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Secrets of the Seas #1
Waves of Desire
Two enemies bound by danger—and undone by desire.
Savannah socialite Samantha Warstein has finally been given the chance to earn her place within her family’s secret pirating legacy. Her first obstacle as a captain? An ambitious—and annoyingly handsome—navy lieutenant tasked with destroying the pirate trade. And she’s not sure which challenge appeals proving her worth or putting him in his place.
Having lost his parents to pirates, Lieutenant Christian Thompson takes his assignment seriously, determined to spend his life married only to the sea. But when a mysterious, red-headed beauty bests him in battle, the mission becomes personal. He’ll see her brought to justice, no matter how her laughter haunts him... or how her courage stirs something he thought long buried.
When a notorious pirate kidnaps Samantha, her uncle hires Christian to track her down. Little does he know, the woman he’s chasing and the woman he’s rescuing are one and the same. Bound together by danger and deception, they must work together to take down the most ruthless man on the seas. But as treacherous waters and buried secrets close in, their greatest peril may be the desire neither can resist.
When the truth comes to light, Christian will have to choose between duty and desire—and Samantha must decide if her dreams are worth risking the hangman’s noose.
Tropes you'll Enemies to loversGender-bent pirate romanceStrong female heroinePassion vs dutyIndependent womanForbidden loveSecret identityOpposites attractHigh seas adventureKidnappingCat and mouseRescue RomanceReluctant lover
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Secrets of the Seas
Book 1 - Waves of Desire
Book 2 - Seas of Seduction
Book 3 - Tides of Passion
Savannah socialite Samantha Warstein has finally been given the chance to earn her place within her family’s secret pirating legacy. Her first obstacle as a captain? An ambitious—and annoyingly handsome—navy lieutenant tasked with destroying the pirate trade. And she’s not sure which challenge appeals proving her worth or putting him in his place.
Having lost his parents to pirates, Lieutenant Christian Thompson takes his assignment seriously, determined to spend his life married only to the sea. But when a mysterious, red-headed beauty bests him in battle, the mission becomes personal. He’ll see her brought to justice, no matter how her laughter haunts him... or how her courage stirs something he thought long buried.
When a notorious pirate kidnaps Samantha, her uncle hires Christian to track her down. Little does he know, the woman he’s chasing and the woman he’s rescuing are one and the same. Bound together by danger and deception, they must work together to take down the most ruthless man on the seas. But as treacherous waters and buried secrets close in, their greatest peril may be the desire neither can resist.
When the truth comes to light, Christian will have to choose between duty and desire—and Samantha must decide if her dreams are worth risking the hangman’s noose.
Tropes you'll Enemies to loversGender-bent pirate romanceStrong female heroinePassion vs dutyIndependent womanForbidden loveSecret identityOpposites attractHigh seas adventureKidnappingCat and mouseRescue RomanceReluctant lover
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Secrets of the Seas
Book 1 - Waves of Desire
Book 2 - Seas of Seduction
Book 3 - Tides of Passion
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2026
About the author
Lauren Everly
3 books19 followersLauren Everly first discovered her love for historical romance at the age of twelve, when she stumbled upon a hidden box of Johanna Lindsey novels in her mom’s closet—an accidental find that sparked a lifelong passion for dashing heroes and bold heroines. Now living in the heart of Middle Tennessee with her husband and three children, she’s a flight attendant by day and a writer of sinfully delicious stories by night. When she’s not jet setting around the country or putting steamy words to pages, you’ll find her tending an expansive garden, baking something wonderfully sweet, or out exploring the beautiful scenery of TN. Her love for travel, both in real life and through the pages of history, continuously fuels her imagination. For Lauren, the best romances—like the best adventures—are the ones that leave you breathless and longing for more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read
I really enjoyed this. I love historical fiction, throw in pirates and I’m all in.
This was fast paced, and fun to read.
Kidnapping
Lady Pirate
Found family
Sword fights
Treasure hunt
A wicked good time.
I really enjoyed this. I love historical fiction, throw in pirates and I’m all in.
This was fast paced, and fun to read.
Kidnapping
Lady Pirate
Found family
Sword fights
Treasure hunt
A wicked good time.
December 17, 2025
I loved this book and its characters, I thought the story was beautifully written and the character development was amazing in the book. I loved every part of this book from start to finish.
December 22, 2025
rating - 3.75 ★
length - 346 pages
genre - Pirate Romantasy
There were a lot of things I loved about this book and some things I didn't vibe with. Let's talk about the things I loved first.
- The scenery: Whether it was on land or on the sea, the way the author took me into the scene with just her writing was amazing. I felt like I was on the ship with Christian and Samantha and I could clearly see what the author was writing about.
- The action: There was a lot more action and fighting then I originally thought and I, for one, loved it! There was always the suspense of what was going to happen next or who was going to pop out and chase down the ship. PLUS the treasure hunt was such a fun way to tie in everything at the end.
- The plot: I felt that the whole basis of why both Christian and Samantha wanted to be on the sea and the backstory to how they both got to where they are today made sense and was well done. I did guess what was going to happen at the end but I didn't care about that because I was having so much fun.
Something I didn't love:
- The romance: I felt like there was no real angst or tension between Samantha and Christian. For me, most of their relationship felt rushed and didn't have the emotional connection I wanted them to have. It felt like most of their attraction was purely physical. I also felt like some of their intimate scenes came at awkward times in the book, especially the "duel" scene.
length - 346 pages
genre - Pirate Romantasy
There were a lot of things I loved about this book and some things I didn't vibe with. Let's talk about the things I loved first.
- The scenery: Whether it was on land or on the sea, the way the author took me into the scene with just her writing was amazing. I felt like I was on the ship with Christian and Samantha and I could clearly see what the author was writing about.
- The action: There was a lot more action and fighting then I originally thought and I, for one, loved it! There was always the suspense of what was going to happen next or who was going to pop out and chase down the ship. PLUS the treasure hunt was such a fun way to tie in everything at the end.
- The plot: I felt that the whole basis of why both Christian and Samantha wanted to be on the sea and the backstory to how they both got to where they are today made sense and was well done. I did guess what was going to happen at the end but I didn't care about that because I was having so much fun.
Something I didn't love:
- The romance: I felt like there was no real angst or tension between Samantha and Christian. For me, most of their relationship felt rushed and didn't have the emotional connection I wanted them to have. It felt like most of their attraction was purely physical. I also felt like some of their intimate scenes came at awkward times in the book, especially the "duel" scene.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was such a fun read! It felt like I was thrown into movies of my teenage years like Pirates of the Caribbean and Pride and Prejudice! I don't often read historical romance, and this opened my eyes to what I'm missing!
I loved the main characters and the fact that they were flawed. I loved how they pushed each other. Their first few interactions were so great and their journey was a great one to read.
If you like pirates and romance, you should check this book out! Thank you to netgalley and the author for letting me read this ARC!
I loved the main characters and the fact that they were flawed. I loved how they pushed each other. Their first few interactions were so great and their journey was a great one to read.
If you like pirates and romance, you should check this book out! Thank you to netgalley and the author for letting me read this ARC!
January 2, 2026
Loved the pirates setting!! So much action with some romance. It’s just the perfect flow. Never got bored of this book and finished it in 2 days!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is an action packed historical romance. We have a fiery heroine with a secret life and a hero who is determined to catch all the pirates in the area. They both have some huge surprises coming.
It's a story that grabbed me from the first page to the last. I particularly loved the heroine she's so brave.
It does get a bit steamy and there are some great fight scenes.
I loved it.
It's a story that grabbed me from the first page to the last. I particularly loved the heroine she's so brave.
It does get a bit steamy and there are some great fight scenes.
I loved it.
April 15, 2026
It has been a while since I've read a pirate romance so I was excited about this book but in the end I was not enraptured by the story.
The heroine longs to be a pirate and by this to keep alive her family legacy.
She thinks of herself as a pirate but to say the truth she simply loves the sea and being on a ship.
Being a pirate is another matter.
Our heroine Samatha is a wannabe pirate in her intentions aka Red while our hero Christian is a pirate hunter.
I don't like when the hero (or the heroine) feels a connection with a woman that is not the heroine, even if this woman is the heroine herself disguising her true identity.
It feels like cheating on heroine with her hidden identity if that makes sense.
I might have overlooked this scenario if the rest had been more convincing.
It's not as if the story is not enjoyable but it feels rushed and the key points feel diluited, without intensity and tension.
The attraction, the falling in love (not well developed for my taste).
The first intimate scene was a disappointment.
I didn’t feel the connection between the characters;
it was simply lust on hero's part and a budding desire for the virgin inexperienced heroine.
It's not like one has to be in love to be intimate of course, but in a romance about characters that fall in love at some point I expect more than simply lust, at least I want feelings to take roots along the way.
For me this didn’t happen.
I skipped the next sex scenes and for a lover of steamy stories like me it was a bad sign.
Not that this story was steamy in my opinion.
There were a few scenes, maybe four...but the point it's not how many there were, but how involved I was.
If I'm into the story the more the better...if not like in this case I start skipping.
I've read closed door romances that had me into a chokehold where I didn’t mind the absense of detailed sex.
Sone scenes like the fight with Captain Thorne, the ship sinking, the finding of the lost treasure where really interesting.
The scene with the sinking vessel where the heroine/Red is still entrapped in it and where Christian thinks the pirate girl is lost to him left me emotionally detached.
It should have been a really powerful moment but since feelings were still not showing it was anticlimatic.
Or even that building moment anyone looks forward to in stories with hidden identities when the big revelation happens here lacks of pathos.
The scene where Christian finds out Red is Samantha is flat.
To tell one feels and to have it shown instead are different things.
About Captain Thorne that sinked the aformentioned vessel, well he is the character that kept me engrossed and I wanted to know more of.
And the plot twist about him being Christian's father was well executed.
In the end you have a likeable story with some interesting events but the romance is lacking in my opinion.
The heroine longs to be a pirate and by this to keep alive her family legacy.
She thinks of herself as a pirate but to say the truth she simply loves the sea and being on a ship.
Being a pirate is another matter.
Our heroine Samatha is a wannabe pirate in her intentions aka Red while our hero Christian is a pirate hunter.
I don't like when the hero (or the heroine) feels a connection with a woman that is not the heroine, even if this woman is the heroine herself disguising her true identity.
It feels like cheating on heroine with her hidden identity if that makes sense.
I might have overlooked this scenario if the rest had been more convincing.
It's not as if the story is not enjoyable but it feels rushed and the key points feel diluited, without intensity and tension.
The attraction, the falling in love (not well developed for my taste).
The first intimate scene was a disappointment.
I didn’t feel the connection between the characters;
it was simply lust on hero's part and a budding desire for the virgin inexperienced heroine.
It's not like one has to be in love to be intimate of course, but in a romance about characters that fall in love at some point I expect more than simply lust, at least I want feelings to take roots along the way.
For me this didn’t happen.
I skipped the next sex scenes and for a lover of steamy stories like me it was a bad sign.
Not that this story was steamy in my opinion.
There were a few scenes, maybe four...but the point it's not how many there were, but how involved I was.
If I'm into the story the more the better...if not like in this case I start skipping.
I've read closed door romances that had me into a chokehold where I didn’t mind the absense of detailed sex.
Sone scenes like the fight with Captain Thorne, the ship sinking, the finding of the lost treasure where really interesting.
The scene with the sinking vessel where the heroine/Red is still entrapped in it and where Christian thinks the pirate girl is lost to him left me emotionally detached.
It should have been a really powerful moment but since feelings were still not showing it was anticlimatic.
Or even that building moment anyone looks forward to in stories with hidden identities when the big revelation happens here lacks of pathos.
The scene where Christian finds out Red is Samantha is flat.
To tell one feels and to have it shown instead are different things.
About Captain Thorne that sinked the aformentioned vessel, well he is the character that kept me engrossed and I wanted to know more of.
And the plot twist about him being Christian's father was well executed.
In the end you have a likeable story with some interesting events but the romance is lacking in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
I had so much fun with Waves of Desire. I picked it up for a little pirate romance and ended up completely flying through it. Samantha and Christian were such a great pair and their chemistry and banter kept me hooked from the start.
I really enjoyed the hidden identity and enemies vibe between them, especially when Christian does not recognize Samantha. It added just the right amount of tension and made their scenes together even more fun to read. The mix of balls, sea adventures, and treasure hunting made everything feel fast paced and exciting.
This was a great reminder of how fun pirate romances can be, and now I am fully back in my historical romance era.
I really enjoyed the hidden identity and enemies vibe between them, especially when Christian does not recognize Samantha. It added just the right amount of tension and made their scenes together even more fun to read. The mix of balls, sea adventures, and treasure hunting made everything feel fast paced and exciting.
This was a great reminder of how fun pirate romances can be, and now I am fully back in my historical romance era.
Did Not Finish
July 3, 2026DNF. 21/30 chapters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There aren't enough books about pirates with xx chromosomes so I was very excited to read this.
The author clearly knows her way around a ship and is skilled enough to bring us there. Even though I know less than nothing about various parts of a rig, the world she created felt real and vibrant.
Samantha is a young woman whose parents were killed by pirates. She's under the care of her uncle, who runs a not totally above board shipping company. While being given a 'trial run' at captaining a ship, they run across an emissary from the US Navy, known for capturing pirates and showing no mercy (his parents were also supposedly killed by pirates, which seems to be a common cause of death in the 19th century).
He's ready to haul them all back to shore to meet the hangman's noose. But Samantha, partially disguised by a leather eye mask, proposes that they duel. If she wins, he lets them go with immunity. If he wins, well, things get very interesting from there.
I loved the premise of this book, I think the author is talented and could benefit from a more cruel editor. There are two issues I have with the book:
1. The MMC suffers from the same problem as Lois Lane and it kind of ruined my suspension of disbelief. How can you not recognize someone with a distinctive hair color and voice that you've already kissed?
2. The book takes place during the time of America's original sin of slavery and the way it interacts with the plot feels...inadequate for 2025. Samantha goes to a ball at a plantation and remarks that it's horrible the hosts enslave people, but at least her uncle doesn't. Then she continues on to enjoy the ball made possible by the labor of enslaved people. Maybe this is the way a white person in this society might have felt at the time- mildly disapproving but not going to change their social behavior. And I know many older HRs are unreadable bc of their casual racism and objectification of groups of people. But if you're a writer in the 21st century and choose to set your book in the antebellum south, there's a level of responsibility to engage with the issue of chattel slavery in a deliberate and meaningful way.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC!
The author clearly knows her way around a ship and is skilled enough to bring us there. Even though I know less than nothing about various parts of a rig, the world she created felt real and vibrant.
Samantha is a young woman whose parents were killed by pirates. She's under the care of her uncle, who runs a not totally above board shipping company. While being given a 'trial run' at captaining a ship, they run across an emissary from the US Navy, known for capturing pirates and showing no mercy (his parents were also supposedly killed by pirates, which seems to be a common cause of death in the 19th century).
He's ready to haul them all back to shore to meet the hangman's noose. But Samantha, partially disguised by a leather eye mask, proposes that they duel. If she wins, he lets them go with immunity. If he wins, well, things get very interesting from there.
I loved the premise of this book, I think the author is talented and could benefit from a more cruel editor. There are two issues I have with the book:
1. The MMC suffers from the same problem as Lois Lane and it kind of ruined my suspension of disbelief. How can you not recognize someone with a distinctive hair color and voice that you've already kissed?
2. The book takes place during the time of America's original sin of slavery and the way it interacts with the plot feels...inadequate for 2025. Samantha goes to a ball at a plantation and remarks that it's horrible the hosts enslave people, but at least her uncle doesn't. Then she continues on to enjoy the ball made possible by the labor of enslaved people. Maybe this is the way a white person in this society might have felt at the time- mildly disapproving but not going to change their social behavior. And I know many older HRs are unreadable bc of their casual racism and objectification of groups of people. But if you're a writer in the 21st century and choose to set your book in the antebellum south, there's a level of responsibility to engage with the issue of chattel slavery in a deliberate and meaningful way.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Just… wow.
I finally jumped back into historical romance, and it did not disappoint. I went pretty hard in the genre after the Bridgerton show, devouring Regency romances, and after a dozen or two, my senses felt dulled as many plots began to blur together. I then moved on to sports romance, which was fun and often spicy, but the storylines felt mundane and never quite enough. My tastes shifted to fantasy, but that fascination fizzled out earlier this year. I’ve been searching for book paradise ever since.
Picking up this pirate-themed romance was exactly what I needed to reignite that spark and chase the high I’ve been craving in my reading journey. Lauren Everly’s writing was mesmerizing from the first page to the final chapter. If you crave adventure, captivating settings, and novels that aren’t padded just for the sake of word count, this is the book.
I was completely absorbed by the beautifully executed characters. FMC Samantha was the perfect blend of fierce passion and cheeky attitude. Strong yet soft where it matters. She finds herself in over her head as she attempts to prove her worth on the water. MMC Lieutenant Christian Thompson is perfectly duty-bound yet tempted by the FMC at every turn of the ship’s wheel. And if looks could kill... I am practically deceased. Everly created a masterpiece.
The plot was fast-paced yet easy to follow. I loved the idea of Thompson hunting down a lady pirate, unaware that he had already made her acquaintance. The antagonist, Captain Thorne, had me up past my bedtime. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I can promise this book will delight all your senses and indulge fantasies you didn’t even know you had.
I highly recommend this for any reader looking for a fresh, immersive experience full of high seas, fiery passion, and a plot that keeps you in the deep end.
I finally jumped back into historical romance, and it did not disappoint. I went pretty hard in the genre after the Bridgerton show, devouring Regency romances, and after a dozen or two, my senses felt dulled as many plots began to blur together. I then moved on to sports romance, which was fun and often spicy, but the storylines felt mundane and never quite enough. My tastes shifted to fantasy, but that fascination fizzled out earlier this year. I’ve been searching for book paradise ever since.
Picking up this pirate-themed romance was exactly what I needed to reignite that spark and chase the high I’ve been craving in my reading journey. Lauren Everly’s writing was mesmerizing from the first page to the final chapter. If you crave adventure, captivating settings, and novels that aren’t padded just for the sake of word count, this is the book.
I was completely absorbed by the beautifully executed characters. FMC Samantha was the perfect blend of fierce passion and cheeky attitude. Strong yet soft where it matters. She finds herself in over her head as she attempts to prove her worth on the water. MMC Lieutenant Christian Thompson is perfectly duty-bound yet tempted by the FMC at every turn of the ship’s wheel. And if looks could kill... I am practically deceased. Everly created a masterpiece.
The plot was fast-paced yet easy to follow. I loved the idea of Thompson hunting down a lady pirate, unaware that he had already made her acquaintance. The antagonist, Captain Thorne, had me up past my bedtime. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I can promise this book will delight all your senses and indulge fantasies you didn’t even know you had.
I highly recommend this for any reader looking for a fresh, immersive experience full of high seas, fiery passion, and a plot that keeps you in the deep end.
December 28, 2025
This was a solid debut novel from the author. Really fun adventure story. The plot was very easy to follow and also quite funny. I really like the secondary characters and their relationship with Samantha, especially her and her first mate. You could tell these men cared about her but also still were held back by their desire to keep her safe, and it was good to see how that relationship grew with the story. Have to say I'm not a big fan of Christian, I found his development really didn't kick in until the last 20 pages. Before that, he was always very rude to Samantha before even knowing who she was, so he had no reason to do so. Although he was attracted to her because she was this very exciting and dangerous woman, it felt like he was more interested in 'saving her' and making her into a kept woman rather than who she was. He eventually comes around and realises she needs sailing, but it happens so close to the end that it wasn't enough for me to come around on him.
I did like Samantha. She was a typical girl who doesn't like dresses and wants to do more but she actually goes out and makes it happen for herself rather than moaning about it; and I'm someone who doesn't think a woman should be burned at the stake for the crime of not liking dresses. It was great to see the entire plot was almost all led by her and her choices she wasn't just following someone else's lead or being told what to do. The few times she is She always actively tries to go against them and make her own way.
Overall, I think this was a good debut novel, and I am interested in seeing what the author does next. Because I really liked the Pirate setting and the adventure the characters went on. The writing and humour were solid, so if you want a nice quick romantic adventure, I'd recommend this.
I did like Samantha. She was a typical girl who doesn't like dresses and wants to do more but she actually goes out and makes it happen for herself rather than moaning about it; and I'm someone who doesn't think a woman should be burned at the stake for the crime of not liking dresses. It was great to see the entire plot was almost all led by her and her choices she wasn't just following someone else's lead or being told what to do. The few times she is She always actively tries to go against them and make her own way.
Overall, I think this was a good debut novel, and I am interested in seeing what the author does next. Because I really liked the Pirate setting and the adventure the characters went on. The writing and humour were solid, so if you want a nice quick romantic adventure, I'd recommend this.
February 11, 2026
This was such a fun, dramatic enemies-to-lovers romance set on the high seas.
Samantha Warstein is not your typical historical heroine. She’s a Savannah socialite with a secret: she comes from a family of pirates, and she’s determined to prove she deserves her place as a captain. I really liked her confidence and ambition. She’s bold, clever, and more than capable of holding her own in a fight. Watching her go head-to-head with a navy lieutenant was one of the best parts of the story.
Christian Thompson is just as strong-willed. After losing his parents to pirates, he’s committed his life to the navy and sworn off love. His hatred for pirates feels real and personal, which makes his growing attraction to Samantha even more complicated. Their chemistry is strong from the start—full of tension, sharp banter, and that constant push and pull between duty and desire.
The secret identity and cat-and-mouse dynamic added a lot of fun to the plot. I especially enjoyed the twist where Christian is hired to rescue Samantha without realizing she’s the very pirate he’s been chasing. The forced proximity and high-stakes danger made their emotional connection develop naturally.
The pacing was steady, with plenty of action, kidnapping drama, and swoony moments. If you love strong heroines, forbidden romance, and a hero who has to choose between his heart and his honor, this book delivers.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Samantha Warstein is not your typical historical heroine. She’s a Savannah socialite with a secret: she comes from a family of pirates, and she’s determined to prove she deserves her place as a captain. I really liked her confidence and ambition. She’s bold, clever, and more than capable of holding her own in a fight. Watching her go head-to-head with a navy lieutenant was one of the best parts of the story.
Christian Thompson is just as strong-willed. After losing his parents to pirates, he’s committed his life to the navy and sworn off love. His hatred for pirates feels real and personal, which makes his growing attraction to Samantha even more complicated. Their chemistry is strong from the start—full of tension, sharp banter, and that constant push and pull between duty and desire.
The secret identity and cat-and-mouse dynamic added a lot of fun to the plot. I especially enjoyed the twist where Christian is hired to rescue Samantha without realizing she’s the very pirate he’s been chasing. The forced proximity and high-stakes danger made their emotional connection develop naturally.
The pacing was steady, with plenty of action, kidnapping drama, and swoony moments. If you love strong heroines, forbidden romance, and a hero who has to choose between his heart and his honor, this book delivers.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It is my privilege to be an early reader of WAVES OF DESIRE. And when I say privilege I MEAN IT. This book captivated me from the first paragraph. No heroine has ever resonated or intrigued me as quickly as Samantha. I want to be her. I want to be her friend. She’s smart and scrappy and sexy. I adored seeing the world Everly created through Samantha’s clever eyes. I didn’t know I needed a lady pirate and now I need a million more stories of Samantha and Christian please and thanks.
And speaking of Christian: I immediately assumed no hero could ever be good enough or match Samantha’s energy and gravitas. But Christian is just a smoldering hunk who radiates charisma (and yeah I’ll say it-BDE!!!) I think about the 🌊 scene every day. Twice a day. Multiple times, even.
The plotting? Tight. Compelling. Everly is singularly gifted and at never ever letting off the gas. She reminded me of why historicals are the most epic genre. Twist after twist and top tier drama and suspense.
And talk about a mastery of setting and evoking a sense of place. I was consumed by saltwater air, the rock of a boat, the noise on deck, the bustle of the city. If you actually want to be immersed, you’ve come to the right place. I forgot I owned a phone for the duration of reading. Nothing was pulling me away from the high seas!!
Have I gushed enough? I could go longer (Christian and Samantha sure did 😉) GET THIS BOOK. Preorder!! Regular order!! You will be so glad you did.
And speaking of Christian: I immediately assumed no hero could ever be good enough or match Samantha’s energy and gravitas. But Christian is just a smoldering hunk who radiates charisma (and yeah I’ll say it-BDE!!!) I think about the 🌊 scene every day. Twice a day. Multiple times, even.
The plotting? Tight. Compelling. Everly is singularly gifted and at never ever letting off the gas. She reminded me of why historicals are the most epic genre. Twist after twist and top tier drama and suspense.
And talk about a mastery of setting and evoking a sense of place. I was consumed by saltwater air, the rock of a boat, the noise on deck, the bustle of the city. If you actually want to be immersed, you’ve come to the right place. I forgot I owned a phone for the duration of reading. Nothing was pulling me away from the high seas!!
Have I gushed enough? I could go longer (Christian and Samantha sure did 😉) GET THIS BOOK. Preorder!! Regular order!! You will be so glad you did.
January 13, 2026
Waves of Desire was a fun and swoony read with plenty of adventure on the high seas. I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Samantha and Lieutenant Christian. Samantha is a likeable, sassy heroine, and her bold personality really adds spark to the story. Their tension and chemistry kept the romance lively, and the mix of danger, deception, and adventure made it hard to put down. The pirate setting is vivid and thrilling, which I loved.
The characters are strong in their own ways, and I appreciated seeing Samantha carve out her place in her family’s pirate legacy. That said, a few plot twists felt a bit predictable, and some secondary characters could have been more developed. A bit more detail on the pirate world would have made the setting feel even richer.
Overall, this was an entertaining and romantic adventure. I'll definitely check out more stories from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the review copy. My opinions are my own!
The characters are strong in their own ways, and I appreciated seeing Samantha carve out her place in her family’s pirate legacy. That said, a few plot twists felt a bit predictable, and some secondary characters could have been more developed. A bit more detail on the pirate world would have made the setting feel even richer.
Overall, this was an entertaining and romantic adventure. I'll definitely check out more stories from this author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the review copy. My opinions are my own!
July 11, 2026
~Waves of Desire~ by Lauren Everly
Ooooo, this was a fun read!
🏴☠️❤️🔥
The first note I wrote down was,
"SHE LOVES THE OCEAN AND I LOVE THE OCEAN!"
I immediately felt a connection to the main character, Samantha. I rarely feel like I could be friends with a fictional character, but I felt it here.
Samantha struggles to live that proper lady/society life because her heart belongs to the sea!
Thankfully for her, Samantha is also a PIRATE AND CAPTAIN OF A SHIP.
She meets Christian, who is a pirate hunter, and we get to watch their love story unfold!
✨️⚔️We get true enemies to lovers, secret identity, steam early in the book, adventuring on the high seas, who saved who, actual bad guys, treasure!⚔️✨️
I looooove a good pirate romance, and this book was so easy to escape into.
I will definitely check out the next books in the Secrets of the Seas series! 🌊⛵️🌊
Thank you @netgalley and @dragonbladepublishing for sending me an e-ARC to read and review!
Ooooo, this was a fun read!
🏴☠️❤️🔥
The first note I wrote down was,
"SHE LOVES THE OCEAN AND I LOVE THE OCEAN!"
I immediately felt a connection to the main character, Samantha. I rarely feel like I could be friends with a fictional character, but I felt it here.
Samantha struggles to live that proper lady/society life because her heart belongs to the sea!
Thankfully for her, Samantha is also a PIRATE AND CAPTAIN OF A SHIP.
She meets Christian, who is a pirate hunter, and we get to watch their love story unfold!
✨️⚔️We get true enemies to lovers, secret identity, steam early in the book, adventuring on the high seas, who saved who, actual bad guys, treasure!⚔️✨️
I looooove a good pirate romance, and this book was so easy to escape into.
I will definitely check out the next books in the Secrets of the Seas series! 🌊⛵️🌊
Thank you @netgalley and @dragonbladepublishing for sending me an e-ARC to read and review!
June 23, 2026
I gave this a 4.5 star but rounded up since goodreads still in the year 2026 doesn’t have a half step option.
I adored this, i don’t typically read these kind of books, but I grew to love it.
I wanted so much more of Samantha and Christian after the chaos I wanted to see him turn his resignation in and see how his crew took it. I wanted to see them announce their engagement to her friend and uncle and his best friend. I wanted to hear of the wedding planning and dress shopping and all the cute slice of life things. It just felt a tad rushed at the end when they profess their love. Not in a negative way just in the way that i wanted so much more of their story!
I want a whole new book dedicated to their life and their adventures and love story, I just adore it. It was so nice to meet Lauren she was lovely in every way and completely sold me on this story and I am so glad!
I adored this, i don’t typically read these kind of books, but I grew to love it.
I wanted so much more of Samantha and Christian after the chaos I wanted to see him turn his resignation in and see how his crew took it. I wanted to see them announce their engagement to her friend and uncle and his best friend. I wanted to hear of the wedding planning and dress shopping and all the cute slice of life things. It just felt a tad rushed at the end when they profess their love. Not in a negative way just in the way that i wanted so much more of their story!
I want a whole new book dedicated to their life and their adventures and love story, I just adore it. It was so nice to meet Lauren she was lovely in every way and completely sold me on this story and I am so glad!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Waves of Desire by Lauren Everly was such a ride! Samantha is fierce 💪 and clever, and Christian is brooding 😏—but I was a bit confused 🤔 how quickly he seemed to forget Red when he was in that cell beside Samantha. Still, their enemies-to-lovers chemistry 💘🔥 had me hooked, and the spice did not disappoint 🔥😉. No pun intended, but the desire between these two is off the charts! 😍
Full of high seas adventure ⚓, secret pirate legacies 🗝️, and daring rescues 🏃♀️, this Regency romance keeps your heart racing ❤️. Lauren Everly’s writing is immersive, and the story is impossible to put down. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! 💃
Tropes I loved:
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
🌊 High seas adventure
🗝️ Secret identity/legacy
⛓️ Kidnapping & rescue
💃 Strong heroine
Waves of Desire by Lauren Everly was such a ride! Samantha is fierce 💪 and clever, and Christian is brooding 😏—but I was a bit confused 🤔 how quickly he seemed to forget Red when he was in that cell beside Samantha. Still, their enemies-to-lovers chemistry 💘🔥 had me hooked, and the spice did not disappoint 🔥😉. No pun intended, but the desire between these two is off the charts! 😍
Full of high seas adventure ⚓, secret pirate legacies 🗝️, and daring rescues 🏃♀️, this Regency romance keeps your heart racing ❤️. Lauren Everly’s writing is immersive, and the story is impossible to put down. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! 💃
Tropes I loved:
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
🌊 High seas adventure
🗝️ Secret identity/legacy
⛓️ Kidnapping & rescue
💃 Strong heroine
August 20, 2026
3.75 stars, I kinda enjoyed the aspect of her being the one wanting to be the pirate and him being a navy (?) or the one that is part of the government, even thoug I've read some semblance of this book from another story too, this was easy to digest once it got to the good parts. Ofcourse the hurdle is always the start of the book, I almost dnf-ed it cause I thought she is gonna be some historical classist chic. Also love that there are a lot of twists on this even though some are not that shocking. I almost hated him for breaking her not in terms of her heart but like insisting for her to abandon her dreams, glad it was rectified.
February 16, 2026
Delightful. I almost wish we hadn't factored society into this so our FMC could be a little more independent. I appreciated the amount of time spent adventuring, though, and the twist tied everything together nicely. MMC was being absolutely ridiculous almost the whole time but made up for it with swoon-worthy flirting and nicknames. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 14, 2026
"Waves of Desire" was a fun pirate adventure. I usually do not like reading historical romances set in the Unites States unless it's written by Beverly Jenkins for obvious reasons. I am glad I gave this book a chance. I loved the slight enemies to lovers plot. An undercover pirate vs a navy lieutenant made for a very sexy tale. I am continuing on with this series. Glad to have the next book as an arc as well!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!
January 4, 2026
Seafaring, pirates and the first book of a new series. I don't get to read many seafaring books in this genre so when one comes along I grab it! Very well done! Fully immersed into the plot and the characters! Well paced and richly written. Can't wait for the next one. Hopefully with a bit more relationship angst.
January 8, 2026
Did not disappoint!
This was a new genre for me but a friend recommended and I couldn’t put it down! Fun, action packed and a bit spicy too. I loved how much the story came to life on the pages and it felt like I was there; whether on the ship, in the sword fight or searching for treasure. Happy to see this is a trilogy. Can’t wait to read book 2.
This was a new genre for me but a friend recommended and I couldn’t put it down! Fun, action packed and a bit spicy too. I loved how much the story came to life on the pages and it felt like I was there; whether on the ship, in the sword fight or searching for treasure. Happy to see this is a trilogy. Can’t wait to read book 2.
January 18, 2026
I will be the first to admit that this is a four star based on vibes. I wasn’t blown away by the relationship progression and was honestly a little annoyed by it but THE VIBES. Pirate of the Caribbean but smutty and I LOVED that.
Read if you like:
- historical romance with pirates (and a FMC pirate no less!)
- cat and mouse searching games
- high seas adventure
Read if you like:
- historical romance with pirates (and a FMC pirate no less!)
- cat and mouse searching games
- high seas adventure
February 28, 2026
4.5⭐️*
Love & War by Fleurie is the perfect song for Samantha and Christian. This book felt like watching an action romance movie, whenever I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. Fast paced with romantic tension all the way through.
Love & War by Fleurie is the perfect song for Samantha and Christian. This book felt like watching an action romance movie, whenever I wasn’t reading it I was thinking about it. Fast paced with romantic tension all the way through.
March 19, 2026
This book was really fun! A pirate adventure with a flip! Lauren has a great writing style that keeps you on your toes and ready for more. The characters are fun and she takes you one a good old fashioned pirate adventure!
May 18, 2026
Love it, the H an h are so perfect for each other since the first meeting to the end of the book full of surprises and will keep your interest going, never a dull moment on the book, for a new author the writer is doing a great job
April 20, 2026
SO GOOD!!
I literally read it in 48 hours I could not put it down. I cannot wait to see what Lauren writes next!!
I literally read it in 48 hours I could not put it down. I cannot wait to see what Lauren writes next!!
August 27, 2026
This couple was little too horny at first sight but I guess the name of the book should have alluded to the copious sex but I enjoyed the pirate portions and it was a fast beach read!
June 16, 2026
Listen, when an author sells this to me as pirates of the Caribbean but with kissing SOLD sign me up.
This was phenomenal, I loved it so very much! It's a fast paced quick read full of angst and action! It really had the best of both worlds. Pirates and kissing!!!
Savannah is a fierce woman trying to fight the constraints of wanting to be on the sea where her heart is pulling her, then bring in Lieutenant Christian Thompson who is attempting to rid the waters of the very pirates Savannah wants to be? oooh boy!
And let me tell you the way that Lauren wrote the smut was perfection! I can't wait to continue this series.
This was phenomenal, I loved it so very much! It's a fast paced quick read full of angst and action! It really had the best of both worlds. Pirates and kissing!!!
Savannah is a fierce woman trying to fight the constraints of wanting to be on the sea where her heart is pulling her, then bring in Lieutenant Christian Thompson who is attempting to rid the waters of the very pirates Savannah wants to be? oooh boy!
And let me tell you the way that Lauren wrote the smut was perfection! I can't wait to continue this series.
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