What do you think?
Rate this book
MacGregors #3
The MacGregor's Lady
Asher MacGregor has returned from years wandering the Canadian wilderness to assume an earldom he’s avoided, and to seek a bride he does not want. He’s saddled with an additional family obligation in the form of Boston heiress Hannah Cooper, whom he is to escort about the London ballrooms so she might find an English husband. Hannah is no more interested in settling in Britain than Asher is in returning to the New World, and yet their sympathy for one another soon turns to passion. With Hannah anxious to return to the family she’s trying to protect in Boston, and Asher bound to his earldom in the Highlands, they must trust in love to span an ocean of differences and difficulties.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published February 4, 2014
577 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
190 books2,917 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
March 3, 2025
Maybe I read this too soon after the first two books in the series, but I just didn’t click with this story. I spent too much time confused about Asher’s history. I understood the severity of Hannah’s family problem, but her plan didn’t make sense and even when other characters pointed out the flaws, she still insisted on returning to Boston because she “had to do something.” That foolishness negated all the angst and anguish of their parting: the never again’s, the one last time’s, the love you forever’s. And of course all that hand-wringing and tear-shedding was for naught, and I ended the book feeling disgruntled that I was expected to buy into it.
If you can look past the flimsiness of the plot, individual sections of this book are some of the finest writing I’ve read from Grace Burrowes.
If you can look past the flimsiness of the plot, individual sections of this book are some of the finest writing I’ve read from Grace Burrowes.
August 11, 2016
I've given this a B+ for both narration and content at AAR, but unusually, am rounding up here rather than down, because I think it's nearer 5 stars than 4.
I knew before starting to listen to this story that narrator Roger Hampton faced a Herculean task – to appropriately and consistently voice not only the hero, heroine and new secondary characters in this novel, but also to portray all the other MacGregor siblings and their respective spouses (four couples), plus their cousin-by-marriage and his wife, making a total of ten characters whom we’ve met in the previous books and audios. I’m happy to report that Mr Hampton has obviously done his homework. His interpretations of these numerous characters are consistent with their earlier appearances in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, Mary Fran and Matthew and Once Upon a Tartan, with only a couple of minor slips.
The hero of The MacGregor’s Lady is the eldest brother Asher. He has recently returned to Scotland following an absence of such length that he was declared legally dead, leaving his brother Ian to assume the reins of the earldom of Balfour. This story picks up six months after Asher’s resurrection, which surprised me, as I had expected the book to tell the story of his return and re-integration into his family. (We do discover the reasons behind Asher’s long absence, although I felt that some of that information should have emerged sooner than it did.) Asher’s return has turned around the MacGregor family fortunes, not only because the earldom’s funds have become available (Ian refused to ‘borrow against expectations’), but also because Asher is a wealthy businessman who owns a fleet of ships and has a thriving trading empire. The story opens with him meeting a young American heiress, Miss Hannah Cooper, who has travelled to England aboard one of his ships. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, a distant, elderly relative has coerced Asher into squiring Miss Cooper around London and aiding her in her search for a husband.
The problem is that Miss Cooper does not want a husband. Her controlling step-father in Boston has tried – and failed - several times to marry her off to one of his cronies so that he can get his hands on her money. Now she has been shipped off to England to marry a title. All Hannah wants to do is go back to Boston to keep her beloved family safe from her step-father. She is anxious, heart-sick and determined to go back home as soon as possible without a husband.
Thus the plot of The MacGregor’s Lady is actually quite slight. Asher and Hannah are drawn to each other, but he has responsibilities to fulfil in Scotland, and she hankers to return to Boston – and that’s about it. But in the hands of Grace Burrowes, it becomes a whole lot more than the story of two people who have to find a way around the seemingly unsurmountable difficulty standing in the way of their mutual happiness.
Asher and Hannah are drawn to each other, but he has responsibilities to fulfil in Scotland, and she hankers to return to Boston – and that’s about it. But in the hands of Grace Burrowes, it becomes a whole lot more. Asher and Hannah develop an easy friendship, even as they are both very attracted to each other. Neither wants to marry, but the pull between them is so strong that it’s impossible to deny or ignore. The romance is beautifully developed and proceeds at a natural pace. Nothing feels rushed or out of place. We are listening to two people who have endured much finding a kindred spirit and falling in love, and it’s absolutely wonderful. Asher is a lovely romantic hero. He conveys much through gestures, whether it be providing a supportive hand, whisking Hannah off to skate, or secretly making lifts for her shoes to help correct her uneven gait and spare her discomfort.
If I have a complaint about the story, it’s that Hannah’s stubbornness gets in the way of her common sense. Even when Asher gently points out that remaining unmarried is no defence against a man like her step-father, she refuses to see the truth or let him help her. I also felt that the pacing around the middle of the story slowed down a little too much, and the ending was rather rushed. Overall, however, the strength of the characterizations and relationships helps to overcome these flaws.
I always enjoy the way Ms. Burrowes writes such strong friendships and familial relationships. It’s wonderful to see Clan MacGregor rallying to aid its Laird and to hear the good-natured teasing between the brothers and brothers-in-law with its strong undercurrent of love and affection. Some of my favourite exchanges were those between Con, the youngest brother, and Spathfoy, whose sniping was both funny and true-to-life. For me, the lynchpin of the family has always been Ian, and even though he’s no longer the head of the clan, he’s still very much filling the role of confidant, advisor and peacemaker.
Roger Hampton’s performance in this audiobook is very good indeed and, in fact, I think he’’s gone from strength to strength as this series has progressed. As I said at the beginning, he faced a challenge to maintain the consistency of his characterisations of the many characters appearing from the earlier books. But even though some of them only appear in one or two scenes, they are all easily identifiable and distinct from one another. There is one scene in which I felt that Ian and Connor sounded a little too much alike, but that’s a fairly minor point, as it’s a short scene and the dialogue tags are sufficient to prevent confusion.
Hampton does a particularly good job with Asher, who is given a very attractive Scottish lilt, something at which he excels. He perfectly captures the character’s gentleness and his feelings of guilt and frustration. Mr. Hampton’s performance in an important scene late on in the story is beautifully low-key, but highly emotional.
At first, I wasn’t convinced by his portrayal of Hannah, although I suspect that is more due to the fact that my ears found the American accent in amongst all the Scottish and English ones to be out of place. As the audio progressed and I got used to it, it became a non-issue. I know I frequently bemoan the inaccuracy of accents in my reviews, but as American accents aren’t my forte, I won’t comment on the authenticity of the accent Mr Hampton adopts for Hannah. I will just say that works to sufficiently identify the character.
The whole of the MacGregor trilogy has been a delight from start to finish and Ms Burrowes has maintained a very high standard of storytelling throughout. The MacGregor’s Lady brings it to a beautiful and emotionally satisfying conclusion.
I knew before starting to listen to this story that narrator Roger Hampton faced a Herculean task – to appropriately and consistently voice not only the hero, heroine and new secondary characters in this novel, but also to portray all the other MacGregor siblings and their respective spouses (four couples), plus their cousin-by-marriage and his wife, making a total of ten characters whom we’ve met in the previous books and audios. I’m happy to report that Mr Hampton has obviously done his homework. His interpretations of these numerous characters are consistent with their earlier appearances in The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, Mary Fran and Matthew and Once Upon a Tartan, with only a couple of minor slips.
The hero of The MacGregor’s Lady is the eldest brother Asher. He has recently returned to Scotland following an absence of such length that he was declared legally dead, leaving his brother Ian to assume the reins of the earldom of Balfour. This story picks up six months after Asher’s resurrection, which surprised me, as I had expected the book to tell the story of his return and re-integration into his family. (We do discover the reasons behind Asher’s long absence, although I felt that some of that information should have emerged sooner than it did.) Asher’s return has turned around the MacGregor family fortunes, not only because the earldom’s funds have become available (Ian refused to ‘borrow against expectations’), but also because Asher is a wealthy businessman who owns a fleet of ships and has a thriving trading empire. The story opens with him meeting a young American heiress, Miss Hannah Cooper, who has travelled to England aboard one of his ships. For some reason I can’t quite fathom, a distant, elderly relative has coerced Asher into squiring Miss Cooper around London and aiding her in her search for a husband.
The problem is that Miss Cooper does not want a husband. Her controlling step-father in Boston has tried – and failed - several times to marry her off to one of his cronies so that he can get his hands on her money. Now she has been shipped off to England to marry a title. All Hannah wants to do is go back to Boston to keep her beloved family safe from her step-father. She is anxious, heart-sick and determined to go back home as soon as possible without a husband.
Thus the plot of The MacGregor’s Lady is actually quite slight. Asher and Hannah are drawn to each other, but he has responsibilities to fulfil in Scotland, and she hankers to return to Boston – and that’s about it. But in the hands of Grace Burrowes, it becomes a whole lot more than the story of two people who have to find a way around the seemingly unsurmountable difficulty standing in the way of their mutual happiness.
Asher and Hannah are drawn to each other, but he has responsibilities to fulfil in Scotland, and she hankers to return to Boston – and that’s about it. But in the hands of Grace Burrowes, it becomes a whole lot more. Asher and Hannah develop an easy friendship, even as they are both very attracted to each other. Neither wants to marry, but the pull between them is so strong that it’s impossible to deny or ignore. The romance is beautifully developed and proceeds at a natural pace. Nothing feels rushed or out of place. We are listening to two people who have endured much finding a kindred spirit and falling in love, and it’s absolutely wonderful. Asher is a lovely romantic hero. He conveys much through gestures, whether it be providing a supportive hand, whisking Hannah off to skate, or secretly making lifts for her shoes to help correct her uneven gait and spare her discomfort.
If I have a complaint about the story, it’s that Hannah’s stubbornness gets in the way of her common sense. Even when Asher gently points out that remaining unmarried is no defence against a man like her step-father, she refuses to see the truth or let him help her. I also felt that the pacing around the middle of the story slowed down a little too much, and the ending was rather rushed. Overall, however, the strength of the characterizations and relationships helps to overcome these flaws.
I always enjoy the way Ms. Burrowes writes such strong friendships and familial relationships. It’s wonderful to see Clan MacGregor rallying to aid its Laird and to hear the good-natured teasing between the brothers and brothers-in-law with its strong undercurrent of love and affection. Some of my favourite exchanges were those between Con, the youngest brother, and Spathfoy, whose sniping was both funny and true-to-life. For me, the lynchpin of the family has always been Ian, and even though he’s no longer the head of the clan, he’s still very much filling the role of confidant, advisor and peacemaker.
Roger Hampton’s performance in this audiobook is very good indeed and, in fact, I think he’’s gone from strength to strength as this series has progressed. As I said at the beginning, he faced a challenge to maintain the consistency of his characterisations of the many characters appearing from the earlier books. But even though some of them only appear in one or two scenes, they are all easily identifiable and distinct from one another. There is one scene in which I felt that Ian and Connor sounded a little too much alike, but that’s a fairly minor point, as it’s a short scene and the dialogue tags are sufficient to prevent confusion.
Hampton does a particularly good job with Asher, who is given a very attractive Scottish lilt, something at which he excels. He perfectly captures the character’s gentleness and his feelings of guilt and frustration. Mr. Hampton’s performance in an important scene late on in the story is beautifully low-key, but highly emotional.
At first, I wasn’t convinced by his portrayal of Hannah, although I suspect that is more due to the fact that my ears found the American accent in amongst all the Scottish and English ones to be out of place. As the audio progressed and I got used to it, it became a non-issue. I know I frequently bemoan the inaccuracy of accents in my reviews, but as American accents aren’t my forte, I won’t comment on the authenticity of the accent Mr Hampton adopts for Hannah. I will just say that works to sufficiently identify the character.
The whole of the MacGregor trilogy has been a delight from start to finish and Ms Burrowes has maintained a very high standard of storytelling throughout. The MacGregor’s Lady brings it to a beautiful and emotionally satisfying conclusion.
February 4, 2014
Sharply written! Hannah is a gift!
I must admit that I was puzzled by the opening. I couldn't quite understand why Asher MacGregor, the newly titled ninth Earl of Balfour, was meeting two women from across the Atlantic and and escorting them to London for the season. What was the link? Who had asked him to meet them and why? Gradually a fuller picture emerges.
Hannah Cooper, heiress, or 'Boston' as Asher calls her, is stubborn and single minded, enduring all for her family. As her tale emerges we become enraged on her behalf. She is entrapped by her times and her gender.
Asher is the lost Earl, come at the eleventh hour back to the fold, tragedy at his back and in his heart. A tragedy that 'Boston' unknowingly helps keep at bay. Slowly we become privy to his story of conflict and loss.
These two compliment each other in so many ways. They are indeed sympatico.
Balfour is compassionate, insightful and yet afraid of love. Hannah is intelligent and brave, yet fearful. Not for herself but for others.
Miss Hannah Cooper is not what Asher expected, and she walks with a limp as she so plainly and unselfconsciously tells him, 'A blind man could tell I limped from the cadence of my steps.'
Ah, feet again! This time a foot that's associated with a limp, not a sock. I am loving the lure of the elegant foot that crops up in Burowes' novels from time to time. Certainly Balfour himself wonders that, 'feet could be erotic...they were supposed to mind their mundane business...here he was haunted by the feel of a lady's soft foot.'
Burrowes has taken the girl meets boy story and turned it on its head, retaining the small telling acts of love, of being in love, in new and heady ways. Her storytelling, as always, displays depth and insight.
Underlying the story is the very real fact that wives, children, sisters and mothers were at this time at the mercy of their male relations. They were belongings. When those relationships were good, they were encouraging, not stultifying; but when they were bad they were--despicable.
An interesting aside is the use of laudanum at this time, particularly by women and its quite debilitating effect. Addiction is not far away. Hannah's aunt and companion, Miss Enid Cooper, is dependant upon laudanum. This dependency opens up opportunities for Hannah.
A wonderful tale of endurance, love and sacrifice--not necessarily in this order.
It is quite dazzling to witness the assembled magnificence of the MacGregor brothers along with their wives and children, whom we know from previous tales. Their support of each other, the exhibition of a caring supportive family is very real.
A feast of characters, decisively written and a pleasure to read!
A NetGalley ARC
I must admit that I was puzzled by the opening. I couldn't quite understand why Asher MacGregor, the newly titled ninth Earl of Balfour, was meeting two women from across the Atlantic and and escorting them to London for the season. What was the link? Who had asked him to meet them and why? Gradually a fuller picture emerges.
Hannah Cooper, heiress, or 'Boston' as Asher calls her, is stubborn and single minded, enduring all for her family. As her tale emerges we become enraged on her behalf. She is entrapped by her times and her gender.
Asher is the lost Earl, come at the eleventh hour back to the fold, tragedy at his back and in his heart. A tragedy that 'Boston' unknowingly helps keep at bay. Slowly we become privy to his story of conflict and loss.
These two compliment each other in so many ways. They are indeed sympatico.
Balfour is compassionate, insightful and yet afraid of love. Hannah is intelligent and brave, yet fearful. Not for herself but for others.
Miss Hannah Cooper is not what Asher expected, and she walks with a limp as she so plainly and unselfconsciously tells him, 'A blind man could tell I limped from the cadence of my steps.'
Ah, feet again! This time a foot that's associated with a limp, not a sock. I am loving the lure of the elegant foot that crops up in Burowes' novels from time to time. Certainly Balfour himself wonders that, 'feet could be erotic...they were supposed to mind their mundane business...here he was haunted by the feel of a lady's soft foot.'
Burrowes has taken the girl meets boy story and turned it on its head, retaining the small telling acts of love, of being in love, in new and heady ways. Her storytelling, as always, displays depth and insight.
Underlying the story is the very real fact that wives, children, sisters and mothers were at this time at the mercy of their male relations. They were belongings. When those relationships were good, they were encouraging, not stultifying; but when they were bad they were--despicable.
An interesting aside is the use of laudanum at this time, particularly by women and its quite debilitating effect. Addiction is not far away. Hannah's aunt and companion, Miss Enid Cooper, is dependant upon laudanum. This dependency opens up opportunities for Hannah.
A wonderful tale of endurance, love and sacrifice--not necessarily in this order.
It is quite dazzling to witness the assembled magnificence of the MacGregor brothers along with their wives and children, whom we know from previous tales. Their support of each other, the exhibition of a caring supportive family is very real.
A feast of characters, decisively written and a pleasure to read!
A NetGalley ARC
October 13, 2014
Lately it appears that if you've read one Grace Burroews book, you've read them all. This book especially seemed to take on a sad almost depressing theme. Through this ENTIRE book, neither of the main characters were happy. When they did enjoy themselves, it was very brief, followed by pages and pages of sadness. I read this book with my face scrunched and my brain wondering why is this book sooooo.....not good? I read this book through the end, saying to myself, it's going to pick up and it did...the last two pages.
December 28, 2013
Oct. 8, 2013
I won an ARC of this book on Grace Burrowes' blog. So psyched!
Nov. 1, 2013
I haven't received the ARC yet, but GB has put up a sneak peek on her blog here.
Dec. 11, 2013
Got my signed ARC in the mail today. Merry Christmas to me! Thank you Grace Burrowes.
I won an ARC of this book on Grace Burrowes' blog. So psyched!
Nov. 1, 2013
I haven't received the ARC yet, but GB has put up a sneak peek on her blog here.
Dec. 11, 2013
Got my signed ARC in the mail today. Merry Christmas to me! Thank you Grace Burrowes.
June 5, 2016
I cried off all my mascara in the last twenty percent of this book or so because I was so sad. Saaaaaaad. So so so saaaaaadddddddddd.
:(
I really wasn't sure how they were going to get their happily ever after. Well, I could, but it seemed impossible, because she has to be in Boston and he has to be in Scotland and the law was horrible back then, but then it all got fixed, and I was all YAY!!!!
But then I was all, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HER EARLIER????" and "WHY DIDN'T YOU TWO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS AND SOLVING THEM TOGETHER EARLIER???" and that's why it gets four stars instead of five, even though I really liked all the characters because I hate not talking to each other as a plot device. Like, seriously. I mean, it all worked out in the end because it was a romance novel and that's pretty much a genre requirement, but TALK TO THE PERSON YOU ARE SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHY YOU LOVE THEM RIGHT BECAUSE YOU TRUST THEM AND BELIEVE IN THEM AND THAT THEY WILL HELP YOU WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT???
grrrrrrrr
Okay. But, even with that, it's a good book, and it's a Burrowes novel which means odds are you're going to get a hero that is as good in his character as he is in his pants, and that's one of the things I love about her books. And I loved Asher. Loooooooved him. Him and his brother Ian are just delightful in so many ways.
Also, men with infants. Men wearing kilts holding infants.
*falls over dead*
I should make that a new shelf. Men being adorable with babies.
There. I just did.
:(
I really wasn't sure how they were going to get their happily ever after. Well, I could, but it seemed impossible, because she has to be in Boston and he has to be in Scotland and the law was horrible back then, but then it all got fixed, and I was all YAY!!!!
But then I was all, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HER EARLIER????" and "WHY DIDN'T YOU TWO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS AND SOLVING THEM TOGETHER EARLIER???" and that's why it gets four stars instead of five, even though I really liked all the characters because I hate not talking to each other as a plot device. Like, seriously. I mean, it all worked out in the end because it was a romance novel and that's pretty much a genre requirement, but TALK TO THE PERSON YOU ARE SO DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH PEOPLE THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHY YOU LOVE THEM RIGHT BECAUSE YOU TRUST THEM AND BELIEVE IN THEM AND THAT THEY WILL HELP YOU WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT???
grrrrrrrr
Okay. But, even with that, it's a good book, and it's a Burrowes novel which means odds are you're going to get a hero that is as good in his character as he is in his pants, and that's one of the things I love about her books. And I loved Asher. Loooooooved him. Him and his brother Ian are just delightful in so many ways.
Also, men with infants. Men wearing kilts holding infants.
*falls over dead*
I should make that a new shelf. Men being adorable with babies.
There. I just did.
February 15, 2014
I wanted to like this book after reading the other books in the series. However, I found neither the hero or heroine likable. The heroine was stubborn in the extreme and kinda stupid. Yes, she had a good reason to want to avoid marriage and return home, but had no plan to solve her family's problem. She ignored advice or help that might actually improve her family's difficult situation. Then the hero is a self absorbed jerk. I never got why he thought it was ok to abandon his Scottish family and let them think he was dead. Woe is me! My family can't love me! They don't know me and I am going to make sure they never do, so I can wallow in my own self pity. So disappointed this great series end with this dud.
December 17, 2024
Chaque tome de cette série est construit sur le même schéma (discutable) du devoir avant l'amour. Dans ce livre, c'est l'héroïne qui refuse l'engagement, même si cela lui est un crève cœur.
Le héros est un passionné discret mais intense, et leurs adieux font mal.
La toute fin est peut-être un peu trop rapide et pour une fois, je regrette qu'il n'y ai pas d'épilogue.
Bref, une très bonne lecture.
Le héros est un passionné discret mais intense, et leurs adieux font mal.
La toute fin est peut-être un peu trop rapide et pour une fois, je regrette qu'il n'y ai pas d'épilogue.
Bref, une très bonne lecture.
January 5, 2014
A sweet and lovely historical romance, The MacGregor's Lady was a wonderful read. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a wonderful conclusion to a great series.
Hannah was a good heroine. She wasn't the type to live the way others told her to live and she was very loyal to her loved ones. That was also a problem, though. I liked that she was so devoted to her family, but it frustrated me that she could see no alternative but to return home, when there were other solutions to be had. It was irritating because her stubbornness hurt Asher and that man was nothing but sweet. It was a bother, but it wasn't a huge problem. I still really liked Hannah, particularly when she came to her senses. She was a lovely heroine.
Asher was a total sweetheart. He was so wonderful. I loved how determined he was to win Hannah over and how loyal he was to his family. I thought he was just perfect.
The romance was sweet. Hannah and Asher were a lovely couple. Even when it seemed liked things wouldn't work out for them, their feelings were never in doubt. And there was chemistry between them from the moment they met, which led to some steamy scenes. I thought they were great together.
Since this book is set in the late Victorian era, we get to see our old favorites, the Windhams, years after their story concluded. It was fun seeing how everything turned out for them and I thought it was a nice touch.
The plot was okay. The pace was a bit slow and there were some parts that dragged a bit. It wasn't enough for me to get bored, but it was enough that I couldn't get totally drawn in to the story. But, I still really liked the story and I thought it was a wonderful conclusion to the MacGregor Trilogy.
The MacGregor's Lady was a lovely historical romance. I really enjoyed reading it. Lovers of romance, this is a book you might want to check out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Hannah was a good heroine. She wasn't the type to live the way others told her to live and she was very loyal to her loved ones. That was also a problem, though. I liked that she was so devoted to her family, but it frustrated me that she could see no alternative but to return home, when there were other solutions to be had. It was irritating because her stubbornness hurt Asher and that man was nothing but sweet. It was a bother, but it wasn't a huge problem. I still really liked Hannah, particularly when she came to her senses. She was a lovely heroine.
Asher was a total sweetheart. He was so wonderful. I loved how determined he was to win Hannah over and how loyal he was to his family. I thought he was just perfect.
The romance was sweet. Hannah and Asher were a lovely couple. Even when it seemed liked things wouldn't work out for them, their feelings were never in doubt. And there was chemistry between them from the moment they met, which led to some steamy scenes. I thought they were great together.
Since this book is set in the late Victorian era, we get to see our old favorites, the Windhams, years after their story concluded. It was fun seeing how everything turned out for them and I thought it was a nice touch.
The plot was okay. The pace was a bit slow and there were some parts that dragged a bit. It wasn't enough for me to get bored, but it was enough that I couldn't get totally drawn in to the story. But, I still really liked the story and I thought it was a wonderful conclusion to the MacGregor Trilogy.
The MacGregor's Lady was a lovely historical romance. I really enjoyed reading it. Lovers of romance, this is a book you might want to check out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
February 4, 2014
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!
Once again Ms. Burrowes gives us a new couple to care for, while bringing in characters that we grew to love from previous books. The motto for her stories can be summed up this way:
Family First...and Forever
I do love that. When Asher calls on his family they immediately rally around him. He needs them to help him launch Miss Hannah Cooper in the Marriage Mart. Even though he has already proposed to her...and been turned down.
Hannah has her reasons, and as the book goes on and we find more details, I wanted to hug her. Thankfully, Asher takes care of that for me. She hugs him back, by the way, and it's very sweet...and a bit steamy.
There's a scene where Asher is baring his soul to his brothers, while holding a baby, that had me in tears. Well done, Ms. Burrowes!
My only quibble here is that the end seemed a bit rushed. I really wanted some details on how Hannah's family, ALL of them, found their just rewards...or punishment as the case may be. Even so, I give this a full FIVE bookmarks. I found my heart engaged more than once.
This one is a FIVE BOOKMARK Review
because it made me cry...and cheer for them
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC of this book.
If you find this book to be intriguing, please add it to your Goodreads Shelf!
Once again Ms. Burrowes gives us a new couple to care for, while bringing in characters that we grew to love from previous books. The motto for her stories can be summed up this way:
Family First...and Forever
I do love that. When Asher calls on his family they immediately rally around him. He needs them to help him launch Miss Hannah Cooper in the Marriage Mart. Even though he has already proposed to her...and been turned down.
Hannah has her reasons, and as the book goes on and we find more details, I wanted to hug her. Thankfully, Asher takes care of that for me. She hugs him back, by the way, and it's very sweet...and a bit steamy.
There's a scene where Asher is baring his soul to his brothers, while holding a baby, that had me in tears. Well done, Ms. Burrowes!
My only quibble here is that the end seemed a bit rushed. I really wanted some details on how Hannah's family, ALL of them, found their just rewards...or punishment as the case may be. Even so, I give this a full FIVE bookmarks. I found my heart engaged more than once.
This one is a FIVE BOOKMARK Review
because it made me cry...and cheer for them
*Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an eARC of this book.
If you find this book to be intriguing, please add it to your Goodreads Shelf!
September 18, 2023
Asher (the heir) was thought to have been deceased. This is his story. He is back in Scotland and the earl. He is hosting an American heiress, Hannah. Hannah's step-father failed to marry her off (so he could get his hands on some cash), so may not try for a title? The problem is Hannah does not want to get married. She longs to just stay with her family.
Both are drawn to each other and develop a friendship that (shocker!) grows into more. Their big thing is he needs and wants to stay in Scotland and she wants to go back to Boston (for family). That is their big conflict.
I think it's me, but I had a hard time getting into this slow burn romance. It was a bit too slow. Both characters are lovely, but I didn't really connect with them. I did enjoy reading about the characters from previous books.
Both are drawn to each other and develop a friendship that (shocker!) grows into more. Their big thing is he needs and wants to stay in Scotland and she wants to go back to Boston (for family). That is their big conflict.
I think it's me, but I had a hard time getting into this slow burn romance. It was a bit too slow. Both characters are lovely, but I didn't really connect with them. I did enjoy reading about the characters from previous books.
December 22, 2022
This was a slow burn but boy, did I enjoy Hannah and Asher! Takes place in England and Scotland with a h from Boston.
This was an excellent romance, filled with tender and humorous moments and at times quite sexy. My only complaint is that the book was a little long. Some scenes felt unnecessary. Overall, a great novel and would recommend for fans of Scottish romances and slow burn romances.
This was an excellent romance, filled with tender and humorous moments and at times quite sexy. My only complaint is that the book was a little long. Some scenes felt unnecessary. Overall, a great novel and would recommend for fans of Scottish romances and slow burn romances.
June 22, 2021
Another amazing read from this author. Her storylines and characters are always enjoyed by this reader. She never ever disappoints. A definite 5 Stars!
February 12, 2014
Very emotional read and Asher and Hanna made a great couple. I just felt lost at first because Asher was presumed dead in the last book and when the story opens he is hale and hearty and back with his family. Took BG awhile to bring us around to how he ended up back in the fold. I knew GB would do it though and I hope that we get some novellas of this family...they are such fun.
February 5, 2014
This was the third book in the Victorian era Highlander Scots MacGregor trilogy and the one I was really waiting for- finally to know what was up with that oldest MacGregor sibling who was missing presumed dead, but everyone still hoped was alive. I am glad to report that Asher and his backstory did not disappoint. He was so worth waiting for. His heroine? Well, more about her later.
The story begins when Asher MacGregor, the returned prodigal, has reluctantly taken up his duties. His uncle has emotionally blackmailed him into meeting an acquaintance's step-daughter along with the aunt playing chaperone at the wharf where he will take up escort duties. His responsibility is to take the young American girl in hand and squire her around London during the social Season for her to find a husband even as he is expected to find a wife. Asher will do his duty, but he doesn't really want a wife or being looked over as a prize in London. He is still emotionally dealing with his past.
Hannah Cooper is a Boston heiress. After rejecting all her step-father's sycophants and creating a stir in the last case that shocked so many back in Boston, she has been sent to London by way of Edinburgh to land herself a husband. Hannah has no intentions of taking a husband and plans to last until she's twenty-six and can access her inheritance. She will stop at nothing to leave London unshackled and return to Boston even if she has to disgrace herself to do it. She can tell that she and her laudanum swilling aunt are a burden to Lord Balfour and that he has no more desire to escort them then Hannah wishes to be escorted. She is not the only one with coercing family expectations it seems.
Asher and the ladies begin a memorable journey south and the weather with a carriage accident along the way leaves Asher alone with Hannah. They spend a night out on the moor though it goes well under Asher's capable survival skills, but this time alone must never become known to anyone or they will be socially ruined and expected to marry. The night alone changes something with both of them in a fundamental way even if circumstances have not changed and they both still plan to survive the London Season with singlehood intact.
In London, Hannah soon experiences so much that is different and Asher has the opportunity to experience it all through her eyes. They are tempted by an attraction to each other which leads to stolen kisses. Asher knows that he cannot fire off Hannah successfully on his own so he has sent for his brothers, sister and their families to come in support. Hannah gets to see and experience true family for the first time even though now it is obvious that Asher is still brooding and detached from them because of the secret burdens in his past which Hannah gets flickers of now and then. She has secrets too that Asher is slowly discovering- the reason she must return to Boston. As time marches on, Hannah grows more inflamed by Asher as he does her and she seduces him though not for the point of being compromised and forced to marry. It pains her to learn that noble and good Asher wants to marry her. He wants to help with her family troubles back in Boston. Though she loves him and would like nothing more, she must still say 'no' because he has his familial duty as Earl of Balfour and Laird of Clan MacGregor. Asher only has so long to figure out how to help Hannah and change her mind so she'll stay.
Now to what I thought of this one. First of all, I would say roughly the first half of this book was absolutely absorbing when it came to plot that blended history and romance so well. It had a nice pace, and the characters and their developing romance was so good that I couldn't put the book down. I was loving it when they journeyed and first got to London, the machinations of his uncle and her villainous step-father, the peek ins with the other MacGregors and just the rich and colorful descriptions behind the story. A Highlander Clan during the Victorian era, a man who was half-native American spending parts of childhood and parts of adulthood on the Canadian Frontier, an American woman from Boston experiencing the Old World for the first time was all described well.
Yes, I was totally into this story and the people, but then near the middle something happened. The pace slowed way down, the angst soared through the roof and it just started cycling through the same feelings, passionate activities and dialogue even if the scene changed. In the beginning, her need to avoid marriage and return home was fine by me. Hey! I wouldn't want to get pushed into a loveless match and have to live far from everything and everyone I knew either. Then I was shocked when after it is obvious that she loves Asher and knows him, that she still plans to go on as before especially after I learned what she was really up against back home. Asher was working to get her to let him help her with her troubles even as he points out more than once that she can't fix the problem she is worried about. She was stubbornly set on Boston (picture mule refusing to budge here). Stubborn, fixated, stubborn, blind and obtuse, stubborn! Did I mention she was stubborn?
Just in case I leave the impression that my issue is just that she is a strong minded gal, let me do a mild spoiler explanation here.
***Skip this section if you don't want the mild spoilerish details*** Hannah's reason for avoiding marriage and getting back to Boston was unselfish and showed her tender heart. Credit to her for this at least. She wanted to save her family from her greedy, cruel, abusing step-father.
Two things to remember about this time in history both have to do with roles of men and women: Males and female roles in society and male and female when it comes to Legal Rights.
So this plan that Hannah has to return to Boston without a husband, last two years as a single lady living independently until her inheritance is released to her, and then somehow help her gran, her half-brothers and her mother? Not. Going. To. Fly. Mom and brothers? They are step-dad's property by legal right. Live alone without male protection and go about without husband or father? Suicide for her reputation which will then allow step dad to have her declared incompetent and get her and her money back anyway.
******************End Mild Spoiler*********************************
Asher points all this out not once, but twice to her when he offers to be the male she needs to get the job done. She nods knowing he is right and knowing that her plan is bunk. She's breaking his heart (and her own as well though its hard to feel the pain can be equal if she's still willing to chuck it all to run back alone to do- well nothing as I just got done explaining). All she can do is cry in his arms, beg for them to make love so she has at least that, and say she still needs to go. I just got so tired of it all. The 'I love you and will always remember you forever' stuff just got on my nerves because if it weren't for her stubbornness, the solution was right there and their parting and pain unnecessary. Happily, after many pages of angst and ignorance, she does wake up and smell the Darjeeling. Poor Asher! His lady sure put him through the ringer.
That leads me to the best part of the book- Asher. Asher's backstory and past experiences shaped him both on the inside and the outside. He is so many things and it was enjoyable watching each facet of Asher shine forth- the frontiersman, the doctor, the nobleman, the lover, the brother and the Laird of his clan. He's a bit of an enigma at first though it is still easy to form a favorable opinion of him because of his dealings with Hannah. She is rather rude and self-absorbed at first and he just lets it all run off him like a champ. He respects her and is amused by her. He has to be around her and he wants to protect her even as he is oblivious that he is shaking off his past guilt and falling in love.
Asher and Hannah are no tame gentleman and a shrinking violet. Their passion is smoldering and they both go for it. They picked some interesting places too- kitchen prep table, train car platform, up in a highland meadow. It was a bit of a shock when Hannah was the one to come onto Asher first and then later I found it unrealistic when she goes from virgin to experienced lover faster than a 'Vette on the quarter mile and I couldn't get past that they went at it a few times and she doesn't even give it any consideration that he might get her pregnant. But as I've already pointed out in my mild spoiler, she gets fixated and reason gets chucked out the window. I ended up shrugging over these things and just enjoyed two people in love being together. I really loved some of the smaller things like when he took her to get the rum buns and hot toddy and then when he snuck her out to go iceskating. Adorable and a nice balance to the hotter scenes. Their romance was well written and developed at a good pace.
Oh, on a side note, the crossover scene with the Windhams was a delightful surprise and the scenes with the family from previous books were warm and just the perfect amount without taking over the story. Asher was sublime and his romance with Hannah just a joy.
Okay, to wrap it all up, most of my feelings land on the positive side of things. The ending made up for a lot of what aggravated me earlier in the story. I was a total puddle of goo just from the twist leading into the big scene. This author can write a dramatic closing to a story with the best of them. She does it over and over so its a proven thing.
Those who might love Historic Highlander romances with decent historical accuracy, spicy and passionate though never easy romances, and interesting plots, should give these a try. And for fans of other Grace Burrowes' books, this series is right up there too.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story begins when Asher MacGregor, the returned prodigal, has reluctantly taken up his duties. His uncle has emotionally blackmailed him into meeting an acquaintance's step-daughter along with the aunt playing chaperone at the wharf where he will take up escort duties. His responsibility is to take the young American girl in hand and squire her around London during the social Season for her to find a husband even as he is expected to find a wife. Asher will do his duty, but he doesn't really want a wife or being looked over as a prize in London. He is still emotionally dealing with his past.
Hannah Cooper is a Boston heiress. After rejecting all her step-father's sycophants and creating a stir in the last case that shocked so many back in Boston, she has been sent to London by way of Edinburgh to land herself a husband. Hannah has no intentions of taking a husband and plans to last until she's twenty-six and can access her inheritance. She will stop at nothing to leave London unshackled and return to Boston even if she has to disgrace herself to do it. She can tell that she and her laudanum swilling aunt are a burden to Lord Balfour and that he has no more desire to escort them then Hannah wishes to be escorted. She is not the only one with coercing family expectations it seems.
Asher and the ladies begin a memorable journey south and the weather with a carriage accident along the way leaves Asher alone with Hannah. They spend a night out on the moor though it goes well under Asher's capable survival skills, but this time alone must never become known to anyone or they will be socially ruined and expected to marry. The night alone changes something with both of them in a fundamental way even if circumstances have not changed and they both still plan to survive the London Season with singlehood intact.
In London, Hannah soon experiences so much that is different and Asher has the opportunity to experience it all through her eyes. They are tempted by an attraction to each other which leads to stolen kisses. Asher knows that he cannot fire off Hannah successfully on his own so he has sent for his brothers, sister and their families to come in support. Hannah gets to see and experience true family for the first time even though now it is obvious that Asher is still brooding and detached from them because of the secret burdens in his past which Hannah gets flickers of now and then. She has secrets too that Asher is slowly discovering- the reason she must return to Boston. As time marches on, Hannah grows more inflamed by Asher as he does her and she seduces him though not for the point of being compromised and forced to marry. It pains her to learn that noble and good Asher wants to marry her. He wants to help with her family troubles back in Boston. Though she loves him and would like nothing more, she must still say 'no' because he has his familial duty as Earl of Balfour and Laird of Clan MacGregor. Asher only has so long to figure out how to help Hannah and change her mind so she'll stay.
Now to what I thought of this one. First of all, I would say roughly the first half of this book was absolutely absorbing when it came to plot that blended history and romance so well. It had a nice pace, and the characters and their developing romance was so good that I couldn't put the book down. I was loving it when they journeyed and first got to London, the machinations of his uncle and her villainous step-father, the peek ins with the other MacGregors and just the rich and colorful descriptions behind the story. A Highlander Clan during the Victorian era, a man who was half-native American spending parts of childhood and parts of adulthood on the Canadian Frontier, an American woman from Boston experiencing the Old World for the first time was all described well.
Yes, I was totally into this story and the people, but then near the middle something happened. The pace slowed way down, the angst soared through the roof and it just started cycling through the same feelings, passionate activities and dialogue even if the scene changed. In the beginning, her need to avoid marriage and return home was fine by me. Hey! I wouldn't want to get pushed into a loveless match and have to live far from everything and everyone I knew either. Then I was shocked when after it is obvious that she loves Asher and knows him, that she still plans to go on as before especially after I learned what she was really up against back home. Asher was working to get her to let him help her with her troubles even as he points out more than once that she can't fix the problem she is worried about. She was stubbornly set on Boston (picture mule refusing to budge here). Stubborn, fixated, stubborn, blind and obtuse, stubborn! Did I mention she was stubborn?
Just in case I leave the impression that my issue is just that she is a strong minded gal, let me do a mild spoiler explanation here.
***Skip this section if you don't want the mild spoilerish details*** Hannah's reason for avoiding marriage and getting back to Boston was unselfish and showed her tender heart. Credit to her for this at least. She wanted to save her family from her greedy, cruel, abusing step-father.
Two things to remember about this time in history both have to do with roles of men and women: Males and female roles in society and male and female when it comes to Legal Rights.
So this plan that Hannah has to return to Boston without a husband, last two years as a single lady living independently until her inheritance is released to her, and then somehow help her gran, her half-brothers and her mother? Not. Going. To. Fly. Mom and brothers? They are step-dad's property by legal right. Live alone without male protection and go about without husband or father? Suicide for her reputation which will then allow step dad to have her declared incompetent and get her and her money back anyway.
******************End Mild Spoiler*********************************
Asher points all this out not once, but twice to her when he offers to be the male she needs to get the job done. She nods knowing he is right and knowing that her plan is bunk. She's breaking his heart (and her own as well though its hard to feel the pain can be equal if she's still willing to chuck it all to run back alone to do- well nothing as I just got done explaining). All she can do is cry in his arms, beg for them to make love so she has at least that, and say she still needs to go. I just got so tired of it all. The 'I love you and will always remember you forever' stuff just got on my nerves because if it weren't for her stubbornness, the solution was right there and their parting and pain unnecessary. Happily, after many pages of angst and ignorance, she does wake up and smell the Darjeeling. Poor Asher! His lady sure put him through the ringer.
That leads me to the best part of the book- Asher. Asher's backstory and past experiences shaped him both on the inside and the outside. He is so many things and it was enjoyable watching each facet of Asher shine forth- the frontiersman, the doctor, the nobleman, the lover, the brother and the Laird of his clan. He's a bit of an enigma at first though it is still easy to form a favorable opinion of him because of his dealings with Hannah. She is rather rude and self-absorbed at first and he just lets it all run off him like a champ. He respects her and is amused by her. He has to be around her and he wants to protect her even as he is oblivious that he is shaking off his past guilt and falling in love.
Asher and Hannah are no tame gentleman and a shrinking violet. Their passion is smoldering and they both go for it. They picked some interesting places too- kitchen prep table, train car platform, up in a highland meadow. It was a bit of a shock when Hannah was the one to come onto Asher first and then later I found it unrealistic when she goes from virgin to experienced lover faster than a 'Vette on the quarter mile and I couldn't get past that they went at it a few times and she doesn't even give it any consideration that he might get her pregnant. But as I've already pointed out in my mild spoiler, she gets fixated and reason gets chucked out the window. I ended up shrugging over these things and just enjoyed two people in love being together. I really loved some of the smaller things like when he took her to get the rum buns and hot toddy and then when he snuck her out to go iceskating. Adorable and a nice balance to the hotter scenes. Their romance was well written and developed at a good pace.
Oh, on a side note, the crossover scene with the Windhams was a delightful surprise and the scenes with the family from previous books were warm and just the perfect amount without taking over the story. Asher was sublime and his romance with Hannah just a joy.
Okay, to wrap it all up, most of my feelings land on the positive side of things. The ending made up for a lot of what aggravated me earlier in the story. I was a total puddle of goo just from the twist leading into the big scene. This author can write a dramatic closing to a story with the best of them. She does it over and over so its a proven thing.
Those who might love Historic Highlander romances with decent historical accuracy, spicy and passionate though never easy romances, and interesting plots, should give these a try. And for fans of other Grace Burrowes' books, this series is right up there too.
My thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 30, 2018
Very good book. Asher has returned to Scotland after being declared dead, to take up his responsibilities as the earl. He has no intention of marrying, having a tragedy in his past that has made him unwilling to risk his heart. He has been coerced into escorting Hannah and her aunt around London, after which he will return to Scotland and his duties there.
Hannah has been forced by her stepfather to go to London and find a husband. She has no plans to marry; instead, she will return to Boston to watch over her younger brothers, grandmother, and mother. All she has to do is remain unmarried until she can claim her inheritance.
I loved the relationship that developed between Asher and Hannah. They clashed at the beginning, as neither wanted to be where they were. But it didn't take long for them to discover their similarities, and a pretty sweet friendship developed from there. Hannah is pragmatic about herself. She doesn't see herself as attractive, she has a limp and feels that her only appeal is her fortune. Her family is important to her, and she feels that she is the only one who can protect them from her stepfather. Her focus is on surviving the Season and returning to Boston. For Asher, his family is also his focus. He feels guilty for the way he had previously abandoned them and is determined to make everything right now that he is back.
It was fun to see Asher push Hannah through the preparations for the Season. She tried to resist but ended up giving in. I loved his sensitivity to her limp and the way he found to fix it. It was sweet to see how he wanted to make her forced social time easier for her. As they spent time together, they discovered that they liked each other and appreciated the similarities of their situations. That liking turned to love, intensified by the attraction they felt for each other. Asher quickly realized that he wanted to keep Hannah in his life and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Hannah was still focused on her need to return to Boston. I was a little frustrated with her, as Asher made multiple offers to help her with her family issues, but she refused his help. I ached for them both as they admitted their love for each other, but couldn't see a way to make it work.
I loved the support that Asher received from his family. They welcomed him back into the fold with few recriminations. When he wanted their help with Hannah's Season, they came in force. There is an especially moving scene near the end, as Asher is holding a baby, where he finally confesses his painful past to his brothers. I loved their understanding and shared grief.
I wasn't sure how Asher and Hannah were going to get their HEA with everything that was working against them. Seeing her get on that ship, headed back to Boston, made me want to shake her until she saw sense. That Asher's plan was nearly too late made me crazy when so much could have been avoided if he had just told her what he had done. I loved the ending as Hannah makes a decision and tries to stop the ship at the same time Asher attempts to do the same. It was a scene that had me laughing out loud and cheering them both on.
Hannah has been forced by her stepfather to go to London and find a husband. She has no plans to marry; instead, she will return to Boston to watch over her younger brothers, grandmother, and mother. All she has to do is remain unmarried until she can claim her inheritance.
I loved the relationship that developed between Asher and Hannah. They clashed at the beginning, as neither wanted to be where they were. But it didn't take long for them to discover their similarities, and a pretty sweet friendship developed from there. Hannah is pragmatic about herself. She doesn't see herself as attractive, she has a limp and feels that her only appeal is her fortune. Her family is important to her, and she feels that she is the only one who can protect them from her stepfather. Her focus is on surviving the Season and returning to Boston. For Asher, his family is also his focus. He feels guilty for the way he had previously abandoned them and is determined to make everything right now that he is back.
It was fun to see Asher push Hannah through the preparations for the Season. She tried to resist but ended up giving in. I loved his sensitivity to her limp and the way he found to fix it. It was sweet to see how he wanted to make her forced social time easier for her. As they spent time together, they discovered that they liked each other and appreciated the similarities of their situations. That liking turned to love, intensified by the attraction they felt for each other. Asher quickly realized that he wanted to keep Hannah in his life and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Hannah was still focused on her need to return to Boston. I was a little frustrated with her, as Asher made multiple offers to help her with her family issues, but she refused his help. I ached for them both as they admitted their love for each other, but couldn't see a way to make it work.
I loved the support that Asher received from his family. They welcomed him back into the fold with few recriminations. When he wanted their help with Hannah's Season, they came in force. There is an especially moving scene near the end, as Asher is holding a baby, where he finally confesses his painful past to his brothers. I loved their understanding and shared grief.
I wasn't sure how Asher and Hannah were going to get their HEA with everything that was working against them. Seeing her get on that ship, headed back to Boston, made me want to shake her until she saw sense. That Asher's plan was nearly too late made me crazy when so much could have been avoided if he had just told her what he had done. I loved the ending as Hannah makes a decision and tries to stop the ship at the same time Asher attempts to do the same. It was a scene that had me laughing out loud and cheering them both on.
August 22, 2018
OMG, what a lovely book! I started thinking that Asher and Ian was too alike, that this one would be a copy of Ian's story, but its totally different! Maybe the Balfour title gave me this impression. Love how the hero's background is explained by bits, but you get the sense that he had some good motive to stay away for five years. Hannah is lovely, but her stubbornness were a bit tiresome at the beginning of the book. I love how their sentiments is pretty clear, but like some Windham novels, I hate how the heroine is so against marriage. The last three or four chapter are bittersweet as hell, my heart broke a thousand times for them because I didnt knew how they will achieve they Happily Ever After. AND IT WAS AWESOME! Love it! Oooh, and I have to add that its INCREDIBLE to see the Duke and Duchess of Moreland! I was beside myself when Anna and Gayle appeared with all his sisters and such. For a moment, when they first appeared, from the description of devotion to his duchess and such, I though that it was the Moreland from the Windhams books, but he would be with 100 years lol Lovely, the family stays the same.
April 25, 2017
3.5 stars
I usually enjoy Ms Burrowes stories, but I found the pace of this story a little on the slow side. I really wanted to love the story with an American in British society. While I liked both characters, Hannah and Asher, I didn't quite feel their connection. A good story, but something was missing.
I usually enjoy Ms Burrowes stories, but I found the pace of this story a little on the slow side. I really wanted to love the story with an American in British society. While I liked both characters, Hannah and Asher, I didn't quite feel their connection. A good story, but something was missing.
May 11, 2018
Loved this book. Great characters and an amazing plot. Glad I decided to read/listen to this one. Happy reading 📖!
July 23, 2023
These two dithered too much.
August 14, 2014
Author: Grace Burrowes
First published: 2014
Length: 406 pages
Setting: Edinburgh and London, in the time of Queen Victoria (after her 8th child, Beatrice, born 1857)
Sex: Not frequent. Equal, chatty. Mutual satisfaction. There is a background m/m character.
Hero: Scottish Earl, trained physician, part Mohican.
Heroine: Heiress from Boston. Abusive stepfather in Boston. Has a limp from childhood accident.
Trigger: Aunt is addicted to opiates (equivalent to prescribed meds).
Series: Book 3 of 4
Includes: Excerpts from The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, Once Upon a Tartan and Mary Fran and Matthew.
"Where Malcolm belonged was Greece, Denmark, or somewhere a fellow wasn't defined solely by the nature of the orifices he'd penetrated with his erect cock as a schoolboy.", page 98
Look! Show, not tell! And done so well.
In her lovely style of complex story and dry wit, Burrowes gives us a tale that explores the nature of love and caring. Of responsibility. As Asher and Hannah battle their consciences' to balance what is right with what they want Burrowes is able to seamlessly reintroduce the earlier characters to play integral roles. Even Anna and her family from Burrowes' The Heir and Windham series make an appearance!
Well told and well paced with a dry, severe, polite voice.
Not my favourite of the series but an enjoyable read. And a good addition to the series.
The MacGregor Series:
Book 1 The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (December 2012) - Ian MacGregor and Augusta
Book 1.5 Mary Fran and Matthew (July 2013) - Matthew Daniels and Mary Frances MacGregor
Book 2 Once Upon a Tartan (August 2013) - Hester MacDaniel and Tiberius Flynn
Book 3 The MacGregor's Lady (February 2014) - Asher MacGregor and Hannah Cooper
Book 4 What A Lady Needs For Christmas (October 2014) - Lady Joan Flynn and Dante Hartwell (Joan's brothers are Tiberius from Book 2 and Mary Fran's first husband Geordie).
References:
Author's website: http://graceburrowes.com/
(ISBN 978-1-4022-6872-4)
-CR-
First published: 2014
Length: 406 pages
Setting: Edinburgh and London, in the time of Queen Victoria (after her 8th child, Beatrice, born 1857)
Sex: Not frequent. Equal, chatty. Mutual satisfaction. There is a background m/m character.
Hero: Scottish Earl, trained physician, part Mohican.
Heroine: Heiress from Boston. Abusive stepfather in Boston. Has a limp from childhood accident.
Trigger: Aunt is addicted to opiates (equivalent to prescribed meds).
Series: Book 3 of 4
Includes: Excerpts from The Bridegroom Wore Plaid, Once Upon a Tartan and Mary Fran and Matthew.
"Where Malcolm belonged was Greece, Denmark, or somewhere a fellow wasn't defined solely by the nature of the orifices he'd penetrated with his erect cock as a schoolboy.", page 98
Look! Show, not tell! And done so well.
In her lovely style of complex story and dry wit, Burrowes gives us a tale that explores the nature of love and caring. Of responsibility. As Asher and Hannah battle their consciences' to balance what is right with what they want Burrowes is able to seamlessly reintroduce the earlier characters to play integral roles. Even Anna and her family from Burrowes' The Heir and Windham series make an appearance!
Well told and well paced with a dry, severe, polite voice.
Not my favourite of the series but an enjoyable read. And a good addition to the series.
The MacGregor Series:
Book 1 The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (December 2012) - Ian MacGregor and Augusta
Book 1.5 Mary Fran and Matthew (July 2013) - Matthew Daniels and Mary Frances MacGregor
Book 2 Once Upon a Tartan (August 2013) - Hester MacDaniel and Tiberius Flynn
Book 3 The MacGregor's Lady (February 2014) - Asher MacGregor and Hannah Cooper
Book 4 What A Lady Needs For Christmas (October 2014) - Lady Joan Flynn and Dante Hartwell (Joan's brothers are Tiberius from Book 2 and Mary Fran's first husband Geordie).
References:
Author's website: http://graceburrowes.com/
(ISBN 978-1-4022-6872-4)
-CR-
March 5, 2014
Grace Burrowes' "The MacGregor's Lady" - #3 in the MacGregors series
The story of Asher MacGregor, the "lost lord" of the MacGregor family. I was expecting the story to be about Asher's return to the family, but it is not - his return is already a fait accompli when this story starts out and not much is said about it at all in this book. This book starts out when Hannah, the heroine, debarks in Edinburgh from a ship that belongs to Asher. Asher has been coerced into escorting Hannah, a rich heiress from the States, down to London so she can find a titled English husband, although how Asher could be coerced into doing this by a distant family member, who doesn't appear to have any favours to call in from Asher and is considerably lower in rank, is never really adequately explained.
Both Hannah and Asher are lonely and psychologically wounded people (a Grace Burrowes specialty) and both have decided they will never, ever, ever marry. Asher has already been married once and tragically lost his family to disease, while Hannah feels she cannot give up her independence to ANY man, although, as Asher points out, the status of women in the mid 19'th century is so low that even as an independent woman she is in danger from someone determined to bring her under his thumb and control or ruin her, and Hannah has an enemy who is willing to do just that.
Asher and Hannah end up falling in love - a lovely story, as one can expect from Grace Burrowes, but the resolution of their reluctance to be together, and the comeuppance of Hannah's enemy, is fraught and really only happens in a slightly over-the-top scene right at the end of the book. Although the resolution is not really final - I was left with the feeling that the problems with Hannah's enemy still have to be dealt with more thoroughly before Hannah, Asher, and the others who are in the enemy's sights, can feel truly safe from him.
If you're a fan of Grace Burrowes' Windham series, you'll be happy to know that a whole gang of Windhams make a couple of benevolent appearances in this book, although the Duke of Moreland is now Gayle (the hero of The Heir) and he is getting on in years.
The story of Asher MacGregor, the "lost lord" of the MacGregor family. I was expecting the story to be about Asher's return to the family, but it is not - his return is already a fait accompli when this story starts out and not much is said about it at all in this book. This book starts out when Hannah, the heroine, debarks in Edinburgh from a ship that belongs to Asher. Asher has been coerced into escorting Hannah, a rich heiress from the States, down to London so she can find a titled English husband, although how Asher could be coerced into doing this by a distant family member, who doesn't appear to have any favours to call in from Asher and is considerably lower in rank, is never really adequately explained.
Both Hannah and Asher are lonely and psychologically wounded people (a Grace Burrowes specialty) and both have decided they will never, ever, ever marry. Asher has already been married once and tragically lost his family to disease, while Hannah feels she cannot give up her independence to ANY man, although, as Asher points out, the status of women in the mid 19'th century is so low that even as an independent woman she is in danger from someone determined to bring her under his thumb and control or ruin her, and Hannah has an enemy who is willing to do just that.
Asher and Hannah end up falling in love - a lovely story, as one can expect from Grace Burrowes, but the resolution of their reluctance to be together, and the comeuppance of Hannah's enemy, is fraught and really only happens in a slightly over-the-top scene right at the end of the book. Although the resolution is not really final - I was left with the feeling that the problems with Hannah's enemy still have to be dealt with more thoroughly before Hannah, Asher, and the others who are in the enemy's sights, can feel truly safe from him.
If you're a fan of Grace Burrowes' Windham series, you'll be happy to know that a whole gang of Windhams make a couple of benevolent appearances in this book, although the Duke of Moreland is now Gayle (the hero of The Heir) and he is getting on in years.
July 19, 2016
Originally reviewed for: Historical Romance Lover blog
Asher MacGregor has been charged with escorting American heiress Hannah Cooper through London's ballrooms to find her a titled husband. He has spent the last several years in Canada and the last thing he wants to do is escort someone to parties while in London.
Hannah Cooper is only in England to satisfy her step-father desire for her to marry. Unfortunately, Hannah would rather be back home waiting to be of age to get the inheritance that will protect her family in Boston.
Although neither of them want to go looking for a spouse, Hannah and Asher promise each other that they will do so on the condition that the other does the same. In the course of "looking" for a spouse, the two develop a friendship that quickly turns into something more/
Can Asher open his heart to love again and will Hannah let Asher protect her family?
This was a great conclusion to the MacGregor Trilogy. The whole series has me laughing out loud at the characters antics and this story was no different.
The only reason I didn't give this a 5/5 was that Asher's history came out too slowly. Throughout the rest of the series, Asher's family talks about him and the fact that he is in Canada but you don't really learn anything about him other than he is the oldest brother. The family had to declare him dead so that the next brother in line can take over the duties of the "laird".
I thought that Burrowes would start out with Asher's history to bring us up to speed. Unfortunately, she didn't and parts of the story were confusing to me because of this. There is a scene in which Asher thinks something and I had no idea what it meant. Later in the story, more of his history is revealed and his comments make more sense. I think that having even just a little more background information would have made the story less confusing.
Thanks got out to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of the book in exchange of and honest review.
Asher MacGregor has been charged with escorting American heiress Hannah Cooper through London's ballrooms to find her a titled husband. He has spent the last several years in Canada and the last thing he wants to do is escort someone to parties while in London.
Hannah Cooper is only in England to satisfy her step-father desire for her to marry. Unfortunately, Hannah would rather be back home waiting to be of age to get the inheritance that will protect her family in Boston.
Although neither of them want to go looking for a spouse, Hannah and Asher promise each other that they will do so on the condition that the other does the same. In the course of "looking" for a spouse, the two develop a friendship that quickly turns into something more/
Can Asher open his heart to love again and will Hannah let Asher protect her family?
This was a great conclusion to the MacGregor Trilogy. The whole series has me laughing out loud at the characters antics and this story was no different.
The only reason I didn't give this a 5/5 was that Asher's history came out too slowly. Throughout the rest of the series, Asher's family talks about him and the fact that he is in Canada but you don't really learn anything about him other than he is the oldest brother. The family had to declare him dead so that the next brother in line can take over the duties of the "laird".
I thought that Burrowes would start out with Asher's history to bring us up to speed. Unfortunately, she didn't and parts of the story were confusing to me because of this. There is a scene in which Asher thinks something and I had no idea what it meant. Later in the story, more of his history is revealed and his comments make more sense. I think that having even just a little more background information would have made the story less confusing.
Thanks got out to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of the book in exchange of and honest review.
October 29, 2017
I really enjoy Burrowes' writing, but the story-line ofMacGregor's Lady didn't make sense to me. I had more questions than answers.
January 21, 2014
Oh these two *goes in and shakes them by the neck*. But I understood, I understood.
Asher is finally back in Scotland and settling down as an Earl. He wants to do the best he can. I really liked him, he was crush worthy.
Hannah has been sent to find a husband. She does not want to because she wants to be in Boston protecting her mother and brothers from their stepdad. Yes you can see where this is going.
First there is friendship where he takes her to a pub. That was funny. Then they start to fall, but they both know that she has to go back and he has to stay. I kept wondering how they would fix it, I had an idea first, but now, there would still be issues.
So that leaves us with passion, two lovers trying to find away and despairing. Meddling members of family. Morelands showing up. And quite the scandal brewing.
Fun.
Asher is finally back in Scotland and settling down as an Earl. He wants to do the best he can. I really liked him, he was crush worthy.
Hannah has been sent to find a husband. She does not want to because she wants to be in Boston protecting her mother and brothers from their stepdad. Yes you can see where this is going.
First there is friendship where he takes her to a pub. That was funny. Then they start to fall, but they both know that she has to go back and he has to stay. I kept wondering how they would fix it, I had an idea first, but now, there would still be issues.
So that leaves us with passion, two lovers trying to find away and despairing. Meddling members of family. Morelands showing up. And quite the scandal brewing.
Fun.
July 27, 2015
Yet another Grace Burrowes read, yet another top notch review. This is starting to get woefully predictable. I kind of hated the sound of this one from the synopsis and put off reading it as a consequence. I needn’t have worried because it was great, as ever. The reasons for Asher to be shepherding Hannah about London in search of a husband seemed flimsy and the villainy seemed tacked on but overall another winner. I loved the interaction between the h/h. You can see them and feel them falling in love with one another. Burrowes writes wonderfully about the telling small moments between a couple - the spitting of a rum bun or the hand through an arm. It was just a lovely, thoroughly engaging read which I devoured.
June 14, 2022
Somehow I missed seeing this author, but have now read one of her books, as will be looking for more to read.
Eldest brother Asher MacGregor, declared dead, after he went to Canada, as no one heard from him again, until he shows back up.
Hannah Cooper, from Boston is in London to have a saeson. And her stepfather is hoping to marry her off.
This couple have no idea what lies ahead of them. Everything they are planning to happens doesn't. I found the family bond for both Asher and Hannah, very strong. Family is everything to both of them. Neither want love, or do they?
Awesome book, and I will be reading more about the MacGregor family.
Eldest brother Asher MacGregor, declared dead, after he went to Canada, as no one heard from him again, until he shows back up.
Hannah Cooper, from Boston is in London to have a saeson. And her stepfather is hoping to marry her off.
This couple have no idea what lies ahead of them. Everything they are planning to happens doesn't. I found the family bond for both Asher and Hannah, very strong. Family is everything to both of them. Neither want love, or do they?
Awesome book, and I will be reading more about the MacGregor family.
July 2, 2020
I had to finally give up reading this book around page 220. I was having to force myself to read it by this point, because I hate to start a book and not finish it. Then I thought about the 150+ books on my ‘to be read’ pile, and decided life is too short to keep plodding through this.
I can’t even identify why I couldn’t get into this book. I’ve read other books by Grace Burrowes and enjoyed them. I was also able to finish them quickly. Something about this book just doesn’t appeal to me.
I did appreciate her use of language quite a bit here.
I can’t even identify why I couldn’t get into this book. I’ve read other books by Grace Burrowes and enjoyed them. I was also able to finish them quickly. Something about this book just doesn’t appeal to me.
I did appreciate her use of language quite a bit here.
January 11, 2022
Excellent story. Although I do wonder about Burrowes's choice of MacGregor for her heroes' surname. The name was outlawed through most of the 1600s and 1700s. It was "un-outlawed" in 1774 but the fella's McGregor relations were still treated with suspicion in the 1990s when they went to Scotland. Yeah, it's possible there was an earl named MacGregor in the mid-1800s, but not likely.
April 25, 2015
Definitely an improvement over many of her books. not so much sex and more plot. I would have given it more stars if it were just shorter. The really great Regency writers could do it in two hundred and twenty pages, now with so much filler it is often close to 400 pages and with better editing and less crap these books could be better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews