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Peninsular War #1
An Unconventional Officer: A story of love and war in Wellington’s army
The year is 1802.A brief and fragile peace has been reached in Europe, but Britain is at war against the Maratha in India. In its Leicestershire barracks, the 110th infantry welcomes a new officer. Paul van Daan is far from being a typical raw young subaltern. Ambitious, talented and a charismatic leader of men, Paul has the means to buy his way up the ladder of promotion. He also has an unconventional past, a fierce temper and a passion for justice which bring him into conflict with other officers. Paul needs to find a way to adjust to the realities of life in the officers’ mess while remaining true to himself. Along the way he makes enduring friendships, forged on the battlefields of India and Europe, and builds an unexpected bond with the unemotional commander of the Peninsular army, Sir Arthur Wellesley. As the 110th joins Wellesley in Portugal, Paul has established a reputation as a respected officer, a courageous fighter and a shameless womaniser. His marriage to the shy, gentle Rowena brings him companionship and stability. But it is Anne Howard, the extraordinary daughter of a wealthy manufacturer, who bursts into his life like a shooting star, leaving him dazzled. Beautiful, intelligent and courageous, Anne refuses to conform to the expectations of the men around her, and changes forever everything Paul thought he knew about women. From the slaughter of Assaye to the bloody battlefields of Portugal and Spain, this is the first book in the Peninsular War Saga which follows Paul through war, danger, loss, triumph and an unforgettable love story.“For 40 years I've been fascinated by this period of history and have read everything I could get my hands on, history, biography, memoirs and fiction. This series is the best fiction I've ever read - fantastically well-researched and historically accurate, with wonderfully drawn characters and relationships.” (Amazon UK review)
- GenresHistorical Fiction
434 pages, Paperback
Published May 30, 2017
153 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Bryant
29 books33 followersLynn Bryant was born and raised in London’s East End. She studied History at University and had dreams of being a writer from a young age. Since this was clearly not something a working class girl made good could aspire to, she had a variety of careers including a librarian, NHS administrator, relationship counsellor and manager of an art gallery before realising that most of these were just as unlikely as being a writer and took the step of publishing her first book.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
She now lives in the Isle of Man and is married to a man who understands technology, which saves her a job, and has two teenage children and a labrador. History is still a passion, with a particular enthusiasm for the Napoleonic era and the sixteenth century. When not writing she plays with her dog, reads anything that’s put in front of her and makes periodic and unsuccessful attempts to keep a tidy house.
“An Unwilling Alliance” the first book in the Manxman series was shortlisted for the 2019 Society for Army Historical Research fiction prize.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 7, 2019
Fantastic book! Well written, excellent historical detail, and characterizations. I've read all of her Peninsular series, of which this is the first, and the 2 Manxman books (which tie in with the Peninsular series), and highly recommend them all.
November 28, 2018
I have always been fascinated by the long years of battles and skirmishes in the Iberian Peninsular at the beginning of the 19th century. Here men from all backgrounds were thrown together to fight alongside Spanish and Portuguese soldiers against Napoleon’s army. The extra interest was the presence of many women, officers’ wives enjoying social interaction and soldiers’ wives surviving in camp in horrendous conditions by doing laundry and cooking.
But this book is no boring account of warfare, for the tension, jealousy, romance and passion of the main characters make it a real page turner. There’s a sprinkling of Bernard Cornwall’s Sharpe stories, the eroticism of an Outlander book and a totally original take on the role of women in this isolated community so distant from life at home in England. In addition, there are terrifying incidents of danger and violence which keep you on the edge of your seat.
Paul Van Daan is an irresistible, irritating hero, who doesn’t obey the conventions or stick to military rules, but he has survived two and a half years in Nelson’s navy and his strict but fair way of treating the men of the 110th Light company keeps their loyalty and determination. Though Paul finds it difficult to resist an attractive woman, he always treats them with respect and within this novel, he finds in his loyal wife, Rowena and in the forthright, stunning Anne, reason to live and to fight for justice. The situation the trio find themselves in, is absurd and cannot have a happy outcome and yet they remain steadfast to each other. It a very unusual plot but it works in a time when men lived by their wits and good and evil were more pronounced.
I loved this novel for its historical accuracy and its imaginative storyline. Highly recommended.
But this book is no boring account of warfare, for the tension, jealousy, romance and passion of the main characters make it a real page turner. There’s a sprinkling of Bernard Cornwall’s Sharpe stories, the eroticism of an Outlander book and a totally original take on the role of women in this isolated community so distant from life at home in England. In addition, there are terrifying incidents of danger and violence which keep you on the edge of your seat.
Paul Van Daan is an irresistible, irritating hero, who doesn’t obey the conventions or stick to military rules, but he has survived two and a half years in Nelson’s navy and his strict but fair way of treating the men of the 110th Light company keeps their loyalty and determination. Though Paul finds it difficult to resist an attractive woman, he always treats them with respect and within this novel, he finds in his loyal wife, Rowena and in the forthright, stunning Anne, reason to live and to fight for justice. The situation the trio find themselves in, is absurd and cannot have a happy outcome and yet they remain steadfast to each other. It a very unusual plot but it works in a time when men lived by their wits and good and evil were more pronounced.
I loved this novel for its historical accuracy and its imaginative storyline. Highly recommended.
June 6, 2017
I’ve just finished this. Never heard of her although I see she’s got a few books on here and I will definitely try the others now.
This showed up as a freebie on Amazon and I only tried it because I enjoyed the Sharpe series years ago and I was ill in bed! Really glad I did. It’s a great story with really good characters. I think from the cover I expected it to be more romance than history but it’s a real mix of both, a lot of detail about life in the army and characters from all ranks of army life. I’m not an expert on the period apart from reading novels about it but it felt real.
The best part were the two main characters. You meet Paul first and I wasn’t sure I liked him to start probably for the same reasons as some people in the book, but you get to watch him grow up before your eyes. The heroine (trying to avoid spoilers) is brilliant - strong, smart and determined. The dialogue is lovely to read - flows well and is very funny in places which I didn’t expect and their love story is the most convincing I’ve read in ages.
It’s fairly long which I don’t mind because it was entertaining from start to finish. I hope she goes on to write more in the series.
This showed up as a freebie on Amazon and I only tried it because I enjoyed the Sharpe series years ago and I was ill in bed! Really glad I did. It’s a great story with really good characters. I think from the cover I expected it to be more romance than history but it’s a real mix of both, a lot of detail about life in the army and characters from all ranks of army life. I’m not an expert on the period apart from reading novels about it but it felt real.
The best part were the two main characters. You meet Paul first and I wasn’t sure I liked him to start probably for the same reasons as some people in the book, but you get to watch him grow up before your eyes. The heroine (trying to avoid spoilers) is brilliant - strong, smart and determined. The dialogue is lovely to read - flows well and is very funny in places which I didn’t expect and their love story is the most convincing I’ve read in ages.
It’s fairly long which I don’t mind because it was entertaining from start to finish. I hope she goes on to write more in the series.
June 18, 2021
An Unconventional Officer
Certainly, the title is apt for this book because Paul Van Daan is just that. But this book is not just about him. It also tells the story of the beautiful woman who comes into his life at the wrong time but turns out to be the absolute right woman and as much as Paul is an unconventional officer, so his woman is an unconventional woman! Theirs becomes a relationship that not only challenges the mores of the time it blows them out of the water. However, that they are a match made in heaven does not mean that sparks will not fly and not only on the battlefields of the peninsular wars!
Paul is a character like no other. Such is the skill with which he is written, you will believe you have known him all your life. When he goes against all the conventions of the army to earn the respect of the men that serve him, he does so in such a way that endears the whole of the 110th to him. Though Paul is not perfect, he certainly isn’t in the romance department, one cannot help but love him because he feels real, and you will come to think of him as either the man you wished you’d fallen in love with, or the younger brother you constantly roll your eyes at, or even the best friend you never had, your soul mate, your teacher, your mentor. Either way, he will mean something to you.
Bryant’s ability to weave the historical setting into the fictional tale is immense. Her research is second to none, even the social attitudes and rule breaking are evidenced. I found myself immersed in a time and place that I had previously known little. Within minutes of reading the first few lines I was submerged in the era and the idea that somehow I was part of the historical setting. The language, the dialogue, the subtle descriptions all go toward making this a truly historical adventure with battle scenes that feel authentic an exciting and have you biting your nails and egging on the characters.
This book is definitely character driven, and each major player is fleshed out and given a role to play that gives variation to the story again, going against all the conventions of what one might actually expect from a military historical romance. There are so many characters, from the flirtatious Duke of Wellington himself to the more down to earth fictional Irish sergeant, Michael O’Reilly! With male villains that you hope will get their comeuppance and female nasties that you want to slap and oh the joys when Van Daan throws a well deserving idiot through the window but still manages to retain a charmed life as Major of a respected army battalion and when you read this book you will know why.
I can’t actually praise this novel enough and this is definitely one I would recommend for book of the month. I have faith that anyone who loves this period whether it be the military side of things or the Regency Romance type genre will fall in love with Paul and his whole cast of characters. To read this, I stepped out of my comfort zone (I’m an 11thc girl) but I will definitely read on. There are several books in the series and Ms Bryant has written a few others in this era too. This is definitely one of the most exciting enjoyable reads I have read in a long time!
6stars!
Certainly, the title is apt for this book because Paul Van Daan is just that. But this book is not just about him. It also tells the story of the beautiful woman who comes into his life at the wrong time but turns out to be the absolute right woman and as much as Paul is an unconventional officer, so his woman is an unconventional woman! Theirs becomes a relationship that not only challenges the mores of the time it blows them out of the water. However, that they are a match made in heaven does not mean that sparks will not fly and not only on the battlefields of the peninsular wars!
Paul is a character like no other. Such is the skill with which he is written, you will believe you have known him all your life. When he goes against all the conventions of the army to earn the respect of the men that serve him, he does so in such a way that endears the whole of the 110th to him. Though Paul is not perfect, he certainly isn’t in the romance department, one cannot help but love him because he feels real, and you will come to think of him as either the man you wished you’d fallen in love with, or the younger brother you constantly roll your eyes at, or even the best friend you never had, your soul mate, your teacher, your mentor. Either way, he will mean something to you.
Bryant’s ability to weave the historical setting into the fictional tale is immense. Her research is second to none, even the social attitudes and rule breaking are evidenced. I found myself immersed in a time and place that I had previously known little. Within minutes of reading the first few lines I was submerged in the era and the idea that somehow I was part of the historical setting. The language, the dialogue, the subtle descriptions all go toward making this a truly historical adventure with battle scenes that feel authentic an exciting and have you biting your nails and egging on the characters.
This book is definitely character driven, and each major player is fleshed out and given a role to play that gives variation to the story again, going against all the conventions of what one might actually expect from a military historical romance. There are so many characters, from the flirtatious Duke of Wellington himself to the more down to earth fictional Irish sergeant, Michael O’Reilly! With male villains that you hope will get their comeuppance and female nasties that you want to slap and oh the joys when Van Daan throws a well deserving idiot through the window but still manages to retain a charmed life as Major of a respected army battalion and when you read this book you will know why.
I can’t actually praise this novel enough and this is definitely one I would recommend for book of the month. I have faith that anyone who loves this period whether it be the military side of things or the Regency Romance type genre will fall in love with Paul and his whole cast of characters. To read this, I stepped out of my comfort zone (I’m an 11thc girl) but I will definitely read on. There are several books in the series and Ms Bryant has written a few others in this era too. This is definitely one of the most exciting enjoyable reads I have read in a long time!
6stars!
April 17, 2018
First off, I should say I am a very demanding customer when it comes to historical novels set during the Napoleonic Wars. I also started this one off wondering what a man like Paul van Daan was doing in the early 19th century British army, and it did strike me that "unconventional" could easily cross the line into "anachronistic". Thankfully, Ms Bryant is a much, much better writer than that. She has clearly read widely and deeply about the period -- not just the military history parts, but also the general mores and ways of thinking and acting, and this knowledge is obvious throughout. Paul had started to win me over about a tenth of the way through; by about halfway, I was probably a little in love with him.
The central conflict revolves around a love story, but it's far from your traditional romance, for a number of reasons. Equally, it's far more human than some other Napoleonic War fiction; if you're reading this for the battles, you'll find them there (and very well described), but they frame rather than form the storyline. The story itself is interesting and well-written; the characters are utterly three-dimensional. I pretty much devoured this one in two short sittings, and was up far too late at night to finish it. (Have some handkerchieves ready when you do, by the way.)
Highly recommended.
The central conflict revolves around a love story, but it's far from your traditional romance, for a number of reasons. Equally, it's far more human than some other Napoleonic War fiction; if you're reading this for the battles, you'll find them there (and very well described), but they frame rather than form the storyline. The story itself is interesting and well-written; the characters are utterly three-dimensional. I pretty much devoured this one in two short sittings, and was up far too late at night to finish it. (Have some handkerchieves ready when you do, by the way.)
Highly recommended.
March 20, 2019
Review to follow
June 19, 2021
I read this novel some while ago - and have delighted in the rest of this exciting series (six books, I believe) - so when asked to review Book One An Unconventional Officer for Discovering Diamonds I had no qualm about doing so.
The battles and skirmishes in this opening salvo are expertly written and depicted, as are the lives and loves (and otherwise!) of the superb characters. It is not just a story of warfare during the era of the Napoleonic War, it is a character-driven story - and boy, what characters they all are!
We have the war and the battles, and the death and the dying and the terrible injuries, but alongside, we have tension and romance, passion and misconceptions. Danger, violence, jealousy - and hope and joy as well! It ticks all the boxes. This novel is so well written it could almost be a factual account of the lives of the people who were there.
The lead character, Paul Van Daan is a typical fictional hero, larger than life with his own rigid (an unconventional) way of doing things - in war, in camp and in love and romance. He is a survivor and a man to truly root for.
He is also a 'ladies man' - his philandering might not suit every reader, but I found the women in this story to be just as much alive and likeable (or unlikeable).
The book is a story to savour and enjoy - for its intrigue and adventure, for its accuracy and for the author's writing skill. Highly recommended.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds by one of the review team
The battles and skirmishes in this opening salvo are expertly written and depicted, as are the lives and loves (and otherwise!) of the superb characters. It is not just a story of warfare during the era of the Napoleonic War, it is a character-driven story - and boy, what characters they all are!
We have the war and the battles, and the death and the dying and the terrible injuries, but alongside, we have tension and romance, passion and misconceptions. Danger, violence, jealousy - and hope and joy as well! It ticks all the boxes. This novel is so well written it could almost be a factual account of the lives of the people who were there.
The lead character, Paul Van Daan is a typical fictional hero, larger than life with his own rigid (an unconventional) way of doing things - in war, in camp and in love and romance. He is a survivor and a man to truly root for.
He is also a 'ladies man' - his philandering might not suit every reader, but I found the women in this story to be just as much alive and likeable (or unlikeable).
The book is a story to savour and enjoy - for its intrigue and adventure, for its accuracy and for the author's writing skill. Highly recommended.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds by one of the review team
November 3, 2023
Pretty disappointing. Not very historically valid from a cultural perspective, the main character is praised and loved by everyone for doing the obvious (his great tactical genius is to form square with infantry when cavalry charges them. He does it twice and everyone is so amazed they can barely contain themselves).
He's a pretty unlikable but every woman and all the army just thinks he's the greatest, except for two (2) exactly two officers who hate him. Not for any particular reason, the author just knows that his hero has to have at least some opposition rather than faceless, nameless soldiers in India and Portugal. They hate him boy do they hate him so much... then they disappear.
he repeatedly backs away from being called out, and all the other officers think he's just the best and smartest evar for doing so rather than calling him shy and cutting him out of society. He marries a nobody far beneath his social status and his family shrugs and thinks that's just fine.
Most of the book is overview of events that happen off camera, because the story has to get to the really important part: a woman that shows up about half way through and suddenly is the main character.
He's a pretty unlikable but every woman and all the army just thinks he's the greatest, except for two (2) exactly two officers who hate him. Not for any particular reason, the author just knows that his hero has to have at least some opposition rather than faceless, nameless soldiers in India and Portugal. They hate him boy do they hate him so much... then they disappear.
he repeatedly backs away from being called out, and all the other officers think he's just the best and smartest evar for doing so rather than calling him shy and cutting him out of society. He marries a nobody far beneath his social status and his family shrugs and thinks that's just fine.
Most of the book is overview of events that happen off camera, because the story has to get to the really important part: a woman that shows up about half way through and suddenly is the main character.
September 18, 2019
Excellent read!
This is a great book that I will readily recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance. The plot is interesting and the characters well described.
The battles between the Brits, Spanish and Portuguese against Napoleon's army are written as one might have been in the midst of the violence. The attention to detail of the life in camp made it very real for me.
I love the characters and all their flaws. The romance is very well done, as well.
This story is written so well I didn't want to put it down and just read on. I'm so pleased to have happened on this series and am anxious to begin book 2. Battle strategy and social norms of the era as related to officers and their conduct is fascinating as is the issue of women working in field hospitals and the conditions of those hospitals.
I'm on to book 2! This was an excellent read.
This is a great book that I will readily recommend to readers of historical fiction and romance. The plot is interesting and the characters well described.
The battles between the Brits, Spanish and Portuguese against Napoleon's army are written as one might have been in the midst of the violence. The attention to detail of the life in camp made it very real for me.
I love the characters and all their flaws. The romance is very well done, as well.
This story is written so well I didn't want to put it down and just read on. I'm so pleased to have happened on this series and am anxious to begin book 2. Battle strategy and social norms of the era as related to officers and their conduct is fascinating as is the issue of women working in field hospitals and the conditions of those hospitals.
I'm on to book 2! This was an excellent read.
October 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. With Paul van Daan, the author has created an unforgettable character; he is brave, dynamic, caring, but he has definite flaws, making him believable. The story is cleverly interwoven with real events, but the research that has evidently gone into the creation of this book does not slow the story down or make it heavy. The love element was an underlying and continuous thread and I was so pleased that a satisfactory solution was found for the resolution of Paul’s very tangled love life! I look forward to reading the next in this series.
December 1, 2025
Bit too Mills and Boone for me
Well written but not for me hence three stars.
The book was written as a romance within the Peninsular war,
rather than about the Peninsular war with a love interest.
That said I rea⁹d the entire book to see how all the characters finished up but I will not be reading any other of the novels.
Nothing wrong with it just not for me
Well written but not for me hence three stars.
The book was written as a romance within the Peninsular war,
rather than about the Peninsular war with a love interest.
That said I rea⁹d the entire book to see how all the characters finished up but I will not be reading any other of the novels.
Nothing wrong with it just not for me
October 23, 2019
Good fun read
Good fun read, some of the flavor of the sharpe's series. Quite enjoyable. I would recommend it. It does have ve a few adult situations, but less then many TV shows today.
Good fun read, some of the flavor of the sharpe's series. Quite enjoyable. I would recommend it. It does have ve a few adult situations, but less then many TV shows today.
December 19, 2020
A great read.
A different Peninsular war book. I could not stop reading it. Fast paced, interesting characters being developed, and without giving things away , an emotional ride. Loved it and onto book 2. Thankyou
A different Peninsular war book. I could not stop reading it. Fast paced, interesting characters being developed, and without giving things away , an emotional ride. Loved it and onto book 2. Thankyou
January 9, 2021
Wasn't sure how my foray into historical romance fiction would be but this surprisingly wasn't half bad. Its writing saved the day. Although I am pretty sure it'll be a while before I return to this particular author's work.
I do get the appeal and understand now the massive four star ratings on most of her work. Thank you, Rohan for the recco!
I do get the appeal and understand now the massive four star ratings on most of her work. Thank you, Rohan for the recco!
June 13, 2021
Strong story line
I enjoyed this book greatly. Well written by good author. As a man I got fed up by the amount of lovy dovy stuff I was asked to endure so I skipped large amounts . Nevertheless although some of the story I guessed next bit ,it was worth finishing.
I enjoyed this book greatly. Well written by good author. As a man I got fed up by the amount of lovy dovy stuff I was asked to endure so I skipped large amounts . Nevertheless although some of the story I guessed next bit ,it was worth finishing.
March 13, 2022
A wonderful surprise!
What a page-turner. Lots of action and heroism. And a fine love story to enrich complex character and their struggles to endure a difficult war. Non-stop excellence.
What a page-turner. Lots of action and heroism. And a fine love story to enrich complex character and their struggles to endure a difficult war. Non-stop excellence.
April 5, 2023
glad to finally read the first book
Lynn Bryant’s Peninsular War Saga is a great series, bringing intense joy to daily reading and anticipation for her next work.
Somehow managed to read this first book last.
Just a good read.
Lynn Bryant’s Peninsular War Saga is a great series, bringing intense joy to daily reading and anticipation for her next work.
Somehow managed to read this first book last.
Just a good read.
April 24, 2024
Enjoyable read
This book took me completely by suprise, I was expecting the usual take on Napoleonic war fiction, the mixing of romance and intrigue and battle scenes was done with aplomb.
An excellent read
This book took me completely by suprise, I was expecting the usual take on Napoleonic war fiction, the mixing of romance and intrigue and battle scenes was done with aplomb.
An excellent read
May 9, 2018
Great mix of historical military fiction and epic romance.
May 30, 2022
Great Read
Delightful character driven historical fiction. The details of life during the period and well-written characters made this a pleasure to read.
Delightful character driven historical fiction. The details of life during the period and well-written characters made this a pleasure to read.
February 28, 2023
great read
Fully enjoyable book. Could not put it down until the last sentence. Loved it!!! Loved it!!! Loved it!!! Can’t wait for the next one
Fully enjoyable book. Could not put it down until the last sentence. Loved it!!! Loved it!!! Loved it!!! Can’t wait for the next one
October 21, 2023
Good series
Good book, have read all of them in the series. The charecters in it have alot of dept and plenty of drama.
Good book, have read all of them in the series. The charecters in it have alot of dept and plenty of drama.
December 18, 2023
A bit more love than war
My estimation, but the military action was very well described.
A storyline that was about activity a couple of centuries ago.
My estimation, but the military action was very well described.
A storyline that was about activity a couple of centuries ago.
April 19, 2024
Romance & History
It seemed strained in the beginning. I came to like and admire the characters. Looking to the rest of the series.
It seemed strained in the beginning. I came to like and admire the characters. Looking to the rest of the series.
August 17, 2024
Okay story
I thought this ended up a romance novel. Skipped through most of it. Very light on history. Still fair read for this wanting this sort of thing.
I thought this ended up a romance novel. Skipped through most of it. Very light on history. Still fair read for this wanting this sort of thing.
January 8, 2025
Good fun read
Always enjoy the story of an officer close to the enlisted or up through the ranks. Too few of them have graced our military history
Always enjoy the story of an officer close to the enlisted or up through the ranks. Too few of them have graced our military history
May 21, 2025
Unacceptable
Paul, the so-called ‘hero’ of this book is a despicable, revolting character. His friendship with a sergeant is a nonsense.
A supposed story of ‘love and war’ is a story of adultery, humiliation for Rowena, and pure selfishness on the part of Paul and Anne. The author may give her a vile husband, but it garners no sympathy from this reader.
As for war? Like love, there’s precious little of it. Forming square does not make him a brilliant officer, it was standard practice. I have no idea why he was well thought of.
If you’re hoping for a good historical fiction involving the Peninsular War and Wellington’s army … this is not it.
If you’re hoping for a good historical romance, this is not it either.
Paul, the so-called ‘hero’ of this book is a despicable, revolting character. His friendship with a sergeant is a nonsense.
A supposed story of ‘love and war’ is a story of adultery, humiliation for Rowena, and pure selfishness on the part of Paul and Anne. The author may give her a vile husband, but it garners no sympathy from this reader.
As for war? Like love, there’s precious little of it. Forming square does not make him a brilliant officer, it was standard practice. I have no idea why he was well thought of.
If you’re hoping for a good historical fiction involving the Peninsular War and Wellington’s army … this is not it.
If you’re hoping for a good historical romance, this is not it either.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews