Heartfelt Revolutionary War Romance: The Hero and the Patriot

The Hero and the Patriot is a heartfelt Revolutionary War romance filled with faith, history, and courage.

Title: The Hero and the Patriot

Author: Stephanie McRae

Series: Heart of the Revolution

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐

Disclaimer

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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

My Thoughts:

The Hero and the Patriot is a beautifully written story that blends romance, faith, and history into one unforgettable read. From the first pages, I was drawn into 1775 Williamsburg, Virginia, where patriotism and personal loyalties collide in powerful and emotional ways.

Emmeline is a heroine easy to root for—bookish, brave, and determined to use her voice even when society doesn’t value it. Her secret essays in the Gazette show her intelligence and heart, while her daily work in her father’s shop and with young students highlight her sense of responsibility. Quillan, her cousin’s best friend, is not the polished hero she might have imagined from her novels, but his steady strength, deep loyalty, and devotion to family make him exactly the kind of man readers will fall in love with. Their romance is gentle, layered, and full of slow-burn sweetness, unfolding alongside the uncertainty of war.

I loved how Stephanie McRae weaves together the intimacy of a love story with the sweeping themes of liberty, sacrifice, and faith. The historical details are vivid without overwhelming the story, and the supporting cast adds richness and warmth. At its heart, this book isn’t just about romance—it’s about the courage it takes to stand for what you believe in, even when it costs you everything.

By the end, I felt both inspired and moved—this is the kind of historical romance that reminds you why the Revolutionary War setting is so timeless and relevant.

Publisher’s Blurb:

Quillan Morris isn’t supposed to feel anything but brotherly love for the blue-eyed cousin of his loyalist friend. His father gives him the family betrothal brooch but he won’t be needing it anytime soon. Not before this irrational fancy for a bonny patriot passes. Meanwhile, the burgesses ask him to carry their messages to the royal governor, who has fled to a warship in the York River. The errands allow him to walk the split-rail fence between the loyalists and the patriots, keeping the respect of both. That respect will shatter if his friend discovers Quill is fighting a losing battle of the heart.
In a world where every good thing comes from God, a man shouldn’t have to choose between friendship and love. But when the war becomes personal, the time for sitting on fences is past.
Emmeline Gardiner uses the written word to escape the dreariness of her never-ending chores. When a political pamphlet reaches her hands it inspires her to the patriot cause. What the colonies need is a hero to defend their freedoms, like the great men of ancient Greece and Rome. Her idealistic thoughts are listened to with respect by her cousin’s friend, Quillan Morris. He doesn’t look or act anything like the heroes of her imagination. But maybe that isn’t what she–or the colonies–need.

Book Features

Best friend’s little “sister”
Scottish immigrant family
Moderate age gap
Cinnamon roll MMC
Finding her voice
History: 1775 Virginia; Lord Dunmore
Christian elements: faith, prayer, church attendance
Steam level: just kisses

The Hero and the Patriot is the second book in the Heart of the Revolution, a series which follows the fictional romances and real conflicts of Virginians from 1774 (just before the war) through 1781 (Battle of Yorktown).