took forever to read ( )

I'm pretty sure that met all my high expectations. And exceeded them in some ways. This book was just so beautiful, and I will definitely be reading more by this talented author!

The characters. Just wow! The MCs, Vivienne and Liam, both had such depth, and were such real, relatable characters. I loved Vienne's willingness to serve others and provide for herself and others, yet it wasn't in a feministic way. And Liam . . . he was such a gentleman, and his struggles with rightwrong in regards to freedom and the Revolution . . . so good! Henri was also adorable! The first scene in his POV threw me off a bit, but I actually really liked getting into his head and hearing his perspective. The supporting cast was also fabulous.

The writing. My word! I absolutely fell in love with Green's beautiful writing style. Her descriptions were so vivid and had me feeling like I was living in the story, yet they weren't overly wordy.

The story. So so good! Initially it took me a little bit to get interested, but after a few chapters, things really started picking up and I couldn't put it down. The comparisons between the American and the French Revolutions were so fascinating and enlightening. I feel like the time period and setting this book is written in (1790s America) is not touched upon a whole lot in fiction, so it just made it all the more fascinating. I loved the amount of rich history Green throws into the story. I love learning something new while reading fiction, and Green kept the history far from dry or boring.

The romance. *happy sigh* So beautiful! This is exactly the kind of romance I love to read - slow, sweet, and beautiful.

I really don't have much to complain about with this story, but if I were to mention one thing, it would be the dialogue. It felt slightly too modern for the time period at times, but not terribly so.

All in all, I absolutely loved A Refuge Assured, it is definitely getting a place of honor on my bookshelf! Highly recommended, especially if you love beautiful historical romance.

One more note: That cover is swoon-worthy gorgeous! You definitely need to get a paperback copy if you read this book!
CONTENT NOTE: I would recommend this for ages 16 for descriptions of violence and adult themes. During the beginning, there are some descriptions of violence pertaining to the French Revolution that were pretty graphic. I skimmed over most of them. Also, Vivienne's mother is a prostitute, and had Vivienne out of wedlock. There are mentions pertaining to that, and her mother suggests Vivienne become a courtesan as well at a point. Also a few semi-detailed kisses. ( )

This was another novel I chose to read because of its beautiful front cover, and I really enjoyed learning about the French Revolution and the struggles the aristocrats faced when they arrived in America. The book was well-researched with a well-written plot.

Vivienne was a strong, determined and very likeable character who escaped the France after her beloved aunt was guillotined for making lace for Marie Antoinette. I admired the fact that she wasn't afraid of hard work, willingly took care of an orphaned child and wanted to move forward in her new home so it would not be just another Paris, as many of the aristocrats were trying to achieve. Instead she embraced the desolation of the land and learnt first to survive, then thrive, despite the harsh realities and setbacks she had to continually endure.

I also liked Liam who was dependable, intelligent, kind and stubborn. He genuinely strived to do what was right although sometimes he struggled with the grey areas in his life. He and Vivienne's romance was charming and believable, and I was cheering for them from the start.

However, my favourite character was young Henri who became Vivienne's charge when his mother died. He was very well-written and such a charming child. I felt sorry for his loss and his desire to be reunited with his best friend. There was also a touch of mystery surrounding him as people began to wonder if he was or was not, the young French King, Louis-Charles.

Rich in history with political and personal tensions, strong characters, triumphs and failures, and a well-paced plot, A Refuge Assured was an enjoyable read. ( )

A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green is a wonderfully well written, historical romance that occurs in the era of the French Revolution and spans across the seas from Europe to America. Ms. Green's writing shows a depth of research, engaging characters and a written story that brings it to all to life. As I read this captivating romance I was moved to tears, laughter and all the emotions in between. For me, the story just jumped off the pages and took me along for the ride! Don't you all just love when this happens?!

I highly recommend A Refuge Assured to all of you and I can't wait to read more from Jocelyn Green!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Green, Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. ( )

Jocelyn Green has done it again! She’s created an historical romance that is not just fluff, but an intriguing look into a bygone era. A Refuge Assured swept me into the life of Vivienne Rivard, a lacemaker displaced by the fanaticism of the French Revolution. With her livelihood gone and the world gone mad, Vivienne makes her way to America to start a new life free from the terrors of Paris. But safety is never assured when revolutionaries abound even in Philadelphia.

A Refuge Assured has a lot going for it. I loved, loved, loved the characters that became so very real in my imagination. Vivienne is a woman of faith and boldness. She embraces her new country and looks for opportunities to thrive. Liam Delaney, the Irish-born Revolutionary War veteran, is passionate about his country’s liberty and is a determined protector of the vulnerable. The two have a chemistry that fans of romance novels will love. Secondary characters are vividly portrayed and add greatly to the story. But it is the history that captured my attention. Green’s excellent portrayal of the late 1700s of Paris and Pennsylvania reveals exhaustive research on the author’s part. I was never a fan of early American history during my school days, but Green made me want to dust off the history books to find out more about our fledgling country’s struggle to live up to the ideals set forth by the founders. I know history buffs will love her attention to detail. Many of the characters struggle with the true meaning of liberty and freedom, giving this modern reader something to think about. I listened to the audiobook version of A Refuge Assured and was very pleased with the narrator’s skill in giving each character his or her own voice.

A Refuge Assured is unputdownable or, in my case, unturnoffable! 😉 It is a beautifully written novel filled with unforgettable characters and a story that is timeless. It is definitely a highly recommended read!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )