4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoy a good historical fiction novel, I like to think I am learning something while reading a great story, and this one was no exception. Set in the early 1900s amidst the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution, this book is first and foremost a story about love, resilience and healing of the human spirit.

It follows Kate, our main protagonist, who is suffering from a traumatic event, and leaves Texas to go and live in Mexico to escape her past. The book suggests she is a “Dangerous” woman, however I’d say she’s more stubborn (and independent) than dangerous, although perhaps she is dangerous in the way she makes Rudy, her love interest feel. Rudy is a powerful, ruthless and widely feared soldier who serves Pancho Villa as his personal assassin. Kate and Rudy’s worlds collide and it is interesting how a fragile, independent woman forges a relationship with a ruthless killer. How do they fare? You’ll need to read the book to find that out, but it’s heartwarming to see how each of them changes, for the better, to make their relationship work.

It’s a fairly medium paced book, there was enough happening to keep me engaged and wanting to read more.

The author, Josie Wilson, is a retired librarian who was born and raised in Texas, and lived a short distance from the Mexican border. She was 73 when she completed her first novel! I’m really hoping that Josie writes a sequel as I’d love to hear more about Kate, Rudy and their extended family.

The title A Dangerous Woman is somewhat misleading—Kate, the main character, is not inherently dangerous, but rather brave, resilient, and defiant in a time and culture that gave women little room to be any of those things. While she may eventually pose a threat to her former fiancé, it’s a stretch to call her "dangerous" in the way the title suggests. Still, the book itself is a compelling story set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution.

Josie Wilson offers a good view into a turbulent and polarizing period in Mexican history. Though the book doesn’t delve deeply into the military campaigns or politics, it effectively captures the tension and uncertainty of the era.

Kate’s journey is believable and emotionally satisfying. Her transformation from a frightened and dependent young woman into someone strong, self-assured, and resourceful is the heart of the novel. What makes her growth particularly engaging is that she never loses her core identity—she learns to navigate the cultural expectations of her time without completely conforming to them. The arrangement between her and Rudy—agreeing to present a united front in public while allowing space for honesty and disagreement in private—adds a realistic dimension to their relationship.

Rudy’s story is equally compelling. His growing disillusionment with the revolution and its shift from a people's movement to a power struggle among egotistical generals is a powerful commentary. His decision to step away from violence and build a legitimate future for his family gives the novel a hopeful conclusion.

Overall, A Dangerous Woman is a rewarding read for anyone interested in women's stories set in historical contexts.

I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about this one going in, but it ended up being surprisingly good—I really enjoyed it. It was a captivating and impactful read that highlights one woman’s determination and will to survive against incredible odds.

With knowing next to nothing of the Mexican Revolution, I found this to be an interesting glimpse into a piece of history I hadn’t explored before. I wouldn't mind exploring more novels of its kind in the future.

A Dangerous Woman' by Josie Wilson is a powerful historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution.
I really liked this book, it's an emotional read that follows a strong female protagonist as she rebuilds her life after trauma.
The story resonated with me, and I appreciated the author's portrayal of a resilient woman navigating challenging times. A compelling and impactful read.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Dangerous Woman by Josie Wilson

This captivating novel tells one woman's brave journey adter she leaves home and starts her own journey of healing. I for one was very impressed with this story and that was with the main female character. She managed to overcome her trauma in order to build a better life for herself and didn't let anything else stand in her way. Not to mention her way of coping with the war in Mexico made me admire her bravery. Overall this is a very good story.

Our story starts with a young woman named Kate who with the help of two loyal friends manages to escape from her abusive fiance. They end up taking her to Mexico is admidst of the Revolution. From there she is able to recover from her ordeal and learn