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Highland Grooms #1
Wild Wicked Scot
Wicked intrigue unfolds in
New York Times
bestselling author Julia London's latest historical gem as an unlikely marriage leads to a path of risky desire in the lush, green Scottish Highlands
Born into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Three years ago she fled their marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back except to relive the moments spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's passionate embrace. But as their respective countries' fragile unity threatens to unravel, Margot must return to her husband to uncover his role in the treachery before her family can be accused of it.
Red-haired, green-eyed Margot was Arran's beautiful bride. Her loss has haunted him, but her return threatens everything he has gained. As the Highland mists carry whispers of an English plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver her in games of espionage and seduction. But even as their secrets tangle together, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading them straight into danger.
Born into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Three years ago she fled their marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back except to relive the moments spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's passionate embrace. But as their respective countries' fragile unity threatens to unravel, Margot must return to her husband to uncover his role in the treachery before her family can be accused of it.
Red-haired, green-eyed Margot was Arran's beautiful bride. Her loss has haunted him, but her return threatens everything he has gained. As the Highland mists carry whispers of an English plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver her in games of espionage and seduction. But even as their secrets tangle together, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading them straight into danger.
479 pages, Hardcover
First published December 27, 2016
422 people are currently reading
2871 people want to read
About the author
Julia London
190 books3,137 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
November 16, 2023
***Deal Alert*** This is only $.99 for Kindle (deal also on B&N and other sites). The hero is a doggy lover, don't miss out!
Amazon Link
As of 3/18/17
4.5 stars
I read this for the Man in a Kilt square for Romance Bingo.
She was afraid of him, disgusted by him, attracted to him.
Without the sweeping epic saga war components, this reminded me of Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham. As with the heroine in that one, Margot grew up extremely spoiled, sheltered, and is incredibly naïve. I personally am not the biggest fan of reading about perfect people, I love growth and journey. When Margot first meets Arran she is only 16 and after only two more meetings they are married after she turns 18. She is then immediately taken out of her home in England and brought to Arran's home in Scotland. Margot is an extreme fish out of water and her elitist ways and attitude definitely don't jive with the clan structure. She tries to help in her known English ways, but it only works to distance her more from Arran's people. Now, Arran may be completely different from the fops she grew up around and liked but we still she her attracted to him but she doesn't quite know what to do with it because she doesn't know him. I liked the fact that Margot wasn't blinded by insta-lust and just because she found Arran attractive she didn’t instantly trust him and it didn’t solve all their problems. Margot's just too young, too scared, and too bitter about not being able to marry someone remotely of her choosing and she ends up leaving Arran after only a couple months of marriage.
"I remember that your list of complaints was quite long."
She could feel the skin of her chest heating beneath his study of her. She had to look away or be devoured by that penetrating gaze. "Were they complaints? I always rather thought them pleas to help me reconcile to my new surroundings."
"Ah, is that what they were, then?" he mused.
Arran is more instantly likeable but while he has about 9 years on Margot, he was almost as clueless to marriage. He's the one who is struck by first sight and he knows as soon as he sees Margot he wants to marry her. He doesn't think about anything else except having her as wife, and doesn't think about how truly different they are. He's extremely caring to her in the bedroom, the one place they do connect, but baffled by her in every other measure. When he brings her to his home he doesn't help or explain to her how she can connect with his people and disappears for most the day doing work or traveling; he lives his life exactly the same way he did before marrying. Later on in the story there is a great conversation between the two where we learn that his parent's both died when he was young and Margot's mother died young also. We see that these two weren't modeled or taught how marriages work in a basic sense. In the beginning, Arran does do more little things to try and make it work but Margot's youth, fear, loneliness, and other issues I talked about cloud and create misunderstandings with their communication. These two simply married too soon and too young.
I'm usually a linear person but the switching chapters from past to present so worked for me. I loved how it set the tone and gave a clear understanding of how and why Arran and Margot felt the way they did, while also adding some drama. This was mostly a character driven story and our couple had the major chops to carry it; I devoured the first half of this absorbed into their story. I think it was around the 56% mark that the Reason I Read Romance conversation between the two happened. A couple lines, I refuse to spoil by putting them here, are spoken by Arran and let's just say I made sounds that probably only happen at the Cheesecake Factory when they bring me my red velvet cheesecake. They're crosses between gasps, sobs, happiness, and heart palpitations.
The second half and ending involving family and Jacobite drama didn't fully work for me, it wasn't flushed out enough. Especially, the quick and off screen way it was wrapped up, ended up feeling unneeded to me because of its lack of substance. Some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more like Arran's friend Jock and Margot's brother Knox. I guess I'm saying I wanted this book to be 200 pages of more because I loved the story so much.
I also felt the ending bringing together between Arran and Margot felt a little off. Arran had a quick to anger moment over something Margot did and then was just as quick to forgiveness, making it feel angst for angst sake. Then at the end when they have time to really have it out and come together, there was this kind of awkward lingering distrustfulness from Arran and unsure from Margot that felt overdone. At this point in the story and after certain things had been done, they should have had a united front.
Still, I gobbled this story up. Margot's growth was evident and I enjoyed how she went from a spoiled, scared, and naïve girl to a woman finding and testing her own strength and mind. Arran matured into a man who learned to open his clueless eyes and pay attention to his wife, while not trying to mold her into what he thought she should be instead of who she truly was. I'd read about this couple all day.
Bonus:
Arran loves dogs and my crazy dog lady feelings couldn't handle it.
She was suddenly reminded of a young dog here at Balhaire who'd been badly injured by a trap that had been set illegally. When the gamekeeper determined the poor dog could not be saved and, furthermore, would suffer in his last hours, she had watched Arran scoop the dog up in his arms and carry him from this very hall with tears on his face. He'd taken the dog into the woods and mercifully put it out of its misery. She shivered at the painful recollection of how he'd grieved for the dog.
Not going to lie, reading this and then how three gray muzzled dogs sleep on the bed, the only thought running through my head was Shut it Down, Shut it all Down. Any Romanices Hero of 2017 talk is over.
Amazon Link
As of 3/18/17
4.5 stars
I read this for the Man in a Kilt square for Romance Bingo.
She was afraid of him, disgusted by him, attracted to him.
Without the sweeping epic saga war components, this reminded me of Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham. As with the heroine in that one, Margot grew up extremely spoiled, sheltered, and is incredibly naïve. I personally am not the biggest fan of reading about perfect people, I love growth and journey. When Margot first meets Arran she is only 16 and after only two more meetings they are married after she turns 18. She is then immediately taken out of her home in England and brought to Arran's home in Scotland. Margot is an extreme fish out of water and her elitist ways and attitude definitely don't jive with the clan structure. She tries to help in her known English ways, but it only works to distance her more from Arran's people. Now, Arran may be completely different from the fops she grew up around and liked but we still she her attracted to him but she doesn't quite know what to do with it because she doesn't know him. I liked the fact that Margot wasn't blinded by insta-lust and just because she found Arran attractive she didn’t instantly trust him and it didn’t solve all their problems. Margot's just too young, too scared, and too bitter about not being able to marry someone remotely of her choosing and she ends up leaving Arran after only a couple months of marriage.
"I remember that your list of complaints was quite long."
She could feel the skin of her chest heating beneath his study of her. She had to look away or be devoured by that penetrating gaze. "Were they complaints? I always rather thought them pleas to help me reconcile to my new surroundings."
"Ah, is that what they were, then?" he mused.
Arran is more instantly likeable but while he has about 9 years on Margot, he was almost as clueless to marriage. He's the one who is struck by first sight and he knows as soon as he sees Margot he wants to marry her. He doesn't think about anything else except having her as wife, and doesn't think about how truly different they are. He's extremely caring to her in the bedroom, the one place they do connect, but baffled by her in every other measure. When he brings her to his home he doesn't help or explain to her how she can connect with his people and disappears for most the day doing work or traveling; he lives his life exactly the same way he did before marrying. Later on in the story there is a great conversation between the two where we learn that his parent's both died when he was young and Margot's mother died young also. We see that these two weren't modeled or taught how marriages work in a basic sense. In the beginning, Arran does do more little things to try and make it work but Margot's youth, fear, loneliness, and other issues I talked about cloud and create misunderstandings with their communication. These two simply married too soon and too young.
I'm usually a linear person but the switching chapters from past to present so worked for me. I loved how it set the tone and gave a clear understanding of how and why Arran and Margot felt the way they did, while also adding some drama. This was mostly a character driven story and our couple had the major chops to carry it; I devoured the first half of this absorbed into their story. I think it was around the 56% mark that the Reason I Read Romance conversation between the two happened. A couple lines, I refuse to spoil by putting them here, are spoken by Arran and let's just say I made sounds that probably only happen at the Cheesecake Factory when they bring me my red velvet cheesecake. They're crosses between gasps, sobs, happiness, and heart palpitations.
The second half and ending involving family and Jacobite drama didn't fully work for me, it wasn't flushed out enough. Especially, the quick and off screen way it was wrapped up, ended up feeling unneeded to me because of its lack of substance. Some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more like Arran's friend Jock and Margot's brother Knox. I guess I'm saying I wanted this book to be 200 pages of more because I loved the story so much.
I also felt the ending bringing together between Arran and Margot felt a little off. Arran had a quick to anger moment over something Margot did and then was just as quick to forgiveness, making it feel angst for angst sake. Then at the end when they have time to really have it out and come together, there was this kind of awkward lingering distrustfulness from Arran and unsure from Margot that felt overdone. At this point in the story and after certain things had been done, they should have had a united front.
Still, I gobbled this story up. Margot's growth was evident and I enjoyed how she went from a spoiled, scared, and naïve girl to a woman finding and testing her own strength and mind. Arran matured into a man who learned to open his clueless eyes and pay attention to his wife, while not trying to mold her into what he thought she should be instead of who she truly was. I'd read about this couple all day.
Bonus:
Arran loves dogs and my crazy dog lady feelings couldn't handle it.
She was suddenly reminded of a young dog here at Balhaire who'd been badly injured by a trap that had been set illegally. When the gamekeeper determined the poor dog could not be saved and, furthermore, would suffer in his last hours, she had watched Arran scoop the dog up in his arms and carry him from this very hall with tears on his face. He'd taken the dog into the woods and mercifully put it out of its misery. She shivered at the painful recollection of how he'd grieved for the dog.
Not going to lie, reading this and then how three gray muzzled dogs sleep on the bed, the only thought running through my head was Shut it Down, Shut it all Down. Any Romanices Hero of 2017 talk is over.
June 11, 2018
Entretenido para aquellas que os gustan las novelas de highlanders. Protagonistas tópicos, poco profundos y con un argumento de lo más clásico.
Pasará sin pena ni gloria. Me he pasado toda la lectura esperando que se animara.
pero admito que este tipo de historias me tienen ya muy cansada así que otra lectora seguro que lo valorará mucho mejor.
El complot se resuelve en un visto y no visto y, ciertos aspectos de él no me han convencido y lo de ella me lo he creído menos todavía
Estas historias no son malas, simplemente no son para mí
Pasará sin pena ni gloria. Me he pasado toda la lectura esperando que se animara.
pero admito que este tipo de historias me tienen ya muy cansada así que otra lectora seguro que lo valorará mucho mejor.
El complot se resuelve en un visto y no visto y, ciertos aspectos de él no me han convencido y lo de ella me lo he creído menos todavía
Estas historias no son malas, simplemente no son para mí
September 15, 2020
What a book!!!!! 4.5 Stars!
This book drained me. Cause every time I read a book I put myself in the heroine’s shoes and what Margot went through!!!! I don’t know how she remained standing. I detested her father, and her brother and basically the entire England! Ugh!
Arran was such a raw character. After the prologue and first chapter I was firmly on Margot’s side and expected him to be a villain. But when I read the chapters explaining his side of the story my heart practically bled. And then how he tried to stay strong despite his weakness towards Margot!! Yet it all blew up in his face?!!! Ugh mehn! This was just such a book.
The emotions were perfectly written, it was easy to understand both parties. It was also easy to accept how Margot changed and grew to accept the Scottish life.
The only reason it’s not a perfect 5 stars for me is cause I often prefer simpler story lines with less conflicts. But I can’t deny that this was a very impressive book!!!
This book drained me. Cause every time I read a book I put myself in the heroine’s shoes and what Margot went through!!!! I don’t know how she remained standing. I detested her father, and her brother and basically the entire England! Ugh!
Arran was such a raw character. After the prologue and first chapter I was firmly on Margot’s side and expected him to be a villain. But when I read the chapters explaining his side of the story my heart practically bled. And then how he tried to stay strong despite his weakness towards Margot!! Yet it all blew up in his face?!!! Ugh mehn! This was just such a book.
The emotions were perfectly written, it was easy to understand both parties. It was also easy to accept how Margot changed and grew to accept the Scottish life.
The only reason it’s not a perfect 5 stars for me is cause I often prefer simpler story lines with less conflicts. But I can’t deny that this was a very impressive book!!!
September 14, 2021
Lovely read. Estranged married couple. Great historical context. Enjoyed the culture clash of the English lady adjusting to Scottish clan ways. Very well done in that regard.
September 27, 2016
ARC from Harlequin and Netgalley.
3.5-3.75
I have mixed feeling on this one.....
Well the synopsis for the story covers the overall gist of the storyline. I'm going to share more of what my feeling on the book are and overview of the characters.
Margot and Arran's marriage was one of political and monetary value to both. Actually more so Arran then Margot, for her Father pretty much forced the marriage on Margot. Margot was a young, very young, eighteen year old when she married. She had been pampered and spoiled by her Father and brothers all her life. Arran was a Scottish chieftain who took care of his clan, worked hard and was a total Alpha. We have a story of two opposites, forced to marry and both very stubborn. The story begins with a Prologue with their forced marriage and then dives into the present tense. We find Margot returning three years after their marriage. She had left Arran not even a year into their marriage.
This was a very well written, character driven romance. The story had me connected and engrossed throughout the book. I found each character multi dimensional, with new layers being revealed of who (as well as why) they were throughout the story. The writing and description of the time period was excellent and made me feel as if I was right there. The descriptions of life in the castle was excellent! And also something kind of small but yet not was Arran's dogs and how he cared for them and how they behaved was done so well.
But here's what I struggled with, Margot. Gosh I so didn't like her for almost half the book. It took too long for her to be likable and for her to open her eyes and grow up. She was too spoiled and just a brat at times. I think it took too long to come to understand why she was the way she was and also for her to see the light of what she had in Arran. It didn't happen till almost sixty to seventy percent of the story. Which to me is too long, at least start the process of it a quarter into the book so we could be more invested or start to like her more earlier.
Arran, oh I loved him. Some might not at first as he comes across pretty strong but the author gave a little glimpse of what a sweetheart he his early on in the book. His love for Margot, oh my heart melted. He was so good to his clan/people, devoted, loyal and I loved his tender heart for his dogs.
I hope and wish that the author will see this and give some thought to making some adjustment to the heroines character because this could be a richer and more beautiful love story.
3.5-3.75
I have mixed feeling on this one.....
Well the synopsis for the story covers the overall gist of the storyline. I'm going to share more of what my feeling on the book are and overview of the characters.
Margot and Arran's marriage was one of political and monetary value to both. Actually more so Arran then Margot, for her Father pretty much forced the marriage on Margot. Margot was a young, very young, eighteen year old when she married. She had been pampered and spoiled by her Father and brothers all her life. Arran was a Scottish chieftain who took care of his clan, worked hard and was a total Alpha. We have a story of two opposites, forced to marry and both very stubborn. The story begins with a Prologue with their forced marriage and then dives into the present tense. We find Margot returning three years after their marriage. She had left Arran not even a year into their marriage.
This was a very well written, character driven romance. The story had me connected and engrossed throughout the book. I found each character multi dimensional, with new layers being revealed of who (as well as why) they were throughout the story. The writing and description of the time period was excellent and made me feel as if I was right there. The descriptions of life in the castle was excellent! And also something kind of small but yet not was Arran's dogs and how he cared for them and how they behaved was done so well.
But here's what I struggled with, Margot. Gosh I so didn't like her for almost half the book. It took too long for her to be likable and for her to open her eyes and grow up. She was too spoiled and just a brat at times. I think it took too long to come to understand why she was the way she was and also for her to see the light of what she had in Arran. It didn't happen till almost sixty to seventy percent of the story. Which to me is too long, at least start the process of it a quarter into the book so we could be more invested or start to like her more earlier.
Arran, oh I loved him. Some might not at first as he comes across pretty strong but the author gave a little glimpse of what a sweetheart he his early on in the book. His love for Margot, oh my heart melted. He was so good to his clan/people, devoted, loyal and I loved his tender heart for his dogs.
I hope and wish that the author will see this and give some thought to making some adjustment to the heroines character because this could be a richer and more beautiful love story.
January 30, 2021
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Margot Armstrong, was shocked when her father forced her to marry a wild highlander, Arran McKenzie. She didn't feel like she fit in, in a world she knew nothing about and a life she felt fear right around the corner. So against her better judgement, she abandoned her husband and returned to England. Its been three long years, and she has returned in a not so honorable way. Her father has coerced her that she must discover if her husband is a traitor to the crown. She she has been sent to win back his affection and learn the truth. But with each day that passes, Margot regrets everything she has done that has deceived Arran, a man that she admires and is starting to fall in love with. Arran doesn't trust Margot or her "return" after being gone for three years. He had finally managed to get over losing his wife and now she has returned and he knows he can't trust anything she says. But as desire flares between them and the lines of lust and love become blurred, there is a plot again Arran, and soon they will have to take a leap of faith in order to survive the treachery among those Margot's loves the most.
Plot and Story Line
Wild Wicked Scot is the most latest novel from our esteemed Julia London and a great beginning to a new historical series. In Wild Wicked Scot I fell in love in a way that I never expected. Now I will say this, the heroine is the only aspect of the story I didn't like. She was really difficult at times, and selfish and spoiled especially in the beginning. So I had a hard time liking her at least until the later part of the story. In Wild Wicked Scot, I feel like one of the major aspects of the story that makes you fall in love is how her character changes. She starts out as one you can't stand but turns out to be quite wonderful in the end.
She changes through the story, and she does see the error of her ways and does what is right when it really matters. Now our hero....he is simple fantastic and sees right through Margot from the beginning. I liked that he didn't just 'believe' she wanted a reconciliation since it had been three years and hadn't heard a word from her. But we see through the story that he has always cared for it, but didn't know how to show it. We see the various ways the characters are tested to their limits in this one. I loved the espionage theme we have going on here. It really added some intensity to the plot and the writing was superb in this one. I honestly read this in one sitting, it was so dang good. Even though I had some issues with our heroine, the writing just pulled me in and I didn't want the story to end. I am very curious to see how the second book connects to this one.
The Cover
Such a beautiful and tenderly romantic cover!! I really love the blue colors and the pose is sexy yet sweet too.
Overall View
Wild Wicked Scot is a vividly pictured romance that is a winning story that shows the tests of trust, desire and fighting for what is right. COMPELLING ON EACH PAGE!!
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="24091"]
Summary
Margot Armstrong, was shocked when her father forced her to marry a wild highlander, Arran McKenzie. She didn't feel like she fit in, in a world she knew nothing about and a life she felt fear right around the corner. So against her better judgement, she abandoned her husband and returned to England. Its been three long years, and she has returned in a not so honorable way. Her father has coerced her that she must discover if her husband is a traitor to the crown. She she has been sent to win back his affection and learn the truth. But with each day that passes, Margot regrets everything she has done that has deceived Arran, a man that she admires and is starting to fall in love with. Arran doesn't trust Margot or her "return" after being gone for three years. He had finally managed to get over losing his wife and now she has returned and he knows he can't trust anything she says. But as desire flares between them and the lines of lust and love become blurred, there is a plot again Arran, and soon they will have to take a leap of faith in order to survive the treachery among those Margot's loves the most.
Plot and Story Line
Wild Wicked Scot is the most latest novel from our esteemed Julia London and a great beginning to a new historical series. In Wild Wicked Scot I fell in love in a way that I never expected. Now I will say this, the heroine is the only aspect of the story I didn't like. She was really difficult at times, and selfish and spoiled especially in the beginning. So I had a hard time liking her at least until the later part of the story. In Wild Wicked Scot, I feel like one of the major aspects of the story that makes you fall in love is how her character changes. She starts out as one you can't stand but turns out to be quite wonderful in the end.
Uncle Ivor once told Arran that there was nothing more dangerous to man than a woman. "No beast, no plague, no pestilence," he'd said jovially from his perch on a rock as they'd stalked red deer. "Men live and die for them, lad. You'll see what I mean when you've come of age, aye? The trick is to find a steady one and keep her close."
She changes through the story, and she does see the error of her ways and does what is right when it really matters. Now our hero....he is simple fantastic and sees right through Margot from the beginning. I liked that he didn't just 'believe' she wanted a reconciliation since it had been three years and hadn't heard a word from her. But we see through the story that he has always cared for it, but didn't know how to show it. We see the various ways the characters are tested to their limits in this one. I loved the espionage theme we have going on here. It really added some intensity to the plot and the writing was superb in this one. I honestly read this in one sitting, it was so dang good. Even though I had some issues with our heroine, the writing just pulled me in and I didn't want the story to end. I am very curious to see how the second book connects to this one.
"But in this, you must trust me. Arran, for heaven's sake, you must, at last, trust me. I love you, and not because our fortunes are aligned. Because in this little lodge, you taught me what is important. You taught me what it meant to care for someone. I don't care about balls and society. I care about how many potatoes the earth will yield, and how I might mend the hole I put in your shirt, and if you will love your child as much as you love those wretched dogs at Balhaire."
He bowed his head, sighing in relief. "Margot...Diah--"
She took his face in her hands and made him look up at her. "You became the beginning and the end of my world here, and I choose you. I will always choose you."
The Cover
Such a beautiful and tenderly romantic cover!! I really love the blue colors and the pose is sexy yet sweet too.
Overall View
Wild Wicked Scot is a vividly pictured romance that is a winning story that shows the tests of trust, desire and fighting for what is right. COMPELLING ON EACH PAGE!!
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="24091"]
September 19, 2020
WHAT. A. BOOK. Now this is a historical romance! My kind of historical romance, at least. I slowly devoured this book and every single morsel was delicious. I am thanking my 2018 self for picking up this book at a used booksale.
Wild Wicked Scot takes place in the early 1700s. We've got a rich English heroine whose father forces her to marry a sinfully handsome Scottish Laird for political reasons. Margot is only 18 years old when she marries Arran Mackenzie. When she moves to Scotland, she experiences an extreme culture shock which makes it difficult for her adapt to her new home. Arran, on his part, is very caring toward his new bride, and he tries his best to ease her into her new environment. But he is also kind of clueless and Margot is too young to be able to really articulate her needs and wants.
Four months into their marriage, Margot ends up leaving her husband and Scotland. The story picks up 3 years later when Margot makes a surprise return to the Scottish Highlands to reconcile with her husband. Arran doesn't understand why Margot is back and he is sure that she is up to something. For the first third of the book, the chapters alternate between the present time and flashbacks from 3 years ago.
The romance is intense 😱 sexy 🥵 and so romantic 😍 The best combination if you ask me. I love both Margot and Arran. The plot is solidly written; royal politics is perfectly interwoven with the romance. The politics is written in such a way that it actually pushes both Margot and Arran to grow as characters and as a couple. Margot's character growth is particularly worth highlighting. She grows from a pampered and naive young woman to a woman who realizes her self worth and refuses to be used as a pawn by the men in her life. And the romance is sooooo swoonworthy. Arran is such a great hero. It takes him time to trust Margot again even though he is so utterly in love with her. The characterization is so well-written; it was easy to understand both the hero and heroine, as well as their motivations.
The epilogue was also the cutest thing ever. It looks like the rest of the series is about the next generation. I was kind of hoping Knox would get his own story, but unfortunately I don't think the author has written a book about him.
Wild Wicked Scot takes place in the early 1700s. We've got a rich English heroine whose father forces her to marry a sinfully handsome Scottish Laird for political reasons. Margot is only 18 years old when she marries Arran Mackenzie. When she moves to Scotland, she experiences an extreme culture shock which makes it difficult for her adapt to her new home. Arran, on his part, is very caring toward his new bride, and he tries his best to ease her into her new environment. But he is also kind of clueless and Margot is too young to be able to really articulate her needs and wants.
Four months into their marriage, Margot ends up leaving her husband and Scotland. The story picks up 3 years later when Margot makes a surprise return to the Scottish Highlands to reconcile with her husband. Arran doesn't understand why Margot is back and he is sure that she is up to something. For the first third of the book, the chapters alternate between the present time and flashbacks from 3 years ago.
The romance is intense 😱 sexy 🥵 and so romantic 😍 The best combination if you ask me. I love both Margot and Arran. The plot is solidly written; royal politics is perfectly interwoven with the romance. The politics is written in such a way that it actually pushes both Margot and Arran to grow as characters and as a couple. Margot's character growth is particularly worth highlighting. She grows from a pampered and naive young woman to a woman who realizes her self worth and refuses to be used as a pawn by the men in her life. And the romance is sooooo swoonworthy. Arran is such a great hero. It takes him time to trust Margot again even though he is so utterly in love with her. The characterization is so well-written; it was easy to understand both the hero and heroine, as well as their motivations.
The epilogue was also the cutest thing ever. It looks like the rest of the series is about the next generation. I was kind of hoping Knox would get his own story, but unfortunately I don't think the author has written a book about him.
September 18, 2021
3.5
I've read several books by Julia London and they weren't too memorable. I kind of took a hiatus from this author. Thus, when this book won Book of the Month for September 2021 for The Historical Romance Book Club on GR, I wasn't excited to begin the book. When I saw that one of my GR friends really enjoyed reading the book, I was hopeful that maybe I will enjoy it, too. And I did!
It's quite different from other Scottish HRs I've read. There are a few chapters at the beginning that flashed back to when the main characters first got married,
I didn't like how Margo
For a moment, I thought there was going to be plot twist and that
I don't really like second chance romance, but this one was worth the read.
I've read several books by Julia London and they weren't too memorable. I kind of took a hiatus from this author. Thus, when this book won Book of the Month for September 2021 for The Historical Romance Book Club on GR, I wasn't excited to begin the book. When I saw that one of my GR friends really enjoyed reading the book, I was hopeful that maybe I will enjoy it, too. And I did!
It's quite different from other Scottish HRs I've read. There are a few chapters at the beginning that flashed back to when the main characters first got married,
I didn't like how Margo
For a moment, I thought there was going to be plot twist and that
I don't really like second chance romance, but this one was worth the read.
April 20, 2024
Review from 2017
I've given this an A- for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
I confess straight out that I’m not the world’s biggest fan of books with the word “Scot” or “Highlander” in the title as the majority of those I’ve read have seemed to have identical plots and characters. So reviewing Wild Wicked Scot, the first in Julia London’s new Highland Grooms series wasn’t an automatic choice for me – until I saw Derek Perkins listed as the narrator. I’ve listened to him several times before and he always delivers a solid, entertaining performance, so with him at the helm, I settled in to enjoy at least the narration – and discovered that, taken as a whole, the listen exceeded my expectations.
Lady Margot Armstrong, the daughter of the Earl of Norwood , is nearly eighteen, beautiful, flighty – and rather spoiled. She enjoys the attentions of the well-mannered, courtly young gentlemen around her and fully expects she will eventually marry one of them and continue living in the style to which she is accustomed. Until one night when, completely out of the blue, her father introduces her to Laird Arran Mackenzie and announces that they are to be married.
Margot is horrified. Not only is this large, unkempt Scotsman a complete stranger, he’s not at all the sort of man she’s imagined marrying. He’s undeniably attractive, but he’s completely dishevelled, and his manners leave something to be desired. Yet Margot has no choice in the matter; her father insists the marriage is Margot’s duty to England and that the alliance will protect the Armstrong fortune for years to come – and the wedding takes place soon afterwards.
The story proper opens three years later, when Margot unexpectedly returns to the Mackenzie stronghold of Balhaire. We learn that, after four months of marriage, she had fled back to England and her father, where she has remained ever since. Arran supported her financially, but they have not exchanged a word since she left, and naturally he – and his entire clan – are suspicious of her motives for coming back. It’s obvious that the hastily arranged marriage between the cossetted lady and the rough highlander was doomed from the start, and in a few flashbacks, we see the final nails in the coffin, as it were, the author clearly showing that Margot, immature and completely unprepared for marriage, had no idea how to be a wife and Arran, while older and more experienced, had no idea how to be a husband.
Arran’s suspicions that there is a reason for Margot’s return other than her expressed desire for a reconciliation between them are correct; she has been sent back to him by her father who has heard rumours that Arran is involved in a treasonous plot to aid the Jacobites and restore James Stuart to the throne – and wants Margot to find out if the allegations are true.
She doesn’t really know how to go about finding the evidence – of his guilt or his innocence. Even though she doesn’t believe Arran could possibly be guilty of treason, she tries her best to make him believe in her desire to make a fresh start with him, thinking that if she can keep him happy in the bedroom, he’ll be more amenable, less suspicious and more likely to let something slip in an unguarded moment.
Arran, however, is far from stupid. Even though he can’t resist his wife’s obvious charms and the resumption of their sexual relationship is fairly explosive, he is not about to let her make a fool of him again and makes his mistrust of her extremely clear. But Margot is determined, and as she goes about Balhaire trying to fit in and making a lot of effort in order to do so – unlike when she was first married – she gradually discovers that she is doing it because she actually wants to be there at Arran’s side, and not because she’s been instructed to do so.
This aspect of the story is nicely done. At first I thought Margot was going to be the sort of heroine I dislike intensely; an immature foot-stamper who looks down on everyone around her and who somehow runs rings around the hero, who is too puppy-eyed to notice. But fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Margot does start out as that sort of character; when she comes back to Scotland, there’s no doubt that her new willingness to adapt is a pretence, but that’s only at first. She soon starts to realise how poorly she’d behaved, how badly she had hurt Arran by her unwillingness to make an effort and how much he had wanted to please her without really knowing how.
I enjoyed the book more than I’d expected to, because the characters are well-developed, and the author does a good job showing their emotional growth as the story progresses. There’s also a strong secondary plotline relating to the fragile Anglo/Scots politics of the time which adds an extra layer of intrigue and, towards the end, really ups the stakes for both Arran and Margot.
I said at the beginning of this review that I chose to review Wild Wicked Scot based on the fact that I have enjoyed listening to Derek Perkins in the past and was confident he’d deliver an accomplished and enjoyable performance. He does exactly that, performing both narrative and dialogue at a good pace, differentiating effectively between all the characters regardless of gender and hitting all the right emotional notes. His range of vocal characterisations is impressive; there are quite a few different male characters in the story, from Margot’s father and brothers to the various clansmen who surround Arran, and each one of them is easily identifiable. Arran himself comes to life in the mind’s ear as a commanding, sexy hero, and Mr. Perkins’ female voices are very good, too, a softened tone and slight raise in pitch leaving the listener in no doubt as to gender. As an added bonus, his Scottish accent is excellent – I know I’m not going to be wincing at excruciating mispronunciations or other inconsistencies, which is a real concern with some narrators. Because his accent is so good, it lessens the impact of the continual addition of the word “aye?” to the end of what seems to be one sentence in every four. I can imagine this would have been incredibly annoying in print (in fact a friend of mine who read rather than listened said it drove her nuts!), but the audio gets away with it because the narrator makes it sound natural. My one criticism – which isn’t really a criticism, more of an observation – is that I can’t quite work out why he has opted to give Margot a slight northern accent, but that’s a minor issue and didn’t affect my enjoyment at all.
Wild Wicked Scot is a well-developed character driven romance, and I’m happy to recommend it. It’s not going to reverse my general aversion towards Scottish-set romances, but with Derek Perkins on board for the next book, Sinful Scottish Laird, there’s a good chance I’ll be picking that up as well.
I've given this an A- for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
I confess straight out that I’m not the world’s biggest fan of books with the word “Scot” or “Highlander” in the title as the majority of those I’ve read have seemed to have identical plots and characters. So reviewing Wild Wicked Scot, the first in Julia London’s new Highland Grooms series wasn’t an automatic choice for me – until I saw Derek Perkins listed as the narrator. I’ve listened to him several times before and he always delivers a solid, entertaining performance, so with him at the helm, I settled in to enjoy at least the narration – and discovered that, taken as a whole, the listen exceeded my expectations.
Lady Margot Armstrong, the daughter of the Earl of Norwood , is nearly eighteen, beautiful, flighty – and rather spoiled. She enjoys the attentions of the well-mannered, courtly young gentlemen around her and fully expects she will eventually marry one of them and continue living in the style to which she is accustomed. Until one night when, completely out of the blue, her father introduces her to Laird Arran Mackenzie and announces that they are to be married.
Margot is horrified. Not only is this large, unkempt Scotsman a complete stranger, he’s not at all the sort of man she’s imagined marrying. He’s undeniably attractive, but he’s completely dishevelled, and his manners leave something to be desired. Yet Margot has no choice in the matter; her father insists the marriage is Margot’s duty to England and that the alliance will protect the Armstrong fortune for years to come – and the wedding takes place soon afterwards.
The story proper opens three years later, when Margot unexpectedly returns to the Mackenzie stronghold of Balhaire. We learn that, after four months of marriage, she had fled back to England and her father, where she has remained ever since. Arran supported her financially, but they have not exchanged a word since she left, and naturally he – and his entire clan – are suspicious of her motives for coming back. It’s obvious that the hastily arranged marriage between the cossetted lady and the rough highlander was doomed from the start, and in a few flashbacks, we see the final nails in the coffin, as it were, the author clearly showing that Margot, immature and completely unprepared for marriage, had no idea how to be a wife and Arran, while older and more experienced, had no idea how to be a husband.
Arran’s suspicions that there is a reason for Margot’s return other than her expressed desire for a reconciliation between them are correct; she has been sent back to him by her father who has heard rumours that Arran is involved in a treasonous plot to aid the Jacobites and restore James Stuart to the throne – and wants Margot to find out if the allegations are true.
She doesn’t really know how to go about finding the evidence – of his guilt or his innocence. Even though she doesn’t believe Arran could possibly be guilty of treason, she tries her best to make him believe in her desire to make a fresh start with him, thinking that if she can keep him happy in the bedroom, he’ll be more amenable, less suspicious and more likely to let something slip in an unguarded moment.
Arran, however, is far from stupid. Even though he can’t resist his wife’s obvious charms and the resumption of their sexual relationship is fairly explosive, he is not about to let her make a fool of him again and makes his mistrust of her extremely clear. But Margot is determined, and as she goes about Balhaire trying to fit in and making a lot of effort in order to do so – unlike when she was first married – she gradually discovers that she is doing it because she actually wants to be there at Arran’s side, and not because she’s been instructed to do so.
This aspect of the story is nicely done. At first I thought Margot was going to be the sort of heroine I dislike intensely; an immature foot-stamper who looks down on everyone around her and who somehow runs rings around the hero, who is too puppy-eyed to notice. But fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Margot does start out as that sort of character; when she comes back to Scotland, there’s no doubt that her new willingness to adapt is a pretence, but that’s only at first. She soon starts to realise how poorly she’d behaved, how badly she had hurt Arran by her unwillingness to make an effort and how much he had wanted to please her without really knowing how.
I enjoyed the book more than I’d expected to, because the characters are well-developed, and the author does a good job showing their emotional growth as the story progresses. There’s also a strong secondary plotline relating to the fragile Anglo/Scots politics of the time which adds an extra layer of intrigue and, towards the end, really ups the stakes for both Arran and Margot.
I said at the beginning of this review that I chose to review Wild Wicked Scot based on the fact that I have enjoyed listening to Derek Perkins in the past and was confident he’d deliver an accomplished and enjoyable performance. He does exactly that, performing both narrative and dialogue at a good pace, differentiating effectively between all the characters regardless of gender and hitting all the right emotional notes. His range of vocal characterisations is impressive; there are quite a few different male characters in the story, from Margot’s father and brothers to the various clansmen who surround Arran, and each one of them is easily identifiable. Arran himself comes to life in the mind’s ear as a commanding, sexy hero, and Mr. Perkins’ female voices are very good, too, a softened tone and slight raise in pitch leaving the listener in no doubt as to gender. As an added bonus, his Scottish accent is excellent – I know I’m not going to be wincing at excruciating mispronunciations or other inconsistencies, which is a real concern with some narrators. Because his accent is so good, it lessens the impact of the continual addition of the word “aye?” to the end of what seems to be one sentence in every four. I can imagine this would have been incredibly annoying in print (in fact a friend of mine who read rather than listened said it drove her nuts!), but the audio gets away with it because the narrator makes it sound natural. My one criticism – which isn’t really a criticism, more of an observation – is that I can’t quite work out why he has opted to give Margot a slight northern accent, but that’s a minor issue and didn’t affect my enjoyment at all.
Wild Wicked Scot is a well-developed character driven romance, and I’m happy to recommend it. It’s not going to reverse my general aversion towards Scottish-set romances, but with Derek Perkins on board for the next book, Sinful Scottish Laird, there’s a good chance I’ll be picking that up as well.
September 18, 2021
Margot is betrayed by her father. Who arranged a marriage of convenience for her with Arran a highland chief. This was an enjoyable story.
September 7, 2021
Enjoyable and delightful read by Julia London.
December 1, 2019
Una historia preciosa, rica en sentimientos; de esas que se te van colando poco a poco bajo la piel.
Tiene una trama muy bien desarrollada en la que se van enlazando la historia de amor y la historia de una traición. Los capítulos se van alternando entre presente y pasado, para darnos a conocer todos los hechos de lo que sucedió entre los protagonistas, lo que nos permite ir conociéndolos mejor. Al principio, son personajes ajenos al lector y, a pesar del conflicto, no sabes de parte de cuál de los dos ponerte. Conforme avanza la lectura se va profundizando en el carácter, la personalidad y los motivos de cada uno, y el lector comienza a tener una perspectiva en 3D de los protagonistas y de la historia.
La ambientación, sin ser exageradamente informativa, está muy cuidada. No solo estamos en Escocia, con sus castillos-fortaleza, sus montañas y sus gentes, sino en la Escocia del conflicto Jacobita, con sus correspondientes intrigas en las que Inglaterra tuvo también una parte importante.
Como dije antes, los protagonistas resultan "ajenos" al inicio, como peones más en un juego. Sin embargo, conforme avanza la historia y ellos se van dando a conocer, les vas cogiendo cariño y terminan enamorándote. Su evolución personal, y la de su historia de amor, es paulatina, a veces tranquila y a veces explosiva. Pero, sobre todo, llena de sentimientos que nos permiten ver el interior de cada uno.
Arran es un laird escocés del siglo XVIII, no un caballero refinado de la aristocracia inglesa, y solo sabe comportarse como tal. Parece un hombre duro, aunque no lo es en absoluto. Margot es una joven inglesa, casi una adolescente al principio, criada entre lujos, sedas y satenes, bailes y cortejos. No está acostumbrada a la rudeza de los hombres ni del ambiente. Ambos son universos distintos, tan alejados el uno del otro que las cosas no pueden salir bien entre ellos; sin embargo, será el amor el puente que logre unirlos. Tienen un largo camino por delante, aprender a confiar, aprender a adaptarse y a ceder, aprender a conocerse mejor el uno al otro y cada uno a sí mismo. Todo eso mientras las circunstancias no les favorecen, sino que les complican aún más la labor. De todo ello saca la autora una historia preciosa de lo que es verdaderamente el amor y de cómo crecer en él a través de todas las circunstancias.
El estilo de Julia me ha gustado mucho y creo que seguiré leyendo más novelas suyas. Trabaja muy bien los personajes y la trama engancha mucho. Aunque al principio la historia se hace un poco lenta, luego coge fluidez y los acontecimientos parecen desarrollarse solos, por su propio peso. La recomiendo.
Tiene una trama muy bien desarrollada en la que se van enlazando la historia de amor y la historia de una traición. Los capítulos se van alternando entre presente y pasado, para darnos a conocer todos los hechos de lo que sucedió entre los protagonistas, lo que nos permite ir conociéndolos mejor. Al principio, son personajes ajenos al lector y, a pesar del conflicto, no sabes de parte de cuál de los dos ponerte. Conforme avanza la lectura se va profundizando en el carácter, la personalidad y los motivos de cada uno, y el lector comienza a tener una perspectiva en 3D de los protagonistas y de la historia.
La ambientación, sin ser exageradamente informativa, está muy cuidada. No solo estamos en Escocia, con sus castillos-fortaleza, sus montañas y sus gentes, sino en la Escocia del conflicto Jacobita, con sus correspondientes intrigas en las que Inglaterra tuvo también una parte importante.
Como dije antes, los protagonistas resultan "ajenos" al inicio, como peones más en un juego. Sin embargo, conforme avanza la historia y ellos se van dando a conocer, les vas cogiendo cariño y terminan enamorándote. Su evolución personal, y la de su historia de amor, es paulatina, a veces tranquila y a veces explosiva. Pero, sobre todo, llena de sentimientos que nos permiten ver el interior de cada uno.
Arran es un laird escocés del siglo XVIII, no un caballero refinado de la aristocracia inglesa, y solo sabe comportarse como tal. Parece un hombre duro, aunque no lo es en absoluto. Margot es una joven inglesa, casi una adolescente al principio, criada entre lujos, sedas y satenes, bailes y cortejos. No está acostumbrada a la rudeza de los hombres ni del ambiente. Ambos son universos distintos, tan alejados el uno del otro que las cosas no pueden salir bien entre ellos; sin embargo, será el amor el puente que logre unirlos. Tienen un largo camino por delante, aprender a confiar, aprender a adaptarse y a ceder, aprender a conocerse mejor el uno al otro y cada uno a sí mismo. Todo eso mientras las circunstancias no les favorecen, sino que les complican aún más la labor. De todo ello saca la autora una historia preciosa de lo que es verdaderamente el amor y de cómo crecer en él a través de todas las circunstancias.
El estilo de Julia me ha gustado mucho y creo que seguiré leyendo más novelas suyas. Trabaja muy bien los personajes y la trama engancha mucho. Aunque al principio la historia se hace un poco lenta, luego coge fluidez y los acontecimientos parecen desarrollarse solos, por su propio peso. La recomiendo.
March 31, 2018
It was a good read!
Feeling very lazy! I will write a detailed review later! 😴😴😴
Feeling very lazy! I will write a detailed review later! 😴😴😴
December 20, 2016
4.5 Stars
My first reaction when I finished this: I didn't want it to be over!
So I went to see what's next in the series...
Wild Wicked Scot is truly engaging and captivating. Is got caught up in the story from the get go and couldn't put my kindle down until I was finished.
I have never read a book by London before, but I feel I really need to rectify that error now and read all the previously published books by her. Because this is written by a master of her craft. There are multiple POV and then the story jumps back and forth between the time line as well, seemingly all at random. But it's so brilliantly done! Each jump is precisely what the story needed and not only that it's done completely smooth.
The dialogues feel authentic, there is a good dose of humor and some wonderfully sensual smut.
Add to that, the beautiful writing style and you got me attention.
But then London outdid all of this with the character building. I was so caught up with Margot and Arran, with their feelings, with their hopes and regrets and their fears. I totally got both of them, got their pain and rejoiced over their growth. I needed them to find happiness! Which in itself is a total feat to achieve. I mean I like a happy ending, like anyone, but I never (ok:rarely might be more accurate) have such a desperate yearning for the characters to get it.
The story line is a brilliant tale of star-crossed lovers/ arranged marriage gone bad to finding love with each other.
The romance is beautiful, heartbreaking and wonderfully different in many ways.
The plot is captivating, I kept guessing who the culprit was, was kept on my toes and hoping until right to the end.
The epilogue btw, is simply beautiful. And that, is another stroke for London. Because it could have been simply too mushy for me, which many of them are. But again, just like in so many other instances, she gets it just right, is on point with the emotions, the sweet little details and a dash of humor. It's just perfect, really.
To be honest, I am not sure how historically correct this novel is. I am not clued up on the particular clan history of it's time. I don't even know if there is a Norwood Park. But it feels authentic. The lifestyles, the manners, the prejudice and the dialogues not feel only authentic bu real enough to make this a great historical romance.
The character building, does like I said before outshine everything. It takes this from a good to an excellent novel for me.
Margot, with all her silly naivety, was dear to my heart quite fast. I got where she was coming from, even if I knew she was being ridiculous and utterly spoilt at times. Arran, sigh. Arran is the perfect Scottish hero. I mean this. Sincerely. He is gruff and tough, yet so gentle and caring. Absolutely clueless at times, but again, I got him.
Their characters feel real and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow and breach their differences together. Their flaws and shortcomings make them more realistic.
The support cast is just as well written. Again, London seems to bring just the right characters in when needed to highlight a situation. And more so I want to know more about several of the side cast.. I want to know the details about Nell and Jock. And to be honest I hope there will be a story about Grizella. Oh and one for Knox (who was he with in the village?!)
Basically, I just want more.
Compelling, well crafted novel, that left me wanting MORE!
My first reaction when I finished this: I didn't want it to be over!
So I went to see what's next in the series...
Wild Wicked Scot is truly engaging and captivating. Is got caught up in the story from the get go and couldn't put my kindle down until I was finished.
I have never read a book by London before, but I feel I really need to rectify that error now and read all the previously published books by her. Because this is written by a master of her craft. There are multiple POV and then the story jumps back and forth between the time line as well, seemingly all at random. But it's so brilliantly done! Each jump is precisely what the story needed and not only that it's done completely smooth.
The dialogues feel authentic, there is a good dose of humor and some wonderfully sensual smut.
Add to that, the beautiful writing style and you got me attention.
But then London outdid all of this with the character building. I was so caught up with Margot and Arran, with their feelings, with their hopes and regrets and their fears. I totally got both of them, got their pain and rejoiced over their growth. I needed them to find happiness! Which in itself is a total feat to achieve. I mean I like a happy ending, like anyone, but I never (ok:rarely might be more accurate) have such a desperate yearning for the characters to get it.
The story line is a brilliant tale of star-crossed lovers/ arranged marriage gone bad to finding love with each other.
The romance is beautiful, heartbreaking and wonderfully different in many ways.
The plot is captivating, I kept guessing who the culprit was, was kept on my toes and hoping until right to the end.
The epilogue btw, is simply beautiful. And that, is another stroke for London. Because it could have been simply too mushy for me, which many of them are. But again, just like in so many other instances, she gets it just right, is on point with the emotions, the sweet little details and a dash of humor. It's just perfect, really.
To be honest, I am not sure how historically correct this novel is. I am not clued up on the particular clan history of it's time. I don't even know if there is a Norwood Park. But it feels authentic. The lifestyles, the manners, the prejudice and the dialogues not feel only authentic bu real enough to make this a great historical romance.
The character building, does like I said before outshine everything. It takes this from a good to an excellent novel for me.
Margot, with all her silly naivety, was dear to my heart quite fast. I got where she was coming from, even if I knew she was being ridiculous and utterly spoilt at times. Arran, sigh. Arran is the perfect Scottish hero. I mean this. Sincerely. He is gruff and tough, yet so gentle and caring. Absolutely clueless at times, but again, I got him.
Their characters feel real and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow and breach their differences together. Their flaws and shortcomings make them more realistic.
The support cast is just as well written. Again, London seems to bring just the right characters in when needed to highlight a situation. And more so I want to know more about several of the side cast.. I want to know the details about Nell and Jock. And to be honest I hope there will be a story about Grizella. Oh and one for Knox (who was he with in the village?!)
Basically, I just want more.
Compelling, well crafted novel, that left me wanting MORE!
April 3, 2017
This was a win. Got the English maid and Scottish laird trope, but it is served up with some realism about the radically different spheres and environments the two come from and the challenges it presents that makes this interesting. Honestly, Arran is one of the most romantic male leads I've read in a long time. By the end, if you're not right there believing it you got lost along the way.
For a more coherent and substantive review see Kyraryker/WhiskeyintheJar who was also the one who alerted me to the splendid pricing deal that I took advantage of. Cheers!
For a more coherent and substantive review see Kyraryker/WhiskeyintheJar who was also the one who alerted me to the splendid pricing deal that I took advantage of. Cheers!
January 11, 2025
H was too prideful and h was a spoilt naive but redeemed herself through the story!
August 31, 2018
Compré la edición de bolsillo del libro porque confundí a Julia London con Julia Quinn, autora que conocía de varias lecturas anteriores, y porque me gustan las historias de highlanders (para qué lo voy a negar...).
Julia London ha sido todo un descubrimiento, la verdad es que el libro está muy bien escrito; la única pega que le pongo es la parte inicial con los flashbacks al pasado; prefiero las historias contadas en orden, pero eso ya son manías mías...
Ha sido una buena historia, con una pareja protagonista bastante bien lograda, con la dosis justa de intriga; y que es especialmente recomendable para los que disfruten de las segundas oportunidades en el amor.
Julia London ha sido todo un descubrimiento, la verdad es que el libro está muy bien escrito; la única pega que le pongo es la parte inicial con los flashbacks al pasado; prefiero las historias contadas en orden, pero eso ya son manías mías...
Ha sido una buena historia, con una pareja protagonista bastante bien lograda, con la dosis justa de intriga; y que es especialmente recomendable para los que disfruten de las segundas oportunidades en el amor.
February 11, 2017
A marriage of convenience is a favourite trope of mine and in Wild Wicked Scot Margot Armstrong certainly hits it lucky in her father’s choice of husband, the deliciously rugged Scottish chieftain Arran McKenzie, Baron of Balhaire. However, these are dangerous times between England and Scotland and this marriage of convenience is built upon very shaky ground with Margot a pawn in the games of powerful men and the politics of the two countries.
The story opens with a prologue and a series of flashbacks. In the prologue Margot is an immature seventeen year old with very entrenched ideas as to what makes the perfect man; and unfortunately for her, Arran McKenzie doesn’t tick any of those boxes. But she has no choice in the matter, and in the interests of her powerful father and her Wild Wicked Scot, she is the sacrificial lamb in their machinations to help broker an uneasy alliance between Scotland and England – not to mention the added bonus of money and lands which such a union will bring. As the story gets underway Margot has already left her husband and is now returning to him after an absence of three years. Their marriage had floundered after only four months when she ran back to England.
Arran McKenzie is a lovely character, well developed and extremely likeable and my sympathy was with him all the way through. To begin with, Margot is quite irritating – although to be fair, she was very young, and she did her limited, childish best to fit into Arran’s world. But her attempt to transport her much loved tonnish lifestyle into the depths of the Scottish Highlands was, quite obviously, doomed to failure, especially as she only half-heartedly attempted to become the Laird’s lady in truth. Margot considered herself to be neglected outside of the bedchamber, but she failed to understand what a busy man Arran was with his many responsibilities – to his clan, his prosperous, time-consuming continental sea trading business and the personal training of his first rate soldiers. And so Margot runs away and returns to her frivolous lifestyle in England. Then, after three years during which she has no contact whatsoever with her husband, her autocratic father again pulls her strings and she is sent back to Balhaire, this time with the hidden agenda of spying on her husband. Quite understandably, she is subjected to a host of suspicious Scots; not least of whom is her husband who cannot believe that she has suffered a complete about-turn.
There are a number of inconsistencies about the relationship between Arran and Margot that niggled at me. They obviously enjoyed a very satisfactory love-life after their marriage, which I would have thought would have counted in Arran’s favour. But no, this isn’t enough for Margot to try to build a life with her gorgeous husband so she just ups and leaves without a word. That said, the problems don’t all fall on her side, because Arran just lets her go without even asking her why. Then, he meekly sends her enough money to live comfortably even though her desertion has humiliated him in front of his entire clan. None of this rings true. Nor does the fact that Arran is repeatedly described as being ‘wild and wicked’, when he’s nothing of the sort; he’s just a man with lusty appetites for all things, and is a loyal, honourable man with oodles of integrity right from the beginning – and he’s certainly no push-over. I also couldn’t believe that Margot’s father would have accepted her return to his house after only four months, especially given the trouble he went to to arrange the match. Margot is somewhat redeemed once she begins to see Arran as he really is and sets out determinedly to win his love and trust, but her character is definitely the least engaging of the two.
There is a reasonably well developed plot which deals with the question of Arran’s loyalties, but because of the inconsistencies in the romance, I was taken out of the story and found this fairly important point overshadowed. The author’s attempts to use the highland vernacular – in particular her overly frequent use of the word “aye” – were also very distracting.
Overall, Wild, Wicked Scot is an uneven read, and is raised to the slightly above average bracket by the character of Arran, who is simply gorgeous. The story is nicely written so I would be interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
The story opens with a prologue and a series of flashbacks. In the prologue Margot is an immature seventeen year old with very entrenched ideas as to what makes the perfect man; and unfortunately for her, Arran McKenzie doesn’t tick any of those boxes. But she has no choice in the matter, and in the interests of her powerful father and her Wild Wicked Scot, she is the sacrificial lamb in their machinations to help broker an uneasy alliance between Scotland and England – not to mention the added bonus of money and lands which such a union will bring. As the story gets underway Margot has already left her husband and is now returning to him after an absence of three years. Their marriage had floundered after only four months when she ran back to England.
Arran McKenzie is a lovely character, well developed and extremely likeable and my sympathy was with him all the way through. To begin with, Margot is quite irritating – although to be fair, she was very young, and she did her limited, childish best to fit into Arran’s world. But her attempt to transport her much loved tonnish lifestyle into the depths of the Scottish Highlands was, quite obviously, doomed to failure, especially as she only half-heartedly attempted to become the Laird’s lady in truth. Margot considered herself to be neglected outside of the bedchamber, but she failed to understand what a busy man Arran was with his many responsibilities – to his clan, his prosperous, time-consuming continental sea trading business and the personal training of his first rate soldiers. And so Margot runs away and returns to her frivolous lifestyle in England. Then, after three years during which she has no contact whatsoever with her husband, her autocratic father again pulls her strings and she is sent back to Balhaire, this time with the hidden agenda of spying on her husband. Quite understandably, she is subjected to a host of suspicious Scots; not least of whom is her husband who cannot believe that she has suffered a complete about-turn.
There are a number of inconsistencies about the relationship between Arran and Margot that niggled at me. They obviously enjoyed a very satisfactory love-life after their marriage, which I would have thought would have counted in Arran’s favour. But no, this isn’t enough for Margot to try to build a life with her gorgeous husband so she just ups and leaves without a word. That said, the problems don’t all fall on her side, because Arran just lets her go without even asking her why. Then, he meekly sends her enough money to live comfortably even though her desertion has humiliated him in front of his entire clan. None of this rings true. Nor does the fact that Arran is repeatedly described as being ‘wild and wicked’, when he’s nothing of the sort; he’s just a man with lusty appetites for all things, and is a loyal, honourable man with oodles of integrity right from the beginning – and he’s certainly no push-over. I also couldn’t believe that Margot’s father would have accepted her return to his house after only four months, especially given the trouble he went to to arrange the match. Margot is somewhat redeemed once she begins to see Arran as he really is and sets out determinedly to win his love and trust, but her character is definitely the least engaging of the two.
There is a reasonably well developed plot which deals with the question of Arran’s loyalties, but because of the inconsistencies in the romance, I was taken out of the story and found this fairly important point overshadowed. The author’s attempts to use the highland vernacular – in particular her overly frequent use of the word “aye” – were also very distracting.
Overall, Wild, Wicked Scot is an uneven read, and is raised to the slightly above average bracket by the character of Arran, who is simply gorgeous. The story is nicely written so I would be interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
September 7, 2021
Very enjoyable read of a young girl that is married to a Scottish Laird at the age of 18 and the problems that arise out of the difference in customs and age. Things don't work out and she returns to her loving father. The story is based on 2 timelines. One at the age of 18 and 3 years later when she returns and tries to repair the marriage. There is intrigue and distrust with growth on both sides that leads to a hea.
January 31, 2021
Margo and AAran. 1706 and 1710-setting England and Scottish Highlands. They had to learn to like/understand each other since they only meet twice before there marriage and were from different cultures. I am not usually a fan of the heroine/hero being separated for years. However, since the heroine was on 17 when they were married the three years away from the hero does at least this one does their best years before getting back together. I also like that the hero was faithful to her while they were separated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2021
What a lovely book! Loved these characters even though Margo should have been hard to like, I could see who she was underneath. Choices had been made for her to marry by a father she trusted. This romance did not have a fairytale beginning, but enemies to lovers definitely makes for a great fairytale ending! And wow, did this have a nice ending. I loved that it had an epilogue and I loved the journey. The ending was charming. I'll not spoil it, except to say that their circumstances gave them ample opportunity to find out something about themselves they hadn't known before.
Might I add that Aaron is Swooooooon worthy. My kind of hero. He had a kind heart, and a fierce demeanor.
I can see myself reading this one again.
Might I add that Aaron is Swooooooon worthy. My kind of hero. He had a kind heart, and a fierce demeanor.
I can see myself reading this one again.
July 10, 2017
With its back and forth past to present flashbacks, the writing at first in this one was a little difficult to keep track of, folks. I found it annoying to have to keep mentally make note of whether it was the couple’s current bickering or their past. That’s right, there was “lots” of that aspect in both parts. This main couple seemed doomed from the start. Not standing by/fighting for his girl in the first place certainly did not endear me to the hero’s character.
For me, what really ticked me off upfront was a verra bonny lass sitting on the hero’s lap upon her return. Then there was his OTT too hurtful, degrading responses. He threatened to backhand her, folks. During their intimate encounter that same night, she was good enough to hit the sheets with, but he made her not look at him.
With a constant “I’ll never trust you again” theme, a majority of this storyline is the hero acting hateful and the heroine finding herself caught in the middle of the mission she was sent on and confusion over who the real traitor might be.
It you like lots of relationship angst, a groveling heroine being used as a pawn, who not only wants the hero to like/trust her again but convince the whole clan she’s not the devil at the same time she’s sent to spy on him/lie to him, and can put up with a hurtful at times hero, you might want to check this one out. There is, of course, a major subplot playing out that is steering the course of this second chance romance with some pretty obvious villains.
Romance Safety Gang:
The author set us up to think he wasn’t celibate, because, nothing says I fool around with the lasses more than to find him with a verra bonny one sitting on his lap. Yet he claims to never have strayed. For someone who claims not to like his wife, he still had no qualms about hitting the sheets with her at the drop of her chemise.
Title: Wild, Wicked Scot, Series: The Highland Grooms (Book 1), Pages: 378, Author: Julia London, very hurtful at times hero, groveling heroine being used as a pawn, VERY steamy scenes, HEA, no OW/OM drama, didn’t stand by/fight for his girl, second chance, arranged marriage three years prior.
Book 1 - Wild, Wicked Scot
Book 2 - Sinful Scottish Laird
Book 3 - Hard Hearted Highlander
Book 4 - Devil in Tartan
(These comments are based on a library edition. This is not an ARC review.)
For me, what really ticked me off upfront was a verra bonny lass sitting on the hero’s lap upon her return. Then there was his OTT too hurtful, degrading responses. He threatened to backhand her, folks. During their intimate encounter that same night, she was good enough to hit the sheets with, but he made her not look at him.
With a constant “I’ll never trust you again” theme, a majority of this storyline is the hero acting hateful and the heroine finding herself caught in the middle of the mission she was sent on and confusion over who the real traitor might be.
It you like lots of relationship angst, a groveling heroine being used as a pawn, who not only wants the hero to like/trust her again but convince the whole clan she’s not the devil at the same time she’s sent to spy on him/lie to him, and can put up with a hurtful at times hero, you might want to check this one out. There is, of course, a major subplot playing out that is steering the course of this second chance romance with some pretty obvious villains.
Romance Safety Gang:
The author set us up to think he wasn’t celibate, because, nothing says I fool around with the lasses more than to find him with a verra bonny one sitting on his lap. Yet he claims to never have strayed. For someone who claims not to like his wife, he still had no qualms about hitting the sheets with her at the drop of her chemise.
Title: Wild, Wicked Scot, Series: The Highland Grooms (Book 1), Pages: 378, Author: Julia London, very hurtful at times hero, groveling heroine being used as a pawn, VERY steamy scenes, HEA, no OW/OM drama, didn’t stand by/fight for his girl, second chance, arranged marriage three years prior.
Book 1 - Wild, Wicked Scot
Book 2 - Sinful Scottish Laird
Book 3 - Hard Hearted Highlander
Book 4 - Devil in Tartan
(These comments are based on a library edition. This is not an ARC review.)
March 8, 2017
This story is about rebuilding a marriage alongside a traitorous plot. Margot left her husband in Scotland three years before and has now come back to him to uncover if he is a traitor or not. Arran immediately suspects that Margot has not returned because she wants to give their marriage another try. Both suspicious of each other, can their marriage survive?
This book has more history and politics in it than most historical romances I read but I liked the idea that there was a secret plot bubbling that greatly affected our characters. This book is more than just romance. Then the romance came in and out of the story as we see through the present day and flashbacks of how their marriage is taking this long separation and the struggles it was before, and now really. Margot left a spoiled and lonely child but returned a strong woman on a mission. Arran can automatically see a difference in her. They have both suffered but until they opene up to each other more they would never see how much they care for each other and they would only see how their marriage is dangling from the edge of a cliff. Margot doesn't believe Arran is a traitor but she needs proof one way or another to satisfy her stupid as-her suspicious father and brother. (Honestly, both can just go to hell.) Moving on, when Margot returns she has change and has made it her separate mission to try to find some balance in her marriage and really try to fit into the highland lifestyle which is quite different from her English upbringing with gowns and society parties. She struggles, A LOT, but she is very determined to change.
There were some slow parts in the first half of the book but there were also some incredibly wonderful moments between our main characters. I was even questioning if this marriage was really going to work. You can see they do care about each other but there are secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit. The whole traitorous plot goes right up until the very end. I wasn't even sure for a little while if the book would end in a cliffhanger but it doesn't, thank god for that. The uncertainty of their lives and marriage kept me on my toes until the very end and I absolutely loved the last chunk of the book. When times seem so bleak, they had each other for strength and eventually love and understanding.
I truly love Margot and Arran. They suit each other so well and even with all of their problems they oh so slowly rebuild something that was once lost and broken. The epilogue was perfect and I was ecstatic that they were in each other's arms once again.
I receieved this ARC via Netgalley.
This book has more history and politics in it than most historical romances I read but I liked the idea that there was a secret plot bubbling that greatly affected our characters. This book is more than just romance. Then the romance came in and out of the story as we see through the present day and flashbacks of how their marriage is taking this long separation and the struggles it was before, and now really. Margot left a spoiled and lonely child but returned a strong woman on a mission. Arran can automatically see a difference in her. They have both suffered but until they opene up to each other more they would never see how much they care for each other and they would only see how their marriage is dangling from the edge of a cliff. Margot doesn't believe Arran is a traitor but she needs proof one way or another to satisfy her stupid as-her suspicious father and brother. (Honestly, both can just go to hell.) Moving on, when Margot returns she has change and has made it her separate mission to try to find some balance in her marriage and really try to fit into the highland lifestyle which is quite different from her English upbringing with gowns and society parties. She struggles, A LOT, but she is very determined to change.
There were some slow parts in the first half of the book but there were also some incredibly wonderful moments between our main characters. I was even questioning if this marriage was really going to work. You can see they do care about each other but there are secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit. The whole traitorous plot goes right up until the very end. I wasn't even sure for a little while if the book would end in a cliffhanger but it doesn't, thank god for that. The uncertainty of their lives and marriage kept me on my toes until the very end and I absolutely loved the last chunk of the book. When times seem so bleak, they had each other for strength and eventually love and understanding.
I truly love Margot and Arran. They suit each other so well and even with all of their problems they oh so slowly rebuild something that was once lost and broken. The epilogue was perfect and I was ecstatic that they were in each other's arms once again.
I receieved this ARC via Netgalley.
December 30, 2016
I've received this book directly from the author, in exchange for this review. Thank you!
Review in portuguese here:http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Wild Wicked Scot brings us a story of spoiled girl who can’t stand for herself and, to be truthful, doesn’t know what to do with her life. I mean, until she returns to her husband’s house, three years after she had left him.
Margot is that kind of character that is hard to like, at least for some of the book. There’s a small evolution, but still, it’s too bad that she doesn’t trust Arran – I understand why she wouldn’t do it at the beginning, but the second he gave a chance to tell him, she should have taken it. Nevertheless, she manages to slowly redeem herself little by little, and at the end of the book is much stronger than she was at the beginning.
Arran is amazing. He’s the perfect book boyfriend, from beginning to end. Everything he does is to please Margot and to help her to integrate her new home and he loves her deeply, trying his hard to please her. He feels so completely betrayed when she leaves him (and his male ego – maybe the only small thing against him – prevented him from following her). No wonder that, when she decides to pop up completely unannounced, he becomes suspicious of her.
The whole book is about building trust, not only between the characters, but also the reader: we want what’s best for Arran and, for a while, we’re not completely sure if Margot really deserves him. But, as she begins to show that she’s no longer the childish girl she was when she married, we start to understand her a bit better and we want to give her a chance.
The (small) mystery the book has ends up just being there to unite the lovers and it's a case of being “arrested for having a dog and not having a dog” (translation of a Portuguese expression which means you just couldn’t have it right, no matter what you would did).
At the end of the day, all is resolved, with trust being regained, and a love growing harder and stronger. It was a book that only took me four days to read and it kept me hooked on it. A well spent time, with lots of romance, fighting for honour and a true love that is always worth fighting for.
Review in portuguese here:http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/...
Wild Wicked Scot brings us a story of spoiled girl who can’t stand for herself and, to be truthful, doesn’t know what to do with her life. I mean, until she returns to her husband’s house, three years after she had left him.
Margot is that kind of character that is hard to like, at least for some of the book. There’s a small evolution, but still, it’s too bad that she doesn’t trust Arran – I understand why she wouldn’t do it at the beginning, but the second he gave a chance to tell him, she should have taken it. Nevertheless, she manages to slowly redeem herself little by little, and at the end of the book is much stronger than she was at the beginning.
Arran is amazing. He’s the perfect book boyfriend, from beginning to end. Everything he does is to please Margot and to help her to integrate her new home and he loves her deeply, trying his hard to please her. He feels so completely betrayed when she leaves him (and his male ego – maybe the only small thing against him – prevented him from following her). No wonder that, when she decides to pop up completely unannounced, he becomes suspicious of her.
The whole book is about building trust, not only between the characters, but also the reader: we want what’s best for Arran and, for a while, we’re not completely sure if Margot really deserves him. But, as she begins to show that she’s no longer the childish girl she was when she married, we start to understand her a bit better and we want to give her a chance.
The (small) mystery the book has ends up just being there to unite the lovers and it's a case of being “arrested for having a dog and not having a dog” (translation of a Portuguese expression which means you just couldn’t have it right, no matter what you would did).
At the end of the day, all is resolved, with trust being regained, and a love growing harder and stronger. It was a book that only took me four days to read and it kept me hooked on it. A well spent time, with lots of romance, fighting for honour and a true love that is always worth fighting for.
August 6, 2023
Me lo he leído de una sentada. Hacía muchos años que no leía esta autora y la he disfrutado mucho.
Es una historia de 2as oportunidades aderezada con una trama secundaria de traiciones y acción.
Margot a sus 17 años se ve forzada a casarse con un laird escoces, Arran.
Lejos de su casa, de sus amigos, en una extraña tierra que no entiende sus tradiciones, comienza su vida de casada con un hombre que sólo ha visto 2 veces. Margot y Arran sólo se entienden en la cama el resto del tiempo discuten.
Margot no sabe cómo ser una esposa, no sabe cómo ser aceptada por el clan de su esposo . Arran ya no sabe qué hacer para que su nueva esposa sea feliz ... Ante ese panorama Margot huye para volver a Inglaterra.
Tres años después Margot se ve obligada a volver a Escocia, a volver con Arran. Su padre la envía para que averigüe si su marido es un traidor.
La Margot que vuelve que ya no es la jovencita que huyó tres años antes, ha madurado. Y piensa, que lo mismo, en el pasado se equivoco que hubiera podido hacer las cosas de otra forma. Podría haber una posibilidad para salvar su matrimonio pero existe un gran inconveniente... ha vuelto para espiar a su esposo...
Arran no se fía de su esposa, no cree que Margot haya vuelto para intentar recuperar su matrimonio.... Alguna cosa se trae su dulce y hermosa esposa... Esta decidido a no volver a caer en sus redes
La historia me a atrapado he empezado a leer y ya no he podido parar de leer. Me a gustado la evolución de los protagonistas como van madurando, como son capaces de hablar de las cosas que los separaron en el pasado y van conociéndose. Por otra parte esta la parte de la traición será capaz Margot de saber la verdad... Cómo reaccionará Arran si se entera que Margot fue enviada por su padre para espiarlo
Es una historia de 2as oportunidades aderezada con una trama secundaria de traiciones y acción.
Margot a sus 17 años se ve forzada a casarse con un laird escoces, Arran.
Lejos de su casa, de sus amigos, en una extraña tierra que no entiende sus tradiciones, comienza su vida de casada con un hombre que sólo ha visto 2 veces. Margot y Arran sólo se entienden en la cama el resto del tiempo discuten.
Margot no sabe cómo ser una esposa, no sabe cómo ser aceptada por el clan de su esposo . Arran ya no sabe qué hacer para que su nueva esposa sea feliz ... Ante ese panorama Margot huye para volver a Inglaterra.
Tres años después Margot se ve obligada a volver a Escocia, a volver con Arran. Su padre la envía para que averigüe si su marido es un traidor.
La Margot que vuelve que ya no es la jovencita que huyó tres años antes, ha madurado. Y piensa, que lo mismo, en el pasado se equivoco que hubiera podido hacer las cosas de otra forma. Podría haber una posibilidad para salvar su matrimonio pero existe un gran inconveniente... ha vuelto para espiar a su esposo...
Arran no se fía de su esposa, no cree que Margot haya vuelto para intentar recuperar su matrimonio.... Alguna cosa se trae su dulce y hermosa esposa... Esta decidido a no volver a caer en sus redes
La historia me a atrapado he empezado a leer y ya no he podido parar de leer. Me a gustado la evolución de los protagonistas como van madurando, como son capaces de hablar de las cosas que los separaron en el pasado y van conociéndose. Por otra parte esta la parte de la traición será capaz Margot de saber la verdad... Cómo reaccionará Arran si se entera que Margot fue enviada por su padre para espiarlo
September 26, 2021
3.5 stars
I definitely enjoyed the last half better than the first.
I definitely enjoyed the last half better than the first.
May 19, 2024
This book had me glued to the pages with its gripping plot!
The twists and turns kept me guessing ... a little bit, and the historical setting was vividly brought to life.
However, the heroine, was a constant source of frustration. Super annoying.
While I understand she was just a teenager thrust into an unwanted marriage at 17, her childish behavior continued, making her a difficult character to root for.
Her immaturity often overshadowed the otherwise well-developed plot. If you can stomach a somewhat annoying protagonist, this book is definitely worth a read for the plot alone.
The twists and turns kept me guessing ... a little bit, and the historical setting was vividly brought to life.
However, the heroine, was a constant source of frustration. Super annoying.
While I understand she was just a teenager thrust into an unwanted marriage at 17, her childish behavior continued, making her a difficult character to root for.
Her immaturity often overshadowed the otherwise well-developed plot. If you can stomach a somewhat annoying protagonist, this book is definitely worth a read for the plot alone.
February 26, 2022
via Audio — Narration is Amazing
May 22, 2017
2.5 stars. Gave it the extra .5 because I enjoyed the last 20% of the book. The other 80% was just all over the place. I really didn't like the hopping between two time periods. It was just unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story. I didn't care for the second chance trope in this book. I felt like it kept me from connecting with the leads. The book starts a few years after their arranged marriage and separation and I felt like I lost all that time with them. Then the author brings the reader back in time a few chapters to see what we missed, but it wasn't enough and I just didn't really care. Arran and Margot were just very forgettable characters to me. I did like to see how Margot matured over the course of the book. Arran was likable, but missing something that made him truly lovable.
All in all, I just felt kind of blah about it and it took me forever to read. It left me uninterested until that last 20%. I definitely won't be reading this again, but I'm not opposed to reading another book by London. At this point I'm in desperate need of a good HR! I've had a bunch of disappointing reads lately and I need something great to get me out of this funk! Help!! Guess I can always go back and read a book from my favorites list, but if you have a recommendation, send it my way!
All in all, I just felt kind of blah about it and it took me forever to read. It left me uninterested until that last 20%. I definitely won't be reading this again, but I'm not opposed to reading another book by London. At this point I'm in desperate need of a good HR! I've had a bunch of disappointing reads lately and I need something great to get me out of this funk! Help!! Guess I can always go back and read a book from my favorites list, but if you have a recommendation, send it my way!
July 25, 2017
Je tiens à remercier les éditions Harlequin et NetGalley pour m'avoir permis de découvrir ce roman. Julia London est une auteure qui ne m'est pas inconnue puisque j'ai eu l'occasion de lire le deuxième tome de sa série Les demoiselles de Beckington (en anglais The Cabot Sisters) – que je recommande vivement ! - et je l'ai même rencontrée lors du Festival du roman féminin en 2016. En voyant qu'elle avait écrit une romance historique qui se passe en Écosse, j'ai été curieuse de voir ce que cela pouvait donner. Le résumé a achevé de me convaincre et je ne regrette absolument pas ma lecture, bien au contraire !
Premier point fort de cette romance, ce sont les personnages principaux. En effet, on a d'un côté l'héroïne, Margot, qui a toujours été soumise aux décisions des hommes qui l'entourent, mais qui se révèle être une femme forte et prête à tout pour trouver le bonheur. De l'autre côté, il y Arran, un homme blessé par le comportement passé de son épouse et qui, au fond, ne sait pas très bien comment réagir face à elle. Et, entre ces deux personnages, il y a de nombreux secrets et non-dits qui ne cessent de s'accumuler jusqu'à ce que les héros se retrouvent dans une impasse et soient obligés d'agir. Tout cela, ajouté à leur passé commun (ils sont mariés depuis plusieurs années) donne de la profondeur à leur relation et à son évolution. Et, en tant que lectrice, j'ai été curieuse de suivre cette évolution et de voir comment les héros allaient surmonter ces difficultés.
Deuxième point fort, c'est sans aucun doute le contexte historique et politique de cette histoire. On sent que l'auteure y a prêté un soin particulier et elle a eu tout à fait raison puisque cela permet d'étoffer l'intrigue ainsi que les motivations des personnages ce qui les rend plus compréhensibles et vraisemblables (plus humains en somme).
Cette série laisse présager beaucoup de bonnes choses et j'attends avec impatience d'avoir la suite !
Ma chronique sur mon blog Nothing but Romance : http://wp.me/p5tfMz-1d2
Premier point fort de cette romance, ce sont les personnages principaux. En effet, on a d'un côté l'héroïne, Margot, qui a toujours été soumise aux décisions des hommes qui l'entourent, mais qui se révèle être une femme forte et prête à tout pour trouver le bonheur. De l'autre côté, il y Arran, un homme blessé par le comportement passé de son épouse et qui, au fond, ne sait pas très bien comment réagir face à elle. Et, entre ces deux personnages, il y a de nombreux secrets et non-dits qui ne cessent de s'accumuler jusqu'à ce que les héros se retrouvent dans une impasse et soient obligés d'agir. Tout cela, ajouté à leur passé commun (ils sont mariés depuis plusieurs années) donne de la profondeur à leur relation et à son évolution. Et, en tant que lectrice, j'ai été curieuse de suivre cette évolution et de voir comment les héros allaient surmonter ces difficultés.
Deuxième point fort, c'est sans aucun doute le contexte historique et politique de cette histoire. On sent que l'auteure y a prêté un soin particulier et elle a eu tout à fait raison puisque cela permet d'étoffer l'intrigue ainsi que les motivations des personnages ce qui les rend plus compréhensibles et vraisemblables (plus humains en somme).
Cette série laisse présager beaucoup de bonnes choses et j'attends avec impatience d'avoir la suite !
Ma chronique sur mon blog Nothing but Romance : http://wp.me/p5tfMz-1d2
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