I love stories of two broken souls finding comfort and healing in their troubled lives through each other. Elias and May have both had very different but crushing blows dealt to them and seek out lives at sea to escape their difficulties and sorrows. They end up turning to each other as they work through their struggles and learn to trust again. They discover that even though life may be hard, it is infinitely easier with the support and love of someone who helps and encourages them to be their best selves. I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing but was not required to give a positive review.

You can say whatever you want about this book, one thing is certain: the title and cover are just gorgeous. These, and the fact that I loved Arlem Hawks's previous books, made me grab this book as soon as I saw it.

Sadly, it fell a little short of my expectations. I had really enjoyed "Georgana's Secret", the first book in this series, so I hoped this one would be as good.
I rather liked the way Elias Doswell, the chaplain, was portrayed here: a blushing, blustering young gentleman who feels rather cowardly due to PTSD. That's a rather unusual combination for a character, especially for a man, so I found it very refreshing. His love interest, May Byam, also had a rather unexpected personality: very fiery, she didn't let anyone walk over her, and could even be hurtful towards others when she was angry and hurt — not your typical damsel! Unfortunately, I found that her personality grated on me and there was little character development, or at least her change of heart was a bit abrupt and rather unrealistic. I understand how both characters' personalities could theoretically complement each other but I didn't see it in the book, I don't understand why they loved the other (apart from the lack of better candidates, perhaps!).
I enjoyed the apparition of Georgana and Captain Peyton, however, it kinda broke my heart to see Georgana withdrawn, secretive and unhappy. When we meet characters from previous romances, we want to see them happy!

As always, I enjoy books that take place on historic ship, so that was very nice. The other settings of the book, on land, are more blurry.

Overall, a good read but that fell a little short of my expectations, maybe because the author wrote it at a challenging time in her life. I'll still be looking forward to reading other books by Arlem Hawks, because I loved her other books.

3.5 stars

4.5 stars
This book is so pretty and I was super excited to read it. I greatly enjoyed Georgana’s Secret and I wanted to see how this story would turn out. Across the Star-Kissed Sea is written by Arlem Hawks and it is a sequel to Georgana’s Secret.
I adored Elias from the beginning. He was so sweet and just trying his best. Life had thrown him many curveballs and he was trying to make sense of everything. He was honorable but he was also scared of letting others in. It was sweet to read about him falling so soundly for May.
May was more complicated. She definitely had to grow on me and it took a while. She was stubborn and stuck in her ways but as the book went on. She grew and learned. May’s life hadn’t been easy and she had to learn to allow others into her life instead of pushing them away.
The romance was sweet and the story was engaging. I wanted to see how Elias and May would overcome their differences. They had a bit of a rough start but life at sea drew them together. I loved seeing old characters and it was interesting to see them through the eyes of someone else. I also enjoyed the themes woven into the book, learning to forgive, standing firm, being brave and loyalty shown in different ways.
Overall, this was a lovely story and I would recommend it to those who had enjoyed Hawk’s other books. I ended up finishing it in one day. Across the Star-Kissed Sea is a clean historical romance.

Content warnings: violence, mentions of war, ship fights, drunkenness, mentions of abandonment

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

May has few options left for her and in order to secure some type of a future, she takes a job as a Lady's maid for a Captain's wife on board a ship. Not only will this allow her an income to live, but it will allow for some adventure along the way. Elias is a Navy chaplain on the ship May is set to sail on. Elias has been burned by love several times and wishes to escape from his memories. A misunderstanding leads to understanding, forgiveness, and eventually love for the couple.

I really enjoyed this story. There were a few times when the story felt slow, but overall it is an enjoyable read!

Mediterranean Sea, 1811

May Byam is trying to find her way amidst the sea as a lady’s maid despite her Mum’s pleading against it. If she’s going to run she might as well do it where there is food, shelter, and perhaps even adventure on the sea.

Elias Doswell, a young heartbroken chaplain returns to the harsh life of the sea preaching to disinterested sailors and starts with May on the wrong foot because of mistaken identity who doesn’t want anything to do with him.

But over time, May begins to see a side of this handsome clergyman who surprises her.

I had a hard time connecting with both characters and the story itself, but I stuck with it because I had read previous novels by Arlem Hawks and enjoyed them a lot. I didn’t like May initially but I liked that she was willing to humble herself in certain situations where she deemed herself in the wrong, and I will admit that after the half mark, it did improve but this was more a miss than a hit for me.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine and honest.

A wonderful book for you to enjoy
We all come at life with pre-conceived ideas of who and what people are. We are often wrong and that can cause issues for everyone. People confronting their personal notions is one of the underlying themes of this story that is engrossing on many levels. May is forced to find employment when her father is found to have been embezzling. Now she has found a job as a lady’s maid on a ship. When Elias, the ship’s chaplain, first sees May coming on the ship, he assumes she is a woman of ill repute and tries to keep her from coming on board only to fail as he insults her. As the ship enters the fray of the French English war, they must confront not only the war around them but their own prejudices, fears, and longings. Their story is one that will engage you immediately and hold you to the end. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

#AcrosstheStarKissedSea #NetGalley

This book is a sequel to Gorgina's Secret but can be read as a stand-alone. May has had a rough life her father is in prison for embezzling funds, and her mother has found employment and leaves May to find her own way. With a job perspective in mind, she heads to the docks and finds a job aboard the Marianne as a lady's maid,
Elias is a Chaplin who has tried and failed ar relationships. He has lost his sense of trust/.. With war raging all around, Elias has to learn to be brave.1

This is a good companion to Georgana's Secret where we first met Captain Peyton and his wife and other characters in this book. The background of that story is helpful but not required.

May is in a tough situation. Her father has been arrested for fraud, the family is now destitute and she needs a new job. She can go into service in a large house, or try to be one a lady's maid on a ship. She chooses the latter and the adventures begin. It is hard for a young girl to know who and what is in her best interest, and her quick temper lead her down some rough paths.

Elias is a chaplain running from bad relationships. He only hears intrusive thoughts in his head. Can he be brave and fight through his own self deprecation to change his future.

This is told in two points of view, which is fun. It is always fun to see both sides of a picture.

I loved this historical romance at sea. Anything that remotely resembles Titanic and I’m in! I highly enjoyed this beautiful story and look forward to offering more thoughts soon.