A Darn Good Read: Georgana's Secret by Arlem Hawks Book Review

Publication Date: January 12, 2021
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Length: 320 pages
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1629727929
eBook ASIN: B08Q5MW1SG
Audiobook ASIN: B08RLRZ65Q

Synopsis

A Regency romance on the high seas. Two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

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. While trying to adjust to a new crew, 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.

Georgana is quickly losing her heart to Dominic's compassion and care but is convinced nothing can come of her affection. She cannot continue to live her life on the sea, and having already missed too many seasons in London, her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are quickly slipping away.

My Thoughts

To escape her abusive grandmother, for three years Georgana Woodall has masqueraded as George Taylor, Boy Third Class, on H.M.S. Deborah, the Royal Navy vessel her father commands. For those three years she has lived with the fear that her secret could be discovered at any time, which would ruin her father's career and destroy her reputation completely. She has also endured bullying by the other boys due to her small stature and the perceived favouritism by Captain Woodall. By keeping her close and assigning her less dangerous duties, he is protecting his daughter the best way he can.

When Dominic Peyton joins the ship's company as first lieutenant, the kind-hearted and observant officer notes how George's treatment by the captain sets him apart from the other boys and contributes to his loneliness. Determined to change matters, Dominic befriends the timid George and gradually draws him out from behind his self-imposed protective barrier, taking him ashore when he learns the lad hasn't left the ship in the three years he's been onboard and even teaching him how to physically defend himself against the other boys. As their friendship develops, Dominic becomes more puzzled by the relationship between George and the captain, and eventually, with the seeds sown by his mother on his last shore leave, he puts all the clues together and realises that George is in fact a female. Dominic keeps this knowledge to himself. While his outward manner towards George doesn't change, his feelings for the eighteen year old Georgana certainly do. Unable to declare himself, Dominic continues to watch over Georgana, keeping her secret, but even he, as much as he tries, cannot keep her safe from the dangers of life in the Royal Navy or the actions of a vengeful fellow officer.

This is a superbly written romance that is also a wonderful piece of naval fiction. I found Arlem Hawks' portrayal of life onboard a Royal Naval ship totally believable. The small details she included made many of the scenes memorable. One of my favourites is Dominic teaching George the Sailor's Hornpipe, but I also enjoyed Dominic's joy in climbing the rigging or standing on the bowspirit. She also captures the chaos and confusion of a ship in battle and Georgana's dangerous role as a powder monkey.

Georgana's Secret is a very heart warming story, full of adventure, with a hero and heroine that definitely belong together. It is an excellent debut novel. A treat for Regency romance fans!

Advance Praise

"Hawks crafts a spellbinding tale featuring rich characters and raw emotions set against the atmospheric backdrop of sea life in all its danger and beauty. Georgana is a tough protagonist holding her own in a world dominated by men, while Peyton's charm and sensitivity marks him as a true gentleman. A hidden identity, flirtation, and treachery make for a rousing tale to captivate lovers of historical romances."— Publishers Weekly

“This tale felt sweepingly cinematic at times and was both action-packed and heart-wrenching with an immersive narrative.”— Katie Jackson, RegencyProofreading.com

Arlem Hawks wove a magnificent tale of adventure and deception and delivered a happy ever after that was as unconventional as the rest of the story. With so many stories of romance out there, it is refreshing when one comes along that is very different than the stories that I am used to. A little adventure always livens things up fabulously.”— Emily Flynn, Reading with Emily

"Fans of sweet love stories as well as readers who fondly remember those marvelous old traditional Signet Regencies will quickly succumb to the siren song of Hawk’s expertly crafted novel, which delivers the perfect blend of Jane Austen-smart romance and Patrick O’Brian flavored seafaring adventure. Teen romance readers will cheer on the plucky heroine as she finds the courage to forge her own path in life and love."— Booklist, starred review

Meet the Author

Arlem Hawks began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the Western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. With her travels came an interest in history, especially the history of her English heritage. When she isn't writing, Arlem is baking her characters' favorite foods, sewing Regency dresses, learning how to play the tin whistle, and water coloring. She lives in Arizona with her husband and two children. Having previously published four historical romance novellas, Georgana’s Secret is her debut novel.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | YOUTUBE | GOODREADS

Blog Tour Schedule

Join the virtual blog tour of GEORGANA’S SECRET (Proper Romance Regency), Arlem Hawks’ highly acclaimed debut historical romance novel January 11 – February 14, 2021. Over forty-five popular blogs specializing in historical romance, inspirational fiction, and Austenesque fiction will join in the celebration of its release with excerpts, spotlights, and reviews of this new Regency-era novel set aboard a Royal Naval ship.