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cursiveknight's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
suzysuzy34's review against another edition
5.0
This is my first ever Mary Jo Putney book and what a read. I’ve fallen in love with a new author!
Set in a fictional world of a place called San Gabriel, with the backdrop of Napoleon being defeated, this little town is trying to come back from the ravages of war. Will is to be shot at dawn but manages to escape and is sent to San Gabriel to help bring the country back and here he meets Athena!, strong and warrior like she is consort to Queen Maria Sofia. Will and Athena’s romance was a slow burn, getting to know each other slowly, with the backdrop of this beautiful place, the setting described is stunning. Plenty of action, especially when Will and his troops, defeat Baudin!
Amazing cast and also great secondary characters, I fell in love with Princess Maria Sofia and Justin too.
My only disappointment (which is nothing to do with the story) is that the authors note on the ebook version is at the back of the book. The notes clearly gives you the location the story is set (and tells you the place is fictional- I spent sometime trying to find out if San Gabriel is a real country and had its name changed)
I feel if your reading this book for the first time looking pictures up on google would do justice to go with this amazing story.
Straight onto book two.
Set in a fictional world of a place called San Gabriel, with the backdrop of Napoleon being defeated, this little town is trying to come back from the ravages of war. Will is to be shot at dawn but manages to escape and is sent to San Gabriel to help bring the country back and here he meets Athena!, strong and warrior like she is consort to Queen Maria Sofia. Will and Athena’s romance was a slow burn, getting to know each other slowly, with the backdrop of this beautiful place, the setting described is stunning. Plenty of action, especially when Will and his troops, defeat Baudin!
Amazing cast and also great secondary characters, I fell in love with Princess Maria Sofia and Justin too.
My only disappointment (which is nothing to do with the story) is that the authors note on the ebook version is at the back of the book. The notes clearly gives you the location the story is set (and tells you the place is fictional- I spent sometime trying to find out if San Gabriel is a real country and had its name changed)
I feel if your reading this book for the first time looking pictures up on google would do justice to go with this amazing story.
Straight onto book two.
froutluips's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sehellys's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
frannieman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
colleen1011's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series. Now looking at Goodreads, it seems like this book will be the bridge between The Lost Lords and Rogues redeemed. My guess the soilders Will was with in the beginning will be in the new series. For this book, I enjoyed the new setting and Athena was a unique heroine. Will and Athena together were a great couple. My only compliant was that Justin did not get his own story.
neveroutofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Mary Jo Putney is a historical romance veteran. I haven't read one of her books a in a while and was pleased to read this one.
Once A Soldier is the love story of Will Masterson and Athena Markham. Will has been a soldier in the Napoleonic wars and has been asked to go to the small country of San Gabriel to scope it out for political reasons. There he meets Athena, the illigitimate daughter of of an English Lord and an infamous San Gabriel woman. She is currently helping her best friend, the princess, run this small country until the King is released by the French - if he's still alive.
This book is one of those slow moving romances. There is a ton of political talk and it adds to the book, because it was well thought out and it shows these characters personalities well. I appreciated that Will and Athena started out by being friends and having a healthy respect for one another. I hate in when people jump into bed together immediately, especially in historical novels. Some may find this book a bit slow, but it was relaxing to me.
It is the start of a series. The beginning chapter is showing a group of men who are all captured, all spies and solders, and all lying, and how they escape. I assume the next books will be some of their stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an eARC for review.
Once A Soldier is the love story of Will Masterson and Athena Markham. Will has been a soldier in the Napoleonic wars and has been asked to go to the small country of San Gabriel to scope it out for political reasons. There he meets Athena, the illigitimate daughter of of an English Lord and an infamous San Gabriel woman. She is currently helping her best friend, the princess, run this small country until the King is released by the French - if he's still alive.
This book is one of those slow moving romances. There is a ton of political talk and it adds to the book, because it was well thought out and it shows these characters personalities well. I appreciated that Will and Athena started out by being friends and having a healthy respect for one another. I hate in when people jump into bed together immediately, especially in historical novels. Some may find this book a bit slow, but it was relaxing to me.
It is the start of a series. The beginning chapter is showing a group of men who are all captured, all spies and solders, and all lying, and how they escape. I assume the next books will be some of their stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an eARC for review.
jenlouisegallant's review against another edition
4.0
Really loved this story. I was waiting for Masterson's match throughout the whole Lord Lords series, and I'm glad to see his budding relationship with Athena. It was also nice to see old favourite characters from past books.
The fact that this book revolved around a small kingdom was enthralling. I loved how there was culture and history throughout the book. I can't wait to read the next instalments. Mary Jo Putney is now one of my favourite historical romance writers.
The fact that this book revolved around a small kingdom was enthralling. I loved how there was culture and history throughout the book. I can't wait to read the next instalments. Mary Jo Putney is now one of my favourite historical romance writers.
rickus90's review against another edition
DNF at 25%. Just couldn't get interested in it.