Oh my goodness Allison B Hanson has really hit the nail on the head with her Safely in Scotland series and this is another great addition! Harlow is kidnapped and in her escape washes up on the shores of Reese’s castle and shenanigans abound from there. The couple’s chemistry was amazing, as well as their ability to miscommunicate. But on the whole I was on the edge of my seat and cheering them on throughout the whole story.

Unfortunately, this sold a high premise and didn't deliver. This tried to be a revenge story with smuggling and danger and got completely sidetracked by the romance (if it can be called that). The dialogue is stilted and descriptions are non-existent. A disappointment.

Lady Harlow Haverston, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ardmere is kidnapped and taken on board a ship. She is betrayed by her uncle who stands by and does nothing while she is kidnapped! This leaves her angry as she was close with her uncle and this betrayal leaves her reeling. Determined not to wait for someone to rescue her or for her father to pay the ransom, she decides to take matters into her own hands and manages to loosen the ropes and jumps overboard to escape her captors. She washes up on the shores of Slains Castle where the Reese Maclanahan, the Earl of Breckenridge is walking along the shore. He finds her and helps her recover.

Reese is a former agent of the Crown and is currently hiding in his Scottish castle to escape his mother’s betrayal to trap him into a marriage he is not interested in. The two form a bond, become close, and help each other out.

This was an ok read for me. I thought the storyline would be better given the write up. I received an ARC from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and submit my honest review voluntarily.

The Lady's Sweet Revenge...oh my. This is a historical romance where I kept trying to suspend my disbelief and I just couldn't. Featuring a heroine who is kidnapped by men associated with her uncle. she escapes with a plunge into the ocean. Ok, it's funny that I can accept that but not the earl who helps rescue her from the beach introducing himself to her with his first name. Or taking the long way to getting her a chaperone. Or having sex with her where they both are like, but we can't get married! But we like smexy times! What? Is this a contemporary? It made me want to throw the book.

Two stars.

An ARC was provided to be for free by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Lady Harlow is caught up in a web of lies and deceit when she is kidnapped and wakes up to find herself bound and gagged aboard a ship. Not knowing where she is, or why, she realizes that if she is to survive, she has to keep her wits about her. Finding a way to loosen the ropes, she manages to get out of the cabin, only to hear the crew discussing her fate. Taking her chances with the murky waters below, Harlow makes her escape. Lord Reese has made his own escape to his Scottish castle after his mother overplays her hand and is complicit in attempting to trap him into marriage. During a morning stroll, he discovers a woman washed up on his stretch of beach, little realizing that their fates are intertwined. A friendship develops between them as they plan ways to reach Harlow's family without alerting the perpetrators that she is, in fact, alive, but they each also have their own revenge to enact on Captain Merrick. The tension escalates, bringing Harlow back into Merrick's ambit once more, and with Reese realizing that he has been betrayed, confusion and misunderstandings ensue. Finding a way back to one another may be difficult, but fortunately, sound reason prevails. I received a copy of this suspenseful romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I loved the epilogue. It was a really nice to see all our couples so happy in their ever after.

I think that this book lost the plot when it introduced the smut. And I didn't understand why they waited till his mother came to start their affair, that made no sense to me. I think if the smut had been worked in around the kidnapping/revenge plot line, it would have been better.

For our characters, I think they were both fine, neither annoyed me or upset me but they didn't really stand out either.
Also, I kind of liked her brother and mother, I wish we had seen more of them potentially at the beginning of the book. Overall it was okay.

When is Gray's book I was hoping his book/story would be in this series but I suppose I must keep waiting.

This book was a solid 3 star. It had a decent plot, interesting MCs and some adventure / revenge, but where it fell short was in the pacing and angst that was dragged out.

TheLadysSweetRevenge #NetGalley

I started out with great anticipation reading this story of Reese and Harlow. Harlow is a kidnapped victim who is out for revenge. Reese finds her on the beach and helps her recover. Together they plan the necessary revenge. All well written and engaging until they become intimate. This turns the story from engaging to repetition and while it's still a good read, it's not an outstanding one. It redeems itself down the road which is why I've given it a high rating yet I would have enjoyed it much more if the repetition to fill pages had been eliminated. It can be read as a standalone within the series.

Our heroine in this historical romance certainly has a most original introduction to our hero. Her bravery and strength make her one of my favourite heroines. Our hero on the other hand is a little paranoid and far too contrary for his own good.
We get a lot of giggles and adventures in this story. We've also got a four legged character that deserves a mention of her own.
Although this is part of a series you can easily read it on its own.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. The fun comes thick and fast.
I loved it.

She's been kidnapped...

Harlow rescues herself from her own kidnapping that her uncle orchestrated.
She washes up ashore to Reese, the Earl of Brekenridge. He's a former agent for the crown, who is lonely but doesn't want to be trapped into marriage. At 25, Harlow is a wealthy daughter of a duke with a dowry.

Harlow is out for revenge against her uncle, Edgar Polk. Reese is just along for the ride.
Recommend.

I had enjoyed the previous volume in the Safety in Scotland series, but it seems I'm right back where I started. I've only liked 1 out of the 3 books I've read from this author and it's time to move on. The Lady's Sweet Revenge focuses on our heroine who magically escapes capture on her uncle's orders and winds up seaswept on the property of a handsome Scottish gentleman. Harlow was a tough cookie and difficult to like. She was used to being desired for her dowry rather than her personality, which meant she had an iron curtain around her heart. Reece, on the other hand, was a sweet Scot who was ready to settle down with the woman he rescued from the sea. I have liked all of Hanson's previous heroes and it's usually the heroines who need to convince me they're worth defending.

This courtship was a slow burn and I wasn't invested as I was in the previous volume. Harlow was very reluctant to confront her feelings and Reece was patient waiting for her to catch up. I lost interest once they consummated their relationship. This is very common in romance novels for the book to lose steam once the couple removes the tension. I enjoyed the charm of Reese, but he couldn't fully make up for Harlow's hard heart. I don't believe I'll continue with this author, but I always love reading Dragonblade titles. They consistently make fun and interesting historical romances out of a small press such as theirs. The Lady may have been out for Sweet Revenge, but it seems like it will be lukewarm by the time she finds it.

Sorry I wanted to like this book more then I did. Wasn't a big fan of the soft porn TBH. Don't know if il be reading anymore by this author

The Safely in Scotland novels keep getting better and better as the series progresses, and Book 3, The Lady's Sweet Revenge, is all-around excellent. Harlow is a heroine after my own heart, smart, level-headed, energetic, and hilarious. Her escape from the kidnappers is definitely impressive. Reese is a very compelling romance hero, blond (*swoon*), outdoorsy, intelligent, mischievous, and noble. The two main characters have a lot in common, including being mercilessly hunted by money-hungry prospective spouses and not appreciated for who they really are. They have a lot of fun together while Harlow recovers from her ordeal, and once they start having sex, their intimate connection is very believable and pretty hot. Reese's mother, grouchy as she seems, is a nice addition to the character roster and adds to the story. We didn't see much of Reese's friends from the previous two books, but perhaps that's for the best and helps the book stand on its own.

I actually like that most of the book was tightly focused on the couple and their relationship, and the issues with Captain Merrick and Harlow's uncle and the kidnapping, along with the whole espionage angle, were decidedly secondary. In many books, the mystery or suspense overshadows the romance, and I know some people like that, but I like my romance very romance-forward and this book definitely fits the bill. There are just enough suspense elements to make it interesting and actually help reveal Reese's feelings at the end, but not so many that they decenter the main pair.

I was a smidgen annoyed by the repeated "He asked me to marry him once, well, kind of, not all the way, and I turned him down, so how do I make him ask again?" and "She turned me down, I'm too traumatized from the one previous rejection by a woman I didn't really like and who loved someone else, but there's no way I ask her again until I'm 100% certain she will accept," but these insecurities were real to the characters who'd only ever known gold diggers. These insecurities were also the only true obstacles to their happily ever after, so this is essentially a low-angst romance, even though there are smugglers and spies and guns. Overall, an enjoyable 4.5 stars from me.

Don't worry if you haven't read the previous books in the series, although there is some carryover of characters the primary focus of the story is on the two main characters here. This book drops you right into the action with Harlow already captured and developing her plan of escape - what better introduction to a character could you ask for? Our introduction to Reese may not have been as dramatic and action-packed but it did offer up some good insight into who he was as a person. I appreciated how Reese and Harlow were given plenty of time to develop their relationship and actually fall in love - there may have been an immediate attraction, but I always prefer characters to actually know one another before expressing their undying love for one another. If I have one complaint here, it's that much of their angst could have been eliminated had they just talked to one another about their changing feelings about both marriage and for each other. They both had very good reasons to be cautious when it came to anything to do with marriage, but they formed so many of their decisions on faulty/outdated information and it almost cost them any chance at being together. I liked that each of them had someone to help them see the error of their ways at the end - that just showed they each needed a little outside perspective to see what was going on. The mystery surrounding Harlow's kidnapping could have been a little more developed - would it really have been that important for Merrick to risk being caught just to recapture her?

The Lady’s Sweet Revenge opens with Harlow Haverston kidnapped and bound on a ship – but she’s no passive victim. Once she escapes, she decides it’s time to take charge of her life: she’ll get married within the year if she survives her abduction. But when she discovers her beloved uncle was involved, her plans shift to revenge – and she throws herself into it with admirable determination.

I really loved Harlow – she’s bold, capable, and gloriously unbothered by what’s expected of her. Reese, the Earl of Breckenridge, is a delightfully grumpy counterpoint – hiding from matchmaking mothers in his Scottish castle and deeply unimpressed when Harlow turns up on his shore. Their banter is sparky, their connection is strong, and I loved how they moved from reluctant allies to something far more tender.

The climactic moment of revenge has a wonderfully Gothic feel – all brooding drama and high emotion – and the romance builds beautifully throughout. The spicy scenes are genuinely excellent too: evocative without ever feeling formulaic or too much, and they really deepen the emotional connection between the pair.

If I had one small quibble, I did tire of the repetitive inner angst. Both Reese and Harlow spend so much time convinced the other will obviously reject a proposal, it gets a bit tiresome – the miscommunication trope really working overtime here.

But overall, I really enjoyed The Lady’s Sweet Revenge, and if you like revenge with your romance, a castle by the sea, and a heroine who doesn’t need saving (but wouldn’t mind a grumpy earl), this one’s a winner.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest opinion.

This story is about Harlow and Reese (love the names!). Harlow gets abducted by a criminal named Merrick and finds herself gagged and with her hands tied on a ship. But Harlow isn’t the type to just accept this, so she does whatever she can. She escapes and ends up on the shore nearby the castle of Reese, who finds her and takes care of her. She tells him what happened and unbeknownst to Reese, he knows Merrick because he used to be a secret agent. Harlow was so angry to learn that it was her uncle who was behind her abduction, so she wants revenge.
I really liked that Harlow was so bold, and the easy conversations they had. The story flowed so well and I was enjoying it a lot, even the candid conversations about life, what they liked and disliked, and even what they expected in a spouse.
But then the conversations turned to Reese’s previous sex life; how many women he bedded, where he’d find them and whether he ever visited a brothel and payed for sex. Eventually this led to them having lots of sex and the whole revenge part and even the threat of Merrick and the kidnapping gets sidetracked.
At the same time either Reese and Harlow both are contemplating marriage to each other but you see them dismissing it in every chapter of this book at least one or several times. At this point I got a bit exasperated by their indecisiveness and the fear the other one will definitely reject a potential proposal. The book also lost pace, it was all about sex all the time.
In the final two chapters of the book the uncle and Merrick issues get picked up again.
I did like that Harlow has five brothers and thus is more of a tomboy looking for mischief.
I also liked Reese’s mother a lot more than Reese did. He was quite immature in his behavior towards her.
The book ends with a happily ever after and everything is resolved in the end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you’re in the mood for a historical romance with a twist of danger, sass, and a heroine who’s not afraid to take charge, The Lady’s Sweet Revenge delivers just that. The premise hooked me right away—Lady Olivia is determined to get revenge on the man who wronged her family, and honestly, I was here for her fiery resolve. She’s clever, bold, and maybe a little reckless, which made her such a fun character to follow.

The dynamic between Olivia and Lord Rathbone is where the book really shines. Their chemistry is undeniable, full of that delicious tension you expect from a good Regency romance. The banter? Sharp and witty. The slow-burn romance? Chef’s kiss. There’s a nice balance between intrigue and passion that kept me flipping pages.

That said, there were a few moments that felt a bit predictable, and I would’ve loved to see some of the secondary characters fleshed out more—they had potential! Still, the main plot stayed engaging, and the revenge angle added a unique flavor compared to the usual ballroom dramas.

Overall, this is an entertaining, fast-paced read with enough spice and suspense to keep you invested. Perfect for anyone who enjoys strong heroines, clever schemes, and a dash of romantic tension in their historical fiction.

Reese retreats to Scotland as he is tired of his mother’s machinations and the ladies hunting his title.
He is retired from being an agent of the crown after being shot by Merrick.
He discovers Harlow washed up on the beach and he rescues her.
Harlow was kidnapped and escaped by jumping ship.
She wants revenge on her uncle who was part of the plot and the ships captain Merrick.
Together Reese and Harlow work together to plot revenge. Spending every day together has them falling in love and lust.
Characters wonderfully flawed and falling in love. Fun kisses with good steam.

Harlow Haverston woke up on a ship gagged and bound after being kidnapped from Hyde Park. However, she refused to be a damsel in distress, and she won’t allow her father to pay her ransom. She manages to escape and decides when she gets back to her life, she’s going to make some changes. She’s going to find a husband and live her life. The Earl of Breckenridge has been hunted by a ton full of marriage-seeking misses. But Reese didn’t expect his own mother would attempt to trap him too. Feeling betrayed, he escapes to his quiet castle in Scotland, only to find a beautiful woman has washed ashore.
The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. I loved both Reese & Harlow, both wanted to marry on their terms , both are intelligent & fall for each other but are the last to admit how they feel. I loved their journey to a HEA the banter was a joy & whilst they talked they avoided the conversation they needed to have. A very well written book with intrigue, humour, sizzling chemistry & revenge served cold.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

This is the third book in Safely in Scotland series which can be read as a standalone book.

Harlow Haverston is the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ardmere. She is betrayed by her uncle who stands by while she is kidnapped by men who want revenge on him.

Reese Maclanahan the Earl of Breckenridge has returned to his home in Scotland after he is betrayed by his mother. He can’t believe that she had a hand in trying to trap him into a marriage.

Harlow manages to escape her kidnappers by getting freed and jumping overboard from the ship she was on. She is washed up on the shores of Slains Castle where Reese find hers. As Harlow is healing she ask Reese for help in plotting her revenge on the uncle she once loved as a brother. Reese and Harlow both start having feelings for each other but neither one wants to be forced into a marriage they don’t want. Will Harlow and Reese finally admit their feelings for each other before it is to late?

This is the first book that I have read from Allison B. Hanson and I was not disappointed!! I absolutely loved Harlow and Reese’s love story!! The book was very fun, full of excitement and had lots of romance!! I liked how both Harlow and Reese were able to connect to each other and move on from the betrayals that they had experience from people that were close to them. They were truly perfect for each other. I look forward to reading the first two books in the series now and highly recommend this book!!