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The Bone Heart
When Elise Barnett, daughter of the duke of Beauris, stows away on a merchant vessel to scandalously elope with her elegant, refined and much older art tutor, she thought she was on her way to a blissful island paradise. She could not have been more mistaken.
Discovered by the crew and almost thrown to a watery grave, Elise realizes that the ship she is now trapped on is far from the reputable merchant vessel she thought it was, but is instead one of the most infamous pirate ships to haunt the seas – The Bone Heart.
Finding herself surrounded by bloodthirsty thieves and murderers, nothing terrifies Elise quite like how captivated she is by their captain.
Captain Halliwell of The Bone Heart is cruel, arrogant and runs her ship and all aboard with an iron fist, but as Elise works to earn her place, she cannot help but see the tender side of the captain that she tries so hard to hide. Even though Captain Halliwell tries to keep her at arm’s length, neither of them can deny the desire that sparks between them.
The high seas are a dangerous place where traitors and betrayal lurk around every corner. Even if their love could survive The Bone Heart, can they?
Content death, violence, explicit sex scenes, attempted sexual assault
Discovered by the crew and almost thrown to a watery grave, Elise realizes that the ship she is now trapped on is far from the reputable merchant vessel she thought it was, but is instead one of the most infamous pirate ships to haunt the seas – The Bone Heart.
Finding herself surrounded by bloodthirsty thieves and murderers, nothing terrifies Elise quite like how captivated she is by their captain.
Captain Halliwell of The Bone Heart is cruel, arrogant and runs her ship and all aboard with an iron fist, but as Elise works to earn her place, she cannot help but see the tender side of the captain that she tries so hard to hide. Even though Captain Halliwell tries to keep her at arm’s length, neither of them can deny the desire that sparks between them.
The high seas are a dangerous place where traitors and betrayal lurk around every corner. Even if their love could survive The Bone Heart, can they?
Content death, violence, explicit sex scenes, attempted sexual assault
203 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2024
36 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
June 6, 2024
"Out there, you may be captain. In here, right now, just be mine."
A sapphic pirate story with spice? Sign me up!
I read this book in 2 sittings, simply because I had to sleep at some point. It was a really fun read that kept me interested with the storyline, it's well thought out characters, the backstory of the captain, the banter/teasing and the touch of spice. Special mention for Petra, this character made me chuckle a couple of times. I really liked her. I won't share too much about the plot, as I really don't want to spoil things for anyone..but I will say:
The ending was exciting and that last sentence made me smile.
I really hope there will be a sequel. I would definitely pick that up!
In this story you will find:
🏴☠️ Sapphic romantasy 🌈
🏴☠️ Secret affairs
🏴☠️Pirates
🏴☠️Adventure
🏴☠️Betrayal
🏴☠️Enemies to lovers
✨This book comes out on July 19th. ✨
A sapphic pirate story with spice? Sign me up!
I read this book in 2 sittings, simply because I had to sleep at some point. It was a really fun read that kept me interested with the storyline, it's well thought out characters, the backstory of the captain, the banter/teasing and the touch of spice. Special mention for Petra, this character made me chuckle a couple of times. I really liked her. I won't share too much about the plot, as I really don't want to spoil things for anyone..but I will say:
The ending was exciting and that last sentence made me smile.
I really hope there will be a sequel. I would definitely pick that up!
In this story you will find:
🏴☠️ Sapphic romantasy 🌈
🏴☠️ Secret affairs
🏴☠️Pirates
🏴☠️Adventure
🏴☠️Betrayal
🏴☠️Enemies to lovers
✨This book comes out on July 19th. ✨
June 5, 2024
i thought the writing was great! genuinely super easy to read and get invested in! however the plot felt a little rushed, especially towards the end, everything seemed to happen a little too fast and not develop as much as it could, but I think this author has great potential and would love to read more from her!
June 25, 2024
3.5⭐️
The book is written from Elise's POV, and our captain is mysterious. I liked the evolution of Elise's character, from a naïve brat to a more combative woman. I admit that the way the captain treated Elise at first was a bit hard for me to read, even if my mind knew it was probably the more realistic way a bunch of pirates would act. I saw the story as a case of Stockholm syndrome. On the other hand, the sadistic side of me liked how she was treated work-wise, with no advantages given to her social status. The evolution of the relationship was satisfying after Elise stood up for herself, and it almost made me forget my initial reluctance.Overall, it was a really enjoyable read with a nice plot twist as a bonus. It's short, so the story is rather simple. The last part could have been more developed, for instance, with flashbacks. But the writing is good, and the author is full of potential.
I don’t know if it’s in the plan, but there is potential for new adventures for Elise and Grace, and to see more of Elise’s growth.
The book is written from Elise's POV, and our captain is mysterious. I liked the evolution of Elise's character, from a naïve brat to a more combative woman. I admit that the way the captain treated Elise at first was a bit hard for me to read, even if my mind knew it was probably the more realistic way a bunch of pirates would act. I saw the story as a case of Stockholm syndrome. On the other hand, the sadistic side of me liked how she was treated work-wise, with no advantages given to her social status. The evolution of the relationship was satisfying after Elise stood up for herself, and it almost made me forget my initial reluctance.Overall, it was a really enjoyable read with a nice plot twist as a bonus. It's short, so the story is rather simple. The last part could have been more developed, for instance, with flashbacks. But the writing is good, and the author is full of potential.
I don’t know if it’s in the plan, but there is potential for new adventures for Elise and Grace, and to see more of Elise’s growth.
June 5, 2024
Lesbians, Pirates and Pearls… Oh My!!
I got this book as an ARC after seeing the teasers for it online and I have to say it did not disappoint!
The story itself was easy to follow and interesting enough to keep me gripped to finish it in two sittings. If you’re looking for a story that has sapphic enemies to lovers with a few good one liners and a satisfying splash of spice then look no further. I mean who doesn’t love a prim and proper lady getting brought to her, ahem, knees? As well as brash and abrasive pirate captain having her hard shell be melted away by the touch of the for mentioned lady?
In regard to the writing, again I cannot fault it. The author has done a wonderful job of writing the characters in ways that show their growth and have done so in an easy to follow and enjoyable way. No concerns with overly verbose and difficult to interpret writing here.
This was a very enjoyable read which I know I will revisit time and time again. Fingers crossed for a sequel 🤞🏻
I got this book as an ARC after seeing the teasers for it online and I have to say it did not disappoint!
The story itself was easy to follow and interesting enough to keep me gripped to finish it in two sittings. If you’re looking for a story that has sapphic enemies to lovers with a few good one liners and a satisfying splash of spice then look no further. I mean who doesn’t love a prim and proper lady getting brought to her, ahem, knees? As well as brash and abrasive pirate captain having her hard shell be melted away by the touch of the for mentioned lady?
In regard to the writing, again I cannot fault it. The author has done a wonderful job of writing the characters in ways that show their growth and have done so in an easy to follow and enjoyable way. No concerns with overly verbose and difficult to interpret writing here.
This was a very enjoyable read which I know I will revisit time and time again. Fingers crossed for a sequel 🤞🏻
July 20, 2024
3.5
Read this in two sittings, really enjoyed it
Read this in two sittings, really enjoyed it
March 3, 2025
A short little ditty about lesbian pirates
January 18, 2025
Very little plot, no real chemistry between the main characters. Only finished because I liked the characters themselves but to be honest they were not well written. Also there was definitely a content warning missing.
June 20, 2024
thank you to the author for allowing me to read and review the ARC!
I do love me some sapphic pirates. This was a very entertaining read, but also one that was pretty emotional at points. I loved following grace and Elise as their adventures, and relationship, unfolded, and I think the plot was well-paced. Nothing felt unnecessarily drawn out, and nothing felt cut short. I was also pleasantly surprised by the conflict and the stakes, they really added a lot to the story and strengthened the relationship between our two protagonists. Perhaps Grace and Elise did move rather quickly, but we sapphics are known for that, so I'm willing to let it slide.
I did think that the book could have benefited from a deeper characterisation of the protagonists — we really don't know a lot about their personalities besides their relationship with each other. Also, a personal gripe, but some of the word choices in the sex scenes were a bit, erm, shall we say, interesting. It's not really that serious though.
Overall this was very fun and a great light-hearted read for pride <3
rating as of 20/06/2024: 3 stars
I do love me some sapphic pirates. This was a very entertaining read, but also one that was pretty emotional at points. I loved following grace and Elise as their adventures, and relationship, unfolded, and I think the plot was well-paced. Nothing felt unnecessarily drawn out, and nothing felt cut short. I was also pleasantly surprised by the conflict and the stakes, they really added a lot to the story and strengthened the relationship between our two protagonists. Perhaps Grace and Elise did move rather quickly, but we sapphics are known for that, so I'm willing to let it slide.
I did think that the book could have benefited from a deeper characterisation of the protagonists — we really don't know a lot about their personalities besides their relationship with each other. Also, a personal gripe, but some of the word choices in the sex scenes were a bit, erm, shall we say, interesting. It's not really that serious though.
Overall this was very fun and a great light-hearted read for pride <3
rating as of 20/06/2024: 3 stars
June 7, 2024
Sapphic spicy pirates with a hint of touch her and you die. I read it as an arc and it was amazing. Loved it so much. It was entertaining plot wise and so fun and easy to read that I ended up reading it in just over one day as I couldn't put it down after I started. It had me doing a 'wait what oooo' at the minor plot twists and had me rooting for the main romance the whole time. I think the ending lacks a bit in terms of what happens and what doesn't happen and what we do and don't get told about certain characters, but that might just be me upset at it ending. I had a hard time picking between 4 or 5 stars, but I think I made the right choice.
June 7, 2024
Spicy sapphic pirate book? I'm in! I read the ARC of this and finished it in one go, its such a page turner!
Loved the characters and the plot, the ending was maybe a little bit anticlimactic, but I love that it could be left open for a sequel!
The spicier scenes were really well written and the connection that developed between Grace and Elise was 🔥🔥🔥
Definitely would recommend!
Loved the characters and the plot, the ending was maybe a little bit anticlimactic, but I love that it could be left open for a sequel!
The spicier scenes were really well written and the connection that developed between Grace and Elise was 🔥🔥🔥
Definitely would recommend!
March 21, 2025
Looking for the perfect beach read, but make it SAPPHIC! Yes please! 👏
“The Bone Heart” was the perfect binge read for a recent beach vacay— with sapphic pirates, high-stakes adventure, and a slow-burn romance!
The story starts off with Elise, a young noblewoman-turned-stowaway, who sneaks aboard a ship in hopes of new beginnings. What starts as a desperate escape quickly turns into a battle for survival as she discovers her new home-at-sea is none other than a lawless pirate ship led by the fierce and mysterious Captain Halliwell. As the two women’s worlds collide, an irresistible connection develops and changes both their lives in unexpected ways.
With non-stop action, unexpected plot twists, and sizzling chemistry, this book is a MUST-READ for anyone craving adventure with a sapphic twist!
“The Bone Heart” was the perfect binge read for a recent beach vacay— with sapphic pirates, high-stakes adventure, and a slow-burn romance!
The story starts off with Elise, a young noblewoman-turned-stowaway, who sneaks aboard a ship in hopes of new beginnings. What starts as a desperate escape quickly turns into a battle for survival as she discovers her new home-at-sea is none other than a lawless pirate ship led by the fierce and mysterious Captain Halliwell. As the two women’s worlds collide, an irresistible connection develops and changes both their lives in unexpected ways.
With non-stop action, unexpected plot twists, and sizzling chemistry, this book is a MUST-READ for anyone craving adventure with a sapphic twist!
May 20, 2025
incredibly biased 4 star review because i was craving pirates and this had all the tropes
June 20, 2024
Elise Barnett, daughter of the Duke of Beauris was going to be forced into a marriage she did not want. Deciding to run away with her lover to a faraway place, she stows herself away in a ship as her art tutor-lover instructs her to. However, the ship happens to be the Bone Heart, a pirate ship led by the fearsome Captain Halliwell. As these two clash like enemies, something different blooms between them. Will Elise be able to be reunited with her lover…or does fate have something different in store for her? The Bone Heart concludes itself with twists that nobody had ever seen coming.
As a lover of sapphic pirates, I couldn’t just pass over this book. Ivy Warren creates characters that have their own personality that stands out in the book, making them unforgettable. The overall plot was good, containing a twist that nobody would have thought of, adding to the urgency of the book which draws readers in. However, the flow of the emotions seems to be a little awkward and abrupt, leaving some questions about why Elise and Grace had fallen for each other although they started on the wrong foot. It might have been more solid if more details about the main character’s emotions were described. But it was a fun read, and I wonder if a second book would be planned in the future.
I received an ARC for an honest review from the author.
As a lover of sapphic pirates, I couldn’t just pass over this book. Ivy Warren creates characters that have their own personality that stands out in the book, making them unforgettable. The overall plot was good, containing a twist that nobody would have thought of, adding to the urgency of the book which draws readers in. However, the flow of the emotions seems to be a little awkward and abrupt, leaving some questions about why Elise and Grace had fallen for each other although they started on the wrong foot. It might have been more solid if more details about the main character’s emotions were described. But it was a fun read, and I wonder if a second book would be planned in the future.
I received an ARC for an honest review from the author.
June 30, 2024
I originally found this book on tiktok and got to read it for free in return for a review. I took my time with it and read it twice so here are my thoughts:
In the beginning I was a bit scared because both characters were so unlikable. The pirate is your standard toxic love interest (or so you think) and the damsel is, well, a damsel. Spoilt, naive, a brat, rude and annoying.
My biggest complaint about the book is that it is too short, I would've loved more time for character development, more pirate stuff before our damsel who is still giving damsel gets called an "accomplished pirate". I do love the setup for the 2nd book though. Hopefully she will become more of a pirate in that one.
One thing that kind of made me chuckle is how from the very start she's doing her very best to fall for the love interest even when she should've just been terrified and not down bad (but I get it, I'm down bad for the captain too).
Another thing about the stereotypical damsel thing, it did annoy me at times that she was just getting nowhere and was so damn clueless about everything. Sure some things made sense but over all she was so useless it's not even funny anymore. At least She's not a virgin though so there's that.
And also because she has only ever proven how incapable she is, I am confused why Petra let her go down by herself to get the captain, that just doesn't make sense for her character. There's a couple more situations where characters don't really act like themselves for plot convenience. It's a bit weird but I will choose to look past that.
The last thing I'm going to complain about is the lack of painting but again, maybe in the next book.
Overall, it is definitely a fun book to read. It does have a warning about not trying to be historically accurate but I do have to say, it is a whole lot better than a lot of other pirate love stories I have read. So no complaints from me. I like the setup for the next book, I like that our damsel does have a different side to her (just want to see it more). I love that it is gay, I've read pirate x stowaway romance too many times to count but usually it is straight so I am here for the two hot women.
I do also have to say it is an easy read and it does pull you in. At the start it was a bit rough for me personally because I couldn't connect to the characters but once you see more of them you just want to keep on reading.
I do recommend this book for anyone who loves pirate romances, wants a fun read and wants to be giddy over spicy scenes.
I very much enjoyed my time reading, so I'm giving 4 stars but because of some things that bothered me personally, I couldn't give 5. I would definitely buy it and the next part once that comes out.
In the beginning I was a bit scared because both characters were so unlikable. The pirate is your standard toxic love interest (or so you think) and the damsel is, well, a damsel. Spoilt, naive, a brat, rude and annoying.
My biggest complaint about the book is that it is too short, I would've loved more time for character development, more pirate stuff before our damsel who is still giving damsel gets called an "accomplished pirate". I do love the setup for the 2nd book though. Hopefully she will become more of a pirate in that one.
One thing that kind of made me chuckle is how from the very start she's doing her very best to fall for the love interest even when she should've just been terrified and not down bad (but I get it, I'm down bad for the captain too).
Another thing about the stereotypical damsel thing, it did annoy me at times that she was just getting nowhere and was so damn clueless about everything. Sure some things made sense but over all she was so useless it's not even funny anymore. At least She's not a virgin though so there's that.
And also because she has only ever proven how incapable she is, I am confused why Petra let her go down by herself to get the captain, that just doesn't make sense for her character. There's a couple more situations where characters don't really act like themselves for plot convenience. It's a bit weird but I will choose to look past that.
The last thing I'm going to complain about is the lack of painting but again, maybe in the next book.
Overall, it is definitely a fun book to read. It does have a warning about not trying to be historically accurate but I do have to say, it is a whole lot better than a lot of other pirate love stories I have read. So no complaints from me. I like the setup for the next book, I like that our damsel does have a different side to her (just want to see it more). I love that it is gay, I've read pirate x stowaway romance too many times to count but usually it is straight so I am here for the two hot women.
I do also have to say it is an easy read and it does pull you in. At the start it was a bit rough for me personally because I couldn't connect to the characters but once you see more of them you just want to keep on reading.
I do recommend this book for anyone who loves pirate romances, wants a fun read and wants to be giddy over spicy scenes.
I very much enjoyed my time reading, so I'm giving 4 stars but because of some things that bothered me personally, I couldn't give 5. I would definitely buy it and the next part once that comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2024
Okay so I read this book as an advances arch reader with 4 weeks to read it. I am a veryyyyyy slow reader so at first I was worried I'd need more time but not only is this a small book but it's also so easy and entertaining to read 👀👀 !
To me this is like the perfect book for one to pick up after reading a heavy, very complex type of book or something like that. It is a simple story but it'll make you want to keep reading nonstop. The fact that the chapters are really short also helps so so much and makes it even more enjoyable to read the story! I love short chapters.
Gonna be honest, I've always wanted to read this kind of book. Yet the ones I found were always straight 👀
Im gonna start by saying that Elise pissed me off in the beginning, how she was such a nice rich lady 😂 it felt good seeing Captain Halliwell make her work for it, it truly was. Captain on the other hand uehaudisjs marry me.... :) please?
"She terrified me and I hated her but, oh I would love to paint her. I would paint her in all the shades of gold. From the shining, sun-bleached highlights in her hair and the candlelight flickering across her skin to the deep, dark shadows of her eyes" totally agree Elise 🔥
I remember reading chapter 10 at a boring wedding dinner (yes i am not sorry) and I had to take a second after that scene 👀 really good, chef's kiss.
And then, I finally got to see the Elise I wanted!! It took some time but I finally started actually liking her! That little girl had to be treated below nothing to open her eyes and show us some good amazing content 🙂↕️ totally worth it!
"You want to dominate me? Fine. But do not dare disrespect me." 🔥🔥 Hell yeah, miss!
And oh my god that ending... as I said this is a very simple story which made me even more surprised at the little thing that happened close to the end 👀👀...
So to sum it up, I this this is totally worth reading if you're into enemies to lovers, sapphic pirates, lots of spice and plot twists ✨️
It's a very easy to read story, not complex, the perfect book to just enjoy and be entertainned by!
I am really thankful I got to read it ✨️
"If she thought I would think less of her now that I knew the shame of her past, she was mistaken. I would think less of her were she not ashamed."
To me this is like the perfect book for one to pick up after reading a heavy, very complex type of book or something like that. It is a simple story but it'll make you want to keep reading nonstop. The fact that the chapters are really short also helps so so much and makes it even more enjoyable to read the story! I love short chapters.
Gonna be honest, I've always wanted to read this kind of book. Yet the ones I found were always straight 👀
Im gonna start by saying that Elise pissed me off in the beginning, how she was such a nice rich lady 😂 it felt good seeing Captain Halliwell make her work for it, it truly was. Captain on the other hand uehaudisjs marry me.... :) please?
"She terrified me and I hated her but, oh I would love to paint her. I would paint her in all the shades of gold. From the shining, sun-bleached highlights in her hair and the candlelight flickering across her skin to the deep, dark shadows of her eyes" totally agree Elise 🔥
I remember reading chapter 10 at a boring wedding dinner (yes i am not sorry) and I had to take a second after that scene 👀 really good, chef's kiss.
And then, I finally got to see the Elise I wanted!! It took some time but I finally started actually liking her! That little girl had to be treated below nothing to open her eyes and show us some good amazing content 🙂↕️ totally worth it!
"You want to dominate me? Fine. But do not dare disrespect me." 🔥🔥 Hell yeah, miss!
And oh my god that ending... as I said this is a very simple story which made me even more surprised at the little thing that happened close to the end 👀👀...
So to sum it up, I this this is totally worth reading if you're into enemies to lovers, sapphic pirates, lots of spice and plot twists ✨️
It's a very easy to read story, not complex, the perfect book to just enjoy and be entertainned by!
I am really thankful I got to read it ✨️
"If she thought I would think less of her now that I knew the shame of her past, she was mistaken. I would think less of her were she not ashamed."
March 15, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
✨ Sapphic Romantasy
✨ First Person, Single POV
✨ 3/5 Spice Level
✨ Captain x Duke's Daughter
✨ Enemies to Lovers
> micro-tropes after review
> content warnings at the bottom
The Bone Heart is a sapphic pirate fantasy romance (with historical elements). The story follows the main character, Elise Barnett, as she (unsuccessfully) tries to stowaway on a ship to run away with her (older) lover. Her lover who is also her art teacher. She gets caught after an awkwardly short amount of time, only to find out she's stowed away not on a merchant vessel but on a pirate ship. Enter Captain Halliwell, the brutal and arrogant captain of The Bone Heart.
This is a true enemies to lovers in the sense that Captain Halliwell is downright cruel to Elise at the beginning and very much has a "take no prisoners" type attitude. Not to mention, Elise is a hopelessly naïve character. It's frankly a little embarrassing for her, and I can't say for sure that she ever redeemed herself from that. On the other hand, it's a bit refreshing to have a main character that is certainly not going to save the day, ever.
There is some spice in this book, and I found it to be decent. It wasn't anything to write home about (so to speak, I would never write my mother about that sort of thing...), and I would have liked some more from it. But I suppose it got the job done.
The ending felt a bit rushed, and the "twist" felt a bit convenient. It was left open-ended in a way that makes me wonder if a sequel is in the works. I would be curious to read the next if that's the case.
Overall a solid book, hit a lot of the pirate tropes, and was overall a satisfying read. I'm curious to read future works by this author to see how the writing/story telling improves from here.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Micro-tropes:
✨"Sweetpea"
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Naivety
Content Warnings
this list may not be complete
m*rder, attempted m*rder, de*th, violence, threats of s*xual violence, sexually explicit material
✨ Sapphic Romantasy
✨ First Person, Single POV
✨ 3/5 Spice Level
✨ Captain x Duke's Daughter
✨ Enemies to Lovers
> micro-tropes after review
> content warnings at the bottom
The Bone Heart is a sapphic pirate fantasy romance (with historical elements). The story follows the main character, Elise Barnett, as she (unsuccessfully) tries to stowaway on a ship to run away with her (older) lover. Her lover who is also her art teacher. She gets caught after an awkwardly short amount of time, only to find out she's stowed away not on a merchant vessel but on a pirate ship. Enter Captain Halliwell, the brutal and arrogant captain of The Bone Heart.
This is a true enemies to lovers in the sense that Captain Halliwell is downright cruel to Elise at the beginning and very much has a "take no prisoners" type attitude. Not to mention, Elise is a hopelessly naïve character. It's frankly a little embarrassing for her, and I can't say for sure that she ever redeemed herself from that. On the other hand, it's a bit refreshing to have a main character that is certainly not going to save the day, ever.
There is some spice in this book, and I found it to be decent. It wasn't anything to write home about (so to speak, I would never write my mother about that sort of thing...), and I would have liked some more from it. But I suppose it got the job done.
The ending felt a bit rushed, and the "twist" felt a bit convenient. It was left open-ended in a way that makes me wonder if a sequel is in the works. I would be curious to read the next if that's the case.
Overall a solid book, hit a lot of the pirate tropes, and was overall a satisfying read. I'm curious to read future works by this author to see how the writing/story telling improves from here.
(beware potential spoilers below)
Micro-tropes:
✨"Sweetpea"
✨ Touch Her and Die
✨ Naivety
Content Warnings
this list may not be complete
m*rder, attempted m*rder, de*th, violence, threats of s*xual violence, sexually explicit material
June 21, 2024
I recently had the pleasure of reading The Bone Heart as part of an ARC program, and I wanted to share my thoughts.
First off, the story had me completely entranced from beginning to end. The plot was engaging, and the unexpected twist caught me off guard in the best way possible. It's been a while since a book surprised me like that, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
The character development in the book was another highlight. I loved watching the characters evolve throughout the story, even though, at times, it felt a bit rushed. I would have appreciated a slower pace in certain parts to delve deeper into their growth and motivations. One character that stood out to me was Petra. I really loved her character and the way she added heart to the story. Her habit of calling the big bad captain "Gracie" was a delightful touch that made me really soft and added a warm, personal element to the narrative.
One aspect that was a bit challenging for me was the lengthy paragraphs. While the writing itself was beautiful, the dense blocks of text sometimes made it hard to keep up with the flow of the story. Breaking them up a bit more could enhance readability.
However, a minor but persistent annoyance for me was the captain's habit of calling Elise "sweetpea." This nickname just didn't sit well with me and pulled me out of the story every time I encountered it. It felt out of place and irked me more than it probably should have.
Overall, The Bone Heart is a captivating read with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps you on your toes. With a few tweaks, it could be even more enjoyable. I look forward to seeing more from Ivy Warren in the future.
June 24, 2024
I'm a sucker for a good pirate story and this was a fun read. Had I not started it quite late into the evening I definitely could have read it in one sitting with a good drink and snack. It's very easy to get into and there's no hang ups on writing style, format, or just investment in the story laid out in front of you and the characters you're being introduced to.
I loved the main characters and their interactions, that was definitely a strong point. The ensemble around our two main focuses was also well done. The pacing was consistent and well done until the end of the book - I felt like when we hit a turning point that I'll do my best not to spoil - and it rushed itself a bit from the conflict to the resolution. I would have liked to have seen more reflection on the cause of the conflict and how they were affected/ended it. With the writer really knowing who these characters were I feel like that could have been done well and shown through a bit more - I'm a sucker for angst and comfort after it all and there was a bit of a missed opportunity there with how the denouement was paced and wrapped.
Now of course - the spice: fabulous. So well written, and it avoided any cringey cliches but really drew you in and worked within the story. I loved the trade offs and the way they interacted in those moments and how the more serious and fun scenes outside of those moments clearly had affects when they came back together each time throughout the book. It felt much more realistic and fun to read compared to some other books that get a little over the top just because they can. But make no mistake, there's scenes that had me swooning.
I loved the main characters and their interactions, that was definitely a strong point. The ensemble around our two main focuses was also well done. The pacing was consistent and well done until the end of the book - I felt like when we hit a turning point that I'll do my best not to spoil - and it rushed itself a bit from the conflict to the resolution. I would have liked to have seen more reflection on the cause of the conflict and how they were affected/ended it. With the writer really knowing who these characters were I feel like that could have been done well and shown through a bit more - I'm a sucker for angst and comfort after it all and there was a bit of a missed opportunity there with how the denouement was paced and wrapped.
Now of course - the spice: fabulous. So well written, and it avoided any cringey cliches but really drew you in and worked within the story. I loved the trade offs and the way they interacted in those moments and how the more serious and fun scenes outside of those moments clearly had affects when they came back together each time throughout the book. It felt much more realistic and fun to read compared to some other books that get a little over the top just because they can. But make no mistake, there's scenes that had me swooning.
June 9, 2024
So I have some strong feelings about this book. I’ll start by saying the writing was pretty good. The story moved at a quick pace, but for a short book like this it's expected. There was lots of action and the spicy scenes were pretty hot. It’s hard to go wrong with lesbian pirates. Lol.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::SPOILERS AHEAD::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That being said I found it hard to get past some of the actions of Captain Grace Halliwell. In the beginning Captain Halliwell was quite vicious to Elise. I would even say she was both physically and mentally abusive. Not only did she hit her on multiple occasions, but she also humiliated her in front of the entire crew by forcing her to expose herself for a whipping. And in between these events Halliwell would act nice to Elise. Even after their first time together Halliwell says Elise is nothing, that it meant nothing. Sometimes it feels like Halliwell was trying to break Elise. And this whole time they are developing feelings for one another. It was very hard to suspend my disbelief. However by the second half of the book this had totally changed. It was like Elise forgot how cruel Halliwell had been to her only a couple weeks prior. For me the shift was too drastic. And I love my morally gray villains to lovers. I will say that I loved when Elise finally came into her own and put Halliwell in her place. From that point on their relationship was awesome. With all that said I’ll give it 3 stars because I think it has potential.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::SPOILERS AHEAD::::::::::::::::::::::::::
That being said I found it hard to get past some of the actions of Captain Grace Halliwell. In the beginning Captain Halliwell was quite vicious to Elise. I would even say she was both physically and mentally abusive. Not only did she hit her on multiple occasions, but she also humiliated her in front of the entire crew by forcing her to expose herself for a whipping. And in between these events Halliwell would act nice to Elise. Even after their first time together Halliwell says Elise is nothing, that it meant nothing. Sometimes it feels like Halliwell was trying to break Elise. And this whole time they are developing feelings for one another. It was very hard to suspend my disbelief. However by the second half of the book this had totally changed. It was like Elise forgot how cruel Halliwell had been to her only a couple weeks prior. For me the shift was too drastic. And I love my morally gray villains to lovers. I will say that I loved when Elise finally came into her own and put Halliwell in her place. From that point on their relationship was awesome. With all that said I’ll give it 3 stars because I think it has potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this! It was a fun, enemies-to-lovers sapphic pirate romance with spice. If you go in expecting exactly this, I don't see how it could disappoint!
Things I liked:
- the romance, which is pretty important in a romance novel! It is a fast-paced romance, but when I saw it only had around 160 pages (in the EBUP-file at least) I expected it to be. And to be honest, my interest in this was sapphic pirate ROMANCE so, ya know.
- the spice. I'm normally not an enjoyer of spice and smut in the books I read, but again, I expected it. I am a little surprised by how much I liked those scenes. Romance is much more important than sex scenes to me, which I usually skip anyway. Not this time. They were fun, sexy, and not so many I felt like it was 'just smut no plot'. It was very well done.
Things I liked less:
- The plot is in the background. This book's main focus is romance, but I still felt like a little more could be done, plot-wise. Not that I didn't enjoy it now, I think that if the plot was more worked out, it would have added to the romance, too. Again, it didn't necessarily bother me, it just would have added some more layers to the story and the romance.
- lack of an epilogue! Okay, I'll be honest, I just wanted to see Grace and Elise be happy and healthy and in love for an extra chapter, sue me.
Would I recommend this? Yes! If you're looking for exactly what my second sentence of this review said! It delivered!
Thank you to the wonderful author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will be preordering this book!
Things I liked:
- the romance, which is pretty important in a romance novel! It is a fast-paced romance, but when I saw it only had around 160 pages (in the EBUP-file at least) I expected it to be. And to be honest, my interest in this was sapphic pirate ROMANCE so, ya know.
- the spice. I'm normally not an enjoyer of spice and smut in the books I read, but again, I expected it. I am a little surprised by how much I liked those scenes. Romance is much more important than sex scenes to me, which I usually skip anyway. Not this time. They were fun, sexy, and not so many I felt like it was 'just smut no plot'. It was very well done.
Things I liked less:
- The plot is in the background. This book's main focus is romance, but I still felt like a little more could be done, plot-wise. Not that I didn't enjoy it now, I think that if the plot was more worked out, it would have added to the romance, too. Again, it didn't necessarily bother me, it just would have added some more layers to the story and the romance.
- lack of an epilogue! Okay, I'll be honest, I just wanted to see Grace and Elise be happy and healthy and in love for an extra chapter, sue me.
Would I recommend this? Yes! If you're looking for exactly what my second sentence of this review said! It delivered!
Thank you to the wonderful author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will be preordering this book!
June 29, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This pirate novel set on the high seas depicts the romance of Elise Barnett and Captain Grace Halliweather. I loved seeing Elise's character growth from a naive, spoiled brat to a more confident woman, in more ways than one. I also loved learning about Captain Halliwell's past, and I loved seeing her come to care for Elise. The spice was also written nicely, and the chemistry between Elise and Captain Halliwell was evident. Lastly, the side character Petra was amazing, and I definitely loved her portrayal.
That being said, there were some parts of the novel that I didn't love as much. I didn't like how the author seemed to write Captain Halliwell as excessively cruel at the beginning. This treatment was likely realistic, but I do wish that
This pirate novel set on the high seas depicts the romance of Elise Barnett and Captain Grace Halliweather. I loved seeing Elise's character growth from a naive, spoiled brat to a more confident woman, in more ways than one. I also loved learning about Captain Halliwell's past, and I loved seeing her come to care for Elise. The spice was also written nicely, and the chemistry between Elise and Captain Halliwell was evident. Lastly, the side character Petra was amazing, and I definitely loved her portrayal.
That being said, there were some parts of the novel that I didn't love as much. I didn't like how the author seemed to write Captain Halliwell as excessively cruel at the beginning. This treatment was likely realistic, but I do wish that
July 3, 2024
“My ferocious captain, indeed.” Read this in one sitting, so easy to devour, dark and spicy. I loved Grace and Elise, complex but loveable, and there was really impressive character development for both them and the background characters as well.
I enjoyed the progression of the story and twist/reveal at the end, I can’t wait for the next book I’m so eager to read more of their adventures.
Lots of emotional and funny parts, nicely balanced and a decent fast pace, although a little messy.
The writing was okay, but in need of a thorough go over by a good editor (ARC copy so makes sense!)
I absolutely am a sucker for the ‘Villain for everyone but soft for her’ trope and this thoroughly encapsulated that.
*
”You expect me to sleep on the floor?!”
“Would you rather sleep at the bottom of the sea?”
“..no captain”
“Then learn to be grateful for what I give you.”
😂😂😂😂
*
‘She was either a raging fire or impenetrable stone and the promise of excitement and danger stirred something within me. She fascinated me. She terrified me. She occupied my mind in a way that no one else had.’
*
I could not leave to go back to a life of hiding who I was and what I felt. I could not leave us behind. Her fire, her wit, her smile, her gentle soul that she hid behind spiked walls. She was all that I wanted. I needed her like I needed air. And she needed me too. I saw it written in the pain and regret splashed across her face as she glanced up at me again.
"Run," she mouthed, her lips stained red with her own blood.
"Not without you,”
I enjoyed the progression of the story and twist/reveal at the end, I can’t wait for the next book I’m so eager to read more of their adventures.
Lots of emotional and funny parts, nicely balanced and a decent fast pace, although a little messy.
The writing was okay, but in need of a thorough go over by a good editor (ARC copy so makes sense!)
I absolutely am a sucker for the ‘Villain for everyone but soft for her’ trope and this thoroughly encapsulated that.
*
”You expect me to sleep on the floor?!”
“Would you rather sleep at the bottom of the sea?”
“..no captain”
“Then learn to be grateful for what I give you.”
😂😂😂😂
*
‘She was either a raging fire or impenetrable stone and the promise of excitement and danger stirred something within me. She fascinated me. She terrified me. She occupied my mind in a way that no one else had.’
*
I could not leave to go back to a life of hiding who I was and what I felt. I could not leave us behind. Her fire, her wit, her smile, her gentle soul that she hid behind spiked walls. She was all that I wanted. I needed her like I needed air. And she needed me too. I saw it written in the pain and regret splashed across her face as she glanced up at me again.
"Run," she mouthed, her lips stained red with her own blood.
"Not without you,”
July 17, 2024
• 𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 •
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
"𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓮𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓪 𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓪 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓷𝓸 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓭."
"𝓞𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝔂 𝓫𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷. 𝓘𝓷 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝔀, 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮."
"𝓢𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮, 𝓸𝓻 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓱 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼."
Thank you so much, @ivywarrenbooks, for the eARC copy of The Bone Heart. I am obsessed! I absolutely loved the hot and cold between Captain Halliwell and Elise ! This was such a delicious read that will definitely leave you hot and bothered. I love the role reversal behind closed doors. 😉
I was engaged from start to finish! Watching Elise grow from spoiled brat to harda$$ pirate was awesome. It's everything you'd want in a pirate book. I would 💯 recommend The Bone Heart. It's a quick fun smutty pirate read.
• Sapphic Romance
• Pirates
• Royalty
• Enemies to Lovers
• Betrayal
• Forbidden Romance
• Spice
• Banter / Teasing
Things that I wasn't too keen on were the ending felt a bit rushed and I almost stopped reading during the treatment Elise received before the romance happened and while I get that Captain Halliwell had to put on a show, it was a bit much. I also wasn't keen on the nickname "sweetpea." To me, that seems more for a platonic kind of love.
Release Date: July 19, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
"𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓮𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓪 𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓸𝓻 𝓲𝓶𝓹𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓮𝔁𝓬𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓻𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓼𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓯𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮. 𝓢𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓲𝓷 𝓪 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓷𝓸 𝓸𝓷𝓮 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓱𝓪𝓭."
"𝓞𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝔂 𝓫𝓮 𝓬𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓪𝓲𝓷. 𝓘𝓷 𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮, 𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓷𝓸𝔀, 𝓳𝓾𝓼𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮."
"𝓢𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮, 𝓸𝓻 𝓘 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓶𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓱 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼."
Thank you so much, @ivywarrenbooks, for the eARC copy of The Bone Heart. I am obsessed! I absolutely loved the hot and cold between Captain Halliwell and Elise ! This was such a delicious read that will definitely leave you hot and bothered. I love the role reversal behind closed doors. 😉
I was engaged from start to finish! Watching Elise grow from spoiled brat to harda$$ pirate was awesome. It's everything you'd want in a pirate book. I would 💯 recommend The Bone Heart. It's a quick fun smutty pirate read.
• Sapphic Romance
• Pirates
• Royalty
• Enemies to Lovers
• Betrayal
• Forbidden Romance
• Spice
• Banter / Teasing
Things that I wasn't too keen on were the ending felt a bit rushed and I almost stopped reading during the treatment Elise received before the romance happened and while I get that Captain Halliwell had to put on a show, it was a bit much. I also wasn't keen on the nickname "sweetpea." To me, that seems more for a platonic kind of love.
June 6, 2024
"I want this whole damn port to hear when I make you scream."
I have been in school for the past 7 years and have to say that this is the first book I have read in those 7 years all the way through for fun. It has been a while since I've stayed up (or a book's kept me up) just to finish it.
Reading a Spicy Sapphic Romance novel has been one of my dreams since forever. Mostly, I've seen the straight ones and they make me cringe as a lesbian myself. The writing was just amazing and all around easy to read. I had to look up a few words just because I wasn't 100% sure of the meaning of them. But that was only a fair few.
I absolutely loved Captain Halliwell since the first meeting. (Although that could be because of her hard dominate nature that she had to possess especially for her crew. Even though there was a soft side when it came to Elise, that she rarely showed even to her. In the beginning, Captain protected her as to not have any harm come to her in order to get her back.
Over time, I grew to enjoy Elise, it was a slow comfort that came about. But seeing her character change from a nice rich girl to a pirate, reminded me of Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean. It was beautiful to see such a character arch in a book.
I am praying that there will be a second book.
I have been in school for the past 7 years and have to say that this is the first book I have read in those 7 years all the way through for fun. It has been a while since I've stayed up (or a book's kept me up) just to finish it.
Reading a Spicy Sapphic Romance novel has been one of my dreams since forever. Mostly, I've seen the straight ones and they make me cringe as a lesbian myself. The writing was just amazing and all around easy to read. I had to look up a few words just because I wasn't 100% sure of the meaning of them. But that was only a fair few.
I absolutely loved Captain Halliwell since the first meeting. (Although that could be because of her hard dominate nature that she had to possess especially for her crew. Even though there was a soft side when it came to Elise, that she rarely showed even to her. In the beginning, Captain protected her as to not have any harm come to her in order to get her back.
Over time, I grew to enjoy Elise, it was a slow comfort that came about. But seeing her character change from a nice rich girl to a pirate, reminded me of Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean. It was beautiful to see such a character arch in a book.
I am praying that there will be a second book.
June 10, 2024
*ARC Review*
The Bone Heart is a short little novel that, combines elements of adventure, danger, betrayal and obviously some spice. Set in a world of daring pirates, it follows the journey of two strong-willed women who find love amidst danger on the high seas.
My key takeaways:
Lesbian pirates and adventure: 'nough said.
Well-written spice: The intimate scenes are sensually crafted. There is a good balance between passion and emotional vulnerability.
Writing style: The writing style is concise and impactful. With such a short novel, there is no space to waste words. But we still get a very vibrant description of the setting, which makes this an immersive read.
Fast pacing and character development: While the pacing is rapid, the slow scenes provide essential character development. We glimpse into their pasts, fears, and desires. These quieter moments allow readers to connect with Elise and Grace.
Favourite characters: Petra & the goats
🌟 Overall Impression: “The Bone Heart” is a thrilling voyage filled with passion, danger, and self-discovery. If you’re seeking a unique blend of adventure and romance, this book delivers. Prepare to sail the high seas and lose yourself in a tale of love and courage.
The Bone Heart is a short little novel that, combines elements of adventure, danger, betrayal and obviously some spice. Set in a world of daring pirates, it follows the journey of two strong-willed women who find love amidst danger on the high seas.
My key takeaways:
Lesbian pirates and adventure: 'nough said.
Well-written spice: The intimate scenes are sensually crafted. There is a good balance between passion and emotional vulnerability.
Writing style: The writing style is concise and impactful. With such a short novel, there is no space to waste words. But we still get a very vibrant description of the setting, which makes this an immersive read.
Fast pacing and character development: While the pacing is rapid, the slow scenes provide essential character development. We glimpse into their pasts, fears, and desires. These quieter moments allow readers to connect with Elise and Grace.
Favourite characters: Petra & the goats
🌟 Overall Impression: “The Bone Heart” is a thrilling voyage filled with passion, danger, and self-discovery. If you’re seeking a unique blend of adventure and romance, this book delivers. Prepare to sail the high seas and lose yourself in a tale of love and courage.
July 25, 2024
Elise Barnett, daughter of the Duke of Beauris, stows away on a ship to elope with her art tutor, only to discover she's on the infamous pirate ship, The Bone Heart. Trapped among thieves and murderers, she is captivated by the cruel yet intriguing Captain Halliwell. As Elise fights to earn her place, a forbidden desire grows between them, threatening to upend their worlds.
At first, I had no idea how the plot would transition from constant abuse to romance. The pirates are vicious and the Captain equally so. Elise grew up an elite sheltered from the world, which made her suffer greatly during her captivity. She was naive and didn't know how to look after herself or perform any kind of labor.
For a significant part of the book, Elise is treated harshly and finds herself in difficult situations with Captain Halliwell. To keep her safe, the Captain shares her cabin with her and demands a ransom from her father.
Eventually, Elise gets tired of playing the victim and begins her transformation. She claims her space on the ship and in Captain Halliwell's bed.
The book is steamy and fits perfectly with the plot. Elise becomes more confident and Captain "Grace" Halliwell starts opening up to her with trust.
I predict this to be book #1 of what will be a series because of how the book ends but there are no comments yet about this from the author.
At first, I had no idea how the plot would transition from constant abuse to romance. The pirates are vicious and the Captain equally so. Elise grew up an elite sheltered from the world, which made her suffer greatly during her captivity. She was naive and didn't know how to look after herself or perform any kind of labor.
For a significant part of the book, Elise is treated harshly and finds herself in difficult situations with Captain Halliwell. To keep her safe, the Captain shares her cabin with her and demands a ransom from her father.
Eventually, Elise gets tired of playing the victim and begins her transformation. She claims her space on the ship and in Captain Halliwell's bed.
The book is steamy and fits perfectly with the plot. Elise becomes more confident and Captain "Grace" Halliwell starts opening up to her with trust.
I predict this to be book #1 of what will be a series because of how the book ends but there are no comments yet about this from the author.
January 20, 2025
This was a quick and fun pirate story. You get the feeling pretty early on that Elise maybe had the wool pulled over her eyes, and Captain Halliwell is not exactly forgiving. But, it turns out, they both have their reasons and they're both capable of growth. It was fun to watch Elise slowly become more assertive and Captain Halliwell soften, at least when not in front of her crew. And Petra comes to be somewhat friendly, offsetting some of the more hostile crew members.
I do wish I had gotten a clearer picture of the goings-on with the Salted Lady. It didn't seem like the outcome was a given, but Elise wasn't present for it and nobody explained how things played out. Also, near the end, Captain Halliwell popped out a couple of big reveals back to back, and I could wish those had come out more over the course of events. I guess I'd be more inclined to be frustrated by that kind of stuff if it had been a longer book, but since it was so bite size, I could forgive some things being slightly rushed.
All in all, it was an enjoyable book and perfectly sized for an afternoon of reading. I'll be waiting for the sequel. (There WILL be a sequel, right? ;)
I do wish I had gotten a clearer picture of the goings-on with the Salted Lady. It didn't seem like the outcome was a given, but Elise wasn't present for it and nobody explained how things played out. Also, near the end, Captain Halliwell popped out a couple of big reveals back to back, and I could wish those had come out more over the course of events. I guess I'd be more inclined to be frustrated by that kind of stuff if it had been a longer book, but since it was so bite size, I could forgive some things being slightly rushed.
All in all, it was an enjoyable book and perfectly sized for an afternoon of reading. I'll be waiting for the sequel. (There WILL be a sequel, right? ;)
June 8, 2024
I was one of the lucky ones to get an ARC. and yes, I do count myself lucky, because the book is good. it's easy to read, it's fun to read. and the smut is damn good.
the thing is that I had problems seeing the chemistry between Elise and the Captain at the beginning. and that was because the characters were just not compatible at first. Elise was very naive. which is quite fine for the time it was playing in, but the development to how she is later is then just way too fast. and the Captain I didn't find very likeable at the beginning. I know the reasons for why she did what she did, but as we only see her from Elise's pov, Captain Halliwell just didn't get into my heart.
later these two are amazing. the chemistry is finally there and the characters get more fleshed out.
overall I really liked this book and I'm looking forward to the second book. the plot was fun, there is even a nice twist at the end I didn't anticipate and very much liked.
so for everyone who wants lesbians, pirates, an easy read and good smut. this is for you.
the thing is that I had problems seeing the chemistry between Elise and the Captain at the beginning. and that was because the characters were just not compatible at first. Elise was very naive. which is quite fine for the time it was playing in, but the development to how she is later is then just way too fast. and the Captain I didn't find very likeable at the beginning. I know the reasons for why she did what she did, but as we only see her from Elise's pov, Captain Halliwell just didn't get into my heart.
later these two are amazing. the chemistry is finally there and the characters get more fleshed out.
overall I really liked this book and I'm looking forward to the second book. the plot was fun, there is even a nice twist at the end I didn't anticipate and very much liked.
so for everyone who wants lesbians, pirates, an easy read and good smut. this is for you.
June 24, 2024
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book and as a first time ARC reader, I really enjoyed myself!
Sapphic pirates, enemies to lovers, and smut what more could you ask for? Now I will admit that Elise was a bit of a brat in the beginning but that made me want to see what happened to her even more. By the end I had warmed up to her and was cheering her on. Now the Captain.....Wow liked her the WHOLE time, badass, sexy, and a little scary sign me up! The plot had me entertained throughout the book and I loved the plot twists that kept it engaging. The end left on a bit of a cliff hanger that definitely has me wondering what's next for Elise and Grace.
Overall I very much enjoyed reading this book and would love to read another installment! And my thanks to Ivy Warren for letting me read their work early!
Sapphic pirates, enemies to lovers, and smut what more could you ask for? Now I will admit that Elise was a bit of a brat in the beginning but that made me want to see what happened to her even more. By the end I had warmed up to her and was cheering her on. Now the Captain.....Wow liked her the WHOLE time, badass, sexy, and a little scary sign me up! The plot had me entertained throughout the book and I loved the plot twists that kept it engaging. The end left on a bit of a cliff hanger that definitely has me wondering what's next for Elise and Grace.
Overall I very much enjoyed reading this book and would love to read another installment! And my thanks to Ivy Warren for letting me read their work early!
June 30, 2024
I liked this book a lot. It was exciting and spicy (*insert eyebrow waggle*). The action starts very early on and the pace never slows throughout the entire book. It easily held my attention and I didn’t want to put it down.
The relationship between Elise and Grace is sweet. I loved that they were both dead set on protecting each other from harm and doing what was best for each other. I also enjoyed the back and forth between them (IYKYK).
The side characters were very interesting and the plot twist absolutely blew my mind. My only complaint about is that I felt like Elise didn’t get enough revenge for how she was treated throughout the book but I’m hoping that that means there will be a second book soon! I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting pirate romance. Thanks so much to Ivy Warren for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The relationship between Elise and Grace is sweet. I loved that they were both dead set on protecting each other from harm and doing what was best for each other. I also enjoyed the back and forth between them (IYKYK).
The side characters were very interesting and the plot twist absolutely blew my mind. My only complaint about is that I felt like Elise didn’t get enough revenge for how she was treated throughout the book but I’m hoping that that means there will be a second book soon! I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting pirate romance. Thanks so much to Ivy Warren for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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