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Captain of Second Chances

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This is a very sweet romance. I would recommend this one to some of the older ladies who come in looking for a more "wholesome" title.

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A delightful regency romance. I enjoyed the characters and following their hardship of returning to each other.
Many thanks to Wolf Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Captain Luke Bannerman had always loved being on the water. He was confident in his abilities as a captain until one tragedy eroded his confidence and he determined never to return to the water. Now, as a Bow Street Runner, he was asked to investigate a murder and he would have to come face to face with the only woman he had ever loved and face her wrath and disappointment at the man he had become.

Ruth Lockhart had fallen in love with Captain Bannerman when, in a winter blizzard, he had sought refuge ad the girl's school she was attending. They had secretly corresponded for two years, at which time, he had promised to return to marry her so they could sail the seas together. But, his last letter to her had broken her heart indicating he would not be returning for her.

Was it possible to save the captain and heal him? Ruth was determine to at least try.

This was a beautifully written story with drama, forgiveness and healing for many characters in the story and most received a happy ending to their story.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

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Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the 6th and apparently final book of the Sisterhood of Secrets - though it feels like there may be an untold story or two in this one. This tells the story of Miss Ruth Lockhart, one of the student's at Mrs. Agnes Rutley's school, and Captain Luke Bannerman. She had met him two years prior when he was forced to seek shelter at the school during a storm, and they made quite an impression on each other, leading to his promise to come back for her and take her seafaring with him when she was ready to leave the school. They exchanged letters for many months until one day she receives a notice leading to his breaking his word to her and breaking off their relationship.

In this story, we find out what happens to lead to this break and to Luke breaking away from his love of the sea, and being Captain of his own boat. He is a man tortured by his losses, and suffering PTSD. He has been forced to turn away from the sea and seek a living now as a Runner. He and Ruth run into each other again when he is forced to return to her school as he has been sent to investigate the decades old death of Mrs. Rutley's husband. Lord Ezra, the villain throughout the story, and his cohorts, have arranged for Rutley's death to be reinvestigated, hoping to implicated Agnes Rutley and see her ruined.

Luke and Ruth are forced to confront each other about their feelings for each other, as well as being at odds about the investigation into Mrs. Rutley's involvement in her husband's death.

I quite enjoyed this story because I liked the depths given to Ruth and Luke - they are different from the couples in previous books in the series, especially in terms of their background and the trauma they have each experienced. But I appreciated fully finally getting the story of Agnes Rutley and her history which has been an overarching mystery from the beginning. Getting the know on that FINALLY gave me great satisfaction - more so than the romance of this individual story in the series. I did feel that the conclusion of Lord Ezra's harassment of Agnes was a but too abruptly resolved, with no real explanation of why he had the change of heart, and why the other baron was so interested in her destruction. But it felt good to read what happened and tie up some of those storylines.

3.75 stars out of 5

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*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

Having not read the first five books in the series, there are things in this book that I had to piece together on my own. However, the story was independent enough that I don’t feel completely lost. I was more irritated by trying to figure out the ages of the main characters. That said, this book was fine. I had fun reading it, but I don’t feel compelled to go back and read the rest of the books.

Ruth (18–finally found out at the end) was loyal and persistent, but she kind of bothered me. Those very good qualities she had drove her to actions that were not wise or good. She wasn’t bad by any means, and she did have a conscience, thankfully. But she was very much a young girl. Luke (mid- to late-20s, by my best estimate) did not find himself on my favorable side for a good portion of the book. I found it difficult to see what about him appealed to Ruth, aside from his life on the sea. (In reality, that aspect of his life was all that mattered to her when they met two years prior, anyway.) I found Ruth more foolish than anything for latching onto him and making it her goal to rehabilitate him so that they could get married and begin their sea-faring life together. But I suppose it all worked out, though perhaps a little too neatly.

The timeline seemed off occasionally. We’re told several times that Luke and Ruth met two years prior to the start of the main timeline in the book (there are three different times during which the book takes place—okay, four, if you count the epilogue). The accident that drove him to rescind his promise to take her with him was said to have happened six months before she would finish school (18 months after they met). But a few times, the accident was said to have happened two years ago. It was rather confusing; hopefully the editor catches it prior to the final publication of the book.

But enough of that. If you’re looking for a clean historical romance that also delves into its characters broken pasts, then consider this book (or series, I guess—might want to start at the beginning). I don’t know about the other books, but this one deals with learning to forgive oneself as well as maintaining hope.

Note: Nothing bad.

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I found it very difficult to get through this book. The plot sounded intriguing, but the main characters lacked any dimension and I found it difficult to care about them or the outcome. The timeline also jumped around frequently without clear transitions between present time and flashbacks. The book would have benefitted from a strong developmental editor in that respect. I regret being so critical, but the characters and storyline needed significantly more depth.

Many thanks for NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

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What a fantastic story that concludes the end of the series, but I do hope there will be another story……please! Once again we start at the bedside of the beloved headmistress Mrs. Rutley. Ruth is one of the last of the sisters of the sisterhood of secrets to get there. And as in previous books Mrs. Rutley wants to hear her story. The story of Ruth and her Captain, a love at first sight, but due to a tragic shipwreck her Captain isn’t the man he was two years ago. Now he is a Bow Street Runner in charge of finding out if 20 years ago Mr. Rutley was murdered and fingers are pointed to his wife.
There are twist and turns to the truth of what really happened 20 years ago. Also the struggle Captain Luke has to overcome to find himself again with the help of a very determined Ruth. Very touching story, had a tissue handy, Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #CaptainofSecondChances

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Sometimes, all efforts are futile. No matter how hard we try to resist our impulses, we generally give up as the first wave of emotions hits.

This is what happens to our main character, Captain Luke Bannerman, who, following a terrible disaster in which a number of his crew members perish, decides to renounce all he has ever desired in life. Even from Miss Ruth, whose lovely smile had the power to break his heart.

Luke, who is now employed by the Bow Street Runners, is dispatched to the sleepy town of Chatsworth to look into a murder that occurred decades ago and involved the principal of the school Ruth attends.

Miss Ruth Lockhart once imagined being hitched to Captain Bannerman and embarking on a world cruise. Ruth assists Luke in learning the truth regarding Mr. Ratley's death. Will their proximity bring back the feelings they previously shared?

This is a well-written, interesting book that ties up all the loose ends and gives a complete account of what happened twenty years ago.

The characters are nicely represented, and the tempo is excellent. Both Ruth and Luke were fantastic, and I adored their second-chance romance. There were many background details from the earlier portions that I hadn't read, and occasionally I became confused.

Overall, a charming love story with a reluctant captain and a remarkable woman who doesn't let anything stand in the way of her happiness. A fantastic option for any reader of historical romance.

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Captain of Second Chances is book #6 in this series (Sisterhood of Secrets) and I loved all of them. You can read each book as a stand alone and be understanding of all that happens, you can read them out of order and still follow along, but I would recommend reading them all and in order. I did rate this one as 4-star because it wasn't as moving to me as the others.

Book #6 follows the final "Secret Sister" from Mrs. Rutley's School, Miss Ruth Lockwood. I very much enjoyed her character in the other stories, as she was an adventurer and made some of her own rules. However; in this book, she was very much a more tame individual. The ending was a bit unbelievable for me, as changes of heart do not typically work out in a matter of hours, but all readers will know this book ends with a HEA for the main characters.

Thank you to Jennifer Monroe, WOLF Publishing and NetGalley for a free eCopy in exchange for my honest review.

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Another fantastic read for me. I was swept away by the thrilling entertainment of love, happiness and true companionship. The writer shares with her readers a man’s hardship of not wanting to fall in love and marry. At the same time a woman who looks for love. The book was and easy read for me. This was a page turner that I enjoyed reading.

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I was captivated by the world building and vast array of characters that set the foundation for this complex tale. And not to be forgotten; Ms. Monroe has not only given readers an enthralling story, but a stunning cover that truly portrays the essence of the heroine within.

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Sweet romance. Although the sixth in a series I had no issues diving into this one without having read the ones prior. I’d recommend this to romance enthusiasts.

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I find myself out of sink with most reader's over this book it seems. I was excited to get to Ruth's story having read the other's as I expected it to be the most interesting. However I feel a little let down. Although the murder investigation added interest to the story I expect much more information on the exciting adventures of the couple after this point and it just didn't happen it just felt rushed and an after thought leaving me feeling a little let down but that just seems to be me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

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In this sweet, poignant and loving Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Monroe, a young woman fights for a second chance with a former captain who is haunted by his past.
The heroine dies in the end.
This is the last book in this series and it ends with a death.
Jennifer Monroe writes an amazing book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

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As a historical romance fan, I was very pleased with this read! Not only did I like the sea-faring, captain love interest aesthetics that this book provided, but it also had a very well-thought-out and constructed plot. There were enough shifts to keep me guessing the whole way. I was also very happy with the dialogue: it can always be a hit or miss in regency reads, and bad or inaccurate dialogue yanks me straight out of any escapism. Monroe gave me no problems in that regard! I also loved the inclusion of the Bow Street Runners, a personal and particular historical tidbit that always delights me when it shows up, especially with the inclusion of some other tropes and historical details, like boarding schools and murder most foul. The romance was sweet yet still full of bumps in the road; ones that didn’t detract from the happily ever after. As I received this copy as an arc, this was the first in the series I picked up. So delightful was Jessica Monroe’s work that I can gladly say I will be grabbing a copy of the first book and going on from there!

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Great story I liked the main characters and that it was a romance. I liked how it was about the sea.

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