Trained physician Isabella Murray Drummond is being hunted by both Scottish rebels and the British government. Recently widowed and hiding out in the Highlands, she encounters a wounded ship's captain on the beach and is compelled to save him.

Cinaed Mackintosh is a sea captain operating on the fringes of the law and he's just lost everything. After saving each other, Cinaed and Isabella are drawn to each other, for safety and for reasons of the heart as well. Both are living in a perilous time and place with a highly uncertain future, but they soon realize they can't be without each other.

This is most definitely a deep and well-crafted literary work, not your typical light and fluffy romance. Steamy scenes occur mostly off page and the main focus is the adventures and trials of these two and the rich, violent, and tragic history of Scotland in a tumultuous time of what was essentially ethnic cleansing in the years after Culloden. Secrets are revealed about Cinaed's past and some threads are left untied to be explored and fleshed out in later books that I look forward to reading. There's sweet romance and character development here along with rich history and gripping storytelling. All in all, it's an intense, but great read that shouldn't be missed, especially if you're a history fan and feel like reading something with some depth.

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

3.5 stars. I liked this book. I liked the history of Scotland. I liked the H/h both. The story flowed well. I wish I would have known that this is the first book in the series! The ending had a semi-happy for now, but I was left hanging somewhat in that we don't know what happens to the characters next. This was disappointing. If these issues had been addressed, I would have given the book 4-4.5 stars.

This was a very good story, not your typical Highland romance...a female surgeon and a pirate. But the story line works very well and is very well written. The characters draw you in and have you wishing they find their HEA.

3.5*

This is a very well written story, though it really wasn't the type of romance that I typically read. May McGoldrick writes a powerfully dramatic and suspenseful story about Scottish history. This is a story that you need to pay attention to or you may easily get lost, as I did on occasion. I prefer when reading a romance novel, that the romance be the main focus with other genres as support. Here it was not and I struggled to keep focus and not skim to find the scenes between the main characters. There are two sex scenes that are almost nonexistent, so if you like your stories to have heat, then look elsewhere. One other issue that tended to break my focus in the story, there would be scene changes without warning; no visual breaks on the page. This happens most toward the end.

While this story was not exactly my cup of tea, readers who like romances that are heavy with history and intrigue will likely find this to be a great read.

My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review The Highland Crown by May Goldrick.

This book had me engrossed from start to finish! Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I very seldom write what a story is about as i prefer one to read the book for themselves, but i do highly recommend.

My thanks to Negalley and the Publishers for my ARC copy. This is my honest review.

History,intrigue, resourcefulness and love abound in this story. Isabelle and Cinaed are wonderful strong characters that make you feel like you're there with them.

Fast paced and exciting, this book sweeps you away in the waves of unrest and the fight for Scotland’s freedom. The story weaves fiction and history, bringing events and political intrigue to life. The raw ugliness of the fighting and the effects of torture are vividly portrayed alongside a fierce love story. The authors do a good job of defining the characters and their motives, giving you more insight into the politics of the period.

This is an engrossing tale, as can be expected from May McGoldrick. The prologue, written from the viewpoint of Sir Walter Scott, provides some background information for those not familiar with Scottish history.
Innocently caught in the political and economic upheavals of the times, Isabella is hiding from bounty hunters until she saves the life of the shipwrecked Cinead. Together they are forced to flee, unsure of who they may trust.
Quite suspenseful with some unexpected twists and turns.

This book was a crazy adventure right from the start. I immediately fell in love with Cinead. The way he loved and took care of Isabella right from the start was epic and impressive since he was dominating in her own right. I really cant wait read the Highland Jewel. This is the beginning of an elic adventure.

Excellent story! I felt like I was reading a history of conflict. The book was written in a style that felt old which lended a sense of facts instead fiction. I felt like I was in the period. So much conflict and questioning who to trust was clear. The romance was a nice story too. The ending obviously doesn't answer all the questions so now I can't wait to read the next installment of this series. Great reading!

I confess this is the first May McGoldrick book i have read. I received it from the author in exchange for my opinion if i wished to give it and review. I am so glad i finally took the plunge and started reading this author's books. I have long read descriptions of the other ones and was tempted but never read one. This book held my attention with the mixture of historical fact and fiction and the characters. It was a romance with action seamlessly woven in and i enjoyed it very much. I usually don't care for cliffhangers but i had decided to read more from this author when i finished this, so i wasn't too annoyed that the story is to be continued. This is well worth the time to read.