Hard Hearted Highlander By Julia London

A bad elopement had ruined his English governess Bernadette Holly . She now has nothing left, not even the braw Scott who will soon marry her young charge. The problem is Avaline is a shy wallflower who is scared to wed Rabbie Mackenzie. Unfortunately if he sends her home her reputation will be ruined! Bernadette must convince Rabbie to call off the engagement and a part of her does want him for herself.

The problem with Rabbie is he wants his fiance's governess as she brings the light into his life after the Jacobite rising and clearances that changed Scotland forever. This governess brings light joy and laughter into Rabbies life even if his clan demands he marry the other that does not stir his heart. How can he get the young Avaline to break off their engagement so he can offer himself to the woman he truly desires? Will Bernadette get her happily ever after? What will Bernadette and Rabbie do?Read and discover their fate!

Julia London always pens a perfect read!

This book started off alright, but the further it went on, the worst it got. The ending of the book was lacklustre and every single character in this book is ridiculous. I was not attached to any one of them. The only thing that brought me joy was when shit hit the fan and the engagement had to be broken, that's the only thing that was fun about the book.

This may be my favorite installment yet of the Highland Grooms series. Within the first pages I was hooked, I couldn't wait to know more about highlander Rabbie Mackenzie and English governess Bernadette Kent. Much like the other novels of this series, the main characters deal with their series of trials and tribulations. Nothing is ever easy between the Scottish and English, especially when Rabbie is suppose to save his clan by marrying shy and naive Avaline, Bernadette's charge. Yet this novel felt slightly darker than those before it; both characters had to overcome serious loss in their past. Rabbie was forced to flee Scotland, or be killed for treason by the English forces, only to return home to find that the woman he loved is gone. While Bernadette had her whole future ripped away from her by her father because she dared to be with the man she loved. Despite their heart wrenching loses, on the highland moors both Rabbie and Bernadette learn that moving forward can be harder than holding onto the pain of the past and that love cannot succeed without determination, trust, and little stubbornness.

Another wonderful HR by London.
I enjoyed the character building
The storyline was amazing, except for the last bit. It ended up being a tad melodramatic
Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading Hard-hearted Highlander very much
3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. Rabbie is not a real likable guy, but considering his history, I can understand his behavior. But that changes as he gets to know Bernadette.

Bernadette doesn't have much confidence in men after the way her uncle and father have treated her, but she starts to see a side of Rabbie that he doesn't show the others outside his family and she realizes that not all men are like the ones in her family.

Once again, London gives me hours of enjoyable reading! I can't wait to read the next book in the series (I'm assuming there will be more as Rabbie's brother and sister were shown quite often in this story)!

I struggled to get through this book. I wanted to finish it because I like Julia London's books but it took me a lot to push through. I wasn't feeling either of the main characters and the heroine's supporting cast was just as bad.

After finishing this third book in this series I’ve concluded that the stories are not getting any better. I’m really flummoxed about it. I mean, the writing is not bad, so what the heck is going on here? Why am I not on board with these characters?

As an avid reader of romance and especially a fan of men in kilts in Scotland, I expected to like this series and its characters, but so far, no go. Once more the author is very eloquent in her description of the setting, in this case the Highlands after Scots slaughter by the English at Culloden. And while I liked the broken down, moody hero, Rabbie MacKenzie, I really didn’t like Bernadette, the heroine. Their behavior just didn’t suit the hero and a heroine of a romance novel.

So what does one do if an author gives you a well written, beautifully descriptive story with characters you abhor? I guess one must persevere and hope that the last book in this series will be all one expects from this author.

Melanie for b2b

Bernadette's young charge is terrified to marry a Scottish laird. But sparks fly when he and Bernadette meet. A lovely romance ensues.

Let me start by saying I have read other books by Julia London and have enjoyed them. I say that so you know it’s nothing I have against the author when I say how abysmal I found this book. This is the story of Rabby MacKenzie, a Scotsman being forced into marriage with a young English miss, then falling for her governess. I hated every minute of it.

Let me tell you about Rabbie. He is the most morose, maudlin, douchebag of a “hero” I’ve read in ages. To be fair, the love of his life was killed in the Jacobite rebellion. He’s got a reason to be sad and to hate the English, but this guy is miserable for the entire book. Not only that, he is thoroughly awful to everyone around him. He only agreed to marry Aveline because of some convoluted land issue that would allow his family to keep smuggling. OK. But good grief, he is constantly contemplating suicide. He is a boor, not only to his betrothed, but his entire family. And when he falls for the governess, Bernadette, he becomes no more likable.

Let’s talk about the heroine now. Bernadette was cast from society after she eloped against her father’s wishes. Her husband was forced into the navy and died at sea. Now, taking care of Aveline is all she has left. She was a governess to the girl who 12 years her junior, and now that Aveline is 17 and about to wed, Bernadette has become her ladies maid. (Sidebar — Yes, the 35 year old hero is supposed to marry a 17 year old girl. **shudder**) Anyway, Bernadette claims to care for the girl, but then proceeds to suck face and get horizontal with her fiancé because they have some enemies to lovers thing happening that I never believed beyond lust.

And while we are the subject of Aveline, you might expect that at least she is a sympathetic character, but you would be wrong. She is immature beyond measure and a self-involved twit. She has virtually no backbone and no concept of reality. Her mother is a scared mouse and her father is an even bigger dick than Rabbie (which is saying a lot.)

So, yeah, all the players are completely unlikable. The romance is both unbelievable and uninspiring. The pacing was uneven. There was too much political stuff. And the ending. What was supposed to be the set up for the HEA was trite and made me a little rage-y. What happened with Aveline in the end didn’t sit well with me either.

This book was just not for me on so many levels.

I'm absolutely enthralled by the Scots Julia has created. The entire series has been fabulous, riveting reading.
The setting is so well described that I feel myself there and the people are just deliciously drawn.
A definite winner.

Review: I really enjoyed Rabbie’s story. He needed someone strong to make him happy and he found that in Bernadette. Actually he was betrothed to Avaline (Bernadette was her governess of sorts). The spark right from the start showed that Bernadette was a perfect match. Avaline was too timid for someone like Rabbie.

The spark turned to flames. Chemistry seemed off the charts. They are a good match with the sparring and slow/heated getting to know you made for an interesting read. When you add in Avaline who only has eyes for Rabbie’s brother who wants nothing to do with her and really ends up clueless things seem realistic. Because it you really are honest most guys are clueless. The characters are written with flaws which make them stand out. They became more lifelike. Real in all senses making them easier to relate to.

Bringing in characters from the first two books gave the story depth because it helped broaden the family dyanmics. Which I find is always a win. The characters from the first two books were very likable and only helped in adding an extra touch of warmth to the story.

Ms. London gave us plenty of twists woven into the story which had me guessing almost to the end. I thought I had it figured out and then boom I got a surprise thrown at me. I liked the big heart that Rabbie had as he took in some orphaned children. It made him not so hardened after all. The children to me worked well within the story as they helped to repair Bernadette’s past but, they seemed a bit older than their years. It actually made the children seem realistic because sometimes the circumstances we grow up with make us grow up faster than normal. She even made Avaline come out of her shell a bit by the end of the story. I won’t spoil the end but I was surprised at who she ended up with.

I found Rabbie and Bernadette to get a little lost in their story at times. But Ms. London never let them get totally lost. The way she threw in the twists and turns just added pure entertainment to a very well written story or actually series.

I once again fell in love with the Highlands. I really must plan a trip in the near future. Since I have read the first three books in this series pretty close together I hope she hurries with the next one. I canna hardly wait.

I always like Julia London books. Great story telling. I like the world and hearing about the family from previous books.

I've found I love Ms. London's books in general, but this was one I just couldn't get myself to dive into thoroughly. I still have hopes to go back and finish it, but the characters didn't grab me from the start and I found them slightly off-putting, even knowing that is part of the story itself. For now, I hope to go back to it later and be pleasantly surprised as I move forward, but not one I can glowingly recommend from the start.

The scandalous Scots are back in a big way. Julia London is one of my favorite historical authors and there is very little of her writing I have read that I didn’t fully enjoy every second of. This third novel in the Highland Grooms series reintroduced us to the second son of the couple from the first story, Rabbie Mackenzie, and he is a sad man in need of a little bit of a wildcat to bring him back to life. London’s skill with bringing tragic characters to life is undeniable and her characters are always interesting and the interactions between them are usually hot enough to burn the pages of the story to ash. If you have missed the two previous novels in this series you might miss a bit of the details and the greatness that is this family, but in the end each is a stand alone novel and the characters and bits of backstory we read is enough to keep each story awesome in its own right. I am wondering if this will end the series, and seriously hoping not, because I am looking forward to seeing Rabbie’s Sister, Cat, find her own hunk to make her fall in love, but if it is in fact the end, the series definitely went out on a high note.
Rabbie has been moping around his family home for a few years now, every since the failed Jacobite rebellion cost him his future and the life of the woman he loved. While he knows he has a duty to his family that cannot be escaped, he is reticent to give in to his parents’ desire to wed a young English girl that is forever quaking in her slippers at just the sight of him. When his young bride arrives, with her expected entourage, he is deeply surprised and appalled to meet her lady's maid, an outspoken, mouthy, and sinfully lovely young woman that hits all his hot buttons even as he thinks he hates her on first sight. Bernadette has come along with her young charge, given no choice but to serve as a lady’s maid who years before would have been one of her peers. A scandalous past has left her as damaged goods in the eyes of society, but she is wiling to work with what she has. As they are forced to spend more time together both Rabbie and Bernadette discover a deep and abiding truth, sometimes hate at first sight is really just love in disguise. But with so many obstacles in their way, Rabbie and Bernadette have to decide what they are truly willing to risk in order to get their happily ever afters.
Rabbie is the kind of character that is so annoying in the beginning you cannot imagine you will come to like or even love him, and really if we readers can’t love him how on earth could Bernadette come to love him? Well luckily for us, Rabbie finds a way to relate to Bernadette and is able to pull himself back from the precipice he has been dancing on in order to have a future. He fights hard for what he wants once he really sees she is worth any fight and that the love they share makes him a better man. I wanted to punch him a few times when he tried to “do the right thing” and continue with the plans to marry Avaline, but thankfully he pulled his head out of the bottle (and his butt) in time to see the wonderfully perfect woman that was right in front of him. Sexy, stubborn, arrogant, and ultimately sweet, Rabbie is the perfect example of a Scot of his time, and I loved getting to experience his heartbreak, growth, and rebirth in the love he had for Bernadette. Bernadette conversely, I loved from the very first moment she graced the page of this novel. She obviously has an independent streak, bravery, and a deep ability to give her heart and soul to those she loves. While she has made a few decisions in the past that she doesn’t necessarily regret, but that have led her in an unexpected direction in life, she lives with the consequences even though they are not all that great. I enjoyed seeing her stand up for her friend, as well as herself and Rabbie, once she is unable to hide her love for Rabbie anymore.
So in the end this scandalous Highland Groom was able to defeat the forces keeping him and his sweet English Rose apart and find a way to make her his wife. While Rabbie definitely started out Hard-hearted he found his way to peace and was able to open his heart not only to Bernadette, but her love and acceptance allowed him to open his heart to his family again and find a measure of happiness in his crazy family. Rabbie was a tortured hero, with a sordid and tragic past and a stubbornness to moving on that made him the ultimate challenge for the heroine Bernadette. Once Bernadette decided he was worth the risk—and all the trouble—she found a way to love him and force him to admit his love for her as well. The passion between these two began as antagonism and slowly developed from there to interest and a fiery passion that touched those around them and proved that love can come from the most unexpected of directions and certainly be a case of opposites attracting. I enjoyed getting to see Rabbie and Bernadette butt heads, fight with one another, and finally discover their mutual attraction was a special gift they could not neglect to take advantage of. I am hoping that Julia isn’t through with this amazing group of Highlanders just yet, but Hard-hearted Highlander is a wonderful read in its own right and I am looking forward to reading more. Packed with tears, drama, intrigue, and passion, Rabbie and Bernadette take us on an adventure over the Scottish moors, through the political dangers that effected so many lives during this era, and ultimately showed us that though these Scots are sometimes bigger than life, their very humanity is rooted in the most important traditions of any culture—family, community, and faith. Great job, Julia, a true work of art.

I found myself unsure whether I really wanted to read this one. I didn’t particularly like Rabbie in the previous book, but I decided to give him a chance.

Rabbie is the youngest son of the first book couple Margot and Arran. 

In this he is the marry a Englishwoman to keep some land in the Scottish family after the English have envaded and destroyed nearly all of the clans etc.
Obviously he isn’t happy about this.
Avaline (his betrothed) was a very young, naive and annoying and she brings along her maid Bernadette Holly. Straightaway Rabbie and Bernadette take a strong dislike to one another. Eventually leading to other strong feelings as you may have guessed.

I won’t lie, the first half of the book was hard going.  I think it was obvious when reading that Rabbie was suffering with some form of depression. Even tho it was understandable why he would have it. It made the first half hard to read and well...depressing for lack of a better word.  I was so happy when he started to fall for Bernadette and it made the second half of the book more interesting and pulled me back into the story.

This one seemed a lot heavier than a majority of Julia’s other work and I think maybe that was the point.  I think the links between the Scottish and English were interesting and in some ways it made me sad to see what has happened between all of the books and what had happened to all clans including the MacKenzie’s.

I still really enjoyed going back to the old characters and seeing where they were etc and a small spoiler that Cailean and Daisy have their own young child in this. I love to see some previous character development too :) Its also obvious when reading that Margot and Arran are still in love despite the hardships over the years.

So currently this is the last in the Highland Groom series.  Although I do see a fourth one will evenutally be released. Devil in Tartan currently has no info but can I hope its the one for the youngest daughter/sister?!?  I will definitely be reading once I get a chance and its available/released.

I never get enough of these historical romances! This book made me want my own highlander.

This is the third book in the Highland Grooms Series. While the story would still be enjoyable as a standalone, I suggest that you read the first two books to fully appreciate the tone and background they bring to the series.
Both Rabbie and Bernadette tragically loved and lost someone, altering the course of their lives forever. Bernadette is forced to become a governess and Rabbie seemingly gives up on life until he steps in to protect the family lands and future by marrying a young Englishwoman. Young Avaline is not happy about marrying the bitter, harsh man who terrifies her, but breaking the engagement would ruin her reputation. While it is obvious Avaline is the not right bride for Rabbie even before sparks fly between him and her governess Bernadette, the dilemma they face is quite complicated. The future of so many is dependent on the outcome of choices, some quite scandalous, made by the three of them.
In the historical romance genre, Julia London has always been a favorite of my mine. The intricately woven stories and characters are always set in such a way that you find yourself immersed in the storyline and the backdrop they are set in. I struggled with the intense suffering of the two main characters and some of the choices they made. There was more darkness than I would prefer. For that reason, I would give this 4.5 stars.

I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book.

Another wonderful story in the Highland Groom series. Rabbie is on the brink of despair after suffering a brutal loss and now being forced to wed an English girl he is indifferent too. Bernadette, the English maid to Rabbie's fiancé, has known tragedy in her life too. Together Rabbie and Bernadette help each other through their grief and in that process find love. Now they just have to figure out how to end Rabbie's engagement. I loved the bantering between the two main characters. I can definitely say that I laughed and cried through this book. Great read!

3.5 stars

I had read the previous book in this series, so I was intrigued to see who this one would be about.

I loved Bernadette and Rabbie. They're both stubborn and out spoken and the chemistry between them is fantastic. All of their conversations are basically button pushing and antagonizing each other and it was quite amusing.

Plot wise, it was exactly what I was expecting. There are loads of characters and I sort of gave up trying to keep track. There is a lot of push and pull between them and the angsty part doesn't last too long. I did enjoy the ending and epilogue and now I'm quite curious to see who book 1 is about.

**Huge thanks to Harlequin Books for providing the arc free of charge**

Julia London's Hard-Hearted Highlander, the third of her Highland Grooms, has me wanting more and more Scottish historicals. I love JL's characters and Rabbie and Bernadette don't disappoint. With both characters hardened from their experiences, I was anxious to see how they would come together.

I'm hoping that we'll see some of the characters again in upcoming books.