Captain Jack's Woman

At last - a Stephanie Laurens book that I really enjoyed.
Jack and Kit share an amazing adventure involving mistaken identity, spies and smuggling. I really enjoyed the fact that it was predominantly set away from the Ton, so the two characters are fully immersed in their own lives and activities and we get swept along for the ride. The romance is great and they are equal partners in its development. The sexual encounters are well written and differ from the norm in a refreshing way. They appear at appropriate moments that develop the narrative or the relationship - which is all the more surprising because in the subsequent Bastion Club books, the sex scenes are piled on in there and seem almost overdone.
All in all, this book was an show more entertaining read and I would definitely recommend it. show less

This is one of those old-school, classic romances with a heavy type of MMC, very alpha wanna-be. It's not a bad thing for me. It's definitely my type of romance, and just my level of hot & spicy.

It's my second read, and I absolutely love it. We also have a strong-willed FMC who thinks she's very independent, but she's also from the early 1800s, so she can't be. I really enjoyed this! I loved how they get together and how it also shows married life between them, especially because she doesn't fit his norm of what a 'lady' should be like (jumping into danger), and how they both have to overcome it.

Overall, an amazing second read.

♡◜✧˖°*:･ﾟ✧
Jack & Kit

Overall Rating:
⭐️: 4.5/5 🔥: 4/5

Chronological Yr: Apr 1811
- Book 3 show more -

Bastion Club
- Book 0 -

All of Laurens' books are interconnected among six series (Bastion, Cynsters, Cavanaughs, etc.). I’ve been reading them all alternating with no order. So, I decided to start over, but from the very beginning in chronological year order. show less

Captain Jack's Woman
3.5 Stars

After returning from an unsuccessful season in London, Katherine "Kit" Cranmer is eager to experience once again the freedom and adventure of her childhood on the Norfolk coast. Disguised as a young lad, Kit inadvertently finds herself recruited to be the leader of an inept group of smugglers, but things go awry when a rival gang lead by the notorious Captain Jack takes over. Jack, a man with secrets of his own, soon unmasks Kit and the two engage in a classic battle of the sexes in which only one can be the victor.

A quick and steamy read, but the heroine's willfulness and the hero's overbearing attitude undermine the romance.

Kit is a strong willed and headstrong heroine, which is not necessarily a bad show more thing. However, she is also spoiled and reckless, which leads her straight into TSTL territory.

Jack is arrogant and self-indulgent. He has absolutely no compunction against seducing a young girl whom he believes to be of low birth, and then, upon realizing his error, demanding that she marry him to assuage his warped sense of honor. This type of hypocrisy is exceedingly irritating and does not endear him to the reader.

In terms of the plot, there is a lot going on with smugglers and traitors, gender-swapping and mistaken identities. All of this has a great deal of potential if one is paying attention, but some of the situations feel forced and contrived.

Despite these issues, the story is entertaining and the hero and heroine have intense chemistry even if neither is particularly likable. Recommended for Laurens fans, but suggest that newbies read the first few Cynster books first. show less

I read this book some years ago and I enjoyed it very much, I enjoyed it just as much this time. This is a wonderful romp that introduces the reader to a young woman that is just a little unconventional. Kathryn “Kit” Cranmer longs of excitement and freedom from the strictures of society. She finds that excitement when she returns to her grandfather’s estate after being stuck in London for six years. This excitement is in the form of smuggling brandy and lace into England. She doesn't realize that this endeavor is going to bring her the man that will help fill her need for excitement. Kit is intelligent, loyal and compassionate. She also has no problem dressing as a lad and riding hell bent for leather along the English coast at show more night. I liked Kit very much.

Jonathan “Jack” Hendon is what must alpha males are in these stories. He is ex-military and currently working for the Home Office to put a stop the spies entering and leaving England from the long stretches of the coast. He takes on the leadership of the largest smuggling gang in the Norfolk area. Jack is wild as a March hare but he is loyal to his country and honorable to his men. He is a leader that isn't afraid to do the jobs that he asks of his men. He also doesn't expect to find a woman leading a smaller smuggling gang working the same area he is. He thinks that Kit is a young man at first and is more than willing to educate her in the ways of passion when he finds out she is a woman.

It is fun to watch these two dance around each other, neither knowing the true identity of the other. It takes an almost fatal accident to bring the two of them together as man and wife. They make quite the pair when they finally work out their problems. I look forward to getting updates about these two in future books in this series.

Stephanie Laurens is a wonderful writer and it shows through even in this earlier book. She makes her characters enduring and lovable. She keeps her history as accurate as possible. Finally she can write some very steamy love scenes, especially given the date that this story was originally written. Ms. Laurens is one of the great ladies of historical romance and a must read for any that love this genre. show less

This one wasn't a good fit for me. The woman was very naive, the man crossed several lines of decency, there wasn't much in the way of dimensional supporting characters, not much growth, pretty far fetched, and it went on too long. The writing style was fair and the woman who reads the audiobook is excellent. Also, I see this was written a while ago, perhaps Laurens' later books are much improved? Julia Quinn suffered from many of these same problems at her start and now is pretty consistently rocking it.

I adore this series!! Stephanie Laurens is a master at the Alpha Rake!! I love the men pursuing their ladies!!

What a great story! I laughed and cried many times! Such wonderful writing and really engaging characters!! I love this authors work!!

I adore this whole series and can not wait to see each man get his lady. It is a bit formula with the alpha male who is often chased finding a lady he wants and being forced to pursue her. But formula works that why we love it!

Each book has an add but of intrigue that draws you in. And Stephanie Laurens knows how to deliver the steam!!

I am currently on a Regency kick and this one was terrific!!

An enjoyable historical romance if having one too many sexual encounters for my own liking. This book was read as part of my Pop Sugar Challenge 1/40 matching the prompt No 14. A book you have seen someone read on TV or in a Movie. This book was in In Her Shoes. 3.5 *