What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hilton Legacy #1
Like a Ship on the Sea
If God asks you to confront a storm, how dare you stay in the harbor?
Lady Mary Cassidy O’Connell has a dream that can be summed up in three connecting ideas: a loving husband, adorable children, and a home of her own. Her mother’s lack of care makes life difficult for Cassie, and an escape is necessary. The plan? Marry Aubrey Montgomery, the man her parents have chosen for her, and find the peace she craves.
Unfortunately, Cassie is uneasy about marrying Aubrey. Her apprehension grows as she witnesses her dearest friend’s loving marriage take place. At this wedding, she catches the eye of Patrick Hilton, son of a wealthy American. Like Cassie, he’s also set to marry a woman chosen by his parents—only, Patrick claims, he is content with this choice.
Torn between her desire for happiness and the knowledge that God is leading her in a different direction, Cassie confronts the impossible decision. Is a loveless marriage of obligation better than being alone, or will she set sail on a voyage without a safe harbor?
Like a Ship on the Sea is the first novel in The Hilton Legacy, a stand-alone trilogy featuring characters from the author’s first series, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy.
Lady Mary Cassidy O’Connell has a dream that can be summed up in three connecting ideas: a loving husband, adorable children, and a home of her own. Her mother’s lack of care makes life difficult for Cassie, and an escape is necessary. The plan? Marry Aubrey Montgomery, the man her parents have chosen for her, and find the peace she craves.
Unfortunately, Cassie is uneasy about marrying Aubrey. Her apprehension grows as she witnesses her dearest friend’s loving marriage take place. At this wedding, she catches the eye of Patrick Hilton, son of a wealthy American. Like Cassie, he’s also set to marry a woman chosen by his parents—only, Patrick claims, he is content with this choice.
Torn between her desire for happiness and the knowledge that God is leading her in a different direction, Cassie confronts the impossible decision. Is a loveless marriage of obligation better than being alone, or will she set sail on a voyage without a safe harbor?
Like a Ship on the Sea is the first novel in The Hilton Legacy, a stand-alone trilogy featuring characters from the author’s first series, The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2023
1 person is currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Kellyn Roth
28 books1,128 followersKellyn Roth is the author of historical romance novels with strong Christian themes, a touch of humor, and messy situations that put the main characters through the wringer and force them to face hard questions. Her stories include The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, a Christian Victorian family saga.
Kell is the founder and owner of Wild Blue Wonder Press, a small press with the mission of sharing fictional stories full of grace and truth. Their goal is to create stories that matter, to delve into the deepest and sometimes the saddest parts of life, and to return from the darkest valleys resplendent in the light of hope and the fullness of joy.
When not building her author career, Kellyn is likely drinking iced coffee with her husband, getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, or watching period dramas and facetious comedies with her border collie.
Find out more at https://kellynrothauthor.com/
Kell is the founder and owner of Wild Blue Wonder Press, a small press with the mission of sharing fictional stories full of grace and truth. Their goal is to create stories that matter, to delve into the deepest and sometimes the saddest parts of life, and to return from the darkest valleys resplendent in the light of hope and the fullness of joy.
When not building her author career, Kellyn is likely drinking iced coffee with her husband, getting lost somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with her friends, or watching period dramas and facetious comedies with her border collie.
Find out more at https://kellynrothauthor.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 14, 2025
4 stars. I really wanted to love this book. I adore the Chronicles of Alive & Ivy and I was so excited about this spin-off of Alice’s best friend Cassie, set around the time of
A Prayer Unanswered.
Parts of the book fell a bit flat for me though. For starters, I didn’t connect with the characters super well. Cassie was realistic and relatable, but I felt like she didn’t really change throughout the book. She didn’t seem to have any big realizations and huge changes. And I know, that is SO unfair to say, because she DID, and her lesson was really good. But it didn’t FEEL like a big moment to me and she didn’t change enough for me to connect with her arc and enjoy her spiritual journey. Patrick, now, went through a lot more spiritually, which I enjoyed. However, as a romantic interest/hero, he drove me wild for the first 70% of the book. You thought Peter or Jordy were frustrating heroes? Patrick is twice as bad. He’s so blind, so scared, and so rude. He does become very, very nice at the last though.
Secondly, the plot skipped A LOT of time. I know, I know, usually I don’t have issues with that but this time it leaned into my whole issue with arcs not changing. I felt like too much time had passed for Cassie and Patrick NOT to change. It’s a stupid complaint, but for some reason it made me feel really disconnected from the characters and story events.
However, I really liked Patrick’s sisters, and his parents were very interesting. His whole plot was great and I really enjoyed it, minus the parts of him being an absolute idiot. Which, again, I know I shouldn’t complain of because it’s the whole plot and his whole character and the author warned us about this beforehand, but it REALLY bugged me somehow. I don’t know why. I really liked the family he ends up with in the end though.
Anyways, I loved meeting Peter’s family through Cassie, and the domestic life of Peter & Alice seen through Cassie was epic. Those parts were my favourite in the whole book. (But I don’t think my issue was that I was wanting Peter & Alice/the Chronicles of Alice & Ivy books, because I’ve read other Kellyn Roth books that are totally NOT part of this series and I loved them.) I also liked the part of the Irish family and Cassie helping them out, although it also felt to me like they weren’t developed to their full potential. I could have really loved that family and the whole Irish part of the book, but it was barely touched on, and I would have really liked seeing more of the village and U’s family and the racism against Irish and all that stuff.
After all that complaining, here’s what I loved about the book. Cassie’s theme of learning to trust God and move forward in faith even when God’s leading is completely wild and unwanted… it was GOOD. Patrick learning about courage and doing the right thing even if he’s alone? EXCELLENT. There were other mini themes too, and they were all SO good, definitely worth 5 stars alone. As always with a Kellyn Roth book, I needed that message right now in my life.
So, yeah, I’m really sorry I didn’t enjoy the book more. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, or maybe I had the wrong expectations. I could have loved it—I should have loved it—but it just didn’t hit it for me, sadly. However, despite my disappointments, I really did enjoy it, and I do plan to reread it (and hopefully love it more), and I honestly look forwards to the next book in the series VERY much (because y’all, I need more about Patrick’s sisters and also P & C now that they’re an adorable couple)!!
Content: The author has a great content list here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Personally, the only things that stick out to me was the conversation about marital intimacy—It was well-handled/discreet, but definitely adult. Also, the mention of Cassie getting “the talk” from her siblings kinda bothered me. But it’s not a big deal—it’s just definitely for adults.
A Favourite Quote: Yet she heard a whisper again, soft but strong: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What was there to fear with a promise like that? She turned her face toward a future open with possibilities that night.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I’m sorry for dragging your husband off, Mrs. Strauss. I promise it was for a good reason, but I know we must’ve made you wait.”
“Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
Parts of the book fell a bit flat for me though. For starters, I didn’t connect with the characters super well. Cassie was realistic and relatable, but I felt like she didn’t really change throughout the book. She didn’t seem to have any big realizations and huge changes. And I know, that is SO unfair to say, because she DID, and her lesson was really good. But it didn’t FEEL like a big moment to me and she didn’t change enough for me to connect with her arc and enjoy her spiritual journey. Patrick, now, went through a lot more spiritually, which I enjoyed. However, as a romantic interest/hero, he drove me wild for the first 70% of the book. You thought Peter or Jordy were frustrating heroes? Patrick is twice as bad. He’s so blind, so scared, and so rude. He does become very, very nice at the last though.
Secondly, the plot skipped A LOT of time. I know, I know, usually I don’t have issues with that but this time it leaned into my whole issue with arcs not changing. I felt like too much time had passed for Cassie and Patrick NOT to change. It’s a stupid complaint, but for some reason it made me feel really disconnected from the characters and story events.
However, I really liked Patrick’s sisters, and his parents were very interesting. His whole plot was great and I really enjoyed it, minus the parts of him being an absolute idiot. Which, again, I know I shouldn’t complain of because it’s the whole plot and his whole character and the author warned us about this beforehand, but it REALLY bugged me somehow. I don’t know why. I really liked the family he ends up with in the end though.
Anyways, I loved meeting Peter’s family through Cassie, and the domestic life of Peter & Alice seen through Cassie was epic. Those parts were my favourite in the whole book. (But I don’t think my issue was that I was wanting Peter & Alice/the Chronicles of Alice & Ivy books, because I’ve read other Kellyn Roth books that are totally NOT part of this series and I loved them.) I also liked the part of the Irish family and Cassie helping them out, although it also felt to me like they weren’t developed to their full potential. I could have really loved that family and the whole Irish part of the book, but it was barely touched on, and I would have really liked seeing more of the village and U’s family and the racism against Irish and all that stuff.
After all that complaining, here’s what I loved about the book. Cassie’s theme of learning to trust God and move forward in faith even when God’s leading is completely wild and unwanted… it was GOOD. Patrick learning about courage and doing the right thing even if he’s alone? EXCELLENT. There were other mini themes too, and they were all SO good, definitely worth 5 stars alone. As always with a Kellyn Roth book, I needed that message right now in my life.
So, yeah, I’m really sorry I didn’t enjoy the book more. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, or maybe I had the wrong expectations. I could have loved it—I should have loved it—but it just didn’t hit it for me, sadly. However, despite my disappointments, I really did enjoy it, and I do plan to reread it (and hopefully love it more), and I honestly look forwards to the next book in the series VERY much (because y’all, I need more about Patrick’s sisters and also P & C now that they’re an adorable couple)!!
Content: The author has a great content list here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Personally, the only things that stick out to me was the conversation about marital intimacy—It was well-handled/discreet, but definitely adult. Also, the mention of Cassie getting “the talk” from her siblings kinda bothered me. But it’s not a big deal—it’s just definitely for adults.
A Favourite Quote: Yet she heard a whisper again, soft but strong: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” What was there to fear with a promise like that? She turned her face toward a future open with possibilities that night.
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I’m sorry for dragging your husband off, Mrs. Strauss. I promise it was for a good reason, but I know we must’ve made you wait.”
“Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
August 14, 2023
THIS BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND SWEET AND PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You know how I have to get these things out of my system. 😆
I loved Courage to Stay in Kellyn Roth's recent anthology Springtime in Surrey AND I've heard a ton of good things about her family saga series, so I knew that I'd at least enjoy this book. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this so much I read the entire novel in about two days. (Which is quite a feat when I have a novel, a novella, and blog posts to write, a vacation to pack for, a hundred emails to sort through, and all my favorite songs on hand to with which to procrastinate. 🤪)
The first thing that drew me in was the prose - the character and life in it. For one thing, the vintage flair felt both appropriate to the genre and setting and felt natural, as though no other style would quite fit the story. And it also flowed in a rather stream-of-consciousness way full of such life and color!
So yes, I absolutely loved the writing. But what kept me scrolling pages?
(Don't tell me I'm the only one who reads ARCs as PDFs in a browser. I still need to get a Kindle. 🤣)
THE CHARACTERS. Oh my goodness, they captured every bit of my heart. Patrick is a sweet, protective older brother who never turns down a chance to hold a cuddly little baby. What's not to love? The dynamic between him and his sisters Lore and Winnie is HILARIOUS and feels so realistic. Another thing I noted is that his POV felt distinctly masculine. I know that sounds strange, but what I mean is the author knows how to write a guy's perspective very believably. Patrick's such a sunny, endearing fellow, and his conflicts were relatable - the way he just settled in his rut in life, complacent and unwilling to face the fact that God was leading him down a different path. His arc demonstrated the theme of following God's calling OVER the pressure and desires of anyone else - even parents. That's incredibly brave. He wanted so badly to obey his parents and do what they wanted, but it wasn't right. And even when he did stand up for himself, he was respectful about it.
But he wouldn't have done any of that without the relentless prodding of dear Cassie. She was so sweet and full of life, with a fun sense of humor. I found her incredibly relatable when it came to her reticence in conflict and her fear of disappointing people, and how she always tries not to show her anger outwardly. (And I'm just now realizing how subtly similar she and Patrick are. O_O I mean, she's a little more fiery, but neither of them are comfortable with conflict.) Even so, she knew how to take a stand and fight for what she believed in.
All the rest of the characters, who I know earlier books have been written about, felt so familiar and lived-in, even though this is my first full-length novel I've read by Kellyn Roth. (I will definitely read her other books, I promise; but this is a book that can stand on its own. After all, it is the first in a separate series of its own. Though yes, I went into it knowing I would be running into spoilers for earlier connected books. *hides*) I love how I could immediately tell how closely Roth knew her characters - they genuinely feel like real people you could expect to meet around the corner any day.
And the mentor characters were flat-out awesome. Just had to say that.
*scrounges through my notes* Ah yes. The characterization was incredible. Roth masterfully employed the use of subtle expressions to communicate volumes - like the look Patrick's father sends him when he looks overlong at Cassie. Little things like that - movie-worthy things that can be hard to describe, they're so subtle.
The dialogue - especially the banter was so lively and entertaining!
The romance is DARLING. Cassie and Patrick are perfection together...once they work through all their problems, that is. I love love love how inane and slightly awkward Patrick was in his first conversation with Cassie. Saying a bunch of generic things, over-analyzing what he said. I was grinning the whole way through that. And it was the way it was written, not just the dialogue itself, that made it so engaging - the character thoughts and Patrick's reactions to his own words.
Not only was their chemistry beautifully written, but I love that Cassie is honest with him and said incredibly truthful things he needed to hear, even if they sounded shockingly rude in the moment. They grow each other, and that's the mark of a solid relationship. (I think so, anyway.)
*wonders what Patrick and Cassie's ship name is*
The faith aspect of this story SHONE. It's not "preachy," if you're taking that to mean sermons in a fiction book. It's faith meeting real-world issues like suicide and miscarriage and struggling to follow where God is leading and feeling lost and not knowing where to turn to. It's powerful, and I think every reader will find something to relate to and gain encouragement from.
There are a lot of heavy themes discussed but handled in a Biblical, real way. And the "discussions of a sexual nature" were handled as tastefully as they possibly could've been. In fact, the romance too was written in such a wholesome way. The few kisses weren't described at great length, though they were still satisfying and the physical attraction was unmistakable. Think Jane Austen + an explicitly Christian worldview + Kellyn Roth's penchant for blunt straightforwardness in otherwise-thought-of-as-delicate subjects. It's quite refreshing. :D
Overall, I loved this dear story and am quite ready to dive into the rest of Kellyn Roth's family saga! I recommend this to readers who love (and can handle) raw, gritty subjects, an unashamedly Christian worldview, sweet and character-driven romance, sibling relationships, and Victorian-era women's fiction.
FAVORITE QUOTES
"Every older sibling has a certain degree of irrationality."
_
Hopefully God would be a decent, proper distraction. [This is for those who've read the book, because only make sense in context. XD]
_
He’d rather implied he was better than them, but that was beside the point. He was the older brother. Of course he would make that implication whenever he could.
_
“Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
_
That was true. Yet even that seemed unfair. “I don’t want to give him false hope.”
“Romance is nice that way, because it’s all about giving hope—and it grows you whether your hope is rewarded or not.” Mrs. Strauss laughed. “Though I don’t want anyone to get a broken heart, a childhood infatuation going awry has trained more souls than many a larger tragedy. This is not to say you should allow his advances if you know he has no chance, but perhaps it’s good for both of you to put out a fleece, if you will. Allow God to show you both how best to serve Him—and if that be together or separately.”
_
It would be all right. She’d keep looking into his eyes, and it would be all right.
_
He laughed. He couldn’t help it. He was full of joy, and everything seemed worth laughing about.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
You know how I have to get these things out of my system. 😆
I loved Courage to Stay in Kellyn Roth's recent anthology Springtime in Surrey AND I've heard a ton of good things about her family saga series, so I knew that I'd at least enjoy this book. Suffice it to say, I enjoyed this so much I read the entire novel in about two days. (Which is quite a feat when I have a novel, a novella, and blog posts to write, a vacation to pack for, a hundred emails to sort through, and all my favorite songs on hand to with which to procrastinate. 🤪)
The first thing that drew me in was the prose - the character and life in it. For one thing, the vintage flair felt both appropriate to the genre and setting and felt natural, as though no other style would quite fit the story. And it also flowed in a rather stream-of-consciousness way full of such life and color!
So yes, I absolutely loved the writing. But what kept me scrolling pages?
(Don't tell me I'm the only one who reads ARCs as PDFs in a browser. I still need to get a Kindle. 🤣)
THE CHARACTERS. Oh my goodness, they captured every bit of my heart. Patrick is a sweet, protective older brother who never turns down a chance to hold a cuddly little baby. What's not to love? The dynamic between him and his sisters Lore and Winnie is HILARIOUS and feels so realistic. Another thing I noted is that his POV felt distinctly masculine. I know that sounds strange, but what I mean is the author knows how to write a guy's perspective very believably. Patrick's such a sunny, endearing fellow, and his conflicts were relatable - the way he just settled in his rut in life, complacent and unwilling to face the fact that God was leading him down a different path. His arc demonstrated the theme of following God's calling OVER the pressure and desires of anyone else - even parents. That's incredibly brave. He wanted so badly to obey his parents and do what they wanted, but it wasn't right. And even when he did stand up for himself, he was respectful about it.
But he wouldn't have done any of that without the relentless prodding of dear Cassie. She was so sweet and full of life, with a fun sense of humor. I found her incredibly relatable when it came to her reticence in conflict and her fear of disappointing people, and how she always tries not to show her anger outwardly. (And I'm just now realizing how subtly similar she and Patrick are. O_O I mean, she's a little more fiery, but neither of them are comfortable with conflict.) Even so, she knew how to take a stand and fight for what she believed in.
All the rest of the characters, who I know earlier books have been written about, felt so familiar and lived-in, even though this is my first full-length novel I've read by Kellyn Roth. (I will definitely read her other books, I promise; but this is a book that can stand on its own. After all, it is the first in a separate series of its own. Though yes, I went into it knowing I would be running into spoilers for earlier connected books. *hides*) I love how I could immediately tell how closely Roth knew her characters - they genuinely feel like real people you could expect to meet around the corner any day.
And the mentor characters were flat-out awesome. Just had to say that.
*scrounges through my notes* Ah yes. The characterization was incredible. Roth masterfully employed the use of subtle expressions to communicate volumes - like the look Patrick's father sends him when he looks overlong at Cassie. Little things like that - movie-worthy things that can be hard to describe, they're so subtle.
The dialogue - especially the banter was so lively and entertaining!
The romance is DARLING. Cassie and Patrick are perfection together...once they work through all their problems, that is. I love love love how inane and slightly awkward Patrick was in his first conversation with Cassie. Saying a bunch of generic things, over-analyzing what he said. I was grinning the whole way through that. And it was the way it was written, not just the dialogue itself, that made it so engaging - the character thoughts and Patrick's reactions to his own words.
Not only was their chemistry beautifully written, but I love that Cassie is honest with him and said incredibly truthful things he needed to hear, even if they sounded shockingly rude in the moment. They grow each other, and that's the mark of a solid relationship. (I think so, anyway.)
*wonders what Patrick and Cassie's ship name is*
The faith aspect of this story SHONE. It's not "preachy," if you're taking that to mean sermons in a fiction book. It's faith meeting real-world issues like suicide and miscarriage and struggling to follow where God is leading and feeling lost and not knowing where to turn to. It's powerful, and I think every reader will find something to relate to and gain encouragement from.
There are a lot of heavy themes discussed but handled in a Biblical, real way. And the "discussions of a sexual nature" were handled as tastefully as they possibly could've been. In fact, the romance too was written in such a wholesome way. The few kisses weren't described at great length, though they were still satisfying and the physical attraction was unmistakable. Think Jane Austen + an explicitly Christian worldview + Kellyn Roth's penchant for blunt straightforwardness in otherwise-thought-of-as-delicate subjects. It's quite refreshing. :D
Overall, I loved this dear story and am quite ready to dive into the rest of Kellyn Roth's family saga! I recommend this to readers who love (and can handle) raw, gritty subjects, an unashamedly Christian worldview, sweet and character-driven romance, sibling relationships, and Victorian-era women's fiction.
FAVORITE QUOTES
"Every older sibling has a certain degree of irrationality."
_
Hopefully God would be a decent, proper distraction. [This is for those who've read the book, because only make sense in context. XD]
_
He’d rather implied he was better than them, but that was beside the point. He was the older brother. Of course he would make that implication whenever he could.
_
“Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
_
That was true. Yet even that seemed unfair. “I don’t want to give him false hope.”
“Romance is nice that way, because it’s all about giving hope—and it grows you whether your hope is rewarded or not.” Mrs. Strauss laughed. “Though I don’t want anyone to get a broken heart, a childhood infatuation going awry has trained more souls than many a larger tragedy. This is not to say you should allow his advances if you know he has no chance, but perhaps it’s good for both of you to put out a fleece, if you will. Allow God to show you both how best to serve Him—and if that be together or separately.”
_
It would be all right. She’d keep looking into his eyes, and it would be all right.
_
He laughed. He couldn’t help it. He was full of joy, and everything seemed worth laughing about.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
August 10, 2023
This book transports you to so many places as the characters travel around: England, Ireland, France, and America.
It is a story of Patrick and Cassie finding their purpose and seeking to please God with their lives.
If you like modern writing with a classic touch, a clean read, and characters who are going against their cultural expectations, then you’ll enjoy this read.
*I received an ARC from the author and happily provided my honest review
It is a story of Patrick and Cassie finding their purpose and seeking to please God with their lives.
If you like modern writing with a classic touch, a clean read, and characters who are going against their cultural expectations, then you’ll enjoy this read.
*I received an ARC from the author and happily provided my honest review
October 10, 2023
Aaaaah! But I so enjoyed this journey!! And isn’t that cover just the loveliest??? I smile every time I see it.
I’m so excited to see more of the Hilton sisters in later books!! They were positively delightful. I also FEEL for them going forward, but I can't say anything else because *spoilers*. I will definitely enjoy seeing them as lead characters later.
I loved getting to see the “between the scenes” of A Prayer Unanswered and After Our Castle with Alice and Peter. If you’ve read those, you absolutely HAVE to read this book!!! Alice's concerns, Peter's cautiousness, Cassie's help to balance them...it's so good.
The beginning was a bit slow, but I just soaked in the second half. The settings, background characters, and new beginnings were so rich and wonderful.
I actually really enjoyed Patrick as a "hero". (I say it like that because of *ahem* some Instagram stories) He had a lot of growing up to do, and I wish Cassie had been able to actually see his transformation as it happened. It was really solid. In fact, those were some of my favorite scenes! His...shall we call him, to avoid spoilers, new mentors, were some of favorite side characters.
I liked how the lead characters made mistakes like they were *ahem* real people. And then did their best to rectify them, even knowing they would very likely be dealing with long-lasting, seemingly insurmountable consequences.
I received an ARC free from the author. These are my honest ramblings.
I’m so excited to see more of the Hilton sisters in later books!! They were positively delightful. I also FEEL for them going forward, but I can't say anything else because *spoilers*. I will definitely enjoy seeing them as lead characters later.
I loved getting to see the “between the scenes” of A Prayer Unanswered and After Our Castle with Alice and Peter. If you’ve read those, you absolutely HAVE to read this book!!! Alice's concerns, Peter's cautiousness, Cassie's help to balance them...it's so good.
The beginning was a bit slow, but I just soaked in the second half. The settings, background characters, and new beginnings were so rich and wonderful.
I actually really enjoyed Patrick as a "hero". (I say it like that because of *ahem* some Instagram stories) He had a lot of growing up to do, and I wish Cassie had been able to actually see his transformation as it happened. It was really solid. In fact, those were some of my favorite scenes! His...shall we call him, to avoid spoilers, new mentors, were some of favorite side characters.
I liked how the lead characters made mistakes like they were *ahem* real people. And then did their best to rectify them, even knowing they would very likely be dealing with long-lasting, seemingly insurmountable consequences.
I received an ARC free from the author. These are my honest ramblings.
September 1, 2023
Eep, okay, I've loved this cover since it was released and I've been anticipating the story because I was intrigued by the synopsis. This is my first read of Kellyn's books, though I've been meaning to get around to reading something of hers for years now it seems.
What drew me to this one (aside from that beautiful cover) was the title and premise. I love the sea and I love storms. And I was curious about a girl wrestling through the storms of life with her faith from the perspective of an author I admire and respect as a person. Little did I know when I first signed up for an advanced reader copy (thank you, Kellyn!) that this book would be released at such a time in my own life.
The historical setting is always fun. The manners, the culture, and the era tickle a girl's fancy every now and then. And it was cool to see Kellyn show us more than the stereotypical Regency England, but some of Ireland and America, too. The world felt whole and wide because we traveled parts of it, which I really enjoyed.
The characters were fun and easy to root for. There were nods to characters from Kellyn's other series (which I haven't read), but this story stood on it's own. I could tell there were bits and pieces of backstory or other characters' stories that had been lived that I didn't fully understand the context too, but that gave this story a bit of charm in knowing there are always stories we don't know behind the people we meet. I did find it difficult to keep up with all of the names, though. It seemed like every single character had a pet name and at some point went by both their nickname and normal name. But I got the hang of it quickly enough.
Cassie and Patrick were our two main characters. I loved Cassie's quiet dedication to serving those around her. She stepped in for Alice's wedding with the sole intent of ensuring Alice and her family could enjoy the day. She was so good with kids and yet not a pushover. I loved that she wasn't the stereotypical nanny kind of figure, but someone who felt much like an older sister or a woman who was willing to stand firm, but in kindness and love. Cassie had an elegance to her, but a soft heart that moved her to see those society normally ignores. I appreciated her dedication to her faith, though sometimes I wanted to push her along a little toward the end ;)
As for Patrick, it was a delight to see the eldest sibling in full sibling mode. His sense of responsibility toward his two younger sisters was something I strongly relate to. I liked seeing his work ethic, the way he was both good at and enjoyed his work, and his awareness of the world around him. His dedication to raising his sisters with a full, rounded education and finding ways to provide for the mentorship they lacked contrasted beautifully with the very real exasperation with younger siblings. There was a perfect balance of loving and caring for them with annoying and getting under their skin. His practicality felt natural which made his journey something that felt realistic and plausible. The choices he made made sense to me, even if I was rooting for him to change his mind!
And thematically. Thematically is where this one hit home for me. Kellyn wove a strong sense of learning to depend on God's plan and His timing. There were a few small moments in the end where I felt that affected the pacing of the story, but overall, I was really impressed with her execution with what can be a tricky theme. And personally, there were several moments in the book where Cassie's journey spoke to my heart. I'm in a season of waiting. And I hate waiting. But sometimes seeing characters wrestle through such relatable struggles empowers us with the hope to keep going in real life. And I think God timed this read perfectly to encourage me and give me hope in a dark time. For that alone, I am grateful to this book.
I do look forward to seeing more from Kellyn, and more in this series in particular. And I would recommend the read to anyone who enjoys uplifting Christian historical romance. It didn't feel preachy to me, but both Kellyn's and the character's faith is evident. It's not something either shy away from, which is something in its own right to be appreciated.
Content: it's a clean romance with one brief and non-explicit conversation alluding to marriage responsibilities. There's no foul language and no violence. But the story does deal with some tougher topics, such as emotional abandonment, miscarriage, depression, and suicide. Kellyn handles each topic with the warranted delicacy and non are graphic or explicit. But neither does she sugar coat the pain that comes from these difficult situations. I believe her recommendation is 16+ and I'd agree with that, unless you have a mature 14/15 year old that you'd be willing to discuss the topics with.
I was given a complimentary ARC and the above are my honest and voluntary thoughts.
What drew me to this one (aside from that beautiful cover) was the title and premise. I love the sea and I love storms. And I was curious about a girl wrestling through the storms of life with her faith from the perspective of an author I admire and respect as a person. Little did I know when I first signed up for an advanced reader copy (thank you, Kellyn!) that this book would be released at such a time in my own life.
The historical setting is always fun. The manners, the culture, and the era tickle a girl's fancy every now and then. And it was cool to see Kellyn show us more than the stereotypical Regency England, but some of Ireland and America, too. The world felt whole and wide because we traveled parts of it, which I really enjoyed.
The characters were fun and easy to root for. There were nods to characters from Kellyn's other series (which I haven't read), but this story stood on it's own. I could tell there were bits and pieces of backstory or other characters' stories that had been lived that I didn't fully understand the context too, but that gave this story a bit of charm in knowing there are always stories we don't know behind the people we meet. I did find it difficult to keep up with all of the names, though. It seemed like every single character had a pet name and at some point went by both their nickname and normal name. But I got the hang of it quickly enough.
Cassie and Patrick were our two main characters. I loved Cassie's quiet dedication to serving those around her. She stepped in for Alice's wedding with the sole intent of ensuring Alice and her family could enjoy the day. She was so good with kids and yet not a pushover. I loved that she wasn't the stereotypical nanny kind of figure, but someone who felt much like an older sister or a woman who was willing to stand firm, but in kindness and love. Cassie had an elegance to her, but a soft heart that moved her to see those society normally ignores. I appreciated her dedication to her faith, though sometimes I wanted to push her along a little toward the end ;)
As for Patrick, it was a delight to see the eldest sibling in full sibling mode. His sense of responsibility toward his two younger sisters was something I strongly relate to. I liked seeing his work ethic, the way he was both good at and enjoyed his work, and his awareness of the world around him. His dedication to raising his sisters with a full, rounded education and finding ways to provide for the mentorship they lacked contrasted beautifully with the very real exasperation with younger siblings. There was a perfect balance of loving and caring for them with annoying and getting under their skin. His practicality felt natural which made his journey something that felt realistic and plausible. The choices he made made sense to me, even if I was rooting for him to change his mind!
And thematically. Thematically is where this one hit home for me. Kellyn wove a strong sense of learning to depend on God's plan and His timing. There were a few small moments in the end where I felt that affected the pacing of the story, but overall, I was really impressed with her execution with what can be a tricky theme. And personally, there were several moments in the book where Cassie's journey spoke to my heart. I'm in a season of waiting. And I hate waiting. But sometimes seeing characters wrestle through such relatable struggles empowers us with the hope to keep going in real life. And I think God timed this read perfectly to encourage me and give me hope in a dark time. For that alone, I am grateful to this book.
I do look forward to seeing more from Kellyn, and more in this series in particular. And I would recommend the read to anyone who enjoys uplifting Christian historical romance. It didn't feel preachy to me, but both Kellyn's and the character's faith is evident. It's not something either shy away from, which is something in its own right to be appreciated.
Content: it's a clean romance with one brief and non-explicit conversation alluding to marriage responsibilities. There's no foul language and no violence. But the story does deal with some tougher topics, such as emotional abandonment, miscarriage, depression, and suicide. Kellyn handles each topic with the warranted delicacy and non are graphic or explicit. But neither does she sugar coat the pain that comes from these difficult situations. I believe her recommendation is 16+ and I'd agree with that, unless you have a mature 14/15 year old that you'd be willing to discuss the topics with.
I was given a complimentary ARC and the above are my honest and voluntary thoughts.
September 22, 2023
This story is very honest, which I appreciated. Something that’s interesting about the main characters’ relationship is how realistic it feels. I might say practical, but that almost makes their romance seem stuffy, which it is not.
Both Patrick and Cassie (especially Patrick *ahem*) experience a lot of character growth over the course of the story, and it never feels like the author is trying to force them together too soon. The story doesn't give into the stereotype of romanticizing a potentially unhealthy relationship—the main characters are given the space and time to grow, both together and apart from each other, until the time is right. Until they can each push past their fears and choose each other. It’s natural and healthy, and I love it.
The story does have its fair share of heavy topics, but they are appropriately written with the hope of a Christian worldview.
There are a lot of background characters (friends, family members, etc.). Apart from the main cast, I may have given up trying to remember who was who… but the characters I did remember, I loved. :) Winnie was sweet, Lorelei was interesting, and I'm excited for both of their stories. And Alice and Peter and Ivy... well, Peter will always be superior.
4 stars—I don’t usually read romance, but this one is worthwhile.
I was given an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All above thoughts are my own.
Both Patrick and Cassie (especially Patrick *ahem*) experience a lot of character growth over the course of the story, and it never feels like the author is trying to force them together too soon. The story doesn't give into the stereotype of romanticizing a potentially unhealthy relationship—the main characters are given the space and time to grow, both together and apart from each other, until the time is right. Until they can each push past their fears and choose each other. It’s natural and healthy, and I love it.
The story does have its fair share of heavy topics, but they are appropriately written with the hope of a Christian worldview.
There are a lot of background characters (friends, family members, etc.). Apart from the main cast, I may have given up trying to remember who was who… but the characters I did remember, I loved. :) Winnie was sweet, Lorelei was interesting, and I'm excited for both of their stories. And Alice and Peter and Ivy... well, Peter will always be superior.
4 stars—I don’t usually read romance, but this one is worthwhile.
I was given an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All above thoughts are my own.
September 14, 2023
Hey, y'all! This is a bit of an unconventional review but I'm super excited to write it because not only did I meet the author in person, but I got an e-ARC copy, so that's why this review came so soon after the book came out (September 5th)! While I was obligated to write a review as a result of this e-ARC being sent to me, I was not roped into writing a positive review. This book earned it all on its own, trust me.
My Preconceptions: Blown Out of the Water
When I first got this book, I wasn't sure what to think of it. I figured, "The cover's beautiful and it addresses suicidality, so why not give it a shot?" All of my preconceptions were shoved aside, whether because they were wrong or simply because the degree to which they'd been conceived wasn't... fitting of what occurred. I thought it'd be historical fiction, for example, and it was, but it felt more contemporary than what I'd thought, rendering my preconception obsolete.
The Beginning
By the end of chapter one, I was fairly interested. Not riveted, perhaps, but interested all the same. The characters made me wonder how they were going to fit together, the setting was beautiful, and all the dynamics fit together like a puzzle waiting for me to piece it together. I found a lot of push-pull dynamics that made it hard to predict what was going to happen next. As with many romance books, you could guess from the beginning who was going to end up together (for the most part), but you couldn't tell how it was going to happen, even at the end.
From chapter seven onward, the true action begins, and it's where I began to be truly pulled through the story. From there until the end, I did not stop reading unless I had other responsibilities that pulled me aside and even then I griped and groaned and longed to be back reading this book.
My Favorite Parts
I'll admit, I'm a bit obsessed.
My favorite part of this book—and I mean this (mostly) as a joke—was the mention of Winnie Hilton's pet dog, Potato, who happens to be *ahem* not the most well-behaved dog out there. He entered only in Chapter 6, but he made me so happy with only a few sentences dedicated to him and I felt the need to mention him in this review.
My favorite character overall is Patrick Hilton, one of our MCs. His character arc is so drastic and it's amazing to see his transformation as the story goes on. At first, I was slightly curious, then I detested him, and by the end, he was making me swoon. Like girls, this kind of transformation is what we should all want in a guy.
Overall Thoughts and Summary
This story is poignant, vivid, and full of twists that I honestly didn't expect (maybe you can beat me in that aspect?), but I loved it primarily for its Christian-oriented approach. Almost every hard decision that the characters had to face they brought to God, and though I did find it hard to imagine at the end that none of the characters were outright atheists or denied the faith entirely (there were some doubters, but none that vehemently denied the faith, which shocked me), I did appreciate the rock-solid faith of the main character, Cassie. Patrick grew in his faith a ton, and by the end, he was as solid in it as Cassie was, which I admired.
Mental Health Rep
Finally, we have what a lot of you might've been waiting for: the mental health rep. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten, but there's something to say about leaving the best for last. Unfortunately, I didn't find the mental health aspect of this book to be as important as the impression I got by talking to the author. By no means am I upset that I read it, but just throwing that in as a disclaimer here.
The character who struggled with suicidal ideation (and attempted), did this due to grief. This was not the development of a person who had been depressed for a while, but instead a sudden event that she was unable to handle and therefore, she tried to "escape." She did fail, and it wasn't talked about in detail, but everyone was very careful about her after that. To the point where we remain close to her for the duration of the story, not just because she's the friend of one of the main characters, but also as if a reassurance that "no, she's not going to die."
Ultimately, while I appreciated the postpartum depression/child-loss grief rep, I would've appreciated a little bit more of a description going into this. It's one thing to warn a person that there's suicidality mentioned, but usually, when that happens one turns to "ok, there's depression," not "a woman lost her child in childbirth, nearly lost her life, and ultimately decides to throw it all away is the way to go."
Honestly, though, the pitching is all I have to complain about here. And I'm not faulting Kellyn at all because being put on the spot when it comes to asking what the mental health rep is about can be terrifying, but that's just something that made it hard to appreciate that part of the story.
Conclusion
It's with that, though, that I leave you all. I hope you enjoyed this book review, I hope that you read this book (Kellyn is an amazing person and her writing is also awesome, so I'm going to want you to support her in like... every way possible *sheepish grin*), and ultimately, I just hope that you aren't upset that you read this (and that it was so long. Sorry about that). Thank you so much for reading and have a blessed day!
My Preconceptions: Blown Out of the Water
When I first got this book, I wasn't sure what to think of it. I figured, "The cover's beautiful and it addresses suicidality, so why not give it a shot?" All of my preconceptions were shoved aside, whether because they were wrong or simply because the degree to which they'd been conceived wasn't... fitting of what occurred. I thought it'd be historical fiction, for example, and it was, but it felt more contemporary than what I'd thought, rendering my preconception obsolete.
The Beginning
By the end of chapter one, I was fairly interested. Not riveted, perhaps, but interested all the same. The characters made me wonder how they were going to fit together, the setting was beautiful, and all the dynamics fit together like a puzzle waiting for me to piece it together. I found a lot of push-pull dynamics that made it hard to predict what was going to happen next. As with many romance books, you could guess from the beginning who was going to end up together (for the most part), but you couldn't tell how it was going to happen, even at the end.
From chapter seven onward, the true action begins, and it's where I began to be truly pulled through the story. From there until the end, I did not stop reading unless I had other responsibilities that pulled me aside and even then I griped and groaned and longed to be back reading this book.
My Favorite Parts
I'll admit, I'm a bit obsessed.
My favorite part of this book—and I mean this (mostly) as a joke—was the mention of Winnie Hilton's pet dog, Potato, who happens to be *ahem* not the most well-behaved dog out there. He entered only in Chapter 6, but he made me so happy with only a few sentences dedicated to him and I felt the need to mention him in this review.
My favorite character overall is Patrick Hilton, one of our MCs. His character arc is so drastic and it's amazing to see his transformation as the story goes on. At first, I was slightly curious, then I detested him, and by the end, he was making me swoon. Like girls, this kind of transformation is what we should all want in a guy.
Overall Thoughts and Summary
This story is poignant, vivid, and full of twists that I honestly didn't expect (maybe you can beat me in that aspect?), but I loved it primarily for its Christian-oriented approach. Almost every hard decision that the characters had to face they brought to God, and though I did find it hard to imagine at the end that none of the characters were outright atheists or denied the faith entirely (there were some doubters, but none that vehemently denied the faith, which shocked me), I did appreciate the rock-solid faith of the main character, Cassie. Patrick grew in his faith a ton, and by the end, he was as solid in it as Cassie was, which I admired.
Mental Health Rep
Finally, we have what a lot of you might've been waiting for: the mental health rep. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten, but there's something to say about leaving the best for last. Unfortunately, I didn't find the mental health aspect of this book to be as important as the impression I got by talking to the author. By no means am I upset that I read it, but just throwing that in as a disclaimer here.
The character who struggled with suicidal ideation (and attempted), did this due to grief. This was not the development of a person who had been depressed for a while, but instead a sudden event that she was unable to handle and therefore, she tried to "escape." She did fail, and it wasn't talked about in detail, but everyone was very careful about her after that. To the point where we remain close to her for the duration of the story, not just because she's the friend of one of the main characters, but also as if a reassurance that "no, she's not going to die."
Ultimately, while I appreciated the postpartum depression/child-loss grief rep, I would've appreciated a little bit more of a description going into this. It's one thing to warn a person that there's suicidality mentioned, but usually, when that happens one turns to "ok, there's depression," not "a woman lost her child in childbirth, nearly lost her life, and ultimately decides to throw it all away is the way to go."
Honestly, though, the pitching is all I have to complain about here. And I'm not faulting Kellyn at all because being put on the spot when it comes to asking what the mental health rep is about can be terrifying, but that's just something that made it hard to appreciate that part of the story.
Conclusion
It's with that, though, that I leave you all. I hope you enjoyed this book review, I hope that you read this book (Kellyn is an amazing person and her writing is also awesome, so I'm going to want you to support her in like... every way possible *sheepish grin*), and ultimately, I just hope that you aren't upset that you read this (and that it was so long. Sorry about that). Thank you so much for reading and have a blessed day!
April 28, 2025
In short, wasn’t for me. ☹️
I really wanted to like this, but I guess this type/time period (maybe?) of historical just doesn’t work for me. I really wanted to try this author’s books in hopes that they would be a good fit but alas it wasn’t meant to be. The story is well written and paced though with great, uniquely approached faith content.
The biggest problem I had were the characters—I either was indifferent to them or actively disliked them. I didn’t see any romantic chemistry between them and am honestly mystified as to why Cassie “liked” Patrick, as she seemed to complain about him more then anything and I think she only liked anything about him that wasn’t immediately followed by a complaint maybe twice.
This was sadly just a huge miss for me, but if you like this type of historical I’d recommend checking it out.
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of depression and a character having tried to commit suicide (not shown); talk about miscarriages and the grief around them
Sexual: kissing (not detailed); vaguely implied discussions about martial sex; talk about miscarriages and the grief around them
Other: mentions of depression and a character having tried to commit suicide (not shown)
[The author also has further content details here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ]
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
I really wanted to like this, but I guess this type/time period (maybe?) of historical just doesn’t work for me. I really wanted to try this author’s books in hopes that they would be a good fit but alas it wasn’t meant to be. The story is well written and paced though with great, uniquely approached faith content.
The biggest problem I had were the characters—I either was indifferent to them or actively disliked them. I didn’t see any romantic chemistry between them and am honestly mystified as to why Cassie “liked” Patrick, as she seemed to complain about him more then anything and I think she only liked anything about him that wasn’t immediately followed by a complaint maybe twice.
This was sadly just a huge miss for me, but if you like this type of historical I’d recommend checking it out.
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: mentions of depression and a character having tried to commit suicide (not shown); talk about miscarriages and the grief around them
Sexual: kissing (not detailed); vaguely implied discussions about martial sex; talk about miscarriages and the grief around them
Other: mentions of depression and a character having tried to commit suicide (not shown)
[The author also has further content details here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... ]
****Note: I received a free copy of the book from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are most assuredly my own and I wasn’t required to write a positive review. If I was I wouldn’t have read it. 😜****
September 16, 2023
Once again, I am absolutely in love with another of Kellyn Roth’s books!!
Like a Ship on the Sea follows the journey of Cassie O’Connell, a loved side character from The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy in a brand-new standalone series.
I loved our new cast of characters as well as getting to see Alice and Peter again. All the characters felt so real and “lived in” if that makes sense. They all had their flaws, but they were stronger because of them!
As always, Roth writes realistic romance with a skilled hand. Cassie and Patrick had undeniable chemistry. I was squealing over their interactions more than once! They are so similar to each other, yet so different at the same time. The PERFECT match XP
Some heavy themes were discussed (and are noted in the content review), but they were all handled delicately and in a Godly manner.
And that brings me to the faith elements. The story leaves you with so much Biblical truth and encouragement, no one can leave it without something having touched their heart.
I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this family saga!
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
Like a Ship on the Sea follows the journey of Cassie O’Connell, a loved side character from The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy in a brand-new standalone series.
I loved our new cast of characters as well as getting to see Alice and Peter again. All the characters felt so real and “lived in” if that makes sense. They all had their flaws, but they were stronger because of them!
As always, Roth writes realistic romance with a skilled hand. Cassie and Patrick had undeniable chemistry. I was squealing over their interactions more than once! They are so similar to each other, yet so different at the same time. The PERFECT match XP
Some heavy themes were discussed (and are noted in the content review), but they were all handled delicately and in a Godly manner.
And that brings me to the faith elements. The story leaves you with so much Biblical truth and encouragement, no one can leave it without something having touched their heart.
I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this family saga!
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 1, 2023
Like a Ship on the Sea reminded me a lot of older books that I used to read more often. It has that same sort of older voice that I recognized from books written in the Victorian era. So if you enjoy reading historical, historical books, you’d enjoy this!
With it having an older feel, it also has that pace. So it’s not extremely fast paced with high stakes. Because of that, it took me a little while to read because it didn’t draw me in, forcing me to flip pages to discover what happened next.
I also feel like the title could have been tied in a bit more to be more symbolic. Or at least to make more sense in the context of the story. Though there were crossings of the ocean from England to America, they weren’t the main focus of the story.
But overall, I enjoyed it!
With it having an older feel, it also has that pace. So it’s not extremely fast paced with high stakes. Because of that, it took me a little while to read because it didn’t draw me in, forcing me to flip pages to discover what happened next.
I also feel like the title could have been tied in a bit more to be more symbolic. Or at least to make more sense in the context of the story. Though there were crossings of the ocean from England to America, they weren’t the main focus of the story.
But overall, I enjoyed it!
August 6, 2023
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Well. That did not disappoint.
I’ve been waiting for this book literally all year, ever since I learned it was in the works. When the author sent out a call for reviewers, I immediately snapped up the opportunity. Cassie is such a sweet character in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and I’m so glad she finally has her own book! This story certainly does her justice.
Characters: Readers of The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy will recognize Cassie as Alice’s best friend. She’s sweet and shy in those books, and that holds true here, but we also get to see her stubborn side. She’s absolutely delightful as a protagonist. I loved watching her grow and find out who God made her to be!
As for Patrick… Ah, Patrick. I simultaneously loved him and wanted to smack him. (Which, I think, is how Cassie feels most of the time, too…) He’s a sweetheart with serious flaws, and while I don’t think I’d marry him, I’d love to be his sister. (Seriously, the way he treats his sisters is precious. Made me miss my own brothers.)
It was fun to see other side characters from The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, as well, especially Alice and Peter! The poor dears.
Content: There’s no language or violence.
Romance-wise, nothing goes farther than a few undescribed kisses. But it’s obvious our MCs are attracted to each other. Characters hold a few frank conversations about marital relations (it’s all veiled, though, so if you didn’t know what they were talking about, you probably wouldn’t know what they were talking about).
A character is recovering from a suicide attempt.
Two characters have had miscarriages recently, and one has also experienced a stillbirth.
Writing: Roth’s writing improves with each new installation. This story swept me away from the beginning; if time had allowed, I could have easily read this in one sitting. I was constantly on my toes with wondering how the characters would get their happy ending.
The ending did feel a bit rushed. I would have liked to have more time with Cassie and Patrick actually in the same room. But the story works, so it’s hard to complain too much.
Summary: This is an excellent book, carrying the important message of stepping with faith into fear, trusting God with the outcome of what He’s called us to do. I could easily relate to the characters’ struggles. The story is so sweet, with an unusual romance that captured my heart. Historical romance fans aged 16+ will love this one!
Well. That did not disappoint.
I’ve been waiting for this book literally all year, ever since I learned it was in the works. When the author sent out a call for reviewers, I immediately snapped up the opportunity. Cassie is such a sweet character in The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, and I’m so glad she finally has her own book! This story certainly does her justice.
Characters: Readers of The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy will recognize Cassie as Alice’s best friend. She’s sweet and shy in those books, and that holds true here, but we also get to see her stubborn side. She’s absolutely delightful as a protagonist. I loved watching her grow and find out who God made her to be!
As for Patrick… Ah, Patrick. I simultaneously loved him and wanted to smack him. (Which, I think, is how Cassie feels most of the time, too…) He’s a sweetheart with serious flaws, and while I don’t think I’d marry him, I’d love to be his sister. (Seriously, the way he treats his sisters is precious. Made me miss my own brothers.)
It was fun to see other side characters from The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy, as well, especially Alice and Peter! The poor dears.
Content: There’s no language or violence.
Romance-wise, nothing goes farther than a few undescribed kisses. But it’s obvious our MCs are attracted to each other. Characters hold a few frank conversations about marital relations (it’s all veiled, though, so if you didn’t know what they were talking about, you probably wouldn’t know what they were talking about).
A character is recovering from a suicide attempt.
Two characters have had miscarriages recently, and one has also experienced a stillbirth.
Writing: Roth’s writing improves with each new installation. This story swept me away from the beginning; if time had allowed, I could have easily read this in one sitting. I was constantly on my toes with wondering how the characters would get their happy ending.
The ending did feel a bit rushed. I would have liked to have more time with Cassie and Patrick actually in the same room. But the story works, so it’s hard to complain too much.
Summary: This is an excellent book, carrying the important message of stepping with faith into fear, trusting God with the outcome of what He’s called us to do. I could easily relate to the characters’ struggles. The story is so sweet, with an unusual romance that captured my heart. Historical romance fans aged 16+ will love this one!
September 26, 2023
This was an amazing read! I need more now!!!
To start off, the characters were believable. This wasn't a case of "they-only-talk-like-this-in-fiction" that I've read before. They actually act like real people. (Which was great when the romance came along.) The author also wrote a male POV really well; I know I can only speak as a woman on this, but I've read other authors who don't quite nail it. Kellyn definitely did. The dialogue between the characters, especially the two main MCs, was fun to read as well. Favorite quote: “Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
The themes in this book were tastefully handled, but I appreciate how the author tackled them head-on all the same. The faith content wasn't preachy, but it seamlessly worked its way into the story all the same.
Overall, this was an amazing book and I will be eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.
(Thanks to the author for the free ARC. I wasn't required to write a positive review; all thoughts are 1000% mine.)
To start off, the characters were believable. This wasn't a case of "they-only-talk-like-this-in-fiction" that I've read before. They actually act like real people. (Which was great when the romance came along.) The author also wrote a male POV really well; I know I can only speak as a woman on this, but I've read other authors who don't quite nail it. Kellyn definitely did. The dialogue between the characters, especially the two main MCs, was fun to read as well. Favorite quote: “Actually, it was my idea.” Peter slipped onto his seat. “Anyway, I didn’t think you would wait. I left a note.”
Alice raised her eyebrows. “We determined that either you were going for a walk or that you were journeying to the center of the earth. Your handwriting allowed for either interpretation.”
The themes in this book were tastefully handled, but I appreciate how the author tackled them head-on all the same. The faith content wasn't preachy, but it seamlessly worked its way into the story all the same.
Overall, this was an amazing book and I will be eagerly awaiting the next one in the series.
(Thanks to the author for the free ARC. I wasn't required to write a positive review; all thoughts are 1000% mine.)
December 29, 2023
Great story
Read
August 12, 2025Really enjoyed the strong thread of spiritual and personal growth for Cassie and Patrick as well as the unique backdrop of the 18th-century US shipping industry. Also enjoyed the inclusion of dogs, of course. Definitely ticks the boxes of both women's fiction and romance, though it challenges in a good way many of the cliched assumptions of both. Recommended for those who enjoy romantic historical fiction with a strong Christian growth thread.
August 2, 2023
I was not expecting to read this entire novel today, but after receiving my ARC from Kellyn this morning I thought I'd read a little bit right away...and one sitting and several hours later, here we are. No spoilers ahead, don't worry!
This is the first book of Kellyn's that I've read, as romance is a step outside my usual genres. However, between the Irish influences and all the good things I was hearing about it, I couldn't resist giving it a try. I'm so glad I did - I loved it!
Like I said, I've never read any of the other stories involving some of these characters, and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to catch everything because of it. But that wasn't the case at all. I never felt like I was missing or couldn't understand anything, and the story introduced them all to me very well. The characters were my favorite part, overall. I love how Kellyn gave each of them real and relatable passions, struggles, desires, thoughts, and dreams. There weren't any that fell flat or didn't seem real. I could relate to almost all of them, and quickly became attached.
The settings were beautiful and precise, and I don't have a clue how Kellyn kept all of the spot-on historical details straight, but they all made perfect sense to me. Her descriptions were vivid, and I could picture each of the locations easily. I enjoyed the change of 'vibes' and aesthetic that I could feel as I read. Each place felt different and interesting.
As a rare romance reader, I can't comment on how it compares to typical romance genre books, but I enjoyed it. There were a couple of decisions that the protagonist made early on that I admittedly didn't agree with, but as the story continued on, I could see why that was actually the right choice, and admired her for it. I was more than ready when the true romance of the story came about, and found them extremely cute and well-made for each other.
Besides the characters and how real they were, my other favorite aspects of this book are the Christian themes. They were prominent from the very start of the story, but not obnoxiously so. I am a Christian and want to read more fiction that simply and unapologetically contains Christian themes and morals, without also trying to shove them onto the reader whether they fit the story or not. This story was wonderful about that, and I could respect and relate to the characters' faiths without cringing at how it was portrayed, like many Christian books, unfortunately.
I also appreciated the few deep and heavy topics that Kellyn covered in this story. They hit very close to home, personally, and I felt she portrayed them accurately and gracefully. Real life isn't neat and easily resolved, and she did a great job communicating that, while also interlacing hope that comes from Christ.
Overall, I'm very glad I received the opportunity to read an early copy of this story, and will stay tuned for the future installments! If you're a fan of historical, Christian, Irish, English, or romance fiction, I'd recommend checking this book out. You might just find a new favorite.
**I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts are my own.**
This is the first book of Kellyn's that I've read, as romance is a step outside my usual genres. However, between the Irish influences and all the good things I was hearing about it, I couldn't resist giving it a try. I'm so glad I did - I loved it!
Like I said, I've never read any of the other stories involving some of these characters, and I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to catch everything because of it. But that wasn't the case at all. I never felt like I was missing or couldn't understand anything, and the story introduced them all to me very well. The characters were my favorite part, overall. I love how Kellyn gave each of them real and relatable passions, struggles, desires, thoughts, and dreams. There weren't any that fell flat or didn't seem real. I could relate to almost all of them, and quickly became attached.
The settings were beautiful and precise, and I don't have a clue how Kellyn kept all of the spot-on historical details straight, but they all made perfect sense to me. Her descriptions were vivid, and I could picture each of the locations easily. I enjoyed the change of 'vibes' and aesthetic that I could feel as I read. Each place felt different and interesting.
As a rare romance reader, I can't comment on how it compares to typical romance genre books, but I enjoyed it. There were a couple of decisions that the protagonist made early on that I admittedly didn't agree with, but as the story continued on, I could see why that was actually the right choice, and admired her for it. I was more than ready when the true romance of the story came about, and found them extremely cute and well-made for each other.
Besides the characters and how real they were, my other favorite aspects of this book are the Christian themes. They were prominent from the very start of the story, but not obnoxiously so. I am a Christian and want to read more fiction that simply and unapologetically contains Christian themes and morals, without also trying to shove them onto the reader whether they fit the story or not. This story was wonderful about that, and I could respect and relate to the characters' faiths without cringing at how it was portrayed, like many Christian books, unfortunately.
I also appreciated the few deep and heavy topics that Kellyn covered in this story. They hit very close to home, personally, and I felt she portrayed them accurately and gracefully. Real life isn't neat and easily resolved, and she did a great job communicating that, while also interlacing hope that comes from Christ.
Overall, I'm very glad I received the opportunity to read an early copy of this story, and will stay tuned for the future installments! If you're a fan of historical, Christian, Irish, English, or romance fiction, I'd recommend checking this book out. You might just find a new favorite.
**I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts are my own.**
September 12, 2023
Read my full review: https://penspagesandpulses.wordpress....
3.5 stars
Cassie wants to get married and start a family. She longs for a secure future but also knows she must follow the path her Heavenly Father has for her. I really admire Cassie’s faith that she will experience greater blessings by following God than by taking the seemingly more secure path her parents have laid out for her. I also love how Cassie is never willing to stray from her values as to the most important qualities in the man she marries; that is a man of God.
Patrick is content in his secure future. He wants to make his family happy and keep his sisters safe. A small inner voice tells him he wants more for his life, but he is scared that he won’t be able to have security if he follows his heart.
Honestly, Patrick wasn’t my favorite character ever. He was a little too… feminine for my tastes. I also felt like his character arc could’ve been strengthened by making a greater difference between who Patrick was at the beginning versus the man he became by the end, especially in his faith journey.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Patrick and his sisters. I loved how persistent his sisters were in encouraging him to pursue a relationship with Cassie. I’m excited to hear more about Lorelei and Winnie in Kellyn’s future books!!!
Kellyn really did a beautiful job of handling the difficult topic of loving someone through a mental health crisis. All of the characters’ reactions felt realistic. There was a great message of hope despite the dark situation the characters were in. It was beautiful seeing each character’s imperfect attempts to love that individual through her crisis.
I guess that’s the most beautiful part of Kellyn Roth’s Like a Ship on the Sea. Most books about love only discuss the romantic form. Kellyn does a beautiful job of showing how important love is in a whole slew of different circumstances. Like a Ship on the Sea shows how life-changing love is between siblings, between friends, between children and parents, and even romantically.
While there were some changes that would've improved this novel, I enjoyed the sweet themes that Kellyn Roth beautifully wove throughout Like a Ship on the Sea.
I received an ARC copy of this book. My opinions are my own a positive review was not required.
3.5 stars
Cassie wants to get married and start a family. She longs for a secure future but also knows she must follow the path her Heavenly Father has for her. I really admire Cassie’s faith that she will experience greater blessings by following God than by taking the seemingly more secure path her parents have laid out for her. I also love how Cassie is never willing to stray from her values as to the most important qualities in the man she marries; that is a man of God.
Patrick is content in his secure future. He wants to make his family happy and keep his sisters safe. A small inner voice tells him he wants more for his life, but he is scared that he won’t be able to have security if he follows his heart.
Honestly, Patrick wasn’t my favorite character ever. He was a little too… feminine for my tastes. I also felt like his character arc could’ve been strengthened by making a greater difference between who Patrick was at the beginning versus the man he became by the end, especially in his faith journey.
I really enjoyed the relationship between Patrick and his sisters. I loved how persistent his sisters were in encouraging him to pursue a relationship with Cassie. I’m excited to hear more about Lorelei and Winnie in Kellyn’s future books!!!
Kellyn really did a beautiful job of handling the difficult topic of loving someone through a mental health crisis. All of the characters’ reactions felt realistic. There was a great message of hope despite the dark situation the characters were in. It was beautiful seeing each character’s imperfect attempts to love that individual through her crisis.
I guess that’s the most beautiful part of Kellyn Roth’s Like a Ship on the Sea. Most books about love only discuss the romantic form. Kellyn does a beautiful job of showing how important love is in a whole slew of different circumstances. Like a Ship on the Sea shows how life-changing love is between siblings, between friends, between children and parents, and even romantically.
While there were some changes that would've improved this novel, I enjoyed the sweet themes that Kellyn Roth beautifully wove throughout Like a Ship on the Sea.
I received an ARC copy of this book. My opinions are my own a positive review was not required.
November 15, 2023
I love starting new series with authors I read before. That is definitely the case with Kellyn Roth’s new series The Hilton Legacy. She takes a character we met in the Alice and Ivy series and gives her a series of her own.
Lady Mary Cassidy was introduced in the Alice and Ivy series as a good friend of Alice. Like a Ship on the Sea starts with retellings of several aspects of the previous series but from Cassie’s perspective. This was a good way to introduce readers to the background if they haven’t read the Alice and Ivy books. At times I found my heart breaking for Cassie and Patrick, the male main character of the book. To grow up and not feel loved by your parents - I just cannot imagine the hardship of that. Yet both characters do exhibit a love for God and a desire to do what is right in His eyes.
Readers may at times wonder if Cassie and Patrick will end up together since both sets of parents have promised them to another. The relationship is not without trials, yet as they learn to lean more on God they get stronger.
There are many good lessons in this book, particularly about trusting God when things seem rough. I can’t wait to see where Roth takes these characters and this series in future books. It will be interesting to see which minor characters appear in future volumes with a greater role.
Like a Ship on the Sea is an adult historical romance. There is nothing to prevent the book from being added to a K-12 Christian school library.
I received a complimentary copy of Like a Ship on the Sea. This is my honest review.
Lady Mary Cassidy was introduced in the Alice and Ivy series as a good friend of Alice. Like a Ship on the Sea starts with retellings of several aspects of the previous series but from Cassie’s perspective. This was a good way to introduce readers to the background if they haven’t read the Alice and Ivy books. At times I found my heart breaking for Cassie and Patrick, the male main character of the book. To grow up and not feel loved by your parents - I just cannot imagine the hardship of that. Yet both characters do exhibit a love for God and a desire to do what is right in His eyes.
Readers may at times wonder if Cassie and Patrick will end up together since both sets of parents have promised them to another. The relationship is not without trials, yet as they learn to lean more on God they get stronger.
There are many good lessons in this book, particularly about trusting God when things seem rough. I can’t wait to see where Roth takes these characters and this series in future books. It will be interesting to see which minor characters appear in future volumes with a greater role.
Like a Ship on the Sea is an adult historical romance. There is nothing to prevent the book from being added to a K-12 Christian school library.
I received a complimentary copy of Like a Ship on the Sea. This is my honest review.
October 29, 2025
First, I'll start with saying that I enjoyed the writing style and the story drew me in and kept my attention. There were times when the introspection got to be a little much and tedious for my preference but over all I really did enjoy the story and the character's lives.
I had a lot of mixed feelings on some things, the biggest one being Cassie. At first I kind of liked her and found her intriguing but eventually she started to rub me the wrong way. She came across strongly as a very "holier than thou" kind of character, especially in her treatment of Patrick. I won't go into all the details, but even if she was right on somethings, I didn't like the way she came across.
Patrick himself did indeed have issues, but they were obvious, and he knew it, and overall came across more likeable simply for his problems that he struggled with.
With that being said, I think the romance was hard for me because I didn't comprehend the match. There is hardly any other way to describe it then to say I didn't see the chemistry.
However, despite some of the things in the book that rubbed me wrong, there were a lot of delightful characters. Some characters I recognized their names from another series though I have yet to read that series. I loved the Baldwins. For some reason they really delighted me. I also loved Patrick's sisters and am looking for to Lorelei and Aubrey's story. Aubrey intrigued me from the beginning. I feel like he was a bit misjudged, but I guess I'll find out.
I had a lot of mixed feelings on some things, the biggest one being Cassie. At first I kind of liked her and found her intriguing but eventually she started to rub me the wrong way. She came across strongly as a very "holier than thou" kind of character, especially in her treatment of Patrick. I won't go into all the details, but even if she was right on somethings, I didn't like the way she came across.
Patrick himself did indeed have issues, but they were obvious, and he knew it, and overall came across more likeable simply for his problems that he struggled with.
With that being said, I think the romance was hard for me because I didn't comprehend the match. There is hardly any other way to describe it then to say I didn't see the chemistry.
However, despite some of the things in the book that rubbed me wrong, there were a lot of delightful characters. Some characters I recognized their names from another series though I have yet to read that series. I loved the Baldwins. For some reason they really delighted me. I also loved Patrick's sisters and am looking for to Lorelei and Aubrey's story. Aubrey intrigued me from the beginning. I feel like he was a bit misjudged, but I guess I'll find out.
September 4, 2023
Lady Mary Cassidy O'Connel at her family estate, Pearlbelle Park is courting Mr. Montgomery a suitor chosen by her parents in an arranged marriage. She knows he is not the husband for her. The Lord is leading her somewhere else, but does she have the courage to follow HIM.
Cassidy becomes friends with Patrick Helton's younger sisters and later with him. Patrick is also caught up in an understanding with his parents for an arranged marriage with Blanche who he has mixed feelings about, but feels trapped because of his obligation to his parents.
The story is about true faith in God to lead you on the right path and to honor his choice for you. Choosing to follow God first even though some of the choices can be painful.
The characters were well-developed with many layers. I especially liked Cassidy who at times struggled with making a choice but was a good influence. She cared more about serving others. The story has some heart-wrenching issues but also has a happy ending. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
Cassidy becomes friends with Patrick Helton's younger sisters and later with him. Patrick is also caught up in an understanding with his parents for an arranged marriage with Blanche who he has mixed feelings about, but feels trapped because of his obligation to his parents.
The story is about true faith in God to lead you on the right path and to honor his choice for you. Choosing to follow God first even though some of the choices can be painful.
The characters were well-developed with many layers. I especially liked Cassidy who at times struggled with making a choice but was a good influence. She cared more about serving others. The story has some heart-wrenching issues but also has a happy ending. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.
April 19, 2025
This was a really good book! At times I wanted to smack both main characters! Cassie ready to marry Aubrey though she knew she didn't love him. When she meets Patrick, who is going to marry Blanche even though he doesn't love her, Cassie finds the courage and resolve to not marry Aubrey, though she waits until he asks her in front of both of the family and some friends. Patrick, however, takes longer to make up his mind, but when he does, he does it more because he realizes that Blanche loves someone else, and that person also loves Blanche. When Patrick finally realizes that he loves Cassie, Cassie pretty much strings him along, as she's now afraid that she may change her mind about Patrick like she did Aubrey. Both needed to grow in their faith, and Cassie especially had to learn to quit living in fear of what "might" happen, and learn that God would be there, no matter what. Both had to decide to break from their parents' control, and learn to live their lives based on what God wanted them to do, not their parents.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to write a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to write a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.
September 8, 2023
I wrote such a lovely long rambling review of this book on my blog, let's see if I can make it a bit more succinct for this platform.
I loved watching the characters grow through this book. I enjoyed it very much, and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian historical fiction. This is not a fluffy read; it doesn’t shy away from hard topics, including the rippling effects of a friend’s attempted (and failed) suicide, miscarriage, and grief as well as the importance of one’s personal faith and related beliefs. All the same, I found it very encouraging, and am so glad to have read it. Being on the brink of my own marriage seems to have me a little more sensitive to characters who are pursuing or in the early years of marriage as well, and Like a Ship on the Sea is one of those right time, right place books for me. Five beautiful stars for this solidly Christian historical fiction romance.
I loved watching the characters grow through this book. I enjoyed it very much, and recommend it to those who enjoy Christian historical fiction. This is not a fluffy read; it doesn’t shy away from hard topics, including the rippling effects of a friend’s attempted (and failed) suicide, miscarriage, and grief as well as the importance of one’s personal faith and related beliefs. All the same, I found it very encouraging, and am so glad to have read it. Being on the brink of my own marriage seems to have me a little more sensitive to characters who are pursuing or in the early years of marriage as well, and Like a Ship on the Sea is one of those right time, right place books for me. Five beautiful stars for this solidly Christian historical fiction romance.
May 1, 2025
I dove into Like a Ship on the Sea expecting only a historical fiction novel that centers entirely on romance.
I was wrong.
And I'm so glad I was.
This book is not just about romance but following God—even into the storm where there's no guarantee of safety. It didn't feel really romantic until towards the end however, which is something I loved about the book. Though this isn't as action packed as my usual reads, once I got well into the story I could not put it down without wanting to pick it up again. As a fantasy reader, I didn't ever expect to read or even try his-fic written by modern writers, but Roth has some magic in her non-fantasy writing that keeps me reading.
One of the first things that hooked me into this book were the sisters. Oh, sure, there were other beautifully written relationships that the main characters have, but I love how wholesome, loving, and HILARIOUS Lorelei and Winnie were. Matchmaking siblings in books that aren't a tad annoying to read are hard to find, but these girls are the BEST. Patrick couldn't wish for better sisters than they.
I was wrong.
And I'm so glad I was.
This book is not just about romance but following God—even into the storm where there's no guarantee of safety. It didn't feel really romantic until towards the end however, which is something I loved about the book. Though this isn't as action packed as my usual reads, once I got well into the story I could not put it down without wanting to pick it up again. As a fantasy reader, I didn't ever expect to read or even try his-fic written by modern writers, but Roth has some magic in her non-fantasy writing that keeps me reading.
One of the first things that hooked me into this book were the sisters. Oh, sure, there were other beautifully written relationships that the main characters have, but I love how wholesome, loving, and HILARIOUS Lorelei and Winnie were. Matchmaking siblings in books that aren't a tad annoying to read are hard to find, but these girls are the BEST. Patrick couldn't wish for better sisters than they.
September 4, 2023
I'm not usually a romance reader, but after reading a couple of Kellyn's short stories, I was excited for the opportunity for an advanced reader copy of Like a Ship on the Sea. And I wasn't disappointed; it's a lovely, God-honoring story of clean, wholesome romance.
Kellyn deals thoughtfully and well with tough topics and meaningful themes. Patrick was my favorite character--his care for his sisters was refreshing and sweet, and I enjoyed watching his growth over the course of the story. Cassie, too, was enjoyable to follow, though there were a few times, especially toward the end of the story, where I had a bit of a harder time understanding her choices and where she was coming from. I still enjoyed following her through the story; there were just a few spots where her indecision threw me off a little. :)
Overall, Like a Ship on the Sea is an enjoyable read I'd definitely recommend.
Kellyn deals thoughtfully and well with tough topics and meaningful themes. Patrick was my favorite character--his care for his sisters was refreshing and sweet, and I enjoyed watching his growth over the course of the story. Cassie, too, was enjoyable to follow, though there were a few times, especially toward the end of the story, where I had a bit of a harder time understanding her choices and where she was coming from. I still enjoyed following her through the story; there were just a few spots where her indecision threw me off a little. :)
Overall, Like a Ship on the Sea is an enjoyable read I'd definitely recommend.
December 8, 2025
The biggest lesson this book teaches is to Trust God when things are stormy. This is the first story by Kelly that I have read, from my understanding Cassie’s story is a spinoff of Kelly’s other series The Chronicles of Alice and Ivy. But even without knowing anything about that series I highly enjoyed this story.
This story was good. It did take me a while of listening before I fully got into it but once I got to know Cassie and Patrick I did fully enjoy them. They don’t have the exploding chemistry that we see sometimes in romances, but I do feel like their chemistry is there, it is just softer. And I enjoyed that.
The narration by Lisa as always was amazing, I enjoyed her pacing and her mannerisms while reading helped me stay interested.
I received a free ARC for my honest review.
This story was good. It did take me a while of listening before I fully got into it but once I got to know Cassie and Patrick I did fully enjoy them. They don’t have the exploding chemistry that we see sometimes in romances, but I do feel like their chemistry is there, it is just softer. And I enjoyed that.
The narration by Lisa as always was amazing, I enjoyed her pacing and her mannerisms while reading helped me stay interested.
I received a free ARC for my honest review.
August 26, 2023
Five Stars
As always, Kellyn never fails to make me fall in love. With this particular book, the faith aspects struck me hard. One character fully surrendered her life, at the beginning of the novel, and that's something I've been wrestling with lately. Like a Ship on the Sea was as spiritually growing for me as some non-fiction books I've read. I realize that may be a turn-off for some people, but I think it's so good because it isn't a sermon... it's just real. Real life, with characters who seem like real people.
Anyway, I could ramble for awhile about that, but I did absolutely love this book and want to read it again... maybe I'll buy a copy.
As always, Kellyn never fails to make me fall in love. With this particular book, the faith aspects struck me hard. One character fully surrendered her life, at the beginning of the novel, and that's something I've been wrestling with lately. Like a Ship on the Sea was as spiritually growing for me as some non-fiction books I've read. I realize that may be a turn-off for some people, but I think it's so good because it isn't a sermon... it's just real. Real life, with characters who seem like real people.
Anyway, I could ramble for awhile about that, but I did absolutely love this book and want to read it again... maybe I'll buy a copy.
October 17, 2023
This book is definitely my favorite of Kellyn’s so far! 😍 Both main characters were very relatable to me, especially Patrick. I got very invested in the romance and could hardly put it down towards the end! I just had to see if the main characters would make the right decision! Also, Patrick’s sisters were the best side characters! Hehe. Gotta love sibling banter. 😉 Seriously though, Kellyn does an excellent job in this story tackling things we all can struggle and bringing it back to God’s Word. A really timely message I needed to hear! 🙌 Sometimes, fiction hits harder and inspires more than nonfiction for me.
August 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a lovely look into several families lives, and the hardships that come along with life, as well as the joys.
On the downside, I did sometimes find the references to marital intimacy a little bit forced and unnecessary, and the way that Cassie sort of inserted herself into one couple's private life a little strange, but all in all I did enjoy the book. Patrick and Cassie worked well together, and I was rooting for them throughout their journey.
It was also my introduction to this author's writing, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
On the downside, I did sometimes find the references to marital intimacy a little bit forced and unnecessary, and the way that Cassie sort of inserted herself into one couple's private life a little strange, but all in all I did enjoy the book. Patrick and Cassie worked well together, and I was rooting for them throughout their journey.
It was also my introduction to this author's writing, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
November 28, 2025
If you are reading the Alice and Ivy Chronicles by the same author in book 3, there is an incident that happens to Alice and her best friend is privileged to this information. This is the story of that best friend. We find out that Mary is struggling with going through on her engagement and end up meeting this very handsome American. Both of them are in the same impossible situation, but can both of them be able to come out and be able to live the life they want. This was an excellent book. It starts in the Alice and Ivy Chronicles book 3 and arcs over books 4 and 5 as well as you get all the information from those. I do not believe you have to read the Alice and Ivy Chronicles to enjoy this book/upcoming series but know that if you read this before the Alice and Ivy Chronicles, it will give spoilers for books 3, 4, and 5. I was also blessed to be able to listen to the audiobook, which is narrated by Lisa Lynn Sandlin and when you listen to this, there will be no accents and it makes absolute sense because the Chronicles of Ivy and Alice take place in the UK whereas this majority of this book takes place in the Americas where we have our own weird accent or lack of an accent. I absolutely enjoyed Lisa bringing this book to life. It was wonderful to read a spinoff series to a series I love.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews