Set on a ship in the English Royal Navy in 1811, this book tells the story of Georgana who is disguised as a cabin boy, George, upon her father’s ship to hide from her abusive grandmother. Georgana may be safe from grandmother but she must struggle daily to hide her identity from the other men on the ship because if her secret was found out her reputation would be destroyed. When a new first officer comes on board he becomes a mentor to George they form a friendship and Lieutenant Peyton eventually discovers that George is in fact Georgana. He keeps this secret to himself while he figures out just why this is happening and how he can protect her.

Admittedly, the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover, then when I saw it takes place during the Regency era and was a Proper Romance, I was all in. I’ve read books from Proper Romance before and I trust them to have top-notch reading material.

It was unique to see a Regency romance set upon a ship instead of in grand estates and ballrooms. There was a lot of action in this book: dangerous weather, a mysterious illness and I found time just flying by. The pacing is excellent with this book and we have a hero and heroine we can really root for.

The author managed to throw in technical details about life on a ship without bogging the book down or making it boring. This is the first book I have read by Arlem Hawks but I look forward to reading anything this author publishes Especially if it is with the Proper Romance line.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you Net Galley and Shadowmountain Publishing.

Sweet, clever, and insightful, this book deals with the fear of disease, the panic of cannon fire, and just about anything that could possibly go wrong on one of His Majesty's ships, But, even if the ship hadn't been hit by constant waves of calamity, the interpersonal aspect is compelling enough— the story follows two main characters: Georgana Taylor is on the ship disguised as a cabin boy to escape a verbally abusive Grandmother, while Dominic Peyton is the first lieutenant, tasked by his mother with asking the reticent Captain Taylor where his daughter has gone. Drama ensues. Love blossoms, Crossdressing causes near Shakesperean-level confusion. All in all, it's a sweet love story with a lot of historical insights and enough misunderstandings, jealousies, and tension to keep it interesting.

This book was something I absolutely haven't expected and got so much more.

The simple but utterly hard life on a ship's deck while cruising the seas is difficult enough for a boy yet more so for a young woman to pretend to be a ship boy and not the captain's daughter. 

The struggle, the rough life, the hatred of other crew members because of somewhat better treatment she's received against obtaining of understanding, friendship, and falling in love while trying to stand for herself. 

The fear of losing something dear to sea or to further live the life on deck wasn't meant to be her future so she's wanted to leave this life behind but what if....her heart was telling her something else.

Like I said this story was so much more and I loved every single word.

Loved this book, from the beginning to the end.

This book has it all, adventure, romance, mystery, and intrigue. And best of all, it has a happy every after. I've found a new author to watch.

thank you Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

Review To Come close to my stop on the this book tour
1811, HMS Deborah

A Regency romance on the high seas.

As a young girl, Georgana Woodall dreamed of beautiful dresses, fancy balls, and falling in love. However, when her mother dies, she cannot face a future under the guardianship of her abusive grandmother and instead chooses to join her father on his ship disguised as his cabin boy, “George.”

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When he sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he immediately puts a stop to it and takes the “boy” under his wing. After discovering a number of clues, Dominic deduces that George is really a woman. Knowing that revealing the cabin boy’s secret would put her in serious danger from the rowdy crew, Dominic keeps silent and hides his growing affection for her.

This was a fun adventure on the high seas.
The romance is very subtle as it has to be for the story.

Georgana has spent the last several years as "George" a cabin boy on her father's (though hiding that too) ship.
Dominic is an officer on the ship. His first love (and only love) is the sea. He never sees himself marrying. He takes George under his wing after witnessing a fight between George and some other cabin boys.

It was fun watching Dominic trying to figure out George's secret. This also had everything I expect from a story on the seas- sickness, death (though that's never fun but a fact), mutiny, storms, battles, etc....

Very well researched and a fascinating look at early 1800s life at sea. But it was just so sad. Georgana carried so much emotional baggage, I don’t know how she had the strength to get up every day. I know not every story is a happy one, but I could have used a few lighter moments here.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. The book description lets you in on the secret from the beginning: Georgana is a teenage girl disguised as a cabin boy on a Royal Navy ship commanded by her father. There is more high seas adventure and less romance since almost everyone thinks she’s a boy, and those who do know the truth are lying to protect her. The ship was a great setting. The leading characters were both likable, some of the other characters were despicable. There was a lot of tension in the final action on the ship but it was resolved in an unrealistic and ambiguous way. I didn’t like how Georgana’s father basically let it happen. The hero Lt. Dominic Peyton was suitably dreamy and it’s not surprising that Georgana fell for the first man to show her some compassion. I’ll probably be in the minority here but I didn’t like the epilogue. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ebook to review. All opinions are my own.

An utterly captivating tale from Arlem Hawks! A wonderfully unique Regency, I knew Georgana’s Secret would be a five star read before I was even halfway through the story.

Hawks’ incredible devotion to research and description are two aspects of this story that will stay with me for a long time, but the truly exemplary part of Georgana’s Secret is the characters. From the main characters to minor ones, each provides something magical to the story. I definitely fell in love with Dominic, and Georgana is a wonderful heroine. Hawks’ impeccable writing style makes me delightfully impatient for her next story!

Georgana’s Secret is an absolute must-read for readers who love historical romance mixed with hidden identity, danger on the high seas, and superb writing. I just can’t say enough good things about this story! 5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love how this author can transform long months at sea, into an intriguing, adventurous romance. The plot is unique, being a clean regency romance meshed with the high seas and the Royal Navy. Georgana has had a rough childhood, her father is a navy captain, how does he protect her? Dominic is a protector by nature, starting with the love and care for his Mother. But his love, is the sea. Gave up the promotion to captain his own ship, he is the 1st lieutenant on the Deborah. The characters are well defined. As with any adventure story there is so mild fighting and battle scenes with injuries. But all are described in a sensitive form. The first half is setting the story and would drag just a little. Don’t give up, there is so much story to tell and you don’t want to miss it. Many twist and turns that will keep you reading through the night!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First sentence: Footsteps, firm and steady, sounded on the stairs. Each one tore at Georgana Woodall’s young heart as she waited in the hall outside the nursery because they brought Papa’s goodbye closer and closer. She brushed her tears away quickly, in case Grandmother was following Papa. Grandmother had no tolerance for tears—from girls of seven or their mothers.

Premise/plot: Georgana's Secret is a Regency romance set at sea on board the HMS Deborah. Georgana Woodall, our heroine, is masquerading as a cabin boy, "George Taylor," on her father's ship. She's picked on but making the best of it until a new lieutenant comes on board. Lieutenant Dominic Peyton is new to the Deborah and serving under Captain Woodall, but he's not new to the naval life. His heart belongs to two women: the sea and his mother. His mother may dream of him getting married and starting a family. But how can he take care of a family AND still sail the seas? Would it be fair to leave a wife and mother behind?

Dominic and George begin a strange friendship of sorts. He sees George as a small boy who is picked on by just about everybody but the captain. Surely George doesn't belong in the navy--no matter who his father was. Perhaps when the ship returns to England he can help George find a more suitable future. Meanwhile he's looking for a few clues as to what became of the captain's daughter who hasn't been seen by society in years.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I did. I don't often read books with this naval setting, but it worked for me. I liked the alternating narrative and how we get both George's perspective and Dominic's perspective. Most of all I appreciate that it is a clean romance. It is one of the books in the Proper Romance series.

This one may pair well with Persuasion by Jane Austen.

Arlem Hawks is a new author to me this year, and each story has been excellent. This one is no exception!

In order to stay safe, Georgana has been disguised as a cabin boy, “George,” on her father’s ship, where she is bullied by her shipmates. Lieutenant Dominic Peyton takes George under his wing. As they adventure on the high seas, they form a close bond. When Dominic discovers her secret, things begin to change. Can their relationship survive battles both on the ocean, and in their own hearts?

This book is such an exciting ride! I loved the dynamic between the characters, and seeing the different relationships evolve. I was on the edge of my seat with all the action and adventure. I lost quite a bit of sleep needing to know what came next!! This was a beautifully told story- one of my favorites this year!

I apologize that I did not review this on my blog - I tried to get into it, but I found it to be a bit dull and dry. I will not be purchasing this for my school library, sadly. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to review it for my students.

5⭐️
I wish I could give this 6 stars. It was so good. Loved, loved, loved it!
I don’t even know how to start this....I can’t believe I haven’t read any books by this author and I’m trying to figure out how that’s even possible. She’s definitely a new favorite. I just want to say again that I absolutely adored this book. It was wonderful.
The story was fluid, captivating and so real. The characters were well developed and bigger than life. I didn’t want to put it down and when I had to, I couldn’t wait to get back to it.
I really loved the romance, which wasn’t very physical but you could feel it crackling between them. The pace and intensity that built between them was perfect. I feel like a lot of authors have a hard time pulling this off but this author excelled in it. **Sigh**

My favorite quote from the book:

“Here’s to tall ships and small ships. Here’s to all the ships at sea. But the best ships are friendships”—he gave her a wink—“and may they always be.”
~Lieutenant Peyton

I highly recommend this. Please believe me when I say it was a wonderful story.

Thank you Shadow Mountain via Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest
review.

Wonderful book by Arlem Hawks! I loved learning all the things about sailing that was in this book. I also loved the romance between Georgana and Dominic. I loved how Dominic helped Georgana to learn to stand up for herself and how he kept her secret even after he figured it out. I loved how Arlem wrote this story and I love that it is a part of the Proper Romance series of books since those are some of my favorite books to read. I highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This was an enjoyable read. It had romance, action, suspense, and great characters.

Georgana, forced by circumstances to hide her identity and tired of living a lie, was a sympathetic character, and I liked seeing her grow and heal. Peyton was kind hearted and charming, and I loved the way that he helped Georgana move beyond her painful past.

The setting was vividly rendered. I felt like I was on board the Deborah watching events unfold.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romance.

Reads Like a Dramatic Movie!
4☆ = I really liked it
•Most of the story takes place aboard ship. Georganna lives life lonely & hiding, disguised as a cabin boy for her father, the Captain. Her days take a dramatic turn when a new Lieutenant joins the crew of the HMS Deborah & befriends her, hoping to be a mentor of sorts to the boy.
•There are battles with other ships, battles with hot-headed sailors, & battles within the hearts of Dominic & Georganna.
•Favorite quote: 🌊"But the sea—she had always been his one love. He didn’t need another woman. Yet for all her beauties, the sea did not satisfy him like a few minutes with Georgana did."❤
•I appreciated the natural progression of Georganna's & Dominic's relationship.
•TEA QUOTE 🫖: "Preparing and serving tea had been the subject of many lessons with Grandmother, instructions that still echoed in Georgana’s head after three years apart. But Grandmother never had to navigate the gun deck of a swaying ship in the middle of a watch change without upending the tea tray."
•Story does contain physical abuse should that be problematic for some.
•I was gifted an eVersion of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review without compensation or expectation. All opinions are mine alone.

Oh how I love the Proper Romance line! This one did not disappoint! What a story! The characters were strong and extremely likable! I enjoyed the sweet and tender love and compassion shown throughout! You will not be able to put it down! Enjoy!!!

Georgana lives on a ship with her Captain father due to her grandmother's abuse. Lieutenant Peyton is a kindhearted and hardworking sailor who is trying to provide the best life he can for his mother. When he sees the "cabin boy" being abused by the other ship boys, he intervenes and takes the "boy" under his wing.

This is an interesting premise! I wanted to like it more than I did, but there was one glaring problem for me. [ It isn't until about halfway through that Peyton figures out that the "cabin boy" is a woman. But even when he "knows" she's a woman, he does not get this confirmed, he just assumes he is correct. He has a good bit of evidence, but without solid confirmation from either the Captain or Georgana herself, there's a chance he's wrong! So he's developing feelings for what he assumes is actually a woman?! It felt weird to me. And there was a moment where he wants to kiss her and leans closer... but Georgana is still under the impression that Peyton thinks she's a boy. It's not until near the end of the book that they both let it out into the air that she's a woman. And because of that there aren't a lot of romantic moments or romantic chemistry, which is what I wanted more of out of this book. (hide spoiler)]

All in all, it was a well written book and well thought out. I could tell Arlem Hawks did a lot of research on boats and the British Navy and she wrote those aspects of the book very well. There were battles and deaths and action, but the relationship just felt off to me for the spoiler stated above. Just not what I was hoping for in a Proper Romance book.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This adventure-romance had a fast paced plot line and sweet romance - I had a difficult time putting it down!  The conflict was real and I needed to see the characters' struggles resolved.  I loved the setting aboard a ship and the descriptions of the thrill and difficulty of life at sea were well thought out.  Arlem Hawks has done a masterful job with this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.