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Prior to this, I had never read a book by Jody Hedlund. To be honest, I found this book for a discounted price online and only bought it because I saw that it had good reviews. The title, nor the cover, really intrigued me and it sat in a pile of unread books for months. When it was time to select my next book, I decided I wanted something ‘light’ and not overly action-packed. So I picked this one. Boy did this book exceed my expectations! I was hooked from chapter 2 on. It was so well written and had a lot more suspense than I’d expected. This story has great characters, great romance, and a healthy dose of suspense. To top it all off, it’s based on a true story. Jody Hedlund was well researched and wrote the storyline with much expertise. The book built up well, right to the end, and didn’t have that “lull” 2/3-3/4 of the way through that I find so many novels have. All this to say that I am now officially a fan of Jody Hedlund and have added other books of hers to my list. If you’re in the mood for a good Christian romance novel, I strongly recommend this one! ( )

The author said it well in her note to the readers at the end of her book, "I hope you will take courage from their compassion, bravery, and willingness to stand against tyranny for God's higher laws of justice and mercy."; this is what the characters of this story did, they were willing to stand again the tyranny that was going on in Braintree, Massachusetts in the year 1763.

Susanna Smith has always had a desire to further her education. She has a quick mind and is always up for a challenge. But she must marry well, as that is what one does as a woman during this time period, regardless of if it is for love.

Benjamin Ross is a country lawyer who has grand desires of helping the downtrodden, but he too must marry well to better himself. So when Susanna and Ross (who have known each other many years ago) find themselves both helping an indentured runaway servant whose life is being threatened, they both must come to terms with the fact that love can make even the most unlikely match work well if both parties can get over the whole marrying someone to better their lifestyle.

This was a good story, with a lot of adventure and suspense and a lovely love story that will have many ups and downs. Both Susanna and Ross have a lot to work through in their life and a lot of cultural issues to let go of to find true happiness. ( )

It was a little slow going at first, but then became a page turner. I was a little confused about the set up of the romance in the first couple of chapters. I found the scene in the beginning... odd. There is a total lack of regard for propriety, which I found hard to believe. The atmosphere was way too sexually charged. I have a 5, almost 6 year old. I cannot believe that anyone would hold against her something offensive that she may have said, no matter how sensitive they may be. And it seemed way too far fetched that they would both remember the words and have any emotions connected to them 13 years later. But this was an accurate preview of the melodrama that would ensue throughout the rest of the book.

I regretted reading it afterward because it was way too violent and disturbing for my taste, which was unexpected with a romantic historical fiction novel. Luckily for me, with a trite romance for the baseline, it was soon forgotten. ( )

Susanna Smith and Benjamin Ross both seek an advantageous marriage to improve their station in life. Susanna comes from a financially comfortable family, but was denied access to higher learning. She's determined to marry well so that she can maintain her school for girls. Ben is a good lawyer, but his humble background has always deprived him of the respect that his actions merited. A wealthy wife would propel him into the world of the elite and open opportunities that would otherwise be closed. When Susanna helps a runaway slave, she finds herself turning to Ben for advice and protection. Yet, he is far from safe. Many Colonists resent the British and Ben's ideas seem almost rebellious. Will Susanna and Ben obtain desirable matches? Or will they find a love worth more than aspirations?

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund is a stand-alone novel of drama and romance. I loved that this book was based on a real-life couple from Colonial times. The story line hooked me from the beginning and carried my interest throughout the book. Ben and Susanna both underwent deep character development, but the plot never stagnated as they dealt with their issues. Overall, Rebellious Heart was a great read. I was slightly disappointed with the ending. While it was sweet, I felt it left certain things unresolved. I'll definitely keep the book and read it again. However, some readers may find the lack of complete resolution off-putting.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )