X Marks the Spot

by Kit Barrie

Where there is gold, there is also blood.

Beset by bad luck and alone in the world, young Jamie Davis is taken in by widowed antiquities dealer, Squire Harrington. Trapped in debt, the squire decides to risk everything to find the buried treasure of the notorious pirate, Captain Charles Locke, and he and Jamie set off on a whirlwind adventure on the high seas!

Entranced by the handsome Captain Ambrose and befriended by the mysterious one-legged cook, Silas Cross, Jamie wonders if good fortune has finally smiled on him. But there is more to their hired crew than meets the eye. Jamie learns that not every cloud has a silver lining, and trust can be worth its weight in gold.

X Marks the Spot is a retelling of the classic tale Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. It is a gay adventure story with a happy ending, but not a traditional HEA.


The Queerly Classic Collection is a reimagining of classic stories, with an LGBTQ+ twist. They contain adult language and situations and are not intended for children.

Genres: Historical, M M Romance, Queer, LGBT

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2023

About the author

Kit Barrie (she/her) was raised by pirates in a traveling carnival where she learned how to fly and to weave fantasy into reality. She identifies as chaotic bisexual, with good intentions and questionable methods. She lives in an utterly unfantastical state in the Midwestern United States with some food goblins who might just be cats gobblin’ food.

Please visit www.kitbarrie.com for more information on Kit’s writing or to sign up for her fantastical newsletter!

Reviews

[Jenny (Nyxie)]

*Edited: When I read it, this book was incorrectly categorized as a romance, and that is being changed. That would definitely have changed my expectations going into the book. Removing my star rating, since I can’t know how I’d feel reading it without that expectation.*

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Just really annoyed. This book not a romance, despite disguising itself as one for the first 73%. The captain *is not* the final love interest, there is no HEA. This doesn’t even really stand on its own as queer fiction - it’s just not that interesting of a story without the faux romance.

Do not recommend.

[Alyssa (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I would be pleased to learn under you, Captain."

I thought this was a romance, but it's my fault for not checking the blurb properly. Despite that, I actually really enjoyed this story! The intrigue was great and I was curious to see what would happen! Since this is not a traditional HEA, the ending was not predictable and it was refreshing.

[Theresa Derwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirates, Pillaging and Pleasure

X Marks the Spot

Author: Kit Barrie

Release date: 26th May 2023


CW: Sexual assaults/Non consentual


Ah har me hearties!

Pirates and Pirate Romance be the latest trend in sea based books! Shiver me timbers, 'tis a good yarn ye have in ya hands now.

For lovers of this genre and the classics, many will remember 'Treasure Island' by Robert Louis Stevenson.  'X Marks the Spot' is a reimagined version of that story; part of the Queerly Classic Collection - classic stories, with an M/M twist.

In this version, 'Jamie Boy' is apprenticed to a local antiquity seller, Squire Harrington, who is hosting an old pirate, George, previously with Cap'n Locke.

George is sent a letter - the black spot - a death sentence for pirates.

It isn't long before Jamie and the Squire are off to hunt treasure on the MORAY with the dashing Captain Miles Ambrose.

Jamie, once on board the ship interacting with the cook - Silas - is clearly impressed by the old Navy man, but it's Ambrose who makes his breath catch in his throat.

When things get intimate, suffice to say, it's hot stuff!

Despite Jamie crushing on the captain, there is something dark beneath his polished and handsome veneer. He is definitely on the morally grey side of a romantic interest.

I was also impressed by the faux 'talk like a pirate' elements and historical detail. Though he doesn't speak much, Bosun the parrot is actually one of my favourite characters.

Though it doesn't have the humour of the show, fans of This Flag Means Death may enjoy this book.

[S.S. Genesee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so.... I have rather mixed feelings about this. I LOVED the majority of it. An exciting, high-stakes murderous pirate adventure tale of Treasure Island and it being a MM retelling? Sign me up!! Seriously I loved reading this and was just so excited to see what'd come next, I freaking LOVED Captain Ambrose and him being so dear to Jamie despite all the treachery and foulness going on. Needless to say, I love me a morally gray character with a sexy swagger to them.

But that ending... It wasn't the ending I wanted. 😭😭 And I am UPSET. Like legit, I am upset. Everything else about the book was wonderful but just in the very last chapter/epilogue did I wish things would've turned out differently.

*Spoilers for the ending*
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Captain Ambrose and Jaime don't actually end up together??😭😭 Like, even with all the murder and everything, with Jaime's feelings of longing and Ambrose still being so nice and true to him, I hoped that Jamie would've forgiven him and they go on to live a happy pirate life together venturing the seas. After all that!! But no!! Instead of jumping into his arms and kissing him, Jamie says he never wants to see Ambrose again and my heart BROKE. Imma write fanfic where they do end up together because >:((( Noooooo 😭😭

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Treasure Island infused with M-M action once the young MC embarked upon the pirate ship captained by a tall, dark and ruthless cut-throat figure. Thank god there were no 'bodice-rippings' or sexual violence/assaults but the demise of lots of secondary characters kept the plot pacing churning along in a mild horror-flick manner.

[Sam Reads Books *Just the Highlights* · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025: 4.0

[SHUCHI · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kit Barrie is a new to me author and her take on retelling of "Treasure Island" with a gay twist is certainly entertaining. If you are in love with old storytelling styles mixed with swashbuckling adventure of the high seas you might like this light read. For me the storytelling highlights were the various accents of most of the characters, the author has written their way of speaking in different styles, which is very unique. Then there's the various illustrations of some or the other object/situation illustrated at the end of each lesson. It reminded me of old story books from my childhood and another unique addition that I have seen in only handful of books (mostly historic literature).

There are three MCs in this book, but no love triangle. Jamie/James Davis is our main MC whose lived a very topsy turvy life of an orphan and after his uncle goes to jail, he is handed over to a squire who owns an antique shop. What the squire did not have is a sense of business, but he was a kind man who took care of Jamie. So when one of squire's ex pirate friend hands over Jamie a treasure map for safekeeping as his last wish, Jamie keeps the Map and only reveals it to the squire. But, in his excitement the squire spills their secret to the most dandy looking sea Captain Jamie has ever seen, our MC2 Captain Miles Ambrose, who seems like a man of gentlemenly nature, in reality he is anything but. Jamie was enamored by his silky smooth talk and in a few days becomes his lover, while their voyage to hunt the treasure island goes on. On his voyage Jamie also meets an ex navy soldiers now cook, MC3 Silas Cross. Jamie being a Kitchen help learnt a lot about life on a ship from Silas and Silas also warned him about Ambrose. Jamie being an innocent was a bit shocked by this revelation, but in a few days got introduced to the machinations of a pirate Captain.

On reaching the island all hell breaks loose and Jamie comes face to face with the reality of surviving among cruel killers and thieves. In all the chaos, its only Silas whom Jamie can trust and only himself to survive Ambrose and his cunning manipulations. How he manages that is how the story unveils.

[Lily Pavenent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was a pleasant read; the style flows and the mystery keep us in suspense. A book featuring a quest at seas to find a treasure on an island will always tempt me because it’s difficult to find good MM books about pirates and privateers. It’s also a retelling of Treasure Island. I wasn’t disappointed by the romance and the characters. I particularly loved Jamie and Silas. I’m not used to read short novels like “X Marks the Spot” so I would have preferred it to be longer because I felt that there were a lot to exploit in this book. But it was a good retelling of Treasure Island and a very enjoyable adventure.

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I knew there was something odd with Ambrose (I would have liked to discover Ambrose’s skills as the captain too). I was disgusted by Ambrose’s betrayal and I was worried that Jamie would still accept to go with him, but at the same time, I was afraid he would end up alone, so I still weirdly ached for them.
I’m glad he didn’t follow Ambrose and that Silas and him found happiness. Plus, he found his true love!
It’s a bit unusual that the main character doesn’t end up with the one we knew, while we saw their connection building since the beginning. It left me feeling a little bittersweet because finally, the character we had during the whole story will not be Jamie’s lover (and we don’t know Richard). It will feel a bit strange if I’m going to reread the book, to see again Ambrose’s and Jamie’s interactions. Honestly, it’s a great ending filled with a bit of nostalgia (with Jamie who’s wondering what his life would have looked with Ambrose). Anyway, Jamie is a great character: smart, generous and brave. And he knows to take the good decisions. I’m glad he got the ending he deserves with the lover he deserves.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. That was quite an adventure. The cover and the title suggest it already and yes there’s a hunt for the treasure.
Young lad Jamie Davis lives with Squire Harrington. When they discovered a map with an x mark from pirate Captain Charles Locke, Squire Harrington decides he and Jamie will try to find the treasure.

They will travel with Captain Miles Ambrose’s ship MOREY and his crew.
The captain is a tall confident man and will take Jamie under his wings.

“You’re so pretty, lad,” “Your ass would make angels weep.”

So the quest begins. Without giving too much away, it’s quite an adventure.
Jamie is getting hot near Captain Ambrose, who seems to have his eyes on Jamie.
What’s a captain without a parrot, exactly, nothing! So, meet Bosun the parrot. What is a ship without a cook, meet Silas the ship’s cook.

“I’s jus’ teasin’ ya, lad, tha’ weren’ bad.” This is an example of how people talk, not all, but some are.

There’s a saying: “Where there’s gold, there’s also blood”.

Glad to have reached their destination, they step foot on land. And from that moment everything changes.

Who knew I’d love some pirate stories, I didn’t know, but I loved this one, it was a real pleasure to read. A fulfilling story, somewhat on the bittersweet side, but certainly satisfying.
I loved the writing style, I felt connected and could visualize the environments easily, all because of the vivid way of writing. Well done!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.75 stars

X Marks the Spot is a retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island with an LGBTQ twist. The story is told in an epistolary style and, after Jamie describes what it was like at the start of the journey to the island, he breaks the fourth wall to tell the reader that the outbound trip followed much the same pattern. There is also an explicit mention at the end about this being a written account from Jamie himself. At first, I didn’t think I would like skipping all of what was happening at sea. I kind of thought the story prior to getting on the ship skipped over a lot of details, too. However, that brevity made a lot more sense after realizing this was intended to be a written account. And, when we get to the events that unfold on the island, I was well pleased with the pacing of the story. Overall, I think Barrie does an exceptional job rolling out the story and all the pertinent elements. There’s plenty of detail provided to establish who Jamie is, where he is in the world, and his perspective on the interpersonal relationships he had with the squire, Conley, Ambrose, and Silas. This is all while maintaining sharp focus on the events that were pertinent to what happens on the island.

Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.

[T.J. Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM Treasure Island Retelling 🏴‍☠🦜⛵☠️⚓

This was so unique and fun!

I couldn't remember much about the original plot of Treasure Island, but it didn't stop me from enjoying this. Young Jamie Davis and his guardian, Squire Harrington, acquire a treasure map and set off on the high seas for a mysterious island, hiring a ragtag crew to sail them there. Jamie is put to work on the ship and befriends the one-legged cook, Silas Cross. Once they set sail, it doesn't take long for Jamie to be become infatuated with the handsome and enigmatic Captain Ambrose. But all is not as it seems... because where there is gold, there is also blood.

This one is best entering knowing as little as possible - it's full of twists and turns which kept me on my toes.

A fast, pacey read which goes in unexpected directions. Definitely not your typical romance story, but a superb read nevertheless!

☠️ Fantastic writing
☠️ Intriguing world building
☠️ A cute parrot 🦜
☠️ Morally grey characters
☠️ Boat-rocking spice

Available on KU May 26th!

ARC provided by author

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[Brit_ta_ny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a quick and engaging story and a fun retelling of Treasure Island. The writing style reminded me of other Victorian adventure novels written when Treasure Island was, except a wee bit spicer 😉

I absolutely adored Ambrose and was a bit disappointed by the end; sexy, asshole, pirate villains are kind of my jam and it was sad that he had a rather anticlimactic ending. Though I do suppose everyone got the happy ending they wanted in the end.

Queer retellings of the stories I grew up with are always a delight (Peter Darling by Austin Chant is a good one!). Oftentimes I haven’t read the books they’re based on for years and the story is already a bit wonky in my memory. I think that it is so delightful that from here on out I’ll convolute Treasure Island and this book a bit and never be totally sure if I imagined the queer storyline or if it really happened. I hope authors keep doing these wee retellings, it makes my inner queer kid heart so happy to see these stories again but with people like me represented ☺️

[10111111111 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (8/10), 💥💥
This was a fun, kind of historic story about 18 year old Jamie who finds himself somehow on a ship sailing to find treasure beyond his imagination. The story is narrated by Jamie, and we get to watch as he grows learning to work as a sailor, befriending Silas in the kitchens and exploring somewhat of a fledging relationship between himself an the captain, Miles Ambrose. The story is short and fun, perhaps a tad predictable, but I am glad that it ended the way it did.

I was fascinated to see that Jamie kept to his morals so strongly and never went with Miles after everything was said and done - in fact, never saw him or heard from him again. And While I would've been so very happy for Jamie to end up with Silas, I was also glad for their continued friendship until Silas passed. But then we get to hear about Jamie's partner, Richard, and he sounds like such a sweet, amazing man. I would have loved to hear a bit more about him and seen their love story too.

[Wide Eyes, Big Ears! · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young, naive and tender-hearted, Jamie Davis has been passed from pillar to post since the death of his parents. Sponsored by a widowed antiquities dealer, Squire Harrington, Jamie finally feels settled. But the squire is in debt and armed with a treasure map, he unwisely hires notorious Captain Charles Locke and his crew to follow the map to fortune. Along the way, Jamie will have to grow up fast.

This s a m/m retelling of Treasure Island and although there is a romance along the way, the story does not end in a typical romantic HEA. It’s a fairly short story (136 pp, 3.5 hrs on audio) with an erotic bonus scene (Silver & Silk, 30 min). I liked the story, especially Jamie, who was decent and moral throughout—pretty much the only person who was—and I enjoyed watching Jamie become older and wiser as he was exposed to the repeated treachery and violence surrounding him. 🎧 If you’d played me Greg Boudreaux’s audio narration without telling me who it was, I never would have guessed, he sustained credible British accents throughout the story. All-in-all, a classic pirate jaunt!

[Nori H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate adventure tale. Kit Barrie's re-working to include sexual fluidity that can exist on a ship at sea, together with the senuous introduction to loving that young Jamie experiences at the hands of Captain Ambrose creates a delicious twist to pirate adventure in pursuit of treasure. Greg Boudreaux's narration is spot-on, and makes the book even better. Good choice Kit Barrie!
Greed is the blade that ruins the romance between Jamie and Captain Ambrose, but all is not lost when the crew on the island threatens to kill Ambrose and take the treasure and ship for themselves. I wish Jamie had chosen differently, leading to a different ending to this book, but will not say more so as not to spoil the tale for Barrie's future readers/listeners. It's a really good summer read, and I am very glad to have "discovered" Kit Barrie's work.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure Island, but make it M/M: it’s hard to resist a premise like that, and I loved many of the ways this book delivers on its foundation. Pirates and treasure and intrigue and adventure galore: there’s never a dull moment and plenty of narrative twists and turns to navigate here. I liked the world building, which feels immersive and detailed without being overwhelming, and enjoyed the way the writing style seemed to both echo and evoke the time and place it was endeavoring to bring to life. The characters were deeply interesting, and Jamie in particular was easy to care about and root for. Overall, I found this book imaginative, well crafted, and well worth a read, and if the blurb appeals, definitely give this one a try.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Pygmy Potamus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit I have not actually read the tale this is based upon but I might have to give it a go as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

The main voice was riveting and kept me on the edge of my seat. The simplicity of the writing kept me going and the occurrences kept me on my toes.

I will say I wasn't a fan of the manipulation used and was sad to see how the characters relationships ended (I'm a sucker for a happy ending) and I wish Jamie's life after hso adventure was explored a little more.

All in all I liked this one and read it in one sitting! Not only did I love the way the characters were described (and the nuances based on historical accuracy) but also the settings. It really felt as though I was on the ship and on the island.

4* from me

I received a free ARC and this is my honest review

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirates, love and treasure
Jamie had plenty of misfortune in his life and he ends up as an apprentice with Squire Harrington. But the disorganized means by which the Squire runs things makes it clear that things are not normal there.
Then comes Goerge Conway and the pirate Charles story.
But with a black spot of George all of a sudden, Jamie and Squire's life is changed from their land life.
There in the ship, the ship's cook Silas has a lovely story to tell about his Navy days and Jamie has found a friend there.
With a twist to the "Treasure Island", Jamie meets Ambrose, the ship's captain. Jamie finds himself attracted to the captain, but then the captain has secrets of his own.
Bosun was sweet too.
Steamy pirate adventure with a morally gray lead character.

[Suzanne Irving · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faithful and fantastic retelling

This seems like a pretty faithful retelling of the original tale but with added fun times. It’s been many years since I read the original book but from what I read Kit Barrie has done a terrific job with this story especially the voices of the characters and especially the narrator (Jamie) that read as if they are like they would have been in the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. This Queerly Classic Collection by Kit Barrie seems like it will be a great lot fun for those who like LGBTQ+ tales.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one a fun, swashbuckling tale of a treasure hunt gone wrong. It was the perfect read for my river cruise! Jamie was smart and sweet. Captain Miles Ambrose was an enigma. While I enjoyed the way their banter and spice, I worried where the story was going to take their relationship. The author’s detailed scenery descriptions made me feel like I was right there with Jamie. The other characters, especially Silas, added depth and intrigue to the story. The plot held my interest and kept me guessing. The ending did come rather abruptly. Luckily there was an epilogue to wrap things up better.

[SJ James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it a little difficult to rate this, since I did absolutely thoroughly enjoy it, but it wasn't what I expected at all.
I'm still rating it five stars because it's enjoyable, and fun, and a little sexy.
But it's not a romance, or at least not in the strictest sense of the word.

It's more about friendship than romance.

But it was still a great read. And Jamie is a sweetheart.
I also loved how the author wrote the accents in the book.

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

X Marks the Spot deserves more than the five stars I gave. It seems so measly for this incredible story with incredible writing by an incredible author who weaved an incredible plot with incredible characters.

I thought Kit Barrie was an incredible storyteller from my first book of theirs, The Goblin Twins. Because I read more than one incredible book, they are now one of my bestest favorite authors of my favorite authors list.

[Morgan Lysand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright so this one's difficult to rate to me. I miss the impeccable worldbuilding and relationships from The Goblin Twins. For me none of the supposed to be impactful parts hit in X Marks the Spot because I didn't feel the relationships.

The steamy scene was well written. It was hot and the build up to it was good foreshadowing for *the thing* bc there was a touch of ick factor to it, which made sense. I was over here like Jamie don't do it you fool. hahaha

The imagery was lovely. I think over all if it was a little longer with things developed a bit more some of the spots would have really hit.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historic story retelling, with it's MM flavor, and added steamy scenes. It's a robust action/adventure story and not a romance (similar to the original). I think this was my first read from this author, and I am definitely open to reading more of their stories. I would love to see them do more historic retellings.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Julie Bedwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pirate story with all the things that come with pirate stories- adventure, betrayal, mutiny. Jamie is a young man thrown into an adventure he's likely not really prepared for. I like Jamie and felt bad for some of his circumstances, but I also like seeing him enjoy his life. I haven't read "Treasure Island" so I can't draw any comparison to this book. I was left wanting a little more, I guess.

[Jimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This retelling of Treasure Island was slightly different, but having read at least three versions (plus the original) and watching a live stage play, and a couple of movies plus the animated Treasure Planet--it just seemed a bit ordinary.

I liked it well enough I guess and if you want a quick read with a bit of adventure and some small bit of titillations--I guess this is a book you should read.

Light, fun--ish, entertaining.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I assumed this was a romance but at some point had to come here and find out for sure and was relieved that it was not! I would have immediately stopped reading if I'd found out he ended up with Ambrose! Since he didn't, I finished. It was ok. Jamie's remaining feelings for Ambrose still made me feel icky. Ambrose definitely redeemed himself a smidge but not enough so I'm glad they didn't end up together!

[Rosyln Faulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! It was a quick read that really hit the spot. The characters were intriguing, the plot was solid and the story flowed really well. I love the relationship between the MCs and the ending was well thought out and absolutely perfect for this book.

Kit Barrie does it again! This book was a five star for me and I can't wait to see what else she comes up with!

[KCJenny66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a romance but it was a good adventure with some mystery and a LOT of murder. It does end with a HEA – just not like you except. There is quite a bit of on page and implied homophobia and I will say it again…. a LOT of murder. It was a good story, but really not my thing.
I received this book as an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest opinion.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd short story. I was kind of unsure what to rate it. It’s well written with an excellent storyline but it’s not a romance in HEA sense. It’s all written in a first person retelling which is different but I enjoyed. I would have liked a more traditional ending I think but the story is good and I enjoyed it as is.