This story, set in Cape Cod a few years after the Salem Witch Trials, involves the unemployed young seafarer Sam Bellamy and Maria Brown, his true love. On the docks of Eastham searching for work, Sam spots a young woman flailing in the ocean. After coming to her rescue, he learns that all she wants is to learn how to swim and asks him to teach her. As he gives her lessons, he finds a kindred spirit in Maria-they are both courageous and principled and soon fall in love. But Maria's parents have big plans for her as she is to save their family farm by marrying a much older widower and settling down to a life of female subservience. Although Sam asks for Maria's hand in marriage, her parents drive him away and he vows to return a rich man and marry their daughter anyway. Before he leaves, they consummate their love on a deserted beach.
The book then separates into the tale of Sam and the tale of Maria. The only position that Sam could get was that of a privateer-essentially a pirate who did not attack British ships. But he and his fellow sailors gave up the pretense of following these customs and sought the most lucrative cargoes through full-blown piracy. He was soon given captaincy of the ship Wydah and the name Black Sam Bellamy. Life as a pirate was not as bad as being an ordinary sailor-the crew was well fed, there was diversity and egalitarianism, and rules were followed. He never forgot his sweetheart though, and he wrote Maria a letter, asking if she still wanted him. A letter returns to him that tells him to stay away.
Maria spurns the widower Hallett and takes refuge in her mastery of the craft of weaving. She discovers that she is pregnant, and her mother forces her to marry Hallett and convince him that the baby is his. Unfortunately, the baby is stillborn and Maria is cursed as a witch for killing her baby. She runs away to a shack in the forest of a neighboring town where she is aided by a native American woman. She never receives a letter from Sam.
Based on historical records and local folklore, the story of Sam and Maria is a fascinating adventure of a love that has survived through the ages. An enjoyable and enlightening read.

I'm giving this new to me author 5 stars for an awesome adventure.
I love every minute of this tale of forbidden love and romance.
The swashbuckling scenes were my favorite because I could actually see myself doing the swashbuckling. I bet those sword were heavy!
I couldn't put the story down it was so good! I had an awesome time reading this especially with the aftermath of the Salem Witch trials also one of my favorite time periods.

“If the Tide Turns” by Rachel Rueckert is an enthralling historical fiction romance set in 18th-century Eastham, Massachusetts. Maria Brown, the daughter of a wealthy family, finds herself at odds with societal expectations and her parents’ wishes. Unwilling to marry the elderly John Hallett, Maria’s world takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Samuel Bellamy, an orphaned sailor with dreams that transcend his social status. The novel beautifully captures the essence of forbidden love, reminiscent of a Romeo and Juliet tale. Maria’s strength and determination shine as she grapples with family and societal pressures, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist. The characters, inspired by real historical figures, add authenticity to the narrative, enriching the storytelling experience.

The story unfolds through alternating chapters between Maria and Sam, providing readers with insights into the perspectives of both characters. While Sam’s journey into piracy adds an element of danger and adventure, Maria’s struggle against societal norms forms the emotional core of the narrative. Rueckert skillfully weaves historical facts with fictional elements, creating a captivating blend of myth and romance. The seamless integration of Sam and Maria’s story into the fabric of historical events adds depth to the novel, making it both informative and emotionally resonant.

The exploration of societal constraints, forbidden love, and the characters’ resilience in the face of adversity keeps readers engaged throughout. Rueckert’s narrative prowess shines, making “If the Tide Turns” a delightful read for fans of historical fiction and romance. The book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the strength required to defy societal expectations. In conclusion, “If the Tide Turns” is a beautifully crafted historical fiction romance that transports readers to a bygone era, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and societal constraints. Rueckert’s storytelling prowess and well-developed characters make this novel a compelling and emotionally resonant journey into the heart of 18th-century Eastham.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC of Rachel Rueckert’s If the Tide Turns, which I received for my free and unbiased review of the book.

Rueckert’s well-researched and perfectly paced narrative tells the story of Black Sam Bellamy, a real pirate commodore who lead a diverse crew of ships in a highly unusual, egalitarian society, and his mythic lady love Maria, something of an urban legend in the Cape Cod area. Their story is one of the original woman watching the sea for her sailor tales. Maria and her talent as a weaver evoke Penelope, while Sam’s adventures to come home to her cast him alternately as Robin Hood and Ulysses.

There’s enough verifiable information about the pair, including the finding of Bellamy’s ship the Whydah in 1984, that Rueckert’s is able to spin the yarn in full, filling in historical gaps and absences as she goes. What emerges from her loom is a tapestry of devotion, survival, and being true to oneself. Sure, it’s a love story, but that aspect bookends the individual growth Sam and Maria experience separately, only to return to each other wiser, if not wealthier.

Is this high art / literature? Perhaps not. But it is excellent historical fiction that avoids the treacle-sweet sap of some romances in the genre. I read this book in a day. It’s a page turner and a great yarn 🧶.

Premise sounded interesting, but it didn't work for me. It's a cross between historical fiction and romance, but neither angle pulled me in. I like alternating POVs, but I just never connected with the characters.

A historic adventure/romance set against the backdrop of a New England that is changing. Both Maria Brown and Samuel Bellamy are both headstrong and looking for more than the simple routine life that’s to be had in any number of identical fishing villages. They might be separated by miles and years, but they ultimately conquer their individual and shared adversities to chart a new life together.

It was fine. I truly wanted a book about pirates that felt like Pirates of the Caribbean but this didn't really. It was a fun adventure and romance which I enjoyed, as well as the historical context since I'm always a fan of historical fiction. Now it didn't really have that feeling of a great book nor a great adventure and ultimately, I was a bit disappointed.

Thanks NetGalley and Kensington for the free eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.

Quick history reminder: the Golden Age of Piracy and the Salem Witch Trials more or less overlap, so when headstrong weaver Maria Brown decides to learn to swim on Cape Cod, and her path crosses with unemployed young sailor Sam Bellamy, it's not just forbidden love they find.

Both are rebellious, unable to stomach the societal norms of the Puritan colonies, and after her parents reject him as a suitor, Sam heads offshore in search of a fortune. Meanwhile Maria carries the consequence of their actions, marries unhappily, and is banished from Eastham, Massachusetts. The two survive many adventures apart before being thrown back together by the strange twists of fate.

Based on the author's speculations about actual 18th C figures, this is a book for fans of historical romance.

I respect the research, but ultimately, I didn't feel transported to 18th C Massachusetts.

This novel reads like a historical fiction romance. Maria is a stubborn, strong-willed young woman trying to navigate her way through her family and societal expectations in 1700 Eastham, Mass. Samuel Bellamy is a poor cabin boy with wild dreams and aspirations well beyond his class. Sam and Maria meet on a dock one day via dangerous circumstances. It was love at first sight from that day forward. I had some Romeo and Juliet vibes from this one! I found the characters to be likable and engaging most of the time. I was more interested in Maria’s character growth and development than Sam’s at times. Her strength and determination really drew me in. I loved that these characters were real people! Knowing that Samuel Bellamy and Maria Brown were real star-crossed lovers made the story even more intriguing. The author did a wonderful job intertwining the myth and folklore of Sam and Maria into the fiction of the novel.

Interesting read with great characters and a good storyline.

I just reviewed If the Tide Turns by Rachel Rueckert. #IftheTideTurns #NetGalley

If men think about the Roman Empire a lot I think that many women (myself included) often think about the Golden Age of Piracy and/or the Salem witch trials, and of course the mentions of these two historical events draw me into requesting this book. I’m sad to say, however, I don’t think it was that interesting.

Two points of view in Samuel Bellamy and Maria Brown who meet by chance and fall in love. It was quite sweet, I suppose, but 25% of the book was him teaching her how to swim? Felt a bit like that time could be used for something else. But who am I to judge – I’m not a published author.

Setting was interesting. Characters were not.

Review below is posted on goodreads.

I got the arc for review on netgally.
This was one of the kind of books I could see other people really enjoying it but it didn't work out for me. It had characters, plot and a romance that I didn't know would end in tragedy or joy. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset.

In the 18th century Maria and Sam fall in love and have to fight against the established norms of the time. In search of a better destiny, Sam ends up joining the pirates and Maria can only abide by what her family and society imposes on her.
A novel that is a cross between historical fiction and romance where, in my opinion, the female character stands out as she endures the unspeakable to stay true to her convictions.
The story is narrated alternating chapters between the two characters and at some point I have not felt so hooked to the part dedicated to Sam. Connecting historical and fictional characters the novel gives reality to the parts imagined by the author.
Nevertheless, it is an entertaining novel, well developed and with interesting characters.