Man Overboard! - After falling off a cruise ship, a man reflects on his life while hoping to be rescued.

Patrick “Kick” Kilpatrick is a former swimming champ, yet he hates the ocean. He was on a Thanksgiving weekend cruise to Cozumel with his family and now he finds himself floating in the Gulf of Mexico. He believes he must have fallen off the ship, though perhaps he jumped, but he doubts it. Thankfully, the 33-year-old trainer is in excellent shape. With nothing to do but tread water and wait for the rescue he is confident will arrive, Kick's mind wanders. He reflects on the people in his life, especially his mother, who left the family following a health scare. As time passes, Kick encounters various sea creatures. Instead of threatening him, they engage in conversation and offer words of wisdom. 

Man Overboard! by Kathleen Rooney calls for a suspension of disbelief to fully engage with this heartfelt, humorous, and surreal tale of a man reflecting on his life. While typically a reader, I opted for the audio version this time and found it added depth and humanity to this enjoyable story. 

Rated 3.75 out of 5 stars.

Contemporary Fiction.

Publication Date: July 7, 2026.

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