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Bastion Club #0
Captain Jack's Woman
They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain’s rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling “Kit” Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the “lad” leader of a rival gang with frightening ease and his “punishment” with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters.
Suddenly Kit finds she’s only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies . . . little knowing what dangerous forces she’s unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom . . . and bind her to him with a ring, a promise . . . and ties of devotion and desire.
Suddenly Kit finds she’s only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies . . . little knowing what dangerous forces she’s unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom . . . and bind her to him with a ring, a promise . . . and ties of devotion and desire.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2013
About the author
Stephanie Laurens
229 books5,495 followersStephanie Laurens was born in Sri Lanka, which was at the time the British colony of Ceylon. When she was 5, her family moved to Melbourne, Australia, where she was raised. After continuing through school and earning a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in Australia, Stephanie and her husband moved to Great Britain, taking one of the last true overland journeys from Katmandu to London.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
Once in London, Stephanie and her husband both began work as research scientists in Kent. They lived in an area surrounded by history. Their own cottage was built in the 16th century, while next door were the protected ruins of an early Roman villa, and nearby was a 14th century castle.
After four years in England, Stephanie and her husband returned to Australia, where she continued to work in cancer research, eventually heading her own research laboratory. One evening Stephanie realized that she did not have any more of her favorite romance novels to read. After years of thinking about writing her own novel, during nights and weekends for the next several months, she began crafting her own story. That manuscript, Tangled Reins, was the first of her books to be published. After achieving a level of success with her novels, Stephanie "retired" from scientific research and became a full-time novelist. Her novels are primarily historical romances set in the Regency time period.
Stephanie and her husband live on peaceful acreage on the outskirts of Melbourne. If she isn't writing, she's reading, and if she's not reading, she's tending her garden.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
March 14, 2013
What an odd book this was.
The thing about Stephanie Laurens is that you generally know what you're getting going in: generally interchangeable, arrogant, possessive heroes and generally interchangeable, but fairly tolerable heroines. The stories will never surprise you. The heroines are unmemorable, but at least they're neither doormats nor (shudder) "feisty minxes."* And if the books are, to a one, entirely humorless, at least the writing is more than competent.
But this? I don't know what this is.
Our heroine is Kit of the Androgynous Name. Kit is newly returned from London, where she's been living for six years. Although we are to believe she is strong-minded and willful, apparently when told by her scheming aunts that her formerly loving grandfather wanted her to move to London immediately and find a husband, she did so immediately without stopping to ask him the origins of his change of heart, never visited during her six-year absence, and didn't write. Also, although you may be forgiven for guessing that she's eight or nine years old (given her cloying use of the term "Gran'pa" to refer to the aforementioned loving grandfather), she's actually 22. An age she has apparently reached without ever experiencing sexual arousal, because there's a painfully unconvincing scene in which her BFF explains how when you're, like, totally into a dude, you get all hot and wet in your special place, which is shocking and kind of gross to Kit of the Androgynous Name.
Our hero is a boring rich dude who is posing as a smuggler so as to thwart slavers. He's basically a poor man's Cynster: arrogant, assertive, "sinfully" handsome, but sort of undercharacterized and less prone to soliloquys on how his Cynsterhood means that he is a conqueror in his soul, destined to stride o'er the lands laying waste to the towns of his enemies, stealing their women, and salting their fields.
Kit of the Androgynous Name, through a Series of Improbable Events, ends up disguised as a boy and leading a band of bumbling smugglers. Poor Man's Cynster encounters her in the course of his faux-smuggling activities. Of course, although she is convincingly disguised as a boy, Poor Man's Cynster is immediately attracted to her. Does this cause him to doubt his sexuality? Of course not! He knows that if he's attracted to her, she must not be a boy. His wang is like a dowsing rod, you see - if it's pointing, there's a vajajay to be found.
Once Kit and Poor Man's Cynster get together, the plot goes in five different directions at once. Will the smugglers realize Kit is a girl? How long will Kit and Poor Man's Cynster each manage not to know the other's true identity, even though they grew up in the SAME DAMN NEIGHBORHOOD and know all of the same damn people? Will I care? I will not. The last third of the book contains SO MUCH PLOT (forced marriage! husbandly arrogance! runaway bride!) and yet I was so bored.
I will say that Laurens typically manages to avoid doing things that really piss me off, but here she managed to nail a couple of pet peeves. Kit is magically androgynous (even though she has big boobs, a couple of bands of cloth and girlfriend might as well be Justin Timberlake). PMC knows Kit is preggers before she does. And finally, PMC realizes Kit is a virgin when he's "three inches" into her ladycavern. THREE INCHES. People, the hymen is not like Shelob lurking in the Stairs of Cirith Ungol: that shit is right up front. Even it even exists at all, which IT PROBABLY DOESN'T IN A GIRL WHO IS FAMOUS FOR RIDING ASTRIDE ALL OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE. I am just saying.
The thing about Stephanie Laurens is that you generally know what you're getting going in: generally interchangeable, arrogant, possessive heroes and generally interchangeable, but fairly tolerable heroines. The stories will never surprise you. The heroines are unmemorable, but at least they're neither doormats nor (shudder) "feisty minxes."* And if the books are, to a one, entirely humorless, at least the writing is more than competent.
But this? I don't know what this is.
Our heroine is Kit of the Androgynous Name. Kit is newly returned from London, where she's been living for six years. Although we are to believe she is strong-minded and willful, apparently when told by her scheming aunts that her formerly loving grandfather wanted her to move to London immediately and find a husband, she did so immediately without stopping to ask him the origins of his change of heart, never visited during her six-year absence, and didn't write. Also, although you may be forgiven for guessing that she's eight or nine years old (given her cloying use of the term "Gran'pa" to refer to the aforementioned loving grandfather), she's actually 22. An age she has apparently reached without ever experiencing sexual arousal, because there's a painfully unconvincing scene in which her BFF explains how when you're, like, totally into a dude, you get all hot and wet in your special place, which is shocking and kind of gross to Kit of the Androgynous Name.
Our hero is a boring rich dude who is posing as a smuggler so as to thwart slavers. He's basically a poor man's Cynster: arrogant, assertive, "sinfully" handsome, but sort of undercharacterized and less prone to soliloquys on how his Cynsterhood means that he is a conqueror in his soul, destined to stride o'er the lands laying waste to the towns of his enemies, stealing their women, and salting their fields.
Kit of the Androgynous Name, through a Series of Improbable Events, ends up disguised as a boy and leading a band of bumbling smugglers. Poor Man's Cynster encounters her in the course of his faux-smuggling activities. Of course, although she is convincingly disguised as a boy, Poor Man's Cynster is immediately attracted to her. Does this cause him to doubt his sexuality? Of course not! He knows that if he's attracted to her, she must not be a boy. His wang is like a dowsing rod, you see - if it's pointing, there's a vajajay to be found.
Once Kit and Poor Man's Cynster get together, the plot goes in five different directions at once. Will the smugglers realize Kit is a girl? How long will Kit and Poor Man's Cynster each manage not to know the other's true identity, even though they grew up in the SAME DAMN NEIGHBORHOOD and know all of the same damn people? Will I care? I will not. The last third of the book contains SO MUCH PLOT (forced marriage! husbandly arrogance! runaway bride!) and yet I was so bored.
I will say that Laurens typically manages to avoid doing things that really piss me off, but here she managed to nail a couple of pet peeves. Kit is magically androgynous (even though she has big boobs, a couple of bands of cloth and girlfriend might as well be Justin Timberlake). PMC knows Kit is preggers before she does. And finally, PMC realizes Kit is a virgin when he's "three inches" into her ladycavern. THREE INCHES. People, the hymen is not like Shelob lurking in the Stairs of Cirith Ungol: that shit is right up front. Even it even exists at all, which IT PROBABLY DOESN'T IN A GIRL WHO IS FAMOUS FOR RIDING ASTRIDE ALL OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE. I am just saying.
July 4, 2023
➥ 2 Stars *:･ﾟ✧
This started off as a solid 4 star book, but the misogyny and insufferability of the love interest really disappointed me and lowered my enjoyment of the book. Particularly during the last 25%. I adored the premise of this book. We have the 'woman pretending to be a man' trope and the action was beyond entertaining and thrilling.
I liked the romantic plotline, all the moments that happened after the other, until we got to around 65%. To stay on topic though, although I enjoyed those things, I felt that there was too much (vague and boring) sex that had no dialogue. I've come to realise that I'm very particular when it comes to smut, and something that is required (imo) is good dialogue during the scene. They should be either teasing/bantering with eachother, dirty talking, or communicating; but the scenes in this book were very step by step, every action described. Also, Kit is a virgin and I just don't really care about that whole plotpoint?
Now for the things that bothered me:
✿ When Jack first starts to recognise his feelings for Kit, he decides she will be his whore because he would never be interested in having a wife that he enjoys having sex with; he doesn't even consider it. He liked her enough to keep her as his constant comfort, rather than having a new one every time. He even plans to keep her as his side chick when he get's married. That's just sad to me. When I read historicals, I generally read for the charm and for the gentleman and for the romantic gestures. I read it for the glamour and for it's drama. This was definitely the first red flag, foreshadowing how awful this man would get.
✿ It's clear that this man thinks little of women when he declares her incapable of many things, simply because she's a woman. I was thinking about how I've critiqued It Ends with Us for having a weak base upon which the domestic abuse grew upon, and I think this book would be much more suitable. Seeing his charm at the beginning but then experiencing his misogynistic, violent and just mean outbursts really flows into the beginning of an abusive relationship.
✿ Jack admits that he is sure that women are only there to provide for, and serve men. There's more where this quote came from, where he describes in detail what his housewife should do for him, and what his mistress should do for him etc. It's really disheartening to know that a woman wrote this book with so much misogyny in it. I just can't help but wonder why.
✿ The way Kit's grandfather (her guardian) and Jack talk about her is sickening, in my opinion. She isn't someone to be tamed and controlled, especially not for having the same ambitions that any other man wouldn't get any shit for.
✿ Jack reinforces the societal obsession with female 'purity' and shames her for having sex before marriage, even if it was with him. I don't mind the "we had sex so i have to marry you now" trope too much, but it's so frustrating to see a man clearly believe that because he has 'ruined' or essentially, devalued her, it's his responsibility to marry her now because the decision she (apparently) made was a bad one that she will now have to suffer the consequences for. As if it was not he himself who initiated almost all the sexual encounters.
✿ Of course, the mmc has a complex where he only 'respects' women when he wants to. Clearly expressing that Kit is not like other sleazy worthless women to him. And I, personally, don't find that quite so charming.
✿ Once they are married, Kit is forced to obey her husband's every command and it was just awful. He keeps bringing up the vows of how she promised to literally obey him and it's so frustrating. He controls her so much and I hate that that's just accepted in the ending. Kit loves to ride and her horse Delia is a sweetheart but we get told she's not allowed to use it anymore?
✿ The way he talks about Kit as if she's an object that he can withhold from other people is unsettling to me. Comparing women to fruits and other objects is just...
✿ More misogyny yay. I again cannot understand why a female author would write this into her books.
✿ Jack fantasising about having a wife just because she's be there for him to use as a sexual object is not cute to me.
✿ Kit is telling him about a very personal event that happened in her life and instead ignores it and begins to undress her while she speaks. Though I appreciate steam and sexual tension just as much as the next reader, emotional intimacy, kindness and love are just as important. It's clear he doesn't care about what she's been through because he just uses it as an opportunity to begin a sexual encounter and therefore shut her up.
✿ When he called her 'kitten' I nearly died of mortification. I think we, as a society, need to accept that that is NOT a good pet name. Oh, and he threatens to tie her up but never actually does it, tsk.
✿ Women aren't some sort of species that is meant to be learned and studied. We're human just like you, so why talk about us as if we're strange creatures you're trying to learn about?
✿ The comparison of women to children needs to stop. And without her permission? Great.
✿ Women don't dress for men, ugh.
✿ Homophobia 😍. Obviously, this book has the "woman dressed as a man" trope, so side characters think the male love interest likes a man, but his shown disgust to it was not cute.
✿ More misogyny, yay. A dude thinks the fmc is pregnant and tries to say she's moody because of it. Similar to how, when women are arguing with men, men ask if they're on their period.
Kit stood. Then immediately sank back on the bed, blushing furiously. Her bands (basically a boob binder) were still undone. She couldn't ride back to Cranmer with them about her waist; and she didn't fancy the idea of stopping along the way to get undressed and do them up.
It took Jack a moment to work out a reason for her blush. Then he laughed, a low chuckle that set Kit's nerves skittering. He sat up. "Turn around and let me do them up for you." When Kit sent him a scandalized look, he grinned wickedly. "I undid them after all."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
This started off as a solid 4 star book, but the misogyny and insufferability of the love interest really disappointed me and lowered my enjoyment of the book. Particularly during the last 25%. I adored the premise of this book. We have the 'woman pretending to be a man' trope and the action was beyond entertaining and thrilling.
➥ Jack (H) was charming at first, but horrifying the next. He lives a double life; Captain Jack and Lord Hendon. He had his hot moments, but his misogyny really shone through at the end and just made him gross and disgusting to me.
➥ Kit (h) was decently badass. I liked her. I could be a better bf than him tbh!! She leads her own gang, she knows how to ride well, and she's overall a pretty intelligent girl. She also didn't (fully) take this man's bs but at the end she kind of accepted it so idk what that says about her. I hated that, when she planned to confront him about how unacceptable many of his demands were, he'd just 'seduce' her and she 'couldn't stop her body from reacting to him' and so she ended up senseless and fucked, rather than getting what she deserved. And that's really unrealistic, that she could be so floored by a man, so much that she cannot speak.
I liked the romantic plotline, all the moments that happened after the other, until we got to around 65%. To stay on topic though, although I enjoyed those things, I felt that there was too much (vague and boring) sex that had no dialogue. I've come to realise that I'm very particular when it comes to smut, and something that is required (imo) is good dialogue during the scene. They should be either teasing/bantering with eachother, dirty talking, or communicating; but the scenes in this book were very step by step, every action described. Also, Kit is a virgin and I just don't really care about that whole plotpoint?
Now for the things that bothered me:
✿ When Jack first starts to recognise his feelings for Kit, he decides she will be his whore because he would never be interested in having a wife that he enjoys having sex with; he doesn't even consider it. He liked her enough to keep her as his constant comfort, rather than having a new one every time. He even plans to keep her as his side chick when he get's married. That's just sad to me. When I read historicals, I generally read for the charm and for the gentleman and for the romantic gestures. I read it for the glamour and for it's drama. This was definitely the first red flag, foreshadowing how awful this man would get.
"If you imagine I'm going to settle to monogamous wdding bliss with a woman who's only passably good-looking, you're wrong." Jack's acerbity was marked. "I've never understood all the fuss about fidelity and marriage. As far as I can see, the two don't necessarily connect."
✿ It's clear that this man thinks little of women when he declares her incapable of many things, simply because she's a woman. I was thinking about how I've critiqued It Ends with Us for having a weak base upon which the domestic abuse grew upon, and I think this book would be much more suitable. Seeing his charm at the beginning but then experiencing his misogynistic, violent and just mean outbursts really flows into the beginning of an abusive relationship.
"What the hell would you know of taking care of any one? Taking responsibility for anything? You're a woman, dammit!"
✿ Jack admits that he is sure that women are only there to provide for, and serve men. There's more where this quote came from, where he describes in detail what his housewife should do for him, and what his mistress should do for him etc. It's really disheartening to know that a woman wrote this book with so much misogyny in it. I just can't help but wonder why.
Women, he'd always firmly believed, had but one real role in life - to pander to their man's wishes.
✿ The way Kit's grandfather (her guardian) and Jack talk about her is sickening, in my opinion. She isn't someone to be tamed and controlled, especially not for having the same ambitions that any other man wouldn't get any shit for.
Eventually, Spencer sighed deeply. "Very well. Handle it your way. God knows, I've never been much good at hauling on Kit's reins. Perchance you'll have more success."
✿ Jack reinforces the societal obsession with female 'purity' and shames her for having sex before marriage, even if it was with him. I don't mind the "we had sex so i have to marry you now" trope too much, but it's so frustrating to see a man clearly believe that because he has 'ruined' or essentially, devalued her, it's his responsibility to marry her now because the decision she (apparently) made was a bad one that she will now have to suffer the consequences for. As if it was not he himself who initiated almost all the sexual encounters.
Hands on hips, he glowered at Kit. "And in case it hasn't sunk in yet, let me tell you that women of your station can't go about giving themselves to men like me and expect to get off the hook!"
✿ Of course, the mmc has a complex where he only 'respects' women when he wants to. Clearly expressing that Kit is not like other sleazy worthless women to him. And I, personally, don't find that quite so charming.
Aside from the fact that she'd survived those years virgo intacta was the ultimate assurance she was not one of those women he mentally stigmatized as the gilded whores of the ton.
✿ Once they are married, Kit is forced to obey her husband's every command and it was just awful. He keeps bringing up the vows of how she promised to literally obey him and it's so frustrating. He controls her so much and I hate that that's just accepted in the ending. Kit loves to ride and her horse Delia is a sweetheart but we get told she's not allowed to use it anymore?
"Where is Delia?"
"The master said to put her in the back paddock, my lady."
Kit put her hands on her hips. "Where is the back paddock?"
"Over the hills a-way. The master said she was only to be brought up by his orders ma'am."
✿ The way he talks about Kit as if she's an object that he can withhold from other people is unsettling to me. Comparing women to fruits and other objects is just...
"Spare me your arguments, Kit. I won't change my mind. Spencer let you ride alone for far longer than was acceptable. He'd be the first to admit it." Kit stiffened as Jack's gaze slowly traveled the length of her slim frame. A subtle smile twisted his lips. "You're not a child anymore, my dear. You are, in fact, a most delectable plum. One I've no intention to let any other man taste." (wtf...)
✿ More misogyny yay. I again cannot understand why a female author would write this into her books.
Kit frowned. "Someone once said he was 'Hedonish.' Is that what that means?"
George grinned. "If it was a woman who said it, not entirely, but it's not unrelated to what I'm trying to say."
✿ Jack fantasising about having a wife just because she's be there for him to use as a sexual object is not cute to me.
With a wry grin, he moved slowly into the room. It was comforting to know that these days, satisfaction was readily available. And guaranteed.
✿ Kit is telling him about a very personal event that happened in her life and instead ignores it and begins to undress her while she speaks. Though I appreciate steam and sexual tension just as much as the next reader, emotional intimacy, kindness and love are just as important. It's clear he doesn't care about what she's been through because he just uses it as an opportunity to begin a sexual encounter and therefore shut her up.
She commenced her story with her grandmother's death and her removal from Cranmer hall. She felt Jack shift and come up on one elbow beside her. As she reached London, she felt a tug loosen the first of the silk bows that held her nightgown closed.
✿ When he called her 'kitten' I nearly died of mortification. I think we, as a society, need to accept that that is NOT a good pet name. Oh, and he threatens to tie her up but never actually does it, tsk.
"Kitten, if you were any wilder, I'd have to tie you up."
✿ Women aren't some sort of species that is meant to be learned and studied. We're human just like you, so why talk about us as if we're strange creatures you're trying to learn about?
He'd had no experience of deep shock in women, but he fully expected her to get worse.
✿ The comparison of women to children needs to stop. And without her permission? Great.
Once there, he stripped her of her clothes, ignoring her protests, handling her gently, like a child.
✿ Women don't dress for men, ugh.
"What's the use of these things (dresses) if he's not even here to see them?"
✿ Homophobia 😍. Obviously, this book has the "woman dressed as a man" trope, so side characters think the male love interest likes a man, but his shown disgust to it was not cute.
"Taken to the other side Jack?"
Jack bit back a distinctly rude reply.
✿ More misogyny, yay. A dude thinks the fmc is pregnant and tries to say she's moody because of it. Similar to how, when women are arguing with men, men ask if they're on their period.
"Are you breeding?"
"Of course not!"
"All right, all right." Geoffrey held up both hands placatingly. "I just thought it might be a good excuse to have handy when Hendon makes his entrance. Everyone knows women do strange things at such times."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━━
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
November 2, 2023DNF 15%. No rating. Just way too boring and cliched: she’s not like other girls, rides her stallion astride and has flame coloured curls. 🥱
May 24, 2019
Wow!! This Man!! Captain Jack is totally in charge.
I Love him, I Hate him!! Gggrrrrr
He's so damn dominant that he simultaneously turns me on as he's pissing me off.
I Love him, I Hate him!! Gggrrrrr
He's so damn dominant that he simultaneously turns me on as he's pissing me off.
January 16, 2022
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot
Kit has returned from London, after being manipulated by relatives for a number of years. Finally free to spend her time how she wants, she ends up discovering and leading a smuggling gang. Disguised as a man, she soon meets another smuggling gang leader, Captain Jack, and he suggests a merger between their two groups. Both of them have hidden identities they are keeping from each other.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period - May 1811
- Get out of London – most of this book takes place in country homes and features shoreline smuggling
- High steam – 5+ scenes (definitely explicit, but “90s explicit”)
- A mix of relationship development and danger/action
- Laurens tends to write with lots of details. Sometimes with her I am just dying for some dialogue, but here I enjoyed the scenery descriptions, clothing styles, and smuggling cargo notes :)
Tropes:
- Heroine disguised as a man
- Hero nurses heroine back to health
- Masquerade
- Secret identity (from both main characters!)
- Surprise virgin.
- I also marked for kidnapped, though it’s only a brief scene where the hero ties her up and takes her away from a house party
My thoughts:
So I went and peeked at reviews after finishing and looks like most of my friends abhorred this book – which is why I try not to look before starting a book. 😆
I found this one super unbelievable. But that’s fine, I’m good with suspension of belief for fiction. I listened on audio and I think that helped me a bit with getting through all the scenes of smuggling.
Both our main characters are in disguise and run smuggling gangs. They end up working together and merging their gangs. Jack is very curious about Kit and soon realized there was an attraction there. Once he realizes she’s a woman, they hide it from others but their own playfulness together ramps up. I really enjoyed the middle of the book. I liked the tension build up between Jack and Kit and I loved the sex. Yes, she may have a misplaced hymen, but I’m okay with that.
Jack is definitely a bit of a jerk. He is protective over Kit and I think he cares but he also doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence or respect for her. Kind of like he speaks and expects her to follow and he never really seems to outgrow this by the end of the story. The ending conflict of the story was very frustrating for me and I wasn’t sold on the resolution.
I rather liked Kit, though I wish she had a bit more depth. It seems all of her character was based around her running this smuggling gang but what is left when that is over - and she was looking for a way out by the end. There wasn't much of anything, really.
I guess, what I’m trying to say is that I liked the sex. The end.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – I listened to the audiobook so this could be off a bit from another version:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Basic plot
Kit has returned from London, after being manipulated by relatives for a number of years. Finally free to spend her time how she wants, she ends up discovering and leading a smuggling gang. Disguised as a man, she soon meets another smuggling gang leader, Captain Jack, and he suggests a merger between their two groups. Both of them have hidden identities they are keeping from each other.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period - May 1811
- Get out of London – most of this book takes place in country homes and features shoreline smuggling
- High steam – 5+ scenes (definitely explicit, but “90s explicit”)
- A mix of relationship development and danger/action
- Laurens tends to write with lots of details. Sometimes with her I am just dying for some dialogue, but here I enjoyed the scenery descriptions, clothing styles, and smuggling cargo notes :)
Tropes:
- Heroine disguised as a man
- Hero nurses heroine back to health
- Masquerade
- Secret identity (from both main characters!)
- Surprise virgin.
- I also marked for kidnapped, though it’s only a brief scene where the hero ties her up and takes her away from a house party
My thoughts:
So I went and peeked at reviews after finishing and looks like most of my friends abhorred this book – which is why I try not to look before starting a book. 😆
I found this one super unbelievable. But that’s fine, I’m good with suspension of belief for fiction. I listened on audio and I think that helped me a bit with getting through all the scenes of smuggling.
Both our main characters are in disguise and run smuggling gangs. They end up working together and merging their gangs. Jack is very curious about Kit and soon realized there was an attraction there. Once he realizes she’s a woman, they hide it from others but their own playfulness together ramps up. I really enjoyed the middle of the book. I liked the tension build up between Jack and Kit and I loved the sex. Yes, she may have a misplaced hymen, but I’m okay with that.
Jack is definitely a bit of a jerk. He is protective over Kit and I think he cares but he also doesn’t seem to have a lot of confidence or respect for her. Kind of like he speaks and expects her to follow and he never really seems to outgrow this by the end of the story. The ending conflict of the story was very frustrating for me and I wasn’t sold on the resolution.
I rather liked Kit, though I wish she had a bit more depth. It seems all of her character was based around her running this smuggling gang but what is left when that is over - and she was looking for a way out by the end. There wasn't much of anything, really.
I guess, what I’m trying to say is that I liked the sex. The end.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes – I listened to the audiobook so this could be off a bit from another version:
July 15, 2018
Overall Response
So part of me really hesitated to put the Bastion Club on my list of series for my rereading project because I knew Captain Jack's Woman was technically the prequel to the series and therefore, under my own rules, I'd have to read it.
I have read this book exactly once. I had just discovered Stephanie Laurens' Cynster novels and liked them enough to start seeking out her backlist. I ordered this book, I read it, and then put it on my shelf. For an idea of what kind of book this is, I show you the cover on my physical copy: I don't think that's Fabio, but that's definitely who they were trying to mimic.
But that original cover and its follow up tells you everything you need to know about why this is one of my least favorite books of all time.
But since I plan to spend most of this review ranting, I want to start with what I liked, because I did give it 2 stars and not 1.
George Smeaton is a supporting character and I want to cuddle him. His relationship with Amy, Kit's best friend, has very little time on the page, and may seem old-fashioned, restrictive, and less wild, but it's very clear they respect and love one another, and that their relationship works for them. He is the only male in this entire book I don't want to set on fire. I want to read a book just about George Smeaton. He is the highlight of any scene and when he has a conversation with the hero late in the book, you are active cheering for him because he is the only man with any sense in the whole damn thing.
I also like that Kit never, ever, hides that she is completely insane and impulsive. She is a woman who makes no sense and never attempts to. She's a wild hoyden who is also completely accepted by local society. There's a weird subplot in which she's been lied to and manipulated away by aunts and uncles wanting to use her for their own ends, but it's just to explain why she hasn't been in Norfolk for the last six years. None of it ever remotely relevant or interesting, and is actually...mostly stupid. She falls in with smugglers her first week back and is apparently so good that Jack wants her help in uniting his gang with hers. (We'll...get to that.)
My point is that Kit never hid that she is completely insane and impulsive, and literally, there's nothing about her that Jack actually seems to like. Except her looks. He's a fan of the bosom and the hair. And the eyes. (Kit's got violet eyes, y'all).
So, I like that Kit is crazy AF and that George is a great guy.
Um...that's actually it. That's really all that I like.
There are couple of tropes and issues that I'm not going to criticize. This is a book published in 1997, and without much exception, most of my favorite historical novels from this period and earlier have the same issues. I'm not also not going to judge the strength of the characters. When I do the whole Bastion Club review, I'll remark on it, but it's not something I hold against the books. When you pick up a Stephanie Laurens book, you know exactly what you're getting and shame on you if you keep reading her, expecting something different.
What I am going to criticize is the way this book doesn't hang together. I like smuggling as a trope because it gives you ready-made conflict and possibilities for danger. This plot doesn't make a lot of sense, and by the time I did understand what was happening, I didn't care anymore. Also, even then -- it doesn't make sense. I don't believe Kit would be adopted by a small smuggling ring this way, I don't understand the Captain Jack reference as a backstory and the way it's tossed around like I'm supposed to think it's impressive.
There is no romance in this book worth paying attention to. Jack has the makings of a typical Laurens hero, but he's worse. He's actively a misogynist in a way that Cynsters and later male leads just aren't. He constantly berates Kit and underestimates her because she's a woman. There are more specifics here, but basically Jack knows EXACTLY who Kit is (INSANE AF) and then criticizes her for all those reasons. We'll get into the details in the spoiler section.
So, yeah, Kit is insane and kind of entertaining in her complete lack of maturity and DGAF attitude towards everything, including her own life. She gets neutered by the end, but there's that. And George is lovely. I don't want him for Kit, I wanted a better characterization of Amy. But George loves her, so yay, for George and Amy!
Spoilers Ahead
Lord help me. Where to start with this? First. I don't buy a for a second that these people wouldn't know who one another is until the middle of the book. Kit talks about not having lived in the area for six years, and Jack is returning from service in the wars. Fine. I think Jack is around 35, Kit is 22. This means he was about 13 when she was born. Let's be generous and say he was 18 when he went to war--making her five.
There is no way on God's green Earth that Jack, as the heir to a major landowner in the world, did not know that the son of another local landowner (who probably wasn't more than a decade older than him) married legitimately and had a child. We get a long backstory of Kit's childhood and that she's lived there her whole life. There's no way Jack didn't know that Spencer Cranmer had a legitimate granddaughter.
I can't take their romance seriously because it's built on mistaken identities that I don't believe would have been possible. At some point, Jack knows Kit is a Cranmer because she looks like Spencer. After that, he's just an idiot.
He's also a major asshole. Let's discuss.
First, he immediately wants to have sex with Kit. Fine, I can live with that. He's kind of confused because he wants to sex her up before he knows she's a woman and that's definitely okay. He also describes himself as sex-starved. Swoon, right? He also constantly refers to himself as a rake. Constantly. *sighs...and not in happiness*
Once he knows she's a woman, he starts planning to set her up as his mistress and pretty much takes her acceptance for granted because Kit's not good at hiding her interest in him. He never once considers she's not a virgin because she's a bastard (who...lives with her grandfather openly but whom he's never heard of so...yeah). To the point that they are in the middle of the sexing, and she has to beg him to take her virginity. I told you, it was 1997. Times were different.
He screams at her to follow his orders, allows her to keep helping him get her smuggling gang under his control, but also disregards her clear talent and sidelines her as often as possible. He doesn't value any contribution she brings until he absolutely has to, and EVEN THEN it's begrudgingly. (We're getting to the worst offenses).
She gets herself shot saving his life, he brings her home, declares himself to her grandfather (And we're going to talk about that asshole briefly), HAS THE BANNS CALLED BEFORE KIT EVEN KNOWS THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED. Kit basically gets trapped into marriage, because what're you gonna do? And then Jack...is shocked that Kit isn't a complete moron and knows how to carry herself in society. He thought he'd have to help and instruct her more. (You're getting the gist.)
His first thought when he realizes they have to marry is that basically everything makes Kit Kit is going to have to change once she's Lady Hendon. FUCK THIS GUY.
He then refuses to let her ride her own horse without him -- WITHOUT TELLING HER. Kit finds out from their servants that he's done this because Jack abandons her and completely cuts her out of the smuggling ring entirely. When she does insert herself, she kills another man and saves Jack's life. Jack is irritated with her (she doesn't leave the man alive to get questions answered), and when she's having distress over the whole thing, he sexes her up, and then leaves her without a freaking word the next day.
Kit then learns that George knows what the actual mission is and when she finds a British spy (Anthony Blake whom we'll see later) Jack smuggled from France laid out on the beach, she saves his life, and says fuck this shit. She writes a note and leaves him.
It's at this point I was cheering because I had clearly forgotten how this is literally the last thing Kit does that I agree with.
Jack comes home, learns Kit has left, is READ TO FILTH by George (my hero) for being attracted to Kit's insane impulsive nature, marrying her, and then systematically destroying everything that makes her Kit. George is a goddamn national treasure and we should protect him with our lives.
Does Jack go get his wife, properly chastened, begging for forgiveness? Nope. He assumes she's at Cranmer Hall, LEAVES HER THERE FOR DAYS, and then accidentally learns nope, she's not there. She's fled to her London cousins, which Jack only learns after Amy accidentally telling him. Because Jack doesn't know jack shit about the woman he married.
He goes to London to fetch her, the cousin has already sent her on to a female friend because he doesn't want to deal with an angry husband while Kit is under his care. Great. You're a fucking peach. Go to hell. I hope you rot. He sends Jack on...and then we turn to Kit.
It turns out Kit didn't leave because she realized Jack was a massive asshole not worth her time. She didn't even pack a change of clothing beyond her breeches (which...she wore in public in London, so yeah...)
She did it to get Jack's attention.
And then does Jack actually apologize? Nope. He wordlessly fetches his wife, brings her to a dock, puts her on a ship, and all along the way--says nothing of note. Kit thinks she's being shipped off. Girl, RUN. You're better off, I promise you that. Jack finally explains himself--sort of--and then grudgingly agrees he should be, you know, nicer, but then gives her rules she needs to follow.
And she's happy. Because this is the dick she wants to marry, and I guess you'll up with a lot for a skilled penis.
Also, Kit's grandfather is a fucking idiot who doesn't deserve my rants in depth, so what other options does Kit have? I think I'm supposed to like Spencer. I don't.
The problem with this book is not Kit. I don't blame her in the end. Because the girl fought the good fight and got herself thrown into marriage to an asshole by an asshole. She attempted to leave and maybe she really meant it when she left--but then Jack didn't follow. And she had no choice but to capitulate because she's a woman in Regency Britain and everyone in her life has made it clear they're not going to stand by her.
Also, Jack literally kidnaps her three times during this story and no one blinks. This is basically a Stockholm Syndrome story. No one wins. There's no romance.
But there is George, and he's worth something. And Kit gets a star for trying.
God I hate this book.
So part of me really hesitated to put the Bastion Club on my list of series for my rereading project because I knew Captain Jack's Woman was technically the prequel to the series and therefore, under my own rules, I'd have to read it.
I have read this book exactly once. I had just discovered Stephanie Laurens' Cynster novels and liked them enough to start seeking out her backlist. I ordered this book, I read it, and then put it on my shelf. For an idea of what kind of book this is, I show you the cover on my physical copy: I don't think that's Fabio, but that's definitely who they were trying to mimic.
But that original cover and its follow up tells you everything you need to know about why this is one of my least favorite books of all time.
But since I plan to spend most of this review ranting, I want to start with what I liked, because I did give it 2 stars and not 1.
George Smeaton is a supporting character and I want to cuddle him. His relationship with Amy, Kit's best friend, has very little time on the page, and may seem old-fashioned, restrictive, and less wild, but it's very clear they respect and love one another, and that their relationship works for them. He is the only male in this entire book I don't want to set on fire. I want to read a book just about George Smeaton. He is the highlight of any scene and when he has a conversation with the hero late in the book, you are active cheering for him because he is the only man with any sense in the whole damn thing.
I also like that Kit never, ever, hides that she is completely insane and impulsive. She is a woman who makes no sense and never attempts to. She's a wild hoyden who is also completely accepted by local society. There's a weird subplot in which she's been lied to and manipulated away by aunts and uncles wanting to use her for their own ends, but it's just to explain why she hasn't been in Norfolk for the last six years. None of it ever remotely relevant or interesting, and is actually...mostly stupid. She falls in with smugglers her first week back and is apparently so good that Jack wants her help in uniting his gang with hers. (We'll...get to that.)
My point is that Kit never hid that she is completely insane and impulsive, and literally, there's nothing about her that Jack actually seems to like. Except her looks. He's a fan of the bosom and the hair. And the eyes. (Kit's got violet eyes, y'all).
So, I like that Kit is crazy AF and that George is a great guy.
Um...that's actually it. That's really all that I like.
There are couple of tropes and issues that I'm not going to criticize. This is a book published in 1997, and without much exception, most of my favorite historical novels from this period and earlier have the same issues. I'm not also not going to judge the strength of the characters. When I do the whole Bastion Club review, I'll remark on it, but it's not something I hold against the books. When you pick up a Stephanie Laurens book, you know exactly what you're getting and shame on you if you keep reading her, expecting something different.
What I am going to criticize is the way this book doesn't hang together. I like smuggling as a trope because it gives you ready-made conflict and possibilities for danger. This plot doesn't make a lot of sense, and by the time I did understand what was happening, I didn't care anymore. Also, even then -- it doesn't make sense. I don't believe Kit would be adopted by a small smuggling ring this way, I don't understand the Captain Jack reference as a backstory and the way it's tossed around like I'm supposed to think it's impressive.
There is no romance in this book worth paying attention to. Jack has the makings of a typical Laurens hero, but he's worse. He's actively a misogynist in a way that Cynsters and later male leads just aren't. He constantly berates Kit and underestimates her because she's a woman. There are more specifics here, but basically Jack knows EXACTLY who Kit is (INSANE AF) and then criticizes her for all those reasons. We'll get into the details in the spoiler section.
So, yeah, Kit is insane and kind of entertaining in her complete lack of maturity and DGAF attitude towards everything, including her own life. She gets neutered by the end, but there's that. And George is lovely. I don't want him for Kit, I wanted a better characterization of Amy. But George loves her, so yay, for George and Amy!
Spoilers Ahead
Lord help me. Where to start with this? First. I don't buy a for a second that these people wouldn't know who one another is until the middle of the book. Kit talks about not having lived in the area for six years, and Jack is returning from service in the wars. Fine. I think Jack is around 35, Kit is 22. This means he was about 13 when she was born. Let's be generous and say he was 18 when he went to war--making her five.
There is no way on God's green Earth that Jack, as the heir to a major landowner in the world, did not know that the son of another local landowner (who probably wasn't more than a decade older than him) married legitimately and had a child. We get a long backstory of Kit's childhood and that she's lived there her whole life. There's no way Jack didn't know that Spencer Cranmer had a legitimate granddaughter.
I can't take their romance seriously because it's built on mistaken identities that I don't believe would have been possible. At some point, Jack knows Kit is a Cranmer because she looks like Spencer. After that, he's just an idiot.
He's also a major asshole. Let's discuss.
First, he immediately wants to have sex with Kit. Fine, I can live with that. He's kind of confused because he wants to sex her up before he knows she's a woman and that's definitely okay. He also describes himself as sex-starved. Swoon, right? He also constantly refers to himself as a rake. Constantly. *sighs...and not in happiness*
Once he knows she's a woman, he starts planning to set her up as his mistress and pretty much takes her acceptance for granted because Kit's not good at hiding her interest in him. He never once considers she's not a virgin because she's a bastard (who...lives with her grandfather openly but whom he's never heard of so...yeah). To the point that they are in the middle of the sexing, and she has to beg him to take her virginity. I told you, it was 1997. Times were different.
He screams at her to follow his orders, allows her to keep helping him get her smuggling gang under his control, but also disregards her clear talent and sidelines her as often as possible. He doesn't value any contribution she brings until he absolutely has to, and EVEN THEN it's begrudgingly. (We're getting to the worst offenses).
She gets herself shot saving his life, he brings her home, declares himself to her grandfather (And we're going to talk about that asshole briefly), HAS THE BANNS CALLED BEFORE KIT EVEN KNOWS THEY'RE GETTING MARRIED. Kit basically gets trapped into marriage, because what're you gonna do? And then Jack...is shocked that Kit isn't a complete moron and knows how to carry herself in society. He thought he'd have to help and instruct her more. (You're getting the gist.)
His first thought when he realizes they have to marry is that basically everything makes Kit Kit is going to have to change once she's Lady Hendon. FUCK THIS GUY.
He then refuses to let her ride her own horse without him -- WITHOUT TELLING HER. Kit finds out from their servants that he's done this because Jack abandons her and completely cuts her out of the smuggling ring entirely. When she does insert herself, she kills another man and saves Jack's life. Jack is irritated with her (she doesn't leave the man alive to get questions answered), and when she's having distress over the whole thing, he sexes her up, and then leaves her without a freaking word the next day.
Kit then learns that George knows what the actual mission is and when she finds a British spy (Anthony Blake whom we'll see later) Jack smuggled from France laid out on the beach, she saves his life, and says fuck this shit. She writes a note and leaves him.
It's at this point I was cheering because I had clearly forgotten how this is literally the last thing Kit does that I agree with.
Jack comes home, learns Kit has left, is READ TO FILTH by George (my hero) for being attracted to Kit's insane impulsive nature, marrying her, and then systematically destroying everything that makes her Kit. George is a goddamn national treasure and we should protect him with our lives.
Does Jack go get his wife, properly chastened, begging for forgiveness? Nope. He assumes she's at Cranmer Hall, LEAVES HER THERE FOR DAYS, and then accidentally learns nope, she's not there. She's fled to her London cousins, which Jack only learns after Amy accidentally telling him. Because Jack doesn't know jack shit about the woman he married.
He goes to London to fetch her, the cousin has already sent her on to a female friend because he doesn't want to deal with an angry husband while Kit is under his care. Great. You're a fucking peach. Go to hell. I hope you rot. He sends Jack on...and then we turn to Kit.
It turns out Kit didn't leave because she realized Jack was a massive asshole not worth her time. She didn't even pack a change of clothing beyond her breeches (which...she wore in public in London, so yeah...)
She did it to get Jack's attention.
And then does Jack actually apologize? Nope. He wordlessly fetches his wife, brings her to a dock, puts her on a ship, and all along the way--says nothing of note. Kit thinks she's being shipped off. Girl, RUN. You're better off, I promise you that. Jack finally explains himself--sort of--and then grudgingly agrees he should be, you know, nicer, but then gives her rules she needs to follow.
And she's happy. Because this is the dick she wants to marry, and I guess you'll up with a lot for a skilled penis.
Also, Kit's grandfather is a fucking idiot who doesn't deserve my rants in depth, so what other options does Kit have? I think I'm supposed to like Spencer. I don't.
The problem with this book is not Kit. I don't blame her in the end. Because the girl fought the good fight and got herself thrown into marriage to an asshole by an asshole. She attempted to leave and maybe she really meant it when she left--but then Jack didn't follow. And she had no choice but to capitulate because she's a woman in Regency Britain and everyone in her life has made it clear they're not going to stand by her.
Also, Jack literally kidnaps her three times during this story and no one blinks. This is basically a Stockholm Syndrome story. No one wins. There's no romance.
But there is George, and he's worth something. And Kit gets a star for trying.
God I hate this book.
July 26, 2019
I have not listening to a lot of Stephanie Laurens; but of the four or five, this was the most erotic. The sex scenes were both more descriptive and more frequent. Normally I would consider this a good thing, but I was too disgusted with both the characters.
Captain Jack/Jonathon, Lord Hendon was extraordinarily selfish. He never cared, much less loved, anyone other than himself. Not his mother or father. Not his long string of mistresses or his imaginary future wife. Not even his closest guy friends. He has an entirely separate set of rules for himself and for everyone else. He will continue a mistress when taking a wife and use them both as he sees fit, but they must both obey and do only exactly as he says. He is the lord and master and all his friends should be blindly loyal and supportive of all his endeavors, but he does not have to explain or confess anything to his friends. He degrades his bedmates in his mind as the whores of the ton though no one has as many sexual partners as he. What kind of hero is this? I don't think being handsome, wealthy, and good in bed make up for a lack of any good moral character.
Kit/Lady Katherine was equally unlikable. She is easily duped by her aunt and family. She is taken to London and used as a pawn for six years. Though beautiful and pursued by rakes, she cannot even fathom desire. When finally home and in her spoiling grandfather's home, she goes out and does whatever she likes (also selfish) to seek adventure. She is very strong-willed and stubborn though not wise. When around Jack she becomes an unthinking wanton who can only act sexually and not use her brain at all. Never experienced sexual desire in 24 years and now a slave to it?
The good thing is these two deserve each other. There is a very brief time at the end of the story when they agree to try to improve their defects slightly, but I have a hard time imagining their relationship as happy for the rest of their lives.
Captain Jack/Jonathon, Lord Hendon was extraordinarily selfish. He never cared, much less loved, anyone other than himself. Not his mother or father. Not his long string of mistresses or his imaginary future wife. Not even his closest guy friends. He has an entirely separate set of rules for himself and for everyone else. He will continue a mistress when taking a wife and use them both as he sees fit, but they must both obey and do only exactly as he says. He is the lord and master and all his friends should be blindly loyal and supportive of all his endeavors, but he does not have to explain or confess anything to his friends. He degrades his bedmates in his mind as the whores of the ton though no one has as many sexual partners as he. What kind of hero is this? I don't think being handsome, wealthy, and good in bed make up for a lack of any good moral character.
Kit/Lady Katherine was equally unlikable. She is easily duped by her aunt and family. She is taken to London and used as a pawn for six years. Though beautiful and pursued by rakes, she cannot even fathom desire. When finally home and in her spoiling grandfather's home, she goes out and does whatever she likes (also selfish) to seek adventure. She is very strong-willed and stubborn though not wise. When around Jack she becomes an unthinking wanton who can only act sexually and not use her brain at all. Never experienced sexual desire in 24 years and now a slave to it?
The good thing is these two deserve each other. There is a very brief time at the end of the story when they agree to try to improve their defects slightly, but I have a hard time imagining their relationship as happy for the rest of their lives.
June 24, 2023
Ortalama, sıkılmadan okunabilecek bir kitapken gereksiz uzatıldığı için kitabın yarısından sonra sıkıldım.
January 2, 2014
This book is such a sumptuous read! It’s like eating your favorite, most exotic fruit one juicy bite at a time! After reading the synopsis of the book, I thought I was in for a story about smuggling gangs in the rookeries of London, or something of that sort…but this fantastic story was far more (and far from that initial image). This story takes place in the beautiful countryside of Norfolk, England during tumultuous times between France & England, as both countries are at war with one another. Yet, the main characters are, in fact, aristocrats involved in underground, clandestine activities during the danger of the night. Both of our leads have gotten involved in managing smuggling gangs for different reasons. I think that’s one of the most interesting aspects of this book---aristocrats by day, and smugglers by night! How exciting is that???
THE HEROINE:
Lady Kathryn Cranmer, otherwise known as “Kit” is such a likeable heroine! She is a maverick, and no one knew this better than her manipulative aunt & uncle who tried to marry her off for 6 years in London. After deeming her “unmarriageable,” Kit was returned to live with her beloved grandfather in the country. Yet, Kit has as much fire, curiosity and need for adventure as her beautiful black Arab horse and she’s beckoned into the night. Kit is one amazing woman. She has razor-sharp instincts, is daring, and a thrill-seeker, at heart.
THE HERO:
OMG, I loved the hero, Lord Jonathan Henden (aka “Captain Jack)!! As Kit put it, he is “supremely male”…lol. Henden’s reputation precedes him. He is a beautiful specimen of a man with a respected military career, and a “rake” among the ladies. Yes, this man is a master of his own world, until a courageous, beauty with amethyst eyes and red locks of hair, dressed as a boy comes to rock his world. And, yes, this man works hard at keeping his world in check, but he finds himself working harder at unlocking the secrets that await him in discovering love in a woman, who is every bit his counterpart in instincts, stubbornness, ability and drive.
THE ROMANCE:
I loved the first time Captain Jack and Kit met. Their chemistry is off the charts and full of this animal attraction. There is a clever parallel between the attraction and unsettling connection that goes on between both of their horses (Jack’s grey stallion & Kit’s black Arab) and the riders….lol Since the initial meeting (which began as a sword fight) Captain Jack knew there was something “off” in the young lad who lead one of the smuggling gangs in the area; and when he finds out she is a woman! --Whoa!!! Talk about seeing sparks fly!! ---The two strike a deal, join forces; but I don’t think either of them were prepared for the powerful force that compels them to each other!
I adored the unveiling that occurred between both Jack and Kit as they learned about each other. Neither shared their true identify and station, with one another, so it was so fun to see the discovery of their secrets peeled off in layers (and much like their clothes…LOL). I also loved their teasing little games, and their relationship blossom in every stage of their commitment to one another. This novel is an absolute indulgence for the “helpless romantic” because the leads fall in love and share a passion with one another that is like molten lava! Yes, this is a steamy, “rock the boat—don’t come-a-knocking” romance without the unhelpful drama and angst that usually plague novels these days. I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
This novel is such a treat! You will feel the exhilaration as Kit and Captain Jack race through the countryside, both escaping and fooling the “Revenue” soldiers. You will be intrigued as they survive multiple dangers from all sides, and uncover a mystery related to top secret, governmental affairs. And, if riding the English countryside at a break neck pace, and engaging in covert governmental operations is not enough, the intertwined romance is another challenge that is sure to dazzle and keep your heart rate up!
NARRATOR:
I really enjoyed the narrator. She created such a perfect, crisp and young voice for Kit. I also enjoyed her male voices and ability to tell a story with proper timing and inflections. What can I say?--McCallister Lee was great!
LAST THOUGHTS:
This is an ever-moving story with vivid characters, who came across as real, with characteristics and inner challenges that seemed reflective of their time. I loved the supporting characters that moved within Captain Jack and Kit’s precociously, balanced world of the aristocracy by day, and smuggling runs by night. The ending and epilogue were perfect, and I hope this book captures your heart as it has captured mine. This is my first Stephanie Lauren’s book, but definitely not my last!
THE HEROINE:
Lady Kathryn Cranmer, otherwise known as “Kit” is such a likeable heroine! She is a maverick, and no one knew this better than her manipulative aunt & uncle who tried to marry her off for 6 years in London. After deeming her “unmarriageable,” Kit was returned to live with her beloved grandfather in the country. Yet, Kit has as much fire, curiosity and need for adventure as her beautiful black Arab horse and she’s beckoned into the night. Kit is one amazing woman. She has razor-sharp instincts, is daring, and a thrill-seeker, at heart.
THE HERO:
OMG, I loved the hero, Lord Jonathan Henden (aka “Captain Jack)!! As Kit put it, he is “supremely male”…lol. Henden’s reputation precedes him. He is a beautiful specimen of a man with a respected military career, and a “rake” among the ladies. Yes, this man is a master of his own world, until a courageous, beauty with amethyst eyes and red locks of hair, dressed as a boy comes to rock his world. And, yes, this man works hard at keeping his world in check, but he finds himself working harder at unlocking the secrets that await him in discovering love in a woman, who is every bit his counterpart in instincts, stubbornness, ability and drive.
THE ROMANCE:
I loved the first time Captain Jack and Kit met. Their chemistry is off the charts and full of this animal attraction. There is a clever parallel between the attraction and unsettling connection that goes on between both of their horses (Jack’s grey stallion & Kit’s black Arab) and the riders….lol Since the initial meeting (which began as a sword fight) Captain Jack knew there was something “off” in the young lad who lead one of the smuggling gangs in the area; and when he finds out she is a woman! --Whoa!!! Talk about seeing sparks fly!! ---The two strike a deal, join forces; but I don’t think either of them were prepared for the powerful force that compels them to each other!
I adored the unveiling that occurred between both Jack and Kit as they learned about each other. Neither shared their true identify and station, with one another, so it was so fun to see the discovery of their secrets peeled off in layers (and much like their clothes…LOL). I also loved their teasing little games, and their relationship blossom in every stage of their commitment to one another. This novel is an absolute indulgence for the “helpless romantic” because the leads fall in love and share a passion with one another that is like molten lava! Yes, this is a steamy, “rock the boat—don’t come-a-knocking” romance without the unhelpful drama and angst that usually plague novels these days. I absolutely LOVED this book!!!
This novel is such a treat! You will feel the exhilaration as Kit and Captain Jack race through the countryside, both escaping and fooling the “Revenue” soldiers. You will be intrigued as they survive multiple dangers from all sides, and uncover a mystery related to top secret, governmental affairs. And, if riding the English countryside at a break neck pace, and engaging in covert governmental operations is not enough, the intertwined romance is another challenge that is sure to dazzle and keep your heart rate up!
NARRATOR:
I really enjoyed the narrator. She created such a perfect, crisp and young voice for Kit. I also enjoyed her male voices and ability to tell a story with proper timing and inflections. What can I say?--McCallister Lee was great!
LAST THOUGHTS:
This is an ever-moving story with vivid characters, who came across as real, with characteristics and inner challenges that seemed reflective of their time. I loved the supporting characters that moved within Captain Jack and Kit’s precociously, balanced world of the aristocracy by day, and smuggling runs by night. The ending and epilogue were perfect, and I hope this book captures your heart as it has captured mine. This is my first Stephanie Lauren’s book, but definitely not my last!
May 31, 2021
“Her violet eyes spit chips of amethyst at him”
Sounds dangerous, and possibly expensive.
It’s so insipid. The heroine is so exquisitely beautiful yet has only had fake suitors- what? And she’s “too wild for society” but of course is an expert horse rider, sword fighter, etc etc. oh and she even makes a poultice for the maid who has a cough. And OF COURSE the local yokels who are too dumb to smuggle on their own, have one interaction with her and immediately offer her leadership of them, even though they think he’s a teenage boy.
And of course the local aristocrat/smuggler/spy/whatever the fuck is handsome and talented and immediately drawn to her, even when he thinks she’s a teen boy (he’s 35 btw). “He’d never had that sort of reaction to a man before!”
Good lord, i deserve a cupcake for it this far
I had to stop reading or my ocular nerves would sustain damage from all of the eye rolling.
Sounds dangerous, and possibly expensive.
It’s so insipid. The heroine is so exquisitely beautiful yet has only had fake suitors- what? And she’s “too wild for society” but of course is an expert horse rider, sword fighter, etc etc. oh and she even makes a poultice for the maid who has a cough. And OF COURSE the local yokels who are too dumb to smuggle on their own, have one interaction with her and immediately offer her leadership of them, even though they think he’s a teenage boy.
And of course the local aristocrat/smuggler/spy/whatever the fuck is handsome and talented and immediately drawn to her, even when he thinks she’s a teen boy (he’s 35 btw). “He’d never had that sort of reaction to a man before!”
Good lord, i deserve a cupcake for it this far
I had to stop reading or my ocular nerves would sustain damage from all of the eye rolling.
April 30, 2019
Update: I changed from one star to two, but I don’t disagree with anything I said below. Jack is an asshole, that’s not how virginity works, and he took away her damn horse. Lauren’s writes tyrants always, but I think he is the worst.
Original Review: Captain Jack is an asshole. The idea that arousal = love is disturbing. The hymen was...bizarrely portrayed. I could go on, but you get the picture. Stephanie Laurens, what the hell happened with this one?
Original Review: Captain Jack is an asshole. The idea that arousal = love is disturbing. The hymen was...bizarrely portrayed. I could go on, but you get the picture. Stephanie Laurens, what the hell happened with this one?
December 14, 2021
Rated 3.5 ★
They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain's rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling "Kit" Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the "lad" leader of a rival gang with frightening ease - and his "punishment" with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters. Suddenly Kit finds she's only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies ... little knowing what dangerous forces she's unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom ... and bind her to him with a ring, a promise ... and ties of devotion and desire.
I can only be thankful that this book was not as naff as the cover blurb above would lead one to believe. Luckily, I didn't bother reading the blurb first.
The basic story: Kit is masquerading as a boy when she gets caught up in the smuggling game. Jack is undercover as a smuggler to foil an enemy spy-ring & sees through Kit's disguise. They seem to be very well-matched & end up married. It's not all smooth-sailing but everything works out well in the end, as one would expect in a historical romance.
The book is fun, sexy & romantic, & I enjoyed it very much. There are quite a few erotic sex scenes to titillate the reader, & no silly misunderstandings to ruin my day. It's all highly improbable & very easy to read. This is the first Stephanie Laurens novel that I've read, but I have quite a few of them on my shelves & am looking forward to reading them when next I'm in the mood for a romance. Rated 7/10.
Re-read 14/12 to get me started on the series again.
They meet in a clash of swords, drenched in the moonlight of Britain's rugged eastern coast: Captain Jack, his handsome features etched in silver and shadow, his powerful physique compelling "Kit" Cranmer to surrender. He is her dream lover come vividly alive, and his command of the smuggling gang is absolute. His all-knowing gaze penetrates her disguise as the "lad" leader of a rival gang with frightening ease - and his "punishment" with kisses leaves her maidenly modesty in tatters. Suddenly Kit finds she's only too delighted to explore with Jack the pleasures conventionally reserved for married ladies ... little knowing what dangerous forces she's unleashing. For even as Kit revels in midnight gallops and cottage rendezvous, Captain Jack is laying a gentle trap that will curtail her freedom ... and bind her to him with a ring, a promise ... and ties of devotion and desire.
I can only be thankful that this book was not as naff as the cover blurb above would lead one to believe. Luckily, I didn't bother reading the blurb first.
The basic story: Kit is masquerading as a boy when she gets caught up in the smuggling game. Jack is undercover as a smuggler to foil an enemy spy-ring & sees through Kit's disguise. They seem to be very well-matched & end up married. It's not all smooth-sailing but everything works out well in the end, as one would expect in a historical romance.
The book is fun, sexy & romantic, & I enjoyed it very much. There are quite a few erotic sex scenes to titillate the reader, & no silly misunderstandings to ruin my day. It's all highly improbable & very easy to read. This is the first Stephanie Laurens novel that I've read, but I have quite a few of them on my shelves & am looking forward to reading them when next I'm in the mood for a romance. Rated 7/10.
Re-read 14/12 to get me started on the series again.
February 24, 2014
Still feeling a little bereft after our buddy reads of the Cynster series came to a (temporary for now) close, I decided I was ready to try this one, get a head start on the Bastion Club series. I think I'm planning on tackling them maybe sometime after the upcoming Barnaby books The Masterful Mr. Montague and Loving Rose: The Redemption of Malcolm Sinclair come out, if I can hold myself back for that long. I might end up doing em while I wait for the Barnaby books. Haven't decided yet, we'll see how it goes. If reading the Bastions doesn't kill me, I'll most likely go ahead and do the Black Cobra quartet too, but not til a later date. I already have The Untamed Bride, so I'm on my way.
Anyway, my thoughts on this book. I found it to be a pleasant surprise. I was expecting some crazy purple prose, and something similar to Devil's Bride, mainly to say, I wasn't expecting to like it quite so well. I really did enjoy it though. Jack was the typical SL male, controlling, dominant, all that good stuff. I liked him, even if he did have his moments where the control went a little too far. Kit, I liked her a lot too. Didn't hurt that we share a name, that was neat. Usually it's heroes I find with my name, not the heroines. She was independent, strong minded, wild, but not too much so in my opinion. The way their relationship flared was fun, the teasing in the beginning until the inevitable explosion. I also liked how there was no drama and wailing about having to get married. She didn't exactly want to, but she went ahead and did it anyway, and made the best of it. The focus on the smuggling in this story was a nice change from the normal ballrooms and society and all that. The country setting lent a more eased feel to everyone's interactions, and there was not quite as much worry about propriety and such. It left more room for the action, the runs, the chases escaping the Revenue, the meetings in the dingy tavern, late night rides dressed as a boy. And the overload of purple prose was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. The love scenes were actually kind of hot, and to the point without an abundance of metaphors and all that jazz. There was quite a few of them, but I didn't get bored.
I'm happy I got the courage to try this one, it was good. Renews my hope that the other books in the series will be good as well.
Anyway, my thoughts on this book. I found it to be a pleasant surprise. I was expecting some crazy purple prose, and something similar to Devil's Bride, mainly to say, I wasn't expecting to like it quite so well. I really did enjoy it though. Jack was the typical SL male, controlling, dominant, all that good stuff. I liked him, even if he did have his moments where the control went a little too far. Kit, I liked her a lot too. Didn't hurt that we share a name, that was neat. Usually it's heroes I find with my name, not the heroines. She was independent, strong minded, wild, but not too much so in my opinion. The way their relationship flared was fun, the teasing in the beginning until the inevitable explosion. I also liked how there was no drama and wailing about having to get married. She didn't exactly want to, but she went ahead and did it anyway, and made the best of it. The focus on the smuggling in this story was a nice change from the normal ballrooms and society and all that. The country setting lent a more eased feel to everyone's interactions, and there was not quite as much worry about propriety and such. It left more room for the action, the runs, the chases escaping the Revenue, the meetings in the dingy tavern, late night rides dressed as a boy. And the overload of purple prose was nowhere near as bad as I was expecting. The love scenes were actually kind of hot, and to the point without an abundance of metaphors and all that jazz. There was quite a few of them, but I didn't get bored.
I'm happy I got the courage to try this one, it was good. Renews my hope that the other books in the series will be good as well.
October 20, 2017
"Captain Jack's Woman" is the story of Jack and Kit.
After 6 years in London, Kit finally returns to her grandfather Spencer, and somehow ends up leading a smuggling gang due to her midnight wanderings on her mare Delia. She soon comes across another smuggling leader Jack, who wants to merge businesses, and soon attraction ignites.
While both the couple lie about their identities to each other, they continue falling for each other amidst the plot of smuggling spies..
I have mixed feelings about Jack aka Lord Hendon. Even though he was written as "possessive", he came off more as controlling and judgmental. I do think he cared for the heroine, but there are many instances in the book where he takes things for granted, and does things without her consent- to a point that it gets annoying and exasperating. He again and again tries to cage *cough* reign the heroine in, and she pushes against the barriers as expected.
That brings me to wishing that Kit would have fought him more- atleast so he relented at least ONCE.
Good lovemaking scenes, intriguing plot and secondary characters made this an engaging read. Good epilogue.
Safe
3.5/5
After 6 years in London, Kit finally returns to her grandfather Spencer, and somehow ends up leading a smuggling gang due to her midnight wanderings on her mare Delia. She soon comes across another smuggling leader Jack, who wants to merge businesses, and soon attraction ignites.
While both the couple lie about their identities to each other, they continue falling for each other amidst the plot of smuggling spies..
I have mixed feelings about Jack aka Lord Hendon. Even though he was written as "possessive", he came off more as controlling and judgmental. I do think he cared for the heroine, but there are many instances in the book where he takes things for granted, and does things without her consent- to a point that it gets annoying and exasperating. He again and again tries to cage *cough* reign the heroine in, and she pushes against the barriers as expected.
That brings me to wishing that Kit would have fought him more- atleast so he relented at least ONCE.
Good lovemaking scenes, intriguing plot and secondary characters made this an engaging read. Good epilogue.
Safe
3.5/5
August 6, 2024
Overall Rating:
⭐️: 4.5/5 🔥: 4/5
♡◜✧˖°*:･ﾟ✧
This is one of those old-school, classic romances with a heavy type of MMC, very alpha wanna-be. It's not a bad thing for me. It's definitely my type of romance, and just my level of hot & spicy.
It's my second read, and I absolutely love it. We also have a strong-willed FMC who thinks she's very independent, but she's also from the early 1800s, so she can't be. I really enjoyed this! I loved how they get together and how it also shows married life between them, especially because she doesn't fit his norm of what a 'lady' should be like (jumping into danger), and how they both have to overcome it.
Overall, an amazing second read.
Chronological Yr: Apr 1811
- Book 3 -
Bastion Club
- Book 0 -
All of Laurens' books are interconnected among six series (Bastion, Cynsters, Cavanaughs, etc.). I’ve been reading them all alternating with no order. So, I decided to start over, but from the very beginning in chronological year order.
⭐️: 4.5/5 🔥: 4/5
♡◜✧˖°*:･ﾟ✧
This is one of those old-school, classic romances with a heavy type of MMC, very alpha wanna-be. It's not a bad thing for me. It's definitely my type of romance, and just my level of hot & spicy.
It's my second read, and I absolutely love it. We also have a strong-willed FMC who thinks she's very independent, but she's also from the early 1800s, so she can't be. I really enjoyed this! I loved how they get together and how it also shows married life between them, especially because she doesn't fit his norm of what a 'lady' should be like (jumping into danger), and how they both have to overcome it.
Overall, an amazing second read.
Chronological Yr: Apr 1811
- Book 3 -
Bastion Club
- Book 0 -
All of Laurens' books are interconnected among six series (Bastion, Cynsters, Cavanaughs, etc.). I’ve been reading them all alternating with no order. So, I decided to start over, but from the very beginning in chronological year order.
February 21, 2022
Alphahole hero and not-like-other-girls violet-eyed heroine, very old school romance. Pages and pages of incorrect anatomy descriptions. I kept screaming, “That’s not how the hymen works! That’s not how virginity works!” Ugh!
Good performance by Mary Jane Wells but probably one of her early works hence the alias.
Good performance by Mary Jane Wells but probably one of her early works hence the alias.
March 12, 2022
Not bad.
May 25, 2022
I’m so frustrated by this book but i finished it to see if it could redeem itself (it didn’t). This has a similar problem to “Never Love a Highlander” (that being their love interests' complete lack of respect for women’s autonomy and independence). At least in NLaH the heroine regains her independence a bit but I stg this Jack character literally uses Kit (the heroine) like a sex toy.
He refuses to let her speak and constantly initiates sex to avoid talking about things he doesn’t want to (and she lets him! every! single! time!) (imagine how tired we are), bans her from riding her own horse and wearing the clothes she likes (and can actually horseback ride in), and threatens to lock her in their home as a means of prOteCtioN bc he LOveS her. Literally the only time he seems to consider her feelings (not counting the times he anticipates her actions and considers how to manipulate them) is toward the end, not nearly enough, and not at all reflected in his actions (he literally seems worse after??).
Time and again he withholds information and adapts his behavior as a means of manipulating her and getting what he wants out of every situation. Honestly, a way better ending would be Kit becoming his mistress and not his wife, then she wouldn't have the same pressure to obey him. Romance as a genre presumes that a happy ending is marriage and pregnancy, two things I never need and which felt extra out of place here.
Back to Jack: everyone, but Kit especially, is forced to concede to his arrogant and stubborn ways while we read about how Kit - our allegedly fiery and strong MC who just wants him to respect her like a human person with feelings - just takes it and comes back for more (if you have to put aside the main character traits of your heroine to get her with the hero? they clearly weren't supposed to be together??). He literally says he thinks women are inferior and that their purpose is basically to have sex!! And then the author tells us that Jack has grown and sees Kit as a friend and a lover that he wants in his life (never does it suggest to me that he views them as equals). His reason for marrying her is entirely sexual and so is his enjoyment of marriage (he. literally is like. what y'all complaining about?? it's a body to have sex with whenever u want! like pls just buy a ye olde fleshlight).
His shallowness left the relationship emotionally underdeveloped and the book itself extremely unsatisfying. Sexual chemistry is not a strong enough foundation for a marriage! Y’all didn’t even know each other’s real names til yesterday!
Kit repeatedly let me down by being decisive and declaring her intentions to the reader and then immediately losing all resolution because he ~kisses her~. It’s weak and annoying and out! of! character!
I’m especially disappointed because of the potential this story had. Kit is a badass smuggler in disguise! There is mistaken identity, espionage, and just overall an interesting plot separate from the romantic arc. If Laurens had been willing to give Kit any kind of power in her relationship with jack things could have been different. Oh also as an aside I can understand that his dominance is supposed to be sexy but refusing your partner autonomy isn't sexy when you genuinely believe in their inferiority.
TLDR: Jack isn't a dom he's a misogynist.
Just because I’m salty here is a new epilogue:
*~five years later~*
- kit reaches her breaking point
- sleeping in her own room and locking the door is the first decision she’s made against his wishes in so long she hardly gets any sleep out of anxiety
- she sneaks out of the house before dawn and slips on her old breeches
- now they are loose in places she didn’t realize had grown weak from disuse
- she saddles up and rides to the cabin where she’d fallen in love with jack
- she leaves him a note suggesting he seek out a mistress bc she won't be back
- she resumes work as a smuggler but instead of storing the goods on land, she sails across the world in merchant ships, delivering the smuggled goods that keep families fed when legal means fail
- she learns lots of languages and makes friends with her crew-mates who don’t treat her badly once they find out she’s a woman bc :) i said so :)
- she finds a crew of lady pirates and joins their ranks, exploring herself and her world unrestrained and without regret
- jack is forced to confront the fact that he had been slowly crushing everything he loved about kit when they first met
- when he woke up the morning after kit locked her doors he just knew she was gone
- he gets mad and breaks some stuff then wallows for months
- he spends more time with his house staff, particularly the women and starts unlearning the misogyny he had been perpetuating his entire life
- he never marries and remains celibate
- he names a horse after her
- it runs away :)
He refuses to let her speak and constantly initiates sex to avoid talking about things he doesn’t want to (and she lets him! every! single! time!) (imagine how tired we are), bans her from riding her own horse and wearing the clothes she likes (and can actually horseback ride in), and threatens to lock her in their home as a means of prOteCtioN bc he LOveS her. Literally the only time he seems to consider her feelings (not counting the times he anticipates her actions and considers how to manipulate them) is toward the end, not nearly enough, and not at all reflected in his actions (he literally seems worse after??).
Time and again he withholds information and adapts his behavior as a means of manipulating her and getting what he wants out of every situation. Honestly, a way better ending would be Kit becoming his mistress and not his wife, then she wouldn't have the same pressure to obey him. Romance as a genre presumes that a happy ending is marriage and pregnancy, two things I never need and which felt extra out of place here.
Back to Jack: everyone, but Kit especially, is forced to concede to his arrogant and stubborn ways while we read about how Kit - our allegedly fiery and strong MC who just wants him to respect her like a human person with feelings - just takes it and comes back for more (if you have to put aside the main character traits of your heroine to get her with the hero? they clearly weren't supposed to be together??). He literally says he thinks women are inferior and that their purpose is basically to have sex!! And then the author tells us that Jack has grown and sees Kit as a friend and a lover that he wants in his life (never does it suggest to me that he views them as equals). His reason for marrying her is entirely sexual and so is his enjoyment of marriage (he. literally is like. what y'all complaining about?? it's a body to have sex with whenever u want! like pls just buy a ye olde fleshlight).
His shallowness left the relationship emotionally underdeveloped and the book itself extremely unsatisfying. Sexual chemistry is not a strong enough foundation for a marriage! Y’all didn’t even know each other’s real names til yesterday!
Kit repeatedly let me down by being decisive and declaring her intentions to the reader and then immediately losing all resolution because he ~kisses her~. It’s weak and annoying and out! of! character!
I’m especially disappointed because of the potential this story had. Kit is a badass smuggler in disguise! There is mistaken identity, espionage, and just overall an interesting plot separate from the romantic arc. If Laurens had been willing to give Kit any kind of power in her relationship with jack things could have been different. Oh also as an aside I can understand that his dominance is supposed to be sexy but refusing your partner autonomy isn't sexy when you genuinely believe in their inferiority.
TLDR: Jack isn't a dom he's a misogynist.
Just because I’m salty here is a new epilogue:
*~five years later~*
- kit reaches her breaking point
- sleeping in her own room and locking the door is the first decision she’s made against his wishes in so long she hardly gets any sleep out of anxiety
- she sneaks out of the house before dawn and slips on her old breeches
- now they are loose in places she didn’t realize had grown weak from disuse
- she saddles up and rides to the cabin where she’d fallen in love with jack
- she leaves him a note suggesting he seek out a mistress bc she won't be back
- she resumes work as a smuggler but instead of storing the goods on land, she sails across the world in merchant ships, delivering the smuggled goods that keep families fed when legal means fail
- she learns lots of languages and makes friends with her crew-mates who don’t treat her badly once they find out she’s a woman bc :) i said so :)
- she finds a crew of lady pirates and joins their ranks, exploring herself and her world unrestrained and without regret
- jack is forced to confront the fact that he had been slowly crushing everything he loved about kit when they first met
- when he woke up the morning after kit locked her doors he just knew she was gone
- he gets mad and breaks some stuff then wallows for months
- he spends more time with his house staff, particularly the women and starts unlearning the misogyny he had been perpetuating his entire life
- he never marries and remains celibate
- he names a horse after her
- it runs away :)
April 16, 2022
By setting the action away from the structures of society, Laurens allows her hero to be a bit more overbearing, ruthless, demanding, dangerous and much better than her other regency heroes. I like how she writes h who start with pushing the boundaries of what society expects from a lady but eventually their love for H and page burning lovemaking sessions allow them to gracefully take their place as a well-bred lady. Though she prefers to write them as unrealistically on-the-shelf unmatched beauties which annoys me and I've learned to ignore. Purple-prose might not be to everyone's liking but i love Laurens' efforts to make each of them a bit unique exploration of yet untapped passion between our main characters. The parallel relationship between their horses was also nicely executed.
March 25, 2011
wow...i love this book...kalo ada 6 bintang gw kasih 6 deh :D
kapten jack nya bener2 hotty banget....
ceritanya lengkap...dari gak kenal...kenal gara2 kit nyamar jadi co dan jadi penyelundup...sampe jack ngenalin kit itu ce dan bertekad buat merayu kit....dan sampe nikah juga di ceritain semua....lengkap banget....
jack nya yang awalnya gak ngerti cinta dan mau jadiin kit mistress ....berusaha nikahin kit karena dia bener2 gak bisa jauh dikit dari si kit ^^
kapten jack nya bener2 hotty banget....
ceritanya lengkap...dari gak kenal...kenal gara2 kit nyamar jadi co dan jadi penyelundup...sampe jack ngenalin kit itu ce dan bertekad buat merayu kit....dan sampe nikah juga di ceritain semua....lengkap banget....
jack nya yang awalnya gak ngerti cinta dan mau jadiin kit mistress ....berusaha nikahin kit karena dia bener2 gak bisa jauh dikit dari si kit ^^
July 13, 2015
This one was just okay. It's my 3rd Stephanie Laurens' book and I have the same reaction I had with the prior 2. Meh. The book wasn't as engaging as I was expecting. The heroine Kit was unconventional, so that was good. I guess I was expecting to be drawn in more to the story than I was.
April 6, 2024
An action-packed British historical romance, Captain Jack’s Woman takes the listener on a thrilling ride that includes sword fights, wild horse chases, smuggling runs, a masquerade ball, and even a passionate, illicit affair among two aristocrats impersonating leaders of rival smuggler gangs. Brought to life by McCallister Lee’s dynamic and talented performance, Captain Jack’s Woman is a classic romance, originally published in 1997, that lovers of European historical romances will not want to miss revisiting, or discovering for the first time, in its recently released audio version.
Set in the early 19th century, primarily in the English countryside of Norfolk, at a time when tensions ran deep between England and France, Captain Jack’s Woman is the love story of Lord Jonathan Hendon (Captain Jack) and Kathryn Cranmer (Kit).
After spending a disillusioning six years in London, where her aunt’s and uncle’s attempts of finding her a suitable match (i.e., one that will benefit them) prove uneventful, Kit is allowed to return to her grandfather’s home in Norfolk, and vows never to marry or succumb to the manipulations of others again. A wild child by nature, Kit prefers dressing in britches and riding her lightning fast, black, Arab horse named Delia, over any proper activities becoming of a lady of her high standing.
Amidst this backdrop, one adventure seeking night, Kit takes great pains to disguise herself as a boy and goes out to the sea to spy upon a smuggling operation. Interestingly, it quickly becomes evident that this group of smugglers, who recently lost their leader, is in need of direction and Kit fills that void. Greatly impressed with Kit’s natural leadership skills, and fooled by her disguise, the gang begs this “young lad” to become their leader. Kit — never one to turn down an adventure — accepts for the pure joy of it as she makes it clear that she is not interested in a cut, just decision power over the booty that they seek.
Lord Hendon, a former military hero, is a high-ranking British official who is on a mission to eliminate the smuggling operations that have been bringing French spies to England. In order to accomplish this aim, Lord Hendon assumes the disguise of Captain Jack. Upon discovering Kit’s gang, he endeavors to fold their operations into his, so he can monitor if they are part of the spy smuggling consortium.
While all of the men have previously been fooled by Kit’s disguise, the more clever, well known rake, Captain Jack, recognizes Kit as a woman almost immediately. His instant attraction to her, even in boy’s clothing, is overpowering. Moreover, while recognizing her family’s connection via her unusual red hair and classic Cranmer family coloring, he nonetheless believes Kit’s further lie that she is one of her grandfather’s “favorite” illegitimate grandchildren. This further disguise opens the door for Captain Jack’s seduction without having to worry about any unwanted repercussions for his alter ego, Lord Hendon. Being the arrogant man that he is, Captain Jack never even considers that Kit may not be interested. Fortunately for him, Kit has her own agenda, and also is powerfully attracted to Captain Jack.
So begins the incredibly sensual, passionate affair between Captain Jack and Kit – an affair neither expects to last. Captain Jack, however, is quickly captivated by Kit and can’t get enough of her, so being the aristocrat he is, he decides she will just have to become his mistress, the only station befitting of her given her “illegitimate” status. Add in Kit’s vehement oppostion to the smuggling of spies she believes Captain Jack is spearheading, (as well as potential encounters when not undercover) and you have a burgeoning romance amongst a mountain of misunderstandings and clashes of social conventions that make for a delightful listen.
One factor which is incredibly titillating at times, but at others borders on chauvinistic paternalism, is Lord Hendon’s extreme alpha, arrogant, domineering nature. In Captain Jack, it led to some extremely steamy, memorable scenes in that dangerous sort of way inherent in a pirate’s nature. In Lord Hendon however, it almost seems misguided (albeit likely true to the time) and for today’s audience likely beyond that which is necessary to be the protective hero. Moreover, it struck me as unlikely that a headstrong, wildcat, like Kit would accept such treatment. Nonetheless, the redeeming quality of this story is that if you follow through to its conclusion, Ms. Lauren’s message seems to be that these paternalistic, chauvinistic machinations are ultimately fruitless, leading instead to disaster and resulting in Lord Hendon having to bend to Kit.
Ms. Lee’s portrayal of Kit perfectly captures her youthful, zest for life. From excitement and passion to anger and concern, Ms. Lee’s skill in bringing to life Kit’s huge range of emotions makes Captain Jack’s Woman a captivating listen. Perhaps the only thing more dramatic and spellbinding is Ms. Lee’s voicing of Captain Jack. Bearing the perfect touch of aristocratic arrogance and commanding spirit, as well as the perfect mode of delivery for Captain Jack’s tongue-in-cheek humor, Ms. Lee’s performance is spot on for this British, aristocratic, alpha hero. In fact, I’d venture to say that I enjoyed Ms. Lee’s depiction of Captain Jack so much, that I think she has one of the better “younger” male British voices for European historical romances that I have listened to in a long time. Ms. Lee also does a magnificent job of slightly differentiating secondary characters. Whether it be a French accent for the double spy, class specific accents for the servants, or even disparate intonations for Jack’s friends, Ms. Lee’s dramatization is to be commended. A few times, there seemed to be an unnatural fluctuation in the volume of the recording but this was an extremely minor production issue and didn’t detract from the listening experience. As best as I can tell, this is Ms. Lee’s first narration (at least for an American publisher). I can say with great certainty that I look forward to listening to more of Ms. Lee in the future!
All in all, I greatly enjoyed the audiobook version of Captain Jack’s Woman. If you love alpha heroes, strong heroines, and action-packed European historical romances, this is an audiobook you will want to add to your to listen list!
BJ
Narration: A-
Book Content: A-
Steam Factor: For your burning ears only
Violence: Fighting
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Set in the early 19th century, primarily in the English countryside of Norfolk, at a time when tensions ran deep between England and France, Captain Jack’s Woman is the love story of Lord Jonathan Hendon (Captain Jack) and Kathryn Cranmer (Kit).
After spending a disillusioning six years in London, where her aunt’s and uncle’s attempts of finding her a suitable match (i.e., one that will benefit them) prove uneventful, Kit is allowed to return to her grandfather’s home in Norfolk, and vows never to marry or succumb to the manipulations of others again. A wild child by nature, Kit prefers dressing in britches and riding her lightning fast, black, Arab horse named Delia, over any proper activities becoming of a lady of her high standing.
Amidst this backdrop, one adventure seeking night, Kit takes great pains to disguise herself as a boy and goes out to the sea to spy upon a smuggling operation. Interestingly, it quickly becomes evident that this group of smugglers, who recently lost their leader, is in need of direction and Kit fills that void. Greatly impressed with Kit’s natural leadership skills, and fooled by her disguise, the gang begs this “young lad” to become their leader. Kit — never one to turn down an adventure — accepts for the pure joy of it as she makes it clear that she is not interested in a cut, just decision power over the booty that they seek.
Lord Hendon, a former military hero, is a high-ranking British official who is on a mission to eliminate the smuggling operations that have been bringing French spies to England. In order to accomplish this aim, Lord Hendon assumes the disguise of Captain Jack. Upon discovering Kit’s gang, he endeavors to fold their operations into his, so he can monitor if they are part of the spy smuggling consortium.
While all of the men have previously been fooled by Kit’s disguise, the more clever, well known rake, Captain Jack, recognizes Kit as a woman almost immediately. His instant attraction to her, even in boy’s clothing, is overpowering. Moreover, while recognizing her family’s connection via her unusual red hair and classic Cranmer family coloring, he nonetheless believes Kit’s further lie that she is one of her grandfather’s “favorite” illegitimate grandchildren. This further disguise opens the door for Captain Jack’s seduction without having to worry about any unwanted repercussions for his alter ego, Lord Hendon. Being the arrogant man that he is, Captain Jack never even considers that Kit may not be interested. Fortunately for him, Kit has her own agenda, and also is powerfully attracted to Captain Jack.
So begins the incredibly sensual, passionate affair between Captain Jack and Kit – an affair neither expects to last. Captain Jack, however, is quickly captivated by Kit and can’t get enough of her, so being the aristocrat he is, he decides she will just have to become his mistress, the only station befitting of her given her “illegitimate” status. Add in Kit’s vehement oppostion to the smuggling of spies she believes Captain Jack is spearheading, (as well as potential encounters when not undercover) and you have a burgeoning romance amongst a mountain of misunderstandings and clashes of social conventions that make for a delightful listen.
One factor which is incredibly titillating at times, but at others borders on chauvinistic paternalism, is Lord Hendon’s extreme alpha, arrogant, domineering nature. In Captain Jack, it led to some extremely steamy, memorable scenes in that dangerous sort of way inherent in a pirate’s nature. In Lord Hendon however, it almost seems misguided (albeit likely true to the time) and for today’s audience likely beyond that which is necessary to be the protective hero. Moreover, it struck me as unlikely that a headstrong, wildcat, like Kit would accept such treatment. Nonetheless, the redeeming quality of this story is that if you follow through to its conclusion, Ms. Lauren’s message seems to be that these paternalistic, chauvinistic machinations are ultimately fruitless, leading instead to disaster and resulting in Lord Hendon having to bend to Kit.
Ms. Lee’s portrayal of Kit perfectly captures her youthful, zest for life. From excitement and passion to anger and concern, Ms. Lee’s skill in bringing to life Kit’s huge range of emotions makes Captain Jack’s Woman a captivating listen. Perhaps the only thing more dramatic and spellbinding is Ms. Lee’s voicing of Captain Jack. Bearing the perfect touch of aristocratic arrogance and commanding spirit, as well as the perfect mode of delivery for Captain Jack’s tongue-in-cheek humor, Ms. Lee’s performance is spot on for this British, aristocratic, alpha hero. In fact, I’d venture to say that I enjoyed Ms. Lee’s depiction of Captain Jack so much, that I think she has one of the better “younger” male British voices for European historical romances that I have listened to in a long time. Ms. Lee also does a magnificent job of slightly differentiating secondary characters. Whether it be a French accent for the double spy, class specific accents for the servants, or even disparate intonations for Jack’s friends, Ms. Lee’s dramatization is to be commended. A few times, there seemed to be an unnatural fluctuation in the volume of the recording but this was an extremely minor production issue and didn’t detract from the listening experience. As best as I can tell, this is Ms. Lee’s first narration (at least for an American publisher). I can say with great certainty that I look forward to listening to more of Ms. Lee in the future!
All in all, I greatly enjoyed the audiobook version of Captain Jack’s Woman. If you love alpha heroes, strong heroines, and action-packed European historical romances, this is an audiobook you will want to add to your to listen list!
BJ
Narration: A-
Book Content: A-
Steam Factor: For your burning ears only
Violence: Fighting
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
October 18, 2017
3.5 stars
I'm starting to notice a trend on these stories.
Many of the "feelings" seem to be the exact same thing from one book to the other. Hmmm... 😔
I'm starting to notice a trend on these stories.
Many of the "feelings" seem to be the exact same thing from one book to the other. Hmmm... 😔
October 17, 2014
Author: Stephanie Laurens
First published: 1997
Length: 374 pages
Setting: Norfolk, 1811 (Regency).
Sex: Explicit. Reasonably frequent. Varied. Much of it is with no expectation of marriage (he intends to, at best, make her his mistress and is actively looking for a suitable bride).
He's a control freak who, while enjoying her wildness and impetuosity when he thought her his mistress, acts to stem it and force her to submit to his will as his wife. To the extent he takes away her freedom, her horse and buys her a new wardrobe of clothes (including "scandalous" lingerie).
There's an interesting story here. Smuggling and spies. Secret identities.
And lots of hot, kind of D/s, sex.
An interesting heroine who understands her position and role in society, as Cranmer's granddaughter, and as a wife. She has backbone and integrity.
But the story falls flat around Jack.
I'm not keen on the "I'll make her my mistress, she'll love it!" idea he has. Or "I'll abduct her and keep her locked in my castle until everything's all better and she agrees to be mine". Like no-one will care? Really? Are you that stupid/arrogant? How about "I'm a Registered Rake and know all the ins-and-outs. I'll teach her to yearn for my cock" (did I miss the bdsm flag?) but never take steps to avoid her getting pregnant. And now that she's been forced to become Jack's wife... Let's slowly remove from her all the things that make her life worth living, and give her sex to replace it. "I don't need to talk to her; I'll just fuck her brains out and leave her to spend the day making my house a home while I have the adventures I know she yearns for."
What a prick.
And his Hallelujah! moment? A fizzer. No grovel. Just more sex.
Which apparently makes everything all better and now life is Awesome!
2.5 stars rounded up.
Bastion Club Series:
Prequel Captain Jack's Woman (1991) - Miss Kathryn (Kit) Cranmer and Lord Jonathon (Jack) Hendon
Book 1 The Lady Chosen (2003) - Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham and Miss Leonora Carling
Book 2 A Gentleman's Honor (2003) - Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington and Alicia Pevensy
Book 3 A Lady of His Own (2004) - Charles St. Austell, Earl of Crowhurst and Lady Penelope Selborne
Book 4 A Fine Passion (2005) - Jack Warnefleet, Baron Warnefleet of Minchinbury and Lady Clarice Altwood
Book 5 To Distraction (2006) - Jocelyn Deverell, Viscount Paignton and Phoebe Malleson
Book 6 Beyond Seduction (2007) - Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst and Madeline Gascoigne
Book 7 The Edge of Desire (2008) - Christian Allardyce, 6th Marquess of Dearne and Lady Letitia Randall
Book 8 Mastered By Love (2009) - (Dalziel) and Minerva Chesterton
.
References:
Author's website: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books...
(ISBN 9780380794553)
-CR-
First published: 1997
Length: 374 pages
Setting: Norfolk, 1811 (Regency).
Sex: Explicit. Reasonably frequent. Varied. Much of it is with no expectation of marriage (he intends to, at best, make her his mistress and is actively looking for a suitable bride).
He's a control freak who, while enjoying her wildness and impetuosity when he thought her his mistress, acts to stem it and force her to submit to his will as his wife. To the extent he takes away her freedom, her horse and buys her a new wardrobe of clothes (including "scandalous" lingerie).
There's an interesting story here. Smuggling and spies. Secret identities.
And lots of hot, kind of D/s, sex.
An interesting heroine who understands her position and role in society, as Cranmer's granddaughter, and as a wife. She has backbone and integrity.
But the story falls flat around Jack.
I'm not keen on the "I'll make her my mistress, she'll love it!" idea he has. Or "I'll abduct her and keep her locked in my castle until everything's all better and she agrees to be mine". Like no-one will care? Really? Are you that stupid/arrogant? How about "I'm a Registered Rake and know all the ins-and-outs. I'll teach her to yearn for my cock" (did I miss the bdsm flag?) but never take steps to avoid her getting pregnant. And now that she's been forced to become Jack's wife... Let's slowly remove from her all the things that make her life worth living, and give her sex to replace it. "I don't need to talk to her; I'll just fuck her brains out and leave her to spend the day making my house a home while I have the adventures I know she yearns for."
What a prick.
And his Hallelujah! moment? A fizzer. No grovel. Just more sex.
Which apparently makes everything all better and now life is Awesome!
2.5 stars rounded up.
Bastion Club Series:
Prequel Captain Jack's Woman (1991) - Miss Kathryn (Kit) Cranmer and Lord Jonathon (Jack) Hendon
Book 1 The Lady Chosen (2003) - Tristan Wemyss, Earl of Trentham and Miss Leonora Carling
Book 2 A Gentleman's Honor (2003) - Anthony Blake, Viscount Torrington and Alicia Pevensy
Book 3 A Lady of His Own (2004) - Charles St. Austell, Earl of Crowhurst and Lady Penelope Selborne
Book 4 A Fine Passion (2005) - Jack Warnefleet, Baron Warnefleet of Minchinbury and Lady Clarice Altwood
Book 5 To Distraction (2006) - Jocelyn Deverell, Viscount Paignton and Phoebe Malleson
Book 6 Beyond Seduction (2007) - Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst and Madeline Gascoigne
Book 7 The Edge of Desire (2008) - Christian Allardyce, 6th Marquess of Dearne and Lady Letitia Randall
Book 8 Mastered By Love (2009) - (Dalziel) and Minerva Chesterton
.
References:
Author's website: http://www.stephanielaurens.com/books...
(ISBN 9780380794553)
-CR-
March 12, 2021
Captain Jack's Woman
3.5 Stars
After returning from an unsuccessful season in London, Katherine "Kit" Cranmer is eager to experience once again the freedom and adventure of her childhood on the Norfolk coast. Disguised as a young lad, Kit inadvertently finds herself recruited to be the leader of an inept group of smugglers, but things go awry when a rival gang lead by the notorious Captain Jack takes over. Jack, a man with secrets of his own, soon unmasks Kit and the two engage in a classic battle of the sexes in which only one can be the victor.
A quick and steamy read, but the heroine's willfulness and the hero's overbearing attitude undermine the romance.
Kit is a strong willed and headstrong heroine, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, she is also spoiled and reckless, which leads her straight into TSTL territory.
Jack is arrogant and self-indulgent. He has absolutely no compunction against seducing a young girl whom he believes to be of low birth, and then, upon realizing his error, demanding that she marry him to assuage his warped sense of honor. This type of hypocrisy is exceedingly irritating and does not endear him to the reader.
In terms of the plot, there is a lot going on with smugglers and traitors, gender-swapping and mistaken identities. All of this has a great deal of potential if one is paying attention, but some of the situations feel forced and contrived.
Despite these issues, the story is entertaining and the hero and heroine have intense chemistry even if neither is particularly likable. Recommended for Laurens fans, but suggest that newbies read the first few Cynster books first.
3.5 Stars
After returning from an unsuccessful season in London, Katherine "Kit" Cranmer is eager to experience once again the freedom and adventure of her childhood on the Norfolk coast. Disguised as a young lad, Kit inadvertently finds herself recruited to be the leader of an inept group of smugglers, but things go awry when a rival gang lead by the notorious Captain Jack takes over. Jack, a man with secrets of his own, soon unmasks Kit and the two engage in a classic battle of the sexes in which only one can be the victor.
A quick and steamy read, but the heroine's willfulness and the hero's overbearing attitude undermine the romance.
Kit is a strong willed and headstrong heroine, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, she is also spoiled and reckless, which leads her straight into TSTL territory.
Jack is arrogant and self-indulgent. He has absolutely no compunction against seducing a young girl whom he believes to be of low birth, and then, upon realizing his error, demanding that she marry him to assuage his warped sense of honor. This type of hypocrisy is exceedingly irritating and does not endear him to the reader.
In terms of the plot, there is a lot going on with smugglers and traitors, gender-swapping and mistaken identities. All of this has a great deal of potential if one is paying attention, but some of the situations feel forced and contrived.
Despite these issues, the story is entertaining and the hero and heroine have intense chemistry even if neither is particularly likable. Recommended for Laurens fans, but suggest that newbies read the first few Cynster books first.
December 29, 2014
It took me days to read this when usually I finish a novel like this quickly and that's because I disliked the characters so much. It was a strange book with Kit a young woman who was tricked into leaving her beloved grandfather by her aunts (who never make an appearance). This is all told as past history. She has lived in London and had one broken romance - again with the evil aunts who persuaded someone to propose to her. Now Kit finally returns to her Grandpa who always was tricked by the aunts.
Then we find out Kit was wild as a child with no structure and Grandpa couldn't control her. But how was she able to control herself in London when no one has been able to manage her? Then Kit becomes a smuggler in one night. The plot is so ludicrous. Captain Jack is a spy for the English government who is undercover as another smuggler. He and Kit band together. Oh and Kit dresses as a boy but rides her black mare like the wind. He keeps her gender a secret but likes how she looks in breeches. Then Kit has a best friend she hasn't seen in years who describes what sexual feelings are. It's almost as if Laurens kept adding new dimensions to Kit's character. This has nothing to do with the Bastion Club series and is not necessary. I just didn't get it.
Then we find out Kit was wild as a child with no structure and Grandpa couldn't control her. But how was she able to control herself in London when no one has been able to manage her? Then Kit becomes a smuggler in one night. The plot is so ludicrous. Captain Jack is a spy for the English government who is undercover as another smuggler. He and Kit band together. Oh and Kit dresses as a boy but rides her black mare like the wind. He keeps her gender a secret but likes how she looks in breeches. Then Kit has a best friend she hasn't seen in years who describes what sexual feelings are. It's almost as if Laurens kept adding new dimensions to Kit's character. This has nothing to do with the Bastion Club series and is not necessary. I just didn't get it.
September 12, 2009
This is the first Stephanie Laurens book I've read, my friend highly recommended her for me to read since I'm a fan of regency/historical romance. I started with this book because it is the first of the Bastion Club. Now I could see why she's highly regarded in this genre. The vivid prose is fluent and the love scenes range from steamy to sizzling hot, not just your typical "roll in the sheets" as she said in an interview, but the love scenes develop the characters and their relationship with each other. The storyline wasn't what I expected, but I was amused with the two of them leading double lives for a just cause. Most of the stories I read on this genre are about women taming rakes and this is one of them. The characters are strong-willed and clash most of the time but the hero, Captain Jack (Lord Hendon) is more dominating, and Kit (heroine) knows she's being manipulated but falls for it anyway. The best part is the compromise. I also loved the part where they got married and it didn't end there, the author still showed life after marriage and how they adjusted to it, unlike other authors who just put what happens after in the epilogue.
November 3, 2021
I enjoyed the smuggler aspects of the story although its a little far fetched I don't mind. However, what I can not let go is that Jack is a complete cock womble. Misogynistic, over bearing and controlling. Red flags all around. How dare he take the heroine's
Horse from her, making her ask permission from him to ride it. ?????@@@@!!!!!! The audacity! In my opinion Kit shot the wrong person.
Kit I liked. Feisty, impulsive and more than capable of handling herself. It should have ended with her telling Captain Jack where to go and where to shove his demands and becoming the new leader of the smugglers. A much happier ending.
Plot seemed to go on a good few chapters than it needed to and there was some very questionable prose and dialogue in some of the spicier scenes. All I could think was 'that's not how that works!' *facepalm*
Horse from her, making her ask permission from him to ride it. ?????@@@@!!!!!! The audacity! In my opinion Kit shot the wrong person.
Kit I liked. Feisty, impulsive and more than capable of handling herself. It should have ended with her telling Captain Jack where to go and where to shove his demands and becoming the new leader of the smugglers. A much happier ending.
Plot seemed to go on a good few chapters than it needed to and there was some very questionable prose and dialogue in some of the spicier scenes. All I could think was 'that's not how that works!' *facepalm*
December 18, 2018
Originally a stand-alone, Stephanie Laurens made this a prequel when she came up with the idea for the Bastion Club. While I liked the book, I think she needed to do some re-writing of it to make it gel more with how she ended up writing the series. I think if I had read it prior to the rest of the Bastion Club series I would have enjoyed it more. I did like seeing how Jack and Kit got together, though the trope of headstrong female dressing as a boy being discovered by an upper-class male who wants to make her his mistress has been done a few too many times. It is formulaic like many of Laurens' books but a good way to escape for a few hours. If you are a fan of her books and haven't read it, I do suggest reading it.
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