Historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I enjoy learning about the time period, the customs and local. I felt like this one ended up being more about the politics of the time rather than really letting me get to know how life was like in Scotland during this time period. I really got bogged down with all the names and how they were all related. It felt like everyone was a cousin or uncle and the political leanings of each was difficult to keep straight.

This is a sweet story about two people who meet each other, get acquainted and end up marrying each other at the King's behest. Their relationship develops smoothly for the most part even with long stretches of separation and then war breaks out and she wonders if she will ever see him again. He gets captured and she gets to be the hero of their story. It was a nice light read.

Historical romance is one of my favorite genres. I enjoy learning about the time period, the customs and local. I felt like this one ended up being more about the politics of the time rather than really letting me get to know how life was like in Scotland during this time period. I really got bogged down with all the names and how they were all related. It felt like everyone was a cousin or uncle and the polical leanings of each was difficult to keep straight.

The romance was a lesser part of the story. It started slowly and I enjoyed the beginings of Fiona and Adham's interest in one another. I was somewhat sad that they had to jump straight to marriage before they really got to get to know each other. From here on out the relationship was just sex and then he would go off on his political trips to return to have sex again. This was all a little too graphic for my liking. I prefer to have the sex infered and not detailed and it would be nice to have an actual relationship before the "coupling".

I say skip this one especially if you want a clean historical romance.

I enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it. I felt like the male main character of Adham wasn't very heroic or likeable. Why would he get married when he needs to be away from his wife for his job as a soldier? I felt sorry for Fiona. She was forced into the marriage and had to move far away from her family, only to be left alone for weeks on end by her new husband. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between the two main characters in order to get a better feel for their romantic connection. I did like the ending, which I won't spoil here. Overall, I give the book four stars.

A little too heavy-handed on the historical side of it and not quite enough romance for me. The romance was sweet and the leads are pretty young, so that could be part of the reason for that. Some adventure and intrigue thrown in to make this a decent read.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

The Reluctant Highlander by Amanda Scott is a Scottish romance novel about an unlikely relationship between two main characters Lady Fiona Ormiston and Sir Adham MacFinlagh.

I'll start by saying that I adored the main story and elements. It kept my attention and I didn't feel bored throughout. I loved the writing style and the character descriptions. I was pleased with the way the story unfolded and became adventurous at times.

I did feel like it was lacking a tad on the romance factor. I found myself wanting a more bold relationship between the two which seemed to be absent. However, it's still a great book and I'm glad to have read it.

4****

Book: The Reluctant Highlander by Amanda Scott

Reviewer: Barb ☘️Massabrook
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: hot

Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars

Another spectacular novel by the gifted Amanda Scott.

The North Inch of Perth, June, 1431

Lady Fiona Ormiston is forming an alliance with the last man she would pick! A barbaric Highlander despite getting protection. Yet by request of the King she must marry Sir Adham MacFinlagh. A total stranger and unlike anyone she has met before. Though he is to be her husband and hopefully he will shave and bath more often and be more clean and sanitary.

She is shocked when she finds out her new husband is a tender and a wonderful and caring bed partner.

Then she gets some shocking horrible news! Her new husband's family could be traitors and enemies of the King. Things are now exactly how they seem ,but can Sir Adham trust his new wife? The Knight must make a decision allegiance with blood ties that is enemies of the King? Perhaps stand with bride that took his heart so quickly, but he seems to trust her overnight? He will have to pick a side. Which side will it be? His loving wife or blood relatives? Fiona is also an advisor of the King. It is like standing or sitting in between a rock and a hard place.

I love how Ms. Scott puts true factual
history with fictional historical romance in her novels. It makes the read so much more interesting and fun to read! I highly recommend this brilliant book! I read in a day - as I was sitting at the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next!

This fast phenomenal,quick paced page turner, filled with royal intrigue, plus riveting adventure,mystery, suspense, betrayal, forgiveness, passion and love!

This book is filled with all the elements Scottish romance readers will absolutely love! It is a book you definitely don’t want to miss. I have been reading Amanda Scott books for years and I absolutely love each and every one! I highly recommend “The Reluctant Highlander” by Amanda Scott



I voluntarily reviewed ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. All words, ideas and thoughts are my own.

The Reluctant Highlander provides Scottish adventure, clan wars and beautiful imagery. The language contained within appears to be authentic with the exception that it is not actually in Gaelic. Fiona is a bit sassy and brave when it comes to her expectations of Adham. She takes him at his word when he tells her she can ask him anything. They are both learning to be part of a couple and possibly have normal disagreements for that time period. They might have been worse in today’s time. They were actually quite charming trying to figure each other out.

Both Adham and Fiona give a bit, but also, challenge each other a bit more. Adham is willing to shave when she asks, but not to the bare skin. Telling, but also, caring.

This was difficult to read at first, but having said that, it is truly enjoyable and gets easier as you go along. You begin to feel as if you are right there with the characters due to the details included in the writing.

This is my first Amanda Scott novel and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It did seem a bit long, but I do not know what part could be left out. Anyway, thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a long read and not at all in a bad way! Mostly I paced it out because I could not get enough!
It was full of romance, suspense, and adventure!

Fiona is quick in thought and her opinions are made known the instant she makes them and Adham is a humorous gentile giant. I fell in love with them both and it was nice to have believable characters!

The only thing I would say is that this would be more of a Romantic Novel than a Romance Novel. From a Romance Novel (especially in this day and age) one would expect a fair amount of steam and although the book was quite warm there really was not any steam. I felt comfortable recommending it for my friend and for her daughter where as many others I would not.

The Reluctant Highlander is a very full Scottish historical novel. It is very rich in detail and historical information. The romance between Fiona and Adham was sweet but I felt needed more depth to believe their story. I like my historical romances to be a heavier in the romance department and lighter in the historical. Regardless, I did enjoy The Relcutant Highlander though.

A buy buy book. A light but warm and cuddly read to enjoy. This author is one of the talented stars in her way of making pictures with words. I did not put the book down because while it was not one that was enthralling, it was instead one of warmth and love and passion and heart. I like the way it unfolds with life and love with all the human errors we are capable of making. A historical in truth but warming for those that take time to enjoy it. Nice characters that are written to make a reader enjoy them, with a plot that is as old as time but written to captivate and move it along. All in all, a good read! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

I enjoyed this book.

The Reluctant Highlander is a well written Highland romance. The author kept me interested with the rich history and characters that were easy to like. I liked Fiona and Adham but felt like their romance needed more passion to be believable. The adventurous royal intrigue was great though and the descriptions and dialogue helped to paint a spot on picture. Overall, the storytelling was excellent just lacking the overwhelming passion that I crave when I'm reading a romance book.

I still enjoyed the story and can recommend to anyone interested in reading a good clean romance book.

I liked this book. It is well written and contains a lot of interesting historical facts as well as a sweet little love story with a bit of intrigue and adventure.

Fiona is the youngest daughter of Ormiston, an advisor to King James, and a maid of honor to Queen Joan. Fiona was raised on the borders and is a bit impulsive. Sir Adham is the nephew and one time ward of Fin of the Battles. He fought in the battle of Lochaber, where Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles was defeated and was knighted by King James after the battle.

Alexander MacDonald surrendered himself to King James and was imprisoned at Tantallon. This story begins about a year after his imprisonment.

Adham and Fiona first meet when she slips out one night to swim. Adham spies her entering the water and when she doesn't surface, he rushes to save her. Fiona doesn't need rescuing and attempts to get Adham to leave her alone. He refuses to leave her alone outside the towns walls and insists on returning her to her lodgings. When they return, they are caught by her father.

Adham is intrigued by the lovely Fiona, but has more pressing matters to attend to and doesn't have time to dally with the lass. When her father demands that he explain why they were together, he explains that the meeting was entirely innocent and protects Fiona from her father's wrath. A few nights later he saves her again when she is accosted at dinner.

The King decides that Adham is just the man he needs and proposes that he marry Fiona to form an alliance with her family and asks him to gather information in the highlands about rumors he has heard about supporters of the Lord of the Isles. Adham agrees to marry Fiona, but only if she is not forced to marry him.

Fiona never imagined marrying a highlander, but she likes Adham and agrees to marry him.

They travel back to his home in the highlands and she meets Catriona, Fin's wife as well as their twin daughters. As she is learning to adapt to her new life, she has to do so without her husband, as Adham is away a lot on his mission.

I will be honest, I am not sure how these two fell in love, they are not together much through a good portion of the book. But when the worst happens and a battle to free the Lord of the Isles begins, Fiona knows that she loves Adham and he her. Several weeks pass after the battle and Adham has not returned.

When Adham's young ward comes to her in the middle of the night saying that he thinks he knows what happened to Adham, she jumps at the chance to find her missing husband.

After a daring rescue, our lovers are reunited and the story wraps up.

The book was really interesting, but very light on the romance. I consider this as more of a historical fiction novel than a true historical romance.

I would recommend this book, as the story is fascinating and Ms. Scott is a generous writer who gives her readers detailed notes as well as a glossary of terms used. I will definitely read the next book in the series!

What a way for Amanda to come back. She creates such effertless beautiful settings and characters larger than life that you feel you are there with them

Well written book, obviously well researched, with a lot of detail on the highlands, lowlands, clans and nobility. The H and h are likable and charming, they get along well with each other and interact nicely with each other. There isn't a lot of passion in the relationship, no real fire, but you do see it develop into a real marriage. I would have liked a little more, but it is a sweet story with a nice HEA.

Love the factual information of the story. This is certainly how the Scottish were defeated eventually by the French and the English.They were always so busy fighting amongst themselves. Great story. Clean enough for at least 18 , and older. I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!


Carolintallahassee