Courage and Activity

by M Shurtleff

Countess Lindsey Elende doesn't expect a revolution. No one does. When it comes, she flees.

She finds refuge with an old family friend, and spends a peaceful summer far away from the revolt—peaceful except for endless arguments with her fellow guest who, it turns out, is an arrogant radical. Despite their differences, however, they manage to form an unlikely friendship.

But the peace can't last long. Lindsey refuses to abandon her homeland to ruin, even if it means risking her own neck to try and save it.

Little does she know then the role her new radical friend might have to play both in her own fate and the fate of the revolution.

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 29, 2025

About the author

Sorcerer of phrases. Dragon-like hoarder of words. Writer.

Mary E. Shurtleff loves to travel, war against tyranny, fall in love, and invent...most of which happen between the pages of books.

As a military child, she doesn't really consider a single state as home, but claims Kansas for convenience with a little bit of the south on the side. She studied English Teaching at college, and now tries to get high schoolers to enjoy bookish adventures as much as she does.

Mary writes variety of fiction genres, currently focusing in adult works of non-magical fantasy that often have a strong romance, baked with sides of bandits, revolutions, and fairytales.

Reviews

[once_darkness · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this described as Pride and Prejudice meets A Tale of Two Cities, so of course that grabbed my attention. This story did NOT disappoint in that comparison, and yet also felt fresh and surprising. I started this book at literally the worst of times (pun intended) so I had to read in chunks but this story stood up to that challenge: tension built and twists emerged that had me sneaking in chapters when I should have been being productive, and reading late into the night.

I love the theme of the importance and impact of individual actions to change society, one that feels especially timely right now. We see characters who choose to do nothing, and characters who use both courage and activity to change the world—often to their own surprise. Ron telling Lindsey she could do anything if she didn’t limit herself is a moment stuck in my brain this whole month, when I needed to hear that most. Building off of the theme, I loved how both MCs were flawed in their worldviews and actions or inactions, but as a natural unfolding of the story grew beyond them.

I also really enjoyed the historical influences that Shurtleff wove into the story. It was clearly a fictional world but felt very grounded and real, with politics that extended even to the international scale. The romance that grows between Lindsey and Ron felt very believable; I appreciated how they were very much opposites but by being so they challenged each other in positive ways. I really enjoyed the treatment of the philosophical questions raised in their conversations. And the revenge matchmaking was plain fun. The side characters were as loveable as the main characters, with John, Mary, Burkley, and Alicia quickly becoming favorites. The Robespierre-inspired antagonist was fascinating to get glimpses of, and see how he worked (but I will say no more for now).

If a story with revolution, romance in the spirit of Austen, fictional characters that struggle with their flaws and challenging ideas but want deeply to do right, and themes about the impact we can have on our own world sound perfect to you, check this book out!

[Night Owling]

So very wholesome and moving. Lindsey, an aristocrat and Ron, a revolutionary keep running into each other both under pleasant and horrendous circumstances. They have a lot to overcome if they are going to be together.

[Julia Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times it felt a little rushed, but overall a very good debut. I enjoyed it immensely!

[Hope Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Courage and Activity was the perfect road trip read. Ron and Lindsey were an adorable pair, and I enjoyed watching their characters grow and learn. This is a sweet, cozy romance. There are certainly times of tension and excitement, but there are also large chunks of time where the characters are allowed to just react to the happenings going on in their world (with a few dances mingle in).
My favorite scenes were:
Ron to the rescue...IYKYK
Sharing a bowl of stew.

I look forward to reading more from M. Shurleff!

[M Shurtleff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am clearly very biased, but here's the things to consider: How many books in the world are written specifically for ME, with ME in mind and all my favorite tropes and my favorite time period and references to my favorite author and favorite classic books, etc.?
One.
So do you blame me for loving it? Also, I'm shocked myself that I STILL enjoy it after 5 Gazillion reads.
However, I also recognized that it is flawed. The style is probably too stiff for some, a little archaic, and I promise I'll do better at describing things next time.

Trigger Warnings: Suicide mention in a backstory and one off-screen instance based on actual historical circumstances. Revolutionary violence and blood mention. Kidnapping.