Marguerite de Fleurignac is hiding in the French countryside where her family's chateau has burned to the ground. As a noblewoman, she must be careful because she is being hunted by those who want to kill her. These are important members responsible for the revolution that cause many to be arrested and sent to the guillotine to die. Marguerite, along with her ex-lover, Jean-Paul, who is the son of the botanist of the Royal Gardens are part of an underground network called la Fleche, where they help smuggle émigrés across the channel and into England. Marguerite's father, is a mad genius hiding in Paris and is also being hunted by a select group of individuals because he maybe responsible for a group of assassinations England.

Guillaume LeBreton, and his twelve-year-old servant boy Adrian Hawker, come across Marguerite and take charge of her. She lies and tells them she is Maggie Duran, a former governess. Guillaume is actually an Englishman by the name of William Doyle who works as a spy for the British Service and has been sent on a mission to find Maggie's father. He will gain Maggie's trust and protect her. Maggie is wary of this LeBreton, who is very large, hulking, and has a long wicked scar on his cheek. But in order to arrive safely in Paris, she looks toward Guillaume to help her, although she acts as if she doesn't need his aid. He is more than willing to help because he knows Maggie will lead him to her father.

As Maggie, Doyle and Hawker travel the dangerous roads to Paris and then enter the city where one wrong move can get them kill, they are unaware that there are others watching them closely that may or may not want them dead. Maggie can't help but succumb to Gillaume, who continues to lie to her. They try their best to find a small piece of happiness in one another arms, but the horrors of the revolution may keep them apart forever.

Joanna Bourne has such an amazing skill at writing strong characters, descriptive settings and a mature and passionate love story. She uses a great amount of historical research to have penned an amazing book such as THE FORBIDDEN ROSE. Fans of Ms. Bourne's past books have met Maggie and Doyle before. THE FORBIDDEN ROSE is a prequel; their story of how they met. Not only do we see how France was full of unrest during the time of the revolution, but how no one can trust anyone, not even children. This is especially shown with Doyle's young charge, Adrian Hawkins, who also has made quiet an impression in the two books that were released prior to THE FORBIDDEN ROSE. He is one such character that you can't help but be in amazement of at such a young age, including his adversary, a young girl who lives in a brothel and works in some capacity to lend aid to Maggie's cause.

Ms. Bourne's way with words, dialogue and deep devotion and love Maggie and Doyle have for one another will blow you away. THE FORBIDDEN ROSE is a passionate and near all consuming tale filled with suspense and wonderful insights on the human psyche. This is one historical romance that is a must read and proves yet again how masterful of a writer Joanna Bourne has become.

Book Summary

A glittering French aristocrat is on the run, disguised as a British governess. England's top spy has a score to settle with her family. But as they're drawn inexorably into the intrigue and madness of Revolutionary Paris, they gamble on a love to which neither of them will admit.

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