3.5 stars rounded up

Not quite what I was expecting, but this ended up being pretty good. Let's be real, the cover and the premise of a Black highlander sucked me in. I was expecting something fun and lighthearted, but Never Cross a Highlander is a more serious book tackling some difficult issues, so you may want to go in knowing that.

Set in the 1700's Scottish Highlands, this uses the real history of Black people in the UK during the time as a jumping off point. Our heroine Ailsa is a Black woman healer who was born free in the Highlands, but for the past three years has been enslaved, working as a maid to the daughter of the king. She is determined to get back to her clan and is about to launch her third escape attempt. (note that Ailsa experiences physical abuse and sexual harassment during this time)

Kallum MacNeil is a free Black man with locs and a fearsome reputation. He is the military leader for his clan, but secretly is also the Shepherd, helping slaves to escape to freedom in England. For reasons Ailsa and Kallum are thrown together on a journey with perilous obstacles and they butt heads at every chance, despite their undeniable chemistry. Ailsa is fiercely independent, Kallum is not used to being challenged, and neither of them ever intend to marry.

Like I said, I expected a fluffier romance and got a fairly gritty one. Not a bad thing, but I think setting expectations is helpful. This has some intense scenes including an on-page attempted rape and several instances of Ailsa being assaulted. Kallum grew on me, but he is definitely more Alpha than my taste in romance-heroes runs. More a protective one who does like that Ailsa has her own mind, but he does things like spanking her once (not in a bedroom sort of way) and throwing her in a river. That said, I did like their relationship by the end and I love this trend of reclaiming the existence of Black people and other people of color in history all over the world. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This is one of those books that I totally judged by the cover – HOT! I am also so happy to say that the book did not disappoint. It is a masterful tale of adventure, love, and historical fiction that is totally fascinating. The strong FMC had me laughing and crying at different points. She didn’t take BS from anyone and remained strong and true to herself. That made me love her even more. The MMC is a bit of an Alphahole, but still caring and noble. I am kind of in love with him too. The side characters were entertaining and I hope that there will be future books highlighting their adventures.

4/5

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC, Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Who doesn’t love a good heroic romance? Rayne delivers with this twist on your usual Highland romance with a Black protagonist and hints of history throughout. Ailsa makes a fierce character with her headstrong courageousness, while Kallum balances that out with the male version. Sparks and more fly between the two as this plot gets better and better. This was my first Rayne novel, but won’t be my last.

It was a good story and I loved the representation of Black highlanders. It had adventure, action, and romance which were all great.

I do think it could have been a bit shorter, it felt too wordy in a lot of places and the beginning was VERY slow and hard to get into.

This had all the things I secretly love about historical romance — Ailsa, a sassy heroine who knows how to hold her own and refuses to surrender her independence, and Kallum, a somewhat grumpy hero and warrior who doesn’t know what to make of her. Now set that in the Highlands and make it Black! This was well researched , funny, kinda tropey, and made me smile. I would love to read another historical romance from this author (perhaps about the cousin Inan or the brother Coen)!

My main critique is that I did not notice any content warnings about sexual harassment and mentions of sexual assault that are present in the story (which makes sense as it was a reality for enslaved women).

I was provided with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review; and so, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you the publisher and netgalley!

This was my first Lisa Rayne book and I can't wait to see what the next book in the series is like! Tons of laughs, mistaken identity and wow some romance! The many twists and turns the story took had me not wanting to put the book down, even when I had no choice but to put it down for a little bit. Can't wait to see what book 2 has in store.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine

Should I read in order?
This is the first book Rayne’s Shadow Lairds series

Basic plot:
Ailsa has been enslaved for 3 years and has multiple failed escape attempts. But with other clans visiting for the tournament, she is finally able to get away, albeit unwillingly, when she’s kidnapped accidentally by Kallum MacNeill.

Give this a try if you want:
- King James VI time period (late 1500s to early 1600s? Not sure on exact year)
- Scotland setting
- Diversity uplifted – both of our mains are Black
- secret identity
- road trip feel
- bit of enemies to lovers feel towards the beginning
- touch of rival families – the hero and herione’s clans are enemies
- accidental kidnapping
- medium steam – 3-ish full scenes

Ages
- Hero is 33, but I didn’t catch the heroine’s age. Would guess 20s?

My thoughts:
This is a fabulous addition to the historical romance world! I am so excited for Rayne to be bringing us some long over due strong and loving Black highlanders.

Ailsa and Kallum are two smart and determined highlanders that absolutely belong together. I loved how they brought out the strength in each other, but also pushed each other a bit more than they were used to. Some books the HEA feels really solid to me, and I felt like that with these two.

I did lower my rating a bit, just because I didn’t have much tension for me. I’m not sure if it’s because of the danger aspect, or the clan politics going on, but it was just lacking a bit for me (still, loved their scenes together and will definitely try Rayne again!). There’s a lot of stuff going on here (as with many highlander romances – they definitely aren’t boring! :P ) but that usually detracts for me a bit in the romance feels.

This was a really good story line. I was surprised at how much I liked it. Yes,,, in true romance fashion everything turns out in the end but there were twist along the way.

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

This book is about Ailsa. Ailsa has been a slave for three years in a castle. She has plans to escape but her plans get changed by A highland warrior. This book was interesting and I love the dynamic between Ailsa and Kallum. I love that Ailsa is so fierce.


This book is so sweet and spicy at the same time. I don’t usually read historical fictional romances but I liked this!

Ailsa has been held captive as the princess's servant in Sterling Castle for 3 years and has been plotting her escape to be reunited with her clan. That day finally comes however her plans get thrown off when instead she is kidnapped as a part of a rescue mission of enslaved people from the castle. She convinces her highlander rescuer to take her on the journey back to her homeland.

It took me awhile to get used to the old English speech but that combined with the wordiness often slowed down the pace of the story. I think I would've enjoyed this more if the book was shorter because it's pretty lengthy for a romance. And the length broke up the moment of the love story.

The steamy scenes did what they needed to do and were definitely worth it. It took awhile to build up to those but I was satisfied. Kallum and Ailsa had great chemistry together which is really what kept me reading.

As far as the characters Ailsa got on my nerves at time with her need to constantly be a contrarian even if it meant putting herself in harm's way to prove a point. Kallum was great and I enjoyed the glimpses we got of his clan life as well as the softening of his heart throughout the story.

I only got about 20% into this book, but I already know that this book won't be for me and I'm really sad about it. The premise of the book, and the fact that it features 2 main characters of color in a historical (highland) romance, drew me in to request the book in the first place. And I generally can get through historical fiction books within a day, I just eat them up so fast because they're so good and I enjoy them so much.

Unfortunately, with this book because of the current pace of the book and the manner in which the characters speak, it completely takes me out of the story and I don't like having to decipher what the characters are saying. I really don't like books set in a historical setting, where the speech used is really old English, it's just weird and gives me an obnoxious feel to it.

With this book, I feel like it's a case of "just not the book for me", instead of the book being actively bad. I really wish that I would've liked this book.

I thank the publisher for giving me a chance and an opportunity to read this book, and all thoughts are honest and my own.

Never cross a Highlander
Between the title and the cover, I knew I wanted to read this book. The two main characters are Ailsa Connery, a free born Highlander, trained by her mother as a healer, who was later captured and enslaved at Stirling Castle. There she is forced to be a servant to the King’s tyrant of a daughter.

Kallum MacNeill is another free born Highlander, but he was practically adopted by the Laird of his clan. Kallum is his clan’s commander, its best warrior, and is nicknamed The Black Devil behind his back. He first sees Ailsa at a Tournament at the Castle. The last night as the clans were leaving the castle, Ailsa plans her escape and Kallum plans to rescue her and the other slaves at the castle. This is where their lives become entwined and the story really takes off.

Ailsa is smart, talented, beautiful, and at times I felt she was her own worst enemy. She is quick to use her sharp tongue, which only alienates some people. Kallum has a wicked temper, but has a very strong moral compass, both for his clan and for those who have sold into slavery. It was a fun book to read.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an electronic copy of Never Cross a Highlander. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩 (ARC REVIEW)
Possibilities in Creativity
Let me begin with the book cover…it’s absolutely gorgeous and pure genius from a promotion standpoint. I’ve NEVER seen or even heard of black Highlander romance. It’s what drew me in. Lisa Rayne is a new-to-me author and Never Cross a Highlander is a full-on boastful display of her incredible intellectual prowess.
A heroine who is smart, cunning, determined, and brave. A black Highlander who is a feared warrior and a freedom fighter. Ailsa and Kallum are two strong-minded MCs which makes for an engaging storyline.
Ailsa, born a free woman, was wrongly enslaved and has been planning her escape from the king’s court for years. Kallum arrives for the clan tournament and takes an instant interest in her. Wires get crossed and he kidnaps her during one of his missions. Their journey to his lands is long, fraught with danger, packed with spice, and highly entertaining.
NCAH is a slow-burn, which is necessary given the circumstances. Slavery is a central, and also necessary theme in the book. It’s a human issue, not a political issue, so it requires in-depth exploration; Especially given many readers aren’t aware of what slavery outside of the US looked like for many Africans.
Love the lessons in history and the creative liberties using historical facts. The writing was so beautiful and poetic. It’s is a bit long but I think it’s necessary to be able to relate to the characters and their plight.
Reading the author’s note is a must. Ms. Rayne explains her process and how she brought this extraordinary story to life. Two blacktastic thumbs up!
I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read if you’re down with:
*Black Love
*BLACK HIGHLANDER!
*Historical Romance
*Strong MCs
*Lessons in History
*Slow Burn
*Spicy
*Extraordinary & Creative Storytelling

Secrets, Angst, Romance:
My first time reading anything by this author and what a unique story it turned out to be. 
The story held my attention with a good plot and interesting characters.
The chemistry between Alisa and Kallum was filled with turmoil and troubling banter for the first part of the story, but it didn't take too long before things were turning into a simmering romance.
Their journey to a happy ending is filled with excitement, danger, secrets, mistakes, desirous attraction, and so much more.
A unique story that I am glad I tried reading something very different from what I usually read.
Mature Advisory: 
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest review.

Most romance novels I read are set in the 18th century England and the story line are pretty predicable. But this one I didn't see the plot twist, which in hindsight was a little on the nose but it was great. I enjoyed the slow burn of the couple and the plot line. I laughed out loud a few times. The dialogue was great. If the author makes more stories from this universe I'll gladly pick it up.

Lisa Rayne’s Never Cross a Highlander has all the elements of a delightful Scottish historical fiction romance, while adding a level of complexity and dimension that is often under represented based on the limited amount of known histories of people of African descent in Scotland during this era. The story has elements that are well researched, and yet is also freshly reimagined in ways that may not be verifiable, but are satisfyingly plausible. I was enthralled by the characters and their families. Highly recommended!

Never Cross a Highlander was an enjoyable novel of life in ancient Scotland. Ailsa was a black free Scot but had been enslaved at Stirling Castle for three years. She'd been waiting to make her escape and return to her clan, but was thwarted and taken by Kallum MacNeill who was helping some others escape their enslavement. She was angry and gave Kallum a hard time, but was also attracted to him, so it was easy to see where this was going!

Thanks to the author, Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Really sexy, super interesting characters. Would have LOVED to get more about his life as the Shepherd and the work he does. Loved the setting too. Good read!

3/5 - I liked the story of two people trying overcome social and cultural taboo in the Highlands. The romance is perfect for the characters. The tension of the story worked well with loving relationship throughout the book.

I’d rec this book to readers that like historical fiction with a dash of romance.

This is a fiery and stormy story. Kallum is a feared warrior and leader of his clan’s army. He is feared by all who encounter him. Ailsa is the handmaiden to the King’s daughter. She was captured and impressed into slavery. She is fierce and determined to be free. From the first time these two lay eyes on each other it is electric. The author does a wonderful job of creating the characters and laying out the world in which they live. With each flip of the page the plot swells to a crescendo which sees the couple defeating their enemies and happy in love.