I had loved him. Did I love him now? I’d always been taught that love was a solid thing. Unshakeable. Unbending with passing seasons and waves. And yet mine had crumbled under a mere fortnight on an island with a pirate.

I’ve been wanting to read Monica Boothe’s books for a while. I love the covers of this series and I jumped at the opportunity of reviewing this ARC. Beneath the Black Flag is a series of interconnected standalone novels. This is the first one I’ve read and I had no trouble following the story or characters; in the end, characters from previous novels make an appearance, paving the way for future adventures and enticing you to read the whole series.

I appreciated the depiction of piracy without the romanticization. Pirates are shown to be greedy and violent, while some (like Julien, the love interest) are not in it for coin or glory.

The beginning felt more middle-grade leaning, which made me consider dropping it. It might have been due to the protagonist’s sheltered life until the moment pirates become a threat, but after being forced to tend for herself, Elaine shows initiative and resolve. I even felt the prose shift tone.

We see Elaine overcoming her prejudices, be proactive instead of letting men save her; she’s smart and determined. Julien doesn’t get a POV, but his actions speak for him; he’s resourceful, charming, and caring. I found their interactions to be super sweet, and loved the way they worked together to survive in unfavourable circumstances.

The romance made sense even if some decisions were a bit reckless.

Not fully a cozy read, Savage Seas still nourished my heart. Elaine and Julien are characters to root and care for. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series.