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The Penningtons #1
A Rebel Without a Rogue: The Penningtons, Book 1
A woman striving for justice....
Fianna Cameron has devoted her life to avenging the death of her father, hanged as a traitor during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Now, on the eve of her 30th birthday, only one last miscreant Major Christopher Pennington, the English army officer who not only oversaw her father’s execution, but falsely maligned his honor.
Fianna risks everything to travel to London and confront the man who has haunted her every nightmare. Only after her pistol misfires does she realize her sickening The Pennington she wounded is far too young to be the man who killed her father.
A man who will protect his family at all costs....
Rumors of being shot by a spurned mistress might burnish the reputation of a rake, but for Kit Pennington, determined to add to his family’s honor by winning a seat in parliament, such salacious gossip is nothing but a nightmare.
To regain his good name, Kit will have to track down his mysterious attacker and force her to reveal the true motivation behind her unprovoked assault. Accepting the mistress of an acquaintance as an ally in his search is risky enough, but when Kit begins to develop feelings for the icy, ethereal Miss Cameron, more than his political career is in danger. For, Kit is beginning to suspect that Fianna Cameron knows far more about the shooting - and the reasons behind it - than she’s willing to reveal.
As their search begins to unearth long-held secrets, Kit and Fianna find themselves caught between duty to family and their beliefs in what’s right. How can you balance the competing demands of loyalty and justice, especially when you add love to the mix?
Fianna Cameron has devoted her life to avenging the death of her father, hanged as a traitor during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Now, on the eve of her 30th birthday, only one last miscreant Major Christopher Pennington, the English army officer who not only oversaw her father’s execution, but falsely maligned his honor.
Fianna risks everything to travel to London and confront the man who has haunted her every nightmare. Only after her pistol misfires does she realize her sickening The Pennington she wounded is far too young to be the man who killed her father.
A man who will protect his family at all costs....
Rumors of being shot by a spurned mistress might burnish the reputation of a rake, but for Kit Pennington, determined to add to his family’s honor by winning a seat in parliament, such salacious gossip is nothing but a nightmare.
To regain his good name, Kit will have to track down his mysterious attacker and force her to reveal the true motivation behind her unprovoked assault. Accepting the mistress of an acquaintance as an ally in his search is risky enough, but when Kit begins to develop feelings for the icy, ethereal Miss Cameron, more than his political career is in danger. For, Kit is beginning to suspect that Fianna Cameron knows far more about the shooting - and the reasons behind it - than she’s willing to reveal.
As their search begins to unearth long-held secrets, Kit and Fianna find themselves caught between duty to family and their beliefs in what’s right. How can you balance the competing demands of loyalty and justice, especially when you add love to the mix?
Audible Audio
First published July 28, 2015
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About the author
Bliss Bennet
9 books100 followersBliss Bennet writes smart, edgy novels for readers who love history as much as they love romance.
Despite being born and bred in New England, Bliss finds herself fascinated by the history of that country across the pond, particularly the politically-volatile period known as the English Regency. Though she’s visited Britain several times, Bliss continues to make her home in New England, along with her husband and ever-growing piles of research books.
Despite being born and bred in New England, Bliss finds herself fascinated by the history of that country across the pond, particularly the politically-volatile period known as the English Regency. Though she’s visited Britain several times, Bliss continues to make her home in New England, along with her husband and ever-growing piles of research books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 23, 2021
What a wonderful study of love, family, and fealty.
I apologize in advance for my rant, but I think Bliss Bennet heard my desperate pleas shouted into the ether for worthy historical romance. She heard the call and answered it and I felt compelled to write an incoherent essay about WHY this book (and series) is amazeballs.
Right. Here we go.
It drives me mad that it is now canon in historical romance to present readers/listeners with progressive 21st century women, or rebel-alpha males that defy social norms but then never show the consequences—like, the REAL consequences—of those choices. We frequently see aristocratic "suffragists" in HR novels not inciting violent radicalism and being ostracized for it, even though we know they were. We see political reformists stay in their gilded cages, when we know they didn't. They lived very avant-garde lifestyles. I honestly think authors do this because they don't care and are lazy but perhaps I am being harsh. However, I earnestly believe that although historical romance/fiction is indeed... fiction... when you place a fictional story in the past you inherently become a custodian of our history and have a responsibility to it. People don't read academic historical texts nearly as much as they consume fiction and while I love Wallpaper, I hate it when I read reviews accusing a writer of inaccuracies based on the FICTION they read, rather then the actual historical record. This book was none of these things that irk me. Bliss Bennet, girl, you ain't lazy.
This debut had no compunctions with NOT adhering to genre expectations and committed to exploring the progressive, alternative lifestyles that existed in the past with a keen eye for accuracy and detail, while also cranking out a poignant love story. It is through the Pennington family that she explores this and in this first book in the series we get to see the realities of our young 'Kit' (the Hero) being a political reformist and actually living the life of a reformer—living in sad bachelor rooms, writing progressive texts, speeches at seedy/radical taverns, eschewing social conventions in general, and showing the ramifications of those choices… like being ostracized from Polite Society. Our heroine (Fianna) is a 30 y.o embittered daughter of an Irish rebel. Bennet’s choice to make Fianna a woman of discernment who places herself in political issues, taking the law upon herself, again, was not unheard of (Katherine Stuart, Lady d’ Aubigny being an excellent example of this).
Objectively, you could consider this more in the realm of historical fiction with a prominent romantic thread (read/listen to the author’s note and you may agree). But rather than being an exploration of 19th century life or the "Irish Question", it struck as more a study of love and fealty in the period, as divided loyalty was the issue underpinning and driving the actions of the MCs throughout.
What I found rather unique about Bennet’s writing was that she allowed those loyalties to take twists and turns, evolving with Fianna and Kit’s relationship—which I found a refreshing change to choices often made in HF/HR novels where blind adherence to family and duty often leaves one feeling as if characters are not real people.
Bennet’s dedication to create real people on the page was, I think, best demonstrated by how she showed the inherent flaws of being noble, righteous, and loyal (all tenements of Regency society)—conversely, in the case of our conflicted Fianna, but especially in the case of Kit who’s own beliefs and family loyalty frequently blind him. The concept of 'duty' is thrown around in HR like rice at a wedding, but this idea was the yoke of society until very recently. So many of the social worlds of the past circled around this! Well, this is one of the stories where I felt like the author gave capital D, Duty, the attention it needed.
One thing that brought me inordinate amounts of joy was that finally—yes, FINALLY—spinsterhood is not some beleaguered existence that is harped on throughout the narrative. Fianna just is, and I really appreciated that. I kept waiting for either of them to voice something about her age. Fianna does initially reflect upon Kit’s youth, but that was maybe once? Oh YES, and that’s right, Kit is 6 years the heroine’s junior and it didn’t need to matter. It is never discussed between Fi and Kit... Because It Doesn’t Matter! Who would have thunk it, right? Bennet deserves a medal, or a cake, or a vacation in Bali for that alone. It was so refreshing.
Like the rest of this series, this doesn’t adhere to canon which I think is the issue driving a lot of the dislike, but then that is just my take on it. For me, this novel led me on a great journey; one filled with intrigue, drama, politics, sex... all centering on two people who have very individual character arcs that culminate in a fulfilling way that felt earned. It is REAL and FRESH and GREAT. A stellar debut, and a really super-duper awesome brilliant series overall! Bliss, you had my loyalty right after Fianna shot Kit and the author's note sealed the deal. Highly recommend.
PS. Alex Wyndham narrates the audiobook, need I say more?
I apologize in advance for my rant, but I think Bliss Bennet heard my desperate pleas shouted into the ether for worthy historical romance. She heard the call and answered it and I felt compelled to write an incoherent essay about WHY this book (and series) is amazeballs.
Right. Here we go.
It drives me mad that it is now canon in historical romance to present readers/listeners with progressive 21st century women, or rebel-alpha males that defy social norms but then never show the consequences—like, the REAL consequences—of those choices. We frequently see aristocratic "suffragists" in HR novels not inciting violent radicalism and being ostracized for it, even though we know they were. We see political reformists stay in their gilded cages, when we know they didn't. They lived very avant-garde lifestyles. I honestly think authors do this because they don't care and are lazy but perhaps I am being harsh. However, I earnestly believe that although historical romance/fiction is indeed... fiction... when you place a fictional story in the past you inherently become a custodian of our history and have a responsibility to it. People don't read academic historical texts nearly as much as they consume fiction and while I love Wallpaper, I hate it when I read reviews accusing a writer of inaccuracies based on the FICTION they read, rather then the actual historical record. This book was none of these things that irk me. Bliss Bennet, girl, you ain't lazy.
This debut had no compunctions with NOT adhering to genre expectations and committed to exploring the progressive, alternative lifestyles that existed in the past with a keen eye for accuracy and detail, while also cranking out a poignant love story. It is through the Pennington family that she explores this and in this first book in the series we get to see the realities of our young 'Kit' (the Hero) being a political reformist and actually living the life of a reformer—living in sad bachelor rooms, writing progressive texts, speeches at seedy/radical taverns, eschewing social conventions in general, and showing the ramifications of those choices… like being ostracized from Polite Society. Our heroine (Fianna) is a 30 y.o embittered daughter of an Irish rebel. Bennet’s choice to make Fianna a woman of discernment who places herself in political issues, taking the law upon herself, again, was not unheard of (Katherine Stuart, Lady d’ Aubigny being an excellent example of this).
Objectively, you could consider this more in the realm of historical fiction with a prominent romantic thread (read/listen to the author’s note and you may agree). But rather than being an exploration of 19th century life or the "Irish Question", it struck as more a study of love and fealty in the period, as divided loyalty was the issue underpinning and driving the actions of the MCs throughout.
What I found rather unique about Bennet’s writing was that she allowed those loyalties to take twists and turns, evolving with Fianna and Kit’s relationship—which I found a refreshing change to choices often made in HF/HR novels where blind adherence to family and duty often leaves one feeling as if characters are not real people.
Bennet’s dedication to create real people on the page was, I think, best demonstrated by how she showed the inherent flaws of being noble, righteous, and loyal (all tenements of Regency society)—conversely, in the case of our conflicted Fianna, but especially in the case of Kit who’s own beliefs and family loyalty frequently blind him. The concept of 'duty' is thrown around in HR like rice at a wedding, but this idea was the yoke of society until very recently. So many of the social worlds of the past circled around this! Well, this is one of the stories where I felt like the author gave capital D, Duty, the attention it needed.
One thing that brought me inordinate amounts of joy was that finally—yes, FINALLY—spinsterhood is not some beleaguered existence that is harped on throughout the narrative. Fianna just is, and I really appreciated that. I kept waiting for either of them to voice something about her age. Fianna does initially reflect upon Kit’s youth, but that was maybe once? Oh YES, and that’s right, Kit is 6 years the heroine’s junior and it didn’t need to matter. It is never discussed between Fi and Kit... Because It Doesn’t Matter! Who would have thunk it, right? Bennet deserves a medal, or a cake, or a vacation in Bali for that alone. It was so refreshing.
Like the rest of this series, this doesn’t adhere to canon which I think is the issue driving a lot of the dislike, but then that is just my take on it. For me, this novel led me on a great journey; one filled with intrigue, drama, politics, sex... all centering on two people who have very individual character arcs that culminate in a fulfilling way that felt earned. It is REAL and FRESH and GREAT. A stellar debut, and a really super-duper awesome brilliant series overall! Bliss, you had my loyalty right after Fianna shot Kit and the author's note sealed the deal. Highly recommend.
PS. Alex Wyndham narrates the audiobook, need I say more?
December 26, 2015
Bennet's historically, thematically rich romance bodes well for having another great, and they're pretty scarce these days, historical romance writer to look forward to. Heroine and hero, Fianna and Kit, are burdened by their pasts, caught in loyalties to families and ideas that are not of their making. How they navigate the journey from enemies to lovers is fraught, but incredibly moving. Bennet's romance is very much about finding in the other one's true self, the rewards of a family one chooses over the one that exacts/demands your identity. It's about freedom and it's about intimacy and, in that sense, it illustrates what is best in the genre. If you'd like to read a more extensive and coherent review, please follow the link:
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2015...
Please note I received a copy of REBEL WITHOUT A ROGUE from the author.
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2015...
Please note I received a copy of REBEL WITHOUT A ROGUE from the author.
April 5, 2024
I've given this a B for narration and a B- at Audiogals, so that's 3.5-and-a-bit stars rounded up.
I read and enjoyed books three and four in Bliss Bennet’s series about the Pennington family when they were released a couple of years ago, but I missed the first two, so when book one, A Rebel Without a Rogue, appeared in audio format, I decided it was a good chance to catch up. Set in the 1820s, the author tells a story of love, revenge and betrayal set during the political turmoil and upheaval that followed the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, and the growing calls for political reform and universal suffrage – and also looks at the dire situation in Ireland after the Rebellion of 1798. The background is interesting and obviously well-researched; the problem is that it rather overwhelms the romance for almost half of the book, and while I like my historical romances to contain some actual history, having the romance taking a back seat for such a large part of the story was frustrating.
The story opens with the heroine, thirty-year-old Fianna Cameron, making her way into a public meeting with the intention of shooting Major Christopher Pennington, the man she holds responsible for the death of her father. She’s only partly successful in her task; she has mistaken Christian Pennington for his uncle (Christopher) and she merely grazes him rather than killing him. Right off the bat, I was questioning how she was able to get into this gathering with a weapon, fire it without anyone trying to stop her and then escape – again without anyone trying to stop her – while leaving the gun – which bears an inscription in Irish Gaelic – behind.
But escape she does, while Christian – Kit – has his wound tended, wondering who on earth that lovely redhead was and why on earth she’d want to shoot him. All he has to go on is the gun, so he decides to see if he can find someone who can translate the Gaelic as a starting point.
Kit Pennington is a younger brother of the Earl of Saybrook, and although he had originally been destined for the Church, has decided he’s not cut out to be a man of the cloth and instead wants to enter politics with the aim of pursuing the cause of parliamentary reform and giving a voice to the disenfranchised. But his spotless reputation – a direct contrast to his older brother who, a year after inheriting the title is no closer to actually taking up his responsibilities – takes a hit when gossip starts circulating that the woman who shot him was a disgruntled mistress, and he’s concerned that such salacious rumours could damage his political ambitions. He decides that he needs to find his fair, pistol-waving attacker to find out her reasons for shooting him.
Fianna has sold body (literally) and soul in order to come to England, where she’s been living as mistress to Lord Ingestrie, the eldest son of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. With her mother dead and her father’s family wanting nothing to do with her (her parents were not married) she is now completely focused on proving her worth to them by avenging her father’s death and killing the man who lied about her father’s betrayal of his comrades during the Irish Rebellion – Major Pennington, an English war hero and Kit’s beloved uncle.
Kit and Fianna come face-to-face again in Ingestrie’s house, where Kit goes to ask if the viscount can recommend anyone who can translate the Gaelic phrase inscribed on the pistol. Much to Fianna’s relief, Kit doesn’t seem to recognise her; to her annoyance, now she’s able to look at him properly, she realises she likes what she sees… but isn’t going to let the sweet, untouched something she sees lurking in his eyes deter her from her purpose. Instead, she decides that a touch of flirtation, perhaps even seduction might work to her advantage, and is surprised when Kit doesn’t respond to her overtures.
Shortly after this, when Ingestrie abandons her, it’s Kit who steps in and offers to help save her from destitution. Fianna immediately thinks it’s because he wants to get into her bed; but while Kit is undeniably attracted to her (he’s still a virgin for those who like to know these things – a father suffering from syphilis was enough to put him off putting it about indiscriminately!) he has other reasons for offering her a roof over her head. He’s realised that Fianna is the woman who shot him, and also that she mistook him for his uncle, so he wants to find out why she’s out to harm a member of his family – and Fianna thinks to use Kit to get closer to enacting her revenge.
Once we reach this point in the story and the author has manoeuvred her pieces into place, the romance starts to develop. I didn’t feel a great deal of chemistry between them, but on the whole, it’s nicely done as Kit and Fianna begin to find common interests and realise that they enjoy each other’s company; both are deeply committed to the cause of reform and obtaining justice for the oppressed, and Fianna is surprised to find out that Kit – the son of one earl and brother of another – feels as strongly as she does on that score.
I admit that it took me a while to warm to Fianna. I understood why she was the way she was – tough, calculating and sometimes ruthless; she has to be that way if she’s to attain her goal – but it wasn’t until much later on in the story, when the author started to show a softer side of her, that I started to comprehend why she was so driven. Kit is a lovely beta hero; handsome, intelligent and honourable, with a strong sense of fairness and justice
The last couple of audiobooks by Alex Wyndham I’ve listened to haven’t been wholly successful. He’s an excellent performer and vocal actor, but I noticed some changes I wasn’t wild about (mostly a repetitive intonation and a new tendency to whisper dialogue rather than speak it) but ever the optimist, I decided to pick up this title for review. His vocal characterisations are excellent, and he’s always impressed me with his ability to find so many different ‘voices’ for all the characters, from the principals right down to the smallest bit-player. Kit, Theo and Benedict don’t appear in many scenes together, but they’re easy to tell apart when they do, and his portrayal of the elderly Christopher fits the character perfectly. Mr. Wyndham is in very good form here, and his performance is well-acted and expressive. BUT. The heroine is Irish, and her “Irish lilt” is referenced directly in the text – but there is nary an Irish accent within earshot. Her uncle also appears in the story – and he doesn’t have an Irish accent either. Instead, both characters are given some sort of all-purpose “country-yokel” type accent, and while I’m sure that for many listeners the fact that the accents are different to most of the others they can hear will be enough to remind them that “this character is not English” – it’s not enough for me. While I found Mr. Wyndham’s performance to be a good one in most respects, I really can’t ignore something that important and have adjusted my narration grade accordingly.
I think A Rebel Without a Rogue is this author’s first historical romance, and while she’s obviously a skilled writer who does her research, the romance here isn’t completely successful and got a bit swamped by the political and historical detail. This attention to such detail is a feature of the other books in the series, but I recall that Ms. Bennet achieves a better balance in the books I’ve read (Theo’s and Benedict’s stories), so I was able to rate them more highly. Still, this one is a good bet if you’re looking for an historical romance that eschews the normal round of Almack’s, routs and visits to the opera in favour of something a bit more substantial.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
I read and enjoyed books three and four in Bliss Bennet’s series about the Pennington family when they were released a couple of years ago, but I missed the first two, so when book one, A Rebel Without a Rogue, appeared in audio format, I decided it was a good chance to catch up. Set in the 1820s, the author tells a story of love, revenge and betrayal set during the political turmoil and upheaval that followed the Peterloo Massacre of 1819, and the growing calls for political reform and universal suffrage – and also looks at the dire situation in Ireland after the Rebellion of 1798. The background is interesting and obviously well-researched; the problem is that it rather overwhelms the romance for almost half of the book, and while I like my historical romances to contain some actual history, having the romance taking a back seat for such a large part of the story was frustrating.
The story opens with the heroine, thirty-year-old Fianna Cameron, making her way into a public meeting with the intention of shooting Major Christopher Pennington, the man she holds responsible for the death of her father. She’s only partly successful in her task; she has mistaken Christian Pennington for his uncle (Christopher) and she merely grazes him rather than killing him. Right off the bat, I was questioning how she was able to get into this gathering with a weapon, fire it without anyone trying to stop her and then escape – again without anyone trying to stop her – while leaving the gun – which bears an inscription in Irish Gaelic – behind.
But escape she does, while Christian – Kit – has his wound tended, wondering who on earth that lovely redhead was and why on earth she’d want to shoot him. All he has to go on is the gun, so he decides to see if he can find someone who can translate the Gaelic as a starting point.
Kit Pennington is a younger brother of the Earl of Saybrook, and although he had originally been destined for the Church, has decided he’s not cut out to be a man of the cloth and instead wants to enter politics with the aim of pursuing the cause of parliamentary reform and giving a voice to the disenfranchised. But his spotless reputation – a direct contrast to his older brother who, a year after inheriting the title is no closer to actually taking up his responsibilities – takes a hit when gossip starts circulating that the woman who shot him was a disgruntled mistress, and he’s concerned that such salacious rumours could damage his political ambitions. He decides that he needs to find his fair, pistol-waving attacker to find out her reasons for shooting him.
Fianna has sold body (literally) and soul in order to come to England, where she’s been living as mistress to Lord Ingestrie, the eldest son of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. With her mother dead and her father’s family wanting nothing to do with her (her parents were not married) she is now completely focused on proving her worth to them by avenging her father’s death and killing the man who lied about her father’s betrayal of his comrades during the Irish Rebellion – Major Pennington, an English war hero and Kit’s beloved uncle.
Kit and Fianna come face-to-face again in Ingestrie’s house, where Kit goes to ask if the viscount can recommend anyone who can translate the Gaelic phrase inscribed on the pistol. Much to Fianna’s relief, Kit doesn’t seem to recognise her; to her annoyance, now she’s able to look at him properly, she realises she likes what she sees… but isn’t going to let the sweet, untouched something she sees lurking in his eyes deter her from her purpose. Instead, she decides that a touch of flirtation, perhaps even seduction might work to her advantage, and is surprised when Kit doesn’t respond to her overtures.
Shortly after this, when Ingestrie abandons her, it’s Kit who steps in and offers to help save her from destitution. Fianna immediately thinks it’s because he wants to get into her bed; but while Kit is undeniably attracted to her (he’s still a virgin for those who like to know these things – a father suffering from syphilis was enough to put him off putting it about indiscriminately!) he has other reasons for offering her a roof over her head. He’s realised that Fianna is the woman who shot him, and also that she mistook him for his uncle, so he wants to find out why she’s out to harm a member of his family – and Fianna thinks to use Kit to get closer to enacting her revenge.
Once we reach this point in the story and the author has manoeuvred her pieces into place, the romance starts to develop. I didn’t feel a great deal of chemistry between them, but on the whole, it’s nicely done as Kit and Fianna begin to find common interests and realise that they enjoy each other’s company; both are deeply committed to the cause of reform and obtaining justice for the oppressed, and Fianna is surprised to find out that Kit – the son of one earl and brother of another – feels as strongly as she does on that score.
I admit that it took me a while to warm to Fianna. I understood why she was the way she was – tough, calculating and sometimes ruthless; she has to be that way if she’s to attain her goal – but it wasn’t until much later on in the story, when the author started to show a softer side of her, that I started to comprehend why she was so driven. Kit is a lovely beta hero; handsome, intelligent and honourable, with a strong sense of fairness and justice
The last couple of audiobooks by Alex Wyndham I’ve listened to haven’t been wholly successful. He’s an excellent performer and vocal actor, but I noticed some changes I wasn’t wild about (mostly a repetitive intonation and a new tendency to whisper dialogue rather than speak it) but ever the optimist, I decided to pick up this title for review. His vocal characterisations are excellent, and he’s always impressed me with his ability to find so many different ‘voices’ for all the characters, from the principals right down to the smallest bit-player. Kit, Theo and Benedict don’t appear in many scenes together, but they’re easy to tell apart when they do, and his portrayal of the elderly Christopher fits the character perfectly. Mr. Wyndham is in very good form here, and his performance is well-acted and expressive. BUT. The heroine is Irish, and her “Irish lilt” is referenced directly in the text – but there is nary an Irish accent within earshot. Her uncle also appears in the story – and he doesn’t have an Irish accent either. Instead, both characters are given some sort of all-purpose “country-yokel” type accent, and while I’m sure that for many listeners the fact that the accents are different to most of the others they can hear will be enough to remind them that “this character is not English” – it’s not enough for me. While I found Mr. Wyndham’s performance to be a good one in most respects, I really can’t ignore something that important and have adjusted my narration grade accordingly.
I think A Rebel Without a Rogue is this author’s first historical romance, and while she’s obviously a skilled writer who does her research, the romance here isn’t completely successful and got a bit swamped by the political and historical detail. This attention to such detail is a feature of the other books in the series, but I recall that Ms. Bennet achieves a better balance in the books I’ve read (Theo’s and Benedict’s stories), so I was able to rate them more highly. Still, this one is a good bet if you’re looking for an historical romance that eschews the normal round of Almack’s, routs and visits to the opera in favour of something a bit more substantial.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
December 10, 2016
I wanted to like this, a lot: the author writes the brilliant blog Romance Novels for Feminists. It also takes a look at an aspect of Regency life we don't often hear about - conditions in Ireland and the complex political situation in London over Catholicism.
But while the historical side is well-researched, the characters never quite came to life for me. The dialogue feels stilted and the love affair feels "plotted" not organic (if that makes sense). I had problems with some aspects of the story from the start, too: it seemed inherently unlikely that the heroine could make her way unquestioned to shoot the hero (a case of mistaken identity), not be caught, and leave behind her gun which was conveniently inscribed in Irish Gaelic.
Technically, this is far better than most books I rate two-stars - there is a historically accurate plot, and the characters get from A to B quite competently. I just didn't get the feelz. Pity.
But while the historical side is well-researched, the characters never quite came to life for me. The dialogue feels stilted and the love affair feels "plotted" not organic (if that makes sense). I had problems with some aspects of the story from the start, too: it seemed inherently unlikely that the heroine could make her way unquestioned to shoot the hero (a case of mistaken identity), not be caught, and leave behind her gun which was conveniently inscribed in Irish Gaelic.
Technically, this is far better than most books I rate two-stars - there is a historically accurate plot, and the characters get from A to B quite competently. I just didn't get the feelz. Pity.
September 16, 2015
An amazing historically detailed story about the history of the Irish Rebellion and the heros and villians that participated in deceit, betrayal, murder. In the middle of a thirst for vengeance for her Irish father the heroine Fianna becomes entangled with the nephew of the man she has come to England to kill. Christian Pennington knows Fianna is a woman bent on revenge and his uncle is her target but he also knows that she is a lonely, tormented, confused and lost. He wants to keep his family safe and show Fianna what it is liked to be loved and cherished. A beautifully written love story that has everything you want in a great historical romance with heart wrenching emotion, heartbreak and a great HAE. Really enjoyed this book, cannot wait for the next one in the series.
Received free copy from Netgalley from Publisher for honest review.
Received free copy from Netgalley from Publisher for honest review.
March 23, 2019
Bless Bennet is a new author and her novels are new reads for me. I am reading this series as part of a challenge and this the first book, A Rebel Without A Rogue was okay for me. It is a story of revenge turned loved for both H/h. The story is well-written but a bit wordy and some parts of the story I overlooked as it didn't make much sense.
I gave this first story and average rating and look forward to the next in the series stepping up and engaging this reader. Note: Would love to audiobook this story to see if it more captivating and with a very good narrator.
3-Stars
I gave this first story and average rating and look forward to the next in the series stepping up and engaging this reader. Note: Would love to audiobook this story to see if it more captivating and with a very good narrator.
3-Stars
August 5, 2015
Since I know the author (ha!) I may be a bit biased. But I'm going to give my book a solid 4-star rating. Not perfect by any means, but for those looking for history as well as romance in their historical romance, I think REBEL is a good bet!
September 9, 2015
I struggled with this one - likable characters and lots of detail - but I found the pace to be so slow. It just didn't hold my interest. It lacked tension and suspense - and I wanted to feel their passion for each other more
Review to come
Review to come
December 18, 2015
4.5 Stars
This romance pleasantly surprised me. It started out a bit stiff but quickly picked up pace, emotionally, characterization-wise, and its story. This is definitely a keeper.
Both Kit and Fianna stand out as individuals. Fianna’s cold quest for revenge that hides a much scarred interior makes her such an interesting character. Her mix of vulnerable and balls of steel steal the show more than once. I liked that she accepted the lengths she’d gone for that revenge and didn’t let regret or society’s view of her now make her slink into the shadows. Yet, it still prevents her from fully pursuing her budding love with Kit until some very heavy soul-searching and emotional healing had occurred.
I don’t think the author could have chosen a better hero than Kit to balance out Fianna’s personality. He’s principled, emotionally supportive, and comforting. He wants to protect Fianna from the world at large, but he isn’t afraid to also let her fight her own battles or find her own way. He just seems like the perfect caring, emotional foil for Fianna’s colder, more analytical frame of mind.
At first, the romance bit was a bit rocky. In the beginning, I found the exchanges between the two stiff. Their conversation seemed very hackneyed, like I’d seen it all before, read it all before. However, this quickly changed. After their first emotionally charged kiss, I found myself sucked into such an emotionally complex relationship that I was very surprised. It’s such a dance of outside, societal influences and deep, tearing emotions that the reader can’t help but feel every glance or embrace.
I also have to give a special shout-out to the author’s effort to give her story a firm basis in historical fact. She gives great detail about the politics of the 1820’s, the 1798 rebellion in Ireland, the dire situation in Ireland at the time, and details on everyday society. I loved this attention to detail. She gives her book such depth, giving the gripping romance a great background and details with which to enhance that main relationship.
Overall, this book has become a favorite romance. Despite the rocky start to Kit and Fianna’s interaction, their quick save into a satisfying emotional support duo definitely has placed this on a favorite list. I love both Kit and Fianna’s personalities; they round each other out so well. And the historical background details only add in the book’s favor. I’d definitely recommend this one to historical fiction lovers. It’s something different than your typical Regency era book and a great read.
Note: Book received for free from author in exchange for honest review.
This romance pleasantly surprised me. It started out a bit stiff but quickly picked up pace, emotionally, characterization-wise, and its story. This is definitely a keeper.
Both Kit and Fianna stand out as individuals. Fianna’s cold quest for revenge that hides a much scarred interior makes her such an interesting character. Her mix of vulnerable and balls of steel steal the show more than once. I liked that she accepted the lengths she’d gone for that revenge and didn’t let regret or society’s view of her now make her slink into the shadows. Yet, it still prevents her from fully pursuing her budding love with Kit until some very heavy soul-searching and emotional healing had occurred.
I don’t think the author could have chosen a better hero than Kit to balance out Fianna’s personality. He’s principled, emotionally supportive, and comforting. He wants to protect Fianna from the world at large, but he isn’t afraid to also let her fight her own battles or find her own way. He just seems like the perfect caring, emotional foil for Fianna’s colder, more analytical frame of mind.
At first, the romance bit was a bit rocky. In the beginning, I found the exchanges between the two stiff. Their conversation seemed very hackneyed, like I’d seen it all before, read it all before. However, this quickly changed. After their first emotionally charged kiss, I found myself sucked into such an emotionally complex relationship that I was very surprised. It’s such a dance of outside, societal influences and deep, tearing emotions that the reader can’t help but feel every glance or embrace.
I also have to give a special shout-out to the author’s effort to give her story a firm basis in historical fact. She gives great detail about the politics of the 1820’s, the 1798 rebellion in Ireland, the dire situation in Ireland at the time, and details on everyday society. I loved this attention to detail. She gives her book such depth, giving the gripping romance a great background and details with which to enhance that main relationship.
Overall, this book has become a favorite romance. Despite the rocky start to Kit and Fianna’s interaction, their quick save into a satisfying emotional support duo definitely has placed this on a favorite list. I love both Kit and Fianna’s personalities; they round each other out so well. And the historical background details only add in the book’s favor. I’d definitely recommend this one to historical fiction lovers. It’s something different than your typical Regency era book and a great read.
Note: Book received for free from author in exchange for honest review.
December 27, 2015
While I enjoyed this book and found the characters complex and fascinating, the political struggles take up an inordinate amount of the story and bog it down a bit. I don't mind historical details if they are balanced with romance and humor to lighten up the intrigue. I also like to see different sides to the characters, not just their intensity in dire situations and where their loyalties lie. I thought this plot could have used some lighter moments to it's benefit. The novel was well written and I assume, well researched, since I don't know much about this time period and it's events.
January 3, 2016
Excellent Story.
I enjoyed the strong characters...and I was so engrossed that I didn't want to sneak / spoil the story by looking at the end.
I'll be looking for more books by this author :)
I enjoyed the strong characters...and I was so engrossed that I didn't want to sneak / spoil the story by looking at the end.
I'll be looking for more books by this author :)
June 1, 2020
Banal und langweilig. Kit und seine Geschwister waren das Beste daran. Alles andere war eher mäh.
November 29, 2019
Downloaded it as a freebie at the time (March, 2019). Different, and certainly interesting; especially the 'Irish theme'.
It was the first historical romance written by an American, by the way, where I came across 'crossing and recrossing the sheets' (in letters). I knew it was done, of course, but I never before saw an American author mention it (usually they mention things like envelops - ha!). It gave the story a lot more credibility for me, as it seemed well researched.
It was the first historical romance written by an American, by the way, where I came across 'crossing and recrossing the sheets' (in letters). I knew it was done, of course, but I never before saw an American author mention it (usually they mention things like envelops - ha!). It gave the story a lot more credibility for me, as it seemed well researched.
September 28, 2018
A Rebel without a Rogue (The Penningtons Book 1)
The love story of Kit and Fianna (Maie). The time period is the years after the Irish Rebellion of the 1700s. Fianna has come to England to kill Christopher Pennington because he execute her father but she shoot his nephew Kit. He goes look for the woman who shot him and find Fianna. Can love win over family feud? OK story.
The love story of Kit and Fianna (Maie). The time period is the years after the Irish Rebellion of the 1700s. Fianna has come to England to kill Christopher Pennington because he execute her father but she shoot his nephew Kit. He goes look for the woman who shot him and find Fianna. Can love win over family feud? OK story.
September 21, 2015
Fianna Cameron is out to seek justice and vengeance for who father who was hanged as a traitor during the Irish Rebellion. She has set out to make every man who betrayed her father pay for their betrayals. She is down to one man, the most important one of all. The one who ordered her father execution and spread malicious lies about him after he was dead. Fianna becomes a courtesan to gain passage to London to find the man she seeks. Believing she has finally found him she sets out to end his life but Instead she accidently shoots another. When he meets Fianna he is in awe of her beauty and asks for help to translate a Gaelic message on the pistol left behind by the shooter. As they spend more time together Kit begins to realize the truth but is unsure of what to do with it so he lies and sets traps for Fianna to fall in and reveal her true intentions. Christian Pennington is the third son and youngest brother of a Viscount. The nephew of Colonel Christopher Pennington, the man whom Fianna seeks. When Kit is shot by a hooded woman, he sets out to discover her identity and have her tell everyone that she is not a scorned lover. The author has done an excellent job researching and portraying historical facts from the Irish Rebellion. She has intigrated history into a perfect work of fiction mixed in with vengence, mystery, betrayal, and love. Mrs. Bennet's heroine is broken and unloved but has many redeemable qualities. The hero is young and naive but together they work. She also writes secondary characters in a way that leaves the reader wanting to know more about them. As a whole this is a story I would highly recommend to anyone who likes history in their romance, a story that brings two very unlikely people together and creates a love that could last a lifetime.
****received as an arc from Netgalley for an honest review****
****received as an arc from Netgalley for an honest review****
September 11, 2015
#1 in "The Penningtons" series. A beautifully written tale of the Irish Rebellion, justice, mistaken identity, vengeance, secrets, family, passion, redemption, betrayal, healing, and so much more. Finding love and romance amidst much turmoil, prejudice and injustices. I find this story mesmerizing, intriguing and fascinating with Irish fanatics and dangerous situations. The heroine sacrificed much for justice but find more than she every dreamed possible, a family to love her, true love, and healing. The hero found his calling, finally, and the love of his life, if they can survive the turmoil and truth.
Fast paced, well written with vivid descriptions, engaging characters and a unique storyline.
I was impressed with the author's obvious research of the Irish Rebellion, and the era. Fans of Historical Fiction, historical romance, the Irish Rebellion, passion, romance, and love will enjoy this dangerous but compelling story. A wonderful read! I look forward to the next installment.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher via Net Gallery*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
Fast paced, well written with vivid descriptions, engaging characters and a unique storyline.
I was impressed with the author's obvious research of the Irish Rebellion, and the era. Fans of Historical Fiction, historical romance, the Irish Rebellion, passion, romance, and love will enjoy this dangerous but compelling story. A wonderful read! I look forward to the next installment.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher via Net Gallery*
**Cross-posted on My Book Addiction Reviews dot com**
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
February 13, 2016
Fianna Cameron is our heroine, who has had a hard life in the way of her father being hanged as a traitor during the Irish Rebellion. Fianna has set her mind to get revenge on the man she believes is the cause of her fathers death. She changes her name, becomes a mistress to a man to get a way to travel to be closer to the man that she is trying to find. She finds the man she thinks and finds she has shot the wrong person...lucky it is only a small wound and did not kill the man. Kit Pennington, is our hero and the man Fianna has shot by accident. Kit did not see who shot him but knows it is a women. He has the gun that shot him and is trying to track down the owner. Which leads him to getting help from Fianna who asked in turned help herself in locating the person that killed her father. That is where this story of what all they had to over come and get through to start their love story. I enjoyed having this book and hope that you do too!
September 26, 2015
Bliss Bennet does a wonderful job of drawing you into her story. I was hooked from the first chapter of the book to the last. She takes you into the history of the Irish Rebellion. Why one woman feels the need to avenge her father's death and name. How she will sacrifice everything for revenge, and a chance for love. About a man who comes to love the woman who shot him for a mistaken identity. Can he keep the woman he loves, or lose her by protecting his family. This is a story with betrayal, intrigue, redemption, and love. The secondary character brings a life to the story that will leave you wanting more. I find I can't wait to read more by this Author just to see what happens next. I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley for a honest Review.
January 19, 2016
Strong story and good leads. A little light on romantic tension and hawtness. More like historical fiction with a little romance than a historical romance.
Don't get me wrong, the story is strong enough I've purchased The Penningtons #2.
Don't get me wrong, the story is strong enough I've purchased The Penningtons #2.
September 8, 2018
I am not into well educated young women prostituting themselves hell!bent on self~destruction for revenge just so she could belong. I do not find anything edifying in continuing to read this.
October 18, 2018
Although occasionally a bit wordy, this was an interesting story about love and revenge.
Read
May 21, 2024What a bravura performance! A Georgian historical romance, set in the interstices of actual history following the Irish Rebellion of 1798, that both honors and flouts the classic conventions. I think Austen or Heyer would appreciate the solid construction of this, once they’d recovered from some of the words used and themes explored; Bennet does a great job walking the line between “accessible to modern readers” and evoking classic prose and the language of its times. The novel felt very solidly researched even before I read its bibliography. Its London is very lived-in; the novel moves from drawing rooms to taverns very organically.
This one really puts the teeth in the enemies-to-lovers trope. It starts with a literal bang, as one protagonist shoots the other. It’s a mistake – Fianna was gunning for his uncle. Even once both parties acknowledge – and even act on – their mutual attraction, it was hard for me to see the path toward a HEA, but Bennet manages it deftly.
I found Fianna and Kit a terrifically engaging couple. They are both passionate in their beliefs, and the way that moves gradually from opposition to alignment was brilliantly managed. Fianna’s outspokenness was especially thrilling. There’s a moment where she makes a choice that made me so mad I had stop reading for just a little while – but I completely believed that she would have made that choice.
The science fiction reader in me would almost call this the beginning of an “alternate history,” because the denouement of the novel implies, to me, that Fianna and Kit’s actions after this book would nudge succeeding events in a way that leads to a slightly kinder timeline than the one we’re in.
Content/rep notes: I think everyone on page is “white” by 21st-century standards, but several, including Fianna, would not have been thought so in the 18th. There are many expressions of anti-Irish prejudice, some quite harsh. Misogynist thoughts are expressed, particularly toward sex-workers. No one is canonically non-heterosexual on-page (although I think that is not true throughout the series). As implied, there’s a bit of on-page violence, and some readers might find some of the implied off-page violence disturbing. There’s one open-door scene and one I might describe as a (barely) closed-door scene.
This one really puts the teeth in the enemies-to-lovers trope. It starts with a literal bang, as one protagonist shoots the other. It’s a mistake – Fianna was gunning for his uncle. Even once both parties acknowledge – and even act on – their mutual attraction, it was hard for me to see the path toward a HEA, but Bennet manages it deftly.
I found Fianna and Kit a terrifically engaging couple. They are both passionate in their beliefs, and the way that moves gradually from opposition to alignment was brilliantly managed. Fianna’s outspokenness was especially thrilling. There’s a moment where she makes a choice that made me so mad I had stop reading for just a little while – but I completely believed that she would have made that choice.
The science fiction reader in me would almost call this the beginning of an “alternate history,” because the denouement of the novel implies, to me, that Fianna and Kit’s actions after this book would nudge succeeding events in a way that leads to a slightly kinder timeline than the one we’re in.
Content/rep notes: I think everyone on page is “white” by 21st-century standards, but several, including Fianna, would not have been thought so in the 18th. There are many expressions of anti-Irish prejudice, some quite harsh. Misogynist thoughts are expressed, particularly toward sex-workers. No one is canonically non-heterosexual on-page (although I think that is not true throughout the series). As implied, there’s a bit of on-page violence, and some readers might find some of the implied off-page violence disturbing. There’s one open-door scene and one I might describe as a (barely) closed-door scene.
September 4, 2021
TW: Death of father (mentioned often, but offscreen), attempted murder (multiple times), semi-suicidal thoughts from guilt.
This is a historical romance that is a bit heavier on the history than others, which may be a nice change of pace for some. It covers the Irish Rebellion of 1798, in which the heroine's father played a major role, and in which the hero's uncle hangs the heroine's father. The book starts with the heroine seeking revenge for her father's death by accidentally shooting the wrong character (our hero).
It's a really different plot, and I appreciate the growth and strength of the heroine, Fianna, who learns to stand up for herself as more than a pawn in furthering the Irish struggle. She is so often so caught up in the plot to seek justice for her father that she sometimes forgets what she has sacrificed to make it happen, and learns that there may be larger and more effective ways to achieve her goals, using her analytical skills.
My qualms are mostly with the romance and believability in these otherwise thoughtful characters. It feels insta-lovey, with characters making hardly believable decisions because of how they feel drawn to one another. The rational one hero impulsive, the often-physical heroine shows restraint.
It's the author's debut novel, and first in a quartet on this family. Seeing as the others are all rated quite a bit higher on Goodreads and having mostly enjoyed this book, I may return to the series.
This is a historical romance that is a bit heavier on the history than others, which may be a nice change of pace for some. It covers the Irish Rebellion of 1798, in which the heroine's father played a major role, and in which the hero's uncle hangs the heroine's father. The book starts with the heroine seeking revenge for her father's death by accidentally shooting the wrong character (our hero).
It's a really different plot, and I appreciate the growth and strength of the heroine, Fianna, who learns to stand up for herself as more than a pawn in furthering the Irish struggle. She is so often so caught up in the plot to seek justice for her father that she sometimes forgets what she has sacrificed to make it happen, and learns that there may be larger and more effective ways to achieve her goals, using her analytical skills.
My qualms are mostly with the romance and believability in these otherwise thoughtful characters. It feels insta-lovey, with characters making hardly believable decisions because of how they feel drawn to one another. The rational one hero impulsive, the often-physical heroine shows restraint.
It's the author's debut novel, and first in a quartet on this family. Seeing as the others are all rated quite a bit higher on Goodreads and having mostly enjoyed this book, I may return to the series.
September 25, 2021
Except for a few, such as Elizabeth Kingston, most authors are not interested or just do not know how to introduce the political context of a time in a novel. It's annoying how sometimes the noble characters seems to float in society without a worry in mind, as their own brother's and father's engage in colonizing Scotland, Ireland, India or whatever the country England is oppressing at the time.
So I was quite grateful for the use of historical and political context in this one. Also, for once, the h was not a blushing noble virgin, but instead a strong and active woman. That being said, this novel had my sympathy since the beginning, and that is worth the 3.5 stars I'm giving it.
The thing is: I think the romance could have developed better, and the political part also. Seriously, the ending of this book is quite doubtful. To me it seems that Bennet wanted a hopeful and optimistic ending, but it costed the characters tha she so carefully built along the story. At some point I was expecting all of them, enemies for generations, to sing "Imagine all the people...'
So I was quite grateful for the use of historical and political context in this one. Also, for once, the h was not a blushing noble virgin, but instead a strong and active woman. That being said, this novel had my sympathy since the beginning, and that is worth the 3.5 stars I'm giving it.
The thing is: I think the romance could have developed better, and the political part also. Seriously, the ending of this book is quite doubtful. To me it seems that Bennet wanted a hopeful and optimistic ending, but it costed the characters tha she so carefully built along the story. At some point I was expecting all of them, enemies for generations, to sing "Imagine all the people...'
Read
June 9, 2023This is the first book I read by Bliss Bennet but it won't be the last. If you like really well-researched histroms, this is one you should definitely check out. Fianna is a great character - she gives no fucks (well, actually she does; that's part of her character arc) and Kit is a great match for her (though neither of them realize it at first; this is enemies to lovers with a twist).
September 7, 2018
Interesting
Steps into the Irish problem at the first page. Colonel who served country without conscience, a nephew who advocates freedom, and a girl who loves her Irish family. Interesting, intriguing, well done.
Steps into the Irish problem at the first page. Colonel who served country without conscience, a nephew who advocates freedom, and a girl who loves her Irish family. Interesting, intriguing, well done.
September 11, 2018
An Interesting Story
There is so much history in this book to maintain your interest as well as romance. How can a mistaken shot turn into love? The twists this story takes and still keep you reading is the mark of a great writer.
There is so much history in this book to maintain your interest as well as romance. How can a mistaken shot turn into love? The twists this story takes and still keep you reading is the mark of a great writer.
June 28, 2019
Unlikely pair
Secrets and trust go hand in hand. This book had a wrongful shooting. Lucky it wasn’t lethal. This was a love story with a lot of politics and history and hatred mixed in.
Secrets and trust go hand in hand. This book had a wrongful shooting. Lucky it wasn’t lethal. This was a love story with a lot of politics and history and hatred mixed in.
July 26, 2019
Family ties
Love the historical content. You really do get involved in not only the love story but the political climate of the time. My only complaint was that it took me about two chapters to really get involved in the book
Love the historical content. You really do get involved in not only the love story but the political climate of the time. My only complaint was that it took me about two chapters to really get involved in the book
October 13, 2020
Amiable but not terribly compelling regency romance. I could see what the author was going for, and it was readable enough, but it never quite connected up for me in the way that it seems it was supposed to.
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