I was delighted to have the opportunity to read an ARC of this book as I am a huge fan of Mary Jo Putney’s writing and in particular the Rogues Redeemed and Lost Lord Series. This book can be read as a stand alone but I think once you read it you will be intrigued enough to want to read her other books. Callie and Richard were running off to Greta Green to save her from being forced to marry a much older man when disaster struck and they were caught by their fathers and separated. Many years later they are reunited in the midst of the War of 1812 (which Canada won ;) ) when Richard is sent to rescue a Widow whose relatives in England are concerned for her safety. The story takes place in an exciting and dangerous time and it was quite interesting to see key historical figures turn up during the course of it. I very much enjoyed this book and ended up staying up quite late just to make sure they made it safely through the Battle of Baltimore. If you have read Mary Jo Putney’s other books you will find this a worthy addition to the series and if you have not this story is a great place to start reading her books.

Best friends George Audley and Callista Brooke try to escape their horrid childhood homes by eloping at age 16. When that plan fails Callista is married off to a friend of her father and moves to his home in Jamaica. She's told George died. Resigned to her new life, she tries to make a difference in Jamaica- including trying to convince her husband to free his slaves. One of those things he 'means to get to', it does no one any good when he drops dead before registering a new will. Callie leaves with her husband's two illegitimate children by a slave and their grandparents. They work hard to build a new, free life in Washington D.C. and seem to be succeeding- until the British invade!

George (now going by Gordon) never got along with his father or 2 older brothers, but when his father charges him as a horse thief and sends him to Botany Bay for the attempted elopement with Callie, he doesn't bother to keep in touch after gaining his freedom. Gordon leads an adventurous life, often getting himself into dangerous circumstances- like nearly being shot as an alleged spy during the Peninsular campaign. He considers himself a problem solver who helps people who can't help themselves and it is in that spirit that he agrees to travel to America to try and find a widow and reunite her with her English family before she's hurt in a war zone. He's shocked when the widow turns out to be Callie! Their easy friendship picks up as if they'd never been apart, but through the trials and dangers of escaping the British bombardment of Washington D.C. and Baltimore, they begin discover deeper emotions. And that may be the only thing that gets them through returning to England.

Once a Rebel goes where few historical romances I've read have gone before- America during the War of 1812. More specifically, the burning of Washington D. C. and the navy's bombardment of Baltimore. I found Mary Jo Putney's weaving of fiction and fact seamlessly blended in a wonderful style that brought the dangers of war to a very human, and imaginable, level. Callie and Gordon are wonderful, three-dimensional, realistic characters who have learned that the world isn't always a good place, but they haven't allowed that to harden them against the possibility of love and future happiness. They come to realize that this is the right time and the right place for their relationship to flourish, and they are perhaps a stronger couple now than they would have been had they eloped all those years ago. Once a Rebel is also unusual in that most books including battles the hero (and often the heroine) purposefully engage in the fray in some fashion. But here we see the fighting only from the perspective of civilian by-standers. What were the civilians doing in Baltimore to prepare themselves for possible invasion? What was it like to listen to the bombing of Fort McHenry all night, without knowing what the outcome was until the sun rose the next morning? Between Callie and Gordon's experience and a brief cameo by her lawyer Francis Scott Key, the emotional poignancy of the Star-Spangled Banner took on a whole new meaning for me.

Of course, there are more problems for Callie and Gordon to get through than a simple war, and Putney does an excellent job of showing the personal and emotional impact each problem and change has on them both. Both Callie and Gordon have to question their definition of themselves, of family, of love, and what they are wiling to do to protect those things. In facing each of the challenges that come their way, we watch them grow and develop in relatable ways, and grow as a unit, facing problems together- which is often something that doesn't happen until the very end in romances.

Like its predecessor Once a Soldier, Rebel is an engaging and well-written story with great characters. An especially excellent sense of time and place and history brings wartime America to life in all the best possible ways. A must read for Mary Jo Putney fans, and historical romance fans in general!

Mary Jo Putney NEVER disappoints her readers and fans! I absolutely loved Once a Rebel!!!!

I normally love Mary Jo Putney's offerings, but "Once a Rebel' confused me. It contained a great history lesson about the British American War, but provided a confusing sensibility as to the language and behavior of the times. At times I felt like the dialogue was sophomoric and more typical of 21st century language. It attempted to cover a number of issues and morays, from family abuse, illegitimate children, slavery, murder, and interracial relationships to war. All together it felt fragmented and just like it fulfilled a need to check off boxes. I'm sorry I didn't like it more.

There is so much going on in this book. It was almost like reading a whole series in one book. A definite reread in the future.

Cute! Would've liked it to be a bit shorter though as it dragged towards the end.

I found this book to be a fast paced read that only required 2 sittings from me. However I did find some scenes were slow compared to the rest of the story and felt unnecessary.

Mary Jo Putney writes engaging romance with well drawn characters. We always buy her for our library.

Despised by their respective fathers, Callie and Richard are best friends growing up, exploring and getting into scrapes together. When 16-year-old Callie's father decides to betroth her to a planter three times her age, Richard offers to elope with her to Scotland instead. But they are quickly caught and separated; Callie's father beating Richard savagely with his father's approval.

Fifteen years later, in 1814, Richard is sent to Washington to rescue a widow from the British invasion. He has no idea that it is Callie; she has no idea that anyone in her family still cares. She is entirely ready to be rescued, but she has family--step-children and their grandparents--that must be seen to first. Soon they are in Baltimore under siege, and growing closer every day.

Winning characters, gripping history, an entirely satisfactory romance.

This book felt very strange. One the one hand the main characters are interesting and intriguing (if a bit Mary Sue-ish and infantile) but everyone else feel like a caricature, very one-dimensional. This book also felt very long, like three books in one. There were way too many villains, many of them unnecessary.

I have read some of Ms. Putney's books and I enjoyed this novel as well. I enjoyed how she combined her story with history to create a delightful read. Callista Brooke and Lord George Gordon Audley were best friends as children until an event changed everything and separated them for 15 years.
Callie was married to a Jamaican planter and became a widow who traveled to Baltimore in order to protect her stepchildren from their older brother. Callie is a strong, independent woman who has been looking to have a family since her own abandoned her. It takes her some time to realize how much she loves Richard.
Richard Audley is sent to retrieve the Widow Audley from Baltimore due to the ongoing war between the Americans and the British. He was convicted of a petty crime and sent to a penal colony in Australia, but was able to show his worth and make something of himself. He is a third son and has always loved Callie, even if he did not realize it and tried to save her from a terrible marriage. Richard does not realize it is Callie he has come to rescue and Callie does not know Richard has been alive for all these years. When they are reunited, they pick up where they left off as best friends, but both are older now and have deep wounds from their pasts.
Follow their journey through Maryland and back to England as they rediscover themselves and right past and current wrongs, while protecting those they care about. They face battles on both fronts and when they return to England, they both learn several truths that they did not know of before. However, danger lurks everywhere, even where you least expect it.

I am not sure why, I found it difficult to reconnect with the characters. Loved the premise for the story and that they were such great friends in the beginning and that really got me, but I found it more difficult to reconnect with both characters once they were older. Sad, because I wanted to like it more.

Mary Jo Putney writes engaging regency era stories and this is no exception. The horror of parents and their behavior to their children will give you chills. The underdogs are so valiant you will become totally invested in their future - and be just as surprised by the twisting path as they are.