just finding romance. She’s trying to figure out who she is and what she wants. That made her story feel honest and fresh.

Setting

The story takes place almost entirely on a cruise ship. I loved this setting. It gave the book a fun, vacation vibe. The ship feels like its own little world, full of quirky passengers, themed parties, and endless buffets. I could almost smell the salty air and hear the waves.

The cruise ship also creates a sense of adventure and possibility. Anything can happen when you’re out at sea with strangers. The setting adds to the book’s light, escapist tone. It’s the perfect backdrop for a summer romance.

Plot

The plot of Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle moves quickly. I never felt bored. Here’s how the story unfolds:

Hope boards the cruise ship, hoping for a break from her problems.
She meets a charming stranger who seems too good to be true.
Awkward run-ins, hilarious mishaps, and flirty banter follow.
Hope tries to let go of her past and open up to new possibilities.
The romance heats up, but old fears threaten to ruin everything.
Hope faces a big choice: play it safe or take a risk on love.

Each chapter brings a new twist or funny moment. The book has fourteen chapters, and each one pushes Hope’s story forward. I liked how the timeline felt clear and easy to follow. The story never drags.

The tone stays upbeat and breezy, even when Hope struggles. The book is just over 300 pages, so it’s a quick read. It came out in 2024, and it fits right in with other contemporary romantic comedies.

If you want a book that feels like a vacation, this one delivers. The plot is simple, but the laughs and heart make it stand out.

Strengths

Character Dynamics

I have to give props to Katelyn Doyle for the way she writes character chemistry. Hope and her love interest spark right from their first awkward meeting. Their conversations feel real, not forced. I found myself grinning at their banter and rooting for them to get together.

Hope’s awkwardness makes her easy to connect with. She blurts out things most of us only think.
The love interest isn’t just a cardboard cutout. He has his own quirks and insecurities.
Side characters add flavor. The cruise staff and fellow passengers bring extra laughs and drama.

The best part? The romance builds slowly. I could feel the tension and excitement with every chapter.

Humor

This book made me laugh out loud more than once. The humor feels natural, not over-the-top. I loved the way Hope gets herself into embarrassing situations. Her inner thoughts are hilarious.

The dialogue is sharp and witty. I could almost hear the characters teasing each other.
There are plenty of funny cruise moments—think karaoke disasters, costume parties, and buffet mishaps.
The jokes never feel mean-spirited. The story stays light, even when Hope faces tough moments.

I’ll be honest, I needed a book that would make me smile. Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle delivered.

Atmosphere

The cruise ship setting is pure fun. I could picture the endless ocean, the themed dinners, and the wild dance floors. The book feels like a mini-vacation.

The author paints each scene with just enough detail. I never felt lost or overwhelmed.
The setting adds to the sense of freedom. Hope gets to step outside her comfort zone.
Every chapter feels breezy and bright. I could almost taste the salty air and hear the music from the deck parties.

If you want a light, escapist read, this book is a great pick. It’s perfect for a lazy afternoon or a beach day.

Weaknesses

Pacing

I have to admit, I read this book in one sitting, but a few chapters felt a bit rushed. Some scenes jumped from one funny moment to the next so quickly that I barely had time to catch my breath.

I wanted a little more time with Hope’s quieter moments. Sometimes, the story skipped over her feelings just to get to the next joke or mishap.

Fast pace kept things moving, but I missed some emotional build-up.
A few scenes wrapped up too quickly, leaving me wanting more.

If you like a story that never slows down, you might not mind. I just wanted a few more pauses to let things sink in.

Tropes

I love a good rom-com, but I noticed a lot of familiar beats here. The meet-cute, the awkward misunderstandings, the big romantic gesture—they all showed up. I found myself guessing what would happen next.

Predictable moments made the story feel safe, not surprising.
Some jokes leaned on classic cruise ship clichés.

To be fair, these tropes can feel comforting, but I hoped for a twist or two.

Depth

This book gave me plenty of laughs, but it didn’t dig very deep. Hope’s struggles felt real, but the story stayed light. I wanted more about her growth and less about the next funny disaster.

Surface-level themes kept things breezy but left me craving more substance.
The romance felt sweet, but not exactly jaw-dropping.

If you want a book that makes you think or leaves you gasping, this one might not hit that mark.

Themes

Romance

I’ll be honest, I’m a sucker for a good love story. Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle gave me exactly what I wanted. The romance felt sweet and a little awkward, just like real life.

I found myself rooting for Hope and her cruise ship crush from their first meeting. Their chemistry made me smile, and their flirty banter kept things light.

Slow-burn romance: The relationship builds over time, not all at once.
Realistic awkwardness: Hope’s nervous moments felt true to life.
Cute moments: From silly dance parties to late-night talks, I felt the butterflies.

I stayed up way too late, flipping pages because I needed to see if Hope would take a chance on love. The romance didn’t feel chilling or jaw-dropping, but it left me grinning.

Self-Discovery

Hope’s journey isn’t just about finding a boyfriend. She spends the cruise figuring out who she wants to be. I saw a lot of myself in her doubts and hopes. The book shows that sometimes you need a change of scenery to see yourself clearly.

Personal growth: Hope learns to trust herself and take risks.
Facing fears: She steps out of her comfort zone, even when it scares her.
Letting go: Hope starts to move past old heartbreak and believe in new beginnings.

Watching Hope grow gave me a little boost too. Sometimes, a lighthearted story can remind you that it’s okay to start over.

Audience for Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle

Genre

If you love romantic comedies, this book will fit right into your reading list. I’d call Total Dreamboat by Katelyn Doyle a classic beach read. It’s light, funny, and full of heart. I reached for it when I wanted something that would make me smile. You’ll enjoy it if you like:

Cruise ship adventures
Awkward but lovable main characters
Stories that don’t take themselves too seriously

I think fans of Emily Henry or Christina Lauren will feel right at home here.

Romance Level

The romance in this book feels sweet and flirty. I never found it too steamy or over-the-top. Most of the romantic moments made me grin or blush, not squirm. If you want a book that keeps things PG-13, you’re safe with this one.

Kissing and flirty banter
No graphic scenes
Some swoony moments, but nothing that made me want to hide the book from my grandma

I’d hand this to anyone who likes their love stories with more laughs than heat.

Content Warnings

I didn’t spot anything that would make me pause before recommending this to a friend. The story keeps things light and avoids heavy topics. Here’s what you’ll find: