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Coastal Carolina #1
The First Step
The first step is the hardest. After a scandal, New York political reporter Reed Barfield is lying low at the North Carolina coast, writing a story about the seafood industry. But it’s the harbor pilots on the Cape Fear River who capture his interest—men who jump across ten feet of open ocean to grab a rope ladder and guide huge container ships into port. Men like sexy but prickly Justin Vance.
After surviving an abusive childhood and a tour in the Navy, Justin isn’t fazed by his dangerous job—it’s certainly easier to face than Reed’s annoying questions. Justin isn’t out at work, and he doesn’t need Reed digging into his personal life or his past.
But Reed’s no stranger to using his considerable charm to get what he wants, and as he wears Justin down, they realize they have a lot in common—and that they like spending time together. Moving beyond that, though, will mean Justin confessing his sexuality and learning to trust Reed with his secrets—if Reed even decides to stay. Both men want a future together, but can they find the courage to take the first step?
After surviving an abusive childhood and a tour in the Navy, Justin isn’t fazed by his dangerous job—it’s certainly easier to face than Reed’s annoying questions. Justin isn’t out at work, and he doesn’t need Reed digging into his personal life or his past.
But Reed’s no stranger to using his considerable charm to get what he wants, and as he wears Justin down, they realize they have a lot in common—and that they like spending time together. Moving beyond that, though, will mean Justin confessing his sexuality and learning to trust Reed with his secrets—if Reed even decides to stay. Both men want a future together, but can they find the courage to take the first step?
234 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2019
32 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Shira Anthony
43 books427 followersShira Anthony is a complete sucker for a happily-ever-after, and rarely reads or writes a story without one. Never a fan of instalove, Shira likes to write stories about real men with real issues making real relationships work.
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Series is loosely based upon her own experiences as a professional musician.
Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.
Interested in hearing Shira sing? Here's a link to a live performance of Shira singing an aria from Puccini's "Tosca": http://www.shiraanthony.com/wp-conten...
You can subscribe to Shira's monthly newsletter for updates, free fiction, and subscriber-only contests here: http://www.shiraanthony.com/newsletter/
In her last incarnation, Shira was a professional opera singer, performing roles in such operas as “Tosca,” “Pagliacci,” and “La Traviata,” among others. Her Blue Notes Series is loosely based upon her own experiences as a professional musician.
Shira is married with two children and two insane dogs and when she’s not writing, she is usually in a courtroom trying to make the world safer for children. When she’s not working, she can be found aboard a 36’ catamaran at the Carolina coast with her favorite sexy captain at the wheel. She’s given up TV for evenings spent with her laptop, and she never goes anywhere without a pile of unread M/M romance on her Kindle.
Interested in hearing Shira sing? Here's a link to a live performance of Shira singing an aria from Puccini's "Tosca": http://www.shiraanthony.com/wp-conten...
You can subscribe to Shira's monthly newsletter for updates, free fiction, and subscriber-only contests here: http://www.shiraanthony.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 16, 2019
My first from this author : I quite enjoyed the writing. Likeable characters, nice slow burn romance with a very interesting background.
Justin is a river pilot, meaning he guides ships into our out the port of a North Carolina. Reed, a New York reporter sent in North Carolina on a temporary assignment, is intrigued by this activity and get the approval to write a piece about this activity and tags along with Justin. This is not love at first sight, quite the contrary : Justin is a bit annoyed by the attention, both are warry about relationships and anyway, Reed is down there only for a bit. However, Reed is persistent to learn more about Justin, they discover a shared passion for boat sealing and bit by bit, they let their guard down, while a hurricane is coming along the coast.
I liked both characters and of course, I was glad to get my HEA, but that said, the romance was a bit underdeveloped or maybe “too quiet” for my taste, so I was not swept out of my feet. However, I was nicely invested with the background of the story. I like to learn tidbits through fiction which I got from the ship’s guiding and the preparations to deal with the hurricane. It didn’t overwhelmed the romance but it caught my interest.
All in all, an interesting read.
ARC of “The first step” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Justin is a river pilot, meaning he guides ships into our out the port of a North Carolina. Reed, a New York reporter sent in North Carolina on a temporary assignment, is intrigued by this activity and get the approval to write a piece about this activity and tags along with Justin. This is not love at first sight, quite the contrary : Justin is a bit annoyed by the attention, both are warry about relationships and anyway, Reed is down there only for a bit. However, Reed is persistent to learn more about Justin, they discover a shared passion for boat sealing and bit by bit, they let their guard down, while a hurricane is coming along the coast.
I liked both characters and of course, I was glad to get my HEA, but that said, the romance was a bit underdeveloped or maybe “too quiet” for my taste, so I was not swept out of my feet. However, I was nicely invested with the background of the story. I like to learn tidbits through fiction which I got from the ship’s guiding and the preparations to deal with the hurricane. It didn’t overwhelmed the romance but it caught my interest.
All in all, an interesting read.
ARC of “The first step” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 15, 2020
Got nothing from this; the characters go from distrust to sudden attraction and a date. Justin is taciturn to the point he gives absolutely nothing away, if he has a personality he guards it well, though we learn from another he has the standard troubled childhood. Reed appears to be constantly endangering himself, I'm not sure if this is due to negligance or not because I don't know anything about sailing and this book doesn't bring it alive. It's hard to feel concerned about a character when you don't understand what's happening. His fake 'charming' smiles bugged me and it seems he too was bullied as a child.
There's no connection between characters, the village and boat life don't feel real and knowing the footage of a sailboat means nothing to me.
DNF - at 50% there was nothing to read for.
There's no connection between characters, the village and boat life don't feel real and knowing the footage of a sailboat means nothing to me.
DNF - at 50% there was nothing to read for.
September 20, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
For a book with a lot happening and a lot of action, there’s not much of the plot I can talk about without talking about the entire book. It’s not that there’s a twist ending or a dramatic reveal; instead, this book is a slow burn of a story about two men who fall into bed one night only to realize they’re very slowly falling in love with one another.
As Reed thinks to himself while getting to know Justin, “lonely knows lonely.” The two men are both driven and focused, both are stubborn, both are quick to give help and uncomfortable receiving it, and both are so very, very lonely. Reed may know a lot of people and have more than a few friends, but even after being released from jail or the hospital, he always comes home to an empty apartment. He’s used to being charming, to getting along, and to getting the subjects of his interviews to open up to him, but no one seems to care enough to ask Reed what’s on his mind or what he’s feeling beneath the blithe smile and careless words. Until Justin does.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
For a book with a lot happening and a lot of action, there’s not much of the plot I can talk about without talking about the entire book. It’s not that there’s a twist ending or a dramatic reveal; instead, this book is a slow burn of a story about two men who fall into bed one night only to realize they’re very slowly falling in love with one another.
As Reed thinks to himself while getting to know Justin, “lonely knows lonely.” The two men are both driven and focused, both are stubborn, both are quick to give help and uncomfortable receiving it, and both are so very, very lonely. Reed may know a lot of people and have more than a few friends, but even after being released from jail or the hospital, he always comes home to an empty apartment. He’s used to being charming, to getting along, and to getting the subjects of his interviews to open up to him, but no one seems to care enough to ask Reed what’s on his mind or what he’s feeling beneath the blithe smile and careless words. Until Justin does.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
September 25, 2019
The first step is the hardest. After a scandal, New York political reporter Reed Barfield is lying low at the North Carolina coast, writing a story about the seafood industry. But it’s the harbor pilots on the Cape Fear River who capture his interest—men who jump across ten feet of open ocean to grab a rope ladder and guide huge container ships into port. Men like sexy but prickly Justin Vance.
After surviving an abusive childhood and a tour in the Navy, Justin isn’t fazed by his dangerous job—it’s certainly easier to face than Reed’s annoying questions. Justin isn’t out at work, and he doesn’t need Reed digging into his personal life or his past.
But Reed’s no stranger to using his considerable charm to get what he wants, and as he wears Justin down, they realize they have a lot in common—and that they like spending time together. Moving beyond that, though, will mean Justin confessing his sexuality and learning to trust Reed with his secrets—if Reed even decides to stay. Both men want a future together, but can they find the courage to take the first step?
Review:
Dear Shira Anthony,
I remembered a m/m suspense book of yours which I loved few years back and a short f/f story I read more recently on recommendation of DA Janine. When I saw your name on this book I checked out the blurb and I ended up really liking it.
I always appreciate when the guys in m/m book do some interesting things for a living and it is based on the real world. I did hear about harbor pilots/river pilots before, but basically I just knew that sometimes local mariners help the big ships come to their harbors. I did not even know that they are called pilots and I had no idea that their jobs could be very dangerous. Well paid, but also very dangerous.
Blurb gives you a good set up. Reed is trying to write a story about seafood industry in the small town of North Carolina because his editor in New York promised that this would help Reed get his new York job back. By the way, I am not sure what other readers would think about what kind of scandal Reed was involved back in NY ( and I will not tell you), however it was not what I was expecting at all and my opinion of Reed did not change after I learned what happened.
Reed meets Justin when Reed got a little bit too concentrated on taking pictures for his story about seafood industry out in the sea and could have gotten himself hurt. Reed observes Justin doing his thing and decides that he wants to do human interest story about harbor pilots and specifically about Justin. With his charm and connections Reed gets Justin's boss to convince Justin to talk to him. Too bad Justin is not very talkative :).
“Reed smiled again. “I don’t know much about boats, so I figured I’d go to the source.” In his experience, playing dumb and asking for help usually resulted in people opening up and telling him everything they knew. It was human nature to feel good about knowing more than someone else, not to mention people enjoyed being helpful. Not Justin.
“Okay. And?” Reed’s cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling, and it clearly had no effect on the guy. “And I was hoping to find someone who could tell me about the Vanguard.” As attractive as Justin was, he wasn’t a conversationalist. Reed needed to find someone else to speak with. “What about her?” Justin asked. “She’s pretty big, right?” Oh, that was just brilliant! Justin didn’t seem to mind the lame question. “She’s one of the larger ships around.””
I really liked the initial banter between the men, I also liked that the author gave Justin a very good reason to not initially feel very friendly towards Reese. He could have gotten hurt and Justin could have run into serious problems at his job if it would happen.
““Wait a minute.” Justin’s expression morphed from mild irritation to open hostility. “Are you the idiot we nearly rammed coming into port?” “I wasn’t exactly driving—I mean, captaining the—” Justin grabbed him by the collar and shook him, his face red with fury.
“Do you know how lucky you are you weren’t killed? If I hadn’t figured you were too stupid to respond to my hail and get the hell out of the way, you and your boat would have been toast.” Reed tried to pull Justin’s hands away, without much luck. The guy was as strong as he looked. “Whoa. Justin. Calm down.””
***
““Justin?” Greg wore a you’d-better-damn-well-behave expression. “Mr. Barfield’s here to do a story.” “Did he tell you he nearly was the story?” Justin snapped. Greg frowned. “I get the impression I’m missing something here.” “It was entirely my fault,” Reed said, to his credit. “I was out on the water taking some photos of a shrimp boat, and I didn’t see the container ship coming.””
Reed is a genuinely good guy however and manages to win Justin over who sees that Reed is just as passionate about his work as Justin is and did not mean to put his life in danger when they just met.
The story spans across three or four weeks ( I think closer to three), but the author managed to write a slow burn romance and I was very pleased about it. She mixed slow burn romance with the constant sense of danger due to the fact that Justin steps into potential danger almost every time he goes to work and I thought it made for a very fun setting.
I liked that both men mostly behaved as adults . There were couple of mini conflicts between them which made sense because it happened for plausible reasons, and even if conflicts did not make sense, I would have forgiven it since the men met only recently and didn't necessarily know what makes each other tick yet and how to avoid it. I thought they avoided stupid melodrama in their communications and I was pleased.
I just thought this book was very well written and Reed and Justin had a shot at a great future.
Grade: B+
After surviving an abusive childhood and a tour in the Navy, Justin isn’t fazed by his dangerous job—it’s certainly easier to face than Reed’s annoying questions. Justin isn’t out at work, and he doesn’t need Reed digging into his personal life or his past.
But Reed’s no stranger to using his considerable charm to get what he wants, and as he wears Justin down, they realize they have a lot in common—and that they like spending time together. Moving beyond that, though, will mean Justin confessing his sexuality and learning to trust Reed with his secrets—if Reed even decides to stay. Both men want a future together, but can they find the courage to take the first step?
Review:
Dear Shira Anthony,
I remembered a m/m suspense book of yours which I loved few years back and a short f/f story I read more recently on recommendation of DA Janine. When I saw your name on this book I checked out the blurb and I ended up really liking it.
I always appreciate when the guys in m/m book do some interesting things for a living and it is based on the real world. I did hear about harbor pilots/river pilots before, but basically I just knew that sometimes local mariners help the big ships come to their harbors. I did not even know that they are called pilots and I had no idea that their jobs could be very dangerous. Well paid, but also very dangerous.
Blurb gives you a good set up. Reed is trying to write a story about seafood industry in the small town of North Carolina because his editor in New York promised that this would help Reed get his new York job back. By the way, I am not sure what other readers would think about what kind of scandal Reed was involved back in NY ( and I will not tell you), however it was not what I was expecting at all and my opinion of Reed did not change after I learned what happened.
Reed meets Justin when Reed got a little bit too concentrated on taking pictures for his story about seafood industry out in the sea and could have gotten himself hurt. Reed observes Justin doing his thing and decides that he wants to do human interest story about harbor pilots and specifically about Justin. With his charm and connections Reed gets Justin's boss to convince Justin to talk to him. Too bad Justin is not very talkative :).
“Reed smiled again. “I don’t know much about boats, so I figured I’d go to the source.” In his experience, playing dumb and asking for help usually resulted in people opening up and telling him everything they knew. It was human nature to feel good about knowing more than someone else, not to mention people enjoyed being helpful. Not Justin.
“Okay. And?” Reed’s cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling, and it clearly had no effect on the guy. “And I was hoping to find someone who could tell me about the Vanguard.” As attractive as Justin was, he wasn’t a conversationalist. Reed needed to find someone else to speak with. “What about her?” Justin asked. “She’s pretty big, right?” Oh, that was just brilliant! Justin didn’t seem to mind the lame question. “She’s one of the larger ships around.””
I really liked the initial banter between the men, I also liked that the author gave Justin a very good reason to not initially feel very friendly towards Reese. He could have gotten hurt and Justin could have run into serious problems at his job if it would happen.
““Wait a minute.” Justin’s expression morphed from mild irritation to open hostility. “Are you the idiot we nearly rammed coming into port?” “I wasn’t exactly driving—I mean, captaining the—” Justin grabbed him by the collar and shook him, his face red with fury.
“Do you know how lucky you are you weren’t killed? If I hadn’t figured you were too stupid to respond to my hail and get the hell out of the way, you and your boat would have been toast.” Reed tried to pull Justin’s hands away, without much luck. The guy was as strong as he looked. “Whoa. Justin. Calm down.””
***
““Justin?” Greg wore a you’d-better-damn-well-behave expression. “Mr. Barfield’s here to do a story.” “Did he tell you he nearly was the story?” Justin snapped. Greg frowned. “I get the impression I’m missing something here.” “It was entirely my fault,” Reed said, to his credit. “I was out on the water taking some photos of a shrimp boat, and I didn’t see the container ship coming.””
Reed is a genuinely good guy however and manages to win Justin over who sees that Reed is just as passionate about his work as Justin is and did not mean to put his life in danger when they just met.
The story spans across three or four weeks ( I think closer to three), but the author managed to write a slow burn romance and I was very pleased about it. She mixed slow burn romance with the constant sense of danger due to the fact that Justin steps into potential danger almost every time he goes to work and I thought it made for a very fun setting.
I liked that both men mostly behaved as adults . There were couple of mini conflicts between them which made sense because it happened for plausible reasons, and even if conflicts did not make sense, I would have forgiven it since the men met only recently and didn't necessarily know what makes each other tick yet and how to avoid it. I thought they avoided stupid melodrama in their communications and I was pleased.
I just thought this book was very well written and Reed and Justin had a shot at a great future.
Grade: B+
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
A small town Sea Pilot (Justin) and New York Journalist (Reed) almost crash into each other on the water. There starts a delicious enemies to lovers story which has depth, emotion and an action packed ending.
Reed has worked hard to become a political correspondent, but after getting into a fight on the job, he's punished by being sent to North Carolina to do a story on Sea Pilots.
Due to his job and fear of rejection from his colleagues, Justin is in the closet and tries hard to fight his attraction to Reed, but as they're forced to spend more time together, Justin opens up and learns to trust again.
When a hurricane is predicted, Reed is asked to stay longer and cover the storm, leading to an exciting ending. Not quite enough for 5 stars but I would happily read it again.
Reed has worked hard to become a political correspondent, but after getting into a fight on the job, he's punished by being sent to North Carolina to do a story on Sea Pilots.
Due to his job and fear of rejection from his colleagues, Justin is in the closet and tries hard to fight his attraction to Reed, but as they're forced to spend more time together, Justin opens up and learns to trust again.
When a hurricane is predicted, Reed is asked to stay longer and cover the storm, leading to an exciting ending. Not quite enough for 5 stars but I would happily read it again.
September 18, 2019
I have sailed on the Cape Fear River, and I've had to watch for hurricane debris as we motored along to a destination. Container ships up close are huge and I've been passed by many as we sailed along from Wilmington. I've seen the pilot boats pass by at night going to and from the big container ships. I've ridden out two hurricanes in inland North Carolina-far away from the Coast, but still in the destructive path.
With that in mind, the novel, The First Step nails all the key points about life coastal life surrounding a hurricane, sailing, and ship pilots. What is even more spot on, is the telling of the tale of Justin Vance, Ship Pilot, and Reed Barfield, Disgraced Ace News Reporter's tale. Both have first steps they need to take--and not all of them have to do with their jobs. We meet Reed as he is getting taking photos of shrimp boats for an environmental piece he was tasked to do as penance for a physical meet and greet with a hot shot politico's rabid supporter. He nearly gets plowed into by a huge container ship, and is pulled to safety--just barely. Now we get to meet Justin--the pilot on that container ship tasked to pull it into port, and he is none-too-pleased with meeting the man who nearly cost him his job.
I loved this enemies-to-lovers story that takes us from the high stakes and nerve-wracking job of a ship's pilot--the guns for hire to get the boast safely from the ocean through the rivers to the port to load and unload cargo to the prep for a hurricane hit. Reed and Justin's relationship is always on edge--just like the first step from the pilot boat to the ladder on the container ship in high seas, or the career that awaits Reed back in New York.
I read this book while Hurricane Dorian was trying to make up it's mind to hit Florida or the Carolinas, and it kept me engaged the whole time--picturing all the prep that goes into preparing structures and people for Mother Nature's ocean fury. The writing is on point, and the story is filled with little tells that Ms. Anthony would only know if she sailed in that area of the North Carolina coast. Her love of the coast and sailing shows with each page, as they are as much a character of the book as Reed and Justin, and the storytelling is that much richer for it. It serves as not only as a backdrop, but a means to have the two get together in a meaningful way with fascination and awe of each other's profession and love of the water.
Play list for this book may generate a chuckle or two, maybe because they are obvious choices:
The first song is Rock the Boat by The Hues Corporation immediately came to mind in the opening sequence. It also happens a few of my favorite bands, recent and in the past have songs about hurricanes that sprang to the fore: Hurricane by Panic! At the Disco and Rock You Like a Hurricane by the Scorpions, both for the rocking of the relationship, and Neil Young's song Like a Hurricane performed by Roxy Music (love this song for the Roxy Music vibe, which I think matches the story).
I asked for and received the advanced copy of this book to review.
Enjoy!
With that in mind, the novel, The First Step nails all the key points about life coastal life surrounding a hurricane, sailing, and ship pilots. What is even more spot on, is the telling of the tale of Justin Vance, Ship Pilot, and Reed Barfield, Disgraced Ace News Reporter's tale. Both have first steps they need to take--and not all of them have to do with their jobs. We meet Reed as he is getting taking photos of shrimp boats for an environmental piece he was tasked to do as penance for a physical meet and greet with a hot shot politico's rabid supporter. He nearly gets plowed into by a huge container ship, and is pulled to safety--just barely. Now we get to meet Justin--the pilot on that container ship tasked to pull it into port, and he is none-too-pleased with meeting the man who nearly cost him his job.
I loved this enemies-to-lovers story that takes us from the high stakes and nerve-wracking job of a ship's pilot--the guns for hire to get the boast safely from the ocean through the rivers to the port to load and unload cargo to the prep for a hurricane hit. Reed and Justin's relationship is always on edge--just like the first step from the pilot boat to the ladder on the container ship in high seas, or the career that awaits Reed back in New York.
I read this book while Hurricane Dorian was trying to make up it's mind to hit Florida or the Carolinas, and it kept me engaged the whole time--picturing all the prep that goes into preparing structures and people for Mother Nature's ocean fury. The writing is on point, and the story is filled with little tells that Ms. Anthony would only know if she sailed in that area of the North Carolina coast. Her love of the coast and sailing shows with each page, as they are as much a character of the book as Reed and Justin, and the storytelling is that much richer for it. It serves as not only as a backdrop, but a means to have the two get together in a meaningful way with fascination and awe of each other's profession and love of the water.
Play list for this book may generate a chuckle or two, maybe because they are obvious choices:
The first song is Rock the Boat by The Hues Corporation immediately came to mind in the opening sequence. It also happens a few of my favorite bands, recent and in the past have songs about hurricanes that sprang to the fore: Hurricane by Panic! At the Disco and Rock You Like a Hurricane by the Scorpions, both for the rocking of the relationship, and Neil Young's song Like a Hurricane performed by Roxy Music (love this song for the Roxy Music vibe, which I think matches the story).
I asked for and received the advanced copy of this book to review.
Enjoy!
September 11, 2019
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is such an exciting romantic read. I loved learning about the harbour pilots and I found myself completely fascinated with both Reed and Justin’s lives. Add in a hurricane and a fabulous North Carolina setting and I completely devoured this book. For me, this is the perfect mix of romance and action and I really loved the characters in this story.
Most of this story is told from Reed’s perspective and I love that he’s a bit of a hot mess, especially at the start. He’s got great reporter instincts but very little sense of self-preservation. He’s easy to love but he takes a few too many risks. In contrast, Justin works an incredibly dangerous job but everything about his life is carefully controlled. These two balance each other beautifully. I like that they’re both a bit older than the usual romantic leads and I love the slow burn, relatively low heat romance that simmers between them.
As always, Shira Anthony’s research is wonderful. I learned so much about Justin’s job and life in North Carolina. So while the romance is a gentle slide, there is so much action in this story. I was hooked from the start and I really enjoyed the read.
This is such an exciting romantic read. I loved learning about the harbour pilots and I found myself completely fascinated with both Reed and Justin’s lives. Add in a hurricane and a fabulous North Carolina setting and I completely devoured this book. For me, this is the perfect mix of romance and action and I really loved the characters in this story.
Most of this story is told from Reed’s perspective and I love that he’s a bit of a hot mess, especially at the start. He’s got great reporter instincts but very little sense of self-preservation. He’s easy to love but he takes a few too many risks. In contrast, Justin works an incredibly dangerous job but everything about his life is carefully controlled. These two balance each other beautifully. I like that they’re both a bit older than the usual romantic leads and I love the slow burn, relatively low heat romance that simmers between them.
As always, Shira Anthony’s research is wonderful. I learned so much about Justin’s job and life in North Carolina. So while the romance is a gentle slide, there is so much action in this story. I was hooked from the start and I really enjoyed the read.
April 21, 2021
This is a slow burn romance set against a background of the sea. One of the MCs is a pilot--a boat pilot--a skilled, dangerous job whether the sea is calm or rough. He's part of a team who jump from little boats to the big vessels he brings safely into harbour from the open sea. The second MC is a disgraced reporter on a forced sabbatical from his sexy New York news position. He's supposed to be writing an article about the seafood industry, but he becomes fascinated with the river pilots and their job. Justin, the pilot, isn't out at work and their relationship grows against the background of each of the men's past and insecurities.
I don't usually get grabbed by stories where the romance is the main driver, but this had me from the start with its description of coastal life and the push and pull between the two MC's personalities. The coastal setting is a personality in its own right, creating danger and tension that defines their relationship. I really enjoyed it.
I don't usually get grabbed by stories where the romance is the main driver, but this had me from the start with its description of coastal life and the push and pull between the two MC's personalities. The coastal setting is a personality in its own right, creating danger and tension that defines their relationship. I really enjoyed it.
June 2, 2020
Voilà un pitch qui ne met pas vraiment en valeur les atouts de ce roman… Au contraire de ce que l’on pourrait penser à la lecture de cette intro, « Premier pas » n’a rien d’une romance banale, transposée dans un univers un peu « spécifique », juste pour offrir la pointe d’originalité indispensable.
Shira Anthony a su parfaitement renouveler ce qui peut être considéré comme un choc culturel entre deux personnages issus de milieux très différents et cela, sans tomber dans les clichés habituels à ce genre d’improbables rencontres.
Tout d’abord, Reed Barfield, un journaliste en délicatesse avec la sphère politique où il évolue d’ordinaire et qui se voit envoyé dans un lieu paumé pour un reportage a priori sans envergure. La première caractéristique du personnage est d’être un véritable professionnel, à la fois enquêteur et photographe : il ne se limite pas à des bribes susceptibles d’offrir un scoop, et travaille au contraire son sujet à fond… Alors, oui, Reed est curieux, peut-être un peu fouineur, mais il sait aussi où s’arrêter. Une très bonne surprise ce personnage : intuitif, honnête, capable de se fourrer dans les difficultés, de se mettre en danger sans le réaliser. Chanceux, il va croiser à plusieurs reprises un « bon » et très séduisant samaritain : Justin Vance. L’homme, doté d’un sale caractère, n’apprécie pas qu’un inconnu l’étudie de trop près. Passionné par son métier de pilote, immergé dans cette activité qui l’expose au danger à chaque sortie en mer, Justin dissimule aussi des failles.
Et bien sûr, mis en présence de Justin l’irascible, Reed l’intrépide va s’intéresser à ce métier de pilote, exercé dans des conditions parfois extrêmes. S’accrocher à une simple échelle de corde pour grimper sur un énorme navire et le guider dans des eaux difficiles, réclame plus que des nerfs d’acier. Sommé par sa hiérarchie de coopérer avec le journaliste, Justin ne lui facilitera pas la tâche et les entretiens donneront lieu à de savoureux échanges. Rien qui puisse décourager un journaliste de la trempe de Reed.
Comme dans toute romance qui se respecte, l’attirance entre les deux hommes va s’affirmer, mais en douceur, sans précipitation. La retenue de Reed, la pudeur de Justin, des aspects qui offrent du relief à des personnages pas exempts de sensualité, qui sauront tout d’abord faire taire des envies primaires pour construire une relation sur des bases saines.
Shira Anthony est parvenu à déployer un décor crédible, un environnement riche, avec des personnages secondaires intéressants et des situations stressantes, décrites sans fausses notes. L’auteure se sera sans aucun doute appuyée sur de solides recherches et les exploite avec finesse pour nous proposer, entre autres, la découverte d’un milieu peu connu.
L’on achève ce roman avec le sourire, une forte envie de grands espaces, d’embruns, d’air marin, de soleil, mais aussi la conscience que face à la puissance de l’océan, un homme n’est rien qu’un fétu de paille.
À noter une traduction tout à fait correcte qui valorise le texte, mais une couverture pas assez en correspondance avec l’histoire : elle aurait gagné à plus de luminosité.
Claire
Shira Anthony a su parfaitement renouveler ce qui peut être considéré comme un choc culturel entre deux personnages issus de milieux très différents et cela, sans tomber dans les clichés habituels à ce genre d’improbables rencontres.
Tout d’abord, Reed Barfield, un journaliste en délicatesse avec la sphère politique où il évolue d’ordinaire et qui se voit envoyé dans un lieu paumé pour un reportage a priori sans envergure. La première caractéristique du personnage est d’être un véritable professionnel, à la fois enquêteur et photographe : il ne se limite pas à des bribes susceptibles d’offrir un scoop, et travaille au contraire son sujet à fond… Alors, oui, Reed est curieux, peut-être un peu fouineur, mais il sait aussi où s’arrêter. Une très bonne surprise ce personnage : intuitif, honnête, capable de se fourrer dans les difficultés, de se mettre en danger sans le réaliser. Chanceux, il va croiser à plusieurs reprises un « bon » et très séduisant samaritain : Justin Vance. L’homme, doté d’un sale caractère, n’apprécie pas qu’un inconnu l’étudie de trop près. Passionné par son métier de pilote, immergé dans cette activité qui l’expose au danger à chaque sortie en mer, Justin dissimule aussi des failles.
Et bien sûr, mis en présence de Justin l’irascible, Reed l’intrépide va s’intéresser à ce métier de pilote, exercé dans des conditions parfois extrêmes. S’accrocher à une simple échelle de corde pour grimper sur un énorme navire et le guider dans des eaux difficiles, réclame plus que des nerfs d’acier. Sommé par sa hiérarchie de coopérer avec le journaliste, Justin ne lui facilitera pas la tâche et les entretiens donneront lieu à de savoureux échanges. Rien qui puisse décourager un journaliste de la trempe de Reed.
Comme dans toute romance qui se respecte, l’attirance entre les deux hommes va s’affirmer, mais en douceur, sans précipitation. La retenue de Reed, la pudeur de Justin, des aspects qui offrent du relief à des personnages pas exempts de sensualité, qui sauront tout d’abord faire taire des envies primaires pour construire une relation sur des bases saines.
Shira Anthony est parvenu à déployer un décor crédible, un environnement riche, avec des personnages secondaires intéressants et des situations stressantes, décrites sans fausses notes. L’auteure se sera sans aucun doute appuyée sur de solides recherches et les exploite avec finesse pour nous proposer, entre autres, la découverte d’un milieu peu connu.
L’on achève ce roman avec le sourire, une forte envie de grands espaces, d’embruns, d’air marin, de soleil, mais aussi la conscience que face à la puissance de l’océan, un homme n’est rien qu’un fétu de paille.
À noter une traduction tout à fait correcte qui valorise le texte, mais une couverture pas assez en correspondance avec l’histoire : elle aurait gagné à plus de luminosité.
Claire
September 18, 2019
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase, just the first step.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
The last place Reed Barfield wants to return to is North Carolina, the state where he had a less than stellar childhood and could not wait to leave, but when he gets in trouble at his job, it seems like a safe place for his editor to send him in hopes that he can redeem himself and get his old job back. Reed expects it to be a boring, miserable trip, until me meets Justin Vance and immediately decides that he is one of the bravest, but most infuriating men he’s ever known.
As a reporter Reed is accustomed to breaking rules. When Justin first encounters him, Reed is trespassing; he is somewhere he is not supposed to be. Automatically this gets them off on the wrong foot. Justin notes that Reed is attractive, but when he turns up constantly, his persistent questions begin to annoy him. Justin is a private person who is deep in the closet. He doesn’t trust Reed or almost anyone else with his secrets. He is afraid if his coworkers know, they will look at him differently. If they no longer trust him, that may put him in danger. Justin needs the satisfaction his job affords him. He has spent years building himself back up after his abusive childhood tore him down. Yet, even now, Justin is never satisfied with his achievements; he feels as if he has to constantly prove himself.
Reed is supposed to be concentrating on what he considers to be an unimportant story, when he becomes enthralled with the men who pilot the huge tankers into port. Reed knows that he’s in no position to become involved with anyone, but there’s something intriguing about Justin that stirs up feelings he has not had for anyone before. Soon Reed realizes that there is infinitely more behind Justin’s one-word replies than he first thought. Through interviews with other people, Reed gets inside information about Justin that helps him begin to understand this enigmatic man but, instead of asking Justin directly, he waits until he is ready to tell him himself. Sooner than he expects, Justin begins to open up to him. Doing so is freeing to Justin. He realizes how much he’s been holding in and, even though he knows Reed will be leaving soon, he realizes that he is falling in love with him.
Shira has written an exciting, intense story, with excellent characters set in an amazing place. I’m not from North Carolina, but I grew up in a similar environment, in Tidewater, Virginia, just north of where her story takes place. Many of the men in my family made their lives on the water and had the same love and appreciation for it as the characters in Shira’s book. I was particularly enthralled with the part of the story explaining the pilots, especially the “first step” - jumping ten feet from a small boat to a gigantic ship in order to get it safely into port. I can hardly imagine the bravery it takes to do this job! Thanks, Shira, for sharing your love for the water with me, along with the invaluable information you portrayed in this story. Also, thanks for finding a middle ground for Justin and Reed. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The last place Reed Barfield wants to return to is North Carolina, the state where he had a less than stellar childhood and could not wait to leave, but when he gets in trouble at his job, it seems like a safe place for his editor to send him in hopes that he can redeem himself and get his old job back. Reed expects it to be a boring, miserable trip, until me meets Justin Vance and immediately decides that he is one of the bravest, but most infuriating men he’s ever known.
As a reporter Reed is accustomed to breaking rules. When Justin first encounters him, Reed is trespassing; he is somewhere he is not supposed to be. Automatically this gets them off on the wrong foot. Justin notes that Reed is attractive, but when he turns up constantly, his persistent questions begin to annoy him. Justin is a private person who is deep in the closet. He doesn’t trust Reed or almost anyone else with his secrets. He is afraid if his coworkers know, they will look at him differently. If they no longer trust him, that may put him in danger. Justin needs the satisfaction his job affords him. He has spent years building himself back up after his abusive childhood tore him down. Yet, even now, Justin is never satisfied with his achievements; he feels as if he has to constantly prove himself.
Reed is supposed to be concentrating on what he considers to be an unimportant story, when he becomes enthralled with the men who pilot the huge tankers into port. Reed knows that he’s in no position to become involved with anyone, but there’s something intriguing about Justin that stirs up feelings he has not had for anyone before. Soon Reed realizes that there is infinitely more behind Justin’s one-word replies than he first thought. Through interviews with other people, Reed gets inside information about Justin that helps him begin to understand this enigmatic man but, instead of asking Justin directly, he waits until he is ready to tell him himself. Sooner than he expects, Justin begins to open up to him. Doing so is freeing to Justin. He realizes how much he’s been holding in and, even though he knows Reed will be leaving soon, he realizes that he is falling in love with him.
Shira has written an exciting, intense story, with excellent characters set in an amazing place. I’m not from North Carolina, but I grew up in a similar environment, in Tidewater, Virginia, just north of where her story takes place. Many of the men in my family made their lives on the water and had the same love and appreciation for it as the characters in Shira’s book. I was particularly enthralled with the part of the story explaining the pilots, especially the “first step” - jumping ten feet from a small boat to a gigantic ship in order to get it safely into port. I can hardly imagine the bravery it takes to do this job! Thanks, Shira, for sharing your love for the water with me, along with the invaluable information you portrayed in this story. Also, thanks for finding a middle ground for Justin and Reed. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
September 17, 2019
The novel’s title is very fitting and once you get immersed in this well-written tale, it will make more of an impact on you.
Reed is currently in the doghouse. A New York political reporter, he created a semi-scandal during a fundraiser when a homophobic party-goer unexpectedly threw some nasty slurs at him and pushed him into a cake. Being thrown off guard, Reed, who usually is pretty thick-skinned, punched the jerk so hard he upended a chocolate fountain. Yeah, it was a huge disaster and Reed is in a time out from his editor. His boss has sent him out of town on a job in Reed’s old home state of North Carolina to work on an assignment about the impact of the seafood industry. Laying low until the incident blows over, the powers that be will reassess and hopefully Reed will get his old job back.
While doing the legwork on his current story, he observes a huge container ship make port and is fascinated by how skillfully the gigantic vessel is handled. He learns that this tricky and dangerous maneuver of docking is done by a ship pilot rather than the captain of the boat. Being a ship pilot is a very hazardous occupation as the transfer from the small pilot boat to the gargantuan ship could cost the navigator his life if a single mistake is made. This fires up the creative juices in Reed’s brain and he now wants to write a second story about these daring men that take such huge risks.
Finding out the pilot’s name, some strings are pulled so Reed can interview the very private man. Justin does not trust easily and at first, I wanted to shake him to get him to talk. Justin does not want his personal life to be discussed under any circumstances. He instantly dislikes Reed but over the course of the next couple of days, he shocks himself by opening up a little.
The author did a fabulous job in the way the reporter and pilot began to both tear down walls and start to communicate. It seemed no longer about the job but a true interest in getting to learn about each other. Justin stole my heart and even though he knew Reed just mere days, it seemed like a lifetime to me. I do not want to give away any spoilers but there were quite a few harrowing and nail-biting scenes interspersed in this amazing book.
Reed’s days in North Carolina are numbered and his job in New York is the culmination of years of hard work. His short time in this ocean setting is making him question he choices in life. I ached for the two strong-willed men to just open up and tell each other how they really felt.
The flow of the book along with the absorbing plot made this an absolute pleasure to read. I highly recommend this tender story of two men that even though they believe they are safely anchored are really just afloat.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.***
Reed is currently in the doghouse. A New York political reporter, he created a semi-scandal during a fundraiser when a homophobic party-goer unexpectedly threw some nasty slurs at him and pushed him into a cake. Being thrown off guard, Reed, who usually is pretty thick-skinned, punched the jerk so hard he upended a chocolate fountain. Yeah, it was a huge disaster and Reed is in a time out from his editor. His boss has sent him out of town on a job in Reed’s old home state of North Carolina to work on an assignment about the impact of the seafood industry. Laying low until the incident blows over, the powers that be will reassess and hopefully Reed will get his old job back.
While doing the legwork on his current story, he observes a huge container ship make port and is fascinated by how skillfully the gigantic vessel is handled. He learns that this tricky and dangerous maneuver of docking is done by a ship pilot rather than the captain of the boat. Being a ship pilot is a very hazardous occupation as the transfer from the small pilot boat to the gargantuan ship could cost the navigator his life if a single mistake is made. This fires up the creative juices in Reed’s brain and he now wants to write a second story about these daring men that take such huge risks.
Finding out the pilot’s name, some strings are pulled so Reed can interview the very private man. Justin does not trust easily and at first, I wanted to shake him to get him to talk. Justin does not want his personal life to be discussed under any circumstances. He instantly dislikes Reed but over the course of the next couple of days, he shocks himself by opening up a little.
The author did a fabulous job in the way the reporter and pilot began to both tear down walls and start to communicate. It seemed no longer about the job but a true interest in getting to learn about each other. Justin stole my heart and even though he knew Reed just mere days, it seemed like a lifetime to me. I do not want to give away any spoilers but there were quite a few harrowing and nail-biting scenes interspersed in this amazing book.
Reed’s days in North Carolina are numbered and his job in New York is the culmination of years of hard work. His short time in this ocean setting is making him question he choices in life. I ached for the two strong-willed men to just open up and tell each other how they really felt.
The flow of the book along with the absorbing plot made this an absolute pleasure to read. I highly recommend this tender story of two men that even though they believe they are safely anchored are really just afloat.
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.***
September 17, 2019
This wasn't a bad story. For me, personally, I wish there was something a little more to it. The sad part is I can't put into words what that is. Just felt like something was missing. Anyway, it was pretty good. A reporter and a boat captain learning each other and how to handle the waves.
Reed wasn't real thrilled about being back in the Carolinas, but after punching out a bigot at a party, well, he's in a bit of hot water and everyone says he needs to be somewhere else right now until it all blows over. So, he got involved in a story about toxic waste dump and how it was affecting fishing and such, and then a story hit him as he was watching these big ships being pulled in. After almost being hit by one, that is. But the captain isn't much of one to open up. It's like pulling teeth to get him to utter more than one word. But as they get to know each other and Reed is learning more from others, he learns there's more to Justin than what appears. And he's carrying some heavy burdens on his shoulders. The more Reed digs into this story, the more interested in Justin he's becoming. And vice versa. But they both know there's a time limit to whatever they may do. And when that time comes, it's a hell of a lot harder to say goodbye than he thought. And now he doesn't know what to do.
Because of his past, Justin is a very tight lipped man. He's also tight lipped because he's not out and is scared of what others would think of him. So I get where he's coming from. Reed just has one of those personalities that's like a dog with a bone. Not letting go. And his own past causes him to doubt and stuff too. So both of these guys have issues with communication. Reed comes from being a reporter and Justin from not wanting to speak at all. But when they lay down the work part, they begin to open up to each other and it's a sweet thing. It's obvious they care for each other. They just have a hard time expressing it. They're both good guys. They could have went a different direction with how their pasts tried to shape them, but they turned out to be wonderful men. It's a good story.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
Reed wasn't real thrilled about being back in the Carolinas, but after punching out a bigot at a party, well, he's in a bit of hot water and everyone says he needs to be somewhere else right now until it all blows over. So, he got involved in a story about toxic waste dump and how it was affecting fishing and such, and then a story hit him as he was watching these big ships being pulled in. After almost being hit by one, that is. But the captain isn't much of one to open up. It's like pulling teeth to get him to utter more than one word. But as they get to know each other and Reed is learning more from others, he learns there's more to Justin than what appears. And he's carrying some heavy burdens on his shoulders. The more Reed digs into this story, the more interested in Justin he's becoming. And vice versa. But they both know there's a time limit to whatever they may do. And when that time comes, it's a hell of a lot harder to say goodbye than he thought. And now he doesn't know what to do.
Because of his past, Justin is a very tight lipped man. He's also tight lipped because he's not out and is scared of what others would think of him. So I get where he's coming from. Reed just has one of those personalities that's like a dog with a bone. Not letting go. And his own past causes him to doubt and stuff too. So both of these guys have issues with communication. Reed comes from being a reporter and Justin from not wanting to speak at all. But when they lay down the work part, they begin to open up to each other and it's a sweet thing. It's obvious they care for each other. They just have a hard time expressing it. They're both good guys. They could have went a different direction with how their pasts tried to shape them, but they turned out to be wonderful men. It's a good story.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
September 17, 2019
This is a story of two men who made their way in life and cariers all on their own despite the bad cards they were handed, and thought that they were satisfied and there was nothing more they should be wanting. When they meet the sparks are flying and not in a good way. Justin is a closeted loner, a river pilot, who doesn't trust easily. Reed is a persistent reporter who's used to get what he wants. What he thinks he wants is a story about one of the best river pilots in Wilmington and his demanding and dangerous job, but when he slowly worms his way into Justins life both men, especially Justin, start to realize that they can lean on each other, trust each other even with their lives , but what about their hearts? What started as forced proximity slowly becomes much more. Will they be able to handle it?
This slow burn romance kept my attention from the page one and the characters slowly started to grow on me. The writing flows seamlessly and before you know it, you can't put the book down.
I love when authors write about real life locations and events, but that involves a massive amount of research. In this case it was done perfectly. Learning about a job and a life of a river pilot was a big bonus for me and timing the story around hurricane Florence was brilliant because it added just right amount of action to the already engaging story. All the characters feel so real, nothing is overblown and that's what makes it such a good read. The "persimmons" visits with Marty are touching, and probably one of the most adorable love statements I've ever read is in this book. The only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars is that the author should pay more attention to showing the chemistry between the MC's, and the ending, especially Justins coming out, felt a bit rushed. I could use one more chapter or two.
I was provided with an ARC copy of this book and this is my unbiased opinion, because this was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last.
This slow burn romance kept my attention from the page one and the characters slowly started to grow on me. The writing flows seamlessly and before you know it, you can't put the book down.
I love when authors write about real life locations and events, but that involves a massive amount of research. In this case it was done perfectly. Learning about a job and a life of a river pilot was a big bonus for me and timing the story around hurricane Florence was brilliant because it added just right amount of action to the already engaging story. All the characters feel so real, nothing is overblown and that's what makes it such a good read. The "persimmons" visits with Marty are touching, and probably one of the most adorable love statements I've ever read is in this book. The only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars is that the author should pay more attention to showing the chemistry between the MC's, and the ending, especially Justins coming out, felt a bit rushed. I could use one more chapter or two.
I was provided with an ARC copy of this book and this is my unbiased opinion, because this was my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last.
September 9, 2019
For myself, this was about a perfect read. I loved the setting - a bit of irony that Hurricane Dorian was hitting the coast at the same time a hurricane was part of the book. I enjoyed Reed and Justin’s maturity and interaction; they were different enough in personality that their connection felt plausible. I thought the light angst was perfect for the characters and kept the plot from becoming too saccharine. This was a delightful escape read for me in all aspects.
The setting – Southport to Wilmington along the Cape Fear River. I’ve only visited Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA, so I did find myself Google Mapping the Southport and Wilmington area – someplace I think I need to visit someday.
The backdrop of the dangers of being a harbor pilot was nicely balanced – just enough injuries to emphasize this is some serious shit without going overboard (no pun intended). One tiny complaint with the book was I felt Justin’s relationship with a mentor who was injured on the job, was left unresolved.
While this is a fast-paced romance set over a couple weeks, it really didn’t feel fast. The way Reed and Justin danced around each other, each had separate jobs to do, added a level of maturity that made the insta-love attraction seem slower. Which I appreciated.
Bottom line, as I said earlier, I greatly enjoyed this book. I had a difficult time putting it down and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next in the series and where it will be on the Carolina Coast.
Review is cross posted at
The setting – Southport to Wilmington along the Cape Fear River. I’ve only visited Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA, so I did find myself Google Mapping the Southport and Wilmington area – someplace I think I need to visit someday.
The backdrop of the dangers of being a harbor pilot was nicely balanced – just enough injuries to emphasize this is some serious shit without going overboard (no pun intended). One tiny complaint with the book was I felt Justin’s relationship with a mentor who was injured on the job, was left unresolved.
While this is a fast-paced romance set over a couple weeks, it really didn’t feel fast. The way Reed and Justin danced around each other, each had separate jobs to do, added a level of maturity that made the insta-love attraction seem slower. Which I appreciated.
Bottom line, as I said earlier, I greatly enjoyed this book. I had a difficult time putting it down and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next in the series and where it will be on the Carolina Coast.
Review is cross posted at
September 11, 2019
The first step is always the more difficult, whether in a risky jump or in a relationship…
Reed Barfield does not like his actual assignment, far from his beloved New York, in the North Carolina coast, so he accepts it as the penance he has to suffer to be able to return to his job; but one look at the work of the harbour pilots in the Cape Fear River (specially sexy and taciturn Justin Vance) has his reporter’s instincts flaring, as he senses a great story there… What he did not expect was it turning into a love story….
Justin Vance does not have time for pretentious journalists, no matter how cute they are. But after spending some time with a very annoying Reed, he realises there is more to the guy that meets the eye. Too bad their mutual careers are going to make it impossible for the relationship to go any further, although he did not realise how much it would hurt him to say goodbye…
A well written romance where the main characters move really fast from deep dislike to even deeper attraction. Both Justin and Reed are likeable, and they both have issues with relationships they have to face in order to make their relationship work. They bond through their love for the sea, and they relationship strengthens after sharing a couple of risky situations and dangerous accidents (I would say they are both prone to accidents… which is not that strange in Justin’s line of work. Maybe in Reed as well). There is a nice balance between action and romance here, which makes the story interesting without hindering the romance. I also found very interesting reading about the harbour pilots, I must recognise I did not know about them.
In short, a slow burn romance in an interesting background.
Reed Barfield does not like his actual assignment, far from his beloved New York, in the North Carolina coast, so he accepts it as the penance he has to suffer to be able to return to his job; but one look at the work of the harbour pilots in the Cape Fear River (specially sexy and taciturn Justin Vance) has his reporter’s instincts flaring, as he senses a great story there… What he did not expect was it turning into a love story….
Justin Vance does not have time for pretentious journalists, no matter how cute they are. But after spending some time with a very annoying Reed, he realises there is more to the guy that meets the eye. Too bad their mutual careers are going to make it impossible for the relationship to go any further, although he did not realise how much it would hurt him to say goodbye…
A well written romance where the main characters move really fast from deep dislike to even deeper attraction. Both Justin and Reed are likeable, and they both have issues with relationships they have to face in order to make their relationship work. They bond through their love for the sea, and they relationship strengthens after sharing a couple of risky situations and dangerous accidents (I would say they are both prone to accidents… which is not that strange in Justin’s line of work. Maybe in Reed as well). There is a nice balance between action and romance here, which makes the story interesting without hindering the romance. I also found very interesting reading about the harbour pilots, I must recognise I did not know about them.
In short, a slow burn romance in an interesting background.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2019
I was gifted a copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.
This is the first book I've read of Ms Anthony, and I really REALLY enjoyed it!
Reed is in town chasing a story to get his beat back in New York, about fishing on the river. Justin pilots the bigger boats and tankers into port, as a river pilot. The two clash hard and fast, and it doesn't take long for them to fall for each other. But this was only going to be a short term thing, right? When Reed is offered a job, he has a BIG decision to make.
Really enjoyable read! Its not overly complicated in the plot line, and you can see what's coming at you a mile away, much like Justin's babies he manouvers into port. It's steamy and emotional in places. Sad in some places too, when Justin talks about his childhood. It's not espcially explicit, but it didn't need to be.
Both Justin and Reed have a say, in the third person. Both voices are clear and distinctive, having been brought up very differently. Reed is very out, and Justin is not. But maybe, not quite as not, as he thinks! Love some of Justin's co workers!
This was one of those books that, while far longer than my usualy hangover cure, I'm filing it as such. I spent a very wet afternoon, curled up on the sofa, reading this in one sitting. One of those books that you just fall into and wile away the day.
Thank you, Ms Anthony for my copy.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewehere**
This is the first book I've read of Ms Anthony, and I really REALLY enjoyed it!
Reed is in town chasing a story to get his beat back in New York, about fishing on the river. Justin pilots the bigger boats and tankers into port, as a river pilot. The two clash hard and fast, and it doesn't take long for them to fall for each other. But this was only going to be a short term thing, right? When Reed is offered a job, he has a BIG decision to make.
Really enjoyable read! Its not overly complicated in the plot line, and you can see what's coming at you a mile away, much like Justin's babies he manouvers into port. It's steamy and emotional in places. Sad in some places too, when Justin talks about his childhood. It's not espcially explicit, but it didn't need to be.
Both Justin and Reed have a say, in the third person. Both voices are clear and distinctive, having been brought up very differently. Reed is very out, and Justin is not. But maybe, not quite as not, as he thinks! Love some of Justin's co workers!
This was one of those books that, while far longer than my usualy hangover cure, I'm filing it as such. I spent a very wet afternoon, curled up on the sofa, reading this in one sitting. One of those books that you just fall into and wile away the day.
Thank you, Ms Anthony for my copy.
4 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewehere**
September 14, 2019
THE FIRST STEP is the sort of romance that’s rather sweet yet not leaving that big impression for me. It’s the first of Shira Anthony’s new “Coastal Carolina” series with reporter Reed Barfield and river pilot Justin Vance at the helm telling the story from their POVs.
Personally the interesting point of the book is Justin’s profession and its aspect as this is the first time for me to learn about harbor pilot or river pilot whatever. This is the kind of tidbit I learned from (fiction) book that I didn’t know otherwise and one of the upside I love about reading.
There was nothing wrong about the romance between Reed and Justin. It’s well developed even if getting somewhat rushed toward the end. The issue with coming out in a small town in a southern state was not overblown, in fact it was read (to me) that it’s a given for the circle our MC’s in to accept them. That said, I thought the story is lacking a bit of oomph as well as depth to the characters’ background. As the opener to a new series, this book also didn’t give out much crumbs (for readers) to anticipate what’s to come as the next installment.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Personally the interesting point of the book is Justin’s profession and its aspect as this is the first time for me to learn about harbor pilot or river pilot whatever. This is the kind of tidbit I learned from (fiction) book that I didn’t know otherwise and one of the upside I love about reading.
There was nothing wrong about the romance between Reed and Justin. It’s well developed even if getting somewhat rushed toward the end. The issue with coming out in a small town in a southern state was not overblown, in fact it was read (to me) that it’s a given for the circle our MC’s in to accept them. That said, I thought the story is lacking a bit of oomph as well as depth to the characters’ background. As the opener to a new series, this book also didn’t give out much crumbs (for readers) to anticipate what’s to come as the next installment.
Copy of this book is kindly given by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2019
ARC received for an honest review.
Reed is a New York reporter sent to do a feel good story in N. Carolina after engaging in a fight at a political event he was reporting on. At first he feels it's a punishment but after being in N. Carolina awhile he really starts to enjoy the story he's working on and the people he meets.
Justin was abused by his father, joined the Navy straight out of school and is now a harbor pilot. Harbor pilots get onto the ships by jumping from a small boat onto a rope hanging off the ship. He's a really private, in the closet person.
The first half of the book is really slow and mostly boring. There's very little chemistry between the two MC's and the sex scenes are lackluster and forgettable. When the hurricane is getting close to hitting land the book starts to pick up pace and seems a little more interesting. Reed and Justin rescue some stranded people and that added a little excitement. Reed and Justin both make changes and things work out for the better.
Reed is a New York reporter sent to do a feel good story in N. Carolina after engaging in a fight at a political event he was reporting on. At first he feels it's a punishment but after being in N. Carolina awhile he really starts to enjoy the story he's working on and the people he meets.
Justin was abused by his father, joined the Navy straight out of school and is now a harbor pilot. Harbor pilots get onto the ships by jumping from a small boat onto a rope hanging off the ship. He's a really private, in the closet person.
The first half of the book is really slow and mostly boring. There's very little chemistry between the two MC's and the sex scenes are lackluster and forgettable. When the hurricane is getting close to hitting land the book starts to pick up pace and seems a little more interesting. Reed and Justin rescue some stranded people and that added a little excitement. Reed and Justin both make changes and things work out for the better.
September 11, 2019
This was a wonderful slow-burn, sweet romance between two lonely characters who realise they are better together. I loved Justin's initial reluctance and his mono-syllabic responses to Reed's attempts at interviewing him. Such a very 'adult' thing to do and something I could see myself doing. I also loved Reed's no-nonsense approach to both his work and his life, he knows what he wants, even if what he wants changes, and acts accordingly.
I love learning new things, so I really enjoyed the insights into Justin's job. It's difficult to believe this type of dangerous ship-to-ship transfer is still happening in this modern age.
I liked both characters equally, even though I usually have a clear favourite, and they're both equally well-written so I definitely wouldn't mind reading more about them.
I love learning new things, so I really enjoyed the insights into Justin's job. It's difficult to believe this type of dangerous ship-to-ship transfer is still happening in this modern age.
I liked both characters equally, even though I usually have a clear favourite, and they're both equally well-written so I definitely wouldn't mind reading more about them.
September 18, 2019
Reed Barfield needs to make things right with his editor so he can go back to the political stories he fought hard to write. He ends up in Cape Fear to write a story on the effects of pollution on the fishing industry but gets caught up in writing about the harbor pilots. There he meets Justin Vance whose painful past and fear of his colleagues finding out his secret force him to lead a lonely life. The two clash and then realize they have more in common then they thought. I really enjoyed this book. It was quick read with all the right elements: good characters, a story that kept you interested and a satisfying ending. I really like the dynamics between the two characters and how they struggled to overcome their fears. I’ll definitely be reading more of Shira Anthony’s work.
September 20, 2019
I received an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by Shira Anthony, and I absolutely loved it! I’d never read a book with this setting before, and I was completely captivated. This was a slow-burn, contemporary romance with bits of action thrown in. Justin and Reed were made for each other: two lonely men who find their way together. Reed had to work a bit to get Justin to open up; watching them grow closer was precious. I also appreciated how each character had a unique voice. Side note: I hope we learn more about Justin’s work! I’m so interested in learning more about being a harbor pilot. I hope we get more soon! I was pulled in from the very start of this book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Rating: 4 stars
This is the first book I’ve read by Shira Anthony, and I absolutely loved it! I’d never read a book with this setting before, and I was completely captivated. This was a slow-burn, contemporary romance with bits of action thrown in. Justin and Reed were made for each other: two lonely men who find their way together. Reed had to work a bit to get Justin to open up; watching them grow closer was precious. I also appreciated how each character had a unique voice. Side note: I hope we learn more about Justin’s work! I’m so interested in learning more about being a harbor pilot. I hope we get more soon! I was pulled in from the very start of this book and I can’t wait to read the next one!
September 15, 2019
Oh my gosh, this story had my heart thumping! It’s a fascinating tail of the daily life of harbor pilot, Justin Vance, with nerves of steel to meet the dangers of his job. Except when it comes to Reed Barfield, a political reporter from New York, who has no trouble putting himself in harm’s way for a story. Vance finds his courage failing when Reed takes chances with his life. Their romance is a slow burn in the midst of Justin’s perilous job and Reed’s recklessness, set against the threat and uncertainty of an impending hurricane. Told by a talented storyteller, you’re thrown into the action and risk to its dramatic conclusion, and love every minute of it.
September 17, 2019
This is a wonderfully written contemporary romance. The balance between the two main characters is well done. You get to see and understand both points of view along with their individual motivations. Reed, the disgraced political reporter, and Justin, the harbor pilot, seem to be mismatched, but show that differences can make you stronger. The ending did seem to be a bit rushed (would liked to have seen more about the aftermath of the hurricane) but am excited to read book two in the series.
July 24, 2020
I enjoyed this book. The MCs were both nice guys that overcame difficult pasts. Justin was extremely closed off and taciturn at first so he was difficult to warm up to and Reed seemed determined to get himself into the most dangerous situations possible. I liked how their relationship developed while dealing with life in a coastal town with a hurricane bearing down. But I must admit, learning about the harbor pilots on the Cape Fear River was the most interesting part of the book for me.
September 13, 2019
Reed and Justin were great characters and I loved the differences between them, I thought that they really complemented each other. This was a very enjoyable slow-burn romance and an overall enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book*
September 18, 2019
I can tell that Shira Anthony has done the research and put in the time to make such a great story. Reed and Justin's story just felt so real. I was pulled in this slow burn romance and it is beautiful to see how these two get to know each other. I like that these two are different but are still perfect for each other. I can't wait to see what happens next.
September 18, 2019
I enjoyed this book. The First Step has great characters and easy to read. Reed and Justin’s story is so realistic. It’s romantic, slow burn and the sexy times are hot.
May 3, 2020
Cette histoire est une réelle surprise. En lisant le résumé et en regardant la couverture, je m’attendais à du mystère. En fait, je ne savais pas vraiment à quoi m’attendre. Quand je ferme mon livre est que mon coeur est tout sourire après ma lecture toute douce, je suis charmée. Ce n’est pas à proprement parlé d’un livre doudou, car il y a des hauts et des bas bien sûr mais c’est vraiment rafraichissant.
Nos deux héros sont touchants à leur façon. Reed pour son caractère, doux, compréhensif. Même si le rappel constant de ses origines et de ses problèmes ados ont été un peu redondant, il est tellement charmant que je pardonne à l’auteur. Justin pour son histoire personnelle passé, présent et future. On s’imprègne vraiment de sa douleur et de ses peurs. Un mot pour le décrire ? Chouchou. J’aurais simplement aimé que son mal-être vis-à-vis de son collègue soit traité et surtout clôturé.
Leur relation évolue comme il se doit, c’est doux, beau et sensuel. Comme eux, on sait que leur relation à une date de péremption mais leur attirance est trop forte pour ne pas y succomber. C’est deux hommes qui sont aussi compatibles que complémentaires.
Malgré les rebondissements, j’ai eu le sourire tout le long de ma lecture. Un très bon moment de détente. J’avoue avoir un peu peur de la suite. En lisant le titre, on constate que c’est un premier opus donc duologie, saga ? Je continuerais l’aventure avec plaisir mais je croise les doigts pour que ce ne soit pas redondant que ce tome suffit amplement à voir la beauté de ce couple.
Une dernière chose, telle qu’une mention spéciale : j’ai beaucoup aimé les descriptions des décors et du métier de Justin. C’est vraiment bien recherché et donc travaillé. Pas du tout ennuyeux ou répétitifs. J’ai découvert un autre univers, un autre métier qui se révèle très attractif.
Nos deux héros sont touchants à leur façon. Reed pour son caractère, doux, compréhensif. Même si le rappel constant de ses origines et de ses problèmes ados ont été un peu redondant, il est tellement charmant que je pardonne à l’auteur. Justin pour son histoire personnelle passé, présent et future. On s’imprègne vraiment de sa douleur et de ses peurs. Un mot pour le décrire ? Chouchou. J’aurais simplement aimé que son mal-être vis-à-vis de son collègue soit traité et surtout clôturé.
Leur relation évolue comme il se doit, c’est doux, beau et sensuel. Comme eux, on sait que leur relation à une date de péremption mais leur attirance est trop forte pour ne pas y succomber. C’est deux hommes qui sont aussi compatibles que complémentaires.
Malgré les rebondissements, j’ai eu le sourire tout le long de ma lecture. Un très bon moment de détente. J’avoue avoir un peu peur de la suite. En lisant le titre, on constate que c’est un premier opus donc duologie, saga ? Je continuerais l’aventure avec plaisir mais je croise les doigts pour que ce ne soit pas redondant que ce tome suffit amplement à voir la beauté de ce couple.
Une dernière chose, telle qu’une mention spéciale : j’ai beaucoup aimé les descriptions des décors et du métier de Justin. C’est vraiment bien recherché et donc travaillé. Pas du tout ennuyeux ou répétitifs. J’ai découvert un autre univers, un autre métier qui se révèle très attractif.
June 10, 2020
I did enjoy this one, a while since I read a Shira Antony book and I think I will be liking this series.
3.75/4*
I am not usually one for full character driven books and this one had enough with the interesting pilot job and the dangers, and the impending hurricane to keep me invested.
Justin is a bit surly, having felt he had to keep himself really buttoned up by situation.
Reed is more exuberant but not excessively so and very driven to succeed - or at least get back to NYC.
I thought the characters were good, I enjoyed the story - win! Will be off to get book 2
3.75/4*
I am not usually one for full character driven books and this one had enough with the interesting pilot job and the dangers, and the impending hurricane to keep me invested.
Justin is a bit surly, having felt he had to keep himself really buttoned up by situation.
Reed is more exuberant but not excessively so and very driven to succeed - or at least get back to NYC.
I thought the characters were good, I enjoyed the story - win! Will be off to get book 2
June 10, 2020
3.5
Belle découverte
J'ai adoré les différentes thématiques présentes dans ce tome.
Les professions de Reed et Justin sont passionnantes et j'ai aimé la manière dont elles sont abordées.
On partage de belles émotions avec des personnages attachants et une romance qui se développe tout en douceur.
Je lirai le tome 2 sur Zach avec plaisir.
Belle découverte
J'ai adoré les différentes thématiques présentes dans ce tome.
Les professions de Reed et Justin sont passionnantes et j'ai aimé la manière dont elles sont abordées.
On partage de belles émotions avec des personnages attachants et une romance qui se développe tout en douceur.
Je lirai le tome 2 sur Zach avec plaisir.
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