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Wild Wicked Highlanders #2

Uma proposta um tanto escandalosa

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O segundo irmão MacTaggert não se interessou muito pelas damas inglesas, até ter um encontro desastroso com sua futura concunhada.

Como convencer uma dama que odeia tudo o que ele representa a apostar nele?

Miranda Harris é inteligente, bonita e sabe usar seu charme como poucas. É provável que nunca tenha passado por uma dificuldade que não pudesse resolver, até que se vê com o futuro comprometido por causa de uma dívida de jogo do irmão. Para se livrar da chantagem de um homem cruel e salvar a honra da família, ela terá que contar com a ajuda de outro homem ainda mais perigoso.

O perigo atende pelo nome de Aden MacTaggert, um highlander com jeito de poeta, mas cuja habilidade com as cartas é ainda mais infame do que sua capacidade de quebrar corações. Aden precisa de uma noiva para ter direito à herança da família, mas o que fazer quando a única dama que o interessou declarou no primeiro encontro que detesta apostadores?

Aden vê uma chance de se aproximar enquanto a auxilia a encontrar um meio de recuperar sua liberdade. Ele gosta de arriscar no jogo, mas talvez Miranda se torne uma aposta que ele não possa perder.

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2020

320 people are currently reading
3786 people want to read

About the author

Suzanne Enoch

103 books2,633 followers
Suzanne was born in Southern California sometime in the latter half of the 20th century. In the way that some people are born knowing they want to be astronauts or cellists, Suzanne always knew she wanted to be a writer. Early dreams of becoming a zoologist and writing true stories about her adventures in Africa were crushed, however, after she viewed a television special about the world’s most poisonous snakes; she did NOT want to write about how she’d been bitten and lost a limb to a cobra. Thankfully at the same time the movie “Star Wars” premiered, and she realized that she could make up adventures and write about them, and not be eaten by deadly predators while doing research.

She dabbled in romantic fantasy writing for a year or two after graduating with a degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, until her affection for traditional Regency romances led her to write one for fun. After several encouraging rejections from publishers, she snared the interest of the world’s best and most patient literary agent, who advised her to revise the manuscript. This ultimately led to the publication of her first book, The Black Duke’s Prize, from Avon Books in the Spring of 1995. A second Regency, Angel’s Devil, followed that Fall.

When Avon folded its traditional Regency line, Suzanne was encouraged to try her hand at historical romance. As she remained keenly interested in England’s Regency period, she decided to attempt another manuscript set in that time. Lady Rogue hit the shelves in March of 1997. She wrote a total of 29 books for Avon, including two anthologies and a five-part contemporary series which received a pair of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly. One of those books, Twice the Temptation, was named one of the five best romances of the year by PW in 2007.

In 2002 her well-known love of all things “Star Wars” led to an invitation to appear on the E! channel in the television special “Star Wars: The Force Is Back”, where she discussed the romance in the movie series and ended up with more air time than George Lucas.

In 2010 Suzanne left Avon Books for St. Martin’s Press, where she continues to pen historical romance novels. Her 31st book, Taming an Impossible Rogue, is set to arrive in March 2012.

Suzanne is known for her humorous characters, sexy bad boys, and whip-sharp, witty dialogue. She currently resides in Placentia, California with several hundred guppies and various other tropical fish, and handful of very loud, spinach-loving finches. And her collection of action figures and statues from “Star Wars”, “Lord of the Rings”, “X-Men”, and “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Everybody needs some inspiration, after all.

www.facebook.com/SuzanneEnoch

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 582 reviews
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,111 reviews6,736 followers
March 8, 2020
*4.5 stars*

My second ready by Suzanne Enoch and my second win! I'm beginning to think she is popular for a reason...

I really enjoyed Scot Under the Covers, the second in the Wild Wicked Highlanders series, and not just because the titles of these stories make me grin from ear to ear, but they are just dynamic, romantic, fun stories to read.

I loved the smart, capable female MC. She really knew how to think on her feet, and I instantly connected with her. She was savvy and resourceful, and I could have read about her for days.

I also have a huge weakness for a highlander, especially a big, handsome, strong highlander (I'm only human, guys), but Aden wasn't just all that in an oaf-y package. He brought real feelings and depth to his character, and I thought he played very well off of Miranda.

This wasn't an enemies-to-lovers story, like I was expecting, but a friends-to-lovers story. The relationship builds slowly over time, and by the time the end came, the love was overwhelming. I ate up every bit of the romance.

The plot also kept me on my toes. I usually don't love suspenseful plots, and I had no idea how Miranda was going to untangle herself from this mess. However, it all resolved beautifully and believably at the end. Even though I thought Miranda's brother got off way too easily...

My only issue was the "too many POVs." I like only one or two points of view in my story, and anything more than that feels cluttered, and, frankly, like lazy storytelling. It wasn't horrible here, but I didn't think that the extra POVs brought much to the table. A personal pet peeve of mine. However, despite some minor flaws, the story really sang.

A fun, exciting, well-written romance for those who love burly highlanders and smart women.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

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Profile Image for WhiskeyintheJar.
1,523 reviews695 followers
January 29, 2020
3.3 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Shackled by an agreement that he had no part of, Aden is in London forced to find an English bride before his younger sister gets married. When his soon to be brother-in-law's sister makes her disdain know for him immediately, he is intrigued.
Miranda's brother is in trouble and somehow she is the one who is going to end up paying the price, but she won't go down without a fight.
Two people whose futures are trying to be set by others might just find hope in each other.

They didn't call him the elusive MacTaggert brother for no reason.

Second in the Wild Wicked Highlanders series, Scot Under the Covers starts a couple weeks after the first in the series. New readers might miss some of the MacTaggert family background and dynamics but there was enough rehashing to keep them from totally being lost. I do recommend reading the first however, as I enjoyed it and I think it lays down the foundation for the series. Aden is the middle brother and the most mysterious, he keeps his cards very close to the chest and his emotions contained, no one really knows exactly what he is thinking and feeling. While we were introduced to her brother Matthew in the first, Miranda makes her first appearance here and she comes off snobby as she insults Aden right away. Readers learn that Miranda's uncle had to leave England because of gambling debt and that Matthew has gambling issues too. All Miranda knows of Aden in the beginning is that he likes to gamble, so with all the hurt gambling has caused her family, she wants nothing to do with Aden.

That was her problem now, he realized. She saw a trap, knew it to be a trap, hadn't even stepped into it herself, but now she couldn't find a way out of it.

The crux of the story is that Matthew lost 50,000 pounds to a Captain Vale who threatens to ruin their family unless Matthew promises Miranda will marry him. Miranda is, obviously, upset about this and goes to Aden for help on how Vale thinks and if, as a gambler, he knows of anyway to get Matthew out of the debt. It was a little bit flimsy of reasoning but I went along with it and the story started off sparking with Miranda being cold to Aden, Aden not letting her just get away with her rudeness from the beginning, and then the emotional simmer starting to seep through from the couple. The middle, unfortunately, was too loose and dragging. Aden is constantly portrayed as having a grand plan or scheme but since he is so self-contained, he doesn't want to tell anyone, not even Miranda, his plans. This works for awhile as Miranda and him are getting to know one another but the reader is also kept in the dark. The middle was a constant back and forth of Miranda wanting him to share what was going on and Aden simply saying trust me. What really made dragging through the middle not worth it was the ending, the whole grand scheme Aden was supposed to be working towards, gets thrown away and an extremely simple action is taken instead. It made it feel like the whole middle had no point.

If she genuinely disliked him he'd turn elsewhere, but beneath the sparring between them, perhaps even because of it, he felt...something. A slow, brewing lightning storm that made the hair lift on his arms and had him anticipating things he couldn't yet put a name to.

Miranda and Aden had chemistry, I wished there had been more scenes focused on them together; there was a hallway scene with them alone that simmered and heated up the pages. There were two bedroom scenes, the heat level was lower in this one, in regards to what is currently being published. Aden is constantly wondering if Miranda is pretending to like him to keep him helping or beginning to like him because she feels indebted to him and Miranda isn't sure if Aden likes her or is just helping for his sister's sake. Both of these are credible angst issues but Aden's pretty quick internal “she's my lass” and admitted in love, had me missing some aspect of relationship development. Miranda's growing feelings get lost in favor of the whole grand scheme to get her out of Captain Vale's clutches.

At that moment he looked up and his gaze met hers. He took half a step in her direction before he smoothly altered course and continued with his conversation about wild berries in Scotland. That motion, though---it was the first time she'd seen him make a misstep in...well, in anything. And it had been in reaction to her.

Again, since Aden is more closed off, the two other MacTaggert brothers don't really come into the story until later; I think their relationship shined more in the first. I did think the emotional issues with his mother (she left him and his three brothers in the highlands and took the daughter with her to London, never visiting them because of animosity with husband) had more depth and he makes her work for a first step to rebuilding love and trust, more than was portrayed in the first. Captain Vale gave a very villainy villain, some harsh moments from him, and while not completely rounded out for me, his backstory and reasons gets somewhat rushed at the end, he did his job providing the danger.

Whatever disaster had led her to this point, whatever subsequent madness had seized her, nothing had ever made her feel what she felt right now as she waltzed with Aden MacTaggert.

A stirring beginning and a too loose middle that dragged, giving way to an ending that disregarded all the work of making it through the middle, made this a little bit of a frustrating read. The set-up of the series is still strong though, and I care about the characters and Enoch has the ability to create heat inducing and emotionally stirring scenes. The eldest MacTaggert still needs to find his match and I still definitely want to read about it.

His fingers tightened momentarily on her shoulder, and then his warm mouth brushed against the nape of her neck. “Ye may just undo me, lass. I look forward to that.”
Profile Image for Erika ♥OwlwaysReading♥.
389 reviews154 followers
February 6, 2020
RELEASE DAY!!!!
January 28, 2020
Kindle Link

“People see what they want to see, and that is generally what’s most convenient for them”

When Miranda Harris’s right to marry for LOVE is taken away from her by her brother’s debt and threats of blackmail, she is left scrambling to take back her future. And that means consorting with the worst sort of people - gamblers.


In walks Aden MacTaggert with his gambler’s hands, Scottish brogue, kilt, broad chest, strong chin, gray-green eyes, black hair, high cheekbo… yada yada yada He’s gorgeous!


Aden is away from his beloved Scotland because of an agreement between his father and birth-mother. He must find a Sassenach bride to save his family’s inheritance. Having never set foot in London, much less its society, Aden is confronted with the complexities of the ton and their expectations for a gentleman.

What once started as a mutual arrangement, quickly turns into more for Aden. He strangely starts to feel a pull toward the beautiful Sassenach, and finds he wants more than their newfound friendship can provide.

I enjoyed getting to know Miranda and Aden, even though Miranda initially came off as snobby by instantly insulting Aden from the very beginning. They each had a unique past that had clearly defined them and I admit, I enjoyed seeing them both succumb (at different times) to their love for one another. This had some great banter between the two. And Aden was more interesting than the stories introduction would imply.

That wagering-boot-throwing intro was a joke, and made me instantly question my request for this book. There was definitely more to him then what his reputation (gaming halls and womens’ hearts) led one to believe.
ME: (when I read the intro.)

https://www.memecenter.com/fun/725043... (click link for above video to play. Pretty hilarious 😂)

This is the second installment in the Wild Wicked Highlander’s series. This was my first time reading a book from this series, let alone this author(I think). There was enough recap into the family’s background for me to quickly catch up.

I enjoyed the writing and the story telling overall, but some things felt off in the finality of Aden and Miranda’s book. Miranda’s need to be involved and Aden’s simple “trust me” responses made me beyond frustrated. The incredible Ocean’s 8 reveal of the creative/cunning plan Aden was suppose to be concocting never came to fruition.


Instead we get a simple half-hazard plan instead of the mastermind conclusion we were promised. It was a buzzkill!


Overall, it was still enjoyable.

"Then I suppose if you bring the black powder, I'll bring the fuse"

Why is that ^^^ romantic to me??? IDK... it just is😍😍😍

Overall Rating → 3.5 STARS
Price is Right? →
Love Triangle? →
Cheating? →
Angst Level: High, Medium, Low →
Heat/Language Level: Rated G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 →
HEA →
Would I recommend? → it was "ok"
Would I re-read? → maybe
Would I read more from this author? → YES!



***Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Suzanne Enoch for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange for my honest review***
Profile Image for Robin (Bridge Four).
1,950 reviews1,659 followers
January 30, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

3.5 hearts

What are you supposed to do when your brother gambles away a fortune he doesn’t have and promises you to a man you despise? You do what any other smart woman would do and fight fire with fire. Or in this case, a gambling Highlander who might just be able to best the scoundrel at his own game.

Scot Under the Covers is the second book in the Wild Wicked Highlanders series. It centers around three very attractive Highland men, who through some machinations of their estranged mother, have to marry an English woman before their sister marries or loose the money required to run their highland home.

Aden is a sweet man overall; he seems incredibly lucky, until you see the thought and work, he puts behind that luck.  I enjoyed reading his character especially when Miranda, his soon to be sister-in-law initially despises him due to his gambling ways. It was fun to watch her opinion change when she meets a true gambler, the one who owns her brother and is intent on marrying her. I also enjoyed Miranda's growth from a sheltered debutante to a woman truly fighting for her future.

This is a fun story with a very charming man in a kilt willing to go to great lengths for the woman he decides will be the one he marries no matter the cost. Aden was the son that seemed the most upset with their estranged mother and who is probably the most like her. I really enjoyed the interactions they had together and how perhaps he might soften to her just a little anyway.

This is the second book in a series and can definitely be read as a standalone, but you’d miss the fun of Niall and Amelia in It's Getting Scot in Here if you decided to do that.  If you are a fan of Scottish Brogues and like tricksters, then the love story of Aden MacTaggert and Miranda might just what you are looking for.
Blast it all, he was twenty minutes early. She hadn’t managed to circle her thoughts back around from self-pity to useful plotting yet.


“I’ve some curiosity. Most lasses who decide they dunnae like me have at least conversed with me first. Do ye have a dance to spare for me this evening? Then we can chat and ye’ll have a reason to loathe me.”
Profile Image for Robin (Bridge Four).
1,950 reviews1,659 followers
December 17, 2020
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I actually read Scot Under Covers at the beginning of this year and enjoyed it, but I requested the Audio from Tantor before I realized that fact.  Still it was a fun story and sometimes I like to go back to something easier to read that I know I’m going to enjoy.  With everything that is happening in the world today, that is exactly what I felt like doing and I was glad because sometimes a narrator can make a book even better with their performance.

The Story

Aden has to find a bride or his family home in Scotland loses the financial support they are receiving from his mother.  It isn’t that he doesn’t want a bride per say, he was actually thinking about before learning of the deal his father made but all the women in England so far seems like tittering fools.   That is, until he meets Miranda who gives him a dressing down first thing upon meeting him for being a gambler.  She has some backbone to her and is beautiful, maybe, just maybe he can change her mind.

Miranda is in trouble and needs the kind of help only Aden can provide.  Her brother has gambled away a fortune he doesn’t have and the man he owes all this money, wants just one thing, Miranda as a wife.  But that can’t happen, she absolutely loathes the man who swindled her brother.  She strikes a deal to help Aden wander through English society, if he helps her get out situation her brother dumped her into.

I’ve enjoyed the Wild Wicked Highlanders series quite a bit so far.  The characters have been fun and I liked the family dynamic of the MacTaggerts.  There is the side story of a mother trying to reconnect with the boys she was forced to leave behind and how she can help them now in their lives.  The love they show to their sister is sweet as they didn’t get a chance to grow up with her and are making up for lost time.  I’m not sure if I’m okay with Matthew as a beau for the young Miss MacTaggart after this book as he tried to sell off his sister to secure his own happiness after he made dire mistakes. But perhaps he will be able to redeem himself in the next book of the series with the eldest MacTaggart finding a wife.
Narration:
Mhairi Morrison is a new to me narrator who seems to only have been doing this for a few years.  She captured the Scottish Brough of the boys so well and I liked her performance of Miranda as well.  Her narration added something to the story for me and upped my rating 0.5 Stars.   I listened easily to this at my usual 1.5x speed which at a few points seemed a smidge too slow with Mhairi’s pacing but her voice was a great match for this story and added to my enjoyment of it.

Listen to a clip:  HERE
Profile Image for Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels).
1,295 reviews1,729 followers
August 27, 2023
This is the second book of Enoch's newest series. I haven't read the first, and this was fine as a stand alone. I can tell you will have a better feel for all the characters be reading in order, though. The siblings were in this book, and I'm assuming at least Aden was in the prior book. The first book of the series is It's Getting Scot in Here). This book provided a bit more insight into how Coll's personality was and I'm assuming the next book will be about him (or at least that he will have a book at some point. I'm very excited for his story. He's a huge, brawny highlander and I'm half in love with him already.)

Miranda is the perfect society lady. She has polish. She knows society rules. She has a wonderfully pleasant and engaging personality. Except when it comes to the burly Aden MacTaggert, whom she snubs upon meeting. I really enjoyed Miranda. She was one of those heroines that I just truly liked. I want to be her friend. She's not helpless, she's smart, but she's limited by her position and strength. And Aden fills in those gaps so wonderfully. She's not someone who is meek or has no backbone. I thought the ways she needed Aden were so touching and more real feeling for the time. Don't get me wrong, I love an independent heroine and one that can save herself and others, but this just felt different. Maybe I was in the mood for a big, hairy highlander to come in and save the day. Miranda pulls her weight for sure and they work together. She's not just a damsel in distress.

Aden has been drug to London to find a bride. His family history was probably explained better in the first book. You know his mom left his father 17 years ago and now has an agreement to get all the brothers leg shackled before their sister. Niall has already found his love. Aden is open to the idea of marriage, but doesn't seem to meet anyone that inspires any strong feelings.

I thought this book would be an enemies to lovers because of their brief animosity the first, but it turned into a lovely getting to know you, becoming friends, and falling in love. Miranda has a serious problem she must solve and she enlists Aden to help her. They become partners against a villain. This villain felt a bit different than the usual villain. The drive behind what he wanted was different. And boy did he inspire strong feelings of dislike in me. You were rooting for his disappearance. He is in the book a decent amount, but I found it didn't take away from Aden and Miranda's relationship. It bonded them stronger together, in fact, because you couldn't help compare the two and it made your heart melt all the more with Aden's actions.

Heart melting is how I felt about this book. There were so many just adorable, cute, funny, sweet moments in this book. I'm pretty sure as I finished, I oozed into a pile with hearts floating above me. I loved Aden. He's just so sweet and caring and he just falls in love with Miranda so sweetly. He doesn't have some deep, dark, and lame secret why he can't marry. He hasn't sworn off women/marriage. He has these real feelings that are new to him, and he embraces. I'm getting goosebumps thinking about his love for Miranda. I loved how he loved her and I loved how he spoke about his feelings first.

This book is my favorite Suzanne Enoch. This is my 6th novel by her. I plan on getting my hands on the first in this series soon and I will definitely be checking out Coll's story when it comes out!
Profile Image for Desi.
666 reviews108 followers
February 15, 2020
Positives- Dialogue is quipy and good. Characters seem quick-witted. Descriptions of locales like the seaside and docks were vivid and well done.

Overall- This book is a display of ignorance or blatant disregard of the proprieties that help a reader feel like what they’re reading is, in any form or fashion, placed in an “historical” setting.

I am all for leeway, but goodness these errors where repeatedly shoved down my throat, I felt like a dog being force-fed a pill.

Heroine asks two men to dance and SHE escorts another, in those actual words, to the refreshment table for HIM to recover from their dance!

Hero walks up to women he’s not been introduced to at two separate balls and takes them out on the floor in a “grab and go” let’s exchange names on the way fashion.

She visits his home, and we're given a throwaway remark that it's not the norm, as if that makes it ok now that the book acknowledges it (in a preachy fashion... as if it is teaching us something about society... which it does often, mind you, a habit that is extra irritating, as the book seems to want to ignore rules en masse and then lecture us knowingly on a select few at the same time). Sheesh. Pick a lane.

Add to these repeated annoyances there is endless repetition and circular character thoughts. Pages upon pages of which could have, and should have, been edited out.

Little in the way of actual plot.

And it was honestly more like reading about a woman being threatened*, bullied and menaced (edit*- note the menacing bully was not the hero/savior)for page after innumerable page rather than any kind of romance or relationship building.

Also the brothers in this book were horrible. Both sets. F's all around for their lack of even minimal efforts towards protecting their sisters' future. One is more or less pimping and the other finds out about the character of his sister's fiance and it is just crickets from him? He says and does nothing about it because oooh "she's in love" "a talking to will suffice"? How about more likely "she'll end up starving with kids to feed when the wastrel gambles away her dowry". He shows no concern about that possible future. This was such an odd set-up.

Disappointing. This series has yet to improve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Nelly S..
675 reviews169 followers
February 25, 2023
I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did since I’d tried to read it twice before and gave up each time a few pages in; I just wasn’t in the right mood. I’m glad I gave it another chance though because it ended up being a delicious Highlander romance with great MCs and a decent plot.
Profile Image for Barbara Rogers.
1,754 reviews209 followers
January 19, 2020
Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders #2
Publication Date: 1/28/20
Number of Pages: 320

In the first book in the series, It's Getting Scot in Here, we were introduced to the wild, brawny, devilishly handsome MacTaggert brothers. The brothers, Coll, Aden, and Niall, have lived the last seventeen years without their mother - Aden was only ten when she left and Niall was seven. She got tired of the Highland's lack of social life and left with their year-old sister, Eloise. They haven’t heard a word from her in all that time and now, she’s demanding that they travel to London and marry English brides. Yes, she can enforce that because she holds the purse strings that provide support to their estate, Aldriss Park. They have to think of the estate and their crofters and villagers. Plus, she also holds a paper signed by their father stating that in return for her support of Aldriss, each son must marry an English bride AND that their mother gets to choose the bride for one of them. To say that the three brothers aren’t happy would be a gross understatement.

Miranda Harris’s brother is betrothed to Eloise MacTaggert and it is that betrothal that has caused the MacTaggert boys to be summoned and told to find brides. They must marry before Eloise does. Miranda is charming, intelligent, witty, always the bell of the ball, and … well … she’s definitely opinionated and outspoken. When she was first introduced to Aden, almost the first words out of her mouth were, “I detest gambling. And gamblers.”

Aden MacTaggert is probably the most handsome of the devilishly handsome MacTaggert boys. He is also good at wagering – his skills are legendary – and he could easily support himself and his family from his winnings. However, he has no interest in being a professional gambler – it is more entertainment for him. He’s highly intelligent and is always several steps ahead of anyone else. He’s the MacTaggert who is very private and doesn’t share his thoughts, feelings – plots – with anyone else.

Matthew Harris, Miranda’s brother, is a sweet, open, gullible young man who has run into a whole heap of trouble. An unscrupulous vulture has lured him into wagering more and more and more – much more than he can afford. The man holds Matthew’s vouchers for fifty-thousand pounds. Now, the man is demanding payment – either payment in full OR Miranda’s hand in marriage. The family couldn’t pay that amount even if they sold all of their belongings – they’d be ruined personally and financially.

Miranda has no intention of marrying Captain Robert Vale, but she can’t bring her family down either. She has to play along with Vale while she is finding a way out. She knows the perfect person from whom to seek advice – another gambler – Aden MacTaggert. He is certainly the lesser of two evils in this case. Will he help her after the way she insulted him?

Not only does Aden agree to help her, but he is also incensed at what has happened – for a number of reasons. He’s incensed that someone would lure a naïve young man into such a situation, but he’s even more incensed that the same young man would just expect his sister to pay the price. Basically, he traded his sister to settle his debt.

Aden and Miranda spend as much time as possible plotting and thwarting the machinations of Robert Vale, but he is a wily, sly, and unscrupulous man and beating him won’t be easy. Somewhere along the way, Aden and Miranda find that they very much admire each other … and … they come to love each other. However, they can only have a life together if they can thoroughly thwart Vale.

I loved how Aden and Miranda came to totally trust each other and rely on each other. That was a hard thing for each of them – Aden because he’d never had a woman in his life that he could rely on, and Miranda because she distrusted gamblers because of past family history. Their love was hard-won and their HEA was sweet.

I’m sure I’m supposed to be softening toward Francesca Oswell-MacTaggert, but my feelings are still the same. I am sure there is supposed to be more to the story than we’ve seen so far – and maybe I’ll soften when I learn it all. However, as a mother, I can’t think of anything that would make me leave my very young sons and not try to contact them for seventeen years. Then – to try to force them to her will in order to get them back into her life. No – I’m just not getting there.

Now, let's talk about Matthew Harris. I kept reading what a sweet, naïve, nice young man he was – but I didn’t see it. He traded his sister (like a horse, or car, or …) and didn’t seem to have any real problem with having done so. I didn’t really see anything that made me think he was remorseful. Yet – he’s to be forgiven and to still be allowed to marry Eloise. I have trouble picturing these three MacTaggert men allowing that to happen without some serious stuff happening first. Something more than just resigning his club memberships.

So, the bottom line is that I loved the book and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Mei.
1,897 reviews474 followers
March 3, 2020
I loved Aden! He's incredibly witty and clever. He's also charming and knows just what to say to Miranda!

Miranda was a good character too. She knows that she's in trouble and she reacts in an intelligent manner and seeks help.

I hated her brother! The spineless idiot! I don't really know how could both Aden and Miranda (and also Eloise, his fiancee, and their parents too!!!) think that he will stop gambling! He has already promise to stop once, but didn't... So why now is different? He didn't even get a good trashing!

I loved the story and the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance! It was sweetly done and it was also credible.

I'm looking forward to Coll's story! He's soo rude and also big and unruly that I hope Ms. Enoch will do him justice!
Profile Image for Lover of Romance.
3,729 reviews1,131 followers
February 8, 2020
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Scot Under The Covers is the second book in the "Wild Wicked Highlanders" series and this was such a delight. Suzanne Enoch is an auto-read author for me, even though not all of her books work for me 100% of the time, this book .....pure delights on every page. I had such a fun time with this book and this story really worked for me. There is nothing I love more than a mix of highlander and English pairings and Enoch is one of the queens in romance in writing these pairings for sure.

So our story begins with our hero, Aden MacTaggert, who has practically been coerced into coming to London along with his brothers from their mother who wants them all married. Aden is none too pleased, even though he has had a quiet desire to be married, he just hasn't found the right lass. We see the story set off with Aden befriending a dog who he practically adopts and enters the "cute meet" scene between Aden and our lovely heroine Miranda Harris. Miranda is in a tough situation she learns that her brother has become indebted highly to a gambler he lost a game to and the price he must pay or their family will be ruined.....is herself to marriage to the scoundrel. So Miranda knowing that Aden is a gambler according to his reputation, she goes to him for him and even though there is a angst feels between the two, the angst turns into passionate sweet love as they find a way out of this dangerous love towards their happily ever after....

Scot Under The Covers was a fantastic read and I have to say one the BEST latest releases from Suzanne Enoch. I honestly couldn't get enough of this book. Now I will say that I have yet to read book one of the series and was totally fine not having read it yet, so if you are worried about reading books in order, no worries on this one. You can easily read this one without that. This story was so charming in every way. I am normally a picky reader when it comes to angst love but whew Enoch really worked her magic with this book because I ADORED every single moment of these two as they work out their differences and the angst isn't all the way through the book just a bit in the beginning which was a relief. And there is a great tone of forbidden love in this book. This pair really have to overcome some battles before they can reach their HEA and I really was ALL for it in seeing them fight the struggle together and conquer in the end. And the end was so unexpected and full of surprises, I totally didn't see it working out the way it did and you gotta admire an author that keeps you on your toes, and Suzanne Enoch does that with this story.

Overall I found Scot Under The Covers to be an enriching romance that is packed with mystery, conflict, delightful drama and compelling characters you become endeared to....a a delight canine to fall head over heels in love with....a must READ!













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Profile Image for Lu.
756 reviews25 followers
February 25, 2020
An elusive (and gorgeous) Scot meets a fierce English lass.

Scot Under the Covers is the second installment in the Wild Wicked Highlander's series and tells the story of the elusive middle brother Aden McTaggert. The series is about three highlander brothers who were summoned to England by their estranged mother and forced to seek English brides or face the ruin of their Scottish estate.
Aden is known to enjoy a gamble and likes to keep his own counsel in most things. He has a difficult relationship with his mother, and cannot forgive her for abandoning him and his brothers seventeen years ago (honestly, I cannot blame him. I hope the reasons for her actions will justify it all by the end of the series, as she seems to be a very fine lady).
He intends to convince his mother to give up on marrying them to English ladies and to go back to the highlands. Things change when he meets Miranda Harris, his little sister's future sister-in-law.
Miranda dislikes Aden by principle (she hates gamblers) and, differently from almost any other woman Aden has met in the past, does not want anything to do with him.
After seeing herself tangled in a huge mess caused by her gambling brother, Miranda ends up seeking Aden's counsel and discovers there is more to him than what shows on the surface.
The couple has great chemistry and I enjoyed their bantering. Some side characters are wonderful (his older brother Coll is my favorite), Brogan, the dog, and even the villain. His sister and her fiance are a little flat, I'm hoping for a book for her where she meets someone else ;)
I can't wait for the next book in this lovely series!

https://lureviewsbooks.weebly.com/rev...
Profile Image for Annie .
2,506 reviews940 followers
January 30, 2020


I’ll be honest, I totally didn’t knew that Suzanne Enoch has a new series out, so when I stumbled across this book, I knew that I had to try it. I’m usually a bigger fan of her Victorian Historical Romances, but who can say no to a hot highlander?

Enoch pays a lot of attention to the details, which brings a really rich experience for the reader. However, I think that if you aren’t familiar with the terminology that Highlander Romances have, then you may find some bits confusing. She doesn’t really explain what the terms mean, so that might require some getting used to. But since I’ve read Historical Romance for years, I didn’t find it an issue for me. I am just mentioning it because I know that there will be some readers who may not familiar with the lingo.

Nevertheless, this romance does feature a lot of other things as well. The secondary cast are important and I think Enoch has plans to give everyone a story at some point. There’s lots of banter and cheer back-and-forth so I’m sure there will be a character that everyone will love. Since I didn’t read the first book in the series, I was a little lost in the beginning. But once I got my bearings, I did enjoy the book. I think I will be going back to read the first book in the series to be caught up.
Profile Image for Debby *BabyDee*.
1,482 reviews80 followers
January 15, 2020
Scot Under the Covers (Wild Wicked Highlanders #2) by Suzanne Enoch ia a very delightful story. This is the second in the series involving Aden MacTaggert who enjoys himself with women and wagering at the gaming tables. You have got to love these four Scottish brothers who live under there, in some ways, their mother’s technical rule…either marry before your younger sister or never get the money to keep their impoverished holdings in Scotland afloat.

It is not until Aden meets his match, an English lass named Miranda Harris who is very independent and speaks what she feels. Miranda has been sold off by her brother to a supposedly English Captain to settle his gambling debts and who wants to climb his way into society by keeping those indebted to him at his mercy and using Miranda as a means to getting close to the ton because of her charm and connections. Having no choice in the matter, she seeks out Aden MacTaggert and thus their paths leads to a train wreck or does it?

Such an enjoyable read and I am very much looking forward to the next in this highland series. The plot is good and the characters are entertaining. Suzanne Enoch did a very good job with this story and I recommend the read..

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5-Stars
Profile Image for Leigh.
1,398 reviews326 followers
dnf
January 28, 2020
DNF@28% I tried so hard to read this book but I just couldn't get through it. I found Aden ok but honestly he was nothing special, now for Miranda she is so judgmental at this point I just don't like her. Also, where is the outrage that her brother has basically gambled so much money away that he his unable to pay it back so she is the payment, I don't get it. Another issue, after reading some reviews Aden basically just has a talking to her brother and that's it. Oh and did I mention said brother is marrying Aden's younger sister. Sorry not for me.
Profile Image for Becky.
535 reviews11 followers
January 10, 2020
Wrap me in plaid and call me lass, because I am here. for. this. book. I loved the first one in the series, so I figured I would like this one too but man, five stars does not seem like enough! I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway at the end of 2019 and I can't believe I managed to wait this long to read it.

The MacTaggert brothers have been summoned from Scotland by their mother Lady Aldriss - she has lived in England with their younger sister for years - after learning of the deal their mother and father made. The brothers must each marry an English bride before their younger sister gets married, otherwise Lady Aldriss (who controls the purse strings for the clan's castle in Scotland), stops paying. The first book of the brothers was about Niall and this one focuses on Aden. 

Quick synopsis: Miranda's brother Matthew has gotten into trouble with gambling, so in order to fully settle the debt, Matthew promises the man he owes he can marry Miranda to settle the debt. Miranda turns to Aden MacTaggert, to help her figure out this situation. 

Miranda and Aden are wonderful together - their banter is fast, funny, and every time you think you have one of them figured out, they do something surprising, revealing yet another layer of their character. This story had so many things I loved, especially how Miranda and Aden are working together as partners and are honest with each other; you get to see them together for the majority of the time - this isn't a story where it takes the whole book to get together and then ties up quickly at the end.

You also see lots of Niall and Amy (the couple from the first book in the series), and there are plenty of fun family dynamics - including how you want to hate Matthew for putting this burden on his sister Miranda, but Matthew is engaged to Eloise (the younger sister of the MacTaggert brothers), and you don't want to see Eloise heartbroken.

Seriously, I LOVED this book. I laughed out loud more times than I can count (the first scene has Aden and Coll wagering over who can throw a boot farther!), and I stayed up late two nights in a row because I couldn't stop reading. The only thing that could have made it better is if at some point they were in Scotland - I'm hoping we see some of that in Coll's story. Suzanne Enoch is a master writer, and I already cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Jypsy .
1,524 reviews62 followers
Want to read
April 8, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Scot Under The Covers
By: Suzanne Enoch

REVIEW ☆☆☆☆
I am a fan of Suzanne Enoch's work and historical fiction in general. I really should learn, however, that I am not a fan of Highlanders at all. Take Scot Under The Covers for example. This story is very well written, thrilling, steamy, entertaining, and the characters are excellent. Still, I read it with a bland feeling and just didn't enjoy myself. This is my fault, not the story. The story is fantastic, but I am the wrong reader. Fans of highland romance will love it! I will stay away from Highlanders all together in the future.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
2,306 reviews97 followers
January 16, 2020
Reviewed for Wit and Sin

Scot Under the Covers is a true delight! It’s fast-paced and fun with characters who are easy to adore and a romance that will leave you smiling.

Aden is known as the “elusive MacTaggert brother.” He’s got a quick mind and skilled fingers that serve him well both in the cardroom and the bedroom, and he’s not unwilling to let the English’s dim views of Scotsmen work to his advantage. His mother’s decree that he marry an Englishwoman suddenly becomes a very appealing prospect when he meets Miranda Harris. Miranda’s brother is engaged to Aden’s sister, but that’s not why the beautiful lass seeks him out. Her brother has gotten into a massive debt he cannot repay and the villain is demanding Miranda’s hand in marriage as payment. To outwit a gambler Miranda needs the help of one. It’s not just her plight but her fiery spirit that captures Aden’s interest. When the two join forces the banter flies and the pages of Scot Under the Covers fairly crackle with energy.

Aden and Miranda are both incredibly easy to like. They’ve got good hearts, quick wits, and spines of steel. They’re a perfect match in every way, but with the proverbial noose quickly tightening around Miranda’s neck, the two of them have to work fast to free her. Miranda enjoys maneuvering through society and knows how to play the game, but it’s fun to watch her start to break the rules with Aden. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating that Aden and Miranda are simply a lot of fun together. Though Aden knows she’s the one for him pretty quickly, Miranda’s unwilling attraction develops into love as she learns Aden is a man she can trust and rely on. I’ve read the book twice now and both times I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every step of their journey.

Romance, passion, and a very crafty villain make the pages of Scot Under the Covers fly by. Aden and Miranda are at the heart of the story, but their families play strong supporting roles and bring warmth and humor to the tale. Aden’s mother is particularly fascinating as she continues to try to regain her sons’ trust and affection. And surprisingly (because I didn’t like him very much in the first Wild Wicked Highlanders book), I’m very much looking forward to Coll MacTaggert’s book. I cannot wait to see what Suzanne Enoch has in store for the brash and bold MacTaggert brother. Until then, I’m happy to revisit both It’s Getting Scot in Here and Scot Under the Covers . Both are vibrant, charming romantic romps full of heart.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Profile Image for Kris (My Novelesque Life).
4,693 reviews209 followers
March 27, 2020
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2020; St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Paperbacks

Scot Under the Covers is the second book in the Wild Wicked Highlanders series. In the first book, we find out that the MacTaggert's estranged mother has put a condition on their inheritance. If they want to keep receiving money to keep their home in Scotland, they must get married before their younger sister gets married. The three brothers discover this secret, and head to London to see their mother and sister. They learn that she is engaged, and their mother will not take back the condition she put to their father, when she left Scotland without them.

Aden, the middle brother, is happy his youngest brother, Niall, has found love and is married, but he does not see that happening for himself. He decides he will marry someone tolerable, that is if their older brother will get married. He doesn't want to get married if his brother can't find someone. They must all get married or they lose their home. Aden did not count on meeting Miranda (who is their sister, Eloise's friend and future sister-in-law). Miranda is stubborn as any Scot, and that drives Aden wild. However, Miranda doesn't like Aden, but she needs him to get out of a forced marriage.

I am not a fan of Miranda. I found her annoying and a bit mean towards Aden. I get that this was supposed to be a love/hate relationship, but I felt a bit uncomfortable with it. Aden proved to be a great character, and along with his family and Smythe, I ended up enjoying the book. I also did not care for Miranda's brother, Matthew. I liked him in the first book, even though he was a bit non-descript. In this book, we see his weakness and he does not deserve Eloise. I get that he has an addiction to gambling and that is how he got into this situation. The situation being that he owes a lot of money to a bad guy, who in place of the money will accept marriage to his sister. It seems like Matthew just threw her under and didn't even attempt to stop it. I was even more uncomfortable with that because he is supposed to be more of a "hero" for Eloise. I don't think he does anything to redeem himself, and I am not sure how I feel about it. While I like realistic flawed characters, not this flawed though. I am looking forward to reading the conclusion of the trilogy, and am hoping Mathew goes away.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
Profile Image for Melike.
489 reviews
January 21, 2020
Aden MacTaggert is the second MacTaggert brother to find love in Wild Wicked Highlanders series. He is in London to find a bride under the orders of his mom. Although he is reluctant about it and doesn't think he will succeed in finding the sassenach of his dreams, circumstances say otherwise. He ends up falling in love with Miranda Harris who is engaged to Aden’s sister. Miranda is in a terrible situation due to her brother Matthew’s gambling away a huge amount of money he doesn’t have to a villain. The villain asks for Miranda’s hand in marriage if Matthew cannot pay what he owes him in money. Aden comes in for the rescue and we have a HEA ending.

I liked Aden and Miranda’s back and forth sarcastic and flirtatious bantering with each other when they first meet. The two of them were likable characters. The plot was interesting, but at times I was getting a bit bored and I wished there was more of a focus on the developing romance between Aden and Miranda. I wanted to see more romance and a bit less focus on the villain. Also, Matthew, the brother who thought he can gamble his sister’s whole life away doesn’t have any consequences about it. He is such a spoiled brat.

I will be reading the first book in the series and I look forward to the next one.

Thank you to Net Galley and St.Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.



Profile Image for Diane Peterson.
1,127 reviews93 followers
January 28, 2020
I haven't read a Suzanne Enoch story in a long time. The good news is that her writing is still top-notch! Scot under the Covers was charming, heart-warming and just plain fun. Take one clever Highlander and mix him with a conventional Sassenach with a secret desire to rebel and you have a terrific mix. Both families added a lot to the mix, plus one very slimy villain. This book was everything I love about historical romance. A must-read.

ARC provided through Netgalley.
Profile Image for Jessica Grogan.
531 reviews25 followers
December 12, 2019
Aden MacTaggert is the middle MacTaggert son forced to travel to England to find an English bride. He immediately finds the bride he wants in Miranda Harris. Miranda, however, is embroiled in a plot not of her own making. She agrees to assist Aden fit in better with polite society if he helps her out of her dilemma.

I was initially going to rate this title lower but changed my mind because I enjoyed so many things about it and only really had one major problem.

I liked both Aden and Miranda. Aden was a very sweet guy that would do anything for his loved ones. And Miranda was just the kind of heroine I love: smart and logical. I enjoyed getting to know Coll a little more and can’t wait for his story.

The villain plot was absolutely fantastic and the scenes with him were some of my favorite. I also loved the way that problem was solved in the end. It was definitely interesting.

My only true problem with this title was the fact that Aden was more or less only interested in Miranda because she didn’t like him. That was really the only reason he could give for wanting to get to know her for a good chunk of the book and it drove me crazy. I love tales where the hero and heroine mutually dislike each other, but this, to me, was not the same. This did not take away from the plot or characters enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story, however.

Ready for the next title!!

*I received an eARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rachel.
459 reviews9 followers
March 13, 2022
I enjoyed this more than the first one, primarily because I liked Aiden and Miranda more as characters. They complimented each other well, and I think they had a nice balance between respectful communication when stressed and humorous flirtation when they're not. I also loved that Coll and Niall were so ready and willing to help Aiden and go along with his plans and antics.

The plot and villain were interesting, but I wish Miranda had a more active role in plotting against Vale and saving herself.
Profile Image for Alvina.
413 reviews25 followers
February 11, 2021
DNF

Nope I cannot. The premise is too ridiculous.

The scoundrel brother who sells the heroine (his sister) to pay his debts is still marrying the hero’s sister??? No consequences?! He’s as bad as the villain himself!
Profile Image for Tracy Emro.
2,133 reviews64 followers
March 9, 2020
The MacTaggert brothers are in London to fulfill the terms of an agreement made between their estranged parents. The brothers must all marry English brides before their sister marries or their mother will no longer fund the family estate in Scotland – Aldriss Park. Angry at the perceived abandonment of their mother 17 years ago and poisoned by their father’s bitterness – the brothers descend on their mother and sister intent on marrying to satisfy Francesca, Lady Aldriss and then returning to Scotland. So far, the youngest son Niall has married and has begun to reconcile with their mother. But time is running out and there are still two brothers left to wed – this story is the tale of how the middle son – Aden met his match.

After spending months with her aunt Beatrice, Miranda Harris is back in London and gets the shock of her life when her brother Matthew informs her that he has lost Fifty Thousand pounds to Captain Robert Vale and she must marry him lest he destroys her family. Matthew is betrothed to Eloise MacTaggert and is desperately in love and terrified that her brothers will learn of his gambling and refuse to let Eloise marry him. Miranda despises gamblers – with good reason, her uncle practically ruined her Aunt Beatrice’s life and has been in America trying to make enough money to repay his debt. But to save herself from a gambler – she needs a gambler. Her first interaction with Aden did not go well, but fortunately for her, her sharp tongue and scorn intrigue Aden and when she asks for his help to take down Capt. Vale, Aden pretty certain that Miranda is his perfect match so he is happy to assist and to teach Miranda that not all gamblers are reckless and irresponsible.

This was a great addition to the series; Aden is a very unique and mysterious character – I was never really certain what he was planning and was blown away by his schemes – he really is a wonderful hero. Miranda is a practical and somewhat opinionated and unyielding character at the beginning, but she is not a shrew and can admit that she was wrong, she truly is Aden’s perfect match and I loved watching them fall in love. The story is well written, flows nicely, has plenty of hot and steamy love scenes, lots of intrigue, witty banter, great secondary characters and a great ending with some interesting surprises. I did feel like the book dragged a little around the two-thirds mark and then rushed to catch up at the end. All in all, it is a great read and I am happy to recommend it. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title.
Profile Image for Susan (susayq ~).
2,525 reviews132 followers
February 14, 2020
3.5 stars

Aden. Oh, how I adored him. Even with his high handed, secret plans that he didn't want to share. I also liked Miranda. She came into her own and was good with Aden. But you know who stole the show? Coll. I absolutely can wait to read his book.
Profile Image for Cathy Geha.
4,349 reviews120 followers
January 28, 2020
Scot Under the Covers by Suzanne Enoch
Wild Wicked Highlanders #2

Aden McTaggert is in England with his brothers to save their properties and people in Scotland. Why? Because there mother decreed they had to marry English women before the sister their mother returned to England with becomes a wife. They need the money so...they are in England. Their trip to England and the youngest brother’s finding his English bride was the story found in book. Book two is Aden’s and no doubt Coll will get his story in book three.

Aden is a man who likes to and is adept at gambling. He is nimble fingered and able to read people. He is a man’s man but also attractive to women...and...I found I really liked him. Wily, witty and wonderful is our man Aden.

So, when Miranda Harris, sister to Matthew who will marry the McTaggert sister, finds out her brother has wagered and lost a pile of money and she is to be the pawn that pays his bill...she is not thrilled...especially having met the man who is to be her husband. In fact, Miranda immediately asks Aden for advice – as he is a gambler...a gambler she was rude to the first time they met...and the second time they met, too.

After the two decide to become partners in getting her out of the tangle her brother has created they have the opportunity to spend time together, get to know one another and realize that their first impressions would not withstand proximity and the truth.

What I liked:
* Aden – definitely swoon-worthy
* Miranda – intelligent, strong and a worthy partner for Aden
* The decked out deer and repeated allusion to the cheese made from cats-milk
* The boot-wagering scene near the beginning of the book
* The way that the tangle created by Matthew was undone

What I did not like:
* Smarmy evil Captain Vale – I was not to like him and it was easy to do as I was meant to
* Matthew – think he got off WAY too easy
* The holding back of the story of why Francesca – the mother of the McTaggert progeny – left and why there is so much dislike for her

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Was the book realistic? Not so much but it was fun
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars
Profile Image for kris.
1,083 reviews225 followers
November 26, 2025
The male MacTaggerts have arrived in London, seeking English brides to keep their Scottish estate financially secure. When Aden, mysterious middle brother, meets his future sister-in-law, Miranda Harris... boners, obviously, but also pondering on the state of forever and what it is to be married. Because of, y'know, the boners. Miranda, meanwhile, needs a hero to save her from a wagering villain and discovers Aden (and his boners) are willing to fit the role. (Pun a little intended.)

1. So the romance of the thing between Aden and Miranda was decently well done: they initially spark off one another before getting to know one another and discovering actual liking and affection and arousal between them. Aden does alpha-boy things like major plot machinations without sharing them with Miranda, but she calls him on it and they communicate about it (even while the text offers multiple explanations for why Aden's withholding of information is justified). Their growing relationship was probably the best part of the book!

1.5 The one complaint I do have about the relationship was the repetitious introspection on the feelings the hero and heroine were feeling: it often got mired in itself without good reason (beyond serving as a shortcut from "Hey! I just met you!" to "And marry me maybe?")—just a bit clunky, truly.

1.6 Oh, the the "ye kens" and the 50+ Sassenaches.

2. The things that truly fail this book are the overarching plot of the series: namely, the forthcoming marriage of Aden's sister (Eloise) to Miranda's brother (Matthew), and the MacTaggert tensions with their mother and her "English bride" demands.

First, Eloise and Matthew's marriage is 1000% undermined by this book, to the point where leaving it as a plot point for future books is HILARIOUSLY dumb? The fact that the major plot of this book (that Matthew finds himself in debt to the tune of £50,000 and so offers his sister in marriage) doesn't end Matthew's engagement is just... I think the biggest issue I have is that Matthew is just a major weenie for most of the book, with a micro-blink of regret and accountability in the last chapter(s) which is not enough to justify his continuing relationship with Eloise. So that stinks.

Secondly, the whole MacTaggert parental estrangement is played as both deadly serious (a mother abandons her sons and absconds with her only daughter to England, and then demands that the boys marry English brides or else she'll let their home fall to financial ruin!!!) and easily overcome (the youngest brother has already forgiven their mother and she has loved them all along and clearly kumbaya mother effers). But mother MacTaggert is a tertiary character who never is confronted with her own selfishness and takes very little accountability for her own actions or whack-ass demands.

3. I should also mention the villain because he's a fucking creep, which Enoch pulls off masterfully. Every time he was on page I got the ick, so well done there. What a goddamned monster.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
6,608 reviews237 followers
January 28, 2020
This is the second book in this series. It can be read as a stand alone novel. Who doesn't love a good Scottish man. I know the accent does it for me.

Every once in a while, I will grab a historical romance book to read. The one thing you can usually guarantee with these types of books that feature Scottish or Highlanders are the "rakishness" that the men embody. This is not a bad thing. It makes them a bit "cheeky". Yet, you need a woman who can hold her own with a man like this. In this case it is Aden and he does meet his match with Miranda.

In the beginning, I was more a Aden fan than a Miranda fan. As the story progressed and Miranda let loose and grew bolder, I came to like her. The chemistry between these two was not instant but it was there.
Profile Image for Jessen Reads Romance.
531 reviews1,416 followers
January 14, 2020
In keeping with my 2020 resolution to discover more historical romances I requested this new-to-me author because this cover was hot!

An enemies to lovers romance between a gambling Highlander hell-bent on avoiding marriage to a wilting English miss, and a woman who isn't at all intimidated by his roguish demeanor. It took me a little while to get into this one, but once the plot got rolling (Miranda's hand in marriage has been traded to forgive a gambling debt) I was invested! Miranda is forced to seek the advice of Aden who she despises. They work together to discover the villain's motives and fall in love along the way. Miranda was a badass and handled her shit!
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