The Highlander's Irish Bride is the fourth book in the Clan Kendrick series by Vanessa Kelly. A captivating historical romance that is sure to sweep you away to another time, another place. The characters are well-written with captivating backstories that make The Highlander's Irish Bride a lovely story to get lost in.

While I love this series and the last book of the previous series leading to Clan Kendrick, I was not in love with this book. Vanessa has her usual funny moments. She writes funny like no one else. I actually laugh out loud. I also love the family dynamics and Grandda (he might get on some people’s nerves but I think he is cantankerous and loving and just plain hilarious). This is very slow burn frenemies romance. Grant (remember he is one of the terrible twins) has turned way to staid. While I really liked Kathleen, she is outgoing and says what she thinks, she could not carry the story alone. It is a little too slow for me. I know you are saying “but Vanessa does write slow burn romance with minimal sexual situations” and that is okay and I usually love her stories but this story is just so slow. Unfortunately, we also have Jeannie who quite frankly was a bit of a brat and was too immature for a sixteen year old. I am looking forward to the last book of the youngest sibling, Kade. He is terribly sweet and kind.

I really enjoyed this well-written, charming, fun, passionate historical romance. I was captivated by the characters and the story and didn't want to put it down. This book was entertaining and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Will they find a way out of the predicament they are embroiled in …

While I liked the wild side of the heroine, my feelings were cooled when she judged the hero upon a minute encounter even if she quickly changed her mind. While Grant the now serious twin sure appears as a wizard to the family business, like he made money simply appear.
Both are at first like the antithesis of the other.
But the romance is set off kilter by Kathleen’s sister.
Jeannie in fact stole the show and ruined most of the story with her antics. She is sixteen no unruly small kid, yet she acts like a wild pup, throwing fit and tantrum at everyone trying to curb her path.
Everybody tiptoed around her mischief, rather like they do with their grandda, Angus. But with no borders, it will only lead to more rebellious acts as she does not learn to bear frustration.
Still those two derailed the plot and unhinged the romance and lost me on the way until past half mark.

Hopefully, even if I had still to face the nonsense temper of Jeannie’s, Kathleen and Grant finally got time together. And they are sweet together, Grant leaving his businessman polish behind and Kathleen growing up a bit.

The villain was labeled from the beginning, so I was only interested in seeing how they would catch him, and this part was entertaining.
3.5 stars rounded up.

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scenes

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher Kensington Books, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Highlander’s Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly is the fourth book in her enjoyable Clan Kendrick series. This book could be read as a stand-alone, but I think you will enjoy it more if you have read the other books as the series is about a family and the members feature prominently as characters in this book. When an early morning carriage race threatens to become a scandal, Kathleen Kendrick’s parents banish her to Scotland. While she’s happy to escape the London season, she would much rather be in Ireland with her horses and gardens. Grant Kendrick is the responsible one, the one who keeps the others safe, he’s strongly attracted to the high-spirited Kathleen but can’t seem to say the right thing, and they often end up speaking at cross purposes to each other. When the family compels Grant to escort Kathleen and her younger sister to Lochnagar to visit with her cousin Sabrina and his twin brother Graeme, an encounter with highwaymen has him cancelling plans to return home until the vicious gang has been caught. The story has lots of twists and turns, adventure and danger enough to keep you enthralled as Kathleen discovers that home may not be a place but a person. I’ve enjoyed reading this series immensely and highly recommend it. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: July 27, 2021. #TheHighlandersIrishBride #VanessaKelly #ClanKendrickSeries #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalRomanceSeries #HistoricalRomanceReader #RomanceReader #NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #ZebraRomanceNovels #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #HighlanderRomance

I have been waiting for Grant's story. He and his twin got into so much trouble when they were younger, but now Grant is the quiet twin. Some say he is boring. He is just very controlled. He has to be with his crazy family. The Kendricks are always entertaining. When Kathleen is banished to the Highlands after a scandal in London, she is sure she will hate being in the middle of nowhere Scotland. Her little sister is discovered in the boot of the carriage and she knows it will not be a quiet time. Her sister really needs a keeper and Kathleen isn't sure she should be the one trying to keep her in line. She is sure that Grant is so very boring and that her time in Scotland will seem like an eternity. She sees a different side of Grant when they are being robbed on the road to her cousin's home. Will she and Grant ever see eye to eye on anything?

The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly

The fourth book in the Clan Kendrick series follows Grant Kendrick. When Kathleen Calvert is once again caught courting scandal, her stepmother and father send her to stay with her cousin, and wife of a Kendrick. When she meets Grant, they are attracted to each other, but both keep their distance from each other. Soon they are beset by robbers, fires, and rain storms, pushing them together, perhaps forever.

I'm all for a slow burn romance, but this one was a little bit too slow for me. I found myself not actually caring if Kathleen and Grant got together. Over all the book was fine, but the romance could have been better.

*I was provided an ARC by netgalley and the publisher for my honest review.

The Highlander's Irish Bride is a passionate and engaging love story. Book 4 in the Clan Kendrick series by Vanessa Kelly does not disappoint. Kathleen and Grant's adventures and journey to their happily ever after definitely keep you entertained.

Kathleen has a phaeton race and gets sent to Scotland for 3 months for the scandal to die down, 2 days into the trip they find her youngest stepsister Jeannie in the boot and decide it's easier to take her with them to Glasgow than to return her home. Grant works to hard and is bored with his life until he sees Kathleen come down the stairs of his brothers house.
When Grant is "forced" to escort the sisters to his brothers home with his Grandpa Angus and they are held up on the way Grant stays to help his twin brother figure out who's responsible for the recent crime spree in the area.
I was pretty indifferent with Grant, kind of annoyed with Kathleen and I wanted Jeannie to be eaten by wolves because she is an incredibly annoying brat. The story itself was good and the side characters were entertaining especially the duchess from the beginning of the book and Grandpa Angus but I never really felt the chemistry between the couple.

I can’t get enough of Vanessa Kelly’s Clan Kendrick series. A family that would drive you crazy but there’s never a dull moment and you always know you’re loved.
In the 4th book in this series Kathleen Calvert is the wild Irish outsider of the family. Known for her scandalous behavior. But it’s time for her scandalous days to be over. If she can spend 3 months scandal free at her cousin’s Scotland home, she can return to her Irish home, the home she loves. For Kathleen, the task seems doable, but when she finds herself surrounded by her rambunctious younger sister, an amorous vicar, an out of control crime spree, and her cousin’s handsome brother in law, avoiding scandal may be impossible.
I adored Kathleen and Grant. Though Grant and his twin Graeme had been outrageously wild in their youth, Grant had become a precise, organized, staid businessman. Kathleen’s opposite at first glance. But despite their differences, Kathleen and Grant had an instant awareness of one another. Still, they each had a hard time reading how the other felt. That’s what made the story so fun. I love stories that feature couples that are very different from each other in personality. Mismatched lovers who turn out to be perfect for each other. The sparks fly because of those differences.
I also loved seeing so many of the Kendrick clan again. They always bring plenty of hilarity to the story. The Kendrick clan are inveterate matchmakers and watching them try to bring together a couple who thinks they’re unmatchable added so much fun to the story. The secondary characters were every bit as entertaining as the central characters. Angus always adds humor to the series. And Kathleen’s starry-eyed sister and the ardent vicar added even more.
As with all the books in this series, there’s the perfect blend of steam and wit. If you love feisty romances in which opposites attract, you’ll adore this story.

** 3.5 Stars **

We first met Grant Kendrick in The Highlander’s Princess Bride when he and his twin brother Graeme were twenty-two, but acted like they were twelve. Several years have passed and now Grant is a totally different person. Our heroine thinks he is dull as dirt – at least she thinks that until she gets to know him. Grant is a work-a-holic who makes so much money for the family business they have begun to think he prints it. The family wants more for him, a life outside work, but he is totally uncooperative. Sounds like a man destined for a big fall. I liked Grant in this book where I had not cared for him in past books because of his immaturity. He has matured nicely and I like him very much.

Miss Kathleen Calvert, daughter of Baron Gorey, was born in Ireland. She was much loved by her parents and had the happiest and most unrestrained childhood until she lost her mother. Now, the exuberant, spirited Kathleen lives in London with her father and horrid stepmother. Kathleen can do nothing right – and to be honest, she knows she shouldn’t do some of the things she does. It is just that life, being proper ALL THE TIME is just so boring. That spirited exuberance has gotten her banned from London by her stepmother. If she was being banned to their estate, Greystone, in Ireland, Kathleen would be over-the-moon ecstatic. But no, that isn’t where she is being sent – she is going to back-of-nowhere in the highlands of Scotland. At least she’ll be with her cousin Sabrina (The Highlander’s English Bride) and she is happy to be seeing her.

Luckily for Kathleen, Gillian Penley, Duchess of Leverton (My Fair Princess), has gotten word of the impending scandal. Gillian has taken steps to squelch as much of the scandal as possible, but she agrees Kathleen must go to Scotland for the duration. Gillian has always wanted to meet her cousin, Victoria Kendrick, Countess of Arnprior (The Highlander’s Princess Bride), and offers to escort Kathleen to Glasgow for a short visit before Kathleen has to continue further into the Highlands. When they leave the following morning, Kathleen is relieved to spend some time with Gillian and then to be able to spend time with her cousin Sabrina. That relief only lasts two days until they discover Jeannie, Kathleen’s sixteen-year-old step-sister hiding in the luggage compartment of the coach.

I liked the chemistry between Grant and Kathleen. I could definitely see why each would be attracted to the other – even though neither of them saw it at the time. Both characters were strong, decisive, brave, and stubborn – and both were determined they didn’t need anyone else in their lives. Their instant attraction caused them both to shy away from the other. Of course, life intervened, stuff happened, they were thrown together, and nature took its course.

I enjoyed the book, but I wouldn’t read it a second time. Jeannie’s character was just entirely too annoying. She was a sixteen-year-old, spoiled, self-centered, brat of a girl who acted more like a five-year-old. Her antics filled the story and completely overshadowed the romance. We were well past the 50-percent mark in the book before we actually saw Grant and Kathleen have any alone time much less time for romance. If you add Angus’s antics to Jeannie’s, then you almost totally lose Kathleen and Grant.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

When Kathleen Calvert, the daughter of Baron Gorey finds herself enmeshed in scandal, her step-mother insists that she leave London and go to stay with her cousin Sabrina in the highlands, Kathleen is devastated and longs to return home to Ireland. But her step-mother is adamant and refuses to back down, thankfully, Kathleen’s friend, Gillian, the Duchess of Leverton is planning a trip to Glasgow and offers to have Kathleen join her for a few weeks before heading to the highlands.

Kathleen and Gillian set out and just two days into the trip learn that Kathleen’s 16-year-old step-sister Jeannie has stowed away and refuses to return home. Reluctantly, Kathleen agrees to let Jeannie travel with them as Gillian assures them that her cousin Victoria Kendrick, the Countess of Arnprior (who happens to be sister-in-law to Sabrina) will not mind the extra company. So off they go.

When they arrive, they are welcomed with open arms by the family, all except Grant, who seems to be the complete opposite of Kathleen in every way imaginable, despite the family’s hints that super-sober and oh-so-boring Grant was once a hellraiser of the first order. Kathleen finds herself fighting an attraction to him and is almost relieved when Jeannie creates a scene that will see them traveling to the highlands much sooner than expected. But her relief is cut short when the matchmaking Kendricks insist that Grant accompany the ladies to Lochnager, home to his sister-in-law Sabrina and his twin brother, Graeme. Unbeknownst to Kathleen, Grant is also fighting an inconvenient attraction, but with no way out of escorting them, he agrees.

The trip turns out to be longer than expected when they are held up by highwaymen and his brother confesses needing help to get to the bottom of a recent crime wave. Grant doesn’t think he should stay, worried that he won’t be able to deny his attraction to Kathleen for much longer, but can’t refuse to help his brother. So he stays and their attraction grows, but will they get a HEA or will they leave the highlands brokenhearted?

The is was a well-written story, with great characters and a very slow-burning romance. The book is filled with witty banter, outspoken, unrepentant females, denied attraction, a heroine with surprising baby-calming talents, warm love scenes, more than one unrequited crush, a teenager with a penchant for causing trouble, meddling matchmakers, evil villains, and finally a well-deserved HEA. I liked this story, but OMG – Jeannie was such a brat, I find it hard to believe she was 16, because she acted like she was 6 most of the time, and EVERYONE coddled her, it was so over-the-top and annoying. In addition to that was the mystery of her family – if Kathleen and Jeannie were in fact step-sisters, why did they have the same last name? Not really a big deal, but I found it distracting. Overall, it was a good read with a decent mystery and likable leads. This is the fourth book in the series and could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in order (including the Improper Princesses series if you are interested in Victoria & Gillian’s stories).

The Highlander's Irish Bride
Book 4 in the Clan Kendrick series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The Highlander's Irish Bride was a good story and could of been a four star read because I really liked Grant and Kathleen. They share many fun and tender moments together. I enjoyed the matchmaking antics that his family attempt so they can be together, especially by the grandfather.
Sadly to me the romance was overshadowed by the spoiled antics of Kathleen's step-sister, Jeannie. I really wish she would not have been part of the story. It takes a lot for me to not like a character, even the villains were more likeable then her in this story, but every time she appeared I really cringed. I can't believe they allowed her to do all that she did. I think Kathleen excused and easily forgave her behavior and spent most of the book apologizing for her sister's behavior to Grant's family.

A pleasant romance happens amongst thievery and the additional violence of a criminal band. The heroine is charming and the hero all that one could wish. There are good and bad guys galore and much action.

I have been reading the “Kendrick Clan” books for a few years now and consistently find each book both entertaining and heart warming. So far this title is my favorite out of the bunch, Kathleen and Grant are a perfect couple for one another and currently hold the award for my favorite couple in this series. I think they fit together and developed at a well balanced pace in the book. The story was also unique, it didn’t have overall algorithmic events compared to the other books in the series, it kept at its own pace and stands on its own as an “original” highlander romance. I’ll definitely be recommending this series to fans of outlander and scottish romance, very well done!

I loved the back and forth play between Grant and Kathleen, especially with their mistaken beliefs about each other. There was also just enough intrigue throughout the book to keep me interested. This is a new author for me, but I will definitely be reading more from her.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Opposites attract in this Regency-era Scottish romance. Kathleen Calvert excels at creating scandals in London. She is distraught when one of these scandals sees her banished to Scotland. Grant Kendrick is the most serious brother in the Kendrick family. Through a long journey filled with misadventure, this couple finds a middle-ground through love.

The first half of this book was slow, and the plot seemed out of focus. I wasn’t optimistic about where the story would lead as there were so many different plot lines. Many of these plot elements got lost in the whole scheme of the story. The number of secondary characters was overwhelming; it was difficult to keep account. There was no connection between the couple for the first half of the book. The couple was merely acquaintances that suddenly fell in love.

The second half of the book improved significantly. The storyline gained focus, and the spark between the couple became evident. The grandfather, Angus, was a wonderful character that was very well written. The scenery and backdrops were described in much detail. I felt an undeniable sense of where the scenes took place. Grant and Kathleen’s characters were well defined and had strong personalities. The journey became exciting when the plot gained momentum towards the end.

Overall, the book could use some polishing but had a good foundation. The final action sequences and epilogue were powerful and vivid. The feeling of the second half of the book was genuine, and I felt an affinity towards the characters by the completion of the novel.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4. When Lady Kathleen's stepmother has had enough of her high spirits following a carriage race with a friend on Hampstead Heath and it is decided Kathleen will travel to Scotland with the Duchess of Leverton to visit her cousin Sabrina in Scotland who recently married into the Kendrick clan. After a couple of days on the road, the women are shocked to discover Kathleen's 16 year old step-sister Jeannie stowed away in the boot of the carriage. After determining they will bring her along, they continue on to Scotland; before traveling onto visit Sabrina and her husband in the Highlands, the trio are set to spend some time in Glasgow with the Kendrick family.

Grant Kendrick devotes his life to running the family business without leaving much time for fun. He's feeling lack something is missing, but can't decide what until Kathleen bursts into his life. Determined to remain single, he refuses to acknowledge his feelings despite his family's (and especially his grandfather) attempts to encourage him to woo Kathleen. Kathleen finds herself greatly enjoying her visit even with her hands full with keeping Jeannie under control. After a brush with a minor scandal, Grant reluctantly agrees to escort her to Sabrina as well as his twin Graeme. After being unexpectedly robbed as they approach Sabrina's house, they find themselves involved in a mystery of who is creating mischief in the area and for what reason while Kathleen tries to avoid the attention of the local minister who her younger sister is infatuated with.

Overall, I enjoyed this title and both of the lead characters. Readers of the series will remember Grant's youthful escapades in earlier entries, and I enjoyed seeing how he has matured into a wonderful, responsible man. Kathleen is also very likable and I appreciated seeing her realize that there is something other than Ireland that will bring her happiness. I did find Jeannie a bit much at times and thought she could have been a little less self-centered. I'm looking forward to Kade's book and suspect it might be the next one. This was a fast read that would be perfect for a day at the beach or lake this summer.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book.
Kathleen has been banished to Scotland to avoid a scandal that could disrupt her brothers engagement. Unfortunately, her younger sister has hidden away in the carriage.
Grant is the serious Kendrick all about the family trade and shipping business.
Through these two are poplar opposites their growing relationship was fun and didn't feel rushed. The added mystery of who was causing harm and chaos was well done.
The only part I didn't like was Jeannie, the irritating brat of a sister. I just wanted her to fall off a cliff.
Every other secondary character was good.

I loved this book!! Sometimes historical novels can be too explanatory and bog you down with the era but I found this book to be truly interesting with wonderful characters and storylines.