What I thought of For Love and Honor
Characters:
For Love and HonorSabine: I’d say that characterization is the best part of this book. By, oh… half a page into her first scene, I wanted to slap her. Oh, it was glorious! Seriously, I haven’t had so much fun disliking someone in a very long time.

She drove me nuts—and all in the best ways. Even better than that, I learned to love her to bits—without her really changing. She was the same character and yet she managed to change my opinion of her.

That is some seriously good writing right there.

Sir Bennet: what a cool guy. I couldn’t help but love his flawed but honorable self. Ms. Hedlund did a fabulous job of creating a consistent character who still managed to grow and be uncertain at times. Too often when authors do that, they create wishy-washy characters. I read another book this week and that’s exactly what I got from it. NOT in this one. This was fabulously done. Of course, it’s what you expect of a hero. She delivered.

Grandmother: Okay, she’s just the perfect blend of feisty, lady, bossy, and gentle—all when they needed to be. In fact, while she manages to keep herself in check with what is expected of her station, I do suspect we know where Sabine gets her sharp wit and repartee.

Don’t believe me? What about this bit between Grandmother and Sir Bennet?
Finally, she released me and stepped back “Can he sire children?”
“While he’s never had the opportunity to discover that,” I replied, unable to keep my sarcasm at bay, “it’s highly likely that he’s quite capable of doing his duty when the need arises.”

Speaking of repartee:
The book is full of it. Chock full of it. LOVE every single solitary absolutely amazing word of it. Not once did it fall flat. Not. Once.

Not only that, she also really pushes the repartee line. I’m not kidding. There are several times where the banter goes on and on—for pages! And it is just as sharp and witty at the end as in the beginning. I seriously love it.

Plot: I really thought the plot was beautifully developed. Hedlund takes those fabulous characters and matures and improves them through the course of a story that while not distinctly original is quite original in the execution of it. At bare bones, this story is like that of every fairy tale and of none. Come on, battles, secrets, priceless artifacts, romance—all wrapped up in a deep story that tugs at your heart. What more could you ask for?

Oh, yeah. One more thing–a fabulous cover. Just sayin’.

All things considered, I obviously recommend the book.
In fact, I’m giving it four stars because I really liked it. But for one thing, I would love it. However, that one thing did take away some of the enjoyment.

Honestly, I don’t know how to describe it. And it’s probably just me. I suspect that it is. But elements of the writing, the phrasing of things—they kept jarring me. Sometimes they just felt rather modern (phrases etc.) and other times it was probably the first-person aspect.

Yes, this book is written in first-person dual perspective.
And with that came things that just irritated me. Mostly some of the fatalistic elements. Look, I know this is YA and therefore, authors feel like they have to do that, but you know what? As a matter of fact, I don’t know any kids as fatalistic as so much of YA fiction portrays them to be. For what it’s worth, and like I said. It’s probably just me.

And, you know what? I still really liked it—almost loved it. And I might actually change my rating later, because hey! Who doesn’t love a book with a line like this in it?

My silver coins are quite capable of doing all the impressing. They don’t need my interference.”

I've always enjoyed Jody Hedlund's historical romances, so I was excited to learn she was going to write YA novels. When I learned they were to be medieval historicals, that excitement doubled. For Love and Honor closes her first teen-aimed series with more sweet medieval romance that will leave you with a satisfying sigh ...

Sabine and Bennet's tale is told through alternating first-person narration: Sabine's in a serif font (text with the little "tags" at the ends of the letters) and Bennet's in a sans-serif font (without the "tags"). I thought this was a nice visual way to differentiate, though I initally read my review copy digitally and despite the font being the same, I never was confused between whose point-of-view I was in. I felt that Jody Hedlund made their voices distinct. I am unsure if the e-book version features different fonts for the alternating chapters, but I enjoyed it in the print version!

For Love and Honor follows Hedlund's previous tales in this loose trilogy: An Uncertain Choice and A Daring Sacrifice. However, these can be easily read as stand alones, since each novel features different protagonists. Though I read the first book, An Uncertain Choice, when it first was released, I didn't really remember much about Sir Bennet, other than he was a knight, but it didn't hamper my enjoyment of the novel. I was quickly introduced to Bennet and Sabine. Both were likeable protagonists and both were holding secrets from each other that, as a reader, I knew would eventually be found out, but how? At under 300 pages, this romance was a quick read that I finished in one night!

I've been reading some darker graphic novels/comics recently, so reading For Love and Honor was like a breath of fresh air! I loved that Hedlund's first novels were on the ... "steamier" side of your typical Christian romances, but the best way to describe her YA series is sweet medieval romance. It's perfect for tweens and young teens beginning to be interested in romance novels, but perhaps not yet ready for some of the more edgy romantic fare in many general YA titles. Fans of Melanie Dickerson's novels are sure to enjoy these. To me, the spiritual thread isn't overbearing and appropriate for the time period, so I see some potential cross-over appeal. As a librarian, it can be difficult to recommend well written faith-based YA (when I was a teen, there was hardly any), so I hope that Hedlund continues to write for both teens and adults!

[Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.]

I really enjoyed For Love and Honor. It was a great, quick read and I did enjoy the progression of the love story and even the historical context that was used throughout the novel. I loved that we got Sir Bennet's story, especially after the cliffhanger in A Daring Sacrifice that hinted at the events in this novel. I enjoyed the plot, although it did seem slow moving at times.

I loved the characters in this book, Sir Bennet was an honorable character who is just trying to do the best to protect his family and their home. I also enjoyed getting to know Lady Sabine - I loved her wit and character. I also enjoyed how she had to deal with her skin condition which made her insecure and gave her more dimension. I also liked the other side characters in this novel.

There was only one thing that I didn't like and that was towards the beginning of the novel and that is when Sir Bennet compares Lady Sabine to Lady Rosemarie (from An Uncertain Choice), however it also made sense. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, although I wish the Christian aspect of it had been more prominent than it was. But the plot was interesting and I liked how the romance was kind of a slow burn one, which I liked. I am giving this book 3.75/ 5 Stars.

I’m not sure what I was expecting from this Young Adult novel, when I started it, but it was quite a bit different from my imaginings. I’ve read and enjoyed some of Ms. Hedlund’s past books and was curious to read her YA series, though I didn’t manage to pick up any of them, until this one. If this final book is anything to go by, then they are very different from her previous novels. I’m not sure if the change is because this is directed at a younger audience, or if her writing has just changed from what I recall. I will definitely be picking up one of her other books and ending my wondering.
This story is written from alternating first-person perspectives, a style that seems to be very popular in YA adult novels and one that I have to admit that I don’t often care for it. I knew exactly what each character was thinking the instant anything happened and there was little left to keep me guessing. I was rarely left wondering what they would do or what would happen next, and if I was, then my questions were quickly answered pages later. The historical issues also bothered me quite a bit and I couldn’t seem to keep myself from comparing this book to others I’ve read set during Medieval times. I found the way the characters thought and spoke very modern, with a few historical things thrown in here and there, almost as an afterthought. That bothered me the most, because I distinctly recall Ms. Hedlund’s other books being incredibly accurate. I’m not a stickler on most things and will happily allow for a bit of creative license, but the differences went a bit further than that.
I can say that I did enjoy getting to know Sabine and Bennett, and can easily see a teenager happily devouring their romantic story and sighing at all of the appropriate places. I also appreciated the author’s emphasis on inner beauty being more valuable than appearances. I really enjoyed how the dialogue and Sabine’s intelligence added credence to that overarching statement and had to laugh at some of the quirky things she came up with.

Overall, I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys stories set during Medieval times, but isn’t a stickler for historical accuracy.
My thanks to the author for my copy of this book! I was not required to write a review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have previously enjoyed many of Jody Hedlund’s historical novels but somehow missed reading the first two novels of this series. Fortunately “For Love and Honor” was well able to stand on its own without background details from the previous novels. But of course I now want to read those also!

“For Love and Honor” is a beautifully written story that absolutely lives up to its title. Its medieval setting, complete with castles, is populated with gallant knights and proper ladies and features Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet who are the subjects of an attempted arranged marriage. Bennet must quickly marry a woman with enough wealth to save his family home. Sabine has little hope of marriage due to an unsightly blemish that repels at best and could cause her to be branded as a witch at worst. With both of them reluctant to marry they surprisingly find themselves perfectly suited. Can they overcome all the obstacles that threaten them to find a forever love?

I liked everything about this book. The plot had a fairytale quality yet was so much more. While often serious in nature, witty dialogue that added to my enjoyment was scattered throughout. A lovely story of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and redemption, “For Love and Honor” is woven with a strong thread of faith. It is a wonderful YA novel that I can truthfully recommend to all who enjoy this type fiction, young or old.

For Love & Honor is the first book in the An Uncertain Choice series by Jody Hedlund that I've read. I'm a fan of the young adult genre and this one embodies what I like about it, sweet and clean. I can connect to Lady Sabine personally, knowing the unease with physical blemishes that makes one self-conscious, as well as her love for art. I also like her spunk. The start of her love story was a little bumpy, but the journey between her and Sir Bennet allow all fans of sweet romances cheer. Accepting one, flaws and all makes for a great message, no matter the age. I look forward to reading the earlier books in the series.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this story! Lady Sabine feels she has no hope in finding a suitable young man to marry. Sir Bennet has no desire to marry, he has to fix the family finances. These two are thrown together and the story of young maids, Knights, family responsibilities and battles against neighbors. Such an interesting story it’s definitely on my favorites list!

I’m not always a fan of YA fiction. There is just something that doesn’t always captivate with them. However, that said, I was quite surprised at the captivating story Ms. Hedlund created with this novel. From start to finish, I was hooked and in awe of the wonderful story she created. 

Sabine and Bennet’s characters were complex and perfect for their roles in the story. The secret being held, watching them interact, seeing the honor that is among the pages of this endearing read, made for a quick, fun read! I loved the way Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet interacted and watching their feelings for each other shine through. 

I give this book no less than 4 stars. It’s a quick read, and those who enjoy happy ever afters, fairy tale style settings and characters that will make their home in your heart, then you must grab Ms. Hedlund’s book. It’s definitely a surprising read and I am looking forward to giving her other books a try! Great job, Ms. Hedlund!

There hasn't been one Jody Hedlund's book that I haven't loved. She never disappoints. I never would have known this was a juvenile book without checking first.

This book centers around Bennet and Sabine. They each have a cross to bear. Bennet needs to save his ancestral home and belongings. Sabine has a secret that she cannot share with anyone.

With a little scheming, Bennet and Sabine are brought together. I enjoyed their banter back and forth and was surprised in the twist of the story at the end.

Sabine was caged like a bird. In order to be set free, she had to be open and allow herself to trust in the Lord that all will be ok.

Bennet learned that belongings and treasures really didn't make you rich. His relationship with his loved ones was what mattered.

Great story for a senior like me as well as the audience it was written for.

Once again, Ms. Hedlund entertained me with her excellent writing skills.

Lady Sabine has kept a terrible secret, a skin blemish that could have her branded as a witch and burned at the stake or drowned. Because of this secret, she has given up on her dream of marriage because she cannot let herself hope that any man will see beyond it to who Sabine really is. So when her grandmother cooks up another matchmaking scheme, Sabine is ready to deflect it … until she starts feeling attraction to the man, Sir Bennet.

For Love and Honor is yet another of Jody Hedlund’s fantastic YA romances. Sir Bennet, the last of Lady Rosemarie’s suitors from book one, An Uncertain Choice, features as the male lead and wealthy Lady Sabine is his love interest. Secrets abound in this historical romance, from the harebrained matchmaking scheme at the beginning to the deeper secrets that could put the lives of all the residents in the castle in danger. But I loved it! The secrets were layered on top of each other, and while that does not make the greatest basis for a relationship, it makes a great basis for a novel, and the characters worked through the mistrust to fall beautifully and wholly in love with each other. They were indeed the perfect match.

What I loved most about For Love and Honor was the banter. Lady Sabine’s quick wit from the first page she is introduced had me laughing and loving her. Then when she was paired up with Sir Bennet, my happiness doubled from his responses. It was fantastic! The romance, which I already described, is probably the next greatest thing about this novel. And my third favorite part was the theme of the novel. It spoke of beauty in a person’s character, personality, and the value placed on everyone by God rather than beauty only in physical appearance, talents, or wealth. One of my favorite quotes, on page 181, says this: “But if I stopped hiding the real me—if I accepted and embraced everything about myself, including the mark on my skin—the I’d take the first step in showing others that they had nothing to fear from me.”

I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially teen girls and fans of YA historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Zondervan. All opinions are expressly my own.

Jody Hedlund has a new book out, “For Love and Honor.”
Jody’s books are incredible. I always know when I pick one
up I will not be disappointed. Within the pages of this book,
you’ll meet characters that all have their own set of problems.
Deception, secrets, war, financial woes, safety and you’ll also
see forgiveness, acceptance, unity, and love. Read it, you’ll
be glad you did!!!

Blessings,
Karen Hadley
Rating: 5*
I received this book as a gift, all opinions are my own

It's a lot of fun watching an author write in different time periods and genres Ms. Hedlund seems to do it flawlessly, with great attention to detail, engaging the reader along each turn.
There is one theme that is constant throughout the book, learning to accept yourself just the way you are. Lady Sabine believes that because she has a skin blemish she is unlovable. Isn't that how we all felt before we met Jesus?
The love story between Bennet and Lady Sabine is sweet, not rushed, or overdone. Lady Sabine is sassy and snarky at times, which is perfect for Bennet.
When I think that this book is for young adults, I think what a perfect theme, learning to love yourself just the way you are. Echoing Beauty and the Beast.
This book would be a perfect summer book read for the teenager in your life, highly recommended!

Jody Hedlund is an author I have enjoyed in the past, but I had not read her foray into young adult fiction before now. As with her adult historicals, the writing is excellent and her voice carries through into this genre (it is still historical, though aimed at a different audience), but I am pleased to find that even in the shorter work, this is a satisfying story that entertains and tugs at the heart, making me root for the couple facing several difficult situations.

The main characters are engaging and the first person point of view, alternating perspectives between the hero and heroine, keeps the pace moving while helping us to understand the characters’ thoughts and motivations better than we might be able to do otherwise. Though not for every reader, this point of view has a more immediate tone that quickly invests those reading it in the story’s outcome.

My favorite part of this novel is the slight twist that Hedlund employs: rather than the woman attempting to marry for money, the hero is in that uncomfortable predicament. And I loved that the two interact in humor before the romance really begins—that they match in mind and temperament rather than swooning over appearance from the start.

The romance is age-appropriate and parents will likely appreciate Sabine’s inner dialogue that kissing a man too soon may give the wrong impression about her willingness to engage in intimacy before a marriage commitment. There are also lessons about true beauty coming from within and how a man demonstrates his character by how he treats others, especially those of a lower station.

This is labeled as “teen fiction” but there is only one instance of anything even approaching objectionable: one character asks if the hero can “sire children.” It is used appropriately and shown to be rather rude, even if not used in a crass manner. The only other content that would perhaps urge caution are the battle scenes and one toward the end where Sabine is imprisoned overnight, but again, it will likely cause little more than a cringe. Even young teens, 13 and up, can read this with little concern.

I would recommend this novel for those who have enjoyed Hedlund’s work in the past, for fans of Melanie Dickerson’s books, and those who enjoy historical romance set in medieval times. The tale has action, suspense, humor, romance, and a couple of well-placed twists, making it an enjoyable read for a broad audience of teens and adults alike. While not necessary to understand this story, reading the previous two book in this series first will give a bit of background that may make it even more enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book through Celebrate Lit, but no compensation for this review. I was not required to write a favorable one and the opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

This was a great story, of love, of honor, even of accepting yourself. I immediately felt connected to Sabine. She thought herself plain, nothing special, ordinary, and not worthy of love. I think perhaps there are times that many women and young ladies feel the same, no matter how untrue it is. She just needed someone to appreciate her for who she really was so she could come out of her shell a little bit.
I loved the way Bennet and Sabine interacted. Although they were forced together so to speak, I found their interactions to be natural, fun, and even flirty. I felt like they were open and honest (mostly) with each other, which was a good start for their relationship. Bennet seemed so loyal, almost to a fault. I loved seeing him come to different realizations throughout the book. About himself, Sabine, and his family even. And I loved the way the author wrote Sabine’s grandmother. I found myself smiling at her actions and words.

Any historical fiction fan will enjoy this book, and if you’ve never read historical fiction I urge you to give it a try! It will be sure to brighten your day. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We all have flaws, but in this fairy tale, Lady Sabine's life is in danger because of a birthmark. After all, that mark has been there since birth. In that way it is far fetched but it's a fairy tale. Again, we have instalove, but the story is still interesting. While I enjoyed this book it strikes me as less of a YA and more of a book for an older reader. Both Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet have a lot of growing to do during this book. The setting was fun and throughly fictional. Over all, a fun read.

My copy came from Celebrate Lit. I wasn't required to leave a favorable review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the characters if Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet. They learn to become friends through some trying times. I like how they are brought together through unusual circumstances. This is the third in the series but they don't have to be read in order to enjoy. It would be hard to be different when people were so superstitious. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

As a reader and fan of Jody Hedlund's adult historical fiction novels, it was only natural that I was curious as to how her young adult fiction stories would be. I was not disappointed! I am a fan of many types of books in the YA genre, including some of the fairy tale retellings from Melanie Dickerson.

For Love and Honor is as sweet as sugar and a clean book that readers of Christian fiction and general market books alike can feel good about reading. My only gripe with the book is that the plot moves rather swiftly and as such doesn't give readers a lot of time to get to know the characters. For this reason, I think For Love and Honor is best read as part of the series. Some characters were just mentioned in passing and it left me wishing I had known them better. It would have added much to the scenes, especially those with Sir Bennet and his friends.

Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet's tale is a feel good romance about honesty and embracing one's flaws. It's a tale that can be read in one night, but don't start it too late in the evening! You won't want to put it down. It's a great beach read, since it's getting to be that time of year and I know people are looking for satisfying books to vacation with.

~ My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars ~

Knights, medieval castles, a flawed yet endearing hero and heroine along with a delightful romance story that takes hold of your heartstrings and won't let you go. Romance reading at it's finest!

For Love and Honor by Jody Hedlund is the third book in her Noble Knights series yet it can easily be read as a stand alone novel as well. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait to catch up on the first two books in this series, Uncertain Choice and Daring Sacrifice.

If you're looking for some romance reading bliss .. pick up a copy of Love and Honor!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Hedlund and Celebrate Lit Blog Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This on is an 'in a series' book but can be read completely as a stand alone. Sir Bennett has to pay back debts his brother accrued and to do that, he must marry a wealthy lady. Lady Sabine fits the bill of wealthy but she has a mark that many would condemn her for. The two of them are matched but neither want to marry for convenience only.
I have to say that I do love this cover. It is fairly simple but completely beautiful to me. I loved that there was more to Bennett and Sabine than insta-attraction. There was some confusion about why they were meeting and then the two grew to like one another as people AND have a physical attraction. The theme of trusting God is throughout the book and I really like how the author incorporated it in. I truly enjoyed the characters in the book and really got into the story.
Overall a 4/5 for me. I really enjoyed it and read it in one sitting!
Thank you for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate Lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

"They're priceless treasures. Each marking or chip makes them even more special." That line right there encompassed the basic truth of this book for me. When I talked about the idea of perhaps requesting this book, Kristin almost insisted I do it. My concern was that it was the 3rd book in a series. She insisted that it read perfectly as a stand alone novel, and I'm very glad I listened (don't let it go to your head Kristin!). Lady Sabine deals with her own insecurities due to a birthmark that is considered a mark of witchcraft. Sir Bennet deals with the fact that his older brother has allowed his grief to cloud his ability to make wise decisions and he is called home to attempt to set things right. They are drawn together over their love of priceless artifacts. Artifacts that others see as dispensable, decrepit, and not really worth holding onto. They are pulled apart due to her insecurities and his seeming ability to let chivalry and nobility cloud his judgement and ability to communicate real feelings. And of course the siege, and stubbornness (on both their parts), and the influence of others. But they manage to overcome all of that and conquer all without losing the story and falling to cliches. Almost too perfectly overcoming it all but I'll let that slide. Though I think my next book needs to go the opposite of romance, happy endings are starting to cloud my grumpy edges.

This book, while set in a historical time period, did not read awkwardly (as they sometimes do) and provided such believable characters. They both made me want to Gibbs' Smack them which restores my faith in humanity and fiction since it's been a while since I had characters to pull me in and want to show them the way. I wanted them both to actually say what they felt and thought instead of fighting within themselves. You know, like humans do. Every. Last. One. Of. Us. If you tell me you don't second guess your thoughts and feelings and how the other person may or may not react to those well, I don't believe you. It's a real thing and when you see if from the outside you realize that it's redundant and annoying. Doesn't stop us from doing it though, does it? And while annoying, draws me to those characters and makes me feel for them and root for them and well you know, bond with them.

The only thing that I really didn't like about the book, and it truly is more an annoyance, because I'm me, than a true flaw is that everything worked out at just the right time. Every time. Hand to hand combat and our time is going down? Friends ride to the rescue. And how the gravy did they even know to come when everyone said they didn't have time to get a message out. And how did they even hear rumors when they were sieged in? I won't go into detail about the other 'perfectly' timed rescue as it would give away too much. I get that at times in real life things sometimes just work out perfectly at the exact right last moment but it's an exception not the rule. I feel like it was the rule here. Annoyance as I'm not a 'must have happy endings' kind of gal but did not detract from the story for me.

I was so blessed to be provided a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.