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Desperately Seeking Duke #2
A Scot to the Heart
An Officer and a Scotsman
Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.
A Lady and a Temptress
Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.
An Irresistible Attraction
Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
Captain Andrew St. James always knew he came from a noble family, but his branch grew far from the wealth and status. Nothing shocks him more than learning that he now stands as heir presumptive to his distant cousin the Duke of Carlyle. There is much for Drew to learn and adjust to—but first he goes home to Edinburgh, to tell his mother and three sisters of their startling good fortune.
A Lady and a Temptress
Ilsa Ramsay yearns for some adventure and fun, not another husband. When she discovers the handsome soldier who sweeps her off her feet for a rollicking dance is her friend’s brother, soon to be an English duke, she tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss, then another, and another… says otherwise.
An Irresistible Attraction
Drew means to marry a respectable, dignified Englishwoman—a very proper future duchess. The spirited Ilsa is none of that. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
103 people are currently reading
2334 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Linden
57 books1,701 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
May 29, 2021
Oh the first half of this book was such utter delightful perfection! I ADORED Drew (which I found surprising, because when we first met him in book 1, I thought it was really weird how he just bowed to the Duchess' wishes and meekly stood by when she told him what she expected of him), he is one of the nicest, sweetest heroes I've read about in a long time, and seeing his mischievous streak come out was just adorable. I loved his interactions with his family and really loved seeing them bond and have fun - it was the perfect escape in these trying days.
The entire first half is about Drew bonding with his family after a long absence and a delightful romance between a good guy and a whirlwind. I loved him and Ilsa together, they make a really great couple! It was such a sweet, fun story that had me laughing out loud and just enjoying the warm, loving relationships and adorable bickering. I especially liked the side story that involves Drew's best friend and one of his sisters (who will get their own novella soon!) they seemed really fun. This part reminds me why I love reading romances, it was like a much-needed day off where you can just ignore the outside world and get lost in a book.
BUT...
Then came the drama towards the close of the book. Now me, I loathe drama, and this had villagers turning on each other and basically sharpening the pitchforks, and oh. I just skimmed the last quarter because I didn't care. I know I'm in the minority with this, but I really don't need external drama, even if it throws the characters together for some alone time. Let's just say there was a mystery to be solved that just took over.
All in all, my enjoyment of the first half outweighed my frustration with the last quarter of the story. And I really loved the first half, it was so good! And again, I'm sure no one else will be bothered by the drama, so. Ignore my grumblings about it and just enjoy the sheer FUN that is the beginning of this book.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
The entire first half is about Drew bonding with his family after a long absence and a delightful romance between a good guy and a whirlwind. I loved him and Ilsa together, they make a really great couple! It was such a sweet, fun story that had me laughing out loud and just enjoying the warm, loving relationships and adorable bickering. I especially liked the side story that involves Drew's best friend and one of his sisters (who will get their own novella soon!) they seemed really fun. This part reminds me why I love reading romances, it was like a much-needed day off where you can just ignore the outside world and get lost in a book.
BUT...
Then came the drama towards the close of the book. Now me, I loathe drama, and this had villagers turning on each other and basically sharpening the pitchforks, and oh. I just skimmed the last quarter because I didn't care. I know I'm in the minority with this, but I really don't need external drama, even if it throws the characters together for some alone time. Let's just say there was a mystery to be solved that just took over.
All in all, my enjoyment of the first half outweighed my frustration with the last quarter of the story. And I really loved the first half, it was so good! And again, I'm sure no one else will be bothered by the drama, so. Ignore my grumblings about it and just enjoy the sheer FUN that is the beginning of this book.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
July 16, 2021
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden, though not as much as the first in the series, About a Rogue.
Though the book has a villain and some interesting plot elements, I found the pace to be a bit too slow to hold my full attention. I read this book in bits and pieces over the course of a week or so, and though I liked it while I was reading, I had a hard time focusing on the story. Granted, since Covid my mind has trouble staying on task, but I think this book struggles with pacing a bit.
I have a horrible weakness for Scottish MCs, but I kept forgetting Drew was Scottish. The Scottish castle details and the relationship with his sisters was nice, but Drew was more dutiful and less interesting than the MCs in the previous book in the series.
I really enjoyed Isla a ton, and I liked her independent spirit. I thought that she was the more interesting character, and I liked her chemistry with Drew, even if the relationship moved a little too slowly for my tastes. The two MCs don't really get together until almost the end of the story. It was like the author struggled a bit with how to get these two together and what stood in their way, and had a hard time navigating their story arc.
I'm sure I'll continue on with the series, and I have high hopes for book three.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I enjoyed A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden, though not as much as the first in the series, About a Rogue.
Though the book has a villain and some interesting plot elements, I found the pace to be a bit too slow to hold my full attention. I read this book in bits and pieces over the course of a week or so, and though I liked it while I was reading, I had a hard time focusing on the story. Granted, since Covid my mind has trouble staying on task, but I think this book struggles with pacing a bit.
I have a horrible weakness for Scottish MCs, but I kept forgetting Drew was Scottish. The Scottish castle details and the relationship with his sisters was nice, but Drew was more dutiful and less interesting than the MCs in the previous book in the series.
I really enjoyed Isla a ton, and I liked her independent spirit. I thought that she was the more interesting character, and I liked her chemistry with Drew, even if the relationship moved a little too slowly for my tastes. The two MCs don't really get together until almost the end of the story. It was like the author struggled a bit with how to get these two together and what stood in their way, and had a hard time navigating their story arc.
I'm sure I'll continue on with the series, and I have high hopes for book three.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|tiktok
August 7, 2021
3.3 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Great God above, he was heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle.
Second in the Desperately Seeking Duke series, this follows Captain Andrew St. James, who we briefly saw in the first (About a Rogue). To get the full overreaching arc of the series, you want to read this series in order. The author does a small recap by showing us the scene where Andrew and Maximilian (hero from first) are called to Carlyle Castle by the Duchess and told that her son, the current duke, is in ill health and that they are two of a possible three heirs. The scene is this time shown from Andrew's point-of-view and he is our captain out of the “An army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman,” heirs and currently, the most promising one to inherit. He's shocked but also carefully joyful as to what this could mean for his mother and three sisters. He joined the army when he was eighteen to keep his family out of debtors prison after his father died with numerous unpaid bills and he had to find a way to support the family. He plans on resigning his captaincy and going home to Edinburgh to alert his family. He's given the same deal Maximilian was by the Duchess, 500 pounds to use wisely, stay respectable, and return in six months time for the Duchess to judge their progress.
And she was so tired of toeing the many, many lines laid down by people who told her that all her desires and interests were wrong or unseemly.
In his first night back to Edinburgh, Andrew goes to an oyster cellar with his bestfriend Felix Duncan and he is instantly intrigued by a woman there and they share a searing kiss before she disappears on him. The woman turns out to be widowed Ilsa Ramsay and a good friend of his sister Agnes. Ilsa grew up with a loving but controlling father and then married a man that kept her even more locked up, she's bursting at the seams to have even a little freedom. Her husband died in a duel over a year ago and she is getting her first taste of freedom but society restrictions and her Aunt Jean who lives with her keep trying to keep their thumb over her. Ilsa never does anything that is completely wild, you have to keep in mind the scope of late 1700s that this story takes place, but I still felt some of her struggle got lost. I did greatly enjoy the talk of oyster cellars and their new infamy, adding some flavor of the times, which, besides some mentions of wigs and woman wearing kerchiefs to cover bosoms, I'm not sure I totally felt a distinction from Regency sub-genre feels. Reading this in the twenty-first century, I also had to smile at Ilsa and Andrew starting their romance, essentially, with a drunken kiss in a bar.
Drew had been gleaning scraps of information about Ilsa, and the picture they formed made his heart ache. A lonely childhood, raised by a strict aunt while her father worked. More tutors and instructors than friends. A husband who wouldn’t allow her to ride, even though she relished it.
The first book worked hard to set the scene for the whole series, this scaled things back and for the vast majority of the story, focused on Ilsa and Andrew. I usually favor angsty hard won love but Ilsa and Andrew had a light and easy fall in love that was warming in its own way. They have beginning heated attraction but they also so clearly become friends through it all. When Andrew has to check on a Carlyle holding, Stormont Castle, he invites his family, a few male friends, and Ilsa to join him. At the castle is where their friendship blossomed and they just made me smile. There's a scene where Andrew is going to pretend to be a ghost to give his sisters the scare they all have been wanting and he invites Ilsa to pretend with him. I feel like I don't read enough stories that have the leads being so light-hearted with each other and then the way the eye contact starts to get heated in a way that they both realize they love the person they are having such fun with, gives the romance such a great different dimension.
There was no one else in the room. It was only the two of them, moving about each other more and more slowly and deliberately, every touch lingering, every glance heated. Then there was no music, just the thud of his heart and the husky invitation of her whispers as she tugged at his clothing, pressing against him as he undid the laces on that scarlet gown and tasted her skin . . .
It was around 60% that these two both have realized their love and it honestly felt like the story could be wrapped up but then the story goes in a bit of a different direction. While these two are falling in love, there is a lingering to the sides story about robberies in Edinburgh that suddenly comes to the forefront with about 30% left. It felt a bit awkward as romances tend to solve the action and then leave the ending for the romance between leads, this swapped those two. It didn't fully work for me, as I was mostly here for the romance and with that kind of run out of steam because of declared love, I lost some steam to keep engaged in the story. Basically, Ilsa's father is accused of the robberies and the town starts to turn on her and she decides she must find her father who skipped town and try to help to prove his innocence. Andrew does go with her but I still felt like this plot thread was placed out of order.
Holding her close, he pressed his cheek to hers and whispered, “Let the world go hang. I love you, Ilsa.”
There was some skipping of time that had interactions I would have liked to see between Ilsa and Andrew and Ilsa's pet pony Robert ended up feeling more hokey than cute eccentric. However, I still enjoyed the little things that make Linden's stories stick-out, the overreaching series arc, the brief but deep mention of Andrew's family not wanting to be English (his mother's cousin died at Culloden and her father barely survived the English brutality after), and the general light, developed friendship between Ilsa and Andrew. There was obviously something between Andrew's sister Agnes and his friend Duncan and that tease has me wanting to read their novella. We also have yet to meet the frenchman who is the third possible Duke of Carlyle heir and I can't wait to read his story as he looks to be paired with the Duchess of Carlyle's ward.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Great God above, he was heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle.
Second in the Desperately Seeking Duke series, this follows Captain Andrew St. James, who we briefly saw in the first (About a Rogue). To get the full overreaching arc of the series, you want to read this series in order. The author does a small recap by showing us the scene where Andrew and Maximilian (hero from first) are called to Carlyle Castle by the Duchess and told that her son, the current duke, is in ill health and that they are two of a possible three heirs. The scene is this time shown from Andrew's point-of-view and he is our captain out of the “An army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman,” heirs and currently, the most promising one to inherit. He's shocked but also carefully joyful as to what this could mean for his mother and three sisters. He joined the army when he was eighteen to keep his family out of debtors prison after his father died with numerous unpaid bills and he had to find a way to support the family. He plans on resigning his captaincy and going home to Edinburgh to alert his family. He's given the same deal Maximilian was by the Duchess, 500 pounds to use wisely, stay respectable, and return in six months time for the Duchess to judge their progress.
And she was so tired of toeing the many, many lines laid down by people who told her that all her desires and interests were wrong or unseemly.
In his first night back to Edinburgh, Andrew goes to an oyster cellar with his bestfriend Felix Duncan and he is instantly intrigued by a woman there and they share a searing kiss before she disappears on him. The woman turns out to be widowed Ilsa Ramsay and a good friend of his sister Agnes. Ilsa grew up with a loving but controlling father and then married a man that kept her even more locked up, she's bursting at the seams to have even a little freedom. Her husband died in a duel over a year ago and she is getting her first taste of freedom but society restrictions and her Aunt Jean who lives with her keep trying to keep their thumb over her. Ilsa never does anything that is completely wild, you have to keep in mind the scope of late 1700s that this story takes place, but I still felt some of her struggle got lost. I did greatly enjoy the talk of oyster cellars and their new infamy, adding some flavor of the times, which, besides some mentions of wigs and woman wearing kerchiefs to cover bosoms, I'm not sure I totally felt a distinction from Regency sub-genre feels. Reading this in the twenty-first century, I also had to smile at Ilsa and Andrew starting their romance, essentially, with a drunken kiss in a bar.
Drew had been gleaning scraps of information about Ilsa, and the picture they formed made his heart ache. A lonely childhood, raised by a strict aunt while her father worked. More tutors and instructors than friends. A husband who wouldn’t allow her to ride, even though she relished it.
The first book worked hard to set the scene for the whole series, this scaled things back and for the vast majority of the story, focused on Ilsa and Andrew. I usually favor angsty hard won love but Ilsa and Andrew had a light and easy fall in love that was warming in its own way. They have beginning heated attraction but they also so clearly become friends through it all. When Andrew has to check on a Carlyle holding, Stormont Castle, he invites his family, a few male friends, and Ilsa to join him. At the castle is where their friendship blossomed and they just made me smile. There's a scene where Andrew is going to pretend to be a ghost to give his sisters the scare they all have been wanting and he invites Ilsa to pretend with him. I feel like I don't read enough stories that have the leads being so light-hearted with each other and then the way the eye contact starts to get heated in a way that they both realize they love the person they are having such fun with, gives the romance such a great different dimension.
There was no one else in the room. It was only the two of them, moving about each other more and more slowly and deliberately, every touch lingering, every glance heated. Then there was no music, just the thud of his heart and the husky invitation of her whispers as she tugged at his clothing, pressing against him as he undid the laces on that scarlet gown and tasted her skin . . .
It was around 60% that these two both have realized their love and it honestly felt like the story could be wrapped up but then the story goes in a bit of a different direction. While these two are falling in love, there is a lingering to the sides story about robberies in Edinburgh that suddenly comes to the forefront with about 30% left. It felt a bit awkward as romances tend to solve the action and then leave the ending for the romance between leads, this swapped those two. It didn't fully work for me, as I was mostly here for the romance and with that kind of run out of steam because of declared love, I lost some steam to keep engaged in the story. Basically, Ilsa's father is accused of the robberies and the town starts to turn on her and she decides she must find her father who skipped town and try to help to prove his innocence. Andrew does go with her but I still felt like this plot thread was placed out of order.
Holding her close, he pressed his cheek to hers and whispered, “Let the world go hang. I love you, Ilsa.”
There was some skipping of time that had interactions I would have liked to see between Ilsa and Andrew and Ilsa's pet pony Robert ended up feeling more hokey than cute eccentric. However, I still enjoyed the little things that make Linden's stories stick-out, the overreaching series arc, the brief but deep mention of Andrew's family not wanting to be English (his mother's cousin died at Culloden and her father barely survived the English brutality after), and the general light, developed friendship between Ilsa and Andrew. There was obviously something between Andrew's sister Agnes and his friend Duncan and that tease has me wanting to read their novella. We also have yet to meet the frenchman who is the third possible Duke of Carlyle heir and I can't wait to read his story as he looks to be paired with the Duchess of Carlyle's ward.
September 21, 2022
Captain Andrew St. James is shocked to discover he is the heir presumptive to his distant cousin, the Duke of Carlyle. He heads home to Scotland to tell his family of his inheritance. After an unhappy marriage, Ilsa Ramsay yearns for freedom and fun. When she kisses a handsome stranger at a tavern, neither expects a magnetic chemistry to overtake them.
This is the second book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series. The book opens with a brief synopsis of the title succession, but then advances as a mostly stand alone story.
I enjoyed the first book, but this one was even better. It was a glorious story of two individuals who didn't intend to fall for one another. It perfectly captures that feeling of new love, when everything is exciting and one just can't wait to catch a glimpse of the other. I was definitely feeling the butterflies!
Drew is a great cinnamon roll hero, strong and protective but loving instead of overbearing. I loved Ilsa, too! She was sheltered by her father and then isolated by her husband. She was made to feel inferior when she expressed herself, but that didn't stop her. They make a fantastic pair!
Now I can't wait for the novella, How the Scot Was Won, so I can find out what happened between Agnes and Malcolm!
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Widow, Forced Proximity
Steam Rating: 3 (four scenes, but two were short)
* I received an ARC (or four) and this is my honest review. #AScotToTheHeart #NetGalley
This is the second book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series. The book opens with a brief synopsis of the title succession, but then advances as a mostly stand alone story.
I enjoyed the first book, but this one was even better. It was a glorious story of two individuals who didn't intend to fall for one another. It perfectly captures that feeling of new love, when everything is exciting and one just can't wait to catch a glimpse of the other. I was definitely feeling the butterflies!
Drew is a great cinnamon roll hero, strong and protective but loving instead of overbearing. I loved Ilsa, too! She was sheltered by her father and then isolated by her husband. She was made to feel inferior when she expressed herself, but that didn't stop her. They make a fantastic pair!
Now I can't wait for the novella, How the Scot Was Won, so I can find out what happened between Agnes and Malcolm!
Tropes: Rags to Riches, Widow, Forced Proximity
Steam Rating: 3 (four scenes, but two were short)
* I received an ARC (or four) and this is my honest review. #AScotToTheHeart #NetGalley
June 24, 2021
This was a really lovely read, but it’s not going to go down as one of my favorites by Linden. The characters were interesting and well drawn, and the story was intriguing — all things I expect from a Linden book. It just didn’t affect me to the same level some of her others have.
Though there is a connecting thread in this series involving a duke’s line of succession, this one can be read as a standalone. There is one scene that is shared between this and the previous book, and it was fun to see it from the hero Drew’s POV. Drew is a Captain in the army - a position he loathes - so it is a welcome surprise to learn he is heir to a wealthy dukedom and will be granted an allowance, pending certain stipulations are met. With three marriage-aged sisters and a mother, he is finally able to provide in a way he only dreamed of before. He also must marry to gain the allowance. Between the three sisters, his mother and three friends; there are a lot of characters in this, not to mention the heroine, who has an aunt and father, as well as some other more minor characters. It made the book feel like a first in series, and I could see / hope there is a spin-off series featuring some of the friends and sisters. There is already a novella coming out shortly after this book, featuring a friend and sister that I am looking forward to very much.
The heroine, Ilsa, is a widower, who lived a very closeted childhood, followed by a closeted marriage. Now out of mourning, she is not wasting time any time to live life to the fullest. I thought she was the much more interesting character between her and the hero. I felt for her and was angry with the ways her family stymied and denied her wishes. I loved her ambition to embrace life. I thought the way the hero validated her right to make decisions was well done and that won a lot of points for me.
I liked the Edinburg setting. It is one that is sometimes featured as a stop but rarely the main locale in my experience, so that was nice change of pace.
Overall, I thought this a good story with a sweet romance. I liked the characters and setting and thought the plot interesting. I found the resolution of the intrigue to be not entirely satisfying, but the motives that led to it understandable.
Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
Though there is a connecting thread in this series involving a duke’s line of succession, this one can be read as a standalone. There is one scene that is shared between this and the previous book, and it was fun to see it from the hero Drew’s POV. Drew is a Captain in the army - a position he loathes - so it is a welcome surprise to learn he is heir to a wealthy dukedom and will be granted an allowance, pending certain stipulations are met. With three marriage-aged sisters and a mother, he is finally able to provide in a way he only dreamed of before. He also must marry to gain the allowance. Between the three sisters, his mother and three friends; there are a lot of characters in this, not to mention the heroine, who has an aunt and father, as well as some other more minor characters. It made the book feel like a first in series, and I could see / hope there is a spin-off series featuring some of the friends and sisters. There is already a novella coming out shortly after this book, featuring a friend and sister that I am looking forward to very much.
The heroine, Ilsa, is a widower, who lived a very closeted childhood, followed by a closeted marriage. Now out of mourning, she is not wasting time any time to live life to the fullest. I thought she was the much more interesting character between her and the hero. I felt for her and was angry with the ways her family stymied and denied her wishes. I loved her ambition to embrace life. I thought the way the hero validated her right to make decisions was well done and that won a lot of points for me.
I liked the Edinburg setting. It is one that is sometimes featured as a stop but rarely the main locale in my experience, so that was nice change of pace.
Overall, I thought this a good story with a sweet romance. I liked the characters and setting and thought the plot interesting. I found the resolution of the intrigue to be not entirely satisfying, but the motives that led to it understandable.
Thank you to the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
August 7, 2021
(2.5 stars) I preordered this, for some reason, so when it showed up on my Kindle, I read it. It's okay. The second in this Desperately Seeking Duke series, it didn't quite improve upon the first one. The whole series revolves around a "who will eventually inherit the dukedom of the invalid Duke of Carlyle, who has no immediate heirs?"
The hero of book one, Maximilian St. James, is second in line after the hero of this book, Andrew St. James. We had Max's okay story first, followed now by his cousin Andrew's okay-ish story. Scottish Andrew was a captain in the English army when he learned about his possible inheritance. So now he is to learn how to behave in the respectable ways becoming a duke of the realm. And, of course, to marry a respectable woman worthy of becoming a duchess someday.
Oh, of course, we know it's that "respectable" thing which is going to be our hero's downfall. Because his love interest here is Ilsa Ramsay, Scottish, a widow, and, apparently, after a repressive life first as daughter and then as wife, now wants to cut loose a wee bit.
We are told how amazing and exciting she is. Yeah, maybe. She does like to dance, wander the streets with a pet pony, and paint her ceilings and walls with outdoor scenes, not to mention--horror!--she doesn't want drapes in the room. That's as adventurous and exciting as she came across to me.
Anyway, Andrew is a very nice guy, great to his mother and sisters. He falls quickly for Ilsa, she falls for him. Good enough, but then there's the inevitable "I'm not what you need in a wife" followed by a contrived situation that makes sure we all think she may not be what he needs.
But Andrew is true and loyal and unwavering in his devotion and I got so bored out of my gourd reading this and now am bored again as I'm writing about it. So let's just say blah, blah, blah...
All's well that ends well. And the writing is okay. I don't think there was even a grating lie/lay confusion that jumped out at me. Guess I'll go with 2.5 stars rounded to 3. Linden didn't make me preorder this or read it.
The hero of book one, Maximilian St. James, is second in line after the hero of this book, Andrew St. James. We had Max's okay story first, followed now by his cousin Andrew's okay-ish story. Scottish Andrew was a captain in the English army when he learned about his possible inheritance. So now he is to learn how to behave in the respectable ways becoming a duke of the realm. And, of course, to marry a respectable woman worthy of becoming a duchess someday.
Oh, of course, we know it's that "respectable" thing which is going to be our hero's downfall. Because his love interest here is Ilsa Ramsay, Scottish, a widow, and, apparently, after a repressive life first as daughter and then as wife, now wants to cut loose a wee bit.
We are told how amazing and exciting she is. Yeah, maybe. She does like to dance, wander the streets with a pet pony, and paint her ceilings and walls with outdoor scenes, not to mention--horror!--she doesn't want drapes in the room. That's as adventurous and exciting as she came across to me.
Anyway, Andrew is a very nice guy, great to his mother and sisters. He falls quickly for Ilsa, she falls for him. Good enough, but then there's the inevitable "I'm not what you need in a wife" followed by a contrived situation that makes sure we all think she may not be what he needs.
But Andrew is true and loyal and unwavering in his devotion and I got so bored out of my gourd reading this and now am bored again as I'm writing about it. So let's just say blah, blah, blah...
All's well that ends well. And the writing is okay. I don't think there was even a grating lie/lay confusion that jumped out at me. Guess I'll go with 2.5 stars rounded to 3. Linden didn't make me preorder this or read it.
July 6, 2021
Captain Andrew St. James gets summoned by the Duchess of Carlyle and told he's the heir assumptive to the title. So he toddles on home to Edinburgh to let his fam know, quit the army, do man stuff. The night he arrives he goes out to eat and ends up enchanted by the lady (Ilsa Ramsey) at the next table—they dance, they smooch, fireworks, pants-explosions, etc. Once they Officially Meet One Another, it's frenetic flirting time! Complete with banter, kisses, sex, groping, etc.—all the standard physical exploits but also it's love.
1. This was fine! I finished it which is an accomplishment that speaks for itself in these trying times. My attention has been not long.
2. That said, this wasn't great. There's a lot of great relationship development between Drew and Ilsa—probably the strongest part of the book imho—but everything else is kind of silly? There's the whole "going to be a duke" plot which stitches this to the series while also giving Drew new avenues to explore; there's the thieving thieves who thieve plot which completely derails the last 25% of this book; there's the Agnes & Felix nonsense that is half-lit in order to justify a novella; there's the thread of Ilsa attempting to Live her Life as she wants to vs. how her family thinks she ought; etc. Other than the thieving plot, none of the others are terrible, but they aren't well-mixed and instead leave things feeling lumpy and bumpy and half-assed.
Like the Duke-plot: that's a significant change would would have very real impacts on a proposed relationship. And while the stakes are acknowledged and laid out, we're never given a satisfactory resolution because there's too much going on. It gets waved off, so focus can instead be given to something else. And that gets dropped in favor of something else, and on and on until we hit the end of the book and have to deal with that fucking ridiculous closing chapter where Edwards makes mountains out of molehills in the most circuitous, torturous manner possible.
3. Ilsa's family was the wooooooorst. I don't even mean the spoiler-y bits, but just the general sensation of keeping her in her place. Just YIKES.
3.5 And, obviously, let's talk about the spoilers:
4. Honestly tho: that ending knocked off 2-3 stars for me. The more I think about it, the more angry I get.
5. That said, I DID like the banter and the flirting and the initial relationship: it was clear Ilsa and Drew liked one another and had fun together and also were hot for one another. (I actually got a little annoyed when they did get their boners on for one another because some of the spark was gone in place of orgasm-related metaphors and boning. Which, if I'm complaining about boning, says something. :\
6. MYSTERIOUS STEWARD WHO ARE YOU.
7. STILL HOLDING OUT FOR THE COMPANION / ACTUAL HEIR COME AT ME LINDEN I DARE U.
1. This was fine! I finished it which is an accomplishment that speaks for itself in these trying times. My attention has been not long.
2. That said, this wasn't great. There's a lot of great relationship development between Drew and Ilsa—probably the strongest part of the book imho—but everything else is kind of silly? There's the whole "going to be a duke" plot which stitches this to the series while also giving Drew new avenues to explore; there's the thieving thieves who thieve plot which completely derails the last 25% of this book; there's the Agnes & Felix nonsense that is half-lit in order to justify a novella; there's the thread of Ilsa attempting to Live her Life as she wants to vs. how her family thinks she ought; etc. Other than the thieving plot, none of the others are terrible, but they aren't well-mixed and instead leave things feeling lumpy and bumpy and half-assed.
Like the Duke-plot: that's a significant change would would have very real impacts on a proposed relationship. And while the stakes are acknowledged and laid out, we're never given a satisfactory resolution because there's too much going on. It gets waved off, so focus can instead be given to something else. And that gets dropped in favor of something else, and on and on until we hit the end of the book and have to deal with that fucking ridiculous closing chapter where Edwards makes mountains out of molehills in the most circuitous, torturous manner possible.
3. Ilsa's family was the wooooooorst. I don't even mean the spoiler-y bits, but just the general sensation of keeping her in her place. Just YIKES.
3.5 And, obviously, let's talk about the spoilers:
4. Honestly tho: that ending knocked off 2-3 stars for me. The more I think about it, the more angry I get.
5. That said, I DID like the banter and the flirting and the initial relationship: it was clear Ilsa and Drew liked one another and had fun together and also were hot for one another. (I actually got a little annoyed when they did get their boners on for one another because some of the spark was gone in place of orgasm-related metaphors and boning. Which, if I'm complaining about boning, says something. :\
6. MYSTERIOUS STEWARD WHO ARE YOU.
7. STILL HOLDING OUT FOR THE COMPANION / ACTUAL HEIR COME AT ME LINDEN I DARE U.
September 12, 2021
4 Stars
I had no idea that Drew would get his own story after meeting him in the previous book. We had only gotten Maximilian’s thoughts about Drew in that book and it wasn’t necessarily glowing. It’s nice to get a true account of what was happening with Drew while Maximillian was getting his happy ever after. Especially since we learned some of Drew's outcomes in book one.
Although this might not be the biggest standout for me amidst the flurry of historicals I’ve devoured this year, there were a few aspects to the story that replayed in my mind as I read. They felt singular to this book compared to so many others.
Ilsa is a young, wealthy widow who is now living life with freedoms and opportunities she didn’t have while being raised by a single father and then in an arranged marriage. She’s now living her life on her own terms until waylayed by rumors and the love of a potential Duke.
Drew is a captain in the military and now heir to a dukedom. While he learns the responsibilities of his future inheritance and seeks a suitable wife, he meets Ilsa. Maybe not the best match for his title, but definitely the perfect match for this lovely man’s heart.
I really enjoyed the circumstances of how Drew and Ilsa meet and also the time they spend getting to know each other. Ilsa is a fabulous heroine, but her post-widowhood life is often misunderstood by society when it veers from their female construct. She remains sweet and thoughtful while refusing to be led by the strictures of family, society, and gender. Her money, her decision. Her life, her choice.
I'm not sure that I've read a more perfectly matched couple than Drew & Ilsa. I felt contentment with each of their steps from friendship to desire to love. They were both simply wonderful human beings and it was a delight to follow.
The secondary characters were also enjoyable. I really liked how Drew’s mother was portrayed. Her communication with Drew was perfect. She wasn’t judgmental about Ilsa, only concerned for her oldest child amongst the Ilsa rumors.
Although I've only read a few, this is my favorite book by the author so far. Great characters and a truly heartwarming romance with a little mystery and adventure for good measure.
September 27, 2021
This would have been a solid four stars from me if not for the unnecessary scandal and drama in the last 25% of the book. It wasn't really needed, it didn't fit in with the rest of the book's pacing and it really made me dislike . Not every romance novels needs a crazy escapade at the end! Please pay attention romance writers of the world.
That said, Andrew and Ilsa were a delight together and I really enjoyed getting to know Drew's three sisters and his mother. The interactions Ilsa, who had always longed for a loving family, had with the for of them was very sweet. It was also nice to step back and visit the Duchess of Carlyle and her estate once again. I am very much looking forward to book #3. Fingers crossed for that mysterious steward!
That said, Andrew and Ilsa were a delight together and I really enjoyed getting to know Drew's three sisters and his mother. The interactions Ilsa, who had always longed for a loving family, had with the for of them was very sweet. It was also nice to step back and visit the Duchess of Carlyle and her estate once again. I am very much looking forward to book #3. Fingers crossed for that mysterious steward!
September 10, 2021
This one was definitely a let down from the amazing book 1! I didn't feel the chemistry between these two characters. Friends to lovers. Different class trope.
June 12, 2021
A Scot to the Heart is the second book in Linden's Desperately Seeking Duke trilogy- in which the Duchess of Carlyle is looking for the heir of Carlyle dukedom since the current duke has no nearest living heir. We already met the first potential candidate, Maximilian St. James, in About a Rogue; this is about Scottish Captain Andrew St. James, the great-grandson of the third duke, which at the moment the most possible candidate for the dukedom.
As with Maximilian, the Duchess also gives task to Andrew with six months to establish himself as refined gentleman, to become a duke. Andrew is to return to Edinburgh, to learn to manage dukedom by first taking care of Stormont Palace, the duke's Scottish property, and if possible find himself a good wife. And on his first night back at Edinburgh, Ilsa Ramsay catches Andrew's eyes...
Drew and Ilsa are both likable characters. I adore Andrew's relationship with his family: his single mother and three younger sisters. I love Andrew's friendship with Felix Duncan. I love Ilsa's determination to be independent; after all the years she could only do what her father and aunt wanted. When she got married, Ilsa's husband wanted Ilsa to stay at home, to be a good wife. After her husband died, Ilsa didn't want to waste the opportunity to be herself!
The attraction between Drew and Ilsa is palpable... I love their interaction and dynamic. I love their conversation. I love the way they are flirting with each other. It's so easy to read about two people when they're genuinely fit. Sure, with a possibility of Drew becoming an English duke, an English wife is expected, but it doesn't mean that Drew cannot take a Scottish wife! So you see, things are good.
That's why, for me, the problem with this book is that the conflict between Drew and Ilsa seems artificial. It feels like Linden is confused as to how to make the conflict exists, because the problem Ilsa is facing doesn't appear until about 2/3 of the book. The problem also doesn't make Drew back down from his intention to take their relationship seriously. Simply put, I'm not amused with this conflict 😞.
Other than that, A Scot to the Heart is an enjoyable read. I look forward to the companion novella that will feature Agnes St. James (Drew's younger sister) and Felix Duncan (Drew's best friend) in July. Then of course, the final book of this series coming next year.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
As with Maximilian, the Duchess also gives task to Andrew with six months to establish himself as refined gentleman, to become a duke. Andrew is to return to Edinburgh, to learn to manage dukedom by first taking care of Stormont Palace, the duke's Scottish property, and if possible find himself a good wife. And on his first night back at Edinburgh, Ilsa Ramsay catches Andrew's eyes...
Drew and Ilsa are both likable characters. I adore Andrew's relationship with his family: his single mother and three younger sisters. I love Andrew's friendship with Felix Duncan. I love Ilsa's determination to be independent; after all the years she could only do what her father and aunt wanted. When she got married, Ilsa's husband wanted Ilsa to stay at home, to be a good wife. After her husband died, Ilsa didn't want to waste the opportunity to be herself!
The attraction between Drew and Ilsa is palpable... I love their interaction and dynamic. I love their conversation. I love the way they are flirting with each other. It's so easy to read about two people when they're genuinely fit. Sure, with a possibility of Drew becoming an English duke, an English wife is expected, but it doesn't mean that Drew cannot take a Scottish wife! So you see, things are good.
That's why, for me, the problem with this book is that the conflict between Drew and Ilsa seems artificial. It feels like Linden is confused as to how to make the conflict exists, because the problem Ilsa is facing doesn't appear until about 2/3 of the book. The problem also doesn't make Drew back down from his intention to take their relationship seriously. Simply put, I'm not amused with this conflict 😞.
Other than that, A Scot to the Heart is an enjoyable read. I look forward to the companion novella that will feature Agnes St. James (Drew's younger sister) and Felix Duncan (Drew's best friend) in July. Then of course, the final book of this series coming next year.
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
June 27, 2021
This series is three books and two novellas and I find it just delightful. I found gentle humor and a touch of mystery in this series and I can't wait for the third book to finally find out who gets to be the new Duke of Carlyle. I did find that I wasn't a fan of how the narrative was written. I found myself somewhat disconnected from both the plot and the romance. I liked all the characters, especially the St. James sisters, but found it difficult to fall in love with the hero and heroine. I didn't feel like I got down to the core of their characters. The author told me plenty about them, but I don't feel like I actually got to see who they were.
The elderly Duchess of Carlyle has a problem. Her son, the current Duke, cannot have children and is in ill health. An heir will come from some other branch of the family tree and there are three prospects. Captain Andrew St. James appears to be the closest relative and he, and another distant relative, have been summoned. To say this is a shock to him is an understatement. He has much to learn and big adjustments to make. Upon arrival at his home in Edinburgh with his news his family are stunned and delighted at the prospects this opens up for them. The have been living off the income from a small fabric shop and what ever Drew could send them from his Army pay.
Ilsa Ramsay is a young widow and the best friend of Drew's sister, Agnes. She is also a free spirited woman who is just now finding her way in the world on her own. A chance meeting with Drew leaves her wanting to know more of the young Army Captain. When she finds out about his prospects, she decides that life can never be for her. But, fate has thrown them together and neither one can deny the power of that stolen kiss.
When Ilsa's family is caught up in a terrible scandal, Ilsa sets out to right the wrong all on her own, as she has always had to do. But Drew is not willing to let her face this trial alone, even if it means he may displease to Duchess.
The elderly Duchess of Carlyle has a problem. Her son, the current Duke, cannot have children and is in ill health. An heir will come from some other branch of the family tree and there are three prospects. Captain Andrew St. James appears to be the closest relative and he, and another distant relative, have been summoned. To say this is a shock to him is an understatement. He has much to learn and big adjustments to make. Upon arrival at his home in Edinburgh with his news his family are stunned and delighted at the prospects this opens up for them. The have been living off the income from a small fabric shop and what ever Drew could send them from his Army pay.
Ilsa Ramsay is a young widow and the best friend of Drew's sister, Agnes. She is also a free spirited woman who is just now finding her way in the world on her own. A chance meeting with Drew leaves her wanting to know more of the young Army Captain. When she finds out about his prospects, she decides that life can never be for her. But, fate has thrown them together and neither one can deny the power of that stolen kiss.
When Ilsa's family is caught up in a terrible scandal, Ilsa sets out to right the wrong all on her own, as she has always had to do. But Drew is not willing to let her face this trial alone, even if it means he may displease to Duchess.
June 29, 2021
A Scot to the Heart by Caroline Linden is a lovely historical romance about putting love first.
It is book #2 in the Desperately Seeking Duke series but can be read as a standalone.
Andrew St. James unexpectedly became heir to a dukedom. As a captain in the army, he was used to a hard life of duty and was always hard-pressed to make ends meet with his mother and sisters' help.
Becoming heir made all those troubles disappear, but, at the same time, brought expectations of behavior, social standing, and even a move from Scotland to England.
Drew was ready to do it all until the lovely Ilsa crossed his path.
Tired of a constrained life and finally free of a lackluster marriage, Ilsa wanted to live and enjoy herself.
Obviously, there were stones in the couples' path, which became even more complicated to overcome when the constable got involved.
Drew was such a lovely hero. He was every woman's dream: sweet, caring, and not afraid of embracing his feelings. Ilsa was his perfect match. I loved her zest for life.
A Scot to the Heart is a story full of romance, family love, and a bit of adventure. Another great read by Caroline Linden.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
It is book #2 in the Desperately Seeking Duke series but can be read as a standalone.
Andrew St. James unexpectedly became heir to a dukedom. As a captain in the army, he was used to a hard life of duty and was always hard-pressed to make ends meet with his mother and sisters' help.
Becoming heir made all those troubles disappear, but, at the same time, brought expectations of behavior, social standing, and even a move from Scotland to England.
Drew was ready to do it all until the lovely Ilsa crossed his path.
Tired of a constrained life and finally free of a lackluster marriage, Ilsa wanted to live and enjoy herself.
Obviously, there were stones in the couples' path, which became even more complicated to overcome when the constable got involved.
Drew was such a lovely hero. He was every woman's dream: sweet, caring, and not afraid of embracing his feelings. Ilsa was his perfect match. I loved her zest for life.
A Scot to the Heart is a story full of romance, family love, and a bit of adventure. Another great read by Caroline Linden.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
April 4, 2021
I am not 100% decided on this book. Did I love it? Did I like it?
I feel like the premise was good. There was a lot of unanswered questions around main characters and supporting characters. No real ending for our two main characters, Isla and Drew are sort of left in limbo. Some of the things in the book were way OTT and others were believable yet not fully fleshed out.
All together the story left me feeling lost and not quite sure if I even care about the next story. However, the romance that was included was heartwarming and earned the 3-stars.
Not a lot of heat in the story either and a very slow building love, the characters didn’t admit their love until 88% of the book was completed.
Add in a mystery, a villain, and some royal titles - and you have the story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I feel like the premise was good. There was a lot of unanswered questions around main characters and supporting characters. No real ending for our two main characters, Isla and Drew are sort of left in limbo. Some of the things in the book were way OTT and others were believable yet not fully fleshed out.
All together the story left me feeling lost and not quite sure if I even care about the next story. However, the romance that was included was heartwarming and earned the 3-stars.
Not a lot of heat in the story either and a very slow building love, the characters didn’t admit their love until 88% of the book was completed.
Add in a mystery, a villain, and some royal titles - and you have the story.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 1, 2021
So this was kind of a disappointment overall. I really liked both MCs a lot- that's what makes it even more difficult to rate 3 stars, but the plotting of this was just so forced. There really wasn't any serious obstacle stopping Drew and Ilsa from getting together early on in the book...until at about 60%, when there was suddenly a huge, dramatic obstacle that honestly was wrapped up more simply than I figure it could have been. It was like all of the conflict was saved until the last 30-40% of the book, and by then I just wanted them to be together already. I felt like these two deserved a better story. Or maybe if the thievery drama had been more evenly distributed throughout than it was. I also thought that Robert the pony was just...silly. That also seemed a bit forced, and I thought it was such a weird choice to not say what he was for several chapters. I have really enjoyed CL in the past, so hopefully this one being meh is just a one-off.
June 15, 2021
Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #2
Publication Date: 6/29/21
Period: Georgian (I think) – Edinburgh, Scotland
Number of Pages: 384
Series Overview – The Carlyle duchy is in peril and the current duchess is doing everything in her power to track down the possible heirs and begin their training in how to manage the rich and powerful duchy. The duchess has lost all of her children and the current duke was injured many years ago leaving him mentally and physically incapacitated. He is unmarried and has no children. The duchess has had their solicitor, Mr. Edwards, diligently searching the family tree and tracking down the possible heirs. They have identified three possible, and the duchess isn’t thrilled with any of them. One, Maximilian St. James, is a card sharp and someone the duchess certainly hopes will not be the one to inherit. Max was featured in the first book of the series – About a Rogue. The next is a Scot and a soldier, Captain Andrew (Drew) St. James (this book), and the third one – heaven forbid – is a Frenchman – who I assume will be featured in the third book, All the Duke I Need, releasing at the beginning of 2022.
Captain Andrew St. James knew he was very distantly related to a ducal family, but he never gave it any thought because the two branches of the family were estranged and they hadn’t communicated in a couple of generations. As he returned from a particularly nasty job of doing road repairs in the rain, he was shocked to be immediately summoned to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s home where he was given the shock of his life. Evidently, he is the heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle. UGH – definitely not on his list of things he wants to happen – but – it does offer the opportunity for him to provide a happier, more comfortable life for his mother and sisters. Yet, when he arrives at the ducal estate, it is to find there is another potential heir and that he has to make himself ‘respectable’. Drew is the closer heir, but if something happens to him, his cousin Maximilian would inherit. Drew is given a sum of cash and instructions to get his life in order so he can live on the Carlyle estate and learn to manage it. Drew sets off for Edinburgh to convince his mother and sisters they want to move to England, and then he has to resign his commission in the army. In other words – he has to uproot and turn his and his family’s lives upside down.
Ilsa Ramsay has been sheltered and treated like a child her entire life. Propriety and decorum have been drummed into her until she is absolutely chaffing from it. First her father and her aunt kept her from doing anything she enjoyed. Then, being the dutiful daughter, she married the man her father told her to marry. That man also controlled her every move and he was even worse than her father and aunt. Now, she is a widow with a fortune and has every intention of enjoying her life. Not that it is easy because her aunt now lives with her and is still constantly on her about propriety. She just needs some freedom to do a few things she enjoys – things other young women get to do. She just has to rebel on occasion. On once such occasion, she dances with – and spontaneously kisses – the most handsome and intriguing man. Too bad she’ll never see him again.
Drew is instantly drawn to the beauty who had so much gaiety and life in her – and who spontaneously kissed him. Who is she? How can he find her again? What luck – it turns out she is a great friend to his sisters. The electricity between Drew and Ilsa just sizzles and no matter how hard Ilsa tries to fight it, she just can’t win. She knows there can be nothing between them – he is a ducal heir for goodness sake. However, when major trouble arrives and Ilsa’s safety and security are threatened, Drew will move heaven and earth to help her.
I absolutely LOVED Drew and Ilsa. He is the most honorable and upright man you’d want to meet. He loves his mother and sisters and treats them with humor, love, and respect. I also loved Ilsa who just wanted love and companionship, but never got anything except censure. I still don’t love the duchess though. She’s had Drew turn his entire world upside down with the expectation that he is the closest heir to the duke and is expected to inherit – when she knows there is one relative who is actually closer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written, fast-paced story filled with delightful, entertaining, and relatable characters. I’ll be excited to meet the final potential heir in the third book of the series. I actually have a feeling he was introduced at the end of this book, but nothing in the book actually said that. A new steward, Mr. Montclair, was hired as estate manager. Could he be our French heir?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 6/29/21
Period: Georgian (I think) – Edinburgh, Scotland
Number of Pages: 384
Series Overview – The Carlyle duchy is in peril and the current duchess is doing everything in her power to track down the possible heirs and begin their training in how to manage the rich and powerful duchy. The duchess has lost all of her children and the current duke was injured many years ago leaving him mentally and physically incapacitated. He is unmarried and has no children. The duchess has had their solicitor, Mr. Edwards, diligently searching the family tree and tracking down the possible heirs. They have identified three possible, and the duchess isn’t thrilled with any of them. One, Maximilian St. James, is a card sharp and someone the duchess certainly hopes will not be the one to inherit. Max was featured in the first book of the series – About a Rogue. The next is a Scot and a soldier, Captain Andrew (Drew) St. James (this book), and the third one – heaven forbid – is a Frenchman – who I assume will be featured in the third book, All the Duke I Need, releasing at the beginning of 2022.
Captain Andrew St. James knew he was very distantly related to a ducal family, but he never gave it any thought because the two branches of the family were estranged and they hadn’t communicated in a couple of generations. As he returned from a particularly nasty job of doing road repairs in the rain, he was shocked to be immediately summoned to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s home where he was given the shock of his life. Evidently, he is the heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle. UGH – definitely not on his list of things he wants to happen – but – it does offer the opportunity for him to provide a happier, more comfortable life for his mother and sisters. Yet, when he arrives at the ducal estate, it is to find there is another potential heir and that he has to make himself ‘respectable’. Drew is the closer heir, but if something happens to him, his cousin Maximilian would inherit. Drew is given a sum of cash and instructions to get his life in order so he can live on the Carlyle estate and learn to manage it. Drew sets off for Edinburgh to convince his mother and sisters they want to move to England, and then he has to resign his commission in the army. In other words – he has to uproot and turn his and his family’s lives upside down.
Ilsa Ramsay has been sheltered and treated like a child her entire life. Propriety and decorum have been drummed into her until she is absolutely chaffing from it. First her father and her aunt kept her from doing anything she enjoyed. Then, being the dutiful daughter, she married the man her father told her to marry. That man also controlled her every move and he was even worse than her father and aunt. Now, she is a widow with a fortune and has every intention of enjoying her life. Not that it is easy because her aunt now lives with her and is still constantly on her about propriety. She just needs some freedom to do a few things she enjoys – things other young women get to do. She just has to rebel on occasion. On once such occasion, she dances with – and spontaneously kisses – the most handsome and intriguing man. Too bad she’ll never see him again.
Drew is instantly drawn to the beauty who had so much gaiety and life in her – and who spontaneously kissed him. Who is she? How can he find her again? What luck – it turns out she is a great friend to his sisters. The electricity between Drew and Ilsa just sizzles and no matter how hard Ilsa tries to fight it, she just can’t win. She knows there can be nothing between them – he is a ducal heir for goodness sake. However, when major trouble arrives and Ilsa’s safety and security are threatened, Drew will move heaven and earth to help her.
I absolutely LOVED Drew and Ilsa. He is the most honorable and upright man you’d want to meet. He loves his mother and sisters and treats them with humor, love, and respect. I also loved Ilsa who just wanted love and companionship, but never got anything except censure. I still don’t love the duchess though. She’s had Drew turn his entire world upside down with the expectation that he is the closest heir to the duke and is expected to inherit – when she knows there is one relative who is actually closer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written, fast-paced story filled with delightful, entertaining, and relatable characters. I’ll be excited to meet the final potential heir in the third book of the series. I actually have a feeling he was introduced at the end of this book, but nothing in the book actually said that. A new steward, Mr. Montclair, was hired as estate manager. Could he be our French heir?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 29, 2021
4.5 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
A Scot to the Heart is a delight to read from beginning to end, thanks to the utterly endearing characters Caroline Linden has created. I was so charmed by Isla and Drew that I hated to put their book down.
Drew is an appealing mix of roguish charm and honorable soldier. He’s been providing for his family ever since the death of his father and being the heir to a dukedom gives him a chance to give his mother and three sisters the lives they deserve. The real Drew is a far cry from the stiff, subservient captain we briefly met in the first Desperately Seeking Duke book and his actions make sense once you get in his head. Drew is fun with a wicked sense of humor that comes out when he’s around his family and friends. He’s honorable to the core and has a good heart.
Isla has lived much of her life lonely and restricted, first from the oppressive rules of her aunt after the death of her mother and then under her husband who essentially imprisoned her. As a widow she has freedom even if her family tries to curtail it. She’s boisterous and fun when there’s no one judging her and I loved seeing her joy when she was free and uninhibited. She and Drew are instantly attracted to one another and had such good chemistry I was delighted to be along for the ride. Their romance is a lot of fun and Linden blends humor, heart, and heat extremely well. As this book shows, Isla and Drew are a couple who will be able to stand together and take on whatever life throws at them and that makes their romance incredibly satisfying.
A Scot to the Heart is the second book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series but you do not have to have read About a Rogue in order to follow along (although it is just as charming). I loved Drew’s family and friends and hope to see them all get stories of their own. I cannot wait to see what’s to come in the next Desperately Seeking Duke book for the meager hints that have been dropped have me intrigued.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Scot to the Heart is a delight to read from beginning to end, thanks to the utterly endearing characters Caroline Linden has created. I was so charmed by Isla and Drew that I hated to put their book down.
Drew is an appealing mix of roguish charm and honorable soldier. He’s been providing for his family ever since the death of his father and being the heir to a dukedom gives him a chance to give his mother and three sisters the lives they deserve. The real Drew is a far cry from the stiff, subservient captain we briefly met in the first Desperately Seeking Duke book and his actions make sense once you get in his head. Drew is fun with a wicked sense of humor that comes out when he’s around his family and friends. He’s honorable to the core and has a good heart.
Isla has lived much of her life lonely and restricted, first from the oppressive rules of her aunt after the death of her mother and then under her husband who essentially imprisoned her. As a widow she has freedom even if her family tries to curtail it. She’s boisterous and fun when there’s no one judging her and I loved seeing her joy when she was free and uninhibited. She and Drew are instantly attracted to one another and had such good chemistry I was delighted to be along for the ride. Their romance is a lot of fun and Linden blends humor, heart, and heat extremely well. As this book shows, Isla and Drew are a couple who will be able to stand together and take on whatever life throws at them and that makes their romance incredibly satisfying.
A Scot to the Heart is the second book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series but you do not have to have read About a Rogue in order to follow along (although it is just as charming). I loved Drew’s family and friends and hope to see them all get stories of their own. I cannot wait to see what’s to come in the next Desperately Seeking Duke book for the meager hints that have been dropped have me intrigued.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
May 10, 2022
What do I think?
This is the second book in the Duke-finding series. I have to say this is my second Linden-novel and her writing is really good. Not that many repetitions, nice flow, good emotions.
Andrew St James is a captain in the army and suddenly becomes an heir to a dukedom. also he is scottish! I thought I wouldn't like him but he was adorable! One of my favourite heroes. He was driven by a need to take care of his wonderful family and therefore he wanted to make the duchess of carlyle happy. Althogh, he fell in love!
What I liked:
Both H & h was nice people, and I like nice
The h was funny and caring and really brave
I did adore the side-characters, the family shop, Drews friends
They had a houseparty! Love houseparties.
What I didn't like:
The whole flight-scene, when the h was "covering" for her father
The villain did not get what he deserved
The father left me with a lot og questions, why do that to a loved daughter?
Steam level: 4/5
Rating: 4,5/5 (if it would have been less drama in the end it would been 5)
This is the second book in the Duke-finding series. I have to say this is my second Linden-novel and her writing is really good. Not that many repetitions, nice flow, good emotions.
Andrew St James is a captain in the army and suddenly becomes an heir to a dukedom. also he is scottish! I thought I wouldn't like him but he was adorable! One of my favourite heroes. He was driven by a need to take care of his wonderful family and therefore he wanted to make the duchess of carlyle happy. Althogh, he fell in love!
What I liked:
Both H & h was nice people, and I like nice
The h was funny and caring and really brave
I did adore the side-characters, the family shop, Drews friends
They had a houseparty! Love houseparties.
What I didn't like:
The whole flight-scene, when the h was "covering" for her father
The villain did not get what he deserved
The father left me with a lot og questions, why do that to a loved daughter?
Steam level: 4/5
Rating: 4,5/5 (if it would have been less drama in the end it would been 5)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2021
I have become bad at writing reviews at once when on holiday! So here I go
Andrew has been in the army and now he is the heir to a Duke! Sadly an English Duke, boooo, but hey it will give him the chance to better support his mother and sisters. But he must take a wife first. Andrew was nice, just good you know
Ilsa is living life. She is a widow, her husband was an asshat. People thinks she is rather scandalous, and all I say is you go Ilsa! She was great. A thirst for living. Held back by her father, aunt and society.
They meet. She is not proper Duchess material. But Andrew is pulled to her.
There will be drama, I can't tell you, but this is real drama! And it made me mad and I would not be as forgiving as Ilsa. I was glad she had Andrew.
But then the end, what about the next book? New couple! And even more drama regarding something. Ohhh, pretty sure I know who one of them is.
Good narrator. I enjoyed listening to her and I felt she did justice to the voices and accents
Andrew has been in the army and now he is the heir to a Duke! Sadly an English Duke, boooo, but hey it will give him the chance to better support his mother and sisters. But he must take a wife first. Andrew was nice, just good you know
Ilsa is living life. She is a widow, her husband was an asshat. People thinks she is rather scandalous, and all I say is you go Ilsa! She was great. A thirst for living. Held back by her father, aunt and society.
They meet. She is not proper Duchess material. But Andrew is pulled to her.
There will be drama, I can't tell you, but this is real drama! And it made me mad and I would not be as forgiving as Ilsa. I was glad she had Andrew.
But then the end, what about the next book? New couple! And even more drama regarding something. Ohhh, pretty sure I know who one of them is.
Good narrator. I enjoyed listening to her and I felt she did justice to the voices and accents
October 29, 2023
read in 2022
updating my Goodreads..must have missed recording
3.5*
Kindle
updating my Goodreads..must have missed recording
3.5*
Kindle
July 15, 2021
His family’s distant nobility is no surprise to Captain Andrew St. James, but his father was disowned by the ducal branch of the family, and he’s never known or expected anything from them. Drew is shocked to learn that he is now the heir to his distant cousin, the current Duke of Carlyle. With his simple soldier’s life upended, Drew has a stiff learning curve to face with all these new expectations and responsibilities, but first he’s taking a trip home to Edinburgh to visit his mother and three sisters and tell them the news.
Widowed Ilsa Ramsey is ready to seize her independence and have a little adventure, not settle down into a second marriage. When she learns that the handsome soldier she danced with at a raucous tavern is in fact her friend’s brother and heir to an English dukedom, she reminds herself of all the reasons she could never be with him, despite their strong mutual attraction. But as Ilsa’s friendship with his sister puts her in the same orbit as Drew more and more frequently, they struggle to stay apart.
Drew knows the Duchess expects him to marry an Englishwoman with a sparkling reputation and training befitting the title, and lively Ilsa if far from that expectation. Even so, when Ilsa finds herself embroiled in scandal, Drew steps in to help her even as she attempts to push him away. Soon neither of them is willing to forsake their feelings for any duty or expectation.
It took a while for me to really get into this book, but I did wind up enjoying it. I loved the Scottish setting as well as the fact that Ilsa and Drew’s relationship begins fairly early on in the book and develops with a fair amount of open honesty and not much game playing. Andrew was a great hero as he seemed to just be a genuinely good man, devoted to his family, and trying to do right by Ilsa, his newfound responsibilities, and his own heart. He was easy to root for. I also found myself cheering Ilsa on, but this was a source of great frustration for me when she refused to stand up for herself and truly assert her status as an independent woman to her aunt and father. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to give anything away, but I wanted more vindication for her and more comeuppance for the villain. I liked that the conflict was mostly external, but Ilsa said some awful things to Drew that she could’ve done a better job of apologizing and making up for, especially after everything he was willing to sacrifice for her. I also thought that the final conflict was cleared away rather quickly and in a manner that wasn’t wholly satisfactory for me, especially after how much of a big deal it was made out to be. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this story and both the main and supporting characters, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Widowed Ilsa Ramsey is ready to seize her independence and have a little adventure, not settle down into a second marriage. When she learns that the handsome soldier she danced with at a raucous tavern is in fact her friend’s brother and heir to an English dukedom, she reminds herself of all the reasons she could never be with him, despite their strong mutual attraction. But as Ilsa’s friendship with his sister puts her in the same orbit as Drew more and more frequently, they struggle to stay apart.
Drew knows the Duchess expects him to marry an Englishwoman with a sparkling reputation and training befitting the title, and lively Ilsa if far from that expectation. Even so, when Ilsa finds herself embroiled in scandal, Drew steps in to help her even as she attempts to push him away. Soon neither of them is willing to forsake their feelings for any duty or expectation.
It took a while for me to really get into this book, but I did wind up enjoying it. I loved the Scottish setting as well as the fact that Ilsa and Drew’s relationship begins fairly early on in the book and develops with a fair amount of open honesty and not much game playing. Andrew was a great hero as he seemed to just be a genuinely good man, devoted to his family, and trying to do right by Ilsa, his newfound responsibilities, and his own heart. He was easy to root for. I also found myself cheering Ilsa on, but this was a source of great frustration for me when she refused to stand up for herself and truly assert her status as an independent woman to her aunt and father. I won’t say much more because I don’t want to give anything away, but I wanted more vindication for her and more comeuppance for the villain. I liked that the conflict was mostly external, but Ilsa said some awful things to Drew that she could’ve done a better job of apologizing and making up for, especially after everything he was willing to sacrifice for her. I also thought that the final conflict was cleared away rather quickly and in a manner that wasn’t wholly satisfactory for me, especially after how much of a big deal it was made out to be. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this story and both the main and supporting characters, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
February 8, 2021
I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read and loved the first installment in the series (About a Rogue) and this one was even better than I expected. I had this image of Andrew as a very low key, subservient individual but he is everything but. He is fun, he is straightforward, he doesn't beat around the bush about his feelings and what I love most is that he is absolutely dedicated to his family and loves his sisters and his mother enormously. Ilsa, on the other hand, seemed a bit wild at first and I am not a fan either of unconventional women or of widow romances but she grew on me . The two make a marvelous couple, the chemistry is there and the love scenes are steamy enough and now I am dying to know what transpired with Agnes and Duncan in the side story. I really hope there will be a novella or a short story like it was the case with the previous book. Wonderfully written, I absolutely recommend.
September 13, 2021
* Thank you to goodreads giveaway for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in this trilogy and while I didn’t love it as much as the first book, I still enjoyed it. Drew is the new presumptive heir to a dukedom, so he decides to resign his post in the army and head back to Scotland to prepare his family for the news. Although, not all his family is excited. While there he meets a mysterious woman who happens to be friends with one of his sisters. Even though he feels he should find himself an English aristocrat lady, he can’t help falling for the Scottish lass. Their chemistry together was good and you could see them falling in love. I’m so curious to see who actually becomes the Duke. Now it feels like I have to wait forever for the third book!
This is the second book in this trilogy and while I didn’t love it as much as the first book, I still enjoyed it. Drew is the new presumptive heir to a dukedom, so he decides to resign his post in the army and head back to Scotland to prepare his family for the news. Although, not all his family is excited. While there he meets a mysterious woman who happens to be friends with one of his sisters. Even though he feels he should find himself an English aristocrat lady, he can’t help falling for the Scottish lass. Their chemistry together was good and you could see them falling in love. I’m so curious to see who actually becomes the Duke. Now it feels like I have to wait forever for the third book!
July 20, 2025
1787, Scotland.
When Captain Andrew St James learns that he is the heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle, a distant relative who has had little interest in his branch of the family, he meets the news with shock and the same practicality and acceptance you might expect from a Scot who joined the English army because it was the best source of income to provide for his mother and sisters. This, of course, could be a windfall, even if it means they might have to live in England. His first night back in Edinburgh, he meets Ilsa Ramsey, a widow who sparks his interest with her exuberant spirit. As Drew starts to fall for Ilsa, a scandal rocks the city as a ring of thefts targets small merchants, and Ilsa and Drew find herself the center of both investigation and accusation.
It's a been a few years since I read the first book in this series, and while the books are attached by a major theme (the three heroes of the three books are all considered heirs to the same dukedom), the characters from the first book aren't present in the second. Drew and Ilsa sparkle together, and I enjoy that this is a really good plot balance between romance and mystery.
Outside of Eloisa James, we don't often find books set during the late 18th century. (For those who shout what about Hoyt at me, Hoyt's books are several decades earlier!) I kind of love how long it takes people to travel in 1787, and life in a city like Edinburgh is considered loud and dirty as the "new town" is under construction. Only 40 years after the 2nd Jacobite Rising, there is strong anti-English sentiment, and that sets up an important dynamic to understand the personal challenges for Drew to join the English Army.
Recently, when I'm not sure what to read, I've been reaching for Caroline Linden on audio, and I always walk away satisfied. Bonus: she often features widows or slightly older FMCs... and in this case, neither MC has a title [yet].
When Captain Andrew St James learns that he is the heir presumptive to the Duke of Carlyle, a distant relative who has had little interest in his branch of the family, he meets the news with shock and the same practicality and acceptance you might expect from a Scot who joined the English army because it was the best source of income to provide for his mother and sisters. This, of course, could be a windfall, even if it means they might have to live in England. His first night back in Edinburgh, he meets Ilsa Ramsey, a widow who sparks his interest with her exuberant spirit. As Drew starts to fall for Ilsa, a scandal rocks the city as a ring of thefts targets small merchants, and Ilsa and Drew find herself the center of both investigation and accusation.
It's a been a few years since I read the first book in this series, and while the books are attached by a major theme (the three heroes of the three books are all considered heirs to the same dukedom), the characters from the first book aren't present in the second. Drew and Ilsa sparkle together, and I enjoy that this is a really good plot balance between romance and mystery.
Outside of Eloisa James, we don't often find books set during the late 18th century. (For those who shout what about Hoyt at me, Hoyt's books are several decades earlier!) I kind of love how long it takes people to travel in 1787, and life in a city like Edinburgh is considered loud and dirty as the "new town" is under construction. Only 40 years after the 2nd Jacobite Rising, there is strong anti-English sentiment, and that sets up an important dynamic to understand the personal challenges for Drew to join the English Army.
Recently, when I'm not sure what to read, I've been reaching for Caroline Linden on audio, and I always walk away satisfied. Bonus: she often features widows or slightly older FMCs... and in this case, neither MC has a title [yet].
June 18, 2021
Captain Andrew St. James has been in the English Army since he was eighteen. He is the head of his family and sends most of his pay home for his mom and three sisters. One day he is summoned to his colonel's office and told he needs to go to Carlyle Castle. When he gets there he finds out he is the heir presumptive. He goes to Edinburgh to tell his sisters and mother the good news and to see if he can talk them into moving to England. He meets Ilsa Ramsay at an Oyster Bar. They danced and even a kiss was exchanged. But he does not know her name.
Ilsa lost her mother when she was four. Her father was not around much. Then she married her father's choice of husband and was not allowed to do anything. Even her aunt who came to live with her father after his wife died was strict about manners and society. She had never been free or allowed to do much. But since her husband had been shot dead in a duel, she was free. She thought Drew was an excellent man, in about all things. He was tall and good-looking and kind.
It was fun to read their bantering and joking between them and their siblings. Even his friends were fun to be around.. The author wrote an amazing story and your interest is fully engaged. The characters were just like your own friends and companions. There are also some surprises coming and they will shock you. It does have a little sex but that does not take away from the plot. It is a fun and happy novel but there are some sad spots. I highly recommend the book and hope you liked it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Ilsa lost her mother when she was four. Her father was not around much. Then she married her father's choice of husband and was not allowed to do anything. Even her aunt who came to live with her father after his wife died was strict about manners and society. She had never been free or allowed to do much. But since her husband had been shot dead in a duel, she was free. She thought Drew was an excellent man, in about all things. He was tall and good-looking and kind.
It was fun to read their bantering and joking between them and their siblings. Even his friends were fun to be around.. The author wrote an amazing story and your interest is fully engaged. The characters were just like your own friends and companions. There are also some surprises coming and they will shock you. It does have a little sex but that does not take away from the plot. It is a fun and happy novel but there are some sad spots. I highly recommend the book and hope you liked it as much as I did.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
August 20, 2021
4 stars.
The first chunk of this book and the second chunk of this book have *very* different problems.
First chunk:
Adorable! Cute! Hero and heroine dance and kiss at a party, part ways, then he realizes she’s his sister’s best friend? Yes please.
It just had what I call the Jen problem — there was nothing keeping this couple from being happy together.
Second chunk:
The last like 100 pages of this book is where it went a bit off the rails. Holy conflict Batman.
There’s a whole book’s worth of crimes and accusations and revelations crammed right here into the last act. And then, rather than letting us see literally any happy scenes at the end, the epilogue is dedicated to setting up book 3. Just a bit much for me.
Contains: Scottish (both), army captain, widow, intro by hookup
CW: mention of suicide
Steam: 3/5🔥
The first chunk of this book and the second chunk of this book have *very* different problems.
First chunk:
Adorable! Cute! Hero and heroine dance and kiss at a party, part ways, then he realizes she’s his sister’s best friend? Yes please.
It just had what I call the Jen problem — there was nothing keeping this couple from being happy together.
Second chunk:
The last like 100 pages of this book is where it went a bit off the rails. Holy conflict Batman.
There’s a whole book’s worth of crimes and accusations and revelations crammed right here into the last act. And then, rather than letting us see literally any happy scenes at the end, the epilogue is dedicated to setting up book 3. Just a bit much for me.
Contains: Scottish (both), army captain, widow, intro by hookup
CW: mention of suicide
Steam: 3/5🔥
July 10, 2021
I loved most of it. There were some parts that dragged a bit for me, and that's why I took so long to finish reading it. It's not my favourite from this author, though still an entertaining story.
3.5☆ (rounded up)
3.5☆ (rounded up)
July 17, 2021
I read the first few chapters, skimmed the big middle, then read the last 50 pages.
There was nothing wrong with the book--the prose is fine, the characters are interesting. It suffered a bit from being the 2nd book in a planned trilogy. I enjoyed the first one (About a Rogue); I will definitely give the third book a try when it comes out.
This just happened to be a case of bad book timing--this was not the book I was in the mood for at this time.
There was nothing wrong with the book--the prose is fine, the characters are interesting. It suffered a bit from being the 2nd book in a planned trilogy. I enjoyed the first one (About a Rogue); I will definitely give the third book a try when it comes out.
This just happened to be a case of bad book timing--this was not the book I was in the mood for at this time.
June 18, 2021
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, and hoped to love this one just as much! Captain Andrew St. James is a distant cousin to the duke who is not able to have children. He learns that he is the next closest heir to the dukedom. He leaves the army, and goes back to Edinburgh to share the news with his family. Here he meets his sister’s best friend, Ilsa. It turns out that Ilsa was the mysterious woman who had kissed him at the tavern the night before and then disappeared.
I really enjoyed the romance in this book. I loved Drew and Ilsa’s instant connection, and how much they tried to steal moments together. However, I wanted a lot more of the romance. This book has a huge other plot line that kind of took over the second half of the story.
There have been robberies in town, and Drew tries to find out who the thieves are after his family’s story is robbed. This causes lots of drama, road trips, and other secrets to come out. Then at the very end of the book, Drew and Ilsa are left in limbo not know what the future will hold for them. Even though I loved the romance, this book really started to fall apart for me in the second half.
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the romance in this book. I loved Drew and Ilsa’s instant connection, and how much they tried to steal moments together. However, I wanted a lot more of the romance. This book has a huge other plot line that kind of took over the second half of the story.
There have been robberies in town, and Drew tries to find out who the thieves are after his family’s story is robbed. This causes lots of drama, road trips, and other secrets to come out. Then at the very end of the book, Drew and Ilsa are left in limbo not know what the future will hold for them. Even though I loved the romance, this book really started to fall apart for me in the second half.
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
July 16, 2021
If you are looking into reading books with Scottish heroes without them getting overwhelmingly Scottish (with lingo, clan wars, etc.), if you are tired of romances with unnecessary third act conflicts, or if you are looking for a simple palette cleanser, this is the book for you! It is a perfect mix between a Regency and Scottish romance. I would especially recommend this book to you if you are a beginner to the genre.
Tropes:
- Scottish Captain hero
- strong heroine who does not want to get married
- sexy, honorable gentleman hero
- steamy, unexpected kiss leads to something more
- hero fighting for dukedom and needs a wife
- best friend's brother
Summary:
While running home to figure out how to claim his dukedom, Captain Andrew St. James has a passionate encounter with Ilsa Ramsay. Ilsa didn’t mean to impulsively kiss her best friend’s brother, she was yearning for adventure and fun after being freed from the captivity of marriage. She tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss leads to another, and another. Spirited Ilsa is none of the things Drew needs in a duchess. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! If you are tired of reading unnecessary third act conflicts, want to start reading books with sexy Scotts without throwing yourself in the deep end, or want a good pallet cleanser, this is the book for you!
This book definitely helped me slowly get out of my reading slump. It had a great mix of adventure, mystery, and romance 🙌🏼
Both main characters were so refreshing, and I loved watching them fall in love with each other. I will admit, I wanted more romance and intimacy from the book, but what we did get was really good. I loved the dynamic and the chemistry between the main characters. I loved watching the two of them be their own person outside of their relationship all while falling so sweetly in love with each other. Ilsa was super independent and fun, I loved her as a heroine. I also love a good sexy, honorable, gentleman hero; Drew was a great hero. You know that sexy, abiding-by-his-moral-code, honorable knight-in-shinning armor vibe? Drew was giving me that the whole time. We don't see heroes that like often enough!
As I said earlier, I do wish that we had gotten more intimate moments and more scenes of them falling in love. The subplot was well developed but it did come in the way of their relationship around the end of the book. It was clear that the subplot of the book was definitely taking priority at many points in the book. I honestly didn’t mind it too much. There was crazy fun adventure, mystery, criminals, pillaging, and ghosts! So I was actually very happy with the subplot for most of the book because I was not expecting it at all. I will admit though that the sub-plot did start to lose its spark at the 75% mark; it was mostly written well and weaved nicely into the romance.
But I am super pleased to report that there is no unnecessary third act conflict! The conflict in the book was all external. I am so glad we are seeing books that are straying from the unnecessary third act conflict. I root for a couple all the more when they want to be together but their situations are stopping them from being together. It is so much more impactful! This book did a great job with the conflicts and building a believable external barrier in their relationship.
Though I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one, I really did enjoy myself and am excited to read the next installment in the series 😍 (If you liked The Viscount Who Loved Me, you have to read the first book in the series!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you Avon, NetGalley, and Caroline Linden for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Tropes:
- Scottish Captain hero
- strong heroine who does not want to get married
- sexy, honorable gentleman hero
- steamy, unexpected kiss leads to something more
- hero fighting for dukedom and needs a wife
- best friend's brother
Summary:
While running home to figure out how to claim his dukedom, Captain Andrew St. James has a passionate encounter with Ilsa Ramsay. Ilsa didn’t mean to impulsively kiss her best friend’s brother, she was yearning for adventure and fun after being freed from the captivity of marriage. She tells herself he’s not for her, no matter how tempting he is. But one impulsive kiss leads to another, and another. Spirited Ilsa is none of the things Drew needs in a duchess. Still, when she’s caught in a dangerous scandal, he leaps to her aid without hesitation. And neither family duty nor future obligation can make them ignore what’s in both their hearts.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! If you are tired of reading unnecessary third act conflicts, want to start reading books with sexy Scotts without throwing yourself in the deep end, or want a good pallet cleanser, this is the book for you!
This book definitely helped me slowly get out of my reading slump. It had a great mix of adventure, mystery, and romance 🙌🏼
Both main characters were so refreshing, and I loved watching them fall in love with each other. I will admit, I wanted more romance and intimacy from the book, but what we did get was really good. I loved the dynamic and the chemistry between the main characters. I loved watching the two of them be their own person outside of their relationship all while falling so sweetly in love with each other. Ilsa was super independent and fun, I loved her as a heroine. I also love a good sexy, honorable, gentleman hero; Drew was a great hero. You know that sexy, abiding-by-his-moral-code, honorable knight-in-shinning armor vibe? Drew was giving me that the whole time. We don't see heroes that like often enough!
As I said earlier, I do wish that we had gotten more intimate moments and more scenes of them falling in love. The subplot was well developed but it did come in the way of their relationship around the end of the book. It was clear that the subplot of the book was definitely taking priority at many points in the book. I honestly didn’t mind it too much. There was crazy fun adventure, mystery, criminals, pillaging, and ghosts! So I was actually very happy with the subplot for most of the book because I was not expecting it at all. I will admit though that the sub-plot did start to lose its spark at the 75% mark; it was mostly written well and weaved nicely into the romance.
But I am super pleased to report that there is no unnecessary third act conflict! The conflict in the book was all external. I am so glad we are seeing books that are straying from the unnecessary third act conflict. I root for a couple all the more when they want to be together but their situations are stopping them from being together. It is so much more impactful! This book did a great job with the conflicts and building a believable external barrier in their relationship.
Though I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first one, I really did enjoy myself and am excited to read the next installment in the series 😍 (If you liked The Viscount Who Loved Me, you have to read the first book in the series!)
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5 stars | 🌶🌶/ 5 steam
Thank you Avon, NetGalley, and Caroline Linden for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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