4.5 stars

Highland duke Ronan Maclaren, the Duke of Dunrannoch, is serious-minded and dedicated to leading his clan and doing what's best for them, namely maintaining the Maclaren Whiskey Distillery that is their main livelihood. He knows he must marry eventually given his position and titles, but hasn't found the right woman who truly moves him yet, or one he can trust.

Lady Imogen Kinley has similarly avoided marriage for years. After a devastating event in her past, she knows men can't be trusted and is determined to maintain her independence and her inheritance to support Haven, the charitable women's shelter she established and runs herself.

When the old duke's will puts forth an ultimatum, Ronan and Imogen find themselves betrothed, with something each holds dear at stake if they back out. Each unwilling half of this couple sets out to get the other to cry off, setting into motion a battle of wits and wills, fired by plenty of physical attraction, and possibly even the chance for real love.

Both Imogen and Ronan had painful pasts and it was nice to see them eventually open up to one another. With exes hovering and eager to make trouble, there is plenty of drama and rough water for them to navigate, but it brought them closer together and made their falling in love believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will anticipate further installments in the series.

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

I loved the banter between the main characters and slowly seeing them realize they're perfect for each other. A great hate to love story. There were a few parts that become dark and serious, but the humor always helps keep the story on track.

Let the games begin. Ronan Maclaren', Maclaren Laird/Duke of Dunrannock and Lady Imogen Kinley find themselves in a marriage contract. If he backs out, she gets the clan Maclaren's distillery. If she backs out, he gets her dowry. You can't stop laughing as they each try to outwit the other to call the marriage off. But a man from Imogen's past turns up after several years away and plans to take her away from Ronan, no matter what it takes. Very entertaining and engaging. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book

This is the perfect book to read when it's raining outside and all you want is to curl up with a book.

Both Ronan and Imogen don't want to get married following the agreement signed by both their parents, so they both try to sabotage the betrothal in hilarious ways. However, they soon begin to realize that they don't want to betrothal to end...

The banter between Ronan and Imogen made me keep reading. I didn't want to put this book down in the slightest. I'm a sucker for Scottish men anyhow, but Ronan really takes the crown. He's caring towards the people he loves, but dare to threaten one of them, and he will not hesitate to beat you up.
Imogen has a traumatic past, and that catches up with her often in this book. It may be triggering for some, so please beware when reading this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It also has an approval stamp from my mum, who insisted on reading it too.

Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/what-a-scot-wants-by-amalie-howard-and-angie-morgan/)

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.


____________________


Number of titles I have read by this author: 1 (I have also never read anything individually written by either author)

Love story speed: Medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Highland Laird (H) / The Charitable Entrepreneur (h)

Sexual content: A smidge; “on-screen” and explicit

Triggers: Stalking (of h, not by H); vague descriptions of sexual assault (of h, not by H)

Grammar/Editing: My ARC was a fairly clean copy – I only found one error.

Review: The pacing of this novel is fairly good and it is well-researched with sufficient details given for each locale featured in the story line. Any fictionalized places in the novel are also well-incorporated into the historical landscape. That being said, there were some inconsistencies in the details that made it more obvious that this novel was written by two people: for instance, Imogen’s age seemed to fluctuate throughout the novel.

The hero and heroine are Ronan and Imogen, respectively. They are both dedicated to their own lives, to the point of single-mindedness, and this is what drives the plot as they decide to outwit one another into forfeiting on their arranged marriage. While the premise is entertaining, I found that both Ronan and Imogen were unrealistically obtuse about what the other was doing. I also have a preference for characters who are willing to work together to make the most of a bad situation which is, unfortunately for me, not how the authors chose to go with the plot of this novel. The supporting characters are sufficiently developed, although many of them are clearly from previous books in the series, and while some of the references to them are clearly meant to be charming or funny, these references would probably make more sense for those who have read the other books (which I have not). I will say, however, that the villain is very well done – incredibly creepy and diabolical (as he is intended to be), which rescued the plot for me.

Women’s Shelters PSA version: When women and their children leave difficult abusive situations, women’s shelters are invaluable and provide much-needed sanctuary. Please consider donating to your local women’s shelter(s), whether your donation is in the form of money or in the form of much needed necessities such as toiletries, feminine products, or women’s and children’s clothing. Every little bit helps those in need.



Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first read from Amalie Howard and Angie Morgan. I feel like this story straddled the line between an historical Scottish arranged marriage story and a contemporary enemies to lovers story. They were fun when they were snipping at each other. I did get a little frustrated because Silas is not just a bad guy, but he is a super bad guy that never stops. He's not even trying to be subtle about it. I like how in the end Imogen stood up for herself.

The book is technically part of a series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. The characters from other books are in this story, but you don't necessarily need the whole backstory. Though you want to read them after this one!

Great Romance.
Ronan is both a Highland Laird and a Duke, doing his best to be both and fair and good to his people. Imogen, an independent, only child who has refused to marry. She works hard and runs a home, Haven, for woman who have been abused or who have found themselves in need of help. Unbeknown to the two, their fathers have drawn up a marriage contract stating that if either of them breaks the contract they will lose dearly. Ronan his distillery, which provides the income needed for his clan to thrive, and Imogen her inheritance, which allows her to run Haven.
Both Ronan and Imogen work hard to get the other to break the engagement. However, there are other forces working against them, some dangerous and some just an inconvenience. Can the two fight through all that is thrown at them and overcome what they think the want to find true happiness?
This is a light, easy read book that makes you realize that what you think you need to be happy may not always be what your heart desires.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The chemistry between the two main characters is the draw card to this book. Their banter is hilarious and what they try to put each other through is a lot of fun to read.
At times, the situation between Imogen and Silas felt as if it dragged on for a while, however the scenes with Ronan made up for it. This is the first book I've read by these authors and I'll probably have to read the previous ones in the series to appreciate it more.
Definitely a book that's easy to read and hard to put down.

Highlander Ronan Maclaren must marry, but he’s in no particular hurry. He’s perfectly happy as the laird of his clan, running the Maclaren Whisky Distillery.
Lady Imogen Kinley has cleverly avoided wedlock for years. Men, she has learned from painful experience, are not to be trusted. Determined to remain independent, she takes an indecent amount of pleasure in making herself as unattractive to potential suitors as possible.
Desperate measures are taken by their parents and unbeknownst to Ronan and Imogen a betrothal contract is signed, They each vow to make the other cry off—by any means necessary. But what starts out as a battle of wits...quickly dissolves into a battle of wills. They are both very serious about their life as it is and neither wants anything to change, especially if it's not their idea.
Each book in the Tartans & Titans series is written as a standalone but believe me when I say once you've read one you will want to read them all.
This writing duo has done it again. The book is seamlessly written with no gaps in the writing styles. I have read and enjoyed each book in this standalone series.
This book has it's serious moments but mostly it had me laughing out loud. I found myself reading into the wee hours just to find out what would happen next. It is an historical romance with a bit of the Romantic Comedy.
I loved the characters and even though some of them do go back to previous titles it will just make you want more. You will never be at a loss.
I gave this book a solid 5 of 5 stars. Believe me when I say if I could have given it more I would have.
I received this complimentary copy from the publisher to read. All thoughts are my own I I read and reviewed this book voluntarily.

* spoiler alert ** This is a good story.
Both Hero and heroine are informed that they must marry, as arranged by their parents or forfeit their future inheritances.
Both try to make the other cry off as the one who backs out is the one that will loose their money.
The tricks and games they play on each other are quite funny, but behind the humour is a serious issue as the heroine runs a home that provides support for single mums, many of whom were taken advantage of.
There is ex drama on bothe sides.
There are no intimate details of anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
The Hero flirts a bit with his ex to try to encourage the heroine to break off the bethrothal but he isn't a man who approves of cheating.
Secondary characters stories are referred to.
HEA.

This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end.
We meet Ronan and Imogen as they individually discover their parents entered a betrothal contract.
They each decide to make the other back out by any means necessary.

There were parts that made me laugh, want to punch someone in the face, slap someone in the face, and sad.

I really enjoyed their banter. And had a hard time putting it down.

Now I need to go back and read the first two books in the series.

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

I only came into this series with Book 2 which I loved, but it has meant that I have another great series to delve into and two great authors to follow. Book 3 “What a Scot wants” is wonderful with the laird of a clan, Ronan Maclaren, forced to marry Lady Imogen Kinley, two years after his father’s death. Appalled at being forced into a marriage or lose his distillery, that he has worked at for two decades, Ronan decides to ensure that Imogen will not have him and call off the engagement. However, Lady Imogen also wants to avoid marriage due to a traumatic experience when she was a teenager. What follows, is both Imogen and Ronan, trying desperately to make themselves so unattractive to the other, that the engagement will be called off. Yet, soon they begin to reveal their true identities.
This was an entertaining read with the measures that Imogen and Ronan try. Some of the scenes were quite hilarious and I could just visualise the absurdities (with a smile on my face). I found the gradual reveal of their feelings well explored so that it is easy to believe their growing respect for the other. Both characters and their past histories were well delivered, and I found myself quickly immersed in the family background. It was wonderful to see Ronan’s family appear and whilst this is a series, the authors have very cleverly managed to reintroduce past books and characters, seamlessly into this novel. The villain in this book plus the attitudes of the ton, are well elaborated upon and give greater depth to the story.
A great series well worth reading. I look forward to more from these two very talented writers. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I was given an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review

This was such a hot story, a pleasure of a romance-made me so happy on a hot day. Spicy!

What a Scot needs

I confess I didn’t knew this duet of authors until I saw their soon-to-come new book. And how I am glad I decided to follow their Facebook pages, I laughed so much at Imogen and Ronan attics and the pranks they tried to trap the other in.
Sure it is a historical romance but also a rom-com.
What crazy situations each put the other in just to be the one not breaking their orchestrated betrothal, it was so hilarious. Even ridicule will not stop them if they can deter the other.
OMG the ride scene in the park had me crying while laughing, so much I nearly chocked.
Because they are nor dimwitted nor brainless-beings, each encounter is a gambling of will and ingenuity.
Each plotting how to make the other cried off, showing as walking horrors, seductress or lothario or bashful lover...
Then the game changed, it came from silly to hot and cold when old acquaintances from their past intruded into their match.
While keeping their interest open, when the nightmares from Imogen are reawakened, she is trapped between two walls and finely wonders whom to choose and to trust, if she can still trust.

Their own past failure made them whom they are now, they were shaped by the invisible scars left unhealed.
As was a very young miss who was to late to save her abused friend and betrayed by said-abuser. Imogen then decided to rescue and offer shelter to the women left bearing alone men sins. Now she offers a second chance to women deemed unworthy and she won’t surrender her hard work because others have decided she could not pursue such a path eternally.
While Ronan having felt betrayed and abandoned by his first love, he since never considered any woman worthy his attention.
But Imogen despite all her attempts stirs within him something he thought buried, a worth, much more deeper.

While the second part of the story was more serious dealing with difficult issues, it kept its quips and its touch of irony.
After a full of fun half, it was Imogen’s journey to let the past go and choose to heal or not while Roman must decide if she is really so wrong for him. But none would be able to move on if they can’t trust another and faith is not in everyone and not everybody deserves it.

In all, I loved Imogen and Ronan even if I would have loved to see Imogen fight a bit earlier in the story but I also understand she was consumed by her own guilt, in spite of being a victim too.

I have just a reservation, I am no historical specialist but was it accepted for a betrothed to travel or be alone in a carriage, or even sharing the same town residence with her fiancé without an acknowledged chaperone. I do believe Imogen was given far too much freedom for her time.

I was granted an advance copy by Netgalley and the publisher Entangled Publishing. I ordered my own copy and here is my true and unbiased opinion.