The Covert Captain (Jeannelle M. Ferreira)

[chomiji]

I don't generally "do" romances. A large part of this is simply that the couples in most romances don't interest me, either as targets for my own lusts/longing or as characters with whom I could identify. I realized this truth when I found myself passionately enjoying romantic fanfiction involving characters with whom I *do* identify.

So in retrospect, I shouldn't be surprised by how much I enjoyed The Covert Captain: Or, a Marriage of Equals, despite the fact that it is that generally loathed (by me) thing, a Regency romance, because I really did like and identify with both of the leads.

Harriet is the intelligent spinster sister of a dashing military officer, Major Sherbourne ("Sherry"), who still suffers from his war wounds, both physical and mental. His constant companion and junior officer is Captain Nathaniel Fleming, who has suffered less physical damage but is equally afflicted with PTSD from their mutual experiences in the Napoleonic Wars. Fleming and Harriet fall into a mutual liking that becomes love.

And then Harriet finds out that Nathaniel was born Eleanor, called Nell.

Harriet is outraged and does not get over it quickly. I appreciated that, and I also appreciated the way they worked back to their original fierce love for each other. As part of Harriet's education in Nell's world (which Harriet asks for, actually), they visit various parts of London that a respectable Regency lady would consider dicey or worse: a Jewish jeweler, a molly house. As their love solidifies, plans are put into place for their wedding…but there are a certain number of people who are still capable of recognizing Nell, even as much as she's changed.

One of the things I value about this book is the relationship between Sherry and Nathaniel, whom Sherry calls "Spaniel" for his loyalty and as a joke about his name. Their friendship and shared experiences are important to them, and this very much affects how things play out in the course of Harriet and Fleming's romance. Likewise, Harriet and Sherry are an affectionate pair of siblings, and Sherry is in no way pressuring her to marry. (Of course, the fact that their three sisters all died in childbirth is part of this, but still.) Sherry's situation and feelings are part of the equation as well. I appreciate and approve of this.

Because I'm no fan of Regencies, I can't address the author's skill in evoking the setting and expected tropes. Most of the historical details seemed more or less appropriate, but again, I'm not well-versed in this period. But the writing has good pacing, effective language, and appealing details.

I imagine I will enjoy re-reading this too.

Comments

[sovay]

I imagine I will enjoy re-reading this too.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I am also not a huge person for romances, but I love all of the main characters in this book and several of the minor ones; I am looking forward extremely to the sequel.

(One note: I believe Eleanor is nicknamed Nora, not Nell.)