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Catherine and the Pirate
Born to a prominent Boston family, Catherine Markham is a bit of a hellion despite her gentle upbringing. Stifled by the rules imposed by society, Catherine yearns for adventure. When her beloved brother is kidnapped, she decides to deliver the ransom herself -- with the help of a young man few others might turn to.The Pirate
Derrick St. John lives on the edge. The memory of his dead father tainted by treason, Derrick's life has been spent at sea in both legal and not-so-legal pursuits. Determined to clear his father's name, the last thing this young pirate wants is to embark on a voyage to Savannah in the midst of a war with the British, much less with a young lady who spells trouble at every turn.
An emotion stronger than caution takes hold of Derrick, and he finds himself unable to refuse Catherine's pleas for assistance, even though the journey promises peril for them both. And so the headstrong girl and the daring sea captain sail into an exhilarating adventure that fast becomes a journey of the heart.
Derrick St. John lives on the edge. The memory of his dead father tainted by treason, Derrick's life has been spent at sea in both legal and not-so-legal pursuits. Determined to clear his father's name, the last thing this young pirate wants is to embark on a voyage to Savannah in the midst of a war with the British, much less with a young lady who spells trouble at every turn.
An emotion stronger than caution takes hold of Derrick, and he finds himself unable to refuse Catherine's pleas for assistance, even though the journey promises peril for them both. And so the headstrong girl and the daring sea captain sail into an exhilarating adventure that fast becomes a journey of the heart.
264 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 20, 2002
5 people are currently reading
909 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hawkins
59 books2,984 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Karen Hawkins writes novels that have been praised as touching, witty, charming, and heartwarming. A native Southerner who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee where storytelling is a way of life, Karen recently moved to frosty New England with her beloved husband and multiple foster dogs. The Dove Pond books are a nod to the thousands of books that opened doors to more adventures, places, and discoveries than she ever imagined possible. To find out more about Karen, follow her at:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 6, 2021
Catherine Markham's brother is presumed lost at sea when her family gets a ransom note: if she can make it from Massachusetts to Savannah, Georgia in 2 weeks with 50 gold pieces, he'll be saved. So she hires the former pirate Derrick St. John, her bro's bff, to take her south. THEY KISS. PIRATES ATTACK. THE BROTHER IS SAVED. ROLL CREDITS.
1. I'm about to damn this with faint praise, but! I think this is probably one of the better Avon True Romances (thus far)!! It's a compelling story—the villains are actually villainous!! SHOCKER—and Derrick and Catherine's attraction for one another feels potent, not cloying or pasted on. 3.5 stars!!
2. That said, the ending is the WORST. I had this vague, shadow-y sort of disappointment in the back of my throat as I was rereading this, and it turns out it's because it just ENDS. Like, the villain is captured, the antoganist is dead, the brother saved, and the love confessions happen.
THE END.
It's just so ABRUPT. I need a little more resolution! I need a lolling-on-the-green-meadows epilogue! Give me just that brief few moments in the future to shore up my confirmation of a happy ending! IT'S REQUIRED, I ASSURE YOU.
3. The villains tho: they evil but not the same flavors of evil and this I appreciated?? What a weird-ass thing to appreciate??
4. I liked Catherine and Derrick as baby heroes: they're still young, but they have their own assumptions and approaches to things, and I think this particular entry in the series provides the most effective setup for how these two characters fall into lust and love, and how it's believable as a relationship (rather than feeling like gooey puppy love made Happy Ever After).
5. But seriously there are pirates and a kiss during a sea battle: that's some formative shit right there.
1. I'm about to damn this with faint praise, but! I think this is probably one of the better Avon True Romances (thus far)!! It's a compelling story—the villains are actually villainous!! SHOCKER—and Derrick and Catherine's attraction for one another feels potent, not cloying or pasted on. 3.5 stars!!
2. That said, the ending is the WORST. I had this vague, shadow-y sort of disappointment in the back of my throat as I was rereading this, and it turns out it's because it just ENDS. Like, the villain is captured, the antoganist is dead, the brother saved, and the love confessions happen.
THE END.
It's just so ABRUPT. I need a little more resolution! I need a lolling-on-the-green-meadows epilogue! Give me just that brief few moments in the future to shore up my confirmation of a happy ending! IT'S REQUIRED, I ASSURE YOU.
3. The villains tho: they evil but not the same flavors of evil and this I appreciated?? What a weird-ass thing to appreciate??
4. I liked Catherine and Derrick as baby heroes: they're still young, but they have their own assumptions and approaches to things, and I think this particular entry in the series provides the most effective setup for how these two characters fall into lust and love, and how it's believable as a relationship (rather than feeling like gooey puppy love made Happy Ever After).
5. But seriously there are pirates and a kiss during a sea battle: that's some formative shit right there.
May 6, 2014
WAS THIS BOOK RESPONSIBLE FOR MY WEIRD PIRATE THING? Possibly. But more likely it was some random trashy romance novel I read as a child and then found this one later. But, damn. Pirates, am I right? This is possibly the fluffiest pirate romance novel ever written. I love it.
March 1, 2010
When seventeen-year-old Catherine Markham's parents died four years ago, it was her brother Royce who kept her going. Although Royce was twelve years older than Catherine, he became more than just her brother, he became her best friend. When Catherine learns that Royce has been lost at sea in the American Revolution, she is devastated -- until a ransom note arrives, stating that Royce is still alive and demanding money for his safe return. Determined to get from Boston to Savannah to deliver the ransom herself, Catherine convinces Royce's best friend, Derrick St. John, to take her on his ship. Just twenty-one years old, Derrick already has a past as a pirate, a past he was able to abandon with Royce's help. But he still lives with the memories of what he has done, and the knowledge that it was partly his fault his late father was falsely accused of treason. On the journey to Savannah, Catherine and Derrick fall in love, but hide their feelings from each other -- he because of his past, she because she despairs of ever becoming more than his best friend's little sister.
I highly recommend this new Avon True Romance. Like the rest of the books in the series, it's a wonderful historical romance for teens. I also really loved the setting, as the colonial period has always been one of my favorites.
I highly recommend this new Avon True Romance. Like the rest of the books in the series, it's a wonderful historical romance for teens. I also really loved the setting, as the colonial period has always been one of my favorites.
September 2, 2009
Just read this book again for a book challenge. It's cute. Just a little fluffy teen romance, where they fall in love and kiss at the end... ;) It was nice and adorable.
March 11, 2012
This book was by far my favorite in the 'Avon True Romance' series. And I had read every single book in that series.
February 16, 2021
Tal vez la nota que estoy poniendo es más nostálgica que por calidad, pero realmente me encanta este libro porque es de esos libros donde el amor adolescente es bonito, donde se descubren los sentimientos, donde se descubre más allá de la apariencia de la otra persona y que termina con un bonito beso... si, es ese libro que le darías a tu hermana menor para que empiece a leer romance porque tiene aventura, piratas, aprendizaje de los errores, autoconocimiento y amor. Amor por los seres queridos, amor por el mar, amor joven y dulce.
Catherine tiene un montón de cosas buenas pero también es bastante torpe lo que hace que sientas afinidad con ella y deseas darle una palmadita en la espalda, por el otro lado Derrick es un joven apuesto, capitán de su propio barco que intenta arreglar errores del pasado a quienes el destino unirá para buscar a Royce, el hermano de Catherine y el mejor amigo de Derrick.
Como ya lo dije antes, no es la mejor historia del mundo pero sin dudas, fue una de esas historias que marca un momento de tu vida como lectora de romance y lo sigo amando a pesar de todos los años que lleva conmigo.
Catherine tiene un montón de cosas buenas pero también es bastante torpe lo que hace que sientas afinidad con ella y deseas darle una palmadita en la espalda, por el otro lado Derrick es un joven apuesto, capitán de su propio barco que intenta arreglar errores del pasado a quienes el destino unirá para buscar a Royce, el hermano de Catherine y el mejor amigo de Derrick.
Como ya lo dije antes, no es la mejor historia del mundo pero sin dudas, fue una de esas historias que marca un momento de tu vida como lectora de romance y lo sigo amando a pesar de todos los años que lleva conmigo.
July 23, 2016
Genre: swash-buckling heroes, bro-sis relationship, clearing up the family name
Summary: Catherine has just received a ransom note for her brother Royce who has gone missing. If she can deliver 50 gold coins to Savannah in two weeks, she can save his life. But a single young woman cannot travel alone, so she convinces her brother's friend with a troubled reputation to take her on his ship.
Response: This is part of one of my favorite series that I read when I was in high school. Squeaky clean historical romances. Super easy reading that's light and ready.
Summary: Catherine has just received a ransom note for her brother Royce who has gone missing. If she can deliver 50 gold coins to Savannah in two weeks, she can save his life. But a single young woman cannot travel alone, so she convinces her brother's friend with a troubled reputation to take her on his ship.
Response: This is part of one of my favorite series that I read when I was in high school. Squeaky clean historical romances. Super easy reading that's light and ready.
August 10, 2021
No esperaba que el libro me gustara tanto, pero así fue.
Tiene sus detalles, algunos cabos sueltos por ahí y me quedé con ganas de conocer más sobre las vidas de Catherine y Derrick, pero en términos generales es un libro que disfruté bastante.
El romance es ligero y sutil, nada de pasiones arrebatadoras ni esas cosas tan Harlequin que una esperaría de esta clase de libros.
Que si, que este es otro caso de amor casi instantáneo, sin embargo, Karen Hawkins logró vendernos este viejo cuento sin que sintamos ganas de rodar los ojos.
Catherine Markham me gustó mucho como protagonista, con ese carácter tan decidido, y Derrick no pudo ser mejor pareja, era un terco de lo peor y aun así ambos se complementaban perfectamente con sus maneras tan fuertes.
No sé que pasará con este par, pero espero que en algún momento se encuentren juntos surcando las aguas rumbo a alguna tierra lejana o que se encuentren descansando plácidamente en un casita pintoresca cercana a Boston.
Tiene sus detalles, algunos cabos sueltos por ahí y me quedé con ganas de conocer más sobre las vidas de Catherine y Derrick, pero en términos generales es un libro que disfruté bastante.
El romance es ligero y sutil, nada de pasiones arrebatadoras ni esas cosas tan Harlequin que una esperaría de esta clase de libros.
Que si, que este es otro caso de amor casi instantáneo, sin embargo, Karen Hawkins logró vendernos este viejo cuento sin que sintamos ganas de rodar los ojos.
Catherine Markham me gustó mucho como protagonista, con ese carácter tan decidido, y Derrick no pudo ser mejor pareja, era un terco de lo peor y aun así ambos se complementaban perfectamente con sus maneras tan fuertes.
No sé que pasará con este par, pero espero que en algún momento se encuentren juntos surcando las aguas rumbo a alguna tierra lejana o que se encuentren descansando plácidamente en un casita pintoresca cercana a Boston.
November 21, 2023
If you're going to write a pirate book, WRITE A GOSH DARN PIRATE BOOK.
I know what I signed up for when I chose to read a pirate romance. Pirates are thieves and murderers. No need to excuse it or sugarcoat it.
Derrick-
A merchant ship captain who was once the most notorious and feared pirate on the seven seas, but that was years ago. But he's only in his early 20s maybe? Make it believable. Make it make sense. Now he's a successful and respected ship captain? He's a 'pirate' but we never get to see him be a pirate. It's all the past.
Catherine-
Your typical stubborn heroine who can't follow simple directions that would keep everyone safe.
The story? Where's the swashbuckling adventure? Where are the sword fights and explosions and plundering? There was one ship battle and it was brief. And the dog ended up being the hero? Okay, whatever you say.
If you're going to write a pirate romance book, COMMIT. GIVE US PIRATES.
I know what I signed up for when I chose to read a pirate romance. Pirates are thieves and murderers. No need to excuse it or sugarcoat it.
Derrick-
A merchant ship captain who was once the most notorious and feared pirate on the seven seas, but that was years ago. But he's only in his early 20s maybe? Make it believable. Make it make sense. Now he's a successful and respected ship captain? He's a 'pirate' but we never get to see him be a pirate. It's all the past.
Catherine-
Your typical stubborn heroine who can't follow simple directions that would keep everyone safe.
The story? Where's the swashbuckling adventure? Where are the sword fights and explosions and plundering? There was one ship battle and it was brief. And the dog ended up being the hero? Okay, whatever you say.
If you're going to write a pirate romance book, COMMIT. GIVE US PIRATES.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2021
(Review originally posted on Amazon on April 26, 2016): Probably just as well this book is out of print.
The amount of five-star reviews (even four-star reviews) for this book is mind-boggling. I first read it back in 2004, when I was in my late teens, and probably would have given it three stars back then. These days I am not even that forgiving, and upon giving it a reread out of sheer curiosity, I'm forced to give it a two.
As others have pointed out, the title is misleading, as the hero is, in fact, an ex-pirate. It's not a good sign when a book starts lying to you before the first page, even.
The story could have been an interesting tale of a girl falling for a guy from the wrong side of the tracks (and said guy trying to atone for the past mistakes that landed him on the wrong side of the tracks in the first place), but unfortunately it never really delivers. The setting is pleasantly swashbuckly and the plot and pacing is generally good, but the characterizations are all over the place, and the actual romance—as in, the emotional development between the hero and heroine—leaves a lot to be desired. They fall in love not so much because it makes sense, character-wise, but because story conventions demand it. She is the heroine and he is the hero, so thus, they must get together. And since this is YA, we don't even get lust masquerading as love, as so many adult romances can claim to their dubious benefit. Oh, sure, the heroine checks out the hero's abs and chest more often than she probably should, but mostly she falls in love with him because...well...she just does, simple as that. Same goes for the hero—there's a bit of physical attraction on his end, but that's about it. A classic case of "telling, not showing" if there ever was one.
As for the characters themselves, well, "Mary Sue" is a term that admittedly gets thrown around too liberally these days (usually aimed at any female character who dares to be the protagonist), but Catherine really is quite Sue-ish: her only flaw is that she's flawless. She comes off less like a real and believable person, and more like the author just created a physical frame and piled a bunch of "awesome" attributes on top of it. She's a tomboyish badass yet she's also a demure, proper lady! She knows more about wounds and infection than even the ship's medic (because she's previously played veterinarian's assistant in the barns, naturally)! She knows enough about carpentry to casually help with ship repair! She's so good with an 18th century pistol (weapons not exactly known for their accuracy) that she can shoot guns right out of the villains' hands! And all this, despite the fact that she's basically American aristocracy!
Derrick, the hero, fares a little better, often coming across as a blissful voice of reason in a story gone mad, but even he suffers bizarre, oscillating shifts in character. It's almost as if the author outlined the book with him as a serious, broody ex-criminal set on atonement, but when the time came to actually write it, wanted to instead make him a grinning, roguish pseudo-rake. One particularly laughable part describes him as flashing a "rare smile," despite the fact that he's been flashing smiles and grins the entire scene.
On top of all that, the language is distractingly modern, both in tone and actual word choices, and Catherine in particular is irritatingly modern in her sensibilities, what with her "I don't need no man" attitude and her constant angsting that she's too young and unworldly for her brother's best friend to be at all interested in her. (Yeah, never mind the fact that he's trying to protect your reputation since he's, you know, an ex-criminal.) There's also an uncomfortable Madonna/whore complex that seems to permeate the book. Catherine, of course, can do no wrong, and is in fact compared to multiple characters' mothers at times, but whenever another female character dares to enter the narrative? Slutty bitches, all of them. It's the sort of thing I could forgive in a romance novel written in the 1970s, but this was written/published in 2002, and the author should have known better. 21st century feminism: this ain't how you do it. And it sure as heck isn't the sort of thing I'd want an impressionable teenage girl exposed to—not with all the other toxic misogyny that bombards mass media.
Last but not least, technical errors abound. Numerous typos, forgotten words, inconsistent dialects, an inconsistent timeline (did Royce hire Derrick four years ago or promote him to lead captain four years ago? how could Derrick's father have been judged to be a traitor to the country before the United States even existed as a country? etc.), a case where one character is actually referred to by the wrong name, and then there's the fact that the author clearly needs to learn when to start a new paragraph (as in, she does it far, far more often than she should). There are also seemingly important details that get brought up only to be promptly forgotten about, and multiple times the author seems to brain-fart and forget what her characters are doing and/or have done, such as when Catherine throws a hat on her bed only to find said hat in her closet two sentences later. The cumulative effect of all of this is that the book reads as half-baked, more of a rough first draft than a finished product.
So yeah, the relatively solid plot, decent pacing, and character potential save this from being a one-star story, but I can't in good conscience rate it any higher than a two. It's a "clean" romance in the respect that there's no sex, but if you're looking for something to give to a teen (or even to read, yourself), you can do far better.
The amount of five-star reviews (even four-star reviews) for this book is mind-boggling. I first read it back in 2004, when I was in my late teens, and probably would have given it three stars back then. These days I am not even that forgiving, and upon giving it a reread out of sheer curiosity, I'm forced to give it a two.
As others have pointed out, the title is misleading, as the hero is, in fact, an ex-pirate. It's not a good sign when a book starts lying to you before the first page, even.
The story could have been an interesting tale of a girl falling for a guy from the wrong side of the tracks (and said guy trying to atone for the past mistakes that landed him on the wrong side of the tracks in the first place), but unfortunately it never really delivers. The setting is pleasantly swashbuckly and the plot and pacing is generally good, but the characterizations are all over the place, and the actual romance—as in, the emotional development between the hero and heroine—leaves a lot to be desired. They fall in love not so much because it makes sense, character-wise, but because story conventions demand it. She is the heroine and he is the hero, so thus, they must get together. And since this is YA, we don't even get lust masquerading as love, as so many adult romances can claim to their dubious benefit. Oh, sure, the heroine checks out the hero's abs and chest more often than she probably should, but mostly she falls in love with him because...well...she just does, simple as that. Same goes for the hero—there's a bit of physical attraction on his end, but that's about it. A classic case of "telling, not showing" if there ever was one.
As for the characters themselves, well, "Mary Sue" is a term that admittedly gets thrown around too liberally these days (usually aimed at any female character who dares to be the protagonist), but Catherine really is quite Sue-ish: her only flaw is that she's flawless. She comes off less like a real and believable person, and more like the author just created a physical frame and piled a bunch of "awesome" attributes on top of it. She's a tomboyish badass yet she's also a demure, proper lady! She knows more about wounds and infection than even the ship's medic (because she's previously played veterinarian's assistant in the barns, naturally)! She knows enough about carpentry to casually help with ship repair! She's so good with an 18th century pistol (weapons not exactly known for their accuracy) that she can shoot guns right out of the villains' hands! And all this, despite the fact that she's basically American aristocracy!
Derrick, the hero, fares a little better, often coming across as a blissful voice of reason in a story gone mad, but even he suffers bizarre, oscillating shifts in character. It's almost as if the author outlined the book with him as a serious, broody ex-criminal set on atonement, but when the time came to actually write it, wanted to instead make him a grinning, roguish pseudo-rake. One particularly laughable part describes him as flashing a "rare smile," despite the fact that he's been flashing smiles and grins the entire scene.
On top of all that, the language is distractingly modern, both in tone and actual word choices, and Catherine in particular is irritatingly modern in her sensibilities, what with her "I don't need no man" attitude and her constant angsting that she's too young and unworldly for her brother's best friend to be at all interested in her. (Yeah, never mind the fact that he's trying to protect your reputation since he's, you know, an ex-criminal.) There's also an uncomfortable Madonna/whore complex that seems to permeate the book. Catherine, of course, can do no wrong, and is in fact compared to multiple characters' mothers at times, but whenever another female character dares to enter the narrative? Slutty bitches, all of them. It's the sort of thing I could forgive in a romance novel written in the 1970s, but this was written/published in 2002, and the author should have known better. 21st century feminism: this ain't how you do it. And it sure as heck isn't the sort of thing I'd want an impressionable teenage girl exposed to—not with all the other toxic misogyny that bombards mass media.
Last but not least, technical errors abound. Numerous typos, forgotten words, inconsistent dialects, an inconsistent timeline (did Royce hire Derrick four years ago or promote him to lead captain four years ago? how could Derrick's father have been judged to be a traitor to the country before the United States even existed as a country? etc.), a case where one character is actually referred to by the wrong name, and then there's the fact that the author clearly needs to learn when to start a new paragraph (as in, she does it far, far more often than she should). There are also seemingly important details that get brought up only to be promptly forgotten about, and multiple times the author seems to brain-fart and forget what her characters are doing and/or have done, such as when Catherine throws a hat on her bed only to find said hat in her closet two sentences later. The cumulative effect of all of this is that the book reads as half-baked, more of a rough first draft than a finished product.
So yeah, the relatively solid plot, decent pacing, and character potential save this from being a one-star story, but I can't in good conscience rate it any higher than a two. It's a "clean" romance in the respect that there's no sex, but if you're looking for something to give to a teen (or even to read, yourself), you can do far better.
February 10, 2019
Good lord this book. So many amazing preteen memories. It’s a kinda cheesy romance, yeah, but there is pirates and true love and people overcoming their former bad selves and real love you guys, created while dealing with outside conflict so you just know that when society and more outside forces come aknockin’, these two will know just how to handle it and never let it tear them apart.
”Those with great hatred in their hearts also have room for great love.”
”Those with great hatred in their hearts also have room for great love.”
April 16, 2019
It took me four years to finish this and I only did it because I own a copy. (sadly)
The book was very cringy and predictable. I never had a connection with any of the characters and to be honest the book was pretty lame. The only reason why I put it two stars its because maybe (?) it is not a bad book and I am just too old (?) I didn't like it at all but I didn't hate it (?)
Anyways, I would not recommed it to anybody.
The book was very cringy and predictable. I never had a connection with any of the characters and to be honest the book was pretty lame. The only reason why I put it two stars its because maybe (?) it is not a bad book and I am just too old (?) I didn't like it at all but I didn't hate it (?)
Anyways, I would not recommed it to anybody.
July 6, 2025
Casi no tenía romance y es un libro de una aventura sin mucha aventura .
Una chica que cree firmemente que su hermano está vivo, aunque juran que murió, para salvarlo ocupa dinero y llegar en cuestión de días al otro lado y sabe con quien contar, el amigo y empleado de su hermano
Frases
me importa lo que piensen. Es mejor ser una cobarde viva que una muerta.
Una chica que cree firmemente que su hermano está vivo, aunque juran que murió, para salvarlo ocupa dinero y llegar en cuestión de días al otro lado y sabe con quien contar, el amigo y empleado de su hermano
Frases
me importa lo que piensen. Es mejor ser una cobarde viva que una muerta.
October 26, 2023
An amazing story of a sister willing to do anything to get her brother back and asking his best friend for help. Do they fall in love? Maybe. Do i now only want to read pirate books? Maybe.
5/5 stars
11+ age (they quite literally only kiss three times)
0/5 🌶️
5/5 stars
11+ age (they quite literally only kiss three times)
0/5 🌶️
August 2, 2018
Found this jem of book at my local used book store. Sweet story with the romance but not the 'over the top'ness of romance novels. Fun read.
August 28, 2020
This book is so lovely and innocent. And have one of my favorite fictional boyfriend, Derrick St John.
September 6, 2025
cute YA HR romance
June 21, 2025
Catherine and the Pirate is the second book I've read in the Avon Young Romance series and it was so good. From the very beginning with the brother being lost at sea and presumed dead and then finding a ransom note saying he's actually alive, I was hooked. Catherine is determined to save her brother at any cost so she takes matters into her own hands and sets out to reach him and pay off the kidnappers before it's too late. There is so much drama and adventure packed into this book with little to no filler at all which is nice. I like how the girls in these books are so independent doing scary and dangerous things yet still wanting romance and love. This wholesome novel is perfect for preteens, teens or really anybody who enjoys action, adventure, and romance.
Read
March 14, 2017A really nice historical fiction/romance. Good clean sailing fun.
November 25, 2015
Re-read 2015: I used to adore the Avon True Romance series. There was a year in high school (yes, high school) when all my friends and I would swap the books around and swoon over all the cute clean romance stories. Catherine and the Pirate used to be one of the hardest to find, but it was most of our favorites. I even bought the book for a friend as a birthday gift, and very carefully (without creasing any pages or even opening the book fully to break the binding) read it before giving it to her hahahaha When I found it on Amazon, now no longer anywhere near the price it used to be (guess my high school class put the market up way back then...), I bought a used copy to re-read.
Super sweet, and definitely a bit childish, I loved re-reading it. As would be expecting, the characters were a bit petty and the dialogue was very contrived in places. But toward the end, some serious adventure kicked off which made it actually quite exciting. Looking for a quick, happy read, and I'd recommend this wholeheartedly.
Super sweet, and definitely a bit childish, I loved re-reading it. As would be expecting, the characters were a bit petty and the dialogue was very contrived in places. But toward the end, some serious adventure kicked off which made it actually quite exciting. Looking for a quick, happy read, and I'd recommend this wholeheartedly.
January 11, 2023
Catherine is a wealthy young woman living in Revolutionary-era Boston. At the opening of the story, she discovers that her presumed-dead elder brother might actually still be alive. Intent on rescuing him, she seeks help from her brother’s handsome best friend, former pirate Derrick St. John, much to her stern and conniving Uncle Elliott’s dismay.
Catherine and Derrick’s building relationship is delightful from start to finish - believable, heartfelt and endearing. I enjoyed the historical setting of colonial/Revolutionary America, the elements of adventure on the high seas, the family secrets, and all of the side characters. Even the First Mate, Smythe, and Catherine’s enormous dog, George, were memorable. A chaste romance for younger readers - and one that adults can enjoy, too.
Catherine and Derrick’s building relationship is delightful from start to finish - believable, heartfelt and endearing. I enjoyed the historical setting of colonial/Revolutionary America, the elements of adventure on the high seas, the family secrets, and all of the side characters. Even the First Mate, Smythe, and Catherine’s enormous dog, George, were memorable. A chaste romance for younger readers - and one that adults can enjoy, too.
November 24, 2015
Catherine and the Pirate was a fairly short, adventurous and sweet romance. Except for the bad language (which came much oftener than I liked), I feel this book is perfectly appropriate for teens.
It centers on Catherine, a seventeen-year-old, rather well-off orphan who is seeking her supposed-dead brother by enlisting the help of Derrick. Derrick, who was once a notorious pirate, but was given a chance for a better life and now wishes to prove his father's good name.
If you enjoy stories of pirates, high seas, some suspense, and sweet romances, then Catherine and the Pirate is probably a book for you. :) I enjoyed it.
It centers on Catherine, a seventeen-year-old, rather well-off orphan who is seeking her supposed-dead brother by enlisting the help of Derrick. Derrick, who was once a notorious pirate, but was given a chance for a better life and now wishes to prove his father's good name.
If you enjoy stories of pirates, high seas, some suspense, and sweet romances, then Catherine and the Pirate is probably a book for you. :) I enjoyed it.
October 4, 2014
That was me for most of this book. It was so good! I wish there was more of their relationship involved but I loved how much adventure was put in. It was just the right amount of everything for this short book! I fangirled over Derrick SO HARD and I loved the twists in the book that kept me guessing. Can't wait to read another one in this series !
If anyone knows some really good pirate romances they could recommend that would be fantastic!
July 10, 2018
I remember the first time I read this book and subsequently discovered the series...*dreamy sigh*. It's kind of the perfect romance - perhaps a little naive - but it's got interesting characters, no sex, no religious overtones, and a whole lot of fun packed into a light read. If you go in with low expectations, you'll be pleasantly surprised. I recommend the whole series (which can easily be read out of order!).
February 6, 2017
Derrick es un sueño, ¡todo un sueño!
Si el final fue un poco precipitado, no le quita el mérito a todo lo que ese hombre me ha hecho sentir y a ese empoderamiento femenino que surge en Catherine.
La historia me ha fascinado.
Y se me puede juzgar por ser mi primer libro de piratas y aceptarlo como tal, pero me ha hecho adorarlo.
Me abre las puertas a seguir buscando libros de este género y, sin duda, me hace querer surcar los mares a lado de algún ex-pirata mandón.
Si el final fue un poco precipitado, no le quita el mérito a todo lo que ese hombre me ha hecho sentir y a ese empoderamiento femenino que surge en Catherine.
La historia me ha fascinado.
Y se me puede juzgar por ser mi primer libro de piratas y aceptarlo como tal, pero me ha hecho adorarlo.
Me abre las puertas a seguir buscando libros de este género y, sin duda, me hace querer surcar los mares a lado de algún ex-pirata mandón.
June 15, 2010
I thought I would check out a few books in this series, which is An Avon True Romance Series for teenagers. Always looking for books my almost teenager will be interested. The problem with this book for me was the language. Hells and damns are frequent. I won't be passing this book on to my girls for that reason. You will be able to read my full review soon at www.theliteratemother.org.
December 3, 2015
I liked this book. It had adventure and romance all rolled into one story. What happens when Catherine discovers that her brother Royce has been kidnapped? Her uncle won't even hear of paying the ransom he tells Catherine that he believes that Royce is dead. Catherine believes otherwise and sets out to find her brother and pay the ransom. This is an enjoyable book that I recommend.
March 26, 2015
OK, this is a hard to find book and I was very excited to receive it from the author. I did like the storyline and the pace of the book but did have a hard time not feeling weird reading about a sixteen year old's love life if you know what I mean. I would have liked it better if the main characters were alittle order-LOL Still a great read.
July 28, 2017
There is nail-bitting fights, giggles of romantic encounters, and all of the other juicy bits! I don't understand how this book could not have more hype surrounding it! So I decided that I will HYPE UP THIS BOOK FOR ALL OF YOU!
Read the rest of my book review at https://wordpress.com/page/caylasbook...
Read the rest of my book review at https://wordpress.com/page/caylasbook...
October 10, 2015
I read this YEARS ago. I used to LOVE these cheesy, corny romance novels without the doin' it part. They took a couple hours to read and made my teenage heart go pitter-patter at how grand and romantic these bad boy and good girl stories were.
Should definitely re-read and see if they are as exhilarating now as I remember them being!
(review written 10/10/15)
Should definitely re-read and see if they are as exhilarating now as I remember them being!
(review written 10/10/15)
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