Review: Once a Rebel (Rogues Redeemed #2) by Mary Jo Putney

Print Length: pages

Publisher: Zebra Historical (August 27, 2017)

From Goodreads.com: As Washington burns, Callista Brooke is trapped in the battle between her native England and her adopted homeland. She is on the verge of losing everything, including her life, when a handsome Englishman cuts through the violent crowd to claim that she is his. Callie falls into her protector's arms, recognizing that he is no stranger, but the boy she'd once loved, a lifetime ago.

Lord George Gordon Audley had been Callie’s best friend, and it was to Gordon she turned in desperation to avoid a loathsome arranged marriage. But the repercussions of his gallant attempt to rescue her sent Callie packing to Jamaica, and Gordon on a one way trip to the penal colony of Australia.

Against all odds, Gordon survived. Finding Callie is like reclaiming his tarnished soul, and once again he vows to do whatever is necessary to protect her and those she loves. But the innocent friendship they shared as children has become a dangerous passion that may save or destroy them when they challenge the aristocratic society that exiled them both . 

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Although this is part two in a series, you do not need to have read novel in order for this story to make sense. The author manages to write this story in such a way that even though characters from the first book do make an appearance, nothing from the first book is spoiled for you.

I very much enjoyed reading this story! The author provided something that I have not seen very often - the War of 1812 (specifically the burning of Washington DC and the seige on Baltimore), from the "eyes" of the people living it. The author managed to capture the horrors and uncertainties of war while also managing to show just how far the people of Baltimore would go to to protect what was theirs. 

Callista was hands down my favorite character of this story. It takes a very strong woman indeed to live the life she had dealt to her. Not many women of that time period would have accepted certain things that were thrown her way (I can't go into too much detail without spoiling it), and I admired her backbone. 

However, she was just one of the many characters to be enjoyed in this story. All of them unique with a strong will, and unyielding sense of loyalty. I hope to see more of the secondary characters show up in later stories, just to see how they fared after the war was over, and the rebuilding began. 

This story has just the right amount of romance and drama to keep it interesting, and in some cases, from the places you would least expect. 

Overall, I do think this novel will appeal to those who enjoy a "friends to lovers" historical romance. I would read more from this author! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                       Once a Rebel is available from Amazon.com