The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal
by Heather McCollum

The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal
by Heather McCollum

Note: All of the book links will take you directly to Goodreads.
I do not use affiliate links, if that’s of concern.
Please consider purchasing any books you like from
your local independent books store.

Book Description:

A lass begging to marry him might top the list of “oddest things to happen,” but Chief Adam Macquarie is desperate. And no matter how much he hates to do it, he’s not above lying to get what he wants. Starting with the fact that he just omitted the truth about the situation back at his home—where there are no women and only a handful of other people. Because he has a secret need for a wife himself, one she won’t be too happy about when she finds out.

Lark Montgomerie is thrilled the brawny chief agrees to save her from her drunken father’s machinations of wedding her off to the first fool that agrees. He’s easy on the eyes and no one can be worse than her current options. Now a new life awaits her, on an exciting Scottish isle no less, and nothing will dampen her spirits. That is, until she arrives in her new homeland and realizes more than a few things are amiss…

My Take:

I received a digital copy of this book from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A short way into this book, I found myself thinking, “Wow, this plot seems familiar.”

Oh, it is – it’s VERY much like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, right down to the alphabetical naming of the brothers. Instead of Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank, and Gideon, we have Adam, Beck, Callum, Drostan, and Eagan. Now, I love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but it made the first 2/3 of the book fairly predictable, with the last third cramming a secondary, eye-roll-inducing plot into too little space.

Excusing the predictability of the plot and chocking it up to “romance novel formulation,” the final reason I am giving the rating I am, is due to the apparent need for euphemisms for body parts. C’mon – you are writing about steamy sex up against a wall, we don’t need you to be prudish in your descriptions.

#TheHighlandersUnexpectedProposal #NetGalley

The Final Verdict

My rating: 2.5 stars

Would I recommend? Ehh…

Extras

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Her Accidental
Highlander Husband
by Allison B. Hanson

Her Accidental Highlander Husband
by Allison B. Hanson

Note: All of the book links will take you directly to Goodreads.
I do not use affiliate links, if that’s of concern.
Please consider purchasing any books you like from
your local independent books store.

Book Description:

Marian Fletcher Blackley, Duchess of Endsmere, has been on the run from the English Crown for weeks since killing her abusive husband…no matter that it was self-defense. She has only one safe place to go—the MacKinlay clan in Scotland, where her sister is the laird’s wife.

War Chief Cameron MacKinlay has vowed never to marry after witnessing his widowed mother’s grief. He has his lands and his clan, and that’s enough for a good life. When one day a sprite of a lass comes running out of the forest with hounds nipping at her heels and an English bounty hunter not far behind, he feels compelled to save her by claiming the disheveled duchess is his wife. But he certainly didn’t intend to marry her for real!

And now he’ll do anything to protect her…

My Take:

I received a digital copy of this book from Entangled Publishing and NetGalley.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book starts off quickly and never lets up. Within the first chapter, the murder, fleeing of London, and accidental marriage all take place – not a spoiler, it’s in the book description. I was concerned when all of these major plot points occurred so quickly that there would be a lot of lagging in the rest of the book. There wasn’t. The pacing of the book is spot on.

As is typical of a romance novel (or really most novels), the main characters each try to hold secret their own troubles. In this book, each won’t abide that is the other, resulting in them actually talking to each other and sharing their burdens – like a really couple. This is incredibly refreshing in a romance novel – actually, ANY writing – because for too long we’ve been show that each individual should sacrifice themselves (mentally, emotionally, etc.) to soldier on and be the strong one. This book shows a true partnership and is amazing.

As a caution/trigger warning, (again, not a spoiler) the heroine was a victim of domestic abuse and continues to suffer the emotional and mental impacts of her past throughout much of the book – as would truly happen with any survivor. This is met with grace and support and some bumbling best-of-intentions, but never ignored, ridiculed, or brushed aside. I found the emotional maturity of all characters in the book refreshing and wonderful to read.

#HerAccidentalHighlanderHusband #NetGalley

The Final Verdict

My rating: 5 stars

Would I recommend? Yes

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Recent Posts

• SKewed Clues #45
• Visit Smither Park
• Understanding the Lyrics: Still Into You
• SKewed Clues #44
• Book Review – The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal