What do you think?
Rate this book
Regency Pirates #2
The Pirate Hunter
Diana Worthing is the wife of an English naval hero, daughter of a naval hero—she’s had quite enough of heroes, thank you. So when James Ardmore, Southern gentleman pirate hunter and thorn in the side of the British navy, abducts her from a tedious house party and spirits her off to his ship, she lets him know what she thinks of heroes.
James interrogates her about the tiny island of Haven her father owns, where Diana and her father and deaf daughter retreat to escape the world. Diana resists, knowing that Captain Ardmore is an enemy of the English. But when Ardmore pins her to the wall of his cabin and asks her to sail away with him, sparks fly, and the temptation is great. But though Diana is an unhappily married woman, she has a daughter who needs her, and she refuses.
James knows the island of Haven holds the secret to the pirate he’s been hunting for years. He can’t bend the beautiful Lady Worthing to his will, though James is intrigued by this woman of unquenchable fire. He lets her go, learning nothing. But he’s pleased to find himself stranded on Haven the following year, Diana Worthing now a widow, and the sparks between them just as hot . . .
James interrogates her about the tiny island of Haven her father owns, where Diana and her father and deaf daughter retreat to escape the world. Diana resists, knowing that Captain Ardmore is an enemy of the English. But when Ardmore pins her to the wall of his cabin and asks her to sail away with him, sparks fly, and the temptation is great. But though Diana is an unhappily married woman, she has a daughter who needs her, and she refuses.
James knows the island of Haven holds the secret to the pirate he’s been hunting for years. He can’t bend the beautiful Lady Worthing to his will, though James is intrigued by this woman of unquenchable fire. He lets her go, learning nothing. But he’s pleased to find himself stranded on Haven the following year, Diana Worthing now a widow, and the sparks between them just as hot . . .
324 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
70 people are currently reading
1082 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
210 books7,330 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Read
July 2, 2016Ok, I changed the title of this book back to
The Pirate Hunter
, which I think fits it better. When I first republished, I wanted to distance this book from the Dorchester edition for various reasons that have nothing to do with the story and much to do with things that upset me during its original publication. However ... now that a few years have passed, I'd like it to go back to what I originally intended.
To that end, I have restored the title and given it yet another cover. However, the text is unaltered from the second edition (where I added the new beginning). Got all that? :-)
So--if you purchased this as The Pirate Hunter's Lady in e-, there is NO need to purchase it again as The Pirate Hunter, unless you just want the new cover. Same story.
To that end, I have restored the title and given it yet another cover. However, the text is unaltered from the second edition (where I added the new beginning). Got all that? :-)
So--if you purchased this as The Pirate Hunter's Lady in e-, there is NO need to purchase it again as The Pirate Hunter, unless you just want the new cover. Same story.
July 14, 2013
oooh another wonderful pirate romance ;) I love the old fashioned romances. You know the ones, where the heroine is kidnapped, spirited away in the middle of the night and has no choice but to go with the flow. Where the hero is a bad boy with a tragic past and just knows when he sees his heroine that she is something different. He wants her....and he will eventually have her.
ahhhh to me that is a wonderful romance book and that is what you will get in the Pirate Hunter.
Brilliant characters, enjoyable storyline. Adventure, mystery and steam with a good portion of heart and sweet romance.
What can I say? Just a plain old goody.
ahhhh to me that is a wonderful romance book and that is what you will get in the Pirate Hunter.
Brilliant characters, enjoyable storyline. Adventure, mystery and steam with a good portion of heart and sweet romance.
What can I say? Just a plain old goody.
March 27, 2021
I read this because I enjoyed The Pirate Next Door so, so, so much. Towards the end of The Pirate Next Door, James Ardmore had some scenes of serious emoting, and I was very curious to see this angst-ridden hero meet his match.
The Pirate Hunter starts when Diana Worthington, daughter of an English admiral and wife to a respected naval hero, is kidnapped by James at a ball one night...
I found James' insta-love of Diana off-putting. There was no conflict in the story, and I quickly began to lose interest in the mystery of what was really going on in Diana's family island, or in James' family. There were some moments that were fun such as when Diana ordered James to strip but other than that, I don't think it's worth reading. I was expecting James to be more of a bad boy but he didn't really do anything bad at all. Boo.
The Pirate Hunter starts when Diana Worthington, daughter of an English admiral and wife to a respected naval hero, is kidnapped by James at a ball one night...
I found James' insta-love of Diana off-putting. There was no conflict in the story, and I quickly began to lose interest in the mystery of what was really going on in Diana's family island, or in James' family. There were some moments that were fun such as when Diana ordered James to strip but other than that, I don't think it's worth reading. I was expecting James to be more of a bad boy but he didn't really do anything bad at all. Boo.
August 10, 2012
This is the second book in Ashley's pirate series and once again, there's lots of great adventure, which wins it back a star it lost because of the unfortunate fact that this book's "hero" is the smarmy, skeezy villain of The Pirate Next Door, James Ardmore. OK, we learn that Ardmore has lots of sad stories to tell, but the man all but publicly raped the heroine in the last book, so I kept wanting to chuck when the heroine here calls him "honorable." As for the attraction between them, I spent a good part of this story wanting to scream at the heroine, "Don't TOUCH that--you don't know where it's been!"
The gist: Diana Worthing is the daughter of much-respected, retired Admiral John Lockwood, and wife of the odious Edward Worthing, an ambitious Navy man who constantly accuses her of cheating. She's given up trying to convince him otherwise--in fact she flirts sometimes just to get his goat.
One day at a house party she stumbles onto Ardmore, who is doing something sneaky. She finds herself abducted (because the man just digs abducting women, I guess). He actually didn't come for Diana but he had in mind that he'd like to get his hands on her because he wants to question her about her father's secret island retreat. He makes some half-assed attempts to seduce the info out of her, but she manages to keep her mouth shut and given the abuse he heaped on Alexandra in the previous book, his heart must not have been in it this time. He ends up dropping Diana off in England, leaving her to face scandal and the rejection of her husband (her feelings aren't too hurt since she hates the worm).
Some time later, by a coincidence that can only happen in a work of fiction, Ardmore washes up on the shores of Haven, her father's island, where Diana finds him and an English Navy man. Ardmore was a prisoner aboard an English ship that went down at sea, and by some miracle he and one of his jailers survived. Ardmore wastes no time abusing the hospitality of the island, and pretty much treats Diana like a poop cupcake. [image error]
Ardmore is after a pirate that killed some members of his family, and he in turn is being hunted by the English Navy. There are some harrowing moments, and a point at which I finally felt like maybe karma caught up with him for his past misdeeds. I liked him a bit better after that, and then wasn't so unhappy with the romance.
If you like a-hole alpha anti-heroes who get redeemed by love, you'll probably love the series, and this book in particular.
The gist: Diana Worthing is the daughter of much-respected, retired Admiral John Lockwood, and wife of the odious Edward Worthing, an ambitious Navy man who constantly accuses her of cheating. She's given up trying to convince him otherwise--in fact she flirts sometimes just to get his goat.
One day at a house party she stumbles onto Ardmore, who is doing something sneaky. She finds herself abducted (because the man just digs abducting women, I guess). He actually didn't come for Diana but he had in mind that he'd like to get his hands on her because he wants to question her about her father's secret island retreat. He makes some half-assed attempts to seduce the info out of her, but she manages to keep her mouth shut and given the abuse he heaped on Alexandra in the previous book, his heart must not have been in it this time. He ends up dropping Diana off in England, leaving her to face scandal and the rejection of her husband (her feelings aren't too hurt since she hates the worm).
Some time later, by a coincidence that can only happen in a work of fiction, Ardmore washes up on the shores of Haven, her father's island, where Diana finds him and an English Navy man. Ardmore was a prisoner aboard an English ship that went down at sea, and by some miracle he and one of his jailers survived. Ardmore wastes no time abusing the hospitality of the island, and pretty much treats Diana like a poop cupcake. [image error]
Ardmore is after a pirate that killed some members of his family, and he in turn is being hunted by the English Navy. There are some harrowing moments, and a point at which I finally felt like maybe karma caught up with him for his past misdeeds. I liked him a bit better after that, and then wasn't so unhappy with the romance.
If you like a-hole alpha anti-heroes who get redeemed by love, you'll probably love the series, and this book in particular.
July 26, 2013
I thought this one was better than the first in the series since James Ardmore is definitely more interesting than Grayson, but still. Not so much swashbuckling, piratical adventure as angsty, emotionally manipulative melodrama. Diana Worthing bothered me. A lot. I have yet to figure out why so many female authors shoot for "feisty" and completely overshoot, landing their heroines firmly in "bitch" territory. Part of being strong and capable is knowing that not everything is a bloody fight. *sigh*
Like the first book, I didn't like the length of this one. Nor did I care for the pacing. I read these books because I wanted to read more of Ashley's work after reading the MacKenzie series. Sadly, these books aren't as entertaining. The characters aren't as likable, the dialogue isn't that great, and the sexual tension is, predictably, relegated to the snip and snipe kind. I'm so tired of the protagonists fighting each other every step of the way up until they peel their clothes off and bang like Bonobos. Oh, and if I'm real lucky, the heroine gets a good dose of stress relief in the form of a massive orgasm brought on by a monstrous penis, and still acts like a childish shrew afterwards!
It's too much, I tell you, too much.
Like the first book, I didn't like the length of this one. Nor did I care for the pacing. I read these books because I wanted to read more of Ashley's work after reading the MacKenzie series. Sadly, these books aren't as entertaining. The characters aren't as likable, the dialogue isn't that great, and the sexual tension is, predictably, relegated to the snip and snipe kind. I'm so tired of the protagonists fighting each other every step of the way up until they peel their clothes off and bang like Bonobos. Oh, and if I'm real lucky, the heroine gets a good dose of stress relief in the form of a massive orgasm brought on by a monstrous penis, and still acts like a childish shrew afterwards!
It's too much, I tell you, too much.
September 13, 2010
Only read this book if you absolutely need a pirate fix and there is nothing else. And I mean nothing else... like cereal boxes or shampoo bottles.
December 24, 2022
So Jennifer Ashley is a new author for me. I did read one of her books in 2019 but that was over 1300 books ago and don’t have a clue what the book was about and at the time I didn't do many reviews. I did write in my own notes it was a good read and I liked it but felt she was expensive considering how many books I read on average. Anyway, I was going over some research and saw her again and thought I’d giver her another try with this series.
I loved book 1 so was excited to move on to book 2. I really liked reading James and Diana's story. They had a very interesting dynamic that worked well for them and made them a great couple.
I loved book 1 so was excited to move on to book 2. I really liked reading James and Diana's story. They had a very interesting dynamic that worked well for them and made them a great couple.
May 11, 2017
I had a hard time getting through this one. I just kept putting it down and didn't have much interest in picking it back up.
It's possible that I've been burying myself too much in HR lately, and am just burning out a bit on it. But I don't think so. Here's where I had trouble.
James was hard to redeem.
He went way, way too far in the last book - the whole chaining up naked thing - and the kind of person who would do that to an innocent woman that he claimed to have some respect for ... that kind of person is a piece of garbage. Now, I've been surprised to like heroes that I've expected to dislike in HR before - usually because they played a villain role, and then ended up as a hero later in the series - so I was willing to see where it went. But it just didn't do it for me.
Basically, James never stopped manipulating. And I don't know that I buy that they were in love. It seemed like... he found her physically attractive, and he really enjoyed pushing her buttons so she'd fight with him. They honestly don't seem to get along, and I'm not sure that they ever will. And James is so ... my-way-or-the-highway ... I just don't see a point where he and Diana ever stop bashing heads.
Diana was no great prize either.
I think that, mostly, my problem with Diana was that she had no real depth.
The story was kind of a big nothingburger.
I liked the bits on Haven - I just liked the environment, the isolation, the enforced companionship. But the resolution of that arc felt thin to me. After all the build up ... I was just like "wait, what? Is that it? It's done?"
Also, the bits with Diana's father - his choices - they don't make any sense and no real attempt was made to give them a rational explanation. But no. No intelligent life here.
This book repeatedly set us up with something interesting and then had it disappear, largely offscreen.
It was honestly super disappointing, on all story points.
Given that I didn't like the first that much more, I think I will probably skip the last book in this pirate series. Because meh.
**2.5**
It's possible that I've been burying myself too much in HR lately, and am just burning out a bit on it. But I don't think so. Here's where I had trouble.
James was hard to redeem.
He went way, way too far in the last book - the whole chaining up naked thing - and the kind of person who would do that to an innocent woman that he claimed to have some respect for ... that kind of person is a piece of garbage. Now, I've been surprised to like heroes that I've expected to dislike in HR before - usually because they played a villain role, and then ended up as a hero later in the series - so I was willing to see where it went. But it just didn't do it for me.
Basically, James never stopped manipulating. And I don't know that I buy that they were in love. It seemed like... he found her physically attractive, and he really enjoyed pushing her buttons so she'd fight with him. They honestly don't seem to get along, and I'm not sure that they ever will. And James is so ... my-way-or-the-highway ... I just don't see a point where he and Diana ever stop bashing heads.
Diana was no great prize either.
I think that, mostly, my problem with Diana was that she had no real depth.
The story was kind of a big nothingburger.
I liked the bits on Haven - I just liked the environment, the isolation, the enforced companionship. But the resolution of that arc felt thin to me. After all the build up ... I was just like "wait, what? Is that it? It's done?"
Also, the bits with Diana's father - his choices - they don't make any sense and no real attempt was made to give them a rational explanation. But no. No intelligent life here.
This book repeatedly set us up with something interesting and then had it disappear, largely offscreen.
It was honestly super disappointing, on all story points.
Given that I didn't like the first that much more, I think I will probably skip the last book in this pirate series. Because meh.
**2.5**
January 19, 2019
Minder luchtig en vrolijk dan boek 1 maar ook iets minder idioot dus toch ook 3 sterren . Het grote probleem in dit verhaal was eigenlijk dat de mannelijke hoofdpersoon - James Ardmore - in boek 1 het zo grondig bij mij verbruid had dat ik hem nu op geen enkele manier sympathiek kon vinden .
Less fluffy and jolly than book 1 but also less idiotic so it gets 3 stars also . The big problem with this book was the male lead - James Ardmore - In book 1 I was so thoroughly exasperated by this jerk I could not in any way like or sympathize with him in this one .
Less fluffy and jolly than book 1 but also less idiotic so it gets 3 stars also . The big problem with this book was the male lead - James Ardmore - In book 1 I was so thoroughly exasperated by this jerk I could not in any way like or sympathize with him in this one .
September 9, 2025
Only the incomparable Jennifer Ashley could make me want a happy ending for James Ardmore. He was the villain in the first book in this series, and he often behaved pretty badly here as well. Still, Ashley made me care in spite of it all. Loved the epilogue. Now on to Honoria's story.
July 15, 2017
Captain James Ardmore found himself in an interesting situation when he kidnapped Lady Diana Worthing. He assumed her to be just another silly member of the British aristocracy, but soon found out how wrong he was.
I had a love hate relationship with Captain Ardmore in the the first book in this series, "The Pirate Next Door". Then Diana was introduced and showed a different side of James and of his experiences. It showed his as a man who felt deeply but turned that off to deal out justice in his own way.
I enjoyed this book much more than I did "The Pirate Next Door." The characters are way more interesting, giving you a richer, more enjoyable story. It also showed James as fallible and vulnerable. I also loved that Finley and Alexandra made an appearance in this book, allowing Finely to gloat over Ardmore's downfall into Luuurve! 😏
A very enjoyable summer read.
I had a love hate relationship with Captain Ardmore in the the first book in this series, "The Pirate Next Door". Then Diana was introduced and showed a different side of James and of his experiences. It showed his as a man who felt deeply but turned that off to deal out justice in his own way.
I enjoyed this book much more than I did "The Pirate Next Door." The characters are way more interesting, giving you a richer, more enjoyable story. It also showed James as fallible and vulnerable. I also loved that Finley and Alexandra made an appearance in this book, allowing Finely to gloat over Ardmore's downfall into Luuurve! 😏
A very enjoyable summer read.
June 6, 2012
Only a writer as talented as Jennifer Ashley could transform the villain, pirate hunter James Ardmore, from the first book in this series ("The Pirate Next Door"), into a man you learn to understand, respect and adore.
After reading the first book, I was certainly enticed to read how Ms. Ashley was going to accomplish this enormous feat. She skillfully and oh so subtly draws you in, tantalizing you with little bits and pieces of his personality and what drives him. And, then Ms. Ashley throws you completely off balance just when you think you have him all figured out with a clever shift and twist in the storyline. Brilliant!
My favorite scene in the entire book was toward the end. James and his heroine, the delightful Lady Diana Worthing, have retired to their bedchamber after an elaborate wedding and are dining quietly. Well, it starts as a quiet "repast." What ensues will make you laugh out loud and then sigh as secrets are revealed and feelings and hearts are bared. Again, brilliant!
"The Pirate Next Door" and "The Pirate Hunter" are must reads. I simply cannot wait for the third installment in this delightful series "The Care and Feeding of Pirates."
After reading the first book, I was certainly enticed to read how Ms. Ashley was going to accomplish this enormous feat. She skillfully and oh so subtly draws you in, tantalizing you with little bits and pieces of his personality and what drives him. And, then Ms. Ashley throws you completely off balance just when you think you have him all figured out with a clever shift and twist in the storyline. Brilliant!
My favorite scene in the entire book was toward the end. James and his heroine, the delightful Lady Diana Worthing, have retired to their bedchamber after an elaborate wedding and are dining quietly. Well, it starts as a quiet "repast." What ensues will make you laugh out loud and then sigh as secrets are revealed and feelings and hearts are bared. Again, brilliant!
"The Pirate Next Door" and "The Pirate Hunter" are must reads. I simply cannot wait for the third installment in this delightful series "The Care and Feeding of Pirates."
September 10, 2015
Second in Ashley's Regency Pirates series, this one didn't capture my attention at all, maybe it's because pirates just don't do it for me. Still, I love this author and can't get enough of her, even if I don't like pirates. I meandered through this book and didn't care that much about Diana or James. It got off to a good start, but just really slowed down while they are together on Haven. Her father's secret turned out to be entirely anticlimactic and then James' capture, etc. For some reason there seemed to be a lack of cohesiveness in the storyline, but I plodded along until the finish line. It didn't help that there were loads of typos in the kindle edition, which really surprised me and became increasingly annoying. Simple things that a spell and grammar check would catch. I love this author, but this series is not a favorite. Since I got it for next to nothing on kindle, I'll read Book 3 since I already have it though. Disappointing.
2.5/5
2.5/5
July 1, 2019
This is book #2 in the regency pirate series. I loved this one as much as the first book. This time the story is about James Ardmore, the pirate who became the pirate hunter. James kidnapped Diana Worthing a year ago, and now he finds himself washed up and injured on the shore of the island that Diana shares with her father and her daughter. She thought she has seen the last of this arrogant man. But when he opens his eyes after being treated by the fiery Diana, both of them know that there is something special between the two of them. Soon they become entangled in righting the wrongs of other's, battling their emotion's for each other and a quest to discover truth and justice. A great story filled with intrigue and much adventure!
January 13, 2013
This book is the most fun book iIve read in a long time(and I tend to read a lot). I absolutely adore James and Diana, and the other charcters too. But mostly, I'm rarely surprised in novels anymore. The authors feel as though they need to lead one by strings and explain everything at least 5 times. Jennifer Ashley (in her many guises) expects one to keep up, and invites us to be surprised (I gasped aloud twice!). Thank you!
February 21, 2016
Villain from previous book gets his redemption and his HEA. This book lacked the farcical fun of the first book. Overall, a bit underwhelming and at times quite slow. There were some really good provoking moments (the old admiral and Capt. Ardmore together, a brutal torture scene that was riveting to read). The chemistry between James and Diana was on fire (as the reader is told time and time again.)
August 14, 2010
Our insane but sympathetic villain of the first novel, James Ardmore, takes the eponymous role of the Pirate Hunter in the second of Ashley's pirate series. And as hatefuly as Ardmore was portrayed in the first novel, in this it is a compliment to Ashley's narrative that this reader can change her mind and view the character in a different light. Quite enjoyable.
July 10, 2012
I love Jennifer Ashley but did not like this book as much as the first in the series. (I read the older version without the changes.) I thought the beginning of the book very choppy and hard to get into. It is a bad sign when I keep putting the book down to do other things. Not a keeper and not a book I would re-read either, except perhaps the revisions.
Read
February 22, 2016Book 2 of Regency Pirates. Original title: The Pirate Hunter. New edition has new first chapters, new epilogue.
May 3, 2015
I love reading this book. I love the whole pirate thing, which Jennifer Ashley does to perfection.
April 8, 2020
This was my first read by Jennifer Ashely. I had it sitting in my bookshelf for a while. I was looking for something exciting to read after reading a book that was not so exciting!
I like pirate stories and love/hate relationships. Ever since reading Rosemary Rogers when I was a teen and reading Ginny and Steve's story. James and Diana are kinda like Ginny and Steve, fighting, making up and fighting some more! Diana met him toe to toe and I guess like that in a story!
I have not read the first book, didn't realize it was a series till reading the reviews here. I feel it can be read as a stand alone book. There is enough mention, actually a lot of mention, of previous history where you feel like there was a previous book, but the author brings you up to speed with lots of retelling, which was almost annoying. The previous kidnapping and the food fight! I feel like I have read it before!
I must like the rough and tough but oh so sexy hero characters! For once the cover actually depicts the characters in the story! James is even only wearing a coat! Author said she made changes to the cover, I appreciate that!
I had just read a pretty boring book and this took me 2 days to read! Fast for me! There were lots of twists and turns and unexpected stuff I was totally caught of guard! I did not anticipate many of the plot twists! I thought the demise of Black Jack Mallory could have been handled better, rather anti-climatic.
Diana's husband! I did not see that coming! I also wanted more story line from Lieutenant Jack!
I like a story that keeps me entertained and excited to see what happens next. This book delivered! The love scenes were almost erotica... almost to much visual detail for me and a whole chapter. Diana's reasons to not be intimate were kinda silly, made me roll my eyes,she was a loving a doting mom to Isabeau,(her name really bothered me, why not Isabelle? Husband wanted a boy??)
Author could have made a better reason. I did think the author could have ended the story several different times, big climactic scene...then they are traveling again!
James seemed to be the immortal pirate, the author never really explained how he ended up in Finley's wife carriage! He had been beaten almost to death and somehow escaped and ends up on dry land knowing where to go! There were some holes with characters, how did he get there, when did he show up? Because I have not read the previous book, the end was a little like playing catch up with who everyone was. The scene where James is in chains and signs "I love you " was almost swoon worthy! He always said he would find her, so I was dissapointed that she came to him at Finley's house and not like months later him tracking her down and surprising her in the middle of the night, that would have been good! I was surprised that when he was gravely injured and at Finley's house, she wasn't at his side when he woke up, he was dreaming about her and when she found him at the beach. Totally expected him to wake up and see her there.
Ok, so that was weird.. like later he spots her elsewhere at the house and doesn't seem surprised at all to see her, there is no romantic reunion. Some of the original romantic passion flow was lost after they finally consummated their relationship. It seemed forced later, just neediness and possessiveness.
Overall, I liked it , it was fast paced and lots of plot twists and likable secondary characters. I like James because he was not so nice and gentlemanly, and Diana not afraid to argue back and of course she never stayed where she was supposed to! I didn't want it to end! The ending was too nice, I though maybe there should have been some wedding conflict. Overall a good read!
I like pirate stories and love/hate relationships. Ever since reading Rosemary Rogers when I was a teen and reading Ginny and Steve's story. James and Diana are kinda like Ginny and Steve, fighting, making up and fighting some more! Diana met him toe to toe and I guess like that in a story!
I have not read the first book, didn't realize it was a series till reading the reviews here. I feel it can be read as a stand alone book. There is enough mention, actually a lot of mention, of previous history where you feel like there was a previous book, but the author brings you up to speed with lots of retelling, which was almost annoying. The previous kidnapping and the food fight! I feel like I have read it before!
I must like the rough and tough but oh so sexy hero characters! For once the cover actually depicts the characters in the story! James is even only wearing a coat! Author said she made changes to the cover, I appreciate that!
I had just read a pretty boring book and this took me 2 days to read! Fast for me! There were lots of twists and turns and unexpected stuff I was totally caught of guard! I did not anticipate many of the plot twists! I thought the demise of Black Jack Mallory could have been handled better, rather anti-climatic.
Diana's husband! I did not see that coming! I also wanted more story line from Lieutenant Jack!
I like a story that keeps me entertained and excited to see what happens next. This book delivered! The love scenes were almost erotica... almost to much visual detail for me and a whole chapter. Diana's reasons to not be intimate were kinda silly, made me roll my eyes,she was a loving a doting mom to Isabeau,(her name really bothered me, why not Isabelle? Husband wanted a boy??)
Author could have made a better reason. I did think the author could have ended the story several different times, big climactic scene...then they are traveling again!
James seemed to be the immortal pirate, the author never really explained how he ended up in Finley's wife carriage! He had been beaten almost to death and somehow escaped and ends up on dry land knowing where to go! There were some holes with characters, how did he get there, when did he show up? Because I have not read the previous book, the end was a little like playing catch up with who everyone was. The scene where James is in chains and signs "I love you " was almost swoon worthy! He always said he would find her, so I was dissapointed that she came to him at Finley's house and not like months later him tracking her down and surprising her in the middle of the night, that would have been good! I was surprised that when he was gravely injured and at Finley's house, she wasn't at his side when he woke up, he was dreaming about her and when she found him at the beach. Totally expected him to wake up and see her there.
Ok, so that was weird.. like later he spots her elsewhere at the house and doesn't seem surprised at all to see her, there is no romantic reunion. Some of the original romantic passion flow was lost after they finally consummated their relationship. It seemed forced later, just neediness and possessiveness.
Overall, I liked it , it was fast paced and lots of plot twists and likable secondary characters. I like James because he was not so nice and gentlemanly, and Diana not afraid to argue back and of course she never stayed where she was supposed to! I didn't want it to end! The ending was too nice, I though maybe there should have been some wedding conflict. Overall a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2020
4 Stars
I knew going in that James Ardmore was going to be a fascinating man to dissect and I was right. I loved getting to delve into what made him who he was and what drove him. He was such a fascinating man with many layers. He was also extremely sly, intelligent, sarcastic, cynical and gorgeous. As for Diana.. she was absolutely his perfect match. She had such a temper and never backed down, especially to James. I adored their relationship. I loved how intense it was. Their chemistry was off the charts and all the arguing when her temper let loose was hilarious and turned steamy fast. The best kind. Sigh.
Overall it was very entertaining and I adored the characters. The romance was fantastic. My only complaints was how Diana's daughter Isabeau kind of just fell to the wayside towards the end? I was expecting a happy reunion when she finally got to see James after his fever passed but nah. We hear little bits about what she did in the final chapters but not actual scenes. Bummer. There was more potential there. And lastly, that epilogue!! Ugh! It was in Grayson/Alexandra's POV where we hear about Diana and James having a son. That's it! So instead of future Diana and James we get completely useless thoughts from Grayson. Grrr. I was waiting for the epilogue hoping to see James and Diana with their newborn child. Super disappointing!
I knew going in that James Ardmore was going to be a fascinating man to dissect and I was right. I loved getting to delve into what made him who he was and what drove him. He was such a fascinating man with many layers. He was also extremely sly, intelligent, sarcastic, cynical and gorgeous. As for Diana.. she was absolutely his perfect match. She had such a temper and never backed down, especially to James. I adored their relationship. I loved how intense it was. Their chemistry was off the charts and all the arguing when her temper let loose was hilarious and turned steamy fast. The best kind. Sigh.
Overall it was very entertaining and I adored the characters. The romance was fantastic. My only complaints was how Diana's daughter Isabeau kind of just fell to the wayside towards the end? I was expecting a happy reunion when she finally got to see James after his fever passed but nah. We hear little bits about what she did in the final chapters but not actual scenes. Bummer. There was more potential there. And lastly, that epilogue!! Ugh! It was in Grayson/Alexandra's POV where we hear about Diana and James having a son. That's it! So instead of future Diana and James we get completely useless thoughts from Grayson. Grrr. I was waiting for the epilogue hoping to see James and Diana with their newborn child. Super disappointing!
January 4, 2019
Tedious
I generally enjoy the books written by Jennifer Ashley and her alter ego, Ashley Gardner, especially the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries series. Unfortunately this book like the first book in the series, The Pirate Next Door, will not be counted among her that have books I enjoyed. While I found the plot slow moving and not very interesting, the worst part is that I could not generate any liking for the two main characters or concern for their conflict. There was no palpable chemistry between them so the sex scenes weren’t interesting.
Bottom line: I was so surprised by my negative reaction to this book by an author I usually like that I went back to read my review of the first book in the series. Interestingly, I found out that I stopped reading that book only slightly further ahead than this one which was about the 55% mark on my Kindle. I liked the author enough to try to finish but it just became an exercise in tedium rather than enjoyment so I threw in the towel. I would guess that pirates are just not Ms. Ashley’s forte.
I generally enjoy the books written by Jennifer Ashley and her alter ego, Ashley Gardner, especially the Captain Lacey Regency Mysteries series. Unfortunately this book like the first book in the series, The Pirate Next Door, will not be counted among her that have books I enjoyed. While I found the plot slow moving and not very interesting, the worst part is that I could not generate any liking for the two main characters or concern for their conflict. There was no palpable chemistry between them so the sex scenes weren’t interesting.
Bottom line: I was so surprised by my negative reaction to this book by an author I usually like that I went back to read my review of the first book in the series. Interestingly, I found out that I stopped reading that book only slightly further ahead than this one which was about the 55% mark on my Kindle. I liked the author enough to try to finish but it just became an exercise in tedium rather than enjoyment so I threw in the towel. I would guess that pirates are just not Ms. Ashley’s forte.
January 24, 2020
For me, this was not as good as the first book, The pirate next door, but I still enjoyed it very much and I will be reading this series again and again I think, simply because it is a very interesting story, with likeable and relateable characters, wit, banter and charm. A story also about hurt, revenge, brutality and friendship. I really liked James - and I did so too in the first book, even though he was to be the enemy and a villain. I think I actually liked James more than Diana. She could be a little too much at times, but they suited each other well and she took no crap from him, matching his temper every step of the way.
I will recommend this book but I will advice that you read the books in order, to get the backstory - it is a huge part of understanding James and his relationship with almost everyone.
Next is Honoria Ardmore's book (James's Southern spinster sister) wich I'm looking very much forward to read 😊
I will recommend this book but I will advice that you read the books in order, to get the backstory - it is a huge part of understanding James and his relationship with almost everyone.
Next is Honoria Ardmore's book (James's Southern spinster sister) wich I'm looking very much forward to read 😊
February 17, 2019
It seriously took me two weeks to read the last 25 pages of this. You can tell the exact moment she became tired of the characters/ story and slams a sloppy ending together. For real, like: here's a 3-page chapter about them going back to his home in Charleston so heroine can meet his sister and the girls plan a big wedding together, then next another 3-page chapter about the wedding and wedding night, then for some reason the final 3-page chapter is about the couple from the first book in the series, talking about the couple in this book. Good idea, but poor execution.
This is as if she had a page count she meant to hit, then went oh, crap, I'm almost there. Well, I'll be damned if I'm going to go back and edit down what I've done. Uneven. Or maybe an editor chopped the hell out of this.
This is as if she had a page count she meant to hit, then went oh, crap, I'm almost there. Well, I'll be damned if I'm going to go back and edit down what I've done. Uneven. Or maybe an editor chopped the hell out of this.
February 11, 2024
I’m being very generous. This is really like 2.25 stars. This book is plot-hole city. This series is plot-hole city.
I just can’t get past it!
There was one scene in this book where they say Ardmore hadn’t apologized to anyone in years. He literally went to Alexandra months before JUST TO APOLOGIZE.
Also, the next book better explain what happened to lieutenant Jack…
I gave it 3 stars because it was fine and I’m going to read the next one. The sex scenes were fine.
I found the whole Mallory thing VERY strange. Were Mallory and Diana’s father in love? That would’ve made much more sense. Otherwise the father was just totally cool with forgiving a murderer rapist and letting him live with his daughter and granddaughter.
I just can’t get past it!
There was one scene in this book where they say Ardmore hadn’t apologized to anyone in years. He literally went to Alexandra months before JUST TO APOLOGIZE.
Also, the next book better explain what happened to lieutenant Jack…
I gave it 3 stars because it was fine and I’m going to read the next one. The sex scenes were fine.
I found the whole Mallory thing VERY strange. Were Mallory and Diana’s father in love? That would’ve made much more sense. Otherwise the father was just totally cool with forgiving a murderer rapist and letting him live with his daughter and granddaughter.
July 28, 2024
Half-way through The Pirate Next Door, I had suspected that the next book in the series would feature Ardmore as the hero and I had been sceptical because he had seemed to be nothing but a cruel and mad villain. By the end of that first book however the author had started to redeem him.
Well, in this book the ex-villain was not only redeemed but turned into a heroic figure and the author managed to make me sympathised with and even rooted for him. The heroine was a good match for him. The romance was passionate. The drama was OTT like in the author's previous two books. A guilty pleasure.
Well, in this book the ex-villain was not only redeemed but turned into a heroic figure and the author managed to make me sympathised with and even rooted for him. The heroine was a good match for him. The romance was passionate. The drama was OTT like in the author's previous two books. A guilty pleasure.
March 18, 2025
The entire romance in this book was disgustingly: the heroine permanently fought with the hero or she fought her lust for the hero etc. The hero hated to talk which is why he always seduced the heroine into submission. He stubbornly refused to tell her his plans or his thoughts or whatever lovers talk about. So I still don’t understand why she fell in love with him. But what I do understand is, why so many people hated him, even his own sister. The whole story was only about the two main characters fighting.
Very annoying
Very annoying
August 23, 2018
James washes ashore after the ship he'd been incarcerated on was destroyed. With romance book magic, the island happens to have the widow Diana whom he'd abducted and stolen kisses from the year before. Story was hard for me to stick to, it didn't feel like the story was going anywhere and the yes/no sexual situations didn't work for me. It started to get better the last quarter of the book but overall this story didn't work for me. The characters annoyed me and were difficult to like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2024
Enjoyed it. Jennifer Ashley somehow infuses normally embarrassing steamy romances with humour and farce.
However, in the previous book, this character was OBSESSED with his previous partner. In this story, she barely makes an appearance in his thoughts. Felt offbrand for the way he was previously portrayed. (And more than a little bit confused about his career choice. Is pirate hunting lucrative in the long term? It'll be a bit awkward bringing wifey and kids to his people hunting.)
However, in the previous book, this character was OBSESSED with his previous partner. In this story, she barely makes an appearance in his thoughts. Felt offbrand for the way he was previously portrayed. (And more than a little bit confused about his career choice. Is pirate hunting lucrative in the long term? It'll be a bit awkward bringing wifey and kids to his people hunting.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews