Lynsay Sands delivers yet another irresistible blend of passion, wit, and Highland intrigue in The Highlander’s Return, the twelfth installment of her beloved Highland Brides series. From the very first page, readers are swept into the rugged beauty of Scotland and the emotional storm brewing between Graeme Gunn and Annella Mackay.

Graeme, a seasoned warrior and second son, returns home after years as a mercenary to find his brother dead and his brother’s widow transformed. Annella is no longer the timid bride he remembers—she’s fierce, capable, and commanding as both laird and lady of the Gunn clan. Their reunion crackles with tension, and Sands masterfully builds their chemistry through sharp banter, stolen glances, and moments of unexpected vulnerability.

What makes this novel shine is its emotional depth. Annella’s journey from abandonment to empowerment is beautifully rendered, and Graeme’s slow realization that love might be his greatest battle yet is deeply satisfying. The looming threat of a hidden enemy adds suspense without overshadowing the romance, and the clan dynamics are rich with loyalty, tradition, and heart.

Sands’ signature humor sparkles throughout, balancing the intensity with levity. Whether it’s a heated argument in the great hall or a tender moment by the hearth, every scene feels vivid and alive.

The Highlander’s Return is more than a love story—it’s a tale of resilience, rediscovery, and the kind of passion that refuses to be tamed. A must-read for fans of historical romance and fierce heroines who claim their power.

The characters are engaging enough; after all, who can resist a feisty FMC? The story, however, is rather run-of-the-mill; no events raise the storytelling to compelling heights.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free ARC. The opinions here are wholly my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lynsay Sands delivers another captivating Highland romance!

THE HIGHLANDER'S RETURN perfectly balances passion, suspense, and emotional depth. Graeme is the ultimate Highland warrior - protective and noble, while Annella has transformed from meek bride to fierce leader. Their chemistry is undeniable and the forbidden love aspect adds delicious tension.

The push-and-pull between these characters, combined with the hidden enemy subplot, kept me completely engaged. Sands's writing is witty and fast-paced, making this both a satisfying standalone and worthy addition to the Highland Brides series.

Full of heart, heat, and Highland honor - a must-read for historical romance fans!

#HighlandRomance #HistoricalRomance #LynsaySands #NetGalley

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This was such a fun, old-school style Highland romp. There's nothing profound going on here between Graeme & Annella at first, but their physical attraction was strong. I was never very clear on why Annella was so reluctant to marry Graeme at first, but fortunately for them both, he wouldn't take no for an answer. I enjoyed seeing these two come together amid the usual strife and calamities which are characteristic of this series and of course there was a little bit of a danger element thrown in for good measure. It was also nice to see Annabel and Ross from the first book appear on the page here as well. I will never not read this series for a fun escape from reality and can only hope it somehow continues.

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

It was an okay book, but not my favorite from this author. I enjoyed the story but it was a okay story that I couldn’t really get into.

This book was pure fun. One of my favorites in her Highland series. Sands knows how to blend humor, heat, and a little danger into a page-turner. While a few moments felt slightly predictable, it didn’t take away from the ride. I’ll be rereading this one for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC I received in exchange for my honest review.

Sexy Scots in kilts? This book had me there. I find this ongoing series to be a fun bodice ripper. I do wish there was a little more plot diversity.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

I’m generally not a fan of historical romance but Lynsay Sands is always the exception. You can never go wrong with whatever romance genre she writes. She never fails to make you laugh & always has such wonderful, entertaining characters. This book is no exception for this extraordinary author & I do recommend it!!

The Highlander's Return is the twelfth book in the Highland Brides series. This can be a stand-alone read.

Graeme Gunn is a second son and a warrior. He returns home with the news that his brother and missing Laird of the clan has been found dead. Forced to return to deliver the news and his brother to the young widow, Annella Mackay, he left behind.

Annella Mackay is not the young bride left behind on her wedding night all those years ago. She has been running the keep in her husband's absence. Faced with the sad news she is happy to be free so she can return home to her family.

Graeme has other plans. After observing her, he wants to marry Annella. He comes up with a plan for her to stay and help him as the new Laird but does not tell her he wants her to stay permanently.

Nothing goes according to plan as they are drawn to one another. There is a someone else who wants to claim Annella and the keep as their own.

This was an entertaining story. The story was well written making you care about the characters.

Lyndsay Sands is an auto buy for me. I love her writing style and the ability to just suck the reader in from the start. It’s a lovely escape.

THE HIGHLANDER'S RETURN by Lynsay Sands. Well, Ms. Sands has once again written a tale that I truly enjoyed. I really liked the main characters - Graeme and Annella. Graeme was, of course, a strong highlander that had a kind and tender side to him too. Annella, although a bit shy around Graeme, truly had a heart of gold and was as strong as any Highlander. The family dynamics certainly added to the story, which had romance, love, danger and suspense too. (received ARC from NetGalley for honest review)

I loved this one. Great story. Wonderful characters. Overall just a great book with a storyline you'll love!

This was an excellent book!! I enjoyed the character development as well as how the plot was developed throughout the story. The author was able to to do a good job with all aspects of the story. I would recommend to others.

Lyndsay Sands has done it again! I absolutely love reading anything by this author. Sands' writing style and storytelling is always done so well. I highly recommend this book to the other romance readers out there... believe me you won't be disappointed! I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and Avon and Harper Voyager

I love Lynsay Sand's Highlander series! This latest installment doesn't disappoint—a strong heroine and a hero that's a good man.

I really enjoyed Graeme and Annella's story! I just loved Annella and how she was not someone to let others walk all over her.

Lynsay Sands never disappoints me when it comes to historical romance.
The spice is there as is the plot. Though it was surprising but also unsurprising who the main villains are when you read it.
Would I read this again, yes most likely. The ML and FL are both passionate people and stubborn as heck but I love that they realize what they love about each other.

Thank you to NetGalley for this digital ARC. This is an easy 4 star rating, Lynsay Sands always hit for me.

Sands is another prolific author whose books will be requested by a niche group of readers. In this case medieval Scotland, curiously devoid of the horrors historians assure us are present in everyday life (lack of hygiene included.) But real history isn’t sexy, so we turn to authors like Sands to take a bar of dial soap to a filthy time and leave only the muscles and tartans intact. For what it is, it’ll do just fine for my regulars. I, however, will never understand its appeal.