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His Highlander: Enemies-to-lovers MM Scottish Romance
Betrayed and captive, he found a love as dangerous as the Scottish mist.
On the king’s command, Francis Seymour is thrust into the unforgiving Scottish Highlands, armed only with his cittern. His mission, doomed from the start, unravels spectacularly when he is ambushed in a shadowy tavern.
Now, Francis is held prisoner by none other than Alasdair MacColl, the formidable Master of the Guards.
Alasdair, a towering Highlander with granite resolve, is everything Francis was raised to loathe—fiercely loyal to the MacColl clan and stoic to the point of mystery. Yet, Francis cannot ignore the pulse of attraction that thrums between them, even as enemy lines blur.
As their journey threads deeper into the mist-laced hills, tension crackles in the air—Francis battles his growing desire, while Alasdair’s own reservations falter.
Their passion erupts against the backdrop of betrayal, orchestrated by Alasdair’s own kin, whose schemes reek of poison and war.
Torn between duty to his homeland and the Highlander who has ensnared his heart, Francis faces an impossible choice as secrets spill and tensions mount.
In a desperate bid to save Alasdair from ruin, Francis gambles his honor, his future, and his life.
Will Francis and Alasdair’s secret, burning love defy betrayal and bloodshed, or will duty and danger tear them apart forever? Dive into the heart-wrenching struggle for survival, loyalty, and the kind of passion that risks everything—even life itself. Click now to experience the epic journey that could save them both—or destroy them in the end.
On the king’s command, Francis Seymour is thrust into the unforgiving Scottish Highlands, armed only with his cittern. His mission, doomed from the start, unravels spectacularly when he is ambushed in a shadowy tavern.
Now, Francis is held prisoner by none other than Alasdair MacColl, the formidable Master of the Guards.
Alasdair, a towering Highlander with granite resolve, is everything Francis was raised to loathe—fiercely loyal to the MacColl clan and stoic to the point of mystery. Yet, Francis cannot ignore the pulse of attraction that thrums between them, even as enemy lines blur.
As their journey threads deeper into the mist-laced hills, tension crackles in the air—Francis battles his growing desire, while Alasdair’s own reservations falter.
Their passion erupts against the backdrop of betrayal, orchestrated by Alasdair’s own kin, whose schemes reek of poison and war.
Torn between duty to his homeland and the Highlander who has ensnared his heart, Francis faces an impossible choice as secrets spill and tensions mount.
In a desperate bid to save Alasdair from ruin, Francis gambles his honor, his future, and his life.
Will Francis and Alasdair’s secret, burning love defy betrayal and bloodshed, or will duty and danger tear them apart forever? Dive into the heart-wrenching struggle for survival, loyalty, and the kind of passion that risks everything—even life itself. Click now to experience the epic journey that could save them both—or destroy them in the end.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Stephanie Lake
49 books138 followersStephanie Lake is the multi award winning and #1 bestselling husband and wife duo behind a world of historical M/M romance where passion burns, danger lurks, and love always triumphs. Their stories blend slow build tension, laugh out loud humor, and the steamy, satisfying endings readers crave.
Having lived across the globe, Steph and Lake infuse their books with the flavors of their travels and a shared love of history. While Steph gardens and reads, Lake haunts libraries devouring research. Together, they create unforgettable characters who fight for love with heart and humor.
They frequently collaborate with queer historical author Jules Radcliffe. Join their newsletter for a free prequel, The Distraction of Edward MacNair, and stay updated on new releases and giveaways.
Connect with them: crewfiction.com/stephanie-lake
Facebook: Stephanie.Lake.Historical.Gay.Romance
Instagram: jules_radcliffe_stephanie_lake
Having lived across the globe, Steph and Lake infuse their books with the flavors of their travels and a shared love of history. While Steph gardens and reads, Lake haunts libraries devouring research. Together, they create unforgettable characters who fight for love with heart and humor.
They frequently collaborate with queer historical author Jules Radcliffe. Join their newsletter for a free prequel, The Distraction of Edward MacNair, and stay updated on new releases and giveaways.
Connect with them: crewfiction.com/stephanie-lake
Facebook: Stephanie.Lake.Historical.Gay.Romance
Instagram: jules_radcliffe_stephanie_lake
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 3, 2026
This was my first time reading a Highlander romance, and it definitely made me interested in reading more. I’ve also been meaning to read Stephanie Lake ever since I discovered their Regency collections, so this felt like the perfect place to start.
Set in Scotland in 1543, His Highlander immediately drew me in with both its atmosphere and its writing. I could tell from the very beginning that a lot of care had gone into the story, and I especially appreciated how music was woven into the narrative. It never felt overused or distracting. Instead, it became a natural part of the main character and added another layer to the story.
I also fell in love with Stephanie Lake’s writing style almost immediately. The prose is vivid and engaging, with several beautifully written passages that made me stop and appreciate the wording. Throughout the novel, I got the sense that this was a story written with genuine care, both for the characters and for the historical setting.
The relationship between Francis and Alasdair was easily my favourite part of the book. I liked that there wasn’t any insta-love between them, although there was definitely some insta-lust. Since they’re technically enemies, I found it surprisingly poetic watching their relationship develop. The book plays with the enemies-to-lovers trope in a way that felt fresh to me, managing to embrace the trope while also subverting some of the expectations I normally have.
What I enjoyed the most was Francis’s emotional journey. Seeing how his priorities gradually changed over the course of the story made the romance feel earned rather than rushed. It was one of those relationships where I genuinely enjoyed watching the connection grow instead of simply waiting for the characters to get together.
Alasdair remained a little mysterious throughout the novel since we never get his point of view. There were moments early on where I wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret him, which occasionally left me a little confused. At the same time, that mystery also became part of his appeal.
Jean was probably the only character I struggled with. I liked her at first, but her role seemed to shift several times throughout the story, making it difficult for me to fully understand her. By the end, she felt like a character with a lot of potential whose development simply didn’t feel as smooth as it could have been.
There were also plenty of smaller moments that made the book memorable. Francis’s confidence made me chuckle several times, while other scenes were surprisingly tender and heartfelt. The intimate scenes were fairly graphic, but they also felt emotional and believable rather than existing purely for shock value.
The book isn’t perfect. At times I felt that certain thoughts and emotions were described a little more than necessary, and I noticed quite a few typos throughout the novel. I’ve definitely read books where this was much more distracting, though, so neither issue affected my enjoyment in any significant way. There were also a few moments that genuinely surprised me emotionally because the story wasn’t always predictable in the way it built tension.
By the time I reached the ending, I was still fully invested in the story. While parts of the conclusion unfolded more or less the way I expected, that wasn’t a negative for me. It felt satisfying, and I closed the book feeling happy with the journey. I’m also not entirely sure how historically accurate every detail is, but honestly, that wasn’t something I found myself worrying about while reading.
Fixing the tiny nitpicks I had would obviously have made it a 5 star, but considering how much I enjoyed it for what it is I thought it would be fitting to give it 3.5 stars.
So yeah, overall, I had a really enjoyable time with His Highlander. It’s a beautifully written historical romance with engaging prose, an emotionally satisfying romance, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. More than anything, it felt like a story written with care, and that’s something I always appreciate. Seeing as I enjoyed this story quite a bit I’ll definitely be reading more from Stephanie Lake in the future, and checking out more highlander novels as well.
Set in Scotland in 1543, His Highlander immediately drew me in with both its atmosphere and its writing. I could tell from the very beginning that a lot of care had gone into the story, and I especially appreciated how music was woven into the narrative. It never felt overused or distracting. Instead, it became a natural part of the main character and added another layer to the story.
I also fell in love with Stephanie Lake’s writing style almost immediately. The prose is vivid and engaging, with several beautifully written passages that made me stop and appreciate the wording. Throughout the novel, I got the sense that this was a story written with genuine care, both for the characters and for the historical setting.
The relationship between Francis and Alasdair was easily my favourite part of the book. I liked that there wasn’t any insta-love between them, although there was definitely some insta-lust. Since they’re technically enemies, I found it surprisingly poetic watching their relationship develop. The book plays with the enemies-to-lovers trope in a way that felt fresh to me, managing to embrace the trope while also subverting some of the expectations I normally have.
What I enjoyed the most was Francis’s emotional journey. Seeing how his priorities gradually changed over the course of the story made the romance feel earned rather than rushed. It was one of those relationships where I genuinely enjoyed watching the connection grow instead of simply waiting for the characters to get together.
Alasdair remained a little mysterious throughout the novel since we never get his point of view. There were moments early on where I wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret him, which occasionally left me a little confused. At the same time, that mystery also became part of his appeal.
Jean was probably the only character I struggled with. I liked her at first, but her role seemed to shift several times throughout the story, making it difficult for me to fully understand her. By the end, she felt like a character with a lot of potential whose development simply didn’t feel as smooth as it could have been.
There were also plenty of smaller moments that made the book memorable. Francis’s confidence made me chuckle several times, while other scenes were surprisingly tender and heartfelt. The intimate scenes were fairly graphic, but they also felt emotional and believable rather than existing purely for shock value.
The book isn’t perfect. At times I felt that certain thoughts and emotions were described a little more than necessary, and I noticed quite a few typos throughout the novel. I’ve definitely read books where this was much more distracting, though, so neither issue affected my enjoyment in any significant way. There were also a few moments that genuinely surprised me emotionally because the story wasn’t always predictable in the way it built tension.
By the time I reached the ending, I was still fully invested in the story. While parts of the conclusion unfolded more or less the way I expected, that wasn’t a negative for me. It felt satisfying, and I closed the book feeling happy with the journey. I’m also not entirely sure how historically accurate every detail is, but honestly, that wasn’t something I found myself worrying about while reading.
Fixing the tiny nitpicks I had would obviously have made it a 5 star, but considering how much I enjoyed it for what it is I thought it would be fitting to give it 3.5 stars.
So yeah, overall, I had a really enjoyable time with His Highlander. It’s a beautifully written historical romance with engaging prose, an emotionally satisfying romance, and characters I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. More than anything, it felt like a story written with care, and that’s something I always appreciate. Seeing as I enjoyed this story quite a bit I’ll definitely be reading more from Stephanie Lake in the future, and checking out more highlander novels as well.
May 29, 2026
I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers historical romance. Francis is a lesser son of an English noble sent on a spying mission to Scotland. Francis is good at the arts, not so good at being a soldier. He hopes that successfully completing his mission will raise his worth in his family's eyes, but those plans crumple upon being taken captive by Alasdair. Alasdair takes his duties as Master of the Guard and a land owner very seriously. He knows the plan for his life and it doesn't include the beautiful English captive this is now living in his house. Alasdair is expected to marry Jean, have children, and leave a legacy. All he really wants is Francis. Throw in some serious political intrigue and you have a fun and spicy read. I found myself genuinely moved at a couple points and that was a nice surprise. I would recommend.
April 4, 2026
I found this book O.K., not great.
The best: I loved Francis! The author has given him an authentic voice for the time period and a great sense of humor. Francis knows who he is: a third or fourth son of a minor English noble, an unapologetic gay man, and a lute player.
The not-so-good: Alasdair is extremely one-note: big, beautiful, kind-hearted warrior. Francis's point of view tells the story, so Alasdair doesn't speak much. When he does say something (like "No, I will not sleep with you"), he quickly reverses his decision ("Yes, I will sleep with you").
Overall, a book that tries to be so charming, but only succeeds sometimes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The best: I loved Francis! The author has given him an authentic voice for the time period and a great sense of humor. Francis knows who he is: a third or fourth son of a minor English noble, an unapologetic gay man, and a lute player.
The not-so-good: Alasdair is extremely one-note: big, beautiful, kind-hearted warrior. Francis's point of view tells the story, so Alasdair doesn't speak much. When he does say something (like "No, I will not sleep with you"), he quickly reverses his decision ("Yes, I will sleep with you").
Overall, a book that tries to be so charming, but only succeeds sometimes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a sweet little romance, and the second book I’ve read by this author! Initially, I was not a fan of the main character, Francis, as he seemed pushy and petulant, but as the story went on, he really grew on me and I ended up liking him quite a bit. His relationship with Alasdair was sweet and I enjoyed their little moments of banter and soft affection sprinkled amidst the more serious events of the book. Overall, this was a fun, light little read. Thank you to the author for an advanced copy!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews