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Veritas by MJ Duncan
Working as a chef aboard a private yacht might not seem like a vacation for most people, but to Lauren Murphy, a highly-regarded sous chef at a top New York restaurant, the opportunity to spend seventeen days in the Virgin Islands, sailing from one tropical location to the next, while having complete freedom to create her own menus is a dream come true. Enter Grey Wells, the owner and captain of the Veritas, and the most complicated person Lauren has ever met. Cold and distant one minute and then cautiously friendly the next, Lauren is compelled to get to know her better. What happens when she does, however, is enough to change both of their lives forever.
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First published April 1, 2014
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About the author
M.J. Duncan
17 books431 followersMJ Duncan is a Southern California girl who traded in her surfboard for hockey skates when she moved to Minnesota. When not writing, MJ enjoys reading, climbing, swimming, and spending time with her family. You can also follow her on twitter (@mj_duncan) and tumblr (mjduncan).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
April 25, 2016
I believe this is the first book I read from MJ Duncan. For some reason, I downloaded and let it sit on my Kindle app like a neglected stepchild. I'm so sorry, neglected book, because you've introduced me to MJ Duncan and I'm forever grateful.
It's a sexy sense of escape. If you're looking for more than crack-pure levels of romance and sex, this isn't for you, friend. Yum, the tension up to the point of actually getting together is beautiful. I'm a fan of how it's just them (and occasionally, the fun family). It's lovely. Sometimes, I'm not here for additional characters and their input. Give me the gorgeous lesbians in love.
I only have one tiny grievance:
It's a sexy sense of escape. If you're looking for more than crack-pure levels of romance and sex, this isn't for you, friend. Yum, the tension up to the point of actually getting together is beautiful. I'm a fan of how it's just them (and occasionally, the fun family). It's lovely. Sometimes, I'm not here for additional characters and their input. Give me the gorgeous lesbians in love.
I only have one tiny grievance:
April 24, 2018
This is the second book I read by this author and it’s by far the one I liked the most.
I really liked the characters and how they interacted. There were some genuinely sweet moments and I really felt the chemistry between them. The sex scenes were hot! I felt emotionally involved as well as just the physical and even though there were a lot of them, I didn’t feel it was repetitive. I liked how the more “femme” character Lauren takes the initiative especially during their first few times. In addition, the location was gorgeous and the story didn’t get bogged down with the technical aspects of operating the boat.
Begin spoilers
And the scene before Lauren goes back to NY where Grey asks her to stay just broke my heart. I got tears and that never happens!
Having said that, there are a few things keeping this from being a five-star read. The entire first chapter struck me as odd and I think the story would have been better without it. I never really got Grey as a player and there are more interesting ways to have Lauren find out about Grey’s sexuality than having her witness Grey picking up a random woman in a bar and having the staff place bets on her.
Also, the whole you-look-like-my-dead-girlfriend was addressed but too little too late. I did like how Grey grew to find innate differences between the two, but it felt a little contrived. I would have liked to see this either cause a whole lot more conflict, both internal and external or not have the two resemble each other at all and simply have Grey not wanting to become involved with anyone after losing her fiancée.
There was also an odd scene where the two MCs have an involved conversation about current TV shows and fanfics that felt out of place. It felt kind of like a shout-out and will date this book in a few years.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and it was long enough for me to really sink my teeth into and connect with the characters. The story heavily revolves around the two mains, which I had no problem with as they are both interesting and like able people. I was cheering so hard for their HEA and the end, while it felt sudden, left me all smiles.
I really liked the characters and how they interacted. There were some genuinely sweet moments and I really felt the chemistry between them. The sex scenes were hot! I felt emotionally involved as well as just the physical and even though there were a lot of them, I didn’t feel it was repetitive. I liked how the more “femme” character Lauren takes the initiative especially during their first few times. In addition, the location was gorgeous and the story didn’t get bogged down with the technical aspects of operating the boat.
Begin spoilers
And the scene before Lauren goes back to NY where Grey asks her to stay just broke my heart. I got tears and that never happens!
Having said that, there are a few things keeping this from being a five-star read. The entire first chapter struck me as odd and I think the story would have been better without it. I never really got Grey as a player and there are more interesting ways to have Lauren find out about Grey’s sexuality than having her witness Grey picking up a random woman in a bar and having the staff place bets on her.
Also, the whole you-look-like-my-dead-girlfriend was addressed but too little too late. I did like how Grey grew to find innate differences between the two, but it felt a little contrived. I would have liked to see this either cause a whole lot more conflict, both internal and external or not have the two resemble each other at all and simply have Grey not wanting to become involved with anyone after losing her fiancée.
There was also an odd scene where the two MCs have an involved conversation about current TV shows and fanfics that felt out of place. It felt kind of like a shout-out and will date this book in a few years.
Still, I really enjoyed this book and it was long enough for me to really sink my teeth into and connect with the characters. The story heavily revolves around the two mains, which I had no problem with as they are both interesting and like able people. I was cheering so hard for their HEA and the end, while it felt sudden, left me all smiles.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2019
I like it.
But I was not so convinced that Grey did not fell in love with Lauren because she looks like her ex.
I think she should have healed alone, she was too attached to her ex to start something new, and it felt pushy. But, they are cute anyway, and by the end I could believe in their love.
The sex is amazing, vanilla but really hot, I think I might read this again just because of that. It takes a long time(for me) to them to be together, too slow burn, but omg, supper well written, specially some scenes really got me wanting a yacht (like that could happen...)
Really worth the reading, I'm reading MJ's books and enjoying so far, can't wait to read the next one.
But I was not so convinced that Grey did not fell in love with Lauren because she looks like her ex.
I think she should have healed alone, she was too attached to her ex to start something new, and it felt pushy. But, they are cute anyway, and by the end I could believe in their love.
The sex is amazing, vanilla but really hot, I think I might read this again just because of that. It takes a long time(for me) to them to be together, too slow burn, but omg, supper well written, specially some scenes really got me wanting a yacht (like that could happen...)
Really worth the reading, I'm reading MJ's books and enjoying so far, can't wait to read the next one.
June 22, 2022
3,5 stars
Quite good.
Not much action or conflict, but it was well written and the MCs weren't half bad either.
Quite good.
Not much action or conflict, but it was well written and the MCs weren't half bad either.
November 14, 2014
Open your mouth only if what you're about to say is more beautiful than silence.
(Arab Proverb)
So I'm gonna say nothing.
(Arab Proverb)
So I'm gonna say nothing.
July 1, 2022
4.75 Stars - what would happen if a Lise Gold book and a Giselle Fox book had a baby?
I loved this intense and steamy romance. The MCs were interesting and likable. The setting was great. Their chemistry was off the charts. The "dark moment" totally made sense. The grand gesture at the end was fun and had me grinning.
This book basically was a recipe for a perfect, light-hearted HEA romance. Loved it.
I loved this intense and steamy romance. The MCs were interesting and likable. The setting was great. Their chemistry was off the charts. The "dark moment" totally made sense. The grand gesture at the end was fun and had me grinning.
This book basically was a recipe for a perfect, light-hearted HEA romance. Loved it.
April 11, 2017
3.5 stars
I overall liked this book. The characters were fun and interesting. I would have liked Grey's player persona to have played a bigger role and i felt at times the story dragged after the first family left the boat and the it rushed through once Lauren left for New York. Regardless, it was a pretty straight forward, cute read that will make you smile and was free with kindleUnlimited
I overall liked this book. The characters were fun and interesting. I would have liked Grey's player persona to have played a bigger role and i felt at times the story dragged after the first family left the boat and the it rushed through once Lauren left for New York. Regardless, it was a pretty straight forward, cute read that will make you smile and was free with kindleUnlimited
December 22, 2016
A tad repetative in the love scene department, an overuse of the word 'murmured' and dare I say even a bit boring. 3 stars for the caribbean setting and a mention of the tv series Once Upon a Time ;-)
December 28, 2014
This was a pretty enjoyable read. Very much just a romance, but then that's not a bad thing when you prefer that style, and I do.
It took me a little while to warm to the characters, but once I did I was sad to see them go when I'd finished the book. They were both interesting, and different enough from each other to understand their motivations and the attraction between them. I 'got' why they were into each other and felt invested in the relationship.
There was a sensitive theme in the book, but Grey didn't get too bogged down in angst, which I was grateful for. Given the circumstances of her past it wouldn't have surprised me for this to have played a larger part, and been an even bigger obstacle to the romance. It felt fairly naturally dealt with to me, however, and the tenderness shown to Grey by Lauren - and the author - really worked. There were definitely a few little melty-heart moments that I adored.
As the book did kind of plodge slowly to its final destination, I didn't give this the full 5 stars despite the fact it pretty much had everything in it I like in a romance - good characters, believable dialog, a naturally unfolding development of feelings, and a good amount of well written sex scenes. I just feel the author could have taken a few different turns, and cut down on some of the repetitiveness, then it would have been a bit more of a well rounded ride. It needed something more dynamic to happen I think, just to add an extra dimension.
Still, I enjoyed the journey more than expected. It didn't blow me away but it did leave me smiling and feeling like I'd invested my time pretty well.
It took me a little while to warm to the characters, but once I did I was sad to see them go when I'd finished the book. They were both interesting, and different enough from each other to understand their motivations and the attraction between them. I 'got' why they were into each other and felt invested in the relationship.
There was a sensitive theme in the book, but Grey didn't get too bogged down in angst, which I was grateful for. Given the circumstances of her past it wouldn't have surprised me for this to have played a larger part, and been an even bigger obstacle to the romance. It felt fairly naturally dealt with to me, however, and the tenderness shown to Grey by Lauren - and the author - really worked. There were definitely a few little melty-heart moments that I adored.
As the book did kind of plodge slowly to its final destination, I didn't give this the full 5 stars despite the fact it pretty much had everything in it I like in a romance - good characters, believable dialog, a naturally unfolding development of feelings, and a good amount of well written sex scenes. I just feel the author could have taken a few different turns, and cut down on some of the repetitiveness, then it would have been a bit more of a well rounded ride. It needed something more dynamic to happen I think, just to add an extra dimension.
Still, I enjoyed the journey more than expected. It didn't blow me away but it did leave me smiling and feeling like I'd invested my time pretty well.
June 19, 2014
I was really looking forward to this considering my recent bad luck with less than good fiction. The book started out strong, but became typical, predictable and repetitive fairly early. It was almost like the story's impetus was good but, sadly, didn't have the legs to be compelling or distinguish itself from ordinary. 'Passion', if that's the priority, was plentiful. Annoyingly so…filler? Marginal development of ancillary characters . I don't mean to be unappreciative of what it takes to pull a book together. I just hate to see a good author distracted by fluff.
March 12, 2018
Grey Wells, owner of the charter yacht, Veritas, has been grieving for three years since the loss of her fiance. Lauren Murphy hasn't had a holiday in 10 years but can't face doing nothing so she takes a job as chef for a month on the Veritas.
And that's about all there is to the story. It is a nice read - relaxing, there's lots of sex, not too many food descriptions and a little bit of humour.
And that's about all there is to the story. It is a nice read - relaxing, there's lots of sex, not too many food descriptions and a little bit of humour.
August 12, 2024
Romantic, 2nd chance love story. I translated this story as a reincarnation or fate kind of story. Enjoyable
October 1, 2015
This is more erotica than romance. If you took out all the sex scenes, the book would only be about 50 pages long, which just isn't enough for meaningful character development or plot advancement. This is especially true considering many of those 50 pages are dedicated to entertaining guests, cooking, and staring longingly at one another. There are very few scenes where the two characters actually speak to one another, let alone have heart-to-heart conversations.
Additionally, the author seemed to be in love with particular words and phrases, using them over and over again. If I had a dollar for every time the characters hummed, drawled, stepped into one another or had their eyes roll up into their heads, I'd be able to buy every book on my to-read list.
If you're looking for a steamy beach read, this might be what you're looking for. If you're looking for anything deeper, probably pass this one up.
Additionally, the author seemed to be in love with particular words and phrases, using them over and over again. If I had a dollar for every time the characters hummed, drawled, stepped into one another or had their eyes roll up into their heads, I'd be able to buy every book on my to-read list.
If you're looking for a steamy beach read, this might be what you're looking for. If you're looking for anything deeper, probably pass this one up.
April 6, 2017
This wasn't quite as good as the other books I've read by this author but I still enjoyed it immensely. Lauren is almost too good to be true regarding Grey's past. I'm not sure I'd be as gracious were I in the same circumstance. I did love both these characters though. One last thought: this book has a lot of sex in it. A lot. If you like the steamy scenes, read this book. If you prefer the "fade to black" type of sex scene, I'd skip this one.
August 30, 2022
Veritas is a tale about two women who have lost themselves: Lauren, who sacrificed everything that isn't her idea of the perfect work goal, to become a star among chefs. Every minute, every ounce of her energy went into striving for that goal, only to realise after ten years without a holiday and no emotional life at all, that she has exhausted and pretty much lost herself to that.
Grey, on the other hand, has lost the love of her life to cancer and herself to her grief, that she tries to drown in alcohol and as much sex she can get, with - in a lot of cases - nameless women. When she asks the only real friend she has, Kelly, to find her a chef for the next cruise she has booked on her catamaran Veritas, it is Lauren, whom Kelly interviews. Lauren, who desperately looks for a break from her routine and a "working holiday".
When Grey meets Lauren for the first time, she is thrown for a loop by the physical similarities to the wife she lost. She hates Lauren for reminding her of her loss. Lauren, on the other, finds Grey incredibly attractive. As they try to work together to actually give the family, who booked the Veritas for a week, a good time, they cannot help to start seeing behind each others game-face.
For both it is a similar struggle, to fight the ideas they have of themselves that keep them from living an authentic life in the present. When they finally find one another and fall in love, Lauren's life plan forces them apart. Back in her life as a chef in New York she tries to loose herself in the "normality" of her professional routine and almost breaks her own heart and with it that of Grey, until at an unexpected encouter she is asked the one question, the answer to which finally makes her realise her mistake.
After just having re-read "Unadulterated Something"I was surprised by the lot of sizzeling hot sex in this story, I actually skipped some of it waiting for the moments of tenderness, that I was hoping for to teach the two ladies to listen to their hearts speaking through their bodies. Unexpectedly it was Grey, who listened first. As in "Unadulterated Something" they are the lovely side characters, who make this story special and the dialogues are witty and funny. I would have preferred a bit more space for the charcter development of Grey and Lauren, hence only four stars.
Grey, on the other hand, has lost the love of her life to cancer and herself to her grief, that she tries to drown in alcohol and as much sex she can get, with - in a lot of cases - nameless women. When she asks the only real friend she has, Kelly, to find her a chef for the next cruise she has booked on her catamaran Veritas, it is Lauren, whom Kelly interviews. Lauren, who desperately looks for a break from her routine and a "working holiday".
When Grey meets Lauren for the first time, she is thrown for a loop by the physical similarities to the wife she lost. She hates Lauren for reminding her of her loss. Lauren, on the other, finds Grey incredibly attractive. As they try to work together to actually give the family, who booked the Veritas for a week, a good time, they cannot help to start seeing behind each others game-face.
For both it is a similar struggle, to fight the ideas they have of themselves that keep them from living an authentic life in the present. When they finally find one another and fall in love, Lauren's life plan forces them apart. Back in her life as a chef in New York she tries to loose herself in the "normality" of her professional routine and almost breaks her own heart and with it that of Grey, until at an unexpected encouter she is asked the one question, the answer to which finally makes her realise her mistake.
After just having re-read "Unadulterated Something"I was surprised by the lot of sizzeling hot sex in this story, I actually skipped some of it waiting for the moments of tenderness, that I was hoping for to teach the two ladies to listen to their hearts speaking through their bodies. Unexpectedly it was Grey, who listened first. As in "Unadulterated Something" they are the lovely side characters, who make this story special and the dialogues are witty and funny. I would have preferred a bit more space for the charcter development of Grey and Lauren, hence only four stars.
September 5, 2022
Couldn’t really care about either character and the story is a bit stop and go in my opinion.
Not my favourite by this author, certainly not their best…
Not my favourite by this author, certainly not their best…
April 6, 2023
That no matter how she felt, the tide kept turning. The wind continued to blow.
That life, in all its forms, soldiered on.
2.5 stars. Okay. So I was originally going to DNF this book; instead, I decided to read on through because I'm stubborn and I reeeeeally hate not finishing books. I'm glad I powered through, because the emotional punches in the last third of the book were really something, and kinda went a ways towards making up for all of my annoyances with the book.
But man, the writing choices really did make this a difficult read. I'm so glad that this style isn't as prominent as it used to be back in the day, because I really do not like it outside of classics, and I think it's an especially bad way of writing a romance novel. I am, of course, talking about omniscient POV/head-hopping. It was rampant in this book and for a while it was getting on my very last nerve. It's honestly frustrating to me how a great scene can be ruined by the author continuously ping-ponging back and forth through each character's POV, constantly telling the reader what each character is feeling the moment that they feel it. We don't need all that information! It absolutely destroys tension. There were several moments where Lauren would be perhaps looking into Grey's eyes, wondering what Grey is thinking... and then we'd switch to Grey's POV in the next paragraph and find out what she's thinking. I won't harp on about it too much, but I really don't like that mode of storytelling. If we could have just switched back and forth between chapters, this would have been a much better book.
Anyway, I forced myself to ignore the head-hopping and concentrate on the story, and I did like it? Grey, a yacht captain doing tours in the Caribbean, falls for her new private chef, Lauren, who unfortunately looks just like someone from Grey's past. I didn't really like the ex angle, the exploration of grief was shallow, and it was hard to see any point of connection for them/chemistry beyond that. But as I said, the author really brings things home in the last third, and I began to feel a lot more emotionally connected to the couple. I don't really love seeing the Caribbean from a tourist-y POV, so that was another hurdle for me, but it was easy enough to get over. They were just really loving and sensual and sweet together, and it melted my heart.
I'd probably still rec this; not everyone has the same nit-picks as I do. And I'll def read from this author again. I'll just stick to her newer stuff, which hopefully won't have the same POV issues.
January 31, 2022
I needed a palate cleanser after the disaster of the book I read previous to this, and I've liked what I've read from M.J. Duncan so far and have been meaning to read more of her work. And since Duncan writes her books within the same universe and I love Easter eggs, Veritas was the next book on my list.
Lauren has been serving her time in the New York culinary world building an impressive resume, although she has yet to land the role of Head/Executive Chef at any restaurant, but she's close. And it's what she always dreamed of. But she also needs a vacation, so she seizes on an opportunity to work for two weeks as a private chef on a chartered yacht, the Veritas, that sales around the Eastern Caribbean and is captained by Grey Wells, who has a bit of reputation with the ladies, Lauren soon finds out. What Lauren isn't prepared for is Grey's immediate callousness towards her upon their first meeting. And Lauren has no idea what she's done to piss Grey off. But there's not much to be done. Grey needs a cook for her two cruises and she's out of other options. The two will be stuck together in very close quarters and the only two employees of the cruise for two weeks.
Veritas didn't quite work for me. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the reading experience, I liked both characters, I loved the Caribbean setting, I was rooting for them to work... But I also like my romances to develop a lot less quickly. They meet. There's aggressive awkwardness. There's a truce. There's kissing. Then there's sex. Lots of sex. And that's fine. Two women forced together for two weeks with great chemistry and live-in-the-moment experience is a vacation fling waiting to happen. No judgement from me. But given the reasons Grey reacts so strongly against Lauren and the basic fact that we don't get to experience those getting-to-know-you moments apart from their sexcapades, I had a little trouble connecting with the depth of feelings Duncan was trying to portray. So it didn't quite work for me, but I also enjoyed reading it. So 3 stars for me.
I'm still looking forward to reading more of Duncan's work. I was blown away by Unadulterated Something so I know exactly what she's capable delivering as an author. And it also helped me find/understand another Easter egg that was in Unadulterated Something, so that's a win, too.
Lauren has been serving her time in the New York culinary world building an impressive resume, although she has yet to land the role of Head/Executive Chef at any restaurant, but she's close. And it's what she always dreamed of. But she also needs a vacation, so she seizes on an opportunity to work for two weeks as a private chef on a chartered yacht, the Veritas, that sales around the Eastern Caribbean and is captained by Grey Wells, who has a bit of reputation with the ladies, Lauren soon finds out. What Lauren isn't prepared for is Grey's immediate callousness towards her upon their first meeting. And Lauren has no idea what she's done to piss Grey off. But there's not much to be done. Grey needs a cook for her two cruises and she's out of other options. The two will be stuck together in very close quarters and the only two employees of the cruise for two weeks.
Veritas didn't quite work for me. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the reading experience, I liked both characters, I loved the Caribbean setting, I was rooting for them to work... But I also like my romances to develop a lot less quickly. They meet. There's aggressive awkwardness. There's a truce. There's kissing. Then there's sex. Lots of sex. And that's fine. Two women forced together for two weeks with great chemistry and live-in-the-moment experience is a vacation fling waiting to happen. No judgement from me. But given the reasons Grey reacts so strongly against Lauren and the basic fact that we don't get to experience those getting-to-know-you moments apart from their sexcapades, I had a little trouble connecting with the depth of feelings Duncan was trying to portray. So it didn't quite work for me, but I also enjoyed reading it. So 3 stars for me.
I'm still looking forward to reading more of Duncan's work. I was blown away by Unadulterated Something so I know exactly what she's capable delivering as an author. And it also helped me find/understand another Easter egg that was in Unadulterated Something, so that's a win, too.
June 25, 2023
2,75/5
I really wanted to enjoy this one but I just couldn't.
First of all I hate when one mc loses her partner and then starts fucking everyone because of the "grief " ,me personality if I would die I wouldn't want my partner start being a community service ride,it shows little respect in my opinion.
Second,idk how to feel about them,they were boring me sometimes and sometimes they were cute and sometimes annoying me.
I hated when Lauren bursts out laughing after Grey says "puss*"be for real girl ,like what are we 12 year old ?!?!?
I really wanted to enjoy this one but I just couldn't.
First of all I hate when one mc loses her partner and then starts fucking everyone because of the "grief " ,me personality if I would die I wouldn't want my partner start being a community service ride,it shows little respect in my opinion.
Second,idk how to feel about them,they were boring me sometimes and sometimes they were cute and sometimes annoying me.
I hated when Lauren bursts out laughing after Grey says "puss*"be for real girl ,like what are we 12 year old ?!?!?
August 20, 2019
What I liked - I love that this took place in the Virgin Islands. There was a ton of sex scenes and they were well written with some variety. The MCs were likable and had good chemistry.
What I didn't like - This one was long and a bit boring for about the first 1/3. But I felt the length was too long.
I rate this a 3.75 but will round up to 4.
What I didn't like - This one was long and a bit boring for about the first 1/3. But I felt the length was too long.
I rate this a 3.75 but will round up to 4.
June 4, 2017
Another corker!
Yep, this is another sweet romance, well sexy might be a more appropriate description, by MJ Duncan. Lovely story, great character development and overall a solid feel good story.
Yep, this is another sweet romance, well sexy might be a more appropriate description, by MJ Duncan. Lovely story, great character development and overall a solid feel good story.
October 24, 2018
This novel tore my heart apart for the most part, then proceeded rather quickly to mend it. Nicely written, very sexy, fun and sweet. The ending comes a bit fast but doesn't feel rushed, so it's okay. Also it made me want to travel to the Virgin Islands ;)
March 24, 2017
Excellent writing, great pacing, and interesting characters. I loved the dialogue. Vivid imagery, easy read, hot love scenes. Definitely worth reading!
January 6, 2016
Absolutely loved this book! It was such a different story following the career of a charter company and a chef. The author has a way with words and I found the book to be super steemy! Fell in love with the Grey and Lauren. I love how it touched some serious issues of cancer while only helping with the romance of the story. Great read!
July 24, 2018
Fairly interesting
It was a great story. I personally hoped for more of raw conversations and less intimate scenes. I know, a lesbian saying that, but that's my own thoughts. Great variation of words though!
It was a great story. I personally hoped for more of raw conversations and less intimate scenes. I know, a lesbian saying that, but that's my own thoughts. Great variation of words though!
August 7, 2023
4.5 Stars
June 2, 2014
Top notch New York sous chef, Lauren Murphy is taking a seventeen day working vacation aboard a luxurious private yacht, the Veritas. Seventeen days of sailing around the Virgin Islands is just the break Lauren needs. Lauren is in her element, she has total responsibility for her own galley and all the menus.
When Lauren first meets Grey Wells, captain of the Veritas, she just can’t make her out. Grey’s manner is sharp and brusque one minute, wary and friendly the next. Lauren just can’t fathom out what she could have done to upset Grey or make her distant and remote. But, one thing Lauren does know, she is determined to get to know Grey better.
Lauren has no way of knowing that her working vacation will change both of their lives forever.
A nice and comfortable easy read, perfect for the beach or to curl up indoors with. I liked the two fully developed main characters, Lauren and Grey. They are so obviously made for each other and it’s a pleasure to watch their friendship grow.
I don’t want to add in any spoilers, so I won’t go into the actual story in any more detail. This is the second book I’ve read and enjoyed from MJ Duncan.
Both leading characters are multi-faceted and fully developed. The story is layered and more than a simple girl meets girl romance. There is some angst along the way, true love is rarely smooth sailing completely. There are some wonderful secondary characters integrated into the story. Including three young boys and their parents enjoying their cruise. The antics they get up to adds another nice dimension.
I loved the scenic descriptions of the beauty of the Caribbean. MJ Duncan has the knack of showing the reader the story rather than simply telling telling the story. I was easily able imagine myself on the Veritas sailing around without a care.
There are a few typos and errors, nothing that pulled me out of the story though. However, I do wish the author would stop using the characters hair color and use their actual names. A minor point I know, but one I find rather irritating. Describing a character once should be enough for any reader to be able to visualize them.
I am looking forward to more from MJ Duncan. This is her second book and I can see the improvement in her writing and storytelling.
When Lauren first meets Grey Wells, captain of the Veritas, she just can’t make her out. Grey’s manner is sharp and brusque one minute, wary and friendly the next. Lauren just can’t fathom out what she could have done to upset Grey or make her distant and remote. But, one thing Lauren does know, she is determined to get to know Grey better.
Lauren has no way of knowing that her working vacation will change both of their lives forever.
A nice and comfortable easy read, perfect for the beach or to curl up indoors with. I liked the two fully developed main characters, Lauren and Grey. They are so obviously made for each other and it’s a pleasure to watch their friendship grow.
I don’t want to add in any spoilers, so I won’t go into the actual story in any more detail. This is the second book I’ve read and enjoyed from MJ Duncan.
Both leading characters are multi-faceted and fully developed. The story is layered and more than a simple girl meets girl romance. There is some angst along the way, true love is rarely smooth sailing completely. There are some wonderful secondary characters integrated into the story. Including three young boys and their parents enjoying their cruise. The antics they get up to adds another nice dimension.
I loved the scenic descriptions of the beauty of the Caribbean. MJ Duncan has the knack of showing the reader the story rather than simply telling telling the story. I was easily able imagine myself on the Veritas sailing around without a care.
There are a few typos and errors, nothing that pulled me out of the story though. However, I do wish the author would stop using the characters hair color and use their actual names. A minor point I know, but one I find rather irritating. Describing a character once should be enough for any reader to be able to visualize them.
I am looking forward to more from MJ Duncan. This is her second book and I can see the improvement in her writing and storytelling.
December 28, 2016
This book was fun! And the food was amazing! I also enjoyed the beautiful tour by words through the Caribbean.
Lauren is on track to becoming an executive chef in New York City when she takes a woking vacation as executive chef aboard the Veritas, a charter yacht owned by the beautiful Grey Wells. Between island hopping and meal preparation the two women recover from a rocky start and soon find themselves in a whirlwind romance. But when the two weeks are up it becomes very clear that the two women are from entirely different worlds...
I loved the characters. The two leading ladies both well developed and strong backstories. I just wanted to give Grey a hug so many times. The guests on the charters were realistic and great as well.
There was just enough detail about the sailing process and about the islands to let you really see what was happening on a day to day basis without getting bogged down and turning into a non-fiction account.
The author has an incredible way with emotions, they just poured off the page. I was moved to tears several times!
The two women consummated their relationship early on and the rest of the book was sex scene after sex scene that I just started skipping after a while. They were well written and I loved the emotion and passion they were written with. It was just a pity because I loved the writers voice and I loved the characters so I would have loved more story and less repetition. I also had trouble with the POV switching sometimes from once sentence to another. It got a little confusing with "she felt" and "she felt".
This was a perfect holiday read. Light, fun, and sexy!
Lauren is on track to becoming an executive chef in New York City when she takes a woking vacation as executive chef aboard the Veritas, a charter yacht owned by the beautiful Grey Wells. Between island hopping and meal preparation the two women recover from a rocky start and soon find themselves in a whirlwind romance. But when the two weeks are up it becomes very clear that the two women are from entirely different worlds...
I loved the characters. The two leading ladies both well developed and strong backstories. I just wanted to give Grey a hug so many times. The guests on the charters were realistic and great as well.
There was just enough detail about the sailing process and about the islands to let you really see what was happening on a day to day basis without getting bogged down and turning into a non-fiction account.
The author has an incredible way with emotions, they just poured off the page. I was moved to tears several times!
The two women consummated their relationship early on and the rest of the book was sex scene after sex scene that I just started skipping after a while. They were well written and I loved the emotion and passion they were written with. It was just a pity because I loved the writers voice and I loved the characters so I would have loved more story and less repetition. I also had trouble with the POV switching sometimes from once sentence to another. It got a little confusing with "she felt" and "she felt".
This was a perfect holiday read. Light, fun, and sexy!
December 14, 2016
I really wanted to like this book, there were so many reviews with such great praise about the writing and the story line.
After reading it for myself, I really don't get it. It just didn't flow well for me, the writing felt forced and repetitive. Could have been a personal preference thing, I felt like I was pushing myself to finish just for the sake of finishing.
The book is about a captain of yacht that hires a chef during a couple of her chartered tours. The captain coming from a very tragic past tries to avoid the chef as much as possible because the chef reminds her of said past, but of course they are unable to deny the attraction between them. All of that makes for a somewhat entertaining story, but it just didn't keep my attention.
Overall, could be entertaining for someone, but not my cup of tea.
After reading it for myself, I really don't get it. It just didn't flow well for me, the writing felt forced and repetitive. Could have been a personal preference thing, I felt like I was pushing myself to finish just for the sake of finishing.
The book is about a captain of yacht that hires a chef during a couple of her chartered tours. The captain coming from a very tragic past tries to avoid the chef as much as possible because the chef reminds her of said past, but of course they are unable to deny the attraction between them. All of that makes for a somewhat entertaining story, but it just didn't keep my attention.
Overall, could be entertaining for someone, but not my cup of tea.
May 21, 2018
Good character development but....
I could see the ending long before the story ended. But I did like the characters and the story line so much that I want to take a cruise to the Islands one day. The story ran a little too long with the sex in bed, on a yachet deck, in the mountains etc, etc. was a little too unbelievable to be the case since they first started off as being unfriendly and avoiding each other a lot. And the origin at how Grey acquired the Vertias was a little too far fetched. This story could have been written about a hetero coupling instead of the women just insert the characters as needed. I did not like to read a lesbian romance where a woman is substituted for a male lover.
I could see the ending long before the story ended. But I did like the characters and the story line so much that I want to take a cruise to the Islands one day. The story ran a little too long with the sex in bed, on a yachet deck, in the mountains etc, etc. was a little too unbelievable to be the case since they first started off as being unfriendly and avoiding each other a lot. And the origin at how Grey acquired the Vertias was a little too far fetched. This story could have been written about a hetero coupling instead of the women just insert the characters as needed. I did not like to read a lesbian romance where a woman is substituted for a male lover.
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