Review: Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

September 9, 2013

Title: Rebellious Heart
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 376
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1048-8
Publication Date: September 15th, 2013

Synopsis: 
Massachusetts, 1763 
A Love That Would Shape History Forever

Because she's a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she's determined to marry well, so she'll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he's taken by Susanna's intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

When the life of a runaway indentured servant is threatened, Susanna is forced to choose between justice and mercy, and Ben becomes her unlikely advisor. But drawing closer to this man of principle and intellect lands her in a dangerous, secret world of rebellion and revolution against everything she once held dear.

Review:
Every book that I have read by Jody Hedlund has been placed on my favorites shelf, Rebellious Heart will now be joining the rest of them.

Rebellious Heart brought me back in time to 1763, the brink of the Revolutionary War. There are whispers in the wind of unfair taxation, underground organizations of smuggling over taxed items, but to some, it a fluke, their king would not treat his people across the ocean so unfairly. They were all one. Susanna Smith is one of these people who couldn't believe that their king could be unjust. Susanna had been raised to respect and follow authority, so by her thinking, the king is only taxing what is truly needed.

When Benjamin Ross comes back to town, after returning from law school and represent the town's hermit for a brutal murder in the area, Susanna is placed in Ben's path many times. In their encounters, she learns that Ben's leanings are not of her own thoughts and fears that his treasonous thoughts could be harmful for her, however when Dotty, a runaway indentured servant finds Susanna at her home, Susanna starts to think about things that Ben has spoken about in regards to freedom.

Jody Hedlund has yet again taken historical fact and has weaved with fiction to bring such a compelling story that is hard to put down. It is fantastic to read Ben and Susanna's story and find the true historical details of the couple that this is loosely based around.

The characters jump off of the pages. The passion that Ben carries with him, impassioned me and it was easy to root for him and his endeavors through the book. As Susanna pressed on with her learning's and understanding, I wanted to cheer for her and urge her to keep going. And with the villain of the book, Jody Hedlund can create fantastic monster. It kept me guessing who it really was and had me rooting for justice in the end.

All I have to say is,
Too Read!!
5 out of 5

You can purchase Rebellious Heart at Amazon, ChristianBook, Mardel, and Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of The Doctor's Lady and The Preacher's Bride. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at JodyHedlund.com.





Thank you to Bethany House, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest opinion.

2 comments

  1. Sooo loved this one too (as you already know :), but I agree - Ben's passion was contagious! I'm definitely ready for her next book....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jamie! This was a fantastic story!! I'm looking forward to her next one as well! Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite authors now.

    ReplyDelete

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