Review: The Companion's Secret (Rogues and Rebels #1) by Susanna Craig

Print Length: pages

Publisher: Lyrical Press (April 3, 2018)

From Goodreads.com: They call him Lord Ash, for his desires burn hot and leave devastation in their wake. But Gabriel Finch, Marquess of Ashborough, knows the fortune he’s made at the card table won’t be enough to save his family estate. For that he needs a bride with a sterling reputation to distract from his tarnished past, a woman who’ll be proof against the fires of his dark passion. Fate deals him the perfect lady. So why can’t Gabriel keep his eyes from wandering to her outspoken, infuriatingly independent Irish cousin?

Camellia Burke came to London as her aunt’s companion, and she’s brought a secret with her: she’s written a scandalous novel. Now, her publisher demands that she make her fictional villain more realistic. Who better than the notorious Lord Ash as a model? Duty-bound to prevent her cousin from making a disastrous match, Cami never meant to gamble her own heart away. But when she’s called home, Ash follows. And though they’re surrounded by the flames of Rebellion, the sparks between them may be the most dangerous of all…

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

On the whole, I enjoyed this story. I enjoyed the way the author was able to weave together true historical events (the uprising in Ireland) with a completely fictional tale - and manage to weave another fictional tale (the book Cami was working on) into it as well. 

Where I feel this book missed the mark a bit is the areas in which things felt rushed. I would have loved to have seen more of Cami's family - it seemed as though they were introduced, and then they were gone again before we really got to scratch the surface. I also wish there would be been more to their first visit to Gabriel's home. Also, an epilogue never goes wrong. I'm just saying :). 

All things considered, I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys well crafted stories with a bit of the "real" in the fiction. I would read more from this author, and I am interested to see what happens in the next book! 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                         The Companion's Secret is available from Amazon.com