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Exley & Dyer #2
Code Noir
More money, more ships, more problems.
As the accidental inheritor of a small pirate fleet young Captain Henry Dyer should have it made. But ‘should’ is not a word suited to the uncertain world of pirates, and Henry rapidly finds himself in over his head, facing off against hurricanes, the Royal Navy and not least the whims of his devious little husband, Jem, who always has his eye out for the next big score.
When an Italian heiress approaches Jem with a plan to claim her controversial inheritance, Jem leaps at the opportunity, dragging a reluctant Henry in his wake. All they have to do – according to Jem – is sail to Saint Domingue, present some proof of identity, sign some documents and sail home with a fat percentage of the profits.
In theory, it’s the simplest scam in the world. In practice, it’s a lot more difficult, especially when the so-called civilized society of Cap François proves darker and even more dangerous than the life of a pirate.
As the accidental inheritor of a small pirate fleet young Captain Henry Dyer should have it made. But ‘should’ is not a word suited to the uncertain world of pirates, and Henry rapidly finds himself in over his head, facing off against hurricanes, the Royal Navy and not least the whims of his devious little husband, Jem, who always has his eye out for the next big score.
When an Italian heiress approaches Jem with a plan to claim her controversial inheritance, Jem leaps at the opportunity, dragging a reluctant Henry in his wake. All they have to do – according to Jem – is sail to Saint Domingue, present some proof of identity, sign some documents and sail home with a fat percentage of the profits.
In theory, it’s the simplest scam in the world. In practice, it’s a lot more difficult, especially when the so-called civilized society of Cap François proves darker and even more dangerous than the life of a pirate.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2019
7 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jess Whitecroft
24 books129 followersJess Whitecroft was born and educated in the UK, where she was once voted 'Most Likely To Think That Writing A Romantic Comedy About Bigfoot Is A Good Idea'.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
After serving an apprenticeship with the late, great Black Lace books, and after many genres and many pseudonyms, she returned to romance, with a fondness for telling unconventional stories about unconventional lovers.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 22, 2019
I'm back in the 17oos with Jem and Henry. Yay.
Review:
I wasn't sure going in to Code Noir because I thought Reckless couldn't possibly be surpassed for action, love, white hot passion, a great sense of time and place, two of the best MCs, a strong storyline, but Jess Whitecroft proved me wrong. It's close but I sincerely think Code Noir is the better book.
This book is sexy...
It continues the love affair between the wonderful Jem and Henry. Their love for one another is palpable. It leaps off the page.
The story is action-packed, humorous, suspenseful, has period social observations that make you actually stop and think. Part of this book's backdrop is Saint Domingue during an era of slavery in the Caribbean. About the horrendous Code Noir enacted by Louis the XIV. It isn't sensationalised or fetishized, it also isn't glossed over like it never occurred.
“Do you know what the Code Noir says?” said Gabrielle. “What happens to a slave owner if he gives false testimony that leads to one of his slaves being put to death for a crime that slave didn’t commit?” She paused. “He is fined.”
While this is a romance first and foremost, other aspects are respectfully written. I felt Dorotea's new-found realisations (as an older teen) about her father and the power imbalance that obviously existed with her mother. Her being shipped away, out of sight, about her and Gabrielle.
The period fairly leaps off the page - the heat, the insects, the storms. The tempestuousness of the tropics and the god-awful politics. The backstabbing. The suspenseful nature of Jem's activities. Henry's crew being hypocritical and frustrating in their attitudes about Henry and Jem as well. I enjoyed new characters who were introduced. Most of all, I enjoyed the quality of the overall writing.
I loved this book. It's now on my favourites shelf. 5 Stars.
Blog review at-
Review:
I wasn't sure going in to Code Noir because I thought Reckless couldn't possibly be surpassed for action, love, white hot passion, a great sense of time and place, two of the best MCs, a strong storyline, but Jess Whitecroft proved me wrong. It's close but I sincerely think Code Noir is the better book.
This book is sexy...
It continues the love affair between the wonderful Jem and Henry. Their love for one another is palpable. It leaps off the page.
The story is action-packed, humorous, suspenseful, has period social observations that make you actually stop and think. Part of this book's backdrop is Saint Domingue during an era of slavery in the Caribbean. About the horrendous Code Noir enacted by Louis the XIV. It isn't sensationalised or fetishized, it also isn't glossed over like it never occurred.
“Do you know what the Code Noir says?” said Gabrielle. “What happens to a slave owner if he gives false testimony that leads to one of his slaves being put to death for a crime that slave didn’t commit?” She paused. “He is fined.”
While this is a romance first and foremost, other aspects are respectfully written. I felt Dorotea's new-found realisations (as an older teen) about her father and the power imbalance that obviously existed with her mother. Her being shipped away, out of sight, about her and Gabrielle.
The period fairly leaps off the page - the heat, the insects, the storms. The tempestuousness of the tropics and the god-awful politics. The backstabbing. The suspenseful nature of Jem's activities. Henry's crew being hypocritical and frustrating in their attitudes about Henry and Jem as well. I enjoyed new characters who were introduced. Most of all, I enjoyed the quality of the overall writing.
I loved this book. It's now on my favourites shelf. 5 Stars.
Blog review at-
November 26, 2022
As good as Reckless.
Again there's a caper, but this time the setting is far more grim: a young woman named Dorotea, whose enslaved mother was freed by her white father, wants to claim her inheritance, but to do so she has to visit Saint Domingue, a sugar island where enslaved people are subject to the viciously cruel Code Noir. Dorotea enlists Jem to impersonate her, and from there the plot gets twistier and more suspenseful.
That description sounds as if one can expect a white-savior denouement -- for the avoidance of doubt, the resolution of Dorotea's inheritance and parentage issues turns out to be anything but. No spoilers; I'll just say that there's a reckoning to be had, and that I found it very satisfying not only for how the characters wound up but also for the way it addressed the story's historical context.
I've been thinking about how much I'd love to see more of Jem and Henry, but I keep bumping up against that exchange in the first book, in which they acknowledge that they're not likely to live long. That poignancy, that precarity, would be leached of its power if the lovers just kept on surviving caper after caper. At least, that's what I suspect would happen. Though if Jess Whitecroft writes it, I will for sure read it, in the complete faith that she'd avoid every pitfall.
Again there's a caper, but this time the setting is far more grim: a young woman named Dorotea, whose enslaved mother was freed by her white father, wants to claim her inheritance, but to do so she has to visit Saint Domingue, a sugar island where enslaved people are subject to the viciously cruel Code Noir. Dorotea enlists Jem to impersonate her, and from there the plot gets twistier and more suspenseful.
That description sounds as if one can expect a white-savior denouement -- for the avoidance of doubt, the resolution of Dorotea's inheritance and parentage issues turns out to be anything but. No spoilers; I'll just say that there's a reckoning to be had, and that I found it very satisfying not only for how the characters wound up but also for the way it addressed the story's historical context.
I've been thinking about how much I'd love to see more of Jem and Henry, but I keep bumping up against that exchange in the first book, in which they acknowledge that they're not likely to live long. That poignancy, that precarity, would be leached of its power if the lovers just kept on surviving caper after caper. At least, that's what I suspect would happen. Though if Jess Whitecroft writes it, I will for sure read it, in the complete faith that she'd avoid every pitfall.
June 9, 2019
"How is it," Henry said, tracing the line of a near invisible eyebrow with his thumb. "That I find even the spaces between your toes bewitching?"
"I think it's something to do with being in love."
"Oh. Is that what it is?"
I find Jem and Henry bewitching.
Everything about this book is GLORIOUS, and I want to read it 27 times. Now.
"I think it's something to do with being in love."
"Oh. Is that what it is?"
I find Jem and Henry bewitching.
Everything about this book is GLORIOUS, and I want to read it 27 times. Now.
March 17, 2019
4.5 stars
I am a huge fan of Jess Whitecroft and to be back with Jem and Henry was brilliant. Code Noir has a slightly different feel than her other books but this is not a bad thing, I took a little longer to read this one than I normally do but that was more to do with real life nonsense than the book. In fact, the antics of Jem and Henry significantly helped me this week. Code Noir is a real treat as Jess has included a lot of real history, there is tons of action and of course the utterly wonderful and completely captivating Jem and Henry. I loved this book and with that ending cannot wait to see what they get up to next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am a huge fan of Jess Whitecroft and to be back with Jem and Henry was brilliant. Code Noir has a slightly different feel than her other books but this is not a bad thing, I took a little longer to read this one than I normally do but that was more to do with real life nonsense than the book. In fact, the antics of Jem and Henry significantly helped me this week. Code Noir is a real treat as Jess has included a lot of real history, there is tons of action and of course the utterly wonderful and completely captivating Jem and Henry. I loved this book and with that ending cannot wait to see what they get up to next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 17, 2019
I absolutely love Jess Whitecroft's books, they're always brilliantly written, clever and addictive.
Code Noir continues on from the fantastic Reckless and is every bit as good! Code Noir has a little bit of everything to hold your attention action, adventure, pirates and of course the rather beautiful (but far from boring!)romance between Jem and Henry.
Jem and Henry are by far one of my favourite couples ever and after reading Code Noir I will definitely be reading reckless again now!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Code Noir continues on from the fantastic Reckless and is every bit as good! Code Noir has a little bit of everything to hold your attention action, adventure, pirates and of course the rather beautiful (but far from boring!)romance between Jem and Henry.
Jem and Henry are by far one of my favourite couples ever and after reading Code Noir I will definitely be reading reckless again now!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2019
I LOVE JEM AND HENRY. TWO WONDERFUL IDIOTS. What a brilliant adventure with the two of them! So many ridiculous hijinks infused with their absolute adoration for each other, the kind that doesn't waver even for a moment. I love love LOVED this and I would truly read a million more words about them, whether it's on their adventures, or just DOMESTICITY AND LOVE.
Some favourite quotes:
Some favourite quotes:
June 7, 2019
So. Much. Fun.
July 12, 2019
I'm a huge fan of Jess Whitecroft and this book did not disappoint...if you're a fan of hers, and you loved Reckless, you'll love this one, too...especially because the sweet and steamy moments between Jem and Henry were plentiful (yay!) My only issue with it was it was a bit dark at times for me personally - I think everyone being pirates and lawless sometimes feels like there's not much redeeming qualities, everything tends to be as amoral as possible, and I always like things to have some kind of redeeming feature. So it was written well, right up to Jess Whitecroft standard - it was just dark for me. The other thing is that at times, it was confusing but it was like that for Reckless. But if you like her writing, and you don't have the issues I do, you WILL like Code Noir.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2022
Wonderful romp, this author's narration is simply amazing, refreshing with biting humour and a great sense of place and time (while catering for modern tastes on certain sensitive topics). Great escapism. Would gladly read more in the series if Jem and Henry were to go on to more adventures. *Dreamy sigh*
May 5, 2021
He has inherited some ships but it is not going to be easy. He is married and they want to do a job. What is that job? What will happen? Could it work? See where they will go
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 29, 2022
3.5 stars. Really fun. Although Harry and Jem need to have a conversation about boundaries to prevent Harry from being jealous, which is occasionally understandable, but also Jem is still technically a sex worker and they need to talk about that. I wish there more in this series.
July 21, 2019
Contemporary language in the 18th century jerked me out of the story a couple of times.
January 3, 2022
I really liked Jem's backstory in the first book and it helped me really coast through a lot of the stuff I wasn't super keen on (mainly jealous lover tropes). This one felt like one long jealous lovers trope. I hated that and it really affected my enjoyment of this story. If you're having to poison your guy to go on a heist, clearly some better communication is in order and the relationship is less than secure. This is a supposedly sturdy relationship from the original story and I know that it's more realistic (and I use that term in the loosest way possible here because nothing about this goofy plot is really realistic) that a relationship is not perfect after the first book is finished but really this one has a looooooooong way to go before I feel comfortable that these two are actually in it for the long haul.
It's bummery but I'm still going to read the heck out of Jess Whitecroft!
It's bummery but I'm still going to read the heck out of Jess Whitecroft!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews