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All She Ever Wanted

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Bridgerton meets Pirates of the Caribbean...

Aurelia Danby always loved fairy tales and heroes. But fanciful books made her ridiculous, so they were taken away, leaving her shackled to sensibility and high society.

She would have been hopelessly resigned to being a rich man’s wife were it not for William Kingswood, her handsome and very unavailable neighbor who once saved her life as a child. He's spent the last ten years writing to her of his adventures in exchange for keeping his secret—that while he’s a gentleman, he also rules the Atlantic as the infamous pirate, Captain Copson.

Aurelia is desperately in love with him, but sensible girls don’t fall for pirates. She’s also eager to escape her arranged marriage, and sometimes pirates are a ridiculous girl’s best (if not preferred) option.

When Captain Copson causes an international scandal by stealing Aurelia from her royal fiancé, Aurelia embarks on an adventure to rival her favorite tales, filled with treasure, poker games, mermaids, battles, sea monsters, grand theft, French people, and wild schemes—including thwarting her fiancé who will do anything to get her back.

Aurelia Danby’s heart has only ever belonged to adventure—and her very troublesome captain.

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Published August 27, 2024

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Sarah Limardo

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5 stars
257 (58%)
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139 (31%)
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34 (7%)
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8 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
1 review
September 2, 2024
After being a goodreads member for a few years I have never felt compelled to write a book review until All She Ever Wanted. This book truly captivated me. After finding this as a recommendation on TikTok, I downloaded it to my kindle expecting another mediocre romance like many TikTok recommendations I’ve read before. I could not have been more wrong. I fell completely and endlessly in love with this book. From the storytelling to the characters to the romance I was utterly entranced. A common issue I have with romance books is how the plot tends to suffer as the focus remains primarily on the romance. However this book has it ALL - captivating characters, riviting plot, and the perfect amount of angst and romance to keep you addicted the entire length of the book! I found myself dreading the end of the book as I didn’t want it to be over! The minute I finished, I immediately searched for more of Sarah’s work only to find that this is her debut. WOW - what an incredible debut this was! I cannot wait to read her future works and feel as though I have truly found one of my all time favorite authors. Sarah, thank you for this absolute gem of a book! I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone and everyone!
Profile Image for AshleysReadingRoom.
395 reviews41 followers
February 3, 2025
This was February's book pick for The Indie Book Nook and what a darling book it was!

This book follows Aurelia Danby from her younger years to her womanhood. We open up to her being this spry and adventurous young girl who had her books torn from her by her aunt. Her aunt is portrayed to us as this cruel woman who simply does not believe in fun, but she is all Aurelia has ever really known. Her parents left her in her aunt's care because they didn't want to raise their own child. They had no interest. Aurelia overhears a conversation about a pirate she follows in the papers and this is how she meets William. The son of the revered pirate she has such a fond adoration for. She blackmails William into writing her letters about his adventures. Shortly after that conversation Ralph introduces himself to Aurelia and quickly becomes her friend and they spend so much time together up until Ralph has to join his brother on the ship and Aurelia is forced to find a husband. She would much rather be a spinster.

Which after a while her aunt allows her the freedom..until her parent's step in and arrange a marriage with a prince. This isn't what she wants so she write's letter to the pirate Copson (Willaim) in hopes that he will rescue her.

The day comes and she has to board the ship to meet her betrothed, but all hope is not lost because William came.

A small amount of murder and a kidnapping later and Aurelia joins Copson and becomes known as Rebecca Rowe oh the adventures to be had!

I loved how Aurelia turned from this girl who was so curious and full of adventure to a woman who was still curious, still full of adventure, but very much took on the pirate-y charm. It starts off so seemingly innocent then suddenly there is simply so much murder.

Early on in the book, there were times when I thought maybe she was making this all up in her head because her books were taken from her and then I was proven wrong time and time again. There are two men who are often mentioned in this story and they are both brothers. One is William. She becomes fascinated with him as a child because of who he is and what she overheard. Not to mention the letters that kept coming even as she reached adulthood. Then there's Ralph, William's brother, who approaches her shortly after she meets William and becomes her friend. This one I will admit, I started to believe that maybe it was going to be her realizing her love for Ralph but then there's so much of pushing him toward another female pirate and lines like:

“I loved your letters,” she said, not remembering a single one.

This was a fun read, but it does touch on a few darker topics like attempted SA.
Profile Image for Sophia.
32 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2024
I am SO back

This book was everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I immediately fell in love with Sarah's witty writing and the world she crafted with it.

ASEW was the first book I finished since October, and it was refreshing, to say the least. Fast-paced and swoon-worthy, this book checked all the boxes for me.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Copson and relate to Aurelia in countless ways. I felt seen by her and loved having a character who looks at the world similar to myself.

As a Pirates of the Caribbean and Will Turner girlie, it is safe to say that I was giggling and kicking my feet wherever I read this book...on the bus, in public, and at home. And, of course, every time the captain himself showed up and opened his mouth, I was the happiest girl in all of America.

I loved this book and am so glad I got it recommended... now the question is which book will keep me on my toes the way Captain Copson does.

---kind of spoilery---



- I loved the chapter titles so much!! It had to be said

- All the silly little references and allusions made my English Major heart very happy

- Have I mentioned how much I love Copson?
"Your feelings are not unrequited. I’m yours, Aurelia. Helplessly. Hopelessly. I don’t want anything or anyone but you"
"No one steals from me, Aurelia"
"I wanted to know what it would feel like if you were mine"

- New fictional love Pinterest board unlocked

- THE LETTERS 😩😩😩 Can we PLEASE bring back letter writing??
"A letter waited on her bed, and then things didn’t seem so bad" Like HOW DO I GET THIS? Why
did we ever stop this???

- His letter telling her how to throw a punch... chef's kiss

- Aurelia was SO RELATABLE for all the right reasons
"Standing next to a handsome villain was exciting, but being carried in his arms like a distressed damsel was entirely romantic"
"It was silly to smell a handsome pirate’s clothes, but Aurelia did it anyway"
"I’d like to be pushed against a door again.”

- MAKE HIM REGRET IT RAWWWR I LOVE A TOUCH HER AND DIE MAN

Dear William, If you visit Texas any time soon, please stop by. I’d like to speak with you about becoming a pirate
Yours, Me.
Profile Image for McKell.
264 reviews21 followers
April 25, 2025
Why did I let this sit on my tbr for so long?! This was everything about the pirate stories that I loved growing up in a beautifully written book. The writing is amazing, the adventure, the characters…perfection! There’s pirate battles, mythical creatures, treasures, curses, romance. Think Pirates of the Caribbean from Elizabeth Swann’s POV
Profile Image for kaylyn.
750 reviews15 followers
April 3, 2025
THIS was the pirate fantasy romance i have been DESPERATE to find and it was absolute perfection. the pacing, the regency aspect, a morally gray pirate captain, a fierce and independent heroine, high seas adventure, magical sea creatures, schemes and scandals — this had EVERYTHING i wanted! and the writing was fantastic. there was emotional depth and strong character development with a medium paced plot. the humor was everything! i loved all the side characters (and i can’t wait for their books!) with their quirky and fun personalities. ugh, i can’t gush enough about this gem of a book! i adored this!!!
2 reviews
July 3, 2024
A dazzling, sparkling, swashbuckling adventure! Sarah’s tongue in cheek voice had me squealing and smirking throughout, all the while lost in the characters and story.

Aurelia thinks she’s ridiculous, and she is, but what she doesn’t know is that she is deliciously delightful. What real person isn’t ridiculous? All of us need Aurelia’s voice in our head, teaching us to go from imagination to reality - pondering to seizing.

This book is perfect for fans of Jane Austen, Captain Blood, the Count of Monte Cristo, Pirates of the Caribbean, and all the other books Sarah references as inspiration!
Profile Image for katrox49.
122 reviews
January 19, 2025
“For the lovesick girls who never chased boys, broke their own hearts, and bought too many books.”

Strong female lead. Pirates. Adventure. Romance. Slowburn. She succeeds in escaping the life she hates - an inspiration for us all.

All She Ever Wanted literally feels like all i’ve ever wanted. I fell head over heels for this book!! It’s like everything I daydreamed for as a child: romantic, adventurous escapism with a dash of reality. Added to the forever rereading list of books that are my favorites.
Profile Image for Bethany Seiley.
5 reviews
July 3, 2024
I just finished ASEW and… I think I need to read it again!! Captivating, witty, full of adventure… suffice to say I am obsessed with troublesome Aurelia and the immortal Captain Copson. A story of unexpected twists and turns where a lonely daydreamer goes on a fantastical adventure to find herself, and finds a love to match her ridiculousness in the process. My only critique - I need a Copson POV! Dying to know what goes on behind those mischievous eyes - can’t wait for the next installment!
1 review
January 10, 2025
This was a beautifully told love story, and I adored it from start to finish. Limardo’s writing style is nothing short of lovely, and I found myself absolutely immersed in the world of Aurelia and Captain Copson. I would recommend this book to anyone that loves a good adventurous love story, and I can’t wait for more Captain Copson to come!
2 reviews
October 3, 2024
Best book I’ve read all year!! SUCH a refreshing heroine and she’s perfectly paired with the tall, dark, handsome pirate. Love a romance where they make each other worse 😈 you won’t be able to put this one down!
Profile Image for Ashlea Alley.
36 reviews
December 8, 2024
THIS WAS SO FUN AND EVEN BETTER MY FRIEND WROTE IT 😭😭😭 (that didn’t sway my vote it was jus that good)
3 reviews
January 18, 2025
I am a sucker for a good adventure! This story was truly immersive and made be feel like I was right there with the characters going on amazing pirate adventures!
Profile Image for Colorado.
813 reviews18 followers
April 18, 2025
Magical romance on the high seas

All She Ever Wanted is charming and whimsical with touches of fantasy, fairy tale parallels and secret identities.

Aurelia and Will first meet as teens - she's 14 and he's 19 - when he rescues her from a fall into the lake. (She had climbed a tree and listened as he shared confidences with his cousins about his life as a pirate.) She negotiates a deal. In exchange for keeping his secret, he will give her stories about his life on the sea. Abandoned by her parents to the care of a very stern old aunt, Aurelia has been raised in isolation with no friends. Even her books have been taken away to prevent her from daydreaming. Their agreement initiates a 10 year correspondence as Will pens monthly letters to Aurelia, telling her about his life as the dangerous and notorious pirate Robert Copson. It's a lifeline for her as she endures the airless rituals of high society and the attentions of men more interested in her dowry than getting to know her.

The story picks up when Aurelia's parents negotiate a political marriage, with Aurelia as a pawn to forge an alliance with France. She writes and begs Will to rescue her. The daring Captain Copson steals her away and takes her to his pirate ship. With a new secret identity of her own, Aurelia begins to come into her own, traveling to the Caribbean and joining in battles, treasure hunts, and high stakes poker games with notorious pirates. Her challenges include a malicious mermaid and a violent sea monster.

This is a closed door, very slow burn romance, told from the heroine's perspective. Aurelia has crushed on her hero, Will, since they first met. He needs to realize that she is no longer a child and that he loves her. The author balances the characters wonderfully, showing how Will needs Aurelia as much as she needs him. Their correspondence helped Will to view his life as an adventure, despite the hardships. She accepts him with full knowledge of his life's danger and harshness.
Profile Image for Kara Thompson.
Author 1 book128 followers
August 29, 2025
OMGGGG one of my top favorite reads of the year!!! The descriptive writing was scrumptious: from page 1 I was hooked. You can tell the author has her BA in creative writing!!! Story is very much Pirates of the Caribbean vibes.

Aurelia is such a relatable FMC. I cried as we watched her grow up and feel forgotten and the relatability of girlhood. Her character growth was amazing.

Will is our lovable but “difficult” MMC. I love how he yearned for years and was a gentleman, never doubting Aurelia but pushing her to be what he knew she could be. Bring back men who yearn!

THIS SCENE:

“You are Aurelia Danby?” he asked. Contempt swept through her so fiercely that she could have screamed. “Like hell,” she spat. The other soldiers glanced at the officer, unsure, so Aurelia doubled down. “I’d rather be dead than be that sad, simple strumpet. I couldn’t give a shit if she were living or dead, on your boat or mine.”

So powerful in that moment how we saw her become her TRUE self. The duality of her person and how she accepted who she was meant to be. It was perfection.

Anyways I can not WAIT for the next one. So so good 🩷🩷🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Melissa Chapman.
438 reviews11 followers
August 16, 2025
I need everyone to know how much I loved this book.
I broke a book buying ban and immediately ordered it after randomly reading a blurb from the author. I love a good pirate adventure, and being a lover of stories and the stifling nature of English sensibilities - I knew I would love this.

But oh, how I was right.
Aurelia goes from a neglected young girl, to a precocious young woman. After losing access to her favorite books, she ends up blackmailing her neighbor for letters of his adventures at sea. While harboring her secret crush of the neighbor boy/man, she is well on her way to voluntary spinsterhood when her absentee parents ruin everything. And so her plea for help goes out.

This book had pirates, love, silliness, sea battles, mermaids, and revenge.

And honorable mention to my absolute favorite secondary character - Bartholomew.
Profile Image for S. Isaac.
189 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2025
This book is like The Balloon Tree by Pheobe Gilman, but the adult version and barely even adult. I probably read a Young Adult Romantasy unawares. Instead of werewolves it was sea monsters. I could maybe give it five stars? But I’m lowkey embarrassed I read it and even enjoyed it, so I have to downplay it for my friends. What a hysterical fanciful fairytale mermaidery lark. I read while having the flu, so it was a perfect waste of time that I wouldn’t have been proud of otherwise. Some of the writing was cringey, we have some run on sentences. I was jarred by the use of “lowly” describing the mmc’s voice tone in a romantic scene, so that was hurtful, lol. But if you feel like reading about swashbuckling pirates and sea monsters and sweet revenge, this one’s for you.
Profile Image for Ashley (andtheniwasbookish).
389 reviews21 followers
January 16, 2025
A perfect, cozy, pirate adventure romance that manages to be cozy and charming, while simultaneously being dangerous and daring. I already want to curl up and read this again!

This world builds perfectly with Aurelia's lonely childhood and how she perceives and is received by the world. She is an FMC that we get the privilege of watching her grow up and that's an adventure within itself.

This gives amazing Bridgerton meets Pirates of the Caribbean vibe. It tugs on the heartstrings of loneliness, having a skewed view of oneself, and finding comfort is being who you truly are.

I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen. This was such a unique story, and I hope we get to peek more into this world.

Overall: highly recommend
🌶️: closed door, steamy
Profile Image for Kenzie Koehle.
210 reviews
April 6, 2025
When I rate a book 5 stars, it's because it especially resonates with me. So, this book hit at a perfect time to receive 5 stars. Thank you to this book for helping me overcome my recent, sad book slump, and for being a delightful journey that had me giggling and grinning. The dedication resonated with me so much ☺️💕
38 reviews
May 13, 2025
a fairytale with twists and turns

The was unlike any book I’ve ever read. Wild, exciting, crazy but I really enjoyed it. It can get a bit rough and gory but a journey like no other. Girl meets boy who a pirate in disguise.
Profile Image for Aubrey.
1 review1 follower
January 14, 2025
This was a cute quick read. It was PG but a good romance. Honestly think it would be cool if HBO made it into a series.
Profile Image for Rowan.
4 reviews
April 10, 2025
When I say I devoured this book... The relationship between Aurelia and Will is exceptionally written. The story pulls you right in and doesn't let go. I finished this book in a week, and my only regret is that it was over too quickly.
Profile Image for KellyK.
31 reviews34 followers
May 15, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It had a blend of my favorite genres: historical regency, romance (primarily closed door), and fantasy! What an adventure!!!
Profile Image for L.
354 reviews22 followers
January 8, 2025
Delightful! As someone who grew up longing for adventures like Aurelia, I lived vicariously through her journey - from the books to the pirates. I cannot wait to see what else Limardo has on the horizon!
Profile Image for Laura Dean.
132 reviews2 followers
August 25, 2025
This book is so much better than I was lead to expect!

Aurelia is a determined, spirited, and kind heroine. William is in turns dashing and charming, and stern and cruel.

I loved the fantasy elements, just enough to give you danger, without needing more magic or fantasy as a deux ex machina.

I loved this book so much!!! I'm already looking forward to rereading it.
1 review
November 9, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book. I’ve never written a book review before, but I just had to. This book completely captivated me. It was exciting, fantastical, and unforgettable. I had so much fun reading it and I think it actually might be my new favorite, so truly well done Ms. Sarah Limardo!

If you’re on the fence about giving this book a try, don’t be! Read it! You will not regret it. The story sweeps you away into its colorful world and the plot is exciting and makes it difficult to stop turning each page and just go to sleep already. And even if you don’t fall in love with William, the countess, or Bartholomew like I did, then at the very least you’ve still read a well-written story, with a writing style that’s very fun to read and thoughtful.

I really hope this author continues to write, because I will definitely be keeping an eye on her.
Profile Image for Courtney.
3 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2025
I couldn’t put it down! It was swoony and romantic and full of adventure! I loved Aurelia’s character arc. I loved her growth and the confidence she gained. The pirate was perfect! Absolutely fantastic book!!
Profile Image for Abby.
63 reviews
July 4, 2025
Lovely. Exciting. Refreshing. I didn't want to put it down and managed to finish it in about 24 hours. It's The Princess Bride plus Pirates of the Caribbean with a bunch of fairytale nuggets blended throughout, following ruthless pirates and an endearing FMC who was the first in a while to not annoy me! I was worried I would be disappointed with the romance, but I was pleasantly surprised. My only wish was for a bit more action scenes with the swashbuckling pirates and a little less miscommunication and pining (but honestly, I really wasn't too put off by it after seeing it all play out.) Dear Sarah Limardo: please write more books. I'm begging you!
4 reviews
May 29, 2025
ah, love and adventure

Well written, fast paced story. A page turner for sure! I now want to be a pirate and travel the seas!
Profile Image for Nicole Boehrig.
43 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2025
Everything the author advertises is fulfilled - swashbuckling pirates, adventure, a girl then woman seeking her own way in the world, mystery that’s not steamy & explicit, sweet messages and only a teeny bit that’s not believable, but all relevant to the world.

A perfectly fun, positive, and adventure-y read. Def recommend to anyone who likes this genre!
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