Published: 27th May 2026
Publisher: Paula J Beavan
Pages: 350
Format: ebook
Genre: Historical Romance
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars
In the harsh world of nineteenth-century Australia, honesty has a price—and some risks can’t be undone.
Irish immigrant Ellen Maguire is fighting to keep her family’s roadside inn, The Harp and Hound, from ruin. With the railway diverting travellers and her father lost to grief, desperation drives her to a dangerous distilling illegal poteen from her grandmother’s remedy book—a venture that could save them or destroy them.
When injured Englishman Jack Bell arrives searching for his missing niece, Ellen offers him shelter. Attraction flares—but her family’s future can’t be put at risk, not even for love.
As Ellen’s illicit trade draws the attention of sly-grog operators, ruffians, and the colonial authorities, pressure mounts on every side. Then Jack’s niece appears—with secrets of her own, and a threat that could ruin everything.
Torn between protecting her family and telling the truth to the man she loves, Ellen must decide how far she is willing to go.
Perfect for readers of Tea Cooper, Jackie French, and Darry Fraser, Rebel Spirits is a sweeping Australian historical romance filled with danger, mystery, and heart.
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author for review.
What I loved about this story is it captures the strength, resilience, and despair of not only the family struggles and heartbreak, but also living in a colony town in the middle of the Australian bush and realising the bush isn’t always your friend. It is a compelling story of found family as well as real family and a desire to establish foundations for the future.
This book is aptly named because while Ellen is rebelling against the law, she herself is a rebellious spirit who doesn’t always line up to what a woman of her time is “supposed” to be doing. Colonial women doing most of the real work is reflected well, with Ellen’s brother and father scheming and keeping secrets from her, taking her stuff unasked, all while she fights to keep the family afloat without much thanks.
The writing is well suited for the historical setting but it is easy to understand and helps cement the bygone era without alienating modern readers. Through detailed and vivid descriptions Beavan captures the harshness of bush life, of colonial men and their approach to women – their wives or strangers – and how women must endure and adapt because of the men around them.
Beavan is good at building drama and tension without affecting the gentle pace. There is mystery around family secrets, tension around the local constable and the natural environment, and the uncertainty over whether Jack will find his niece.
The easy banter between Ellen and Jack is charming and it was delightful to watch as they go from strangers, to friends, to something more. With Ellen’s toughness and Jack’s easy curiosity they make a great pair.
As a character Ellen is a delight; she has the propriety of a woman and she tries very hard to maintain that while completely unaware she bucks expectations at every opportunity because things need to get done. For every time she tries to be proper there are three other instances of her sneaking out in men’s clothes and being socially improper some way or another.
I enjoyed reading about the history of the Hunter region that is woven through the story, and the author’s note goes into additional details as well about the real history it’s based upon. Seeing this little family in a town struggling to survive was powerful, it might end up being a losing battle – mother nature and the reality of progress being what it is – but the determination of people to make their roots and fight for what they want is admirable.
There’s excitement and tension, a sense of community and a clear admiration for the bush. The characters are full of life and their own pasts which comes across naturally and is woven wonderfully into the current storyline. The realities of early colonists is there from orphans to migrants, as well as the hardships of enduring those in control and those who want power. All of that alongside an incredibly sweet love story filled with stubbornness, admiration, and compassion.
Rebel Spirits is due to be published 27 May 2026
You can purchase Rebel Spirits via the following
Dymocks | Booktopia | Wordery | Blackwell’s
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