"Embrace The Lace" by Shannon MacLeod offers a whimsical and light-hearted take on the time-travel romance genre, blending elements of fantasy, humor, and romance into an enjoyable read. Widowed chieftain Andrew MacIver finds himself thrust into an unexpected adventure when he rescues modern-day geek Paisley Evangeline Darling, affectionately known as Van, from drowning and inadvertently brings her back to 17th-century Scotland. As they navigate the challenges of their time-crossed romance, readers are treated to a delightful tale filled with meddlesome faeries, questionable inventions, and culinary miracles. While the premise is intriguing and the characters endearing, the execution occasionally falls into predictable patterns, and the pacing may feel uneven at times. However, MacLeod's witty prose and engaging storytelling keep the reader entertained throughout, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and heartwarming scenes. Overall, "Embrace The Lace" offers a charming and entertaining escape for fans of light-hearted romance and time-travel adventures.

Evangeline Darling, known as Van by her friends, decides to go to a Renaissance festival. While attending the festival she ends up in Scotland in the year 1659. First she thinks it is an elaborate and precise reenactment. She slowly comes to realize that she was somehow transported into the past.

She is rescued by Andrew MacIver who is the MacIver clan’s laird. He is handsome and loyal. Andrew is a widow and must find a bride. Andrew is intrigued with this woman who claims to be from the future.

Andrew’s Uncle Alastair comes to visit but has an evil plan to usurp power from Andrew. He wants to become the clan’s new Laird. Can Andrew and Van defeat his evil uncle? Will they survive? Can they have a happily ever after?

Andrew and Van have great chemistry. Watching them fall in love was enjoyable. The author has you rooting for the couple and hoping they will be able to stay together in the past. The story keeps you on the edge of your seat and wondering what will happen next. The author weaves a story that captures you from the beginning. There is intrigue, passion, and magic to keep you entertained. Reviews posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc. This characters were great but I didn't like Evangeline at first, but by the end I was rooting for them.

Oh boy did I enjoy this one. I raced through it, as it is adventure start to finish.

I was such a fan of Andrew, but admittedly, I had to warm up to Evangeline - perhaps much like the rest of the castle. Its dual POV, and this really helped ameliorate me to Van. That, and her love of Dr. Who. The chemistry between them is undeniable, however, and it has a delightful amount of spice to tease the reader.

I feel a bit like Stefan on SNL when I tell you that this book has everything: timetravel, the highlands, evil uncle and some fae intervention. Plus a delightful amount of mentions of all your favourite sci-fi things. I probably need to read through it again to catch all of them.

I was thoroughly entertained - and I really appreciated the glossary at the end, and the artist notes to discuss a few of the things Van 'invents' in the past.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of Embrace the Lace. I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel romance. Good character development, sufficiently evil bad guy. Happily, ever after ending.

A beautiful and funny love story in the middle of sixteenth-century Scotland that has a pact from the start. How the protagonists get closer throughout the book and what they experience despite their differences shows how strong love can be. Even through time.

I saw this and knew I had to check it out. Who doesn't love a good time-traveling romance set in Scotland?????

Andrew has a lot on his plate and doesn't have time for anything. He needs a new wife to help him create an heir for his clan. With the upcoming clan gathering...this will be the perfect opportunity to renew allegiances and find a suitable bride. However, he needs a break. When he takes his horse out for a ride, he will soon discover his world is about to change forever thanks to a nosy Fae. Van wants an adventure before going off to complete her master's degree in mechanical engineering so she decides to go to the SCA Renaissance Festival which is a complete and totally immersive experience. Little does she know...she is about to have an adventure into the real deal.

I feel terrible for admitting this....but I was so annoyed with Van at the beginning that I wanted to scream. She was unrelenting and never stopped talking. She was very sweet and smart and cute and etc...but shut up Van. She did calm down a litttttttle bit later on, but she was a lot to handle. I loved she loved the nerdy stuff and was a whiz with the engineering and building....but sweet lord did I want to shake her.

Andrew was sweet and grumpy. Just how I like 'em ;)

This does have some humor and honestly...you can't take this story too seriously. It was a lot of fun. Van is very sweet in her own way (even though she never, ever stops talking) and brightens up the castle. She brought joy back and had people laughing again. The catapult scene made me warm up to her a bit.

Some plot devices were very, very flimsy and too convenient...like the ending with Van's parents. Mmmm. Take it with a grain of salt. This was very light. I found that this was the Hallmark of Time Travel romances. Nothing too serious and everything was easily solved.

However, I did have fun with this. It was sweet and quick and had humor. The love was there and it was sweet. Van needed to calm down, but she was an interesting character and maybe it was just a me thing. If you are looking for something light...check this out. I'll give it 3 stars.

This book had many laugh out loud moments and was a delightful light frothy romance. The time travel element was fun and helped this story stand out from other Scottish romances. Very well written characters that I was rooting for and enjoyed getting to know.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in return for my review.

I received this ARC from Netgalley. This review is my own thoughts and honest opinions about the story and authors writing.

The best way I can put this is if you enjoyed stories like Outlander. This story is defiantly for you! I loved Van. Her character creation is amazing. I loved how she just takes everything that happens to her within stride. I loved the fact tat Shannon MacLead puts so much modern references within her historical writing. I loved all the different references. What I wasn’t expecting was the different twist and turns that the author has put into her writing especially finding out that there was a bigger picture to why Van was time travelled. Which was not only to help Andrew with his quest of having to find a suitable wife to his role a a Clan Chieftan, but she was also brought on to help the fairies! You think a time traveling storyline was enough to find a handsome, smart, sexy and caring Scot man to fall in love with, Nope! We need to add fantasy into it.

This story had me on the edge of my seat. I actually was extremely sad when I had to put the story down when I had to go to work. I am now still thinking about it and its characters. I will be ecstatic to read more from this author and would be extremely happy to learn what happens between the other characters. Or even have the story about Andrews mother. Who you get hits about her past as well.

A fun engaging story with good style and a HEA.
I enjoyed reading this author - new to me, and finding her take on the genre and trope.

I really enjoyed #EmbraceTheLace. I will give it 4 out of 5 stars. The last star is because there was a small part that, unless things are different in other kingdoms, the author did not research. I am part of Northshield SCA and have been for a few years and I have yet to see or hear about a tour guide. If your family or friends bring you in, they show you around. Otherwise, wander around and stay out of tents unless they are clearly marked as merchants, arts and sciences, or kitchen. It's very simple. However, the actual main story was wonderful and very catching. There were a few times I was slightly confused as to character actions, but I'm assuming the Old Ones are responsible for the actions that didn't seem to make sense to me. I loved the main female character's snark. She was absolutely perfect with her modern attitude but easy adjustment into that time period. The story flowed mostly smoothly with some decent plot twists. I would recommend this to anyone willing to suspend disbelief over time travel, who enjoys Scottish love stories, and enjoys a good plot line. Thank you #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for the DRC. I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review.

Quite a nice read. I found it interesting. I definitely think its a novel that people need to experience for themselves and they can make their mind up for themselves.

Embrace the Lace is a very charming story. If you are into time traveling into the Scottish Highlands and finding a handsome lair to fall in love with, this is a story for you.
It got me laughing out loud and I liked how unpretensious it was. Also, the book didn't make the mistake of trying to explain everything so it would make sense, which for me is a plus. I mean, it's a time traveling book, of course it doesn't make sense, but it is really cute and Van and Andrew have great banter, which is usually lacking in this sort of story.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Enjoyable read with some slow burn characters, at times the plot took a while to develop but overall enjoyable.

If you are expecting a serious romantic time travel story with all the complications that can go with it, this is not for you!!

I thoroughly enjoyed this light easy read. Loved the characters and the differences of the 21st and 17th century and the antics Van got up too.

I would recommend this book, and I will be looking for other books by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon MacLeod for the Arc of Embrace the Lace. This is my personal review.

Thank you to Shannon MacLeod for letting me have an ARC copy of Embrace the Lace to review!

Embrace the Lace stands out from other time-travel romance novels I have read (as one of my favourite tropes I read a lot of them). Sometimes history gets taken too seriously, but Shannon MacLeod cleverly deploys humour and chaos to make fun and excitement shine out on the page. Not to mention driving MMC, Laird Andrew McIver, bananas with the antics and disregard for 17th Century rules of the MFC, Paisley Evangeline Darling (Van).

The cast of characters in this book is quite charming and likable, including the side cast who pop up. I have to admit Andrew was my favourite with his deep sense of duty, kindness, honourable nature, and care for his people. He’s clearly bemused and sometimes at a loss about what to make of her after meeting Wild Van.

I liked Van’s independence streak, take-charge nature, and impetus to do things her way. There were some aspects of Van’s character I didn’t like. I suspect her antics would have had her burnt/stoned as a witch within days of her arrival in a realistic setting of Highland Scotland during the 1600s. Misbehaving and independent women usually found themselves in danger and trouble. But this is fiction, Van’s crass nature, off-kilter behaviour, and cringy dialogue do eventually settle down as her character development finds its stride in the story. However, some cheesy lines return towards the end of the book when the villain is vanquished.

The plot starts a little slowly but ramps up to a plot stuffed to the brim with excitement, intrigue, and twists that surprised me. The writing can be cheesy and cringy at times (mostly Van’s dialogue) but full of great pop-culture references and bold storytelling you can’t help but laugh along. A unique take on time travel with Fae creatures and a plot crammed with modern-day chaos, crass, and delights that turns 17th-century Scotland upside down. Despite a few grimacing moments at the start due to Van’s character, I did enjoy reading this entertaining time-travel romance.

They're both lost, frustrated with their lives, and destined to be together. Evangeline, Van to her friends, a young woman from our time period, walks into a pond, and is transported back to 1659, rescued by Laird Andrew, of the Clan McIver. Each finds themselves instantly attracted to one another, but at the same time, they are also very confused. Andrew has no idea who the almost drowned woman is, and why she is on his land. Evangeline has no idea how she ended up almost drowning, and why she is no longer in the 2020's. As soon as she arrives at his castle, nothing is safe. He already trusts she is no threat, and she feels the same. She forms a close relationship with Mrs. Norris, who is in charge of the running of the castle, and knows everyone in the clan as well. Andrew, or Andy as he calls her, is thrown by his attraction to the unusual woman, who swears like no other woman he's ever known, leaves almost immediately for the next two weeks to meet with his tenants and their families. He is being pressured to marry since he is laird, and needs heirs. However, his first wife, who died a few years before, did not bring much joy to his life. She fulfilled her role as the Laird's wife, but they had no relationship.
While Andy, as she calls him, is away, Van, or Evangeline as he calls him, has started wreaking havoc while he is gone. She decides things need to be improved, and starts "inventing" things to make the lives of the people much easier, and the 21st century has officially invaded 1659. Andrew comes back to many, many changes, to the point he is convinced they were invaded while he was gone. Unfortunately, the real invasion comes soon enough when his Uncle Alasdair comes to force Andrew to stand down as Laird, or be removed, and it's very apparent he doesn't want Andrew to live through his takeover. He claims someone has murdered his wife, and is determined to marry Lady Eilionoir, a beautiful, pure of heart daughter of a man, who is brought as an offering to bring two strong clans together. She has her role to play, but Andrew and Evangeline aren't sure how she fits there. This potential overthrow brings feelings out in the open, and brings them even closer together.
The relationship between Andrew/Andy and Evangeline/Van begins very slowly. While you can see their feelings begin to run deeply almost from the beginning, it does not feel rushed. It is amusing when he keeps correcting her about the year it is there, and how he's always shocked at her language. She believes women can take care of themselves, but begins to realize being cherished and protected is not a bad thing, and is actually what she didn't realize she wanted.
Evangeline is indirectly helped, and protected by the dirty little man at the stables, Brown Tom, a fae. He is normally only seen by small children, but Andrew is shocked to find out she can also see him. While not seen very often in the novel, it is very apparent he is a very important character.
I am not a fan of going back in time historical romance novels, but this was enjoyable with how it was written. The story was slow to start. I understand the story had to be set up, but it took longer than I had liked. Once it really started, I really did enjoy it. They made a good couple, and it felt natural. There was no insta-love or angst. They had their insecurities, but it didn't stop the relationship from growing. Oddly, what bothered me the most was that she "invented" the bicycle for them. I just kept shaking my head on that. Even with all the other crazy and futuristic things she did, or had people help her make, the bicycle really bugged me. Don't ask me why. It was mentioned in only ONE sentence. It wasn't even important to any part of the story. So, if that's my main complaint, I call that a win.
I would definitely read this again, and plan to check out more from this author.
This is a mature novel because of one graphic intimate scene. It was quite detailed. Otherwise, it would be for most.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had a great time reading this book!
Andrew and Van are couple goals.
The plot is amazing and I really like how you give us a little tour through the Highlands while everything unfolds.
It would be awesome if there's a sequel, but if there's not, I like how things end.

I absolutely love Scottish historical romance so when I saw this book on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to read it. I do however something struggling with time travel and how the personal being transported adapts to their new life and time period. I actually thought in this case the author did a very good job, the more I got into the book the more I enjoyed it.

We are introduce to Paisley Evangeline Darling, Van to her friends when she falls in to a pond at a renaissance fair in the present day US and comes out in the 1600s in Scotland. Where she ends up meeting Laird Andrew MacIver, who is in want of a wife (aren't they all). Van is nothing like the wife he expected he would want as she is feisty, has a mouth like a sailor and makes her opinion know, but he can't help but find himself, thinking about her constantly and falling in love. Add in an evil Uncle into the mix who wants the chieftain post for himself and you have a fun and enjoyable read.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My rating scale
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Absolutely loved it! Gave me a warm fuzzy feeling or made me cry. And took me on an emotional rollercoaster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Really liked it. Will read more by the author and other books in the series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - It was just okay, didn’t move me, but don’t feel like I wasted me time reading it either.
⭐️⭐️ - Didn’t like this book and probably won’t read other in the series.
⭐️ - I did not care for this book at all and feel like I wasted my time reading it

Time travel, using contemporary knowledge to better certain people's lives, a meddling uncle, fairies, and romance. Everything I really enjoy. Thank you, NetGalley for this opportunity. This was a pleasant and entertaining read. Likeable people, intrigue, and action in a time-travelling plot. The new cooking tools added a lovely touch to the narrative.