What do you think?
Rate this book
To Capture a Rebel's Heart
With the flames of rebellion sweeping across the colonies, a passionate fire blazes between two unlikely lovers: a rebel spy and a loyalist socialite, whose hearts are torn between their sudden attraction and familial loyalty.
In 1779 America, Benjamin Hoskin and Clara Boyd are on opposing sides of the revolution in every sense of the word—poor, rich, rebel, loyalist—yet after Benjamin’s brother is hanged for treason, their worlds collide when he assumes a mission to spy on Clara’s Tory family.
Benjamin, a bookkeeper-turned-military-spy, infiltrates the Boyd family under a false alias, hoping to charm their British connections, and gather vital information for the American side. Only, he didn’t count on the allure of the middle daughter, a vulgar, brazen young woman with quite the keen eye. While trying to fight his attraction for the sake of familial duty, he struggles to avoid capture…both from the enemy and of his heart.
Clara, a feisty socialite with loyalty towards the king, and complete devotion to her sisters, is fascinated by Benjamin’s prudish mannerisms, shyness, and overall mysterious aura. In her efforts to refine him into a worthy match for her eldest sister, she never expects to develop romantic stirrings for him herself. The fire forging between them leads to Clara discovering Benjamin’s true identity, the catalyst that leaves him injured with limited leg function. When this betrayal forces them to separate, Clara must choose between aiding her own side in the war—her family—or the soft-spoken, handsome rebel, who inexplicably helped her reclaim her self-worth.
Tropes You'll Enjoy:
forced proximity
forbidden love
opposites attract
class difference
secret and mistaken identity
spies
spirited heroine
tortured hero
slow burn
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Heart's Rebellion Series
Book 1 - To Capture a Rebel's Heart
Book 2 - To Hold a Rebel's Heart
Book 3 - To Save a Rebel's Heart
In 1779 America, Benjamin Hoskin and Clara Boyd are on opposing sides of the revolution in every sense of the word—poor, rich, rebel, loyalist—yet after Benjamin’s brother is hanged for treason, their worlds collide when he assumes a mission to spy on Clara’s Tory family.
Benjamin, a bookkeeper-turned-military-spy, infiltrates the Boyd family under a false alias, hoping to charm their British connections, and gather vital information for the American side. Only, he didn’t count on the allure of the middle daughter, a vulgar, brazen young woman with quite the keen eye. While trying to fight his attraction for the sake of familial duty, he struggles to avoid capture…both from the enemy and of his heart.
Clara, a feisty socialite with loyalty towards the king, and complete devotion to her sisters, is fascinated by Benjamin’s prudish mannerisms, shyness, and overall mysterious aura. In her efforts to refine him into a worthy match for her eldest sister, she never expects to develop romantic stirrings for him herself. The fire forging between them leads to Clara discovering Benjamin’s true identity, the catalyst that leaves him injured with limited leg function. When this betrayal forces them to separate, Clara must choose between aiding her own side in the war—her family—or the soft-spoken, handsome rebel, who inexplicably helped her reclaim her self-worth.
Tropes You'll Enjoy:
forced proximity
forbidden love
opposites attract
class difference
secret and mistaken identity
spies
spirited heroine
tortured hero
slow burn
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Heart's Rebellion Series
Book 1 - To Capture a Rebel's Heart
Book 2 - To Hold a Rebel's Heart
Book 3 - To Save a Rebel's Heart
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 23, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 24, 2026
There are so many things to love about this book, so I’ll just highlight a few of my favorites.
I don’t read a whole lot of romance novels because sometimes they don’t lend themselves to action beyond the love story. But this novel was not lacking in action or excitement, I think largely in part to the author’s choice of setting (the American Revolution, my favorite), and skillful plot development. The stakes just kept getting higher and the peril riskier, and it all made for a tale I didn’t want to put down!
Next, I absolutely loved the two main characters, Clara and Benjamin, and how they each got equal “screen” time and character development. The author did an excellent job of endearing them both to the reader — I was rooting for them the whole time! Although the plot dealt with some serious topics like war, disabilties, self-worth, class differences, and crisis of faith, there was still some humor thrown in due to Clara’s colorful and fiery personality. I loved the couple’s dynamic and they had great chemistry!
The mark of a good book is that I don’t want to leave the world and the characters, and that certainly happened with this book. The author did a fantastic job of painting revolutionary America with detail, historical terminology and speech. I even learned some new words of the time period and appreciated the glossary.
This was a fun one to read but not without a complex plot and complicated path to the heroes’ happily ever after! Highly recommend!
I don’t read a whole lot of romance novels because sometimes they don’t lend themselves to action beyond the love story. But this novel was not lacking in action or excitement, I think largely in part to the author’s choice of setting (the American Revolution, my favorite), and skillful plot development. The stakes just kept getting higher and the peril riskier, and it all made for a tale I didn’t want to put down!
Next, I absolutely loved the two main characters, Clara and Benjamin, and how they each got equal “screen” time and character development. The author did an excellent job of endearing them both to the reader — I was rooting for them the whole time! Although the plot dealt with some serious topics like war, disabilties, self-worth, class differences, and crisis of faith, there was still some humor thrown in due to Clara’s colorful and fiery personality. I loved the couple’s dynamic and they had great chemistry!
The mark of a good book is that I don’t want to leave the world and the characters, and that certainly happened with this book. The author did a fantastic job of painting revolutionary America with detail, historical terminology and speech. I even learned some new words of the time period and appreciated the glossary.
This was a fun one to read but not without a complex plot and complicated path to the heroes’ happily ever after! Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Even though it feels a bit awkward, I've been informed that first-time authors should always "christen" their books with a 5-star review. But instead of just giving myself an "A for effort," I'd like to provide a few behind the scenes facts to (hopefully!) make this a little fun for you to read:
1) Clara was initially created as a side character for a gothic novel (unpublished) featuring vampires and witches, which was set in 1857. My betas unanimously loved Clara the most of all the characters, and I admittedly did too. It wasn't until November 2020 that I decided to reimagine her for a completely different time period and story. Because of this, I no longer consider her initial creation to be canon!
2) Book one and book two of this series were initially written as standalones. Book two was the novel I submitted to my publisher, and they asked if I could turn it into a series. Remembering this book, I quickly said yes, and then wrote the third novel after my acceptance. Because of this, books two and three are more deeply connected, but I went back to this novel, and added a few subtle Easter eggs to tie in with the sequels. You're unlikely to notice them unless you've read books two and three -- fortunately, none of these novels need to be read in order, so you can pick and choose!
3) The Grey Whale Tavern is a tiny tribute to The Blue Whale Tavern from Dark Shadows (1966). My mom got me into that show when I was 15, and it started my lifelong love of historical romance. Giving a subtle shout-out seemed like a given! In this same vein, while I was describing The Grey Whale, I used Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, VA as a reference.
4) I'd wanted to write about AmRev spies ever since February 2020 when I visited Mount Vernon. The video about Lydia Darragh was intriguing to me (especially the section about sewing intelligence inside cloth buttons), but I didn't fully envision a clear direction until I watched TURN: Washington's Spies later that year. Since I wished the show had covered more "hands-on" and immersive spying behind enemy lines, I decided to write a story like that myself.
5) This was originally a whopping 120k words. I pared it down to under 100k. Most of what was removed were scenes that didn't move the plot forward (primarily, singular character introspection).
6) For Benjamin's laudanum arc, I referenced "Confessions of a Young Lady and Laudanum-Drinker," published in 1899 by the Journal of Mental Sciences. The text is from an anonymous young woman who shares about her usage, and it was by far the most vivid, helpful source about addiction I've ever found. Researching symptoms is one thing, but reading about the experience through an actual victim was eye-opening. I encourage everyone to give it a read, if interested! It's available on the Internet Archive.
7) The original title of this book was THE WORLD IS MADE WRONG, a quote from Mark Twain's THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER. Not only did I find the quote befitting of the AmRev -- “The world is made wrong; kings should go to school to their own laws, at times, and so learn mercy” -- but this was also a reference to Benjamin's mistaken identity, one of the themes of Twain's book.
1) Clara was initially created as a side character for a gothic novel (unpublished) featuring vampires and witches, which was set in 1857. My betas unanimously loved Clara the most of all the characters, and I admittedly did too. It wasn't until November 2020 that I decided to reimagine her for a completely different time period and story. Because of this, I no longer consider her initial creation to be canon!
2) Book one and book two of this series were initially written as standalones. Book two was the novel I submitted to my publisher, and they asked if I could turn it into a series. Remembering this book, I quickly said yes, and then wrote the third novel after my acceptance. Because of this, books two and three are more deeply connected, but I went back to this novel, and added a few subtle Easter eggs to tie in with the sequels. You're unlikely to notice them unless you've read books two and three -- fortunately, none of these novels need to be read in order, so you can pick and choose!
3) The Grey Whale Tavern is a tiny tribute to The Blue Whale Tavern from Dark Shadows (1966). My mom got me into that show when I was 15, and it started my lifelong love of historical romance. Giving a subtle shout-out seemed like a given! In this same vein, while I was describing The Grey Whale, I used Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, VA as a reference.
4) I'd wanted to write about AmRev spies ever since February 2020 when I visited Mount Vernon. The video about Lydia Darragh was intriguing to me (especially the section about sewing intelligence inside cloth buttons), but I didn't fully envision a clear direction until I watched TURN: Washington's Spies later that year. Since I wished the show had covered more "hands-on" and immersive spying behind enemy lines, I decided to write a story like that myself.
5) This was originally a whopping 120k words. I pared it down to under 100k. Most of what was removed were scenes that didn't move the plot forward (primarily, singular character introspection).
6) For Benjamin's laudanum arc, I referenced "Confessions of a Young Lady and Laudanum-Drinker," published in 1899 by the Journal of Mental Sciences. The text is from an anonymous young woman who shares about her usage, and it was by far the most vivid, helpful source about addiction I've ever found. Researching symptoms is one thing, but reading about the experience through an actual victim was eye-opening. I encourage everyone to give it a read, if interested! It's available on the Internet Archive.
7) The original title of this book was THE WORLD IS MADE WRONG, a quote from Mark Twain's THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER. Not only did I find the quote befitting of the AmRev -- “The world is made wrong; kings should go to school to their own laws, at times, and so learn mercy” -- but this was also a reference to Benjamin's mistaken identity, one of the themes of Twain's book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
All who know me are aware I love a good Revolutionary War romance. There’s something so exciting about the time period, and yes, we absolutely tend to romanticize war in most stories, but I feel the emotional stakes of such events absolutely add to that. I enjoy tales that can make me laugh, cry, sit up in my seat with agonizing anticipation, and then ease me back down for a soft landing, and I feel this book did that for me and then some. I WILL say that for the genre of historical romance, it may have more plot than I’m accustomed to encountering (it delves a bit deeply into the history and spying), but I happen to enjoy that since I ALSO love historical fiction, so that won’t be a complaint of mine. I’m just bringing that up, in case someone is curious about the level of history versus romance (there’s plenty of that too, don’t you worry).
Benjamin is initially neutral on his stance in the war, but quickly sides with the patriots when his brother is hanged for treason, and Clara never truly changes her allegiance to the king, so much as she acts based on what she feels is safest for her sisters. Her drive is far less linked to any cause, so much as familial duty. There’s kind of a Shakespearean comedy vibe at the start when Benjamin is mistaken for the eldest’s fiancé (the eldest happens to be in Philadelphia, so she isn’t there to confirm or deny this gaffe), and throughout the first third of the book, Benjamin and Clara skirt around their growing attraction while the former is trying to glean intelligence for the Continentals. As a side note, if you like the whole “she teaches him” trope, there’s a scene in CH 9 that ticks off that box.
Although I enjoyed the first act, it truly picks up when Clara discovers the truth, and then Benjamin has to flee to camp. I won’t rehash everything, but I enjoyed getting to see a hero injured, then boggled down with addiction and the painful recovery phase. It’s made even better by the formerly snobby socialite having to “lower” herself (by her standards) to take care of the man she’s slowly growing to love. If you were worried that the spying ended after the first third, it comes up again around the halfway point, so there’s still some fun to be had there, and in an epistolary form. I love letters, so that was fun for me to read. It’s always a clever way to make two characters closer, and over an extended period of time, IMO.
I definitely won’t spoil the ending, because that’s arguably the best part, but I WILL say it made all the pain and suffering these characters endured worth it. There was humor in here to lighten that load, especially through Clara and Amos, who were unabashedly my favorites. So as I alluded to, this book has pretty much everything you could want from an emotional gamut. I’m curious to see what this author covers in books two and three.
Benjamin is initially neutral on his stance in the war, but quickly sides with the patriots when his brother is hanged for treason, and Clara never truly changes her allegiance to the king, so much as she acts based on what she feels is safest for her sisters. Her drive is far less linked to any cause, so much as familial duty. There’s kind of a Shakespearean comedy vibe at the start when Benjamin is mistaken for the eldest’s fiancé (the eldest happens to be in Philadelphia, so she isn’t there to confirm or deny this gaffe), and throughout the first third of the book, Benjamin and Clara skirt around their growing attraction while the former is trying to glean intelligence for the Continentals. As a side note, if you like the whole “she teaches him” trope, there’s a scene in CH 9 that ticks off that box.
Although I enjoyed the first act, it truly picks up when Clara discovers the truth, and then Benjamin has to flee to camp. I won’t rehash everything, but I enjoyed getting to see a hero injured, then boggled down with addiction and the painful recovery phase. It’s made even better by the formerly snobby socialite having to “lower” herself (by her standards) to take care of the man she’s slowly growing to love. If you were worried that the spying ended after the first third, it comes up again around the halfway point, so there’s still some fun to be had there, and in an epistolary form. I love letters, so that was fun for me to read. It’s always a clever way to make two characters closer, and over an extended period of time, IMO.
I definitely won’t spoil the ending, because that’s arguably the best part, but I WILL say it made all the pain and suffering these characters endured worth it. There was humor in here to lighten that load, especially through Clara and Amos, who were unabashedly my favorites. So as I alluded to, this book has pretty much everything you could want from an emotional gamut. I’m curious to see what this author covers in books two and three.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love how this book essentially has three character arcs. Part 1 is Benjamin the spy, part 2 is Benjamin the soldier, and part 3 is Benjamin who’s been injured so grievously that he needs to learn how to rebuild his entire life. AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON CLARA, MY BELOVED. She has three character arcs too, because she starts off a bit spoiled in her upper class home, and then as the story progresses, she grows and matures, and I just LOVED seeing her become a caretaker. It was funny reading her try and pretend she knew what she was doing (like the cooking scene), rather than instantly having a heroine who’s perfect at everything. I find the struggle way more relatable. Seeing both Benjamin and Clara find themselves made me tear up in a few places. They helped each other reach that point, and putting together such different people from different backgrounds was beautiful, especially with Clara finally finding a father figure who loved her. As a side note, I really liked Benjamin’s dad. And Amos! I got a good chuckle out of him every time he was in a scene.
I’m not an expert on history, even though I do like the time period, but I definitely felt immersed in this world. If you enjoy historical romance, and especially the American Revolution time period, I’d definitely recommend this story. It’s got one of those happy endings where you sit there kicking your feet. AND THE LOVE SCENES. Beautiful and hot! Had to throw that out there. Benjamin was so swoony with his love declaration at the end.
I’m not an expert on history, even though I do like the time period, but I definitely felt immersed in this world. If you enjoy historical romance, and especially the American Revolution time period, I’d definitely recommend this story. It’s got one of those happy endings where you sit there kicking your feet. AND THE LOVE SCENES. Beautiful and hot! Had to throw that out there. Benjamin was so swoony with his love declaration at the end.
June 11, 2026
This was a captivating historical romance that blended love, loyalty, and the hardships of war beautifully. Set during the American Revolution, the story follows Benjamin and Clara, two people on opposite sides of the conflict who find themselves drawn to each other despite everything standing in their way.
I enjoyed the forbidden romance aspect of the story. Benjamin and Clara come from completely different worlds, and their relationship felt both emotional and believable. The tension between their growing feelings and their loyalty to family and country kept me invested throughout the book.
Clara was a standout character for me. She was spirited, intelligent, and fiercely devoted to her sisters, but she also experienced meaningful personal growth as the story progressed. Benjamin's quiet strength and sense of duty made him easy to root for, and I loved seeing him slowly open his heart despite the risks.
The dangers of espionage, divided families, and the uncertainty of war created high stakes that made every choice feel important. The romance was sweet, heartfelt, and filled with longing. There were moments of betrayal, heartbreak, and sacrifice that made the eventual payoff even more satisfying.
If you enjoy historical romance, star-crossed lovers, and stories where love must overcome impossible odds, this is a book worth picking up.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
I enjoyed the forbidden romance aspect of the story. Benjamin and Clara come from completely different worlds, and their relationship felt both emotional and believable. The tension between their growing feelings and their loyalty to family and country kept me invested throughout the book.
Clara was a standout character for me. She was spirited, intelligent, and fiercely devoted to her sisters, but she also experienced meaningful personal growth as the story progressed. Benjamin's quiet strength and sense of duty made him easy to root for, and I loved seeing him slowly open his heart despite the risks.
The dangers of espionage, divided families, and the uncertainty of war created high stakes that made every choice feel important. The romance was sweet, heartfelt, and filled with longing. There were moments of betrayal, heartbreak, and sacrifice that made the eventual payoff even more satisfying.
If you enjoy historical romance, star-crossed lovers, and stories where love must overcome impossible odds, this is a book worth picking up.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.
June 2, 2026
Great Historical Slow Burn.
Loved this book! I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I read a GOOD romance with a solid story, great grammar and likable main characters, especially a historical one that was published in MY lifetime.
The author has clearly done her research, and what is perhaps the book’s most shining feature (to me, at least) is the dialogue; as one reads through the character’s interactions with each other, you really do feel like you’re reading something legitimately from that time period. I even learned about things I was oblivious to, such as high society decorum and laudanum addiction during the revolutionary war.
All in all, a great read, especially for those that are tired of the BookTok romances (not that there’s anything wrong with those) and just want something decent that they can finish in a sitting or two, depending on how invested you are.
If you prefer trashier romance books where the MC’s are *ahem* intimate almost from the get go, this is not the book for you. But if you prefer a good story to take precedence over spice, then this is a great slow burn that pays off in the end with a wholesome epilogue included.
This absolutely scratched my itch for some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, slow burn, pining, hurt/comfort, etc.
Can’t wait for the author to drop another book!!
Loved this book! I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I read a GOOD romance with a solid story, great grammar and likable main characters, especially a historical one that was published in MY lifetime.
The author has clearly done her research, and what is perhaps the book’s most shining feature (to me, at least) is the dialogue; as one reads through the character’s interactions with each other, you really do feel like you’re reading something legitimately from that time period. I even learned about things I was oblivious to, such as high society decorum and laudanum addiction during the revolutionary war.
All in all, a great read, especially for those that are tired of the BookTok romances (not that there’s anything wrong with those) and just want something decent that they can finish in a sitting or two, depending on how invested you are.
If you prefer trashier romance books where the MC’s are *ahem* intimate almost from the get go, this is not the book for you. But if you prefer a good story to take precedence over spice, then this is a great slow burn that pays off in the end with a wholesome epilogue included.
This absolutely scratched my itch for some of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers, slow burn, pining, hurt/comfort, etc.
Can’t wait for the author to drop another book!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
No good deed goes unpunished. When Daniel Hoskins died for helping his brethren against the British regime, he swung from the gallows for his trouble. Now his brother Benjamin is enlisted by his brother’s comrades to perform espionage against a well-known loyalist family— an endeavor which can surely deprive his kindly widower father of both sons.
Now, thrust into the crosshairs of the revolutionary war, he’s given orders to extricate information that could be integral to the future of his country. And in doing so, he discovers not only his life on the line but his heart.
Not only are we following a main character through his journey but it’s also a history lesson, as it’s so carefully researched. The main characters guide you along as it carves a path strewn with risk against peril, a budding love against uncertainty and later flesh against flesh! ;-) It’s a tale of grief, vengeance, standing up for oneself and ultimately a self-realization that can only manifest with experience. I loved it and would recommend this read to anyone!
Now, thrust into the crosshairs of the revolutionary war, he’s given orders to extricate information that could be integral to the future of his country. And in doing so, he discovers not only his life on the line but his heart.
Not only are we following a main character through his journey but it’s also a history lesson, as it’s so carefully researched. The main characters guide you along as it carves a path strewn with risk against peril, a budding love against uncertainty and later flesh against flesh! ;-) It’s a tale of grief, vengeance, standing up for oneself and ultimately a self-realization that can only manifest with experience. I loved it and would recommend this read to anyone!
May 28, 2026
My friend recommended this to me even though she knows I’m not a romance reader.
I really enjoyed reading about the American Revolution and spies and seeing these two polar opposites collide. This story brought out details that you don’t typically see in other historical fiction. It showed many facets of that time period in many locations, with thrilling scenes interspersed with calmer moments.
And can I mention how refreshing it is to have a character who is actually how they are described on the book jacket? Sometimes you get descriptions of characters and when you read the book they are tamed versions of those descriptions. But both characters were what you expected (especially the “vulgar” Clara. She earned that adjective!) while also growing into something more. It was fun watching the progression of Clara and Benjamin from enemies to lovers. (And Amos had the right mix of hilarity and heart to help bridge the stories.)
I really enjoyed reading about the American Revolution and spies and seeing these two polar opposites collide. This story brought out details that you don’t typically see in other historical fiction. It showed many facets of that time period in many locations, with thrilling scenes interspersed with calmer moments.
And can I mention how refreshing it is to have a character who is actually how they are described on the book jacket? Sometimes you get descriptions of characters and when you read the book they are tamed versions of those descriptions. But both characters were what you expected (especially the “vulgar” Clara. She earned that adjective!) while also growing into something more. It was fun watching the progression of Clara and Benjamin from enemies to lovers. (And Amos had the right mix of hilarity and heart to help bridge the stories.)
Read
April 26, 2026I am not super in to spy historical romance at the time but I was interested in the different setting. Revolutionary war called to me as a one time Flicity book reader and The Winter of the Red Snow. So the setting was great and I liked that this had realism and discussed how the Revolutionary war tore families apart. I liked both leads. Our female lead was spunky and our male lead was layered and imperfect. This deals with war, injuries, and recovery. Not light topics.
I just think that it dragged a little at different times in the story. The two spent enough time together to create a romantic relationship but I never felt it really the romantic pull between the two of them.
I want to read more by this author and I look forward to the next one in this series.
Oh I loved that there was glossary at the end of the book.
I just think that it dragged a little at different times in the story. The two spent enough time together to create a romantic relationship but I never felt it really the romantic pull between the two of them.
I want to read more by this author and I look forward to the next one in this series.
Oh I loved that there was glossary at the end of the book.
June 8, 2026
Can What Starts in Deception End in Love?
Benjamin wanted nothing to do with war—until he witnessed his brother’s execution. Determined to help the rebel cause, he becomes a spy and infiltrates a Loyalist family. There, he meets Clara, a woman unlike any he has ever known. Posing as her sister’s betrothed, Benjamin knows his deception cannot last forever. When the truth comes to light, will there be anything left between them? And as he struggles to maintain his cover, danger seems to be closing in from all sides.
I enjoyed this Revolutionary War romance filled with intrigue, suspense, and divided loyalties. The romance between Benjamin and Clara unfolds against a backdrop of secrets, deception, and the dangers of war, making it easy to wonder how they could possibly overcome the obstacles between them. This was my first book by this author, and I look forward to reading more.
Benjamin wanted nothing to do with war—until he witnessed his brother’s execution. Determined to help the rebel cause, he becomes a spy and infiltrates a Loyalist family. There, he meets Clara, a woman unlike any he has ever known. Posing as her sister’s betrothed, Benjamin knows his deception cannot last forever. When the truth comes to light, will there be anything left between them? And as he struggles to maintain his cover, danger seems to be closing in from all sides.
I enjoyed this Revolutionary War romance filled with intrigue, suspense, and divided loyalties. The romance between Benjamin and Clara unfolds against a backdrop of secrets, deception, and the dangers of war, making it easy to wonder how they could possibly overcome the obstacles between them. This was my first book by this author, and I look forward to reading more.
April 23, 2026
Benjamin's a spy whose plan goes awry the moment sassy redhead Cara assumes he's her sister's fiance come to call on their family. This case of mistaken identity leads to a wonderful back-and-forth tension throughout the whole book with lots of twists and turns. The book's romance builds along with the intrigue. I was nervous for both sides of not only the couple but also the war thanks to Grey's excellent use of complex characters. Also, the references to classic lit are wonderfully used, namely The Taming of the Shrew and The Odyssey. The two main characters are rebels in their own ways, and they certainly captured MY heart <3
+ Mistaken Identity
+ Hurt/comfort
+ Teach me
+ Inexperienced MMC, Experienced FMC
+ Spy Games
+ Mistaken Identity
+ Hurt/comfort
+ Teach me
+ Inexperienced MMC, Experienced FMC
+ Spy Games
May 13, 2026
Firstly, I have been following the author's journey as she worked on this book for years now and was so pleased that she was able to bring her labor to fruition in time for the 250th commemorations of the American Revolution. I know from experience just how much of one's life essence goes into a maiden voyage release, especially under a time clock, and I can tell how much she came to love her characters in the writing, especially the romantic couple, Clara and Benjamin. Clara, especially, has a very distinct personality which stands out throughout the narrative as they follow the enemies to lovers arc. I can tell the author also put a lot into balancing the spy elements with the romance elements against the historical backdrop, seeking to weave in each genre strand of with symmetry. Probably my favorite section was when the characters end up in the north. It was a nice relief from the building tension to see the characters be able to connect with each other in the aftermath of Benjamin's injury. My favorite character is probably Benjamin's father, the preacher, who adds a sense of moral compass to the proceedings. I really felt for him struggling to help his son break his laudanum addiction. I was also pleased that the characters, in the end, endure the instability of the war to become a very close-knit family. I look forward to other historical fiction romantic adventures from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free ARC copy.
This was an exciting and interesting read for historical fiction readers, and a nice introduction to historical fiction for anyone who is new to it. It’s obvious the author knows her history well.
I loved following Clara and Benjamin’s story both together and apart! The emotional journey, and how they each grow and change in different ways is lovely. I was also a fan of the class difference between the characters, that’s always a fun one to explore in romance, and this author made it so fun and touching!
Highly recommend and look forward to future releases by this author!
This was an exciting and interesting read for historical fiction readers, and a nice introduction to historical fiction for anyone who is new to it. It’s obvious the author knows her history well.
I loved following Clara and Benjamin’s story both together and apart! The emotional journey, and how they each grow and change in different ways is lovely. I was also a fan of the class difference between the characters, that’s always a fun one to explore in romance, and this author made it so fun and touching!
Highly recommend and look forward to future releases by this author!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm blown away. This book made me laugh and cry, and I can't say I hated any of the characters, because even the more villainous ones were at least interesting and not caricatures. I also loved that both Benjamin and Clara had their own fascinating arcs, so the heroine wasn't just there to prop up the hero (or vise-versa). As their own characters, they were completely solid, and I would gladly read a spin-off book about each of them. I am a little more partial to Clara, but Benjamin was a sweet and swoon-worthy hero. I would definitely read more by this author! Bring on book two!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The initial interactions between the 2 MCs made me giggle. It was definitely a long journey and a lot of varied emotions between the two of them before they allowed admittance of their feelings to each other. The action of the story was a good pace and was unexpected. It held my attention the entire time.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for honest review with no monetary gain.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for honest review with no monetary gain.
April 23, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
A delightful read filled with well-developed characters, exciting plot twists and swoony romance as well as a dive into our country’s history with a keen eye and thoughtful insights. Also some quite humorous parts! You will fall in love with fiery, outspoken Clara and tormented, dutiful Benjamin as they fall in love with each other.
A delightful read filled with well-developed characters, exciting plot twists and swoony romance as well as a dive into our country’s history with a keen eye and thoughtful insights. Also some quite humorous parts! You will fall in love with fiery, outspoken Clara and tormented, dutiful Benjamin as they fall in love with each other.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved reading the exciting and engaging story. When Benjamin goes under cover and meets Clara, he has a hard time forgetting her. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of captivating characters, and a must read riveting romance story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Engaging adventure-filled steamy romance set during the American Revolution! See my complete review at Reading World
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews