*My thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for granting me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. And yes, as soon as I finish writing this I will be ordering a hard copy of this book because I want to pass it down as an heirloom to my progeny.*

Okay, first of all: that cover? GORGEOUS. If this hadn’t already been one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, that cover alone would have sealed the deal.

And I am pleased to report that finally, <i>finally</i>, I have read a book that met and exceeded all of my expectations. This series is <i>criminally</i> underrated, and I don’t know why I have been so lucky to witness these characters grow and flourish for years while the rest of the world just, like, goes on not knowing that they exist. How do people even <i>live</i> without Nightingale and Courtney? Is it even living at all?

In all seriousness, this was such a lovely, sweet ending to this trilogy. I was a little nervous at first because we not only got dual POVs, we also got two completely separate stories. Nightingale and Courtney are apart for nearly the entire book, which is usually a red flag for me. But the more I read, the more I realized how much sense this decision made. Neither Nightingale nor Courtney’s stories had really resolved by the ending of book 2, so it made sense to give them both a narrative in this final installment. And, where other books have failed with this exact same setup, Daysh succeeds marvelously by treating each narrative line as its own complete plot, building character, tension, and suspense along the way. Both stories were equally compelling, and, fortunately, both resolved well, and allowed the characters to come back together, changed but stronger, in the end.

[By the way: the actual scream I scrumpt when I realized we were building toward a Trafalgar sequence in this book could probably be heard about three towns over. The whole series is worth a read for this sequence alone!]

I have learned and loved so much while reading this series, and I’m devastated to have to say goodbye to the world Daysh has built. But I am so, so excited to see where she takes us next.

What a beautiful ending to the series. I finished reading this late at night and ended up staying up well past midnight just thinking about it. I absolutely fell in love with this series last year, putting both Leeward and The Devil To Pay on my top reads of 2024 list (well, technically just Leeward, but I only put firsts of series on that list), so to say I have been eagerly awaiting A Merciful Sea would be an understatement and this 100% delivered.

I’ve read a lot more historical fiction since I read Leeward last year, and it’s made me appreciate the historical accuracy of this series even more. It was especially important in this book, and as someone who admittedly doesn't know a lot about the main battle featured in A Merciful Sea, it still came across really well. I also loved how, despite the fact that Nightingale and Courtney are physically apart for most of the book, their relationship still felt like the core of the story and the foundation that they both want to build their lives on.

I will never stop recommending this series to everyone, and I can’t wait to see what Katie does next!

I cannot put into words how excited I was for this book, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

I don't know how Katie Daysh managed to write an essentially perfect trilogy, but she did. I was not once bored by anything in any three of the Nightingale and Courtney books; I was so endeared to the characters and so embroiled in the story that I could not help but love every second of it. And of all three, I do think A Merciful Sea is my favourite.

I was correct in my guess that this book would combine Nightingale and Courtney's POV's, providing us with amazingly juxtaposed perspectives and stories that highlight how good of an author Katie Daysh truly is. Both perspectives are incredibly distinctive, with Nightingale coming across as more weathered, and Courtney younger, and more stubborn. I thought this worked well, and I really enjoyed following each man as they navigated through their own personal struggles, whilst dealing with the prejudices that came with being queer at this time. Katie Daysh managed each storyline well.

I must say though, I do feel personally endeared to Courtney's story and struggles, as a man who came from nothing and has fought tooth and nail to end up where he has, who still doesn't get all of the credit he is due. In this book, Courtney has been promoted to commander, and he cannot help but feel somewhat out of place, like an actor. I think this is a struggle than many people can relate to, and I really enjoy how it is depicted.

That is not to negate how much I enjoyed Nightingale’s story though, as a man who served 30+ years in the navy who is still trying to find his purpose and deal with his trauma. It is emotional, deep, and reflective.

The way they converge in this book is *chef’s kiss*.

The secondary characters also really shine in this book; though they have done so throughout the series, you can really feel their presence here. Obi, Lousia (my beloved), Jane, and Appleton are but some of my favourites. But even the characters that I didn’t like (like Nightingale’s father...) made the story feel much deeper and the world more expansive. The presence of Courtney’s father in this book was interesting, because I didn’t expect it. And much like Courtney, I don’t really know how to feel about him, and again I just think that speaks to how good of a writer Katie Daysh is. The complexity, ambiguity of every character is just so well done.

Though Courtney and Nightingale are apart for much of the book, going through their own trials and tribulations, their relationship nevertheless felt pertinent to the story - these books could not have existed without it, and you felt that. Nightingale going to the Isle of Wight to investigate malicious notes turning up at Courtney's cottage there, and Courtney serving on Nightingale's old ship the Lion - which almost appears to be cursed - as important as their relationship is to them and the story, they still have their own stories to content with.

this was a pretty good book! I am not a huge fan of historical fiction, so that part kind of took away a bit for me. I liked the flow of the story and how the author writes. The themes were interesting and the storyline was good!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2025. I fell in love with the previous two instalments, which were both five stars for me, so my expectations were very high. Katie not only met them, she exceeded them! In this third book, Nightingale and Courtney are mostly apart. It could have been a negative, but Katie makes it an incredible strength by giving us dual POVs. This time, we really get to see Nightingale and Courtney shine individually (and without spoiling, they both get their big moment) and we get to know how they both feel: about their relationship, about their careers and about themselves. She gives each of them an incredibly distinctive voice and personality and it made me love both even more than I already did. The supporting cast is as strong as ever. I still adore Louisa, was really happy to see Jane return, and took an unexpected liking to Harrison. I'd happily read full novels about any of them. I also really liked the reflection about fathers and how much children should forgive in the name of family. That hit pretty close to home and touched me immensely. As usual with Katie, we get a perfect balance of beautifully emotional human interactions and incredibly well-researched action scenes. As the trilogy concludes, we also get a very satisfying ending that feels right and true to the story.

Honestly, it is a privilege to have discovered this series and to have been an advance reader for books 2 and 3. I will cherish these characters and all they stand for for a very long time, and I will read anything Katie Daysh writes in the future, no questions asked. Just begging everyone to read this trilogy for now so I can talk about my feelings!

I'm not sure how this book series manages to feel like a harrowing adventure and a warm hug at the same time, but it accomplishes it. A Merciful Sea is probably the most character-driven of the adventures so far. Both Nightingale and Courtney are tested - individually and their relationship. The conclusion is satisfying and feels right and their respective journeys fleshed out both of their characters even more.

I adored this series and I'm going to miss new Nightingale and Courtney adventures!

4.5 stars rounded up. And thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the e-ARC!

Are you an adrenaline junkie? Check out the upcoming read, A Merciful Sea by Katie Daysh will have your heart pumping.

What a journey!! This book takes place five years from when they first met. Courtney is now on a ship that has a lot of suspicious dealings going on and may also be cursed. Nightengale is spending time with Courtney's friends and family with his own problems going on. He also has become a Privateer.

Of course, my favorite parts are when they are together in the book. I love them and they deserve every good thing. They are one of my favorite couples.

And god bless Louisa. What a woman. If Louisa's heart is taken by another, I would love to read her story someday.

All around great job and the ending was beautiful!!!
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.