The Sea Child

by Linda Wilgus

In this enchanting, adventurous debut novel, a band of seafaring smugglers land on the Cornish coast, where a young widow with a mysterious past becomes entangled in their schemes—and with their charismatic captain—as she searches for answers of her own.

England, early 1800 Destitute and forced to leave her home in London, Isabel, a young widow of the Napoleonic Wars, returns to the village on the rugged Cornish coast where she was found as a small child, dripping wet and alone. Hoping to learn more about her enigmatic origins, she’s shocked to find herself at the center of a local legend claiming she’s the daughter of a sea spirit. As Isabel adjusts to living on her own for the first time in her rented cottage, the village appears a refuge, but the coast is rife with smugglers and the Revenue Officers who hunt them. Then, one evening, a group of dangerous raiders arrive at her door, carrying their wounded captain, Jack.

Remembering her late husband’s fatal injuries, Isabel decides to care for Jack and soon senses a powerful connection between them. Unable to forget him and their growing attraction once Jack recovers and leaves, Isabel decides to become involved with the smugglers. Meanwhile, the sea calls to her, and a Revenue Officer who likes to hang smugglers poses a threat in more ways than one. Soon, she finds herself caught on the wrong side of the law, with violence and heartbreak looming.

From the coves of Cornwall to the wild coast of Brittany, during perilous raids at sea and society dinner parties, Isabel struggles to understand her kinship with the ocean while she seeks answers about her past. But when the threat catches up with them and Jack’s life hangs in the balance, she must draw on all her courage and delve deep into mythical heart of the Cornish coast. For only a Sea Child can turn the tide…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Magical Realism, Historical, Fiction, Mermaids, Folklore

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 20, 2026

About the author

Linda Wilgus is an author of historical fiction with a heavy dose of romance, folklore and mystery. Her debut novel THE SEA CHILD publishes in January 2026 in the US and February 2026 in the UK, and will be translated into numerous languages. Linda grew up in the Netherlands dreaming of travelling in time and writing novels and she loves that in writing historical fiction she gets to do both.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughly enchanting story through the Cornish coast and the most adorable cottage inhabited by Isabel our widow. The story drew me in from the start and I was invested in the little town and its inhabitants. I adored watching Isabel learn to survive and thrive on her own. Then we get to watch Isabel figure out what to do with a handsome smuggler who ends up wounded in her cottage. Sooo much delicious tension as the story unfolds. Throughly enjoyed this read and stayed up nice and late to finish the book because I had to know how it ended !!!

[Liz Fenwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning debut deliciously laced with folklore, mystery and romance. I loved it.

[Greer Nadeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! Isabel is a widow who has just left London to live by the sea in Cornwall due to rumors and her late husband's debts. The village she moves to is the same she was found in, soaking wet with no memories, 19 years before, but despite this, she expects to live a silent solitary life. She could not be more wrong. Not only do the villagers think she is the daughter of the Sea Bucca—a merman like creature with skin like a conger eel and seaweed for hair in Cornish myth—but she is soon sucked into a dangerous world she could have never imagined before. Whether or not she is the daughter of the Sea Bucca, Isabel is a brave and daring heroine. Really, this book is so lovely and I can't recommend it enough (also now I'm obsessed with the Sea Bucca).

Thank you netgalley and Ballentine Books for the chance to read and review this novel. The Sea Child will be available on January 20th (and I can't recommend it enough!)

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant debut from the lovely Linda Wilgus! The Sea Child had the perfect balance of all the hopefulness of falling in love while also leaning into the societal themes I adore in historical fiction, with a unique supernatural twist. The FMC Isabel's tenacity & gradual appreciation of her independence were very compelling & I can't get over all the action of the ending!

Following her husband's wartime death, Isabel grapples with her lack of fortune & deteriorated social status by starting over - why not start over in the place that she was found emerging from the sea as a young child all those years ago? But shortly after getting settled, smugglers intrude in her home seeking shelter for their wounded captain, the intriguing & alluring Jack. Despite the danger, Isabel offers Jack aid & sanctuary, quickly developing a deep connection with him. As she leans more into her dealings with the smugglers & Jack, Isabel becomes entangled in the web of their illegal activity, all to stay close to Jack & the ever-calling sea.

The gradual increase in pace throughout the book was very natural & the descriptions were layered smoothly (I would love to visit Isabel's garden, it sounds adorable!). The chemistry between Isabel & Jack was also electric - I could feel it in every instance they were both together. As soon as Jack was introduced I re-read the back of the book hoping he was a main character because I loved them together!

There were a few "don't do it!" moments throughout the book that had me desperately waving the book around hoping for Isabel to make a different decision. But her feeling the need to be polite & being very trusting were undeniably relatable & definitely translated well from the early 1800s to now.

Overall, I loved this book & will be anxiously waiting to hear about Linda's next novel! The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus releases on January 20, 2026.

Thank you so much for the ARC copy Linda Wilgus & Ballantine Books!

[Dulce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a delightful read. It had a mix of historical fiction, folklore, and romance. It is a bit slow paced and slow burn romance, the storytelling in this book is filled with emotion and complex characters, and self discovery. The struggles the FMC faces as she tries to be independent and follow her dreams have you rooting for her. I love a good mythological story, and this one was good, but I do wish the author had gone a bit deeper into it. Nonetheless, it's a beautiful debut novel and I'm excited to see what Linda Wilgus' writes next.

Thank you, Ballentine Books, for the physical advanced copy!

[Sam Manucy (chsbibliophile) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a historical fiction/historical romance full of yearning, adventure, and lore surrounding the Cornish seaside, this should be your next read! Living on the coast of South Carolina, the ocean is a constant in my life between tides, bridges, and how it shapes the Lowcountry. Diving into this debut from Linda Wilgus, the inherent ties to the sea are a constant theme. This novel follows Isabel, a young widow to a British naval officer, who is forced to move to a small cottage on the Cornish coast, accommodating her life to a widow’s pension due to previously unknown debts. Set during the Napoleonic Wars of the 1800’s, the British Navy and government are at odds against smugglers who simply want to lessen the financial burdens for everyday goods that come from France. Living alone and having to fend for herself, Isabel’s world is turned upside down when an injured smuggler makes his way into her cottage. After nursing him back to health, Isabel must untangle her grief towards her deceased husband and her new attraction to the mysterious Jack within this new season of her life, while also uncovering mysterious parts of her own past. As a young child, Isabel seemed to appear out of thin air, soaked to the bone with no memories of who she was or where she came from, almost as if she had appeared directly from the sea… Steeped in Cornish folklore regarding the existence of merfolk, Isabel must champion her own path forward, either listening to her heart and the call of the sea, or maintaining societal constraints of the 1800’s. Wilgus adeptly weaves mystery and romance into this story, and I particularly loved how Isabel found her truest self, even under dire circumstances. I enjoyed the nautical elements of this story and how it related to ships and sailing during this time period, lending to an all-encompassing need for adventure. Like many tales in folklore, the mystery surrounding the Cornish Bucca is never quite solved, but it makes the reader look more closely at things that cannot be easily explained.

Big thank you to Linda Wilgus and Ballantine Books for gifting me an ARC copy to review; all thoughts are my own.

[Ariel Acar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of the show/book series Poldark will love this charming debut novel set in Cornwall!

Premise:
A young widow named Isabel moves to Helford—where she was found orphaned as a young girl—in hopes of starting over after her husband passed away in war. It doesn’t take long for her to get wrapped up in the local lore of her mysterious arrival on shore 19 years prior and in the smuggling business happening under the town’s nose. Everything changes for Isabel when she meets Jack, the captain of the smuggling ship.

My review:
I loved how this story explored so many aspects of life around the turn of the 19th century. The realities of being a woman, a wife and a widow in English society are on full display. There’s also a sweet love story that weaves between the drama and action sequences of the novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Linda for reaching out to me and asking if I would be interested in reading an early copy of her book. I will say I was deeply moved by this story. It was filled with adventure, romance, and mystery. I will admit I had a deep admiration for the main fmc Isabel as she wasn't afraid to back down or to get her hands dirty. The myth of her orgins made the mystery part of the novel even more exciting!

We are introduced to Isabel who has recently ost her husband and she needs a change so she decides to move back to the first place she ever remembers living. She was four years old when she first was first seen by the townfolks and no one not even her seems to recall where she showed up from. However, she has a strong ability to swim which comes in handy later in the story.

After her arrival she becomes acquainted with a smuggler named Jack and nurses him back to health. Over time they get to know each other Nd romance starts to bloom. However, with a bounty on his head and the rumors of Isabel's past will they ever get through the obstacles?

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A child appears one day, on the coast of early 1800s Cornwall, seeming to have just walked out of the sea. The child, Isabel, is now an adult returning to the town a couple decades later.

Wilgus accomplishes the feat of writing well and being easy to read. I picked up this book thinking I’d just read a chapter or two to get started. The next thing I know I’m over 100 pages into it.

💫 Historical Fiction
💫 Hint of Magic 🪄
💫 Slow Burn 🔥
💫 Morally Gray 🩶
💫 Strong FMC 💪🏼
💫 Smuggler 💰
💫 Debut Novel 1️⃣
💫 One Pepper Spice 🌶️

If you like the tropes and themes above, take advantage of Barnes & Noble’s preorder sale by the end of New Year’s Day with the code PREORDER25. B&N Premium and Rewards Members only.

The concept of a sea child had me remembering Eowyn Ivey’s The Snow Child. The stories are very different but the mythical feel is there in both.

The descriptive, engaging, and not overly flowery writing style made me think of Philippa Gregory’s historical romances although the romance is tamer.

[darlingirlreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written debut novel!

Isabel leaves London to live a solitary life in Cornwall determined to keep to herself, but everything changes one night when a handsome captain of a ship shows up in her cottage gravely injured. The sea has called to Isabel since she was a child, and this captain quickly becomes the ticket she needs to answer the sea’s call. Woven into the story are myths of mermaids and the Sea Bucca, this beautifully written debut novel is full of tender moments between friends and lovers, and suspense to keep you gripping your book and flipping the pages quickly to see what happens next.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine books for the advanced reader copy of this book!

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review!

I’m so grateful I got early eyes on this book. This was the palette cleanser I needed. A time piece that truly takes you in a Time Machine, to the past. Every detail evokes a feeling of presence. I could smell the sea, feel the wind and taste the bread. I was so inspired with Isabel- a young widow trying to find her way to a clean slate in a new world, experiencing independence for the first time. Isabel discovers her own craving for an identity outside of marriage and a husband. I won’t spoil the end, but there was a brilliant sense of accomplishment and just the right amount of closure. I ate this book up.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fascinating and adventurous book! The story was captivating and very interesting. An exciting mix of historical fiction with a touch of romance and a sprinkle of magical realism. The book is also well researched. Both the places and situations in the book were so well written and described that I felt like I was there. A truly impressive debut novel! I’m already looking forward to the author’s next novel. The book releases on Jan 20th and I’m so happy I got to read an ARC. Thank you author Linda Wilgus and Ballantine Books for the gorgeous complimentary ARC!

[Johanna Lindström · Rating 5 out of 5]

En otroligt gripande berättelse som kommer alltid ha en plats i mitt bokhjärta. Det är en riktigt bra bok, där man får allt man önskar sig, spänning, kärlek, längtan och sorg. En otrolig inlevelse av att få lära känna huvudkaraktären Isabel i hennes resa. Vad hon har upplevt innan samt det hon får uppleva och vara med om i tiden som utspelas i boken. Hur hennes första möte med Jack går till och när hon sätter sina fötter på Rapide för att följa hennes drömmar. Tycker det är en liten mix av Outlander samt Pirats and the Caribbean och mycket mer. 5/5

Jag vill Tacka Akademibokhandeln att jag fick den otroliga möjligheten att få läsa denna bok innan den släpps som svensk utgåva och många andra kommer få läsa den. Jag kommer varmt rekommendera den till alla.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was beautiful! i love early 1800s time pieces and everything to do with smugglers/pirates so this was the perfect book for me. the sea bucca was a fun folklore aspect throughout the book and made Isabel’s journey of self discovery more interesting. plus, the romance in this is amazing! Jack is everything you want in a love interest. the pacing is this book is just right for the length, not rushing through anything or dragging it out. i was entertained the whole time and became deeply invested in this story. i have a feeling this is going to be one of my top reads of the year!

[Cori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set in the early 1800s in England and this is a time period that I don't read enough about , but always enjoy it when I do. In this book, Isabel is widowed and starting over in a small cottage along the sea. I felt transported to the time and place and I was rooting for her despite obstacles and challenges that were presented to her. She has an underlying calling to the sea and I loved hearing how rumors about her past might have played a role. Once I started reading I couldn't put the book down and wanted to know how things played out for Isabel as she navigates smugglers, the Revenue service (that may or may not be taking the law into their own hands) and the friends and acquaintances that she meets. I highly recommend this read! Thank you Ballentine books for the early copy on Netgalley!

[Of Paper & Planes · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The look in his eyes makes a storm inside her, black clouds, churning water, towering, foaming waves, and all of it heated as if the sun itself lives in them.”

In “The Sea Child,” Linda Wilgus crafts a quietly magnificent debut that marries lyrical historical fiction with folklore-inflected mystery, offering a story as tidal and elemental as the sea itself, one that proves gentleness and bravery, romance and restraint, can coexist without diminishing one another.

Wilgus opens her debut with prose so evocative that the Cornish coast, and the sea itself, emerge not merely as setting but as a sentient force shaping every life it touches. Her language strikes a rare balance, lyrical enough to enchant while remaining clear and unpretentious. Readers are immediately immersed in rich, atmospheric descriptions of the English seaside. The sea functions almost as a character: moody, dangerous, seductive, and protective. Reminiscent of du Maurier’s “Rebecca,” another Cornwall classic, the setting heavily reinforces themes of grief, endurance, freedom, and rebirth.

Isabel stands out as a rare kind of heroine, one who embodies softness and strength without apology or contradiction. Refreshingly nuanced, her bravery is quiet, rooted in endurance and moral clarity. Elegant, restrained, and socially aware, she still chooses to trust her instincts and intuition, choosing boldness rather than deferring to corrupt authority. It’s rare to find an FMC who truly knows her worth and carries such gentleness, passion, and courage simultaneously.

The novel’s secondary characters are also vividly drawn, each sharpening the emotional and moral contours of the story. Mrs. Dowling is a grounding maternal presence; Harriet provides a realistic portrait of the complexities of adult female friendship. Sowerby is a deeply effective antagonist. Vile and unsettling, he is easy to hate. And, of course, Jack is a swoon-worthy romantic lead. His chemistry with Isabel is palpable from their first interaction.

Remarkably, Wilgus crafts a romance so charged that its restraint only heightens its intensity. Many of today’s popular fiction offerings lean into spice, yet this book’s fade-to-black intimacy is proof that narrative restraint can enhance, rather than diminish, a love story. By prioritizing chemistry through dialogue, gestures, and withheld moments, the reader becomes entrenched in yearning, emotional connection, and desire, with heat that effectively rivals much more explicit novels.

The legend of the Sea Bucca and the mystery surrounding Isabel’s origins are handled with a folkloric restraint that favors unease and wonder over explicit magic. Rather than leaning into full magical realism, the mysticism exists on the margins: inherited, whispered, and half-believed. This narrative restraint enhances the historical realism, allowing readers to sit in the ambiguity and deepening the novel’s overall resonance.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its ability to hold the quiet rhythms of widowhood alongside the perilous excitement of smuggling on the English coast during the French Revolution. The story opens with gentle slice-of-life moments as Isabel learns to survive independently. Her everyday concerns feel meaningful rather than trivial due to their strong emotional center, creating deep character investment. The cottagecore aspect of starting life anew in a tiny English seaside village is nothing short of delightful and allows the plot to build momentum organically.

While the novel begins as an intimate character-driven narrative, it accelerates into gripping suspense. The subterfuge of the smugglers and the relentless pursuit of the guards slowly move to the forefront of the story, delivering political tension, high stakes, and intense emotional payoff. By the final chapters, this book becomes impossible to put down as it leans fully into swashbuckling, seafaring adventure.

“The Sea Child” announces Linda Wilgus as a writer of rare confidence and sensitivity, delivering a story that is both understated and unforgettable. Quietly affirming, hauntingly beautiful, swooningly romantic, with a touch of magic, this debut is a triumph that is sure to enchant its audience.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabel brings a lot of secrets with her to her very humble new home in Cornwall. One might think that a young widow would know not to bring all of those secrets to a small village where no one has anything else to do other than to fish and peddle rumors. But this little no-where village is where she was found as a child eighteen years earlier. Now that there’s nothing left to hold her to her previous life, Isabel returns with a faint hope that she might at last find out where she came from. The Sea Child, by Linda Wilgus, is a delightful romp: romance, smugglers, and possibly a mermaid...

Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.

[Ashley | thewindedbibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

The Sea Child is a quietly atmospheric historical romance infused with folklore, myth, and the ever-present pull of the sea. Smugglers, morally gray characters, and a close-knit coastal village create a setting that feels lived-in and steeped in legend.

Isabel is a young widow who returns to her childhood village after her husband is killed at the Battle of Trafalgar. Penniless and inexperienced, she arrives carrying both grief and rumors—most notably the whispered belief that she may be the daughter of the Sea Bucca. Stripped of her former life, Isabel must learn how to survive on her own, from lighting a fire to baking bread, and those small moments of independence were some of my favorite parts of the story.

The narrative takes an intriguing turn when three men break into Isabel’s cottage one night, unaware that she has taken residence there, carrying one of their own who has been gravely injured. From there, the story unfolds into a world of smugglers and sea-worthy tales, where the village quietly bands together despite law enforcement’s vendetta against them. I especially loved the themes of women supporting women and the strong sense of community woven throughout.

The folklore surrounding the Sea Bucca is beautifully integrated, giving the novel a subtle, magical quality that keeps you questioning what is myth and what might be true. Wilgus’s descriptions of the sea are vivid and immersive—you can almost hear the waves and smell the salt in the air—and the setting becomes just as important as the characters themselves.

While the romance is central to the story, it does move fairly quickly, and I would have enjoyed spending a bit more time watching Isabel grow on her own before the relationship fully took hold. The lore-heavy elements also left me wishing the story had been fleshed out just a bit more. That said, the overall reading experience was lovely and engaging.

The Sea Child will appeal to readers who enjoy historical romance blended with folklore, forced proximity, and morally gray characters, all set against a richly drawn seaside backdrop.

Thank you to Ballantine Books, and the author, Linda Wilgus, for reaching out and allowing me to read an advanced copy!!

[Ben Bergonzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and clever adventure set amongst Cornish smugglers, not amazingly original but very well-written. Isabel, a young widow, returns to Helford in Cornwall which is an area that has vague significance for her, because there is a belief amongst the people of the village and coastline that she mysteriously appeared from the sea as a small child. She was then taken to other side of the country by adoptive parents, and got married to a midshipman who was killed at Trafalgar leaving her poorly provided for as the story, set in 1808, begins. Gradually the author shows a relationship developing between a smuggler Captain, Jack Carlyon and Isabel, despite the blandishments of those of her own class, eg an exciseman named Lt. Sowerby. But it turns out that he believes in hanging before trial, whilst Carlyon is clever, funny and gentlemanly, and also, as it turns out, very much from her own class too. Wilgus organises incident, fear, class consciousness, minor characters, landscapes and many more ingredients superbly well, so as to provide an extremely compelling read. One is inevitably reminded of Daphne du Maurier (a location in this book is actually called Frenchman's Creek) by the period and the detailed Cornish topography, although a more obscure homage is that to Graham Greene, in that the name Carlyon is borrowed from his one historical smuggling novel, The Man Within, from which Wilgus has borrowed one plot element, the concept of a single woman providing sanctuary to a man on the run. Her insight into her characters' minds - for example the bleakness of Isabel's widowhood after a 3-year marriage during which she and her husband spent only a few weeks together - is also worthy of Greene. I particularly appreciated the thought that losing a loved one at sea inevitably alters one's attitude to the water because it forms their only grave. A fine book and remarkably successful for a debut. I can hardly believe, if it is true, that Wilgus' first language is not English.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley & publisher, for this e-arc of The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus.

This is a historical fiction novel. 4*; one unique aspect of this novel is the setting by the sea, along with the myth and smuggler elements.

Synopsis:
The Sea Child is an atmospheric historical novel set on the wild Cornish coast in the early 1800s, following Isabel, a young widow of the Napoleonic Wars who returns to the seaside village where she was mysteriously found as a child. As she seeks the truth about her origins and confronts a haunting local legend that she may be the daughter of a sea spirit, Isabel becomes entangled with a dangerous band of smugglers and their charismatic, wounded captain, Jack. Torn between law and outlaw, land and sea, duty and desire, Isabel is drawn into perilous raids, looming violence, and a deepening connection to the ocean itself. Blending romance, folklore, and high-stakes adventure, the novel traces Isabel’s journey toward self-discovery and courage, culminating in a moment where myth and reality collide, and only by embracing who she truly is can she hope to turn the tide.

Things I liked:
• The sea/atmosphere of the novel
• The MC, Isabel
• Myth elements

Things I disliked (if you can call it that):
• At times, a slow pace
• Not always enough character development
• I could have used more action

Quote: "Isabel brings a lot of secrets with her to her very humble new home in Cornwall. One might think that a young widow would know not to bring all of those secrets to a small village where no one has anything else to do other than to fish and peddle rumors."

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sea Child is inspired by the Cornish folklore of the Sea Bucca, child of a creature – inspiring a female character surrounded by mystical connection. The romantic landscape of Cornish coast inspired a male character of a captain.

England, early 1800. Isabel, young widow, is forced to leave her home in London due to her late husband’s debts and return to the Cornish coast where she was found as a small child. A child who was referred to as the Sea Bucca’s child.

Upon her arrival in the village a wounded captain is brought to her cottage in secret and as it turns out even he recognizes the Sea Bucca’s child. Captain Jack calls himself a free trader. She calls him a smuggler. Despite this, she chooses to care for the captain since she can’t forget her late husband’s injury. When he leaves, she is left with longing feeling for him.

Her enigmatic origins inspire her to search for the answers. This also gives her a reason to find a bridge to the captivating captain.

This story develops into historical romance perfectly set against the sea, beaches and coves. The historical setting, with its culture and folklore, has a very authentic feel. Cornish culture influenced by poverty is characterized by rebellious act of the smuggling trade, which wasn’t restricted to this area in England, but it was widely supported here. The story is related in a linear way with outstanding prose and fast pace.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Christina Egan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Linda Wilgus and Ballantine for an advanced copy of this book.

This was an enjoyable book about the 1800’s in Cornwall England. I don’t often read many books about this time period and location and I really enjoyed it. This historical fiction had mystery, romance, pirates and some mythical sea creatures however it is not a fantasy read.
This story is about a young woman named Isabel who was recently widowed and returns to live quietly in a town where she mysteriously appeared when she was 4 years old. The townspeople think that she is the daughter of a local mythical legend- The Sea Bucca.
She quickly is brought into a smuggling ring and embarks on a mission to sell and bring back good from France on a boat captained by a handsome estate owner named Jack who is smuggling goods into England due to the high taxes that have made every day goods unaffordable to the townspeople.
There is a lot of action and mystery in this novel as well as a glimpse into life of the common people of Cornwall as well as the wealthy.
You will enjoy this book if:
🌊 enjoy historical romance
🌊 love books with strong FMCs
🌊 enjoy tales of traveling on the sea
🌊 like historical fiction that takes place in England

This book has a touch of magic and folklore but it is definitely not a fantasy read which I liked. This book is set by the ocean, rivers and beach coves and the water holds a lot of symbolism for Isabel.
I think this was an impressive book for a debut and am looking forward to many more reads from this author.

[Tea Leaves and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is a daughter of the sea. He is a man of the land. Can they overcome the odds to be together? A love story with a touch of magic and folklore, The Sea Child is a stunning debut set against the wilderness of the Cornish Coast.

There are a hundred reasons why I loved this book – perhaps even more. Above everything, the memorable lead character, Isabel, in equal measures brave, resourceful, loyal and naive, had a blend of vulnerability and grit that just set the scene for what became a brilliant read.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this book was the way that the Author combined both historical fact and historical legend but just the exact right amount of both. This is neither a historical nor a magical-realism seated novel, it’s a delicious combination of both – with the legacy of smuggling in Cornwall on an equal platform with the mysticism of The Sea Bucca. Add in the richly detailed setting and a lyrical and immersive description of the beauty and brutality of the weathered landscapes and coast, all that was left to include was a slow-burn relationship underpinning the storyline. The Author gently wove in a story-line of love and loss giving it an equal footing with the action and mystery of the book.

This is going to be a stand-out debut in 2026, appealing to those who love historical romance with beautiful settings and those who enjoy folklore and a combination of evocative writing and a compelling heroines. If you enjoy period drama, atmospheric romance, cornwall and adventure tales, this is the book for you.

[Jacqie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a fairly simple plot. The skill of the writing drew me along.

Basically, young widow Isobel has come to Cornwall to escape a bit of a scandal in London. She is strongly drawn to the sea. Although her class background means that she is not used to doing for herself, she learns to light a fire, cook, do laundry.

Isobel meets a Revenue office who seems interested in her, but his bloodthirsty and callous nature keep her from being drawn to him. When the wounded captain of a smuggling ship turns up at her door, she helps treat his wounds and finds herself thinking about him. In the 19th century, Cornwall was a smuggling stronghold and the tension between the smugglers (who have the tacit support of most of the inhabitants) and the Crown led to violence and death.

Isobel is drawn to Jack and also drawn to the sea. Both of these loves can and will lead to danger and Isobel must learn to rely upon herself even more.

There's a bit of a subplot that hints that Isobel might have some sort of supernatural origin.

I've been interested in Cornwall for decades, although I have never been. The author brings the history of the place alive and she has written a relatable heroine. She manages to draw tension out and this becomes an adventure story and a romance for adults- Isobel and Jack both know that they fit well together, it's just a matter of time.

[JensNextRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Five stars aren't enough.

Historical fiction isn’t something I usually reach for, so I didn’t go into this expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. I picked it up with a why not mindset, and it ended up surprising me in the best way.

This was one of those stories that quietly pulls you in. I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn’t reading and reaching for it whenever I had a free moment.

Set along the Cornish coast in the early 1800s, it follows a young widow whose quiet life becomes tangled with smugglers, secrets, and a past she can’t escape

After finishing, I realized how much I appreciated the balance of it all. The pacing felt right, the details never felt overwhelming, and the romance was there without ever taking over the story. Even days later, I couldn’t think of anything that felt off or unnecessary.

For this to be a debut novel makes it even more impressive. Writing a story that pulls in readers who don’t typically connect with this kind of book deserves real credit.

This is one I’ll absolutely be recommending for a long time.

If you’ve ever thought historical fiction just isn’t for you, this might be the book that proves you wrong.

Thank you to Ballantine Books/Penguin Random House for the advance copy.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a sweeping romantic adventure that blends a touch of folklore with the reality of being a young recently impoverished war widow in the early 1800s. In Cornwall. With smugglers! Isabel appeared from the sea as a four year old and was adopted by an Admiral and his wife. Her beloved George, who she married at 18 died at sea, her adoptive parents are dead (with her step brothers getting the estate), and her friendship with one of George's pals has been misinterpreted. Shunned by her stepmother and London society, she's returned to Cornwall where she's believed to be the child of a merman but where the people (especially her kindly landlady) help her learn to do the basics, like light a fire. And then one night her home is invaded by a group of men carrying a wounded comrade and everything changes. Jack is the leader of a group of smugglers. And we're off. There's a loathsome revenue officer, a flighty wealthy neighbor, the people of the town and they all add up to vivid and realistic characters. There's the lingering mystery of how Isabel arrived in Cornwall, there's the tension between Isabel and George, there's just so much to make this a great read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a page turner.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

It was a beautiful mix of folklore and history, combining a story of the Sea Bucca, a Cornish sea spirit, with a tale of smugglers during the Napoleonic Wars.

It tells the story of Isabel, a newly impoverished widow, and Jack, a gentleman land owner turned smuggler who brings in goods from France in order to care for his tenants and family.

I loved the setting in Cornwall, mostly in real places (read the author’s note). And the story of smuggling, told from the locals and the smuggler’s point of view was fascinating.

In addition to being a gripping adventure, this also tells a story of grief, belonging, and women’s independence (or lack of it).

Told in single POV, this is a ‘fade to black’ love story. It is beautifully written, combining dreamy descriptions of the sea and landscape with action packed passages full of derring-do.

Highly recommended.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for supplying this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Alison FP · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful debut novel. Isabel returns to the coast of Cornwall where she grew up under mysterious circumstances. Some locals say that she is the daughter of a sea spirit. Others say she just showed up one day coming out of the water with no family to speak of. Recently widowed, she’s trying to make a life for herself with few resources, having lost her position in society when she lost her husband. One night, a group of smugglers show up on her doorstep of her cabin with an injured captain. This is where things get good.

The story is beautifully written and the characters are well developed. I really enjoy the author’s descriptions of the landscape and coast of Cornwall. The story has some swashbuckling adventure and some romance, although some parts of the story are highly unbelievable which I can’t share without spoilers. Despite that, I truly enjoyed this story which kept me up late at night wanting to know what would happen next.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Wilgus has served it up for readers in her debut novel, The Sea Child. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but I can tell you that I walked away simply in love with it!

Set in the 1800’s along the Cornish coast, this enchanting and spell binding story will whisk you off on an adventure that you will not soon forget. There were many moments when my stomach was in knots with a sense of urgency, despair or relief for different characters.

Based on Cornish Folklore, Wilgus has woven together a beautiful love story laced with fast paced action, a thoughtful storyline and a female lead character on the path to finding herself and her independence.

With a beautiful backdrop and tremendous character development, The Sea Child will capture your imagination and your heart.

Thank you to Linda Wilgus and Ballantine Books for the gifted copy of this book. I could not and would not put it down!

[Donna Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

what.the.teacher_reads
Book Review
Do you
enjoy a strong FMC in a historical setting who is adventurous and ahead of her time? Or maybe an MMC who is daring, handsome, and willing to risk his life for a cause he believes in? What about an atmospheric setting on the English coast filled with tales and folklore in the early 1800s?
If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus is likely the book for you!
Young widow Isabel finds herself entangled in a web of unknowns. Did she come from the fabled Sea Bucca?
Why is she so drawn to the sea? And when an injured smuggler ends up in her bed for recovery, what should she do? This book had me turning pages and enjoying the ride!
Thank you to author @lindajwilgus for seeking me out to review this debut novel. Thanks also to @ballantinebooks and @randomhouse for this opportunity. All opinions are my own. Publishes January 20, 2026.