Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Swoon-worthy and romantic! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

what an amazing book!! The author is a master of creating stories and characters. I will definitively be reading books of this author!! Great job.

Author May McGoldrick never ceases to amaze me with the depth of feelings they invoke with their written word. Each story is carefully plotted and well executed drawing the reader into their fantasy world.

My heart has been won over by Phoebe as she seeks truth to write about. Though to be honest there are times her stubbornness blinds her to the danger. She is still a woman who seeks truth and to help others so I was able to overlook her naivety in this area.

Ian is a torn soul seeking retribution for the death of his late sister. Phoebe drives him crazy when she continually puts herself in danger to get her story and he will do anything to keep her from ending up like his sister. Dead. He and his family has been destroyed by his sister's death and not knowing why his sister was killed. He can't let go of his need for revenge. I could feel my heart hurting for him on every page of the book and I wanted him to find his peace and move on with his life.

What evolves between the pages is pure magic and the authors wind the drama of a killer into this well written love story. Now you should know this is more than a normal love story. This is the love for a dead sister, the love of a grieving mother and brother and the love of friend. You will see in the pages of this story how it is possible to find peace amongst all the pain and that love will always win.

The suspense added to the storyline with explicit detail will keep the reader enthralled with the storyline.

5 STARS for the depth of this storyline.

Captain Ian Bell is a tortured man fighting through grief and guilt over the loss of his sister. When she went missing, he searched for months until he found her remains. Now, three years later as the Deputy Lieutenant of Fife, Ian still hunts for her murderer in the dangerous criminal underworld of Edinburgh. He is the ‘Night Watch’ bent on revenge even as he saves others from the same violent fate that claimed his sister. Then one night, a young woman narrowly escapes death and lands at his feet...his late sister’s best friend, Phoebe Pennington. Lady Phoebe Pennington—dreamer and storyteller to her family—is a committed reformer writing articles anonymously for an Edinburgh newspaper. One night, in an effort to acquire documents embarrassing to the city’s political leaders, Phoebe descends into the corrupt and seething netherworld known as the Vaults. When she tries to save a street urchin from an assailant, she becomes the target of a violent attack, only to be saved by the one man she has desired for years.
This was a pretty decent read. The pacing ebbed and flowed for me. I’m not sure how I feel about seeing snippets in the villain’s POV, but it didn’t detract from the story at all. I liked both Ian and Phoebe and sympathized with them and why they put themselves in the situations they found themselves in. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the suspense and bit of "serial killer" feel to it with who is after Penelope. I always enjoy reading regency books and how strong the woman actually are.

Captain Ian Bell saves Lady Phoebe Pennington from a violent attack and both fight against their feelings. Hers due to her reform and exposing crime and his to protect her from the underworld of crime. Another good tale from this author with characters that the reader can enjoy and hope for happy endings.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

The Story in a Nutshell: Captain Ian Bell became the Deputy Lieutenant of Fife in order to battle his grief and guilt over his sister’s murder. While hunting for the murderer in Edinburgh’s criminal underworld he saves others from suffering the same fate as his sister and ends up running into his late sister’s best friend, Phoebe Pennington. As a committed reformer who writes anonymously for a newspaper, Phoebe is used to seeing some of the worst things around her but when she becomes the target of a violent act she knows she’s in over her head. And being saved by the Ian is another complication she doesn’t need on top of trying to secure documents that will embarrass Edinburgh’s political leaders. Their attraction is undeniable and inconvenient as they’re both trying to find the same killer who is closer than they know.



Overall reaction to the book? I love a good mystery to go with my romance and a heroine like Phoebe is always something I look forward to. She isn’t arm candy and she isn’t a swooning damsel in distress. She’s whip smart, tough, and stubborn. Sometimes a bit too stubborn though as she continually put herself in situations that she didn’t think all the way through. I love that while Phoebe had a reformer’s ideas and heart, she didn’t come across as too modern or invincible. Phoebe had a woman’s heart, hopes, and dreams but she also had a fighter’s mind and spirit which made her a formidable character. I could see why Ian would develop feelings for her.


Speaking of Ian, he’s an easy character to fall for. He is a bit of an emotional wreck due to the loss of his sister in such a horrible way but it has made him determined to help and protect others. He is patient, kind, and best of all, accepting of Phoebe’s unique personality. What is important to her is important to him and he understood that’s what made her so special. His protective streak was miles wide but it didn’t feel stifling or controlling. Instead Ian was the type of character who could make someone feel safe while still being themselves.


I loved him and Phoebe together but I will say that the romance took a backseat to the murder/corruption mystery. I still felt that Ian and Phoebe’s romance was believable though, they spent time getting to know one another through the physical attraction and worked well together but I guess because they were so good together I wanted more scenes that were about the emotions and that growing romance but I can’t complain too much since I did enjoy Sleepless in Scotland as it was.



Click It or Skip It? Click It. The series as a whole has a feeling of closeness between family and friends which I love but they can each be read as a standalone.

* On the blog 9-20

I was pleasant;y surprised after reading this book. From the first page it gripped me and I just could not put it down.
I liked almost everything about it from the characters, to the plot.

Highly recommend to those who like equal partnership in a historical romance.

I have gradually lost a lot of my love for old Scottish romances but the Pennington family Series by this author duo has rekindled some of my love for Scotland and historical romances. Having said that this particular story in the series is my least favorite. It's a bit thin on the plot but never the less I rejoiced in the happy ending and catching up on some of my favorite imaginary people.

Phoebe comes from a family where each member has been encouraged to follow their beliefs and dreams, sometimes heedless of danger as on the night she barely escapes with her life and ends up being rescued by Captain Ian Bell. Captain Bell wanders the underbelly of the city ceaseless searching for his sister's murderer. One night he is in the position of rescuing a young woman who appeals to him on so many levels and helps allay some of his guilt at not being able to keep his sister safe. As it turns out Phoebe was his sister's best friend and she's always had a crush on him. Clearly romance is in the air as Ian tries to keep Phoebe safe as he couldn't save his sister.
Ian and Phoebe team up together in more ways than one to pursue Phoebe's story while searching for what turns out to be is a serial killer haunting the underbelly of Edinburg. This is an interesting story, a little thin on plot and not my favorite in the series but I do look forward to more stories from the authors.

I was surprised by this one. Not as exciting and fun to read as the previous novels Ive read by this author, it was a little boring, though when I chugged along, it was pleasant enough.

Sleepless in Scotland, book three from May McGoldrick’s Pennington Family series. I loved this story and give it five stars.

It's 1818 in Edinburgh and Phoebe Pennington writes stories secretly for the Edinburgh Review. She has agreed to meet with a source in an unfavorable location and narrowly escapes a murderer. Captain Ian Kerr Bell walks the underground vault area most nights looking for the one who murdered his sister three years ago. This night he discovers Phoebe (dressed as a male) unconscious and removes her from danger. Phoebe was a dear friend of his sister's and he cannot allow any harm to come to her. Phoebe agrees to Ian's terms but soon finds that she is still in danger!

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

So far i have come the the conclusion that May McGoldrick can do no wrong when writing these witty and masterful characters you cant help but fall in love with.

I enjoyed reading the next book in the Pennington family saga. The characters were great and the plot was riveting. I liked that Phoebe wanted to make a difference and isn't afraid to do something. Ian was a tortured hero that needed saving and Phoebe was just the person to do it!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

In the three years since his sister, Sarah, was murdered in a seedy area of Edinburgh known as the Vaults, sleep has eluded Ian Bell. He'll never have peace until he has answers and finds the mad killer who took Sarah's life, as well as a multitude of others. Ian haunts the Vaults, rescuing those he can while he searches for the elusive killer. When he rescues a young man about to be attacked by a knife wielding villain, he's shocked to find the young man is a lady - and not just any lady - it's Phoebe Pennington, Sarah's best friend.

Phoebe is an earl's daughter, and has a secret career as a writer for the Edinburgh Review. Phoebe chooses to write about the plight of poor people, and other social injustices. She was led to this dangerous location by a questionable source who supposedly had some information for her. When she intervened in a young boy being attacked, the attacker turned on her, and only Ian's arrival saved her life. As Ian escorts her home, she now has to worry as to whether he'll inform her family about her dangerous actions and her near miss. He’s furious that Phoebe would put herself in such danger.

Years ago, when Sarah was still alive, Phoebe had a huge crush on Ian, who was distantly polite to his little sister's friend. Though she hasn’t seen much of Ian in recent years, he still holds the same attraction for her. No other man has ever captured her interest, and she has devoted herself to being a crusader for those without a voice. Her zeal leads her to believe that an organization Ian sponsors is bowing to political pressure and casting aside those people it is supposed to aid. She decides to confront Ian directly.

Ian, instead of becoming angry, simply shows Phoebe that she was misinformed. I love his patience, his honor, and even his unfortunate willingness to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders. In no way was he responsible for Sarah’s death, yet he bears the guilt, and anguishes over the pain their mother endures. He put his whole life on hold while searching for the killer, but Phoebe has sparked an interest in him. He invites her to his home, to visit with his mother. While there, attempts are made on Phoebe’s life, and it seems that the killer is very close to Ian’s home, and feels that she is a danger to him, and must be eliminated.

I loved watching Ian start to come back to life in Phoebe’s company, and their developing romance was sweet, then steamy. Both of them are characters to admire and root for. The mysterious killer was not difficult to figure out, but the suspense was still well written. SLEEPLESS IN SCOTLAND flowed along at a great pace and held my interest so much, that I read it in one sitting. This well written romance is an emotional, enjoyable, and satisfactory read that I think will satisfy both HR readers, and those who enjoy a touch of mystery.

As with most of May McGoldrick's books, Sleepless in Scotland is full of rich characters, intrigue, danger, dastardly villians, and of course romance. This one starts immediately with the heroine being put in life threatening danger, and rescued by the hero, of course. I love the way this couple presents several potential villains, keeping the reader guessing as which is the guilty one. Phoebe Pennington is her own woman, strong and independent. She secretly writes under a pseudonym, exposing the deficiencies of society especially with their treatment of the poor. Captain Ian Bell is the brother of Like he's friend who was murdered several years prior to their meeting again. Who murdered his sister and why? Will they be able to figure it out before Phoebe is also in danger. Very good read, love this family and their stories.

This was an enjoyable story, although I haven't figured out what the title of the book has to do with anything in the story. The characters were well written and the story line was good.

Sleepless in Scotland was another amazing installment in The Pennington Family series with an exciting plot and a wonderful romance.

Captain Ian Bell is a man burying his grief over his sister’s death by relentlessly searching for her killer every night in the Vaults, Edinburgh’s criminal underground. On one of his searches he stumbles upon Lady Phoebe Pennington, his late sister’s best friend. In a quest to gain information from a source, Phoebe entered the Vaults only to be attacked by a man after she interferes in his murdering a young man. After rescuing her from the Vaults, Ian begins to spend more time with Phoebe while they search to uncover the corruption at the heart of Edinburgh, unexpectedly falling for her in the process.

Phoebe has always known she wanted to be a writer and as a reformer writing articles under an assumed name she hopes her articles will make a difference. Phoebe comes from a long line of people committed to bettering the world and she’s no exception. She’s incredibly passionate about her work and is always thinking of how she can do more. I admired her work ethic and how much she loved writing even if it put her in danger.

Ian has spent the three years since his sister’s death haunting the Vaults in search of her killer. Ian blames himself for not being able to save his sister and he can’t rest until her murderer has been brought to justice. Ian places a lot of weight in doing the right thing and he’s an incredibly honorable man. I empathize with his need for justice and it was very clear just how much he cared about his family.

Phoebe and Ian have a very sweet relationship and I loved watching them together. I loved that Ian was Phoebe’s crush when she was younger as I enjoy romances where the hero/heroine finally gets the girl/guy. Both Ian and Phoebe care so much about one another and only want the best for each other. Ian truly understands how much writing means to Phoebe and he encourages her to pursue her passions. He also enjoys her tendency to talk too much and how she pushes back against society’s expectations. There is very little physically between them in the book, but the scenes that there are, are incredibly well done and very steamy.

Phoebe’s search to uncover the corruption in Edinburgh takes a bit of a backseat after her life is threatened, but the story is an interesting one. I liked that Ian challenged Phoebe to look at the situation in a new light and inspired her to write a better story. Ian’s search for his sister’s killer was interesting and I liked how it loosely connected with what Phoebe discovered in the Vaults.

Sleepless in Scotland was just as enjoyable as the rest of the series and I’m hoping Millie will get a book next. I definitely recommend this series if you’re in the mood for historical romance books centered around one family.

This is a wonderful story of two people, Captain Ian Bell, a Scottish war hero, and Lady Pheobe Pennington who are connected through knowledge of each other for years through Ian’s deceased sister. Phoebe and Ian’s sister were best friends for years before she died, but Phoebe has always held a torch for Ian. The two run into each other unexpectedly while Pheobe is working on a story she’s writing, as she is determined to make positive change in her city through investigative journalism, and Ian continues to investigate the murder of his sister. Ian rescues Phoebe from a terrible situation and their association begins again.
This plot has plenty of intrigue and mystery, interesting characters, and romance. All the elements combined to make this book a real page turner! I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romance with intrigue and just enough heat and longing to make for a satisfying hea.

I don't really understand the title of Sleepless but otherwise the book was an exciting read. In addition to a wonderful romance there was the mystery of who killed Captain Bell's sister and if it was the same person who attacked Phoebe Pennington.
I figured out who the killer was about half-way through but it was still interesting to see how he would attempt to finish the job with Phoebe.