Susanna Smith knows she must marry well if she wishes to
continue to help the less fortunate, but she hasn't met a
man who thinks of her as an equal, because she is a woman
and denied higher education. When Ben Ross, a poor country
lawyer, is introduced to her, she finally meets a man who
challenges her quick mind, and listens to her opinions. When
Susanna makes a dangerous decision to help an innocent
woman, she asks for Ben's help, and the two must fight for
justice even if it means risking their lives.
Jody Hedlund has written an inspirational romance inspired
by the courtship of John and Abigail Adams. The romance in
REBELLIOUS HEART is sweet and charming, but readers who like
steamy scenes will find none. The murder mystery is
exciting, yet expected. Readers will find themselves easily
figuring out who committed the murders. Hedlund keeps
REBELLIOUS HEART fast paced with tons of action, and some of
this takes away from the romance between Susanna and Ben.
It
takes most of the story to warm up to Susanna who is
bordering on too stubborn and set in her ways to be likable.
Fortunately, Susanna does grow and becomes a wonderful
character. Ben is agreeable yet frustrating, and readers may
wonder why he continues to forgive Susanna time and again.
Readers, by the end, may wish Hedlund had written a
completely unexpected twist, but the ending is unsurprising.
The theme of self worth is a good one, and the highlight of
the story. All in all, REBELLIOUS HEART is an entertaining,
but predictable read.
In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with
everything she's ever wanted, except one thing: an
education. Because she's a female, higher learning has been
closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never
back down from a challenge. She's determined to put her
status to good use, reaching out to the poor and deprived.
And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to
continue her work with the less fortunate. Ben Ross grew up
a farmer's son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard
education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn't see how he'll
be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of
him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family,
he's drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows her family
expects her to marry well. When Susanna's decision to help
an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's
growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two
find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a
very dangerous fight for justice.