Across the Star-Kissed Sea

De: Arlem Hawks

Narrado por: Shiromi Arserio, Liam Gerrard

When May becomes a lady's maid at sea, she's hoping for an innocent adventure but instead must navigate rough waters, deadly combat, and unexpected love.

Mediterranean Sea, 1811

May Byam grew up following her father to his work at the ropemaking factory and listening to her uncle’s tales of life aboard a Royal Navy ship. After tragedy and scandal shatter her family, May is desperate to escape the shame that follows her. Despite her mother’s pleadings against it, May signs on as a lady’s maid to the young wife of a naval captain. If she’s going to run, she may as well do it in honor of her late uncle and cousin and where there is food, shelter, and perhaps even adventure. But the frosty reception she receives from the ship’s clergyman makes her feel far from welcome.

Heartbroken young Chaplain Elias Doswell returns to a harsh life at sea, but preaching to disinterested sailors isn’t the escape he’d hoped for—until a captivating young woman boards the ship. However, a case of mistaken identity ensures that he starts o on the wrong foot with the newly hired lady’s maid, who clearly wants nothing to do with him. But the close quarters of the ship force the pair together, and May begins to see a side of the handsome clergyman she didn’t expect. As they struggle to navigate their deepening feelings, the danger of war with the French looms on the horizon, threatening their lives—and their love.

©2024 Arlem Hawks (P)2024 Shadow Mountain Publishing

Beautiful story about connection!

I absolutely loved Across the Star-Kissed Sea by Arlem Hawks! This beautifully written story follows two characters who are both searching for a lasting connection with someone who won’t abandon them. The book hit all the emotional notes for me. Arlem has a gift for creating characters that feel deeply human, with relatable emotions and reactions, making them both endearing and authentic.

Although it’s a sequel to Georgana’s Secret, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. I also appreciate that it’s a wholesome story with lovely chemistry between the main characters, without relying on explicit content.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Kisses only grittier regency romance

This book is connected to other books by this author. (Georgana's Secret primarily but I believe it also has a character from Beyond the Lavender Fields. I can't remember if Along a Breton Shore contained the other part of this story or not.) It could be helpful to have read Georgana's Secret prior to reading this one. I don't know why they aren't shown on retail sites as being connected. It would have frustrated me if I hadn't read the other books prior to this one. A major issue that is dealt with in this book is related to events in at least Georgana's Secret.

These books by this author are a bit more gritty than what you may think of from a Proper Romance book. There are battles and darker issues addressed. There isn't graphic detail, but it isn't just a lighthearted romance read. The story takes place on a ship during wartime.

The author writes complex characters with deep seated issues that are addressed throughout the story. It was nice for me to see characters that I previously read about and playing a significant role in this story as well.

I thank Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ebook. I am happy to leave an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up

I also purchased the audiobook and listened to it. I enjoyed the dual narration.

Fun story

Definitely helped to read the first book about Georgiana first. Fun story. Would have preferred a single narrator i think, but wasn't bad overall.