There isn't a thing I'd change about this book.
All of the characters are so well written. They each have their distinct personality and their own arcs and motivations. But they're all well balanced so as not to be overwhelming to the story. The main focus is always the two main characters.
Miles's character is consistent through all three books. He has always been intriguing and a pleasure to see inside his head, and felt like a real person I wanted know more about. The feeling continues and increases through this book as well. I wasn't sure how much I liked Ealann in book two, but as we know more of her and see inside her thoughts in this book, I quickly liked her very much and found her more relatable than before. She puts up a strong and hard front, but has a sentimental side to her as well. Her arc is well developed and feels satisfying as she grows as character. No one is perfect, but they're both very likeable and make you root for them. They never annoyed me or frustrated me, like some couples in other books do. They talk to each other, and there aren't any unrealistic misunderstandings or frustrating problems that could be resolved with a conversation. The characters are adults and act like it. Their actions are also understandable and relatable. They have such great chemistry. Be ready for all the butterflies in your stomach to come alive. Their relationship develops naturally and convincingly. You can see they're well suited for each other, and that they will do wonderfully together in the future. It's a romance that's truly romantic and beautiful. Their scenes together are moving, full of feeling, and comforting at the same time.
It's also wonderful to get to revisit the lives of main characters from the previous books. The author sprinkles moments here and there for the previous relationships so it doesn't feel like they are totally forgotten about, but not so much that they take away from main couple or slow down the plot. Marion and Cormac's marriage is all and more than what we could have hoped to be. Even though Isobel and Kieran's book was a while ago, they still stir your heart with their scenes. You'll love revisiting their relationships.
The story feels realistic without losing the wonder of transporting you to another world.
The plot picks up early on, and builds well. It's heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time. It doesn't just tell you what's happening. It stirs your emotions and so you end up really caring for the characters. They feel like real people and the stakes feel real. There isn't a boring moment.
It does a good balance between progressing the love story and the bigger overall story of the trilogy. It doesn't end abruptly either, rather you are given a chance to sit with the final events and see how things unfold afterwards and how the characters deal with it and feel about it. All the plot points are well tied up at the end. The ending is rewarding and leaves you with a smile and contented.
While I am not an expert on Scottish History by any stretch of the imagination, it shows that the author has done her research. This trilogy has moved Scotland way up my wish list of places I want to see, and hope I can make it come true soon.
You'll never want to put this book down, especially as the third act draws near. If you can at all help it, try to set out some time to read this book in as little seatings as possible. This story and characters took over my brain for 4 days and it was pure bliss when reading and then torture everytime I had to put it down.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.