A ship leaving England sets sail for India, carrying six women who hope to find a suitable husband. They’ve been sent because they have no other choice. Can you imagine?? ((Shudder)). Have you ever seen the movie, “Mean Girls”? Well.... this was something like that but better.
I’d never heard about the “Fishing Fleet” until now. It sounded like a very difficult thing. I really enjoyed this clean historical romance and highly recommend it. The writing was good. The only part I struggled with was the tiger. But besides that it checked off all the boxes for me.
Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing via Netgalley for this ebook. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this Proper Romance from Julie Wright. It is my first novel that I've read by Julie and I can say with confidence it will not be my last!

I love historical Regency romances and this is now one of my favorites.

I loved the new setting and twist on the genre. We start in classic Regency London with balls and proposals and the ton. But we quickly change to a unique setting on a ship bound for India with several eligible young women hoping to find husbands. I was fascinated by that whole story line. I haven't read much about India at this time but to hear about these women and their journey was fascinating. The length of the journey, the hope for a future, the sad reasons why they hadn't found a match in England. It was really compelling.

Caroline Gray is a fantastic protagonist. She stands up for herself and usually isn't afraid to be herself. Yes, the way she talks politics, science, and current events is surprising and certainly not the norm of the time. But I found her knowledge and confidence refreshing. She seeks to learn from those around her and isn't above hard work. I want to be her friend. Throughout the novel, she goes through a compelling transformation as she seeks to fit in, hide her true character, and finally embrace her flaws and her strengths. Her journey to finding peace with herself is beautiful.

Captain Thomas Scott is an equally compelling character. Caroline turns his world upside down and changes everything he thought he knew about the women who he shuttles to India. I loved how he has to change as well. He thinks he knows a lot about forgiveness and truth. But he comes to understand that he can make mistakes and needs to fight for what he loves.

Their romance is beautiful and full of tension and passion. Certainly we assume that Caroline and Thomas will find a way to be together. But the twists and turns that get us to that reconciliation and happily ever after are many! We spend the first half of the book aching to see them admit their feelings for each other. Their first kiss is gorgeous and that scene is so lovely and satisfying. I loved the build up to that moment when they both realize the other person cares for them. I got so frustrated with Thomas when he judges Caroline unfairly again and again. Let her defend herself! But in the end, I loved that he drops everything to find her. And I loved that Caroline is brave enough to move into the unknown because she hopes for a future with him. A beautiful romance that had me on the edge of my seat.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters are beautifully developed, the romance has the right amount of tension and love, and the ending is perfectly satisfying. I would have liked an epilogue to see what happens in the future. But I found myself smiling as I closed the book. One of my favorite historical romances!

A Captain for Caroline Gray is the first book I have read by Julie Wright. It definitely will not be the last. I thought it was great. Four and a half stars.

This book is well-written and the premise interesting. It just wasn't a good fit for me. The tone is a bit dark and somber, whereas I prefer stories that are light and bright and sparkling. DNF.

This book was certainly not my usual genre. I must say that I did enjoy the adventure of Miss Gray and the other ladies on their voyage from England to India in search of a husband.

Will Miss Gray and the Captain figure out that they belong together? Will other's on the voyage make it impossible for them to actually be together? What about young Tom? For the answers to these questions and a lot more, read the book!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book released on March 2, 2021.

Caroline Gray is pretty, intelligent and well-educated, but she’s also curious to a fault and considered a bluestocking. That’s why after several seasons she finds herself without marriage prospects and due to the precarious family situation she’ll end up accepting an offer that will take her away from her family and country.
Captain Thomas Scott is not a fan of the so call Fishing Fleet, but it’s his business to take goods and passengers to India and he’ll deal with the ladies the best way possible. He has a plan for his future, but he could have never foreseen Miss Gray and the array of new feelings she’d bring into his life.
This was my first read by the author and I was happily impressed. The book is well researched and written, properly set in the period as well as believable and relatable. It packs a great punch with the right mix of romance and adventure without being overdone in any aspect.
Another thing I found rather refreshing was that it’s a clean story and there weren’t any over the top scenes to take away from it. I like my raunchy books, but it’s good to fine a mild one every so often.
I really enjoyed the story of Caroline Gray as she ventures to another continent in search of her HEA.

Is there ever any reason to be happy that you had dental work done and now your face throbs, so you don't feel up to doing anything productive? If you have this book waiting to be read, then yes, there is. If I had to actually put this book down to go do the "gotta-do's" I would have been sad. Instead, I got to curl up on the couch and read the entire thing.

So yes, I highly recommend this book. It is well-written, and completely drew me in to the story. My heart broke numerous times for Caroline, but I was also in awe at her strength. Tom, Mr. Black and Lieutenant Peterson are people I'd like to get to know better.

I really have no desire to live on a ship for months at a time, but I'm always drawn to books that take place in that setting. And I'm always a sucker for a good "enemies to friends to even more than that" story as well, so this book was perfect for me.

I love reading regency romances, but some elements seem to be the same in every book. Not so with Caroline Gray. To start, Caroline is an unusual heroine. She attends lectures, talks politics, and essentially speaks her mind. This is part of the problem. After three seasons, she has no prospects, her father has died, and her cousin who inherited is getting married. Caroline agrees to an offer to meet an acquaintance's son in India, and see if they suit. That's a long way to travel for matchmaking!

Caroline was such a likeable heroine. She was unconventional, confident, yet also vulnerable. She likes who she is, yet feels like she can't attract a man unless she's more simpering and demure. I like how Captain Scott shows her the fallacy of that thinking. He encourages her to be herself.

Besides our unconventional heroine, the setting is a ship, and India. I liked seeing a different locale. This story had romance, adventure, and a dash of suspense. As far as I know this was Julie Wright's first regency novel, and she nailed it!

Content: clean (a handful of kisses, mild violence, no language)

For another trip to India with the "fishing fleet" I also recommend The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen.

A Captain for Caroline Gray is the newest in the Proper Romance line and definitely one worth reading!

Caroline Gray has had three seasons and none of them yielded any marriage prospects. When her mother's friend offers to pay for Caroline to travel to India and marry her son, Caroline accepts because there aren't a lot of other choices for a woman in this time period. On the ship to Mumbai, she meets several other young ladies also traveling to find marriageable prospects, and Captain Thomas Scott. The captain tries to stay aloof, but Caroline's knowledge, conversation, and spirit intrigue him. They form a friendship that could possibly turn into more---if Caroline wasn't supposed to be marrying a man when the ship docks in India. Can Caroline and the captain risk it all for love?

I love this tender, slow-burn romance that also has a twist of suspense to it. Caroline is a relatable girl, who has such a vibrant personality. She finds herself making decisions that have unforeseeable consequences, then she has to do her best to deal with what comes her way. I like how kind she was to those on the ship and the friendships she made with the other girls. Thomas was a good hero, with his own thoughts and preconceptions that lead to misunderstandings. He does have a soft heart, though, and I liked seeing glimpses of that in his interactions with Caroline. The villains of the story were well-balanced and not overdone and I really liked the twist at the end. The author does really well with the setting, especially the scenes on the ship. There was just enough detail to help the reader feel like they were there without being overdone. The secondary cast is memorable and brings a nice depth to the story. Ms. Wright has a subtle, nuanced style to her romances and I enjoy that. Fans of the Proper Romance line will not be disappointed when they dive into A Captain for Caroline Gray.

Caroline Gray has ended the season without a proposal much to her mother’s chagrin. Her parents had taught her a lot of scientific subjects and one could say she’s a bluestocking. Ever since her father passed away, things have been very tense in their home. Her cousin, Mr. Moore, is the heir but has not pressured them to leave. Her mother had hoped that Caroline and Mr. Moore would fall in love, thus allowing them to stay in their home, but he is engaged to someone else. As Caroline has no other prospects, her mother’s friend, Mrs. Barritt, has a third son living in India and the woman and her mother have bought passage for her to sail to India and meet the man as he wants an English wife. She does not have to marry him if they don’t suit. However, there are no funds to bring her back to England.

Aboard the ship “Persistence,” Caroline joins in the meals with other people. The captain of the ship, Captain Scott, is quite taken with her and his hope is to return to England with goods and start another profitable business.

Caroline and Captain Scott enjoy chats at dinner and he is impressed with her knowledge of things and her artistic abilities. However, he tends to talk to her as an employee at times and that does not set well with her. Thus, there is friction between them which soon evolves into affection.

When they arrive in India, Caroline meets Mr. Barritt who appears to be nice, but she is warned that he has some unsavory habits. She also learns that English couples usually send their children to England for school at a very young age and they spend their vacations with grandparents in England. Thus, mothers rarely see their children again. This is a turn-off for Caroline wanting to live her life in India. What other choice does she have in life?

I became bored with the back and forth between Caroline and the Captain. So much of this is typical in historical romance novels where the heroine and hero try to one-up each other. This trope is so overdone as it clearly was in this book. I was not intrigued by the story and found it to be rather bland. However, I can say that Miss Cole should have been made to walk the plank.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I have to say, I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. the main character Caroline, is a sassy outspoken woman who is shunned from society due to her views on the world. When her situation changes, Caroline is forced to sail to India to marry a man she has never met, but fate would smile upon her when the rugged Captain Scott plays a dangerous game with her heart.

Of course, when a nasty passenger on the ship tries to sabotage Carlines happiness out of jealousy, things get a little dicey.

I loved Carlines character and how she always did what she thought was right, even if it would look bad upon herself. And the wonderful Captain Scott is a standup kind of guy, who feels deeply for the people around him and has morals and standards. A wonderful trait in a husband, if I do say so myself.

The whole story had a Pirates of the Caribbean kind of vibe, and I really enjoyed that. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

My review will by live on my blog, Book Confessions on March 20th, 2021.

In Julie Wright’s A Captain for Caroline Grey , she writes a situation so completely unique. In spite of my hesitancy about over done headstrong women, I found I quite liked Caroline. In fact, I rather enjoyed the entirety of the story.
It was Julie’s descriptions that first drew me into the story. I loved how she detailed the movement of the ship during the storm and the interactions of the various passengers. The idea to make Caroline sketch the passengers, gave life to the others on the ship. People we may have overlooked when caught up in the story, came a live under her sketches; making the whole ship full with life in our heads.
Her story had romantic tension, suspenseful adventure, friendship and finding oneself all balanced in a well paced plot. I must admit there were one or two times I felt like more modern references were being used. Such as “pulling petals from perfectly good flowers in hopes of ascertaining a boy’s feelings for her.” And yet each time when I googled the origin (1806 if you’re wondering), I found her setting and research spot on.
I was fascinated with the idea of The Fishing Fleet women and find that Julie not only wrote an intriguing novel but has peaked my interest in a number of historical situations. I’m excited to see what her next foray in the historical romance department holds.

I am a big fan of Julie Wright, but I couldn't get into this book because Captain Scott never reached the point for me where he was likeable. He didn't have character growth, since at the end he is just as dismissive and judgmental of Caroline as the beginning. Also, I never saw the two of them fall in love. It was contention, contention, contention, I love you!, back to contention until the last few pages when it's I love you! again. I enjoyed the plot quite a bit, I just wish I could've liked Captain Scott.

What an adventure!

This is the story of Caroline Gray, a lovely young lady who failed to acquire a husband going to balls and such and, as her family remains without funds, she accepts the proposal of a captain's mother to go to India and meet her son, to see if they may struck a marriage. But the journey is long and Captain Scott, the leader of the ship, catches her eyes right from the beginning. Plus he's so charming and such a gentleman that plans take new course.

This book was such an adventure, I love books that start from obscure events or customs and shine a light on the people who lived them. Such is the case of this practice of sending women to India in order to find a British husband there. The story is filled with adventures on the ship, the story of different ladies who take on this specific journey. Surprisingly the action continues in India, too, which made it all more colorful and intriguing.

The middle of the book didn't felt that great, so this was more of a 4.5 stars for me, but the beginning was pure mastery, I could not put it down. And the third part of the book took an intriguing adventurous fast paced note, which was very refreshing.

Caroline Gray is an enchanting, witty character, so easy to like and admire. The Captain himself is pretty wonderful, though he is the cause of the main drama. While I do understand his point, wouldn't it have been wonderful for him to understand fully the position of the woman he loved?! There was little regard of money from his side giving the fact that she was utterly alone, with no funds and no help. In the end the heroine saved herself. And she actually saved him, too.

For a clean romance it was full of snarkly, flirtatious moments, there was so much chemistry between two people who seemed a bit opposite in the beginning but who had great admiration for one another. Than there were the charming characters, some even in their simplicity and vulnerability, a pretty mean lady that will surprise you in the end and a lot of lovely scenes.

A Caroline for Captain Scott...

Caroline Gray is an oddity in Regency England - a woman who is intelligent, enjoys learning & feels no shame in expressing such things. Unfortunately, she also frequently comes across as a know-it-all & argumentative. Traits that can be off-putting to most people even today, but especially so in her time when the ideal woman is quiet & biddable.

As she makes a desperate journey to India in hopes of finding a husband there since she is losing her home, she meets the somewhat jaded Captain Thomas Scott. The captain is an intelligent man with strong opinions of his own which leads the two of them to clash on more than one occasion, but he finds her impressive rather than off-putting.

There is a conflict of misunderstanding at the end which I felt would have served the story better had it been employed as a source of strengthening their relationship rather than them coming together in spite of it, but the story is still very well written with sympathetic, well developed characters and a heartwarming happily-ever-after

*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

What a wonderful story! I loved how this book had a different setting from your typical Regency Romance. I am a giant fan of anything from the #ProperRomance Series and #ShadowMountainPublishers, this book did not disappoint at all! So many facets of the 1800s that I find so interesting and make me thankful for the century that I live in. Travel and women’s rights are two of those that I find so interesting of this time, just the thought of spending over 3 months on a ship to travel from England to India, I am good with just 1 week on a cruise ship and you at least stop to go on shore about every day. I enjoyed the way that Caroline had her own personality and it was not like those of the other society girls, she was a forward thinking, educated female that was not liked due to those personality traits. I was worried that at the beginning of the book that the title was going to give away the ending but I was surprised and really loved this story by author Julie Wright.

Caroline Gray’s third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it’s because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband.

However, her family’s dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn’t work, Caroline cannot return home.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the “Fishing Fleet,” he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away.

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip’s first night’s dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty.

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer.

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother’s wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met—thus securing a future for her and her mother—or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?
I received early access to this book through netgalley.com in exchange for writing an impartial review. Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishers.

Caroline has been put in a hard situation. Either go to India and try to make a match or be passed from relative to relative. For a woman with strong opinions and an active mind, it is a difficult decision.

I loved Caroline. She has so much compassion and looks out for others. The title leaves the ending open. Caroline has two captains, Captain Barrit or Captain Scott. One she has promised to think about making a match with and the other finds his way into her mind and heart.

The majority of this novel is set on the high seas. I enjoyed Caroline's fascination with the ship and crew. Her artistic talents help her make friends with people who really matter. The people that high society would not look at twice.

This book is a keeper. It is interesting and entertaining. Caroline and Captain Scott are the kind of people that I would love to associate with.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

(4.5 Stars)

I adore Regency stories and this one had a few unique twists that made it stand out. Caroline is at the end of her options in England and a plan is hatched to send her to India to see if a match can be made there. I've always found these times in this country to be slightly mysterious and fascinating, and this story was no different, especially as most of the story took place on a ship in the middle of the sea.

Caroline is a very outspoken, opinionated young lady who has cultivated her interests in topics more than her interest in a match and that fire is exactly what captures Captain Scott's attention. I absolutely loved him and the way he would react to and engage with Caroline. The supporting cast of characters was equally charming.

The whole plot was fresh and fun. You'd think because it takes place in such close confines it would get a little stale, but that was definitely not the case. I was hooked from start to finish, but...the story felt like it just suddenly ended and I wanted a little bit more. An epilogue or just one more chapter would have made it perfection.

Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril/violence

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

Sometimes you just need a romance for that feel-good feeling and this one was a perfect fit for my reading mood.

It is fascinating to read how marriages and lives were in the Regency period. I feel bad for the women that lost pretty much everything when their husband died because they didn't inherit the estate. This forces them to find other accommodations and they hope that they do not wear out their welcome with whomever they live with at this stage in their life.

Caroline is not like the other ladies seeking a husband. She is inquisitive and seeks knowledge and wants to be appreciated for her mind and not just be a wife that does not contribute to intellectual conversations and the like. She is most likely considered a bluestocking for that time. So far she hasn't found that with any of the gentleman in England and possibly her last hope is to discover love with the son of a family friend that is living in India. She doesn't expect to fall in love on the way to India with Thomas, the captain of the ship. I enjoyed the banter between the two and they both learning how to interact without jumping to the wrong conclusions as was wont to happen.

There is a bit of an adventure throughout the book. There is the three month journey to India from England, the storms they encountered, the pettiness of some of the ladies on the ship, and exploring and enjoying India once they arrived. We also find Caroline standing up for a young boy on the ship and endearing nearly all of the crew to her as she talks to them, asks questions, and is able to sketch a likeness of them to send home to mothers and wives.

I do think that there needed to be an epilogue...what happened with Caroline and Thomas? There is the indication of a happily ever after, but what exactly happened?

An enjoyable book and we give it 4 paws up.

Caroline is a lady with very strong opinions and few (exactly zero) marriage prospects. This wouldn't be such a problem if her cousin didn't fall in love so soon, just about forcing her out of her home which he's destined to inherit after getting married.

Luckily for Caroline, when one door closes, another opens. The mother of a wealthy gentleman spies Caroline at a ball and offers to pay half of her voyage to India just to meet her son, no marriage obligations necessary.

Having no other choice, Caroline decides to embark on a three month long trip, unaware she may find love in an unlikely place during the journey.

The first thing I want to say is that Caroline's cousin isn't as bad as I made him sound. In fact, he's just shy of perfect. But we needed to have a reason to push Caroline to travel and he was it.

A good chunk of the book takes place on a ship. This I love. Love, love, love. If they would've stayed on the ship for the entirety of the novel it would've been fine with me! It's described so well and made me long for open skies, the gentle (and not so gentle) rocking of a ship, the delightfully salty smell of the sea...and the endless supply of fish.

In the beginning I wasn't sure if I liked that there were only six ladies aboard, I thought there'd be more considering how "often" they sail from one port to another, but as the story went on I grew to like the choice. It succeeded in creating an intimate atmosphere.

I ever did so (those of you who read it will appreciate this reference) enjoy the relationship between Caroline and her Captain. The actual Captain. Not the other one.

I got so annoyed when they avoided each other. JUST KISS ALREADY, KISS AND GET MARRIED AND SAIL THE SEAS FOREVER.

And I didn't want them to dock in India. I really didn't. Still, that part was fun too.

The last bit was full of adventure which made the ending so much more disappointing. For all their talk of settling down that was what I expected to see. And yet we didn't get an epilogue.

I spied with my little eye a comment that said the final print version will have an epilogue. What that means is that I need to get my hands on a copy ASAP. I will not be satisfied until I read it.

Anyway, five stars for the stress and emotional pain.

*Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*