Una dulce enemistad

by Johanna Lindsey, Raúl Acuña (Translator)

ÉL NO LA DEJARÍA IRSE… ELLA NO SACRIFICARÍA SU ORGULLO A LA VERGÜENZA

Sheena y Jamie estaban separados por la barrera de odios que habían levantado sus clanes. Ella había luchado en vano por escapar al deseo arrollador que sentía por el joven enemigo. Bajo esa superficie de rudeza, él ocultaba una ardiente ternura que la había capturado por entero.

El orgullo y el honor la obligaban a odiarlo. No obstante, su corazón de mujer vibraba de éxtasis con su contacto. Ella ansiaba entregarse y poseerlo por completo… estar junto a él para siempre, compartiendo un amor sin límites.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Scotland

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Johanna Helen Howard was born on March 10, 1952 in Germany, where her father, Edwin Dennis Howard, a soldier in the U.S. Army was stationed. The family moved about a great deal when she was young. Her father always dreamed of retiring to Hawaii, and after he passed away in 1964 Johanna and her mother settled there to honor him.

In 1970, when she was still in school, she married Ralph Lindsey, becoming a young housewife. The marriage had three children; Alfred, Joseph and Garret, who already have made her a grandmother. After her husband's death, Johanna moved to Maine, New England, to stay near her family.

Johanna Lindsey wrote her first book, Captive Bride in 1977 "on a whim", and the book was a success. By 2006, with over 58 Million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, with translations appearing in 12 languages, Johanna Lindsey is one of the world's most popular authors of historical romance.

Johanna's books span the various eras of history, including books set in the Middle Ages, the American "Old West" and the popular Regency England-Scotland. She has even written a few sci-fi romances. By far the most popular among her books are the stories about the Malory-Anderson Family, a Regency England saga.

Johanna Lindsey died on Oct. 27, 2019 in Nashua, N.H. She was 67.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an experience reading an old Johanna Linsey! And it was Scottish! The heroine's family has been feuding with the MacKinnion's for generations. Jamie sees Sheena from afar and has never forgotten the beauty bathing in a pond. When he discovers his brother has kidnapped a woman he wants for himself and discovers that it's Sheena, he decides he has to have her for himself. The two end up marrying one another in order to keep peace between the rival clans. While the heroine is hardheaded and the hero is incredibly alpha, the romance ended up being kind of sweet as the heroine finds herself really attracted to Jamie and consenting when they finally sleep together. There is still a mystery going around of why the clans are constantly feuding and blaming one another for starting the feud when they are both insistent it wasn't them. The heroine does make some naive choices that put her in dangerous situations that are entirely her fault, but that's a common element of older historicals. I really loved Sheena's relationship with her little brother and would have loved to see more about. This had a lot of fun and lighthearted moments and, while it wasn't perfect, it was just a fun read.

[La pecera de Raquel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leído en el club de los mojones, ¡qué sería de mi vida sin un mojón al mes!

Es malo como un dolor de muelas, el jefe de un clan (de aquí en adelante será llamado maromo empotrador), es secuestrado por otro clan que no sabe que es el jefe de una clan, mientras miraba embelesado a una joven pelirroja bañándose.
Los que secuestran se enteran por el bocachancla del hijo pequeño quién es, y ante tal personaje deciden o casarlo o ponerlo en libertad. Lo liberan.
La hija paga las consecuencias y la envían con una tía monja. Se va a lavar al río y la secuestran.
¿Quién? El hermano del maromo empotrador. La encierra en una torre para que nadie la vea. Pero ante tal curiosidad, si es que no hay nada como decir, ¡no vayas, no vayas! para que todos vayan, el maromo empotrador la ve y es la chica del lago. Pero no sabe que es la hija del jefe del clan que le secuestró.
Total, que llega un momento que se escapa y casualidades de la vida se enteran quien es ella, la vuelven a secuestrar pero ella no sabe, que ellos saben quien es ella. ¿Fácil no? Esto les pasa por no tener Tinder.
Entonces él le propone un trato, un matrimonio a prueba, esto es, hacen como que se casan, de mentirijilla, hay noche de bodas, pero si el no resulta satisfecho la devuelve, (anda que no es listo el maromo empotrador) y ella no quiere ¡fíjatetú!
¡Me parto y me mondo!
Es muy malo, solo hay secuestros, síndrome de Estocolmo e intentos de violaciones, lo normal, pero me he reído muchísimo.
No es nada recomendable, salvo que quieras reírte mucho.

[Miranda Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Misnamed. Should be An Endless Grudge Match. Even with a Scottish Highland clan blood feud as a backdrop and basis for the conflict, the story was mostly petty bickering. And most of the dialogue is screamed! So! Annoying! Nay, it wasn't! Aye, it was! Was nae! Was, I say! And so forth ad nauseam.

Hero: big, strong Highlander Laird with blonde hair. Oh, and a bad temper. As dimensional as a sheet of paper. Angry paper. He falls in lust/love at first sight - as does every other man who sees her - so he has no deep appreciation of her. There's no 'romance' just hormones and possessiveness. And bickering.

Heroine: a 'being-beautiful-is-such-a-burden'* beauty with red hair and a fiery temper who is nevertheless phobic about the hero due to clan exaggerations of his attacks against them. Her mood swings -- from flat, unfunny, sass/backtalk in one paragraph to shivering, huge kitten-eyed terror in the next -- gave me reader-whiplash and a sour stomach. When Sheena wasn't gnashing her teeth, she was crying furious tears. So was I. If I were more limber, I'd kick myself for buying it.

Yet I read on. (I slow down at traffic accidents, too, but I know I shouldn't.) Final straw for me, the thing that brings them together in the end like Cupid's arrow, is a quarrel. In his chest from a crossbow (two actually). Get it? The definition of quarrel, a) an argument and b) a square bolt used in a crossbow. It was two quarrels too many in a dreary, screechy, superficial story.

* She thinks something like this at one point literally. Ick.

[Justin Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

Possibly the most unromantic historical romance I've ever read. Reading A Gentle Feuding is worthwhile only for the purpose of observing how the genre has evolved in the past 30+ years, otherwise, there's really no point suffering through this incredibly dull, and mildly offensive relic today.

The problem with A Gentle Feuding starts and ends with its hero, Jamie MacKinnion. An Alpha Hero in its most primitive state, throwing the word 'rape' around as a casual banter, insistent on his 'never marry before trying' principle, and basically gaslighting the heroine all the way through (saying he respects her choices, but they are only valid if fits his liking). While the essence of this hero type still exists (and remains popular) today, contemporary authors have managed to soften the offensive aggression and ensure it's acceptable within today's moral standards. Even taking into account of the discrepancy of 80s societal attitude, it is still unpleasant reading about a woman repeatedly being driven to submission through physical / psychological assault (especially when it's suppose to be romantic).

Even with their issue, there are still older historical romances I find enjoyable, simply because the story itself is compelling; unfortunately the plot of A Gentle Feuding is equally lackluster; the hero and heroine barely spend any time together on page, the political intrigue juvenile and unnecessarily complex, and the 'romance' only revolves around their lusty, physical attraction, without addressing the conflict in personality. The smallest redeeming qualities are the writing, some heartfelt character moments, and a very Shakespearean tragedy inspired backstory — which somehow manages to be more romantic and poignant in a couple paragraphs than the central love story.

A Gentle Feuding focuses so much on claiming/conquering the heroine as a challenge or a piece of object, instead of a human being with equal rights, it's difficult to find genuine enjoyment under today's mentality (I feel like I was reading a domestic thriller featuring an abusive relationship). I'm keeping my copy simply for the beautiful Elaine Duillo illustration, but will never open it again otherwise.

***Historical Hellions Book Club | April 2022 Selection***

[*CJ* · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Gentle Feuding" is the story of Sheena and James.

A gentle yet bloodthirsty tale of forbidden love that blooms between the protagonists from the warring MacKinnion and Fergusson clans. Set in Scottish highlands, we have a feisty heroine who is sent away to a nunnery, and kidnapped by the hero's brother. He soon brings her to his land, only to find the hero taken by her. While he demands handfasting, she is afraid of him discovering her true identity and does everything to repel him. Theirs is a tale of tender love, filled with lots of backstabbing, deceit, wars, mayhem, catty OWs, jealous OM, confessions and HEA.

I definitely think this book was very aptly named. Compared to JL's early bodice rippers, this actually has a very sweet romance between our main couple. They are both engaged with each other's feelings, yet insanely stubborn- on many occasions childish and blinded by their own egos. Felt their behavior was quite juvenile, and had too many tantrums. I wanted to shake them on so many occasions, but appreciated the fact that their feelings did not waver. The sex scenes were written phenomenally as expected.

Definitely a nostalgic read. How I will always miss JL.

SWE/ Safe for me
3.5/5

[Vee · Rating 2 out of 5]

[4.51/10]

I bought the original mass market paperback version of this book solely for this incredible over-the-top cover. I truly think that historical romances are missing a trick by not reverting back to this illustrated style. They're so ridiculous but also beautiful, eye-catching, and wholly unique to the genre. Johanna Lindsey had some of the best of them. Like, why is this guy fully naked? You bet I'm reading it to find out! These two stars are mostly for the cover though because the story was... hoooooo-boy, extremely dated! I giggled a lot in places I should not have been giggling and I absolutely cannot get behind a hero who threatens to sexually assault the heroine - even if it was all in jest. Eighties historical romance was a TIME and I'm glad that time has passed. Will I keep this book just for the cover alone though? Very perhaps.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish Johanna Lindsey wrote more steamier love scenes in her books.

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars/rounded up for that gorgeous cover. 😅 I’ve always loved this 80s cover so when it was a historical romance monthly book club pick I couldn’t wait to see what this medieval, Highlander historical romance had in store!

The story starts out in Aberdeenshire, Scotland in 1541. For the past 47 years the Fergusson and MacKinnion clans have feuded. Niall Fergusson (the heroine’s grandfather) killed both of the hero’s MacKinnion grandparents, starting a vicious war that lasted ten years and wiped out half the men of both clans before it settled down to periodic raids for the past 30+ years. Now laird at 25, Jamie MacKinnion one day happens upon a beautiful maiden bathing in a pond. He only saw her red hair and blue eyes and is determined to find her again. After he continues to return to spot her, he finds himself captured and locked in the Fergusson dungeon early into the story.

Sheena Fergusson, 19, had grown up on the ever-disputed border between the Lowlands and the Highlands. The first of four daughters born to Dugald Fergusson, Sheena was her father’s favorite and he took her hunting and fishing with him. She was always treated with the care of a treasured heir until the long-hoped-for heir, her little brother Niall, finally arrived. After Niall was born, Sheena was still the favorite daughter, but now just a daughter. Her father was always lenient with Sheena marrying, but with the raids still happening he said it was now imperative that she choose a man from a powerful clan to wed. And she must do it within the month, or her father would choose for her. When her father accidentally finds himself with Jamie MacKinnion in his dungeon, Fergusson is willing to have his daughter marry MacKinnion to keep the peace and end the raids. Sheena definitely doesn’t want her father to force her into marrying the MacKinnion laird after rumors swirled around the death of his first wife. But when Jamie escapes (thanks to her little brother Niall’s help), Sheena gets blamed and is sent to her aunt who lives in a nunnery. While there, Sheena gets kidnapped and finds herself the captive of a somewhat harmless Highlander who she finds out a week later is actually Jamie’s brother Colen who wants Sheena for himself. When she realizes she’s in the midst of the MacKinnion clan, things get complicated and she lies about her identity so they don’t know she’s actually a Fergusson right away…

This book has a lot going on but the romance was the lacking part of the story. Jamie lusts after Sheena from the moment he sees her and because she doesn’t reveal her true identity even after being kept in his keep, he doesn’t know he’s housing his enemy’s favorite daughter. Jamie wants her for himself and also has an obsession with wanting to “try out” any maiden before he marries her, because of how things went down in his first marriage. He mentions this multiple times throughout the story and even to Sheena’s father when he offers up one of his daughters for him to marry. Once he and Sheena are wed, which does bind their clans through marriage and ends the bitter feuding, Jamie and Sheena are both instantly in love and I just wanted more of this buildup of feelings or to see why they even liked one another. I did think it was fun how Jamie is both amused and delighted by Sheena’s fiery spirit and attitude but I think the romance portion of the story could have been so much better.

[Gemma G. Gegargas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Empezó bien pero se volvió ridículo. Es cierto que este libro es de 1983 pero no ha envejecido tan bien como muchos libros que he leído de esa época.
Los personajes tampoco me atraparon. Jamie no me conquistó con su machismo y autoritarismo y Sheena, a pesar de su carácter, me pareció débil.

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but I didn't LOVE it. Everything from both the story to the writing screamed average. The pacing was slow and I found it difficult to stay engaged in the story.

As expected, some of the content did not age well. To be honest, I expect this with most historical romances that I read so it doesn't often shock me. This story definitely contains a character that could be described as alpha male and possessive and for some readers, they will not like this.

For me, the last quarter of the book is where I struggled the most. It felt like the majority of the dramatics, action, and miscommunication was condensed into that last quarter and I wish the story could have been more balanced and had that spread throughout.

[Simona · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half was a meandering mess. None of the events felt consequential. Only the last quarter is good enough, as it deftly manages to move their relationship beyond constant bickering to proper physical and emotional attachment. Hastily resolved plots and character developments didn't make up for a total lack of everything from plot, steam to overzealous use of Scottish dialect.
Every character was a disappointment.

[Analia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro lo leí cuando yo tenia 15 años, posterior a "Amable y Tirano" de Johanna Lindsey. Ambos libros fueron parte de mis inicios como lectora de romántica.

Diciembre de 2023:
5/5⭐

“ Sus pasiones fueron salvajes y tiernas y, como siempre, maravillosas.”
💘Veinte años después lo releo en digital ya que su versión en papel fue prestada cuando yo tenía dieciocho años. Una relectura porque no recordaba nada y quiero que quede mi opinión guardada.
💘Jamie pertenece al clan MacKinnion y es el jefe; Dicho clan es granjero; Los MacKinnon son conocidos por ser rudos y dominantes, sobre todo los hermanos Jamie y Colen. Son el único clan que ataca de día. Todos los demás clanes, incluido el de los Fergusson, salían protegidos por las sombras de la noche. Pero los MacKinnion, siempre atrevidos, atacaban a plena luz, hasta que Jamie es secuestrado por otro clan que no sabe que es el jefe de una clan, mientras miraba embelesado a una joven pelirroja bañándose.
💘Quienes secuestraron a Jamie terminan enterándose por Niall Fergusson, hermano de Sheena, quién es el secuestrado. Y Dugald, padre de los antes mencionados, le da dos opciones: Casarlo con una de sus tres hijas o ponerlo en libertad. El problema es que alguien ayuda a Jamie a escaparse y la que paga todas las consecuencias es Sheena, a quien terminan enviando a un convento donde tiene una tía. ¿Qué sucede? Sheena termina siendo secuestrada por Colen Mackinnon cuando se encontraba lavando en el río y se la lleva al castillo MacKinnion y la encierra en una torre para que nadie la vea. El rumor de que Colen tiene una chica encerrada con la que piensa casarse corre inmediatamente y la curiosidad puede con Jamie y lo que descubre que la chica que yace en la torre es nada más y nada menos que “¡El hada del agua que había visto en el estanque del vallecito. La celestial imagen se había esfumado con el paso del tiempo, pero no había sucedido lo mismo con los vívidos sentimientos y sensaciones de él.”😆 Eso sí: Él no sabe que es la hija del clan enemigo que lo secuestró.
💘Shenna es “la joya de Tower Esk” apodada cariñosamente por su padre, el cual junto a su hermano la adoran, no así sus dos hermanas. Ella es decidida, fuerte, que con su orgullo no se prestará a la vergüenza. Es también valiente y no parará hasta verse libre de ese castillo. Una vez que logra escapar la vuelven a secuestrar; Pero claro, ellos ya están sabiendo quién en verdad es Shenna. De modo que Jamie decide proponerle un trato: Un matrimonio a prueba, que si no resulta, él la devuelve porque ha jurado nunca más volver a casarse luego de que algo muy grave sucedió. Sheena se niega rotundamente. “Yo no me casaré con tu hermano, ni a prueba ni definitivamente.” Pero claro, en algún momento la voluntad de ella caerá y pese a estar separados por la barrera de odios que han levantado sus clanes, Shenna lucha en vano por escapar “al deseo arrollador que siente por el joven enemigo.” Porque Jamie bajo esa superficie de rudeza, oculta una ardiente ternura que cautiva por completo a Shenna y, pese a que el orgullo y el honor la obligan a odiarlo, su corazón de mujer expresa lo contrario. “Ella ansiaba entregarse y poseerlo por completo... estar junto a él para siempre, compartiendo un amor sin límites.”
💘Ambientada en una época donde tres hombres se disputan a una mujer y hablan frente a ella, cómo si ésta no existiera, “Una dulce enemistad” es una novela romántica publicada en 1983 con hombres villanos que desean a la protagonista, líos entre los clanes, dichos villanos que se hacen pasar por enemigos para crear más enemistad; Tiene todos los condimentos de una buena novela romántica escocesa.
💘ME HA ENCANTADO volver a leerla. Jamie es un caballero highlander guapo y fuerte. Eso sí: aparte de rudo es machista. OJO: Es un libro PUBLICADO EN 1983 pero justifica todas sus acciones para que Sheena y yo caigamos rendidas a los pies de este escoces😆🤷🏻‍♀️
💘Johanna Lindsey fue, es y será un peso pesado dentro del género romántico y ni hablar de éstas portadas chongas de los años 80 que yo tanto AMO.
💘Recomendado para todas aquellas lectoras que aman y han leído éste tipo de novela romántica histórica.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me ha costado saber si le pongo dos o tres estrellas. Está bien escrito pero sin nada especial en cuanto a personajes o ambientación (las Tierras Altas Escocesas).
Un héroe cachas pero machista (Jamie, joven jefe de su clan), una heroína (Sheena (19), de esas guapísimas que se lamenta de su propia belleza, de esas a la que, si un hombre la ve, se enamora automáticamente la desea. Por supuesto, consentimiento cero, una novela de esas en las que "no" quiere decir, al parecer, "tú sigue y ya veremos".
Tras esa portada fastuosa muy de los ochenta, se esconde una historia tonta, pero escrita con maña, de esas que enganchan, me lo pimpé en 24 horas, me leí hasta la última coma, y no me arrepiento de haberlo hecho... Pero es demasiado old skool para recomendarla.
Crítica más extensa, en mi blog.

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read 2022 -3 ⭐️ from 4.
This story dragged, the MCs didn’t spend enough time with each other.
Not one of her better books, but it was more PC.

Safety
JL never wrote cheating books.
Minor ow drama.

[Eni · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just so boring.I really thought I was going to enjoy it but I didn't.

[Debby]

Average.

[Lady Whitbrooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love JL books so I must give it already 4 stars. She is an amazing author! Plot 6(1-10) steaminess 6(1-10?

[Kristy Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. I don't think the description does the book justice. The description makes it sound like there was an arranged marriage between Jamie and Sheena from the beginning, which is false. But there was so much more to the story than that. It was the kind of book that I rushed through because I couldn't wait to know what happened to them. I wanted to know how it ended. But then when I got to the end I was so disappointed it was over and had to go back and reread all my favorite parts.

Jamie was just the right combination of harsh scottish laird with a touch of gentleness for Sheena. I loved his character. I also loved Sheena, she didn't annoy me like so many other heroine's do. I thought she was the right combination of sincerity and stubbornness to keep her interesting without being annoying.

I wish Niall, Sheena's little brother could have been in the book more. I loved her relationship with him and I loved how fascinated Niall was with Jamie in the beginning. I will definitely be rereading this book.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Favorite Quotes

I just loved this scene. It was after their wedding and Jamie was trying to ease Sheena's worries about their wedding night. I don't know how you couldn't fall in love with the guy after this scene.

[...] She was free for the moment and had a chance to run, but Jamie sensed her thoughts, and while he caressed her with his eyes, he soothed her with words.

"You dinna have anything to fear, Sheena. I'll never hurt you. 'Tis cherishing you I am. You're more precious to me than anything I ever dreamed of. Can you no' sense that, sweetheart? Can you no' see I want only to make you happy? And I swear you will be happy. I swear you'll no' regret being my wife."

[Salena Ross · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was one of the rare books I struggled to finish. The characters were flat and annoying. They spent the entire book arguing. Jamie was driven by lust and knew absolutely nothing about the woman he claimed to love. Sheena was a closed minded bitch who had nothing but a pretty face to go on. The dialogue was trite. The descriptions were boring. There were enough jarring uses of anachronistic language to kill the flow anytime I managed to actually get into a scene. And boy was this rapey. She's almost raped twice by supporting characters, and then she gets a spot of the old marital rape because Mr Man knows she likes his d too much to actually tell him no.

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering the theme, enemies to lovers, I expected to like this better than I did. The blame lies with Sheena, the heroine.

Sheena Fergusson is the first and favorite daughter of the Fergusson clan. When the MacKinnion clan begins raiding their lands once again, renewing an old feud, her hatred and fear toward the clan increases. James MacKinnion, or Jamie has a responsibility toward his people and when raiders wearing the Fergusson colors attack, he takes matters to his own hands, but by accident, he comes across a beauty as she bathed near the Fergusson lands. Immediately, he develops an attraction toward the girl, not knowing that this was indeed, Sheena. The rest of the plot involves lies and mistaken identities and other complexities (such as Sheena's refusal to get married), that leaves for a very convoluted story. Of course, it was a case of revenge from a distinctly different clan that causes all this mess.

I actually liked Jamie a lot. Partly for his name, partly for age (26) and even partly for his temper. Unfortunately, he had a tendency to shut of his brain when he gets angry, only creating a bigger mess. Sheena seemed like a pretty feisty heroine until she repeatedly refuses to marry Jamie. Considering the time period and their attraction and the situation, I would have expected less resistance. I also really liked Jamie's brother, Colen, who happened to kidnap Sheena in the first place. And Sheena's protective little brother, Niall. They're both cuties.

The relationship between Jamie and Sheena was not nearly as entertaining as expected, because she seemed to spend an excessive amount of time refusing him. Jamie tried to appease her, but there was so much misunderstanding and violence; rational thought is very lacking in this time period.

I enjoyed reading this, but it felt like it was missing something. Maybe more tension or a heroine who actually did something about her situation. She just complained and looked beautiful. Maybe my expectations are too high after reading JL's westerns and genderbenders.

[Regan Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feuding Clans Deliver an Exciting Romance

Set in mid 16th century Scotland at a time of feuding clans that steal each other's cattle and engage in battle (and worse), this is the story of the MacKinnions and the Fergussons.

Jamie MacKinnion, a handsome and powerful laird in his mid 20s had a bad experience with a first arranged marriage, the bride committing suicide before the marriage could be consummated because she was so afraid of a man's touch. Thus, he has no plans to marry and is enjoying a full menu of mistresses. He has said that if he ever does marry again, he'll be trying the bride first.

Sheena ("she-ah-nah" in Gaelic) Fergusson is the oldest and favorite daughter of her father, the laird. Unlike her sisters, she is beautiful with her red hair and blue eyes and has been turning away suitors by the droves. Raised for many years as a son would be, she can hunt and ride like a man and enjoys bathing in a pond. And who should come by but Jamie, who observes her not knowing who she is.

Sheena’s father has determined it is time she wed. Through a series of events, he considers marrying her to Jamie to end their clans’ long feud. But Sheena will have none of it and, based upon all she has heard about him, she fears the MacKinnion.

Sheena was both interesting and consistently strong and, while she could be reasoned with, she did not fold like a wet noodle as some heroines do. I thought Lindsey did a good job of presenting the historical setting and language of the time. It was authentic and the dialog realistic. It was fast-paced, reminding me of what love is like between two strong willed people who love each other desperately.

It’s not a "gentle" feuding at times which only adds excitement. You'll enjoy this one!

[Clarabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaah ! Johanna Lindsey 😍 Toute ma jeunesse. Je piquais les bouquins de ma sœur pour les lire en douce. L'un de mes premiers chocs romanesques : La viking insoumise. Et comme cela faisait un moment que je n'avais pas lu de RH, celle-ci est tombée à point nommé. J'ai adoré 😍

L'histoire oppose donc deux clans écossais qui se livrent une lutte haineuse depuis des décennies. Un jour, les Fergusson font un prisonnier qui se révèle être le laird des MacKinnion ! Panique à bord. Âpres négociations. Un mariage est suggéré. Et bim bam boum. Tous les projets tombent à l'eau. En fait, il faut savourer le début du roman comme une vaste comédie vaudevillesque. Dieu que c'est drôle de découvrir les quiproquos et autres enchaînements cocasses. C'est impayable. La situation va se renverser quand l'aînée des Fergusson est à son tour enlevée. Gloups. Il s'agit encore d'un malentendu. Et lorsque Sheena comprend dans quel guêpier elle se trouve, elle est épouvantée. Après tout, Jamie MacKinnion traîne une réputation de barbare sanguinaire. Elle doit absolument préserver son identité secrète et tout faire pour s'échapper. Ça et refuser farouchement les propositions coquines de son ennemi.

Que j'ai aimé cette lecture ! Relation explosive. Personnages impétueux. Scènes mémorables. Tension qui ne faiblit jamais. Et de l'entêtement à foison ! Diantre, le couple ne lâche rien. Question orgueil, ils se posent là. Mais ça donne matière à glousser. En digne amatrice de romances "à l'ancienne", j'ai franchement pris mon pied. Et l'Écosse - on adore ! 😍

[Artemissia G · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://songedunenuitdete.com/2021/06...
Si ce titre n’est au final pas une nouveauté, j’ai bien aimé quand même. Je suis contente de (re) découvrir une histoire écrite par Lindsey même si ce n’est pas la plus aboutie. Sheena est une héroïne un peu passe-partout et Jamie l’archétype même du héros masculin un peu arriéré qui est prêt à tout pour mettre celle qu’il désire dans son lit et plus si affinité.

À lire si comme moi vous êtes curieuse et que vous aimez les vieilles romances historiques qui ont fait leur preuve, déjà, à l’époque des dinosaures (comme le dit si bien mon fils aîné).

[Jaime · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have heard that Johanna Lindsey wrote amazing stories—I am hoping this story was not included in the “amazing” category, because this story is a freaking mess. The plot is ALL OVER the place. The characters can’t figure themselves out long enough to even attempt a romance. I really wish I had DNF’d this book because the time wasted being lost in this book is gone forever.

If only I could get this book out of my brain…forever.

Don’t waste your time or money.

[Tori - Novel Life · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I have no idea what I was going in to but at the same time I wasn’t expecting this?

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Saya tak tahu ada apa dengan Johanna dan laki laki cantik. Tapi kenapa 3 book dia yang saya beli semua ceritanya sama ?!!

Dan tokohnya berwajah 'jelita'. Maksud saya begini, ini highlander kan ?! Selig si Viking, Jamie si Highlander, dan satunya lagi yang belom saya baca, dari sinopsisnya berbau sama juga. Semuanya cowok cantik :'(

Bayangan saya kalo soal Highlander itu mau yang wajahnya kasar dan gak tampan, tapi gahar gitu ....



Nah minimal kayak gambar di atas...

Bayangin cowok dengan otot kekar dan tubuh besar tapi wajah rupawan itu ....





Jujur saya gak suka namanyanya yang kesannya kewanita wanitaan, dan lenyeh ... Jamie?! Please gak ada nama yang lebih macho kah?? Bahkan Sheena, nama Heroinenya, terdengar lebih 'cowok'

Dan lagi, ada apa dengan wanita tomboy yang suka menyamar jadi laki laki?! Sumpah semua bukunya JL sama. Heroinenya begitu, cantik minta ampun tapi suka dandan ala keleleki lakian, halah....

Tapi sebagai sosok yang tomboy sejak kecil, Sheena ini cengeng banget. Penakut. Tapi kontras banget sama sikapnya yang sok atur dan suka marah marah seenak jidat. GAK SUKA BANGET!!

INSTA LOVE --> Cek
SUPER GANTENG HERO DAN SUPER CANTIK HEROINE --> CEK
HEROINE TOMBOY --> CEK
HERO YANG PUNYA MISTRESS DAN SLEEPING AROUND TAPI SETELAH KETEMU HEROINENYA YANG SUPER CANTIK LALU TOBAT --> CEK
SAINGAN YG NYEBELIN DAN BERASA MAU LEMPAR SEPATU --> CEK
KELUARGA YANG ANNOYING DAN MUSUH DALAM SELIMUT --> CEK
SALAH PAHAM --> CEK
HEA --> CEK CEK CEK

Please deh untuk orang yang punya masa lalu pernikahan tak menyenangkan karena istrimu bunuh diri di malam pernikahanmu itu bukan berarti kamu harus 'mencoba' semua wanita sebelum kamu nikahi hanya untuk memastikan mereka gak mati kutu saat malam pertama.

Gak logis banget, bilang aja doyan dan mau icip icip sebelom beli. Tapi tuan Jamie yang terhormat, Virginitas wanita itu gak sperti display yang ada di toko kue buat diincip incip terus bisa di refill gitu...

BODO!!

Dan lagi, gak sukanya Insta love itu, sebenernya karena mereka gak bener bener LOVE. Itu LUST tapi mengatasnamakan cinta buat membenarkan tindakanya...

Kapan sih aku gak nemu JL yang selalu mengatas namakan cinta, tapi selalu mau uang muka, alias having sex sebelum nikah. Dan alasan cinta buat embel embelnya...

Gak ada...
Hanya Sex, just sex ...

FORMULANYA SAMA SEMUA BUKU JL ...

Julia Garwood juga gitu, tapi kenapa jatohnya beda ya? bedaaa banget !!!

Yah mungkin saya ya yang terlalu dreamer, dan gak suka jenis book begini...
Saya mau yang ada ceritanya, bukan cinta kilat ...

[Katherine 黄爱芬 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tidak ada yg bs memaksa Sheena Ferguson utk menikah jika dirinya tidak menginginkan. Syaratnya agak tidak lumrah utk ukuran zaman medieval, Sheena hanya bersedia menikah karena cinta.

Jamie MacKinnion juga punya persyaratan tak kalah anehnya. Jamie hanya mau menikah lagi jika bisa mencicipi calon istrinya terlebih dahulu. Saat dirinya tertangkap di klan Ferguson. Dirinya beruntung dibebaskan oleh Niall, adik Sheena. Tetapi akhirnya malah Sheena yg kena hukuman pembuangan. Di pembuangan, Sheena malah diculik Colen, yg ternyata adik Jamie. Colen tadinya mau memperistri Sheena, tapi akhirnya menyerahkan pd kakaknya. Dengan bujukan sampai paksaan, akhirnya Sheena menikah dgn Jamie. Perseteruan klan berakhir bahagia dgn pernikahan tsb, apa iya? Baca saja.

Saat membaca novel ini, saya "lelah" dgn kesalahpahaman yg tidak kunjung usai, dari awal hingga nyaris akhir cerita. Klimaks cerita juga terasa dipaksakan dgn buru-buru "membersihkan" pertikaian yg sdh terjadi berpuluh tahun tsb. Ciri khas author memang ttg pasangan yg sering salah paham, tetapi juga disisipi adegan-adegan comedy romance dan dialog-dialog kocak. Celakanya ciri khas tsb lenyap di novel ini.

Belum lagi karakter Sheena yg super dramatis dan sering plin-plan dan keras kepala, makin membuat jenuh kepala saya. Begitu juga Jamie, sbg laird MacKinnion, dirinya tidak mempesona di hati saya. Merayu wanita saja tidak mampu, sampai harus memaksa pakai bala bantuan. Kesannya Jamie hanya tertarik pd kecantikan fisik diri Sheena. "Penyiksaan" Jamie terhadap Sheena tidak semenarik seperti buku-buku author yg lain. Kesimpulannya, saya kecewa dgn buku ini.

[EB · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mean, who DOESN'T want to read a spot (or five) of marital rape in the morning? I sort of feel like this weird project of reading and then reviewing a bunch of romance novels is backfiring on my greatly. After the delightful first one with William Wallace, and then the super boring one that ended up being a DNF, and then the third venture, the fourth venture is one that actually made me vaguely nauseated in parts? WHY did I even bother finishing is the greater question?

I guess I lived in hope that somehow, someway something would justify the rest of the book. But nope. It's basically just a few hundred pages of, "I married you and so I get to have sex with you. In FACT, I will purposefully wait until you're asleep and have sex with you so that when you wake up you'll be so lost to pleasure you'll be inCAPABLE of saying no." Except then she DOES say no, and attempts to get away, and he's like LA LA LET's KEEP GOING.

It's essentially an entire novel of the hero of the story forcing himself on the heroine and insisting she must like it. I honestly don't even think there was even a shade of an actual plot. Mostly just a whole lot of rape.

[PRINCESS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scotland.
Am I the only one who thinks this land is full of passion? The places that are rich in history, nature and culture are absolutely positively attractive. We stand speechless in front of these beauties.
This book is set in 16th century and yes it is in Scotland. 16th century was full of events for Scotland. Actually if you read the 16th century’s world history you will see that most of lands had ups and downs, lots of war, revolutions and changes.

Raised for many years as a son, the oldest and favorite daughter of Mr. Fergusson; Sheena is given one option to wed Jamie MacKinnion; the handsome and powerful divorced guy.

“They were married in the late afternoon on that very day, bound by a kirkman whom Jamie had summoned the day before. In the presence of her clan and his, before God, Sheena became wife to The MacKinnion.
The clans, also, were bound by the marriage. The Fergussons were delighted. It was a day for great celebration a marriage and the end of a bitter feud. For most, it was a day to be happy.”

Presenting the language of the time and those historical setting by the author was done in a very good way.

[Roub · Rating 3 out of 5]

really gud! cud have been better if sheena had behaved less like a fishwife! what's her problem wid marrying !? the way she was going at it, she wud have stayed a maid. i thought her pompous n conceited as she was being very fussy. she knew the effect she had on men, no doubt abt it! she had them falling all over her n jamie was no exception. instead of bringing her 2 heel, he also fell all over her. i was really like LOL. she's absolutely irresistible, the only woman they all want in scotland! neway, very light n entertaining read ;-)