In Like Flynn

Pirates of King's Landing #2

by Lauren Smith

A Royal Navy Officer’s Guide to Seducing a Pirate Lass: Brianna Holland has always been free. Her entire life she’s never known the bars of any cage until she’s captured in Port Royal trying to help a fellow pirate escape. Suddenly facing the hangman’s noose unless she betrays her father’s location to the Royal Navy, she clings to the hope that a new prisoner in her cell brings. The roguish and seductive Nicholas Flynn is charming and irresistible and soon the pair make a clever escape from the prison. Once on board her ship and safely at sea, Brianna soon learns that there are other dangers than storms and naval frigates prowling the waters. This time, her heart and her father’s life might be at risk.

Royal Navy Lieutenant Nicholas Flynn has a problem. He’s been assigned to gain the confidence of a pirate prisoner in Port Royal in order to learn the whereabouts of the notorious pirate king Thomas Buck. But when he meets the man he’s supposed to win the trust of and eventually betray, he is stunned to discover it’s no man, but a woman named Brianna, who he is to befriend and betray. Not only that, but he learns that she is Thomas Buck’s daughter. Knowing Brianna will face torture at the hands of a cruel military captain if she doesn’t talk, Flynn helps her escape. If Flynn finds a way to lead the Royal Navy to Brianna’s father, he’ll lose the only woman who’s ever stolen his heart.

Other Books in the Series:
Book 1: No Rest for the Wicked
Book 2: In Like Flynn
Book 3: Devil of the High Seas

Genres: Historical Romance, Pirates, Historical, Romance, Found Family, Audiobook, Forced Proximity

374 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2022

About the author

Lauren Smith is a USA Today Best-Selling author and an Oklahoma attorney. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, Amazon.com Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-Finalist and a Semi-Finalist for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award. To connect with Lauren, visit her at www.laurensmithbooks.com or twitter at @LSmithAuthor.

Reviews

[Céloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ Sexy feminism plus pirates and subterfuge. Because apparently my birthday came early this year 🥳🥂🏴‍☠️

➳❦ Isn’t the sea female? Aren’t ships female? Everything about the ocean is feminine, from her peace and beauty to her wrath. It is only right that women be explorers of the sea.

Damn straight, Brianna, go on with your bad self. And Nicholas Flynn, you 18th Century dreamboat of a book husband, keep having your pirate queen’s back. Even when you’re sort of ordered by your Navy Admiral to infiltrate and destroy her world. 🫡 🇬🇧 😬

➳❦ She was no dainty, virginal woman he might meet in a ballroom in London. She was the wind and the waves, the sea and sky, a goddess from a religion too ancient for men to name. 🥰

This was so bloody romantic and exciting. If you enjoy suspenseful undercover situations where two amazing people from opposite sides of the law fall for each other, and absolute disaster ensues from all the secrets, lies, false identities, confusion, and morally gray conundrums, I bet you’ll love it too.

➳❦ Flynn would be her ruin. She had sensed it the moment he’d walked into her jail cell, and that worry had borne disastrous fruit. What the devil was she to do about him?

The H/h dynamic is sexy, volatile, hilarious, and beautiful. Brianna is an amazing heroine. Relatable, clever, strong, passionate, independent, tough as hell but also vulnerable to loving the ‘wrong’ man. I want to be her if/when I ever grow up, and I want a Nick Flynn by my side.

➳❦ As he relived that first moment seeing Brianna’s profile and hearing her sing a pirate’s lullaby, he realized he had transformed. Like a riverbed etched into a great canyon over millennia, he had been reshaped by the patterns that loving her had left behind. 🫠🫠🫠

Despite his assigned mission, Flynn is such an honest character at heart–someone who is just a profoundly good human down to his bones, but who also recognizes his flawed assumptions and works to evolve.

➳❦ "I’ve been a fool for separating good and evil so easily in my mind. We live in a world where so much is painted in shades of gray rather than black or white, right or wrong. Take the navy, for example. We uphold the laws of England, and England allows slavery to continue. You know just as I do how wrong owning another man is. Yet England continues to support the trade."

Also, I would like to request that Nick offer a class on this topic:

➳❦ His reactions to her temper always distracted her. Instead of insisting she bury her rages, he embraced them with her and promised to love her afterward. Somehow that in and of itself always seemed to defuse her anger.

I'm not even doing this book justice; there's too much good to list here. The forbidden slow burn and steam are fantastic. The loss of trust and hard road back are rough going. Brianna’s extended pirate family is amazing, and the mysterious backstory with her adoptive father Thomas Buck, Admiral of the Black, is really moving.😭 Her grumpy Scottish adoptive uncle cracked me up. We’ve even got a believably evil psychotic villain who is so horrendous that he reminds me of a certain Black Jack Randall. *shivers* Seriously, I read this a week ago and I'm still thinking about these characters.

Side note: I’d probably read this as a standalone. Book 1 of the series was just ok, and I’d like to forget Book 3 even exists. You know I’m gonna read Adrian’s book whenever Lauren Smith puts it out, though, hoping for something comparable to this little masterpiece. 🤩

*****
5☆ Brianna & Flynn are magic, and so is their story. Wow.
RTC

[✧ Elle Jae ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ★ LOVED IT!!! What a refreshing delight. I was absolutely riveted as the story unfolded and couldn't put it down. If you enjoy pirate historical romances, do yourself a favor and read this one!

THOUGHTS
This is the 2nd book in the Pirates of King's Landing series. I hadn't read the first one, and it wasn't a problem. Though next up, I can't wait to read the first one, No Rest for the Wicked.

Loved the characters. Our FMC is a pirate captain, and she is fierce, independent and loyal. Our MMC is a torn between his duty and the intriguing female pirate captain.

And I'm not going to say any more about it because you should just read it!

👀 POV: 3rd person, both MCs

🚨Slow burn » 🕯️➳❥❤️‍🔥« Insta-lust/love: They are instantly attracted, but it's a slow-ish burn.

💟 M/F
🌶️ Spicy Level: 3/5
🔥 How much spice: 3/5

My spicy scale:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5 = high spice (*VERY* explicitly spicy/erotica)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 = med-high spice (EXPLICITLY spicy)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 = medium spice (spice happens, and it’s on the page)
🌶️🌶️ 2 = low-med spice (explicit spice is pretty light)
🌶️ 1 = closed door/no spice

🎧Audiobook Narrator(s):
✅ Shane East
✅ Evelyn Rose

[Jenn (The Book Refuge) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book so much!

Pirate queen and a naval man. It's a fun ride!

4.5 stars
2.5 on the spice scale

[nat. ❦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ☆ una reina pirata??? VENDIDO 😫 Aparte, saben lo difícil que es encontrar a una protagonista con BUENA EXPERIENCIA SEXUAL??? Brianna aquí se ha divertido mucho y me encanta eso para ella!!! Necesitamos más protagonistas así 🙏

(la portada no le hace justicia a Brianna, la necesitaba vestida como PIRATA)
Safe

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the enemies to lovers story - loved the adventure. Great characters and storyline that kept me reading. The best part of the story for me was Brianna and Royal Navy officer, Nicholas, but I also loved Thomas, an honourable pirate. Omg, the ending made me cry when Brianna met her real family. This was my 36th book read from this author. Lauren Smith is a wonderful story teller. 5☆

[April Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great pirate adventure from Lauren Smith. I think I liked the first one a little better still but this was swoony, sweet, and adventurous. I'm not entirely satisfied with the "3rd act breakup" in this but everything else I loved.

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75✨ (rounded up to 4 for GR)
1.75🌶️

A romantic adventure on the high seas and across various bits of land! It's a historical romance with PIRATES!!!! Gotta love it.

In Like Flynn by Lauren Smith is Book 2 in the Pirates of King's Landing series. For full disclosure, I did NOT read Book 1, but I found that I was easily able to immerse myself in the story with no confusion, although I'm sure I lost some of the charm when previous characters made reappearances, and if I'm not mistaken, they were significant appearances!

I love that this book flipped expectations on its head and had the FMC be the pirate, I mean pirate QUEEN, versus the MMC, whereas he's more of the navy/soldier type. Flynn, the MMC, is an easily likeable guy, which he really, really needs to be since the plot has him actively working to betray the FMC Brianna, or at least betray her pirate father and her crew. But as Flynn begins to truly know Brianna, his allegiances and plans change. Brianna is also a great character, very good fun, but also a firm pirate captain when she needs to be. It was interesting to explore the dichotomy in Brianna of wanting and needing the freedom that being a pirate provides a woman, while also wanting to express and revel in her more feminine side. I'm glad she was able to do both.

Overall, the book was a little too long, at around 400 pages. Remove about 50 pages and restructure a bit, and this could've been a tight ship! But I really enjoyed this overall, just due to all the refreshing characters and their personalities. I even loved Brianna's dad and was hoping we'd get a book with Daddy(trademark) pirate, but he already has a romantic love in his life detailed in this book, so that was sweet.

If you're looking to add a little piracy to your romance, give this one a try!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Buck is a pirate but an honourable one & he’s installed these values in his adopted daughter Brianna who he rescued at birth when the ship her parents were on floundered & her father Hugh was mortally wounded & her mother died shortly after giving birth. Brianna’s captured in Port Royal trying to help fellow pirate & her first mate Joe escape. Suddenly facing the hangman’s noose unless she betrays her father’s location to the Royal Navy, she clings to the hope that a new prisoner in her cell brings. Royal Navy Lieutenant Nicholas Flynn has a problem. He’s been assigned to gain the confidence of a pirate prisoner in Port Royal in order to learn the whereabouts of the notorious pirate king Thomas Buck. But when he meets the man he’s supposed to win the trust of and eventually betray, he is stunned to discover it’s no man, but a woman named Brianna, who he is to befriend and betray.
A very well written page turner, which I devoured, I loved both Nick & Brianna who are both strong characters, fierce & loyal also honourable & caring, their chemistry was electric. Their journey to a HEA was strewn with obstacles, captured & held prisoner, escaping the noose, storms at sea & a vengeful army captain all made this a book I found totally engrossing. I loved that we caught up with Dom & Robbie from the earlier book but it was only fitting as Dom was the reason Nick went to sea. It’s a book featuring pirates so there's violence but there's also a lovely love story which will pull at your heart strings
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my 31st book by Lauren Smith and I’ve been reading her since 2018.

Pirates of Britannia is a series that has 41 stories and many different authors and not a series I would normally read. I was on a Pirate kick so ran across one of the books within this series that was written by another author I currently read. I loved it so much I decided to read all the other books in the series from the authors I normally read. Lauren Smith is one of those authors. Her book was No Rest for the Wicked and was Book 31 in the series but she also had it as (Pirates of Kings Landing Book 1). I have to say her Book 1 of this Kings Landing series was one of the best reads in 7 years and over 2500 reads that I've read. It is was one of my all time top 10 favorites. It was so damn good. I have been waiting patiently for 17 months for this book 2 to come out.

So worth the wait. I totally loved this book. I loved Nicholas and Brianna's characters so much. I loved their story. Her sex scenes are also great and well written. I even got totally into other characters and their stories. Just a great great read!!

You gotta read both books! So damn good.

[j · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85 stars

[Cindy Vallar · Rating 5 out of 5]

1721. A shipwrecked galleon on the brink of sinking. An honorable pirate, Thomas Buck and his men go aboard to rescue survivors and claim any treasure. What he finds is unexpected. A newborn babe and a signet ring, the only clue to her parents’ identity. Captivated by the little girl, he vows to raise her as his own and protect her always.

(Fade to black)

1741. Brianna Holland walks the streets of Port Royal, Jamaica, dressed as a man. The disguise is a necessity in a town rife with Royal Marines and Navy men. After all she is a pirate captain and daughter of the most-wanted man in the Caribbean, the Shadow King. Getting supplies should be simple, until she spots a wanted poster bearing the likeness of her companion and a British patrol. Her diversion plan that allows him to escape leads to her own capture by a cruel captain whose eyes promise she will rue the day their paths crossed. Her only saving grace is that he thinks her a young lad named Bryan Holland, but all pirates, regardless of age, face only one outcome when caught – the hangman’s noose.

Since Holland was seen in the company of one of the Shadow King’s men, there’s a good chance the lad can lead the navy to the nefarious pirate’s lair and who better to achieve this goal than Lieutenant Nicholas Flynn? A trusted man. An honest man. A man who knows pirates since his best friend used to be one. Tossed into Holland’s cell as a fellow pirate, Nicholas is on the brink of connecting with the lad when the Marine captain appears, intent on getting information from Holland. Instinct warns Nicholas to protect the lad, which leads to a flogging that even the admiral can’t prevent unless they want their plan to go awry.

During his recovery, Nicholas realizes that Bryan isn’t really a lad, which only strengthens his resolve to protect her. With the admiral’s help, he devises a convincing plan that will allow them to escape. And put as much distance as possible between the Marine captain and Brianna. The only problem is that the more time Nicholas spends in her company the more he questions the wisdom of his assignment.

Brianna owes Flynn her life, but already the gallows awaits them. She nurses him back to health while trying to come up with an escape plan. She can get off the island, but not out of the fortress. Nicholas’s suggestion may work, if she’s willing to trust him. He did sacrifice himself for her, an act few others have done. Perhaps it’s a small enough risk that she can take a chance. After all, once she’s back aboard the Sea Serpent, she can always toss him overboard if he lies.

This second installment in the Pirates of King’s Landing series reunites characters from book one with new characters that further flesh out the Shadow King’s pirate realm. Smith skillfully interlaces humor with solemnity. Unexpected twists, including a mutiny stoked by jealousy and a merciless villain, provide a riveting roller-coaster of love versus duty and trust versus betrayal. Equally compelling is the underlying subplot that explores the enduring bonds between a parent and child. In Like Flynn is a true pirate treasure that combines seductive romance and the pragmatic realities of pirate life.*



*In the interest of full disclosure, I read and commented on an early draft of the manuscript. My review, however, is based on the published book, which I did not see or read until after publication.

[BookishMya · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing like a good pirate tale to light your soul. Lauren Smith has a way of writing that burrows deep into the heart. It was so easy to fall for Flynn, even well feeling the anguish of the betrayal of being on opposing sides with Brianna. It was so hard to come to grips with that deception, only eased by knowing, one way or another he would make it right and find their Happy Ever After. Brianna is a fierce pirate Queen to rival all that came before her. She leads her men with a strong upper hand and unbending loyalty. In a man’s world, her leadership speaks to her strength of character. Having a full crew of men loyal to her, a woman, is definitely not the norm of that time period. I greatly enjoyed this tale, and found tears falling at their ending and Brianna’s new world. The pure joy of being surrounded by love was written masterfully. So many great characters written into this world, beautifully crafted side characters like Buck & Joe, friends that cry out for their own story. I look forward to reading the new adventures of Gavin Castleton. A new hero to fall for, for sure! A fabulous story that will stay with me for a long time!

[Lou Ambrose’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had so many twists and turns I was genuinely surprised at some points. Did this again feel like Pirates of the Caribbean fanfic in the best way possible? Yes. Do I think this author has seen Keira Knightley films too many times to use lines from them in the series? Potentially. But also what does that say about me that I recognize lines from these films instead of thinking of them as original dialogue? 👀

Please read CW for this series if you have any triggers

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in this series, and although I’ve not read the previous book, it doesn’t make a difference. But saying that I may go back and read that one as i throughly enjoyed this book.

An historical romance set on the high seas. A story of betrayal and romance. And a story with plenty of action and adventure.

Brianna loves to feel the wind in her hair and the splashing of the waves on her face. A free spirit, a beloved daughter and member of her father’s crew. She’s had to earn that respect, she’s had to be the best, all the while never losing sight of who she is. Dressed as a man every time she leaves the ship is a chore, but one she’s always mindful of as people could recognise her and use her against her father.

Flynn is honour bound to see that the pirate Thomas Buck is brought to justice. He’s given the chance when told to befriend a member of the pirates crew, that is until he realises the crew member is a woman! He now faces a dilemma, save the girl and lose his career, or leave her to rot in prison!

So will they set sail for happiness, or will someone scupper their chances and sink their love boat?

This is a fun read, plenty of fast paced action. Throw in some spicy moments and banter from Brianna and the hours just flew by as I immersed myself in their tale. It’s beautifully written, nothing is left out, you can imagine the waves, smell the cell Brianna is kept in, and feel the love she has for both her father and Flynn, you feel the conflict that this situation put Flynn in. And it will you have you rooting for the pirates (not all pirates are bad guys) 🏴‍☠️

There is a few twists along the way. And a moment in the prologue that will pan out in a way neither Flynn nor Brianna expected 😉

The story did remind me a little of the film “Cutthroat Island” a female pirate and a rogue who sought to betray her 💜

I highly recommended read from an author I’m adding to my list.

🦋

[Alexandra G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the happily ever after for Flynn, the sidekick from No Rest for the Wicked, and Brianna, the future pirate queen of the West Indies... or is she?

Flynn is ready to resign his navy commission now that Dom is safe and sound, and return home to Cornwall to settle down. Except, the admiral has one last mission for him - and that mission is Brianna. A shipwreck foundling with solid British roots (roots so secret she doesn’t even know) raised as a cherished daughter and fierce pirate by Buck, the pirate king himself.
When she, disguised as a boy, picks a fight with the wrong navy captain and ends up in Port Royal’s prison, news travels fast that ‘he’ can lead them to Buck. But when Flynn is tasked to gain his trust, he soon realises his cellmate is a she and in grave danger. A prison break is organised and suddenly the world shifts on his axes...

I really loved how the balance constantly shifts in this story. Two worlds with their own set of rules. Two very strong MCs torn between honour, heart and duty, who constantly clash but also complement each other perfectly. Fireworks and chemistry, a fascinating mix!
Yet behind all the bravado, there’s a touching vulnerability to both of them. Up until now, they’ve both been going through the motions, and they’re both excellent at what they do, but... love means life and they’re both scared witless - and they both screw up.
These two really are brilliantly matched in everything!

With a mad obsessed maniac on their heels, they save each other over and over again, and a single spark quickly turns into a scorching blaze. Passion, betrayal, heartbreak, a sticky situation and a white lie turn into a leap of faith, a grand gesture triggers doubt and their rosy future suddenly becomes a gruesome matter of life and death.
Luckily, their back-up crew is a fearless bunch.

A thrilling and utterly enthralling second in the 'Pirates of King's Landing' series, and since I’m positively devouring this series, I’m eager to dig into the next book!

[AnnMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Like Flynn is the second book in the Pirate of King's Landing series. We are introduced to Flynn in the first book of the series but you don't need to read that book to fully understand and enjoy this one.

This story is action-packed and has a strong female lead. Her name is Brianna and she is the captain of her own pirate ship. Brought up at sea by an infamous and most wanted by the Navy, pirate, it was a given that she would one day be a much respected pirate.

Flynn, a Navy man, is no stranger to pirates, his best friend is Dominic Grey who we are introduced to in the first book in this series. His job, of course, conflicts with that friendship, but the men manage to stay friends. Flynn is tasked with finding and capturing Thomas Buck, a notorious pirate and Brianna's father. When she finds herself captured, albeit dressed as a boy, Flynn is tasked with befriending her as a fellow pirate. The hope is that she will trust him and end up leading him to Buck.

What follows is a captivating story, one where we are shown how good overcomes evil and that even the oddest couples can end up being perfect for each other. Love definitely can conquer all even if it doesn't seem like that at times.

This is a perfect book for you if you love swashbuckling stories, ones where you are keen on seeing the bad guys get their comeuppance. It is also a perfect book if you like your romance steamy. Flynn and Brianna have many hot scenes which are well written and not written to shock, but to portray the strength of their love.

I loved this story, it was enjoyable having a strong female lead who could still appreciate some feminine things in life without people thinking she was weak. Her budding romance with Flynn was exciting because you just know that the proverbial would hit the fan when she finally discovers his lies.

[Florida Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates of King's Landing is a world I'd like to visit again and again! Lauren has built a world filled with characters who fill your heart. In like Flynn no exception.
The plot centers on a ship wreck, an honorable pirate and a new born child. The resulting story is filled with twists and turns, humor, action and deep love. Nicholas Flynn, a major character in the previous book, has a new assignment from Admiral Harcourt, also from the previous book, to track down the where abouts of the Pirate Captain Buck. Bryan Holland, imprisoned in Port Royal, is a young man he is assigned to befriend to find Captain Buck. Flynn and Holland share an cell and the deception begins on both their sides!
I love that the new characters are seamlessly woven together with the previous characters to create a believable relationships. In Like Flynn is an adventure that takes the readers emotions on a wild ride. Lauren's villains are truly unhinged with no remorse! She does not shy away from revealing the villain's revolting actions to help us understand why our main characters reactions and motives.
I recommended this book wholeheartedly! I have laughed out loud, groaned at impulsive actions, and cried at the honesty in the characters words. The discovery of author Lauren Smith was an unexpected surprise and I want to continue reading her books!

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story should be titled redemption! We have Nicolas Flynn who from earlier book spent most of his career looking for Dominic! Once this was accomplished he has almost no ambition to stay in the Royal Navy except he has been given an unique assignment to infiltrate the crew and captain of the Sea Serpent where the notorious and one of the most wanted Captain Thomas Buck! He is also the only father Brianna Holland has ever known! She is a sea Captain in her own right and has taken Nicolas under her wing for saving her life! He even took lashes meant for her!
They both have made an enemy who will stop at nothing for revenge! The harshness of what men face at sea and even women is a reality that children still face today! No one should prey on anyone especially the most precious among us!
Nicolas earns Breanna trust and the chemistry is undeniable they both save each other again! But Breanna is a pirate at heart and when she thinks Nicolas has betrayed her she takes matters into her own hand!
She places them both in a situation so dangerous they may not only recover their love but Nicolas very life! Bravo very well done! Do they get a HEA? Read on….

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like reading about historical romance pirates and this one was cute. Brianna was pretty badass and I loved reading about how she captains her ship. This book is very forward thinking when it comes to women being pirates which was nice. Nicholas was great. Love a guy that knows right away when a woman is the best thing to ever happen in his life. This had one of my favorite tropes of girl disguises as a boy initially for reasons and boy plays along even though he sees right through the disguise pretty quick.

I docked two stars because of references to plantations that honestly weren't necessary despite the time period and also the third act breakup. I don't understand how Brianna flipped from "I trust you" to "you're a liar" over the smallest detail and then proceeded to run off and get herself kidnapped by the enemy. It just didn't seem like something our pirate queen would have done based on the first half of the book.

Overall this scratched an itch and kept me from thinking about slumping. I read it on Hoopla for those who are interested.

[Romaine Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

English Naval Officer Nicholas Flynn knows all too well the life of a pirate. Now he must pose as a member of a pirate crew to investigate the lad known as Holland and his connection to the dangerous Thomas Buck. Much to his surprise the young lad is not what he expected.
The Pirate Queen is known to lead  her crew with a strong hand and true loyalty. Being in a man's world she knows what will happen if they find out who she really is.
Brianna and Flynn begin their adventure fighting the storms of seas, facing the hangman's noose more than once, tortured in the hands of a physcho naval officer, betrayal, hidden secrets of birth, unconditional love, loyalty and steamy scenes.
Looking for a little adventure yourself? Then I recommend this book!
Can't wait for next installment! Gavin's story!!
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rescued from a ship wreck as an infant by and raised by an infamous pirate, Brianna Holland has become strong, independent, confident, and the captain of her own ship. Lieutenant Nicholas Flynn originally went to sea to find his friend., and worked his way up through the ranks. Suspecting the “lad” arrested for assaulting an officer is connected to Thomas Buck, the infamous pirate, the admiral sends him to root out information. The only thing he finds out is that “Bryan” is a woman in disguise. They soon make their escape and are off on a rollicking pirate adventure, including another bout with the unhinged army captain and a pirate election, and a rousing romance. This is well-written, exciting story with some very interesting characters. How does it all end? Very well. I enjoyed Nicholas and Brianna’s story and look forward to Gavin’s.
I am voluntarily reviewing a ARC of this book.

[Donique Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captain Thomas Buck —a pirate—of the Sea Serpent—his ship. An unexpected passenger on his ship. Brianna Holland—rescued from a wrecked ship at birth—both parents died on the ship. Brianna (was “adopted” by Captain Buck) aka Bryan is now the captain of Sea Serpent. Lt. Nicholas Flynn tasked with befriending Brianna to catch her father Buck. This is a tale of trust and a depth of love for someone. Of course there is betrayal, someone jumping to the wrong conclusion, and someone leaving without waiting for an explanation. The villain was a psycho, he does not give up at all. There were some moments in which it seemed to lean a little political, and also times when it became really sappy LOL. There was descriptive bedroom scenes but I didn’t think it was very explicit, kind of mild.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one thing that I really enjoy in a book, it's a strong heroine. I've read plenty of books with women in them who aren't afraid to test the limits, but it's rare that they are completely in control. Brianna is a pirate queen, she's no shrinking violet, she's been with men and knows what she wants and she's more than capable of holding her own in a man's world. Brilliant.
Fortunately, when she finds love in In Live Flynn, she has a man who doesn't try and hold her back or change her (or not completely anyway, he may try it once or twice, but it doesn't really go well for him).
This was a great adventure romance on the high seas. I enjoyed the romance between Flynn and Brianna. Overall a fun and satisfying read.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Happens When an Officer of the Royal Navy Falls in Love with a Pirate?

Nicholas was supposed to get close to Brianna so that the Royal Navy could capture her father. There was just one problem, and it was a big one. The pirate queen stole his heart.

I opened this book and could not stop reading. This was one of the best pirate romances I have read.

Brianna and Nicholas will take you on a journey of romance, adventure, and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The odds against them seem insurmountable. Can love find a way? I recommend this delightful story to lovers of historical romance.

[Denise Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exciting book! Never a dull moment. Keep you in the edge of your seat! I can’t believe the luck of Holland. She just finds herself in the most precarious situations. What a life she leads. I like her spunk and drive. For those she loves she is willing to die for them. You see this with Joe in the very beginning and through the book. I like Flynn’s character as well. The story is well written with lots of moments of suspense and mystery. A wonderful romantic pirate story. I look forward to reading more about their adventures.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! It was swoony, steamy and everything I hoped Nicholas' story would be! Hell, I even teared up a few times. It was just so damn good. At certain points I wondered how they'd be able to make it through it all. My heart broke for Thomas at the end when he realized what he'd have to give up for Brianna.
Evelyn Rose and Shane East are two of my favorite voice for historical romance and they were the perfect casting choice for this audiobook.
I can't wait to see what comes in the next book!

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the love story and how Brianna and Flynn enemies to lovers played out. Great couple, strong and independent characters as well as equally stubborn. Their history/backdrop was also interesting. I think the story had too much looping without progress and the repeats made the story too long and seem to drag. It was also way too gruesome to me. I received a free copy and voluntarily chose to leave this review.

[Lori D · Rating 4 out of 5]

She is a fierce pirate and refuses to give up the location of her famous father.

When a fellow captive helps her to escape the Royal Navy, she has no idea he has
actually been given the task to get the information out of her. Fortunately, when they end up on her ship, there is a growing attraction between them that will not be denied!!

Adventure, a villain, wonderful characters and a journey to love that will win your heart!

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story. I have not read anything else in the series and I was able to thoroughly enjoy it. The plot and the characters are superb. Brianna/Bryan is a young pirate in the Caribbean waters. Nicholas is a British Naval Officer. They are placed in a dangerous situation when Nicholas goes undercover on Brianna’s ship to try and capture her father who is a notorious pirate. There is action and danger, romance and surprises.

[Jackie Carbonel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reaction

I loved this story. I enjoyed how Brianna was raised by bloodthirsty pirates who were more honorable than some of the Royal Navy. Flynn thought it would be so easy to manipulate her and find out her secrets but had the tables turned when he fell for her. Loved the chemistry between them and take care of each other desire. I love the storyline threading in from the previous story and can't wait for the next one.