Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin
Historical Romance
April 28, 2020
Heartbound Media

Reviewed by Jen

I’m such an avid reader, yet I never joined a book club until this summer. The first book assigned was Sea of Ruin by Pam Godwin. I was busy and had so many other books on my TBR list, so I never got around to this one. Part of my reluctance was because it’s a pirate romance. I just didn’t see myself as a pirate girl. I picked the book up again last week and I’m here to tell you, ladies…I AM a pirate girl. Give me all the pirate romances. I’m here for them.

Sea of Ruin is about a badass female pirate, Bennett Sharp. We first meet Bennett when she is fourteen years old. She has a very sad family history that opens the story. Her mom is of noble blood and her dad is a dastardly pirate with a heart of gold for his daughter. Her parents live apart; poor Bennett rarely sees her dad and she has a strained relationship with her mom. Her mom wants to marry Bennett off to a MUCH older man. It’s gross. He’s gross. Her mom was forced from her own home when she was pregnant with Bennett, and all alone and poor. They eventually found a nice place to live with cousins, but at any moment that could end. Bennett’s mom thinks it’s best to marry her off to someone who can take care of her.

That someone is Lord Grisdale, a 44-YEAR-OLD WIDOWER. Ewwww….

Bennett wants nothing to do with him, and as she’s waiting for his arrival, she hears noises that announce her dad is in town. Bennett escapes the meeting with her would be fiancé, steals said fiancé’s horse (nice touch!), and trots off to find her dad. It’s a wonderful reunion full of banter and play fighting. It’s like a movie where everything is wonderful and touching and you just know it won’t last. This is where I’m going to gloss over some details because I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s say lots of crazy stuff goes down. I love Bennett. I love her fire and strength. Her life completely changes and she starts living with pirates. They’re the good pirates, the ones her dad trusted. Fast forward… she is older, wiser, and the captain of her own pirate ship. She’s absolutely beloved by her crew and a legend on the high seas.

In port one day, she and her merry band of pirates are at a bar. She hears a familiar voice, one she hasn’t heard in two years, immediately freezes, then makes haste. But as she’s gathering herself and crew together, she realizes a compass, which was a very important gift from her father, is gone. She always carried it with her! Along with its sentimental value, the compass contains a map to find treasure, if she can ever figure out how to unlock it.

The story is fast-paced, full of intrigue, a unique love triangle, super evil toxic men who deserve the worst in life, and two protective, unbelievably attractive male pirates. I couldn’t put this book down. First, we have Bennett. Smart, fierce, persistent, with integrity and a kind heart. Second, king of the libertines, Priest. I love words and he has the best most swoony dirty words. Third, we have the oh so British Commodore, Ashley. Ashley is in many ways the opposite of Priest. Completely controlled. All about duty and country. Very much a dominant, take no BS guy. There are some delicious twists and surprises, along with super smexy scenes. I want more in this world. I don’t believe there’s a book two, so I am on the lookout for dark pirate romance book recommendations. This may very well be my next reading addiction.

Grade A

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