Nothing like meeting a new author and becoming addicted, right? How had I not read anything by Mary before ??
Once dishonored brings us a story about injustices, about the search for truth, about friendship, love, loyalty and about redemption too.
Our protagonists will be united by something in common: they have been banned from English society. Her, because she was accused of cheating on her husband and went through a divorce (super scandalous for the time!) And him, for being a navy veteran considered dishonored after escaping from prison where he was.
And if both are considered dishonored, why not join forces, right?

"She took his hand, desperately grateful that he was offering support in a whirlpool of condemnation."

Kendra suffered a lot from the divorce process and before that too, at the hands of her ex-husband. But all she wants now is justice, to have her name cleared in front of society after the lies told by her ex-husband, but mainly, her goal is to get her son back. But at that time, nothing was easy for a woman.

And that's when Lucas, Lord Foxton, appears, willing to help, to face these battles with her, to be the rock she needs to establish herself during these difficulties.

Lucas is extremely cute. Seriously, he is the kindest and herper person that I’ve ever seen. It makes you want to hug him all the time. His past broke my heart, but the way he developed after that is really cool. I love his relationship with medicine and healing within the story, it gave an interesting tone to everything.

The romance between them is smooth, delicate and progresses on each page very naturally.


“ - I had forgotten how wondrous a kiss can be. Though I think it’s you who makes it wondrous.
- I think it’s the two of us together who create wonder.”

Something I loved about this book was seeing the partnership between the characters. We have Lucas with his cousin, uncles and the group of friends he has, but especially Kendra and the group of empowered women who support her. I wanted to be friends with them too, you know?

I connected a lot with the characters, with the story of this couple. I suffered and got angry at the difficult times, I hated the ex-husband with all my strength, I hoped things would work out and I also smiled with each happy part.

“- But how can I say no when you are in my arms and the most alluring woman in the world?
-Then don’t say no.”

If I have anything to criticize, it is that the ending was a little to fast, and that I would like the book to have an epilogue. But for the rest, it's an incredible story. The reading is fluid, the plot holds us all the time and the characters are complete and captivating. I just loved so much and highly recommend it!

Now I just need to read all of Mary's other book series 🤣

I decided to have a quick glance at the first chapter of this book at bedtime and I was still reading three hours later! Literally couldn’t put it down and I was instantly engaged in both the hero and heroine’s lives. They are both considered ‘dishonoured’, and although this takes a different form for each of them, their shared experiences and feelings of being outside society draw them to each other. I loved the way they battled each other’s enemies and stood up for one another, and it is always immensely satisfying when a truly horrible villain gets his come-uppance. Add a couple of delightful children, a whole host of protective and helpful friends, and you have a wonderful story – I loved it!

I loved everything about this story. Lucas us such a good man and Kendra is a woman to be proud of. No spoilers here, but the plot is excellent. Sadly, I bet many women went through similar circumstances...and some still do. But Kendra found her voice and with the hel pool oof a wonderful cast of characters fought for her future. Simply a wonderfully written book.

A woman’s, Kendra’s, husband engineers a scandal to be able to divorce and disgrace her as well as hide their son from her. A damaged war hero, Lucas, comes to her aid. I enjoyed the inventive way they told the ton of her husband’s misdeeds. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

The fifth book in the Rogues Redeemed series, Once Dishonored is a story of redemption. Lucas has returned to London after years away. Struggling with a tarnished reputation, Lucas immediately connects to Kyla Douglas, a recently divorced woman whose reputation is even more sullied than Lucas’. When Lucas learns that the cause of her dishonor is her greedy and vicious ex-husband, he determines to help this vulnerable woman regain her reputation, her child, and her life.

Will Lucas and Kyla restore their reputations and find a way to be together?

I love the romance in this story! Lucas and Kyla are characters that have gone through so much in their lives, and both struggle to find themselves in a judgmental and rigid society. Shunned and judged by others, Lucas and Kyla feel a connection almost instantly. What develops is a slow-building relationship built on trust and admiration. I love that Lucas and Kyla have such respect for each other. They share their deepest shame and darkest secrets, and it only makes them grow closer to each other. They are unflinching in their resolve to help each other, and their chemistry is fantastic!

I also found it interesting that, even though they are two of the most honorable people in the story, they are disrespected and judged by less honorable people. Kyla fled an abusive relationship and is persecuted for it, and Lucas gave his life for his country and is judged harshly for escaping when he was a prisoner of war. This says a lot more about the conditional society in which they live than is does about Kyla and Lucas.

Further, it frustrated me that women had no voice and no legal rights during this time. Kyla’s husband does some terrible things to her, and there are no ramifications because Kyla has no voice. The men hold all of the power. Putney brings to light important messages about the rights of women and the oppression of women and children, which I appreciated.

Another aspect of the story that I liked was the representation of strong, independent women and forward-thinking men. Lucas and Kyla find themselves embraced by people who accept them and appreciate them. This lovely group of people not only aid Kyla in exposing her ex for the liar he is, but they also provide unwavering support and understanding.

A story laced with dynamic characters and strong messages about gender inequities, Once Dishonored is a great novel for readers who enjoy strong historical romance. Though this is the fifth book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Didn’t finish. Too much soap opera and just a little too much misery for me to enjoy in my romance. I like Putney’s work in the past but it’s a little to hard to get into this one.

3.5 stars

I liked the writing but there were a lot of things, that for me didn't collate. There seems to be a very modern vibe to the attitudes of the heros. It's possible that there were some well adjusted men in olden times but I think it would be very rare. So enjoy this book for it's characterisations and plot but view it, on some level, as a positive fantasy of the era. I found it unbelievable that with 'laying on of hands' a young woman would have recovered from consumption.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lucas and Kendra could have their own soap opera show with the amount of baggage they each carried and I was positively hooked on what the final outcome would be! There’s a little bit of everything happening-reputations at stake, divorce law-fascinating business there, high society...the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly, a dashing bit of romance, a women’s fencing club! information merchants, and an extended family you’ll wish to have over for holiday dinners just to hear about their colorful pasts!

I haven’t read previous books in this series, the matter of which will be rectified sooner rather than later, and had no trouble following along.

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Kensington and this is my honest review.

Once Dishonored by Mary Jo Putney is an excellent historical romance that is the fifth book in the series titled Rogues Redeemed.

I have to admit that I have not read any books by Ms. Putney before, but this book has definitely made me a fan. I have not read any of the previous books in this series and I was easily able to follow along, however with some of the characters arcing from the previous into this novel, I am most definitely going to read up on the previous books.

This novel has it all: historical fiction, friendship, romance, mystery, suspense, and villainous characters that experience well-deserved outcomes. I enjoyed the fact that some characters were inherently good such as the main characters: Kendra and Lucas, his cousin Simon and wife Suzanne. These characters were likeable, realistic, still imperfect, yet had a moral compass. The love, compassion, foregiveness, acceptance, and loyalty between these two couples was enjoyable to read. I can't wait to check out the previous book to read up on Simon and Suzanne's stories. I really enjoyed Kendra. She was stronger then she realized. The friendships and relationships she acquired during the course of this book added to my interest. I truly enjoyed both Kendra and Lucas's complicated past stories, their flaws, and how they were able to finally love and trust again.

I thought the plot was creative, intricate, complex yet interesting. It kept drawing me in. Just when I thought I knew it all and could see where this was going, the author added in just enough to keep things realistic as well as addictive. I enjoyed the pace, the well-thought out dialogue, and I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. I also truly enjoyed the ending. It was definitely theatrical in nature, and finishing with quite the bang. These characters truly deserved the wonderful (and rightful) ending that was presented.

If you like regency romance, creative plots, wonderful characters, romance, and great endings, then this book is for you.
5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.