Having a new Laura Frantz to read always has me fighting the urge to drop everything and head to the couch with a cup of coffee to devour the book in one setting. I try to use restraint.

Set against the Jacobite rising of 1715, The Rose and the Thistle is Frantz at her best. Her meticulous research and fine writing bring the Scottish Borders to life, including vivid descriptions of ‘Auld Reekie’ itself, the city of Edinburgh. Lady Blythe Hedley, avid scholar and daughter of a Northumbrian Jacobite, finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When King George’s supporters root out the rebels attempting to put ‘The Pretender’ on the throne instead, Blythe’s family estate is targeted by a mob, causing Blythe and her companion Elodie to flee north to the Scottish lowlands, seeking refuge at Wedderburn Castle, ancestral home of her godparents.

The new Lord Wedderburn, Everard Hume, is adjusting to his role as laird while grieving the recent loss of his father. Adding to his responsibilities is a wayward brother, David, bent on living a debauched life as well as being a passionate Jacobite, a political stance Everard wants no part of. An ex-soldier himself, Everard wishes to stay well out of the fray and focus his life on the Wedderburn estate, tenants, and collieries. The clandestine arrival of an English Jacobite’s daughter needing his protection is, therefore, the last thing he needs or wants. Fearing for her safety, he attempts to keep Blythe and Elodie’s presence a secret from the rest of the castle’s inhabitants and neighbors, including his younger brothers. This secret doesn’t last, and soon Blythe’s role shifts within the family as she and Everard form a friendship and more, while the threat of misplaced loyalties and treasonous actions by others threaten to keep them apart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A damsel in distress, a stalwart hero, grief, betrayal, war, and love. This story has it all.

Lady Blythe is secreted in the middle of the night to a castle in Scotland for her protection. We meet the former soldier, Everard, now Lord Wedderburn, thankfully first impressions aren't always what they seem. Each has to make choices about their futures and where their alliances will lie - knowing these decisions aren't made lightly.

The author does an excellent job unveiling these characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. This story kept moving into new scenes, with new dangers until you finish this book and end with a sigh of contentment.

It takes place during a historical time and place I was less familiar with. The tension between Protestant and Catholic faith is evident, while both characters lean strongly on their faith in Christ.

This will be a favourite of the year! Highly recommend.