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Philippa Flynn's Year of Panic and Piracy: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26An 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.
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.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Jacqueline Firkins
6 books411 followersJacqueline'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.
**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.
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June 6, 2026An introverted history professor and a former romance cover model collaborate on a life-changing endeavor?!! 👀👀
Long weekend 🤸♀️🤸♀️ - part 2
Long weekend 🤸♀️🤸♀️ - part 2
Want to Read
January 13, 2026Immediately need this.
April 6, 2026
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
NetGalley ARC
March 21, 2026
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.
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.
April 22, 2026
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.
This is an ADULT book. This is not a recommendation for my young teen readers.
March 21, 2026
“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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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 now was 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. They 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 think 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 didn't give 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 to a new future punctuated with happiness and joy.
*ARC provided by publisher
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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 now was 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. They 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 think 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 didn't give 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 to a new future punctuated with happiness and joy.
*ARC provided by publisher
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“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?
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?
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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!
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!
April 22, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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 :
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this title.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
Well written and well paced, I will happily go back and explore the author's other novels.
I received an ARC from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just finished Philippa Flynn’s Year of Panic and Piracy by Jacqueline Firkins and it was such a quirky, heartfelt ride. This story blends adventure, anxiety, and a touch of chaos in the most unexpected way. Philippa is the kind of character you root for immediately imperfect, overwhelmed, but determined to face life (even when it feels completely out of control). What I loved most is how the book balances humor with deeper themes like fear, identity, and stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s light enough to keep you turning pages, but meaningful enough to stick with you after you finish. If you enjoy character-driven stories with a little adventure, a lot of personality, and some real-life relatability mixed in, this one is worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
The book started out strong - the writing was great and the pace hooked me. Then, things slowed down. But my biggest issue was the romance. There's slow burn, and then there's this... Also, I never fully understood the appeal of the love interest who came across as flat and with no real personality.
I like the side characters, particularly the best friend and siblings, but the mother-daughter relationship grated on my nerves and didn't feel like it evolved throughout the book.
Overall, this is a well-written book, but the romance didn’t quite work for me.
The book started out strong - the writing was great and the pace hooked me. Then, things slowed down. But my biggest issue was the romance. There's slow burn, and then there's this... Also, I never fully understood the appeal of the love interest who came across as flat and with no real personality.
I like the side characters, particularly the best friend and siblings, but the mother-daughter relationship grated on my nerves and didn't feel like it evolved throughout the book.
Overall, this is a well-written book, but the romance didn’t quite work for me.
April 21, 2026
review based on ARC sent from Netgalley
I think that if you are someone who isn’t here for the magical picture perfect love, you are right where you are suppose to be. Life is messy and the boundaries of expectations and reality are sometimes galaxies apart and there is no evil villain plotting it. Sometimes there is a path that needs to taken for you see that, in that gap, there is water that flows and winds that blow sails of beautiful private ships made by weaving threads of imagination and I think that is what makes fiction so great. Every supposedly wrong move is one step closer to a new door with many more possibilities of lovely things you didn’t even dream were in your destiny. This book does exactly that!
I think that if you are someone who isn’t here for the magical picture perfect love, you are right where you are suppose to be. Life is messy and the boundaries of expectations and reality are sometimes galaxies apart and there is no evil villain plotting it. Sometimes there is a path that needs to taken for you see that, in that gap, there is water that flows and winds that blow sails of beautiful private ships made by weaving threads of imagination and I think that is what makes fiction so great. Every supposedly wrong move is one step closer to a new door with many more possibilities of lovely things you didn’t even dream were in your destiny. This book does exactly that!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
had a lot of fun reading this story. I liked the main character and thought her journey was engaging to read about. I thought the romance was well done. I liked Dylan and the way Phillipa brought him out of his shell and they way they were together. It didn’t end how I thought it would but i think it ended in a realistic manner. I was iffy on the inserts of the siren calls. They kinda pulled me out of the story a bit. I wanted to read more about phillipa and Dylan’s writing process rather than the words they wrote.
Overall fun read that I didn’t want to put down.
Overall fun read that I didn’t want to put down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
First let me say, I really enjoyed reading this one. There may be a couple reason for that, as my husband is an academic so I really felt the academia struggle for the FMC. This book brought a fresh and fun take to the slow burn romance, with real themes of struggle and grief making the main characters both likeable and relatable. I was cheering for both of them!
Well written, cozy, slow burn romance with lots of fun and real life thrown in. It was a solid read for me, and I would definitely read more by this author!
First let me say, I really enjoyed reading this one. There may be a couple reason for that, as my husband is an academic so I really felt the academia struggle for the FMC. This book brought a fresh and fun take to the slow burn romance, with real themes of struggle and grief making the main characters both likeable and relatable. I was cheering for both of them!
Well written, cozy, slow burn romance with lots of fun and real life thrown in. It was a solid read for me, and I would definitely read more by this author!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved that both characters aren’t your typical romance characters and that they are quirky. They both struggle with grief, anxiety, and people pleasing. I found this incredibly relatable. However, I wish the FMC stood up more for herself than she did. While I understood the complexity of her grief and her wanting to not get into conflict, I was waiting for more of a conflict resolution with other characters (not the MMC). Overall, I enjoyed the book and the slow burn of the romance.
Read
March 20, 2026I’ve not read a Jacqueline Firkins book before, but “Philippa Flynns Year of and Panic and Piracy” won’t be my last one. This book is about choosing and losing using a modern storyline and a swashbuckling vintage romance. Philippa is mature, struggling and extremely likable while she juggles career choices,financial woes, and romantic situations with a silent, sexy squatter. This novel is a fast paced and engrossing book for the reader looking for more depth in a romance novel
Read
March 18, 2026A nice diversion, although that mom is full-on toxic and I’m kind of mad she never gets called out adequately and her kids keep enabling her. It’s not exactly the point (there’s a very sweet romance and a grieving and growing into yourself plot that is) but I found the awful mother seriously distracting
May 4, 2026
I loved so many things about this book, primarily the MC’s relationship with her siblings. They weren’t perfect but they brought me so much joy. And the romance is slooow, but so worth it. Dylan might be the hottest fictional boyfriend I’ve ever had. Yum. Thanks to Lake Union Publishing for the arc.
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