> 4.5 stars
I had not planned to start and finish this today, but I can never resist a good bodyguard trope story!
First of all, having read The Heir, what strikes me first and foremost is how the writing is better in The Rebel Seeks A Wife. The flow of the story felt more smooth, as did the transitions between scenes.
Now when it comes to the story itself, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I LOVE a bodyguard trope, and the FMC being the bodyguard here felt refreshing (although realistically very young to be managing the security basically by herself, but let's suspend disbelief here). Katie is the kind of FMC that will definitely tug on your heartstrings, while Tristan's charming facade hides a heart of gold.
The best-friends-to-lovers was very well done - that sudden uh-oh-I-have-feelings-for-this-person moments, the yearning that comes with, the not wanting to destroy a great friendship - all make for a great story with lots of feels. I think Katie and Tristan finding each other was, in some way, inevitable. They just make complete sense together.
I also loved the siblings dynamics here - the teasing, the banter, the love, the vulnerable moments! I'm sat for the stories of the other siblings, maybe Sienna and the young mayor next?

Thank you to the author for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.