Raised in landlocked Kansas, I have an almost pathological fear of the water and a tendency to motion sickness, therefore a book about a trans-Pacific sailing voyage would not seem the obvious choice for me. But it was recommended by an author I have enjoyed reading, Jen Lancaster, so I decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did.

Janna Cawrse Esarey delivers a realistic and relatable account of her 17,000-mile trip around and across the Pacific Ocean with her new husband Graeme. She discovers that physical proximity and paradisaical locales do not necessarily a happy couple make. As their romance waxes and wanes over the course of their trip, Janna recounts their sometimes troubled road to the altar and the bountiful relationship advice she has received over the years.

At their worst, memoirs are collections of disjointed anecdotes that neither connect with each other nor the reader. However, at their best, they are engaging and entertaining, an emotional insight into not just one person’s life but to the greater experiences we all share. This book, thankfully, was one of the best. Humorous, smart and poignant, I couldn’t put it down.