The Future Bride: A MacLeod Time-Travel Romcom

MacLeod Time-Travel Rom Com #1

by J.G. MacLeod

Outlander meets Leap Year in this lighthearted, time-travel rom com with strong gin and karate.

Twenty-one-year-old Brigid MacDonald spends her days working as a barista at a coffee shop, hanging out with her BFF, Selma, and avoiding the men she usually meets at bars - until she suddenly finds herself in a strange castle, in another time, being dressed for a wedding ceremony she didn't consent to!

Of course, Brigid steals a horse and flees, but the jilted groom and his brothers aren't giving up so easily. Unprepared for life in the wilds of Medieval Scotland, Brigid must trust her life to a moody Highlander named Ferghus.

Set amidst the breathtaking landscape of Skye, Brigid soon finds herself caught in a serious feud between rival clans. Will her knowledge of karatedo be enough to save her from ruthless warriors, or must she lower her guard and let someone else into her life?

Accompany Brigid MacDonald - a strong, witty, skilled, and beautiful red-head - on her journey through the Scottish Highlands. This historical romance combines comedy and suspense that will have you both engaged and laughing at the human frailties that transcend time and place.

For adventure. For love. For kilts. (And strong gin.)

Author's
The Future Bride contains tropes of the romance genre, as well as some carefully-chosen historical inaccuracies, to facilitate the plot. Reviews always appreciated. Sequel now available!

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Scotland

241 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2019

About the author

J.G. MacLeod is an award-winning, Canadian author who earned a university degree in Honors English and history with a focus on 19th-century British studies. Her novel, Lady Ellen, which is set in Ireland in the 1840s, won the 2018 Breakthrough Novel Award for Historical Fiction, and a Readers' Favorite Book Award (2019). https://mybook.to/LadyEllenBoxset The Future Bride & The Past Love were both named 'Finalist' in the Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards for 'Romance' (2020 & 2021). https://mybook.to/MacLeodTimeTravelRom

J.G. MacLeod also possesses a university degree in Education with twenty-two years of teaching experience, including creative writing, English literature, literary theory, psychology, and counselling. Her novel Abalone won the 2018 Online Book Club Book of the Year Award for 'Other Fiction', & is a gritty, psychological novel for readers who loved Gone Girl, Safe Haven, & The Lucky One. https://mybook.to/Abalone

J.G. has been writing extensively for years, everything from essays, to short fiction, novels, and biographies. She is a proud supporter of the online Writing Community and has several gigs on Fiverr, including professional book marketing for X (Twitter), proofreading, and beta reading.

J.G. has three young children and resides in southwestern Ontario where she enjoys cottage country, hiking, gardening, and photography.

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https://x.com/jgmacleodauthor

Author Website
https://www.jgmacleod.com/

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-G.-M...

Blog
https://www.jgmacleod.com/blog

Fiverr
https://www.fiverr.com/jgmacleod?up_r...

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third JG MacLeod book and I simply adored Brigid and her Scottish time travel romance! Brigid is a barista and karate expert from Canada who finds herself thrust back in time and winds up in Scotland. Fans of Outlander will definitely enjoy! I loved how although she and Ferghus didn’t get along at first and found every excuse to argue (they were so funny!) they had a fiery passion that kept me turning pages. I liked how Brigid’s grounding in karate served as something in her life that gave her focus even growing up as an orphan. The use of Scottish language and dialect was a neat touch. Favorite moments: serving wenches who work in coffee shops 🍵, betrothed to Aragorn, good Scottish feasts and games, different kinds of stares. This book was so cute! 5/5 stars.

[K.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Future Bride by J.G. MacLeod is not my usual genre. I stick with action-adventure books or crime novels. However, I read another book of hers a time back (Abalone), and her writing style impressed me. The Future Bride hit the target. J. G. knows how to capture her readers and hold them to the end.
I enjoyed the main character, Brigit MacDonald - a spirited, Karate trainer with a hot temper who finds herself transported back to medieval Scotland and meets up with a somewhat brooding highlander named Ferghus, with who you fall in love with.
This is a fun romantic adventure, and you can't help but get caught up in Brigit's and Ferghus's tug-of-war relationship. MacLeod maintained the tension between the two protagonists throughout the story, spurring the reader to flip pages well into the late-night hours. Good job, J.G. A five star romance that I highly recommend.

[Harker McNair · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Future Bride” by J.G. MacLeod is a historical/time-travel romance with a kick-ass edge. A clever cross between Outlander and Kung Fury, “The Future Bride” managed to keep both the gorgeous scenery and sexy kilt-clad Scotsman of Outlander, and the charm, humor, and fast-paced karate action of Kung Fury.

The story begins when Brigid, a feisty, 21st century barista and karate sensei, walks into a supply closet and suddenly finds herself thrown into the 15th century Highlands. The author takes no time explaining this phenomenon—there are more interesting things to worry about—before the reader is whisked away on a perilous flight through the woods, as Brigid flees from a forced wedding to a Scottish Lord.

During her escape, Brigid comes across a burly, scarred, traveler named Fergus, from a rival clan. MacLeod introduces Fergus by writing the dialogue in his native Gaelic tongue. This gave the reader the unique opportunity to experience Brigid’s confusion and exasperation as she attempts to understand the Scottsman, right along with her. The early scenes between Brigid and Fergus are especially witty and charming. Opposites, past and present standards of decency, cultural expectations, and well... karate, collide, as Fergus and Brigid work to understand one another and their growing attraction, and to survive.

Brigid’s saucy character is as bright as her “rose” colored hair, and we especially loved that MacLeod kept the focus on the romance, while still maintaining Brigid’s independent and modern spirit. We never lost the feeling that Brigid was a woman of the future trying to survive in a past filled with bizarre standards for females, or that Fergus was a brooding Scottish warrior, trying to understand how-the-hell to keep this brazen, free-spirited woman alive long enough to kiss her.

MacLeod juggles the balance between history, romance, action, and heart like a seasoned pro, but the author shines the most in character dialogue. We laughed out loud during many of Brigid and Fergus’s scenes, and found ourselves cheering for their relationship and enjoying the bumps along the way. “The Future Bride” will warm anyone jaded by the cliches of the historical romance genre with a whole lot of fiery fucks and sass. MacLeod embraces the staples of the genre while adding her deliciously light-but-thoughtful approach.

A must-read for anyone looking for a sweeping romance with a fun and unexpected twist.

[Helena Craggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story!

The Future Bride is the first of MacLeod’s books I have read, but it certainly won’t be the last! The story was entertaining from the first page, so much so that I stayed up way too late for several nights, wanting to know what was coming next.

The imagery in her writing is exceptional, and the flawed but loveable characters are superb. MacLeod’s writing style is witty and appealing, and I found myself laughing out loud several times. The plot is fun and engaging, and I loved the idea of the two alternative endings.

It’s my first time travel romance, and I’m excited to see what the next step will be for Brigid and Ferghus. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone that needs to escape into a captivating tale.

[Martha Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an enjoyable and captivating Romance; it was different from what I’m used to reading. The characters came alive and very interesting.

Get ready to be mesmerized to a different time and lifestyle. I was intrigued and charmed. Bridgid MacDonald is transported from the 21st century back to Medieval Scotland.

A page-turner dramatic and comedy scenes that will knock your boots off. The Romance between Bridgid and Ferghus brings a mouthwatering distraction and action. Make a delicious cup of coffee and buy your copy. I recommend this fabulous and eventful read

[A.C. Merkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.

It’s not my typical style of book I knew it would be more romance than time travel epic. It’s very well written and Brigid is a believable character. I do prefer the “alternate” ending.. would have been more my speed to explore the time travel a bit more. If you’re more of a romance reader this will be perfect for you! The notes for the language were very fun and enjoyable!

[Kelly Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! Although he was a bit scary at first, Ferghus really grew on me, so it was not long before I was sympathetic to his frustration with the confounding Brigid with her modern sensibilities and language. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of historical romance.

[K.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun romp!

Really enjoyed this funny romantic adventure with Brigid and her Highlander and lots of whisky! I'd recommend this read for fans of Outlander.

[Susan Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to not only be transported to a different time and culture, but to be both entertained and enchanted. Bridgid MacDonald is transported from the 21st century back to Medieval Scotland. She finds herself having to choose sides between two rival clans. As she is of Scottish ancestry, the locals at first simply find her to be a ‘bonny lass,’ that is, until they start talking to her. Once the shock has worn off for Bridgid, she begins to enjoy her adventure, especially when she begins to fall for Ferghus.

What I enjoyed most was Bridgid’s modern day feminist stance in dealing with the often brutish and always large male ego of the earlier era. (Not that we ever see this playing out in our own times…) She’s indignant and mostly refuses to play the passive victim. In one of my favorite scenes, Bridgid is practicing a special form of karate (karatedo), and Ferghus accuses her of being a witch and assaults her. After she tries explaining to him that she was exercising, her response is priceless and perfect: “Maybe you’re the devil! Did you ever think of that?”

While Ferghus is stubborn and proud, he’s curious about Bridgid and is attracted to her intelligence and feistiness, as well as to her beauty. He’s often tender with her, despite his brutish exterior, and will go to any length to protect her – and, as it turns out, she’ll do the same for him. Still, women in Scotland at that time were little more than chattel, like livestock or land. It made me glad for the many humorous injections, MacLeod inserts in the storyline.

MacLeod’s deft ability to write in Scottish brogue, as well as occasional phrases in Scottish Gaelic helped to create a credible atmosphere. It enriched the already vibrant, page-turning dialogue. The romance between Bridgid and Ferghus provided delicious escapism. One particularly steamy scene had me fanning myself…Can’t wait to read many more titles by J.G. MacLeod!!

[Michele Quirke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved time travel romances so when I came across The Future Bride, it jumped right to the top of my list of books to read. I am thrilled to say it did not disappoint. I read this book in a single weekend because I could not put it down.

The Future Bride follows the story of Brigid, a sassy redheaded woman from Canada who finds herself thrown back in time to Scotland. I really enjoyed watching her relationship with Ferghus unfold throughout the story. Brigid seemed quite oblivious and quick to anger at times, but it didn't take away from the reader's ability to root for her. Like I said, this book had me turning page after page well after it was time for me to go to bed. The plot was exciting and there was plenty of action, but the best part to me was the love story.

Along with the great characters, action-packed plot, and excellent writing style, I also enjoyed the author's use of the Scottish language throughout the book. I appreciated the notes she included to translate the speech. Oh, and I want to mention that I giggled out loud a few times while reading this because of the excellent use of comedy. Well done!

Overall, I found The Future Bride to be a fun, exciting read and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys time-travel, romance, and handsome Scottish men! Fans of Outlander will love it!!

I give The Future Bride 5/5 stars and look forward to reading more books by this amazing author!

[Tabitha Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildly Entertaining!

The banter! The humor! The chemistry! I will eat my hat if you don't like this book! It has it all! Brilliance! Well written and well researched! Bravo!!!!

[M.E. Aster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again but I wish goodreads let you give half star reviews because I really wanted to rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
This was a delightful read featuring a time traveling heroine that was very relatable and a Scottish world complete with heavy accents and kilts. I loved this story. The setting was realistic and believable and all of the characters were interesting and well fleshed out.
The two endings were interesting as well. The first one I saw coming but still loved and the second one seems to be a great tie in to a possible sequel.
To any fans of romantic stories featuring adventure and strong female characters - I highly recommend this book.

[Anya Pavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this time travel romance because it is a light read that warms the heart by the end. The love interest is a highlander, and right from the getgo, the author also deals with the Outlander similarity by having the heroine draw that comparison in a humorous way. I also like Brigid's interest in karate, as this adds a fun element to her character.

[joan yow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed,enjoyed.enjoyed

Well written.great characters ,humble,arrogant,funny .loved the mixture of language. I would read again and enjoy the book just as much.

[Hayley Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of love story

This book captures your attention and holds strong. Engaging charcters and a story line that will have you hooked until the end.

[Christopher Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Outlander But Different

The Future Bride is an engaging time-travel romance with many similarities to Outlander. But while Claire was a trained nurse, Brigid is a martial arts expert, which gives this action-adventure novel an entirely different dynamic.

The Opening

This romance begins in medias res as Brigid is fleeing from unknown pursuers. While some in medias res openings can be confusing, it works well in this case. The author also pays homage to Outlander, acknowledging the similarities and somehow at the same time promising that this book will be different.

The Characters

Because Brigid is shown to be on the run, she is quickly established as a sympathetic character. Her initial fight with Ferghus demonstrates that she is also proactive, which is a huge bonus.

As the story develops, Brigid becomes a more three-dimensional character as we hear about her background in care, her job in the coffee shop, and her abandoned college course. I liked Brigid a lot and quickly became invested in her story.

Although this is somewhat of a feminist tale with a strong female protagonist, it somehow still fails to pass the Bechdel-Wallace Test. That somewhat surprised me.

Basically, Brigid has conversations with two other significant named characters, but their talks are limited to men they know, their feelings about said men, and fashion. Brigid never encourages the other females to strive for more except to hope that they will get the men they want rather than the men they are forced to marry.

By necessity, Ferghus is not so appealing at first encounter. However, he has a more interesting character development arc as the story progresses. He also has an interesting scar, though its exact origin is never revealed. We know Tristen MacDonald is responsible, but I don’t recall the exact origin story being told.

The other members of Ferghus’ extended family are well sketched as we meet them, especially his older brother Doughal.

The Plot

The main conflict of the story revolves around Brigid’s forced betrothal to Tristen MacDonald and her rejection of said engagement, though how this ever came about is not explored. It just is.

As a woman from the modern world, Brigid is unwilling to see herself marrying at the young age of twenty-one. As a man who is badly disfigured, Ferghus cannot imagine himself worthy of a woman’s affections.

There was one element of the story’s climax that I didn’t much like. I can’t say too much because of spoilers, but I’ll just say that Brigid repeats some of the same mistakes she made at the opening of the story, and I can’t imagine she would do that.

Brigid had no need to act so hastily. She could have planned better and made fewer mistakes. It took something away from her character, which had been consistently strong up until that point. She began as the rescuer but ended as the rescued.

The story concludes with an HFN (happy for now) with a hint that there will be a sequel and Brigid and Ferghus’ story is not yet complete.

The Setting

The magic of this world, by which I mean time-travel, is intriguing but not really explored, unlike in the Outlander series. Perhaps it will be explained in a future book in the same way as C.S. Lewis explained the magic from The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in his prequel, The Magician’s Nephew.

I was rather confused about some elements of the setting. The publisher’s blurb describes the setting as medieval Scotland, yet there is a rifle at one point and a cigar a little later on. This led me to ignore the blurb and assume this story is set in the late Rennaisance/Jacobean period.

As a person who has worked on the Inner Hebridean islands of Colonsay, Oransay, Islay, and Jura, I found some of the descriptions surprising. Not the use of Gaelic, though. The people of the islands are very welcoming. If you enter a pub where everyone is conversing in Gaelic, they will swap to English so as to make you feel welcome even if you do not join said conversation.

It was the long journeys and the woodlands that surprised me. There haven’t been any significant areas of dense woodland in the Inner Hebrides in over 5,000 years. Everywhere you wander, the islands are rock formations, desolate moorland, peat bogs, and farmers’ fields.

And if you walked from the southern coast of the Isle of Skye to Dunvegan Castle on the north coast, it would only take you around sixteen hours. I understand that the journeys may have taken longer before modern roads were constructed, but even today the roads in the Hebrides skirt around major obstructions in the same way as the paths did before them.

So, the multiple-day journeys described in the story seemed strange to me. However, as is noted in the foreword of the book, this is fiction. I was forced to put aside my personal knowledge of the area and view this as a fantasy version of the Isle of Skye that wasn’t like the Hebrides I know. The descriptions were vivid and well constructed, so I had no problem achieving the necessary suspension of disbelief.

The Prose

The first-person narration from Brigid’s viewpoint is well-written and immersive. The Gaelic is really interesting, and I’m delighted that the translations are super easy to access in the Kindle version. I would find it frustrating using the printed version and having to frequently flip back and forth to understand what’s going on.

My Opinion

I am going to ignore my concerns over the setting and rate this entertaining and action-packed time-travel romance 9 out of 10, which translates to 5 out of 5 on Goodreads and Amazon.

I was thoroughly immersed by this fast-paced adventure set in a now almost lost culture. The dynamic behind Brigid and Ferghus’ relationship was electric, and I loved how he so often became the damsel in distress that she needed to rescue.

[Ivy Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read romance and time-travel story !

The Future Bride is a time-travel story. True. Most writers of time-travel fiction are so heavily invested in highlighting the disparities between two time periods that they forget to focus on what makes the crux of the story- human emotions, feelings, relationships, insecurities and doubts.
Author J.G.MacLeod absolutely does not make that mistake. To me, Future Bride was a love story with all the perfect bells and whistles – there is a damsel in distress who is perfectly capable of handling any ‘distress’ thrown her way with a clear head and a firm hand, a brave hero who is rescued by our heroine and enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.
I must say I am a huge fan of Outlander and the chemistry between Jamie and Claire was amazing to watch. It sparkled, and sizzled and set fire to a thousand hearts. I resigned myself to never seeing something like this again.
Author MacLeod surprised me.
Hats off to her for pulling off such a vibrant chemistry between Brigid and Ferghus. They are strong but also vulnerable. They are independent but also need each other. Jamie and Claire from Outlanders had sparks flying between them on ‘screen’ but J.G MacLeod manages to create a heart wrenching and electric rapport between Ferghus and Brigid armed with her lovely, spell-binding narration. This is a stupendous achievement.
I love the brushstrokes the author has given her characters. Brigid is a black belt in karate and this detail is not a ‘mere mention’, it is interwoven beautifully into her character. It’s a part of her spirit. Whether it’s the familial feeling karate gives her or its ability to center or to help her protect herself.
At the same time she doesn’t come across as a shatter-proof. There are countless times in the book where the seemingly heartless behaviour of Ferghus reduces her to tears. Why? Because she cares about him. The author doesn’t tell us. She shows us. He has touched her heart and she doesn’t even know it yet. But you the reader see them falling for each other. And you sigh as the anticipation builds.
Ferghus is strong, a fearless warrior but when it comes to Brigid his insecurities get the better of him. He thinks she deserves better than someone like him.
The two are meant for each other true, but all through out I love that Brigid keeps maintaining she is fine by herself and she doesn’t need the protection of marriage whether it’s in her own time or 1452. She is the epitome of the heroines I love. Capable yet loving. Resilient yet kind.
A must read !

[Mark Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Read With Lots of Adventure and Plenty of Love Story

Full disclosure, I don’t read a lot of romances, but J.G. MacLeod’s The Future Bride intrigued me because it was also a time-travel adventure. I was drawn into the story immediately, and the sometimes heart-pounding excitement and (I’ll admit it) the love story pulled me through to the end.

The characters are wonderfully drawn, and interesting. Brigid MacDonald is a twenty-one-year-old coffee shop worker who, for no clear reason, finds herself in an ancient wedding dress running for her life in Medieval Scotland. Brigid is a feisty redhead, who has martial arts expertise but no previous knowledge of the time or the culture she’s transported into. She’s a strong, modern female, which doesn’t always serve her well among those with a considerably different idea of propriety, and who swear by an unfamiliar moral code.

Fergus MacLeod, a handsome Highlander with a huge scar on his face, helps her escape from the McDonald clan and gets her safely to his family in the north. Communication is near impossible at first, but his shock at her modern-day ways is an even bigger problem. But this is a love story, and we can see Fergus and Brigid falling for each other, even though they go to great lengths to deny it.

A word about language. There are over 141 expressions and sentences in native Scottish Gaelic, most all of which are translated for us with a single click. These were a bit disconcerting early on but once the reader is used to these, and the Scottish accents when English is spoken, it’s a smooth enough ride. In fact, these language issues for readers underline the gap between the two worlds of our main characters, reminding us throughout that we’re way out of our comfort zone. That doesn’t slow down either the action/adventure or the romance of the story.

As the story progresses, the reader shifts from “Will Brigid find her way back to modern-day Canada?” to “Will she marry the man she’s fallen in love with and stay in Medieval Scotland?”
J.G. MacLeod provides two endings. I prefer the first one, but you’ll have to decide for yourself. All in all, The Future Bride, is a good read that will keep you turning pages, feel rushes of adrenaline, laugh often, and react emotionally. I’m not crying. You’re crying.

I highly recommend J.G. MacLeod and The Future Bride.

[L. Starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
Brigid MacDonald is a redheaded orphan who grew up unaware of her natural beauty thanks to a lifetime of bullying. So, when she enters the storeroom at work and finds herself transported back to medieval Scotland, her situation is not the only shock to her system. Her beauty is coveted by the strange men that she meets on her journey, starting with the infamous Tristan who has claimed her as his bride.

After escaping this wedding that she did not consent to, she meets Ferghus, a grumpy Scotsman with attitude to spare. Despite their rough start, he agrees to help her escape Tristan’s clutches and find her a safe place. Problem is, they have very different ideas of what her safety will entail.

Review
This was a delightful story that had me hooked from page one. MacLeod’s writing style is wonderful, especially the way she depicted the characters and their accents. She also brought the Scottish countryside to life, completely immersing me in her world. And the tension that built within the plot and between the characters was captivating. It was hard to find any faults to pick, although I was left with a few questions when the book ended, the biggest one being: is there going to be a sequel? I’m not sure if she has one planned, but I hope so!

The Future Bride is a hilarious and heart-warming historical romance with a twist. I highly recommend to all romance readers.

[CAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story.

Brigid and Feghus meet as Brigid is running from a wedding meant for her, even though she was not from this era.

Ferghus is weary of her at first, as Brigid's demeanor and the way she practices karate are not something he's familiar with. He takes her along with him on a journey to his cousins where he and his family will keep her safe from the family trying to take her back after she ran from the wedding.

As they are on their journey for many nights together, Brigid becomes more intrigued by him but also more infuriated by his sexist ways. She finds it hard to conform to the rules of that era.

They fight battles together as they encounter men along the way and Brigid shows him she is not weak and can help in battle.

Ferghus as the story goes becomes more gruff as his scars makes him think Brigid would never want him. So he tries to push her away and to suggest other marriages to men that will keep her safe. Brigid though will have none of that as he has grown on her and she sees past his scars and is falling for him.

I love these stories of time travel and finding ones love in another era. I also love the alpha men with damaged past that end up finding love and a person for them. I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens with Brigid and Ferghus!

[Veronica Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dashing through the forest, Brigid is trying figure out what has turned her world upside down. She went from standing in her coffee house supply closet to being dressed in a wedding gown and transported to a foreign time and place. Her jilted groom has sent his henchmen to find her, will she be able to escape being caught and figure out what has happened?

Fate does intervene, bring Brigid into an alliance with a brooding man who has vowed to see her safe. Ferghus doesn't quite know how to take Brigid's outspoken opinions, but slowly comes to respect her fearless manner as they fight off the rival clan who is out to find them. Brigid surprises them all with her quick karate movements and skills, but will they be enough to keep her from being sent back to the irate man she left standing at the altar?

Author Macleod weaves a charming tale of the perils of time travel sprinkled with romantic banter as Brigid's and Ferghus's friendship blossoms. The characters, settings and dialogue will keep you amused throughout. You even get two alternate endings to this tale---which will you choose?

[Hayley Chow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book as the winner of my little free library contest when it totally hooked me with the tagline, “For adventure. For love. For kilts. (And strong gin)” and I absolutely love when a book is exactly what I think it’s going to be.

This is like a lighter, more fun Highlander. Brigid is a spunky, present-day barista (with martial arts skills) thrown into old Scotland, and she does not back down from the rough and tumble highlander life. The story moves really fast and I couldn’t believe I inhaled it in two days! I liked the interactions between Brigid and Ferghus and found the portrayal of the old Scottish Gaelic language and culture really interesting. My only real critique was that I wish Brigid had been a little smarter/stronger in the final act.

Overall though, really enjoyed this fun, romantic read and would totally recommend for anyone looking for a romcom twist on Highlander! (4.5/5)

[Remi Mariano · Rating 5 out of 5]

The principle characters are thrown together immediately, and their eventful adventure pans out almost road-trip fashion. Brigid’s modern-day outlook contrasts with how the honourable Ferghus believes a lady should behave, not surprising when they hail from times separated by hundreds of years. How Brigid came to be there is a bit of a mystery, but the story is so enjoyable that doesn’t really matter and Brigid’s expertise in martial arts gives her a nice dimension that comes in handy when fending off Medieval brutes.
Brigid has no shortage of suitors, and we will her to choose the hero we are rooting for. Fortunately, misunderstandings, culture clashes, and differences of opinion are not obstacles True Love recognises, and the story reaches a heart-warming conclusion.
Recommended.

[Anna Casamento Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brigid far from home home: very far. Scotland with its mysteries, secrets, and allies, especially in thee ‘rough around the edges, Ferghus and his thick brogue. It’s all so wrong, but, ALL o right. Brigid is a woman thrust in a time warp, but, a woman of strength, her only, albeit, temporary flaw is deciphering Ferghus’ language. It doesn’t take very long, however, to understand his intentions. This wa a magical read with some light humor (the image of Ferghus in his drunken state, in his birthday suit and…well, you’ll have to read it…these characters,malon with many others will whisk you up, hold you midair and, if you’re not chuckling, you’re a bit miffed and, perhaps, even tiffed with their rivalries and shenanigans! An absolutely wonderful book! ( unedited)

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a moment to get into this one, as it starts in a whirlwind of action and high stakes with Brigid running from a wedding she found herself in after accidentally time traveling. It was intriguing and fun, but required a second or two for me to get settled. As Brigid and Ferghis really start traveling together, however, I soon found myself getting sucked into their relationship. And when they arrive at Sloane’s, that was it—I was hooked. I didn’t set the book back down until the end. The characters were just so FUN. And I adored Ferghis’s struggle, the way he tried to hide his jealousy and insecurities. He was absolutely adorable, and I’m officially a fan for life. Definitely recommend if you like Outlander style romance.

[Paul Kater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely a very entertaining story. Imagine finding yourself in the past where people hardly understand you and you're thrown into a situation you really do not want to be in.
That happens to the lead lady in this story, who finds her way through all kinds of adventures and misunderstandings.

Kudos to the author for adding all the Gaelic sentences and translations, I found them to add to the atmosphere of the story.

And that last remark about the katas was brilliant.
If you want to know what that means, you'll have to read the book yourself!

[Michelle Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging must read

Much more than a romance novel, the Future Bride takes you back into the world of ancestors. The modern-day young woman Brigid faces what her world may have been like if born 100 years earlier, with men fighting for Honor and getting married as a protection for the woman. I could not put the book down because I wanted to know which world Brigid would choose. Wonderfully written and a fabulous story!

[G.P. Gadbois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern meets Historical

Story has great pace, well developed characters, and the use of Scottish dialogue brings the reader back in time.
I loved the second ending and hope to read more of their tales.
Quite an enjoyable read. Well written, J.G. MacLeod.

[Judy Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The future or the past.

J. G. MacLeod takes us on an adventure in this romance. I found myself wondering if I would handle this as well as Bridget and Fergus. And then I just found myself immersed in their story. I lost track of where I was. I would highly recommend this book.

[Ria H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating Story

Excellent strong modern woman thrown into some unknown time in feudal Scotland. Handsome Scottish warrior falls in love with this woman. The adventures getting there are exciting and occasionally dangerous.