I have been utterly wrecked since reading this. Tears and tears and more tears…still trying to rein in my emotions after finishing this book.

While this was a fictionalization of what the author envisioned for Valentine and his work in serving God and his execution, I feel it could have very well happened just as she wrote it. Jamie brought to life the streets of Rome, gave us insight into the oppression and persecution of early church members, and the tremendous faith that those men and women had in the face of potential mortal punishment.

This story gutted me. I knew how it ended and I dreaded the last 25%. It was so tragic, yet so beautiful. The love Valentine had for his friends and his unwavering faith in God was inspiring.

As a Christian this book is a treasure. While we may experience persecution we have never had to suffer like the early church. It is heart wrenching to think of the atrocities they endured. Would we be as faithful? Would we forsake all for the glory of God? Would we lay down our lives for another’s?

The moment I finished I immediately told all my friends to go read this book! I would give it ten stars.

This was a heavy book. It is a beautiful story on how when we have Christ our suffering won’t be in vain. Our pain and suffering is what grows us closer to Him. That he works all things for His good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this fantastic book about 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲.

I was captivated from start to finish.

The book was totally riveting and I recommend it to all reads

Five plus stars!!!

This was such a great inspirational book! I loved the historical aspects of the book. It was very well written and I fell in love with the characters and how they interacted with everyone. I would very highly recommend this book!

The author whisks readers away into the Colosseum in Rome, where a broken and bruised man stood—not the hero the crowd had imagined. “The man isn’t afraid to die. He will be saved like the three in the fiery furnace. A miracle that would cause all in the stands to believe in the One God.”

I love how this author has her main characters interact with the store owners and takes readers through the streets of Rome. She additionally provides an insight into the struggles faced by the early church. It is like the world situation we are currently facing.

We then meet Iris, the jailor's young blind daughter who is trying on a pendant which promises a miracle if she wears it. Her father has spent a great deal of money attempting to restore his daughter's sight. She has heard about a God who is able to heal people. He makes no demands for money of any kind. After everything she's been through, she finds this hard to accept, yet she can't afford to ignore this knowledge,

I enjoyed the author's note, in which she admits that she has never been a fan of Valentine's Day. She started her investigation to demonstrate the ridiculousness of Valentine's Day. However, during her study, she came across a guy named Valentine who, infuriated by Emperor Claudius II's ban on marriage, went on to secretly marry couples until he was captured. He fell in love with the jailor's blind daughter when he was incarcerated. Before being taken away to be executed, he left her a love letter signed, “Love, your Valentine.”
Even though Valentine shares scripture, and prayers for Iris it didn’t feel forced and/or preachy. It naturally followed through the characters with their sacrificial love that touched my heart. This made for a riveting, page turning, emotional read, I couldn’t put down. This is a gripping story you don’t want to miss. It would be a wonderful book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

This book is a wonderful retelling of the legend of St. Valentine; a story I wasn’t familiar with beforehand. I loved the characters! They haunted my thoughts whenever I wasn’t reading the book. I especially loved how Valentine made Iris feel “seen”. Isn't that what true love is all about? I loved the author’s beautiful explanation of how Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and by putting our trust in Him we always find peace no matter the outcome of our circumstances. This book also taught me a lot about Roman culture in 270 AD. I found it to be a very inspiring and uplifting read about love, faith, and sacrifice! This book is a great book to read around Valentine's Day!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Jamie Ogle is a fresh new voice in biblical fiction.
Of Love and Treason takes readers back to Rome 270 AD, during one of the several waves of Christian persecution. The novel begins slowly, immersing readers in the sights, sounds and smells of the ancient city, exposing the challenges of daily life.
The story focuses on the challenges of a young woman who is blind, desperate to see again, experiencing a miracle from the One True God when she meets a Christian. When an edict from the emperor forbids marriage, notary Valentine does everything within his power to preserve the sanctity of marriage – earning a price on his head and notoriety as The Cupid.
There’s a colourful cast of characters – Romans and Christians alike.
An incredible amount of research has been done to provide a unique reading experience.
If you enjoy biblical fiction, check out Of Love and Treason. And if you’ve ever wondered how Valentine’s Day came about, check out Of Love and Treason.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Do you know the origins of Valentine's Day? Or anything about Valentine himself?

Do you want a realistic story with a happy ending about being a Christian in the Roman empire? I don't think those exist. But if you're looking for something gritty, and real, and convicting? This is your book. Just be prepared to ugly cry.

Ogle's latest work weaves a fantastic tapestry of rich historical setting, freshly true-to-life characters, and a central thread of deep faith into a adventurous romance I loved. Of Love and Treason will captivate you from page one!

Of Love and Treason was a wonderful, heartfelt and encouraging book. Like the author, I wasn't very keen on Valentine's Day, especially as it’s marked these days, and I only vaguely knew the story of St Valentine, whom it was meant to be named after.
By the end, I was left with immense admiration for the man who defied the emperor to do what he thought was right, and kept his faith to the last, despite horrific tortures and death. I don't think I will ever view Valentine’s Day in the same way again.
It is to be noted that there is not much evidence for his existence or life - so this is largely the author's interpretation: but it’s one that fits well into the historical context.

This book both touched and challenged me, which I am inclined to believe, is good in a work of fiction. Especially one which is the author's debut. Can we trust God in the hard times when the ultimate price may be paid and not just when he does what we want?

Thanks to Tyndale House for approving me for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my review and all opinions expressed are freely given and my own.

This tale sweeps you into the days of the early church as you see the struggles and the triumphs of some of the ones who have gone before us.
Jamie Ogle expertly crafts characters that feel authentic and relatable.
The pacing travels as a slow and steady pace as you get to know the characters in this multiple point of veiw story.
There are many quotable lines about our faith that made me ponder my own walk and the reality of trouble we face in this world.
Readers who love historical fiction with a realistic quality may love this book.
But for the die hard HEA lover, be prepared with tissues.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally all thoughts and opinions are honest and completely my own.

Going into this I didn’t know much about it aside from the synopsis. I have read historical fiction, but nothing this far back in history. The summary and cover is what really drew me in to reading this.

As I was reading it I started to realize that this is based on the history of where Valentine’s Day comes from. I was very interested in the story, the romance, and the persecution that Valentine went through being a Christian during this time. This was a beautiful love story of not only Valentine and Iris, but also of those Valentine married while marriage had been banned. It also tells a great story of someone not willing to give up their faith and the miracles that took place. Both Valentine and Iris were characters I admired while reading this. It also had elements that reminded me of All The Light We Cannot See.

Of Love and Treason is a fiction novel inspired in the story of St. Valentine, a priest sentenced to death for marrying couples when the emperor Claudius II banned marriage during the third century.

In the beginning of the novel, Iris, a young woman meets Valentine, she is blind and he tells her that he will pray for her.

The author brings these characters and created a story of love and faith, and it isn't only love between a couple but as well it portrays the love and solidarity in the first Christian communities.

This is a historical Christian novel. In it, the characters quote some biblical passages and verses, I think those are good for the soul, and I liked that part.

St. Valentine was portrayed as a public notary instead of as a priest, and I would have liked that the reason for his martyrdom was more emphasized. In the novel, he falls in love with the jailor's daughter, Iris, and I expected more depth and spirituality when he was speaking and some parts where hard to believe but despite that, I enjoyed it and love the historic part mentioning places from the ancient Rome, the way of living of that time, the Romans and their deities, and how Christians were persecuted for their beliefs and staying truth to their faith.

It was a nice read and perfect for reading it for this upcoming Valentine's Day and I'd recommend it.

I read and alternated the eBook with the audiobook. The narrator's voice was charming, and the way she narrated it was very pleasant to listen to. I enjoyed the novel in both formats.

Thank you, Netgalley, Tyndale Publishing, and Dreamscape Media for the digital advanced reader copy and audiobook.

This is book is why I love Historical Fiction!

Jamie Ogle drops you right into the center of Rome 279 AD when many of the Roman’s still worshipped many Gods, believing in a single Christian God was illegal and Emperor Claudius Gothicus, needing a larger military, has outlawed marriage, removing the protection women had if they were widowed. Iris and her father, a Roman Jailor, have mounting troubles at home and there debts must be paid. Iris meets Valentine, or Valens or Val, as he was known, who offers to pray to his Christian God, Jesus, for her.

This is the origin story, told through well researched Historical Fiction, of St. Valentine. At times the pacing was inconsistent, and because this is more about the development of faith, rather than action packed novel, can feel slow at times. However. Ogle does a spectacular job of using the little research that was available to create a engaging and heartbreaking story of love and faith and putting your trust in God even if we don’t understand why bad things happen. Fans of Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, and those wanted to explore their faith through great storytelling may enjoy this book.

Absolutely could not put this book down! As I read the Author's Note, I realized that we had something in common (the first sentence of the Author's Note!), but the depth that went into researching Saint Valentine to better understand the holiday was very impressive. I was so INVESTED in these characters. I had to know what happened. I loved the story, the characters, and the faith elements. The way that the plan of salvation is laid out several times was beautiful. Everyone should read this book! Highly highly recommend!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Oh. My. Goodness.

This book destroyed me in the best way.

Of Love and Treason is a Christian historical fiction novel based on the man whom we all know as “Saint Valentine,” the reason we celebrate Valentine’s Day. What an incredible story.

This story is told from multiple POVs, and the discussion of faith and the goodness and love of God even in the face of suffering was so powerful. I had never thought much of the real-life Valentine before, but I am so very grateful that Jamie Ogle did and wrote this book!

If you are looking for a Christian historical fiction that is gripping, biblical, heart-wrenching but heartwarming at the same time, look no further! Also, if you enjoyed the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers, then you would love this book.

Of Love and Treason is a new favorite of mine, and I will recommend it to everyone now!

Of Love & Treason is a fantastic story set in ancient Rome A.D. 269. I love how Jamie Ogle brought the history of the holiday Valentine's Day to life!😊 I do wish though that more time was spent on character development,but besides that it was a great read!🩷

“He did it because he believes marriage is what is best for Rome. For families and widow care and property. What he did, he did for Rome.” —Iris

"Of Love and Treason" by Jaime Ogle takes readers back to ancient Rome, specifically AD 270, where faith boldly defies the emperor's edicts, and love thrives amidst adversity. The story revolves around Valentine, a daring leader of an underground church, who risks everything to perform secret wedding ceremonies, an act seen as treasonous. Ogle skillfully weaves themes of faith, courage, and the enduring power of love throughout the narrative.

The novel's portrayal of Rome and the difficulties faced by Christians under a hostile government stands out. The latter part of the story shines brightly, highlighting the church's unity and compassion, adding depth and authenticity to the tale. This change in pace and increase in drama reinvigorates the story.

Despite these strengths, the first half of the book struggled to maintain my interest, even with Iris's sympathetic character. Following this, Valentine's motivations for conducting secret marriages, as conveyed in the book, didn't fully draw me into his convictions, lessening the impact of his final sacrifice. Furthermore, some characters' actions seemed unrealistic, given the risks they faced. While Valentine's commitment to God's directive on marriage is admirable, his failure to consult the church before performing these marriages, inviting persecution, was disappointing.

In conclusion, "Of Love and Treason" offers an insightful glimpse into the early Christian church in Rome, focusing on themes of faith and love against adversity. It boasts a vivid setting and compelling character developments in its latter parts but encounters challenges in portraying the protagonist's motivations and the pacing of the story's beginning. Nonetheless, it will appeal to those fascinated by the legend of St. Valentine.

3.5/5 stars

I received this book from the publisher through the NetGalley review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wow! This book was amazing and it took a lot of will power to put it down for work, kids, etc. I easily could've read it in one sitting. The writing was incredible and detailed, and easily sucked me in! I loved the way the perspective shifted between characters; it made me love them even more. The power of faith was incorporated well, especially the need to have faith in all circumstances (not just "easy" times). I was impressed by the faith of all the characters, but especially Valentine and Iris. Definitely one of my new favorite Christian historical fiction books and I will be reading it again. I would love to see more books from this author in the future.

I am not okay right now😭💔
Oh, this book. 🥹 It was inspiring. Beautiful. Tragic. Full of hope in darkness.
I have always loved books that take place in Ancient Rome. Of Love and Treason was no exception. I was drawn into the story immediately. It was raw and real. The characters had depth and personality. I really loved all of the faith content. This book showed some of the struggles of the early church. One thing that stood out to me is the characters’ faith. How they persevered through hardships and clung to Jesus. I want to have faith like that.
I also found the legends of Valentine’s Day really interesting. This book definitely shone a new light on the holiday.
Jamie Ogle wove this story wonderfully. She gave her readers a taste of what living in Ancient Rome as a Christian might be like and fully immersed them in the life of Valentine and Iris.
I am excited to read more by her!
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*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are strictly my own*