The Belle of Chatham

By Laura Frantz

Book Overview

The call for liberty creates a divide between family and country, desire and duty, love and loyalty.

In 1777, caught in the crossroads of the American Revolution, sisters Maebel and Coralie Bohannon's quaint New Jersey village becomes a battleground as they house American officers. Rebellion ripples through their family as members take opposing sides--Patriots and Loyalists--causing a deep chasm that fractures their once-unbreakable bond.

As Mae's friendship grows with the American general Rhys Harlow, Coralie continues her liaison with her childhood sweetheart, a British officer stationed in New York. Mae, torn between her deepening love for the general and suspicion that her sister is a British spy, leaves the only home she's ever known for the New York frontier. When betrayal strikes in the heart of the wilderness, she's forced to take a perilous journey that tests her very survival and those she loves, all in the name of liberty.

On the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Laura Frantz offers a stirring friends-to-lovers historical romance of divided loyalties, patriotism, sacrifice, sisterhood, and love set during the American Revolution.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800746562
• ISBN13: 9780800746568
• Release Date: January 2026
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

An incredible story set in the American Revolution that is Justin time for America's 250th bday! I c

This book was the last book I read in 2025, and it goes on my top 5 favorite reads of 2025!  It comes out just in time as we celebrate America's 250th birthday this year!  It is a story set during the American Revolution in Chatham, New Jersey. As I read this 5 star story, I got an incredible picture of the Revolutionary War era that deeply touched my heart, and made me remember why I love both history and America so much!  I literally couldn't put this book down, but it was so much more than just an incredible story to me because as I read it, I realized that this is my history, as this is my country.  It reminded me of the price of the Revolutionary War, which actually lasted from 1765 to 1783, and all the lives lost and the sacrifices made to make this the best country on the planet!  I am so thankful to General Washington and all the men and women who fought and sacrificed so that our nation could be free!  I want to also thank @Laura Frantz for writing this book as a way to help us remember this period in our history with her great story! I pray that many will read it, and that we will unite together as the patriots did all those years ago, and celebrate that unity on our nation's 250 birthday! It begins in 1777, with sisters Maebelle (Mae) and Coralie Bohannon, who live in the quiet town of Chatham, New Jersey.  Their father was a pastor in Chatham, but had recently passed away.   The sisters still lived a very comfortable life at the Bohannon family's home in Chatham until the Revolutionary War eventually comes to their doorstep, which draws the brothers to leave home to join General Washington's Patriot army. One of those brothers, Major James Bohannon, invites a few of his fellow officers to stay at his family home when he and his men arrive in Chatham as they wait to receive the next orders from General Washington.   One of those officers is Captain Rhys Harlow, a Welshman who is the leader of 80 highly trained riflemen that are critical to the Patriot army. When Major James introduces Captain Rhys to his sisters, Mae immediately agrees to let them stay in their family home, but Coralie isn't too happy about it as she is in love with a British soldier. Mae immediately finds Captain Rhys handsome and intriguing, but is surprised when a close relationship develops between the two of them so quickly be finds that it will be seriously put to the test as the British are about to reach Chatham.  Coralie agrees to flee Chatham, but only because she sees it as a way to gather information for the British! With the British on their way to Chatham, Captain Rhys, along with his riflemen, agrees to escort the Bohannon sisters to their older brother's farm in New York, and does all he can to make sure they are safe. During that journey, the Bohannon sisters are forced to face the their conflicting sides.  They find that the journey is rife with danger from not only the British, or the wilderness itself, but Mae realizes that Coralie's loyalty to the British could be the worst danger of all, not only for her and Rhys, but for the whole Patriot Army as well!  Oh what a great story!!!

Revolutionary War in NJ

It is quite a rarity to have a book set in my home state of New Jersey, let alone in Chatham, which happens to be the next town over. I enjoyed seeing the Revolutionary War unfold in my backyard, so to speak. We have, of course, visited the multitude of Revolutionary War sites in this area but it was another level of experience to walk through these events in 1777 with the characters in the book. Laura Frantz vividly captured the charged atmosphere where anyone could be a spy for the enemy, the passion and determination of the Continental Army, and the tragedies of war. Rhys was steadfast, loyal, and devoted. Mae was bright, optimistic, and brave. Though I enjoyed the history behind the book, I could not engage with Mae or Rhys on a deep level. They professed love but did not know each other well enough and things shattered when their love was tested. For such a smart woman, some of Mae’s actions and thought processes did not line up with her intelligence and intuition. I also did not like Mae’s sister Coralie at all. She was supposed to be unlikable, but it would have been nice to see a more layered and multi-dimensional character, even in the selfish, jealous, conniving role she played. If you enjoy historical romance set during the Revolutionary War, I am sure you will enjoy this book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment and all opinions are my own.