Ship Happens Review: A Second Chance Romance Sets Sail

Everyone loves the idea of a second chance romance. There is something so satisfying about seeing two people who couldn’t quite make it work the first time find a way back to each other.

And that is exactly what Mason Deaver delivers in Ship Happens. We have missed connections, forced proximity, heartfelt conversations, and second chances all between two very lovable trans male characters: Owen and Jacob.

Fans of Deaver’s other works are bound to find something worth sinking their teeth into with this latest T4T romance that asks the question: can two people move forward together after heartbreak?

Owen’s Relatable in All His Messiness

One of the things that really stands out with the character, Owen, is his anxiety and how that defines the way he moves through the world. Even before we hear about his past or know of his connection to his best friend’s brother, we are introduced to his social awkwardness.

Just from the introductory moment with Owen and a customer, readers can tell this character is someone who doesn’t always interact well with others. Especially if there is outlying issues surrounding the conversation: i.e. wanting to leave/be anywhere else, a complicated history, etc.

Then we are introduced to another, softer side to Owen. This side of the character is warm and loving. A person who bakes goodies for his friends that cater to their favorite treats.

His desire to make everyone happy through his art or his food teaches us that Owen is insecure long before we unpack that about him through his straightforward conversations with his friends and Jacob. Early on Owen shows that he still cares about his ex by baking his favorite dessert for a dinner he’s not entirely happy about attending.

On top of Owen’s insecurities and anxiety he also has a chronic pain condition that further complicates things. It is actually one of the things about Owen that helps soften his harder edges for the readers.

All of this to say, Owen isn’t always the easiest character to like. Sure, he’s lovable and loyal, but he can also be stand-offish and choose self-isolation over having difficult or even simple conversations.

There are times throughout the book where readers might want to wring Owen’s neck because he simply refuses to talk to Jacob about anything. And while his underlying issues help us to better understand the why, it doesn’t excuse the unnecessary hurt he puts on those just wanting to connect with him.

Jacob Reminds Us to Never Give Up

Then there is Jacob. Jacob is, to put it simply, a gentle giant. He loves marine life and his friends and family in equal measure.

Unfortunately, Jacob also struggles to fight for what he actually wants. His whole complicated connection with Owen can easily be boiled down to he let Owen decide when to end their relationship and didn’t fight for it.

To be completely fair, neither did Owen, but for Jacob that setback seems to stand out a bit more. Granted, we are only getting things from Owen’s POV so we don’t really know what Jacob thinks or feels unless he says it out loud.

Jacob is still an interesting character despite his shortcomings, much like Owen. He knows what he wants in life and he doesn’t apologize for wanting those things.

It just hurts a bit that his career desires are in direct conflict with his romantic desires to be with Owen. He is a man who loves to travel and wants to keep doing that in accordance with his career aspirations, and unfortunately Owen is a major homebody.

That doesn’t stop him from trying to communicate with Owen and encourage the man to talk to him. Too bad, Owen avoids him as much as possible.

Luckily for Jacob, he does have his sister who acts as a go between for him and Owen prior to the cruise. She also encourages the two of them, separately, to communicate and be open and patient while on the cruise.

In fact, because of his sister’s encouragement, Owen is finally able to open up to Jacob and the two of them go on some adventures together. The likes of which only serve to further our understanding of Jacob’s passions and career motivations.

Which is why the cruise itself feels like a third character in the romance.

Alaskan Cruise Serves as the Perfect Backdrop

One of the key components necessary for a second chance romance is something outside of themselves working to bring them back together. For Owen and Jacob that thing is an Alaskan Cruise.

Sure, the mastermind behind the trip is Jacob’s sister and Owen’s best friend, but the cruise ship herself is that magic spark needed. The confined space forces the two of them to interact in ways that make ignoring each other impossible.

Despite Owen’s resistance to talk, the ship just isn’t going to let that happen. Whether they are locked in a small closet together, walking the deck, dancing, or even just sharing a meal, these two are forced to be around each other.

Owen might be frosty at first, but Jacob is determined to push past it all to get to the core of the man he still loves. It’s a frustratingly beautiful journey, making the payoff worth every second.

To add to the romanticism of it all we have the open sea, fun activities, and the Alaskan mainland that Jacob and Owen get stuck on when they miss their opportunity to re-board the ship. Without any of these events, Owen would’ve never warmed up to being kinder and more open with Jacob.

Without missing the boat, these two might’ve never found a solution to move forward that allows them to remain in each other’s lives while also still following their dreams. Jacob doesn’t have to give up travelling and Owen finally takes those first steps to open his own tattoo shop.

Alaska opens Owen’s eyes to all the things that Jacob finds meaningful in his life. Which, in turn, allows Owen to remember why he loved the man in the first place, bringing them closer together.

When it comes to romance stories, the setting is often that third wheel just hanging about making sure the central couple end up together. In the case of these two, Alaska and all it offers is the only way they could’ve set aside their differences and finally seen each other completely.

The Ending is Realistic and Heartwarming

The great thing about Ship Happens is that Deaver gives us a realistic timeline all the way to the end. While Owen and Jacob do have history, their reasons for breaking up in the first place haven’t just miraculously gone away after time apart and deep meaningful conversations on a boat.

So naturally, when it comes time for the story to wind down and come to a close, these two characters have to decide what they choose to do moving forward. The biggest of those decisions centers on whether or not they think a relationship is feasible for them.

And honestly, giving themselves the room to be independent, but also still committed to each other in their own unique way is the only logical conclusion. Outside of calling it quits for good this time around. But, by the time the end comes readers know that calling it quits just isn’t in the cards for them.

At the end of the day, it may take them some more time for Jacob to be ready to stop travelling the world and settle down in California with Owen, but they make it there eventually. These are two souls that understand each other in ways that no one else they know could ever comprehend.

There was just no universe in which these two don’t eventually find their way back to a committed relationship together in the same location.

If there is one thing Mason Deaver is always good at it is delivering on queer joy. Yes, Ship Happens is riddled with angst and anxiety, but there is just enough love and passion to lead these characters towards a beautiful ending — together.

 

Ship Happens will be available in bookstores on August 18th.

 

 

Follow us on X and on Instagram!
Like us on Facebook!