didnt enjoy it as much as i did wild wicked scot. the crux of the plot seemed less angsty than what I hoped for. the characters felt wooden for the male lead and the female lead was just a dimwit unfortunately

This was an enjoyable romance that I didn't want to put down. I loved the main characters and the story was well developed.

I have to start out by saying I love Scottish romance novels, there is something about the area and its history that leads to such intriguing and nuanced tales - and Julia London does not disappoint. This second installment of the Highland Groom series focuses on Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick and Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale (son of the couple from the first novel, Wild Wicked Scott). Daisy is on the run, from fortune hunters and the demands of her first husband's will that she marry within three years of his death or forfeit her son's inheritance, and Cailean is hiding from ever feeling anything but the responsibly of his clan. When these two first met it isn't love or even like at first sight, it is lust with a fair amount of aggravation thrown in. But through a series of chance encounters (as one should expect when being neighbors) and cast of vibrant side characters, these two didn't stand a chance. Plus I loved that not only was Cailean the son of Margot and Arran (Wild Wicked Scott), we were able to catch up with them and see the after, in their happily ever after.

The second story in the Highland Grooms series is a story of the son from the first book. Now that I’m a bit more into the series, I’m still looking for that “something” that will have me loving it. I’m still not blown away by it.

Again, I like the setting and some of the characters but if I don’t have a connection with the hero and heroine, the story just falls flat for me.

This heroine was someone that I didn’t like much and I can’t blame that on her age or the circumstances she finds herself in (she was a mature woman that tried to use men while protecting her son’s inheritance). She was written in such a way that I had an actual dislike of her actions.

I’ll continue with the series in hopes that the stories get better because I do like this author.

Melanie for b2b

Gift ARC provided by the publisher

In Sinful Scottish Laird, the feisty and rich Lady Chatwick meets the sensual and seductive Laird of Arrandale, Cailean Mackenzie. Lady Chatwick, Daisy Bristol has two choices to make within three years:  1. Find a suitable husband or 2. Don't choose a husband. If she doesn't choose a husband within that timeframe, she will lose her son's inheritance. At first, she isn't sure what she should do; then a letter from her childhood beau helps her to decide to head to go back home...to Scotland, right next to Cailen. Cailen is undoubtedly attracted to Daisy, but, he's fighting against his feelings because he doesn't want her anywhere near him or his estate; due to her being a Sassenach. There is no way he's giving in to the attraction he feels or feeding the frenzy of sensual emotions sparking between them. But when her old time love shows up, Cailen realizes he cannot escape his feelings and makes plans that don't involve Daisy ever leaving his neck of the woods.

I loved reading this book. It has a great plot, memorable characters and the heat of a delectable romance. After reading book one in this series, I decided to read this book, the second in this series. Another hit and has solidified my decision the read the rest of the Highland Grooms series. Do I recommend this book? Yes, yes and yes again. I believe all romance readers would enjoy this book by Julia London.

Follows Wild Wicked Scot but many years have passed. I loved this story. The push and pull between the Hero and Heroine was absolutely delicious. Her need to secure the future of her son, his reluctance to follow his heart combine to create a lively and interesting tale.
The dialogue was inspired. The secondary characters were memorable. Looking forward to the next in this wonderful series.

Review: This is the second book in the Highland Groom Series. In this story we once again find ourselves in the picturesque Highlands.

Cailean, Lord Arrandale (I thought the same thing…Frozen) befriends Lady Chadwick who happens to come to what is her late husband’s hunting lodge in the Highlands to buy some time. In order for Ellis her nine year old to inherit she must remarry. There are times one just has to get away from it all.

As Daisy and her small entourage settle in she finds that she wants to have a fling with Cailean. After all she was married to an older man, he has been gone for quite a while and we do get urges.

I enjoyed how these two from the beginning went all out for each other maybe Daisy was a little more on the bold side of things but she was fun. A woman that had spunk and was full of spirit, I liked that about her. I found Daisy to have that easy going attitude not afraid to try something new. She seemed ahead of her time. A modern lady…I liked that.

Cailean on the other hand kind of liked her flirtatious spirit to a point. He kept going for it then backing off. He tried to call her bluff only to find she came right back for more.

There was an added bonus to this story in the rouse of Daisy’s son. It always helps when the man you fall for genuinely likes your son. That is an added game winner, every time. Cailean didn’t mind spending time with Ellis.

I enjoyed the friendship between Cailean and Daisy with that hint and added sensuous overtones between these two. It was simply heated every time these two were together. Even there verbal sparring sent sparks everywhere. They were a couple that were fun…I just couldn’t get enough of them.

The only thing that I found a little disappointing is not getting to enjoy the faire/festival when the entourage journeyed to Margot and Arran’s. The imagery that Ms. London once again brought to her story was spot on (it almost made up for missing the Faire). It made me want to pack my bags and fly to Scotland.

They were well written as were all the secondary characters in this story. I found that I really want a story for Daisy’s cousin Belinda and then also Uncle Alfonso. He had a story of his own I know. Also, Rabbie seems to be one that needs someone to show him how to not be so suspicious.

Returning to the Highlands, amid the treachery, scandal, and dangerous time of Rebellion, Julia London brings us the second in her Highland Grooms series. This story comes many years after the ending of the first story and actually follows the oldest son of the couple from book one, Cailean Mackenzie. I was a bit surprised when I realized this would be Cailean’s story, but it was a happy surprise in the end. I enjoyed getting to know Cailean, even if a good majority of the time he was being a typically stubborn Scottish ass and seeing Daisy find herself despite all the weights on her shoulders, whiel the expectations of society reminded me that some women just can’t be kept down. Daisy and her son, along with some extended family, have come to Scotland to escape the money grubbing suitors that have graced her halls ever since her late husband put her on the marriage block upon his death. She waits for her first love to return to her and in the meantime has no use for the men that surround her, until she meets the riveting and sensual Cailean Mackenzie. Cailean is beyond irritated that an Englishwoman has encroached on his solitude in his little corner of their family lands and wants nothing more than to see her gone, especially since the last Englishwoman he gave his heart too obliterated it. Cailean tries to stay away from the slightly crazy but stunningly beautiful and sweet Daisy, but the pull is too strong and he soon finds himself facing the truth that he will have to release the woman he has come to love if they are either to have a chance at happiness. Cailean was a bit of an ass through a good bit of the story, but then again most stubborn Scottish men share that trait—even to this day—and the alpha males are even worse. As he slowly began to lose his heart to Daisy, the walls he built around himself made me feel sorry for him, knowing that he was letting past hurts and fears keep him from claiming the woman he loves—not to mention the little boy that has stolen his heart. Daisy has done everything she can to make a decision that will allow her some happiness at the same time as giving her son what he needs to be happy and to thrive. She thought her long lost love was the answer to that hope, until she meets Cailean and begins to wonder if perhaps the brash and bold Scot is the man of her dreams.
I loved getting to know Daisy and Cailean, even if I was exasperated with their stubborn unwillingness to see what was right in front of them the whole time. Daisy was definitely a woman well before her time, asserting her independence in a time when women the world over (for the most part) were treated simply as property of the men in their lives. She was once forced into a marriage of duty, instead of marrying her love, but now that she is older and wiser there is no way she will marry anyone that doesn’t love her. But in the meantime there’s nothing to keep a young, vital widow from having a little fun with a big burly Scot, now is there? Daisy has a passionate nature and refuses to hide it from herself or Cailean, determined that he will be her lover, but she certainly never planned to fall in love with him. Cailean likewise is taken aback by the passion and sensuality of this wild English flower and her sometimes inappropriate behavior. He knows that she is trouble, but the more time he spends with her and her son, the deeper he finds himself sinking into the quicksand he saw around them but was unable to avoid. He wants nothing more than to take Daisy to his bed, especially since she seems to understand it can never be more than physical between them; however in the end he is sunk and gives his heart to her. Even their love doesn’t seem to be enough to overcome the dangers and obstacles surrounding them, until some sage advice from his father finally brings Cailean to the conclusion that the matters of the heart will always be more important than any others he faces and only with the love of his life by his side will he ever be happy.
Duty or Love seems to be the common problem that faced both Cailean and Daisy, much like other couples during that time in our history. The Scottish Rebellion was a long-fought and bloody battle, that left many families without their men as well as without their lands, but stories like these remind us all that even in the bloodiest and most tragic of times, there was still love and life went on for these people despite the trauma and tragedy. London’s skill at bringing these histories back into the minds and hearts of readers and showing us the sweeter side of those times, is nothing short of amazing and an important task for a writer to undertake. So many authors gloss over the darkness of history, focusing simply on the frivolousness of the society and ignoring the soldiers, warriors, and common men that were the most important of that time, but London brings everyone back to the most important realization—history was made by the people, all the people, that lived through those times, and none should be made to be forgotten or ignored. Daisy and Cailean had a rough time finding their footing together and building a life was sure to be even more difficult, but their love was strong enough to overcome everything and give them a chance to truly become a family. Cailean was a protective, sexy, and sweet warrior that needed only to be reminded that sometimes love comes in the most unlikely of packages and if you overlook it, your life will never be a filled with color or vibrancy as if you had given your heart away. Daisy was a kickass heroine, once she finally came to see the men around her for what they truly were and stood up to them for the sake of her son and also for her own heart. Love Cailean was no easy trail for Daisy, but the joy at the end when he finally gave his heart to her made all the pain and sadness along the way worth it. I cannot wait for the next story in the series, Hard-Hearted Highlander, which will revolve around Cailean’s younger brother Rabbie and his own bumpy road to happiness. If you like a good historical romance, with some subterfuge, danger, and passion, Sinful Scottish Laird is the perfect way to get your next fix. Thanks for the magic Julia.

Originally I marked as 4 stars. Upon further thought I decided to put down to 3 stars. Ideally 3.5 stars  if I could mark accurately.

I didn’t love this one like I did the previous in the series.

This is the second in the Highland Grooms series.

Its set 35 years after the first book and the male lead is Calilean and he is Arran and Margot’s oldest son.

The heroine is Daisy (Lady Chadwick) who is being forced to marry within 3 years of her husbands death or lose her son’s inheritance.
She runs away from London to her son’s estate/holdings in Scotland because she’s sick of the fortune hunters and hopes her first love Robert Spivey (? forgotten his name already) will save her from them all.

I can’t quite put my finger on it with this one. But, for me, it just wasn’t as engaging as the previous book. I loved the characters of Arran and Margot in the previous one and it was nice to have them in this book as well.  However, it took me a while to warm up to both Cailean and Daisy in this.  I didn’t feel their chemistry from the start and I was about 2/3s of the way in when they seemed more convincing as a couple. 

For me, what made this more interesting was meeting Arran and Margot’s children as adults and reading their interactions.  

I am hoping the youngest sister is going to get her own book and her very own Englishman :) 

The history of the English and Scottish isn’t something I have ever given much thought about but these books do bring it to the forefront of your mind and its something thats been fascinating. The research for these books must have been great fun. Pure ignorance on my part being what Scots consider English and something I shall rectify.

I was so hoping to love this one and even though I didn’t love it, it was still an enjoyable read. If you’re going to read the series, you do need to read them all because they jump so many years and obviously alot has happened in those missing years.

Julia’s writing and storytelling is excellent as always and I still stick with my comments saying her books are always worth reading.

Great story! I couldn't put it down and stayed up until 230am just to finish it! Daisy flees England to the family hunting lodge in Scotland to escape money hungry bachelors and await her old love. But the Highlands have Cailean and he makes Daisy realize the meaning of true friendship and love.

Book:Sinful Scottish Laird by Julia London
Series:Highland Grooms, Book 2

Reviewed By:Barb Massabrook Tartan Book Reviews, Purple Tulip Reviews and Blogger for Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating:Hot

Overall Rating:5 Stars and 5 Kilts

Scottish Highlands, 1743
Balhaire

The heroine is Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick an English widow having being married three times and she wasn't even thirty! Just to preserve her son Ellis’s future and inheritance. Yet, if she does not marry she will lose her son’s inheritance. Daisy does not want another unwanted marriage as it is rather exhausting!

Just at the right moment she receives a letter from a former beau, her first love! This gives her the excuse she needs to avoid another unwanted marriage! Daisy goes to her estate in Scotland waiting for her first love goes to Scotland under the disguise to fix up her son’s inherited estate in Scotland.

Once she meets Cailean MacKenzie, Laird of Arrandale, the attraction is immediate for Daisy. Daisy is no shrinking violet when she wants something or someone! This someone happens to be Cailean as she flirts aggressively. It is hilarious his reaction of embarrassment and fluttering, not used to a titled women behaving so ß”.forward. Even if she wasn't English he could never marry her being a known smuggler to the English Navy. Plus he realizes Daisy’s first love was the Captain of The English Navy who previously shot at Cailean! Yet the more her gets to know Daisy the more he desires her. Soon he realizes he can't let her marry this Captain of the English Navy. So his only

The attraction her new shy Scotland neighbor Laird Cailean is instant! As it had been him too until he finds out she is another Sassenach! This is right on the heels of the Jacobite cause! Plus the future blood bath of Culloden that will change Scotland forever!


Julia London has returned to Scotland. This reader lass is verra verra happy she has, as I always love her Scottish historicals.

This is the second book in her Highland Grooms new series. What is wonderful about this novel is: you can read them as a stand alone book. I loved the first book and the second book follow as another magnificent read that serious historical readers will love.

I love the heroine is the pursuer and the hero is the shy and a bit timid. It was refreshing to read this reversal in the roles. I loved sinful Scottish Laird and looks forward to book 3 which is about this book’s brother.

I highly recommend you read this brilliant book as I absolutely loved it. As this Austin, Texas author has always been a huge favorite of mine.

I received a an advance reader copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

English widow Daisy Bristol, Lady Chadwick is in an untenable situation. Per her Husband’s will she must remarry within three years of his death or forfeit her son’s inheritance. As the deadline quickly approaches Daisy takes her family and flees to a hunting lodge in Scotland to avoid the fortune hunters vying for her hand in marriage and to wait for the possible return of her once love, Captain Robert Spivy. She had no idea what she would find when she arrived or how it would change her life. But will it change her for the better?



Cailean Mackenzie of Arrondale is satisfied to lead his life alone as Laird of his land and as a smuggler. Cailean’s heart was broken long ago by an English woman and he has no intention of ever letting another woman rule his heart. However, he never counted on the vivacious woman that would plant herself in his life with her bold and sexy demeanor.



Daisy is eager to oversee her life but the world seems to be against her. Therefore, she is determined to have fun while visiting the Highlands and Cailean is exactly the man she would like to play with. He is determined to deny her regardless of the feelings she stirs within.



Will Daisy’s long lost love come and rescue her from her predicament or will her season of freedom end with a forced marriage to a stranger? Find out what happens when this Sinful Scottish Laird faces one determined English Lady.



Julia London’s Sinful Scottish Laird hits all the right spots.



Sinful Scottish Laird features fascinating characters, intense sexual tension and one hell of a story. Historicals are not usually my first choice but I simply cannot resist the men of the Highlands. Ms. London does an amazing job of taking the reader into the highlands. The world building in Sinful Scottish Laird is superb. I could picture it all in my mind and I wanted to go and see it for myself. I wouldn’t mind running into a man like Cailean either. While that seems rather unlikely to happen I must live vicariously through Ms. London’s characters.



My heart went out to Daisy and the situation she faces. I could feel her pain and frustration as I sped through the pages. When she lays eyes on Cailean the first time the attraction is powerful. Cailean is dealing with his own inner demons when it comes to trusting women. He is baffled by the boldness Daisy exhibits toward him and does everything he can to ignore her. Their bickering is simply hilarious and adorable. I could not get enough of it. They made me laugh out loud so many times!



Cailean may be sexy as SIN but he melted my heart with his kindness towards Daisy’s son Ellis. I was expecting more intrigue as Captain Robert Spivey entered the picture. I was disappointed a bit but the rest of the novel exceeds expectations making Sinful Scottish Laird a Joyfully Recommended Read for February.



Sinful Scottish Laird is a romance you will not soon forget. This sexy couple will sweep you off your feet and have you racing through the pages to discover if they find their happily ever after. Ms. London gives us a remarkable read with Sinful Scottish Laird. I cannot wait to take my next trip to the Highlands when Cailean’s brother Rabbie discovers love in Hard-Headed Highlander.

Daisy Bristol is a desperate woman. Widowed and forced to remarry according to the terms of her husband's will, she flees for Scotland with her son and household to he's sons "hunting lodge". She is tired of being pursued by greedy men just looking to get their hands on her money, so she is planning on waiting for her long lost love to return and rescue her.

But she does not count on Cailean, her nearest Scottish neighbor. While having no use for an English woman in his glen, he begrudgingly learns to respect her as she try's to make a life in the wilds of Scotland for her and her son.

I loved this story!

This was a slow book and sometimes I wanted to dnf it but while I read more and more I start liking it!The characters were interesting and engaging.

Romance blossoms in the absence of obstacles.

This book was a bit uncomfortable because it didn't follow the norms of a romance novel. The heroine is forced to flee to Scotland for... a change of pace. She has a son who's a bit whimpy, but that's probably bc she doesn't spend much time with him - in fact she's much more interested in big boys if you get my drift. Her husband, who was a nice guy, died 2 years ago, and left instructions in his will that she should marry within 3 years to keep her son's fortune, insinuating she's a spend thrift. That's probably true, because she brings a full entourage of family and servants into civil-war torn Scotland (you know, where they really hate the English) because she wants to play fixer-upper in a dilapidated hunting lodge owned by her deceased husband. And she likes to garden - that's her special thing that she does... because she's got lots of money to do that. And who wouldn't rather garden in a war-torn country instead of flirting with eligible bachelors in hoppin London. Not me, surely.

Then she meets a beefcake. And she undresses him with her eyes. And he knows it, and is kind of creeped out by it. But he's her neighbor, and she has a potting shed, and he decides it worth giving up his Laird-dom to leave his rugged and free life behind (and family behind) to be a fop in northern England bc - dangit - no one understands them.

It's weird, it doesn't play right, and I'm frankly disappointed that there are no obstacles beyond their own sense of loyalty. Even the "guy in the way" is a total jerk and pushes her kid around, but hey - that's marriage right?

Stale popcorn over the weekend.

Solid Regency romance set in the highlands of Scotland. The characters are interesting and well developed, especially Lady Chatwick and Cailean. Julia London weaves a tale like a master.

I felt the lead up to the ‘declaration and marriage’ was lovingly drawn out, but it ended all too quickly for me. The bishop and Daisy’s childhood friend - the antagonists who stand in the way of Daisy and Cailean - are quickly brushed aside. At the same time, London sets up the next novel in the series well. Highland romance meets The Bachelorette, Sinful Scottish Laird was a captivating read that ended all too soon. Bring on the next!

A young widow puts her sexy suitors to the test in New York Times bestselling author Julia London's scintillating return to the idyllic Scottish Highlands.

Widowed and forced to remarry in three years' time or forfeit her son's inheritance, Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick, has plenty of suitors vying for her hand and her fortune. But a letter from a long-lost love sends Daisy and her young son to her Scottish Highland estate to buy time for his return. Along the way she encounters the powerful Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale and a notorious smuggler, and she is utterly though unwillingly bewitched.

Cailean has no use for any Sassenach in his glen. But Daisy's brazen, flirtatious nature and alluring beauty intrigue him. When her first love appears unexpectedly at her estate, Cailean knows that a passionate woman like Daisy cannot marry this man. And to prevent the union, Cailean must put his own life at risk to win her heart.



* * * * *



When I am in the mood for a historical romance, Julia London is one of my go to authors. She always has feisty heroines and drool-worthy heroes. That being said, SINFUL SCOTTISH LAIRDS was not one of my favorites. Oh the heroine, Daisy, was feisty, out spoken and willing to take risks to get what she wanted. Cailean was definitely worth drooling over. My issue was the dialogue. It felt that the Scottish accent was forced in ways that it didn't want to go. That pulled me out of the story a couple times.


Regardless of that issue, I do recommend this book because I did enjoy it for the most part and I loved being able to check back on characters that we met in the first book, Wild Wicked Scot. If you enjoy reading historical romance than be sure to check out this book and this series.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

Cailean and Daisy's story started out with more than a little bit of lust at first sight, compounded with a healthy dollop of distrust and dislike, to make this one heck of a enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story in the end. With Scottish brogue and plaids--really, there's not a single downside to be had here! ;)

I just adored both the hero and heroine here, and found myself wanting nothing more than for the two of them to get together while I was reading this book--which of course is exactly what you're looking for in a romance! Their reasons for not being together made sense, even as I railed against them--truly, they gave this story the best kind of angst--and OMG, Daisy's young son Ellis? I. Love. That. Kid. Seeing him open up and become the little boy that had been hiding inside him all along made me want to stand up and cheer. (And gah! Seeing Cailean with him? Gave me all kinds of feels. Just when I thought the guy couldn't become any more awesome...) My only complaint is that we don't get to see nearly enough of Daisy and Cailean's HEA here, but I fully expect that to be remedied in future books in the series :)

Though this is the second book in the series, it worked just fine as a standalone. Book one ( Wild Wicked Scot ) is Cailean's parents' story--their story is hinted at here, but if you haven't read it yet you're not at a disadvantage at all. I'm not saying that you won't want to read their story ASAP, though--chances are you will--but at least that will keep you busy until younger brother Rabbie's story ( Hard-Hearted Highlander ) comes out later this year ;)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I absolutely love this series by Ms. London. She is a master storyteller and does not disappoint with the second installment of the Highland Grooms series. "Sinful Scottish Laird" has Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale, meeting his match in Daisy Bristol, Lady Chatwick. The is full of passion, intrigue, fortune hunters and smugglers. Lady Chatwick has learned at her husband's passing that she must marry within 3 years of his death to help safeguard her son's inheritance. Daisy bristles at the thought they she would do anything to endanger her son Ellis's finances and must fend off a series of fortune hunters until she can stand it no more so she embarks on a arduous journey to see the Scottish estate that is part of Ellis's holdings. Seeking the quiet of the Scottish highlands, she is completely caught off-guard by her sexy highlander neighbor, Cailean Mackenzie, laird of Arrandale.

Back and forth these two verbally spar, but Cailean is not after her money. In fact, he's not after anything. He just wants to be left alone--like he has been for the past 15 years. He's content with his solitude, that is, until thoughts of Daisy Bristol continue to invade his mind. Not only has Daisy captured his attention, but her young timid son is blossoming under her attention. After all these years, does Cailean wish for a son of his own? And will the delectable Daisy ever leave his thoughts? Ms. London has woven an engaging tale of duty and obligation, but more importantly, one of a love story that will not denied. Fans of Scottish romances will definitely enjoy this story. Highly Recommended.