Unmoored

Coming of Age in Troubled Waters

By: J. R. Roessl

Narrated by: J. R. Roessl

It’s the sixties. Everything’s groovy. Teenagers bask in the freedom of a country transformed. Counterculture is on the rise, and the times, they-are-a-changing. Everything, that is, except the author’s young life.

She doesn’t swoon for the Beatles or scream for the Stones. She doesn’t protest the Vietnam War or fight for women’s rights. Instead, from age seven to sixteen, she accompanies her father to a dilapidated barn on the edge of a dusty little town located on the outskirts of San Francisco, where she works after school, on weekends, and summers building a ship that is supposed to set her free. It is her father’s promise of one day sailing the ocean on a three-year around-the-world adventure that keeps her going.

With the sixties and teenage torment as a backdrop, Unmoored is the parallel story of growth and redemption through the travails of a forty-four-foot schooner and the girl who helped guide it through storms, fire, near destitution and, ultimately, disaster, notwithstanding coping with a cold and moody father. But in the end, she learns that “Heritage’s worth, like ours, is not measured in terms of where she landed nor by what others thought of her, but in the attempt to get somewhere better than where she’d started. In that, she succeeded, and by default, so did we.”

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 J. R. Roessl (P)2023 Blackstone Publishing

Harrowing tale of a teenager’s life at sea at The hands of an unhinged(to say the least) father.

Suspenseful, incite full & beautifully expressed. Couldn’t stop reading! Can’t wait to read more from j.R. Roessi.

One of the most inspiring coming of age stories

I thoroughly enjoyed Unmoored by JR Roessl. The author's portrayal of her family's courageous voyage along the tumultuous waters of the Mexican Riviera, aboard a DIY vessel intended for calm New England waters, had me consistently on the edge of my seat. It's truly inspiring to witness her growth into an extraordinary person despite facing remarkable challenges at such a tender age. This book prompted me to reflect on my own potential for personal growth.

It grew on me.

A lovely insight into the meaning of family. Along with a travelogue of a coastal journey by yacht and the ups and downs thereof.

Great nautical adventure story

Mosquito Coast meets the Wonder Years. Do you ever wish you grew up in a family that traveled the world in their yacht? Some people would die for that experience. JRs father was determined to have that experience despite all the signs from the universe. Luckily JR lived to tell the tale.

Transported to an adventure during my commute

I enjoyed listening to the reading of this coming of age adventure memoir. This true story of a teenagers real life experience enduring her fathers wanderlust on the high seas is read by the actual author which is always the best way to hear a story. Although I’ve never been sailing I identified with so many raw feelings of teenage angst and struggle. This families story is unbelievable yet all their complex interpersonal relationships are so relatable. It was all the things you want from a story insightful, funny, a bit sad, entertaining and leaving you wanting more from the characters. JR Roessl give us more!

Some Stories in Life are Worth Reliving

I so thoroughly enjoyed J.R. Roessl’s audiobook during my daily walks. Before listening to Unmoored, I never could have imagined a teenage life completely upended to fulfill a father’s dream of a sailing life at sea. But now I know, and it was great insight into how ordinary people put in extraordinary circumstances will often handle so many difficult trials with resiliency. I’m so glad that J.R. Roessl chose to share such an intimate story of her family dynamic and her young life at sea. And her personal narration was a wonderful final touch on such an inspirational story.

Captured my heart!

What a beautiful and poignant memoir! I was graced with knowing one of the sisters in this story and listened to this tale on the edge of my seat. I laughed and I cried as I participated on this journey with these young girls. An incredible story not to be missed.