Bumpy Oak Books

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Actual rating: 2.5

Blake Ferre’s The Revolutionary and the Rogue brings readers to the French Revolution where the Committee hunts down those accused of treason against the new Republic. English aristocrat, Perrin de Vesey, shouldn’t be drawn to Committee officer Henri Chevalier. They are on opposite sides of the new regime, but the attraction they share just cannot be denied.

I was fully prepared to love this book. The historical setting is one I really enjoy, and the enemies to lovers trope is a favorite. All the components were there for this to be great. I absolutely think Ferre did her research into the era, and worked to bring the setting to life with this novel. I think this portion of the novel was successful.

Unfortunately, the pace of the novel was rather plodding and worked against it. The “twists” were a bit transparent, and the obstacles our protagonists were both repetitive and unnecessary. All of this combined to a middle of the road, luke-warm feeling and a lack of investment in the story. I would have discontinued reading around 20 to 30% if I had not been reading for review purposes, simply due to that lack of any particular attachment.

I would not hesitate to give Ferre another chance with a future work, but this one was a bit of a miss for me.