A definite twist and a different storyline that kept my interest. Almost reckless at times, Georgina Townsend is not your typical heroine. When a group of Highland outlaws steals her treasured music box that was her late mother's, she sets out on an intriguing journey. Disguising herself as a Highland lass ahe wiggles her way into joining the group so she can get back her precious possession. Of course she does not count on Malcolm Steward, the handsome leader of the group, becoming so enticing. A take on the Robin Hood tale, the story weaves through some interesting times and growing emotions between the two. Will Malcolm find out who she really is or will Georgina tell him? Read to find out what happens with these two seemingly mismatched couple and know you will smile at the end.

Claiming the Highlander's Heart by Lily Maxton is book Four in The Townsends series. This is the story of Georgina Townsend and Malcolm "Mal" Stewart. I haven't yet read the previous book but feel this was easily a standalone book for me.
Mal had went off to war and left his family but when he returned to only find that they were dead after being forced off their property and dying on a ship. With vengeance in mind he became a 'Robin Hood' type of robber. Georgina is not your regular 'Lady' and when she finds out that her mother's music box has been stolen...she goes to track down that links to her mother. This takes Georgina to meeting the leader of a misfitted group of robbers where she pretends to be someone else to become 'one of them' to get her music box back. What Georgina didn't count on was being attracted to Mal. Mal starts to have feelings for her also.
I really enjoyed their story and it was somewhat different then most historical romances with the heroine. Loved it!

I have read a lot of historical romances and I think it is safe to say that I have never read this particular storyline before.

Georgina Townsend, the youngest and last unattached Townsend has just returned from a trip to Glasgow, while in town, she got some very troubling and unsettling news from her doctor, she is still processing that information when she learns that her house was robbed and her mother's music box was stolen.

Unwilling to just accept the box is gone, Georgina tracks down the thieves and joins their band of outlaws to learn the whereabouts of the last link she has to her mother. She is a little surprised by the group and is undeniably attracted to their leader, Malcolm "Mal" Stewart.

Mal returned from the war to learn his family had been forced out of their home and left for Nova Scotia, but died aboard ship during a typhus outbreak. Alone in the world and extremely angry, Mal decides to make the "Lords" responsible for the clearances pay by stealing sheep. He is sort of a Robin Hood type and has a band of strays that have joined him. When Georgina approaches, he is instantly smitten, but the others are leery and decide she needs to be tested. Georgina gives them a false name - Catriona MacPhearson and is willing to do whatever is necessary to stay with the group until she gets what she came for.

She passes their test with flying colors, she also learns that she and Mal share a love of music and they play exceptionally well together. Her feelings are getting muddled and when their raid goes wrong and Mal is shot - she chooses to stay with him. They take Mal to a remote cottage to heal and while there, he gives her the music box as a gift. But instead of leaving right away, she stays until she is sure he will recover and then leaves without a word.


Weeks pass, Malcolm is still hurt and upset that she left, but tells himself to forget her. She is not faring much better. So when he takes a chance and tracks her down - he is shocked to find out who and what she really is. Georgina is shocked (and elated) to see Malcolm, but is also worried - will he tell her brother? The desire between them is even stronger than they remembered - but neither is willing to give an inch. Plus Georgina has a secret that may change everything between them.

This is a well written, well paced story with an unusual storyline as well as a heroine with a unique problem. There is a lot of desire, some steamy love scenes, dangerous situations, an exceptional hero, very likable secondary characters, some heartache, some joy and a sigh worthy HEA.

This is the fourth book in the Townsends series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title.

I always promise to leave a fair and honest review whenever I am given an ARC. This story was amazing. There were no balls or carriage rides. just a simple story of overcoming adversity and finding family and unconditional love. It was beautiful and you should read it because you will fall in love too.

Publisher's Description:

Georgina Townsend has never behaved like a "proper" lady. Her family accuses her of being impulsive, sometimes to the point of recklessness. And they must be right. Because when a band of Highland outlaws steals Georgina's late mother's music box, instead of letting the proper authorities take care of the matter, she disguises herself as a Highland lass and joins the group of outlaws to find the stolen item. She certainly doesn't plan on falling for their charming leader…

Malcolm Stewart has never met a more bold and captivating woman than the mysterious lass who suddenly shows up to join his small band of outlaws. But while she fits in easily, she's more distracting than he expected. When he returned from the war to find his life destroyed, Mal decided to get revenge on the Highland landlords, whom he blames for the death of his family. Falling in love isn't part of that plan—especially not with the sister of one of the very landlords he's sworn to fight against.

Each book in the Townsends series is STANDALONE:
* Enchanting the Earl
* The Rogue's Conquest
* A Scot's Surrender
* Claiming the Highlander's Heart

My Thoughts:

This is the fourth book in this series. I have read the first two and this one. They are vaguely connected but each one can be read as a standalone.
Georgina comes home to find that thieves have been in her home and have taken something very dear to her.
Thinking twice is not something that she will do under these circumstances.
No she will go after the thieves and recover her precious music box.
Malcolm Stewart is leading a band of rag tag outlaws that are actually needy highlanders Theft may be their only means of survival.
When Georgina arrives and joins his band she is much more distracting than she should be.
Who is this lass who can shoot as well as any man. Is she who she says she is?
Will Georgina and Malcoms mutual attraction lead to their HEA or will it be his downfall?
This was a quick read and enjoyable. This very unlikely and unsuitable pair made for some humorous and exciting moments.
I gave this book 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.25 of 5.0 flames.
Intimacy is at a minimum due to circumstances but present none the less.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and review.This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

The last of the Townsend series. Mal and Georgie make a fearsome couple. The author delves deep to show the type of effects that abandonment, childhood illnesses, death, war and other losses can impact a person and the types of bonds they form. Mal and Georgie were from different social and economic backgrounds but found solace in each other because of their experiences. Character development was very well done and made the story that much more unique and exciting.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the concept. Georgina and Mal have a connection and I loved the way the author had Georgina have all these great qualities about her that she for right in with a band of thieves. I also liked how she portrayed Mal! I loved the Scottish aspect also. It gave the story a little extra! I thought Mal was really sweet when he found out some things about Georgina. I thought the story really flowed well and the characters were well developed. I liked the secondary characters. Georgina's brother and sister in law. Mal's thief friends. They all had a role buy didn't take away from the main characters which was nice.
This is my first book from this author but I will read more! I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a sweet historical romance

I love me a good romance novel. This book was great and I couldn’t put it down. Georgina and Mal’s story was so unique. This is the first book I’ve read by Lily Maxton, but won’t be my last. This was technically the 4th book in the series, but like most romance series, it doesn’t matter if you read them out of order. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

Georgina comes home and finds her precious music box missing. She had received from bad news from the doctor and feels like doing something impulsive and goes after the thieves. She doesn’t mean to fall in love.

This is a unique romance novel, to me anyway, where they can’t have sex. Georgina has a medical disorder, assuming from having smallpox and she can’t have sex. I don’t know if that is medically accurate, but it’s a different take on a romance novel.

Georgina Townsend has never behaved like a "proper" lady. Her family accuses her of being impulsive, sometimes to the point of recklessness. When a band of Highland outlaws steals Georgina's late mother's music box, instead of letting the proper authorities take care of the matter, she disguises herself as a Highland lass and joins the group of outlaws to find the stolen item. Malcolm Stewart has never met a more bold and captivating woman than the mysterious lass who suddenly shows up to join his small band of outlaws. But while she fits in easily, she's more distracting than he expected.
This is the fourth book in The Townsend series but is easily read as a stand alone book, however the author builds on previous books so I’m glad I’ve read the earlier books but then again I have to read a series in order! This is different from the normal romance in that George takes matters into her own hands to get her precious music box back. The attraction between Mal & George is immediate & only grows along with liking each other. An interesting enthralling read which held my interest all the way through & it took me through a range of emotions

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Claiming the Highlander’s Heart by Lily Maxton is the fourth book in The Townsends series. This book can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading the others in the series as they are enjoyable.
Georgina Townsend is the impulsive sometimes reckless sibling. Returning home from Glasgow after getting life altering medical news, she discovers her home has been robbed and her prized music box has been stolen. She decides to follow the thieves and get it back.
Malcom Stewart is the leader of a misfit band of robbers. Having lost his family while serving in the army, he is not afraid of the possible consequences. He is intrigued by the woman who joins their group and can’t resist his attraction.
How will he feel when he discovers the woman he is falling in love with is a member of the aristocracy. A group he holds responsible for the deaths of his family?
Ms Maxton crafts characters not typically found in historical romance. I preferred other books in the series, but this is still a fun read. I would have liked if the author had expanded on Georgina’s medical issue which added a twist that is not found in romance. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a little different and is tired of the usual historical romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

Claiming The Highlander's Heart (The Townsends, #4)
by Lily Maxton (

A definitely read me book! So buy buy buy buy buy ....
One of the things about this book that absolutely enchanted me was the diverse plot line and characters. Not the normal Lords and Ladies book! From a thief and a lady... to the forest as well as all the episodes within it absolutely captured me. This writer has such a very talented way of describing everything from scenery to actual occurrences that it just keeps me reading. I was really enjoying this read right until the middle. For some reason , I expected a little more action . Unfortunately, it was not there. However, it picks up again! so keep reading!!! It is a warm and tender story in some ways, some parts that caused me a little bit of tears . But all in all , I found it to be a very good read. I was given this arc via NetGalley. I voluntarily write this review and it holds only my own opinions. Regards, Anna Swedenmom

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Claiming The Highlander’s Heart by Lily Maxton is the fourth book of The Townsends series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I do think you would enjoy it more if you have read the other books in the series. Georgina Townsend returns home from Glasgow after receiving some devastating news only to discover while she was gone their home was broken into and a beloved music box given to her by her mother has been stolen. Georgina being the wild child that she is promptly sets out to find the thieves and retrieve the music box. Malcom Stewart spent 10 long years at war only to come home to find everything gone ... his home and family victims of the Clearances, heartbroken he has become the leader of a ragtag band of outlaws vowing revenge on the landlords who destroyed his family. Their story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking and I enjoyed it very much.Not too sweet with just the right amount of steam. Publishing Date July 9, 2018 #NetGalley #ClaimingTheHighlandersHeart

When a precious music box from her mother is stolen by thieves, Georgina (George) cannot bear the thought of losing the one item that reminds her the most of her mother & takes off to recover it. Disguising herself as a Highlander lass, she manages to find the band of outlaws & convinces them to let her join them (she has impressive skills with a pistol!).

Mal is a soldier turned thief but almost in a Robin Hood way - he steals to survive, yes, but he wants to be able to steal enough to provide a future for the others. After losing his family who die from destitution and neglect after being forced from their home by the lord of their land, Mal becomes bitter and steals partly in revenge against the peers and because he has nothing to live for and really doesn’t care if he gets caught or killed.

The close bond between Mal and the others is touching– all whom he’s saved and taken under his wing – his de facto family after the ones of blood that he’s lost. Each of them have a distinct personality and their interaction with George when she first joins their band is amusing and charming. She wins them over, winning in a game of “shinty” some godawful game that sounds worse than rugby+hockey combined with MMA fighting when it comes to possession of the ball.

The attraction between Mal and George is palpable from the beginning. I loved the tension! Such wonderful characters: George is spunky and feisty. Mal is an unexpected yet totally amazing hero: the loyally he inspires from his “brothers” and how from outcasts he makes them all into family.

Lily Maxton is an amazing writer who creates stories that have the most “feels”; filled with emotion, characters that you fall in love with, humour and wit. Oh yes, Cried buckets at the end.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋
Quite a good read
An interesting and inventive plot , and the characters have great souls.
I found the idea a woman would become an outlaw to rescue a music box strange , but in reading I accepted it and found the story enjoyable.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

What if Robin Hood had stolen something belonging to Marian, and she decided to join his band of merry thieves to steal it right back?

"You're a romantic, Malcom Stewart." "No, I'm not. I'm a very practical person." "Because leading a group of livestock bandits in some tribute to the halcyon days of the Highlands is practical?" He paused. "Well, when you put it like that…"

Oh the bickering :D

Georgina Townsend has always been reckless, impulsive, and heedless of the consequences of her actions. So when a group of bandits targeting the local gentry breaks into her house and steals her most treasured possession (a music box her mother gave to her), her first thought is to run after the thieves, join their group, and get it back. She never dreamed the men would grow on her and become like family… But can an Earl's daughter really forget where she comes from and who she is?

Ever since Malcolm "Mal" Stewart's family was chased off their land and died tragically on their way to a new beginning, he has tried his best to get back at the local landowners he holds responsible for their fate. His days are spent roaming the highlands looking for places to rob, things to steal, all in an attempt to keep busy and forget. But when a whirlwind of a girl barges her way into his little group, he is oddly intrigued by her personality, and none too happy about all the little changes, the things she makes him realize.

But how can a thief and the sister or a Earl make things work?

I absolutely adore this series! I especially loved the second and third book, and this is a wonderful addition. It is equally funny and sad, the characters are strong and different (and really, this is a high compliment coming from me; when I read the blurb I thought I would absolutely loathe the impetuous Georgina, but Maxton is such a skilled writer that she managed to get me to emphasize with her even when she was behaving in a way that would normally land her on my list of TSTL heroines), and it was a delight to see some of the rest of the Townsends again. If you like your romances far from boring and clichéd, with strong, independent females and men who wouldn't even dream of holding them back, give this series a try. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

4.5 stars rounded up!

4 Stars! This is my first time reading a book by this author (this book can be read as a standalone) & this isn’t a typical romance book! First off, the male main character is a thief. The female main character has medical problems & scars from small pox which she had as a child. This book was really good! I loved that the relationship isn’t like the “normal” type of relationship between these two!! The romance or ‘sexy scenes’, while not “normal”, were still pretty hot!! I’d like to know more about Andrew, Ewan, & Lachlan and what happens with them now! Good read if you’re tired of the “normal” romance book!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own!*

This was super fun! I loved the intersex representation. One thing that bothered me was that there wasn't an authors note about it at the end, since the term intersex is still very misunderstood. But that could simply be because it isn't finished.

I really enjoyed Georgina and Mal's story! I have loved Georgina since the series began and was so excited to see how she got her HEA!

When her home is broken into, Georgina is determined to get her music box back. Without her family knowing, she sneaks off and finds the group of outlaws. She works her way into the group and so that she can learn what was done to her precious keepsake. She didn't count on being attracted to the leader of the group.

Mal blames the Highland lords for the loss of his family, so he makes it his duty to fight against them to get some small amount of satisfaction. When Georgiana joins his group, he thinks she is of the same class and shares his distain for the the upper class. He quickly falls for her and later learns that Georgiana is part of the class he despises. Will this change how he feels about her?

I really enjoyed this final book in the Townsends series. My only disappointment with this book is that since it is the last book in the series (at least I assume, since all the siblings have found their HEA), I would have liked to revisit all of the couples (we did get to see Annabel and Theo) and see where they are now. I am, however, very excited to see what Maxton comes up with next!

This book is 4th in the series and a little disappointing. Not L Maxtons best. It can be read as a stand alone.

This book is 4th in the series, although it can be read as a stand alone. This is Georgina's story. It was different. It wasn't the usual Regency "ton" story. The hero in this story, Mal, is actually a thief. Their story is quite charming. Both have a past that has had direct impact on the course of their life. In the end they help each other to accept what's happened in the past and move on together to their future.