This story was alright. I couldn’t connect with the main characters however. I felt it to be a standard historical romance novel.

3.5-4 Stars! This was a good book & can be read without reading book 1 first! I did like book 1 more but this was still a good read! I just wasn’t crazy about the end. Elizabet & John’s story felt unfinished. I am looking forward to Phillip & Alice’s story, since this book ends with the starting of their romance! And I want to see what happens to Fergus(the bad guy) & Elizabet’s parents! I’m not a fan of books that leave you right at the good parts and make you wait for the next book to finish it! Still, this was worth reading, especially if you’re a fan of Scottish romance!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*

Publisher's Description:

When Lady Elizabet Harding’s family is targeted by the notorious Highland Highwayman, she finds herself wounded and an unwelcome guest of the charming outlaw who’d ruined her reputation earlier that day. Elizabet only wants to get even for her family’s downfall, but the more time she spends with the scoundrel, the more complicated her feelings become.

By day, Laird John MacGregor graces the court of Charles II. By night, he exacts revenge on his enemies – one of whom is betrothed to the fiery heiress who has, quite literally, fallen into his arms. The daughter of one enemy and promised to another, Elizabet should be the last person John wants. Yet even as she exasperates him, she is all he has ever desired for himself. When her life is put in danger, he will do anything necessary to protect the women he never expected to love…even if it means they cannot be together.

My Thoughts:

This well written and somewhat tragic tale is a page turner.
You must continue to read just in case tragedy turns on it heels to a happily ever after.
Elizabet's family is the target of a highwayman. She needs to get away from the mess that her family is facing and while out riding quite literally falls into the arms of that very scoundrel.
John MacGregor is by day a member of King Charles II court and by night a Robinhood. He feels he must exact revenge on his brother's murderer.
One of the men responsible is Elizabeth's father. The other is her betrothed.
Will their attraction to each other turn to tragedy or an everlasting love?
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.75 of 5.0 flames. Intimacy is not what makes this story a good one. The tragic nature of this tale is the necessary element in this page turning tale.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read by invitation.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

How to Ensnare a Highlander, by Michelle McLean is an interesting historical romance, which is the second book in The MacGregor Lairds series.

Lady Elizabet Harding wants to evade her upcoming arranged marriage to an evil man, yet her father is forcing the marriage to provide himself with more wealth. However, the Highland Highwayman is determined to exact revenge on both those men and other enemies, especially those involved with his brother's death. Elizabet meets the Highland Highwayman when he rescues her, and another encounter leads to his accidental kidnapping of her.

Laird John MacGregor tries to keep his identity of the Highland Highwayman a secret from Elizabet. Through their unusual circumstances, Elizabet and John slowly fall in love. It's an politically charged historical story and not a typical highlander romance, yet the characters are entertaining in this intriguing story.

Since it's the second book in The MacGregor Lairds series, it's ideal to start with the first book of the series, although these books are considered stand-alones.

How to Ensnare a Highlander is geared towards those who enjoy reading historical romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I promised a fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. Are there ever any stories about those beautiful braw Scottish lads that are not wonderful? No, there are not! Very nice read.

This romance was so-so for me. I liked John and how he was honorable despite being a highwayman. I liked how he looked out for Elizabeth and his people. I had a hard time liking Elizabet, though. She stubbornly defends her family and often prevents John from getting justice. I understand family loyalty, but after the way her family treats her, I don't get why she still wants to protect them. It also frustrated me that (at least for most of the book) Elizabet doesn't take control of her future or try to change it. I get that women had little to no control of their futures back then, but sometimes she felt more like a doormat than the strong woman she is supposed to be. All in all, this wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't for me.

This was a quick and good read. Laird John MacGregor is seeking revenge for the death of his brother. He graces the court of King Charles II by day and masquerades Highland Highwayman by night. He steals from those who have hurt innocent people and gives money to them. When John saves Lady Elizabet Harding, he sees a beautiful, fiery lass, whom he is strongly attracted to. However, he is his enemy's daughter and the man her father promised her to had a hand in his brother's death. Elizabet does not know what to make of the Highwayman. He saved her life and protects her from her betrothed, whom she does not want to marry. Elizabet's parents have drilled into her head that she must do her duty, but she begins to question their reasoning when John explains to her what her father has been involved in. However, Elizabet feels torn between the feelings she begins to have for John and the destruction John's revenge will do to her family. As their feelings grow for each other, both begin to question the choices they made. What is worth more, the love they have growing between them or the evidence that can ruin lives and avenge those wronged?

When Lady Elizabet Harding’s family is targeted by the notorious Highland Highwayman, she finds herself wounded and an unwelcome guest of the charming outlaw who’d ruined her reputation earlier that day. Elizabet only wants to get even for her family’s downfall, but the more time she spends with the scoundrel, the more complicated her feelings become.

By day, Laird John MacGregor graces the court of Charles II. By night, he exacts revenge on his enemies – one of whom is betrothed to the fiery heiress who has, quite literally, fallen into his arms. The daughter of one enemy and promised to another, Elizabet should be the last person John wants. Yet even as she exasperates him, she is all he has ever desired for himself. When her life is put in danger, he will do anything necessary to protect the women he never expected to love…even if it means they cannot be together.

Lady Elizabet’s family is set upon by a notorious highwayman and then when Elizabet is accidentally shot, he takes her with him when he leaves in order to heal her. He has no idea he’ll fall in love with her. Elizabet is charmed by the man called Jack but he’s after her father and the man she’s supposed to marry. She doesn’t care about her supposed betrothed but ruining her father will ruin her mother Elizabet won’t stand for that. Jack wants Elizabet to turn on her father, but she won’t. Jack is stuck in revenge mode because of the smuggling that Elizabet’s father and betrothed are involved in. Because of that smuggling his brother was killed and he’ll stop at nothing to ruin the men. Except…when it comes to Elizabet he’s not sure that he can do it if it makes her unhappy. He falls in love with her and she with him but she’s all but married to someone else. How can they ever be together, especially when truths come out and people go to prison?

This was such a good story. I was really on the edge of my seat for most of the book and the end made me very happy. I loved how McLean didn’t wrap things in a pretty little bow at the end. She made things more like they might have been in real life and I appreciated that. I would have liked to have seen her father and betrothed pay, but I understood why that never happened.

Reading about Jack and Elizabet falling in love was a pleasure. There were extenuating circumstances when Elizabet got shot and he didn’t want her to die so that’s why he took her with him. His friends told him to take her home but he was so attached to her by that time he couldn’t bring himself to do it until he had no more excuses. I loved the way that they talked and came to trust each other, despite the fact that Jack never took his mask off.

I really enjoyed my second read by this author and will look into reading more from her. I just saw that she writes contemporary romance under the name Kira Archer so I’ll have to check those out as well.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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I guess it's a case of the enemy you know. Because who knows what kind of bad guys are out there, storm or no storm.

The highwayman has more manners than the gentleman.

Heck, I'd steal from her father in a heartbeat.

And that is why kids shouldn't have guns.

Seduction by sewing.

The possibility of marriage never entered his mind? Hello!

Whoa. This is tense, and intense..

Ooh, intriguing cliffhanger ending...