Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy

by Jacqueline Firkins

An introverted history professor and a former romance cover model collaborate on a life-changing endeavor in a witty and swoonworthy novel about new beginnings in unexpected waters.

When a sinkhole nearly swallows her whole, burned-out history professor Philippa Flynn takes it as a wake-up call. Leaving her carefully planned but unfulfilling life behind, she moves into an old seaside house she inherited from her grandmother, a bestselling author of swashbuckling romances. Philippa expects the clutter, disrepair, proximity to the family she deliberately moved away from, and reclusive writer she’ll be sharing the house with. She doesn’t expect that writer to also be the cover model who personified Iris Flynn’s bare-chested, cavalier-booted pirate king.

While navigating their awkward cohabitation and searching for creative inspiration, the pair discovers the outlines for six more novels they could work on together. But Philippa’s used to facts, Dylan has writer’s block, and neither can craft a love scene while real sparks are flying.

To write the story on the page, Philippa will have to embrace the one she’s living, even if it means swapping tenure for treasure maps and plans for pirate kings.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Jacqueline's a writer, costume designer, and lover of beautiful things. She's on the full-time faculty in the Department of Theatre & Film at the University of British Columbia where she teaches character design, world building, script interpretation, and period costume construction courses. When not obsessing about where to put the buttons or the commas, she can be found running by the ocean, eating excessive amounts of gluten, listening to earnest love songs, and pretending her dog understands every word she says.

**A note about my reviews. As is probably obvious, I post reviews primarily to celebrate other authors and their books. I won't say I love a book if I don't, but I will focus on the things I like and/or the things I think readers might want to consider when choosing if a book might be right for them. If you're looking for more critical reviews, they're easy to find on here. We live in a world where tearing people down is often celebrated more strongly than lifting them up. Consider my universal 5-star ratings and my focus-on-the-positive book reviews a teeny-tiny rebellion against that attitude, and one that only works because I'm one voice among many. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to provide thoughtful reviews, no matter the stars. And happy reading.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a minute to warm up to this story, but I got there.

Reading the synopsis, I expected something way different. A fun, action-filled romance adventure or something like that, you know? But what I got was more of a cosy, heartwarming women's fiction novel. I still enjoyed it, though.

I really liked Philippa, she was an interesting, authentic and well-rounded main character. Dylan on the other hand remained a bit bland and underdeveloped. Just like their romance, unfortunately. It was a slow burn that couldn’t really win me over.
But since the focus was mainly on Philippa, her grief and her family dynamics anyway it wasn't that much of an issue.

I liked it enough to finish it, but it also took me a really long time. Like I said, I was just expecting something different and what I got wasn’t really for me 🤷‍♀️

If you go in with the right expectations or if you like women’s fiction then I think you’d probably enjoy this one quite a bit more than I did.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

__
An introverted history professor and a former romance cover model collaborate on a life-changing endeavor?!! 👀👀

[Bookish Londoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great development of complex, authentic characters in a slow burn romance. There are serious topics woven into the storyline about grief, burnout, family conflict, anxiety and loneliness. This creates a comfy and hopeful read! It was hard to put down once I got into it. Well constructed story, emotional at times with a funny narrative, and thankfully not the stereotypical girl-inherits-house-in-middle-of-nowhere-with-sexy-man-nearby trope that I thought it might be.

NetGalley ARC

[jenny reads a lot]

Immediately need this.

[G.F. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Firkins’ writing style makes her books feel very grounded and lifelike. This one did not disappoint. The many threads of the main character’s story weave together into a central question: How do we let go, what is worth fighting for, and how do we tell the difference? The sibling relationships are a delight, the “can’t have it all” conundrum is relatable, and the Pirate King is swoonworthy and broody — as he should be.

This is an ADULT book. This is not a recommendation for my young teen readers.

[Val Suchecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Phillippa Flynn’s near death experience when her bike gets sucked into a sink hole catapults her into quitting her miserable job, breaking up with her situationship, and moving across the country into the barely-standing house her grandmother left her in her will. The catch is, someone else lives there.

Phillippa arrives at the house to find her grandma’s co-author is not the frowning older man her google search turned up, but rather the sexy pirate king from the covers of her grandma’s romantasy book series.

This book has slow burn romance, complex family dynamics, academia burnout, grief over losing a loved one, and sexy pirates. The growth of the characters and relationships made the slow burn worth it. I found myself becoming frustrated with the characters, because they felt real and not perfect. Philippa’s parents inability to let her make decisions based on her own happiness, Dylan not being able to process his feelings and squatting for 6+ years. Philippa for putting everyone else’s ideas of what her life should be before her own.

I enjoyed experiencing each character grow and have the courage to live a life that makes them happy.

[Ashlee (bookswithnopictures) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Philippa has had it with her dream job in academia. She's tired of being taken for granted and looked over with little to no appreciation. She breaks up with her career and moves in to the crumbling manor her grandmother willed her years ago that just happens to come with a hermit of a roommate who used to work with her grandmother. To Philippa's surprise, Dylan does not look like Santa but 100% resembles the romance heroes featured on her grandmother's piratey historical fiction books.
I wasn't really sure what this book was about when I picked it up and it just blew me away. Which shouldn't surpise me as I very much enjoyed Marlowe Banks, Redesigned, but I think the cover is just vague enough that I wasn't sure what I was in for. I L.O.V.E.D. it! From Philippa's struggles with her job and stagnant life to her delayed grief and need for love to the crumbling estate she isn't quite sure what to do with, it all was cohesively lovely. Philippa and Dylan together are incredibly endearing.
Thank you to the author for the traveling arc copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 Stars

One Liner: More of women’s fiction with romance; a strange blend of realism and HEA

After almost drowning in a sinkhole, a burned-out history professor, Philippa Flynn, decides to take a break and moves into a seaside old house inherited from her grandmother, Iris Flynn. Iris was a bestselling romance author, so Philippa expected the house to be filled with clutter.

However, she didn’t expect to share the space with a recluse writer with a block who is also a cover model (the bare-chested kind). They try to make the best of the awkward situation and focus on their respective work. But they discover the outlines of six novels, which they can work on together, if not for their vastly different personalities.

Maybe this is a chance for Philippa to finally live a little?

The story comes in Philippa’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts

The book is both women’s fiction and romance as Philippa sorts through her life, decisions, family, and career while falling in love.

It also presents things realistically with no neat resolution in some threads, but we cannot miss the fictional arc toward the end, where things do conclude with an HEA.

The book presents a stark take on academia: on gender bias (racial bias and ideological bias are just as rampant) and how institutions now expect faculty to be customer service agents rather than teachers by catering to students’ (ridiculous) demands. This reminded me of a few reels I watched recently. A teacher reads out some of the emails he gets from parents. One of them wanted their son to be paired only against weaker students so that he could win tests easily and feel confident. Another was about how they didn’t believe in rigid rules, so their daughter should be exempt from being punctual to school and could arrive whenever they could send her. A third was about a kid who was always put on a losing team, and that it was affecting him (the teacher added a postscript that the teams lost because of this kid).

The book also deals with parental pressure and ambitions. The FMC’s parents are so annoying! They constantly talk down to her. Not that they are better with their successful children. The mother interferes too much in their lives despite claiming not to. In a way, I like that there are no sudden changes to the character arcs. People don’t stop being themselves overnight, so it is definitely realistic.

The best part of the book is how the FMC bonds with her successful siblings, people she didn’t want to interact with much because she wasn’t like them. I really liked the chats and in-person interactions. The FMC’s friend has a minor role, but an important one, reminding her to be at least true to herself.

We also get snippets of the novel the MCs write together, and it was fun to read. The excerpts (included within the chapters) showed the FMC’s growth.

The MMC is kind, calm, and comes with his share of baggage. But since the book has a single POV, we don’t know much about him. While his kindness and ability to listen were evident, it would have helped if we had gotten at least a few chapters from him.

The book has many cool quotes about academia, parents, family, grief, etc. One I had to laugh at was the description of Booker's wins (misery after misery, trauma after trauma).

To summarize, Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy is entertaining and thoughtful. It is lighthearted enough while dealing with some important themes relatable to many people.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #PhilippaFlynnsYearOfPanicAndPiracy

[camila · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.”

This was an intriguing read! Jacqueline Firkins’ newest book follows Philippa Flynn as she realises life is too short to stay in her miserable job and in her miserable relationship. So she uproots her life and moves to Maine to live in her late grandmother’s home… alongside her mysterious co-writer.

Philippa is relatable, easy to root for, and authentic, which makes her a great setup for an imperfect FMC. She’s someone you’re excited to grow alongside!! Throughout the novel, Philippa is belittled by her family, which is frustrating to see, but I was interested in following her journey to fighting back 😌 And that’s where this fell short for me. Despite the emphasis on her resentment toward her mother, Philippa never pushes back in a meaningful way. This is a character-driven story, so I was obviously invested in her, but ultimately, I wanted more character growth. Philippa has the foundation for a captivating protagonist, but, in my opinion, the opportunity was missed.

This leans heavily toward women’s fiction, but I do have to mention the co-writer Philippa moves in with, Dylan Fleming, who was a nice addition to this story. I really did love the humanity and humour he offered Philippa. He was so kind! The way he truly understood her when no one else had tried was sweet. Dylan felt like a missing piece in a lot of ways. But if you're looking for a steamy romance where the sparks fly, this is probably not it. Dylan is compelling, but he’s also mostly a listening ear :)

Philippa’s relationship with her siblings stood out to me! As they began to reflect on and reject the more manipulative dynamics in their family, and as Philippa came to see that she was lucky to have them, I grew to care about them more, too. In a novel that could’ve become too stationary fast, they added never-ending entertainment!!

Also, the snippets from the pirate book Philippa was working on with Dylan were fun. I liked following their creative journey! And the way that intertwined with Philippa’s slow acceptance of the scary and uncertain things in life was beautiful. I reflected quite a bit while reading this 🫂 I loved the reminder that happiness can matter more than stability, "common sense," or the judgment of those you love most.

Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy isn’t a favourite, but I enjoyed my time with it!! Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

[ange · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐ - A very sweet novel about a thirtysomething woman with her life not together as she deals with the deep grief from losing her beloved grandmother and eventually finds love with her grandmother's co-writer, a somewhat asocial but kind former cover model.

I had a really great time with this story for about ninety percent of it. I really liked Philippa, an extremely normal (complimentary!) woman who is smart but not genius, pretty but not stunning, nice but not particularly charismatic, whose existence takes a turn when she enters a life crisis and decides to drop her tenured job and hole up in the dilapidated old house her grandmother left her. There, she meets Dylan, the man who starred on the covers of her grandmother's romance novels and who later became her assistant and co-writer. Philippa and Dylan's cohabitation starts rocky to later devolve into a multilayered partnership full of classic rom-com beats, some of which were so cinematic they took my breath away (the moment of Dylan coming back from a run in the rain will be seared in my brain for a long time!).

This story leans more women's fiction than romance novel, despite the romance taking a relatively forefront position. We accompany Philippa as she navigates these new, rough waters of uncertainness, of being at an age when one's supposed to have it all together (and so many of us don't), just like her beloved, chaotic siblings seem to; of her trying and failing and trying again to ask for and receive support from her caffeinated know-it-all parents, who love her but don't understand her. Her relationship with Dylan grows into something full of kindness and compassion and awareness, and lacking in judgment, exactly what they both need, and though I thought Dylan remained a bit opaque (we only have Philippa's POV), he was exactly the kind of romantic hero I'm drawn to, and their relationship the kind I most want to root for.

The last ten percent lost me a little, partly due to my own personal preferences, and partly because of what I thought was a bit of a too quick resolution of the various threads. Still, overall a very enjoyable read that made me think a lot about my grandmothers, whom I miss both intensely.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance reader copy.

[Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s a fine line between alone and lonely, between needing to be away from the noise, the bustle, and the judgment of others and not wanting a life built on silence and solitude… How do I reconcile my need for aloneness with the growing sense that I’ve been missing something that would prevent the aloneness from becoming a place I can’t escape?”

As an introvert who loves her alone time, I totally relate to this quote.

And while there is not enough piracy 😂, I really loved this book.

There is something genuinely lovely about watching Philippa and Dylan go from total strangers to reluctant roommates to something so much more. The slow burn here is real — and yes, maybe occasionally a bit slow. But it was kind of refreshing to read a romance that lets the relationship breathe instead of rushing to the spice. Sometimes you just want to watch two people actually fall for each other, you know? And if they don’t have all their ish figured put at the end of the book it’s ok because you know you’re guaranteed a HEA.

The excerpts from the Zane Scarlet series woven throughout were an absolute delight. I would 100% read those books. Someone please make them real. Iris Flynn, the magnificent fictional grandmother of the mfc and the writer of the fictional spicy pirate romance books sounds like she would have been a total blast and, I would so want to come to one of her pirate themed parties. So it was of course a bit sad reading through how the mfc Philippa is dealing and also not dealing with the death of her grandmother who was really the only person who truly saw her.

Speaking of family — Philippa's four siblings and the way those five have each other's backs no matter what was one of my favorite threads in the whole story. Her parents, on the other hand? Capital H Horrible. I said what I said.

My only real critiques are that the romance could have used a little more development, and Dylan feels somewhat underwritten in terms of his personal history and backstory — which is a shame because there's so much potential there. So I'm landing at 4.5 stars rather than a full five, but this is absolutely a warm, genuinely charming read that I'd recommend to anyone who wants something a little different from the typical romance.

“Life really does rarely give us simple this-or-that choices, and this book understands that beautifully. It's about priorities, sacrifice, and what we're willing to let go of to build something real.”


Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!



“Life so seldom presents us with a simple question of this or that. It’s a complicated nexus of interlocking priorities. If I can’t have it all, what can I have, and what am I willing to sacrifice in order to have it?”

Ooof who hasn't felt that at one point or another?

[Margie Bunting · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just survived a near-death moment, Philippa Flynn takes it as a sign to overhaul her life altogether. She is a tenured history professor, but the men in her department seem to be getting raises while she is not, even though she has written several books in her field. And her romantic relationship is going nowhere. Philippa resigns from her job, leaves her apartment behind, and tells her boyfriend it's over, moving into her beloved--now deceased--grandmother Iris's house.

Philippa has four older siblings, each of them accomplished in their own field and happy with their partners. Her parents continually tell her that her current situation disappoints them and could have been avoided if she had only taken their advice. Her grandmother was the only relative that understood Philippa and supported her, although her siblings try to help. Her mother also wants her to sell the house, which needs a lot of repairs, and Philippa tries to earn the money needed for the repairs by selling pirate lore collected by Iris with some success, but it's not enough.

Philippa perks up when she realizes that Iris, the author of 30+ popular books featuring pirate adventures and romances, wasn't able to finish the next in the series before she died and may have left notes about her next few books somewhere in the house. So she and Dylan--the other tenant of the house who was Iris's long-term assistant and the cover model for her books--join forces to try to give Iris's demanding fans at least one more book in the series.

There is a very low-key relationship burgeoning between the two, but I found it somewhat unconvincing, and Dylan's character not fully fleshed out. The book's resolution is also rather abrupt. The story is interesting, but It's not my favorite Jacqueline Firkins book (that would be The Goode Girls of Maple Lane from 2025). Nevertheless, Firkins is a go-to author for me, so I will remain a loyal reader of any books she publishes in the future.

My book is based on a complimentary pre-release copy of this book.

[Alyssa Reads and Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy is an absolute delight. If you are a fan of stories about women figuring out what they really want in life with some romance, and yes, pirates, along the way, you’ll have a great time reading Jacqueline Firkins’s latest book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Philippa has had it. After her bike is swallowed up by a sinkhole on the way to work, she decides life is too short and impulsively quits her unsatisfying job in academia. With nowhere else to go, she returns to the house that she inherited from her beloved grandmother on the Maine coast. The house also comes with quiet Dylan, a tenant who was her grandmother’s assistant and cover model for her successful pirate romances. While Philippa deals with a laundry list of house repairs, she and Dylan discover outlines for six more of her grandmother’s books. Can the pair resurrect the swashbuckling series together? Or will Philippa bow to her family’s pressure and head back to academia?

I love this book! Read it if you are a fan of:

🏴‍☠️ Older MCs
⛵️ Relatable first person single POV
🏴‍☠️ Forced proximity
⛵️Thoughts on being alone vs lonely
🏴‍☠️ Grief without a set timeline
⛵️ FMC with no interest in having kids, and it’s a great choice
🏴‍☠️ Love of pirate romance

This book what I’d call a quiet story, with lots of internal thoughts and feelings. And while the romance is vital to the entire plot, the focus is on Philippa figuring out what she needs to be satisfied and happy with her life, along with working through the grief of losing her grandmother. A bonus are the the passages from the Zane Scarlett book the pair is writing—I’d read this pirate romance in a second!

I adore Philippa Flynn. If you like reading books that straddle the line between romance and women’s fiction, and are intensely satisfying too, you’ll love Jacqueline Firkins’s latest story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book, thanks to the author for my free copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Annabel Pickard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philippa Flynn, by all accounts, has achieved everything she dreamed of, she’s a successful and published history professor with tenure - an academic’s dream. But as she stands in front of a sinkhole that she narrowly avoids plummeting into, she realises she’s just not happy. Phillipa quits her job and moves back home into the house she inherited from her wildly successful, published-author grandmother, to evaluate what she’s going to do next.
But with four siblings who all seem to have their lives together, an overbearing mother who seems constantly disappointed in Philippa’s choices and the handsome but mysterious lodger whose turning out to be a hard nut to crack, will she change her life? Or will she concede to her mother’s wishes of taking another academic job and selling her grandmother’s decrepit and crumbling house?

I enjoyed this story so so much. The budding romance between Philippa and Dylan felt so sweet and genuine, but also explored how difficult it can be as a more mature couple with baggage to work through - whether that be a heartbreaking divorce or a mother who will only see things her own way. I also loved the theme of rediscovery (no pirate pun intended). On paper Philippa had the career she had spent her life dreaming of but the reality was so different. The opportunity to finish writing her grandmother’s beloved series meant she could still love the history she’d built a career on but do something creative that brought her joy.

Philippa was a really beautifully written character with such depth, and the dynamic between her and her siblings, and all of the Flynn children and their mother created a real tension that I’m sure a lot of people can relate to. Big, messy life decisions interspersed with whimsical passages from Gram’s pirate world made for a really great

[Lisa Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philippa Flynn had long desired to return home to coastal Maine and when a frightening mishap left her shaken and confused, she knew it was time for a change. She always thought the academic world was her calling, but lately she was more disillusioned than ever. The only thing she was certain of was how she felt when the cab driver drove up the noisy, gravel driveway which led to her beloved grandmother's home. Philippa spent every summer with her grandmother, Iris, voraciously reading, while she wrote her popular pirate romance novels. Philippa immediately felt safe because “the house was the only place she’d ever felt at home.”

Upon her arrival, she never expected to be greeted by the man who had graced all of her grandmother’s pirate novels. Dylan Sterling was even more handsome in person and she could see why her grandmother chose him to represent the hero on her book covers. Dylan had been her assistant, confidant and best friend, up until the end. Phillipa was looking forward to hearing all of his stories about the time he spent with her grandmother, so she would feel close to her once again. Philippa was essentially “homeless, jobless” and single, (what a depressing combination) but luckily for her, the house and its contents had been left to her along with a boat that was in desperate need of repair.

Phillippa was at a crossroads in her life and she would soon have to make the biggest decision that had ever landed on her desk. Should she take a chance and pursue a new career, or follow the safe path to a new teaching position? She just wasn’t ready to leave the house, her grandmother’s memories or Dylan, who had become very important to her. They both loved and admired her grandmother and had the desire to keep her memory alive. Together, they knew what had to be done to make everyone’s dreams come true.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this if you like: a slow burn romance, a FMC with a PhD, complex family dynamics

My rating: 4,0

Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy by Jacqueline Firkins is the story of Philippa (duh), a history professor that on a whim quits her job and moves into the seaside house she inherited from her late grandmother - the bestselling author of a pirate romance book series. However, what Philippa didn’t know before she moved back: her grandmother’s co-writer who is also staying at the house is actually the book cover model. So now, she has to live together with a good-looking pirate…

I really liked this novel, but the start of the book was quite slow and it took me a while to get into the story. However, as soon as I passed that point, I finished the book within a day.

Philippa is a very relatable character. She has her doubts and flaws (but hey, who hasn’t?) and it was fun to watch her change and grow as the story progressed. A big theme in the book is family, and I find that this has made for some interesting storylines throughout the book. The romance with Dylan started slow, but turned out sweet and loving and as you read this story, I feel that it makes sense why their love develops in this way.

If you like romance books that don’t feel too sappy but display a more realistic type of relationship development, I think that this story is for you. But if you like books about self growth and gaining self confidence along the way, don’t hesitate to pick up this book too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions regarding this book are my own.

[Gerry P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read, with more depth than I expected.

After a near-death experience, Philippa quits her academic job and moves back to her grandmother’s house in Maine, which she has to share with her grandma’s co-author.

Philippa is very relatable and easy to root for. She’s clever, introverted, a bit lost, and trying to figure things out. I really enjoyed following her journey, even if I did wish she stood up to her mom a bit more at times.

Dylan, her grandmother’s co-author, was a very interesting character. He’s thoughtful and kind, and he understands Philippa well. I enjoyed his character, even though I did have a moment where I was a bit annoyed with him.

The romance is a true slow burn, but it works really well. It felt natural and believable, especially for two introverts. I also enjoyed the creative aspect with the pirate books. Seeing their writing process was fun and unique.

The relationship between Philippa and her siblings was one of my favorite things about this book. There’s so much love and support between them. I loved seeing how they communicated, showed up for each other, and navigated delicate family situations.

Overall, this is a charming read that balances humor and deeper themes well. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something refreshing.


Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia Loy-Messineo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy was such a fun read! Philippa Flynn, a burnt out history professor, decides to upend her life after nearly falling in a sinkhole. She leaves her life in academia to move back to her late grandmother’s seaside home in Maine, where her grandmother’s writing assistant, Dylan, is still living. After some awkwardness, Philippa and Dylan embark on a journey to write the remaining novels in Philippa’s grandmother’s pirate romance series, and both characters learn and grow in ways neither ever suspected.

I relate to Philippa as an introvert and never feeling like you fit in most spaces; I loved her character, and I connected to the loving relationship she had with her grandmother. I adore the slow burn between her and Dylan — their relationship progression felt appropriately paced considering their own histories. Philippa’s relationships with her siblings was so lovely to see, as well. All in all, this book was perfect! I would so love to see more of these characters.

As a side note, can Jacqueline please write the Zane Scarlett series? I’m obsessed with the snippets included throughout the book!

I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book under the impression the setup was fun (a woman moving into her late grandmother's old house in Maine only to meet the handsome man who modeled for her grandmother's steamy pirate books) and what I got was something fresh, full of heart and real life.

After experiencing what she feels is an unmistakable sign to change course, Philippa decides to quit her job as a history professor, pack her bags and move to her grandmother's old house--without much of a plan for the future. There she meets Dylan, the reclusive model-turned-writer that assisted her grandmother in finishing several of her popular novels about a charismatic pirate. At first Philippa flounders a bit on what she's doing with her life, but when she discovers the notebooks full of novel outlines for future books that her grandmother stowed away, she decides to team up with Dylan to finish what her grandmother started. In the meantime, their relationship blossoms and Philippa reflects on if she really wants to go back to what was once her dream job or if there's something else out there for her.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️- Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy

I really, really wanted to love this one- honestly, the title alone had me sold. It promises chaos, adventure, and a little bit of swashbuckling fun… but for me, it ended up feeling a bit like a slow sail rather than a high-seas adventure.

The book kicks off strong with a near-death experience that jolts Philippa into reevaluating her life, and I was so intrigued by where that might lead. Unfortunately, the pacing didn’t quite match the energy of that opening. For a story with “piracy” in the title, it felt surprisingly slow and more introspective than I expected.

I also struggled with the character dynamics- especially the relationship the MCs mom. It was frustrating watching her tiptoe around such a toxic, judgmental parent without much meaningful growth or pushback. I kept wanting to shake the characters a little and be like… please, stand up for yourself already!

There are definitely moments here that shine, and I can see this working for readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories. I just wish it had leaned a bit more into the bold, adventurous energy the title promises.

[Julia]

4.5 rounded up

I've read all of Jacqueline Firkins books, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy. Thank you! Philippa Flynn has the same emotional depth as the others. What is different is the general tone. Whereas I felt the other books had a more rom-com quality, this one is understated, a slow burn, and realistically mirrors the emotions and pressures that come with academia that are the reality of many of my real life friends. There is a rawness to Philippa's character. Who am I? How do I fit in? How far am I willing to compromise my truth? I felt so much sympathy for Philippa, and that anxiety of walking into a room and just being awkward. I felt that too. I feel like every academic who has ever questioned their decision to pursue that path and dare to dream of other possibilities would feel this book in their core. I loved it.

I tend to sort my books in my mind and on my shelves based on the vibes that I get. The writing in this book is understated like a Cara Bastone book so now I've moved my Firkins books together next to my Bastone books with this book being the transitional book.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Jacqueline Firkins, and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of ‘Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy' in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

'Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy' was a really charming and enjoyable read from start to finish.

The writing is witty without the humour feeling overused or distracting from the plot.

The plot itself is well-paced and entertaining, with moments that I'm sure many readers will be able to relate to.

There is a really good mix of characters in the book. Some offer comic relief, others pull at the heartstrings a little but, overall, the range of characters feels balanced.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the dynamic between the FMC, Philippa, and the MMC, Dylan, change throughout the book as their relationship develops.

If you like books with a frazzled FMC, determined to find herself and her own solutions, then I think you'll enjoy this one.

[Jean McCrossan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philippe Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy was an easy, enjoyable read that would make a perfect vacation or beach book. The characters were well developed, and I found myself invested in their journey.

One aspect I didn't enjoy was the main character's repeated focus on how "old white men" had derailed her career aspirations. I was initially worried after the opening chapters that this would become the book's dominant theme, but thankfully it didn't take over the story.

The romance between the two main characters developed very slowly, largely because of their own social anxieties. At times I found myself getting impatient, but that slow burn also kept me turning the pages to see when they would finally connect.

My biggest complaint was the ending. It left me wanting more details and wondering what happened next. I would have loved a longer epilogue or a few more chapters - or maybe even another book?

Overall, this was a fun, light read with likable characters and a sweet romance. I could easily see it being adapted into a charming romantic movie.

[Morgan Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this mostly for how it made me feel, and how beautifully it crafted the messy relationships we have with our dreams.

favorite quotes :

“It’s not laziness, exactly. It’s more like inertia, a tendency to keep doing whatever I’m already doing, even when I know better options exist. It’s just . . . How do you know when something’s worth fighting for? And when you’re just … fighting?

Life so seldom presents us with a simple question of this or that. It’s a complicated nexus of interlocking priorities. If I can’t have it all, what can I have, and what am I willing to sacrifice in order to have it?

There’s a twelve-year-old girl in a photo who will one day pursue a dream. For her, I grieve what that dream became. I’m also excited to discover what new dreams she pursues.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this title.

[LP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

Marketed as a romance, I'm not sure I'd call it that. It was a very slow burn and I didn't think there was much chemistry for at least the first half. I did like both MCs but I thought the real strength of the book was the relationship among the five siblings. Those were my favorite scenes. The parents though?! Yikes, the epitome of toxic and emotionally abusive, with the mother being one of the most atrocious parents I've ever read. I wanted to yell at all of them to stand up for themselves. Once the story-within-a-story started, it took me right out of the narrative. Those were my least favorite parts. The ending was a bit of a letdown, even though you could see it coming a mile away. Philippa forgave Dylan way too easily. I didn't love the book but I didn't dislike it either, I'm kind of ambivalent and felt 2 stars was too harsh, so I'll stick with a mediocre 3.

[G · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2.5 for me.

This story was not a favourite. It started great with a near death experience knocking some sense into the main character Philippa.

This earth shattering death revelation was key in her waking up to all that she was missing and she quit her job, sold off her apartment, and said goodbye to mediocre colleagues. Apparently they felt she was mediocre as well. No one really seemed to care if she was there or not and her boss didn’t as much as question her. After seven years, she didn’t have a nameplate on the door of her broom closet windowless office.


Instead of free falling, lucky for her, it just so happened that her writer-grandmother died ten years previously, leaving her a house complete with contents, and a bonus roomie. Thus starts her adventure.


Much thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC for free.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After almost meeting her end in a sinkhole, Philippa Flynn upends her life and embarks on a year of panic and piracy.

Philippa was at the end of her rope. With nowhere else to go, she decided to return to a home that was once her refuge. Her grandmother's house was a place of escape and comfort for Philippa and was now hers per her grandmother's will. The only catch was that her grandmother's assistant (and cover model for her romance book series) was welcome to live there. This set the stage for some awkward and awesome moments.

I will say what I always say about academia - why does anyone do it???? Our heroine here was a burned out academic who was miserable in her position. This part of the story was something that got old quick, but there were many parts of the story I LOVED!

- I adored the search for Philippa's grandmother's outlines and the partnership that arose between her and Dylan (aka The Pirate King) as they worked together to write that next book.

- I was not too keen on Philippa's mother, but her siblings were fantastic! The group chat made me laugh, and they endeared themselves to me every time they rallied around Philippa. Her sisters and brother were the support system she didn't believe she had, and the relationship they shared built the case for why Philippa had to fight to stay in Maine.

-Dylan was quite complicated and complex. He was quiet but contained multitudes. His unconventional upbringing left him with super thick armor to break through, but it was very satisfying when Philippa did.

- The grand gesture was a GRAND gesture! I was bouncing up and down while it was happening. Fantastic!

- I am all for taking chances and making changes to improve your life. Philippa was miserable and needed to shift gears. It was not an easy path, but she never gave up. I was proud of her.

Overall: Philippa's Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy was a wonderful slow-burn romance which was part of a bigger personal journey. I loved seeing Philippa take back parts of herself she had lost as she paved the way for a new future punctuated with happiness and joy.


*ARC provided by publisher

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[Anabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

More burned out than the coffee in the teacher's break room, Philippa Flynn takes almost being swallowed by a sink hole for what it is: a sign from the universe to wake the fuck up. So, in rapid succession, she: quits her tenured history professor. job, ends her lease for her comfortable apartment, and packs up her meager belongings to move across the country and into her inherited seaside home that's literally crumbling into the ocean. And while she was expecting to be joining her non-rent-paying tenant, the man she finds living there is not the decrepit old man she'd always envisioned her grandmother writing swashbuckling romances with; it was the pirate on the cover.

Fighting off awkward encounters with her admittedly attractive cohabitator (can they really be called roommates if he doesn't talk to her?), the incessant disappointment of her parents, and her own looming grief and insecurity-- Philippa Flynn is in for the hardest, but most rewarding, year of her life.

What absolute fun!! Philippa's story was everything I hoped it would be-- heart warming, sexy, funny, and just a little cheeky. Firkins has quickly become one of my favorite author's with her recent releases (her FMC are always just the right mix of hot-mess, relatable, and also, somehow, aspirational), and I am pleased to announce that PHILIPPA FLYNN did not disappoint!

[Carolyn Ten Broeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not what I was expecting. From the brief description, I thought I was getting a light summer read with lots of laughs and misadventures.
Well, it’s still summer and I did get lots of laughs and misadventures but I got so much more.
In addition to being beautifully written, it can be deep and thought provoking. It’s above all things else, Real (yes, with a capital R).
Indeed, Philippa is a history professor who has become disenchanted with academia. Yes, there is a gorgeous man who catches her interest. But what plays out is an in-depth character study and a Real relationship founded in friendship and trust. Rum and sex may play significant roles, as well but for me, the underlying feelings throughout this book kept me pondering and cheering them on in their somewhat unorthodox relationship.
Bravo to the author for surprising me with this marvelous tale.

[Beth Gerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed so much of this book - the FMC struggling with her future and career felt familiar and real, the premise of wanting to finish her grandmother's books and meeting with the cover model/co-writer was fun and the cast of siblings was lovely and unique and felt supportive and like they were a grounding force for our lead. I truly hated how manipulative and unwavering the relationship with her parents was written - this is a grown woman and the influence and pressure that her parents put on her life seemed outsized and unduly harsh. It was tough to reconcile a smart, independant main character and her inability to stand up to her own mother.

Well written and well paced, I will happily go back and explore the author's other novels.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

[Belinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC!
The title caught my attention, as I am a big fan of pirate-themed and pirate-related media. Although this is a romance book, not a fantasy one, the pirate elements did not disappoint. The plot is unique, subtly weaving in history and fantasy in a way that makes sense for the characters and their goals. The characters are relatable, as are their conflicts (both internal and external), with real communication, family, and career-related issues. The slow-burning romance felt real, with a low but relevant amount of spice, which isn't overwritten and makes sense with the story. I really liked this story, and I believe many other romance-lovers will too!