The Rebel Wears Plaid by Eliza Knight
Prince Charlie’s Angels #1

Introducing a new series set in Scotland during the Jacobite-Loyalist tussle we find Lady Jenny Mackintosh and Toran Fraser dealing with a whole lot of problems. Toran has been lead to believe that his mother was killed by the Jacobites and because of this is working for the Loyalists while trying to get justice for his mother. Jenny is a stalwart Scottish woman who believes Bonny Prince Charlie and not a George should be on the throne. It will be a tussle with ups and downs, skirmishes and battles, family to deal with and keep safe and a bit of romance in the brewing.

What I liked:
* Jenny: strong, dedicated to the cause and a good leader
* Toran: a man who cares for his family and wants justice for his mother BUT is willing to see the truth if/when it is presented to him
* The history of the story
* The introduction to a new series
* The writing
* Finding out after googling that the story I thought might be implausible had historical females from the past who were in fact active in the Jacobite cause
* Looking forward to more in the series

What I did not like:
* That the occupying English were so cruel to the Scots
* Knowing that what was in the story was only a glimpse of what really took place

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Sousrcebooks for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars ( )

Series: Prince Charlie’s Angels
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 384
*** 3.75 Stars – Rounded up to 4 ***

The year is 1745 and the times are tense and tumultuous in Scotland. Bonnie Prince Charlie is about to make his landing back in Scotland to gain his crown and the Scots are rising in support of him. Known as Jacobites, those Scots are determined to drive the English soldiers from their country and back to their usurper King George.

This is the first book in a new series – Prince Charlie’s Angels – and it features three strong, brave, and dedicated ladies whose only goal is to restore a Stuart as King of Scotland. We meet all three ladies – Annie, a healer – Fiona, a messenger – and Jenny Mackintosh – a leader who has gathered her own army to fight for Prince Charlie. It is a lovely premise for a series and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the ladies. Reading these books is a little sad because you come to know and love the characters, feel for their cause, hate what the English are doing to them, and still you know the real history and what plays out in the future.

Toran Fraser is a very angry man who is bent on taking revenge on the Jacobites – and Mistress J in particular – because they brutally murdered his mother, desecrated her body, and then dumped her on the doorsteps of her home with a note saying “Traitor” penned to her. Toran will do whatever it takes to find this woman and her band – even aiding the English. As he is aiding the English, he causes his cousin, Archie, to be caught and sentenced to death. Toran manages to save Archie, but it almost costs him his own life. On the run with the English in hot pursuit, Toran and Archie are saved by a rebel band – and Toran is delighted because he’s sure he’s finally found Mistress J.

Lady Jenny Mackintosh comes from a long line of Stuart supporters and she is absolutely mortified that her brother, their new Laird, has pledged his support to the English. Well, Jenny won’t support the English nor will most of her clan! What does any smart, resourceful, brave, and dedicated lady do in those circumstances? Why, she raises her own army, crafts her own weapons, and raises plenty of coin to help the Prince when he arrives onshore. They have to be very, very careful though because the countryside is overrun with Redcoats who are hell-bent on the destruction of anything and everything Scottish. So, Jenny and her small band of recruits are very wary when they encounter two almost dead Scots along their route back to their safehouse.

For excellent reasons, neither Jenny nor Toran trust easily. Both are quick to doubt and mistrust, so them finding common ground is not an easy task. For them to admit that they are wrong and that things might not be as they thought they were is even harder.

I enjoyed the story and the suspense of those times in Scotland. However, I did get a little tired of Jenny and her ‘I must be the strongest person in the world’ attitude. I also disliked that it seemed to be all-or-nothing – she was the lead, she was in charge, she, she, she. I admire strong, smart women – but I am not a fan of those who don’t know how to share. I could have given the book a 5-star rating had Toran and Jenny ended up with a working partnership. She could still be Laird – I’m not saying that shouldn’t be – I’m just saying I’d like to see more of a partnership than it appeared it was going to be. I also thought the issue with Hamish was resolved too quickly – like – out of the blue. Then, there was Simon and The Fox – will they make a return in future books? They seemed to be left hanging and I’d like to see them resolved.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ( )