Member Reviews
I liked the plot but was a little slow. I'm adding it back to my tbr because I feel like I picked the wrong time to pick this book up. It wasn't what I was in the mood for at the time but it's beautifully written and I think people would enjoy it if this kind of book is what you are looking for.
I hate dnfing books but I just had to do it. I was at the 60% mark and I was struggling 🥺.
The story is super super slow. I expected sweet romance and adventure and drama but sadly it didn’t fulfill my expectations. First of all, I wouldn’t put this book under the romance genre. There’s barely any at all
(And the amount it has is super bland?).
I also didn’t like that we had to read the villains POV. It just dragged the story more and it was confusing.
I feel this story had tons of potential but it just wasn’t developed to its max potential.
Also , the MCs reactions to tragic things that happened were like not believable? I just feel that if I’d gone through stuff like what she went through I’d be traumatized and in shock…
I don’t know, it just wasn’t it for me
I enjoyed A Revolution of Hearts by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. It was a good read and definitely worth a read. I am giving it four stars.
Wow! I can't believe it took me so long to read this book! The cover caught my eye in an advertisement for it before it was published. I kept thinking about how beautiful it was. The story sounded intriguing and let's be honest, I'm a huge Scarlet Pimpernel fan. I love Sir Percy Blakeney! This story had a fun connection and a little behind the scenes action of Sir Percy's escapades during the French Revolution.
Mademoiselle Dacia de Prideux is a French Aristocrat who is on the run. The beginning of the book starts out seemingly happy and wonderful but there are a couple surprises that mix it all up and have readers sitting anxiously, biting their nails (if you're a nail biter) and turning the pages as quickly as possible. Will Dacia survive? She's a pretty cunning and creative young woman and has some big hoops to jump through to stay one step ahead of her brother's murderer.
Richard Harris is an English Aristocrat and one who is behind the scenes helping rescue those who are in trouble. I loved the many scenes with him and Dacia together. Especially when he's in disguise. And disguises are a major part of this book. Or play acting. Now the question is who is play acting, who can be trusted and who can't. Dacia and Richard will need to think fast if they're going to keep her safe and hidden from the murderer.
I liked Dacia's character and how she stood up to the challenge of what life threw at her. She wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty and work in any capacity that was needed of her to keep her safe. I liked watching her watch people and gain a better understanding of people being people, no matter their station in life. And that everyone deserved respect and kindness. And of course there's some sweet underlying sparks between Dacia and Richard. You'll have to read to see how it all ends (with the bad guy and with their sparks)!
Content: Clean. There are a couple moments of suspense and peril but they aren't overly graphic. There is some blood but in relationship to some knife wounds. Nothing more than kissing.
I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
This was such a great and intense romance! It's not often that you see romances set during the French Revolution, but I really enjoyed the setting. It was truly beautiful, and even though I didn't quite see the ending coming, I really enjoyed it.
A great homage to the ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’ this books drops you in the middle of intrigue, suspense and the French Revolution. Right from the start this book pulls you and keeps you wanting more!
This was the first time I’ve read a book by this author and I enjoyed it. I liked the main characters and loved the plot line. It kept me up late reading. Best of all it was clean! I will be watching for more from this author.
After an evening spent at the theatre with her brother, French aristocrat Dacia de Prideux is aroused from her bed when she hears the crash of shattered glass. She finds her brother, Marcel stabbed in the chest, and finds herself fighting for her very life from the intruder. Dacia is accused of the crime and must flee to prove her innocence and find a way to prove the police commissioner is the true murderer.
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed her descriptions and the suspense in this story. Dacia has to make her way through Paris to a friend's house, who knows someone who can help her escape to England. Her disguise is that she's a maid (Louise Bertrand) looking for work and is "hired" by Mr. Richard Harris, who has secrets of his own--he's a member of Sir Percy’s league of gentleman heroes. Just when I thought it was all going to work out, the murderer is close at hand and has figured out who the new maid really is!
Dacia had much to learn about being a maid, and I especially liked that it made her appreciate how hard her own staff had worked to make her life comfortable. I liked how strong Dacia proved to be. She was pampered and I wasn't sure how she would survive but she proved that she was smart and capable. The romance in the story is slow burning. It's a gradual thing and Dacia and Richard don't admit their feelings until the end. It felt as if Dacia and Richard's story was just beginning. I wish there had been an epilogue taking place a few months later, it would've made it feel more complete to me.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book starts out with action and intrigue as Marcel de Prideaux, a political activist is murdered and his sister Dacia is accused of the crime. I was turning pages so fast to see what happens! She is desperate to escape and finally makes it to England where she must hide among the servant class. This is a big change for her, as she is a high-born lady and not used to serving or working in any form. The English landowner she works for is aware of some of her circumstances, but in order to protect him, she keeps her secrets close---until danger finds her once again.
I really enjoyed this historical romance and how Dacia really finds herself in the midst of such chaos. She is stronger than she thinks, even in the face of impossible odds. I did think it was going to be more of an action and intrigue story, but the bulk of it is about Dacia and her new life as a servant. We have multiple points of view, which was confusing for me at times because of the intricate backstories those introduced, but it all wrapped up in a satisfying way. Our hero Richard was daring and sweet and I was really rooting for him to get his happily-ever-after. Definitely worth the read!
This book was sweet and fun, but I feel like it didn't live up to its potential! It sounded so promising- a book set in the realm of the Scarlet Pimpernel, complete with cameos from the Pimpernel and Marguerite. But as most of the book takes place at Richard Harris's estate, there isn't much action. I wanted more interaction and conversation between the two MC's as well. There were quite a few side stories that didn't add to the main plot, and I wanted to know what happened to our villain in the end.
Here's what I did love:
Our main character, Dacia, has great development by the end of the story. I loved the tie-ins to the Scarlet Pimpernel. I enjoyed the different disguises used throughout the book. I love the time period- so much political unrest leads to interesting stories. Overall, a nice story, but I wanted more!
Romance, clean, period
Dacia de Prideaux and Mr. Richard Harris' story is one of intrigue and every day life. As Dacia seeks to hide after being framed for the murder of her brother she is put in the care of Richard Harris, wealthy English landowner and member of Sir Percy’s league of gentleman heroes, who has been assigned to protect Dacia. Hiding her in plain sight and masquerading her as a housemaid at his estate.
The opening scenes are harrowing and intense, and then it moves to the every day as Dacia pretends to be a housemaid after living a well-to-do life. Their moments as Dacia steps into her new role, unexpected, and honest and genuine were a stark contrast to the beginning of the novel. This central portion of the novel is much more tame and everyday mundane, but leading to genuine attraction, affection, and deeper feelings for them both. Dacia's growth and insights into her life, and the life of lower class people as she is hidden and works in Richard Harris' home gave Dacia the opportunity to reflect on her privileged life, and develop the awareness of the difficulties and hardships of those beneath her station, and also provided the opportunity for she and Richard to develop their feelings and relationship. Sweet romance between the two of them in the end.
While in some ways this was more of a 3.5 for me as a reader, I think the beautiful lush cover gave me pause and had me round up. I received an ARC of this from the publisher and author in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this fast paced and engaging story. The characters were well written and the story kept me guessing. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
This was my first time reading a book by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen and I honestly would want to read more of her books. I would absolutely love to read a second book on Dacia. I stayed up into the late hours reading this book.
What an amazing story! I was completely intrigued by all the twists and turns in this story. Dacia is quite the strong, resourceful, and compassionate woman and makes quite the heroine in this story. Richard is just the hero she needs. As the danger to Dacia grew nearer, I was reading rapidly to see how things would turn out between the two of them. This story is set during the French Revolution, and that backdrop added extra suspense to Dacia’s story. This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and I’ll be looking for more books from her. There’s excellent pacing of the story and great dialogue all throughout the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This was my first experience with a novel written by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen and I loved every minute of it. The book is hard to put down. You cannot help but feel exactly what her main characters feel, especial Dacia, as she is hunted by the police officer who murdered her brother. Desperate to get away, Dacia's friends help her to get on a boat to England. From there, they continue to watch over her and lead her to a position in Richard Harris's household, one of the men who helped saved her. As Dacia bides her time and attempts to stay out of the line light and learn her "new place" in Harris's household, she falls in love with Richard. This novel is a must to anyone who loves a good mystery with a fantastic romance.
(3.5 stars) - a revolutionary awakening of both mind and heart
I loved the premise of this book as a story that runs parallel to that of the Scarlet Pimpernel and dabbles in the exploits of his League of Gentlemen.
Dacia is spoiled and not very likeable at the beginning, but after her brother is murdered, and she has to go into hiding as a maid, she learns that her assumptions & prejudices about aristocracy vs plebians were wrong.
The story is technically good, and the historical aspects of the book are well done, but a little dispassionate at times. I had a difficult time getting in to it, initially, and confess to skimming thru Jeret's parts. I would have liked there to have been a stronger emotional connection & attraction between the two main characters, but I did enjoy the development of their relationship. I enjoyed the story's flavor reminiscent of "The Countess Below the Stairs" combined with the suspense of a Pimpernel adventure.
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
This chaste romance offers something new for historical readers who don't want sex on the page (but that ain't me). An interesting take on the Scarlet Pimpernel, though. And a refreshing, new setting.
A well-written tale of a young woman fleeing France during the revolution--with a guest appearance by Sir Percival Blakeney (aka, the Scarlett Pimpernel). The writing was clear--easy to read, and the characters likeable. The plot moved at an easy pace, a little slow, but not too slow.
I found myself wanting a bit more of a connection between the MC's in the romance department. I felt like the characters kept having these "almost" moments, and then NOT having them, over and over again--which didn't cut it for me. Also, I really don't care for books where we get the villain's perspective. After reading the first two scenes from his POV, I straight up skipped the remaining scenes with him.
All in all, A Revolution of Hearts didn't quite hit me in the "reader feels" department, which is I think more indicative of my tastes as a reader, more than it is any error in writing on the author's part. I'd definitely say to give this one a shot if you like historical fiction :)
*I received a copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review*
I love that this story was a Scarlet Pimpernel style story! While I would of liked a little more of a build up for the suspense of Dacia not knowing who the sea captain was who saved her, I did enjoy this story and the premise.
Regency books is one of my favorite genres to read. A Revolution of Hearts was written at the start of the French Revolution in Paris during 1789. It starts out with spying and action in the first part of the book. Even with that I had a hard time getting into the story. The characters were like able, especially Dacia de Prideaux. She was a rich French aristocrat who witnessed her brothers killing and was unjustly accused of committing the murder. Dacia, Louise Bertrand changes her looks and excepts to England. She is hiding as a maid in Richard Harris' Manor home. There is excitement towards the end of the book. I felt everything in between was very predictable. My favorite part of the book was that it was a nice clean romance.
I received a copy of this book from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.