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Regency Pirates #1
The Pirate Next Door
Mayfair, London, 1810: Alexandra Alastair, a respectable young English widow, wonders if she dare add the new viscount who’s moved in next door to her list of potential husbands.
He certainly doesn’t look like the gentlemen on her list—Grayson Finley, Viscount Stoke, is tall and sun-bronzed, muscular and blue-eyed. He wears dress so casual as to be unclothed—long coats, leather breeches, shirts without collar or cravat, and he carries pistols wherever he goes. The men who attend him are just as strange, exotic-looking, even. And the way Grayson smiles at Alexandra whenever they pass in the street—sinful, blood-warming—turns her inside out.
In the middle of the night Alexandra hears shouting coming from the house next door, and the viscount’s life being threatened. She rushes over just in time to save Grayson from being hanged by his greatest enemy, his former best friend.
Thus is Alexandra pulled into the adventures of Grayson Finley, former pirate and terror of the seas. Grayson has made a bargain with the devil (in the form of the pirate hunter, James Ardmore), in order to ensure the safety of his daughter. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, but when Alexandra saves his life, he looks into her eyes the color of water and starts to drown . . .
He certainly doesn’t look like the gentlemen on her list—Grayson Finley, Viscount Stoke, is tall and sun-bronzed, muscular and blue-eyed. He wears dress so casual as to be unclothed—long coats, leather breeches, shirts without collar or cravat, and he carries pistols wherever he goes. The men who attend him are just as strange, exotic-looking, even. And the way Grayson smiles at Alexandra whenever they pass in the street—sinful, blood-warming—turns her inside out.
In the middle of the night Alexandra hears shouting coming from the house next door, and the viscount’s life being threatened. She rushes over just in time to save Grayson from being hanged by his greatest enemy, his former best friend.
Thus is Alexandra pulled into the adventures of Grayson Finley, former pirate and terror of the seas. Grayson has made a bargain with the devil (in the form of the pirate hunter, James Ardmore), in order to ensure the safety of his daughter. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, but when Alexandra saves his life, he looks into her eyes the color of water and starts to drown . . .
342 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
156 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Ashley
210 books7,329 followersNY Times Bestselling author Jennifer Ashley writes historical, contemporary, and paranormal romance, historical mysteries, and urban fantasy as Jennifer Ashley, Allyson James, and Ashley Gardner.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
Jennifer's novels have been translated into many different languages, and earned starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher's Weekly. More about her books at http://www.jenniferashley.com and http://gardnermysteries.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
January 4, 2025
DNF at 58%. If you like spice this is for you. If you like a story where two people get to know each other before things heat up or when things cool down, this is not the book. The MCs spoke on a need to know basis. Alexandra learned about Grayson second hand by speaking to his adversaries. Grayson only knew Alexandra from sight, smell, taste, and touch.
September 2, 2010
I don't think I have ever run across an author quite like Jennifer Ashley. If I have, the name isn't coming to mind right now. She has the ability to make each of her series feel totally different from the others. Now, this can be a definite detriment if you love the way she wrote a certain series and go looking to her backlist hoping for other books in the same style... But if you like your authors to keep trying new things and surprising you, it will be a good thing.
This book was a very surprising mix of lighthearted and darkness. It was fun and campy and sexy, but then a certain someone would turn around and do something crazy! Woah! I was certainly surprised!
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I giggled so much over Alexandra's list. I loved whenever it was brought up because Grayson always got a little silly and territorial over it. I liked that Alexandra was willing to play, but was still serious about her future. She was sensible and didn't forgo asking a question just because the answer may not be something she liked. I loved that she flat out asked him why he wanted to be the highest rated on the list. She didn't just ignore it and then stew and whine over it later. How refreshing!
The characters were all so hilarious, and the high jinks they got up to had me laughing out loud. I loved watching Alexandra torture Grayson's crew! It was such a nice way to get revenge. I loved poor Mr. Henderson. He kept doing these things that made you really want to dislike him, but I couldn't. He was just too nice about the whole thing. There was one part where someone runs into a fight stark naked armed with a cutlass. It was in the middle of a soiree! Ladies were fainting left and right as he danced around butt naked. It cracked me up.
The only thing that was lacking for me was the beginning part of Alexandra and Grayson's relationship. I just felt like we skipped over the "getting to know you" part. I liked the relationship, but it felt a bit thin. A little more foundation would have been nice. I also found the surprise reveal with a certain character out of the blue. It seemed extremely convenient that all the bad blood would be that character's fault. I still think Grayson was in the wrong in the beginning. He should apologize!
Now, on to the villain. This guy was a trip! I couldn't tell if he was insane or not. Or if his people liked him or not. Was he a bad guy? Was this all some elaborate plot where he was just torturing them? He reminded me a bit of Jack Sparrow. That guy had hidden motives everywhere and you couldn't tell if he really liked anyone he hung out with, with the way he seemed to throw them under the bus... That was Ardmore all over. He was the part that seemed so surprising in such a light book. That man did some bad things! He wasn't just full of hot air and bluster, he would jack you up if you crossed him!
I'm really interested in seeing Ardmore in the next book. How exactly will the author redeem him? I can't wait to find out!
This book was a very surprising mix of lighthearted and darkness. It was fun and campy and sexy, but then a certain someone would turn around and do something crazy! Woah! I was certainly surprised!
I had a lot of fun reading this book. I giggled so much over Alexandra's list. I loved whenever it was brought up because Grayson always got a little silly and territorial over it. I liked that Alexandra was willing to play, but was still serious about her future. She was sensible and didn't forgo asking a question just because the answer may not be something she liked. I loved that she flat out asked him why he wanted to be the highest rated on the list. She didn't just ignore it and then stew and whine over it later. How refreshing!
The characters were all so hilarious, and the high jinks they got up to had me laughing out loud. I loved watching Alexandra torture Grayson's crew! It was such a nice way to get revenge. I loved poor Mr. Henderson. He kept doing these things that made you really want to dislike him, but I couldn't. He was just too nice about the whole thing. There was one part where someone runs into a fight stark naked armed with a cutlass. It was in the middle of a soiree! Ladies were fainting left and right as he danced around butt naked. It cracked me up.
The only thing that was lacking for me was the beginning part of Alexandra and Grayson's relationship. I just felt like we skipped over the "getting to know you" part. I liked the relationship, but it felt a bit thin. A little more foundation would have been nice. I also found the surprise reveal with a certain character out of the blue. It seemed extremely convenient that all the bad blood would be that character's fault. I still think Grayson was in the wrong in the beginning. He should apologize!
Now, on to the villain. This guy was a trip! I couldn't tell if he was insane or not. Or if his people liked him or not. Was he a bad guy? Was this all some elaborate plot where he was just torturing them? He reminded me a bit of Jack Sparrow. That guy had hidden motives everywhere and you couldn't tell if he really liked anyone he hung out with, with the way he seemed to throw them under the bus... That was Ardmore all over. He was the part that seemed so surprising in such a light book. That man did some bad things! He wasn't just full of hot air and bluster, he would jack you up if you crossed him!
I'm really interested in seeing Ardmore in the next book. How exactly will the author redeem him? I can't wait to find out!
January 1, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up
A blue-eyed pirate had moved in next door, and Alexandra’s life had descended into chaos.
Damn, why can’t I have a next door neighbor like Grayson Finley, Viscount Stoke?
The viscount, on the other hand, was extremely interesting. His skin was sun-bronzed, a liquid color that spoke of lands far from foggy London, and he wore his gold-streaked hair unfashionably long and pulled into a queue. His gaze, which lingered on Alexandra more than was polite when they passed at their front doors, showed her that his eyes were dark blue like twilight in June. Sometimes he went out with only a loose greatcoat shrugged on over a shirt and calfskin breeches, and leather boots that reached above his knees. His broad shoulders filled out his coat, and the small smile he sent her way made Alexandra’s heart race. Yes, he was quite different. Alexandra refused to let herself use Lady Featherstone’s words — most splendidly and magnificently handsome.
And he had it so bad for Alexandra. It was insta-got-it-bad but it was delicious and I loved it nonetheless.
Their first official meet-cute (more like “woman saves her neighbor from being hung in his home”) ends with this. Gotta love a naughty pirate 🏴☠️
”I ask a favor of you.” She swallowed. “What?” The viscount gave her a long look, blue eyes glinting in the candlelight. “When you return to your bed tonight, sleep bare.” Alexandra hung onto the newel post beside her, feeling her legs go slack. “I beg your pardon?” The viscount leaned against the doorframe of the unused room, his gaze warm on her body. “Sleep without clothes when you return to your bed. I want to think of you doing so — on the other side of the wall.” Alexandra’s mind seemed to float, hot sensations chasing through her. “Why?” The viscount gave her an incredulous look before slanting her a smile that turned her heart inside out. Alexandra pried her hand from the post and raced down the stairs on shaking feet, the viscount’s dark laughter floating behind her.
The plot was bonkers, and moved busily in so many directions simultaneously that I got whiplash, but this was overall a fun, light-hearted romance, with two MCs I adored.
I wish, though, that there was more page time devoted to the romance and less to everything else. A bit more steam would have been most appreciated. But I found myself entertained, I smiled a lot, and I was very intrigued by Grayson’s nemesis, pirate hunter James Ardmore. I just may pick up his book at some point in the future.
A blue-eyed pirate had moved in next door, and Alexandra’s life had descended into chaos.
Damn, why can’t I have a next door neighbor like Grayson Finley, Viscount Stoke?
The viscount, on the other hand, was extremely interesting. His skin was sun-bronzed, a liquid color that spoke of lands far from foggy London, and he wore his gold-streaked hair unfashionably long and pulled into a queue. His gaze, which lingered on Alexandra more than was polite when they passed at their front doors, showed her that his eyes were dark blue like twilight in June. Sometimes he went out with only a loose greatcoat shrugged on over a shirt and calfskin breeches, and leather boots that reached above his knees. His broad shoulders filled out his coat, and the small smile he sent her way made Alexandra’s heart race. Yes, he was quite different. Alexandra refused to let herself use Lady Featherstone’s words — most splendidly and magnificently handsome.
And he had it so bad for Alexandra. It was insta-got-it-bad but it was delicious and I loved it nonetheless.
Their first official meet-cute (more like “woman saves her neighbor from being hung in his home”) ends with this. Gotta love a naughty pirate 🏴☠️
”I ask a favor of you.” She swallowed. “What?” The viscount gave her a long look, blue eyes glinting in the candlelight. “When you return to your bed tonight, sleep bare.” Alexandra hung onto the newel post beside her, feeling her legs go slack. “I beg your pardon?” The viscount leaned against the doorframe of the unused room, his gaze warm on her body. “Sleep without clothes when you return to your bed. I want to think of you doing so — on the other side of the wall.” Alexandra’s mind seemed to float, hot sensations chasing through her. “Why?” The viscount gave her an incredulous look before slanting her a smile that turned her heart inside out. Alexandra pried her hand from the post and raced down the stairs on shaking feet, the viscount’s dark laughter floating behind her.
The plot was bonkers, and moved busily in so many directions simultaneously that I got whiplash, but this was overall a fun, light-hearted romance, with two MCs I adored.
I wish, though, that there was more page time devoted to the romance and less to everything else. A bit more steam would have been most appreciated. But I found myself entertained, I smiled a lot, and I was very intrigued by Grayson’s nemesis, pirate hunter James Ardmore. I just may pick up his book at some point in the future.
April 29, 2012
5 stars.
Laugh out loud, enriching, intelligent, gorgeous and smoldering read. I adored Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzie series (or what I've read of it anyway), and this little gem is right up there with the Mackenzie boys.
Laugh out loud, enriching, intelligent, gorgeous and smoldering read. I adored Jennifer Ashley's Mackenzie series (or what I've read of it anyway), and this little gem is right up there with the Mackenzie boys.
January 31, 2025
⭐⭐
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Some parts of the story were a little interesting.
Widow heroine.
➖ What I disliked :
Verbose.
Repetitive.
Inconsistencies and contradictions.
Insta-lust and insta-love.
OTT.
Annoying main characters.
Jumbled.
(Too many things going on at once.… different storylines with some of the secondary characters it was just all over the place etc.)
A little too much focus on the sexual part of the relationship and not enough focus on them falling in love.
(The story/book is not a Erotica so it would have been good with more focus on the romantic build up and chemistry and the main characters actually getting to know each other.)
Both main characters were underwhelming and needed more depth.
For being a widow...but also a adult woman…. the heroine is a little too naive and ignorant/willfully ignorant about pleasure and sex and also about her own body and pleasure… even for the time period the book/story is in.
The heroine was rather shallow both about men and women.
(It was almost like she categorized people by their looks… not just noticed them or appreciated their looks if they were attractive according to her or unattractive according to her... but actually assessed them.)
The hero was too full of himself and arrogant and a jerk very often.
The heroine is only 25 years old and a widow…. A missed opportunity to have a heroine that is a little older or just older/mature…. The hero is 35 years old… so it would have been nice and interesting if the heroine was the same age or maybe even a little older than the hero.
The heroine sometimes thought about herself as older than she was (25) and sometimes also acted like it … even for the time period the book/story is in that is strange.
The heroine was treated in a reprehensible and deplorable way by the villain and his henchmen...but also by the hero in many ways… but the heroine just brushed things aside and forgave them all almost immediately.
Sensitive issues are glossed over and are written/handled in a rather dismissive and downplayed way.
(Assault, kidnapping, drugging etc.)
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both the main characters.
(Hero= tall, muscular, handsome…. And heroine slender, beautiful etc.)
2 stars.
➕ What I liked :
Some parts of the story were a little interesting.
Widow heroine.
➖ What I disliked :
Verbose.
Repetitive.
Inconsistencies and contradictions.
Insta-lust and insta-love.
OTT.
Annoying main characters.
Jumbled.
(Too many things going on at once.… different storylines with some of the secondary characters it was just all over the place etc.)
A little too much focus on the sexual part of the relationship and not enough focus on them falling in love.
(The story/book is not a Erotica so it would have been good with more focus on the romantic build up and chemistry and the main characters actually getting to know each other.)
Both main characters were underwhelming and needed more depth.
For being a widow...but also a adult woman…. the heroine is a little too naive and ignorant/willfully ignorant about pleasure and sex and also about her own body and pleasure… even for the time period the book/story is in.
The heroine was rather shallow both about men and women.
(It was almost like she categorized people by their looks… not just noticed them or appreciated their looks if they were attractive according to her or unattractive according to her... but actually assessed them.)
The hero was too full of himself and arrogant and a jerk very often.
The heroine is only 25 years old and a widow…. A missed opportunity to have a heroine that is a little older or just older/mature…. The hero is 35 years old… so it would have been nice and interesting if the heroine was the same age or maybe even a little older than the hero.
The heroine sometimes thought about herself as older than she was (25) and sometimes also acted like it … even for the time period the book/story is in that is strange.
The heroine was treated in a reprehensible and deplorable way by the villain and his henchmen...but also by the hero in many ways… but the heroine just brushed things aside and forgave them all almost immediately.
Sensitive issues are glossed over and are written/handled in a rather dismissive and downplayed way.
(Assault, kidnapping, drugging etc.)
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice of both the main characters.
(Hero= tall, muscular, handsome…. And heroine slender, beautiful etc.)
August 11, 2012
So sue me. This one gets three stars because the adventure part was great, despite the fact that I thought the heroine was an idiot. And annoying. And such a saint she made me sick.
So here's the story. Alexandra Alastair was married once, unhappily. She's thinking of marrying again and has, with the help of a friend, mustered up a list of eligible men who might suit. She's thinking of adding her extremely hot new neighbor, Viscount Stoke, when, through her open window, she hears a man threatening to kill him. She gathers her staff and hastens to the rescue, and thus makes herself a party of interest in the intrigues surrounding Grayson Finley the said viscount. Who was once a pirate.
Unfortunately, Grayson has lots of enemies and for various reasons they all find Alexandra fascinating and useful. For some reason they all seem bent on changing her from a respectable widow with a number of highly-placed suitors to being the object of gossip, scorn, and offensive advances from all the wrong people.
It's not a bad story but there were many, many moments when I wanted to yell at one or more of the characters, particularly the heroine. Alexandra was ladylike to a TSTL extreme. She's forcibly kissed in a context that could ruin her among her peers. The perpetrator of that kiss approaches her later and claims he's really really sorry, and she politely accepts his apology and permits him to escort her out to meet her coach, only to have him drug her and abduct her. He carries her to his master, the creepy Captain Ardmore (who helps gain the story a star because I hated him more than any villain I've seen in a good long while--which becomes a problem in the next book).
Anyway, maybe the reader is supposed to accept that the heroine makes idiotic comments because she was drugged, or maybe finishing school addled whatever brains she had because most of her stupid comments are stupid because of their completely inappropriate politeness. For example she scolds the villain for being rude because he failed to introduce her to his whore (apparently THAT was worse etiquette than abducting her). Bizarrely, he finds her scolding admirable and decides then and there that he just HAS to have her. When his henchman (the one who kissed and then drugged and abducted her) approaches her AGAIN and apologizes AGAIN, she is once again very polite, even to taking tea with him and inviting him to her soiree (tho she does turn down his marriage proposal). Really, just reading this again I want to
And believe it or not, it actually gets worse.
Still, with all the pirates, admiralty, pirate hunters and other assorted asses and villains skulking about the story, there's some pretty good adventure, which I liked enough to add back in another star, despite the fact that the heroine comes from the shallow end of the gene pool.
So here's the story. Alexandra Alastair was married once, unhappily. She's thinking of marrying again and has, with the help of a friend, mustered up a list of eligible men who might suit. She's thinking of adding her extremely hot new neighbor, Viscount Stoke, when, through her open window, she hears a man threatening to kill him. She gathers her staff and hastens to the rescue, and thus makes herself a party of interest in the intrigues surrounding Grayson Finley the said viscount. Who was once a pirate.
Unfortunately, Grayson has lots of enemies and for various reasons they all find Alexandra fascinating and useful. For some reason they all seem bent on changing her from a respectable widow with a number of highly-placed suitors to being the object of gossip, scorn, and offensive advances from all the wrong people.
It's not a bad story but there were many, many moments when I wanted to yell at one or more of the characters, particularly the heroine. Alexandra was ladylike to a TSTL extreme. She's forcibly kissed in a context that could ruin her among her peers. The perpetrator of that kiss approaches her later and claims he's really really sorry, and she politely accepts his apology and permits him to escort her out to meet her coach, only to have him drug her and abduct her. He carries her to his master, the creepy Captain Ardmore (who helps gain the story a star because I hated him more than any villain I've seen in a good long while--which becomes a problem in the next book).
Anyway, maybe the reader is supposed to accept that the heroine makes idiotic comments because she was drugged, or maybe finishing school addled whatever brains she had because most of her stupid comments are stupid because of their completely inappropriate politeness. For example she scolds the villain for being rude because he failed to introduce her to his whore (apparently THAT was worse etiquette than abducting her). Bizarrely, he finds her scolding admirable and decides then and there that he just HAS to have her. When his henchman (the one who kissed and then drugged and abducted her) approaches her AGAIN and apologizes AGAIN, she is once again very polite, even to taking tea with him and inviting him to her soiree (tho she does turn down his marriage proposal). Really, just reading this again I want to
And believe it or not, it actually gets worse.
Still, with all the pirates, admiralty, pirate hunters and other assorted asses and villains skulking about the story, there's some pretty good adventure, which I liked enough to add back in another star, despite the fact that the heroine comes from the shallow end of the gene pool.
July 19, 2010
Ashley's style has definitely matured since her pirate series. These are fun, implausible and a little bit clunky, but I can't help but give her props for making me believe the characters belong together (although, like Perils of the Heart, I felt like we skipped over some of the 'getting to know you' stage) and keeping me interested in the outcome of the story.
No, you're not going to find the same masterful story telling as you'll find in the MacKenzie series, but these are better than a lot of new HRs coming out. And better than some of the most recent offerings of my tried and true faves.
Items of note: 1) The hero is blond which is refreshing, 2) the heroine is reminiscent of many of Julie Garwood's leading ladies, 3) I think one of the villains might be set to lead a subsequent book and I'm not sure I can forgive him -- I guess I'll have to read and find out!
This is a cute, quick read, and it's one of Ashley's backlist that I snagged for $2.99 for my Kindle. If it doesn't quite reach to the four stars I gave it, it's defintiely a 3.75. :D
No, you're not going to find the same masterful story telling as you'll find in the MacKenzie series, but these are better than a lot of new HRs coming out. And better than some of the most recent offerings of my tried and true faves.
Items of note: 1) The hero is blond which is refreshing, 2) the heroine is reminiscent of many of Julie Garwood's leading ladies, 3) I think one of the villains might be set to lead a subsequent book and I'm not sure I can forgive him -- I guess I'll have to read and find out!
This is a cute, quick read, and it's one of Ashley's backlist that I snagged for $2.99 for my Kindle. If it doesn't quite reach to the four stars I gave it, it's defintiely a 3.75. :D
July 12, 2017
Entertaining and sometimes amusing. Not as wonderful as I expected considering I usually love Jennifer Ashley's books. There was a lot going on in this first book, which is understandable when trying to introduce lots of characters that will feature in the later books.
I liked Alexandra, although if she were my friend I'd lock her up for her own good. I never found myself lusting after the hero or the villain. That alone made the book deficient in my opinion. I need to be able to have a hot lusting sessions as I read about the hero/anti-hero.
My one biggest complaint - the iTunes ebook covers. They were god-awful! Ugliest damn things I have ever seen. This may have impacted my opinion of the book. Every time I had to look at the cover I cringed.
The old adage never judge a book by the cover could have easily been applied here. I could have judged this book by the awful cover and passed it by, missing out on pretty decent entertainment. Glad I moved on passed the cover.
I liked Alexandra, although if she were my friend I'd lock her up for her own good. I never found myself lusting after the hero or the villain. That alone made the book deficient in my opinion. I need to be able to have a hot lusting sessions as I read about the hero/anti-hero.
My one biggest complaint - the iTunes ebook covers. They were god-awful! Ugliest damn things I have ever seen. This may have impacted my opinion of the book. Every time I had to look at the cover I cringed.
The old adage never judge a book by the cover could have easily been applied here. I could have judged this book by the awful cover and passed it by, missing out on pretty decent entertainment. Glad I moved on passed the cover.
April 28, 2012
I love Jennifer Ashley's books!
Having exhausted the Mackenzie brothers (and, now that I think about it, doesn't that sound like fun?), I've turned to her Regency Pirates trilogy, first published in 2003-2005, which she is in the process of reworking and issuing as ebooks. Right now, The Pirate Next Door is the only one available, but The Pirate Hunter and The Care & Feeding Of Pirates are due out in May and June respectively.
So much happens that I won't even attempt a synopsis, but this book is funny, exciting, romantic, and touching. I eagerly await the next two installments.
Having exhausted the Mackenzie brothers (and, now that I think about it, doesn't that sound like fun?), I've turned to her Regency Pirates trilogy, first published in 2003-2005, which she is in the process of reworking and issuing as ebooks. Right now, The Pirate Next Door is the only one available, but The Pirate Hunter and The Care & Feeding Of Pirates are due out in May and June respectively.
So much happens that I won't even attempt a synopsis, but this book is funny, exciting, romantic, and touching. I eagerly await the next two installments.
July 12, 2013
3.5 stars.
I love a good pirate book, a bit of swash buckling, scally wagging, kidnapping and romance on the high seas.
I wanted all that from this book and only got a bit. Grayson Finley wasn't piratey enough for me. Fair enough, he had reasons for that. But I sort of wanted to see that bad boy in action.
This was still a really great romance and I thorougly enjoyed it. In fact I am off to read the next in the series. I believe James Ardamore will give me what I am after. Afterall he is a very bad boy.
:D
I love a good pirate book, a bit of swash buckling, scally wagging, kidnapping and romance on the high seas.
I wanted all that from this book and only got a bit. Grayson Finley wasn't piratey enough for me. Fair enough, he had reasons for that. But I sort of wanted to see that bad boy in action.
This was still a really great romance and I thorougly enjoyed it. In fact I am off to read the next in the series. I believe James Ardamore will give me what I am after. Afterall he is a very bad boy.
:D
August 28, 2024
A prim and proper widow saves her next door neighbor from being murdered by his nemesis. He's so grateful he kisses the stuffing out of her and then tells her to sleep nekkid for him. That is just the first chapter!
This book is a bananas pirate romp with some really swoony moments. Captain Finley was a walking swoon fest. He called her "love" , he was sweet and gentle, he was in from the word go. But he was being chased by like three different enemies who wanted him dead and so he couldn't abscond with the sexy widow.
And there lies the problem with this book. There was so much going on. So much! I could hardly keep all the characters straight, there were so many secondary and tertiary storylines that it hurt my brain. Ashley was still developing her amazing story telling powers here and while the plot eventually comes together beautifully, it's a trudge to get there. The heroine is very Garwood-esque which was a struggle for me, luckily I am all about the hero and Grayson Finley is a romance hero with capital letters.
⭐⭐⭐.5/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Close proximity
Single dad
CW: mentions of child loss (in the past)
This book is a bananas pirate romp with some really swoony moments. Captain Finley was a walking swoon fest. He called her "love" , he was sweet and gentle, he was in from the word go. But he was being chased by like three different enemies who wanted him dead and so he couldn't abscond with the sexy widow.
And there lies the problem with this book. There was so much going on. So much! I could hardly keep all the characters straight, there were so many secondary and tertiary storylines that it hurt my brain. Ashley was still developing her amazing story telling powers here and while the plot eventually comes together beautifully, it's a trudge to get there. The heroine is very Garwood-esque which was a struggle for me, luckily I am all about the hero and Grayson Finley is a romance hero with capital letters.
⭐⭐⭐.5/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes
Close proximity
Single dad
CW: mentions of child loss (in the past)
March 27, 2021
The Pirate Next Door is a delightful read, and one of the funniest HRs that I have read in a long time. It's funny in a silly and absurd way. This is one of Jennifer Ashley's first published books, and it is already not only my favourite by her, but a favourite romance overall!
The plot is simple. Widow Alexandra is planning to remarry when a pirates moves in next door. Alexandra becomes enmeshed in said pirate, Grayson's life and hijinks ensue. Grayson has not only a best friend turned nemesis on him, the English hounding him to find a missing French king, but also other enemies afoot...
I had only read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie before starting The Pirate Next Door. I enjoyed the heroine from The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie because she was sarcastic and often teased Ian. She was fun. It was to my delight that Alexandra was of the same mold. In fact, so was Grayson! They were both so cute together. They had a lot of fun bouncing off each other's energy.
Some of my favourite lines from Grayson's POV:
Grayson should tell her he liked it when she went all haughty.
He'd had no chance to touch her or take her hand, or to dramatically declare, I will avenge you.
"Go ahead and laugh at me, sweetheart. I like it when you laugh."
The list scene is a stand-out from The Pirate Next Door - it is so adorable and made me love Grayson. If you find the scene funny, the whole story has this levity to it. At the same time, there were some seriously dramatic moments (Alexandra is forced to strip naked on a ship, and a brutal killing) that surprised me a little because the story had been silly hijinks. This was the best of both worlds for me.
There were so many fun scenes like the ladies in the drawing room imagining a pirate ravishing them and "the room descended into thoughtful silence." Alexandra's reoccurring fantasy of being ravished by Grayson and him stealing her necklace afterwards. The amount of proposals Alexandra received.
I particularly loved when Alexandra asks Grayson offhand if he had found the French king yet, a question that he is caught off-guard by since he had no idea that Alexandra knew about it. When he asks her how she knows, she basically tells him she knows how to put 2 and 2 together, "I did not know - I drew the conclusion... Why you men believe this is all so secret, I do not know."
I JUST LOVED THIS! Also this is like $2.99 at the Kindle store.
The plot is simple. Widow Alexandra is planning to remarry when a pirates moves in next door. Alexandra becomes enmeshed in said pirate, Grayson's life and hijinks ensue. Grayson has not only a best friend turned nemesis on him, the English hounding him to find a missing French king, but also other enemies afoot...
I had only read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie before starting The Pirate Next Door. I enjoyed the heroine from The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie because she was sarcastic and often teased Ian. She was fun. It was to my delight that Alexandra was of the same mold. In fact, so was Grayson! They were both so cute together. They had a lot of fun bouncing off each other's energy.
Some of my favourite lines from Grayson's POV:
Grayson should tell her he liked it when she went all haughty.
He'd had no chance to touch her or take her hand, or to dramatically declare, I will avenge you.
"Go ahead and laugh at me, sweetheart. I like it when you laugh."
The list scene is a stand-out from The Pirate Next Door - it is so adorable and made me love Grayson. If you find the scene funny, the whole story has this levity to it. At the same time, there were some seriously dramatic moments (Alexandra is forced to strip naked on a ship, and a brutal killing) that surprised me a little because the story had been silly hijinks. This was the best of both worlds for me.
There were so many fun scenes like the ladies in the drawing room imagining a pirate ravishing them and "the room descended into thoughtful silence." Alexandra's reoccurring fantasy of being ravished by Grayson and him stealing her necklace afterwards. The amount of proposals Alexandra received.
I particularly loved when Alexandra asks Grayson offhand if he had found the French king yet, a question that he is caught off-guard by since he had no idea that Alexandra knew about it. When he asks her how she knows, she basically tells him she knows how to put 2 and 2 together, "I did not know - I drew the conclusion... Why you men believe this is all so secret, I do not know."
I JUST LOVED THIS! Also this is like $2.99 at the Kindle store.
July 26, 2013
Mystery....Intrigue...Conspiracies...Abductions...Romance....Sex...
...SsssssWASHbuckling!!!
Actually, there is a decided lack of swashbuckling. I would have been happy with just a bit more swashbuckling. Not to mention a bit less harping from...damn it, what's her name? Alexandra. Yes, Alexandra is a bit of a nag, and Grayson is a bit of a bore, but that wouldn't be such an issue if this weren't (supposedly) about a pirate. Or, rather, a former pirate. Either way. Yes, Grayson is roguish and charming and irreverent, and Alexandra is a smart-mouthed, "feisty" heroine, but her stubborn desire to cling to all things "proper" had me wanting to stab her in the back of the neck.
I guess I don't fully understand this pervasive fantasy about a wicked wild man shaking up some doddering, old-beyond-her-years widow. I don't get it. Are there really so many women out there who feel that most women are proper and reserved and far too sedate? And why would a former pirate be at all attracted to someone like that? I guess the contrasts would be sharp. I suppose. Oh, listen to me babbling on. Honestly, I sound a bit like this book which, did I mention, seemed to take forfuckingever to finish? It's too long. Too long and too dull and I just couldn't bring myself to really care about what happened because I just wanted it to end.
That being said...some decent steam, and hey, at least a pretense at pirates. Still, I enjoyed the villain most of all.
But then, I think I might be a bit twisted.
...SsssssWASHbuckling!!!
Actually, there is a decided lack of swashbuckling. I would have been happy with just a bit more swashbuckling. Not to mention a bit less harping from...damn it, what's her name? Alexandra. Yes, Alexandra is a bit of a nag, and Grayson is a bit of a bore, but that wouldn't be such an issue if this weren't (supposedly) about a pirate. Or, rather, a former pirate. Either way. Yes, Grayson is roguish and charming and irreverent, and Alexandra is a smart-mouthed, "feisty" heroine, but her stubborn desire to cling to all things "proper" had me wanting to stab her in the back of the neck.
I guess I don't fully understand this pervasive fantasy about a wicked wild man shaking up some doddering, old-beyond-her-years widow. I don't get it. Are there really so many women out there who feel that most women are proper and reserved and far too sedate? And why would a former pirate be at all attracted to someone like that? I guess the contrasts would be sharp. I suppose. Oh, listen to me babbling on. Honestly, I sound a bit like this book which, did I mention, seemed to take forfuckingever to finish? It's too long. Too long and too dull and I just couldn't bring myself to really care about what happened because I just wanted it to end.
That being said...some decent steam, and hey, at least a pretense at pirates. Still, I enjoyed the villain most of all.
But then, I think I might be a bit twisted.
February 25, 2020
Много се забавлявах с тази книга. Колоритни герои, много симпатични, приключения и любов. Разтовари ме!
Действието се развива през 1810 г. в Англия. Александра води спокоен живот на вдовица, докато в съседната къща не се нанася виконт Грейсън или пиратът Финли. Между тях веднага започват да прехвърчат любовни искри. Много забавни и колоритни герои. Някъде съм се смяла от сърце. Може на някого да му се стори наивничка на моменти, но героите са много симпатични и предизвикват усмивки. В цялата книга няма нищо натоварващо! Надявам се пиратът Джеймс Ардмор в следващата книга да открие любовта, която да го излекува.
Действието се развива през 1810 г. в Англия. Александра води спокоен живот на вдовица, докато в съседната къща не се нанася виконт Грейсън или пиратът Финли. Между тях веднага започват да прехвърчат любовни искри. Много забавни и колоритни герои. Някъде съм се смяла от сърце. Може на някого да му се стори наивничка на моменти, но героите са много симпатични и предизвикват усмивки. В цялата книга няма нищо натоварващо! Надявам се пиратът Джеймс Ардмор в следващата книга да открие любовта, която да го излекува.
January 16, 2019
Dit is een volkomen idioot verhaal eigenlijk maar het is met zo veel enthousiasme en humor geschreven dat het toch wel weer leuk is . Op de een of andere manier kreeg ik tijdens het lezen vaak gedachten over een puppy die iedereen ( inclusief de slechterik ) blij kwispelend in het gezicht likt .
This is a completely idiotical story really but it's written with such enthusiasm and humor that it is a nice read anyway . Somehow during reading I got thoughts in my head about a puppy who while happily wagging it's tail liks everybody ( including the villain ) in the face .
This is a completely idiotical story really but it's written with such enthusiasm and humor that it is a nice read anyway . Somehow during reading I got thoughts in my head about a puppy who while happily wagging it's tail liks everybody ( including the villain ) in the face .
August 22, 2020
3.5 but rounding down - I just can’t give it four stars.
This book has a ton of action - it’s very quickly paced without much filler. That is both a pro and a con - it’s hard to put down, but it lacks the quiet moments for the relationship to develop. There’s also a secondary relationship that was more appealing than than the primary one.
The hero and heroine are fine - they sort of have character arcs but not much. The heroine at times was almost Too Stupid To Live, but at least she took action.
The character of Burchard was an odd one.
This book has a ton of action - it’s very quickly paced without much filler. That is both a pro and a con - it’s hard to put down, but it lacks the quiet moments for the relationship to develop. There’s also a secondary relationship that was more appealing than than the primary one.
The hero and heroine are fine - they sort of have character arcs but not much. The heroine at times was almost Too Stupid To Live, but at least she took action.
The character of Burchard was an odd one.
April 25, 2015
Meh. This book was cute & fun, but it never hit the high note one usually find in this author's books. I think because the feud/hatred between Finley & Ardmore seemed contrived. The big bad villain of the story was utterly ridiculous. It wasn't believable and made no sense.
Like the MacKenzies series better.
Like the MacKenzies series better.
January 1, 2025
I love reading Jennifer Ashley, but I must have forgotten to write a review. I believe at this time, 2013, I was in mourning for my husband. I can still remember this lovely storyline. I have always the greatest pleasure when reading this author. 5☆
Read
April 1, 2012Newly re-released ebook edition of The Pirate Next Door.
October 17, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down
The ending needed a bit more room to breathe, and the word Love was perhaps bandied about a bit before I believed it, but this was an excellent read. Charming, exciting.
It’s no Mackenzie, but Jennifer Ashley knows what she’s doing.
The ending needed a bit more room to breathe, and the word Love was perhaps bandied about a bit before I believed it, but this was an excellent read. Charming, exciting.
It’s no Mackenzie, but Jennifer Ashley knows what she’s doing.
Read
October 22, 2017I think I could go back to this later but just didn't hold my interest at this point.
August 3, 2021
Als je lekker gaat op een boek wat daadwerkelijk door Google translate is gehaald is dit echt iets voor jou! En anders heb je door t boek heen de volgende pareltjes: "zijn stem was hees van lust" en "Ik houd van jou, mijn buurmanpiraat", heerlie de peerlie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2012
"The Pirate Next Door" by Jennifer Ashley is virile, casual new Lord and neighbor Grayson, hanging by the neck, rescued by red-hair unfulfilled widow next-door Alexandra. Pirate enemies Ardmore and youthful Bouchard shoot pistols, abduct innocents. Has the French Louis been taken by Napoleon's spies? Breeches strained by manly parts, and not, explicit sweaty interludes ... and typos: naval p117 for navel (Grayson licks Alexandra's "nautical"?) and make "due" p201 for "do". Yo-ho-ho, too much rum? Fine example of the genre: banter, danger, aristocratic ambience, and hot nights. I'll be looking for more and maybe upgrade this to 5* fan, if other books are as good.
May 8, 2017
***3.5***
I liked it, it was fun. I mean, pirates, woo!
Grayson is awesome. Alexandra, though, I never really warmed up to. She was... too perfect, and it made her feel unreal. She was perfectly naive, a perfect lady. But then in the next instant, she was perfectly fierce, willing to stand naked before villainous pirates and stare them down. She would be perfectly frivolous in one moment (again, exactly what one would expect from a well-respected member of the ton) and then perfectly clever the next moment, easily figuring out a situation that everyone from the government to nefarious pirates were struggling to unravel. She was perfectly beautiful, and also perfectly sweet and big-hearted, and everyone simply adored her. She could swing back and forth between perfectly proper and a perfectly wicked lover multiple times in a short span. A paragon of a woman, and every male character in the book fell at her feet within moments of meeting her.
It just was too much. And it did hurt my enjoyment of the book a bit... I was rolling my eyes a couple times.
But it was fun, all the same.
I liked it, it was fun. I mean, pirates, woo!
Grayson is awesome. Alexandra, though, I never really warmed up to. She was... too perfect, and it made her feel unreal. She was perfectly naive, a perfect lady. But then in the next instant, she was perfectly fierce, willing to stand naked before villainous pirates and stare them down. She would be perfectly frivolous in one moment (again, exactly what one would expect from a well-respected member of the ton) and then perfectly clever the next moment, easily figuring out a situation that everyone from the government to nefarious pirates were struggling to unravel. She was perfectly beautiful, and also perfectly sweet and big-hearted, and everyone simply adored her. She could swing back and forth between perfectly proper and a perfectly wicked lover multiple times in a short span. A paragon of a woman, and every male character in the book fell at her feet within moments of meeting her.
It just was too much. And it did hurt my enjoyment of the book a bit... I was rolling my eyes a couple times.
But it was fun, all the same.
December 22, 2022
So Jennifer Ashley is a new author for me. I did read one of her books in 2019 but that was over 1300 books ago and don’t have a clue what the book was about and at the time I didn't do many reviews or take notes of my reads like I do now. I did write in my reviews it was a good read and I liked it but felt she was expensive considering how many books I read on average. Anyway, I was going over some research and saw her again and thought I’d giver her another try.
I am so glad I did. I really loved Alexandra and Grayson. I loved this story, their characters and their chemistry. I liked the intrigue and suspense. I really couldn't put it down.
Moving on to book 2.
I am so glad I did. I really loved Alexandra and Grayson. I loved this story, their characters and their chemistry. I liked the intrigue and suspense. I really couldn't put it down.
Moving on to book 2.
August 3, 2018
She's an aristocrat, widow, whose husband had treated her poorly. and is now looking for a second husband who will be better than her first. He's a pirate, recently given Lordship, with a daughter in tow. He has plans within plans to protect his daughter's future which don't include a new wife but he's undeniable attracted to his neighbor. Her prim and proper ways make him just want to muss her up, even while trying to protect her from his enemies. Okay read, fun moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
This was delightfully silly. Mrs. Alexandra Alistair, widow, meets her new neighbor, Grayson Finley, Viscount Stoke, pirate, when he moves in next door. Rescue, kissing, more kissing, kidnap, and lots of adventure ensue. I cannot get enough Jennifer Ashley. I now have no choice but to immediately read the next book in this series. I cannot see a way Ashley can make James Ardmore a sympathetic hero.
January 4, 2022
The swashbucklingness increases as the book goes on, but the only naval battle takes place in the Thames (I think). A lot of kidnapping, no actual piracy. Highlight was a sweaty naked dude with a cutlass crashing a society party.
April 4, 2019
This was great fun to read! The plot took more than a few unexpected twists and turns and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
March 21, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. There was comedy, action, and romance. I have to say that I loved that the heroine kept getting asked to be married by like four different men. I can't wait to start book two in the series.
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