Forbidden Stowaway by Arabella Sheen is an amusing, quick read! It works well as a stand-alone novel and has a little bit of a reversed roles theme starting a 3rd of the way through the book. The reverse roles theme seems to be a popular up-and-coming trope in the Regency genre. I have been seeing it a lot lately, and to be honest, I like more of the traditional Regency roles a little better. However, some authors are able to weave such a trope into a fun-loving read. 

Title: Forbidden Stowaway

Author: Arabella Sheen

Publication Date: April 18, 2023

Series: Not Yet Listed N/A

Page Count: 90

ASIN : ‎ B0BZQWQNNM

About Forbidden Stowaway

In the beginning, Captain Crowe is a macho man who has worked his way to the top and owns a small fleet of ships, like three or so. He only likes the best, and this theme of him only taking the best circles back at the end by showing just how good or “the best” his new Miss Olivia Trevillion is. While Miss Olivia Trevillion is the sister of a peer of the realm, I don’t think Captain Crowe had a title. The book lacks some of the characteristics of a more traditional Regency novel, and it takes on more of the pirate/adventure themes of the genre. 

Miss Olivia Trevillion can only be described as a hellion who bulks at society’s rules and doesn’t desire marriage. She sneaks aboard Captain Crowe’s ship, and he is anything but mad about it. In fact, this is where the reverse role begins, and he longs for a marriage with such a woman. The pair pretend they are married and discuss a real marriage as they sail on. 

While this book has a happy-for-now ending, the main reason the pair got together isn’t wrapped up within the story. Miss Olivia boarded his ship to find her brother. Was her brother ever found? Did they get married when they reached shore in the Americas? Maybe there is more to come in a second book. This short story leaves you waiting for more of Captain Crowe and Miss Olivia’s story. 

Where Can You Buy this Book? 

Forbidden Stowaway by Arabella Sheen comes out on April 18, 2023. It is a lovely story and well worth the read as you await the rest of the series to—hopefully—be released. You can currently preorder this book on Amazon or purchase it through the same venue at a later date. I give this book four stars because it was a pretty good short romance novel that was witty and fun. However, the story leaves some unanswered questions, which is why it doesn’t get the full five stars. I also give it five flaming hearts on the steaminess scale. I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily giving it a review.