Love Historical Fiction With Romance, BUT...

Mary Elizabeth Chapman, along with her family and fellow Separatists, boards the Speedwell bound for the New World, alongside William Lytton, a carpenter hired to watch over the colonists. When their ships merge, Mary Elizabeth and William find themselves drawn to each other amid the challenges of the ocean journey. However, the story feels disjointed, with Mary Elizabeth's melancholy and questionable decisions overshadowing the historical voyage details. The inclusion of a weak espionage subplot and unnecessary POV shifts detract from the narrative. Despite some interesting historical elements, the focus on the romance lacks depth and realism. As the first book in a series, it falls short of expectations, but I remain curious about future installments by different authors.

Still excited to see what the rest of the series holds!