I love a well written historical fiction story. I especially enjoy it when it is full of Lords and Ladies and all things aristocracy. Add in the writing talent of Laura Frantz and I'm just over the moon.

All the delightful aspects are involved in this tale. The newly titled Lord Wedderburn is a mixture of brooding intrigue and rugged determination. He is thrust into the situation and is none to happy about it but he has such high esteem for his father that he chooses to honor his wishes.

Lady Hedley is the epitome of stoic grace as she is whisked away from her home to be delivered to a strange castle in Scotland. So much is different and she can't help but long for home but as Lord Wedderburn she also dearly loves her father and respects his wishes.

This is a fascinating time in history and I enjoyed traveling along with these two as they traversed the tricky situations and found common ground. If you enjoy historical fiction just go ahead and add this title to your list. You will not regret it.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

This book is set during an interesting period of history, but sadly suffers from both telling, not showing, head-hopping among main characters without proper chapter or section breaks and really tired and sexist tropes. The historical events were simply used to separate the hero and heroine for a time and to kill off a disliked other character off page.

We are given a heroine who has spent years becoming adept at a male profession - translating from ancient languages - and has built up a small business doing so, who as soon as a boy likes her, drops her all-consuming passion and decades of study to devote all her time to him. She's sent to prison, and instead of even using her skill set to pass the time productively, she just waits for him to rescue her instead of attempting to help herself.

The heroine falls for the hero immediately when they meet and he isn't nice to her because of his manly good looks and he falls in love with her later because she is modest and "not like other girls." It's literally painful to read and there's zero reason for them to like each other and chemistry is utterly absent. While I realize this is a Christian author, the zealously Catholic heroine also dumps her religion at the drop of a hat to be with her Protestant love interest. Like zero qualms. It's just not how humans behave or feel.

This book was a complete waste of my time and hours of my life I won't get back. It was competently edited and there's nothing wrong with the on page prose style. The story is just not compelling at all and the characters actively annoyed me. I will not read another work by this author. I also won't be posting this elsewhere and blackening her name.

From beginning to end, The Rose and the Thistle, by Laura Frantz, is a sweeping love story! Compelling characters, integral settings, important themes, and a stunning plot make this historical romance as wonderful as it is riveting. With a perfect combination of romance and history, this novel is thoroughly entertaining.

Abounding with meaningful themes such as faith, trust, truth, and courage, The Rose and the Thistle is an emotionally-stirring and thoughtful book. Many surprises and plenty of heart enrich a storyline that is intriguing, moving, and meaningful. Adding depth to this plot is a breathtaking Scottish setting in which ancient castles, drafty rooms in tall stone towers, shadowy gardens at midnight, and even the bustling city streets of eighteenth century Edinburgh help to make the story truly unforgettable. And within this setting, captivating characters are introduced. Page by page, these characters show themselves to be witty, clever, compassionate, courageous, and honorable. Their resiliency and unflagging hope in the face of genuine peril is inspiring. Theirs is a remarkable story of courage and love through unsettled times.

Chapter by chapter, I was thoroughly enchanted by this beautifully written book. Richly detailed and thoughtfully composed, it is certainly an exceptional novel. It is a story I will long remember and greatly appreciate. I recommend it most sincerely.

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Laura Frantz is adept at her 18th century epics, and The Rose and the Thistle features a change of setting as all of it is abroad (no American colony or frontier). Her immersive style paints a fresh view of the moors and medieval castles, lending the 1700s story an older air as the antiquity of the setting mirrors the noble and honorable hero and heroine. Intrigue and duty are interwoven in this lush historical tale with a romance at its center.

And what a remarkable romance it is! It’s enough of a slow burn that the reader has a sense of Everard and Blythe, and the ways they will suit, even before they meet on page. This makes it a bit of an adventure to see them verbally spar at first because of their opposites (faith traditions and cultural upbringings), even as the reader knows their sameness of spirit in loyalty and intelligence. From an initial prickliness to a shared devotion to Everard’s littlest brother, Orin, they find common ground in friendship and elements of faith even as they cautiously venture toward a romantic possibility despite political dangers and opposition. When the romance does progress, wow, is it breathtaking in its telling. Everard is the best combination of fierce protector with a tender heart, while Blythe exhibits compassionate strength and humility.

The often-surprising plot, vibrant secondary characters (the Hume brothers!), and formidable Scottish Lowlands settings (Wedderburn Castle! Edinburgh!) all combine to heighten the stakes and add immeasurable depth to the tale. Orin, in particular, is a favorite, with a precocious and candid nature. Another small element of the story I love is the ongoing presence of birds — Blythe has a pet sparrow and Everard engages in falconry.

Through the ups and downs Everard and Blythe face, their story unfolds as more than just a romance, but as a story of honor and mutual respect. Both admirably cling to their faith in different ways. The Rose and the Thistle is the kind of story I wish I could read again for the first time — and I believe I will find new depths and facets upon each reread.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. I voluntarily purchased an ebook copy. This is my honest review.

✔ enemies to lovers
✔ forced proximity
✔ slow-burn
✔ clean romance

real rating 4.75

This was such a cute love story with the perfect amount of romance, intrigue and angst. Although it was a bit slow initially, it quickly captured me, and I couldn't stop reading. The slow burn was deliciously written, so smooth that you don't even realise it happened.

The main characters, Blythe and Everade, were marvellous, mature and perfect for each other. Blythe was amazing, and I truly loved her! Everade was just the perfect, handsome and intriguing hero we needed.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a lovely and clean historical romance. I'm so ready to read new books by Laura!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This historical fiction is a feel good romance with plenty of slow burn and no steam. :) During the English Civil War the Northumbrian, Catholic Blythe must run for her life to the borderlands of Scotland to take shelter in her godfather’s home - not knowing he’s just died. Of course his very handsome and kind son takes her in and hides her because she’s not safe from the neighbors, or even all the family members there. Surprise, surprise they fall in love, fail to communicate and then live happily ever after. Sorry for that spoiler. I know these romances are hard to predict ;) In all seriousness, this book was delicious. Such great storytelling, rich historical accuracy, lovable characters, interesting situations, great pacing, excellent writing. Frantz knows what she’s doing and she does it well.

Through beautiful and skilled writing, I was deeply drawn into the storyline of this novel. Every time I picked up this book, I time-traveled to Scotland in the early 1700’s. I saw the beautiful gardens, inhaled the various scents, tasted their food, heard the bagpipes and fiddles and felt the emotions of the characters that I came to love.

This was a very unsettling time for the people of Scotland, due to political unrest and political ambitions. Family members and neighbors…were they friends or foes?

The expected, natural death of a patriarch, along with the grieving of his loved ones was written in such a beautiful, touching and poignant way. Feelings that many of us have felt, were fitted to words and then put down on paper.

I loved the loyal relationships between the characters including romances, siblings, friendships, and employees who were almost like chosen family. A theme of faith was seamlessly woven into the storyline.

I loved Everard’s and Blythe’s story. It was compelling, satisfying and beautifully written. I will not soon forget them. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

4.5 stars. I hated to close the last page on this book. If you enjoy Scottish settings and historical romance you will love this. It took me a while to get into it initially, but once I got used to the Scottish/English political and historical setting the pacing definitely picked up. The story grows more exciting and endearing as it goes. I loved the main characters who are both so steadfast and wholesome. We get to see from both of their perspective, which really helped me connect with them. I appreciate how they were a great example of turning to faith and prayer during times of distress. I enjoyed getting swept up in the peril and adventure, but most of all
I adored the characters.

Five stars! I absolutely loved this book! Most Scottish books I have read are from the Jacobite POV I loved getting a glimpse into the other side with Everard. Blythe was such a well written complex Character and I loved that she wasn’t a ravishing beauty but became more “Bonnie” after getting to know her kindness. I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait for more Scottish Books from this author in the future

I enjoyed reading the historical romance between the English rose and the Scottish thistle! Lady Blythe secretly escaped her home in England after her father's home was attacked, due to his Jacobite leanings. She was hidden at her godparents' home in Scotland and was protected by the new lord there. The author's descriptions were rich, and led me to appreciate the flowers blooming! Lady Blythe's character was exceptionally brilliant and adaptable. The lord's character was honest and honorable. Both depended on their faith, especially when politics in the area put their lives in danger. This book's richness drew me into a different time and place.
I appreciated receiving this advanced reader's copy. My thoughts are my own.

I generally liked "The Rose and the Thistle" but this was not a book which marked me.

In 1715, Lady Blythe has to find refuge as her father's, the Duke of Northumbria, sympathies for the Jacobite cause is making them both a government target. She hides at Wedderburn castle in Scotland, the residence of her godfather, but arrived just as he passed away. The mourning family, an especially Lord Wedderburn, are not all pleased by Lady Blythe's presence, but she soon becomes an important member of their household, carving her place within this family as a tutor for the youngest son of the family. However, war is coming and Lady Blythe is in danger...

The book started out very slowly. I'd read reviews mentioning this, so I decided to be patient and wait for the plot to improve. However, the historical and political intrigue where a bit lost on me, I didn't really understand what was going on with the Jacobite rebellion and the Hanoverian king, and the book didn't manage to raise my interest about this topic.
Second, I found the plot strange. Overall, I liked the arc of the story but I felt that there were some missing elements. Concerning the romance, it was slow-burning but I felt that some bits where missing. When Blythe and Everard start having feelings for each other, I was like "I didn't even know you *liked* each other!". It was a sweet romance but I would have wanted more of it, and earlier on in the novel. It got much better towards the end, romance-wise. I enjoyed the secondary characters, notably young Orin, and found them to be relatively well developed.
Finally, contrary to the beginning, the end of the book felt a bit rushed. I would have wanted to see more of life at Wedderburn Castle after the conflict's resolution.

Lastly, as a non-native English speaker, I sometimes struggled to follow along the book as the vocabulary is complex and the dialogues imitate "Old English". I've read hundreds of books in English but this one was definitely amongst the most challenging—not that it's a bad thing, but non-native speakers might want to be aware of it.

I'd give it 3.5 stars.

*I received a free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion*

There's a new Hanoverian king on the throne and the Jacobites in both France and Britain are preparing for a rising that will replace him with a Stuart. In Scotland in particular, tensions are building as the stakes of each choice increase - and neutrality isn't an option. When Everard is asked by a prominent Jacobite to take his daughter into Wedderburn Castle for safekeeping, he is more than reluctant, but the decision is taken out of his hands when Lady Blythe turns up on his doorstep. But her presence cannot be kept secret for ever, and even the castle may not be safe. Worse, he finds himself falling for this sassenach. Can he keep her safe through the impending war?

To be honest, this book took a while to grow on me. I found the writing style somewhat jarring in various ways and struggled to care about the characters. However, I persevered, and gradually stopped noticing the writing so much and started actually caring about the characters. I've read books set around the 1745/46 rising and was aware of that in 1715 but knew little about it, so it was interesting to learn more about the period (though the rising itself doesn't really come into the story). Such times can require hard decisions, and this definitely showed that to at least some extent. Young Orin was a particularly delightful character, but once Everard and Blythe started actually communicating, they came alive too. All in all, a good read, though with a slow start (and I would have liked a bit more depth in some parts - like Blythe's decision to change religion).

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The Rose and the Thistle is my first book from this author and I was absolutely blown away. The setting, the history, the characters, everything was done so well. I admit I was new to the Jacobite history and the author does so well with this legacy. I am excited to read more books from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the approval! Every book I have read from Revell is absolutely amazing.

You cannot change the past, only how you regard or respond to it. Nor should you dwell on it.

✨Book Review✨
The Rose and the Thistle
@laurafrantzauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My first book of 2023 and it was a wonderful 5⭐️ read. It’s gonna be hard to beat it!

I have heard a lot of amazing things about Laura’s books, and I’ve collected a few; the Lacemaker is my only one only other read by her.

Just a note: Laura’s stories are historical… and she is deep and detailed. So it took me 100 pages before I truly fell in love because Laura spends the time laying the groundwork and background knowledge for you to truest appreciate the story. After page 100 is when I truly fell in love! But another note, Laura’s 100 pages didn’t feel like 100 pages! It was so fluid and enjoyable.

If you love:
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Scotland
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿forced proximity
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿(kind of) arranged marriage
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿kidnapping
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿battles
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿banter
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿sibling love
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿not easily falling in love, but when they do 😘

Thank you @laurafrantzauthor and @justreadtours for having me on the ARC team! What a wonderful way to begin 2023!

I have found this author's books to be a bit of a mixed bag: I have loved some and disliked several others. This is I think one of her earliest (except the Tidewater Bride which was set in the late 1600s) and I think it did more justice to the time period that a lot of other novels.

The second decade of the 18th century & The Jacobite Rebellion became popular a few years ago due to the popularity of series like The Outlander. A lot of stories tend to reduce the conflict to something overly simplistic/nationalist but I got a lot more of the nuance in this one.
What I also liked: the non-traditional romance formula. Most romances are just insta-love followed by marriage, but I don't want to give too much away. There is a bit of an enemies/lovers trope here, but it is not too prominent.

Also, Blythe and Everard. Both interesting characters. I really loved Blythe's bookish tendencies and her hobby: translating ancient and Medieval Literature into English. She quotes Dante and reads Old English poetry. She's basically more educated than Everard since she speaks three languages which kind of makes me smirk a little bit.
This is not to be condescending, Everard is still a highly intelligent and capable person, and the book doesn’t put him down in any way, he’s just capable in a different way. Also, his 8 year old little brother: such a cute, observant little imp.

I did feel the end of the novel lagged a bit and started to feel kind of rushed: my other minor niggle was that some of the mannerisms, terms and customs felt anachronistic or American. At one point the characters were using eating utensils in the way they usually do, but they soon went back to eating with only forks. One character also talks about “fall”, and I am pretty sure Blythe’s father should have been the Duke of Northumberland, not Northumbria.
Northumbria was the Old English Kingdom: Northumberland was the county or region. This wasn’t enough to spoil my enjoyment of it.

Thanks to Revell for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive one, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own & freely given.

This is surprisingly only the second book I've read by Laura Frantz (the other being [book:The Lacemaker|35069201], which I utterly adored).

_The Rose and the Thistle_, I unfortunately didn't have the same feelings about. I reeeeally struggled to get into it (and was relieved to hear I was not alone in that--it apparently takes quite a while to get into). I may pick it up again later; I do really enjoy Frantz as a writer, and may try another book of hers first before returning to this one--but for now, it's not for me + a DNF. A lot of names and a lot of events all going on made it hard to follow as a cohesive narrative and invest in the characters.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

From the first sight of this stunning cover, I knew this novel would provide a unique reading experience - and Laura Frantz did not disappoint. The Rose and The Thistle is a well crafted, thoroughly researched novel set in 1715, primarily in Scotland, during the Jacobite Rebellion. The story was inspired by the author's ancestors, and I admire her ability to weave complex church politics into an engaging plot.

When her father is declared an enemy of the British crown, an English heiress must go into exile to protect her life. Long-dormant and strained relationships renewed in desperation find this Roman Catholic Lady secretly sheltering in the most unlikely of places - the castle of a Scottish Protestant Lord. Long-held animosity between the families spark tensions in their initial contacts, but as they become acquainted, the sparks of conflict slowly burn into flames of attraction for the Lord and Lady despite their religious differences.

I enjoyed this novel for its strong sense of place, the interesting cast of secondary characters, and its slow-burn romance with a swoon-worthy hero. Christian fiction seldom addresses denominational differences in religion, and that added to the richness of this story. I read this while accompanying a family member through a long hospitalization and appreciated the moments this plot transported me to Edinburgh and the Scottish countryside

Thank you to the author and Revell for providing complimentary copies of the print and ebook. All thoughts and opinions about this lovely book are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.

I like this book but not love it.

The Story settled in 1700 century. A England educated Catholic Waman go live in Scotland, a Sassenach with different religion gives me the feeling of <outlander>. but it is too slow at beginning, I push myself kept reading. I know it is gonna be amazing. It getting better half way through, but still not enough.
The writing is amazing, I love it. the characters are lovely. But the plot, the political conflict are not well done. The romance part is Ok.

Overall i gave it 3.5 stars. i will try another Frantz's book. I really like her writing.

I absolutely adored this book! This was my first Laura Frantz novel and now I'm anxious to get my hands on her entire backlist. This is a Christian historical romance set in the 1700s in England and Scotland. Lady Blythe was a Catholic Jacobite who was sent away by her father to Protestant Scotland for her protection due to political/religious tensions in England. Her godfather agrees to take her in; however, he dies before she arrives - leaving her in the care of his eldest son, Everard, instead. Let's just say he is NOT happy with this turn of events and promptly moves her into the castle tower, hiding her away from the rest of the family. So begins this beautiful enemies to lovers romance.

The historical detail included in this story was exceptional. The writing is beautiful, and I truly felt transported to Scotland in a different era. All the characters were well developed, and the dialogue was wonderful. The love story develops slowly as they learn more about one another. I listened to the audio while reading along in the ebook, and the narrator was fantastic! She flipped between the British and Scottish accents seamlessly and did a great job at differentiating all the different characters. There is also a short glossary at the beginning of the book, defining various Scottish terms - I do recommend taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with some of those words before jumping in.

I appreciated the faith element throughout the story. It was evident that both main characters truly loved God and wanted to honor Him in their lives. The author handled the religious conflict of the time period delicately as well, showing respect to both sides.

I received a free ebook copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I actually loved it so much and wanted to support the author, so I also bought a copy as well (the first time I've ever done that!). Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this beautiful book.

The Rose and the Thistle by author extraordinaire, Laura Frantz, is a Christian historical novel. Set in Scotland in the 1700s, you’ll find a map and glossary of Scottish words to help you navigate this lovely tale. It is truly captivating, but aren’t all of her works?

This is the story of feisty Lady Blythe Hedley. Her father has Jacobite loyalties. He sends Blythe to Scotland’s Wedderburn Castle to keep her safe. It is also the story of responsible Everard Hume, oldest son and now in charge of Wedderburn since his father has just died. He has a lot of responsibilities and does not want Blythe to be one of them.

Rich in history this is an epic tale that took me to England, France, and Scotland. I learned some new things. The characters were just amazing the romance between Blythe and Everard was a slow flicker that would ignite into a blazing flame. Both are surprised when she arrives at his castle for protection one night.

Author Frantz has certainly done research on the era, political climate, weather, and region. With her skillful writing, I could picture everything as I read. I loved reading about the food and teas. The landscape was unfamiliar to me, but she brought it to life with her vivid words.

This book is filled with danger, intrigue, history, and a slow romance. Faith in beautifully woven throughout this tale. I was invested within the first few pages and stayed mesmerized throughout this page-turning masterpiece. The fight for power was brutal at that time in history. Many lost their lives for supporting the wrong King. Religion played a big part in those times as the King decided the religion the entire country would follow.

Any history buff will love this book. It would provide a lot of topics to discuss for a reading group. I highly recommend this lovely novel. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Net Galley but these are my honest words.