Book Review: Rebel
Sally Malcolm is quickly establishing herself as one of my favorite historical romance authors, and I haven’t even read all her books (yet).
Official Summary
Falling in love is just the beginning...
Samuel Hutchinson has lived his whole life in Rosemont, Rhode Island. And as far as he’s concerned, his future is fixed: complete his legal training, marry a respectable woman, and settle down to raise a family.
But Sam never counted on meeting Nathaniel Tanner.
Clever, urbane, and dazzling, Nate has been banished to Rosemont by a father determined to remove him from the rising political tension in Boston. The last thing Nate expects to find in the sleepy Rhode Island town is a man who’s not only interested in Nate’s radical ideas, but who interests Nate in return.
In every conceivable way.
Over books and conversation, their friendship deepens. But when Nate dares to confess his true feelings, Sam faces a stark choice—reject his friend and continue to live a lie, or rebel against everything he’s been taught and embrace his heart’s desire…
This short story is approximately 12,000 words and comes with a HFN guaranteed.
Quick Information
Author: Sally Malcolm
Published: March 11, 2021
Genre: M/M Romance, Historical Romance
Tropes: Forced Proximity, Meet Cute, Friends to Lovers
Review
Samuel Hutchinson works at a law office in Rosemont, Rhode Island. One day, the dashing Nathaniel Tanner walks through the front door and changes his life forever.
“Not at all.” Sam was aware their handshake lingered, that his attention was very much taken by the feel of the other man’s hand in his own. “Feel free to be as troublesome as you like.”
I knew I was going to be in for a good time after reading the charged meet cute. Samuel’s reaction to meeting Nathaniel was so endearing. He was smitten even if he didn’t know what to label his emotion as initially. Watching the two of them slowly build their friendship naturally by sharing their love of books and talking of politics, even when they differed on their opinions is something I always enjoy reading.
Don’t let the shorter length of this story deter you from giving Rebel your full attention. You will find an emotional story of coming out in a time where you were told you were going to burn in hell for being different. Sally Malcolm expertly navigates the constraints and reservations from the time period while working towards their happy ending. Her writing style is very immersive and makes you feel as though you are sitting in on the thoughts of someone from the 18th century through her expertly crafted prose.
He didn’t want to be like Nate—he simply wanted him. He wanted him in the most forbidden of ways. He was drenched in desire for him.
Rebel is written from dual POVs and I enjoyed getting to know both Sam and Nate. I was surprised at how emotional I was getting from such a short story. To say anything more would spoil the plot.
This story sets the stage for King’s Man, which is book one in Sally Malcom’s Outlawed series, and it will most certainly be added next to my TBR. The summary has me panicking, but I simply must know what happens to Sam and Nate.
If you are looking for your next historical romance, set aside your lunch time and read a compact friends to lovers romance with Rebel.
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