Scan barcode
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
This is a sweet romance filled with adventure on the high seas.
Georgana is taken away from an abusive home with her grandmother after her mother passes away. Her father, grief-stricken I'm sure, feels like she would be better off with him on the ship he captains. Of course, women aren't allowed on the ship, so she is disguised as a cabin boy. This is good and bad because the other cabin boys notice something is amiss and are not above creating awkward situations for "George." She and her father have to be very careful to not reveal her true identity to the rest of the crew.
Dominic ends up on this ship as the First Lieutenant much to the chagrin of other crew members. He is level headed and notices George receiving abuse from other cabin boys and takes him (her) under his wing. He teaches her to stand up for herself and perhaps regain a little respect from the others.
The day to day adventures of the crew and the ship will delight and also keep you on the edge of your seat during battles and other tense scenes. The descriptive text will lure you in and you will feel like you are in the middle of the action. I enjoyed watching the love for Georgana and Dominic unfold especially once he realized she wasn't a boy after all. I was surprised it took him as long as it did to uncover that truth.
This was my first book by this author but won't be my last. We give this book 4 paws up.
Georgana is taken away from an abusive home with her grandmother after her mother passes away. Her father, grief-stricken I'm sure, feels like she would be better off with him on the ship he captains. Of course, women aren't allowed on the ship, so she is disguised as a cabin boy. This is good and bad because the other cabin boys notice something is amiss and are not above creating awkward situations for "George." She and her father have to be very careful to not reveal her true identity to the rest of the crew.
Dominic ends up on this ship as the First Lieutenant much to the chagrin of other crew members. He is level headed and notices George receiving abuse from other cabin boys and takes him (her) under his wing. He teaches her to stand up for herself and perhaps regain a little respect from the others.
The day to day adventures of the crew and the ship will delight and also keep you on the edge of your seat during battles and other tense scenes. The descriptive text will lure you in and you will feel like you are in the middle of the action. I enjoyed watching the love for Georgana and Dominic unfold especially once he realized she wasn't a boy after all. I was surprised it took him as long as it did to uncover that truth.
This was my first book by this author but won't be my last. We give this book 4 paws up.
valerieelseswhere's review against another edition
3.0
The story was enjoyable, but slow in spots. I enjoyed it's British Naval ship backdrop and it had some compelling side stories as well as the main love story.
jnak's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Great historical romance set on a ship
katiemayveil's review against another edition
5.0
Georgana has been mistreated by her grandmother for years. Her father is a Captain in the British Navy, and he is gone for months at a time. After her mother passes away and her grandmother's abuse is brought to light, Georgana's father secretly brings her on his ship. She hides in plain sight as a cabin boy. While the other cabin boys give her a hard time she is mostly able to be overlooked. After three years of hiding her identity she is tired of life at sea and starts to think she made a mistake in coming aboard the HMS Deborah.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton is the new First Lieutenant on the HMS Deborah. He can't really explain why he wants to help George, the Captain's cabin boy, but he tries to connect with him and teach him how to fight so he can defend himself against any bullies. Peyton slowly puts clues together and realizes that the Captain and George are hiding something, but he's not sure what.
This is a very engaging and fun read. The character development that occurs is amazing and wonderful. Georgana discovers that she doesn't have to take abuse, she is capable of standing up for herself and putting a stop to it. She learns to love the sea and not detest it for what it did to her life. She also finds love and learns that she is not a mistake. Peyton has been determined to love the sea and nothing else, until he meets Georgana. She helps him soften and realize that life doesn't have to be lived alone. The Captain has to find his inner strength to keep moving on after he is wounded in battle, he realizes he has not been the father Georgana needed.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in romance, sailing, or just an escape from reality.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton is the new First Lieutenant on the HMS Deborah. He can't really explain why he wants to help George, the Captain's cabin boy, but he tries to connect with him and teach him how to fight so he can defend himself against any bullies. Peyton slowly puts clues together and realizes that the Captain and George are hiding something, but he's not sure what.
This is a very engaging and fun read. The character development that occurs is amazing and wonderful. Georgana discovers that she doesn't have to take abuse, she is capable of standing up for herself and putting a stop to it. She learns to love the sea and not detest it for what it did to her life. She also finds love and learns that she is not a mistake. Peyton has been determined to love the sea and nothing else, until he meets Georgana. She helps him soften and realize that life doesn't have to be lived alone. The Captain has to find his inner strength to keep moving on after he is wounded in battle, he realizes he has not been the father Georgana needed.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in romance, sailing, or just an escape from reality.
bubblewombat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A romance on the high seas? Sign me up. I don't need to know anything else, I am reading it!!!
Did I think I'd finish this in one day, especially with it being the audio version? No, but I did it anyway. It really was that good. So why four stars you ask? The pacing, and sometimes I felt like more should be happening.
This actually reminded me of one of my favourite series called Tides (by Alex Lidell), that one had naval battles too and a strong female character, so it's no wonder Georgana's Secret worked for me.
The girl-disguised-as-a-boy trope also helped, it's one of those tropes that makes me so giddy when I'm reading, and when the love interest discovers she's actually a girl and realises he's falling for her *swoons*.
This is my second Arlem Hawks book, and the same things I noticed there are also true here - so, great and emotional storyline, excellent writing that makes you feel like you're there, lovable characters and incredible research. And of course well-written romance.
Next up is Beyond the Lavender Fields and then I'll be all caught up.
P.S. After reading this, I see why people say you should start here with Arlem Hawks' books. I agree, you should.
Did I think I'd finish this in one day, especially with it being the audio version? No, but I did it anyway. It really was that good. So why four stars you ask? The pacing, and sometimes I felt like more should be happening.
This actually reminded me of one of my favourite series called Tides (by Alex Lidell), that one had naval battles too and a strong female character, so it's no wonder Georgana's Secret worked for me.
The girl-disguised-as-a-boy trope also helped, it's one of those tropes that makes me so giddy when I'm reading, and when the love interest discovers she's actually a girl and realises he's falling for her *swoons*.
This is my second Arlem Hawks book, and the same things I noticed there are also true here - so, great and emotional storyline, excellent writing that makes you feel like you're there, lovable characters and incredible research. And of course well-written romance.
Next up is Beyond the Lavender Fields and then I'll be all caught up.
P.S. After reading this, I see why people say you should start here with Arlem Hawks' books. I agree, you should.
christianbooksandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Regency Era story set on a ship! What fun! Lady pretending to be a cabin boy? Oh yes! Georgana Woodall, after being abused by her grandmother for her whole life, takes up residence on her father’s ship as a cabin boy. Her father tries to keep her safe by having her stay in his Captains quarters with him at night, which the other shipmates find odd and Georgana or rather “George” is said to be a distant relative. Georgana has been disguised as “George” for 3 years without anyone finding out.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton arrives on board ship. His mother has informed him, before going out to sea, that Captain Woodall’s daughter has been said to vanish from her grandmother’s care and she is worried and wants to help her. She tells her son to see if he could find out where she is located. Once on Captain Woodall’s ship he asks and is told she is away at school. He notices a cabin boy, George, being bullied by other boys. He takes pity on him and breaks it up. After the second time this occurs, he decides to teach “George” how to defend himself against these boys. After their fight training their friendship grows. As they get to know each other better Georgana starts having feelings for him, but he believes her to be a boy. And she can’t tell him the truth, for risk of ruining her reputation. But will he figure it out on his own? And what will happen if he does?
I really enjoyed this story! It is different than any other regency I have read. I loved that the setting was on a ship. There are battles, sickness and all things associated with navy ships. I really liked Georgana and Lieutenant Peyton’s characters. Loved their friendship and then more once revealed she is a girl 😂. Overall, a great read, and clean. Definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton arrives on board ship. His mother has informed him, before going out to sea, that Captain Woodall’s daughter has been said to vanish from her grandmother’s care and she is worried and wants to help her. She tells her son to see if he could find out where she is located. Once on Captain Woodall’s ship he asks and is told she is away at school. He notices a cabin boy, George, being bullied by other boys. He takes pity on him and breaks it up. After the second time this occurs, he decides to teach “George” how to defend himself against these boys. After their fight training their friendship grows. As they get to know each other better Georgana starts having feelings for him, but he believes her to be a boy. And she can’t tell him the truth, for risk of ruining her reputation. But will he figure it out on his own? And what will happen if he does?
I really enjoyed this story! It is different than any other regency I have read. I loved that the setting was on a ship. There are battles, sickness and all things associated with navy ships. I really liked Georgana and Lieutenant Peyton’s characters. Loved their friendship and then more once revealed she is a girl 😂. Overall, a great read, and clean. Definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
kiwilizzi's review against another edition
4.0
Gaaaaahhhh I love captain’s cabin boy tropes. If that’s even a thing. I don’t know but who cares? I eat it up. I read this book in one day simply because I always have to get to the part where the girl disguised as a boy is discovered and how the author goes about it. I really liked this story. I do wish there had been a little more character development. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t think either main character had a lot of depth. And I also wanted Georgana to learn a little more and hold her own with the boys. Not to say she didn’t, but I do think there could’ve been more combat learning instead of hiding. I also wish her father had more development and story. I would’ve liked to get in his head a little more. He seemed so defeated. And obviously he was over his decision, but it would’ve been nice to see a better resolution to his arc. Okay I’m done.
beauty_and_the_rose's review against another edition
5.0
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure how the author would work out the romance with our heroine pretending to be a boy but it was done so well. I loved the setting and all the characters. I especially enjoyed seeing Dominic learning to love someone other than the sea.
I was surprised by the amount of action that took place in this book but found it to be a part of the story I particularly liked. It wasn't something that you find often in romance books and I loved it.
If your looking for a sea related romance, this one is squeaky clean and delightful to read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure how the author would work out the romance with our heroine pretending to be a boy but it was done so well. I loved the setting and all the characters. I especially enjoyed seeing Dominic learning to love someone other than the sea.
I was surprised by the amount of action that took place in this book but found it to be a part of the story I particularly liked. It wasn't something that you find often in romance books and I loved it.
If your looking for a sea related romance, this one is squeaky clean and delightful to read!
sarahelainereads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book if you like proper romances, but the plot dragged in some paces, and the romance was a little too cheesy for me.
It reminded me of a regency era She's the Man, honestly. I kept picturing Channing Tatum as the love interest, and that was enough to keep me going ;)
The most irritating part of this book was
Georgana's Secret a quick and easy read for summer, though!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book if you like proper romances, but the plot dragged in some paces, and the romance was a little too cheesy for me.
It reminded me of a regency era She's the Man, honestly. I kept picturing Channing Tatum as the love interest, and that was enough to keep me going ;)
The most irritating part of this book was
Spoiler
the abusive grandmother. I felt like her character was just textbook evil. She was a horrible character, but more in an eye-rolling, irritating sort of way. Her horribleness was very exaggerated. I honestly didn't find it very believable that Georgana's only option to escape her was to go aboard the ship with her father.Georgana's Secret a quick and easy read for summer, though!
kimber_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Georgana’s Secret by Arlem Hawks has been on my TBR for a long time and I finally got around to reading and I’m so glad I did!
Georgana Woodall is the daughter of a naval captain who, in an attempt to save his beloved daughter from the vitriol of Georgana’s grandmother, smuggles her on board his ship disguised as a cabin boy. After a few years of this ruse Georgana and her father grow weary of the keeping up the lie and decide that after this voyage they will find a way to return Georgana to society.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has been assigned to sail with Captain Woodall and accompany a fleet of merchant ships to the Caribbean. Dominic loves the sea and has decided she is the only lady he will ever love. Before he sets sail his mother asks him to discover what has happened to Georgana, whom she hasn’t seen or heard anything about in several years. As Dominic makes his inquiries he puts all the pieces together and discovers that a certain cabin boy is not a boy at all.
I loved this story! And I definitely developed a crush on the handsome, compassionate, intelligent Lieutenant Peyton. I liked that the plot wasn’t predictable. You never knew if Georgana’s identity would be uncovered, if a naval battle would ensue, who would survive the battle, or how Georgana and Dominic would be able to express their feelings for each other when everyone, including Dominic, is supposed to think Georgana is a boy. Arlem Hawks did an incredible job keeping the plot interesting and creating a swoony romance without revealing Georgana’s secret too soon.
There were several heart wrenching moments as well as several cute and swoony moments. I liked seeing how the variety of interactions affected Georgana and Dominic’s relationship as well as their relationships with other characters. I especially enjoyed watching Georgana and Fitz’s relationship evolve as they both experienced pain and loss and chose to show compassion instead of anger.
Overall this is a fantastic regency romance and I highly recommend it to anyone who who enjoys sweet clean romance and attractive men in uniforms.
Georgana Woodall is the daughter of a naval captain who, in an attempt to save his beloved daughter from the vitriol of Georgana’s grandmother, smuggles her on board his ship disguised as a cabin boy. After a few years of this ruse Georgana and her father grow weary of the keeping up the lie and decide that after this voyage they will find a way to return Georgana to society.
Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has been assigned to sail with Captain Woodall and accompany a fleet of merchant ships to the Caribbean. Dominic loves the sea and has decided she is the only lady he will ever love. Before he sets sail his mother asks him to discover what has happened to Georgana, whom she hasn’t seen or heard anything about in several years. As Dominic makes his inquiries he puts all the pieces together and discovers that a certain cabin boy is not a boy at all.
I loved this story! And I definitely developed a crush on the handsome, compassionate, intelligent Lieutenant Peyton. I liked that the plot wasn’t predictable. You never knew if Georgana’s identity would be uncovered, if a naval battle would ensue, who would survive the battle, or how Georgana and Dominic would be able to express their feelings for each other when everyone, including Dominic, is supposed to think Georgana is a boy. Arlem Hawks did an incredible job keeping the plot interesting and creating a swoony romance without revealing Georgana’s secret too soon.
There were several heart wrenching moments as well as several cute and swoony moments. I liked seeing how the variety of interactions affected Georgana and Dominic’s relationship as well as their relationships with other characters. I especially enjoyed watching Georgana and Fitz’s relationship evolve as they both experienced pain and loss and chose to show compassion instead of anger.
Overall this is a fantastic regency romance and I highly recommend it to anyone who who enjoys sweet clean romance and attractive men in uniforms.