Grumpy Miss Applewaite looks like a fun challenge.
Silly Mr. Hathaway is nothing but a flirt.
Phoebe Applewaite refuses to ransom herself to escape spinsterhood or to fund the millinery shop of her dreams. When foppish Mr. Hathaway tries to cajole her into a dance on Twelfth Night, she’s determined to ignore the ridiculous man even if he is one of Charleston’s most eligible bachelors.
James … bachelors.
James Hathaway would rather be a sea captain than an heir. His parents don’t approve, so he spends most days at the card tables. When his father threatens to cut him off, James agrees to pursue someone “suitable” in exchange for a position aboard a company ship. The single and ever-serious Miss Applewaite seems harmless enough.
Phoebe and James concede to a polite friendship but soon discover they can work together exporting Phoebe’s goods with the Hathaway shipping company. It will take a house party on an island plantation before either is certain if their hearts hunger for more than success and adventure.
Can a wealthy heir find love with a woman of ambition, or will old habits ruin a rake’s chances and send Phoebe Applewaite running for the Carolina low country instead of becoming a captain’s bride?
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Phoebe Applewaite didn’t enjoy being out in society. Ever since her embarrassment at her initial coming out, she was determined to stay in the shadows and away from all men. She had no desire to get married. Her father had died and while her family wasn’t destitute, they didn’t have any extra. She spent her time sewing and embroidering items to sell. She really just wanted to have her own shop, like her father had. Actually, she had liked James Hathaway for years but since he was part of her embarrassing experience, he couldn’t be part of her life, or could he?
James Hathaway was wealthy and privileged and a flighty man. He was known to blow his allowance at the betting games and drink away the evening with his friend, Benjamin. He really had no long-term plans except to be a ship’s captain. Now he was approaching 30 years old, and his parents wanted to see him settled and Miss Applewaite was the perfect match for him. He was encouraged to pursue Phoebe Applewaite. He was ok with that, as long as it got him what he wanted in the end.
There was some back and forth flirting and getting to know the real person inside with James and Phoebe. I enjoyed seeing their shells removed and their walls come down. I won’t give away the rest of the story except to say there is a happy ending.
This book is a sweet, clean romance that kept me engaged and reading and enjoying the story very much.
I was given a copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I quite liked how the heroine/hero don’t necessarily get along straight away. There is attraction there but our heroine is a forward thinking, no nonsense and intelligent woman so she doesn’t want to settle just because “society” says she should. She knows what she wants and does everything she can to achieve her goals. She is also very caring and works hard to help her family. On the flip side – our hero comes across as a bit more naive and careless. Everything seems to come so easy for him and he appears to be a bit of a loose cannon and spendthrift – although as the story progresses we see that he works hard to get just what he wants – even when it won’t come easy. He is of a cheerful and somewhat flirtatious disposition – a people pleaser in social situations – which does not recommend him to our heroine. How are they going to make this mutual attraction work when they seem to be opposites?! Can they find common ground and work as a team toward their combined goals or will they sabotage themselves? The course to love doesn’t always run smoothly – there are bumps along the way but I enjoyed this story all the more for them actually. I think you will too. This is a clean and wholesome romance. This is the second book of this series but can be read as a stand-alone. I’m happy to say that there is also an epilogue for this story which I missed from the first one. A very satisfying ending to be sure
I received an ARC of this book from the author. This in no way influenced my opinion and I was not obligated to leave a review.
I can definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys wholesome romance with a side of adventure and strong willed heroines.
Enjoyable read. I loved the main characters. They each underwent a good deal of growth over the course of the story. I love that James supported Phoebe in her desires to run a shop when everyone else (except her brother-in-law and perhaps sister) said it wasn’t appropriate for one of her station and I loved that Phoebe helped James settle down and not be quite so scattered in life. And talk about opposites attract! Those two are about as opposite as it gets. Introvert/extrovert to the extreme.
I appreciated that their families became supportive of their goals eventually. I also appreciated the descriptions of the area. I could feel the muggy discomfort and cringed at the flying insects.
This book addresses slavery to an extent, at least showing discomfort at the thought of it if nothing more.
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Phoebe is a young woman facing a life of spinsterhood but she doesn’t want to settle for someone who won’t respect her or who she cannot respect.
James is entitled, immature, and irresponsible. But, his parents aren’t willing to give up on their heir and give him an ultimatum. Will he accept the challenge and grow up?
What follows is a wonderful, perfectly paced romance. But not all is that simple. Phoebe must face her insecurities and James must face responsibility. Then, there are those who would seem to work against them. Can these two star crossed lovers find what they seek most and achieve their long held goals and aspirations in life?
Romance – barely PG / Kissing
Language – PG / clean
Violence – verbal insults, threat of drowning
My rating – 5 stars
This is kind of an enemies to more, at least from Phoebe’s point of view. Phoebe is shy, reserved, and struggling to help make ends meet while maintaining her mother’s standards.
Danielle’s sensitivity and humor shine and I enjoyed this glimpse into early Charleston.
4 stars
Danielle Thorne’s book, A Captain’s Bride, Gentlemen of the Coast Book 2, is fantastic! Set in the post-Revolutionary War era, this book gives a view that I quite appreciated into that very interesting time. I love reading about different times and places and what the people there may have experienced. The characters were easy to love. They are well-written and I enjoyed getting to know them as they got to know each other. The love story was sweet and clean, and the ending was perfect. I loved how forgiveness, change of heart, courage, and love came to the characters through an unexpected friendship. Wonderful addition to this great series!
(4.5 stars) – a thoroughly riveting romance!
This one has a slightly different vibe than the first book in the series. The story starts off a bit slow – it’s more of a relationship development romance than something with more active conflict – but I was never bored by it.
The time is well spent by the author in helping us to know & understand the characters so that their misunderstandings & decisions make complete sense within the context of all that happens.
By the time the story builds to its critical point, my heart was seriously aching for them, and I couldn’t have put the book down if I wanted to. When the resolution takes place, I was so thoroughly caught up in it, it felt like their happiness was mine – just wonderful!
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
What a fantastic historical romance! With a unique setting (South Carolina in the years post-revolution), memorable characters, and a sweet romance, I could not put this one down.
I appreciated the character development for both Phoebe and James – I love it when characters inspire each other to be their better selves. Their story was well paced and the romance was sweet and tender.
I enjoyed this book as much as the first in this series and can’t wait for the next!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book but am voluntarily leaving a review.