Rebellious Heart Book Review

I by chance happened upon one of Jody Hedlund's books - The Preacher's Bride - at the library last year. Since opening that book, I have read all five of Jody's novels. And I can honestly say that each book left me wanting more; which can assuredly be said of her newest and sixth book, Rebellious Heart.

I can't sing enough praises for Rebellious Heart. Needless to say, it did not disappoint an avid reader like myself. Since I found out about her work in progress, I have been eagerly awaiting to get my hands on it, and finally I did. I sat down thinking, "Oh I'll just read a chapter or two since I have things to get done," - ha! No, one chapter turned to two, to three, to four...I couldn't put it down! Every page had me smiling and at the edge of my seat, hanging on every word as I truly felt like I connected with the characters and that I was a piece of the story.

I will do my best not to give any spoilers away...

Rebellious Heart is loosely based on the courtship of John and Abigail Adams. If the couple are anything like the fictitious characters Benjamin Ross and Susanna Smith, then they would indeed be intriguing to get to know.


Benjamin Ross, aka John Adams, is a young lawyer with high ambitions for both country and his career. What doesn't fit in his future plans is running into Susanna for the first time since she'd humiliated him in their youth. Ben believes Susanna too proud, but after forced time spent with her, he begins to discover a new and different side of the girl he remembered from years ago.


"Maybe he wasn't an important lawyer yet. Maybe he wasn't the perfect catch for a husband. But he was on his way. He was already beginning to make a name for himself. And if he worked hard enough, one day he'd be able to set up a practice in Boston.

He'd show her - he'd show everyone - that he wasn't a nobody."
 


Pss...Who knew that John Adams could really make a girl's heart flutter!

Susanna, the lovely Abigail Adams, is quite different from most other women. While other women are concerned with social affairs and finding husbands, all Susie longs for is to increase her mind and
help others in need. And thus so she admires Mr. Ross for his eloquent words and increased mind, but she also find him to be dangerous. Therefore, she must guard her heart, doing her best not to allow a sliver of affection penetrate for the man so notably found to be unworthy and ill-fitting by her mother. 


"Susanna peeked at Mr. Ross. Had he noticed his friend's pathetic enamoring of Mary.

As if sensing her question, Mr. Ross looked at her. An intensity within his eyes pierced beneath her polite facade. Did he recognize  her?

One of his brows cocked, and the corner of his lips arched into the beginning of a knowing grin. But it was the kind of smile devoid of any warmth. Rather, the half grin only seemed to turn his eyes into ice. 

So he did remember her and all the vain words she'd spoken."


Despite each others objections towards the other, Ben and Suzie are drawn to one another. And as friendship builds, sparks begin to fly. Of course, there is action - like we all know - Ben (John) is involved with a secret rebellion against the King of England and Susanna too has her own dangerous undertaking. With peril lurking around every corner, Ben and Susanna must learn to trust and rely on each other for help. And when the odds are against them - Susanna from a loyalist and wealthy family and Ben the rebel son of a farmer - can they fight, stand firm, and let their love blossom?

The book is a must read! Jody has done a wonderful job recreating the personalities and ventures of these two people through in-depth research, biographies, and the surviving letters of John and Abigail. In her Author's Note she explains how she condensed the four year courtship into novel form and what is fictional and what is real.

A quote in particular that I personally love from the Author's Note was Jody's statements about Abigail's last letter to John before they wed. It is said that in that particular letter, Abigail asked John to take all her belongings to her new home in Braintree, followed by: "And then, Sir, if you please, you may take me." Reading Abigail's words to John just made me laugh and love the couple that are so often admired for their loving marriage - it lasted over fifty years.

I encourage you to read Jody Hedlund's newest novel, Rebellious Heart. It is a book that will not disappoint and will have you searching the bookstore's shelves for her other works.

Visit Jody's website and learn more about her books!

Have you read any of Jody's books? Which is your favorite? What did you think about Rebellious Heart?