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Dashing Widows #6
Catching Captain Nash
Home is the sailor, home from the sea…
Five years after he’s lost off the coast of South America, presumed dead, Captain Robert Nash escapes cruel captivity, and returns to London and the bride he loves, but barely knows. When he stumbles back into the family home, he’s appalled to find himself gate-crashing the party celebrating his wife’s engagement to another man.
No red-blooded naval officer takes a challenge like this lying down; but five years is a long time, and beautiful, passionate Morwenna has clearly found a life without him. Can he win back the wife who gave him a reason to survive his ordeal? Or will the woman who haunts his every thought remain eternally out of reach?
Love lost and found? Or love lost forever?
Since hearing of her beloved husband’s death, Morwenna Nash has been mired in grief. After five grim years without him, she must summon every ounce of courage and determination to become a Dashing Widow and rejoin the social whirl. But she owes it to her young daughter to break free of old sorrow and find a new purpose in life, even if that means accepting a loveless marriage.
It’s like a miracle when Robert returns from the grave, and despite the awkward circumstances of his arrival, she’s overjoyed that her husband has come back to her at last. But after years of suffering, he’s not the handsome, laughing charmer she remembers. Instead he’s a grim shadow of his former dashing self. He can’t hide how much he still wants her—but does passion equal love?
Can Morwenna and Robert bridge the chasm of absence, suffering and mistrust, and find the way back to each other?
Five years after he’s lost off the coast of South America, presumed dead, Captain Robert Nash escapes cruel captivity, and returns to London and the bride he loves, but barely knows. When he stumbles back into the family home, he’s appalled to find himself gate-crashing the party celebrating his wife’s engagement to another man.
No red-blooded naval officer takes a challenge like this lying down; but five years is a long time, and beautiful, passionate Morwenna has clearly found a life without him. Can he win back the wife who gave him a reason to survive his ordeal? Or will the woman who haunts his every thought remain eternally out of reach?
Love lost and found? Or love lost forever?
Since hearing of her beloved husband’s death, Morwenna Nash has been mired in grief. After five grim years without him, she must summon every ounce of courage and determination to become a Dashing Widow and rejoin the social whirl. But she owes it to her young daughter to break free of old sorrow and find a new purpose in life, even if that means accepting a loveless marriage.
It’s like a miracle when Robert returns from the grave, and despite the awkward circumstances of his arrival, she’s overjoyed that her husband has come back to her at last. But after years of suffering, he’s not the handsome, laughing charmer she remembers. Instead he’s a grim shadow of his former dashing self. He can’t hide how much he still wants her—but does passion equal love?
Can Morwenna and Robert bridge the chasm of absence, suffering and mistrust, and find the way back to each other?
149 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2017
872 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Anna Campbell
85 books1,566 followersI've written 51 bestselling historical romances: 11 multi-award winning books for Hachette Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and 40 as an independently published author, These include my popular series The Sons of Sin (6 books), The Dashing Widows (7 books), The Lairds Most Likely (10 books), A Scandal in Mayfair (4 books), and Scoundrels of Mayfair (4 books). Watch out for a new series, Cinderellas of Mayfair, in 2025, which launched with a Christmas prequel Miss Barton's Mysterious Husband at the end of 2024.
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, Michael Lewis, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
When I'm not touring the world seeking inspiration for my passionate stories, I live on the beautiful east coast of Australia.
I've always been a voracious reader and I delve into many different genres, as you'll see if you check out my books list. Favorite authors include Dorothy Dunnett, Elly Griffiths, Michael Lewis, and Loretta Chase.
My website is http://www.annacampbell.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annacampbell...
Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Campbell/...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-...
I love to hear from readers and you can contact me on AnnaCampbellOz@hotmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
July 4, 2017
Boring.
Okay, the blurb made it sound a bit more exciting than this was. Basically, this is a PTSD story. And the title is highly deceptive; there's no catching involved. There's no conflict except some very brief melancholy and restrained anxiety moments for the returning Capt. Nash and the initial misreading by his wife. There's no estrangement, nothing. Life falls back into place quite easily. Then, the last 15% of the book is previews of other books in the series.
I read Campbell years ago when she wrote darker historicals. This is fine, but the entirety of the story is he thinks and she thinks with overlap with therapeutic sex thrown in. It felt vacuous. I think I need to move on from Campbell after two strikes on her recent works. Back to Heyer, and a sure win.
Okay, the blurb made it sound a bit more exciting than this was. Basically, this is a PTSD story. And the title is highly deceptive; there's no catching involved. There's no conflict except some very brief melancholy and restrained anxiety moments for the returning Capt. Nash and the initial misreading by his wife. There's no estrangement, nothing. Life falls back into place quite easily. Then, the last 15% of the book is previews of other books in the series.
I read Campbell years ago when she wrote darker historicals. This is fine, but the entirety of the story is he thinks and she thinks with overlap with therapeutic sex thrown in. It felt vacuous. I think I need to move on from Campbell after two strikes on her recent works. Back to Heyer, and a sure win.
August 6, 2017
Morwenna Nash was a widow for five years before finally giving in to her friends and family's urging to move on. She's agreed to Lord Garson's request of marriage and though he's a dear man that she's fond of, her heart will always belong to Robert Nash, the remarkable sea captain who was lost at sea and presumed dead. His sudden return at the most awkward of moments was at the very least shocking.
Of all the dashing widows, Morwenna was the one who capture my attention the most. She was the most reluctant and never let go of her grief. We weren't given many details about her past relationship with Robert so it was freshly delivered in this story. I loved his reappearance, with all the drama and emotion they both deserved. You couldn't help but feel bad for Lord Garson but exhilarated for Morwenna and Robert. As passionate as these two were for each other, they still had a lot ahead of them as they weren't the same people from five years ago.
This story has a lot of heat but more importantly, it reveals how post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not a modern phenomenon. Robert clearly is suffering from the disorder and it manifests itself in ways appropriate to the early 19th century. Morwenna's sensitivity showed instinctive insight borne from her deep feelings for the man. This is a lovely story with an equally beautiful epilogue that brings a sweet ending to this wonderful series.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Of all the dashing widows, Morwenna was the one who capture my attention the most. She was the most reluctant and never let go of her grief. We weren't given many details about her past relationship with Robert so it was freshly delivered in this story. I loved his reappearance, with all the drama and emotion they both deserved. You couldn't help but feel bad for Lord Garson but exhilarated for Morwenna and Robert. As passionate as these two were for each other, they still had a lot ahead of them as they weren't the same people from five years ago.
This story has a lot of heat but more importantly, it reveals how post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is not a modern phenomenon. Robert clearly is suffering from the disorder and it manifests itself in ways appropriate to the early 19th century. Morwenna's sensitivity showed instinctive insight borne from her deep feelings for the man. This is a lovely story with an equally beautiful epilogue that brings a sweet ending to this wonderful series.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
July 2, 2017
Real love is hard to move on from.
Snuggle down peoples, I’m here to talk about love. Love is awesome. I’m happy to say that I feel extremely loved. When I first fell in love with my hubby, it was *lusty love* with a cherry on the top. It felt giddy and exciting and all the things that young love should. As time went on, it started to change. *Lusty love* morphed into *I look for you love*. This is the one that carried on and stayed with me. *I look for you love* is where I can be anywhere at any time and hubby walks in the room and I smile. He may have only stepped out for a minute or we may have been apart for a day, but knowing he’s near puts a smile on my face. The next stage, I like to call *devoted love*. *Devoted love* is a little tricky. See, when you love someone to the extreme, you worry there will come a time that they won’t be around. All it takes is the mention of car accidents, cancer, murder and mayhem for me to worry. How will I go on? Will I be able to move on? Should I move on? Is *devoted love* a good thing when the love of your life is gone?
Over the 20 years of my marriage, my attitude has changed. At one stage, it was – I will only love once and that is enough. Then it was – Should I stop living because my love is no longer around? To be honest, I don’t really know the answer and hopefully, I won’t have to even contemplate for many years. But…what if I was told my husband was dead, but there’s no physical proof? Do I wait? How long should I wait? Is there a certain amount of time I should allow before I accept I’m a widow? After reading Catching Captain Nash I have come to realise there isn’t a timeframe. There isn’t an easy answer. You may even get it wrong, then have to pick up the pieces of your life and try to make a new picture. It’s not going to be an easy puzzle to solve, the picture may even look different than what you expected, but maybe the new picture was the way it was always meant to be.
While Catching Captain Nash was my favourite in the series (I have been known to change my mind with each new instalment), it was also one of the most emotional. Robert has spent 5 years in hell with only one thing keeping him sane…returning to the wife he loves. His return is not at all as he dreamed and what follows is heartbreak, emotional upheaval, lust and connection. Geez, this book was HOT!! Now I know what 5 years without touch and connection looks like and what happens when you finally get it back. It wasn’t an easy journey for Robert and Morwenna but I couldn’t help but think that their love passed the test and grew stronger after facing hell and despair.
I have loved the Dashing Widows series from the very beginning. Each one has been a little trip into the past to give me a fix of something I crave. I am a sucker for big fancy dresses that take an extra pair of hands to get in and out of. I love sitting down to tea. I’m curious about all the rules of deportment and hierarchy. I can’t get enough of gentlemen who appear to rule their world, but secretly make decisions after checking with their wives first. Anna Campbell gives me this fix without fuss. I get two and a bit hours of uninterrupted historical romance heaven. I hope that she doesn’t stop this goodness. Look, I might be happy to move on from the Dashing Widows as long as Ms Campbell promises to give me something similar or different…but the same…ish.
Please Anna Campbell give me more. Pretty please with sugar on the top.
I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -
May 24, 2018
I read the entire series, and I have mixed feelings about it. Some books I really liked, one I hated, and the others were just ok for me. This was definitely one of my least favorite stories, mostly because I didn't see the point of it. I know, most people think this was a sweet reunion of separated lovers story, but I have some issues with it.
Captain Nash has been pronounced dead after his ship was attacked by pirates and he was shot and went overboard. Five years later, his wife has finally (sort of) managed to move on. While she still loves her husband, she has decided to marry a poor guy who is terribly in love with her so her daughter has a father and she won't die alone. Her engagement party gets interrupted though when her husband shows up- very much alive. Turns out,
My issues with the book:
- It was much too short. I have so many questions (why did everyone imprison him instead of killing him? How did he always manage to escape?). Also, both never stopped loving the other. They were reunited and just picked up where they left off. There was no conflict IMO. Yes, the hero has issues. But they were never explained enough for me to believe it. Sorry.
- The pacing: This was basically just one big sex scene if you ask me (this is very short, and yet they had sex like 4 times?).
-The sex: So the hero comes home. (Bear in mind, 5 years of captivity- no shaving, no washing, same clothes...)
-The magical, healing vagina: Seriously. This happened: "For five years, he'd battled the fear that he was likely to fragment into a thousand jagged shards. But inside Morwenna, he felt complete. Every time their bodies joined, he felt more like the man he'd once been. She had such magic, his wife.". Yeah. No thanks.
(Trigger/safety spoiler: )
I actually have no problems with either characters. The story just didn't convince me. I wanted to see more development, more insight into his years of captivity... But hey. I'm obviously in the minority (once again).
Captain Nash has been pronounced dead after his ship was attacked by pirates and he was shot and went overboard. Five years later, his wife has finally (sort of) managed to move on. While she still loves her husband, she has decided to marry a poor guy who is terribly in love with her so her daughter has a father and she won't die alone. Her engagement party gets interrupted though when her husband shows up- very much alive. Turns out,
My issues with the book:
- It was much too short. I have so many questions (why did everyone imprison him instead of killing him? How did he always manage to escape?). Also, both never stopped loving the other. They were reunited and just picked up where they left off. There was no conflict IMO. Yes, the hero has issues. But they were never explained enough for me to believe it. Sorry.
- The pacing: This was basically just one big sex scene if you ask me (this is very short, and yet they had sex like 4 times?).
-The sex: So the hero comes home. (Bear in mind, 5 years of captivity- no shaving, no washing, same clothes...)
-The magical, healing vagina: Seriously. This happened: "For five years, he'd battled the fear that he was likely to fragment into a thousand jagged shards. But inside Morwenna, he felt complete. Every time their bodies joined, he felt more like the man he'd once been. She had such magic, his wife.". Yeah. No thanks.
(Trigger/safety spoiler: )
I actually have no problems with either characters. The story just didn't convince me. I wanted to see more development, more insight into his years of captivity... But hey. I'm obviously in the minority (once again).
June 19, 2025
"Coming home has been like entering a mythical kingdom. None of it feels real. None of it, except you."
I've picked up this book for the "presumed dead returns" bingo square and it was not a good choice – as I might have anticipated, since Anna Campbell and I have never been a good match.
It starts out promisingly enough. Five years after his presumed death, Captain Robert Nash returns home just in time to crash his 'widows' engagement party with another man. Any explanations for his absence are postponed until the next day, as he's tired, exhausted, weak, fragile, and upset. He needs to rest at first. In Morwenna's bed, of course, which leads to welcome-home sex despite his condition that very night. Because even though they are strangers now, their sexual attraction is still overwhelming.
Actually, sex with Morwenna is the only thing that can calm his mind when he's upset. That's why they have sex at every opportunity—he is very fragile after the horrible (but not specified) torture he endured. Still, after several days ofsex togetherness he seems to be on the road to recovery. But then he has a breakdown and his brilliant wife realizes that a couple of days couldn't possibly heal his wounds after everything he'd been through. What follows is a tiresome conversation about loving each other (or not), including lines from Robert like, "I don't see why the devil you'd want me" and "I'm not worthy to love you".
In typical Campbell style, the actual story ends just there. Fast forward seven years to the epilogue to learn: the captain is healed inside and out. They are a happy family with children now and everything is good. (Except Morwenna sometimes has nightmares because her husband has told her the full story of his captivity in South America. The reader still has no clue.)
Additionally, there are countless misunderstandings and misinterpretations of words and behavior, as always in Campbell's books. For example, he believes she's trembling from terror when she's actually trembling from lust. It's also frustrating that the MCs so often think the right things but don't express them. According to the principle: how can I make my life even more difficult?
Nothing has changed: Anna Campbell’s books are still not for me.
I've picked up this book for the "presumed dead returns" bingo square and it was not a good choice – as I might have anticipated, since Anna Campbell and I have never been a good match.
It starts out promisingly enough. Five years after his presumed death, Captain Robert Nash returns home just in time to crash his 'widows' engagement party with another man. Any explanations for his absence are postponed until the next day, as he's tired, exhausted, weak, fragile, and upset. He needs to rest at first. In Morwenna's bed, of course, which leads to welcome-home sex despite his condition that very night. Because even though they are strangers now, their sexual attraction is still overwhelming.
Actually, sex with Morwenna is the only thing that can calm his mind when he's upset. That's why they have sex at every opportunity—he is very fragile after the horrible (but not specified) torture he endured. Still, after several days of
In typical Campbell style, the actual story ends just there. Fast forward seven years to the epilogue to learn: the captain is healed inside and out. They are a happy family with children now and everything is good. (Except Morwenna sometimes has nightmares because her husband has told her the full story of his captivity in South America. The reader still has no clue.)
Additionally, there are countless misunderstandings and misinterpretations of words and behavior, as always in Campbell's books. For example, he believes she's trembling from terror when she's actually trembling from lust. It's also frustrating that the MCs so often think the right things but don't express them. According to the principle: how can I make my life even more difficult?
Nothing has changed: Anna Campbell’s books are still not for me.
September 17, 2019
It’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN up in this book. Just not for me. All it was is an extended sex scene interspersed with a smattering of dialogue. And the sex scenes start early...the returned from the dead husband still stinks of the sea and hasn’t bathed or shaved in who knows how long and they are into it. Not to mention he was tortured and she was about to marry another man. So much baggage that I don’t know how sex was even on their minds. And then the husband keeps having feelings of anger at his wife for trying to rebuild her life after mourning his confirmed death for five years. Sounds a bit selfish to me. I just couldn’t get into this one. (Though others in this series are delightful).
October 9, 2018
DNF. I was hoping for some angst as promised by the blurb but alas nothing. After the initial moment of surprise upon the captain's arrival home after years of absence, presumed dead, they fell straight back into their marital roles.
Read
July 9, 2019.
I could not identify with the contents. This book was a steamy depiction of reuniting of a love the world declared they had lost. I did not realize it was not a clean tale, which reduces the captivation in my eyes. Also, there were a few grammatical errors, that threw me off track. This was not my cup of tea
The book is able to stand on its own. The conclusion seemed to be a culmination of all the pent-up feelings throughout the book.
I could not identify with the contents. This book was a steamy depiction of reuniting of a love the world declared they had lost. I did not realize it was not a clean tale, which reduces the captivation in my eyes. Also, there were a few grammatical errors, that threw me off track. This was not my cup of tea
The book is able to stand on its own. The conclusion seemed to be a culmination of all the pent-up feelings throughout the book.
October 14, 2022
4.5 stars
”….Captain Robert Nash is appalled to find himself gate-crashing the party celebrating his wife’s engagement to another man.”
Another wonderful book in the Dashing Widows series that reeled me right in. Who doesn’t love a story about a man who returns from the grave? It sure had me thrilled, moved and delighted. And what a fascinating tale it was! Held my attention from first to last page.
Spicy to make things nicey 😉
Not a love triangle.
”….Captain Robert Nash is appalled to find himself gate-crashing the party celebrating his wife’s engagement to another man.”
Another wonderful book in the Dashing Widows series that reeled me right in. Who doesn’t love a story about a man who returns from the grave? It sure had me thrilled, moved and delighted. And what a fascinating tale it was! Held my attention from first to last page.
Spicy to make things nicey 😉
Not a love triangle.
February 23, 2018
* 3.5 Stars
This was a quick read, and although the story’s premise was overall intriguing and heartfelt, things moved way too quickly. Robert and Morwenna’s reunion with one another after 5 years apart literally went from “omg I can’t believe you’re standing right in front of me” to “omg sleep with me right now”... like I said, WAY too quick. It was obvious that these two characters loved each other fiercely despite being separated for many years, but I felt that their reconciliation should have involved a few more tender words rather than immediate thoughts of sex.
This was a quick read, and although the story’s premise was overall intriguing and heartfelt, things moved way too quickly. Robert and Morwenna’s reunion with one another after 5 years apart literally went from “omg I can’t believe you’re standing right in front of me” to “omg sleep with me right now”... like I said, WAY too quick. It was obvious that these two characters loved each other fiercely despite being separated for many years, but I felt that their reconciliation should have involved a few more tender words rather than immediate thoughts of sex.
July 31, 2017
Meh. The mains and writing style were both fine, but the lack of any real conflict surrounding Robert and Morwenna’s reunion was hard to believe. I mean, they hadn't seen each other in 5 years, Robert was traumatized from his time being held in captivity, Morwenna was shellshocked to discover that her long-thought dead husband was in fact alive, and yet they go straight to bone town the very first night they’re together again? NO WAY.
Obviously the short length of the story did the plot and romance no favors. There were however a few brief glimpses of quality, like the scene when Robert met his young daughter for the first time or his and Morwenna’s heartfelt talk (THEIR FIRST AND ONLY OF THE BOOK BTW, UGH) at the end was really well done. If there had been more emotional cues like those and less therapy through fucking, this would’ve been a 3-star read at the very least.
Obviously the short length of the story did the plot and romance no favors. There were however a few brief glimpses of quality, like the scene when Robert met his young daughter for the first time or his and Morwenna’s heartfelt talk (THEIR FIRST AND ONLY OF THE BOOK BTW, UGH) at the end was really well done. If there had been more emotional cues like those and less therapy through fucking, this would’ve been a 3-star read at the very least.
July 1, 2017
Short novella. Too short for me. This is part of the dashing widows series. I pre-ordered this one because the summary sounded good to me. I did not feel the love or passion of Robert and Morwenna. Robert, Captain Nash had been declared dead. He was really being tortured and starved for 5 years. The first thing he does before any explanations, food or a bath is have sex with his wife. Sorry I did not believe it.
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February 18, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (2/18/2018)! 💝
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July 5, 2017
This is the story of Morweena & Robert Nash and in my opinion, the best book in the entire Dashing Widows Series.
We first met Morweena in book 4, Pursuing Lord Pascal, when Sally convinced Amy and Morweena to come with her to London and become dashing widows. Morweena had no desire to go to London and had no intention of being a dashing widow. She was still in deep mourning for her husband Robert, who had been lost at sea and declared dead almost 4 years prior. The only thing that kept her going was their daughter, Kerenza, a daughter that Robert never met or even knew about.
Morweena finally decides to put aside her grief for the sake of her daughter and agrees to marry Hugh Rutherford, Baron Garson. She doesn't love him, but she considers him a friend and holds some affection for him. The night they are to announce their engagement, Robert reappears.
Robert is not the man Morweena remembers and as overjoyed she is at his return, she maintains her distance, unsure of the man standing before her.
This is a second chance at love story done so right, I cannot even put into words how much this story moved me. I always hoped that Robert would miraculously return from the dead, because the love that Morweena held for him was so potent, so deep and so beautiful, that I couldn't bear for her to have lost it so soon after finding it. But the man that returns to her is not the man who left all those years ago, any more than she is the same woman.
Robert has lived through a nightmare and his return to his former life is not as simple as one would assume (I kept thinking of the movie Castaway while reading this book - but thankfully, this has a much better ending!). Robert is overwhelmed by everything, especially finding the love of his life on the verge of marrying another man and learning he has a daughter.
Other reviewers have commented that the story suffered from a lack of conflict and while I respect their opinions, I disagree. I thought the conflict was subtle and mostly internal - but I felt Robert's pain and internal struggle to accept the changes, I grieved for the lost moments with his daughter, I was awed by the steadfast love that both Robert and Morweena shared and I was filled with joy when he finally met his daughter (I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when they met for the first time). I also felt Morweena's apprehension, her worry and her undying love for this man. It is so rare to read a book that both points of view are so clearly expressed and Ms. Campbell nailed it.
This book is well written, paced perfectly, it is super steamy (YES!!), emotionally charged and perfectly executed. And while I am sad that the series is over, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. I highly recommend this book - it could be read as a stand alone title, but believe me when I say you should really read at least books 4 & 5 before you read this story.
*I was gifted a copy of this book for the purpose of review*
We first met Morweena in book 4, Pursuing Lord Pascal, when Sally convinced Amy and Morweena to come with her to London and become dashing widows. Morweena had no desire to go to London and had no intention of being a dashing widow. She was still in deep mourning for her husband Robert, who had been lost at sea and declared dead almost 4 years prior. The only thing that kept her going was their daughter, Kerenza, a daughter that Robert never met or even knew about.
Morweena finally decides to put aside her grief for the sake of her daughter and agrees to marry Hugh Rutherford, Baron Garson. She doesn't love him, but she considers him a friend and holds some affection for him. The night they are to announce their engagement, Robert reappears.
Robert is not the man Morweena remembers and as overjoyed she is at his return, she maintains her distance, unsure of the man standing before her.
This is a second chance at love story done so right, I cannot even put into words how much this story moved me. I always hoped that Robert would miraculously return from the dead, because the love that Morweena held for him was so potent, so deep and so beautiful, that I couldn't bear for her to have lost it so soon after finding it. But the man that returns to her is not the man who left all those years ago, any more than she is the same woman.
Robert has lived through a nightmare and his return to his former life is not as simple as one would assume (I kept thinking of the movie Castaway while reading this book - but thankfully, this has a much better ending!). Robert is overwhelmed by everything, especially finding the love of his life on the verge of marrying another man and learning he has a daughter.
Other reviewers have commented that the story suffered from a lack of conflict and while I respect their opinions, I disagree. I thought the conflict was subtle and mostly internal - but I felt Robert's pain and internal struggle to accept the changes, I grieved for the lost moments with his daughter, I was awed by the steadfast love that both Robert and Morweena shared and I was filled with joy when he finally met his daughter (I am not ashamed to admit that I cried when they met for the first time). I also felt Morweena's apprehension, her worry and her undying love for this man. It is so rare to read a book that both points of view are so clearly expressed and Ms. Campbell nailed it.
This book is well written, paced perfectly, it is super steamy (YES!!), emotionally charged and perfectly executed. And while I am sad that the series is over, I couldn't have asked for a better ending. I highly recommend this book - it could be read as a stand alone title, but believe me when I say you should really read at least books 4 & 5 before you read this story.
*I was gifted a copy of this book for the purpose of review*
August 3, 2021
Fine enough end to the series of novella this book serves mostly as an epilogue to the series more than a romance between Captain Nash and his wife. The couple spend a lot of time enjoying conjugal times which is fine but there isn’t much romance here. The couple already love each other so the book is more about overcoming the H’s trauma and getting over their separation.
No real angst or drama here which works well in a novella. I didn’t get bored of the bedroom gymnastics but the tidy wrap up near the end made me smile so I gave it three stars.
No real angst or drama here which works well in a novella. I didn’t get bored of the bedroom gymnastics but the tidy wrap up near the end made me smile so I gave it three stars.
July 16, 2017
Plot: 2/5 (too short, not enough substance)
Characterisation: 2.5/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 2/5
Characterisation: 2.5/5
Prose: 3/5
How much I enjoyed it: 2/5
February 19, 2018
This was just a series of sex scenes linked together by a 'plot' so thin that it barely existed. Captain Nash returns home after 5 years to find his wife about to marry someone else - cue for weeping and gnashing of teeth and more weeping and gnashing of teeth and of course the healing power of sex. And more sex and even more sex.
There was NO conflict at all, NO tension, not one subplot or even any reasonable structure to the story.
Meh
There was NO conflict at all, NO tension, not one subplot or even any reasonable structure to the story.
Meh
July 27, 2017
Throughout Anna Campbell’s Dashing Widows series readers have seen love come in many forms. Friends become lovers, two people get a second chance at a relationship and an unlikely pair find they have much in common. Catching Captain Nash is a reunion between a man thought forever lost and the woman who mourned the loss of her true love. Their romance tugs at a different set of heartstrings and is an emotional way to end an enjoyable series of books.
Morwenna Nash was married at a young age to the man of her dreams. The dashing, handsome Captain Robert Nash made her laugh and was her perfect match for the months they were together before he shipped out with his crew to South America. When the news came that her husband had been lost along with his crew, Morwenna was devastated. She had just learned that she was pregnant with Robert’s child, and days later she was a widow mourning the loss of her husband as well as the future they’d planned together.
After five years, the pain of losing Robert hasn’t quite gone away but with the encouragement of his family Morwenna decides to marry again in order to provide her daughter Kerenza with a father-figure. Reluctantly pushed into a Season in London, Morwenna has seen her two closest friends find love again and she begins a courtship with the amiable Lord Garson. Their relationship has none of the passion that Morwenna shared with Robert, but Lord Garson is a nice enough man who loves her and is good to Kerenza. Moments away from pledging her life to a new husband Morwenna is shocked when the ceremony is interrupted by Robert Nash, returned from the dead and furious to see his wife marrying another.
Please read the full review at Romantic Historical Reviews
Morwenna Nash was married at a young age to the man of her dreams. The dashing, handsome Captain Robert Nash made her laugh and was her perfect match for the months they were together before he shipped out with his crew to South America. When the news came that her husband had been lost along with his crew, Morwenna was devastated. She had just learned that she was pregnant with Robert’s child, and days later she was a widow mourning the loss of her husband as well as the future they’d planned together.
After five years, the pain of losing Robert hasn’t quite gone away but with the encouragement of his family Morwenna decides to marry again in order to provide her daughter Kerenza with a father-figure. Reluctantly pushed into a Season in London, Morwenna has seen her two closest friends find love again and she begins a courtship with the amiable Lord Garson. Their relationship has none of the passion that Morwenna shared with Robert, but Lord Garson is a nice enough man who loves her and is good to Kerenza. Moments away from pledging her life to a new husband Morwenna is shocked when the ceremony is interrupted by Robert Nash, returned from the dead and furious to see his wife marrying another.
Please read the full review at Romantic Historical Reviews
July 5, 2017
This is another awesome story in this series and boy it really did bring me to tears so beautifully written with such a joyous ending and one that I can highly recommend. We have met Morwenna in the other stories and we knew that her husband the dashing Captain Robert Nash was missing and declared dead. Morwenna has mourned him for 5 years they have a beautiful daughter that sadly Robert did not know about and now Morwenna has finally returned to London and become a dashing widow and is about to be engaged to another and try to start her life again, that is until the love of her life walks back into the ballroom.
Robert has escaped finally after 5 years of torture and being held captive by pirates but he is a different man than the one that went away scarred physically and mentally and to walk in on the enouncement of an engagement rocks him further. Thinking of Morwenna was the thing that had gotten him through and he has never stopped loving her but is he good enough for her now? He has come back a very different man.
A miracle has come true when Robert walks into that ballroom for Morwenna the emotion that electrifies her body at the sight could light up London oh but she can see the scarring and almost feel the internal hurt that is going on in his mind, but she has done a lot of growing up over the past five years and will do anything to help him back to where they were.
WOW this is a very heart-warming story that will certainly bring out a lot of emotions in the reader the suffering that Robert has gone through and then the strength and such deep love that Morwenna shows him and when he meets his daughter oh the tears of joy. And the spark that they had five years ago has only warmed up a lot in that time they sizzle together. What can I say I loved this story it is an amazing story that shows how strong love is and the joy that that love brings to so many people sigh. Of course it was great seeing Robert back with not only his wife and child but his family and as well. Thank you MS Campbell for another keeper.
Robert has escaped finally after 5 years of torture and being held captive by pirates but he is a different man than the one that went away scarred physically and mentally and to walk in on the enouncement of an engagement rocks him further. Thinking of Morwenna was the thing that had gotten him through and he has never stopped loving her but is he good enough for her now? He has come back a very different man.
A miracle has come true when Robert walks into that ballroom for Morwenna the emotion that electrifies her body at the sight could light up London oh but she can see the scarring and almost feel the internal hurt that is going on in his mind, but she has done a lot of growing up over the past five years and will do anything to help him back to where they were.
WOW this is a very heart-warming story that will certainly bring out a lot of emotions in the reader the suffering that Robert has gone through and then the strength and such deep love that Morwenna shows him and when he meets his daughter oh the tears of joy. And the spark that they had five years ago has only warmed up a lot in that time they sizzle together. What can I say I loved this story it is an amazing story that shows how strong love is and the joy that that love brings to so many people sigh. Of course it was great seeing Robert back with not only his wife and child but his family and as well. Thank you MS Campbell for another keeper.
July 21, 2018
I feel like this is one of the books I got for free/extremely cheaply. It's probably got the right amount of conflict for a novella. There's not a lot of unnecessary conflict shoehorned in. I quite liked it. It's readable. A few things were possibly a bit too easy/glossed over in favour of having a few more explicit love scenes, but I've certainly read worse. And I'm a bit of a sucker for reuniting spouses, SO.
July 3, 2017
A good wrap up to the series and a sweet epi!
July 4, 2017
The last of the second set of Dashing Widows has come to London to find a husband but at her engagement ball Morwenna insteads finds her long lost "dead" husband has returned to her. Anna Campbell has done a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. Rather than go through a courtship Marwenna and robert must try to get over his PTSD from everything he suffered after 5 years in captivity. This makes the story much more heart-breaking as the two must become reaquainted and comfortable with each other.
Anna Campbell has written another great story in this Dashing Widows series and I always love to red whatever she writes.
Anna Campbell has written another great story in this Dashing Widows series and I always love to red whatever she writes.
June 2, 2021
Tags: shipwreck, ptsd
“I love you, Robert. Forever.”
His hand tightened on hers. “The need to come back to you was all that kept me alive.”
...Childish to be disappointed that he didn’t respond to her declaration with a declaration of his own. “I hope one day you’ll love me the way you once did.”
She’s dumb.
It’s also a pretty good example of the novel overall. Its the most superficial retelling of the returned naval husband trope and potentially interesting conflicts are left undeveloped while the author peppers in dialogue like this in between random sex scenes.
The relationship between the hero and his brother was much more heartfelt. What a disappointing waste. Whoever writes Anna Campbell’s novel synopsis should write the books.
“I love you, Robert. Forever.”
His hand tightened on hers. “The need to come back to you was all that kept me alive.”
...Childish to be disappointed that he didn’t respond to her declaration with a declaration of his own. “I hope one day you’ll love me the way you once did.”
She’s dumb.
It’s also a pretty good example of the novel overall. Its the most superficial retelling of the returned naval husband trope and potentially interesting conflicts are left undeveloped while the author peppers in dialogue like this in between random sex scenes.
The relationship between the hero and his brother was much more heartfelt. What a disappointing waste. Whoever writes Anna Campbell’s novel synopsis should write the books.
March 29, 2018
Anna Campbell is a new author to me, and this is the first book of hers I've read. The writing is fantastic and pulls at the heartstrings! The story is filled with all sorts of emotions... And I felt every one of them. I am a sucker for a tortured hero and in my opinion the tortured hero part was flawlessly done. The story moves at a excellent pace, the only part I didn't believe was, why it took him 5 years to get back. The explanation seemed to have a few holes. Looking past that though... I loved the characters, I need to go back and start from the beginning of the series because I have a feeling I'm going to love it. Overall a great story that held my attention.
July 4, 2017
This story was very complete and powerful for a novella! Robert was captured and tortured for 5 years. His wife and family had been told he was dead. Needless to say, they are shocked, but joyful about his return. Robert has multiple scars and PTSD. Memories and will to see Morwenna kept him alive during his imprisonment. When he comes home, he is uncomfortable with many people. I love his family and how understanding they are. I need to go back and read the prior books in the series!
October 24, 2017
3.5 to 4 Stars
I didn't realize how short the books were in this series, so I was surprised by how little drama and story building there was... That being said, I really liked the main characters and I thought their story was very sweet.
Thumbs up!
I didn't realize how short the books were in this series, so I was surprised by how little drama and story building there was... That being said, I really liked the main characters and I thought their story was very sweet.
Thumbs up!
August 10, 2018
A lovely and delightful read. I'm a sucker for a weepy story. I so enjoyed reading this.
5☆
5☆
July 2, 2017
Ein netter Abschluss für die Familie Nash und all die Dashing Widows. Aber die ersten zwei Bücher haben mir doch eine Spur besser gefallen.
July 1, 2017
I usually love books by this author. But this was the last book in the series and it was ho hum.
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