A review by laurenjodi
Captain Jack's Woman by Stephanie Laurens
4.0
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.