Weathering Captain Storm

3.5 stars – rounded up

Nathaniel Storm first met Isabella Valentine after being injured on campaign. He was instantly smitten with her but kept his distance because he believed she was married, but by the time he learned she was the sister to Dr. Valentine and not his wife, he was sent away. In the meantime, Nate befriended another woman, Mary Soares, she was married to Major Soares, a man who treated her poorly, Nate would defend her and spend time with her, and ultimately was sent away after an altercation with the Major. He worried for Mary, but his biggest regret was not trying to court Isabella.

Isabella was just as smitten with Nate as he was with her, but she was sure he was in love with Mary. She kept her feeling to herself and was more than a little heartbroken when he was reassigned. She never expected to see him again, but a year later when Napoleon escapes Elba and the fighting begins again, they are reunited in Brussels.

This time Nate is not going to let the chance to woo Isabella pass him by and after they finally clear up the misunderstanding about Mary and their feelings, it seems like the HEA Nate imagined could come true. The night of the Duchess of Richmond’s ball, Nate confesses his feelings, kisses her and asks her to wait for him. She returns his kiss and sends him off believing she will be waiting when the fighting is done.

But Isabella has not intention of waiting for Nate, she does love him, but she has a secret that she is sure will cost her his love, so when the fighting is done, she tells him to leave her alone and refuses to talk to him. Nate is hurt and confused by her sudden change of heart and thinks it is the grief of losing her younger brother in battle. He plans to give her some time to mourn and then try to talk to her again – but she disappears.

It will be two long years before they meet again and this time Nate will not quietly accept her rejection, he had tried to stop loving her and move on, but he can’t, especially once he learned that Isabella is not who she says she is. For her part, Isabella has never stopped loving Nate, but is sure her secret will make him hate her, so she at first avoids him and then refuses to see him. It doesn’t seem like they will ever be together, but the timely intervention of her brother, may give them a second chance at happiness.

This was a well written novella, with wonderful characters and quite a bit of heartache. I loved Nate and my heart just broke for him when Isabella rejects him. But as far as Isabella is concerned, I didn’t feel like her reasoning for rejecting him made any sense and her continued refusal to see him in London dragged on way too long. Overall, I thought this was a sweet story, I was delighted for Mary, and I especially liked seeing characters from other novellas/series living their HEAs. This novella is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eBook that was provide to me.*

I liked the romance plot line between Nate and Isabella however, I was looking for more passion from their love and romance. I struggled with Isabella where she was fighting her made up suspension about Nate and Mary. Clearly it was obvious that Nate was in love with her. There to many love stories intertwined into one book. Two love stories I could keep track of in a book, but four or five others are a bit much. I looked for Nate and Isabella’s love to grow through the book, but it was addressed in small bits. I liked how the brothers over looked their sisters having relationship. That part was great for both families. Bring more passion and romance focus it all on the two leading characters. Readers want to be swept away with the love that two characters share.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A wonderful story with a woman learning to overcome her past and embrace life and the man who won’t give up on her or his love for her.

Well written

Great storyline.

I loved this book and the characters portrayed were just like being there with them.

An OK story but a little boring

This reminded me a bit of Baird Wells’ Vermillion as much of the story is a behind the scenes look on the days before and after the battle of Waterloo, what the main characters were doing. The gory battle and its aftermath are not the focus.
I liked the characters and how the story developed.

Will Nate take no for an answer?
They meet during the war and even with both being attracted to each other fate will have them separate. Nathaniel and Isabella’s story is full of twists and turns with secrets that one of the characters believes will destroy any happiness between them. The story progresses through a number of years and we see some very human flaws show up. I love when an author makes their character real showing what a person will really do or feel. Doubt is very real for many and this book dealt very well with that issue. This book was a joy to read and I highly recommend it. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Weathering Captain Storm by Jane Charles is the first book I’ve read of hers. It is #2 in a series but can certainly be read as a stand alone. I just got book 1 and will start working my way through the series.

Ms Charles did a great job on character development. I loved the hero and heroine and rooted for them all the way. All I can say is, get the book. It is a great read.

This book was a gift and I have chosen to leave a review.