This was a fast-paced, swoon-worthy read, that I found I did not want to put down! The story was original and exciting with characters that were realistic and likable. It is everything you could want in a delightful stroll through the pages of a historical romance and more!

Highland Sword is the third book in the Royal Highlander series. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series that is strongly entrenched in history. Morrigan Drummond is a fierce fighter for Scottish rights after seeing her father killed by the British. She is bent on revenge, training with swords and knives, solely focused on her purpose. That is, until she meets Scottish barrister, Aidan Grant. Is there room in their busy lives for love?

I recently heard the McGoldricks (Nikoo and Jim) explain the differences between historical fiction and historical romance. They stated that this series is historical fiction. I see their point, but the three books in the series hit me a little differently. The first and third books clearly read as historical romance to me (a heavy focus on the romantic relationship), but the second book was more historical fiction.

This is a very solid series that illuminates the challenges of the Scottish to rule themselves in the years after their defeat at Culloden. There was lots of danger and intrigue happening while people still had ordinary lives to live. If a reader has any interest in Scottish history they should not miss these excellent books.

ARC provided through Netgalley. Apologies to the McGoldricks and St. Martin's for how long it took me to write this review. I'm blaming it on the virus.

A wonderful story written by the husband and wife team of Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick. They weave a wonderful tale of treachery, blackmail and intrigue. The love story between Morrigan, a tough, well trained in fighting and beautiful woman with a secret that makes it hard for her to give her affection and Aiden, a barrister who takes on cases for the wrongly accused is a slow process. But it is a process that is necessary for Aiden to win Morrigan's heart. Aiden has some enemies due to his work at taking down corrupt officials of the Crown. How Morrigan and Aiden first meet is quite humorous and they end up being a great team. I enjoyed this interesting historical story.

I read "Highland Sword" by May McGoldrick without realizing it was the third book in a series. I'm sure they stories are connected, but reading it as a stand-alone book was no problem. I enjoyed it enough that I am going to read the other two prior books. I felt the story was well developed and loved both the romance blossoming between Morrigan and Aiden, and the Scottish history that was told.

Morrigan’s strength was something that would help her and stand to fight for others who couldn’t. She had a hard time letting go the atrocities of the past committed against in her while she was a child. Her determination to believe she is more than what she believes helps her make a much needed change and embracing a life with Aidan will provide the balance she desperately needs. Absolutely loved this series!

Spying, vengeance, politics, corruption.

I was excited about the premise, but found that often the book was mired down with politics, and government corruption of the period. I would rather the focus be more on the couple, Morrigan and Aidan and their mutual growth. Just my thoughts.

A really solid Highlander romance! Not my favorite leading lady and hero, but this one was fun and a nice escape. Would be perfect if you love the Highland setting in your historical romance books. I will also say that I would recommend reading the first two books in the series before reading this one! They are all super fun!

3.5/5 stars

This series has finally gotten better with Morrigan and Aidan's story! The previous two books were heavy on history and drama. While I loved the bits of history, it seemed it made the story light on romance. 'Highland Sword' finally had enough romance and chemistry between the two main characters, Morrigan and Aidan. I really enjoyed their enemies to lovers meet cute and romance. There was definitely drama and more serious undertones, which are mentioned below under content warnings. Overall, this romance was still a very slow burn, but overall a satisfying romantic historical fiction. It gave me hope for the rest of the series if it continues!

*Content warnings:
Past history of rape, PTSD

*Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Morrigan and Aiden have that feeling of enemies to lovers a bit. They are both quite fiesty and opinionated, Morrigan very much so. But there was sooo much going on in this book. So many characters, so many names, so much action, so much plot, intrigue, revenge. I felt none of the romance sadly. I did start with just this story, so perhaps this is one that you should read in order? I'm unsure if I would have felt more knowing the basis of the characters and world that's been created. I think if you really enjoy the time period and history of the time you would enjoy this more than I did.

An entertaining read about two people fighting for the rights of the Scottish people in their own ways that find love. She was a stubborn, strong willed, sword swinging damsel that didn’t need saving. He was a barrister, also strong willed, and determined to protect the people of Scotland. She gets in his way and after that moment in an alleyway, he has his eyes set on her no matter how much she tries to push him away. Their story was fun, entertaining, had a bit of adventure, a little bit of passion, not as much as I typically like in my romance novels, but it did have some, and overall was an enjoyable story. I liked it a lot and recommend it if you enjoy strong characters and an exciting plot.

Highland Sword is the 3rd installment in the Royal highlander Series by May McGoldrick. This is the first book I have read by this author. Even though this is the 3rd and final book in this trilogy it can be read as a standalone. The story is well written and the characters well defined. I enjoyed this book but I would suggest reading the other two previous books. Previous characters make appearances in this book and it helps to have a little more background. This book does tie up all loose ends and provides closure. I would recommend this book to Historical Romance Readers. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for providing me this copy to read and review.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I can't wait to go back and read the other books. Sudan did not know what he was getting himself into when he came upon Morrigan. She was hell bent on revenge and found love as well. I will be reading more from this author.

Highland Sword is the first book from this series as well as from this author that I have read. If you are someone who loves historical romance with some intrigue and revenge. I loved reading and following Aidan and Morrigan's story and look forward to reading more from this series.

I thought I would love this book, but didn't. I wanted to finish it but the first half didn't pull me in. It's not that it wasn't well done, the writing was good. But for my personal taste it wasn't what I thought it would be.

Morrigan and Aidan, once they do get together work very well. But the heroine is suffering from PTSD from a rape when she was 12 (content warning). The majority of the book deals with subterfuge, family issues, Morrigan's sexual assault history and hatred of the person who raped her. Aidan's politicing, their butting heads. She's more comfortable with sword-play than the rest of the woman of this time and I loved that. That's what drew me in. I did enjoy the initial "meet" they had and the bruises from it.

But then it's almost as if they separate for half the book and don't really think of the other. There wasn't the normal interaction between H & h. I think it was 52% into the book when they were in the same space and finally kissed. So, maybe my complaint is... maybe this isn't a romace? If it was non-romance, I think I wouldn't have had the same expectations of having the mains either together for most of the book or thinking of each other when they're not - and that didn't happen until the second half of the novel.

So, I normally only give 5 stars to truly spectacular novels that knock my socks off and have me giddy or crying. 4 is a really good book, in my scale and 3 is average. So, this would be a 4 star for a fiction, but since I expected a romance (tension, scenes together, longing) and I didn't feel it until more than half-way through, I took a star off. The second half is what I expected and was well done and satisfying.

This is the first book that I have read from these authors, and I did not realized that it was the third book in a series, so I missed out on the romances of four of the main characters. Because there are so many characters that are related, some distantly, it would have been helpful to have a Family Tree at the beginning, but nevertheless, the authors did review many times the relationships in the narative.

The books take place during the Radical War of 1820 in Scotland. The authors based their fictional characters on real historical figures. The book switches chapters back and forth between the perspective of the two main characters of this book, Morrigan Drummond and Aidan Grant, a barrister. Morrigan's father, a physician was murdered in front of her eyes, in his surgery, by a soldier. Her stepmother is also a physician. The characters all come together in a effort to save Scotland from the British. Lots of interesting history is woven into the book. However, there was not much descriptions of the Scotland scenery, which would have added to the story. The artfully developed romance between Morrigan and Aidan goes from enemies (they had a fight in a dark alley the first time they met) to friends to lovers. Lots of danger and intrigue, a well written story and fascinating characters made this a engrossing read. I will have to read the other books and then read this one again.

I read an ARC provided by NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Available now: Highland Sword by May McGoldrick

****4/5 stars: Loved it. From political and war drama to personal challenges, there is so another excellent May McGoldrick Highland historical romance.

Recommended readers:

If you’re a fan of Scottish Romance
If you like Monica McCarthy, Kat Martin and others
And if you like a fast-reading romance

Here's my Rankings:

4/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4/5 overall
Note: Steamy factor (3 of 5 ... little steaminess)
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:

Set in the rugged, survivalist Scottish Highlands still in the middle of English-Scottish drama, Morgan Drummond is ready to avenge her father's death. A barrister, Aiden Grant has his own battle to fight for his people and sees Morgan as a great ally to achieve that.

From political and war drama to personal challenges, there is so much to love about the Highland heroes and their heroic women in Highland Crown– and May McGoldrick captures it all. Morgan is the type of character we all want to be: Sword-wielding, brave and beautiful.

By now I've figured out that the latest May McGoldrick is a definite must-read so check out their full list on Amazon.

Available now: Highland Crown by May McGoldrick

Another simply wonderful May McGoldrick historical romance -- fell in love with the characters, love the real history woven into the story and it was so sexy! I'm really enjoying this series!

Good read but pretty forgettable. I found the history very interesting but the love story suffered and the main characters made no impression on me.

Very good! This was the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last.
I’m looking forward to the next book.

Action packed, heart racing adventure filled with dangerous and intriguing charters, witty dialog, exciting twists and undeniable passion for both family and country. Was a great battle of wits and hearts. Great reading!