Kindle
$9.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Paperback
$18.32
Audio CD
$11.99
Buy new:
-17% $18.32
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$18.32 with 17 percent savings
List Price: $21.99

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 14 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 23 hrs 11 mins
In Stock
$$18.32 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.32
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$7.90
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Reading copy. Have signs of wear and previous use (Scuffs, library copy, highlighting, writing and underlining). Water Damage Reading copy. Have signs of wear and previous use (Scuffs, library copy, highlighting, writing and underlining). Water Damage See less
FREE delivery Thursday, May 16 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Friday, May 10. Order within 11 hrs 41 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$18.32 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$18.32
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Torre DeRoche
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Love with a Chance of Drowning Paperback – May 14, 2013

by Torre DeRoche (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,027 ratings
See all formats and editions
on 1 when you buy 2 Shop items
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$18.32","priceAmount":18.32,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"18","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"32","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1KFI6Mtl1c8hv4PF9Fg%2FqrO8a%2FJZk43jPQHyZcyYIELNlRiAB4r6OeXTOATLdJ2GYvK761UF8%2F1cId1r8YzEMcZqPsrkyUDW2lBv6GOmLJF33FuackY2DI%2BkHOwfjsW6t2b4lnU2TU4zvvzVCeamPw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$7.90","priceAmount":7.90,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"7","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"90","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1KFI6Mtl1c8hv4PF9Fg%2FqrO8a%2FJZk43jOQetCb%2BPY05pIr3NDAP38sapv7JGbZy6A02CVQxjuLcrmITQ2w0qodpUgpMO35w5%2BIHjhTRpHGPPHyLDftcFq37WVoPW4F%2FF0oCVfl1wUYK1PIK1xw9RmHPodDxhrclpc%2Bm87dSTc98Z516iOzfaTYdW5BNVZp6P","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

New love. Exotic destinations.

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

What could go wrong?

City girl Torre DeRoche isn't looking for love, but a chance encounter in a San Francisco bar sparks an instant connection with a soulful Argentinean man who unexpectedly sweeps her off her feet. The problem? He's just about to cast the dock lines and voyage around the world on his small sailboat, and Torre is terrified of deep water. However, lovesick Torre determines that to keep the man of her dreams, she must embark on the voyage of her nightmares, so she waves good-bye to dry land and braces for a life-changing journey that's as exhilarating as it is terrifying.

Somewhere mid-Pacific, she finds herself battling to keep the old boat, the new relationship, and her floundering sanity afloat. . . .

This sometimes hilarious, often harrowing, and always poignant memoir is set against a backdrop of the world's most beautiful and remote destinations. Equal parts love story and travel memoir, Love with a Chance of Drowning is witty, charming, and proof positive that there are some risks worth taking.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 14, 2013
  4. Reading age
    18 years and up
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 1 x 8.13 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1401341950
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1401341954
  8. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Frequently bought together

Love with a Chance of Drowning
$18.32
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Worrier's Guide to the End of the World: Love, Loss, and Other Catastrophes--through Italy, India, and Beyond
$16.99
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A funny, irresistibly offbeat tale about the risks and rewards of living, and loving, with an open heart." Kirkus Reviews

"Wow, what a book. Exciting. Dramatic. Honest. Torre DeRoche is an author to follow." Australian Associated Press

"DeRoche has penned such a beautiful, thrilling story you'll have to remind yourself it's not fiction." Courier Mail

"Hilarious... recounts the adventure of a lifetime." Vogue

"The story of how DeRoche overcame her fears, her self-deprecating humour and her way with words would have been enough to make this a great story. The fact her Argentinian boyfriend combines the passion of a Latin lover with the grit and spirit of a Scandinavian seafarer makes this book a Hollywood dream come true." Sydney Morning Herald

About the Author

Torre DeRoche has been published in the travel writing anthology An Innocent Abroad, alongside Cheryl Strayed, Dave Eggars, Sloane Crosley, Pico Iyer, et al. Her work has also appeared in the Atlantic, the Guardian Travel, Sydney Morning Herald, and Emirates' Open Skies magazine, as well as a range of digital publications. Her blog fearfuladventurer.com has been profiled in Nat Geo, HelloGiggles.com, and hundreds of websites around the world, including Viator's Top 25 Travel Blogs of 2015.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Books; Illustrated edition (May 14, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1401341950
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1401341954
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 1 x 8.13 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,027 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Torre DeRoche

Torre DeRoche

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Torre’s first memoir, LOVE WITH A CHANCE OF DROWNING, (Penguin ANZ) was optioned in Hollywood. Since then, her profile as a travel writer has continued to grow. Her blog, fearfuladventurer.com, has been profiled in NatGeo and was one of Viator’s Top Travel Blogs of 2015. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Guardian Travel and alongside Cheryl Strayed, Dave Eggers and Sloan Crosley in the Lonely Planet travel writing anthology, An Innocent Abroad.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
1,027 global ratings
Opposites attract and then what
5 Stars
Opposites attract and then what
Opposites attract and then what do you do? Sail across the Pacific Ocean in a dilapidated 32-foot boat dubbed the Amazing Grace, of course. Naturally, you are terrified, but love for an adventurer pulls you forward and you risk life and limb for what? For him. Now, don’t get me wrong this is a true love story and I enjoyed the vicarious thrills of being onboard during the good and bad times with Torre and Ivan. However, I wanted to learn more about the stunning scenery of the places visited on the journey. The idyllic islands in the Marquesas, Tonga and the Cooks are all on my radar. Torre never got further than the sandy shores of these islands to explore hikes to waterfalls and such, or she did not find them share Nor, did she impart the history of the Islands which as a travel writer myself, I want to know. But, this is not a travelogue, it is a very personal memoir. Torre says that once visual impact of paradisiacal lagoons was over, she saw them as good places to be lonely. It seemed to me she never did connect with nature, although she says that is what she got from the journey. She was always yearning for the internet cafes and conversation with others. None, the less, she did brave discomfort, the big blue and many hardships to be with her lover. The writing is clever, catchy, entertaining and draws the reader forward. I tend to agree with Ivan who wants to escape society, unplug from technology and to flow freely through life. He asks her “Why leave home if you are going to take it all with you?” Love kept these polar opposites in the same tiny boat for two years.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Linda Ballou
5.0 out of 5 stars Opposites attract and then what
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
Opposites attract and then what do you do? Sail across the Pacific Ocean in a dilapidated 32-foot boat dubbed the Amazing Grace, of course. Naturally, you are terrified, but love for an adventurer pulls you forward and you risk life and limb for what? For him. Now, don’t get me wrong this is a true love story and I enjoyed the vicarious thrills of being onboard during the good and bad times with Torre and Ivan. However, I wanted to learn more about the stunning scenery of the places visited on the journey. The idyllic islands in the Marquesas, Tonga and the Cooks are all on my radar. Torre never got further than the sandy shores of these islands to explore hikes to waterfalls and such, or she did not find them share Nor, did she impart the history of the Islands which as a travel writer myself, I want to know. But, this is not a travelogue, it is a very personal memoir. Torre says that once visual impact of paradisiacal lagoons was over, she saw them as good places to be lonely. It seemed to me she never did connect with nature, although she says that is what she got from the journey. She was always yearning for the internet cafes and conversation with others. None, the less, she did brave discomfort, the big blue and many hardships to be with her lover. The writing is clever, catchy, entertaining and draws the reader forward. I tend to agree with Ivan who wants to escape society, unplug from technology and to flow freely through life. He asks her “Why leave home if you are going to take it all with you?” Love kept these polar opposites in the same tiny boat for two years.
Customer image
Linda Ballou
5.0 out of 5 stars Opposites attract and then what
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2017
Opposites attract and then what do you do? Sail across the Pacific Ocean in a dilapidated 32-foot boat dubbed the Amazing Grace, of course. Naturally, you are terrified, but love for an adventurer pulls you forward and you risk life and limb for what? For him. Now, don’t get me wrong this is a true love story and I enjoyed the vicarious thrills of being onboard during the good and bad times with Torre and Ivan. However, I wanted to learn more about the stunning scenery of the places visited on the journey. The idyllic islands in the Marquesas, Tonga and the Cooks are all on my radar. Torre never got further than the sandy shores of these islands to explore hikes to waterfalls and such, or she did not find them share Nor, did she impart the history of the Islands which as a travel writer myself, I want to know. But, this is not a travelogue, it is a very personal memoir. Torre says that once visual impact of paradisiacal lagoons was over, she saw them as good places to be lonely. It seemed to me she never did connect with nature, although she says that is what she got from the journey. She was always yearning for the internet cafes and conversation with others. None, the less, she did brave discomfort, the big blue and many hardships to be with her lover. The writing is clever, catchy, entertaining and draws the reader forward. I tend to agree with Ivan who wants to escape society, unplug from technology and to flow freely through life. He asks her “Why leave home if you are going to take it all with you?” Love kept these polar opposites in the same tiny boat for two years.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Tracey Norton
4.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
I loved this book! My husband's greatest dream and desire is to sail and explore the world, like Torre & Ivan. He almost got it right, but regrettably life had other plans at the time .... He recommended this book to me and if it was a not too subtle ploy to make me want to do this crazy thing, it worked! I could really relate to Torre, with all of her fears and misgivings! I am not as phobic about the ocean, but I too would have fought tooth and nail for that ditch kit! Torre's easy style of writing draws one in, like chatting to an old friend and her vivid descriptions of both violent sea sickness and incredible, breath taking Pacific islands, make you feel like you are there too. This is wonderful memoir of an incredible and inspirational life changing event. Torre will make you laugh out loud and think deeply about life choices and facing your demons ..... Even if the love of your life does not want to traverse oceans on a 30ft yacht.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Sonya Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars Didn't want to put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Loved this book so much! It pulls you in from the first page. Actually, from even before you get to the first page - the title and the cover are irresistible. The writing is vivid and engaging and the story is entertaining and full of adventure - I felt that I was living the experience as I read. I love books that make me laugh out loud and this one did that so often. Didn't want to put it down, especially in the second half.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Marlene
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful and courageous journey!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
I chose this book because with every new sailing season I begin to feel the fear of sailing again. Intellectually I know that fear is all in my head and that with some good deep breaths, I may very well be able to dissipate the feelings that I could die in storm as sea, break an arm caused by a 20-foot wave, or fall overboard. Torre DeRoche's fears were much like my own, yet she persevered and broke through her fears by motivating herself to learn about sailing and all the functions of the sailboat. And she met an amazing young man who she could sail with, learn with, grow with, and with whom she genuinely loved. Her humor is continuous throughout and it was so helpful to me to know that with humor many circumstances aboard a boat can become less unnerving than they may appear. I liked that caution was taken along Torre's journey and I learned that stopping to smell the roses is ever so important. Torre gets to the heart of the matter in terms of family and friends--how very important those people are in our lives and how being out in the ocean alone with one other person can teach you what's important in life. So when we challenge ourselves we renew who we are and appreciate life even more. Thank you, Torre, for those important life lessons.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Melanie Norman
4.0 out of 5 stars A walk through walls of fear!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
Torre, your story was certainly one worth writing. The book was recommended to a very adventurous woman friend, so my husband decided to try it too. He could not get past your invasion of a stranger’s wallet, after finding yourself in the bed of a stranger. His loss was my gain, and really the perspective of a woman struck cords for me. Owning a 36 ft. Columbia names Sorrento, I could relate to your adventures, enjoying your great sense of humor. And you are lucky to have such a dynamic mate. All the best as you multiply life by the power of two! Fear is a wall YOU know how to walk through!
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Amy T.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun easy read…makes you want to sail off
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read this entire book in 12 hours. It was such a fun read as a sailor who is longing to return to sailing It makes me want to sell everything and test my will and strength against the open ocean. Great story. Well done.
Helpful
 Report
Patricia Martin
3.0 out of 5 stars It's Ok
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am in a book club and we choose from several books and vote on the one to be read for the month. Love, With a Chance of Drowning was the book that was chosen. It is a true story. For me, it was an OK book. The first 5 chapters were very slow and I had a hard time getting into the book. Others in my group loved it. So all books are not for everyone and this one was just ok for me.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Mari C
4.0 out of 5 stars Amei!
Reviewed in Brazil on August 7, 2018
Verified Purchase
é um livro super legal de ler, principamente para se distrair e sentir como que transportada a uma ilha do Pacífico.
Torre DeRoche tem um jeito descontraido e envolvente de escrever. Recomendo a leitura!
Report
Madam Pullen
5.0 out of 5 stars So honest! Love it
Reviewed in Australia on June 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Torre tells her story with such humanity, and such honest. What a ride. We cringe with her and laugh with her in equal measure.
Report
Sofie
5.0 out of 5 stars 5 STARS
Reviewed in Canada on October 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is an absolutely brilliant travel autobiography about Torre DeRoche who follows the man she loves on a boat trip across the pacific ocean. The summary is a little misleading though. When I first read it, I got the impression that Torre and Ivan weren't even an official couple when she decided to pack up her life and pursue love. Actually she and Ivan were in a long-term relationship for over a year by the time they set sail.

Torre is a young Australian who decided to come to America and work for a year. Having only been in one relationship her whole life - a long-term one starting when she was 19 - Torre has no idea what to do when she wakes up next to a handsome stranger the morning after a night of drinking. She can't get him out of her head and as it turns out, he can't stop thinking about her either. It isn't long before they develop a deep relationship and Ivan just assumes she will be coming with him on his sailing trip even though she is terrified of the ocean. Torre is very stubborn and insists she will *never* sail around the world.

But of course love wins, and soon Torre finds herself on an amazing adventure. I find that some autobiographies, while fascinating in subject, are poorly written. This is not one of them. Torre is a great writer and a great story teller. She writes about the challenges of her relationship, her efforts to overcome her seasickness and fears, and all the wondrous experiences she has. You really can smell the sea salt and feel the ocean breeze when you read her book. I couldn't put it down.

Torre is a very likable person who tries her very best and is aware that she is a bit of a scaredy-cat, but is humorously self-deprecating about it. I enjoyed following Torre's adventures as she finally grows her sea legs. Ivan I found to be very interesting and honestly at the beginning of the book, I was very wary of him - as Torre acknowledges, you can always judge a man by the way he treats his mother, and Ivan does not treat his mother well. He was so incredibly stubborn that he frequently put himself and Torre at risk by not taking proper precautions. Ivan immigrated to the US from Cuba and his parents followed suit. We eventually learn just how traumatic his experiences in Cuba were and how they shaped him as a society-hating man who is not just a hardcore loner, but appears to be a bit of a misanthrope as well. But Ivan, much like Torre, grows throughout the story and although it is mostly Torre's growth that we follow, I really enjoyed learning more about Ivan and his past.

The adventures these two go on are simply astounding. I learned about islands I never knew exited and are barely on Google. While this book has not convinced me to sail the world, I can now see why the ocean is so seductive for people. I had no interest in sailing before reading this book and quite frankly, I still don't, but this is hands down the best travel autobiography I have ever read. It is possibly the best one ever written. It is engaging, magical, and humourous. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in travelling, regardless of whether or not sailing the world is their cup of tea.
Report
Nathalieso
3.0 out of 5 stars Lecture agréable mais répétitive au bout d'un moment
Reviewed in France on October 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
Le début de ce livre est très sympathique et embarque le lecteur, il le perd un peu après.
Il existe des répétitions (dans les épisodes et les petites blagues) et la relation entre les deux protagonistes n'est pas explorée en profondeur.
J'ai apprécié le compte-rendu assez précis des difficultés d'avoir un bateau et de faire le tour du monde, de ce côté, on est loin de la "fuite dans les rêves".
Dans l'ensemble c'est une lecture agréable et qui, pour moi avait un intérêt car je connais quelqu'un qui a fait le tour du monde à la voile, et dans ce cas, cela donnait un bon aperçu de leur vie à bord. L'anglais utilisé est assez simple (pas de jargon maritime en abondance), le ton est bon enfant.
Report
GS
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesing combo - memoir, travelogue
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
I found this book by chance and with my recent interest in memoirs, I purchased it with no expectations. I found the writing engaging and quickly found myself thorough enchanted with the story ! Torre has a style that draws you in and she quickly becomes a "real person" and her struggles become yours. You root for her and hope that the "happy ending" everyone dreams of, will become hers.
I have recommended this book to a few friends - especially those who need to see others come thru the other side of struggle and fear and hardship,
Report