Review: Almost A Scandal – Elizabeth Essex

Bold, brazen, and beautiful, the Reckless Brides refuse to play by society’s rules of courtship. But—come hell or high water—they  always get their man…

For generations, the Kents have served proudly with the British Royal Navy. So when her younger brother refuses to report for duty, Sally Kent slips into a uniform and takes his place—at least until he comes to his senses. Boldly climbing aboard the Audacious, Sally is as able-bodied as any sailor there. But one man is making her feel tantalizingly aware of the full-bodied woman beneath her navy blues…

Dedicated to his ship, sworn to his duty—and distractingly gorgeous—Lieutenant David Colyear sees through Sally’s charade, and he’s furious. But he must admit she’s the best midshipman on board—and a woman who tempts him like no other. With his own secrets to hide and his career at stake, Col agrees to keep her on. But can the passion they hide survive the perils of a battle at sea? Soon, their love and devotion will be put to the test…

Series:  The Reckless Brides #1
Release Date:  July 31, 2012
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Source:  Edelweiss
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Reviewer’s Thoughts:

In order to save her family’s good name, Sally Kent masquerades as her young brother aboard a British Royal Navy frigate, Audacious.  The only problem is, her older brothers best friend, Lt. Daniel Colyear, is on this ship and he soon discovers her deception.  Sally knows he wants her off the ship immediately, she manages to talk him into going along with her ruse, enabling her to live the life she has sorely missed.

Col, is furious to find Sally on the ship and being caught in her web of deception, but he also notices that Sally’s able to rally the troops like no one she’s ever seen before.  And when the Audacious starts to engage the enemy, Col realizes that as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy he appreciates Sally’s expertise as a midshipman.  As a man, he wants nothing more than to pack the stubborn woman away where he can protect her and make sure she’s safe.

That is the crux of Sally and Col’s relationship.  While he might be able to see her as one of his crew members when she’s standing on deck or up on a look out, he also sees her as the sister of his best friends, the girl from his boyhood always following the boys around and the woman that she’s turned into while he’s been working his way up in the Navy.  Col has a hard time merging all those people into the person that is by his side.

Sally, on the other hand, has not problem with Naval Lieutenant Col.  He’s as handsome and dashing as she remembers and she wants nothing more than to do what she’s been doing on the ship, but with him.    When Col is forced to leave Sally, without being able to talk to her, she begins to doubt herself and Col.  Nothing is worse that watching a previously self assured woman sulk around as if she’s not worth the mud on the bottom of her boot.

I liked the book, but it was one that I had to read slowly.  With all the nautical terms and talk, I had to make sure I was really paying attention to what was happening.  For those of us that aren’t familiar with those terms, they could be a bit daunting.  However, I did love the battle strategies and Sally’s ability to show up even the most seasoned sailor with her knowledge.  And while the romance between Sally and Col wasn’t all hearts and flowers, it totally them and they made it work…no matter where they were.