This novel features Royal when, pushed by his family, he decides to pay a visit to the young woman he fell in love with in London and is surprised to find her cloistered away at her aunt’s, heavily pregnant.

Let’s begin with the annoying things. The Highlander Who Protected Me is presented as the first volume in the Kendrick series, HOWEVER the characters obviously met in another book by the author, but which one? No idea, it’s not indicated anywhere. What’s more, there are several references to an special event that took place several months before and is probably described with many more details in this unknown book/ So we can see the hero’s feelings evolve as he’s already in love with the heroine, and she’s very attracted to him. I find it frustrating not to have the beginning of their story.

Next I found they were very informal in the way they talk to each other for people of their time who have never been intimate. They exchange from the start barbs, digs, jokes, and Ainsley doesn’t hesitate to ask for Royal’s presence during her labor before her baby’s birth. For the time, even the husbands were not allowed to stay near, or just about, it doesn’t seem logical to invite a stranger to support her.

What’s more I didn’t understand the heroine at all. When Royal discovers her pregnant he understands immediately there was a problem with her fiancé and he proposes to her ( not for the first time apparently) but she refuses. She prefers to leave with him her baby who she abandons to go back to her life of sparkles and balls in London. Of course we see she’s sad to see her daughter of a few days leave but she needs 5 months and threats from her fiancé for her to come back to Scotland to ask Royal to marry her. As on top of that she’s haughty and sarcastic, she hides every emotion behind a good measure of verbal aggressiveness she regrets afterwards without apologizing for all that, and she persist in hiding important details about her fiancé to Royal when he bends over backward to help her, let’s say I didn’t appreciate her, even if I felt sorry for her when she was upset not to know how to take care of her daughter, or when she listened to her mother say she must accept to marry the man who raped her because they are engaged and it was just a misunderstanding between them.

On the positive side, the hero is a doll! He’s nice, understanding, and even if he hesitates at time because he wants to put first protecting the little girl he considers as his, he’s still waiting on the heroine hand and foot and super patient. He also has a great force of character to go on in life when he was seriously wounded in Waterloo and still has great pain in his leg and an important lameness. But once he throws himself in something he doesn’t look back. Frankly poor man he deserves better than this heroine who seems not to really trust him most of the time.

Around them there’s Royal’s colorful family, especially his grandfather who immediately falls under the baby’s charm and becomes her non official burse, which makes several clashes, some of them funny, between him and Ainsley once she’s came back. It should be noted that he needs a lot of time to warm toward the heroine and I shared his feeling.

The rest is without surprise with the fiancé’s arriving suddenly and the final resolution I had thought about a long time before them. All in all a novel that didn’t convince me.

If you like hot, caring highlanders and witty dialogue--you'll love this first book in Vanessa Kelly's highlander series.

Kelly's books are always a sure bet when it comes to satisfying and cleverly-written romance. I'm already hooked on this new series and am looking forward to book two!

This book had more depth than I expected. It also had great main characters and the supporting cast of the Kendrick family. There was plenty of emotion and quite a few secrets; especially from Ainsley. I liked how about the time you thought that you knew all her secrets, another surprise would be revealed.
Ainsley's life was SO messed up and she was doing all she could just to survive. And things don't get a lost easier until nearly the end of the book. Because Ainsley's former finance is totally obsessed not just with her but with the humiliation that he feels she dealt him. There were times when it was kind of hard to like Ainsley and at other times I begin to understand why she acted as she did. The author did a good job of showing that. The only other person who really understood her was Royal. He might not know all of her secrets yet but he proves himself trustworthy time after time.
And speaking of Royal, what a great character for the main man lead. The family nicknamed him Loyal Royal and it sure fit him to a "T". He was always looking after others and always putting his own needs and pain last. And he did have pain and not just from his war wound which was pretty serious. He is hopelessly in love with and adores Ainsley. He isn't sure that there will ever be any H.E.A. for him with her.
Keep an eye on Angus, Royal's grandfather. He really does know how to keep things stirred up. But he also is fiercely protective of his family, who he loves intensely. That doesn't mean that he won't cause trouble in his own wacky way, though.
There was one thing thing that I will say that was a negative for me. There was a time or two when the story felt like it slowed down way too much for me. But thankfully things do rev up again because trouble just seems to follow Ainsley. Well, at least for a while anyway, until things come to a head. There is a dramatic twist towards the end. Also a pretty emotional Epilogue.

I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

There were a lot of things that I did like about this book. The plot line was pretty good - there were a lot of emotions embedded into the writing and there was danger and excitement. It definitely kept me interested and made me want to keep reading the story. At the same time though, I just could not catch on with Ainsley's character. I thought she was selfish for pretty much the entire book and really just so rude to Royal, who is going out of ANY way to protect her and give her whatever the heck she wants. She was also really quick to push or pull on Royal's emotions to suit whatever her needs were without enough thought to the consequences sometimes. Obviously everything worked out in the end (it is a romance novel) but I was pretty fed up with her mid-way through the book. And oh my gosh I thought the ending was heart-wrenchingly sad. I lie romance novels mostly because I'm guaranteed a warm and fuzzy, everyone's happy ending. But this book threw me for a bit of a loop. Other than those things though, I thought this was a pretty interesting read. I'd recommend it.

The Highlander Who Protected by Vanessa Kelly is a 2018 Zebra publication.

Serious subjects, but genuinely enchanting, delightfully humorous, and deeply romantic!

When Royal and Ainsley first meet, an obvious chemistry develops quickly. But, Ainsley is engaged to the Marquess of Cringlewood. However, when Royal realizes Ainsley despises her fiancé and is being forced into the marriage, he makes an impulsive decision that backfires horribly. The scandal causes Ainsley to run away to a remote Scottish estate to hide out for a while- or at least that’s the story she and her aunt are selling.

The truth is, Ainsley isn’t hiding from the scandal- she’s hiding her pregnancy. Needing to place her child with someone she can trust, she summons Royal, begging him to take the child and raise her as his own.

Recovering from physical and psychological war wounds, Royal finds a new purpose by raising this wonderful child. But, out of the blue, Ainsley tracks him down, explaining she has changed her mind. She wants to be a mother to her daughter and now wishes to marry Royal. Unable to resist the woman he is so hopelessly in love with, Royal agrees, even if the marriage is in name only. The marriage has a real chance, given Royal’s incredible patience, but, Ainsley’s parents and her former fiancé refuse to back down and let her live her life in peace.

I hate that I failed to get in on the “Improper Princess’ series, since apparently these characters were a part of that saga. But, this story works great as a stand- alone.

I fell for Royal right off the bat. Everyone knows I’m a sucker for the wounded and scarred hero. So, of course, he had that going for him automatically. However, his undying devotion to Ainsley, who would try anyone’s patience at times, was simply divine!

I enjoyed the banter between Ainsley and Royal, which is sharp, a little snarky, and sarcastic, slightly unconventional, but an awesome change of pace. They traded barbs in such a fun way, with the chemistry always sizzling just beneath the surface.
Ainsley’s story is a familiar one, and in today’s climate readers will immediately relate to her dilemma, the fallout of which, hasn’t improved a great deal, I’m sorry to say. But, she is a determined lady, holds her own against Royal’s curmudgeonly Grandfather, and her struggles with being a mother are all poignant and easy to relate to. Ainsley blooms and gains even more strength, as she faced adversity, maybe even surprising her own self, while Royal remains an oak, passing every test presented to him with flying colors- which is just the type of hero Ainsley needs. Ainsley has some character flaws, keeping things too close to the vest, for one, which wasn’t fair to Royal, but I thought she redeemed herself nicely.

This story captured my attention right away. I got caught up in the drama and suspense and had a hard time putting the book down. Thankfully, the story has a Scottish backdrop, which is a personal favorite of mine, and made this story even more appealing for me.

But, I must take the time to mention the difficult subject matter addressed in the book. Certain topics can be a slippery slope, needing just the right balance to avoid triggers, and maintain the gravity it requires, while keeping the tone light so the romance is enjoyable. Not an easy task. Kelly handled it beautifully, I thought.

I’m glad I got in on the ground floor of this new series. I think, if this book is any indication, it’s going to be a good one!!
4.5

DNF. I'm sorry to say I could not finish this one. I absolutely hated the "heroine," Ainsley. Also, I had been unaware that their rather large and dramatic backstory had taken place in another book, which I have not read, and thus I felt like I had missed a big chunk of their history. Getting it in summation, especially given the outrageousness of it, didn't work for me. I don't think that was the best way to write this book. All of their story should have been in this one. Other readers are loving this book, but it was not my cup of tea.

The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly was a great romance story. The main characters Royal and Ainsley were well developed characters and the storyline flowed smoothly. The pace of the story was just right and the Scottish aspect just added to the story's appeal. This one is recommended!

***Really 3 and a half stars*** I received The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the first in her Clan Kendrick series but IS a continuation of Improper Princesses #3 The Highlander's Princess Bride. While it can be read as a stand alone, if you don't know Royal has already fallen in love with Ainsley, you might be confused.
Royal Kendrick met Ainsley Matthews in London where he found out she was engaged. Heartbroken, he goes home to Scotland. After a number of months, Ainsley shows up in Scotland, exiled for refusing to marry. However, she is hiding a HUGE secret; one that takes 9 months to develop and be delivered. After she delivers her baby girl, she ask Royal to care for the daughter and leaves as a way to protect the baby from the father. But after a few months, she comes back and ask Royal to marry her. But Ainsley still has secrets that can destroy her's and Royal HEA. Can the 2 get past everything to form a family?

I really have mixed feeling about this book. I loved Ainsley in the last book and was looking forward to reading this book. But it fell flat. Ainsley came off as very selfish and spoiled (which she is) and none of the many layers that showed themselves in the last book. Also, I think the rape was brushed off. I am not what Vanessa Kelly was trying to do, but even Ainsley, the survivor seems almost... whatever. The ending was almost sad as well even though Royal and Ainsley have their HEA. I am hoping the next couple of books bring it back up to finish everything. #TheHighlanderWhoProtectedMe #NetGalley

Clan Kendrick #1, Spin-off of The Highlander's Princess Bride this picks up a couple of months after the conclusion of that book. This is a standalone from that book but for background on the characters the whole Kendrick family, and because it's an awesome book, I would recommend reading The Highlander's Princess Bride first. Kelly has a wonderful way with words she builds such fantastic, beautiful settings that set the mood and transport you to the Highlands; and situations that can be humorous and heartbreaking.

Royal Kendrick has always been the protector, ever since his mother died in childbirth he has taken it upon himself to protect his brothers even following his older brother into war. Only it was Nick who saved Royal when he was left for dead on the battlefield. Royal ended up with one leg badly damaged and is almost in constant pain. One woman makes him forget the pain, makes him think about the future and starting a family, unfortunately she wants nothing to do with him.

Lady Ainsley Matthews is a diamond of the ton, she has her pick of suitors but they are all sycophants and she wants nothing to do with them, except one man and infuriating highlander who can be so rude but it sets him apart from everyone else. Unfortunately Ainsley's father has other plans and arranges her marriage to a horrible man who does a horrible thing that send Ainsley running to Scotland. To protect her baby Ainsley, not able to trust anyone in her family, must leave the child in Scotland. She asks Royal to take her baby and claim her as his own.

It takes a bit to get to the external conflict everything up until that point is Ainsley and Royal finding their place together and Ainsley doing some serious soul searching to figure out exactly where she belongs and learning how to deal with Angus. It's all Ainsley with the internal conflict because Royal already knows he loves her and will do anything for her he's just waiting for her to figure it out. Overall, it was a great romance I loved the banter between the characters and the conclusion was heartbreakingly bittersweet. I can't wait for the next books in the series.

Loved this story by Vanessa Kelly. Ainsley found herself in trouble and willing to do what ever she had to do to protect her unborn child, even give the child up. She only knows one person that she's willing to trust her child to, and he's an injured and surly highlander, but one who will do anything to protect her child and will raise it as her own.

The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly is was refreshing taste in Highlander romance. This one was similar to so many I have read, yet it so different. There was a new twist to the plot. An interesting turn of events that captured my whole heart in one swoop. The lady protagonist was a nothing like her predecessors. She's bold, clever, and funny. Lady Ainsley, is a strong independent woman of good standing. An unfortunate event happened and she takes every strength she has to set herself free. Her family is a sad excuse of people. They forced her to be with an abusive man. One that won't let her go. A highlander warrior has had his sights set on the beautiful heiress. But he knows nothing could happen between them because he's poor and she's wealthy. Lady Ainsley doesn't care. She places them in a predicament and nothing will stop her highlander. These characters have gone through so much yet they never give up. I liked their jokes and their easy banters. Both made this a steamy and fun read.

Royal and Ainsley, oh my! From their first meeting, there are fireworks. Royal is a war hero, a second son, and permanently scarred. Not a great catch, but from the beginning, Ainsley intrigues Royal, and Royal intrigues her. Misunderstandings abound, and these two separate until a failed elopement throws them together and results in AInsley’s banishment to her aunt’s in remote Scotland. When Royal decides to visit, he discovers her secret, and she realizes he is the only one she trusts with her most precious secret, feeling she has no other option.
Royal has a purpose, a reason to live, and, when Ainsley realizes she made the wrong choice, he has everything he ever wanted. They just need to learn to trust their feelings and each other.
These two are electric together. There is so much love and chemistry, even before they realize how strong it is. Royal and Ainsley are so well-matched and their every interaction left me giggling. Then there are the rest of the Kendricks. The clan is so full of characters you can’t help but to love them. Their antics will keep you rolling in laughter.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The story was well-written and fast-paced. Vanessa Kelly has become a must-read for me. This is the first in the Clan Kendrick Series, but if you missed the introduction of the Kendricks in Kelly’s last novel, The Highlander’s Princess Bride, you should really go back and check it out.
#ClanKendrick #ThHighlanderWhoProtectedMe #VanessaKelly

This new series continues from where The Highlander's Princess Bride (The Improper Princesses, #3) left off. Royal Kendrick is still obsessed with Lady Ainsley Matthews and after having organized the family estate papers for Nick, and feeling at lost ends with himself, Victoria convinces him to check upon Ainsley at her great-aunt's manor, where she had mysteriously disappeared at at the end of the previous book The mystery of why she went there becomes quite apparent. She is very pregnant, having been raped by her former fiancee, the Marquess of Cringlewood. After her daughter is born, she is terrified that the cruel man will harm her daughter, so she gives her to Royal to raise, naming her after his mother, Tira. While Royal would like her to marry him, because of the timing, she fears that Cringlewood would learn the truth. The Kendricks give out the story, that the baby is Royal's from a barmaid, who doesn't want her. But Ainsley is heartbroken and six months later returns to Royal, asking him to marry her anyway. However, Ainsley is still keeping a secret from Royal which will put Both mother and child in danger from Cringlewood. Can the Kendrick clan keep them safe?

For those who did not read the previous book and also for those who did, but don't remember, the author provides a brief narrative of the relevant events that happened before. The characters are appealing the plot well developed and there is a HEA. I received a free, advanced copy of this book from Net Galley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review

This new story from Vanessa Kelly is the first in her Clan Kendrick series, but it reads like it’s part of something bigger. I did a little bit of digging and discovered that the Kendrick family and the couple who led it were the main characters in The Highlander’s Princess Bride, the last in Kelly’s Improper Princesses trilogy. Obviously, I didn’t read that book and I enjoyed this one anyway. But it was very clear that there was a lot of story before this that came in another book, not just with the other couple but with the main hero and heroine here. So if that sort of thing bothers you, be warned. It niggled me a bit to have their past referenced, but the author does a good enough job of filling in the blanks so at least I wasn’t lost.

As the story begins, the hero is already half in love with Lady Ainsley. Royal was injured at Waterloo and has been kind of checked out on his life ever since. But with Ainsley, he feels alive again. Unfortunately, she is engaged to another man. Fast forward a year or so and you skip the course of events that transpired between them in the other book. Apparently, Royal had tried to kidnap Ainsley because he thought she would rather marry him. It did not go well. Now she is living with an aunt, too ruined by his kidnapping to get married. And he has no idea whether she considers him a friend or foe. But she wrote him a letter, so he takes a chance and goes to visit her.

It’s there he discovers she is hiding a major secret and he takes it upon himself to protect her from the fall out. Hence the title of the book.

I adored Royal. He was almost too good to be true. He is strong, stoic, and the kind of man who would defend a loved one to the death. I love a scarred hero. He wasn’t as tortured as I thought he would be. But he was still right in my lane. A working man. Calluses on his hands, but a soft tender heart. Ainsley was a bit of a tough nut to crack. There were times when I felt she was a bit too selfish and occasionally wondered what Royal saw in her. Yes, she has reasons for some of her behavior. She has been through something very difficult. But who she is as a person existed before that and frankly, she needed a bit of work.

I think that there were times the romance was more difficult than it needed to be. Ainsley ignored an obvious solution by prioritizing her reputation at a time where that should’ve just gone out of the window. I get the reasons she thought she had, but at the end of the day everyone ended up in a position really no different than if she would have just ripped the Band-Aid off at the beginning. I know I am being vague, but I don’t want to spoil too much.

I did like the writing. That first chapter was really good, in particular. It drew me right in to the story and made me excited to see what would happen between these two. It lost me a little, though, in skipping over the time I messed with them in the last book. And Ainsley, herself, took a little bit of the shine off of the rose. But it was still a pretty good read. Royal is responsible for that. And I would probably read more in this series to get to know his passel of brothers.

A quick, easy, and enjoyable story.

Rating: B

Vanessa Kelly knows how to tell a story that can capture and enchant her audience. It was so great to get another opportunity to spend time with the wonderful characters from Clan Kendrick. Royal and Ainsley pick up where they left of on their relationship that is fraught with drama. They cling to each other sometimes with the desperation that only love can give. Grandda settles in the middle of their relationship and pops up at the most in opportune of times. The Clan rallies around Tira, Royal and Ainsley to get them through their problems. They cling to each as their love grows stronger and they come out on the other side forged in steel.

First time reading this author and I enjoyed her writting style.The book had great characters and held my intrerest from start to finish.Very true to life characters with problems and drama true to the time period which the story takes place.I read this book as an arc and this is my honest opinion.

Lady Ainsley Matthews shares a moment with Royal Kendrick at an event. He likes her immediately but her fiancé interrupts them and Royal forces himself to put thoughts of her aside. He is a wounded war hero with the love of his family but he struggles to find his place after his crippling injuries.

Royal discovers that Ainsley is in Scotland and sets out to speak with her. He is shocked by her pregnancy and wonders what happened to her impending marriage. The story is slow moving. Once Ainsley has her baby, she asks Royal to take care of her daughter since she fears the true father would find out and force her to marry him. Royal who is totally smitten by Ainsley agrees.

I found it interesting that a woman would leave her baby with a guy who offers to marry her. She constantly refuses and makes some poor decisions along the way.

When I had started this book, I didn’t realize that the characters had appeared in a previous series. It explained why Royal is immediately drawn to Ainsley. I wished I had read the previous book so I could have seen the initial connection.

For the majority of the book, Ainsley goes through hot and cold with Royal which drove me crazy since he basically did whatever she asked him to do without question. She is not as kind to him as I had hoped especially after what she suffered through in her previous relationship. I expected more from her. Royal is too good to be true.

Towards the end of the book, the action picks up and the villain makes an appearance. He is not really compelling as one but I understood his role. I’m happy that it turned out well for Royal and Ainsley.

My favorite moments in the story are those that featured the rest of the Kendrick Clan. They are a riot and I look forward to more stories featuring them. Logan kind of drops a bomb at the end that left the other characters and even myself wanting to know exactly what he meant by this! Overall, a sweet start to the series.

~ Samantha

A story that will pull at your heartstrings and take you back in time to London and Scotland. "In the spare winter moonlight, she glowed with a beauty that lit up the corners of Royal Kendrick's battered soul. He felt alive again." How beautiful is that? The opening line alone drew me in and I could not stop until the last page. This is a story of two damaged souls who need each other, but have a journey to fully find happiness. The first meeting Royal had with Ainsley, he was enchanted. She was the glowing lady of the ton with an inheritance that would tempt any man.
I fell in love with Royal, who was wounded in body and soul by the war and strives to rejoin life again. When Ainsley comes to him, leaving a precious gift for him to care for, her child, he feels he has a purpose in life. Can the two come together and be happy?
The first book in a new series, there is everything to love about this tale. A Scottish warrior, an English lady who has had her own trials and of secondary characters who bring humor when needed.
Vanessa Kelly with her wonderful prose has written a story not soon forgotten and has me waiting on the next installment of the Clan Kendrick!!

The Highlander Who Protected Me
by Vanessa Kelly
Clan Kendrick Book 1 is the beginning of a new series.
This is Royal and Ainsley's story Ive been waiting to read his story for a while now and I have to say that I wasn’t disappointed at all! We start of with Ainsley’s big secret Royal never expected to find the woman that had been plaguing his sleep and wakeful hours, hiding away with a secret that seems ready to make his/her presence known. Feeling Ainsley’s fragile state he lets her know he will help and support her in any way without needing to share her secrets unless she’s ready. The story will pull at your heartstrings heart warming and filled with witty banter that will keep you entertained until the last page. Royal is a wounded war hero who has suffered and has been fighting his own demons,but his love for Ainsley is the only thing that has given him hope. Ainsley is hiding many secrets and is fighting her own nightmare as well she knows that Royal will protect her no mater what, but she’s not willing to put him in danger. When the secrets begin to unravel, their relationship and blossoming love are threatened. The journey that follows is amazing and will keep you hooked until the very last page. Vanessa Kelly is a talented author who continues to amaze and delight with the stories she writes.
I can’t wait to read the next one and I have a feeling it’s going to be amazing!

I recieved a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest unbiased opinion.

Wow! This historical read had me hooked from beginning to end. Royal fell for Ainsley the moment he met her but felt he wasn’t good enough for her. When Ainsley falls pregnant with her fiancée/rapist she knows she can trust Royal to keep her baby and her safe. Royal and Ainsley are great together, he seems to know exactly what she needed. The story is fast-paced with plenty of drama and emotion, the characters are amazing and the story really draws you back in time. A wonderful read.