Rebels.

I liked this sea-faring historical. Cassia is a rebel, a lady spinster who disguises herself as a boy (not very well) on a ship. Nathaniel is a rebel. His favorite activity is vexing his father, a duke.

Forced proximity, on a ship and in the captains quarters, two rebels on the high seas. What can go right? What can go wrong?
Christi Caldwell always delivers and this one was refreshing set on the sea.
Recommend.

3.75/5 stars
1/5 spice

Cute, funny, and full of adventure. A classic grumpy/sunshine romance that had me giggling a few times.

Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Fake identity
Forced proximity
Sea adventure
Dual POV

I liked this book but was super annoyed by the FMCs personality. Cassia was unnecessarily oblivious, that made her come across as dimwitted, but she's really just sheltered and inexperienced. It took me awhile to warm up to her, but once I did I enjoyed the story more.

Nathaniel, was gruff and menacing but only in the outside. He showed his tender heart more than a few times, even before he started caring for Cassia. It was very clear from their first few interactions that she drove him crazy... but then he started liking her quirkiness.

This wasn't an insta-love but they fell fast and hard. But of course that 3rd act break up threw in a wrench to their brief love affair... gotta have that moment of angst and longing. Their HEA was sweet and slightly scandalous...

Overall a cute, fast read. I would recommend this book to fans of the grumpy/sunshine trope and sea adventures. It's a fade to black romance so, appropriate for 16+ readers.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book, of a woman wanting adventure and sneaking off to find it. And the setting being entirely on a ship was fun and different. I even really liked the scenes that showed Cassia and Nathan growing closer and falling in love.

But my overall experience of reading this book was somewhat ruined by how clueless Cassia was. She thinks that everyone treats her like she’s stupid, and Nathan doesn’t, which is great. But no one treats her more like she’s stupid and naive than the author herself, and I just couldn’t get past that to fully enjoy the book. Cassia deserved better.

This checked off everything I look for in a book. Was not disappointed. Really enjoyed this book. I will read more from this author. Must read. Historical fiction oh yeah.

The heroine is sick of being confined by society to be a well-bred lady. She yearns for adventure and decides to masquerade as a lad while stowing on a ship. The ship's captain is the hero, who ends up becoming the heir of a duke after his older brother dies, a title that he didn't want at all. He then learns about the heroine's identity and must protect her throughout the journey.

This is a standalone historical romance by Christi Caldwell. For the most part, the book was enjoyable to read. Even the couple were not bad in certain parts of the story. However, the heroine was tolerable at most in other sections of the book, and it made the story not as entertaining in those particular areas. Though the hero did help alleviate the story a bit, and the book cover is beautiful to look at. But overall, this is a nice historical romance read.


** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **

The Heiress at Sea was about Lady Cassia McQuoid and her adventure at sea. Lady Cassia sees herself as less than average and wants to explore the world. While on board, she meets sir Nathaniel Ellsby. I liked the twists that this book had. It moved me to tears a time or two. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction.

Thank you to Christi Caldwell, Montlake, and NetGalley for allowing me to preview a copy of this book.

What happens when you have a second son of a Duke who is happily the second son of the Duke...then the heir dies and the spare is needed to step up. The spare has made a successful life and enjoys working for the government as a privateer. He is now about to embark on another mission for King and country...but his father insists he marry and beget the next in line...Nathaniel is not happy.

What happens when you have an adventurous spirit, want to see the world, and are....female...so you can't go anywhere without a chaperone and certainly NOT to sea with your brother and his best friend. Well you grab a valise, dress as a boy, bind your breasts, and get yourself to their boat...ship! Cassia is now Cassius, and aboard a ship heading out that night. You figure once the ship is underway, they'll have to take you on your epic adventure.

But wait...the captain isn't who you think it is and it is a mission for the King. They can't take you back.

My goodness...I certainly hope there were adventurous women like this in the early 1800's! This book is heartfelt and funny and entertaining and just great! Nathaniel and Cassia go from hate, to tolerance, to care, to intimacy, so naturally. It was great fun watching them go from loathing to love!

There could have been less of the constant chattering and misunderstandings from Cassia. That's the only reason this review is getting 4 stars.

What a wonderful book! I just NEEDED this book right now. This is the second book in this series but is absolutely a standalone.

I was gifted an ARC of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. The review is my own.

Wow, what a story, an Earls daughter at sea with a privateer who just happens to be a Duke! How could this not be a fun, adventurous and dangerous read? Cassia has grown up in a very large family with brothers, older and younger, and a sister too. They are a loud group along with a lovable Hugh dog. Unfortunately, she is now twenty-one and a spinster headed for a life of nothing but sewing, flower arrangement, and social calls. Maybe married off to a man who only want someone pretty on his arm. Her older Arran and his best friend Jeremy sail the sea as merchants and come home with the most wonderful stories of where they have been and what they have seen. She has gone nowhere even though her younger sister was sent away to school but not her. She is the overlooked and forgotten one of the family. Not anymore, she has a plan, not a very well thought out one she will learn but she is going to see the world! She dresses as a lad and seeks on board of Jeremy’s ship. Knowing both Arran and Jeremy will be mad, but it will be too late when they are out to sea. Nathaniel is the second son of a Duke. His father had never had any use for the large family he had except for his heir. Everything changes when his heir falls from his horse and is killed. Now Nathaniel is going to be the duke someday and he hates the idea his brother was groomed for the title, and he only wants to be at sea. He joined the Navy and then became a privateer and built a shipping company on his own. Now his father has made sure this will be his last voyage and that he will do as his father demands, or he will ruin his business. This will be like none of the trips he has ever taken thanks to Cassia. Oh, my what these two have to go through is amazing. From seasickness, landing on the wrong ship, learning she is a woman, the sailors' superstitions, evil crew members, misunderstanding, secrets and also the fact that she is a nervous chatter and can’t help it. I couldn’t put it down. So much feeling from both of them, both hurt in the past and not feeling wanted by any. Some did not like the way the story did not follow how woman were back then or the way Cassia speaks. But for me I read for enjoyment not a history lesson. This is a love story, and a great one at that. Hope you don’t miss it. This is steam level of about four with much passion but not open door. I received a copy from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

Fantastic!

Absolutely fantastic story! So captivating that you can’t put it down. Perfect! Everything that I love in historical romances, a slightly awkward heroine who talks too much and a grumpy on the outside (but soft on the inside) hero!

And the tension in this book. Omg. First you are tens because you don’t know when she will be discovered, next you are tens because of the slow burn between characters and after that you are tens waiting for a happy ending.

Amazing adventure! Highly recommend this book! Pronto!

I'd like to thank NetGalley for this ARC, thoughts below are my own.

Oof, this book.

So I really, REALLY wanted to like it. And I it started off pretty strong, but the swirl of "she's a dumb dumb" and how much they railed at her for "the womanly temperament" / not being allowed to cry (but then also being so strong?), got so old for me so quickly, coupled with so much flip flopping from Nathan, made for a laborious read.

I also feel like Cassia had like 10x more chemistry with Hayes too. So there's that.

I dunno friends, read this one, don't read it. Do whatever you want to do.

Nathaniel and Cassia were both running away from something. She wanted some excitement in her life, and he a forced situation. They soon find themselves on a perilous adventurous journey rife with sassiness and treacherous challenges beyond their wildest dreams. Cassie may have been a prattle bug, but her heart knows where the path of her destiny lies. This story was a delightfully sexy, sassy, sweet, and entertaining adventure.

The Heiress at Sea is Lady Cassia McQuoid and Nathaniel Ellsby, Duke of Roxburghe’s story; a standalone, happily ever after, no cheating historical romance, with a bit of sizzle, swashbuckling adventure, and intrigue.
I found this story to be amusing, adventurous, and romantic, reminiscent of Johanna Lindsey. Both the hero and heroine were strong characters, with differing agendas; but love prevails in the end!
This is another keeper by Christi!
I receive an electronic copy of this book from NetgGalley for my honest opinion.

What a brilliant historical romance. I had never read from this author before but was intrigued by the description and the front cover definitely captured my attention.
You see two characters who are desperate to escape the confines of London society and all it's expectations but both characters are wanting to escape for different reasons. One to see the world and escape a family that pays no attention to them and one to avoid the obligations set by their family. I wont spoil this review by giving names because as the lead characters open up to each other how they say each others names for me became part of their growth in feeling emotions they thought and believed they would never feel.
This story is fast paced and has you reading late into the night wanting to know what happens next. Their are events that will have you on the edge of your seats. There are some elements of the book like violence and the passionate scenes that could be triggers for some readers but if neither of these are a concern then it is definitely a book worth reading. I will definitely be reading more from this author. What more do you want than historical romance packed with drama but ultimately a happy ending.

Lady Cassia McQuoid has accepted her fate as a spinster but she longs to explore the world so she masquerades as a thrill-seeking lad and stows away on a ship bound for open waters thinking it's the ship her brother serves on. Adventure awaits. So does notorious privateer Nathaniel Ellsby.
Nathaniel second son to the Duke of Roxburghe relishes his freedom to do as he pleases: pursuing enemy ships in service of the war effort. But when his older brother Marcus dies, Nathaniel embarks on one last mission before he fulfils his ducal duties with an arranged marriage to his brothers fiancée. Until he discovers that his woefully green deckhand is a fetching but vulnerable woman in disguise.
Another well written hugely entertaining read from one of my must read authors. I loved that the story takes place on a boat, sorry ship & it’s low in angst but high in humour. A very enjoyable read that would have been perfect it I'd liked Cassia but whilst I found her amusing in the beginning she started to grate on me & the more I read the more she annoyed me. However I did love Nathaniel & the storyline. The pair were like chalk & cheese & whilst there was chemistry between the pair, I did feel he’d be heading back to sea to escape her incessant chattering!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I was absolutely intrigued by the cover and story before reading it. The story was better than I imagined. I liked how the evolution of the Cassia - Nathan couple was described, from antagonists to lovers, without forgetting the jokes, the masked sarcasm, the tender moments, the quarrels, the conflicts on the ship due to the presence of a woman on board, the adventures...everything was absolutely perfect....and the ending was the icing on the cake!! absolutely recommended!!

SUMMARY:
♥️ Cassia + Nathaniel
💭 Dual POV
📜 Historial romance (ish)
⚓️ Set at sea
🤫 Hidden identities
🏴‍☠️ Pirates who are giant softies
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
☀️ Grumpy/Sunshine

REVIEW:
This was such a fun read! I admit, it isn't REALLY an historical romance, in that is doesn't stay true to the conventions of the times, BUT it was wonderful for what it was. Cassia runs away from her tedious and unremarkable life and plans to sneak onto her brother's best friend's ship. Instead, she finds herself on the ship of Captain Nathaniel Ellsby, also, reluctantly, the Duke of Roxburghe. She pretends to be a boy, but once she is found out, the slow burn begins. She's ridiculous and loud and infuriating (both to me and to Nathan), and he is gruff and quiet and unable to resist her.

This was a cute forbidden romance with lovely side characters and some awful ones too. I definitely recommend this!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

If I have to define the book with one word, it would be captivating. I started with the idea of ​​reading one or two chapters but ended up devouring it in a few hours
.
The plot had me baffled and I expected Cassia to be completely different as a young society lady who wants to escape social rules and see the world but she was so adventurous as a society lady that she had no idea how to do work tasks much less in a ship
.
Cassia wants to see the world, to know what lies beyond London and Scotland. Amazed by her brother's adventures on his best friend's boat, she decides she's ready to take the risk, dresses in her brother's clothes, packs a bag with her books, notebooks, and watercolors, leaving the safety of her home in London to find his brother's ship, when they are away from London she plans to reveal her identity to his brother and the captain
.
But in the middle of the night and running into a friendly sailor who offers to guide her through the ships, ends up getting on the wrong one
.
Lord Nathaniel Roxbourghe has one last secret mission to complete on his ship for the king before submitting to his father's rules and marrying to have an heir. This mission came just in time for him to escape and better think about his options, but a few days away from London he discovers that there is an unexpected passenger on board
.
Mistaken identity, turns into a grump sunshine romance that had me on the brink of every next page, when I was on the verge of what was going to happen with so much chemistry between them, there comes a moment of action that left me even more hooked on the book
.
I really enjoyed reading this story and am a little sad to be missing for the next book with a member of the McQouid's family
.
Thanks to Christi Caldwell and Montlake for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

Adventure, mystery, and cunning bravery await you in this wonderfully crafted story.

Lord Nathaniel Ellsby, the fourth Marquess of Winfield, future Duke of Roxburghe, second son though he never thought it would go to him, works for the crown as a privateer. He runs missions and loves it. Now his father has demanded he wed, to his late brother's fiancee.

Lady Cassia McQuoid, oldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Abingdon, has never be anything but plain. She was to experience life and the world. No longer happy to sit on the side lines after her younger sister was allow to go to finishing school and then snagged the man her mother thought to wed Cassia to. After listening to her elder brother Arran was to sail on with his best friend, Captain Jeremy Tremaine, she plots to go with them.

Lieutenant Alexander Albion, Nicholas Hayes, his quartermaster, Shorty a deckhand, as well as the remaining crew all thought Cassia a young lad. She thinking it is Jeremy and Arran's ship was happy. As her first assignment she was to paint, ecstatic with something she was good at, painted a pleasing scene. Only to be told it was wrong and do it again, so she did a different scene. When Captain Nathaniel is finally urged to intervene did he realize it was not going to be a pleasing trip. Not being tasked with being his cabin boy, was told again to paint the walls. So she did an ocean scene but that still didn't make him happy. She was then given the task of scrubbing the deck.

Carlisle, Turner, and Oliver (14years old) teased her relentlessly. Carlisle and Turner just to be mean, Oliver was hurt by the fact she took over being cabin boy to the Captain. Due to her seas sickness, they got the better of her and exposed her ruse. Shock went through the crew to find a woman, with red hair, onboard the ship.

Come join the crew as Cassia and Nathaniel deal with this mostly crew towards her and still work at their mission. Does Cassia get her sea legs? Does she find a place among the crew? Does she get to see the world? Does Nathaniel help her or hide her? Does Nathaniel keep to his mission?

Shanty songs, sea ditties, and mostly crews members will have you ready to take to the seas. Sarcasm and witty banter abound from all. You root for Cassia as she gets the adventure of her life but not like she thought.

This is my first Christi Caldwell book and I really liked the premise – I always enjoy a good ‘hijinks’ story – but this one just wasn’t a winner for me. I did debate a little on the rating here, as I think a lot of what I found fault with is just personal preference, but these things usually are, so I’m sticking with it.

First off, I definitely like Caldwell’s writing on the whole – she can craft a fun narrative and if you enjoy a relatively low-stakes, soft romance, this might be for you. She’s pretty solid on the comedy front; whilst Cassia’s relative naivety could be annoying at points, it felt on point for the character that she was, and I actually found the humour she brought to things to be one of the stronger aspects. In general, however, my biggest issue with this book was undoubtedly a lack of depth to the two leads, and (probably because of this) a real lack of chemistry between them. I usually don’t like fade to black love scenes, but I wasn’t even particularly bothered here as I just wasn’t interested in the main pairing. It felt like Nathan went from finding Cassia annoying and a nuisance to finding her attractive as soon as he realised she was a woman. Similarly, it Cassia had feelings for Nathan because… he was nice to her? This kind of story really hinges on the chemistry between the main couple and I just didn’t feel it at all. I think the limited setting probably really didn’t help with this either, as the cast of characters was very restricted – it might actually have been more enjoyable had we got to see more of the main characters back in society and gained a wider view of what they actually liked about each other.

On the whole, not for me but I’m giving it three stars as I think it could be for some people, and I enjoyed Caldwell’s writing even if the romance fell a bit flat in my view. I’ll definitely try her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free arc I received in exchange for an honest review.

Will her thirst for life lead her to her ruin...

Even without a series name to link it to the previous book The Duke Alone, it appears we will be following the McQuoid siblings’ adventures.
Currently, it is Cassia’s turn, the eldest daughter, a lady who believes herself to be so average she has become invisible, even to her kin.
So, as she has failed on the marriage mart for the last two seasons when her sister landed herself a duke even before her coming out, it is time for her to seek her own adventure, away from the ballrooms and calling hours.
She has thought about how she will handle it, she just lacked much intel to find the right track, thus how she landed on the wrong ship.
My thoughts turned hot and cold with Cassia, for having grown up among her rambunctious brothers and cousins, how she did not mature a thicker skin and got more knowledge about life outside the confines of her sheltered life.
Then she became the bubbly one, always chattering, never defeated, invariably seeking the good even in the worst.
What bothered me the most outside her bottomless naivety was her predisposition to cry for anything, all the time.
Nathaniel is a sweetheart, behind his armor, he is a man who built himself to be the one standing before us, honorable and respectful.
Cassia gave him every reason to throw her in the water, but with patience, he deals with this bungling magpie, even when her true identity is exposed and he is left with one missing crew member and a lady stowaway.

The author grants us an enjoyable out-of-the-usual settings experience between a sheltered lady and a lord who chooses to follow his dreams instead of living the idle life of a peer.
4.5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 embraces, closed-door lovemaking.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author and the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.