What do you think?
Rate this book
Tales from the Highlands #2
The Enemy and Miss Innes
All that stands between him and freedom? Turning her hatred to love.
Elizabeth Innes has a tongue too sharp for her own good, and she is never more ready to employ it than when faced with the MacKinnons. With just one piece of evidence connecting their clan to a near-deadly attack, she is determined to prove the laird guilty and see him brought to justice. So, when chance throws her in the company of one of the MacKinnon men, she resolves to take advantage of the opportunity to glean more information.
Malcolm MacKinnon has long lived under the thumb of his cousin and laird, Angus, who keeps a secret with the power to ruin him. With his mother and siblings entirely dependent upon Angus's capricious generosity, he cannot afford to offend his cousin. When Angus proposes a way for him to finally be free of his shackles, Malcolm is more than ready to oblige. All he must do is help Angus seek revenge upon the rival, neighboring clan. The way to do it? Gain the trust—and love—of one of their young women.
As Malcolm and Elizabeth pursue their goals, they find their tasks much more difficult than anticipated, with challenges to their loyalties at every turn. Both must decide how far they are willing to go for revenge—and love.
Elizabeth Innes has a tongue too sharp for her own good, and she is never more ready to employ it than when faced with the MacKinnons. With just one piece of evidence connecting their clan to a near-deadly attack, she is determined to prove the laird guilty and see him brought to justice. So, when chance throws her in the company of one of the MacKinnon men, she resolves to take advantage of the opportunity to glean more information.
Malcolm MacKinnon has long lived under the thumb of his cousin and laird, Angus, who keeps a secret with the power to ruin him. With his mother and siblings entirely dependent upon Angus's capricious generosity, he cannot afford to offend his cousin. When Angus proposes a way for him to finally be free of his shackles, Malcolm is more than ready to oblige. All he must do is help Angus seek revenge upon the rival, neighboring clan. The way to do it? Gain the trust—and love—of one of their young women.
As Malcolm and Elizabeth pursue their goals, they find their tasks much more difficult than anticipated, with challenges to their loyalties at every turn. Both must decide how far they are willing to go for revenge—and love.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2021
520 people are currently reading
888 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
March 7, 2022
Really enjoying this series by Martha Keyes. If you dig the TV show Poldark, you'll definitely adore this. Just transfer the story dynamics way far north to Scotland, and surrender to all the drama and danger of 1700's Britain. It will pull you right in, with the feuding families and blossoming romances and occasionally maddening tropes. (Did I want to knock a star off for a main character's decision to keep his secrets to himself until late in the story? Yes. Could I bring myself to do so? No! These are just ripping good yarns, and they're such fun to read.)
September 10, 2021
This was so well done. I was really impressed with how everything was told. The story had thickness and the characters depth. Maybe because I liked all the other stories in this series it made this one better. And who doesn't love the highlands:} This is a proper romance with some sweet kisses.
September 4, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
This series is surprisingly good. Clean romance with some good drama. Like a PBS period piece. Zero steam.
This series is surprisingly good. Clean romance with some good drama. Like a PBS period piece. Zero steam.
January 23, 2024
all I'm saying is that if he didn't have his lackeys I'm pretty sure I could take angus. just have to hit him with a "nobody likes you" and he'll be down for the count 🤣 (he's also turning into one of my least-favorite villains by which I mean I hate him with every fiber of my being 🙄😂)
malcolm and elizabeth are very cute, though, I enjoyed their love story very much. intrigued to see what happens next! 4 stars
malcolm and elizabeth are very cute, though, I enjoyed their love story very much. intrigued to see what happens next! 4 stars
February 12, 2025
Such a great enemies to lovers story!
Book 1 was pretty good but this one is really good.
Onto Book 3.
Book 1 was pretty good but this one is really good.
Onto Book 3.
August 30, 2021
I love this book. Martha’s highlander books are seriously addictive. She writes such fantastic characters all while maintaining the historical accuracy and detail of the time period. I always feel transported to Scotland every time I open her books and I can’t get enough of the way she writes her men.
Enemies to lovers fans...this one is for you.
In a continuation from book 1...we get to see more of Malcolm and Elizabeth and how they are coping with the fall out from Angus’ treachery. And I just have to say that Angus is a character you will love to hate.
Forced proximity due to external circumstances leads them to spend more and more time together realizing that they are more alike than they thought. And the attraction just takes off from there...and the chemistry is gooood. This is a story of good hearts, pure intentions and the yearning for love and it’s beautiful.
This is probably my favorite in the series. I couldn’t get enough of it. I cannot wait for the third book because Martha always delivers for me.
Enemies to lovers fans...this one is for you.
In a continuation from book 1...we get to see more of Malcolm and Elizabeth and how they are coping with the fall out from Angus’ treachery. And I just have to say that Angus is a character you will love to hate.
Forced proximity due to external circumstances leads them to spend more and more time together realizing that they are more alike than they thought. And the attraction just takes off from there...and the chemistry is gooood. This is a story of good hearts, pure intentions and the yearning for love and it’s beautiful.
This is probably my favorite in the series. I couldn’t get enough of it. I cannot wait for the third book because Martha always delivers for me.
August 31, 2022
Liked it, 3,5 - 4 stars.
July 11, 2023
A GOOD E2L.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I snagged this on audio and devoured it in a day! I love the way Martha Keyes tells stories and this was no different. I really appreciate that this felt true to the enemies to lovers trope and gave me all that angsty banter I love so well.
The storyline was good and moved at a steady pace. I liked the rebuilding aspects (which I felt was an overall illusion to more) and that we got to see the couple from the previous book too! There’s a good dose of drama that doesn’t go over the top and seeing the villain shut down is always one of my favorite parts of a book.
It’s an easy read and I love picking up books in this genre when the mood strikes.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: fires, assault, physical altercations, mentions of past domestic abuse, extortion, animal injury
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I snagged this on audio and devoured it in a day! I love the way Martha Keyes tells stories and this was no different. I really appreciate that this felt true to the enemies to lovers trope and gave me all that angsty banter I love so well.
The storyline was good and moved at a steady pace. I liked the rebuilding aspects (which I felt was an overall illusion to more) and that we got to see the couple from the previous book too! There’s a good dose of drama that doesn’t go over the top and seeing the villain shut down is always one of my favorite parts of a book.
It’s an easy read and I love picking up books in this genre when the mood strikes.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: medium
- Trigger/Content Warnings: fires, assault, physical altercations, mentions of past domestic abuse, extortion, animal injury
March 29, 2025
A delightful, chaste romance set on Scotland. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 21, 2022
4.5 stars
A sweet redemption story with a tender romance and satisfying ending. It was nice to see more of Lachlan and Christina as well!
A sweet redemption story with a tender romance and satisfying ending. It was nice to see more of Lachlan and Christina as well!
March 22, 2022
Another quick, easy, romantic read. The Enemy and Miss Innes continues almost exactly where we left off with book one.
I really enjoyed the banter between Elizabeth and Malcolm. When enemies to lovers is done well it becomes a very solid read. In this case, there was a legit hatred of Malcolm McKinnon or mainly anyone beneath the McKinnon name. So watching that decrease with each run in and understanding of the other was nice. And, a dog was involved. (Though, I started panicking when I saw the dog injured or threatened. - There is no dog death!)
The story is something that seems to bug me, and I don't really have a strong reason to dislike it. I probably have issues that everything seems so wrapped / focused on this family that you really don't get a feel of the world outside the two clans.
Eventually I'll read the other two books since they're free on Kindle Unlimited. Right now, I like the two men the sisters ended up with.
I really enjoyed the banter between Elizabeth and Malcolm. When enemies to lovers is done well it becomes a very solid read. In this case, there was a legit hatred of Malcolm McKinnon or mainly anyone beneath the McKinnon name. So watching that decrease with each run in and understanding of the other was nice. And, a dog was involved. (Though, I started panicking when I saw the dog injured or threatened. - There is no dog death!)
The story is something that seems to bug me, and I don't really have a strong reason to dislike it. I probably have issues that everything seems so wrapped / focused on this family that you really don't get a feel of the world outside the two clans.
Eventually I'll read the other two books since they're free on Kindle Unlimited. Right now, I like the two men the sisters ended up with.
October 5, 2023
Enjoyed this enemies to friends to lovers. 🥰 Always love the strong & silent with secret-heart-of-gold hero.
July 24, 2022
Appealing sort of premise...
... In an appealing sort of redemption story
But it seriously suffered from a weak plot.
Lachlan behaves too much like a virtuous pacifist in this story - which is too naive to believe of the experienced & effective soldier he's supposed to be. (Though at least he's smart enough to know when doors should be kept locked, lol)
Angus, who goes from uncle of Gordon in book 1 to cousin in book 2, gets mad at Elizabeth for doing something that I don't believe any young woman of that time period would dream of doing, no matter how outspoken, & he wants to humiliate her for it.
So he comes up with the ridiculous idea of having Malcolm make her fall in love with him. Then Malcolm can use Elizabeth to retrieve a chest that Angus left in Dunverlockie castle (that there's no bloody way he would have left IRL), & she'll have the shame & humiliation of knowing she was duped into helping her most hated enemy.
Malcolm getting Elizabeth interested in him is unlikely in the extreme. In fact, just the willingness of everyone to accept Angus' s right hand man working at the inn without suspicion (especially Glenna) is unbelievable.
It's odd that Malcolm doesn't recognize that Angus is giving him an impossible task & basically setting him up to fail. Especially in the mere days that he's given. Except that, again unbelievably, he succeeds. Even with Angus constantly messing things up for him.
I love enemies-to-lovers stories, but they're a little tricky to write. In this case, there's a LOT of the enemies part to overcome, so it needed a substantial transition to move from the former to the latter. Instead it happens too quickly to believe even under milder circumstances.
I liked the gist of the plot at least. I liked the idea of Elizabeth finding out that Malcolm wasn't actually a bad guy per se, & the two of them learning to like & then love each other. I liked the new characters that were added to the story, especially Hamish - and Fergus. I liked that Elizabeth figured out how to help Malcolm by working with her family & friends instead of continuing to do things on her own & making them worse in the process. The positives balance out the negatives. More or less.
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Potential trigger: a man tries to force himself on a woman but doesn't succeed
... In an appealing sort of redemption story
But it seriously suffered from a weak plot.
Lachlan behaves too much like a virtuous pacifist in this story - which is too naive to believe of the experienced & effective soldier he's supposed to be. (Though at least he's smart enough to know when doors should be kept locked, lol)
Angus, who goes from uncle of Gordon in book 1 to cousin in book 2, gets mad at Elizabeth for doing something that I don't believe any young woman of that time period would dream of doing, no matter how outspoken, & he wants to humiliate her for it.
So he comes up with the ridiculous idea of having Malcolm make her fall in love with him. Then Malcolm can use Elizabeth to retrieve a chest that Angus left in Dunverlockie castle (that there's no bloody way he would have left IRL), & she'll have the shame & humiliation of knowing she was duped into helping her most hated enemy.
Malcolm getting Elizabeth interested in him is unlikely in the extreme. In fact, just the willingness of everyone to accept Angus' s right hand man working at the inn without suspicion (especially Glenna) is unbelievable.
It's odd that Malcolm doesn't recognize that Angus is giving him an impossible task & basically setting him up to fail. Especially in the mere days that he's given. Except that, again unbelievably, he succeeds. Even with Angus constantly messing things up for him.
I love enemies-to-lovers stories, but they're a little tricky to write. In this case, there's a LOT of the enemies part to overcome, so it needed a substantial transition to move from the former to the latter. Instead it happens too quickly to believe even under milder circumstances.
I liked the gist of the plot at least. I liked the idea of Elizabeth finding out that Malcolm wasn't actually a bad guy per se, & the two of them learning to like & then love each other. I liked the new characters that were added to the story, especially Hamish - and Fergus. I liked that Elizabeth figured out how to help Malcolm by working with her family & friends instead of continuing to do things on her own & making them worse in the process. The positives balance out the negatives. More or less.
*Romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic
*Potential trigger: a man tries to force himself on a woman but doesn't succeed
May 26, 2021
4.5 stars ⭐️
A sweet enemy-to-lovers trope and an excellent continuation of this series!
We had a tiny view of the friction between these two characters in the Widow and the Highlander. I was so looking forward to this story and it did not disappoint! Elizabeth and Malcom’s banter was my favorite part of the book!
Looking forward to the next installment.
I love the author’s effort to remain as historically accurate as possible. Her research is always on-point, if this matters to you. I know historical accuracy is a big deal to me!
A sweet enemy-to-lovers trope and an excellent continuation of this series!
We had a tiny view of the friction between these two characters in the Widow and the Highlander. I was so looking forward to this story and it did not disappoint! Elizabeth and Malcom’s banter was my favorite part of the book!
Looking forward to the next installment.
I love the author’s effort to remain as historically accurate as possible. Her research is always on-point, if this matters to you. I know historical accuracy is a big deal to me!
June 29, 2021
Book 2 is a winner as well
Another great historical romance by Martha Keyes! I am loving her books set in Scotland! Get ready for a brooding hero with humor and charm. I loved the heroine too with her outspoken ways but kind heart.
Another great historical romance by Martha Keyes! I am loving her books set in Scotland! Get ready for a brooding hero with humor and charm. I loved the heroine too with her outspoken ways but kind heart.
July 23, 2025
When I realized who the main male character in this story was, I’ll admit—I was a little hesitant. 😅 I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about reading from the perspective of someone I thoroughly disliked in the first book. But curiosity won out, and I’m so glad it did! Martha Keyes did a fantastic job of giving us Malcolm’s backstory, fleshing out his character in a way that allowed me to see all sides of him—not just the flaws we saw in the first novel.
This enemies-to-more love story was highly entertaining from start to finish. Between Elizabeth’s sharp wit and quick tongue and Malcolm’s remarkable self-restraint in the face of it, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud and tension-filled moments to enjoy. I also loved catching glimpses of Charlotte and Lachlan from the first book, as well as meeting a host of new characters who added depth and richness to the story. And let’s not forget Fergus—the perfect canine sidekick who brought so many delightful moments to the page!
Though not marketed as a Christian read, this story weaves in beautiful themes of forgiveness, transformation, and redemption. I’d gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating Scottish historical romance with heart.
This enemies-to-more love story was highly entertaining from start to finish. Between Elizabeth’s sharp wit and quick tongue and Malcolm’s remarkable self-restraint in the face of it, there were plenty of laugh-out-loud and tension-filled moments to enjoy. I also loved catching glimpses of Charlotte and Lachlan from the first book, as well as meeting a host of new characters who added depth and richness to the story. And let’s not forget Fergus—the perfect canine sidekick who brought so many delightful moments to the page!
Though not marketed as a Christian read, this story weaves in beautiful themes of forgiveness, transformation, and redemption. I’d gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating Scottish historical romance with heart.
June 1, 2021
Such a fun enemies to lovers novel! And when I say enemies, I mean Hatfields and McCoys, Montagues and Capulets kind of WAY BACK in family history enemies! Elizabeth passionately hates the MacKinnon family, especially Malcom. Although strangely, she can't stop thinking about him, ever. It must be the hate thing. Malcom has the same situation happening, even though their families are sworn enemies he always gets a smile on his face when he thinks about Elizabeth. What ensues is a journey from hate to love, with lots and lots of adventures in between!
December 13, 2023
A nice read, and a significant improvement from the first installment.
Better characters, more nuance; but nothing will take you by surprise or actively engage you.
3.5 stars for a well rounded romance with great leads.
My largest annoyance is probably that Christina and Lachlan, who are completely lackluster as leads in the first book remain just as unimpressive and without chemistry in the second.
Better characters, more nuance; but nothing will take you by surprise or actively engage you.
3.5 stars for a well rounded romance with great leads.
My largest annoyance is probably that Christina and Lachlan, who are completely lackluster as leads in the first book remain just as unimpressive and without chemistry in the second.
October 28, 2021
What I loved:
- Elizabeth. She is srubborn and brave and fierce and not afraid to fight for justice even amidst dangerous situations. But she also loves and cares deeply.
- the banter between Malcolm & Elizabeth. Their chemistry was my favorite part of this book!
- Fergus! Oh, he won my heart!
- and again, that Highland setting. It's my favorite. So romantic and melancholy all at the same time.
What I didn't like:
- I am happy Malcom came clean to Elizabeth on his own, but I didn't like how he just ran away from Angus. He should have learned from Elizabeth and done something brave and productive about his situation on his own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
CW: blackmail, violence
- Elizabeth. She is srubborn and brave and fierce and not afraid to fight for justice even amidst dangerous situations. But she also loves and cares deeply.
- the banter between Malcolm & Elizabeth. Their chemistry was my favorite part of this book!
- Fergus! Oh, he won my heart!
- and again, that Highland setting. It's my favorite. So romantic and melancholy all at the same time.
What I didn't like:
- I am happy Malcom came clean to Elizabeth on his own, but I didn't like how he just ran away from Angus. He should have learned from Elizabeth and done something brave and productive about his situation on his own.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥/5
CW: blackmail, violence
February 8, 2023
A true enemies to lovers. I wasn’t planning on reading anymore in the series but the description caught my eye because it totally slipped past me in the first book that Malcolm might not be that bad, so I was really curious. This series has an in-depth, well researched plot and a lot going on. It also has a truly despicable villain. Malcolm turned out to be a battered soul, and Elizabeth as feisty as ever. They do not suit but suit exactly somehow. I enjoyed it. Not edge of my seat reading, and neither book had me truly hooked, but it definitely deserves a good rating!
July 20, 2023
Blast! I read all day again. I have too much to do the next several days, so I have to refrain from downloading the next book in the series!
This one had a few holes in the plot, but I still found it hard to put down. I do have a weakness for Scottish heros, with accents😏 All said, I really am enjoying this series and I can't wait till I can start the next one!
(Note to Katie H... You sure you don't want to renew your Kindle unlimited?!😜
This one had a few holes in the plot, but I still found it hard to put down. I do have a weakness for Scottish heros, with accents😏 All said, I really am enjoying this series and I can't wait till I can start the next one!
(Note to Katie H... You sure you don't want to renew your Kindle unlimited?!😜
December 15, 2023
This was a suuuuuper satisfying enemies to lovers. They were truly enemies, with good reason, after the first book and I loved watching them grow. Elizabeth was so witty, I adore her, and Malcolm was such a sweetheart. I had such a good time immersing myself in their story. I love the little world Martha Keyes has created and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
May 25, 2021
I loved Elizabeth in the first book of this series and I loved her even more in the second. I was nervous about Malcolm, but man he grew on me as the story progressed. I loved the Highland setting, language, and feel to the whole book. Another great read by Martha Keyes! :)
*I received an ARC.*
*I received an ARC.*
July 28, 2022
4.5 stars. Normally I immensely dislike the ‘enemies-to-lovers’ trope. However, this one pulls it off well. The reader is given a legitimate reason for the antagonism, and a believable transition to friendship/affection.
January 30, 2025
oh elizabeth you would’ve loved the 21st century. i thought this book was much more exciting than the first but the biggest issue for me was malcom keeping his secret until almost the very end of the book. i love when fmc are all sass and self respect and it drives men crazy lol. can’t wait to read the next one!
September 20, 2022
Four and a half stars, easy. Loved it. Another great read by the author. Will be diving into the next one shortly.
February 18, 2023
3.5. Another fun, light romance from Martha Keyes.
March 10, 2023
A little drawn out but still enjoyable.
October 7, 2024
Almost as good as the first!
July 12, 2023
The Enemy and Miss Innes by Martha Keyes
Not going to lie, I was really nervous about this one. I had no idea how Malcolm was going to redeem himself after the first book. But he does and he does it well 👏
Elizabeth is headstrong and speaks her mind. It’s constantly getting her into trouble. When she goes head to head with Malcolm, he can’t help but fall in love with this about her.
This story contains revenge, deception, tested loyalties, redemption, and above all else, love.
An addictive story that transports you to historical Ireland and sweeps you up in the ultimate enemies to lovers.
Content: violence, kisses, attempted molestation
Not going to lie, I was really nervous about this one. I had no idea how Malcolm was going to redeem himself after the first book. But he does and he does it well 👏
Elizabeth is headstrong and speaks her mind. It’s constantly getting her into trouble. When she goes head to head with Malcolm, he can’t help but fall in love with this about her.
This story contains revenge, deception, tested loyalties, redemption, and above all else, love.
An addictive story that transports you to historical Ireland and sweeps you up in the ultimate enemies to lovers.
Content: violence, kisses, attempted molestation
Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews