The characters are believable and fascinating to read about. They quickly come to feel like real people you can actually care about as friends. Or in some cases, be wary of as enemies.

Caroline is ahead of her time, thirsting after knowledge in a time when women were expected to be demure and ignorant to science and politics.
As a modern reader, it's difficult to understand why Caroline would have felt so desperate as to go to India in search of a husband, particularly given her cousin's kindness. Perhaps some time introducing his bride to be and getting to know her would have made this clearer.

I found Captain Scott equal parts intriguing and frustrating. He frequently thinks to apologise (usually after being given a stern talking to by one of his lieutenants), but rarely follows through with it. Though he values Caroline's intelligence and wisdom, I felt that she deserved better than someone who would continually jump to the wrong conclusions and refuse to ask questions before leaping down her throat each time. I liked how well she stood up to him and particularly enjoyed a scene when she put him in his place and refused to provide an explanation that he was clearly reluctant to hear.

Despite my feelings about the Captain, I found it almost impossible to put this book down. A thought provoking read that provides a small glimpse into the lives of women who travelled into the unknown in hopes of finding love, happiness, and stability.

I would love to see Caroline's story continued further.

4,5 stars

I liked this story. It was a very clean romance. Lots of historical content about the fishing fleet, young ladies sent out to India to fish for husbands. The mores of the time and the characters and attitudes seemed to ring true. I think I'd have stuck with the old name of Bombay rather than the modern equivalent because it is a historical story. I'd have liked perhaps an epilogue to find out how Thomas and Caroline got on after the voyage.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I'm so glad that I live in a world where women who are smart and curious and have a thirst for knowledge are not looked down upon!

Caroline is a heroine that any modern girl will like because she speaks her mind. Her honesty and her fire were so admirable but she has the misfortune of living in a time when those were not desirable traits for a woman to possess. Hence the need to travel to India in search of a husband.

Captain Scott was well written and of course he would appreciate a woman who was smart and could hold an intelligent conversation. I enjoyed their interactions together even though they were full of misunderstandings at the beginning. The friendship/courtship taking place on a ship was different and made for an interesting read.

The bad guy was predictable once he was shown in an unfavorable light but that was ok. The "bad" girl Miss Cole surprised me at the end and I appreciated that she was able to redeem herself a little.

I wished the ending had been different. At least an epilogue would have been nice. It just wrapped up so fast and all of the sudden it was over.

Overall another success for the Proper Romance series.

I adore Julie Wright and was thrilled to read her new book, A Captain for Caroline Gray. The book is completely captivating. The setting is aboard a ship on its way to India. The characters are intriguing and the plot was engaging with plenty of suspense! I highly recommend this fun, clean, and quick read!

This was a sweet romance in a unique setting on a ship to India.

Caroline is on her way to meet a potential groom in India after circumstances make it difficult to stay in England for financial reasons. She’s intelligent and always wants to learn more and isn’t afraid to share her opinions which means she’s a few seasons in with no marriage proposal. Thomas is the captain of the ship she’s taking to India who likes the sea but wouldn’t have chosen it himself. He tends to pity the women he takes to India since many gentleman there are less than honorable.

I liked both Caroline and Thomas. Particularly, I liked how Thomas liked Caroline - he appreciates her personality, even what she considers faults, and wants her to stay true to herself. There romance was sweet even if it was predictable. My favorite secondary character would have to be Peterson - he was a great friend and had me laughing at times too.

The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is that the ending felt too abrupt. I feel like the relationship in terms of Caroline and Thomas acknowledging that they love each other was complete but I have so many questions about their future - does Thomas decide to leave his ship behind? Does Caroline travel with him if he keeps his ship? Do they go back to England?

I’m looking forward to reading other books by Julie Wright!

4 1/2 stars (it needs an epilogue!).

I really enjoyed reading this story set primarily during a sea voyage to India. Such a refreshing setting!

Caroline Gray is an intelligent young woman who doesn't shy away from speaking her mind. Unfortunately, men of the ton are not fans of outspoken girls and she doesn't have any prospects of marriage. With her father's death, her cousin inherits the house and the situation gets worse.

When an acquaintance of her mother offers to pay for half of a passage to India for Caroline to meet her son who lives there, Caroline takes the chance since it's the only one she has.

I really liked the narrative of life in the ship and the characters' interactions. Caroline is not the only young woman going to India in search of a husband, but they don't all become friends.

Thomas is the captain of the ship and he's immediately attracted to Caroline's intellect and outspokenness during the first dinner aboard. During the voyage, they form a friendship, despite the obstacles.

Caroline is a great character to follow on her journey (figurative and literal) as she learns her place in society while keeping true to herself. I liked how Thomas tries to take care of everyone and although he has his faults, he also makes amends.

The ending came too quickly and left me partly unsatisfied at the abruptness. An epilogue with and update would be perfect.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

I do love me a good romance on a ship! Definitely loving the trend I'm seeing lately. I thought this was a sweet romance. Caroline is a brilliant woman who speaks her mind, during a time women are merely ornamental. This was a fun, quick read.

Caroline Gray though very pretty, has been unable to secure a husband during three London seasons. Caroline is well educated and speaks her mind, and those qualities are not attractive to men of the ton. Caroline's father has passed away and the estate is entailed on Caroline's cousin. Caroline's cousin has become engaged and Caroline and her mother will lose their home as a result.

The situation for Caroline and her mother is dire, and Caroline's mother has made arrangements for Caroline to sail to India to join other English women in hopes of finding a husband. In exchange for half of the fare to India, Caroline must meet with her possible suitor, Mr. Barritt, on three separate occasions. With trepidation Caroline sets sail for the three month journey to India and encounters the undeniably attractive Captain Scott, who is one of the captains that transports British women to India to find husbands. The Captain is not only attracted to her by her beauty, but he also finds her conversation refreshing and interesting -- unlike the men of the ton.

A Captain for Caroline was a real page turner for me; it transported me to a different time and place where women boarded ships to India "fishing for" husbands. I advise that you don't pick up this book before bed, because you will not get much sleep! I enjoyed the setting of the ship as well as the time spent in India; it was a refreshing change from the ballroom setting in most Regency novels. I loved Caroline's character. She knows that she is too outspoken, but she just can't help herself. At varying times, she tries to suppress her natural inclination to join in on discussions of politics and science to try to fit in on the ship and in India. I enjoyed Caroline's strong personality. The tension and attraction between Caroline and Captain Scott kept me reading! Caroline is not at liberty to grow attached to the Captain Scott, as she has another Captain waiting for her in India that she has a duty to become better acquainted with. In this book, people are not always as they seem, and Caroline's adventures continue as she disembarks from the ship and immerses herself in the English society in India and as she begins to get acquainted with Mr. Barritt.

I am not very familiar with the author Julie Wright, but I will surely look into her other books as this book was a treat to read, and it was "clean" to boot!