Book Review. The Captain and the Cavalry Trooper by Eleanor Harkstead & Catherine Curzon

Book Review: The Captain and the Cavalry Trooper by Eleanor Harkstead & Catherine Curzon

Blurb: 

As the Great War tears Europe apart, two men from different worlds find sanctuary in each other’s arms.

Captain Robert Thorne is the fiercest officer in the regiment. Awaiting the command to go to the front, he has no time for simpering, comely lads. That’s until one summer day in 1917, when his dark, flashing eye falls upon the newest recruit at Chateau de Desgravier, a fresh-faced farmer’s boy with little experience of life and a wealth of poetry in his heart.

Trooper Jack Woodvine has a way with strong, difficult stallions, and whispers them to his gentle will. Yet even he has never tamed a creature like Captain Thorne.

With the shadow of the Great War and the scheming of enemies closer to home threatening their fleeting chance at happiness, can the captain and the cavalry trooper make it home safely? More importantly, will they see peacetime together?

Genre: Historical (WWI)
Length: 74,000 words/211 pages
Publisher: Pride
Release: 3rd April 2018


URL: https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/the-captain-and-the-cavalry-trooper
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079WWR5HT/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_k09LAbVTQX5KC
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079WWR5HT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38598212-the-captain-and-the-cavalry-trooper

4.5 Stars!

Cavalry Trooper Jack Woodvine has been assigned to Captain Robert Thorne during WWI, while they're both stationed at the Chateau de Desgravier. Despite Captain Thorne's hardass reputation, Jack and him bond after Jack shows his Captain that he's very good with horses and especially good with Apollo, who doesn't care about anyone else other than Robert.

Even if they are from different worlds, they strike a tentative friendship that quickly evolves into more. But there are enemies looming nearby and the shadow of being called to the war zone that threaten their newfound happiness.

The writing in this book is stellar, it almost has a poetic quality to it that entranced me and pulled me deeper into the story. Ms. Harkstead and Ms. Curzon did a fantastic job and their collaboration was seamless and engaging and the main characters were very likable, lovable even, and the villains were hateful and got their just deserts.

I would've given this book 5 stars if it hadn't been for the fact that we got Queenie's perspective, instead of Robert's for more than half the book. While I will agree that it was enlightening to see how arrogant and unapologetic he was, I much would've preferred if we'd gotten to know Robert better. Nevermind that I wouldn't have minded if he'd suffered a bit more after all he did against Jack.

I really liked Jack and Robert, they were sweet, romantic and hot, and they fit together better than I would've expected considering how different their social and military status was. Their romance progressed rather quickly, but it never felt rushed, and it was just delightful to see them together.

Overall, other than what I mentioned, this was a very enjoyable read that I definitely recommend to lovers of historical books. The depiction of the war was very realistic and the romance was a thing of beauty, I think you won't be disappointed if you pick it up.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***