Title: Once a Soldier
Author: Mary Jo Putney
Date finished: 9/18/16
Genre: Historical fiction
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: June 28, 2016
Pages in book: 368
Stand alone or series: Stand alone
Where I got the book from: NetGalley NOTE: I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book, or the content of my review.
Blurb from the cover:
Rogues Redeemed
As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.
Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.
Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel’s enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they’d dared imagine. . .
My rating: 3.0 stars out of a scale of 5
My review: I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. This book tells the story of Will Masterson, who had been previously mentioned in other books from Putney’s Lost Lords series. Will lost his wife early on in their marriage and so decided to devote himself to the Army to give himself something to live (or die) for. He makes it through the war unscathed and is tasked with returning a squadron of soldiers back to their home, San Gabriel. When he arrives there though he meets Athena Markham, an illegitimate daughter of Lady Delilah, who is good friends with the rulers of San Gabriel. Athena has been acting as governess to the young princess Sofia and also acting as an adviser in protecting the country of San Gabriel from the French army.
Overall I thought this book was ok. The story line just didn’t really click with me and I found the characters to be flat, more two-dimensional than a living, breathing character with heart-felt emotions. I enjoyed reading a lot of other books from Putney’s Lost Lords series, which is connected to this series. I just couldn’t connect with the characters in this story line.
The bottom line: This book didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The characters felt two-dimensional and the story fell flat. It was an easy read with a happy ending but just didn’t click with me. I am a fan of this author though so I would still recommend trying it!
Click on the cover to go to the book’s Amazon page
Rebeccabookreview 
Sometimes, stories just don’t click. I like a lot of suspense, mystery, emotion and peril in my stories. Some Regency reads can be slightly ‘flat’. Perhaps it could be more for a young adult reader.