I admit feeling a little skeptical of The Rose and the Thistle. Laura Frantz's last couple of books haven't grabbed me like they usually do. The Rose and the Thistle isn't perfect, either. Yet, it's a vast improvement over her most recent offerings. It earned some personal brownie points, since I am of Scots-Irish descent and love all things Scottish. But brownie points aside, The Rose and the Thistle still kept my pages turning.
I don't often give a book stars based on settings alone, but Northumbria, Wedderburn, and Scotland in general were exceptions this time. I could tell Laura not only did her homework, but loved every place she brought to life on the page. I could see and feel myself walking the halls and gardens of Wedderburn with Lady Blythe, and I longed to visit. I understood Everard's love for his country and rooted for it to stay intact, in whatever form that took. And although I wasn't as familiar with the Jacobite vs. Hanoverian conflict and history as I wanted to be, I learned a lot from this book and felt (mostly) invested. I always love when a fiction book lets me learn, so brava, Laura.
Additionally, and as always with an enjoyable book, I loved Laura's characters. The romance between Blythe and Everard takes its time developing, which is both a positive and negative point (I'll get there in a minute). But outside of that, both halves of the couple get plenty of time to develop and grow on their own. I especially loved Blythe's journey, as she grew from a rather closed off and prideful noblewoman to someone who truly loved not only her betrothed, but his family and home. I also got fully invested in the secondary characters, particularly Orin, Ronan, and Davie. I wanted more of all the secondary cast, and this trio in particular.
Finally, I appreciated Everard's personal journey as he learned to run his family and clan as laird. It's united with his romance, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. But when I was allowed to see his introspection, the growth of his heart and spirituality, I was completely on board. Additionally, I appreciated how Blythe was not only allowed, but expected, to come alongside him as countess, and not just a figurehead or a pretty trophy wife. I especially rooted for the union of their faith, and agreed as they came to the conclusion that Catholic or Protestant didn't matter as long as they were Christ's and lived as His children.
That said, there were several plot threads and instances of character development I wish Laura had given more time and attention. One is actually Blythe's Catholic faith and Jacobite leanings, especially when paired with Everard's loyalty to the king and the surrounding Scottish history. What I mean is, it comes across that Blythe's Catholicism and Jacobite sympathies are, and should be, completely legitimate. But because it's accepted that she's on the "losing" side, she's treated as if these parts of her identity don't stand a chance, even by her allies and eventual loved ones. What???? I don't advocate that Laura change history, but I did find myself confused. I also found myself confused about why Blythe had to convert. Are Catholics who legitimately love and worship Jesus Christ, Christians or not? Why can't Christianity, and Protestants in particular (of which I am one) just settle this issue, already? I'd have loved to see a Catholic character treated as a legitimate Christian for once.
In that vein, I wanted Laura to spend more time on Davie's role in the story, especially in contrast with his brothers'. He's set up to be a strong villain or at least antagonist, particularly where Blythe and Orin are concerned. And then, he kinda poofs out of the story--quite literally at the end, actually. Maybe Laura ran out of time or room. Maybe her plot got too complicated as it was. But for whatever reason, it felt like she let an important character and thus, an important plot thread, drop.
Finally, I did get into the high stakes and rescue mission (s) at the climax and on through the ending. Laura also pulled off a plot twist, the likes of which I've never seen from her. But I can't ignore the fact, it took about half of the novel for Blythe and Everard to even get to a relationship that would make the climax and ending events work. Once they do, the trials they face make sense. But the slow buildup does take away from time they could've spent getting to know each other, building trust, dealing with smaller conflicts that fed into the large one, and so forth. As it is, it feels like small conflicts, like with Davie and Alison, were dropped in and forgotten about, or not used to their full potential.
With all that said though, The Rose and the Thistle still has some of the strongest Laura Frantz characters I've seen in a while. It has one of the most interesting historical contexts I've seen from her, period, which may be because she's an actual Hume descendant (further brownie points). My guess is, if she can continue with these strong points and clean up the extraneous threads in future books, we'll be back on solid footing in our author/reader partnership. Overall, I'll give this one a recommendation and a 4.3-4.5.
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Amazingly Beautiful Scottish Historical Romance!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
Oh my God! What an enthralling and rich in historical details love story set in France, England and mostly Scotland! This book is a keeper and now stands as one of my favorite books ever! I have the highest expectations when reading books from Ms. Frantz and I’m continually amazed at how she never disappoints and delivers another winner book that stay be permanently on my shelves!In 1707, England and Scotland were united in one Kingdom after King James II was deposed and exiled to France in 1688. Decades later his son James Francis Edward Stuart wants to restore the Stuart dynasty and recover the crown that has been in his family for many years and that now a German King has usurped. He leads the Uprising or Rebellion of the Jacobites (Jacob being the latin word for James) that is part of the political setting of this story in 1715.Lady Blythe Hedley thinks herself a plain woman and wonders if she will be forever a spinster, be forced into an arranged marriage, or if she’s called to become a nun. The only daughter of the Duke of Bellbroke, she loves to read and is fluent in a few languages which helps her translate treasured books. One night, she is forced to flee from her home in Northumberland, England, when a mob attacks her family’s Castle because her father supports the Jacobite cause, sustained mostly by Catholics, which aims to restore King James to the throne. Her father arranges for her to take refuge in the Wedderburn Castle in the Scottish Borders, even if the Hume family is Protestant and against the Jacobite uprising, since Blythe is the goddaughter of the Earl of Wedderburn, christened before the Humes changed to the Protestant faith. Little she knows, as she hastily arrives at dawn to the Wedderburn Castle, that the laird has just passed away, and Everard Hume, the eldest son of seven brothers, is now the new laird, and is not happy at all to receive her and her maid in their ancestral home. Everard is annoyed at the duke’s daughter for irrupting their mourning. Plus, if she’s found out, his whole household might be endangered by aiding the daughter of the enemy. But against all reason, his heart guides him to protect this vulnerable yet strong and compassionate lady. To bide her time, Everard asks her to tutor his youngest brother Orin, since Blythe is so cultured, and Blythe is easily conquered by this boy’s sweet nature. But, as her stay in Wedderburn prolongs, it is not only the boy’s heart that she has won but the admiration and so much more from the new laird. Everard and Blythe struggle against their feelings, as they reasonably acknowledge their union will not be approved by their peers. Not only that, but their lives might be in danger if the Uprising leads to war between the two political causes, which seems very imminent. Can their newfound love survive the turmoil of war and prejudice?As I said, this was an amazing novel that completely captivated me and stole my heart from the beginning. The author’s storytelling is superb and the story never drags. It’s so full of historical details that I felt transported in time and place to the magnificent Scottish setting. And I learned so much from that particular era. Her writing style is almost poetical, so beautifully expressed. I love how she uses the Scottish language and sayings. It was so useful to have a Glossary at the beginning of the book, as there are quite a few words and expressions that were foreign to me, even if you can more or less deduce them from the context. I really felt transported to Scotland, and the Scottish brogue is so charming, aye!The character development was deep and captivating. Blythe and Everard were lovable and relatable characters with a depth and integrity that inspired me. Blythe was strong and determined, yet she was vulnerable, gentle and had a very compassionate heart. I loved how she treated her maids like good friends and the servants with such respect. I also loved her relationship with Orin and how she cared for him with motherly love. And Orin was so sweet, I could imagine him perfectly in my mind, the sweet, fair and lanky lad he was. And Everard, oh gosh! He was the swooniest hero on earth! I can say I have a new book boyfriend right now, as I fell for him as easily as Blythe did, from page one, even when he was rude. Loved his Scottish brogue! And his fierce protectiveness of Blythe and his family undid me. The transition from enemies to friends to lovers was such a sight to behold! Their romance was exquisite, so tenderhearted. It humbled me to see a man as fierce and courageous as Everard, to love Blythe with such gentleness and tenderness. Sigh! I was besotted with him as Blythe was!Also, there is a faith inspired message about trusting God in the direst of circumstances. And how He is the real sovereign and savior. I loved how Everard and Blythe both lived their faith with simplicity, and how they naturally prayed to God in all their needs and were also thankful. The scene where they pray to God before Orin’s bed is particularly sweet and inspiringAll in all, a magnificent love story full of interesting historical details! If you love historical romances this is one of the best I’ve ever read! This is a new favorite book in my list and it will be hard to overcome it!I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2023
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Top reviews from other countries
penny cook
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 25, 2023
Booklover130
Nice love story but too long and drawn out
Reviewed in Australia 🇦🇺 on January 27, 2023
Amy Heinrichs
Another Beautiful Novel By Laura Frantz
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 21, 2023
