Book review: Heather McCollum’s The Highlander’s Lady of Loch and Sea. Published by Entangled: Amara, with sincere thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

There is a particular kind of comfort that comes from opening a Heather McCollum novel, and this third installment in the Brotherhood of Solway Moss series delivers that feeling in full. From the opening pages, I was pulled back into the rugged beauty of the Isle of Skye, where clan loyalties are fragile, danger is constant, and love is never simple. This book feels rich and layered, combining political tension, emotional vulnerability, and a romance that simmers before it truly burns.

Cyrus Mackinnon has always struck me as the charmer of the group, but here we see how much weight he actually carries. He’s a warrior trying to do right by his clan, his sister, and the future of Skye, even when every choice threatens to unravel the peace he’s working toward. Laria Macqueen is the kind of heroine I love most: capable, guarded, and deeply loyal to the people who depend on her. Her scars, both seen and unseen, shape her strength rather than diminish it, and I appreciated how the story never treats her as someone who needs saving. When Cyrus and Laria collide, the attraction is immediate, but trust is anything but easy, and that tension kept me fully invested.

What stood out most to me was how much heart this story has. Beneath the sword fights, betrayals, and shifting alliances, there’s a steady focus on acceptance and worth. McCollum gives space to characters who are considered flawed or unwanted by society and quietly reminds the reader that survival itself is a kind of victory. One quote that truly stuck with me was, “Scars merely show that ye’ve battled against something fierce and survived.” That line perfectly sums up the emotional core of this book.

While The Highlander’s Lady of Loch and Sea is labeled as a standalone, I do think readers who have read the previous books will feel a deeper connection to the characters and ongoing conflicts. There is a lot happening, and the world feels lived-in and complex. That said, the central romance between Cyrus and Laria stands firmly on its own, and their journey toward trust and love is satisfying and well earned.

The pacing balances action and intimacy nicely, with moments of danger offset by quieter scenes that allow the characters to breathe and grow. I also loved seeing familiar faces from earlier books and catching glimpses of their happily ever afters. It made the story feel warm and cohesive, like returning to a place you know well.

Overall, this was a cozy yet intense Highlander romance that reminded me why I enjoy this genre so much. If you’re looking for a historical romance filled with strong characters, found family, emotional depth, and a swoon-worthy Scottish warrior, this book is well worth your time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5

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Tense, romantic, exciting, and sweet. This was a complex story with fully formed side characters. The story is very tense, the FMC is in constant danger for her cousin who exiled her. It made me nervous, and I was really rooting for the MMC and her to figure it all out. At one point, I did wonder if there was a happily ever after for the two. Don’t worry, McCollum knows the job. The ending was so romantic and tied up loose ends. It does get a bit dark at times, so check the trigger warnings in the beginning.

I loved this book! The slow burn romance and finding love through peril kept me reading. I liked that I didn't have to read the first two books to enjoy this one also.

5 Stars! Yet again, Heather McCollum has written another fantastic book in the ‘Brotherhood of Solway Moss’ series. I really love this series and I wish I could write as well as Heather does. Anything she writes is a must read for me. The previous 2 books in this series were also 5 stars for me and while I’m a little foggy on some details from those books, since I read them about a year ago, I love how the author jogs my memory, giving just enough for me to remember main parts. I really want to reread this series in order, one after the other. But now I have to wait for the 4th book! This is why I prefer single books over a series, since I have very little patience. How will it end?! Tell me now! Haha. But I do love seeing past main characters in other books in the series, it’s like an extra epilogue!
The main characters in this one are Cyrus and Laria and I loved them both. As someone with many, many scars and less than perfect health, I felt for Laria, even though, yes, she’s fictional. This series has a lot of action, some sweat inducing sexy time scenes, conniving, lying, secrets, fighting, a kind old granny, mystery, betrayal, kidnapping, murder, death, love, happiness, an HEA ending and wrapped up with a gorgeous, buff, mouth watering cover! I 1000% recommend this series but would say start at the beginning as I feel it would be best read in order. You seriously won’t be disappointed. Just trust me on this. You’re welcome!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*