Many Ton marriages are arranged for wealth and position. Lady Alice’s parents are planning to wed her to a peer who has lost his three previous wives to unnatural circumstances within a few short years of marriage after not being able to produce an heir. Alice feels sure she will be the fourth to die an unnatural death should she be forced to marry him. Her close friend Elizabet married is married to a Highlander and appears to be quite happy living with him in Scotland. The poor man who delivered the message is the highlander’s cousin Philip. Alice decides Philip is her ticket out of the forced marriage and into life with Elizabet.

Alice forces Philip to take her to Scotland and Elizabet. These two are at cross purposes from the very beginning and had a serious lack of communication. Philip would tell Alice not to do something with out any explanation. She would do exactly what he told her not to do believing it was better for her to think for herself. He would tell her she was not thinking. And, on it went. Awkwardly, they end of married because Alice does not realize the Scottish laws of declaration before witnesses.

I do not think I have seen any young lady of that time period work so hard to rid herself of her virginity. Philip, a gentleman who does not want to be married, stays as far from her as he can even in tight circumstances. I love how she ogles him in his kilt.

This is a quick, light-hearted read that will have you laughing at their arguments and witty banter. It is third in The MacGregor Lairds series and unique as a stand alone. Although it is great read in sequence, too.

Really enjoyed this story. Alice is spoiled, but she's so right about avoiding this horrible marriage! She shows a great deal of sassiness and courage. Philip is strong and dependable. I would have liked to know him a little better. The plot is great. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough and left lots of things hanging.

4.25 Stars
Lady Alice Chivers is done being controlled by her family. On the run from an arranged marriage to an elderly earl who has been widowed three times. She encounters Philip MacGregor & manages to blackmail him to take her to Scotland to be with her friend Elisabet. But now they find themselves in an accidental marriage, and soon they’re both playing a role that feels like it was meant to be real.
Philip is cautious, in control, and in way over his head with his unexpected wife. She’s intense, spontaneous, and can’t follow an order to save her life. And he might be falling completely in love with her. However, her distractions endanger the lives of those he loves. Now he must somehow undo the damage that has been done, before his friends pay with their lives.
A well written novel the pace was good & kept my interest throughout & I read it in two sittings & it whiled away a long train journey. The characters were well portrayed, I really liked Philip & Alice. He was a strong silent type but also organised & liked things done in a certain way. Alice was quite flighty & began as being a pampered self centred young woman at the court of King Charles but throughout the book she grew into a caring strong albeit annoying woman. The pair were well matched & I particularly loved their verbal spats, their journey to Scotland was highly entertaining. I was left wanting more especially wanting to know what happened to Will & Rose
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

A cute romance, easy to get lost in with an enjoyable story. This would be a good book to read at the beach or while on vacation!

How to Blackmail a Highlander by Michelle McLean
The MacGregor Lairds #

Miss Alice Cheevers is engaged to an old man and she is not happy about it. She is an obedient daughter who understands the value of marrying for wealth and social position...as long as...it is not her that has to do so. And, the idea that the old guy she is to marry has already buried more than one young bride has her nervous...nervous enough to blackmail the young Scotsman who arrives bearing a letter from her best friend Elizabet. Philip MacGregor has no intention of taking Alice along with him on his return to Scotland but before he knows it there she is and along she comes. How she manages to do so, their interactions on the way and after they arrive are the rest of the story AND how they find their HEA was interesting to read. I did find Alice impetuous, spoiled, headstrong and not always aware of the danger she set herself up for and I found Philip to be hardheaded and a bit dense at times when he looked at his own emotions and feelings.

This was a light fun easy read that was somewhat predictable but also thoroughly enjoyable...if not very deep.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Lady Alice Chivers is trying to enjoy her last night of freedom before her parents betroth her to the Earl of Woolsmere, a man old enough to be her grandfather and who has already buried 3 much younger wives. Her parents refuse to listen to her pleas or give any credence to the rumors that his wives all died under questionable circumstances. She wishes her dearest friend Elizabet was here to talk to, but she hasn't heard from her since she left England to join her husband in exile. Desperate for a moment alone, she slips out on the terrace and is grabbed by a man. Philip MacGregor is cousin to John, Elizabet's husband. He delivers a letter and tells her he will meet her in the morning for her reply.

Alice hatches a plan, she will ask Philip to take her to Elizabet and when he refuses, she forms another plan, she follows him to his inn and blackmails him. Philip agrees to take her to Scotland, but that is as far as he will go, he warns that Ramsey (Elizabet's former betrothed and enemy) might be watching her and will not place John or Elizabet in danger. He tells her to meet him in Dover and he will escort her to Scotland. Philip doesn't expect to see her again and when she turns up in his cabin on the ship, he is more than a little shocked and if he is honest, impressed.

Alice and Philip are about as opposite as you can get, they bicker constantly and Alice's impulsive nature lands them in trouble time and again. Most notably when she declares they are married and he agrees, she is surprised to learn that in Scotland that is all it takes to be truly married. She is fine with being married to Philip, but he is sure she will regret it sooner or later.

They finally reach Elizabet and the two begin to think there might be a future for them, that is until trouble in the form of Ramsey comes calling.

Personally, I found the first 75% of this book to be repetitive and didn't feel any real connection between Philip and Alice. The story does become very interesting after they join Elizabet and John, but even at the end, I didn't really "feel" the love between them. This is the third book in the series and can be read as a stand alone, but there is a lot of crossover from the previous books and while there is some backstory given, you would probably enjoy this book more if you read the books in order.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

This is my fair and honest review, as promised, in return for this ARC. Lots of action and more headstrong women and Scots than you can shake a fist at!

How to Blackmail a Highlander by Michelle McLean starts off with Lady Alice Chivers dancing the night away while her mother scowls at her across the room. The reader quickly learns that Lady Alice's engagement to a decrepit, lecherous Duke is forthcoming. Out of desperation Alice comes up with a scheme that involves blackmailing a highlander into escorting her to Scotland. Posing as his sister, Alice shares his room on board a ship and all too soon, adventure and danger awaits.

This book was filled with humor and fun with a bit of mystery surrounding Alice's fiance. It is part of a series, but also serves as a stand alone, which was nice since I didn't read the other books. It is lighthearted and romantic! I personally thought Alice was too spoiled, so I enjoyed watching her character develop and mature.

Thanks to NetGalley, Michelle McLean, and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the ARC for me to read and review. As always, my opinions are my own.

Lady Alice is being forced to marry a Duke. It wouldn't be so awful if he hasn't already had three wives before her, that died in mysterious occurrences. Afraid of her future she wants to escape at any cost- even if she has to blackmail the handsome highlander...

Let me say from the beginning- this book is not really how to blackmail the Scottish warrior, I could even say the blackmail here was ridiculous. This book is more of a journey to freedom, to having a choice and finding love in between. If you look at this book this way it sounds more interesting, doesn't it? But... Yes, there is some but.

I had so many issues with the heroine. Lady Alice Chivers was a bratty, often childish and spoiled women, if you want to call her a women. Very often I felt like she was more of a child than a conscious adult, never listening, never trusting always demanding and never actually asking. She behaved entitled and like a queen of the world and all this made me to really not like her as a main character of the book. I understand that she wanted freedom, she wanted to make her own choices but for God sake- show some grace and humanity! Maybe author planned her character to be this way to show her change at the end of the novel, however I just had to 'face palm' myself many times throughout this novel. I loved Philip - there is no word against him leaving my lips just... If I were you I would definitely serve some spanking to Lady Alice!

This was my first book in this series but I wished I read the other two first. It was easy to follow the story, however I would enjoy it more if I knew all the details from the beginning. I might reach for them later this year just to see the other ladies' stories.

Also if you're looking for hot scenes in this romance- you won't find many. A little bit of kissing here and one wedding night which wasn't excessively described. This was kind of a disappointment as the tension between characters was skillfully built and I was expecting to cover the pages from the crowd around me, once the time came, but it wasn't the case here. Actually I found it a little bit boring and not exciting at all. Considering all the other (non love) action described in the book I though the act of passion would be simply hotter. It's my issue so other readers might actually enjoy it! If you're looking more for the plot, adventures and action than this is certainly a book for you!
To finish this review on the good note I will say that Michelle McLean knows how to write tension and action and because of that I do recommend this read. I can't wait to see more of her and maybe Rosie's story?


Thank you NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Alice has it bad! She is a doll of English high society, who is enjoying the dancing and social life at court. Her father has other plans for her which involve marrying a nasty, stinking old man to unite their families and give him an heir. Alice knows it us her duty, but the more she stops and thinks about it, the more she realizes this old guy is going to kill her if she doesn't give him an heir. So, she takes things into her own hand and blackmailed a hit Scottish highlander to take her to her bff who also ran out on an arranged marriage to escape a family business deal. In the meantime, can Allice really handle the surly highlander despite his good looks and sense of loyalty. This is the third book in this series, but it can be read by itself.

Publisher's Description:

Lady Alice Chivers is done being controlled by her family. On the run from an arranged marriage, she needs a strong Highlander to escape. Only Philip MacGregor insists on sending her back to her pampered life, so she’ll just have to blackmail him instead. But now they find themselves in an accidental marriage, and soon they’re both playing a role that feels like it was meant to be real.

Philip is cautious, in control, and in way over his head with his unexpected wife. She’s intense, spontaneous, and can’t follow an order to save her life. And he might be falling completely in love with her. However, her distractions endanger the lives of those he loves. Now he must somehow undo the damage that has been done, before his friends pay with their lives.

My Thoughts:
This is the third book in this series and although linked they are each a standalone.
Is Alice really in danger from her intended or is he just a lecherous old man? Even if he is no danger to her she finds the match distasteful.
Her perceived danger is what sends her on the run but the handsome Philip MacGregor wants nothing to do with her run away bride scheme.
He finds himself caught up in Alice's scheme even though he refuses to help her. Now due to highland law he is unintentionally married to her. By the end of this book they will be married multiple times.
Will he be able to resist her charms and get her back to her home unscathed?
This is a delightfully humorous romance from the start. It does have it's twists and turns and danger but the humor is what makes this an enjoyable read.
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. This humorous tale is not to be missed. Even though part of a series this book reads well as a standalone with only some of the background and linked characters being missed out on. This doesn't detract from this story.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This is the first book I've read by this author and, while it wasn't an uninteresting story, it was only okay.

The blurb lured me in and I enjoyed it.

The heroine, Alice, has her entire life planned out for her. By others, of course. Her parents had chosen a fiance for her but she doesn't want anything to do with him. There are some rumors about him and Alice doesn't want to see whether they're right or not.

Alice was funny. I liked her. She was also stubborn and determined to take matters into her own hands, and that's exactly what she does by striking a deal/blackmailing the cousin of her best friend's husband.

Phillip had always liked Alice but he knew the world of trouble he'd be getting in if he did what she told him, but he couldn't get out of it, try as he might.

I really liked the beginning and the middle, but then it felt a bit rushed and they quickly went from not standing each other to falling in love. I didn't feel or experience it with them.

Anyway, it's still an enjoyable read. I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy via Netgalley and my rating is 3.5 stars.

How to Blackmail a Highlander
(The MacGregor Lairds #3)
By Michelle McLean

Alice Chivers is a pampered lady who is tired of being controlled by her family so she asks the hunky Highlander who surprises her with a letter from her friend to help her run away. When the Highlander says no she resorts to blackmail. Now blackmail has lead them into an accidental marriage, and soon they are both playing a role that feels very real.

Philip Macgregor is a cautious man who is always in control, and is now in an over his head with his new unexpected wife. She is feisty, spontaneous, and couldn't follow an order even if it saved her life. And now he's falling in love with her however, her distractions endanger the lives of those he loves. Now he's got to fix the damage that is done, before his friends end up paying with their lives.

Michelle McLean is a talented author who writes a spectacular Highlander Romance that takes you on a journey from the ballrooms of England to beautiful bonnie Scotland. The main characters were absolutely delightful and I enjoyed their bickering and arguing. Where Philip is all control, Alice is chaotic and all over the place. This book is definitely worth reading.

I loved Alice and Phillip's story!!

Alice isn't about to marry the man who has already buried 3 wives so when Philip delivers a much wanted letter from her exiled best friend, she jumps at the chance to have him help her. Too bad he doesn't seem inclined to do so. This is until she blackmails him...

Philip will do anything to protect his best friend, even if it means being blackmailed by a pampered debutant. They soon find themselves in an accidental marriage and Philip learns it is not so easy to get rid of an unwanted bride. Can this unlikely pair make a go of it and find their HEA?

I really enjoyed the latest addition to the MacGregor Laird series. I loved watching these two together and their bantering had me laughing out loud. I'm excited to see what McLean comes up with next!

I loved this witty and entertaining novle. The banter and shenanigans that transpired between Philip and Alice made for a great romance. This book was a laugh from page one and j couldn't put it down. I look forward to more books by this inspiring author.

A fun highlander romance story about headstrong Alice and hunky Philip. Sparks fly and tempers abound in this fun romp. For one, they get married at least 3 times during their adventure. This is the first book I've read in the series, so since it is book 3 there are a few things that didn't have much impact for me. For example, the creepy guy who followed them and tried to kidnap two of the ladies. Luckily it was short section, but didn't see much point. Naturally it would make more sense to read the other two books. Overall though, found this hard to put down, and loved the banter. Highly recommend this book and author.

Such a great book. Laughed so much. Just a fun book with great characters. Watching them grow as people and get out of their comfort zone is great.

Loved this story! Alice is a pampered lady whose parents have arranged her engagement to an elderly and wealthy man who's had three wives predecease him in just a few years. As she is terrified that should she wed him he will cause her death, she finds her salvation in Philip, a highlander and best friend to her best friend's husband. She blackmail's him into taking her to Scotland. Philip is a man of his word, and therefore chooses the words he uses very precisely......a fact that Alice learns a bit too late.

This is an entertaining tale that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the characters and their non traditional love story set in a harsh environment that left few, if any, options for women to determine their own fate.

Fans of the genre will love this book, and, if you're not a fan of the genre, this novel might just change your mind. The author is on my must read authors' list.

Alice and Phillip managed to get married three times in this story. That is just one of the interesting and hilarious highlights. This series never fails to bring delight and joy. The women are feisty and Always go to great lengths to bring their men to their knees. Alice on many occasions leaves Phillip speechless with her antics. New friends are made and old ones are renewed. Alive and Phillip to the very end are joking and teasing each other as they enjoy the start of their happily ever after.

Spoiled and high born, Lady Alice has it all, until her parents agree to her betrothal to an earl who is much older and has a string of former wives who have died under suspicious circumstances. Everyone she confides her fears to dismisses this information as idle gossip, so Alice decides to take matters into her own hands. When Philip MacGregor arrives at her house to deliver a message from her friend Elizabet, who now lives in Scotland with her husband (who was exiled from England), Alice takes her chance and blackmails Philip into taking her back to Scotland with him. He knows this is a bad idea, but he can't risk the safety of Elizabet and her husband, John (his cousin). Despite his attempts to send her back, Philip winds up stuck with Alice and after an incident at an inn, the two find themselves married. Sort of. Now responsible for her safety, Philip knows he must rush back to his family's stronghold with Alice in tow before the news of their marriage reaches Alice's family. As travel forces the two together more and more, Philip finds it increasingly difficult to resist Alice's advances and they both begin to feel the sexual tension between them. By the time the two of them acknowledge their true feelings, Alice's unwavering stubbornness and Philip's rather misplaced sense of honor may combine to keep them apart for good.

Full disclosure, Alice drove me nuts. She fell into the "strong heroines" category that seems so popular lately in which the heroine knows her own mind and refuses to listen to anyone else (especially a man) and then her own stupidity gets her into trouble that could've easily been avoided if she'd taken a minute to be sensible instead of being so focused on asserting independence. Alice's stubbornness and impulsiveness fell into this category, causing numerous problems for herself, Philip, and others around her. Although I understand the undesirability and peril of the situation in which she found herself, there were many instances that she could've handled much better with just a little time for thought. Although, supposedly her impulsiveness paid off in the end, in a way, so at least there was a place for it at times here.

Despite my rant, I nonetheless enjoyed this story and it was nice to see Philip and Alice realize that their differences didn't really matter, just their love for each other.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and read and reviewed it voluntarily. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.