I love the cover it really draws you in. I love the heading of ocean waves at top of the chapter 🩵


I loved the sailing and the charcaters and how they interact ..

Overall
3 stars

I love books both modern and historical set at sea on boats and a guilty pleasure is watching Below Deck clips. However, this novel was not for me. The author clearly knows her subject but the pacing was off and I failed to finish.

I have to admit to being a complete novice when it comes to sailing and its respective terminology but the manner of which the author presented was just so informative and interesting that it made me want to learn more. That and the exquisite way that the islands were described whether it be the color of the sea or the stars in the sky, made me feel like I was part of the adventure. Jess stepped onto the Slow Dance feeling like a complete failure and emotionally drained. She was just not happy and as a result, did not feel good about herself whether it be physically nor emotionally. The only time she felt good was through food and her ability to create magnificent dishes with whatever ingredients she had at the time. It was also the strong connection she had with her family. As the story evolves, Jess realizes that she does have that strength of character that she felt was lacking. She can survive a strong storm at sea. She can overcome her fear and dive into the ocean. She can appreciate life and she embraced herself as evidence by the string bikini. She is beautiful and worthy. Yes, Captain Reed and eventually Cliff, was a tough character to navigate as he himself saw him as a broken person. He constantly claimed to have killed his wife and only Trini was what helped him move on. But like a slow dance, he and Jess began moving in synchrony. They were the best team at sea or on land. They were in love.

In The Captain’s Cook, Victoria Vanransom serves up a richly atmospheric tale that’s equal parts culinary adventure, historical intrigue, and heartfelt drama. The writing is lush and sensory, immersing readers in a maritime world of salt air, spices, and simmering secrets. The characters are deeply drawn, particularly the cook whose passion for food becomes a lens through which identity and ambition unfold. Vanransom blends vivid storytelling with a unique premise, making this a standout novel that’s both satisfying and soul-stirring. A feast for fans of historical fiction with a fresh, flavorful twist.

I am a pretty big fan of the show Below Deck and I have been reading a lot of cruise ship romance books and historical fiction books recently with the boats being a big theme so I had to request this one. If it’s got a boat involved I want to read it. I don’t know why. Probably because I’m also obsesses with the Titanic and the Titan and love the ocean.

The writing style, unfortunately is just not for me. It was really slow and not intriguing.
There was nothing that popped to it. Nothing that made me want to continue reading and after about 80 pages of feeling boredom I needed to put this one down.

I’m bummed because the cover indicated that it was either going to be a heavy romance book or heavy on the cruise ship portion and I know that this book will find its audience but it’s not for me

I just could not get into this one and all the themes tropes and settings are there so it has to be writing style and execution unfortunately.

Thank you for this arc. I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

The premise of this book is good but the execution didn't really work for me. I couldn't get into the story and felt as though it was all over the place. Maybe with a bit of good editing it would work better. Hopefully lots of other people will enjoy it and it will find the ideal audience.

This book was annoying. It's called The Captain's Cook so you know that Jess, the cook, will end up with the Captain, it's just that nothing else really happens. The book oddly opens up with a harrowing S.O.S. call in which a woman cries that her husband is stuck on the mast and she can't get him down. We are then treated to a fairly gruesome description of having to cut down the decomposing husband from said mast. What this has to do with anything is a mystery to me, as we never hear about this again.

In fact, this is a book that is quite long for a story in which nothing really happens. Jess, a middle-aged woman takes a job on a yacht as a cook to get away from her life before she locks into a rut.

We follow her as they sail around the South Pacific and Fiji. The boat staffs up, and staff leaves or gets fired. New staff joins and then leaves. Jess learns more about sailing and is apparently a wizard at making coffee. Eventually in the last fifth of the book, she finally has sex with the Captain and we finally learn that his name is Cliff. The book ends with once again having lost most of the crew and getting ready to keep sailing towards Thailand. WTH???

There is a recurring red herring, in which the Captain takes multiple flights to LA to pick up boat parts and to see his Doctors. We know from the start of the book that he has a woman named Sophia in LA, so presumably the Doctor visits are not a ruse to cover for him seeing Sophia so why then does the Captain mention going to see his Doctors every time he goes to the United States? I kept waiting to learn that he was dying and that this sailing trip was his last adventure. That he would die and Jess would learn that he left Jess the yacht so she could keep sailing. This does not happen.

We are kept at a distance and told that things have happened without ever being part of them. While they are docked for repairs, Jess goes off on a two-week trip with a couple that she meets. I don't remember their names because the whole thing was dashed off in a few sentences. They swam, they snorkeled, they had fun and now she was happy to be back on the boat. Really? That's it? Why even introduce this if it has no bearing on the overall story? Just like the initial death - we get no further stories indicating that sailing is dangerous because over and over, even though we have Jess complain that the Slow Dance wasn't seaworthy, nothing of consequence ever happens. Repairs are made in time and the biggest problems are cabin moving and Trinidad's rogue bathroom habits.

I suspect that this novel must mirror a trip that the author took and sticks to that real life itinerary even if it adds nothing narratively. A book that was easy to put down and harder to pick back up.

I tried so hard to get through this book. I loved the concept and the reviews seemed positive… but I just couldn’t do it.

The initial characterization of the protagonist was random and only occasionally part of the plot (she was single- then she had a son and a daughter-in-law- then she was a free spirit- then she was kissing a woman- then she was showering the captain- then she wasn’t-then… you get the point).

I love the sea voyage idea. I am currently living on my sailboat, cruising the northeast, so I am the target audience! Nevertheless, the unconnected events and disjointed plot just made this book ultimately unreadable. I would love to give editing notes, as I think this draft has potential- but first the author has to decide if she is writing a romance, erotica, or a finding oneself book. Oy.

Thanks, Net Galley, for the early access!

5 stars

An intriguing story with an older hero/heroine. In fact if Captain sailed to the islands in 1969 that could make him around 70. Jess is an experienced chef that decides to make a big change and go as a live aboard cook. At the start Captain appears to be a bit of player and flirt. He has to return to LA to see his doctor regularily and I'm not sure that this is fully explained. He is a widower who has guilt over his wife's demise. There are an interesting selection of other characters that crew the boat.

This is a new author for me I think it very much comes from her own experience. It would have been interesting to track the journey made on google earth.

Realistic and recommend.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Actual Rating: 2.5 stars

I'm a SUPER FAN of Below Deck. So when I saw that Aesha Scott gave this a blurb review - it was an instant request.

What I enjoyed: the sailing, the attention to detail about life at sea, and each of the islands the crew visits. It was a lovely adventure which the author captured perfectly. This part is where the stars comes in. I really did like this aspect.

What I didn't like: the romance. Yes - there was tension and lots of angst BUT there was also some super weird dynamics. I prefer my romance arcs without the main characters sleeping with other people. I also prefer a MMC who doesn't shame the woman he's 'in love with' when she tells him about a crew member (very nearly) assaulting her. Also, there were some descriptions of islanders, cultures, and histories that had me tempted to DNF.

The Captain’s Cook is an absolute delight from start to finish—a richly imagined blend of historical intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a dash of seafaring adventure that completely swept me away. Victoria Vanransom’s writing is immersive and atmospheric, transporting readers straight onto the deck of a ship where power, desire, and secrets simmer just beneath the surface.

What stood out most to me was Vanransom’s attention to detail. The setting feels vividly authentic without being weighed down by historical exposition. You can practically taste the salt air, hear the creak of wood underfoot, and sense the tension between characters with every interaction. The author masterfully balances the harsh realities of life at sea with moments of tenderness, wit, and vulnerability.

The characters are the heart of the story. Both the captain and the cook are fully realized, layered individuals whose chemistry is undeniable yet refreshingly complex. I loved watching their relationship unfold in a way that felt earned, with emotional depth and a gradual build-up that kept me eagerly turning pages.

Vanransom also weaves in themes of identity, trust, and resilience, adding meaningful substance to the narrative without slowing its momentum. The pacing is just right, steadily engaging with enough intrigue and emotional stakes to keep you invested.

In short, The Captain’s Cook is a beautifully written, character-driven story that will appeal to readers who love historical fiction with a romantic core and a touch of adventure. I can’t wait to read more from Victoria Vanransom—her storytelling is captivating, and her characters linger long after the last page.