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A Most Improper Introduction
She must not fall in love with the privateer who rescued her from pirates...
Felicity Barrow needs a respected husband with a title or money. Her family sent her abroad to escape scandal and make a proper match, but she finds the honorable Captain Doyle easy to speak and dance with despite their shocking introduction.
Captain Thomas Doyle vowed never to wed. He makes a generous living as a privateer and intends to buy back his former home on Sugar Hill. In order to forget his parents' dark legacy, he'll burn the old plantation to the ground, but he's mistaken a commander's sister for a pirate's paramour, and they own it. Luckily, Miss Barrow doesn't insist Thomas marry her, but there's another problem: Sugar Hill is now her dowry and no longer for sale.
Can a man with a past and a woman desperate for a proper future find their happily ever after, or will family tragedy and society's expectations prevent them from admitting—and offering—what's hidden in their hearts?
This sweet historical romance is set in the West Indies with pirates, romance, and adventure.
Felicity Barrow needs a respected husband with a title or money. Her family sent her abroad to escape scandal and make a proper match, but she finds the honorable Captain Doyle easy to speak and dance with despite their shocking introduction.
Captain Thomas Doyle vowed never to wed. He makes a generous living as a privateer and intends to buy back his former home on Sugar Hill. In order to forget his parents' dark legacy, he'll burn the old plantation to the ground, but he's mistaken a commander's sister for a pirate's paramour, and they own it. Luckily, Miss Barrow doesn't insist Thomas marry her, but there's another problem: Sugar Hill is now her dowry and no longer for sale.
Can a man with a past and a woman desperate for a proper future find their happily ever after, or will family tragedy and society's expectations prevent them from admitting—and offering—what's hidden in their hearts?
This sweet historical romance is set in the West Indies with pirates, romance, and adventure.
- GenresRegency
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2021
16 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Thorne
54 books506 followersDanielle Thorne is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of inspirational small town romance. She also writes historical romance and YA non-fiction. A graduate of BYU-Idaho and Ricks College, she has over twenty-five years of experience in her wordcraft. Danielle lives south of Atlanta, Georgia, with family, friends and felines. Find out more about her and her books at daniellethorne.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 5, 2021
Felicity Barrows and Thomas Doyle were thrown together under the worst of circumstances. Felicity has been sent to the West Indies to live with her older brother, who is a commander in the British Navy. Her sister's elopement made it impossible for Felicity to find a husband if she remained in London so she was sent away to find a rich husband, hopefully with a title so that she can marry and return to London to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, on her voyage, the ship she was traveling on was captured by pirates and she was kidnapped. Before she was harmed by the pirates, that ship was boarded by a British privateer. So, when the captain of the privateer vessel found her, she was a wild cat throwing chairs and fighting back. Unbeknownst to her, Captain Thomas Doyle was one of the good guys and was her brother's best friend.
Thomas couldn't get the wild woman out of his mind. Then when he found out who she was, he was determined have her see him in a better light. He had no intention of ever marrying because of his childhood experiences leaving him to believe that love did not last and he would never want to tie down a woman to him. The more he resisted, the more he craved time with Felicity Barrows.
Felicity was who I would hope to be faced with the same circumstances. A strong, capable woman who didn't sit back and wait to be taken care of. She stood up for herself and came out swinging when she needed to.
This was a well-written, clean, swashbuckling romance. There is a kidnapping, pirates, a ball, a proposal and a spurned suitor and so much more. There is also a happy ending. My favorite part of a good romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
Thomas couldn't get the wild woman out of his mind. Then when he found out who she was, he was determined have her see him in a better light. He had no intention of ever marrying because of his childhood experiences leaving him to believe that love did not last and he would never want to tie down a woman to him. The more he resisted, the more he craved time with Felicity Barrows.
Felicity was who I would hope to be faced with the same circumstances. A strong, capable woman who didn't sit back and wait to be taken care of. She stood up for herself and came out swinging when she needed to.
This was a well-written, clean, swashbuckling romance. There is a kidnapping, pirates, a ball, a proposal and a spurned suitor and so much more. There is also a happy ending. My favorite part of a good romance.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
August 1, 2021
(4.5 stars) - a particularly unusual meetcute!
Felicity & Thomas experience a rather painfully informal introduction in this sweet swashbuckler, lol. It sets them at odds from the beginning.
It certainly doesn't help that the two are coming from diametrically opposed positions in life - Felicity has been "the dutiful child" trying to make her family happy by living to please them for her dearly departed father's sake, while Thomas has been doing his best to live to please himself rather than give the appearance of duty while actually living selfishly like his dead abusive father.
But in a sense they're both making their life choices for others, & neither is particularly happy because of it.
The story is well written for the most part. It does feel a little slow in places, but it's mostly a meandering pace that helps set the mood & keeps things from happening too quickly for their relationship to be believable.
There are a few instances where we see the protagonists waffling back & forth, struggling with & second guessing their decisions, but we see what causes it, so it's understandable.
The ending is fun and gives hopeful hints of an entertaining romance for Fitz in the near future!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: a very light touch with just a few general mentions that fit naturally into the story
Felicity & Thomas experience a rather painfully informal introduction in this sweet swashbuckler, lol. It sets them at odds from the beginning.
It certainly doesn't help that the two are coming from diametrically opposed positions in life - Felicity has been "the dutiful child" trying to make her family happy by living to please them for her dearly departed father's sake, while Thomas has been doing his best to live to please himself rather than give the appearance of duty while actually living selfishly like his dead abusive father.
But in a sense they're both making their life choices for others, & neither is particularly happy because of it.
The story is well written for the most part. It does feel a little slow in places, but it's mostly a meandering pace that helps set the mood & keeps things from happening too quickly for their relationship to be believable.
There are a few instances where we see the protagonists waffling back & forth, struggling with & second guessing their decisions, but we see what causes it, so it's understandable.
The ending is fun and gives hopeful hints of an entertaining romance for Fitz in the near future!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
*Religion: a very light touch with just a few general mentions that fit naturally into the story
October 28, 2021
“Safe” romance for readers who want a bit of adventure and closed bedroom doors
Reminds me of family night movies on the Disney channel from the 70s. The story moves along briskly from scene to scene with some brief sword/fencing practice, dancing, and mild peril. The bad guy isn’t particularly threatening, the pirates barely make an appearance, and references to “adult” topics are vague. The heroes are likable and very attractive. Their initial encounters are awkward good fun, and their romance builds gradually and believably.
The HEA is a great scene that I wish had been developed more slowly so it would last longer—to see the protagonists work together to overcome their enemies would have been even more fun. Instead of rehashing the “I must marry for money” and the “I never want to marry” inner dialog, the author would do well to show the protagonists together on more “dates.”
The vaguely “adult” referenced topics, which pertain to characters who are not on the page, include a past suicide, gambling and drinking problems, slavery, physical abuse, and a broken marriage. The heroes are grieving and working through trust issues due to these family-related problems.
The writing contains some lovely turns of phrase and few errors. This novel is a pleasant reading experience.
Reminds me of family night movies on the Disney channel from the 70s. The story moves along briskly from scene to scene with some brief sword/fencing practice, dancing, and mild peril. The bad guy isn’t particularly threatening, the pirates barely make an appearance, and references to “adult” topics are vague. The heroes are likable and very attractive. Their initial encounters are awkward good fun, and their romance builds gradually and believably.
The HEA is a great scene that I wish had been developed more slowly so it would last longer—to see the protagonists work together to overcome their enemies would have been even more fun. Instead of rehashing the “I must marry for money” and the “I never want to marry” inner dialog, the author would do well to show the protagonists together on more “dates.”
The vaguely “adult” referenced topics, which pertain to characters who are not on the page, include a past suicide, gambling and drinking problems, slavery, physical abuse, and a broken marriage. The heroes are grieving and working through trust issues due to these family-related problems.
The writing contains some lovely turns of phrase and few errors. This novel is a pleasant reading experience.
August 18, 2021
Set in the West Indies, this sweet story has pirates, swordfights, and romance in the ballroom. The perfect atmospheric read to enjoy before summer ends!
With equal parts laugh-out-loud moments and tender scenes, this book kicks off with a hilarious, mistaken-identity meeting between the main characters that builds into a high-stakes, slow-burn romance.
I enjoyed getting to know Captain Thomas Doyle and coming to understand his history (especially why he vowed to never get married). Felicity Barrow was an interesting heroine with a lot on her shoulders—first and foremost, restoring her family’s good name that her sister has tarnished. I sympathized with both Felicity and Thomas, while also rooting for them to follow their hearts and take a chance on happiness.
A Most Improper Introduction is perfect for fans of clean Regency romance, although the setting gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, which is why I think this book is also great for a beach or vacation read. This was the first book I’ve read by Danielle Thorne, but it won’t be my last!
With equal parts laugh-out-loud moments and tender scenes, this book kicks off with a hilarious, mistaken-identity meeting between the main characters that builds into a high-stakes, slow-burn romance.
I enjoyed getting to know Captain Thomas Doyle and coming to understand his history (especially why he vowed to never get married). Felicity Barrow was an interesting heroine with a lot on her shoulders—first and foremost, restoring her family’s good name that her sister has tarnished. I sympathized with both Felicity and Thomas, while also rooting for them to follow their hearts and take a chance on happiness.
A Most Improper Introduction is perfect for fans of clean Regency romance, although the setting gave me Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, which is why I think this book is also great for a beach or vacation read. This was the first book I’ve read by Danielle Thorne, but it won’t be my last!
July 31, 2021
This is my favorite Danielle Thorne book yet! The action starts on the very first page and I was hooked even before I finished the first chapter.
Felicity’s family sends her St. Christopher’s to live with her brother and find a husband before words spreads about her family’s scandal in England. Before she even arrives, she is attacked by pirates. Twice. After her rescue, she falls in love with her new home and eventually with her would-be rescuer, Captain Thomas Doyle. The only problem is he has vowed never to marry.
I loved the unique setting for a regency of an island in the Caribbean. The banter and romantic tension between Thomas and Felicity was absolutely fabulous and I re-read the ship scene several times over because I loved it so much. Beautiful themes of trust and being true to yourself were weaved together with the story of love and adventure and I could not put this one down.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! Until then, do not miss this fabulous read!
Felicity’s family sends her St. Christopher’s to live with her brother and find a husband before words spreads about her family’s scandal in England. Before she even arrives, she is attacked by pirates. Twice. After her rescue, she falls in love with her new home and eventually with her would-be rescuer, Captain Thomas Doyle. The only problem is he has vowed never to marry.
I loved the unique setting for a regency of an island in the Caribbean. The banter and romantic tension between Thomas and Felicity was absolutely fabulous and I re-read the ship scene several times over because I loved it so much. Beautiful themes of trust and being true to yourself were weaved together with the story of love and adventure and I could not put this one down.
Eagerly awaiting the next book in the series! Until then, do not miss this fabulous read!
August 3, 2021
A nice, pleasant & relaxing read. The story had a nice easy flow to it. I appreciated the unique setting of the book. It was a nice spin on a Regency era story. We got a small glimpse into the English empire from a different perspective through the different setting & profession of the H. I thought that was a fun spin. I really liked both the h & H. The proposal was good. That was a highlight. There was maybe a hint to a second story with the h's brother. I sure hope so. That little teaser was intriguing and funny. A good fit for someone who enjoys historical romance with mild tension while still having a solid story and writing.
August 5, 2021
I enjoyed this exciting love story of Felicity and Thomas. It starts out with Felicity being kidnapped by pirates from the ship she was on in order to go live with her brother, Fitzwilliam. Captain Thomas Doyle saves her since his job is to capture pirates and their ships to keep the islands safe. Their first meeting is funny and Felicity thinks Thomas is a rogue. Since Thomas is a friend of her brother and they work together, he is around enough that Felicity and he become friends. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy books about pirates and island stories.
October 31, 2021
Felicity Barrow is on the hunt for A husband who is respectable and can help her family move past the scadal that happened with her sister. So she is sent to live with her brother at St. Christopher's so he can help her find a suitable husband. On the way she is captured by pirates then saved by Captain Doyle. So much happens in this story with adventure, sword fights, romance, and a little mystery all wrapped up nicely into the story. The characters are fun to read about and the story is engaging with a great use of 2 perspectives on this story. This a worth while read.
August 8, 2021
Danielle takes you on a riveting adventure to the West Indies in this sweet historical romance. I absolutely love the meet cute in this story! Filled with pirates, privateers, meddling family, and a tropical paradise the perfect combination for a delightful story! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
September 23, 2021
This book sounds so exciting! A Caribbean island! Pirates! Privateers! I tried getting into this book, but I just found it a bit repetitive and boring, I'm sorry to say. I got to 41% on my kindle and skipped to the last chapter. I found that I could glean enough about missed events, and I got my satisfactory happily ever after ending.
August 12, 2021
Sweet and entertaining
Felicity has quite the personality! Spunky gurl that made me laugh! Thomas was the perfect match for her! Lots of characters and things happening! Good book!
Felicity has quite the personality! Spunky gurl that made me laugh! Thomas was the perfect match for her! Lots of characters and things happening! Good book!
January 23, 2022
Great story!
I truly enjoyed this book! It had all the elements of a great story! I love a book that has humor, romance and adventures! Felicity and Doyle's story was sweet and unlock forward to reading Fitz's's next!
I truly enjoyed this book! It had all the elements of a great story! I love a book that has humor, romance and adventures! Felicity and Doyle's story was sweet and unlock forward to reading Fitz's's next!
August 19, 2021
Lively reading
A nice setting for a well-charactered story with an interesting plot illustrating a family duty vs a heart’s unfolding desires.
A nice setting for a well-charactered story with an interesting plot illustrating a family duty vs a heart’s unfolding desires.
Want to read
August 28, 2021Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
September 7, 2021
Absolutely loved this one --- it's going on the rereads pile for sure!
April 22, 2022
Felicity and Thomas are thrown together under less than ideal circumstances and their story in the West Indies plays out with a sense of adventure and danger. A fun romance.
June 30, 2022
Great read
Loved the story and the characters! I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Barrow family… I am now a fan of regency pirate reads!!
Loved the story and the characters! I can’t wait to meet the rest of the Barrow family… I am now a fan of regency pirate reads!!
August 6, 2024
I finding a surprising trend lately of 3-star reads that are super enjoyable. Usually I give 5 stars to books that are super emotionally moving but I won't read again, or books that I know I'll read a thousand times over. 4 stars are for books that would have been 5 stars if there wasn't something in the plot, or pacing or resolution etc. that fell short of the mark. 2 star reads are books that I didn't like, but don't actively hate, whereas I actively hate 1 star books. 3 stars are middle of the road. Usually, they're "fine".
Yet I'm on a string of really really enjoyable 3 star reads (not quite middle of the road but not 4 stars either). So why?
Well this follows Flick (Felicity) who is banished to the Indies to live with her brother and find a husband after her sister eloped with a footman. Things to get off to a good start with Flick when she is first kidnapped by pirates then mistaken for being a pirate's mistress by one Thomas Doyle. Not a great meeting.
This was a fun story. Flick and Thomas are well developed and we get a great sense of who they both are and what motivates them. It was also great watching Flick adapt to life in the Indies.
This isn't a higher rating because there was always something missing, across the board. For example, Flick and Thomas go from a pseudo contentious relationship to being on pretty friendly terms then to much more almost at the flick of a switch. The story would have benefited from more than the one friendly interaction before their attraction developed. It didn't make me not like the story, but the romance did not feel entirely earned.
The same can sort of be said for B plot, of pirates attacking the island. It kind of came out of left field partway through the story, and didn't add any tension to the story either.
But I did enjoy it, I enjoyed reading it. It didn't feel like a chore and I would read more by this author. I just needed a little more.
Yet I'm on a string of really really enjoyable 3 star reads (not quite middle of the road but not 4 stars either). So why?
Well this follows Flick (Felicity) who is banished to the Indies to live with her brother and find a husband after her sister eloped with a footman. Things to get off to a good start with Flick when she is first kidnapped by pirates then mistaken for being a pirate's mistress by one Thomas Doyle. Not a great meeting.
This was a fun story. Flick and Thomas are well developed and we get a great sense of who they both are and what motivates them. It was also great watching Flick adapt to life in the Indies.
This isn't a higher rating because there was always something missing, across the board. For example, Flick and Thomas go from a pseudo contentious relationship to being on pretty friendly terms then to much more almost at the flick of a switch. The story would have benefited from more than the one friendly interaction before their attraction developed. It didn't make me not like the story, but the romance did not feel entirely earned.
The same can sort of be said for B plot, of pirates attacking the island. It kind of came out of left field partway through the story, and didn't add any tension to the story either.
But I did enjoy it, I enjoyed reading it. It didn't feel like a chore and I would read more by this author. I just needed a little more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2021
It was fun to read a romance that took place in the West Indies instead of England. Though I love historical England, variety is good too. And I thought the meet-cute was great. Definitely unique. I enjoyed that the heroine desired to be proper yet at the same time she was willing to take fencing lessons and fight pirates. And I liked the hero as well. It just took him a while to come around.
I enjoyed reading the story but felt a little drag in the middle where both main characters were stuck in their false notions. I wish we'd moved on to the rest of the story just a little quicker. Still it was a fun read with enjoyable characters.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: some
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I enjoyed reading the story but felt a little drag in the middle where both main characters were stuck in their false notions. I wish we'd moved on to the rest of the story just a little quicker. Still it was a fun read with enjoyable characters.
Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: some
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews