The First Step

I stopped writing reviews a year or more ago when I felt I was the only gay man reviewing books on this website, not one of the “regulars”. 😉

Husband and I really loved this read. I have read Shira’s books for several years, and this beautiful yet exciting story kept focus through every, single sentence. I can hardly wait to read the second in this series.

By the way, Shira, your voice is lovely! Ha k you for sharing your music and your mind. 💜

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is such an exciting romantic read. I loved learning about the harbour pilots, and I found myself completely fascinated with both Reed and Justin’s lives. Add in a hurricane and a fabulous North Carolina setting and I completely devoured this book. For me, this is the perfect mix of romance and action and I really loved the characters in this story.

Most of this story is told from Reed’s perspective and I love that he’s a bit of a hot mess, especially at the start. He’s got great reporter instincts but very little sense of self-preservation. He’s easy to love but he takes a few too many risks. In contrast, Justin works an incredibly dangerous job but everything about his life is carefully controlled. These two balance each other beautifully. I like that they’re both a bit older than the usual romantic leads and I love the slow burn, relatively low heat romance that simmers between them.

As always, Shira Anthony’s research is wonderful. I learned so much about Justin’s job and life in North Carolina. So, while the romance is a gentle slide, there is so much action in this story. I was hooked from the start and I really enjoyed the read.

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The First Step (Coastal Carolina #1) by Shira Anthony to read and review.

I can tell that Shira Anthony has done the research and put in the time to make such a great story. Reed and Justin's story just felt so real. I was pulled in this slow burn romance and it is beautiful to see how these two get to know each other. I like that these two are different but are still perfect for each other. I can't wait to see what happens next.

I was gifted a copy of this book, that I write a review was not required.

This is the first book I've read of Ms Anthony, and I really REALLY enjoyed it!

Reed is in town chasing a story to get his beat back in New York, about fishing on the river. Justin pilots the bigger boats and tankers into port, as a river pilot. The two clash hard and fast, and it doesn't take long for them to fall for each other. But this was only going to be a short term thing, right? When Reed is offered a job, he has a BIG decision to make.

Really enjoyable read! Its not overly complicated in the plot line, and you can see what's coming at you a mile away, much like Justin's babies he manouvers into port. It's steamy and emotional in places. Sad in some places too, when Justin talks about his childhood. It's not espcially explicit, but it didn't need to be.

Both Justin and Reed have a say, in the third person. Both voices are clear and distinctive, having been brought up very differently. Reed is very out, and Justin is not. But maybe, not quite as not, as he thinks! Love some of Justin's co workers!

This was one of those books that, while far longer than my usualy hangover cure, I'm filing it as such. I spent a very wet afternoon, curled up on the sofa, reading this in one sitting. One of those books that you just fall into and wile away the day.

Thank you, Ms Anthony for my copy.

4 solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewehere**

Reed Barfield needs to make things right with his editor so he can go back to the political stories he fought hard to write. He ends up in Cape Fear to write a story on the effects of pollution on the fishing industry but gets caught up in writing about the harbor pilots. There he meets Justin Vance whose painful past and fear of his colleagues finding out his secret force him to lead a lonely life. The two clash and then realize they have more in common then they thought. I really enjoyed this book. It was quick read with all the right elements: good characters, a story that kept you interested and a satisfying ending. I really like the dynamics between the two characters and how they struggled to overcome their fears. I’ll definitely be reading more of Shira Anthony’s work.