A Lady's Guide to Love and Pirates by Jennifer Moore

A Lady's Guide to Love and Pirates
By Jennifer Moore
Published by Shadow Mountain
Publication Date: August 4, 2026


Description from the Publisher:
Annabelle Bradford was born on the sea and as an infant, was claimed by pirate captain Reid Courtney as part of the spoils of seizure. Though she lives in London, she spends every summer aboard her godfather’s ship, exploring the ocean and embracing the freedom the horizon offers.
But when her godfather is kidnapped by a rival captain who is hunting for lost Spanish treasure, Annabelle must set sail on the most dangerous mission of her life—but first she’ll have to break a pirate out of prison.
Captain Hawke has vowed to never return to the cursed Isla de Plata, not even if the lovely but arrogant Lady Bradford practically demands it of him in exchange for his freedom. When she also promises him a ship of his own once Captain Courtney is rescued, Hawke reluctantly agrees to sail with her and her crew.
Though Annabelle and Hawke initially clash over who will captain the ship, as they travel through storms and dangers toward the mysterious Devil’s Triangle, the lady’s heart begins to soften toward the charismatic pirate captain. But what if he doesn’t love her back? What if when they are done, he simply sails over the horizon without her?
Annabelle knows how to navigate both the ballrooms of London and the waves of the ocean, but finding her way to true love may prove to be the most difficult journey of all.

My Review:
A Lady's Guide to Love and Pirates by Jennifer Moore is a uniquely fun historical romance and high-seas adventure. The setup itself requires a major suspension of disbelief—the central premise is completely unrealistic—but what makes the book special is how well it handles that reality. Once you accept the initial concept, everything that follows fits perfectly. The plot never feels totally bonkers or out of control; instead, it unfolds with great internal logic that makes complete sense within the bounds of its own story.
The character dynamics offer plenty to talk about. While Lady Annabelle can get a bit annoying at times, Hawke completely steals the show. He is easily the absolute best part of the book, anchoring the romance with incredible charm and charisma.
Featuring engaging storytelling and a wonderfully refreshing premise, this is a perfect, clean escape for fans of witty banter and pirate adventures.

4 stars.

I read a DRC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.