3.5 stars. I did enjoy this book overall, with a couple of reservations. I liked the ex-navy surgeon background of Doug, the MMC, who was in his late 3.5 stars. I did enjoy this book overall, with a couple of reservations. I liked the ex-navy surgeon background of Doug, the MMC, who was in his late 30s. It was interesting and felt historically accurate. He had joined the navy as a 12-year-old, spending a few years away to do his medical training, but otherwise serving the navy for all those years, mostly during wartime. His ptsd nightmares that followed him into civilian life. His search for somewhere peaceful to set up a surgery now the war is over and he has retired from the navy.
I liked the MFC, Olive, as well. By her own classification, she was a thirty-year-old spinster with no hope of marriage and the children she had always wanted. A Scot living in a small lowland coastal village. A (now dead) minister's daughter with a big heart, who was trying valiantly to keep her village and its people alive. She ran a popular tearoom.
The key quality of both MCs was their kindness to others, a quality I wish there was more of in this selfish old world. I guess that's one of the things that appealed to me about the book. They were both deeply caring people of integrity.
Another key aspect of the book was the dreadful Highland Clearances of the early 19th century, where Scottish Highlanders were cruelly evicted from their small crofts and homes, forced to move south or emigrate. A number have ended up as refugees in Olive's village, living in poor conditions, many too proud to accept charity. So there was an aspect of the book that explored how refugees are treated, very relevant today (as always). And I already knew a little about the Highland Clearances, so it was an interesting part of the book for me.
The storyline and the romance began to develop nicely, although as the book proceeded, Olive became a bit too good to be true, too much of a Mary Sue, which for me became a little tiresome. I found the way that Doug and Olive almost single-handedly (so to speak) were able to revive the flagging fortunes of the village also a bit hard to take. It was all possible, but it started to feel a bit too much, again, too good to be true. You wanted to believe it, but it became almost like a fairy tale with a magical happy ending. Nice but not real.
The section where Olive (view spoiler)[faced down the infamous Duchess of Sutherland (hide spoiler)] didn't really work for me. It felt unlikely and IMO wasn't necessary to the plot. Sure, it was possible, but for me it didn't really fit with this village-based story and with the character of Olive, strong though she was.
This was a completely clean read, a small number of kisses only. I wouldn't have minded a bit more on the romance front, but still, the romance aspect of the book was very nice anyway. Their well-deserved HEA was very satisfying.
CW: Death of a baby (secondary character); some fairly explicit medical procedures. ...more
3.5 stars. A cute romance. Annabel grew up in poverty, and fully intends to marry a rich man so she never has to scrabble for money again. (view spoil3.5 stars. A cute romance. Annabel grew up in poverty, and fully intends to marry a rich man so she never has to scrabble for money again. (view spoiler)[She is accidentally compromised by a Scot, the Earl of Ardmore, who is reputed to be poor and looking for an heiress wife (although she is no heiress). They are forced to marry to avoid the scandal. But little does Annabel know that he is actually one of the richest men in Scotland. (hide spoiler)]
Part of the book is a road trip from England to Ardmore's Scottish home, with the (as yet) unmarried couple falling in love along the way. They spend some time together in Scotland, and after some misadventures and misunderstandings, finally get their happy-ever-after. Apparently the storyline is loosely based on Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew', with a few changes of course. (Hence the book's title, from the twentieth century musical version, 'Kiss Me, Kate').
I liked this book at first. Arran and Mary were sweet together, and there were some funny lines and some cute banter. The Romeo and Juliet theme, withI liked this book at first. Arran and Mary were sweet together, and there were some funny lines and some cute banter. The Romeo and Juliet theme, with the two old families 'breaking to new mutiny', was interesting to start with. I liked the natural attraction that grew between Mary and Arran in spite of their feuding families. They were both likeable characters.
Where the book took a less interesting turn for me was (view spoiler)[the road trip (hide spoiler)]. This is not a favourite trope of mine, and IMO this aspect of the book dragged on for far too long. I started to get sick of it and wished the story would move in another direction. (It didn't, really....)
I also struggled a bit with Arran's Scottish accent. I know he had to have a brogue (with the book's title LOL) but I found it hard to read at times, and it did grow a bit tedious after a while.
So overall, not a bad read, but not a fav either.
This was a May 2023 BOTM for the Historical Romance Book Club, 'Secret Love' theme....more
3.5 stars. A decent HR with a very serious, slightly repressed duke, and a woman who would have been a doctor if women were permitted to be doctors in3.5 stars. A decent HR with a very serious, slightly repressed duke, and a woman who would have been a doctor if women were permitted to be doctors in those times. Not a bad read. There were two little mysteries, one about each of the protagonists, and these added some interest to the story. ...more
Set in the early 1700s, mainly in the Scottish border areas, during the reign of George I of England and ending with the Jacobite uprising of 1715. AcSet in the early 1700s, mainly in the Scottish border areas, during the reign of George I of England and ending with the Jacobite uprising of 1715. According to the author's end note, it's partly based on/inspired by the lives of some of her ancestors.
Everard and Blythe's romance is a bit of a slow burn. They didn't actually meet face-to-face until 1/4 of the way through the book, which was a little disappointing to me. Their love story was quite nice, and there were some dramatic events that affected their lives and added some action to the storyline in the later part of the book. It was a little confusing though, as they had different faith backgrounds, and the politics of them and their family members was also a bit muddy. Sometimes I lost track of who was on whose side and why at a particular point in the story. Love and faith did overcome all in the end, however.
I was a bit disappointed in the simplistic and fairly unlikely trope of (view spoiler)[ falling pregnant after just one night of love. Hmm. Yes, it can happen, but really .... not often. I don't really like it when authors use this trope (hide spoiler)]. I also don't particularly like the trope of the 'plain' heroine. I'm not really sure what it means, and have some trouble picturing the heroine in my imagination. In reality, hardly anyone is beautiful, so I don't know why authors bother trying to pitch a character as 'plain-looking'. People are animated by their personalities, not by their looks.
Overall not a bad story. But sadly for me it dragged and was too slow-paced until near the end, by which point I wasn't as interested any more. Overall, I think the book was a bit too long, with some 'padding' that needed editing out or trimming. So not bad, but not my fav book by this author....more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the 2nd Century Roman Britain setting of this novel. It's not a common setting for a HR. It took place mostly in Caledonia (Scotl3.5 stars. I enjoyed the 2nd Century Roman Britain setting of this novel. It's not a common setting for a HR. It took place mostly in Caledonia (Scotland) with the later part of the book moving south to Hadrian's Wall in northern England. It's a long way back in time, but the writer made it interesting and credible. Although the main focus of the book is a romance, the historical aspects felt convincing.
Justin (Justinian) was a Roman general whose command was one of the furthest outposts of the Roman Empire, in wild Caledonia. Fenella was one of the local people, the Picts, as the Romans referred to them, meaning the Painted People (due to the blue woad they wore on their bodies at times). Fenella reluctantly ended up as a slave in Justin's household. Their relationship took a while to warm up. Fenella did not trust the Romans, and her plans were only to escape. But over time their mutual attraction tuned into more, and the enemies became lovers.
No doubt many readers of Scottish or northern English origins have distant ancestors such as these, from when the Roman invaders intermingled with the local people. There was a shortage of women in the Roman forts, and doubtless relationships with local women were plentiful. The storyline felt believable. Even the sternest military leaders have a private life too, and this was the focus, especially in the later part of the book. Overall, an enjoyable read, and I would be happy to read more HRs set in Roman Britain.
A long and mainly interesting read about a period of European history I know little about. It focuses on some of the descendants of Mary, Queen of ScoA long and mainly interesting read about a period of European history I know little about. It focuses on some of the descendants of Mary, Queen of Scots - fascinating people who led complicated and interesting lives. The bloody Thirty Years War in Europe, the beheading of their relative Charles I, the English Civil War, the Restoration of Charles II, the complex intermarriages amongst the royal houses of Europe, the blossoming of art and philosophy, the battles over religion. Love, joy, loss, grabs for power, betrayal, disappointment.
Ultimately and perhaps ironically, Mary's direct descendant, a German, became George I of England, beginning a new royal dynasty that continues today. There were numerous others who had a more direct claim to the English throne, but George was a Protestant, and the English had firmly rejected Catholicism and all of its proponents, which wiped out so many potential claimants to the throne. Interestingly, another of Mary's descendants was the tragic Marie Antoinette of France, although Marie plays no part in this story.
Goldstone has a readable style which makes the complex events fairly straightforward to follow and understand. Her somewhat wry asides add the occasional personal comment to the narrative. Although the book felt quite long, it was well-written and interesting overall. I would consider reading more by this author....more
4 stars...3.5 maybe? This book is not really a romance, although (view spoiler)[ there is a HEA. I did get a bit frustrated that the MCs didn't actual4 stars...3.5 maybe? This book is not really a romance, although (view spoiler)[ there is a HEA. I did get a bit frustrated that the MCs didn't actually meet until about 70% through the book. (hide spoiler)] I guess it's what would normally be described as 'women's fiction', and not my usual style of read. I chose it on the strength of North's earlier book, The Turning Point, which hit me like a ton of bricks with its emotional impact. This one, not quite so much, however.
The book has two timelines - the late 1960s/early 197os, and the early 2000s. The book jumped between the two timelines, which isn't my favourite type of book structure. As I read on and got to know the characters better, I got used to the time jumps and in the end didn't mind it.
I liked the MCs and the storyline. It was interesting and the characters felt real, unlike many recent CRs where the same cheesy, vulgar characters seem to keep on popping up. I don't want to say much about the story itself - IMO it's better to go in blind and let the story unfold.
I'm not that familiar with Hendrix's music and didn't recognise the 'Little Wing' reference, but it seems to fit quite nicely.
The book has a strong sense of place, and it reads like a love letter to the Outer Hebrides, in particular the Isle of Harris. If the film/TV show the author mentions at the end of the book ever comes to be, I will certainly watch it.
The book itself was a decent read, but for me didn't have the emotional power I was hoping for. But well worth a read, especially for those who enjoy the 'women's fiction' style of book....more
Not a bad read. My first from this author. I got it as a freebie some time ago, and have finally gotten around to reading it. Le Veque seems to be verNot a bad read. My first from this author. I got it as a freebie some time ago, and have finally gotten around to reading it. Le Veque seems to be very prolific, and I would consider reading more of her books.
The main characters are likeable, and de Wolfe is part of a large, robust family, who all seem to have their own books LOL. It is a bit old-school/bodice-ripper in feel. I did find it hard to believe that the MCs fell in love so quickly. There was also a bit of violence. The storyline overall was otherwise decent....more
3 to 3.5 stars. A quick, easy read with generally likeable characters and an interesting medieval Scottish setting. I wasn't really on board with the 3 to 3.5 stars. A quick, easy read with generally likeable characters and an interesting medieval Scottish setting. I wasn't really on board with the whole basis of the plot however, which revolved around deception and lies. Not my fav trope. I might read some of the others in the series.
This was my Medieval read for November 2021 Romance Across The Ages challenge, HRBC....more
3.5 to 4 stars. In the end, a sweet romance. The Edwardian setting was quite enjoyable - I haven't read too many books set in this period, but the set3.5 to 4 stars. In the end, a sweet romance. The Edwardian setting was quite enjoyable - I haven't read too many books set in this period, but the setting was done well.
The romance took a while to really get going, because Evie is already engaged to another man, and the book takes its time disengaging Evie from her fiancé and allowing her time to really fall in love with Jamie. It was done believably, but did slow the pace of the book somewhat.
I did not really enjoy the plot point about them wanting to break into the British Museum (this is all in the blurb so not a spoiler). I'm a bit of a goody-two-shoes rule follower, and this section made me uncomfortable. I feel as if Ms Ashley can do better with the plotting than this.
There were plenty of revisits with Jamie's family, including Beth and Ian, which was nicely done (for those who've read the earlier books). And at the end it's revealed that Ms Ashley intends to write more books about this next-gen group of Edwardian-era Mackenzies, all with guaranteed HEAS, which will be nice. One of Jamie's sisters will be next.
So an enjoyable read and I recommend it, especially to those who've liked other books in the series. The characters were good, although for me the plot was not fully to my taste and the pacing was a bit too slow. So not quite as good as some of the excellent earlier books, but still well worth reading....more
This is about the forebears of the Mackenzie family from the Victorian-era series. Eighteenth century Mal Mackenzie falls in love with the daughter ofThis is about the forebears of the Mackenzie family from the Victorian-era series. Eighteenth century Mal Mackenzie falls in love with the daughter of an English earl, 'the enemy'. While the romance was nice, I didn't really enjoy the time period and setting, with its war, enmities and upheavals, including the disastrous and tragic Battle of Culloden. It was a little hard to keep track of Mal's brothers as well - who was on which side, who was killed, who was believed to be dead but escaped and was really alive etc. A bit too much drama for my historical romance reading tastes. ...more
I enjoyed most of the earlier books in this series, but I'm not enjoying these books about the Mackenzie ancestors as much. This one was about Alec anI enjoyed most of the earlier books in this series, but I'm not enjoying these books about the Mackenzie ancestors as much. This one was about Alec and Celia. Alec, the son of a Scottish Highlander duke, is in England in disguise as an Irish painting teacher. It's after Culloden, and Alec's brother Will is being held somewhere in England by a nasty Englishman. While Alec searches for clues about Will's whereabouts, he and Celia, an English duke's daughter, fall in love over their art lessons.
It was an OK read, and there were some lovely scenes. But somehow I just wasn't as invested in Alec and Celia's story as I was in some of the couples in the other books. I admit to doing some skimming in the later part of the book, not a good sign. It wasn't a bad read, just not that memorable for me....more
3.5 stars. It was a nice revisit with the MacKenzies, especially Ian and Beth. I was looking for a new romance with a new couple, though, and this was3.5 stars. It was a nice revisit with the MacKenzies, especially Ian and Beth. I was looking for a new romance with a new couple, though, and this wasn't it. Darn. Oh well. I still have a few to go in the series yet :)...more
An enjoyable short novel about a Mackenzie b*stard, Lloyd Fellows, who falls for Isabella's sister Louisa. This one was a murder whodunnit, actually, An enjoyable short novel about a Mackenzie b*stard, Lloyd Fellows, who falls for Isabella's sister Louisa. This one was a murder whodunnit, actually, and as usual for me with whodunnits, I didn't guess the killer. LOL. I loved Lloyd and Louisa together, and the class difference was not a problem. Very nice read....more
I liked Sinclair, the still-grieving widower whose life feels flat and empty. He loves his children but doesn't really know how to help them get past I liked Sinclair, the still-grieving widower whose life feels flat and empty. He loves his children but doesn't really know how to help them get past losing their mother.
I also liked Bertie, the charming, cheeky, clever, full-of-life Cockney heroine. She's a very appealing character. Her life has been hard but she doesn't let it get her down. She's honest and resilient and she copes with anything. And the two of them are a perfect match.
The characters and plot line of this book were far from the usual HR cliches. The class mismatch was beautifully done and it worked well. The children were well-drawn and convincing. The storyline had a few unexpected twists, and kept my interest all the way through. A very enjoyable read, and one of the best in this series. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. A cut above most novellas, with some decent character development and an interesting little plot. Kind of a treasure hunt along with t3.5 to 4 stars. A cut above most novellas, with some decent character development and an interesting little plot. Kind of a treasure hunt along with the romance, and the treasure was most unexpected once it was found! It did finish in a bit of a rush, but, that's one of the common limitations of a novella I suppose. I did enjoy the read, though.
Captain Steven McBride is a soldier who has been serving in Africa, and (after the events of the book) will be returning there. But he is now going to take his new wife with him. In my imagination, I wonder how they will go in Africa, in what will probably be uncomfortable conditions for the new Mrs McBride. Hopefully Steven will cut back on the heavy drinking. I like to wonder sometimes about what happens to characters after a book has concluded. I guess if I'm wondering about that, then the author has succeeded in making the characters seem real :)...more
This book had a different feel from earlier ones in the series. The hero, Daniel, was only a teen in the earlier books, but in this one he's a fully-gThis book had a different feel from earlier ones in the series. The hero, Daniel, was only a teen in the earlier books, but in this one he's a fully-grown adult man. He's a very likeable character, with a real zest for life and a keen intelligence.
Violet is a character I thought I mightn't like, as she makes a living, with her mother, as a fake medium. Not a trope I'm particularly fond of. But Ms. Ashley's strong writing made Violet an appealing character, and her reasons for the way she lived her life were convincing.
The book is set in the later Victorian era, in 1890, with the dawn of the motor car age. I liked that both Daniel and Violet had a mechanical bent, and the way they worked together on Daniel's engines was an interesting aspect of the story. The ballooning scenes and the scenes in the car showed the two of them truly enjoying themselves, and Violet finding a freedom and joy that had previously eluded her. Another strong book in this enjoyable series. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. An enjoyable read set in the mid 1700s in New York State. The hero, Major Iain Mackinnon and his two brothers are originally from the 3.5 to 4 stars. An enjoyable read set in the mid 1700s in New York State. The hero, Major Iain Mackinnon and his two brothers are originally from the Scottish Highlands and they feel quite Scottish. But they basically grew up in America alongside some friendly Mohican Indians, and the book does have a kinda Last of the Mohicans feel.
The heroine, Annie, is the daughter of a deceased Scottish earl, but she has been treated poorly by a wicked uncle and ends up in servitude in America. Iain rescues Annie from Indian raiders, and that's how they meet.
I liked the portrayal of the characters, particularly the honourable and heroic Iain, legendary leader of Mackinnon's Rangers. The story moved along quite quickly, with a few interesting twists and turns along the road to their HEA. It kept me interested all the way through, and I now want to read the other books, about Iain's brothers. ...more
Another good read in this series. In some ways similar to #1, The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie. The hero is considered 'mad' by many, but in this casAnother good read in this series. In some ways similar to #1, The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie. The hero is considered 'mad' by many, but in this case it's serious ptsd after imprisonment and torture while in India.
There were a couple of moments that stretched credulity a little (view spoiler)[ for example, after being abandoned at the altar, Juliana is married to Elliott instead within the hour???? Ummm???? (hide spoiler)] But I just went with it, and overall enjoyed the story.
Elliott has brought his friend Mahindar and some of his family members to Scotland from India with him, and they are lovely characters who add enjoyment to the story. The crusty old MacGregor is also likeable in his way, and adds some humour to the story. The various secondary characters are done particularly well in this book.
I didn't mind that Elliott and Juliana were already married for most of the book. I quite like that trope, actually. There were a couple of surprises in the plot along the way. It was nice to see their deep love helping Elliott to face his ptsd. Enjoyable book, and I will continue with the series....more