A fun shipboard romance between feisty Louisa and Captain Ian. When Louisa embarasses her father by performing on stage he ships her off to America to get married. Naturally she is not happy, and switches places with her maid, and she pretends to be her companion. I enjoyed this one, and the banter was fun to read. I can understand the struggles of women back then, and sympathize with their plight, but at times Louisa's actions seem more modern than the times. Still though, I highly recommend this one, and would give it 4.5.

Saving the Scot
The Highlanders of Balforss #4
By Jennifer Trethewey
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Louisa Robertsin is what I would call a handfull, since her father is away she decides that she's going to take up acting which doesn't go the way she expected because her father comes home unexpectedly and is absolutely furious when he finds her acting on the stage. He has warned her time and again that if she causes one more problem he will find her a suitable husband which is something she does not want.

Now Louisa is being sent to America of all places to marry a complete stranger that her father thinks will bring out the 'Lady' in her, but Louisa has a plan and a devious one at that. Luckily for Louisa her ladys maid has agreed to switch places with her. Her maid will be the one to marry the wealthy American and get all the benefits from her wealthy station in life which is something she's always dreamed of and as for Louisa well she can do whatever the heck she wants because she's free for the first time in her life and it feels glorious.

Ian Sinclair is a Highlander who desperately wants an army commission, and it seems the only way he has a chance of getting one is to safely deliver the general's fiesty daughter to her husband to be in America. Sounds easy right? Well that remains to be seen because it would be easy if the lady's companion Lousia didn't wear breaches and actually listen to what he tells her. Instead she does the exact opposite of what he tells her to do. Also it would be a miracle if the sparks that fly back and forth between Ian and Louisa don't set the ship a flame before they arrive in America.

And just when Louaia is sure that her plan is going to give her everything she wants....Ian discovers her secret.

Jennifer Trethewey writes some of the best Highlander novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and trust me when I say this one does not disappoint. Her Highlanders are strong, brave, fierce, kind, and loving. While her heroines are feisty, loyal, hellions that can only be tamed by a Highlander. To put it bluntly Ms. Trethewey is absolutely brilliant and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

This is the first book I've read by this authour I really like the main characters Lousia and Ian. I felt bad for Lousia being carted off to America just for being herself. When Mairi and Louisa decided to switch places I hoped things wouldn't go down in flames and glad everything worked out in the end. I would have liked to here more about who Reverend Wynterbottom truly was

With a large portion of the story occurring on a ship and the majority of the rest in America, this is not your everyday Scottish romance! Which is really what made it so enjoyable, the unique settings and people the main characters came into contact with throughout the story. The book also touched on some really interesting historical subjects, like indentured servants and women on the stage in the early 19th century. If you like history, romance at sea, and braw Scottish heroes, you will enjoy Saving the Scot.

All Louisa Robertson wants to do is act. The trouble is that she was born the wrong gender and to a Scottish General who is having none of her nonsense. Caught on stage dressed as a man, Louisa is dragged off by her father and subsequently sent to America to be married off. Having no intention of following orders, she conspires with her maid to switch places - her maid will marry Louisa's betrothed and Louisa will be free to become a famous actress. All this is unknown to the man accompanying her overseas. Ian Sinclair, former Captain of the 42nd Royal Highlanders of Foot, just wants is a commission so he can rejoin the army, but he won't be granted that until he acts as babysitter to the General's daughter. Expecting a hellion, he encounters a relatively tame young woman. It's her maid who is the terror! Although initially attracted by her beauty, it's her wit and good heart that captures his own. When Louisa's secret comes to light, it's only a question of whether or not they will both come out of this with what they want.

While I enjoyed the characters of both Louisa and Ian, there were definitely some spots in this romance that had me shaking my head in frustration. Louisa had many childish moment, and while her immaturity stemmed from her young age and spoiled childhood, it was difficult relating to her. Obviously, she was a very fun character and one that could be relatable to any teenager today. The trouble was that she wanted to be seen as an independent woman - and her actions didn't make me think she could truly be independent. Ian was infinitely more mature, and so more relatable for me, and he had been on his own long enough to develop an independence that Louisa craved. I liked that his relationship with Louisa allowed them both to grow as individuals, with Louisa realizing what it means to be an adult and Ian learning how to loosen up a bit. They were good for each other in the end, and it was wonderful growth as the story progressed.

Honorable mention goes to Louisa's friendship with her maid, Mairi - their friendship is one which I hope to have some day. The banter was so funny, and they kept each other on their toes. It was the perfect example of a strong female friendship that I usually only see in contemporary novels. Brava to Jennifer Tretheway for including it in a historical novel!

Wonderful book with extraordinary characters! This is not a book to miss.

“Saving The Scot” by Jennifer Trethewey was an expectingly cute story and I liked the dynamic between Ian and Louise but their back-and-forth hate-love you type of relationship became too repetitive and became tiring after a while. Overall all, a good read but nothing memorable.

First off, as LEO wife this book's dedication got me in the feels right to start with. It's a tough time to be a first responder, so thank you Ms. Trethewey for acknowledging our everyday heroes.

Our heroine Louisa Robertson has found her love in acting on stage, but when her father discovers her activities he is livid. The angry Highland general follows through on his threat to ship her off to America for marriage to a man she's never met, but who he hopes will bring out more ladylike behavior in her. Louisa has no choice but to go through with the journey, but she convinces her maid to switch places with her. This way Mairi can marry Louisa's betrothed in America and advance to a better lifestyle and Louisa can finally have the freedom she longs for to be whoever she wants to be.

Former army captain turned ship's captain Ian Sinclair misses the order and discipline of the army and longs for a new commission. When his former superior, to whom he owes his life, offers a commission in exchange for the completion of a personal favor, Captain Sinclair feels he can't refuse. But when this favor turns out to be ferrying the General's "Daughter from Hell" across the Atlantic, Ian wonders just what he's gotten himself into and sees his hopes of a new commission slipping away before he's even left port.

Aboard ship, sparks fly almost immediately with the belligerent lady's companion blatantly disregarding Ian's orders and throwing his need for order into disarray. As he helps the lady's companion, Miss MacQuarie (really Louisa) with her fear of enclosed places, the two grow ever closer. Their connection is immediate and as it develops more and more, and Louisa finds it increasingly difficult to keep up the charade. As their attraction heats up, Louisa becomes even more uncomfortable with her lies and when Ian learns the truth anyway, it looks like any future they might have had is a moot point.

This is where the review might get just a bit ranty. Louisa's behavior was annoying, bratty, and mostly selfish and yet I can understand her need for freedom and her desire for love and affection from her father and two elder brothers. She was still a brat though, and very quick to judge Ian without a care for the uncomfortable position her father had put him in. Louisa was young and naive and definitely had a lot to learn, but her father's treatment of her was rather harsh. Louisa hopes to begin an acting career, but really she just longs for someone to believe in her.

Poor Ian just craves order and he thinks a commission in the army will help him with what seems to be fairly strong OCD tendencies. He can't seem to control his reaction to Miss MacQuarie (Louisa), he's afraid he'll fail the general in his task, and he has just learned that he has a six year old son awaiting his return to Edinburgh. Poor guy just can't catch a break.

Honestly I found Mairi (the actual lady's maid) just as bratty and annoying as Louisa, just in a different way, and yet I still found myself snickering at their antics anyway. I just felt like some of Louisa's naivete, combined with the behavior that got her shipped off in the first place just didn't jive together believably. I could make excuses and deal with Louisa fairly well up until right at the very end when the major obstacles keeping her and Ian apart had been mostly cleared away and seh still judged him, and didn't let him explain himself when he told her about his son. She seems to show this new growth and self-awareness and then just as quickly reverts right back into her old ways of being judgmental and self-centered. That said, it was still nice to see the unconventional Louisa breathe some life into the said and well-ordered Ian.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

everything that I hoped it would be! one of my favorite HEAs, using my favorite premise. i love people pretending to be other people, and Scots are my kink right now.

What a book. Great characters each wanting a better life for themselves but knowing the sacrifices they'll have to make to achieve it. They have an instant pull toward each other they can't deny and a long journey to explore it.

Louisa Robertson’s father is furious when he finds her acting on stage. Now, she’s being shipped off to America to marry some stranger her father thinks will bring out the “lady” in her. Luckily, Louisa’s maid agrees to switch places with her! Her maid will marry the American and get the wealthy lifestyle she’s always wanted, and Louisa can do whatever she damn well pleases––for the first time in her life.

Highlander Ian Sinclair needs an army commission, and the only way he can get one is to safely deliver the general’s Daughter-from-Hell to her intended in America.

Easy, right? It would be if the lady’s companion Louisa didn’t wear breeches and do everything the exact opposite of what he orders. It’ll be a miracle if the sparks flying between Ian and Louisa don’t set the bloody ship afire before they arrive in America. But just when Louisa thinks her plan is going to give her the acting career she wants and a Highlander to boot...Ian discovers her secret.

Louisa is certain her family has no love for her so her scheme is the only way to get her heart's desire. Only love is not what she aims for but it is what she gets anyway.

This book is a delightfully humorous book that had me engaged though out.. I have read this entire series and this is my favorite so far.
Louisa and Ian were meant for each other but will her father see it that way?
I gave this book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and even the treacherous moments have their bits of humor.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I love reading historical romance, especially Highlander/ Scot themed books. Although, I have not been familiar with the author I must say - Jennifer Trethewey has been just added to my favorite list of authors!
Why? The answer is simple. After reading Saving The Scot, I loved the heroine to be a strong opinionated lass, that rightfully gets nicknamed "General's Daughter from Hell"in this book !
From the first page, I loved the story line. I mean I truly had so much fun reading this book that I went ahead and purchased the other 3 in series from this author for my kindle! I honestly can't wait to read them!
I have to add to this: We all love historical romance authors that we love and appreciate and don't hesitate to buy books because the are "established", but in fact we should all look for newcomers such as Jennifer Trethewey because they are truly a gem in this genre!

Saving the Scot
by Jennifer Trethewey


Are you ready for a wild ride! Actually it’s a wild sail. This trip will keep you in constant suspense of what happens next. Identity swap, intense flirtation, orders disobeyed, fake marriage, shocking secrets and lets not forget the Pirates.

Louisa is going to show her father she can make it in show business. Ian is finally going to get his commission! Do they get what they want? What if they find out what they truly wanted they really had all along but it took this voyage to put things in perspective.

This book is well plotted, and the characters are very detailed to the point of you can almost feel what the characters feel. I recommend this book to read if you’re looking for a adventure. I personally love it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#Nergalley

SAVING THE SCOT was sweet, fun, and a bit adventurous—exactly what I needed in the moment. While reading, I often found myself taken by surprise at just how kind and understanding the hero, Ian, always was. His mental health struggles were also handled with grace and understanding by both the narration and the protagonist, Louisa. Despite the main concept largely revolving around a significant deception, this wasn't a huge drawback for me, as it was not done with ill intent, and the issues with the deception were addressed over the course of the book.

The main negative for me was Louisa's immaturity, which wasn't especially prominent throughout, but was the driving force behind the main plot taking place at all. This led to the ending revealing Louisa to be more childish than she had been for most of the book, which put a damper on my satisfaction with the conclusion. Ultimately, however, the romance was sweet, Ian is the picture of a supportive Highlander love interest, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

I received an advanced reader's copy of Saving the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had never read anything by Jennifer Trethewey before this, but I did enjoy her writing style if not this particular novel.

The good: I found the novel to be well written and the dialogue between the characters (primary characters as well as secondary) in that time period was amusing. The plot was not new/different, but it was well written.

The bad: nothing really new/novel about the plot. In addition, I just didn't see the appeal or chemistry for the main characters (the reader's interest in them nor their interest in each other).

I would be interested in reading a future novel by Jennifer Trethewey to see if different main characters who are more likeable/appealing would make a difference, but would give this novel 3.25 stars.

Good book! It had just the right amount of humor, the right amount of angst and the right amount of action/adventure. The storyline holds the reader's attention and keeps the pages turning. And, last but not least, it has a HEA. The characters are all strong and entirely believable.

This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed reading this historical Scottish romance. Loved Luisa's mischievous personality. She embarks on a journey to America with her maid who after much persuasion agrees to take her place when her father forces her to marry. She meets Captain Ian when he is entrusted with her safe arrival to America.
Ian is a strong, kind man who allows Luisa to be herself and appreciates her thirst for knowledge and the theater. I loved when he soothes her fear of small spaces and she in turn alleviates his migraines. Very sweet and humorous romance.

This novel spans across Scotland to the northeast coast of America. The two main characters, both harboring secrets will have an impact on their relationship.Louisa Robertson wants to be an actress. when her father hauls her off the stage, he tells she he has arranged for her to marry a man in America. Louisa is devastated by this and plots with her maid to switch places so she can follow her "dream". Ian Sinclair has his own troubles, wanting to get a commission after he was injured in battle. To receive the commission. General Robertson asks him to bring his daughter to America to wed her intended. Ian agrees, but discovers something of importance early in the novel which will later impact his budding relationship with Louisa. Ian believes Louisa to be her maid and is frustrated at all the trouble she causes. He was led to believe the general's daughter was the hellion. Still, despite everything, both are drawn to each other likes moths to a flame. As Louisa falls for him, she cannot handle being called by her maid's name, to which Ian does not quite understand. Ian wants to tell Louisa his secret, but has not fully grasped it yet. Their secrets could be their undoing or could make them realize that despite the secrets, their love is strong enough to overcome them.