I've previously really enjoyed Cynthia Breeding's romances, but this one fell a little short for me. Sadly, I struggled to connect to either the hero or the heroine, partly because we got so little time with them! There's a huge cast of characters, so a lot of group dialogue, and a lot of action, so we rarely got to see the actual couple by themselves - they barely talked to one another except about specific events. Their thoughts were secondary to the plot in the narration, so I never really got a good picture of their feelings or saw them falling in love. Their chemistry seemed to just sort of happen off page - I didn't end up invested in them as a couple, which is the main thing you need in a romance!

I also found the phonetic Scottish accents rather cringeworthy, and noticed inaccuracies in the writing (several modern Americanisms as well as a couple of grammatical and historical inaccuracies.)

Unfortunately, I just didn't connect with this one; it was sweet, but not memorable. Two and a half stars.

𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚 — Beautiful young widow and her two snarky sisters set off to Scotland but find themselves ostracized by a clan who hates Sassenachs.

See more on my <a href="http://instagram.com/historyandharlots/">Instagram</a> & <a href="https://historyandharlots.blogspot.com/">blog</a>

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I love books about Scotland. The scenery, the clans/lairds, the descriptions... If a book is set in Scotland or has a Scottish character I definitely want to read it. So I was excited for this book but... couldn't get into it.

I think the author tried to do something ambitious by setting up so many characters. Emily and her two sisters (Juliana, who was <i>so annoying</i>, and Lorelai), Ian and his many siblings, uncles, the Campbell's... Unfortunately, the huge amounts of characters meant that I didn't feel particularly close to Emily or Ian. I don't think their relationship got enough time or pages to develop.

Dialogue between groups is also something difficult to do right, because it has to match wit and language to feel natural. There were several parts of dialogue that felt like long monologues to me.

I think the mystery element was so unnecessary. This could have been a great book about Scottish/English prejudices (which the book was ripe with!). The clan had a lot to be upset about, that is historically accurate... their land being given away by the King of England, who they don't recognize. I think Emily being forced to prove herself would have been sufficient. More personal conflict over "attempted murder".

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💋💋

I could easily become addicted to Cynthia’s wonderful characters and Children of the Mist’s beautiful and adventurous world.

This book was so good to read , sometimes you just need a really great Highland adventure to hit the right spot and this was perfect.

Excellent characters, that I can’t wait to read more about .
A wonderful world of danger, passion and intrigue.
A family that has so many different people, all who will have their own stories to tell.
All this set in one of the most stunning backdrops on this planet.
What’s not to love?

This is definitely a series I will be looking out for in the future.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

I have to preface this with the fact that I am obsessed with Highlander romances. I just love everything about them. I love how the male lead tends to love with his whole heart and just wants to worship the woman main lead.

This book did not disappoint when it came to that. Emily was an outsider and she showed up with her sisters and the MacGregor clan didn’t really know what to do.

I loved that this wasn’t insta love and that the characters got to know each other. There was an admitted attraction from the beginning, but Ian didn’t know that Emily was attracted to him and vice versa.

I loved both families and their dynamics. I had a hard time with how much Emily’s sisters complained, but I needed to remember they were 14 and 16 so that was to be expected.

The only complaint I really have is I wish Emily would have let everyone know her past and what her deceased husband did to her and how she was treated.

HISTORICAL ROMANCE THAT DIDN'T SIZZLE BUT STILL KEPT ME ENTERTAINED

Writing this review is actually kind of hard, because I was neither blown away nor sorely disappointed by this book. It was just fine, no major highs and no major lows. Just fine.

👍 WHAT I LIKED 👍

Juliana and Rory: My favourite part of this book was actually not the main characters, Emily and Ian (though I did like Emily). What I enjoyed the most was their siblings, Emily's sister Juliana and Ian's brother Rory. Those two had such a fun chemistry filled with banter. I am looking forward to seeing how that relationship progresses.

Emily: Emily was a nice character. She was determined to make something of herself and to prove that she could do it on her own without a man. She was tenacious and it endeared her to me.

👎 WHAT I DISLIKED 👎

Mary, Queen of Scots: This takes place in the highlands in the late 18th century. Many of the characters are Scotsmen. Yet they still refer to Mary, Queen of Scots as Mary, Queen of Scots! Every time I read that it rankled with me. Now, I can't prove that Scotsmen would not have called her that at this point in time - it is, after all, 200 years after her death. But I just feel like it would be more realistic if they referred to her as Mary I (which she was, in Scotland) or Mary Stuart.

Chemistry: Ian and Emily is the central couple of this story, but I didn't buy their relationship. I didn't feel any chemistry between them. It was just... nice. Nothing more, nothing less.

A very engaging read. I loved the mystery element in this book and how it is incorporated into the plot. The plot of this book delivered what I expected and the author did a great job in writing from the third person limited point of view for Emily and Ian, making me sympathize to both of their predicaments. The only thing I found lacking is the character depth for both main characters. I feel like I don't know them enough for me to root for anyone's success. Emily is a smart woman, until she's not. Sometimes her actions doesn't reflect on what we've known about her, and it's a little bit frustrating to read. I felt like the ending was rushed as well. Solving the mystery, getting back the lands, and proposal for marriage all happened in one chapter and I felt robbed of good resolutions from all those three. I wished the author separated the resolutions for the three situations I've mentioned and focused solely on individual matters, not the conveniently-everything-great-happened-for-a-short-period-of-time trend as the book approaches the end. Overall, this is definitely worth a read for me and despite my critique, the book still gave me what I wanted and expected from it. And I actually enjoyed reading this one.

This was a 5 star read. This was a book, maybe part of a series, I don't know because I read it out of order, I don't care, it was so good.
A widow who has survived an abusive marriage, but is now penniless because her old husband smoked up enough opium to bankrupt them, has a property that was bestowed upon her father for services to the crown. So the widow has a place to take her young sisters to after her husband's death. They have to sell the London house to pay off her husband's debts and his heir refuses to house or feed them. So, she moves to Scotland to take possession of her castle. The hero has no idea that his castle and holdings have been gifted away. Three Royal leaders ago, their family was punished for siding with the losing side of an uprising and they have had to give up their name, but allowed to live in the castle. It is a hard blow to the Laird and clan that an English woman now owns their properties. And the Laird has been giving her a lower-than-honest accounting of what the property has been producing. Well, you will have to read the find out about the rest. I read this book until the wee hours of the morning. It was a mystery, a suspense, a romance and it was good. The story is continuous and makes sense. It has likeable characters that develop a relationship, and their ages are appropriate. The spelling and grammar have few errors. The title kinda matches up to the story, but the book all makes sense. It was like stepping into a movie. I heartily recommend with 5 stars.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I didn't initial request this ARC but I am so glad I changed my mind.
Emily is determined to protect and find a home for her sisters. She has been granted a land deed in Scotland because of what her father had accomplished. With her husband dead, having left her his massive debts, Emily has no choice but to sell her London home and move to Scotland.
However, the land she has been belongs to the MacGregors who are determined to see their name restored as well as their lands.
Ian doesn't trust Emily and as laird of clan MacGregor wants her gone but he can't help be intrigued by her at the same time.
I really liked the relationship between Ian and Emily. I also loved the attempted murder mystery and the all the siblings.
Can't wait for the next book.

When Emily, the Countess of Woodhaven, arrives with two younger sisters in tow to take over the lands she received titles to, Ian MacGregor and his kin determine to convince the Countess to return to the niceties of London. Showing her the hardships of living in Scotland doesn’t deter Emily, a widow who wants nothing more than to start over after an abusive and difficult marriage.

Emily and Ian grow closer, but the MacGregor’s don’t take kindly to a Sessenach in charge. Ian fears he’ll have to choose between his clan and his heart, but when strange things start happening to Emily, her life takes a dangerous turn. Emily’s life is at stake, and Ian will do whatever it takes to protect her.

Highland Renegade is a wonderful historical romance filled with interesting characters and a well-paced story-line. Emily is strong-willed and determined, and I admire her bravery and willingness to sacrifice for those she loves. Her kindness and sincerity are obvious to everyone she encounters. I also like that she is intelligent and that she challenges the gender norms of the time.

Ian is fiercely protective and loyal, and he has a deep love for his people and lands. He feels torn between a sense of duty to his people and his feelings for Emily. His conflicting emotions prove to be an interesting dynamic throughout the story.

The romance between Emily and Ian is fantastic! Their relationship began under awkward circumstances and with reluctance. However, as Ian and Emily learn more about each other, the respect, admiration, and (of course) attraction they have for each other are evident. Neither are looking for a romantic entanglement, and their growing feelings prove complicated. However, Emily and Ian both have to decide if they are willing to risk their hearts and futures for love.

A great story with well-developed characters, a chemistry-laden romance, and an intriguing mystery, Highland Renegade is the perfect story for lovers of historical romance. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Hijinks are about to be played , but who is going to be the winner of the game? Emily has just been awarded the deed to Scottish lands and these Scot’s do not want nothing to do with no English people on their land and a blonde hair beauty especially!

Their is mystery and intrigue with just enough heat & spice to liven things up between these characters!
The author does an exceptional job keeping the book flowing and the characters are are super fun and interesting!

I know that I kept turning the pages to see what would take place next!

Thank you to the authors and publishers who work diligently for us the readers.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

This was a very enjoyable story to read and it had my interest from start to end. If you like sexy Highlanders, mystery and romance, you'll enjoy this one as well:)

Emily and her two sisters arrive in Scotland to take over the lands she has received title to. They are certainly not well received by Ian MacGregor and his brothers who are in the process of having their clan name and lands reinstated!! There's also the fact that someone is trying to murder Emily and the search is on to find out who is the culprit! While not completely trusting anyone, Emily and Ian find themselves attracted to each other but all seems doomed when Ian knows he must choose his clan over his feelings for Emily.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.