The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Smith, Jennifer E. The Unsinkable Greta James. Penguin Random House LLC, 2022.

Jennifer E. Smith's novel The Unsinkable Greta James is written from a third person limited point of view and in the present tense. The novel is primarily set on an Alaskan cruise ship and spans the course of nine consecutive days. The following summary follows a similar temporal and structural format.

Three months after Greta James's mother Helen dies from a brain aneurysm, Greta is still reeling. Therefore, when her brother Asher calls urging her to take Helen's place on an anniversary cruise to Alaska with their father Conrad, Greta is resistant. Because she and Conrad have a historically fraught relationship, Greta thinks spending time with him will only worsen her emotional state. In addition to her grief, Greta is also trying to reconcile herself with recent career troubles. She is an up-and-coming indie musician who has risen to rapid popularity. However, after breaking down on stage during a concert following Helen's death, Greta's reputation has suffered.

Despite her initial refusal, Greta decides to join Conrad on the cruise. When she sees that the ship is called the Escape, Greta marvels at the irony. On board, she convenes with her father and her parents' close friends, Eleanor and Todd Bloom and Mary and Davis Foster. Though she knows these couples well, Greta feels vulnerable and uncomfortable. She also actively avoids Conrad, convinced he will cast judgment on her recent career blunders.

Greta encounters an attractive man about her age. They talk one evening on deck and Greta learns that his name is Ben Wilder. The next morning, she is shocked to discover that Ben is a writer and a professor at Columbia University. He is also hosting a lecture on board the ship. She attends the lecture and lingers afterwards, eager to talk to Ben again. Ben agrees to go for a drink with Greta. At the bar, they get drunk and start sharing stories from their personal lives.

Over the course of the following days, Greta and Ben continue spending time together. Greta learns that Ben is married, but separated from his wife. He also has two young daughters. He loves that his work often takes him away from home, but feels guilty for not being there for his girls. Ben is also unsure if he should try to salvage his marriage. He is simultaneously struggling to begin a new writing project, afraid of letting go of his old subjects and stories. Because Ben is a stranger, Greta feels comfortable talking to him. He is unaware of her past and has no definite place in her future. She therefore begins telling him about her family, her relationships, and her career. The two soon start sleeping together.

Meanwhile, Greta struggles to return to her guitar. Immediately following the end of the cruise, she has to play the Gov Ball show in New York City. She wants to believe that she is ready, but is afraid that she will be unable to redeem herself.

On her parents' fortieth wedding anniversary, Greta joins her father on a wilderness safari at Glacier Bay. During their hike together, the father and daughter finally open up about the ways in which they have hurt each other. Although the conversation is difficult, it proves productive. Afterwards, they scatter a portion of Helen's ashes together.

After returning to New York City, Greta feels a surge of hopefulness. She prepares for her show. When she enters the stage at Gov Ball, she spots her father in the audience. His presence gives her confidence. She begins to play, abandoning her old fears and insecurities.

In the days following the performance, Greta continues corresponding with Ben. Finally he sends her a package and a note that suggest he wants to start something new with her.