Thank you to Rachel Rueckert, RB Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILERS

I'm so furious with myself. I have to start paying more attention to the historical fiction I request, because for the second time in about a week, I'm DNFing a book that probably won't end well.

I was 40% in when for shits and giggles I decided to google Sam Bellamy; I was curious about his life and if there really had been a Maria---a.k.a., I was looking for spoilers.

First I noticed he died in 1717. Well, crap---didn't I see the book was set in 17-teen-something? I check, and yes, the book begins in 1715. Chances that Sam survives to the end greatly decreased. I hate when sweet romances end in tragic death; that's why I don't read Nicholas Sparks.

As I'm imagining him drowning in the squall that takes his ship, I read that Maria's existence is only rumored. Part of that rumor is that her and Sam's baby dies.]

Yep. Nope. I'm out. That's a lot of heartbreak I do not want to partake in. I can't have my escapism depressing me; that would be incredibly counterproductive.

Apologies. NetGalley requires a rating so I'll give a neutral three stars.

PS --- The narration was fine, but either I missed something about Sam's background or the narrator made him sound waaaaayyyyy too upper crust.

If the Tide Turns written by Rachel Rueckert and narrated by Pilar Wetherspoon is a well-researched historical fiction novel based on the story of Back Sam Bellamy but with a whole new narrative

Pilar Wetherspoon narrates this book beautifully with a great pace and varied cadence. The characterswere well defined and consistent

I really enjoyed how a dynamic romance and human story was derived from historical facts and was then thrown up into the air and woven into a strong net that drew in multiple tropes and influences from the great tales of history. Not only this, but there are clear reflections with contemporary issues

This is an engaging listen as an audiobook and so very well written

Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media, Recorded Books, the author Rachel Rueckert and the narrator Pilar Witherspoon for this lovely ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

Like the Scarlet Letter, but with a pirate plot for the MMC. Good evolution of the FMC. I didn’t find the overall plot super engaging and probably would have DNF’ed it if reading a physical copy.