My first thoughts on this are that it is good, but I really wish that I read this before I started watching Outlander. I seem to compare a lot of what happens in the book to what happens in the TV series and I am not sure if that is just me or if this story is very reminescent of the show. Every time the word Sassenach is used all I can think about is Jamie calling Claire Sassenach, but he is using it as a term of endearment, not as an insult. And Boyd sounds very much like Captain Randall. I have to say that I find the nickname of the Bonnie Prince is funny. The one scene in the book was very much similar to the scene in Outlander (show and book) or Jamie getting flogged by Captain Randall. I think that is why I am struggling so much to get through this book and why I am not enjoying it as much as I wish I would have. To me, it seems like the story is not very original.

The Rebel Wears Plaid, reminds me of Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series. I would love to read more of these if they are all like this.

The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight is a historical romance set in SCOTLAND at the time of Bonnie Price Charlie, Charles Stuart’s attempt to take the throne. The story centers around Jenny McIntosh and TORRANCE Fraiser. And the are so many other stories woven in and around these two. There is a lot of conflict as the story starts between Mistress J and the English. The story keeps you guessing with lots of twists and unexpected turns. The secondary characters are well written and really fill out the story.

I have read several of Eliza Knight’s Scottish romance series before, so I was excited to see a new series coming out. The Rebel Wears Plaid is the first book in the Prince Charlie’s Angels series. The book has all the elements to be a fun read – a spunky female rebel leader and a handsome man torn by misinformed loyalties – but it falls a bit short of the mark.

I am a fan of both historical fiction and romance novels, but this book tries to straddle the line between the two genres and left me wanting. I was hoping for a romance, so all the battles and politics really left me wanting more time with the main characters and their relationships. And there was way too much “romantic-fantasyland” narrative for this to be a true historical fiction. I appreciate all the authors hard work to put this story in the midst of true historical events, but I didn’t love either of the two main characters so found it hard to believe they loved each other.

Eliza Knight has a proven track record of likable romance novels, so I will definitely continue reading her books. I might even try the next one in this series. However, this one just wasn’t a great read for me.

The Rebel Wears Plaid
Prince Charlie's Angels #1
Eliza Knight
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lady Jenny Mackintosh helps her widowed mother manage the estate by day. By night, she risks everything including her life to raise troops, weapons, and money for the Jacobite rebellion. One night while on a late night mission, she is confronted and maybe a tad shocked by a handsome warrior who happens to be vying for the other side and she's not quite sure what to make of him.

Toran Fraser is more then positive that he's going to have a hand in taking down the Jacobites responsible for his mother's death. After making a hasty retreat he's helped out by Jenny and her men and asked to join her cause, he agrees, knowing she can help him out, but he never expected that she might be his enemy.

Eliza knight never fails to write a fantastic book. Whatever this lady writes seems to be a winner. The two main characters were both equally incredible. Jenny doesn't seem to be afraid of much and if she is well then she never let's her fears take over. She's feisty and one Lady you would not want to mess with. Toran was so torn up inside. It was like he didn't know right from wrong, but he figured it out pretty quickly. He is not afraid to let the feisty Jenny take over when needed. He's also there for her when she needed him. There were so many little twists and turns in this book that it held my attention from the get go. Ms. Knight once again you have taken my breath away with your story and left me with a smile.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

This was a story where the heroine was a rebel leader who was trying to recruit locals into fighting for the Alliance, Sorry. That was Star Wars. Into fighting for Prince Charlie, the Pretender against the English King George. The hero is a Scot who is pretending to be fighting for King George against his families wishes, but he is just trying to keep his family together. He has to give the English just enough to make them believe him, while he is trying to get back to his family. During this, his cousin is captured and the hero escapes with his cousin, only to meet the lady and her rebels. The hero doesn't come across as being angst-ridden. He is more of a ditherer. He can't justify what he is doing in his own mind, but he is doing it. The heroine is only concerned with getting a rebel army since her brother is supporting the king so he doesn't lose his lands. The lady isn't even interested in marriage or meeting a man and the romance seems contrived. There is no character to the characters. They seem to be at cross purposes in the main of the story and then they find out they love each other. There was no lead up to the love they had for each other. There was lust, but even that was against their will. Their love seemed to just strike out of the blue. The story seemed to dwell on the fights and battles, not on being able to have a HEA moment. The spelling and grammar were acceptable. The plot was unique, but it didn't hold together very well. I would suggest 2 stars. I would not recommend this book.

Jenny has decided to fight for the prince who should be king like her father before her. She can fight like a man and has gathered an army. She helps Toran who thinks she’s the one who changed his families life long ago. He soon finds out just how much she really will. Strong characters with romance thrown in.

This was a super slow read for me and felt more like historical fiction than historical romance. I do love that it’s based on a badass heroine who leads men in the 1700’s which is unheard of and amazing, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters or the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because it was historical and about one of my favourite places to visit Scotland. The characters were interesting,strong and courageous. Jenny and Toran were a great pair together and the story had enough in it to keep me interested. If there is a sequel to this book I will definitely read it.

Toran Fraser is on the run from British Dragoons in their redcoats. He's rescued by the one woman he's been looking for, the woman that murdered his mother. A Jacobite leader called "Mistress J", Jenny Mackintosh is recruiting for the Jacobite rebellion to put Bonny Prince Charles on the throne. Toran is torn by his love of this woman who leads his heart and his commitment to the Jacobite cause. An exciting action packed love story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Great start to new series. I am a fan of Eliza Knight. And I Love strong female characters. Toran Is a great leading man too. He is never pushy or domineering. He is a true partner to Jenny. I can’t wait for the next book.

I received this book as an ARC thanks to Netgalley & the publisher. This review is my own.

I really liked this story (historical highland romance). The characters were interesting (tragic backstory for Toran, unique to have a female military leader for the time in Mistress J). I do like the enemies to lovers genre when done well and this book fits the bill. A nice easy read with romance, adventure, battles, and lots of other drama.

I definitely recommend, especially if you are in the mood for a Highland Romance)!

This was my first read from Eliza Knight. The story she wove was an exciting tale of Highland rebels and fearless women. Jenny is a rebel leader during the Jacobite uprising when she meets Toran and his cousin, Archie, while out recruiting for the cause. Over the course of several months, truths come out about Toran's mother's participation in the rebellion, trust is built between the two, and love is found while preparing to fight for Bonnie Prince Charles. Toran is relentless in his love of Jenny but is never pushy or domineering. He supports Jenny in her fight and her leadership and they become true partners.

This is the first a new series. I'm assuming the next books will focus on on Annie and Fiona, Jenny's friends and the other female rebels we meet in the story. Can't wait!

Jenny is a Scottish lady - and the leader of a band of Jacobite rebels. Toran stands on the other side of the conflict and believes that Jenny caused the death of his mother, but he can't help but be drawn to a woman who is laird in all but name.

I enjoy action in my Scottish romances and this book had plenty of it - a Jacobite uprising was the perfect background for a slow burn. I appreciated the fact that the story was set over a timeframe that would be believable for a relationship to form. And Jenny was a fantastic heroine, both independent and interesting. The "Prince Charlie's Angels" thing sounds kind of funny, but I think it's a good idea for a series.

Wow! What a story! If you like action, adventure, deceit, and romance all rolled into one, this is the book. This is the story of Jenny, or Mistress J as she is known by her followers, who leads a group of men on raids to gather supporters and supplies for the Jacobite cause. Although she is following in her father's footsteps, her brother has chosen to side with the opposition. The hero of the story is Toran, an English Loyalist, who must save his cousin, a Jacobite, from being executed. When Jenny happens upon Toran and his cousin, Archie, she gives them shelter within her group. Toran has been looking for Mistress J to settle a score with her. But as he gets to know her he questions his beliefs. There is a great deal of action in this book from the fighting but there is also romance. I really enjoyed this book. It gives you a glimpse of what life was like for the Scottish people trying to gain their independence. I would definitely recommend this book.

The Rebel Wears Plaid is an interesting, historical romance. Yet, the whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking of what is about to happen to Scotland and the Pretender. I was already wondering what would happen to Jenny and her friends, Prince Charlie’s Angels.

This was my first Eliza Knight book. Her research of the era and events are thoroughly woven into Jenny and Toran’s romance. The book is thoroughly enjoyable, but for me was too long.

Jenny, at times, was super confident. At others, seemed to need to prove herself. And, she did not want to bow to any man. She seemed to even want Toran to confirm in every way possible that she was better than he. Theirs is a sweet romance. It just did not fit into the ‘true love’ that I enjoy.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Despite a likable, brave heroine I was unimpressed with this historical romance. The characters didn't ignite passion and the war scenes uninspiring. Just not my cup of tea.

The Rebel Wears Plaid – Eliza Knight

The Rebel Wears Plaid is a historical romance written by American Eliza Knight, set at the beginning of the attempt to bring Bonnie Prince Charlie to power in Scotland. It tells us about Jenny Mackintosh, a Jacobite leader known as Mistress J, and Toran Fraser, a man with a personal vendetta against said Mistress J. As Toran is first physically captured by the rebels, then captured by Jenny’s beauty, courage, and devotion, he learns the truth about the true enemies, the British. For Jenny, it’s a journey into her femininity, as she discovers love and sex, an into her power, while becoming the laird of the clan.

Who would enjoy this
Eliza Knight specialises in historical romance, and that is exactly what this book delivers. Anyone familiar, and/or who enjoys the genre will appreciate The Rebel Wears Plaid, for it has all the elements required: historically dramatic period, check; spunky female lead breaking the mould, check; dashing rogue male lead, check; dastardly familiar foe, check; explicit sexual encounters, check. In general, this will fit in with any fans of Braveheart, Rob Roy, Highlander and Outlander.

It is also nicely paced, driving to a crescendo both in the political background action, and the main relationship plot. This makes the book an easy read for anyone looking for a bit of distraction over a few afternoons, without having to invest too much of themselves in the events or the characters. If you’re looking for a book without surprises, which you can judge by the cover, this is it.

Who should give this a pass
As can be expected from a book which fits its genre to a T, it will never be a good match for a reader unwilling to try such experiences, or who, having tried it, found it not to their taste. Also, if the story is chosen because the blurb makes one think it is an empowerment of women, think again. Jenny is a character constantly either in denial of herself, always trying to prove she’s better than the men around her (her brother, the English, even Toran), or completely devoted to men to meet their expectations (the memory of her father, the Prince, even her lover Toran).

Indeed, I think the main issue with The Rebel Wears Plaid is that it is exactly what it is supposed to be. Therefore, if the reader expects depth of history, it will leave them reeling. Same can be said for anyone expecting relatable relationship situations, characters, or similar. This is very clear fiction, in all its aspects except the period and some of the places described.

Conclusions and suggestions
I like romance books, and have been known to go through scores of them whenever I have the chance. I find them enjoyably easy to go through, not pretending to be something they are not. They are simple, optimistic, mindless fun reads. I am very grateful for the authors who create them for keeping alive the belief in love tropes, in happy endings, and in reading as a pastime. The problem is, the balance between such narratives and books with critical acclaim is very, very difficult. In fact, I consider it a very difficult achievement since most, if not all, writers want to create meaningful, relevant, engaging stories.

This is the very problem with The Rebel Wears Plaid. Its author, Eliza Knight, tried to create a heroine to the likes of the very real historical figures of female Scots rebel leaders, something I fully endorse, as they were impressive women indeed. The issue is that Ms Knight then attempted to fit such character into a format too restrictive for it, resulting in a heroine who is too fanatical about her beliefs, too childish. How else could Jenny be the sweet innocent who has to discover her heart in the arms of her hero? Her personal development in relationship to experiencing her sexuality, and the progression from kisses, to touches, to actual intercourse, is very nicely done. However, she has clearly no awareness of how idealistic she is in her following of a cause she inherited from her father, an ingenuity remarked upon by both her lover Toran and her cousin Dick after they have shared in the horrors of battle. Even as a laird, she shows no awareness of real politics, all her skill reserved to the chess board and the skirmishes with the local British garrison.

Throughout the tale, one cannot help but worry about the destruction her blinded obsession will bring to her clan – particularly knowing the disastrous end to the whole Jacobite revolution, and the true personality of historical Prince Charles. Since this is but one in a planned series I wonder how Ms Knight will address those issues. How will she bring a happy ending to events whose end will be dramatic and catastrophic for the main characters? Sadly, I don’t think I care enough about Miss Mackintosh (Mrs Fraser, laird of Mackintosh by the end of this volume, of course) to find out.

Let’s be clear, this is a good book: well written, well researched, well edited, and with good intentions. But we all can, always, improve. Here are some suggestions for anyone thinking of writing a similar book, or for the next volumes:
- Keep distance from the character. If the writer becomes too enamoured of their character, they will throw all the best characteristics at them, making them unlikable and weak. They end up being flat.
- Too perfect a person is as bad as a totally villainous one. If you are going for multidimensional characters, then main antagonists have to be as multi-layered as main leads. Otherwise, you have a cartoon baddie.

Scottish romantic adventure story.
Strong females in places of authority. Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite rebellion.
Rebels, Redcoats.
Exciting read