A Coastal Carolina Novel The first step is the hardest. After a scandal, New York political reporter Reed Barfield is lying low at the North Carolina coast, writing a story about the seafood industry. But it’s the harbor pilots on the Cape Fear River who capture his interest–men who jump across ten feet of open ocean to grab a rope ladder and guide huge container ships into port. Men like sexy … into port. Men like sexy but prickly Justin Vance.
After surviving an abusive childhood and a tour in the Navy, Justin isn’t fazed by his dangerous job–it’s certainly easier to face than Reed’s annoying questions. Justin isn’t out at work, and he doesn’t need Reed digging into his personal life or his past.
But Reed’s no stranger to using his considerable charm to get what he wants, and as he wears Justin down, they realize they have a lot in common–and that they like spending time together. Moving beyond that, though, will mean Justin confessing his sexuality and learning to trust Reed with his secrets–if Reed even decides to stay. Both men want a future together, but can they find the courage to take the first step?
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This is a slow burn romance set against a background of the sea. One of the MCs is a pilot–a boat pilot–a skilled, dangerous job whether the sea is calm or rough. He’s part of a team who jump from little boats to the big vessels he brings safely into harbour from the open sea. The second MC is a disgraced reporter on a forced sabbatical from his sexy New York news position. He’s supposed to be writing an article about the seafood industry, but he becomes fascinated with the river pilots and their job. Justin, the pilot, isn’t out at work and their relationship grows against the background of each of the men’s past and insecurities.
I don’t usually get grabbed by stories where the romance is the main driver, but this had me from the start with its description of coastal life and the push and pull between the two MC’s personalities. The coastal setting is a personality in its own right, creating danger and tension that defines their relationship. I really enjoyed it.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Sarah –
This is such an exciting romantic read. I loved learning about the harbour pilots, and I found myself completely fascinated with both Reed and Justin’s lives. Add in a hurricane and a fabulous North Carolina setting and I completely devoured this book. For me, this is the perfect mix of romance and action and I really loved the characters in this story.
Most of this story is told from Reed’s perspective and I love that he’s a bit of a hot mess, especially at the start. He’s got great reporter instincts but very little sense of self-preservation. He’s easy to love but he takes a few too many risks. In contrast, Justin works an incredibly dangerous job but everything about his life is carefully controlled. These two balance each other beautifully. I like that they’re both a bit older than the usual romantic leads and I love the slow burn, relatively low heat romance that simmers between them.
As always, Shira Anthony’s research is wonderful. I learned so much about Justin’s job and life in North Carolina. So, while the romance is a gentle slide, there is so much action in this story. I was hooked from the start and I really enjoyed the read.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The First Step (Coastal Carolina #1) by Shira Anthony to read and review.
I was gifted a copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.
This is the first book I’ve read of Ms Anthony, and I really REALLY enjoyed it!
Reed is in town chasing a story to get his beat back in New York, about fishing on the river. Justin pilots the bigger boats and tankers into port, as a river pilot. The two clash hard and fast, and it doesn’t take long for them to fall for each other. But this was only going to be a short term thing, right? When Reed is offered a job, he has a BIG decision to make.
Really enjoyable read! Its not overly complicated in the plot line, and you can see what’s coming at you a mile away, much like Justin’s babies he manouvers into port. It’s steamy and emotional in places. Sad in some places too, when Justin talks about his childhood. It’s not espcially explicit, but it didn’t need to be.
Both Justin and Reed have a say, in the third person. Both voices are clear and distinctive, having been brought up very differently. Reed is very out, and Justin is not. But maybe, not quite as not, as he thinks! Love some of Justin’s co workers!
This was one of those books that, while far longer than my usualy hangover cure, I’m filing it as such. I spent a very wet afternoon, curled up on the sofa, reading this in one sitting. One of those books that you just fall into and wile away the day.
Thank you, Ms Anthony for my copy.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewehere**
This is a story of two men who made their way in life and cariers all on their own despite the bad cards they were handed, and thought that they were satisfied and there was nothing more they should be wanting. When they meet the sparks are flying and not in a good way. Justin is a closeted loner, a river pilot, who doesn’t trust easily. Reed is a persistent reporter who’s used to get what he wants. What he thinks he wants is a story about one of the best river pilots in Wilmington and his demanding and dangerous job, but when he slowly worms his way into Justins life both men, especially Justin, start to realize that they can lean on each other, trust each other even with their lives , but what about their hearts? What started as forced proximity slowly becomes much more. Will they be able to handle it?
This slow burn romance kept my attention from the page one and the characters slowly started to grow on me. The writing flows seamlessly and before you know it, you can’t put the book down.
I love when authors write about real life locations and events, but that involves a massive amount of research. In this case it was done perfectly. Learning about a job and a life of a river pilot was a big bonus for me and timing the story around hurricane Florence was brilliant because it added just right amount of action to the already engaging story. All the characters feel so real, nothing is overblown and that’s what makes it such a good read. The “persimmons” visits with Marty are touching, and probably one of the most adorable love statements I’ve ever read is in this book. The only reason I didn’t rate this book 5 stars is that the author should pay more attention to showing the chemistry between the MC’s, and the ending, especially Justins coming out, felt a bit rushed. I could use one more chapter or two.
I was provided with an ARC copy of this book and this is my unbiased opinion, because this was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be the last.