Delicate, sheltered and beautiful Lady Gwyneth of Windrose runs off in a snit when her father makes it clear he will not allow her to learn to read, and that she will be wedded off to the highest bidder when the time comes. A scream interrupts her musings, and she discovers a man forcing himself on a peasant girl. After her horror relents enough to allow her to move, she strikes the man on the back of the head, inadvertently killing him. Hiding the body together creates a bond between the girl, Irma, and Gwyneth.

Falconer Jared St. John fell for Gwyneth the first time he saw her. The lust he felt coiling within was yet another reason his decision to take vows as a priest would be a good one, but before that can happen he is wrongfully imprisoned. After 3 years, he escaped and encountered Gwyneth once again, only this time the wench, in collusion with Irma, sees him as a solution to Gwyneth's problems and intends to force him to wed her.

Jessica Trapp has facile use of the English language. She has provided characters, setting, and plot sufficient for a book to become published. I liked that Gwyneth had become instrumental in helping unjustly accused women purchase their freedom from jail and move to another part of the country to build a life. I felt the squalor and situation of the peasant class was presented in an admirably honest manner.

Unfortunately, I heartily disliked DEFIANT as a romance. Trapp has committed what I as a reader of romance consider a cardinal sin. The first amorous encounter between Gwyneth and Jared is one of forced sexual congress. Despite Gwyneth's pleadings Jared forces himself on her, and into her. It didn't matter to me that the author had Gwyneth enjoying the experience after a bit, the act was forced without Gwyneth's consent, and I was unable to read further. I strongly feel that such a situation does not belong in a romance novel. In a sex scene between the two main characters of a romance, just about anything is acceptable providing it is mutually consensual whether or not it is an activity that trips my personal erotic trigger. Non-consensual acts between the two characters who are supposed to fall in love ruin a romance for me, every time.