✨Neither of us wanted to be left, though she fought by clinging to those she loved, and I fought by pushing them away. Her way seemed more difficult, but surely it also carried more hope.✨

Georgana’s Secret was my first and favorite book by Arlem Hawks. So when I found out she was writing this one I was ecstatic!! Her historical novels are filled with well researched, interesting content and the romances are always tender and sweet. And being able to experience the nautical highs and lows again with some of my favorite characters made this one that much more special!

Elias and May are two very contrasting individuals, yet they are inexplicably drawn together. Elias, a chaplain, who cares deeply for his profession and his duty, even though being at sea still triggers his fears. May, a young woman, determined to make a life for herself while trying to prove she is more than just a convict’s daughter.

Troubles and trials continually arise, testing both patience and trust. Dangers on the sea are rampant and death is always waiting. Fortitude, friendship, and faith are tested and refined. Bringing together unlikely companions, and cultivating an undeniable love. But bliss is short lived when confidences are betrayed and loyalty to family opens a gulf between them.

There was so much love about this book. I was so happy to see Dominic, Georgana, and Gilles. Their stories are some of most wonderful I’ve ever read. And to be able to see them again, happy and health, was so satisfying. I loved May’s feistiness and her backbone. She stood up for herself and others when needed. But she also could swallow her pride when the occasion warranted it. Elias was a gentle and genuine soul. Taking his responsibilities seriously and facing his fears head on, he quickly became a hero in my eyes. And of I love every minute on page with Dominic and Georgana. Those two will always have my heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

#arlemhawks #acrossthestarkissedsea #historicalfiction #historicalromance #netgalley #shadowmountain #bookstagram #arcreview

Wow! I’m always amazed at the depth of feelings Arlem Hawks can evoke with her wonderful stories! This book is awesome!

Feeling betrayed and abandoned May Byam accepts employment as a lady’s maid to the wife of a naval captain aboard a battleship. She has lots of preconceived notions and prejudices. Because of past experiences she finds it hard to forgive and to trust. I loved her growth as she comes to know herself and acknowledge her mistakes.

Elias Doswell is the ship’s chaplain. Having failed at love more than once he is on the ship to escape his past disappointments. He feels unlovable and cowardly when it comes to battle. When he first meets May he has a very wrong impression of who she is and because of his words to her she wants nothing to do with him.

I really enjoyed the growing relationship. This is a story of trials, fears, second chances, trust, hope, forgiveness and of course love. I can’t recommend this book enough. I couldn’t put it down.

Be still my heart! I adored everything about this book!

With few options and no money, May takes a position as a lady's maid to a captain's wife on board a Navy ship. It’s her chance to escape the scandal surrounding her family. She is grateful to find a few friends on board, most especially the ship’s chaplain Elias who, despite a disastrous first meeting, quickly becomes a friend and then something more…

Elias enlists as a Navy chaplain to escape heartbreak and rejection. He is most definitely not looking for love again but cannot help feeling drawn to May and her strength and courage and his attraction to her quickly grows.

But before Elias and May can plan or hope for a future together, they must first face their pasts and the threat of war.

What you'll love:
Regency era
set on a Navy ship
dual pov
memorable meet-cute
forced proximity
he falls first
headstrong heroine
that first kiss!!
action and suspense
beloved characters
perfectly perfect ending

This achingly tender romance between two wounded souls stole my heart and left me breathless! This love story on the high seas drew me in from the very first chapter and I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down until I was finished.

May and Elias were both such compelling characters. Perfect? No, but that is what made them interesting and relatable and I loved their growth and the things they learned from each other. The ever growing chemistry between them had me eagerly anticipating that first kiss (and oh, it was absolutely worth the wait!) as well as the happily ever after.

The engaging plot, the suspenseful action scenes, the unique setting, and the beautiful themes of forgiveness and acceptance also make this book an absolute must-read. I am already anticipating when I can pick it up to read it again!

This author writes beautiful and well-crafted historical romance and this book is the perfect example of why I love her stories. This one deserves the stars in the sky!

This is a sequel to the ever favorite Georgana’s Secret but can be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

“Having someone to listen, to comfort, to care for made the storms of life easier to bear. She was the anchor I’d desperately needed without knowing it.”

Okay wow. This book blew me away. It was beautiful and heart wrenching and touching and truly I fell in love with it.

The characters all have so much depth and heartache and growth as well. I loved seeing them all find hope and light throughout the journey.

May is fiery and loyal to a fault. I loved how she stood up for anyone and everyone in need and wouldn’t back down. She had a lot she had to learn about herself and the world and she did! And I loved how she grew to love Elias.

And oh, Elias Doswell is just so good and kind. He’s so tender and endearing and I loved his steady and overwhelming love for May.

The themes of love and loss and pride and forgiveness were explored beautifully. It’s truly the people who have been hurt and lost the most who are able to give the most love and comfort.

The historical setting and life on a ship was so interesting and I enjoyed it! I definitely need to go back and read Georgana and Dominic’s story because I loved them as well!

“Perhaps I didn’t have the capacity to decipher him, but I certainly wished to try.”

“Perhaps each broken heart I’d suffered had progressed me toward a happiness I couldn’t imagine. With someone I hadn’t forseen.”

“Trust left one vulnerable. . . But without it, what did one have? Everything good and beautiful in this world stemmed from trust—trust in deity, trust in others, and trust in yourself.”

Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook. A positive review wasn’t required and all thoughts are my own.

Amazing! I didn't realize this was a sequel to Georgana's Secret. I'm so glad. However, this can be read as a stand alone. I do reccommend reading the first book for full enjoyment.
I thought the beginning of this story had a great hook. Once again I think this author did exceptional with giving us some history into the story with excitement and not bogging down the story. The plot and pacing was fantastic. The battle scenes were exciting. I loved getting to be on the ship during that time period. Life on the sea was tough and I appreciated the author showed this with different scenes. As well, as the captain making tough choices. I felt this story was like a great period drama but in print. Including some swoony Pride and Prejudice hand flex moments. IFYKYK! There was great attention to detail. I liked their romance and character arc. Lots of nuance to the people and their slowly emerging romance. In this story I really felt the emotions with the characters. The story makes you feel deeply! I loved the introspection, the great imagery, wonderful lines, the characters old and new.
*thank you to Netgalley for the arc. All opinions are 100% my own

REVIEW OF Across the Star-Kissed Sea by Arlem Hawks

EXPECT
🌊 Headstrong FMC, sweet chaplain MMC
🌊 British Navy ship setting
🌊 Early 1800s
🌊 Appearances from Georgana's Secret characters
🌊 Some Navy battles

REVIEW
This was an engaging, enjoyable read for me! I absolutely adored Georgana's Secret, so I was excited for this sequel. There were just a couple, relatively small things I didn't love.

Elias is a sweet leading man, and I liked the differences-in-class romance. It was fun to have a chaplain MMC! There were sweet moments between the MCs, as well as one part that actually made me tear up out of sadness (no spoilers, but it was a sad and stormy day). I loved seeing Dominic Peyton (from Georgana's Secret) as captain of his own ship, and I always like Arlem's ship settings.

CONTENT
😘Mild, sweet
🙊Implied swearing only
🍷Mild substance use
🤕Moderate injury/death but no gory details

BOTTOM LINE
Definitely read Georgana's Secret first for maximum enjoyment. Otherwise, you can read this one and still enjoy it, but expect some spoilers for the first book.

THANK YOU to @shadowmountainpub @arlemhawks and @netgalley for the physical and e-ARCs!

Across the Star-Kissed Sea is the sequel to Arlem Hawks' previous book, "Georgana's Secret." I read Georgana's Secret last year, and I recommend reading it first before this one since many of the main characters make a reappearance again.

This novel takes place in Regency England (early 1800s), onboard a British naval ship. Main character May has found herself in a desperate situation and needs any job that will provide a roof over her head. When she finds an job opening onboard a ship as a lady's maid, she takes it and soon meets the ship's chaplain, Elias. Elias is young and handsome, but has some past disappointments in love.

Both Elias and May soon learn they share a wall on board their ship's quarters, and discover many other things about one another due to the forced proximity. Together with the crew they battle rival warships, torrential storms, and a host of personal conflicts. They must each decide to fight for their love, against the forces working against them. The book was evenly paced, with dual POV of both Elias and May.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is that the author takes care to research and portray the characters and naval facts with accurate historical detail. I enjoyed seeing Captain Peyton and Georgana again in this book.

I didn't personally connect to the main male character, as his character was often self-depreciating, but I did like the fact that the author wrote him in a unique way instead of the strong alpha male that is used in most books. I also had a hard time understanding the battle scenes. I normally like to envision how the fight was taking place, but I think I would need a map of a 1800s naval ship to better understand the battle scenes.

Content was clean, no swearing and kisses only.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complementary copy of this book and ebook. My review is my honest opinion and is in no way influenced by the publisher or author.

May Byam has no choice but to take what job opportunity she can get… even if that means working under someone her family despises.

Chaplain Elias Doswell is a good man but first impressions aren’t his strong suit when meeting May.

This is an enemy to love story. They eventually help each other through their struggles. Their sweet moments on the ship were my favorite!

This is the sequel to Georgana’s Secret. The interweaving of all these characters who have pasts together is so beautifully written. I absolutely love that we got more of Georgana and now Captain Peyton!

This does have a battle scene!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for giving me this opportunity to read this wonderful book!

This book has lots of interesting historical details woven into the storyline, which was very cool. I didn't quite click with the characters as much as I have with the author's other books. I found May to be realistic but not always likable, and Elias was super sweet but a bit bland. The connection between them didn't seem super believable or developed. I enjoyed seeing Georgana and Dominic from Georgana's Secret. Overall, enjoyable but not as gripping as Hawks' other books.
3.5 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Georgana’s Secret is my all time favorite book and when I heard Arlen Hawks was writing a continuation, I immediately knew I needed to read it. I honestly had a hard time getting through the first few chapters because May was so negative toward Georgana and Dominic (whom I love with all my heart) but I decided to continue on and I’m SO glad I did!

Elias … what a gentle, kind, loving sweetheart. I absolutely adored him and honestly agree with May’s closing statement(s) that she hoped one day to deserve him lol. He was way too good for her 😂 BUT alas, they were meant to be together so I guess I am happy for them.

It was also sooo nice to read more about Dom & Georgana. My heart was so full at the end of the book and I just couldn’t stop smiling over this fantastic book!


(I have not posted my review on IG yet but I will be doing that later. I have, however, shared it on Goodreads)

Ms. Hawks writes to most amazing stories about life in the Royal Navy. I read Georgana’s Secret and was so happy to see her and Dominic in this story too! I loved reading about our Chaplin and learning more about the Byam family after the last voyage. This story told a remarkable tale of forgiveness and bravery; that love is worth fighting for and that heartache does not need to be handled alone. I loved reading the tender moments between May and Elias. They encouraged each other to be their best selves. The ending was thrilling! A wonderful sequel to one of my favorite romances.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Arlem Hawks is becoming an instant read for me so I was very excited to get my hands on this one.

Sadly, about a third into this I was struggling to continue reading. I think this one was just not for me just out of personal taste. Her writing prose is beautiful though, and the ship setting was fun! The unusual characters were what made it a hard read for me. I never became invested in the couple or really felt they had a spark, and since this is relationship focused it made it a hard read.

Elias was sweet but his constant negative self talk made him a less than aspiring character, I had to remind myself he was a grown adult because his self sabotaging instincts reminded me of a teenager. I understand it related to past hurt, but it was very off putting. Our female lead, May, was equally difficult to root for with her fiery personality that often made her appear rude on page. I admire what Hawks was doing here though in writing two very realistic, unique characters portraying issues we deal with as humans, but made for a difficult read for me.

Thank you to Shadow Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was amazing. I love how this author packs so much historical detail into her books without it being boring or over the top. I learned so much about the nautical aspects of life back then. I especially liked getting a glimpse of how life aboard ship would be for a woman.
The writing was wonderful. Not your typical fluffy romance- there was some depth. The characters were well developed, likable and dynamic. There was humor peppered throughout and best of all…. There was a happy ending. I can’t wait for more from this author- her books are the best.

ACROSS THE STAR-KISSED SEA by ARLEM HAWKS is an interesting and well written novel that takes place in the early 1800’s, with Britain and France at war and the frigate HMS Marianne doing her part for Britain under the captaincy of Captain Peyton, whose wife Georgana employs May Byam , the destitute daughter of a convict to be her lady’s maid ……
There are some wonderful characters in the book including the handsome chaplain, Elias Doswell. After a shaky start, May and Elias become good friends, each supporting the other. Elias, who has come on the ship to get over the many hurts he has received from women he was courting, and to get over his fears after experiencing horrific battles at sea, sees himself as a total coward and failure,while May sees him as brave, caring and compassionate. She, on the other hand, is angry and unforgiving of imagined deeds done against her family by Georgana’s father……
The book is full of excitement, sea battles and romance, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Romance, Sweet Romance, Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Spice Level: Kissing only
Content: Not really on the page, but some sailors are making lewd suggestions about women.

Give me all your plucky, sassy women! I love how the sass of May is also among her faults. Other characters break the mold too because they're not 100% bad or good. Isn't that true to real life? And just how I like my books! I will definitely read more from this author. (I think I've read one other book by her, but now, I'm going to keep an open eye for her work.)

This is such a fun enemies to lovers style Regency romance set on the ocean. Having women on the ships during the war with Napoleon is something I know nothing about. Is this accurate? (*Me shrugging.*) But it was sure fun for tension and conflict, especially with another strong-willed woman involved—the captain's wife.

Having May and Elias fall in love was so much fun. (Watch for the hat scene.) I would go back and read this one again.

Happy reading!

-Dual POV
-Takes place mostly at sea
-Characters with flaws and baggage
-FMC that has a lot of character growth
-Cinnamon roll MMC, you can't help but root for him

This is my first book by this author. This was the sequel to Georgana's Secret which I would like to read. I was still able to enjoy this book without having read that one but it would be fun to read Dominic and Georgana's story.

4.5*

Across the Star-Kissed Sea is perfect for readers who enjoy historical romance with a unique setting, a dose of history, and complex characters. Arlem Hawks hits all these and more in this story set on the sea (and I learned I’m very glad I didn’t live at sea in that era!). I didn’t connect with the two main characters as much as I have with others in Hawks’ books, but I loved seeing familiar faces and getting even more excited for future stories. This is one to add to your TBR! 3.5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This sweet romance featured May and Elias, two characters who had each been hurt in distinct ways in the past. As a result, May wasn't able to fully trust others, and Elias had built up walls to protect himself. Once they were finally able to overcome their issues, it was easy to see how each brought out the best in and could be an anchor for the other.

This book could definitely be read as a stand-alone. However, having read Georgana's Secret first, this one felt like coming back to old friends as some of the characters from that book were present here as well, so I recommend picking up the companion novel also.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the early read.

This was my first book by Arlem Hawks. A great story filled with adventure, danger, and romance.
May and Elias definitely had a rough start aboard ship. They both had deep hurts to overcome. Their growth, facing those hurts, becoming friends, and that friendship growing to more was sweet.
I found the book very interesting as the majority of the book takes place on the ship and from the viewpoint of “crew members” (vs captain or passenger like most books I’ve read).
Favorite quote: “Somehow, I was always following her into these kisses. I hardly minded. I’d follow her love wherever it led us, to sunlit mountaintops or across Star-kissed seas.”
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

Really cute story!

I loved the ship life, the different life circumstances, and all the characters!

This story kept your attention the whole time and you just kept reading, very interested in what these characters would do next!