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The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #2
Surrender of a Siren
12 hours
Desperate to escape a loveless marriage and society’s constraints, pampered heiress Sophia Hathaway jilts her groom, packs up her paints and sketchbook, and assumes a new identity, posing as a governess to secure passage on the Aphrodite. She wants a life of her own: unsheltered, unconventional, uninhibited. But it’s one thing to sketch all her wildest, most wanton fantasies, and quite another to face the dangerously handsome libertine who would steal both her virtue and her gold.
To any well-bred lady, Benedict “Gray” Grayson is trouble in snug-fitting boots. A conscienceless scoundrel who sails the seas for pleasure and profit, Gray lives for conquest—until Sophia’s perception and artistry stir his heart. Suddenly, he’ll brave sharks, fire, storm, and sea just to keep her at his side. She’s beautiful, refined, and ripe for seduction. Could this counterfeit governess be a rogue’s redemption? Or will the runaway heiress’s secrets destroy their only chance at love?
Desperate to escape a loveless marriage and society’s constraints, pampered heiress Sophia Hathaway jilts her groom, packs up her paints and sketchbook, and assumes a new identity, posing as a governess to secure passage on the Aphrodite. She wants a life of her own: unsheltered, unconventional, uninhibited. But it’s one thing to sketch all her wildest, most wanton fantasies, and quite another to face the dangerously handsome libertine who would steal both her virtue and her gold.
To any well-bred lady, Benedict “Gray” Grayson is trouble in snug-fitting boots. A conscienceless scoundrel who sails the seas for pleasure and profit, Gray lives for conquest—until Sophia’s perception and artistry stir his heart. Suddenly, he’ll brave sharks, fire, storm, and sea just to keep her at his side. She’s beautiful, refined, and ripe for seduction. Could this counterfeit governess be a rogue’s redemption? Or will the runaway heiress’s secrets destroy their only chance at love?
Audiobook
First published August 25, 2009
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About the author
Tessa Dare
51 books15k followersSign up for Tessa's newsletter and be the first to hear about new books and hot deals! http://tessadare.com/newsletter-signup/
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen historical romance novels and five novellas. Her books have won numerous accolades, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award (twice!) and the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Booklist magazine named her one of the “new stars of historical romance," and her books have been contracted for translation in more than a dozen languages.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.
Tessa Dare is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fourteen historical romance novels and five novellas. Her books have won numerous accolades, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award (twice!) and the RT Book Reviews Seal of Excellence. Booklist magazine named her one of the “new stars of historical romance," and her books have been contracted for translation in more than a dozen languages.
A librarian by training and a booklover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband, their two children, and a trio of cosmic kitties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 560 reviews
August 31, 2020
through (mostly) no fault of its own, this is definitely my least favorite tessa dare book
i think it's important to note that had i gone on synopsis alone, i probably wouldn't have picked this book up. as much as i love the ocean, i loathe books set at sea and especially dislike books about pirating. i have no clue why, it just... doesn't do it for me.
the story is about Sophia, who we learn about in the first book. she is seen as a proper lady and is betrothed to a proper gentleman but she craves passion and adventure. so she decides to run away and become a governess in a different country and in doing so she must board a ship captained by a very handsome and very unattainable man.
i was excited going into this but again, my excitement was quickly hampered by the setting. and on top of that... the story just didn't read as very romantic. i think when someone is trying to keep their identity a secret, it can be difficult to convince me that the two characters are building a relationship on more than just lust. gray, the hero, his motivations were never entirely clear to me as a reader. and Sophia kind of seemed willing to throw herself at the first guy willing to show her sexual attention. as i said, not entirely romantic.
annnnd the nail in the coffin for me was the length of this book. a 13 hour historical romance audiobook??? for what reason??
anyway... carrying on with the third book but i am nervous
i think it's important to note that had i gone on synopsis alone, i probably wouldn't have picked this book up. as much as i love the ocean, i loathe books set at sea and especially dislike books about pirating. i have no clue why, it just... doesn't do it for me.
the story is about Sophia, who we learn about in the first book. she is seen as a proper lady and is betrothed to a proper gentleman but she craves passion and adventure. so she decides to run away and become a governess in a different country and in doing so she must board a ship captained by a very handsome and very unattainable man.
i was excited going into this but again, my excitement was quickly hampered by the setting. and on top of that... the story just didn't read as very romantic. i think when someone is trying to keep their identity a secret, it can be difficult to convince me that the two characters are building a relationship on more than just lust. gray, the hero, his motivations were never entirely clear to me as a reader. and Sophia kind of seemed willing to throw herself at the first guy willing to show her sexual attention. as i said, not entirely romantic.
annnnd the nail in the coffin for me was the length of this book. a 13 hour historical romance audiobook??? for what reason??
anyway... carrying on with the third book but i am nervous
April 6, 2019
Well, this was the perfect start to my weekend. I didn’t expect to fall head over heels in love with it. But I did.
My heart is warm.
——————————————
I'm in need of a feel-good to start off my weekend. Tessa Dare always delivers.
My heart is warm.
——————————————
I'm in need of a feel-good to start off my weekend. Tessa Dare always delivers.
March 25, 2012
Tessa Dare is definitely on my authors-to-watch list now. I loved her debut novel, Goddess of the Hunt, and even though this sequel wasn't as amazing as the previous book, it was still a great read.
Sophia Hathaway has just abandoned her fiancé Sir Toby Aldridge at the altar, and she's decided to finally live her life as she wants and not as her parents and society expect. She seeks passion, adventure and excitement, and she knows she isn't likely to get that by marrying a man she doesn't love. So she packs her art supplies and four dresses, withdraws five hundred pounds from her bank account - oh, just imagine the look on the face of the bank clerk! -, wins another hundred pounds at a card party, leaves a letter to her family saying that she's eloping with Gervais, her fictitious painting master and lover, and buys a passage on the Aphrodite, the next ship leaving to Tortola. Sophia's plan is simple: pretending to be a penniless governess, Miss "Jane Turner", on the journey to her next employment, she'll be able to leave England - and thus escape her parents' pursuit - and buy the time she needs (not much, only a few months) until she turns twenty-one, when she'll assume control of her inheritance and her life.
Benedict "Gray" Grayson is, in his own words, "a liar, a thief, a libertine, and worse". He's no gentleman either, but he's the owner of the Aphrodite so Sophia has no choice but to convince him to accept her as a passanger on his ship. Gray is a former privateer, which is basically a pirate sanctioned by the Crown, but now that the war is over, he's starting a new life and this will be the first time the Aphrodite will sail the sea as a respectable merchant ship. Gray knows from the start that Sophia is going to be a threat to his decision to leave his womanizing days behind, but he's also a practical man and the Aphrodite can't afford the luxury of refusing passengers if he wants to make a success of his new business. So he takes the vexing woman to his ship, and this is how their journey begins.
Obviously, spending time together in close proximity for weeks and weeks makes it hard to control the growing attraction between them, and they end up falling in love with each other. Gray opens his heart to Sophia, and tells her things that he's never shared with anyone. On her part, she isn't that open, afraid that revealing her identity to him will turn him away. But the deception will have to end eventually. What will happen when Gray finally learns the truth? Will he be able to trust her then? More important, will he be able to trust his feelings for her? If she's lied to him all the time, does he really know her at all?
Kudos to Ms. Dare's writing to make this story work for me, because I'm not a fan of pirate/privateer heroes or deceitful heroines. Gray wasn't a privateer anymore, but this book took place mostly at sea so it was as if he still was. As for Sophia, she was almost a pathological liar and couldn't tell the truth to save her life. Strangely enough, I liked both Gray and Sophia despite all that. Sure, I wanted to shake them - well, mainly Sophia - a couple of times, but I found myself rooting for them all the same.
Gray was a true scoundrel trying to reform, and I love that kind of hero. He had lied, cheated, stolen his brother Joss's inheritance - not only once, but twice - and let his sister Bel down. He made no excuses for that and he would have done all of it again if given another chance, as he believed it was all a means to an end: Gray had some unfinished business with Joss, who also had some problems of his own, and I thought their relationship was one the best things of this book. I wish Ms. Dare wrote Joss's story someday, but I'm not sure it will happen.
Sophia, Sophia, where do I start? She was spoiled and selfish, but I couldn't help being charmed by her "vivid imagination" at first. Her plan to escape an unwanted marriage was, well, idiotic, but I was willing to go along with it because it was "in character". It made sense considering how her mind worked: Sophia wasn't one to go from Point A to Point B in a straight line. She needed a wake-up call, and Gray didn't mince words to give it to her after she almost died in one of her foolish antics:
"You—" He shook a finger at her. "You are so bloody stupid. You have no idea how damned lucky you are. Do you know what could happen to you, crossing the ocean alone with no money and no chaperone? Do you have any notion what a dangerous game you play, going addled with rum and then prancing before the crew like a common harlot?"
Ouch! I cheered Gray for trying to shake some sense into her, but I also felt kind of sorry for her. Yes, like the Aphrodite's sailors, I was still engaged by her "brainless" charm. But when she chose to drag her deception instead of coming clean when presented with the oportunity to do so, I had to take one star off from my rating.
As a minor complaint, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, even with the epilogue. Considering how Sophia based her postponing telling the truth on Gray's reaction to it, I was expecting a "bigger" showdown that what I was given. I wasn't disappointed, just surprised.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable read, with a wonderful hero, a likable but flawed heroine, an unusual (to me) setting - a ship! - and a story that had enough romance and action to keep me turning the pages almost nonstop. This was only my second book by Ms. Dare - well, it was only her seconnd book too, LOL - but she's already become one of my favorite authors. Her writing really talks to me.
Sophia Hathaway has just abandoned her fiancé Sir Toby Aldridge at the altar, and she's decided to finally live her life as she wants and not as her parents and society expect. She seeks passion, adventure and excitement, and she knows she isn't likely to get that by marrying a man she doesn't love. So she packs her art supplies and four dresses, withdraws five hundred pounds from her bank account - oh, just imagine the look on the face of the bank clerk! -, wins another hundred pounds at a card party, leaves a letter to her family saying that she's eloping with Gervais, her fictitious painting master and lover, and buys a passage on the Aphrodite, the next ship leaving to Tortola. Sophia's plan is simple: pretending to be a penniless governess, Miss "Jane Turner", on the journey to her next employment, she'll be able to leave England - and thus escape her parents' pursuit - and buy the time she needs (not much, only a few months) until she turns twenty-one, when she'll assume control of her inheritance and her life.
Benedict "Gray" Grayson is, in his own words, "a liar, a thief, a libertine, and worse". He's no gentleman either, but he's the owner of the Aphrodite so Sophia has no choice but to convince him to accept her as a passanger on his ship. Gray is a former privateer, which is basically a pirate sanctioned by the Crown, but now that the war is over, he's starting a new life and this will be the first time the Aphrodite will sail the sea as a respectable merchant ship. Gray knows from the start that Sophia is going to be a threat to his decision to leave his womanizing days behind, but he's also a practical man and the Aphrodite can't afford the luxury of refusing passengers if he wants to make a success of his new business. So he takes the vexing woman to his ship, and this is how their journey begins.
Obviously, spending time together in close proximity for weeks and weeks makes it hard to control the growing attraction between them, and they end up falling in love with each other. Gray opens his heart to Sophia, and tells her things that he's never shared with anyone. On her part, she isn't that open, afraid that revealing her identity to him will turn him away. But the deception will have to end eventually. What will happen when Gray finally learns the truth? Will he be able to trust her then? More important, will he be able to trust his feelings for her? If she's lied to him all the time, does he really know her at all?
Kudos to Ms. Dare's writing to make this story work for me, because I'm not a fan of pirate/privateer heroes or deceitful heroines. Gray wasn't a privateer anymore, but this book took place mostly at sea so it was as if he still was. As for Sophia, she was almost a pathological liar and couldn't tell the truth to save her life. Strangely enough, I liked both Gray and Sophia despite all that. Sure, I wanted to shake them - well, mainly Sophia - a couple of times, but I found myself rooting for them all the same.
Gray was a true scoundrel trying to reform, and I love that kind of hero. He had lied, cheated, stolen his brother Joss's inheritance - not only once, but twice - and let his sister Bel down. He made no excuses for that and he would have done all of it again if given another chance, as he believed it was all a means to an end: Gray had some unfinished business with Joss, who also had some problems of his own, and I thought their relationship was one the best things of this book. I wish Ms. Dare wrote Joss's story someday, but I'm not sure it will happen.
Sophia, Sophia, where do I start? She was spoiled and selfish, but I couldn't help being charmed by her "vivid imagination" at first. Her plan to escape an unwanted marriage was, well, idiotic, but I was willing to go along with it because it was "in character". It made sense considering how her mind worked: Sophia wasn't one to go from Point A to Point B in a straight line. She needed a wake-up call, and Gray didn't mince words to give it to her after she almost died in one of her foolish antics:
"You—" He shook a finger at her. "You are so bloody stupid. You have no idea how damned lucky you are. Do you know what could happen to you, crossing the ocean alone with no money and no chaperone? Do you have any notion what a dangerous game you play, going addled with rum and then prancing before the crew like a common harlot?"
Ouch! I cheered Gray for trying to shake some sense into her, but I also felt kind of sorry for her. Yes, like the Aphrodite's sailors, I was still engaged by her "brainless" charm. But when she chose to drag her deception instead of coming clean when presented with the oportunity to do so, I had to take one star off from my rating.
As a minor complaint, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, even with the epilogue. Considering how Sophia based her postponing telling the truth on Gray's reaction to it, I was expecting a "bigger" showdown that what I was given. I wasn't disappointed, just surprised.
All in all, this was a very enjoyable read, with a wonderful hero, a likable but flawed heroine, an unusual (to me) setting - a ship! - and a story that had enough romance and action to keep me turning the pages almost nonstop. This was only my second book by Ms. Dare - well, it was only her seconnd book too, LOL - but she's already become one of my favorite authors. Her writing really talks to me.
March 29, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Historical Romance is my total brain candy; it’s my escape, my leave the world behind and soak in a bath with a glass of wine and melt the world away kind of reading. Surrender of a Siren has your typical Rogue of a male lead and the virginal Lady trying to get away from the trappings of society.
Sophie is running away from home and a marriage she doesn’t want. She wants adventure and to be loved for how she is and not just some stepping stone that her family is using to move up in society. When she discovers that on her 21st birthday the money that would be used for her dowry will be hers to control, a haphazard plan forms to sail on a ship bound for a sugar plantation and hide there until her birthday, when she will gain control of her fortune.
Gray is trying to go respectable. He was a pirate privateer during the war seizing and looting ships in the name of the crown. But now that the war is over, he needs a new way to make a living on the seas. In his new legitimate life, he has converted his ship to have passenger cabins and passed the role of Captain to his brother while he is the owner of their newly formed shipping company. He is trying very hard to leave behind all of his roguish ways be respectable but when he meets Jane Turner (Sophie in hiding) thoughts of her consume him and makes that plan very difficult.
The romance between Gray and Sophie has moments that are endearing and cute as they circle each other the sexual tension between them building, it also has moments where I want to pull out my hair. Sophie is pretending to be someone she is not and Gray can be an asshat at times. I liked how Sophie challenged him in a lot of ways but hated a few of the things she said that tricked him.
Overall it is an old school Historical Romance (Rogue/Virgin) that definitely gets to where it is going and does have some very cute moments to go along with some frustrating ones. It is the second book in The Wanton Dairymaid trilogy and you do not need to read them in order as this stands alone well. If you like books which involve trials at sea, I think this would be a fun read.
Narration:
Gabriella Baker did a decent job with the characters given to her to portray. I think I might have struggled more with Gray had she not softened some of the harsher words he said to Sophie. She was able to make the book come to life.
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Historical Romance is my total brain candy; it’s my escape, my leave the world behind and soak in a bath with a glass of wine and melt the world away kind of reading. Surrender of a Siren has your typical Rogue of a male lead and the virginal Lady trying to get away from the trappings of society.
Sophie is running away from home and a marriage she doesn’t want. She wants adventure and to be loved for how she is and not just some stepping stone that her family is using to move up in society. When she discovers that on her 21st birthday the money that would be used for her dowry will be hers to control, a haphazard plan forms to sail on a ship bound for a sugar plantation and hide there until her birthday, when she will gain control of her fortune.
Gray is trying to go respectable. He was a pirate privateer during the war seizing and looting ships in the name of the crown. But now that the war is over, he needs a new way to make a living on the seas. In his new legitimate life, he has converted his ship to have passenger cabins and passed the role of Captain to his brother while he is the owner of their newly formed shipping company. He is trying very hard to leave behind all of his roguish ways be respectable but when he meets Jane Turner (Sophie in hiding) thoughts of her consume him and makes that plan very difficult.
The romance between Gray and Sophie has moments that are endearing and cute as they circle each other the sexual tension between them building, it also has moments where I want to pull out my hair. Sophie is pretending to be someone she is not and Gray can be an asshat at times. I liked how Sophie challenged him in a lot of ways but hated a few of the things she said that tricked him.
Overall it is an old school Historical Romance (Rogue/Virgin) that definitely gets to where it is going and does have some very cute moments to go along with some frustrating ones. It is the second book in The Wanton Dairymaid trilogy and you do not need to read them in order as this stands alone well. If you like books which involve trials at sea, I think this would be a fun read.
“You ought to take care how you bat those eyelashes, sweetheart. One of these days, you’re likely to knock a man overboard.”
Narration:
Gabriella Baker did a decent job with the characters given to her to portray. I think I might have struggled more with Gray had she not softened some of the harsher words he said to Sophie. She was able to make the book come to life.
Listen to a clip: HERE
July 9, 2019
2.75 Slightly Bummed & Lacklustre Stars
Benedict Adolphus (Dolly) Grayson known by all but his little sister as Gray is a roguish charmer, seriously it seems to be an innate component of his character rather than something that feels forced, and it made me smile, at least after the first scene with him and Sophie, that first interaction he didn’t exactly endear him to me.
Sophia is an innocent lady desiring to leave the constraints of Polite Society, and so she does something which she is sure will bar her from the Ton, she runaways on her wedding from a very eligible bachelor/fiancé (Toby), and boards a ship leaving the shores of Britain, planning to return to London in 3 months so she can acquire her inheritance.
I very much liked the fact that despite being the typical virginal miss, Sophia stood toe to toe with Gray, he may have had her blushing at times but she was now cowering miss, and embraced the adventures that came her way. I did like some of the interaction between Sophia and the crew, but overall the sense of emotion and sweetness wasn’t there for me.
It wasn’t until the 11% or so mark that I really found myself smiling, somewhat, as I read. The romance between Gray and Sophia has moments that are endearing and cute as they circle each other and the sexual tension between them swells. That being said there were also instances in such moments where the spark and potent humour/charm I am coming to expect from Tessa Dare was not entirely there. The premise of this sounded fab, and the bones of the book could have led to something magical, but the execution wasn’t what I was hoping for. After my last few reads of Dare’s books my expectations were high, but this was just ok/tepid. It didn’t grip my attention and time was not forgotten as I lost myself in the characters and story.
One Tessa Dare book that won’t be on my re-read pile.
Benedict Adolphus (Dolly) Grayson known by all but his little sister as Gray is a roguish charmer, seriously it seems to be an innate component of his character rather than something that feels forced, and it made me smile, at least after the first scene with him and Sophie, that first interaction he didn’t exactly endear him to me.
Sophia is an innocent lady desiring to leave the constraints of Polite Society, and so she does something which she is sure will bar her from the Ton, she runaways on her wedding from a very eligible bachelor/fiancé (Toby), and boards a ship leaving the shores of Britain, planning to return to London in 3 months so she can acquire her inheritance.
I very much liked the fact that despite being the typical virginal miss, Sophia stood toe to toe with Gray, he may have had her blushing at times but she was now cowering miss, and embraced the adventures that came her way. I did like some of the interaction between Sophia and the crew, but overall the sense of emotion and sweetness wasn’t there for me.
It wasn’t until the 11% or so mark that I really found myself smiling, somewhat, as I read. The romance between Gray and Sophia has moments that are endearing and cute as they circle each other and the sexual tension between them swells. That being said there were also instances in such moments where the spark and potent humour/charm I am coming to expect from Tessa Dare was not entirely there. The premise of this sounded fab, and the bones of the book could have led to something magical, but the execution wasn’t what I was hoping for. After my last few reads of Dare’s books my expectations were high, but this was just ok/tepid. It didn’t grip my attention and time was not forgotten as I lost myself in the characters and story.
One Tessa Dare book that won’t be on my re-read pile.
February 6, 2017
A runaway. Men-who-are-technically-not-pirates. A strong sense of loyalty.
Sophia, the protagonist, is rather…naïve. That’s not necessarily a bad trait, but sometimes, I’m just like, What the fuck are you doing, Sophia???? She can be frustrating. I’m more of a logical person, and I really couldn’t make sense of her reasoning sometimes. I mean her concerns in the book are valid in a way, but she tends to overreact and run away. Anyway, she does grow up a bit throughout the book. I like that she becomes friends with all the rough, seemingly scary guys on the ship. Sophia definitely becomes less shallow, as she was in the 1st book, and becomes someone who’s willing to help out other people. It’s fun reading about all their wacky, funny interactions. She talks to the men, draw pictures for/of them (she’s an artist), cooks for them, and ultimately, becomes their friend.
The main guy is likable (less frustrating than Sophia). He seems like just another cocky guy at the beginning, but throughout the book, we see depth in him. He really cares for his family, and he’s insecure about messing up things for them. I love reading about his complex, close relationship with his brother (half-brother; the brother’s mother was a slave). He wants to be a good, reputable man for his sister, which is sweet. He’s increddddibly loyal.
Overall, I like Surrender of a Siren. This is a solid 3 stars for me. I like the characters and their developments. The plot is fun with most of it being on the ship. I love that Tessa Dare’s books, while there is obviously romance in it, also have some really thoughtful moments and introspection. This book has definitely shown that. It's better than the 1st book in my opinion. The cover and the title are not...preferable, but it's a good book. If you want some romance, drama, humor, loyal family theme, strong camaraderie between men who work on a ship, etc. – try it out.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
--------------
1/23/17
Please let Sophia not be weak and naive - and let her become stronger and smarter in this book.
Sophia, the protagonist, is rather…naïve. That’s not necessarily a bad trait, but sometimes, I’m just like, What the fuck are you doing, Sophia???? She can be frustrating. I’m more of a logical person, and I really couldn’t make sense of her reasoning sometimes. I mean her concerns in the book are valid in a way, but she tends to overreact and run away. Anyway, she does grow up a bit throughout the book. I like that she becomes friends with all the rough, seemingly scary guys on the ship. Sophia definitely becomes less shallow, as she was in the 1st book, and becomes someone who’s willing to help out other people. It’s fun reading about all their wacky, funny interactions. She talks to the men, draw pictures for/of them (she’s an artist), cooks for them, and ultimately, becomes their friend.
The main guy is likable (less frustrating than Sophia). He seems like just another cocky guy at the beginning, but throughout the book, we see depth in him. He really cares for his family, and he’s insecure about messing up things for them. I love reading about his complex, close relationship with his brother (half-brother; the brother’s mother was a slave). He wants to be a good, reputable man for his sister, which is sweet. He’s increddddibly loyal.
Overall, I like Surrender of a Siren. This is a solid 3 stars for me. I like the characters and their developments. The plot is fun with most of it being on the ship. I love that Tessa Dare’s books, while there is obviously romance in it, also have some really thoughtful moments and introspection. This book has definitely shown that. It's better than the 1st book in my opinion. The cover and the title are not...preferable, but it's a good book. If you want some romance, drama, humor, loyal family theme, strong camaraderie between men who work on a ship, etc. – try it out.
Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Is there a happy/satisfying ending?
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scene?
What age level would be appropriate?
--------------
1/23/17
Please let Sophia not be weak and naive - and let her become stronger and smarter in this book.
April 28, 2023
Four and a half for this one.
I liked it a lot. It was very unique in that the location is pretty much the same throughout the book. It didn't bother me, though. Every once in a while I would think "Wow! We've been on a ship the entire time." But it was only a surprised observation and not a complaint.
There were some great side characters and the hero, Gray, is very lovable. The heroine is Sophia, a character featured in Goddess of the Hunt. She's the one who gave me some problems. I thought she was very good and intriguing throughout most of it. An "English rose" whose suiters and family all want to pamper her as if she's fragile china, she just wants some adventure and passion. I thought it was a really nice duality for a character to be completely feminine and innocent, but to harbor "depraved fantasies" and a longing for thrill. It was a fun twist.
However, she's kind of a selfish heroine, too. She's run away, leaving her family no real hint as to where she's gone in addition to the expenses of a canceled wedding, and her fiance with nothing but the humiliation of having been jilted. Wow. What a sweetie. Makes me really want to root for her. Hurrah. :^|
So I was torn between liking her quite a bit and wishing she weren't so self-centered. Then, toward the end, the author takes us through a stretch where the heroine seems extremely selfish and cowardly. It's pretty frustrating and would have cost the book at least one star had Sophia not pulled it out in a scene similar to Elizabeth's testimony before the House of Lords in Judith McNaught's "Almost Heaven".
I have to admit to the frustration with the heroine because it was strong, but at the same time I have to applaud Tessa Dare for pulling the whole thing off beautifully.
I liked it a lot. It was very unique in that the location is pretty much the same throughout the book. It didn't bother me, though. Every once in a while I would think "Wow! We've been on a ship the entire time." But it was only a surprised observation and not a complaint.
There were some great side characters and the hero, Gray, is very lovable. The heroine is Sophia, a character featured in Goddess of the Hunt. She's the one who gave me some problems. I thought she was very good and intriguing throughout most of it. An "English rose" whose suiters and family all want to pamper her as if she's fragile china, she just wants some adventure and passion. I thought it was a really nice duality for a character to be completely feminine and innocent, but to harbor "depraved fantasies" and a longing for thrill. It was a fun twist.
However, she's kind of a selfish heroine, too. She's run away, leaving her family no real hint as to where she's gone in addition to the expenses of a canceled wedding, and her fiance with nothing but the humiliation of having been jilted. Wow. What a sweetie. Makes me really want to root for her. Hurrah. :^|
So I was torn between liking her quite a bit and wishing she weren't so self-centered. Then, toward the end, the author takes us through a stretch where the heroine seems extremely selfish and cowardly. It's pretty frustrating and would have cost the book at least one star had Sophia not pulled it out in a scene similar to Elizabeth's testimony before the House of Lords in Judith McNaught's "Almost Heaven".
I have to admit to the frustration with the heroine because it was strong, but at the same time I have to applaud Tessa Dare for pulling the whole thing off beautifully.
February 15, 2019
3.3 stars
July 12, 2017
Long ago, she’d learned this key to deceit. It was easy to lie, once you understood that no one really wanted the truth.
March 15, 2016
In Surrender of a Siren, the main character is Sophie from the previous novel. You catch up with her at the beginning of the book as she's trying to board a ship for passage out of England. She's scandalously left home after fleeing from a marriage proposal in the previous book. In a rather unusual fashion she meets Mr. Grayson, the owner of the ship she intends to sail out on. She gives a false name and story to Mr. Grayson and the crew to persuade them to let her board. But over time her attraction to Mr. Grayson threatens both of their resolve as Mr Grayson has secrets of his own.
On one hand I liked it more than Goddess of the Hunt, the first book in the series. I'm kind of a sucker for romances during sea voyages and pirates and so forth. I also thought Sophia and Gray fun and interesting characters. On the other hand it drove me crazy how Sophia kept lying to Gray. By the same token it seemed ridiculous for Gray to feel to betrayed by Sophia when she admits she's been lying. It seemed like he already knew she wasn't telling the truth from the moment he met her. But anyways it was still pretty good even with my gripes.
On one hand I liked it more than Goddess of the Hunt, the first book in the series. I'm kind of a sucker for romances during sea voyages and pirates and so forth. I also thought Sophia and Gray fun and interesting characters. On the other hand it drove me crazy how Sophia kept lying to Gray. By the same token it seemed ridiculous for Gray to feel to betrayed by Sophia when she admits she's been lying. It seemed like he already knew she wasn't telling the truth from the moment he met her. But anyways it was still pretty good even with my gripes.
August 27, 2009
First, let me say that this book can be read stand alone, altho it will be a richer, more nuanced read if you have read the first book – Goddess of the Hunt (GOTH). Sophia only appeared in a handful of scenes there but the general consensus seems to be that she stole what scenes she was in. A lot of readers seem to love her and looked forward to her story.
I was not one of them.
I generally don’t respond well to characters with . . . hmm, how shall I say this? . . . . over-active imagination. I would say that it is almost a hot-button with me. I basically put Sophia down as a pathological liar in GOTH. It is a tribute to Dare’s skills as a writer that I ended up loving Sophia after I finsihed. Sophia is such a strong character that she dominated the book. This is as much her story as it is a romance and she is shown in all her vivid, lusty, selfish, curious, mischievous, artistic glory.
My favorite scene in the whole book is the dolphin-fish scene. Sailors are harpooning fish for food and Sophia sees the fish lose its beautiful rainbow colors as it is in its death throes. Any other heroine would go swooning back to her cabin but not Sophia. She wants to harpoon, too. I loved how the scene turned on a dime. Her lust for LIFE for so huge and it really moved me.
SOAS starts pretty much where GOTH left off. Sophia has just escaped wedding a baronet which her ambitious family much desired. She books a passage on a ship to Tortola (in the Virgin Islands) where she meets the hero, Gray, the owner of the ship and a former privateer.
Approximately 80% of the novel occurs on the ocean. I’ve always imagined that sea voyage stories are one of the harder ones to write and not make claustrophobic. Dare does a great job of describing what could be endless days. I thought the pace of the book was surprisingly good since sea voyages aint my cuppa. The only lull I came across was at the end when the court scenes were not as grandly climatic as what I am used to.
I was reminded of quite a few books as I was reading SOAS. I guess it can’t be helped when you started reading romances as an amoeba as I have. The last sea voyage romance I read before this was Marsha Canham’s fabulous The Iron Rose. Both Iron Rose and SOAS are assured, vivid novels where you practically smell the ocean breeze but that’s where the comparison ends. The Canham is a classic swashbuckling adventure where you almost expect Errol Flynn to appear any minute in costume. SOAS reminds me more of James Cameron’s Titanic: an ocean romance with a restless heiress feeling trapped and eventually finding her true self & destiny.
Genre: Sea cabin romance, Regency Period
Series: Second in a trilogy
Sensuality: PG-13 to R
Content warnings: None.
Grade: A-
I was not one of them.
I generally don’t respond well to characters with . . . hmm, how shall I say this? . . . . over-active imagination. I would say that it is almost a hot-button with me. I basically put Sophia down as a pathological liar in GOTH. It is a tribute to Dare’s skills as a writer that I ended up loving Sophia after I finsihed. Sophia is such a strong character that she dominated the book. This is as much her story as it is a romance and she is shown in all her vivid, lusty, selfish, curious, mischievous, artistic glory.
My favorite scene in the whole book is the dolphin-fish scene. Sailors are harpooning fish for food and Sophia sees the fish lose its beautiful rainbow colors as it is in its death throes. Any other heroine would go swooning back to her cabin but not Sophia. She wants to harpoon, too. I loved how the scene turned on a dime. Her lust for LIFE for so huge and it really moved me.
SOAS starts pretty much where GOTH left off. Sophia has just escaped wedding a baronet which her ambitious family much desired. She books a passage on a ship to Tortola (in the Virgin Islands) where she meets the hero, Gray, the owner of the ship and a former privateer.
Approximately 80% of the novel occurs on the ocean. I’ve always imagined that sea voyage stories are one of the harder ones to write and not make claustrophobic. Dare does a great job of describing what could be endless days. I thought the pace of the book was surprisingly good since sea voyages aint my cuppa. The only lull I came across was at the end when the court scenes were not as grandly climatic as what I am used to.
I was reminded of quite a few books as I was reading SOAS. I guess it can’t be helped when you started reading romances as an amoeba as I have. The last sea voyage romance I read before this was Marsha Canham’s fabulous The Iron Rose. Both Iron Rose and SOAS are assured, vivid novels where you practically smell the ocean breeze but that’s where the comparison ends. The Canham is a classic swashbuckling adventure where you almost expect Errol Flynn to appear any minute in costume. SOAS reminds me more of James Cameron’s Titanic: an ocean romance with a restless heiress feeling trapped and eventually finding her true self & destiny.
Genre: Sea cabin romance, Regency Period
Series: Second in a trilogy
Sensuality: PG-13 to R
Content warnings: None.
Grade: A-
October 19, 2021
2 stars. This book is just not good, I’m disappointed that I actually finished it. I kept thinking that it would improve by the end, but it didn’t.
The heroine is dumb af, she lies and lies and lies some more. The hero is also pretty dumb. Even when he finds out that she’s been lying to him, he doesn’t ask for answers. She doesn’t even tell him her real name until almost the end. The hero is a manwhore who has been with SOOOOOO many OW that he can’t count them all. He’s 12 years older than the heroine, and so had MANY years prior to this book when he raked his way around the world. The heroine is both disgusted and turned on by this. What, may I ask, is sexy about hundreds of OW being with him before she met him? He also supposedly never had a bastard or any STDs! HAHAHAHAHA!! He’s absolutely sure of this because he always used his “sheep gut”. I can’t roll my eyes any harder at this book. What ridiculous fiction. She gives him her virginity with basically no thoughts to the future, while still lying to him about everything.
THEN, the worst possible conclusion of any conclusion… the heroine donates her entire fortune to charity. I’m not even sure why, besides the author wanted to show that she had some redemption? Personally, I hate endings like this. It always feels like a cop out. The heroine gives away her money and runs away, again, like always. She didn’t earn that money, why does giving it away mean she’s somehow so much better now?
Anyways, this book is just a big disappointment after book 1.
Safe; no scenes with om/ow in this book. Heroine jilted her fiancé, the hero of book 3. Heroine a virgin, hero a maaaajor manwhore. TW: attempted rape
The heroine is dumb af, she lies and lies and lies some more. The hero is also pretty dumb. Even when he finds out that she’s been lying to him, he doesn’t ask for answers. She doesn’t even tell him her real name until almost the end. The hero is a manwhore who has been with SOOOOOO many OW that he can’t count them all. He’s 12 years older than the heroine, and so had MANY years prior to this book when he raked his way around the world. The heroine is both disgusted and turned on by this. What, may I ask, is sexy about hundreds of OW being with him before she met him? He also supposedly never had a bastard or any STDs! HAHAHAHAHA!! He’s absolutely sure of this because he always used his “sheep gut”. I can’t roll my eyes any harder at this book. What ridiculous fiction. She gives him her virginity with basically no thoughts to the future, while still lying to him about everything.
THEN, the worst possible conclusion of any conclusion… the heroine donates her entire fortune to charity. I’m not even sure why, besides the author wanted to show that she had some redemption? Personally, I hate endings like this. It always feels like a cop out. The heroine gives away her money and runs away, again, like always. She didn’t earn that money, why does giving it away mean she’s somehow so much better now?
Anyways, this book is just a big disappointment after book 1.
Safe; no scenes with om/ow in this book. Heroine jilted her fiancé, the hero of book 3. Heroine a virgin, hero a maaaajor manwhore. TW: attempted rape
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2020
You mean to tell me that these two spent a month on a ship, doing the nasty, and never showered, and yet she still smelled like roses?!. Gurl, that’s not how the female body works. You best believe she was all kinds of dirty.
And a book that uses the words “tender assault” together in a sentence should be put behind bars.
Will still be reading book three because i have no self control.
And a book that uses the words “tender assault” together in a sentence should be put behind bars.
Will still be reading book three because i have no self control.
June 4, 2024
Review from 2019
I've given this a B for narration and a C for content at AudioGals, so 3.5 stars - bumped up for the narration.
Originally published in 2009, Surrender of a Siren is the second book in Tessa Dare’s Wanton Dairymaid trilogy, and is her second published novel. It was released in audiobook format earlier this year, and although I’ve never listened to narrator Gabrielle Baker before, I decided to pick it up for review. In fact, the narration turned out to be the best thing about the listening experience; Ms. Baker’s delivery and speech patterns reminded me very much of Mary Jane Wells (who is narrating Ms. Dare’s current Girl Meets Duke series), and although I had issues with certain aspects of her performance, I enjoyed listening to her and will definitely seek out more of her narrations. When it comes to the story, however… well, it’s an early work and it shows, especially in terms of the plot and the characterisation of the heroine, who annoyed me for something like ninety percent of the book.
Desperate to avoid an unwanted marriage and determined to live a life free of restraint and full of adventure and passion, heiress Sophia Hathaway packs a bag containing four dresses and her artist materials, stashes six hundred pounds in her corset, leaves a letter for her family saying she’s eloping with her (fictitious) French drawing master, and travels to Gravesend intending to take passage to the island of Tortola in the West Indies. Once she comes into her inheritance on her twenty-first birthday – which is in a few weeks’ time – she will be able to be independent and live life as she pleases, but until then, she wants to be as far away from England as possible. Posing as Miss Jane Turner, a governess travelling to Tortola in order to take up a position with a wealthy family there, she seeks out Captain Grayson in a seedy quayside pub, intent on securing passage on his ship, the Aphrodite.
Benedict Grayson is, in his own words, “a liar, a thief, a libertine, and worse”. A former privateer, he’s now the owner of the Aphrodite (not the captain – that’s his half-brother, Joss) and with the Napoleonic Wars over, he’s turning over a new leaf – professionally and personally – by turning the Aphrodite into a respectable merchant ship and himself into… well, if not a respectable gentleman, then someone who is somewhat less disreputable than he’s been up until now. He senses immediately that Miss Turner – who is lovely despite her shabby gown, and whose eyes seem to be encouraging his already salacious thoughts – is going to prove something of a challenge to him when it comes to his resolution to give up his womanising ways, but he can’t afford to turn away a paying passenger if he’s going to make a success of his new venture.
This begins the voyage and the romance as the close proximity into which Gray and Sophia are thrown enables them to spend time together and the initial spark of attraction both felt at their first meeting to grow into fascination and a temptation that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. As the weeks pass, Gray starts to open up to Sophia, telling her things about himself and his family that he’s never told anyone, but she doesn’t reciprocate, and this is one of my biggest issues with the story. While deception in a romance isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker for me, it can be when it goes on for as long as it does here and where so many opportunities to fess up are allowed to pass by. Even after Sophia and Gray have finally made love and exchanged ILYs, she still doesn’t tell him the truth about her identity, even though he’s made it clear it bothers him that she isn’t being honest with him. She has it in her head that he won’t want her if she tells him the truth – that she’s a ruined woman who jilted her fiancé and who society thinks has run off with a lover; that she inveigled five hundred pounds from her trust fund and added to it at the gambling tables – because he’s trying to turn respectable and she’ll only bring him down. Good grief. And worse, she never actually does tell him the truth; instead he finds it out along with a room full of people in the climactic courtroom scene near the end.
I liked Gray more than Sophia, although he has moments of dickheaded-ness that don’t cover him in glory. There’s no question he says some nasty things to Sophia, but half the time they’re as a result of her holding back from him, and I could quite understand his anger when he discovers she’s been drawing him into the series of erotic illustrations she’s been making in the Wanton Dairymaid book. (I thought it was a bit creepy, tbh.)
The pacing is off, too. The voyage is looooong and the middle section of the story drags, plus there are things that just don’t make sense, like Joss’ volte face as regards Gray and Sophia (initially, he warned Gray off, then, once they’re together, he’s fine with it). Speaking of Joss, it’s good to see the positive representation of a PoC character (the same is true of their sister), and there are also a handful of colourful and engaging secondary characters – like young Davy – who add some light relief to the tale.
As I said at the beginning, the best thing about this new audio version of Surrender of a Siren is the narration, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Gabrielle Baker’s work. She has an attractive, mid-range voice and delivers an animated performance that is well-paced and clearly enunciated throughout. She does a good job with the various accents – cockney, Irish, West Indian and others – that crop up during the course of the story and her vocal characterisations are a good fit for gender, age and station. Her differentiation is good on the whole, but she doesn’t have a great range when it comes to male voices and I found it difficult to tell the difference between Gray and Joss in their scenes together because they’re performed in the same register, and with the same inflection. There’s also not a great deal of difference between Ms. Baker’s ‘narrative voice’ and the tone she uses for Sophia, so there were times I wasn’t sure if I was listening to narrative or dialogue. On the whole though, this is a strong performance that hits all the right emotional notes and helps to smooth out some of the lumps in the storytelling.
I’m afraid I can’t really recommend Surrender of a Siren. Although I liked the hero, that wasn’t enough to enable me to ignore the weaknesses in the story and the annoying heroine. If you’re interested in listening to Gabrielle Baker, she has over fifty titles listed at Audible, so maybe try one of those instead.
I've given this a B for narration and a C for content at AudioGals, so 3.5 stars - bumped up for the narration.
Originally published in 2009, Surrender of a Siren is the second book in Tessa Dare’s Wanton Dairymaid trilogy, and is her second published novel. It was released in audiobook format earlier this year, and although I’ve never listened to narrator Gabrielle Baker before, I decided to pick it up for review. In fact, the narration turned out to be the best thing about the listening experience; Ms. Baker’s delivery and speech patterns reminded me very much of Mary Jane Wells (who is narrating Ms. Dare’s current Girl Meets Duke series), and although I had issues with certain aspects of her performance, I enjoyed listening to her and will definitely seek out more of her narrations. When it comes to the story, however… well, it’s an early work and it shows, especially in terms of the plot and the characterisation of the heroine, who annoyed me for something like ninety percent of the book.
Desperate to avoid an unwanted marriage and determined to live a life free of restraint and full of adventure and passion, heiress Sophia Hathaway packs a bag containing four dresses and her artist materials, stashes six hundred pounds in her corset, leaves a letter for her family saying she’s eloping with her (fictitious) French drawing master, and travels to Gravesend intending to take passage to the island of Tortola in the West Indies. Once she comes into her inheritance on her twenty-first birthday – which is in a few weeks’ time – she will be able to be independent and live life as she pleases, but until then, she wants to be as far away from England as possible. Posing as Miss Jane Turner, a governess travelling to Tortola in order to take up a position with a wealthy family there, she seeks out Captain Grayson in a seedy quayside pub, intent on securing passage on his ship, the Aphrodite.
Benedict Grayson is, in his own words, “a liar, a thief, a libertine, and worse”. A former privateer, he’s now the owner of the Aphrodite (not the captain – that’s his half-brother, Joss) and with the Napoleonic Wars over, he’s turning over a new leaf – professionally and personally – by turning the Aphrodite into a respectable merchant ship and himself into… well, if not a respectable gentleman, then someone who is somewhat less disreputable than he’s been up until now. He senses immediately that Miss Turner – who is lovely despite her shabby gown, and whose eyes seem to be encouraging his already salacious thoughts – is going to prove something of a challenge to him when it comes to his resolution to give up his womanising ways, but he can’t afford to turn away a paying passenger if he’s going to make a success of his new venture.
This begins the voyage and the romance as the close proximity into which Gray and Sophia are thrown enables them to spend time together and the initial spark of attraction both felt at their first meeting to grow into fascination and a temptation that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. As the weeks pass, Gray starts to open up to Sophia, telling her things about himself and his family that he’s never told anyone, but she doesn’t reciprocate, and this is one of my biggest issues with the story. While deception in a romance isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker for me, it can be when it goes on for as long as it does here and where so many opportunities to fess up are allowed to pass by. Even after Sophia and Gray have finally made love and exchanged ILYs, she still doesn’t tell him the truth about her identity, even though he’s made it clear it bothers him that she isn’t being honest with him. She has it in her head that he won’t want her if she tells him the truth – that she’s a ruined woman who jilted her fiancé and who society thinks has run off with a lover; that she inveigled five hundred pounds from her trust fund and added to it at the gambling tables – because he’s trying to turn respectable and she’ll only bring him down. Good grief. And worse, she never actually does tell him the truth; instead he finds it out along with a room full of people in the climactic courtroom scene near the end.
I liked Gray more than Sophia, although he has moments of dickheaded-ness that don’t cover him in glory. There’s no question he says some nasty things to Sophia, but half the time they’re as a result of her holding back from him, and I could quite understand his anger when he discovers she’s been drawing him into the series of erotic illustrations she’s been making in the Wanton Dairymaid book. (I thought it was a bit creepy, tbh.)
The pacing is off, too. The voyage is looooong and the middle section of the story drags, plus there are things that just don’t make sense, like Joss’ volte face as regards Gray and Sophia (initially, he warned Gray off, then, once they’re together, he’s fine with it). Speaking of Joss, it’s good to see the positive representation of a PoC character (the same is true of their sister), and there are also a handful of colourful and engaging secondary characters – like young Davy – who add some light relief to the tale.
As I said at the beginning, the best thing about this new audio version of Surrender of a Siren is the narration, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Gabrielle Baker’s work. She has an attractive, mid-range voice and delivers an animated performance that is well-paced and clearly enunciated throughout. She does a good job with the various accents – cockney, Irish, West Indian and others – that crop up during the course of the story and her vocal characterisations are a good fit for gender, age and station. Her differentiation is good on the whole, but she doesn’t have a great range when it comes to male voices and I found it difficult to tell the difference between Gray and Joss in their scenes together because they’re performed in the same register, and with the same inflection. There’s also not a great deal of difference between Ms. Baker’s ‘narrative voice’ and the tone she uses for Sophia, so there were times I wasn’t sure if I was listening to narrative or dialogue. On the whole though, this is a strong performance that hits all the right emotional notes and helps to smooth out some of the lumps in the storytelling.
I’m afraid I can’t really recommend Surrender of a Siren. Although I liked the hero, that wasn’t enough to enable me to ignore the weaknesses in the story and the annoying heroine. If you’re interested in listening to Gabrielle Baker, she has over fifty titles listed at Audible, so maybe try one of those instead.
October 4, 2015
Oh, man...and it started off so well. I really liked Gray in the beginning...and then my adoration for him fell away as he got more and more annoying. I felt the same way with the first book as I do with this one -- I hate the female protagonists, Lucy in the first and Sophia in this, don't have as much dignity as I wish they had. This series, so far, is chase, chase, chase from the woman and then the eventual capitulation from the man (which then usually leads to the HEA). It was annoying in the first and it was even more annoying in this. Just like Jeremy with Lucy, Gray says stupid things to Sophia but she's quick to fall in line when he shows anything other than disdain. Gray is super hot and cold with her, spurning her so much (even though I did understand his promise to Joss), and she still continues to fall into his arms the minute he so much glances in her direction. I should've kept count of the number of times she was melting in his presence.
I liked Gray in the beginning with his charm and his moments of humour. However, that quickly fell away with how he was with and towards Sophia. And though it might be unfair, Sophia's constant submission to him actually made me dislike the both of them and not just her. His story might have been interesting but the back-and-forth on the romance-front occupied most of the time and took away from his and Joss's back story.
Sophia. Oh man...there were so many times I was begging for her to just love herself...actually, even just like or at least tolerate herself after a certain point. She's constantly describing feeling hurt by Gray's rejections ("his words had cut her like a knife," "something inside her splintered and cracked") but it's no big. He says things to her like he doesn't want her and calls her "conniving" (amongst other less than complimentary things) and she always goes right back to pining after or straight-up giving in to him.
Goodness, he tells her that he'll "deal with this later" (as in, deal with her) and she, honest to goodness, sits around and waits to be dealt with. She waits around for him all night until, finally, exhaustion gets the best of her and she falls asleep. This autocratic display of his, conveniently, is followed by him punching someone to defend her and her immediately melting in response.
He then tells her that, if she's carrying his child, he won't allow her to "run off" and raise his child "God knows where" and will, in fact, force marriage upon her. She has a moment of defiance, but that's quickly overshadowed by her being kind of hopeful in their eventual reunion because she realizes that he "still wanted her."
Just...ugh...couldn't there have been even a bit of resistance on her part? Even just one episode? There wasn't, though. Like...at all.
()
I liked Gray in the beginning with his charm and his moments of humour. However, that quickly fell away with how he was with and towards Sophia. And though it might be unfair, Sophia's constant submission to him actually made me dislike the both of them and not just her. His story might have been interesting but the back-and-forth on the romance-front occupied most of the time and took away from his and Joss's back story.
Sophia. Oh man...there were so many times I was begging for her to just love herself...actually, even just like or at least tolerate herself after a certain point. She's constantly describing feeling hurt by Gray's rejections ("his words had cut her like a knife," "something inside her splintered and cracked") but it's no big. He says things to her like he doesn't want her and calls her "conniving" (amongst other less than complimentary things) and she always goes right back to pining after or straight-up giving in to him.
Goodness, he tells her that he'll "deal with this later" (as in, deal with her) and she, honest to goodness, sits around and waits to be dealt with. She waits around for him all night until, finally, exhaustion gets the best of her and she falls asleep. This autocratic display of his, conveniently, is followed by him punching someone to defend her and her immediately melting in response.
He then tells her that, if she's carrying his child, he won't allow her to "run off" and raise his child "God knows where" and will, in fact, force marriage upon her. She has a moment of defiance, but that's quickly overshadowed by her being kind of hopeful in their eventual reunion because she realizes that he "still wanted her."
Just...ugh...couldn't there have been even a bit of resistance on her part? Even just one episode? There wasn't, though. Like...at all.
()
December 6, 2017
Love very much with Dolly ehh... Benedict Adolphus Grayson... ^^ Gabungan semua cowoq bejat favoritku. Mulai dari St. Vincent, Vasili dan Mitya...
Walaupun ada kemiripan setting dgn Secret Fire nya Johanna Lindsey dan Captive of my Desire nya Johanna Lindsey, ternyata kisah2 pelaut dan romansanya msh sangat menarik. Kisah si runaway bride, Sophia Hathaway sang Lady yg menyamar sbg pengasuh yg akhirnya bertemu pemilik kapal Aphrodite, Benedict Grayson. Demi memuaskan hasrat fantasi petualangan, Sophia nekad berbohong dan akhirnya tak kuasa utk jatuh cinta juga pada Gray. Di pihak lain Gray, walaupun sangat mempesona dan mata duitan, ternyata diam-diam juga jatuh cinta setengah mati pd Sophia aka Jane Turner ini. Dan setelah mengarungi lautan dan melewati berbagai momen diatas kapal, akhirnya mereka pun hanyut dalam gairah asmara walaupun diantara mereka masih dibatasi dinding dusta Sophia. Dibalik penampilan Gray yg mata duitan ternyata Gray adalah seorg pria yg cinta pada keluarga dan Sophia walaupun melarikan diri kembali, tetap tak kuasa untuk membendung cinta Gray terhadap dirinya. Wuahhh!! sangat romantis!!!
Maybe gw udah terpikat ama Gray duluan, sehingga penilaianku tidak obyektif (maafkan daku), tetapi pemilihan kata2 dan gaya cerita Tessa Dare amat memikat diriku... Huff... jadi tidak sabar untuk membaca yg ke-3 nih...
Walaupun ada kemiripan setting dgn Secret Fire nya Johanna Lindsey dan Captive of my Desire nya Johanna Lindsey, ternyata kisah2 pelaut dan romansanya msh sangat menarik. Kisah si runaway bride, Sophia Hathaway sang Lady yg menyamar sbg pengasuh yg akhirnya bertemu pemilik kapal Aphrodite, Benedict Grayson. Demi memuaskan hasrat fantasi petualangan, Sophia nekad berbohong dan akhirnya tak kuasa utk jatuh cinta juga pada Gray. Di pihak lain Gray, walaupun sangat mempesona dan mata duitan, ternyata diam-diam juga jatuh cinta setengah mati pd Sophia aka Jane Turner ini. Dan setelah mengarungi lautan dan melewati berbagai momen diatas kapal, akhirnya mereka pun hanyut dalam gairah asmara walaupun diantara mereka masih dibatasi dinding dusta Sophia. Dibalik penampilan Gray yg mata duitan ternyata Gray adalah seorg pria yg cinta pada keluarga dan Sophia walaupun melarikan diri kembali, tetap tak kuasa untuk membendung cinta Gray terhadap dirinya. Wuahhh!! sangat romantis!!!
Maybe gw udah terpikat ama Gray duluan, sehingga penilaianku tidak obyektif (maafkan daku), tetapi pemilihan kata2 dan gaya cerita Tessa Dare amat memikat diriku... Huff... jadi tidak sabar untuk membaca yg ke-3 nih...
September 3, 2024
Summary:
I really wanted to love Surrender of a Siren, but I just couldn’t get into it. I debated between 2 and 3 stars, but in the end, it’s a 2 for me because it just didn’t do it. The book felt way too long, and I struggled to stay interested. I liked Sophia and Gray as characters, but the story itself? Not so much. Sophia was stuck in way too much longing, and Gray didn’t show enough interest early on. As someone who usually loves an at-sea romance, this one was a letdown. I’m honestly not even excited for the next book in the series—might skip it.
Characters:
Sophia Hathaway: I liked Sophia, but all that longing made her feel kind of flat. I was hoping for more depth and a bit more action from her.
Benedict “Gray” Grayson: Gray had potential, but he was pretty checked out at the start, which made it hard to root for him and Sophia together. He eventually warmed up, but it was kind of too late by then.
Writing Style:
I usually vibe with Tessa Dare’s writing, but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. The pacing was slow, making the whole thing feel like a slog. There were some witty moments, but they weren’t enough to save the book.
Romantic Elements:
The romance had its moments, but they were few and far between. Sophia’s endless longing and Gray’s late-to-the-party interest made it hard to fully get into their relationship.
Overall Thoughts:
Surrender of a Siren* wasn’t my thing, which is a bummer because I usually love a good at-sea romance. The main characters were fine, but the story just dragged. If you’re a hardcore Tessa Dare fan, you might still want to check it out, but I’m not feeling excited about the rest of the series and might skip the next book.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5 stars)
I really wanted to love Surrender of a Siren, but I just couldn’t get into it. I debated between 2 and 3 stars, but in the end, it’s a 2 for me because it just didn’t do it. The book felt way too long, and I struggled to stay interested. I liked Sophia and Gray as characters, but the story itself? Not so much. Sophia was stuck in way too much longing, and Gray didn’t show enough interest early on. As someone who usually loves an at-sea romance, this one was a letdown. I’m honestly not even excited for the next book in the series—might skip it.
Characters:
Sophia Hathaway: I liked Sophia, but all that longing made her feel kind of flat. I was hoping for more depth and a bit more action from her.
Benedict “Gray” Grayson: Gray had potential, but he was pretty checked out at the start, which made it hard to root for him and Sophia together. He eventually warmed up, but it was kind of too late by then.
Writing Style:
I usually vibe with Tessa Dare’s writing, but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. The pacing was slow, making the whole thing feel like a slog. There were some witty moments, but they weren’t enough to save the book.
Romantic Elements:
The romance had its moments, but they were few and far between. Sophia’s endless longing and Gray’s late-to-the-party interest made it hard to fully get into their relationship.
Overall Thoughts:
Surrender of a Siren* wasn’t my thing, which is a bummer because I usually love a good at-sea romance. The main characters were fine, but the story just dragged. If you’re a hardcore Tessa Dare fan, you might still want to check it out, but I’m not feeling excited about the rest of the series and might skip the next book.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5 stars)
March 9, 2020
Perhaps it was just bad timing, but I wasn't feeling this one...
It's the story of Sophie, an heiress who runs away from home in order to escape a proper, loveless marriage and experience passion and adventure instead. Early in her adventures she meets Gray, former privateer, aka legal pirate, who is trying to become respectable for the sake of his family.
The two are immediately intrigued by one another, but try their best to keep their distance, something rather difficult to do confined in a ship for more than a month.
They inevitably fall in love, but have to reveal their secrets and resolve the misunderstandings between them before getting their happily ever after.
I didn't particularly like Sophie as a heroine, and although I liked Gray well enough, I didn't get all that invested in their story.
The series continues with Gray's sister Isabel's story next in A Lady of Persuasion.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Goddess of the Hunt (The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #1) ~ ★★★ (07/12/2013)
It's the story of Sophie, an heiress who runs away from home in order to escape a proper, loveless marriage and experience passion and adventure instead. Early in her adventures she meets Gray, former privateer, aka legal pirate, who is trying to become respectable for the sake of his family.
The two are immediately intrigued by one another, but try their best to keep their distance, something rather difficult to do confined in a ship for more than a month.
They inevitably fall in love, but have to reveal their secrets and resolve the misunderstandings between them before getting their happily ever after.
I didn't particularly like Sophie as a heroine, and although I liked Gray well enough, I didn't get all that invested in their story.
The series continues with Gray's sister Isabel's story next in A Lady of Persuasion.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Goddess of the Hunt (The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy #1) ~ ★★★ (07/12/2013)
October 31, 2020
Originally, “Surrender of a Siren” is as delightful as Tessa Dare’s books usually are. When you are reading a Tessa Dare, you know that you will be getting a whip-smart, witty heroine and a psychologically (and at times physically) scarred hero. With this book, Dare delivers on what is expected.
I liked that Sophia, our heroine, was an artist. Dare is great at making me wish I could see and experience colors the way artists can because she does such a great job of describing them. There is a paragraph I've highlighed about a dolphinfish which is really beautiful.
I don’t like how Sophia flirts with the fifteen year old Davy and then thinks “drat! I should stop flirting! I’m only leading him on!”… Yes. You are. Stop it. He’s a young kid and doesn’t deserve that. That is a "mild" problem I had with the book. I had a much bigger issue with how Sophia lies, consistently and for the entire time that she is around Gray, and is then upset when she is deemed untrustworthy. That kind of self-victimization is annoying as hell.
What I disliked the most about "Surrender of a Siren" is the entire mess that is its third act. Up until the middle part of “Surrender of a Siren” I was feeling my usual 3/3,5 rating for a Dare romance. However, and SPOILERS ahead for anyone wishing to read this book:
-
-
-
-
-
-
What is with that whole ending?
Here is the thing, I was SO prepared to not like the book based on the relationship between Gray, the love interest, and Joss, his half-black illegitimate half-brother. I thought THAT relationship would be troubling but, no, I actually think Tessa did a better job than I expected on that front. At least I did not cringe from embarrassment when reading Joss’ speech at the end, even if I am not sure whether or not I fully agree with his sentiments re: literally leaving his son an orphan.
What upset me the most is Sophia realizing that she is 20 years old and that she ran away from her parents on a boat, ruining her reputation as well as her family's, in order to escape a marriage. A marriage with a nice man. And her parents are understanding and even she says I could have just told them I did not want to marry Toby and they would not have minded too much.
The realization itself is great! I am glad she has it. She sits on that boat and she thinks about how her parents DID love her, and how she might have over-reacted and yes! We love that growth! Communication is wonderful.
But then she undoes all that hard work and self-contemplation by giving up her entire 20,000pound dowry to Gray and his siblings so they can stop fighting, and so they can start a sugarcane collective. She has met Gray's sister literally yesterday, by the way. Which is, yet again, a decision made in the spur of the moment and which I think is so dumb, and incredibly regrettable, unnecessary, and, frankly, infuriating.
A lot of these historical romances hinge on the feminist premise that women can make their own choices. A lot of women in contemporary historical romances take charge of their sexuality. A lot of them demand respect that is usually only afforded to women in higher stations because they want to be seen as equal. A lot of “modern” feminist ideas show up in historical romances, and I do not mind. If I wanted to read an “accurate” historical romance, I would read "North & South" for the fourth time.
So why does the idea that women are expected to give up everything they own to be worthy of a man’s love persist? This "give him your heart, your virginity, your money, and if he was yours in the first place, he'll come running after you because you're so worthy"! Why can’t we do away with THAT idea? Not a lot of people are going to put in all of that effort. When someone insults me and tells me to never talk to them again, I will most likely believe them and let them be. It’s the kind of thing that annoys me about Euro-centric love stories, which are unfortunately all that I love to consume [that’s my own crescent to bear].
Sophia did not NEED to give up her entire dowry (TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS) and give it to Gray’s siblings but she does it for the sake of التصالح (can't think of the English equivalent--compromise maybe?). I have panic attacks when someone buys me something that’s worth more than 50KWD. I cannot imagine the burden of gifting your love interest's half-siblings an entire farm so that you can “heal his family”… and then walking away and not marrying him because you don’t think that you’re good enough for him. That’s madness. It also, I REPEAT, undermines the journey of growth that Sophia has on the Aphrodite. Am I the only one who thinks that it is disrespectful to give up that 20,000pounds which your father WORKED for and COLLECTED as YOUR dowry… and just give it away? That money was for YOUR COMFORT, was for YOU to be able to have to comfort of marrying whoever YOU choose since you would not be penniless or worry about your future. You don't just give it UP and then climb on another boat back home thinking "well, since I gave up my money, now I really WILL have to become a governess!"
Maybe I misunderstood the ending. I got annoyed at Sophia because I was grateful when she realized that running away was an exaggerated response... but then she continues with those grand-gesture actions which I loved at 17 years old, and which I roll my eyes at in my ripe old age of 25 years old.
There are some more stuff that annoyed me and you can see them in the notes and highlights section. I keep editing this review because its a mess. Goodbye.
I liked that Sophia, our heroine, was an artist. Dare is great at making me wish I could see and experience colors the way artists can because she does such a great job of describing them. There is a paragraph I've highlighed about a dolphinfish which is really beautiful.
I don’t like how Sophia flirts with the fifteen year old Davy and then thinks “drat! I should stop flirting! I’m only leading him on!”… Yes. You are. Stop it. He’s a young kid and doesn’t deserve that. That is a "mild" problem I had with the book. I had a much bigger issue with how Sophia lies, consistently and for the entire time that she is around Gray, and is then upset when she is deemed untrustworthy. That kind of self-victimization is annoying as hell.
What I disliked the most about "Surrender of a Siren" is the entire mess that is its third act. Up until the middle part of “Surrender of a Siren” I was feeling my usual 3/3,5 rating for a Dare romance. However, and SPOILERS ahead for anyone wishing to read this book:
-
-
-
-
-
-
What is with that whole ending?
Here is the thing, I was SO prepared to not like the book based on the relationship between Gray, the love interest, and Joss, his half-black illegitimate half-brother. I thought THAT relationship would be troubling but, no, I actually think Tessa did a better job than I expected on that front. At least I did not cringe from embarrassment when reading Joss’ speech at the end, even if I am not sure whether or not I fully agree with his sentiments re: literally leaving his son an orphan.
What upset me the most is Sophia realizing that she is 20 years old and that she ran away from her parents on a boat, ruining her reputation as well as her family's, in order to escape a marriage. A marriage with a nice man. And her parents are understanding and even she says I could have just told them I did not want to marry Toby and they would not have minded too much.
The realization itself is great! I am glad she has it. She sits on that boat and she thinks about how her parents DID love her, and how she might have over-reacted and yes! We love that growth! Communication is wonderful.
But then she undoes all that hard work and self-contemplation by giving up her entire 20,000pound dowry to Gray and his siblings so they can stop fighting, and so they can start a sugarcane collective. She has met Gray's sister literally yesterday, by the way. Which is, yet again, a decision made in the spur of the moment and which I think is so dumb, and incredibly regrettable, unnecessary, and, frankly, infuriating.
A lot of these historical romances hinge on the feminist premise that women can make their own choices. A lot of women in contemporary historical romances take charge of their sexuality. A lot of them demand respect that is usually only afforded to women in higher stations because they want to be seen as equal. A lot of “modern” feminist ideas show up in historical romances, and I do not mind. If I wanted to read an “accurate” historical romance, I would read "North & South" for the fourth time.
So why does the idea that women are expected to give up everything they own to be worthy of a man’s love persist? This "give him your heart, your virginity, your money, and if he was yours in the first place, he'll come running after you because you're so worthy"! Why can’t we do away with THAT idea? Not a lot of people are going to put in all of that effort. When someone insults me and tells me to never talk to them again, I will most likely believe them and let them be. It’s the kind of thing that annoys me about Euro-centric love stories, which are unfortunately all that I love to consume [that’s my own crescent to bear].
Sophia did not NEED to give up her entire dowry (TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS) and give it to Gray’s siblings but she does it for the sake of التصالح (can't think of the English equivalent--compromise maybe?). I have panic attacks when someone buys me something that’s worth more than 50KWD. I cannot imagine the burden of gifting your love interest's half-siblings an entire farm so that you can “heal his family”… and then walking away and not marrying him because you don’t think that you’re good enough for him. That’s madness. It also, I REPEAT, undermines the journey of growth that Sophia has on the Aphrodite. Am I the only one who thinks that it is disrespectful to give up that 20,000pounds which your father WORKED for and COLLECTED as YOUR dowry… and just give it away? That money was for YOUR COMFORT, was for YOU to be able to have to comfort of marrying whoever YOU choose since you would not be penniless or worry about your future. You don't just give it UP and then climb on another boat back home thinking "well, since I gave up my money, now I really WILL have to become a governess!"
Maybe I misunderstood the ending. I got annoyed at Sophia because I was grateful when she realized that running away was an exaggerated response... but then she continues with those grand-gesture actions which I loved at 17 years old, and which I roll my eyes at in my ripe old age of 25 years old.
There are some more stuff that annoyed me and you can see them in the notes and highlights section. I keep editing this review because its a mess. Goodbye.
August 26, 2009
For all practical purposes Sophie Hathaway may act like a proper miss of early 19th century British society, but underneath her façade is a woman who has big dreams. She wants adventure and romance, where she will be swept off her feet but some sex hungry man who will have his wicked way with her. Sophia has this fantasy of being ravished by her painting master, Gervais, which she tells in great detail to Lucy in Goddess as well as in Siren to reformed pirate and rogue, Benedict “Gray” Grayson. Gray will be tested to the limits because he has given up all vices. And that means no longer seducing women. Too bad for Gray because the moment he meets Sophia, he will have a bad case of blue balls because of his new direction in life.
Sophia has jilted her fiancé at the altar and ends up at the docks where she will book passage on a ship to Tortola. Her new role will be a governess to a family there. Sophia must find Captain Grayson of the Aphrodite so he can allow her on his ship. She meets a Captain Grayson in a tavern and tells him her name is Jane Turner. Captain Grayson doesn’t believe her for a minute, mainly because she doesn’t look like any governess he’s seen. Sophia is a bit vain and even though she is wearing her maid’s old dress, it’s her fancy gloves that almost do her in. Grayson tries to talk Sophia out of going on this journey. There is actually a deeper reason Grayson doesn’t want Sophia on his ship. This voyage to Tortola is where Gray turns respectable. And with Sophia on it, he won’t be able to stop from seducing her. He also thinks Sophia is too fragile and, “she might break it he breathed on her wrong.”
One of the funniest internal dialogues in this whole book is where Grayson’s mind wanders and imagines what Sophia would say to him while he is trying to talk her out of this rash decision:
“Please, take me on your ship and away to Tortola. Please, strip me out of this revolting gown and intimate me in the pleasures of the flesh right here on the barstool”
After much persuasion on Sophia’s part, Grayson let’s her come aboard. Sophia is almost home free and can spend her days painting and appreciating the rock hard cannon like muscles and charming yet dangerous look Gray has to him. Sophia is not amused when she finds out Gray is not the captain of the Aphrodite but only the owner. The captain is Gray’s half brother, Josiah, who is the illegitimate son of Gray’s father. Josiah is black, a child born from Gray’s father and Josiah’s mother who was his slave. Josiah is not happy with having Sophia as a passenger because he doesn’t trust that Gray won’t seduce her. Gray promises Josiah he won’t touch her. It’s going to be a very long voyage for Gray.
Sophia makes quite the impression on the crew and because Gray can’t give into his urges, he is very cranky. Sophia is still an innocent, even with all her romantic talk, and has no clue why Gray is so surly towards her. One minute Gray is flirting with her, the next he is rude and keeps his distance. Rather than Sophia moping around because of the way Gray treats her, she paints and draws the men on the ship. And because Gray expects Sophia to be as uncomfortable as he is, he is not happy that she is ignoring him. Because Sophia pushes him from her mind, Gray becomes more enthralled with her and from that, things progress in a way where he can’t stop himself from having Sophia. And Sophia is very happy in experiencing that passion she has always long for and with a man like Gray.
The main question arises about Sophia’s true identity and whether she can tell Gray her secrets. She knows Gray will be more then displeased if he finds out her identity is a sham. Plus there is a small problem of the unpredictable weather almost destroying the ship and Gray’s reputation that may get him arrested and killed.
I had a rousing good time reading Surrender the Siren. The majority of the action happens on the ship but there is never a dull moment. Tessa had a wonderful talent at keeping the reader engaged and she excels at this with her characters. Not only was it enjoyable watching Gray and Sophia fall in love, but it was just as nice when they were in separate scenes. Gray’s relationship with his brother Josiah really grabs you and Sophia is able to charm everyone from the cook to the barely teenage cabin boy who forms a crush on her. And those scenes where Sophia draws Gray are exquisite. Gray makes Sophia do something very unlady like things with her fingers. And you can imagine what that will lead to.
Surrender the Siren is a bit of a role reversal. The hero Gray should be the one to ravish and plunder the virginal Sophia, but it is the other way around. The delight in reading such a book like this is watching these two interact with one another. Gray is trying to act the gentleman; Sophia is trying to figure out the best way to seduce Gray without looking like a fool. These two are just so delicious together.
Lusty love on the high seas comes to mind with Surrender the Siren. I could almost feel the wind in my hair and taste the salt in my mouth. Gray and Sophia are two people who were lost, adrift in their lives until they found one another. What more could you want in a romance?
Sophia has jilted her fiancé at the altar and ends up at the docks where she will book passage on a ship to Tortola. Her new role will be a governess to a family there. Sophia must find Captain Grayson of the Aphrodite so he can allow her on his ship. She meets a Captain Grayson in a tavern and tells him her name is Jane Turner. Captain Grayson doesn’t believe her for a minute, mainly because she doesn’t look like any governess he’s seen. Sophia is a bit vain and even though she is wearing her maid’s old dress, it’s her fancy gloves that almost do her in. Grayson tries to talk Sophia out of going on this journey. There is actually a deeper reason Grayson doesn’t want Sophia on his ship. This voyage to Tortola is where Gray turns respectable. And with Sophia on it, he won’t be able to stop from seducing her. He also thinks Sophia is too fragile and, “she might break it he breathed on her wrong.”
One of the funniest internal dialogues in this whole book is where Grayson’s mind wanders and imagines what Sophia would say to him while he is trying to talk her out of this rash decision:
“Please, take me on your ship and away to Tortola. Please, strip me out of this revolting gown and intimate me in the pleasures of the flesh right here on the barstool”
After much persuasion on Sophia’s part, Grayson let’s her come aboard. Sophia is almost home free and can spend her days painting and appreciating the rock hard cannon like muscles and charming yet dangerous look Gray has to him. Sophia is not amused when she finds out Gray is not the captain of the Aphrodite but only the owner. The captain is Gray’s half brother, Josiah, who is the illegitimate son of Gray’s father. Josiah is black, a child born from Gray’s father and Josiah’s mother who was his slave. Josiah is not happy with having Sophia as a passenger because he doesn’t trust that Gray won’t seduce her. Gray promises Josiah he won’t touch her. It’s going to be a very long voyage for Gray.
Sophia makes quite the impression on the crew and because Gray can’t give into his urges, he is very cranky. Sophia is still an innocent, even with all her romantic talk, and has no clue why Gray is so surly towards her. One minute Gray is flirting with her, the next he is rude and keeps his distance. Rather than Sophia moping around because of the way Gray treats her, she paints and draws the men on the ship. And because Gray expects Sophia to be as uncomfortable as he is, he is not happy that she is ignoring him. Because Sophia pushes him from her mind, Gray becomes more enthralled with her and from that, things progress in a way where he can’t stop himself from having Sophia. And Sophia is very happy in experiencing that passion she has always long for and with a man like Gray.
The main question arises about Sophia’s true identity and whether she can tell Gray her secrets. She knows Gray will be more then displeased if he finds out her identity is a sham. Plus there is a small problem of the unpredictable weather almost destroying the ship and Gray’s reputation that may get him arrested and killed.
I had a rousing good time reading Surrender the Siren. The majority of the action happens on the ship but there is never a dull moment. Tessa had a wonderful talent at keeping the reader engaged and she excels at this with her characters. Not only was it enjoyable watching Gray and Sophia fall in love, but it was just as nice when they were in separate scenes. Gray’s relationship with his brother Josiah really grabs you and Sophia is able to charm everyone from the cook to the barely teenage cabin boy who forms a crush on her. And those scenes where Sophia draws Gray are exquisite. Gray makes Sophia do something very unlady like things with her fingers. And you can imagine what that will lead to.
Surrender the Siren is a bit of a role reversal. The hero Gray should be the one to ravish and plunder the virginal Sophia, but it is the other way around. The delight in reading such a book like this is watching these two interact with one another. Gray is trying to act the gentleman; Sophia is trying to figure out the best way to seduce Gray without looking like a fool. These two are just so delicious together.
Lusty love on the high seas comes to mind with Surrender the Siren. I could almost feel the wind in my hair and taste the salt in my mouth. Gray and Sophia are two people who were lost, adrift in their lives until they found one another. What more could you want in a romance?
September 26, 2010
I didn’t understand some of the logic, and I didn’t like the reasons for much of the conflict.
STORY BRIEF:
Sophia’s parents arranged a marriage for her to someone she didn’t love. She will receive her trust fund money when she becomes 21. She manages to get 600 pounds, which she will live on until she can inherit the rest of her trust fund. Gray owns the ship Aphrodite. His brother Joss is the captain. Sophia arranges passage on their ship to take her to Tortola in the Caribbean. She uses a fake name “Jane” and tells them she is a governess planning to work for someone on the island. She is an artist and creates pictures of Gray and others on the ship during the voyage. Gray used to be a privateer (a pirate with the blessings of England to plunder ships from enemy countries). Now he has a legitimate shipping operation. Joss is angry with Gray over past incidents. Gray is trying to mend their relationship and wants to do what Joss asks. Joss asks Gray not to kiss or seduce Sophia during the voyage.
The main conflict between Sophia and Gray for over half of the book is Sophia wants to lose her virginity to Gray. Gray refuses because he told Joss he wouldn’t. Gray wants her but doesn’t let her know it. She thinks he is rejecting her.
REVIEWER’S OPINION - CAUTION SPOILERS:
My major problem was I didn’t like the reasons for conflict – lies, misunderstandings, and logic I didn’t understand. Gray avoids Sophia because he told Joss he would. Later when Gray and Sophia became a couple, Joss was fine with it. I didn’t understand the logic of Joss’s initial request and later change of mind. The next conflict is Gray being mad at Sophia for lying to him about her identity. Another conflict was her decision to leave him but not telling him why. She decided that his life would be better without her, without giving him a chance to discuss alternatives. Another conflict was letting him believe she had left him, when she really hadn’t. I also found it hard to believe that a judge believed a lie.
I was also uncomfortable with the logic of Sophia’s action at the end. She believed she would be tainted and rejected by her family and society, yet she gave away her money. The consequence could have been destitution unless she lived with missionaries or got some kind of a job – neither of which would allow her to pursue her passion in life which was her art.
There was nothing special or different about the conversations. I’m sad to say that I wanted the book to be over.
On the positive side, I enjoyed the character Davy and the events surrounding him. I also enjoyed the action scene involving Gray and another ship.
DATA:
Story length: 384 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 25. Setting: 1817-1818 Gravesend, United Kingdom, the high seas, and Tortola in the Caribbean. Copyright: 2009. Genre: high seas regency romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Sophia’s parents arranged a marriage for her to someone she didn’t love. She will receive her trust fund money when she becomes 21. She manages to get 600 pounds, which she will live on until she can inherit the rest of her trust fund. Gray owns the ship Aphrodite. His brother Joss is the captain. Sophia arranges passage on their ship to take her to Tortola in the Caribbean. She uses a fake name “Jane” and tells them she is a governess planning to work for someone on the island. She is an artist and creates pictures of Gray and others on the ship during the voyage. Gray used to be a privateer (a pirate with the blessings of England to plunder ships from enemy countries). Now he has a legitimate shipping operation. Joss is angry with Gray over past incidents. Gray is trying to mend their relationship and wants to do what Joss asks. Joss asks Gray not to kiss or seduce Sophia during the voyage.
The main conflict between Sophia and Gray for over half of the book is Sophia wants to lose her virginity to Gray. Gray refuses because he told Joss he wouldn’t. Gray wants her but doesn’t let her know it. She thinks he is rejecting her.
REVIEWER’S OPINION - CAUTION SPOILERS:
My major problem was I didn’t like the reasons for conflict – lies, misunderstandings, and logic I didn’t understand. Gray avoids Sophia because he told Joss he would. Later when Gray and Sophia became a couple, Joss was fine with it. I didn’t understand the logic of Joss’s initial request and later change of mind. The next conflict is Gray being mad at Sophia for lying to him about her identity. Another conflict was her decision to leave him but not telling him why. She decided that his life would be better without her, without giving him a chance to discuss alternatives. Another conflict was letting him believe she had left him, when she really hadn’t. I also found it hard to believe that a judge believed a lie.
I was also uncomfortable with the logic of Sophia’s action at the end. She believed she would be tainted and rejected by her family and society, yet she gave away her money. The consequence could have been destitution unless she lived with missionaries or got some kind of a job – neither of which would allow her to pursue her passion in life which was her art.
There was nothing special or different about the conversations. I’m sad to say that I wanted the book to be over.
On the positive side, I enjoyed the character Davy and the events surrounding him. I also enjoyed the action scene involving Gray and another ship.
DATA:
Story length: 384 pages. Swearing language: moderate. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 6. Total number of sex scene pages: 25. Setting: 1817-1818 Gravesend, United Kingdom, the high seas, and Tortola in the Caribbean. Copyright: 2009. Genre: high seas regency romance.
April 28, 2019
Trigger warnings: violence, animal death, fire, lying. I think that's all??
3.5 stars.
I was very much looking forward to getting Sophia's story after loving her as a secondary character in the first book in the series. And for the most part, I really enjoyed this. I liked getting a Regency character who's very aware of her body and what she wants to do with it. I liked that she went out of her way to educate herself. I liked the friendships that she struck up with the crew and that she was determined to help out on the ship. And I liked that there were people of colour in the story.
What I wasn't so keen on here is something that I think Tessa Dare has shied away from in her more recent novels - female leads who are barely out of their teens falling for men over a decade older than them. Sure, it may be historically accurate. But in the 21st century it's ever so slightly squicky. Just make them, like, 22 or 23 and keep the guys in their late 20s and it's FINE. But there's something unsettling about it for me, especially given that I work with 19 year olds at times...
Anyway, this was fun for the most part. But the age gap was a personal squick and the ending was a liiiiiittle dragged out. Other than that? It was decent.
3.5 stars.
I was very much looking forward to getting Sophia's story after loving her as a secondary character in the first book in the series. And for the most part, I really enjoyed this. I liked getting a Regency character who's very aware of her body and what she wants to do with it. I liked that she went out of her way to educate herself. I liked the friendships that she struck up with the crew and that she was determined to help out on the ship. And I liked that there were people of colour in the story.
What I wasn't so keen on here is something that I think Tessa Dare has shied away from in her more recent novels - female leads who are barely out of their teens falling for men over a decade older than them. Sure, it may be historically accurate. But in the 21st century it's ever so slightly squicky. Just make them, like, 22 or 23 and keep the guys in their late 20s and it's FINE. But there's something unsettling about it for me, especially given that I work with 19 year olds at times...
Anyway, this was fun for the most part. But the age gap was a personal squick and the ending was a liiiiiittle dragged out. Other than that? It was decent.
August 14, 2023
More later, but this was zero fun to read, which is a huge rarity for a Dare book, but it resolves somewhat nicely at the end so it gets two stars instead of one.
This is one of the romances that begs the question, why do these two like each other, besides sexy times??? Which is like not a good question to have in a romance novel???
Okay, I have time now to write about this - so Sophia is a very privileged wealthy miss who suffers from the trauma of having no trauma and decides to completely abandon her very nice family and life because she's suffering from the 90's Disney princess dilemma of "I want much more than this provincial life/I want to be where the people are". She's not sure what that "more" actually looks like, but by golly is she just going to mr. magoo her way into a situation she knows nothing about and just wing it (Sophia annoyed me a lot, if you can't tell lol).
Gray is the typical Dare hero who actually has trauma and always fucks stuff up despite having good intentions and he's very large and dreamy so I don't have much to say on him. Sophia ends up on his boat, that he's NOT the captain of (lame) and they develop a relationship based on mutual attraction and......secrets?
This leads me to my biggest issue with this book, it's a whole lot of nothing! It was so boring! The best part was the ending and that's because a plot actually started happening. They are just on this boat forever and like Dare shenanigans ensue, but they don't amuse me in this the way they do in other books of hers that I love. Conflicts and random shit was just pulled out of thin air to create some kind of plot for the romance to develop as they are out at sea, and it was all just very boring. I can read a Dare book in a day if I have time, that's how addictive her books are, but this took me like 2 weeks because I just didn't care!
Back to Sophia, again she has that classic "I have a great life but I'm bored so I want an adventure of some kind" character that really has started to bug me over the years, and it's framed as this like "oh she's tired of the Ton and having to play their game" blah blah blah which like yes, the standards for wealthy women in the 19th century were oppressive, but I would much rather be a wealthy society girlie than have to go on a ship for like 2 months back then! So I just could not empathize with her at all. She does redeem herself a bit at the end when she has the realization that "oh maybe I should've been grateful for what I had" It was too late in the story for me.
Also what is with Dare and always having the female heroine literally have to force the hero to admit he's in love with her? It's a plot point in almost all of her books I've read.
The romance felt very forced and again I ask, what reason do these two have for liking each other besides sexy times??? Also, a romance based on one person deceiving the other entirely like this is hard for me to buy into since he doesn't even know her real name. In fact, she actually gets mad at HIM for wanting to know who she really is, which was nuts to me, she was entirely in the wrong for the majority of this book and he had every right to be mad at her!
So a disappointing Dare read (to be clear, I love Dare, she's an author I give credit to for getting me back into reading for fun after college/grad school burnout) that was very boring for the most part if you really care about continuity like me in a book series (it's a sickness) then it's *fine* but if you are one of those folks who has zero issues reading a romance book out of order in a series (I wish I could be like you) then I'd give this a skip! Hopefully, the next one in this series redeems itself more for me.
This is one of the romances that begs the question, why do these two like each other, besides sexy times??? Which is like not a good question to have in a romance novel???
Okay, I have time now to write about this - so Sophia is a very privileged wealthy miss who suffers from the trauma of having no trauma and decides to completely abandon her very nice family and life because she's suffering from the 90's Disney princess dilemma of "I want much more than this provincial life/I want to be where the people are". She's not sure what that "more" actually looks like, but by golly is she just going to mr. magoo her way into a situation she knows nothing about and just wing it (Sophia annoyed me a lot, if you can't tell lol).
Gray is the typical Dare hero who actually has trauma and always fucks stuff up despite having good intentions and he's very large and dreamy so I don't have much to say on him. Sophia ends up on his boat, that he's NOT the captain of (lame) and they develop a relationship based on mutual attraction and......secrets?
This leads me to my biggest issue with this book, it's a whole lot of nothing! It was so boring! The best part was the ending and that's because a plot actually started happening. They are just on this boat forever and like Dare shenanigans ensue, but they don't amuse me in this the way they do in other books of hers that I love. Conflicts and random shit was just pulled out of thin air to create some kind of plot for the romance to develop as they are out at sea, and it was all just very boring. I can read a Dare book in a day if I have time, that's how addictive her books are, but this took me like 2 weeks because I just didn't care!
Back to Sophia, again she has that classic "I have a great life but I'm bored so I want an adventure of some kind" character that really has started to bug me over the years, and it's framed as this like "oh she's tired of the Ton and having to play their game" blah blah blah which like yes, the standards for wealthy women in the 19th century were oppressive, but I would much rather be a wealthy society girlie than have to go on a ship for like 2 months back then! So I just could not empathize with her at all. She does redeem herself a bit at the end when she has the realization that "oh maybe I should've been grateful for what I had" It was too late in the story for me.
Also what is with Dare and always having the female heroine literally have to force the hero to admit he's in love with her? It's a plot point in almost all of her books I've read.
The romance felt very forced and again I ask, what reason do these two have for liking each other besides sexy times??? Also, a romance based on one person deceiving the other entirely like this is hard for me to buy into since he doesn't even know her real name. In fact, she actually gets mad at HIM for wanting to know who she really is, which was nuts to me, she was entirely in the wrong for the majority of this book and he had every right to be mad at her!
So a disappointing Dare read (to be clear, I love Dare, she's an author I give credit to for getting me back into reading for fun after college/grad school burnout) that was very boring for the most part if you really care about continuity like me in a book series (it's a sickness) then it's *fine* but if you are one of those folks who has zero issues reading a romance book out of order in a series (I wish I could be like you) then I'd give this a skip! Hopefully, the next one in this series redeems itself more for me.
May 30, 2021
For the promise of Sophia's character in Goddess of the Hunt, this was a big let down. I was bored most of the time reading this high seas tale and made it through mostly by skimming. There was one amazingly hot voyeuristic scene between Gray and Sophie, but it ended with her crying and the rest of the book was sort of a horny let down. Still readable and you can see the roots of Tessa Dare's later work forming here, but definitely not a fav for me.
July 13, 2025
feeling wanton — need a woke pirate to rip off my bodice …could have done without the nickname “sweet” tho
March 17, 2020
Considered giving it a 3 star rating but then I wrote my review and I knocked it down to 2.
I enjoyed the first book in this series well enough to want to pick up the sequel. The character of Sophia was intriguing enough in the first book that I was moderately excited to pick this one up. I don't think my excitement had changed the way I have experienced this book, sadly it was a let down.
Let me start with the thing that bothers me the most: I really think that, based on the 4 stories I have read by this author so far (2 full novels, 2 short stories), Tessa Dare should never ever write about animals again.
In 2 of the 4 things that I have read by her, animals are being killed. And in both cases were a) unnecessary details, b) unnecessary cruelty, and c) it didn't serve the plot in whatever way.
One of the two cases that I have read so far is in this particular book. And no Mrs Dare, telling your readers in the acknowledgements that it wasn't a dolphin but just a regular fish and that no dolphins were hurt writing this book hahaha is NOT funny and it does NOT change the fact that you felt the need to describe how a fish is fighting for it's life while being stuck on a harpoon while our "heroine" feels the need to extent it's suffering by being a freaking idiot.
Call me weak or emotional or whatever you want, I do not accept animal cruelty in something that should give me good feelings, like a historical romance. That particular scene left me extremely nauseous and very pissed off.
That one scene has pushed me into giving it 2 stars. The rest of the book was a 3 star at its best in my opinion. The characters were okay, the setting was okay, the romance was okay, the plot was okay. Everything was just okay.
The characters didn't jump of the page with their personality, the setting had some exciting moments but most of it was a bit more dull (walking on the ship, up and down stairs, in and out of a cabin again and again and again), the romance was fine in the beginning but quickly started to get annoying (how often can we get characters to go in the same circle again and again? I like you but I have a secret that I can't share-> You won't tell me your secret I will walk away and hurt you and then come back and ask you about your secret -> go back to the beginning of this sentence). The whole secret of Sophia was milked and milked and then milked some more until nothing came out but still the characters had to continue doing their little dance. Annoying AF.
Basically, nothing sparkled or shone in this book for me. And when we finally met Bel, our mc for the next and final instalment in this series... I just feel more apprehension because I do not like religion in my books. That, combined with my experience reading this book... I don't know if I should see the conclusion as a band-aid that I need to rip-off ASAP to get it over with or if I should avoid it like the plague until I can no longer.
If you have read this far in my frustrated ramble, I'm sorry and thank you for reading. I would love to hear about your experiences with this author. I want to love her work, maybe I just did it the wrong way by picking up an older series by her?
I enjoyed the first book in this series well enough to want to pick up the sequel. The character of Sophia was intriguing enough in the first book that I was moderately excited to pick this one up. I don't think my excitement had changed the way I have experienced this book, sadly it was a let down.
Let me start with the thing that bothers me the most: I really think that, based on the 4 stories I have read by this author so far (2 full novels, 2 short stories), Tessa Dare should never ever write about animals again.
In 2 of the 4 things that I have read by her, animals are being killed. And in both cases were a) unnecessary details, b) unnecessary cruelty, and c) it didn't serve the plot in whatever way.
One of the two cases that I have read so far is in this particular book. And no Mrs Dare, telling your readers in the acknowledgements that it wasn't a dolphin but just a regular fish and that no dolphins were hurt writing this book hahaha is NOT funny and it does NOT change the fact that you felt the need to describe how a fish is fighting for it's life while being stuck on a harpoon while our "heroine" feels the need to extent it's suffering by being a freaking idiot.
Call me weak or emotional or whatever you want, I do not accept animal cruelty in something that should give me good feelings, like a historical romance. That particular scene left me extremely nauseous and very pissed off.
That one scene has pushed me into giving it 2 stars. The rest of the book was a 3 star at its best in my opinion. The characters were okay, the setting was okay, the romance was okay, the plot was okay. Everything was just okay.
The characters didn't jump of the page with their personality, the setting had some exciting moments but most of it was a bit more dull (walking on the ship, up and down stairs, in and out of a cabin again and again and again), the romance was fine in the beginning but quickly started to get annoying (how often can we get characters to go in the same circle again and again? I like you but I have a secret that I can't share-> You won't tell me your secret I will walk away and hurt you and then come back and ask you about your secret -> go back to the beginning of this sentence). The whole secret of Sophia was milked and milked and then milked some more until nothing came out but still the characters had to continue doing their little dance. Annoying AF.
Basically, nothing sparkled or shone in this book for me. And when we finally met Bel, our mc for the next and final instalment in this series... I just feel more apprehension because I do not like religion in my books. That, combined with my experience reading this book... I don't know if I should see the conclusion as a band-aid that I need to rip-off ASAP to get it over with or if I should avoid it like the plague until I can no longer.
If you have read this far in my frustrated ramble, I'm sorry and thank you for reading. I would love to hear about your experiences with this author. I want to love her work, maybe I just did it the wrong way by picking up an older series by her?
October 23, 2019
I'm rounding up a little.
This historical romance revolves around two original, well-crafted characters. Both, and perhaps Sophia more than Gray, have definite flaws, but we sympathize with and in some ways admire both. Their mutual attraction is convincing, and the (literally and figuratively) tempestuous progress of their relationship held my interest. In particular, there was one scene whose suspense went well beyond such stakes as reputation, portable property, or fortune -- and Dare handled it superbly.
I enjoyed many of the secondary characters as well, from those I would have liked to protect to those I would have happily tossed overboard.
For my taste, there were too many -- an intrusive number of -- explicit sex scenes. What's more, by far the most erotic scene (IMHO) includes none of these, but is instead the Regency shipboard equivalent of phone sex.
This historical romance revolves around two original, well-crafted characters. Both, and perhaps Sophia more than Gray, have definite flaws, but we sympathize with and in some ways admire both. Their mutual attraction is convincing, and the (literally and figuratively) tempestuous progress of their relationship held my interest. In particular, there was one scene whose suspense went well beyond such stakes as reputation, portable property, or fortune -- and Dare handled it superbly.
I enjoyed many of the secondary characters as well, from those I would have liked to protect to those I would have happily tossed overboard.
For my taste, there were too many -- an intrusive number of -- explicit sex scenes. What's more, by far the most erotic scene (IMHO) includes none of these, but is instead the Regency shipboard equivalent of phone sex.
April 10, 2022
A Regency, in DTB format.
Sophia, a betrothed heiress, left England & hitched a ride
on a merchant ship. She posed as a governess w/ a new job
in the West Indies. Benedict, known as Gray, a former
privateer now owned the merchant ship. He installed his
half-brother as captain, after Gray cheated bro twice of his
inheritance portion. Gray-not hero material.
Sophia and Gray did not act their chronological ages:
nearly 21 & nearly 32. Sophia cried too often & ignored
numerous orders to go below deck when danger beck-
oned. She demonstrated TSTL tendencies. Gray wor-
shipped money & the h's beauty. It took Gray a fair amt
of time to acknowledge his errors and to make amends.
Charm + looks, but w/o character= an empty man.
I did not find the book as romantic as the cover blurb
indicated. In a way, the MCs deserved each other.
Sophia, a betrothed heiress, left England & hitched a ride
on a merchant ship. She posed as a governess w/ a new job
in the West Indies. Benedict, known as Gray, a former
privateer now owned the merchant ship. He installed his
half-brother as captain, after Gray cheated bro twice of his
inheritance portion. Gray-not hero material.
Sophia and Gray did not act their chronological ages:
nearly 21 & nearly 32. Sophia cried too often & ignored
numerous orders to go below deck when danger beck-
oned. She demonstrated TSTL tendencies. Gray wor-
shipped money & the h's beauty. It took Gray a fair amt
of time to acknowledge his errors and to make amends.
Charm + looks, but w/o character= an empty man.
I did not find the book as romantic as the cover blurb
indicated. In a way, the MCs deserved each other.
October 13, 2014
Yes, I liked it, but I didn't loved it like the other Ms. Dare's books.
Why?
Because I thought Sophia lied too much about everything!
I could understand the lies at the beginning when she didn't know Gray from Adam, but I hated her when she continued and kept on and on... even when Gray professed his love, when he said that she was the One and Only for him!
And I didn't understand why she didn't wanted to stop lying!! Why, for God's sake, why???
All the other stars are for Gray who was a really nice alpha male without being overbearing. I loved his desire to prove himself something other than a privateer; a honest and trustworthy man!
Still it was a good book, but not excellent!
Why?
Because I thought Sophia lied too much about everything!
I could understand the lies at the beginning when she didn't know Gray from Adam, but I hated her when she continued and kept on and on... even when Gray professed his love, when he said that she was the One and Only for him!
And I didn't understand why she didn't wanted to stop lying!! Why, for God's sake, why???
All the other stars are for Gray who was a really nice alpha male without being overbearing. I loved his desire to prove himself something other than a privateer; a honest and trustworthy man!
Still it was a good book, but not excellent!
April 18, 2017
This was ludicrous. Society Heiress gets tired of being perfect and ladylike so she steals her own money and runs away, buying passage on a ship full of privateers who all fall chastely in love with her -- except for the pirate captain! He falls not-so-chastely in love with her. She does a lot of pornographic drawings, the ship is full of goats, the word "tumescent" does not appear.
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