Scotland, 1643 "Nae, I willnae marry." Isobel MacLean reached into the folds of her skirt to find her dagger but it was not there. "Aye, ye will." Her father and Laird of the MacLean Clan started at her with determination. "Dinnae look at me like that. Tis time ye are wed." Even her mother was pushing for this arrangement. The thing was they were at the MacDonald stronghold and she did not know what had been coming! Of course Grant MacDonald was the one trying to bring peace between the two sides of Royalist and Covenanters and that made her mad. She had been fighting with the Royalists. But all her father wanted was to keep her safe and he felt this was the best choice!
"Nae" When Grant saw who his new bride was he could not believe it! She was the wench he had seen fighting and wielding a sword in battle with the Royalist. Yeah she had a lot to answer for about that!
So the adventure begins or rather journey to find if they could be happy together.
I adored these two characters and how Lori Ann Bailey developed their story with her words grabbing me and holding on. This entire series has been fantastic and I cannot say enough. Plus look at that gorgeous cover! Do not miss this one or any in this series or written by this author. I read this through NetGallery and the publisher Entangled.

Isobel lives in fear of not protecting those that she loves and will do anything to keep them safe. But she balks at marrying the man that her parents have picked out for her. But she's not given a choice, so she soon has an unwanted husband.

Grant is not any happier about this wedding than Isobel is. He blames her for getting his friend killed on the battlefield and he's not about to allow her to keep up her dangerous life.

These two started their marriage clashing with each other. Can they make a go of it to get their HEA?

I really enjoyed Isobel and Grant's story.We start the story with the two getting married and clashing right off the bat. They had "met" on the battlefield and with Grant not wanting Isobel to out herself in danger anymore, the two butted heads quite often. But we soon learn why Isobel feels the need to defend everyone and we start to understand why she does what she does. This was a great addition to the Highland Pride series!

Isobel MacLean fears she can't protect those she loves. Due to a violent attack in her past, she'll do anything to keep them safe--except marry the infuriating Grant MacDonald.
Forced to wed the lass responsible for his friend's death, Grant MacDonald is determined to tame his hellion wife.
He'll need to use every tool in his arsenal to distract his alluring wife from her quest for vengeance...before it's too late for them both.
I have read most of this series and found almost all to be very well written. Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
This is book number five of this series and although all contain interconnecting characters each one is a story of it's own and there is no need to catch up on the series before reading this one.
I gave Isobel and Grant's story 4.25 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Isobel Maclean finds herself forced to marry Grant MacDonald, the heir to the MacDonald clan, after her involvement in an attack that lead to his friend’s death. Despite their initial animosity, they find themselves soon enjoying each other’s company. They soon discover that their public image appears to be quite different from whom they really are.
Both fierce and stubborn, both Isobel and Grant were fascinating characters but I did find myself frustrated by their behaviour and secrecy towards each other. Yet this was all believable given Isobel’s involvement with resistance and Grant’s growing desire to protect her. An enjoyable story made more so with the attention to detail with historical events.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Marvelous story by Lori Ann Bailey. Isobel is forced into the life of a warrior by circumstances that changed her perspective of life. She never wanted a husband but her parents wanted to protect her. Grant had a wife before and wasn’t ready for another. As a loyal son and future clan chief he marries Isobel and her troubles. This is a story of two very determined and loyal people who clash over the right way to protect each other. It is a story steeped in history and intrigue. Scotland is in turmoil and the clans are being forced to take a side. Isobel has to protect her identity in order to keep her new clan safe. Throughout all of this they find out that they started as strangers but have fallen deeply in love with each other. Togetherness they make a mighty team.

This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. Funny the things that make us who we are. This is a tale of two such people. Written pretty well but with some tweaking could be very good. Will be interesting to see how this author evolves.

A great fast paced story! Loved how strong the heroine, isobel is and loved the slow, but steady, grant in this love story. Their love took time but I loved how the characters learned to love one another.

4.5 Stars
Isobel MacLean fears she can't protect those she loves. Due to a violent attack in her past, she'll do anything to keep them safe--except marry the infuriating Grant MacDonald, heir to the MacDonald laird. Forced to wed the lass responsible for his friend's death, Grant MacDonald is determined to tame his hellion wife. On a mission to Edinburgh to prevent war, sparks fly as they spar with each other, and Grant is starting to wonder if maybe his wife is a wee bit misunderstood.
This is the fifth book in the series & is easily read on its own although we do meet some characters from earlier books. I’ve loved this series & eagerly await the next book, whilst this wasn’t my favourite it was still an engrossing read which drew me in from start to finish. I love the attention to historical detail & the author’s note at the end was great. I really liked Isobel & as her insecurities came to light, I realised how strong she really was. Grant was a strong Scot who tried to take the peaceful route by talking which wasn’t always successful. It’s a pity that Grant & Isobel didn’t talk as their differences could have been understood & resolved much earlier but then the story would have been a novella. I loved how the pair came to understand each other & became a team. I also loved how they gradually fell in love, no lightning bolts but a gradual realisation of how much they meant to each other
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I loved this latest installment of Lori Ann Baileys Highland Pride Series. It is #5 but can be read as a stand-alone. I recommend you read them all. Isobel MacLean finds herself on the Isle of Skye entering into a marriage with Grant MacDonald, heir to the MacDonald. Isobel was a fighter in the Royalist resistance and was recognized by Torsten Campbell who wants to claim the reward on her head. Her family, realizing the danger, decided to marry her to Grant, thereby giving her the protection of Clan MacDonald. But, his uncle was killed in a skirmish which involved Isobel . On the walk down the isle, Grant recognizes his bride to be as the warrior from that battle. Both of these characters are good people who are thrown together amidst great misunderstandings. They are immediately drawn to one another. Their witty banter is completely natural. These two characters were most enjoyable being a part of their journey towards love. I loved both Isobel and Grant. I highly recommend this book and any by Lori Ann Bailey. A five star plus read. I was gifted this book via NetGalley, publisher and author and am voluntarily reviewing. My opinions are my own.

Isobel MacLean had been attacked and she felt responsible. She had three older siblings, all brothers. She was proficient with weapons and could protect herself and others. Her family had brought her to Skye and home of the MacDonalds. They had an arrangement for her to marry the son. She was a part of the resistance and had used her skills and had herself a reputation and a reward on her head.
Grant MacDonald was heir to the Laird and he knew who she was when she walked down the aisle. He
could not marry her but marry her he did. "I am the man who is now forced to save you from yerself."
This is during the time before the Covenanter's tried to side with Parliament and come into power. I enjoyed this book. The arguing between them, Isobel working in the lists and her always looking for ways to escape. It does get sexy so want 18 and over to read it. The characters are warm and kind Their struggle about weapons and her activities. It keeps your interest and you hate to put it down. I received this ARC from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.

I give this book 4,5 stars.
I really, really liked this book. This is the first time I read a book written by Lori Ann Bailey. I loved her writing and the fact that she is so historically correct in regards to the Scottish and the English history.
This is the fifth book in a series but you can definitely read it as a stand-alone. I am definitely so happy that I gave it a chance.
Isobel is forced to marry Grant who is the heir of the Macdonald clan on the Isle of Skye so they can keep her safe from the Covenanters and Torsten Campbell.
The reason why she has to be hidden away on the Isle of Skye is that she was a part of the resistance against the Covenanters as the only woman and there is a reward out on her. In a battle two men sees who the only woman in the resistance is. Torsten Campbell wants the reward and honor of capturing her and Grant Macdonald wants her and is later forced to marry her.
In the beginning of the marriage they have a completely screwed up view on who each other are and he definitely calls her a lot of foul names because of what she has been involved in. He want a quiet and sweet wife and he doesn’t see her as that so he tries to ignore his infatuation and feelings for her but the more he gets to know her and figures out why she did what she did he can’t help but fall for her. But what happens when Torsten Campbell figures out where Isobel is and how can he protect her when she is determined to be the one to save them all? Can they save each other in the most difficult situation they have ever found themselves in?
I loved both Grant and Isobel. Grant just wants to resolve all the problems peacefully and he lives in hope that Scotland can live peacefully with the Englishmen and that every person can practice the religion they want to without any force from others. He doesn’t want to fight and kill but he does it if he is forced to. If he loves someone he will do anything to protect them and he is also a very proud man so he doesn’t need a woman to protect him, but he changes for the better here too.
Isobel is a very good, sweet, stubborn, feisty and strong woman. She is also scared of losing people she loves and therefore she enters the resistance to learn to sword fight and protect those she loves.
I can definitely recommend this book if you love historical romance books with an amazing hero and heroine and a very suspenseful plot.
I got this book from Entangled Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Throughout the story there is an air of mystery that keeps you enthralled. The characters are well-developed and you find yourself so thoroughly engrossed in their story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Isobel MacLean has been fighting with the Royalist resistance, but now someone has seen her identity. That makes her a risk for her clan, so her father decided that marrying her off into a really strong clan is the only way to keep her safe. Isobel's idea is just to kill the man who saw her face. That will keep everyone safe. That's all that matters to her. As she sees it, it's her job to protect everyone she loves.
Grant MacDonald is furious when he sees the woman he has to marry. She's the one who caused his uncle to be killed by interfering in a battle. He was expecting a ladylike bride not a hardhearted warrior.
The sparks fly between our characters from the start. Neither one is going to give in to softer emotions. It's great fun following them through their tangled journey, and finding out the reasons behind the behavior. These are difficult times for the people of Scotland trying to stay out of the troubles the civil war has imposed on England.
I loved it.

Grant McDonald has agreed to marry the woman he first met whi!e she was fighting with men who were part of the Resistance. He wasn't thrilled with the match but neither was Isobel MacLean. She has never trusted others to care for her and that goes for her new husband.
Great set up, but a story that was too drawn out before it got to the heart of Isobel's fears. By the time her story was told, my interest level had waned. Grant was a good match for her, I just wish I could have connected with Isobel's story earlier on.

This was the first novel I have read by author Lori Ann Bailey. Typical Highland romance with 2 strong main characters who have a difficult time of giving in to the others wishes mixed with a little steamy romance. I really enjoyed Grant. He was strong, kind, and considerate. I didn’t really care for Isobel. She was too head strong and refused any help from anyone. Overall it was a good read, but a very typical Higland romance.

Ever since a violent attack in the past, Isobel MacLean only trusts herself to ensure her own safety and that of her family. But she has no interest in marrying Grant MacDonald, heir to the MacDonald laird and the very man who allowed the escape of the only man able to identify Isobel as a fighter in the Royalist resistance.

Grant MacDonald has no interest in marrying the woman responsible for his friend's death, no matter how attractive she is. He's determined to tame the wild hellion he now finds himself wed to, but the more he comes to truly know his new wife, the more Grant wonders if she's just misunderstood. Either way, he's determined to keep her distracted from her mission of vengeance and keep her safe lest she destroy them both.

I loved the previous book in this series, but this one fell just a bit flat for me. I still enjoyed it and I'm glad to have read it, but these two just frustrated me to no end. The main characters were both stubborn and bound and determined to hate each other for much of the book and that lack of communication caused most of the problems they faced or at least made them worse. I found some of Isobel's, and even Grant's, motivations to be a bit half-baked and not wholly sensible at times, but it is fiction so, oh well. However, I did appreciate that the heroine was fierce and capable and the hero did finally see that and they learned to be a team in the end, which I thought was gratifying. I'll continue with this series.

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

This was a really cute enemies to lovers story. I really liked the two main characters, Isobel and Grant, and I was invested in their relationship. The historical setting was interesting too since it was a time period I wasn't as familiar with.

Highland Obligation (Highland Pride #5)by Lori Ann Bailey...I have all the books in this series and they can be read as stand alone ...but the series is highly recommended. Thanks to Lori Ann Bailey, the publisher and #Netgalley for letting me preview this book. This the story of Isobel MacLean (fighter in The Resistance) and Grant MacDonald(Lairds son). There is plenty of angst, violence, some laughs, steamy sex, intrigue and wonderful characters. This all gets us to a very HEA. I can't wait for more in this series.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Steamy Realistic Action-packed Scary Tear-jerker Great world building Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Happily Ever After Entertaining Page-turner Romantic Witty Haunting

Highland Obligation
Highland Pride Series #5
Lori Ann Bailey
https://www.facebook.com/LoriAnnBaileyauthor/
Release date 9/23/2019
Publisher Entangled Publishing

Blurb :

Isobel MacLean fears she can't protect those she loves. Due to a violent attack in her past, she'll do anything to keep them safe--except marry the infuriating Grant MacDonald, heir to the MacDonald laird. She wants justice for her family, not a damn husband. Unfortunately, we don't always get what we want...
Forced to wed the lass responsible for his friend's death, Grant MacDonald is determined to tame his hellion wife. On a mission to Edinburgh to prevent war, sparks fly as they spar with each other, and Grant is starting to wonder if maybe his wife is a wee bit misunderstood.
He'll need to use every tool in his arsenal to distract his alluring wife from her quest for vengeance...before it's too late for them both.

My review :

Will they be able to find a common ground and trust the other.

This is my first read by Lori Ann Bailey and the different time area at first unsettled me as I am more used to XIXth century tales.
Thankfully the author added a note at the end to explain the events of this period.

The main characters are both good and kind but each has its misconceptions and those create large walls between them.
Grant is a peacemaker, he resorts to force only when there is no other option. So when he realizes his bride-to-be is the one woman he despises the most for here be part of the battle which took his friend’s life. He knows he will never be able to trust her. She is too much a monster to him, so he intends a close watch on her.
It is not without counting with the scorching chemistry they instantly share.
Isobel was shame by a tragic event during her childhood, since she pushes people away, refusing to let her heart get involved. She is aware Grant has a false notion of whom she is. When he sees a bloodthirsty wench, she is an overprotective mother hen, thinking she makes amends for past failures which were not hers.

The storyline alternated between intimate moments and actions scenes. Their first scenes together were charged with anger but also lust as they shared mixed feelings. Each new step toward the other is a brick to the edifice of their newly discovered truce.
Mrs Bailey has brought to life blood and flesh characters with their flaws, uncertainties and talents. Isobel is such an intense personality, she will sacrifice herself to avoid others getting hurt. As a warrior, she is strong and assured when as a woman she crumbles under guilt, justified or not, unable to see herself truly in the mirror.
Grant is conflicted, his attraction to his newly bride disturbed his own goal. She distracts him when he should be concentrating in finding a way to peace.
While they appear opposite, the more the story progressed, the more they are in fact similar, both protecting those around from treats, each with their own Weapon.
5 stars for this moving tale of healing and having faith on the other.

I was granted a copy thought Netgalley by Entangled Publishing, I also purchased my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion

I really liked Highland Obligation! It's the fifth book in the Highland Pride series. and can be read as a stand-alone. This is my first time reading a book from this author, I enjoyed her writing style and look forward to checking out the other books in this series.

Our heroine is Isobel, who we find on the eve of her arranged marriage. Her family fears for her safety and think it best for her to marry into the MacDonald clan, thinking they can best protect her.
Grant MacDonald first sees his bride as she's walking down the aisle and recognizes her as the woman responsible for his friend's death.
They both try to fight their growing feelings for each other and begin to see that maybe their first impressions were all wrong.
This was such a good story with some action sprinkled in with the romance and I loved both our main characters.