Seventeen-year-old Alosa, daughter of the infamous Pirate King, lets herself get captured by her enemies on purpose, because, you know, that’s what confident pirate princesses do when they have a mission. She’s after a legendary treasure map hidden on their ship, and no one’s stopping her. But then there’s Riden, the ship’s clever (and, annoyingly, handsome) first mate, who’s a bit too quick to catch on to Alosa’s schemes. With Alosa’s wit and a few tricks up her sleeve, it’s anyone’s guess who’s outsmarting who.

I needed an escape, and this read was the perfect getaway. This book has everything: razor-sharp banter, a spirited heroine, and a dash of romantic tension that kept me grinning. Alosa and Riden are the ultimate YA duo, balancing each other out with sass and unexpected chemistry. And the twists kept me intrigued and added some fun to the ride. This was a swashbuckling escape into a world of high-seas adventure, and I couldn’t have asked for a better break from reality.