Baroness Orczy, the genius behind The Scarlet Pimpernel, delivers another heart-stopping adventure set against the bloody backdrop of the French Revolution. This time, the stakes are intensely personal.

The Story

Years before the story begins, a young nobleman named Paul Déroulède made a cruel, offhand joke that ruined a family. Now, in the terror of Revolutionary Paris, that sin has found him. Juliette de Marny, the daughter of the man Paul humiliated, has grown up nursing a single purpose: revenge. She swears an oath—'I will repay'—and dedicates her life to destroying him. Using a false identity, she infiltrates Paul's household, becoming his trusted friend, all while gathering evidence to send him to the guillotine. But as she gets to know the honorable, compassionate man he has become, her mission becomes a torment. Can she fulfill her sacred vow, or will the love growing between them prove stronger than her hate?

Why You Should Read It

This book is a masterclass in emotional tension. Orczy makes you feel Juliette's agony as her heart and her oath wage war. Paul isn't just a cardboard hero; he's a genuinely good man burdened by a past mistake, which makes his potential fate all the more tragic. The real magic is in the push-and-pull. Every tender moment is shadowed by betrayal, and every act of suspicion is tinged with attraction. It’s not just about escaping the Committee of Public Safety; it's about two people trying to escape the prisons they've built for themselves. The historical setting isn't just wallpaper—the constant threat of discovery and the mob's fury make every secret meeting and whispered conversation crackle with danger.

Final Verdict

I Will Repay is perfect for anyone who loves a historical romance with real teeth. If you enjoy the doomed romance of Wuthering Heights but wish it had more sword fights and clever escapes, this is your book. It's for readers who like their love stories complicated by impossible moral choices and their history served with a heavy dose of drama and daring. A thrilling, swoon-worthy, and surprisingly thoughtful ride from start to finish.