Never Trust a Pirate

Playful Brides #7

by Valerie Bowman

The rules of engagement were never so scandalous. . .

A rumored pirate and the scurrilous black sheep of his well-to- do family, Cade Cavendish relishes his world of rebellion, deception, and seduction. Nothing and no one can hold him to be the duty-bound, honorable man he is expected to be. But when an unexpected run-in at his twin brother's estate with a ravishing, raven-haired maid leads her to believe he's actually a viscount, Cade's renegade life is thrown wildly off-kilter. And even though a case of mistaken identity can be quickly set to rights, matters of the heart are quite different...

Miss Danielle LaCrosse is startled to learn that the handsome gentleman who radiates sin and has the devil in his eyes is not her employer the Viscount, but rather his infamous brother. A former heiress, orphaned and left penniless, Danielle has more than a few secrets of her own. Cade may be skilled at coaxing even the most hidden desires out of Danielle but can he earn her trust--and win her heart--as they embark on an adventure to confront a dangerous enemy from both of their pasts . . . and uncover the identity of the so-called Black Fox along the way?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Pirates, Espionage

310 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 2, 2017

About the author

Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes historical and contemporary romance.

Valerie’s debut novel was published in 2012. Since then, her books have received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus. She’s been an RT Reviewers’ Choice nominee for Best First Historical Romance and Best Historical Romance Love and Laughter. Two of her books have been nominated for the Kirkus Prize for fiction.

Valerie grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English Language and Literature with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Visit Valerie on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com and sign-up for her newsletter at: https://valeriebowmanbooks.com/newsle...
Be sure to follow Valerie Bookbub for the latest on sales https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valer...

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

Spies like us...and a Pirate or two

I think I’ve admitted this before but I’ll come straight out and say it again…I’m a bit of a snob. Well, I’m a snob when it comes to my historical romance reads. Never Trust a Pirate started out with a Maid and a Mister and I admit to thinking *Oh bugger, the "help" has arrived*. Terrible, I know, but I read with hopes of escaping reality. Unfortunately, reading about working from dusk til dawn at someone else’s bidding doesn’t really do it for me. Luckily, it wasn’t long before I was distracted by a storyline that kept my attention from start to finish.

I kind of want to keep my review short for this one (fingers crossed, I’ll be successful this time) because I think the journey will be a lot better if I keep the information about the characters a secret. Here goes…

Cade, Cade, Cade…well this guy took a wee bit for me to warm up to. My first impressions were that he was a lazy, indulgent, womaniser who thinks only of himself. But, that’s what he wants you to see.

Danielle is a hard-working maid who, with very little experience, works hard to do her job as a personal servant to a lady. She seems to be a confident woman but surprisingly lacks friends and is shocked when people offer to help her. It’s like Danielle is in a foreign environment.

What or who is right in front of you can become a chameleon. Is the fox stalking the sheep...or is the sheep just waiting for a chance to corner the fox?

Reading Never Trust a Pirate was a bit like putting together a puzzle. Pieces of the puzzle need to be looked at carefully because one piece looks like another, and some are not at all as they seem. What makes the puzzle even more interesting, is that with one bad decision, the whole game could fall apart. Do you take a risk and play the game alone, or do you call in reinforcements to help guide the pieces to the right place?

I’ve never read Valerie Bowman before which means that I came into the series at #7. I’ll admit that a couple of times I wished I knew a little more about the characters we get introduced to. I got the impression I’m supposed to be reacquainting myself with them. It wasn’t that I couldn’t follow along without reading their stories, but the thrill of catching up with past characters was lost on me.

I thoroughly enjoyed Never Trust a Pirate. There wasn’t a lot of swashbuckling or walking the plank that you would expect with a title boasting a Pirate. I was entertained with a mystery, some adventure, seeing attraction grow between the Cade and Danielle and eventually, that attraction change to a connection. This story was interesting and easy to read and I will definitely consider reading more from this author in the future.




I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough)]

DNF

I’m such a fickle reader— sometimes I binge certain genres and other times they just don’t satisfy. Clearly HF isn’t working for me. In this case, maybe because the pirate wasn’t pirate-y enough?

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book by Valerie Bowman and I can honestly say, that she has a new fan. I believe this is the 7th book in the Playful Brides series but I've only read the 4th one. I'm really behind!! You don't lose anything by jumping in the middle of the series though. You'll see other characters but not know the whole story. What interested me about this one is the pirate aspect. I was so excited when I saw the title of this book. I've been wanting more adventure so this seemed right up my alley. However, there wasn't too much of the "pirate" scheme that I was expecting, so that was a little disappointing. There were spies though! Lots of them. So if your looking for some romance with a little espionage than look no further. By the way, the characters were cute, too:)

**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good pirate book, so I was pretty thrilled to get my hands on this new one by Valerie Bowman. It is the 7th book in her "Playful Brides" series, but it works completely as a stand-alone. Twists, undercover identities and pirate sexy times? Yes, please!

The Story-
I don't want to give too much away because this one is so much fun to read and discover as you go, so I'll keep this fairly brief. Danielle is a new lady's maid, and the brother of the master of house is the "black sheep" rake of the family. He starts a flirtation with her and gets way more than he expected... That being said, there is SO MUCH MORE going on, and I think you will enjoy the game, the ups and downs, and the surprises as much as I did.

My Thoughts-
The plot drives this book which makes it a fast and fun read. The characters are interesting and have hidden depths, but this sure isn't angsty. Reading this book is like watching an action/romance movie that you can't look away from and can't quit smiling about when it is all over. The pirate mention in the title is a tad bit of a misnomer because there is way more going on here than pirates, so if you don't happen to be a fan of pirate stories, but like a great, fast plot, you should try this anyway, If you do like pirates, there is enough in there to satisfy.

The Bottom Line-
I literally put the book down and laughed out loud at one point, saying "oh my goodness, I am so glad that happened and can't wait to see what happens next!" Imagine the odd stares I got from my high school students... Anyway, if you like your romance with a heavy dose of fun, great pacing, and twisty plots, this is so for you. 5 stars!

[Barbara Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensuous, smart, captivating, humorous - you'll be caught up in the world of pirates, spies, intrigue, murder, revenge and, of course romance. You'll be captivated by it!!! Such an exciting read!!! I enjoyed it so much I read it non-stop until I finished! The characters are compelling, witty, sensuous and filled to the brim with secrets.

I loved all of the witty banter between the two main characters. They are alike in so many way - yet they each think they are so very different. Both have had hard lives - he was raised in Seven Dials with an abusive, alcoholic father and weak-willed mother and her father was murdered in front of her and her mother was convicted (though she wasn't guilty) of the murder. Both are seeking revenge for wrongs done to their families.

There are absolutely no dull spots in the book. It is fast paced and keeps you wondering what will happen next. What would you expect when you have two spies who don't know about each other trying to follow the same clues to the same villain.

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear God. Who was this creature?

First, I just want to say that I have never seen so many names that start with the same letter in one single book ever before. Here's a bit of perspective: There are about 4-5 main characters that are well-introduced and truly important to the plot's progress. Now, look at the list of names that start with "D":

Daphne
Danielle
Danny
Donald
Delilah
Derek
(And I might be missing one or two)

So we can all see that the "D" list is longer than the "important" list. Nice. Memorable.

I honestly wish from the bottom of my heart that the cover actually matched the greatness that is this novel. I get that all the covers in this series have a nice theme, but seriously, I had a completely different impression before getting some real introductions to the characters. Confused would be an understatement.

Basically, Never Trust a Pirate is a drama-filled love story between Cade, the "black sheep" of the Cavendish family, and Miss Danielle LaCrosse, a lady's maid who has more than a few secrets. When Cade ends up back at his twin brother's estate for some unknown pirating work, he meets the new, beautiful maid who completely throws his lawless life off the rails. But both Cade and Danielle have hidden objectives for being at the Cavendish estate -- and pasts that could prove deadly to their tasks (and potential relationship). Will they be able to work together with all the sexual tension flying about to take down the real enemy?

Ignoring Valerie Bowman's overuse of the letter "D" and the misleading cover, I really enjoyed this book. Since this was my first time reading Valerie Bowman, I wasn't sure what to expect and the fact that I was starting with book 7 had me a bit worried about what past characters and plots I needed or didn't need to know. So I was very pleasantly surprised when I figured out that I didn't really need too much previous info to understand what was going on. Overall, though the plot could've been better organized and worked through here and there, I never lost interest and was actually pretty sad when I got finished.

My favorite part of this book would probably be how Danielle's character broke out and took control after the first half, becoming a very powerful force in the direction of the story. Love a capable, versatile heroine of sorts.

Now the characters...

I really liked Danielle's character, but I feel like her backstory doesn't completely support her current personality (and neither does the cover). She's made out to be this kick ass spy who can disguise herself as a boy, be decent at most crafts (lady's maid, sailor, etc.) and rob from highly skilled criminals. Yes, she didn't grow up in the best environments and yes, she needed to learn certain skills to get by, but I just don't like how it can skip from that to her current level of competence. There are definitely some blanks that need to be filled in. And since she's supposedly one of the best spies Grimaldi has, shouldn't she be able to separate work and play a bit better?

And then there's Cade. I can only describe Cade as a handsome, pirating lady-killer who (surprise!) falls for a (surprise!) beautiful girl who (surprise!) doesn't think she's beautiful. Obvious cliches and obvious insta-lust, but nonetheless very entertaining and done very well. I just really wish Valerie Bowman put more emphasis on Cade's pirate-ness. It was kinda thrown in there before the big climax close to the end but other than that, wasn't really introduced in the beginning. In general, Cade could've had a bit more... substance. But for his type of character, Cade was developed pretty well.

As for the steamy scenes,

I'd have to give Valerie Bowman a solid A+. Lots of sexual tension and excitement, and it didn't have any boringly slow parts that are easy mistakes in a romance novel. I feel like the first half was lacking a bit, but the second half definitely made up for it.

The writing was very smooth, and there weren't any sections of overwhelming blocks of quotations or descriptions. But the story moved a bit too slowly for me in the first half, and then I felt like the second half was kinda quickly strung together. Also, the whole Black Fox bit really felt more like an afterthought in parts of the novel (exactly like this). I think the first half should get a 3 star rating for introduction of plot and characters while the second half deserved a 4.25 for all the action, unveiling, sex scenes and character development.

I'd recommend Never Trust a Pirate to romance-lovers who want a bit of added action and suspense. 3.75

I received a paperback copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary - Buried Under Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is the infamous Black Fox?

Few knew of his loyalties, as the pirate Black Fox strikes again stealing certain papers off a French ship. Is it Cade Cavendish, the younger twin of a newly minted viscount (hero of The Irresistible Rogue) Or is it the Viscount Spy himself?

Contrary to the intriguing premise, and the amount of espionage activities in this novel, it is ultimately one centered on brotherly bonds and redemption, particularly for Cade. Cade Cavendish's mysterious return to England after years of being thought dead has raised many flags, not the least in his "white sheep" of a twin, Rafe. The fact that Cade relishes his disreputable reputation only seeks to heighten the outward contrast between the brothers, whereas on the inside he is just as honorable, if not more so, than Rafe, for bearing the guilt of his escape all these years. His self-imposed exile carries a secret mission, one in which he can't afford distractions, certainly not from his sister-in-law, Daphne's, new French maid, who seems to have even more secrets than him.

Danielle LaCrosse is a very likable character, endlessly resourceful yet humbled by the kindness and friendship of her new surroundings in Rafe and Daphne's household. She has spent years tracking her father's killer, learning to be a superb spy, all of which might hinge on her attraction to Cade Cavendish during her final mission. From the moment they meet, witty repartees are traded, then a kiss, a waltz, and more secrets from their heart. As kindred souls carrying heavy burdens, their romance develops slowly and genuinely, from friendship to companionship to a true understanding of characters. Naturally, the fast-paced action accompanies their other identities, but they remain true to themselves until the end.

I started this book with the expectation of another pirate/spy novel with some cat-and-mouse action, but was surprised by the amount of depth to the characters, who each embodied a virtue they did not themselves know. Ms. Bowman's fluid, engaging dialogue, and finely-crafted twists only enhanced the reading experience, and I found myself eager to see more of these characters and the justice they sought. Overall, I enjoyed this hugely, and look forward to not only spymaster Grim's book, but also that of Daphne's young cousin, who is foreshadowed to have her own romance in a few in-book years.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley for an honest review

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a definite win in a consistently good series. Valerie Bowman writes so charmingly, and I love that the heroine is as roguish as the hero. I like the surprises along the way and Danielle is probably going on my favorite heroines list, not because we share the name. But because she's awesome. I picture Eva Green as Danielle.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine http://affairedecoeurmagazine.com.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley***

Pirates are fun. And, pirate books are fun. Because pirates.

really, I could stop here and we would have said all that needs to be said. Pirate books are fun, this was a pirate book and it was, you guessed it, fun.

I think the appeal, at least for me, of Cade was that he was a scoundrel and maybe, just possibly, the kind of book boyfriend who is better left in the book, as he would be just a little high maintenance for regular days.

Danielle, however, seems to have this handled. She manages to keep up with him, and occasionally stay ahead of him through a few twists, some turns, a couple of crimes, some time on a ship and a map. Because, you guessed it, pirates.

Pirate books, like any romance, do have a bit of a formula. And, at this point, if you are a fan of pirate books, there are certain elements that need to be in the book for it to work, or you are disappointed.

Nothing to be disappointed about in this one. I recommend this book.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

These two were perfect for each other.

[Frankie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Danielle she acts like a strong, independent woman, she has had to deal with a lot through her life she and been forced to grow up far too quickly then she should have and that has made her so self-reliant, but she craves love and kindness something she has never been shown. Her father was a Frenchman and died too soon and her English aristocratic mother is seriously ill, Danielle never had the extravagant Tonish balls and come out like all women of her station would, and that has implemented in how she carries herself now.

You can really relate in someway or another to Danielle, she is an extraordinary woman, beautiful as well as deadly, she knows her own mind she is brave, spunky and she is super smart. Immersed in a dark and dangerous world of espionage, she has to use all of her cunning to stay alive, she is a an unusual woman for the times, never happier then when she is walking around dressed like a boy in breaches. She is a skilful and very clever spy.

But the thing that I think Bowman has got so right with Danielle is how she has been holding her own in what is predominantly a mans world and proves herself again and again and again just what a woman can do. I’m all for strong woman and she isn’t afraid to confront danger and she does all of this for a good selfless reason.

To make her seriously ill mother live the last of her days in peace and comfort.

Cade is a real rogue! A proper cad or has he thinks of himself the black sheep of the family, but under all that charismatic cheekiness there is a really good man, a lovable rogue. He has so many secrets and so many alter ego’s, is he a spy? Is he a traitor? Is he a pirate? Or is he the elusive black fox? He is a man of many faces he even turns up at his brothers front door under an alias this is a man that has got many feathers in his hat. Plus atop of all that he is a sinfully sexy, scandalous rogue who can make the most solid woman go weak at the knees.

Cade also does the one thing that no one has ever done with Danielle, he sees her! He sees past the strong mask and he sees what is deep down inside which is something that Danielle desperately needs that in her life. She wants to be noticed for the woman that she is and not just the spy or cabin boy or servant and Cade does just that. There is a beautiful moment where they both finally realise just how much they mean to one an other, where Danielle and Cade do a secret moonlit waltz together just before she has to leave. That is beautiful!

What a stroke of genius it was, putting these two together. They are both highly volatile, extremely skilled at what they do and they are both hiding secrets and both highly adapt at being creative with the truth. Cade and Danielle both yearn for what others have, they want love and friendship and more than that they want someone to trust. Something that neither of them have been able to do. They are just perfect for each other.

Bowman is a highly skilful writer who knows her craft like the back of her hand. She is a remarkable author at setting the scene and building up to a climatic finish, the first scene in particular does a great job at grabbing you and keeping you gripped throughout the whole book. The more you read the further you get absorbed into the dark and murky world or secrets and spies, this is a terrific adventure which is so much more than your average Historical Romance. It’s fast thrilling and exciting.

This is a stonking good story which is marvellously engrossing and for me is a huge success. It is stylish and sophisticated, a real winner. I love it! It’s classy and sassy with an outstanding mix of romance and adventure.

Full Review and Blog Tour at Chicks Rogues and Scandals
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordp...

[Missy · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a misleading title. From the blurb, I thought the hero is a pirate and that the mistaken identity was going to play out longer than it did in the book. What the book ended up being about is espionage, which is one of my least favorite tropes.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review cross-posted from Wit and Sin: http://witandsin.blogspot.com/2017/04...

From the halls of an elegant Mayfair townhouse to the high seas, Never Trust a Pirate is a delightful Regency romp. Valerie Bowman has a fun, breezy writing style that never fails to entertain me and her characters are always jam-packed with wit and charm, so it was easy for me to fall into this seventh Playful Brides novel.

Cade Cavendish is the black sheep of his family. Having grown up poor with an abusive father, he’s much more at home on his ship or in a tavern than he is at a ball. Cade is fun, a shameless flirt with Danielle, and though he plays the rogue he’s got a good heart and a strong sense of loyalty. Cade would run circles around your average society girl, which is why it’s a good thing Ms. Bowman pairs him with an unconventional heroine. Danielle has been on her own since she was thirteen. She’s been a smuggler and a spy, and she’s more at home on a ship than in her latest role as lady’s maid to Cade’s sister-in-law. I loved that both Cade and Danielle were spies, had secrets, and were able to throw one another off their strides. These two don’t fit in in the stuffy world of the ton and I loved that they never really tried to conform. Whether they’re trading secrets or hunting a common enemy, they make a good team and it was fun to watch Danielle shock Cade with her spy skills. Danielle is Cade’s equal in every way and that made their love story all the more interesting. I was well and truly hooked into their romance, which was sensual, energetic, and just plain fun to read.

Never Trust a Pirate is the seventh book in the Playful Brides series, but if you don’t mind spoilers for The Irresistible Rogue (Rafe Cavendish’s story) then it can be read as a standalone. I’ve been reading this series out of order, and though all of the books I’ve read so far have had a lighthearted feel, Never Trust a Pirate is definitely the most casual. The relationships and interactions between the characters in this book was a bit more informal than I’m used to in a historical romance (even taking into account Cade and Danielle’s upbringings), which did draw me out of the story a couple of times. As far as complaints go, it’s a fairly minor one as far as I’m concerned when there are such delightful characters to keep me entertained. I know I’ve used the word “fun” multiple times to describe Never Trust a Pirate , but that’s honestly the best word for Cade and Danielle’s story. It’s sexy, engaging, sparkling good fun and I cannot wait to read the next Playful Brides tale!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Trust a Pirate is the seventh book in the Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman. Although part of a series it can easily be read as a stand alone book. But if like me, you find you really enjoy this book, I am sure you will want to go back and read all the other stories in the series too.

Cade Cavendish is supposed to be dead, so imagine his twin brother's surprise when years later he turns up on his doorstep! Where has he been all these years why didn't he let his family know he was alive and well? Cade is the black sheep of the family, and he lets that misconception be an excuse for all things including the reason why he's been absent. In truth he has been hunting down a man responsible for Rafe being tortured many years ago, torture that should have been his had his brother owned up to being Cade's twin brother. He is getting closer to getting hold of the man responsible because said man is planning on freeing Napoleon, and thanks to a certain map Cade is now in possession of, he knows the route planned for that escape.

Miss Danielle LaCrosse is half French, half English. Her father was murdered, and her mother wrongly accused of that murder. With the help of a British Spy, her mother was rescued and taken to England, and Danielle has since been in the employ of the Spy service in order to repay her debt to them. Her latest job leads her to Rafe Cavendish's house where Cade is residing. Her job.....to find out all about Cade, to find any secrets he might have etc. Her cover for the job is as Rafe's wife's new lady's maid.

Under that guise she meets Cade and not only does she do her job of finding out anything she can about him, she also discovers that he is one gorgeous, fun man, albeit one with many secrets, who she could easily find herself falling for. Something she must not do of course. He of course falls in lust with her pretty much as soon as they meet. Not only because he finds her very attractive but because he likes her sass. Her straight forward speaking intrigues him, and he adores that she doesn't even blush like most women he flirts with. And flirt with her he does.

Of course during this meeting of minds and sometimes mouths, both have an agenda to follow. They have to stay focused on what they are meant to be doing. Before finishing her job of finding out all about Cade, she is told by her boss that she must leave the household immediately for she is to sail to France to try to stop the escape ofNapoleon. Yes, unknown to her and Cade, they are actually after the same man!!!

From there we read about their voyage, and I was delighted with the scenes onboard ship. With a name like Never Trust a Pirate, you just have to have a sea journey or two in the book. In honesty I do wish that more time was spent onboard, and less on land.

I loved that there were so many secrets afoot, true identities being hidden, possible crimes being committed, and definitely a lack of trust between the main characters. There are twists and turns, and some shocks to behold. Not to mention the lust and possible love growing between our hero and heroine. They have a fun relationship, and are perfectly suited to each other, and what makes it more fun is that they have no idea about what the other person is up to. It made it a must to read the book as quickly as possible in order to find out what would happen if and when the whole truth about them each comes out.

This book definitely had me running the gamut of emotions, there was even a scene that had me in tears, even though I kept optimistic about it's outcome! If you like books that can make you laugh, and cry, ones with some steamy sex scenes, lots of romance, but also lots of intrigue and subterfuge, then this is the book for you. I loved it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off for adventure, seduction, secrets, deception, mistaken identity, and so much more. This was one fun, sexy, journey to love. There were pirates, an heiress, twins, twists, deception, a sheep, a fox, a great story, lots of fun and a wicked adventure or two along the read. I have had the pleasure of reading a few books in this series. I have had fun with each one of them. But this one by far gave me the most fun, adventure, with a pirate.

There are secrets within the secrets, lies on top of lies, and deceit behind each smile casted. I loved that the characters had so much to offer that was not right in your face upon meeting each new cast member. I found the pace quick and lite. The characters appealing and endearing. There was more for this story than just Cade and Danielle. I liked that most of all. It took time but of course you’ll warm-up to Cade. Danielle was a strong, hard-working individual that seemed a bit closed off, by choice.

I loved reading this one a seeing a few familiar faces along the way but this was more than just the previous couples. This was a new addition to the series that gave me something more to bite in to.

[h o l l i s · Rating 2 out of 5]

He might have the face of a Greek god but he had the personality of a horse's ass.

What started out as a promising historical regency-style Spy vs Spy, with some pirates thrown in, turned out to.. be.. less promising. Or at least never living up to the concept or my hopes.

This is my first read by Bowman and I'm coming into this Playful Brides series at book seven (shame shame) but that being said I found it pretty easy to slip into this world. Her writing wasn't extraordinary but neither did it grate on me and with all the familiar locales -- Mayfair, St Giles, Bond Street, etc -- it made the read pretty effortless. But alas.. it didn't add much to my experience beyond that, either.

"What in the devil's name was that?"
"A kiss, you dolt. It wasn't particularly good."
"That was not a kiss. That was a physical attack."

The best part of NEVER TRUST A PIRATE were the leads. They weren't amazing but the chemistry between the french spy playing at a Lady's maid and the english maybe-spy-maybe-turncoat playing the scoundrel rake of her Mistress' brother in law was mostly fun. And, when we finally got to that point, the heat and sizzle between them for their sexytimes was pretty excellent. However it took a looong time to get there and that was where things actually got interesting : around the 70% mark. And unfortunately it's just after that bit of finally-getting-naked-together where I felt very confunded and confused.

I don't want to reveal anything because it's definitely spoilery but I didn't find that the backstory matched up with the present-day activities, not to mention some specific angst between the brothers, and how everything tied together seemed.. convenient while still being befuddling.

There was a lot of potential to this story but sadly the pirate-portion of it all was super minor and there was hardly any spying beyond our heroine having a propensity for asking a lot of questions. There was also quite a bit of "I've never told this to anyone/I've never had friends" repetition that, by repeating, lost the emotional impact that otherwise might've been present, and I definitely lost the plot when the author tried to explain away everyone's true roles.

Sadly this read just didn't work for me.

1.75 "never trust a title" stars


** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

[Deniz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5Stars

I took a good while to get into this book. In the beginning it felt like a classic pirate romp movie. The characters all felt a bit cliche... and I was quite sure I was in for a tab bit of a disappointment.
This is the first book I read by Bowman. So I wasn't sure what to expect. The only thing that did keep me going in the beginning was the writing style and very soon the witty dialogues as well.
So about a quarter in I had resigned myself to a well written book with great banter but sadly characters that were to stylistic for me. Still a good book mind you....
THEN...
...slowly there were layers added to all the characters and as the story went on, I got to see different sides to them and somehow I found myself endeared to them. In fact I adore the entire cast. Well most of them anyway. Bowman did an excellent job building the MCs characters and most of the support cast. While at first sight it seems the usual usual, she added details, surprising tidbits that made them feel more real and unique. There is depths to most of the support cast as well. The only character that did come out flat in my opinion was the villain. Though that is probably connected to the story line.
By the way will there be a book about Grim?

The story line went from pirate romp to cute historical romance and back to privateering.
I loved the sections that were set in London. But the privateering bits? Not so much, which is funny, because I probably would have told you the opposite before if asked before hand. The thing is that the adventure bits of the book felt a bit rushed. There was this careful buildup in London, slow emotional connections and great character building, then it changed to lots of smut, the big show down.. and the happy ending. I felt a bit let down by the show down to be honest. It felt a bit anticlimactic.

Never Trust A Pirate is the seventh book in the series. As I mentioned I have never read a book by Bowman before this. It does work as a standalone. I might have take a bit longer to get into because of that however, I'm not sure, just saying it could be. What I am sure of however I will read the next book in the series and I will read the previous books as well. Definitely a series I could get into.

Note: Since reading and reviewing this, I have read another one of the books. Two things are clear, I will read all of the books in this series AND I would advise anyone who hasn't read the series to start with book 1.. not book 7 like I did. I was right with my previous assessment quite a lot fell into place reading the previous book. Besides that, you going to end up reading them all any way ;)



A well written historical romance, with some action and lots of fabulous banter. Definitely advisable for lovers of the genre.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never trust a Pirate by Valerie Bowman is another exciting Regency Historical Romance in her "Playful Brides" series. While #7, it can be read as a stand alone. It does have re-appearing characters from previous books. This does not distract nor interfere in enjoying "Never Trust a Pirate". Refreshing and intriguing story!

This is the story of Cade Cavendish and Miss Danielle LaCrosse. Cade is the "black sheep of the Cavendish family, with secrets. He is the twin brother to Rafe from a previous story. Danielle, is Rafe's wife Daphne's, lady's maid. Ah, there is so much more to her than meets the eye. Is Cade the so called pirate "Black Fox", a famous spy for the Crown? Afterall, he's very good at deception, seduction, secretive and is very rebellious. Let's not forget he's devilishly handsome, with a devil may care care attitude. But lay all aside, he's out for revenge, on the man who hurt his brother, Rafe. Ah, he's also a spy. Danielle, is more than a French maid, she's beautiful, sensual, and drives Cade mad with desire. It's hard to decide which side she's on at first, or rather who's she working for, the Crown or the bad people. As she seems to be spying on Cade.
"Never Trust a Pirate" is not your everyday spy adventure. There are many twists and turns, surprises, witty banter, danger and adventure.
Let's not forget who was the "Black Fox", I was totally shocked and surprised by who it was. Brilliant!!
I enjoyed the way Ms. Bowman mixed the spying with the interaction between the characters, and the true intend of the story. I enjoyed the witty banter between Cade and Danielle, their interaction was brilliantly written. They didn't forget their responsibilities, for their own desires nor do they forget what their goals are, but intend to carry them through to the finish. They completed their mission, although, Cade and Danielle faced the ruthless French spy. Will one of them lose they life?

Brilliantly executed, with an easy to follow plot, that flowed smoothly and continously throughout the story. The characters were enduring, engaging and easily capture your heart. I personally was glued to this story from the first page forward. A very captivating, intriguing and suspensive story. Unique in many ways, not just a predictable spy story. The suspense and mystery with the romantic interest was enough to keep the reader intrigued throughout "Never Trust a Pirate". A great read for fans of mystery, suspense, intruigue, romance, spies, and an overall splendid read. Very well done, Valerie Bowman !!! I can't wait to read the next "Playful Brides" story.
I received a complimentary copy.

Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun spy versus spy story! Danielle LaCrosse has taken a job as a lady’s maid to Lady Daphne Cavendish but has another life too. She’s never been a maid before but is very good at adapting to a situation. Especially if that job gets her closer to moving her ailing mother out of London.

Cade Cavendish is the black sheep of his family and is currently residing at his brother’s home where he meets Danielle. He is very attracted to her but no woman interferes with his work or gets close to him.

They are attracted to each other but both have jobs to do. I won’t spoil this very fun book. It has spies, action, humor, mystery and romance. I really enjoyed it. It is part of a series but is easily read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC. Release date is May 2nd.

[Playground of Randomness · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Playful Brides book I ever read was Daphne's story (The Irresistible Rogue) and while there have been more than a few books released since then, I've always wondered what happened to Cade.
Apparently the mysterious Cavendish brother has moved in with Rafe and spends his nights out doing...something.
Danielle is a spy who has been hired to keep an eye on Cade but it isn't long before an attraction sparks between them. Cade is supposed to be Danielle's last job and the key to her freedom and a life of normality. So no matter how attractive she may find him, she has a job to do if she wants to get out of the business of espionage.
While I always like Valerie Bowman's writing, I felt like this book was special to me since it reminded me of The Irresistible Rogue (of course, seeing characters from that book didn't hurt matters eithers). All the spying, lying and disguises reminded me of The Irresistible Rogue and made this book different from the others in this series.
This book was well-written and entertaining. I can't wait to read more of this series and I especially look forward to seeing more of Daphne's younger cousin (hopefully in a story of her own).

[Tracy Emro · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher*

Of all the books I have read in the series, this is by far my favorite. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!

I have been waiting for Cade's story ever since he showed up at the end of The Irresistible Rogue. Cade is Rafe's twin and the self proclaimed black sheep of their family. He is a rake and a total scoundrel, but he is also devastatingly handsome and oh-so charming.

Danielle is a spy, who has been planted in Rafe & Daphne's home by General Grimaldi to find out their secrets. Danielle knows all about secrets, as she has many of her own. Infiltrating the household and posing as Daphne's lady's maid is no hardship for Danielle but she doesn't expect to like everyone so much nor does she anticipate her reaction to Cade.

This book has a little of everything, steamy love scenes, secrets galore, laugh out loud moments, nail biting moments and an absolutely priceless declaration scene.

This book is part of a series, but could easily be read as a stand alone title. It is well written, flows perfectly and keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

[Sheila Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Black Fox Strikes Again"

FINAL DECISION:  Twisty with lots of secrets and strong independent characters but not too dark, I loved this one!  The story didn't go where I expected it to from the title.  The characters were slowly revealed both to the reader and to one another.  The story was so fun but with some depth and purpose.

THE STORY:  Danielle LaCross seeking work as a lady's maid for a viscountess.  She mistakes Cade Cavendish for his twin brother the viscount.  Cade is a known rogue and the black sheep of the family.  Rumored to be a rake and perhaps a pirate, Cade has a lot of secrets that he is keeping.  Danielle has secrets as well.  Once she realizes that Cade is not who she thought he was, she still cannot seem to resist the intriguing man.  Soon they realize that they have a common purpose and join forces to resolve the shadows that still haunt them.

OPINION:  This one hit all the right notes with me.  The book jumps immediately into the action and a lot is happening here.  The characters have secrets and these was plenty to keep me intellectually interested in the plot even as I emotionally fell for these characters.

A great part of this story is the twists along the way, so I recommend staying away from spoilers to maintain the suspense in the story.

Cade's role as the black sheep of the family is important to him.  A twin, he has made a role for himself as the irresponsible rake...but there is much more going on with him.  I loved his personality which keeps a lightness even as the drama is ratcheted up in the story.  Because although readers might not know what Cade is doing, there is never any question that he is on the right side.

Danielle is strong and independent (and perhaps a little too assertive for a true lady's maid). Normally the lack of class distinctions between them would seem false in the story, but Cade did not grow up part of the aristocracy and (along with some secrets to be revealed) thus the ultimate reason for how these two interact with one another works.

Fans of witty banter between the characters will like this one.  Cade and Danielle circle around one another as each is trying to figure out the other without giving away their own secrets.

One of my favorite parts of this book is that I actually was surprised by the resolution of the mystery and yet it made perfect sense.  The mystery has a real purpose here and is well integrated into the romance. The suspense and mystery of the story worked really well here and felt totally natural for the times. Yet the story never veers into angst and darkness.  There is a brightness to the story that I really enjoyed (even though I'm generally a bigger fan of the dark romances).

WORTH MENTIONING:  Fans of the series will get some glimpses of favorite characters.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  NEVER TRUST A PIRATE is the seventh book in the Playful Brides series.  While it is certainly possible to read this book as a standalone, it is so much better having the backstory of the characters.

STAR RATING:  I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions contained herein are my own.This review was originally posted on Top10RomanceBooks.com

[Rozzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extraordinary book by Ms. Valerie Bowman! Even though this is the first book I have ever read of hers which is an unfortunate mistake on my part. Why is this book extraordinary because out of all the regency historical books I read which is quite a lot this book has more than the lords, ladies and the ton. The book is filled with action, adventure, mistaken identities, spies, politics, pirates, intrigue and romance all rolled into one. That it left me breathlessly anticipating what was going to happen to the cast of characters and on a perpetual roller coaster until the very end. I kind of think the cover just doesn’t do the book justice even though it is okay but I wouldn’t have minded something with a little more pizzazz or that reflects the book and it’s title. Ms. Bowman despite being new to her stories writes with a complexity and intricacy all her own but the reader never gets bogged down with everything that is happening. Best part is even though the story is part of a series this book can definitely standalone.
On a ship in the London Harbor July 1817 something is stolen by a thief who manages to get away. Meanwhile in London Cade Cavendish is visiting and staying with his twin brother Rafe who is also a viscount. Cade is considered the black sheep of the family while his brother Rafe is the perfect good brother. When Cade meets Danielle LaCross a ladies maid to his sister-in-law Cade can’t help but be attracted to her. Danielle doesn’t trust Cade even though she likes him too. Danielle has a feeling Cade is hiding things and secrets from her but so is Danielle.
In first being introduced to Cade I went through all sorts of emotions apprehension, mistrust, and dislike but eventually I slowly fell for him. Sure he was a rake, reckless and most of the time not someone that you really couldn’t be around in polite society. On the other hand he was charming, loyal, and respectful, a bit of a romantic and had all these different alias really what’s not to like? Danielle was just the perfect heroine that I couldn’t help but have a little girl crush on her too. She had the whole mysterious double agent pirate thing going and definitely knowing how to blend in. Danielle was not only beautiful but smart independent resourceful sassy and wasn’t easily wooed by Cade even though when he was doing all that wooing I was literally sighing at his attempts. The minor characters of Rafe, Daphne and Grimaldi even though I didn’t care for him made me enjoy the book that much more that I really can’t wait to read it again. I know that I will be anxiously awaiting Ms. Bowman’s next regency historical book now.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun! Exciting! Full of suspense - and surprises I never saw coming. A sassy heroine- full of secrets and a bad boy hero with secrets of his own. If you enjoy pirate stories and you love Regency romances ...this book has it all.

The pain of losing her parents and seeing her father killed at the hands of a French traitor sends a thirteen year-old Danielle LaCrosse out into the world seeking revenge, dedicating her life to making it happen. She survives doing any job she has to- looking for something that can help her save her mother. She finds herself saved by a man who promises to help her mother, if she will work for him. Seeing that the man is one of his word, she accepts, but knows that her life will never have what what was her birthright - the life of a lady.

Thirteen year old Cade Cavendish leaves home, unwilling to watch his father beat his mother and unable to do a thing about it. He leaves his family and does everything necessary to survive. He learns that his twin brother is being tortured to death by a man that is a traitor to his country and he tries to save him. When his brother is safe, he vows he will make the man that almost killed his brother pay.

Danielle and Cade meet under the most innocent of situations. She takes a position as a lady's maid, working for the newly married Viscount - Cade's brother. Cade has business in London and decides to crash at his brother's town home, for the time being. The two meet, and while sparks fly- neither is willing to risk sharing the parts of themselves that could mean the most- their secrets and their hearts.

This book grabs you from page one and takes you on a wild ride through London and the high seas. The storyline is full of surprises and intrigue. I loved the character of Cabe - who could quite seriously become the ultimate of book heroes. He is captivating, charming and a rogue. And as much as he hates rules, he is willing to do anything to capture the love of the lady that steals his heart.

I give this book five stars PLUS!

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyable!

The action literally hums! Not a dull moment! Gorgeous, ' enfant terrible', pirate spy and enticing lady spy masquerading as a lady's maid are unknowingly in search of the same things.
Half French, Danielle LaCrosse, has been placed by the home office secret services into the household of Viscount Rafferty Cavendish, to watch his brother Cade Cavendish.
Having lost her father at thirteen, and with her mother gravely ill, Danielle is determined to bring the villain responsible for her family's pain, Lafayette Baptiste, to justice. That conveniently coincided with the wishes of General Mark Grimaldi, head of an elite unit of English spies.
Equally Cade is determined to track down the enemy who nearly killed his brother, Baptiste!
State secrets, vengeance and love go hand in hand in this high powered, free flowing addition to Bowman's Playful Brides series.
Danielle is a delight. Sure in all things to do with her trade, a lonely focused figure, part urchin, part seductress, totally unsure about friendships and love.
Cade is a perfect foil, the rakish, piratical, devil may care veneer, masking the pain of his past.

A NetGalley ARC

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

An escape from St. Helena is being planned for Bonaparte, and the Black Fox narrowly escapes with the map indicating the route the general will take... Who is the Black Fox?

Until nine months ago, the world thought Cade Cavendish dead, but he is alive and well and living in Mayfair with his identical twin brother Rafe. Cade is the black sheep of the family, nobody really knows how he earns his living. He is also a bit of a rogue. Danielle LaCrosse desperately needs the position as lady’s maid to Lady Cavendish, Rafe’s wife. Danielle is a bit out of her element, but she’s resourceful, and she’ll do what it takes: she needs the money to pay for her mother’s medical bills. Danielle is startled by the handsomeness of Rafe, and more than pleasantly surprised that his brother Cade is just as easy on the eye, and unmarried. Danielle’s new job might have some unexpected perks, after all, and Rafe is quite taken with the new lady’s maid.

NEVER TRUST A PIRATE is Valerie Bowman’s latest instalment in the Playful Brides series, and while past events play a part in the narrative, the author briefly and clearly recaps what has happened previously, and new readers will be able to easily hop along. There are many spies in Rafe’s home, but who is really a spy, and who is spying on whom? Most of NEVER TRUST A PIRATE proceeds at a comfortable pace, after a breathtaking and exciting opening. I must confess that I was expecting that more emphasis would be put on the spying, or done differently maybe, or I was thought there would be more action. A large chunk of the narrative consists of life in a posh Regency household, while Danielle gets accustomed to her new duties. While everyday historical details are a bit shaky, it is enjoyable nonetheless. I was a bit worried when the blurb mentioned a case of mistaken identity, but this is dealt with speedily and efficiently by the author, and in a rather amusing way. Danielle is an intriguing character, with many facets, and for once she wasn’t endlessly blushing. I really liked Cade as well until I felt he became a tad too pushy and insistent. The sex scenes are well done, however I was not crazy about the circumstances under which the first one occurred.

The action sequences are terrific, and I would have liked more of them, before the explosive ending. Ms. Bowman’s descriptive style shines, as always, the dialogues are delicious, as is the flirtatious banter between Danielle and Cade is delectable. All in all, NEVER TRUST A PIRATE is an entertaining Regency romp!


I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a few bumps in the road, Never Trust a Pirate delivered a mystique that proved an intriguing match for the adventurous duo that led the journey. While Danielle and Cade make a go of seducing each other, Ms. Bowman likewise entices her readers into this web of secrets, suspense and romance. There's always a new discovery in this dangerous tale of sensuality that got a bit out of control but kept me as a reader on my toes.

[Veromika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!

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[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much action, so little romance.

I didn't mind though. It was good action. A family of spies, how fun. We need more of the Cavendish family.

And if I'm being honest, this book was so much better than it's predessors because it didn't have Lucy's crazy scheming.

I'm only sad we never find out who Danielle's English family is.

[Aila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and quick!