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This book works best if you've read the other books in the series. I hadn't read them and there's a lot of secondary characters with past history.

I would describe pretty much most or all of the characters as quirky. Not necessarily campy, because it's not really "funny"-funny... but the dialog is definitely unique. The fmc, Barabal, in particular, is very literal and her speech is often cutting. I can see why some people may not warm to her. I kind of felt as someone who just jumped in at this book that there's a lot of inside jokes and shared past experiences that I'm not privy to yet, as the reader.

Barabal and Seoc are two hurt people. I think he knew that she didn't really mean half of the things she said and he eventually got through. I'd predict that they both will give each other a run for their money long term, but they wouldn't have it any other way.

I loved the use of massage therapy and their intimate times were VERY powerful and tender. Truly, this book has the BEST massage scene I've ever read.

"He might not have known her any time at all, but he’d talked to Murdag and now to Joan, and if he wasn’t riveted to absolutely every nuance of her expression, he would have said this woman ate cold iron to break her fast. So when she showed him something so delicate, so fragile, as a little uncertainty, it was like a gift. One he wanted to know with all his heart and vanquish whatever demon had put it there in this remarkable woman’s life."

Thank you to Nicole Locke and Harlequin for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

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I read this and a bunch of other historicals back to back, so unfortunately this one did not really stick out to me, it just blurred with the rest I have read recently.

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One needs to feel like one belongs and is needed. This is especially valid for 13th century Scottish clans. In Nicole Locke’s “The Highlander’s Mysterious Maiden” this is certainly true for Barabel, an orphaned Scottish maiden, as she tries to find a clan in which to live. Seoc of the Graham Clan is numb inside after recovering from what could have been a fatal injury while trying and failing to protect his Laird. Misunderstanding after misunderstanding happens between the two of them as they try to find their proper places in life with the Graham Clan.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the vivid descriptions of medieval Scotland that the author used. The constant misunderstandings trop that “The Highlander’s Mysterious Maiden” uses is a bit overdone in my opinion. I wanted force Seoc and Barabel into a locked room to make them communicate before letting them out! Anyone who enjoys historical medical romances would enjoy this book.

Thank you to Harlequin Historical Romances for providing me this book to review on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#thehighlandersmysteriousmaiden
#harlequinromance
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Barabel arrives in the village of Clan Graham just in time for Beltane, having moved from clan to clan with no real roots. Her tough, guarded exterior might push most people away, but Seoc and the rest of the clan welcome her with open arms. As she slowly lets her guard down, Barabel begins to realize that this place—and the people in it—might offer her more than just temporary shelter: perhaps friendship, even love.

I really wanted to love this story. The setting and time period are both right in my wheelhouse, and I was eager to get swept up in the atmosphere of historical romance. Unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite work for me. Barabel’s resistance to connection, while central to her character, was so strong and persistent that it made it difficult to root for her or become emotionally invested. I found the pacing uneven, especially in the beginning, which made it hard to stay engaged. Additionally, the supporting characters didn’t stand out enough to make a lasting impression, leaving the world around Barabel feeling a bit flat.

That said, there were moments of warmth and potential, and I appreciate the attempt to portray a hardened character learning to trust again. Readers who enjoy slow-burn emotional journeys and rugged Highland settings might still find something to enjoy here.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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I will start off with, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I will try to be vague as to not ruin a great story.

The book is a bit of a slow burn with a good storyline and characters that you become attached to at the end. Both main characters (and even some of the minor characters) had realistic flaws. The war hero with a tortured soul and an equally tortured heroine, both struggling to find their place in the world. Which I feel gives this book a lot of depth. It was easy to identify with the characters’ mental obstacles but it did have me yelling at them both- due to their inability to communicate with each other. Sometime you want to reach through the pages and shake them. But that is the sign of a great book, its ability to take you to another place.

My only complaint is that this book left me wanting more. It felt like an abrupt ending. It has a happy ending but I wanted more. I will have to wait an see if there are more books to the series.

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I want to say that I loved it, but I can't. I could get myself to like the heroine, she was such a shrew towards ALL the characters.

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