Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

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.

Read an excerpt from Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund on the publisher's website.

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."