Bridget, the heroine, is determined to make the world a better place by helping one abused woman at a time. In fact, her selfless dream of running a home to do just that had me loving her character from the get go. She had spunk, feistiness, and wasn’t about to let anything stand in her way, including the unexpected glitch in her deceased daddy’s will. She finds herself dumped onto the doorstep of a handsome, never plans to marry, rake reputation guardian. Unfortunately for her, his job is to find her a husband. With a “what’s good for the gander is good for the goose” undertone, Bridget hopes to derail that plan long enough to escape the marital hangman’s noose until she is old enough not to have to answer to anyone.

After a lot of expected back and forth bickering/banter, Cam, of course, eventually starts to fall for Bridget and vice versa. That is always my favorite part, folks. I love the push and pull of fighting attraction between meant to be together lovebirds.

If you are looking for a rich, reluctant, gorgeous guardian who falls for his almost old enough to be completely on her own ward but fights it until nearly the end, you might want to check into this romantic read. Just expect to see only proper English manners and dialect, and not Scottish brogue. I really didn’t sense much of a Scottish vibe at all. Upfront, we are told why Bridget actually doesn’t come across overly Scottish.

I mostly stayed in tune with this tale, but there were parts, especially after midway, that started to ramble so I found myself skimming until things picked back up. I’m still scratching my head over Bridget putting herself in a dangerous situation with a suspected murderer. It kind of felt like she answered the door and let him in despite seeing him in a scary hockey mask and yielding a large, bloody knife. Of course, that is not how it played out, but it showed a complete lack of common sense that astounded me.

I would not have found it amiss, however, if she had inflicted bodily harm on Cam for the rash, hurtful accusations and conclusion he jumped to when they were first intimate. That also was unexpected. At least it resulted in groveling and regret.

I haven’t a clue who the main couple will be in book 2. Here’s to hoping this review has been helpful in some way so you can decide if this book is a good fit for you.

Title: His Rebellious Lass, Scottish Hearts (Book 1), Author: Callie Hutton, Pages: 280, stand-alone but part of a series, determined to help abused women, steamy scenes late in the book, back and forth bickering/banter, both reluctant to marry, virgin heroine, former rake reputation hero., references to spousal abuse.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley)

A delightful and funny story with a fiery Scottish Lass. Bridgid has the temper to match her fiery red hair. She is determined to chart her own course. Cam is not amused at gaining a ward. He is used to all his commands being obeyed. This series has been very well written. The characters have been crafted well and the plots solidly designed. The couples have all been great citizens fighting to change society for the better. It has been done with with some drama and some fun. Cam was always my favorite character because of all he suffered as a child and it was great to see him get a beautiful happy ending.

Callie Hutton takes a familiar tale of the guardian vs. the innocent ward and makes them her story. The Rebellious Lass, Bridget, leads guardian Cam on a merry chase. She unexpectedly becomes his ward at the death of her father. Since it was his father who was originally named as guardian, but by title only, Cam becomes her guardian. Bridget is not happy about it at all. She is twenty-one and does not want or need a guardian. She needs her inheritance to open a home for abused wives. A cause near to her heart. Unknown to her, Cam was abused as a child by his father. The connection does not keep them from disagreeing with each other.

What ensues is they interesting and bumpy HEA with both fighting their attraction for the other. Admittedly, their original meeting was not the best. Nor did either of them make it easy on the other. Their ensuing banter/arguments/disagreements kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. It did not help that neither wanted to marry anyone, but it did make their romance that much more interesting.

I loved that Cam had to do a bit of soul searching to get to where he needed to be and accept his fate. And, Bridget had to do her own reflecting to get there, too. Great Romance!

I’ve always liked this author, and enjoyed this one as well. It’s the story of a Scots girl fighting to have her family’s land and title restored, though it’s presently in the possession of a Duke. Her grandfather had been reported dead, for his protection, after Culloden. I really enjoyed the bond they developed during the pursuit of the truth, and that her search came to be his, as well.

Thank you to Net Galley for providing this book to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book is about a woman named Lady Bridget who becomes the Ward of Lord Campbell at the time of her father’s death. She has no intention to marry in order to inherit her fortune, and Cam has no intention of keeping her as his ward longer than necessary to secure her a husband.

I didn’t enjoy this book. I found Bridget to be foolish, and stubborn. I think the author was trying to portray a strong-willed Scottish feminist yet she came off as bratty, foolish, spiteful and just unlikeable. Cam initially came off as a jerk that saw women as property. I did start to like Cam as the book went on, because he seemed to genuinely be a nice guy but not enough to recommend this book.

I wish the story had more background. I felt like Cam was basically ambushed by her initially before he even realized that he had a ward. And I feel as though an educated Lady of the ton wouldn’t automatically be so abrasive upon a first meeting.

I did like the idea of a women's home for battered women and enlisting the help of her guardian, but even so, she had this dream but didn’t seem to have thought it through.

The characters seemed to have good chemistry as ward/guardian and budding friendship but as a romantic relationship it fell kind of flat to me.

This book was fun to read. It'll be another four-star hit for Callie. Good concept. Interesting read.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. His Rebellious Lass is the first book in the brand new Scottish Hearts series and I loved getting to go into this world and meet these characters. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Lady Bridget MacDuff wants to open a house for abused women but to do it, she has to wait till she inherits her fortune. Marquess of Campbell inherits Bridget, she became his ward. He wants to marry her off asap to be rid of her. Do I have to say more? She is a red haired Scottish beauty and he is a handsome Marquess ...

Loved it!

The Marquess of Campbell has no desire to wed in fear that he will become an abusive tyrant like his father. He is content with life on his own and enjoys the closeness he shares with his siblings and their spouses. Life is going as planned until he discovers he had been named as ward to a beautiful, opinionated and bold woman. As Lady Bridget MacDuff comes with a fortune? suitors are eager to win her hand, Cam just had to guide her to choose an acceptable one.

Bridget has other ideas as she just wants her funds released to open a safe haven for women. She has seen enough to not want to be married either.

They should be safe from each other but life has a way of shaking up well laid plans.

While I enjoyed this book, it seemed as both Cam and Bridget had a lot of growing up to do and a lot to figure out about themselves before being ready to open their hearts up to someone else. I think if the epilogue was set further in the future it would have helped to feel more confident in their relationship.

His Rebellious Lass by Callie Hutton is Book 1 of the Scottish Hearts series. Ms. Hutton never disappoints! I loved the storyline, the characters had great chemistry and interactions, and I found myself laughing at Bridget’s antics to get what she wanted. A definite recommended read.

Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.

Cam had a horrible father and vows to never marry he is happy as a bachelor. He has to go back home after finding out he has a ward and has to find her a mate, however she was not what he was expecting. Bridget was upset that she has a guardian and she does not want to get married she wants to help others and plans on doing so but was not expecting the handsome man that is her guardian. These two have expectations on how the other is supposed to act while fighting their mutual attraction. While spending time together they are both forced to accept each other and find love while at it..Enjoy!

His Rebellious Lass by Callie Hutton

Donald, The Marquess of Campbell, is sent to his estate to pickup a package. The package being his new ward. He wants to get back to his life and sets up to marry her off the first chance he gets.

Lady Bridget wants nothing to do with marriage and wants to build a safe house for battered women. She has a problem, she is 21 and has to wait until she's 23 to get her money.

I really enjoyed this story. Callie Hutton does a marvelous job bringing our couple to HEA. This story may be triggering for some people but I think it's a brilliant story and I would certainly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a chance to read. My review is voluntarily given.

Scottish Hearts #1, I enjoyed this Callie Hutton book, Cam and Bridget are amusing characters, set in their ways and that includes both of them never wanting to marry. Cam with his abused childhood didn't want to bring a child into this life if it meant that he would become his father. Bridget after seeing first hand what an abusive husband, and peer of the realm, can do to his wife she vowed never to marry. Bridget instead wants to start a house where women can come to seek sanctuary from their abusers. He dreams get thwarted after he father dies and discovers she can't inherit her father's fortune until her twenty-third birthday (which is two years away) and until then she is the ward of the Marquess of Campbell. Cam doesn't want a ward but since he's already married off his two sister what's one more it maybe the off season but it's not impossible, now if only she would get on board with his plan to marry her off as quickly as possible. Bridget does what she can to make herself as unattractive as possible and getting inthe way of Cam's plans, but they soon come to a compromise he helps her get the women's house ready and she not work against him. But pretty soon their own feelings for each other become more than just ward and guardian, and Cam as much as he wants to fight it falls in love with her. Things are going well until an unlikely and unwanted suitor makes his intentions clear.

I loved the chemistry between Cam and Bridget. Overall, it was an entertaining story and a really nice romance.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read historical romance. Honestly, this was the book to get back into the genre with. I loved historical romance long before Outlander ruled both our nightstands and out TVs. It was one of the first romance books I had ever read and they were tame enough that I didn’t have to hide them too much from my classmates or dad.

That being said, this one was definitely different from the ones I read when I was younger.

Bridget, to begin with was much more stubborn and hardheaded than previous heroines. But that made me love her more. I adored and empathized with Bridget. The tenacity and wherewithal to do what she wants despite several people telling her no was soo admirable.

Her way of thinking was definitely different than her peers but she wasn’t about to let that deter her. Bridget was super strong in her beliefs and wasn’t about to let a man dictate her life, like a lot of men would do at that time. While plenty of women had businesses and were general bad-butts, they weren’t exactly exalted because of that.

Bridget didn’t let that stop her at all. And Cam was super cute.

He wasn’t about to let her get married to any old guy. And the more the book progressed, the more cutesy nicknames he called her, the more he fell in love with her, the more I wholeheartedly shipped.

Cam wanted Bridget to get what she had been working towards. He wanted to make her dreams come true. He wanted to help them come true. Not necessarily do it himself. And that is an admirable quality indeed.

On the whole the book was an extremely quick read. And that worked in it’s favor. Oftentimes, a lot of these historical romances focus on mundane things, as a way to let the readers know about the “typical day in Victorian London” but all that does is drag the story. Callie Hutton didn’t do that at all. With the practically perfect blend of mundane and excitement, she delivered a story that was enjoyable and sweet. Without needing to go to the dentist to have my cavities taken care of afterward.

This is a great read. If you enjoy historical romance then you must read it. I loved every second of this story. Both main characters are well-written and amazing. It is well-paced and ends well too. So, all in all, a very entertaining book.

Ms Hutton once again delivers an enjoyable romance set in the Regency era. I especially like the way she manages to deliver the hero's point of view, probably because I am more interested in it than I am in what a woman thinks, I am one so after all I should know… kudos to Ms Hutton and on to the next project.

I really enjoyed the book. The hero was very much against falling in love and acted very high-handed with the heroine. She was a very strong, self assured woman. They broke down each other’s walls.

What do you do when you are suddenly saddled with an unexpected ward? Why marry her off of course. It sounds like the perfect plan until Cam discovers the Scottish beauty has no desire to marry. Cam and Bridget make such a great pair. He is used to having his own way and she doesn't give an inch. This book is an enjoyment from start to finish.

Heat Factor: There is sex.
Character Chemistry: Please, tell me again how you don't want to be attracted to each other.
Plot: Let’s put everything we can into one story.
Overall: Slather it on with a spatula. The big sort for icing sheet cakes.

I’m not sure if this was a hate to love story or a bad guy rescue story or a ruination story or a feminist crusader story. It was trying a little bit to be all the stories. By the time I got to the end, I was thinking, “WHERE DID THIS NEW THING EVEN COME FROM?” My head was already spinning from all of the other conflicts. Why add one more? But also why was I surprised?

Lady Bridget is a lively Scottish lady on a mission. Her crusade? To create a refuge for abused women. Her problem? Even though she’s 21, her father made her the ward of the Marquess of Campbell, so she can’t access her fortune until she’s 23. The Marquess, whose name is Donald, but who is referred to as “Cam” for the entirety of the story, is an active member of Parliament as well as an autocratic rake who refuses ever to marry because he had a difficult childhood.

Short story: She wants nothing to do with men who by virtue of the law own women, and he wants everything to do with women except marriage. A reasonable storyline for a late-Georgian/Regency romance. The result was heavy-handed and a little bit too much. Of everything.

The romance: Hate to love.

Cam doesn’t even know he has a ward when he walks into his library and Bridget starts attacking him. She’s already decided he’s an insufferable, repugnant man, even though she doesn’t know him at all and she doesn’t know how he feels about her being his ward. Seems like a sensible approach to her desire to break the guardianship and gain independence by behaving like a rude, spoiled brat. Definitely an approach one should consider when placed in that situation. People usually like being insulted by strangers and are generally amenable to considering said strangers’ requests subsequent to all the insults.

Other than Bridget’s conviction, there is really no evidence of raking or other unsavory behavior on Cam’s part. He does decide to be autocratic about marrying her off so he can abdicate responsibility for her, but other than that, he’s pretty reasonable. (Until that last conflict mentioned above that’s just...what.) He’s a member of Parliament. House of Lords, yes, but he still has to negotiate with other peers to pass legislation, so he can’t have a particularly unsavory reputation or he wouldn’t be able to get anything done. And the legislation he’s trying to pass? Support for soldiers and their families. Sounds like a really ugly customer. I’d steer clear of this one.

Hate to love can work. I think it’s a difficult connection to make believable, though. We are introduced to the idea that Bridget and Cam’s story is hate to love not because of the protagonists gradually warming to each other, understanding each other. No indeed! It is because we are categorically informed that they have frissons and electrical connections. Also that Cam is inexplicably and unreasonably jealous of imaginary husbands. Repeatedly. Do remind me at least once a chapter how much you don’t want to be attracted to each other but are anyway. I might start to believe you.

The feminist crusade: Young woman on a mission who doesn’t fit the cultural mold.

The notion of tackling the legal status of women in early to mid 19th century Britain is a good one. This period is extraordinarily popular among both readers and writers, comprising the vast majority of historical literature in the genre. We romanticize the period. Certainly I do. It’s delightful fantasy and escapism in so many ways. Have you ever heard a fellow reader say, “I was born 200 years too late!” I have. But in context, we probably really, really don’t actually want to live in this period, and legal status of women is simply one reason why.

Bridget is inspired to open a shelter for women because her friend died at the hands of an abusive husband. She had no legal status of her own as his wife, and culturally during this period victims were blamed rather than abusers (shocking, I know). Reminding the reader of this fact and also drawing some parallels to the modern day struggle is meaningful.

This book runs headlong into some frustrating stereotypes. This book is set in 1818. There is no escaping certain historical realities about this period, and yet a very popular approach to “feminist” heroines is to make them both anachronistic and wholly devoid of “feminine” traits. Bridget, for example, prefers Scotch whiskey to tea, shooting to embroidery and ladies’ gossip, and so on. She doesn’t even know how to ride side-saddle even though she would have started to learn to ride at an age when she wouldn’t have been able to make the decision to ride astride for herself. And of course she rides astride in breeches. Women can like different things, have different interests and tastes. Of course they can. We do. But presenting “feminist” women as if they must reject dresses, corsets, stitchery, the company of other women and tea (everyone drinks tea!) is catering to a certain stereotype of what feminism looks like.

But that’s not the only pitfall. Bridget wants to open this shelter, but she is presented as running into the project in a childish, headstrong, and ill-considered way. There are so many times that Cam questions Bridget about her project and she’s like, “I didn’t think of that,” or “I’m not good at accounting...I’ve been so busy thinking about furniture.” Basically, Bridget’s heart is in the right place, but she can’t actually do anything on her own because she’s not thinking things through. Bless her heart. At one point Cam thinks to himself that it’s such a bummer he keeps bursting her balloon by asking her questions about logistics regarding her shelter, but she really needs to understand the complexity of the problem she wants to solve. Cam just needs to bite his tongue and let her reach the right conclusions on her own, in her own time. Barf.

Oh also, before I leave this section: Cam refers to marriage as the “parson’s noose,” which is a repellent, androcentric stereotype, but which also makes sense in the context of his aversion to marriage. I guess. He has very specific reasons for his aversion, so a general aversion isn’t necessarily in character. But then later we are in Bridget’s head and Bridget is thinking that it’s amazing Cam has avoided the parson’s noose for so long. This indicates that it’s not only Cam’s opinion of marriage, but that it is a universal view of marriage. Marriage is a trap. But only a trap for men. That’s a super healthy view of marriage.

The writing: So. Much. Wat.

Here we suffer from a case of spell-it-out-for-me. Hutton attempts to do a lot in this book, and probably it’s a little too much, but it could have been done well if we (the readers) were nudged to conclusions rather than having conclusions layered onto our minds, dollop after dollop. A hint of a frisson, a fleeting wonder, a little puzzlement, an arrested gaze. Instead we have those completely out of the blue jolts of electricity and inexplicable jealousies. We are informed that the protagonists’ thoughts are so often centered on each other. Cam’s masculinity is projected by his (supposed) rake status, his time at Gentleman Jackson’s, his aggressive desire (although not really penchant) to use his fists to “protect Bridget’s honor,” his refusal to submit to the parson’s noose, his jealousy over Bridget’s interactions with other men, etc. Bridget’s feminism and independence are projected by her refusal to engage in feminine pursuits/desire to engage in masculine pursuits, her refusal to meet men or prospective suitors, her irritability about almost everything Cam says, her refusal to marry in the face of ruin, etc.

Aside from the heavy-handed and sometimes repetitive explanations of everything, there’s a lot of other just -- Wha?
- Bridget’s father died two weeks before the book starts...but she’s attending social functions...in colors.
- Bridget attends events with Cam...without a chaperone...even though she has her own chaperone and is also living with Cam’s sister.
- Cam’s sister and brother-in-law leave for the country...without Bridget...even though she’s been staying at their house with them for the sake of her reputation.
- Cam is Bridget’s guardian...marrying her while she’s his ward would be dishonorable.
- Bridget expects to solicit money for her shelter...but doesn’t care tuppence for her reputation...how does she expect to get donations?

If you can get over all of that, this book is for you.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 1 in a new series by Callie Hutton. We have a Cam who inherits a ward he didn’t want. The ward Bridget definitely did not want to be under Cam’s control. Bridget got on my last nerve. I didn’t not like her at all. The story was well done and I did enjoy the read.