Such a sweet romance. Wanting what you can't have. The forbidden. Great

This is such a delightful story with sweet characters and low level angst. Just what I needed right now. This story has eveything from the quiet drinking of a shared flask while star gazing and the hunt for a thief. And the best part a very mischievous cat who causes quite a bit of trouble. I quite enjoyed this book and how Robert and Ian came together. Especially with Robert reading Ian his book. They are such sweet characters and as the first mm in and mf series it was well done and did not fall into any egregious tropes. Bonus points for how Roberts bisexuality is handled.

I look forward to checking out the rest of the books in the series

Ian Cameron and Robert Townsend

What an excellent written warm story. It felt like a movie, written in a way easy to visualize .
The slow burn was superb done. The tension, attraction, the push and pull...somewhat stubborn headed.

So aware of each other presence, It was heavy and sensual.
Robert...open... vulnerable... humorous, kind and beautiful
Ian, a man with little use of words, hurt and vulnerable, a wall build around him, on his own, to just be and stay alone...

"Ian Cameron belonged only to himself."

There are situations so funny I slapped my hand on my mouth before I would make to much noise....other situations were throughly sad...desperate...

The whole story was as a warm quilt, intense and honest, sensual. Described in a way you can visualize it vividly. The shuddering, only by hearing the others voice...the exploration of each others body....I shuddered by reading... with thick sensuality....so intimate.
Wonderful historical environments and circumstances. Both Robert as Ian are well developed and the chemistry between them was palpable... I loved them
There are some nice side tales and it was an overall friendly story
Forbidden love almost impossible to continue or survive but thank god it did end with a HEA.

A Scot’s Surrender is the third book in Lily Maxton’s Regency-era The Townsends series of historical romance novels. I haven’t read of her books before, but I’m always interested in discovering new authors. I’ve also been reading quite a bit of m/m pairings, so that was another factor that piqued my interest.

Robert’s brother was featured in one of the earlier books in the series, but he (the brother) is away from Llynmore Castle, so readers won’t be at a loss if they don’t read the other books in the series first.

Anyway, Robert has been left in charge of the estate, and he has moved the land steward moved into the house because his cottage burned down. Robert and Ian don’t have anything in common; Robert feels like Ian doesn’t really like him (true) and this bothers him because he wants people to like him. Ian is a humble Highlander, who just wants to do his job, and Robert’s attempts at friendliness are getting in the way of that.

But that changes when some unexpected houseguests arrive. The relative tranquility of the household is thrown into upheaval, as these guests must be entertained. But when some of the guests’ things go missing, suspicion falls on Ian. Robert feels obligated to prove that Ian is innocent, and they must work together to solve the mystery. And of course, along the way, they realize that they share a mutual attraction.

This was a cute story. There was a lot of build up and “will they/wont they”, but that being said, it wasn’t particularly angsty. There’s a moderate amount of chemistry between Robert and Ian, but there probably could have been more. The mystery solution was unconventional, and quite clever… but the aftermath was a little contrived. It did, however, make for some good melodrama!

I would recommend A Scot’s Surrender. This was a quick read, and I enjoyed myself. The houseguests were exceptionally annoying, and that added an interesting layer to the story. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series!






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

*4.25 stars*

I'm seeing a lot of reviews that are all over the map for this one, but I thought A Scot's Surrender by new-to-me author Lily Maxton was pretty great.

I love, love, love historical romance, and when I get a well-done, slow-burn historical romance, well, you've got me.

This book is almost an enemies-to-lovers, which is always a weakness of mine. There was so much time for the relationship to develop, and I just loved watching the two MCs go from vaguely disliking each other to grudging friends to something more.

The plot is relatively simple, but the beauty is in the slow, measured writing that really leaves you no choice but to fall for these characters. There is a small mystery element, but the focus is on the slow crawl to romance, for sure.

There is a little steam but it's more sensual writing than explicit. Read the story for the emotions and not the heat.

I was really, really impressed by Lily Maxton, and it put her on the map for me. I'll be picking up her previous M/F books, and I can't wait to see what other M/M books she comes up with in the future. Highly recommend.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Robert Townsend isn't happy his sister Georgina invites Ian Cameron to stay at Llynmore Castle when their brother and wife, Lord and Lady Arden are away, He dislikes the aloof Highlander but he's also intrigued by him too. When Ian's accused of stealing personal items from their other temporary guests; English gentry seeking refuge at the castle. Robert decides he believes this man is telling the truth. So the pair works together to prove his innocence.

When a lightning bolt strikes the thatched roof of his cottage on the Arden Estate and sets fire to his home, Ian Cameron begrudgingly agrees to move into Llynmore Castle until the property can be rebuilt. Unlike his factor, he has worked hard for everything he owns unlike Robert Townsend, who is spoilt and doesn't work. Suspicions are aroused when personal items disappear and he is the main suspect. The situation forcing the two men to work alongside each other to solve the crime.

I've haven't read any Lily Maxton novels before and my first impressions are more than favourable. I love how she captures the mood of the era, where vigilance is always necessary when men engage in illicit relationships. The cautious attitudes are captured perfectly in this slow burn romance as Ian and Robert begin to discover their pre-held opinions of each other are presumptive. Gradually, they realise they both have the same burning desires as they lower their defences and open their hearts to each other.

I laughed at the imaginative way of solving the crime as the unexpected culprit is revealed. The secondary characters pushing this plot-line along blended in well. Robert and Ian's developing relationship is as much about cultivating and building a lasting friendship as exploring the physical attraction between themselves. Resulting in more tender, meaningful exchanges between the pair than sizzling passionate interactions which fit both men's limited sexual experiences perfectly.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed A Scot's Surrender. I'll definitely be reading the earlier books in The Townsend series. I loved the Scottish Highlands backdrop and the twist of mystery which was a first for me reading historical romances.

4 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley***

While I enjoyed the book, the writing was not top quality. It felt clunky at times, especially in the beginning. Something just didn't mesh right. I liked the characters and the story well enough, but this isn't a top read for me.

This book was pleasant company on the rainy night I read it. I enjoyed this short novel. This enemies to lovers M/M historical romance takes place in a quiet, English countryside, where a lightning storm and flash food set in motion a series of events forcing the heroes, Robert, an earl’s younger brother, and his brother’s employee Ian, to spend time together. After Ian’s cottage burns down in a storm-related fire, he reluctantly takes a room in Robert’s family house.

At the same time, Robert takes in a group of travelers whose carriage was toppled in a flood. Robert is a kind, honorable gentleman, who extends his generosity to his guests, including his brother’s employee. Ian, however, disdains Robert’s nice and pleasant personality and sees him as just another lazy, second-son aristocrat, who frequently wakes up late from all-night drinking. Ian doesn’t want to be attracted to Robert because of the class divide between them and because he doesn’t trust people easily.

As a result, Ian is distant and cold to Robert, and sometimes a little rude. But Robert proves that he can take the hits, and hits back in his irritatingly unruffled, patient, and kind way about him. He is even a little protective of Ian, which irritates Ian even more. But the more time they spend together, the more they see each other for who they really are. Robert has been well-aware of his attraction for the stoic, hardworking man, and as he strives to thaw Ian’s icy demeanor, Ian gradually begins to like him.

While Robert and Ian are working out their attraction and growing feelings for each other, they also have to solve a little mystery surrounding their guests’ missing/stolen items, which both brings them together and complicates their relationship.

I liked how their relationship developed gradually, from Ian avoiding Robert’s company, to Robert seeking him out, to spending quiet moments together, stargazing, and learning to laugh together, and to the both of them becoming friends, sharing stories, and eventually sharing their beds.

Though at the start I felt like a third-party observer trying to figure out the characters and what the conflict was between them, I found the story interesting and wanted to see how it developed. I wanted a little more passionate scenes between Ian and Robert and was a bit surprised with how aggressive Robert was in bed though he didn’t have a lot of experience.

I liked Robert’s–and the author’s–way with words, and how the couple eventually expressed their feelings for each other. I also liked a few of the more developed secondary characters, including Robert’s equally kind, sister Georgina and the household cat Willoughby, who was quite a character indeed.

Though the novel was low-angst, I shed a few tears after events threatened to take them apart, and when Ian confronted his past and Robert came out to his family. I liked the novel’s sweet and joyful conclusion.

This is the third book in The Townsend’s Series, it is a MM historical romance. I really enjoyed this book. I did not read the first two books in the series, but I never felt like I was missing something because of that. The setting is wonderful, the characters well developed and the story was paced well. This story contained some intrigue and some humorous situations. I really enjoyed this book.

This is not my usual trope to read but I found it engaging and it held my attention. I think this may be the first book by Lily Maxton involving a m/m relationship. It was well done in the author's usual style. The setting and characters were well described and engaged you in the story. Robert Townsend is determined to run Llynmore Castle when his brother leaves him in charge. But the estates's steward, Ian Cameron seems to dislike him intensely for some reason. A fire and a mystery throw the two together to find out what happened to a guest's stolen possession when all fingers point toward Ian. Having to depend upon Robert to help him sort everything out, they have to work together and solve the mystery. But as hearts become engaged, it seems they are bound to be together. So sit back and enjoy the story and look for the next Lily Maxton story!

3.5 stars.

As a first attempt at M/M romance, this was a good effort and fit in well with the rest of the series. Robert is charming and sweet, while Ian is your usual darkly brooding Scot. They have a strongly antagonistic relationship at the start, though only partly because of the attraction between them. The romance is slow growing, but there’s a slight mystery plot and a handful of uninvited guests knocking about to keep things moving. It’s not exactly ground-breaking stuff, but I still found it sweetly enjoyable.

Although, if I’m honest, I’m still a little confused about that romance. It takes a while for them to get past Ian’s contempt for Robert’s charm and position, but once they do, suddenly it’s love. I feel like there were a few steps missed, because one moment everything is slow and tentative, the next we’re all in and the internal conflicts can begin.

I really wish the story had delved a little deeper into Robert’s bisexuality and when he realised he was attracted to both men and women, because he seems really comfortable falling for a man. Which is great, but considering the time and the laws, I found it a little surprising in light of his previous experience. I also wish Robert had educated Ian more about being bisexual, because the things Ian was saying really irritated me. Just because he’s attracted to people regardless of gender, doesn’t mean he’s attracted to everyone.

So it’s not perfect. Both Robert and Ian were interesting in their own right and had some really sweet scenes together, but I would have liked to have known both of them a bit better and maybe seen more emotion between them instead of mostly in their heads. Away from them, I liked that the mystery plot surprised me, but found the house guests and their additional drama slightly predictable.

Overall, though, this is a sweet addition to the series. If you like your Regency reads light and slightly fluffy, this does an admirable job. There is a bit of drama, but it’s fairly low on angst, and even though it does address the legality issues of the time, it doesn’t dwell too deeply on the bad stuff. I liked it and I look forward to seeing how the final Townsend sister’s tale turns out.

I loved the slow build from antagonism to heated lust, then forever love. History usually shows that same sex couples remain hidden and below the radar. It's always interesting to see how romance novels juggle this line--to have the couple find happiness, but still live within the confines of their societal expectations.

The plotline is simple, yet it serves to bring the two boys together organically. There is a bit of frivolity involved, and an unusual twisty resolution which should bring a smile to readers' faces. There's some discussion about the rules of proper company, but it's never moralising or preachy.

I did like the way Ian and Robert speak to and think about each other. I love the idea of friendship, and once they declare their attraction, they are mostly direct and honest. I liked the way Robert's awkwardness plays out, and that Ian's family issues aren't ignored.

This is my first book by this author, and it will be interesting to see if she writes more m/m. Copy received from Netgalley and read with thanks. Due out on March 12.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was a good book - fun plot, good characters. I didn't read the previous two books in the series, mostly because they are M/F romances. They sound compelling and the characters interesting too. I didn't miss the backstory though, Maxton put in everything needed in this book. I really liked the two main characters. They were not cardboard cut-out guys. I'm not sure the author was very close to the reality of an english gentleman and a scottish highlander during the 1800s, but she barely addressed their backgrounds. If you think this is going to be a politically fraught story, you'd be wrong.

It wasn't a great or fantastic read for me because there was not enough showing of emotions. It was a lot of stream of consciousness that felt like telling telling telling. That didn't pull me in to the emotional side of the story, which was why I gave it 3 stars. It's a romance, so make it feel like one! :)

I voluntarily read an Advance Review Copy of this book through Netgalley. The storyline of Ian and Robert was slow to develop and when it did it could have had more depth to it. It is a good read but it did not keep you intrigued to discover what would happen next. This book will appeal to some more than others but I would recommend you give it a chance. I gave it a four, even though it did not appeal to me, I am sure there are many who would appreciate it.

This was a sweet story. Lots of feelings and a cute couple. I think what I liked the most was how it was a slow burn romance. The two main characters, Robert and Ian, do a lot of tiptoeing around their feelings and each other. The will-they-won’t-they is what really kept the story going and you wanted to see how their feelings resolved themselves.

I also liked how Maxton had realistic consequences for the time period the story was set it. Same-sex relationships were illegal and so Robert and Ian could have suffered majorly if they were caught by the wrong person. Ian himself had already suffered by losing his family. I hate when period romances don’t address this very real threat and their characters express their sexuality very openly without fear. Of course it’d be awesome if they could, but if the setting is taking place in our real past instead some made up one then it should be accurate.

I really liked Robert and Ian as a couple. Robert is very easygoing, charming, and a bit naive and this was a good compliment to Ian’s cynicism and stoic behavior. They both brought out the best in each other and I enjoyed their quiet moments of interaction.

3.5 Stars.

This felt like more of a novella than a full novel, but it was still enjoyable. The two main characters were fairly well developed, but there definitely could have been more development of the secondary characters. The resolution to the mystery was quite silly but it was amusing - the mystery was definitely just a plot device for the romance, though.

When his brother leaves him in charge of Llynmore Castle, Robert Townsend is determined to make everything go smoothly. But he didn’t think the weather could have such an impact on his life. First there is the fire that Ian Cameron the estate factor moves into the castle after his cottage is destroyed. Then there’s the flood which drops the Worthington’s on his doorstep
An enjoyable read from start to finish, the story is well paced & held my interest all the way through. The characters are well drawn & likeable. Robert & Ian are attracted to each other but fight against their attraction until small articles start to disappear & one of them appears in Ian’s room. They then work together to find the thief & they begin to get to know each other. Ian is a very solitary man & it was lovely to see how Robert managed to get him to reveal more of himself, they complimented each other. It took an incident to make the pair realise how they really felt.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This review will appear as an "M/M Recommendation" in the debut issue of Romantic Intentions Quarterly, out April 3. We will also share our thoughts on social media.
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What a wonderful surprise. After two instalments of her Highlands-based Regency series featuring heterosexual – though assuredly tempestuous – couples, Lily Maxton hits us with A Scot’s Surrender, a delightful forbidden love tale of two gentlemen, one brother to the lord of Llynmore Castle, the other the castle’s steward. Robert Townsend is used to being liked, so is quite put out when the abrasive Ian Cameron refuses to succumb to his manifold charms. Ian Cameron is a self-made man who believes in hard work and discipline, neither of which seem to be among Robert Townsend's chosen pastimes. But neither can deny their attraction for long, and pretty soon they discover the truth about each other... in more ways than one. Also, there are troublesome houseguests – castleguests? – and some mysterious thefts to be solved. It’s really a lot of fun.

I enjoyed A Scot's Surrender, Historical MM romance is not a genre I have previously read, I enjoy both Historical and MM Genres so this combination was a win-win for me.

Ian and Robert were a really likable couple, I found myself rooting for their love to survive the challenges thrown at them. The scene that had Robert ending up with a bruise on his head had me laughing out loud.

It was quirky and fun and heartbreakingly tender... I will look for more books by this author.

Slow to start but got pretty good along the way.
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I have to say I have a bit of mixed feelings for this book. It was very slow to start for me. Loads of detail and tip toes around the fact the 2 men even had a inkling of like for each other. I actually thought about not completing the book a time or two.

Some of the story was a bit boring, with the subplot of thievery going on in the house, and the very slow to grow "like" by the guys. I also think I missed parts of the story as to why a group of strangers could simply stay for weeks at a home. That was answered much later in the book, but confusing to me at the time.

Once you put past the weirdness of the visitors and focus on the growing acceptance between the two guys, the story warmed up for me. I did enjoy the unfolding and tepid friendship that grew. The longing that they had for another become bolder, but it took a long time and we were only given glimpses here and there.

While the author did a good job with the facts and ventured in to a "forbidden" subject given the time frame, I really felt no connection to any of the characters. The guys fought the attraction for too long and I was missing the fierce, breath sucking "need" for each other that makes a fabulous read.