Review: Christi Caldwell's HEIRESS AT SEA

 

HEIRESS AT SEA

Historical Romance

AUTHOR: Christi Caldwell

RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023

PUBLISHER: Montlake

ISBN NUMBER (OR ASIN IF NO ISBN): 9781662503818

RATING: 4.5

AUTHOR LINK: http://christicaldwell.com/

 

 

Captain Nathaniel Ellsby is the second son of a duke. He makes his income from the sea, mostly as a privateer to the Crown. Nathaniel finds himself saddled with his late sibling’s ducal responsibilities and fiancée. He intends to finish one last mission before obeying his father’s strict mandate. However, a chatter-box stowaway distracts Nathaniel from his official duties. Can Nathaniel protect Cassia from the hardships of the sea? Or will he willingly give up his seafaring ways for her?

Lady Cassia McQuoid comes from a large, boisterous family. With no marriage prospects, she wants to “see the world” before surrendering to her future as a spinster. Cassia plans to sneak onto her brother and his friend’s ship; however, she boards the wrong vessel. She finds herself surrounded by unfriendly strangers. Cassia’s presence causes havoc with the surly captain and his crew. Can Cassia survive her first sea voyage? Or will she lose far more than just her heart on this trip?

I could never resist the pessimistic and surly type heroes! They are another weakness of mine. Nathaniel’s gruff and stern exterior conceals a warm heart. He does not have the opportunity to demonstrate that side of himself, except around his mother and later Cassia. I admire how Nathaniel gave certain criminals a second chance at life. When others had written them off, he offered them a new way of life and a paying job, thus earning their loyalty. What I love the most about Nathaniel is his acceptance of Cassia’s eccentricities. She annoyed him at first, but he started to crave her sunny, talkative ways.

Generally, Cassia is not the type of heroine I enjoy reading about. However, I could not help but feel for the young woman. There were instances when Cassia or her antics annoyed me, but not enough to dislike her outright. I understand Cassia’s anxiousness about being invisible, ignored, and overlooked. Something that I understand achingly well, so I easily empathized with her. What I like the most about Cassia is her talkative ways. I found it oddly endearing.

THE HEIRESS AT SEA is the second book in Christi Caldwell’s historical romance series, MCQUOID FAMILY. I am so delighted the author decided to write more stories involving this rambunctious noble family. The McQuoids, especially their antics, entertained and charmed me in the first book, THE DUKE ALONE. I cannot wait for more McQuoid stories!

The story had a GENTLE ROGUE and THE MAGIC OF YOU (by Johanna Lindsey) feel to it. I forgot just how much I enjoyed the stowaway/masquerading as a boy at sea angle in stories.