Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
He swore he’d never love again. She’s on a mission to make him.

Lia
I wasn’t always the strongest woman, but I’d do anything for my child. Including chasing down the man who rejected her before she was even born.
I won’t accept his lies that he didn’t know about her.
For that to be true, it means someone betrayed us both.
One thing is for certain. Max and I are broken beyond repair. He'll never care for me again, but I’ll make him love our daughter.

Max
Two years ago, my heart was shredded. My girlfriend left me, then slept with my twin brother to seal the F-you deal.
I hated him for it.
Despised her.
But now she’s back with a red-haired baby she claims is mine. And outright denial that she even met my brother.
My darkest, secret hope, that she mistook him for me, could actually be real.
But a greater truth needs revealing. Whether I’m the bairn’s father, or uncle.
--
Betrayed is an enemies-to-lovers, secret baby, slow burn romance, with an adorable little lass in the middle of it. Trust me on that storyline, I’d never let you down.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2021

770 people are currently reading
2848 people want to read

About the author

Jolie Vines

52 books2,856 followers
JOLIE VINES is a romance novelist who lives in the South West of England with her husband and young son.

From an early age, Jolie lived in a fantasy world and is never happier than when plot dreaming. Jolie loves her heroes to be one-woman guys. Whether they are a huge Highlander, a touch starved earl, or a brooding pilot, they will adore their loved one until the end of time.

Her favourite pastime is wrecking emotions then making up for it by giving her characters deep and meaningful happy ever afters.

Want to contact Jolie? Drop her a line at jolie [at] jolievines.com, or find her in her Facebook Fall Hard reader group. She loves hearing from her readers.

Sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and promotions. https://www.jolievines.com/newsletter

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
1,650 (53%)
4 stars
963 (31%)
3 stars
388 (12%)
2 stars
75 (2%)
1 star
28 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
Profile Image for Viper Spaulding.
3,149 reviews25 followers
November 29, 2021
I loved Max & Lia together!

One of my favorite tropes is when both MCs have only ever loved each other, and that premise makes this story so sweet and heartwarming, especially since it starts with so much heartbreak. The story starts two years after their whirlwind, yet ultimately ill-fated, romance. Lia ended up pregnant from their short time together, and now she has the chance to confront Max about why he refused to acknowledge their daughter when he was first informed.

What she didn't know is that Max has his own reasons to be angry with her. Their second chance starts out so very messed up in so many different ways, with each of them understandably angry with the other yet neither of them is actually guilty of the betrayal they've been accused of. Getting to the bottom of all the actual betrayals is what drives this story beyond a simple rekindled romance.

I just adored visiting with the McRaes again. Seeing all the earlier couples with their children and getting a glimpse of the next couple just adds so much depth to the entire series. I love reading this author's works just for this aspect alone.

Max and Lia's love is legendary from start to finish - anyone can see how much these two belong together - and I was practically swooning throughout the whole book. If you haven't read any of the McRae family series yet, you really owe it to yourself to dive in. They're the very best in contemporary Scottish Highlanders, and each standalone romance is an epic adventure by itself. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Taylor.Reads.Smut.
167 reviews
November 15, 2021
Betrayed is the fourth book in Jolie’s Wild Mountain Scots series. A story about Max, who puts the bad in bad boy. Always getting into trouble with the law... yes, he did pretend to be his twin brother once though. Two years ago Max fell in love, got his heart broken, and has been angry ever since. He swore to never love again... and he didn’t. He just fell back in love with the one who broke his heart. Lia. Lia is a pushover who does anything to make those around her happy. Never really doing what she wants to do. Which is how she broke Max’s heart. Lia heads for Scotland to tell her baby daddy to step up and take responsibility for the daughter he didn’t want anything to do with. Come to find out, Lia’s relative never told him about his daughter. Can Max and Lia get over their past and solve the mystery of why Lia’s pregnancy never made it to Max’s ears?

This story has a bit of everything for everyone. Second-chance romance, steamy sex, mystery, action, enemies-to-lovers and a secret baby. Betrayed has a dual POV and will catch any aged readers attention.

I thought that Jolie did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. We really understand who the main characters are and what their goals are. Max’s story is similar to his father’s (Oh Baby) but completely different at the same time. Max and Lia had previously met and fallen in love together but the readers didn’t get to experience that. I was interested in knowing the details about their short-lived romance and what exactly went wrong. Well, Jolie did not disappoint. She added their meet cute in the most clever way! I honestly think that was my favorite part of the entire book. I’m a sucker for a good meet cute though.

There was a troubled teen that Max sets out to help but that gets put on the back burner. I felt like there was a lot of mystery surrounding the teen and it was very climactic building up to rescuing him and then bam! move on to another issue in the book. I was a bit upset about that because it was a giant cliff hanger in the middle of the book. THEN I find out the troubled teen gets his own book so I’m not as upset about it now.

One thing I love about Jolie’s writing is she seems to always have little hints throughout her books about who her next book will be about. She gives her readers an excellent book to read while giving a bit of a background about the characters of her next book. In Betrayed she sets us up for TWO new books! I would definitely recommend this book. It can be read as a standalone but I suggested starting with her first series, Marry the Scot, and get to know the parents!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
6,261 reviews219 followers
November 14, 2021
5 star Review of Betrayed (Wild Mountain Scots #4) by Jolie Vines
This is Max Mc Rae and his ex-girlfriend, Lia Rothschild’s story and although book four in the Wild Mountain Scots story, it can be read as a stand alone although having read the previous book I could not wait to see what happened. One of the things I enjoy about this series is that Ms.Vines heroines are not pushovers, they are strong, sassy and feisty.
I was fully invested in Max and Lia’s second chance at love story. When Lia tracks down Max, she is determined to find out why he has rejected their daughter Evie. Their past is complicated and filled with secrets, lies and betrayal.

The chemistry between Max and Lia is just as intense as it once was but the trust they shared is no longer there. Not only are they trying to resolve the past and come to terms with the present, they find danger has reared it’s head which added some twists and turns to the story.
There is romance, mystery and suspense with characters who are strong and easy to relate too and whose story you cannot help but be drawn into. There is so much pain and miss communication between these two that it is hard to know what is the truth and what is lies.

Having previously been betrayed by his twin Maddock, Max is determined to uncover the truth once and for all. Will he find out that he is Evie’s father or her uncle?
One click and find out.
Profile Image for Angela's Book Addiction.
807 reviews
November 20, 2021
Betrayed (Wild Mountain Scots #4) by Jolie Vines is a slow-burn, contemporary, surprise-baby, enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance told in first person dual POV. Although it’s the fourth book in the Wild Mountain Scots series, it can be read as a standalone. Betrayed follows the relationship between Max McRae and his ex-girlfriend, Lia Rothschild, after she tracks him down to confront him about rejecting their baby—a baby that Max doesn’t know about until that moment.

Lia is convinced that Max was told about the pregnancy and wanted nothing to do with little Evie, but he insists the opposite is true. So what really happened? Is Evie really his daughter? Or is she his niece? How can Max be sure that his twin brother, Maddock, isn’t her father? After all, he and Lia had a one-night stand. Can Max and Lia move beyond the pain and anger from their past and start over?

I loved Max and Lia’s story. After the cliffhanger epilogue in the previous book, Stolen, I was dying to read it—and I wasn’t the least bit disappointed. In my last review, I had written that I thought Maddock was my favorite wild mountain Scot, so far. I think that may still be true, but Max definitely gave him a run for his money. I loved seeing his softer, sweeter side as he spent time with Evie, totally enamored with her, as a new father, doting on his little girl.

Lia and Max have a lot of issues to work through, but their issues aren’t the only obstacle they must overcome. Hints of an unknown threat appear about halfway through the story, and culminate in some dramatic suspenseful twists near the end. Max and Lia make a hot couple and a sweet family together with Evie. I loved how, in their journey back to each other, they not only found love, but they each found themselves, too. I highly recommend Betrayed, along with the entire Wild Mountain Scots series. I’m looking forward to reading Gabe and Effie’s story in the next book.

*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
99 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2021
Got this book at 12.52 today and finished it at 17.55! The only reason it took me 5 hours was that I had to cook food and eat with my family.
I have longed soo much after getting to read Max story. Let me tell you that I love it! Slow burn, not much smut but that don’t matter at all! This story is magnificent! It’s twists and turns. The lies and betrayal that is going on. The love, they way the McRae clan comes together to help. To read about Lia and Max give so much emotion and you think you have figured stuff out and then there’s a twist. The fact that Evies first word ever is da! Let me say that this book is well worth the wait! Go get it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Caroline F.
2,411 reviews52 followers
November 19, 2021
This author goes from strength to strength! This was another amazing, heartfelt, sexy read with a touch of suspense.

"Go to bed because neither of us are ready for all the things I want to do to ye."

Max McRae is shocked to see his old love and learn that he has a daughter. His connection with the adorable little girl is tempered by the painful doubt over her paternity. Added to this is his prickly relationship with the mother, Lia Rothschild, but the more time they spend together, the more they uncover the truth of the past, and dare to hope that they might have a future together.

"Something powerful was building between us. It had been from the day we met and had only gone on pause the years we were apart."

This was a superb story! It was fabulous following Max and Lia as they untangled their versions of the truth and arrive at to a shocking realisation. I loved their passion and their courage in going for what they wanted. They were so natural together and in turn with one another. My heart completely melted as Max bonded with his little girl. They were adorable together! I was also titillated by the suspense element and trying to guess at the mystery involved. This author really knows how to deliver a story with unique storylines, and I'm already impatient for her next release!

Blog: https://readingwillingable.blogspot.c...

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RIOCE...
Profile Image for Samantha Lois.
54 reviews
November 15, 2021
I received this Arc from Jolie Vines for a honest review.

Holy crap. I love the twins, Max and Maddock. They had so much to work through at the end of Stolen and Lia coming back into the picture helped so much. I love history repeating itself in this sense, their older sister Cait was a whoops kind of situation, but at least in this case Max had the chance to make things right with Lia. The story builds quickly and sucks you in. Max grew a lot once he learned about Evie. He loved her regardless of the situation.

Lia is headstrong, wants to protect her family, do what is right for her family and that means following her dad for his job. But when things don’t add up for why Max had no idea about their daughter the two try to find out why and work through the previous trauma from two years prior. I

loved these two, the story again, progresses fast and furious, when Max loves, he loves hard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sheila Schoenauer.
1,102 reviews12 followers
November 17, 2021
Reading this book and knowing without a doubt that grumpy and angry Max McRae was getting his HEA was like finding that hidden piece of chocolate in the back of the freezer. It was that happy smiley feeling. Though I did have one issue that bothered me and that was the fact that I wanted to smack Max and his no condom. Seriously! He's going through issues making sure he can keep his family. Though we basically knew he'd keep them, he was an idiot to not think that event through. What happened if she just left?! He'd be SOL again. Grrrr. Okay that's my rant.

I loved seeing Max FINALLY happy and I loved that Lia was the one who gave that happiness to him. I liked Lia, didn't quite love her. She was to nieve and to innocently trusting. Not to mention that up until she came to castle McRae she was a walking talking doormat. I loved that she found herself and I loved her strength. I just wish she had done it sooner so Max wouldn't have missed so much. But then again we wouldn't have the story we do now. Oh and we can't forget Evie. Forget her parents (lol) that little angel stole the show. She's so precious.

I can not, I repeat, can not wait for Effie and Gabe's story. There is so much mystery around that man and I cannot wait to find it all out.

And Struan... I almost died at Max's inner comment near the end. I have a feeling Struan's story is gonna be good!

I'm sad to see the McRae family stories coming to an end. I look forward to snippets of them in future books. But I'm so glad that each and everyone of them has found their happily-ever-afters.

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
326 reviews3 followers
November 15, 2021
I voluntarily read an arc of this book and am leaving an honest review. This book is as amazing as the cover implies. I started reading it one evening and couldn’t stop. Sleep didn’t matter, food didn’t matter, nothing was more important than reading Max and Lia’s story. They are magic, conflicted, meant to be! Their struggles draw you in and their triumphs lift you up. I couldn’t have guessed who the villain would be and was very impressed by the depth of the plot. Jolie Vines outdoes herself on a regular basis but this may actually take the cake for best book ever! I know, I know, I’ve said that about a lot of her books but it’s true, I promise! Max and Lia have so many obstacles to overcome but they muddle through with honesty and hope and love. This book will take you through so many characters from previous books, multiple stories happening all at once, the tight knit family, the Scottish countryside, the emotions they experience. All of these things will make you fall in love with Max right alongside Lia. Jolie Vines has a gift for writing the perfect, protective, sensitive alpha male. Combine that with a love of their women and children and you have every woman’s fantasy come to life!
Profile Image for Cynthia Ann.
Author 9 books11 followers
November 18, 2021
I had no idea how much I’d love Max after his grumpy appearance in Stolen but dang his rough edges really called to me in Betrayed! I loved the way he loved Lia. A man with a protective instinct is *hot* and this one sizzled. The Wild Mountain Scots series has added a level of suspense from our dear author, but the level of suspense in this one felt even stronger. I had theory after theory throughout the book, and each time a new plot point arrived I was surprised! I had so many suspects before the reveal!

Not to be outdone by the spice because…perfection. The tension between Max and Lia was timed beautifully and once they *finally* got together, ahhh, so amazing. Once again, I’ve been transported to the Highlands and I can’t wait to go back. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a juicy, suspense-filled second chance romance. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Allyssa.
44 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2021
This was such a great book!! I had been waiting to see how this book would go and Jo did a wonderful job of writing it!! I loved the characters both Max and Lia were fantastic and all the supporting characters are so well written that you feel like they are family by the end of the book! I loved how great a dad Max was to Evie from day 1 and how they all came together as a cohesive unit. Plus I always love how the McRae's always support each other no matter what and how Jo can weave the family dynamics throughout all her books.
The suspense was also great in this book though not as suspenseful or at least the suspenseful bit didnt play as big a part in this one as it had in some of the others in this series(at least in my opinion) at least not until the very end of the book. Overall though it was a fantastic book and I can't wait to hear the audio with Frank and Ella!! The epilogue was great too except that it makes me want Effie and Gabe's book out right now haha 🧡
Profile Image for niki_reads_romance.
883 reviews9 followers
November 18, 2021
I have loved every single book by this author, but I was still REALLY leery of this story.

The main characters have a very rocky past, and their meeting again a few years later was brutal.
I’ll be honest- I feel like Rory was WAY out of her lane in what she did to Max, and I feel that wasn’t properly addressed. And for probably the first half of the book, I absolutely could not stand Lia. The story was really engaging though, so I never felt like I wanted to quit reading it, but I did have to walk away a few times.
As I read on, Lia was redeemed, the mystery was intense, and the love Max has for Evie was riveting.
I was completely engrossed in the story, and SO GLAD I gave it a go. And that ending… I was crying. It was so perfect, to wrap everything up and answer those final questions.
Though this was not my favorite book by this author, I feel she did an excellent job on such a tough subject, and I think readers should move past their misgivings and give this great story a try
5,668 reviews
November 18, 2021
She gets me. Every. Single. Time! Emotional, oh my gosh, that's an understatement! This writer keeps me on my reading toes!

I'm always drawn in, and know, do not pick this up if I have somewhere to be, sleep to get, chores to be done; because, the only thing I'm doing is full immersion into her character's problems, heartache, triumphs, LOVE!!!!

I'm speechless at how much I loved this! Well, almost speechless!
Profile Image for M Will.
967 reviews15 followers
November 9, 2021
I have yet to read a book by Jolie Vines that hasn't won me over. Max's story was worth the wait. We meet Max in the earlier books of this series. He's a magnificently handsome and broody young man carrying a secret pain from a betrayal by his brother and the one who stole his heart. This story starts off with a bang, and honestly keeps a rather fast pace. Both Max and Lia have lots of pain surrounding their brief yet intense relationship. Secrets are unraveled that leave both facing hard truths and challenging themselves to grow.

And once again, I was enamored by the visits of former main characters from Max's extended family. There is so much love of family in these series, and no shortage of it in this book. Max and Lia grew up in totally different worlds. Watching them work towards one another while facing their own challenges was just fantastic. There is a bigger mystery afoot surrounding Lia's father that threw in some great intensity. Sweet, spicy, with a bit of suspense. A perfect story in my opinion.

I know this may wrap up most of this series for the family and extended clan, but wow. I'd love holiday novellas or something because I am not done with the McRae clan.

I received an advanced copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Louise Murchie.
Author 23 books84 followers
November 15, 2021
I've read ALL the McRae books and Max's story does not disappoint. In the same world as the other two series, we know what happened, or we know what Max *thinks* happened two years ago. We learn as he does what really happened and how he and Lia work out their differences is so sweet! That bonnie wee lass... The twists that reveal the answers I (for once!) had it in the right area, but not spot on. That's the beauty of these books! And how Jolie keeps coming up with these realistic plots, I do not know! I'm looking forward to the next instalment & the next series! Just take me to McRae land!

I had an advance copy of this book and this review is honest, as well as my own.
Profile Image for Sarah Speigle.
171 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2021
Jolie has outdone herself with this book. It is quite possibly her best work to date - hands down. She has a way to grab you, pull you into the story, and never let you go until it reaches its conclusion. Max and Lia are everything. Fate dealt them a cruddy hand, and all they want is to be together, even though they are denying their feelings for each other. They want what is best for their daughter, and they also want answers. Jolie weaves in suspense along with their love story and I found that I could not put this book down. I was rooting for them from the beginning and along with each twist and each page, I found that I couldn't love two characters more. If you read one of Jolie's books, this is the one.
503 reviews51 followers
August 19, 2022

Pov: male & female

Main characters: Max & Lia

Minor characters: Maddock (his twin), Rory (Maddocks fiancé, his friend)

My thoughts:

I was glad to see what happened between Maddock and Max. It was teased throughout this series and it was a good payoff. Not great, but good. It seems like they got past it pretty fast though, with little interaction between them to do it.

One thing that’s bothering me is everyone’s ages. Everyone is in their early 20s, like 20-22, but they kept talking about when they were young and the bad decisions they made at 18. Everyone just seems so young to all be having settling down dreams at the same time.

Synopsis:

Lia is an only child. Her mom passed away and she was raised by her dad. He was a negotiator for government agencies. It was very dangerous so they moved a lot.

One of their stops was Scotland.

Max and Maddock are twins. They’ve always been competitive.

One day he bumped into Lia by chance. They hit it off and had instant chemistry. They fell in love quickly.

Her dad was reassigned and gave her a few days notice before they had to move. She couldn’t tell Max the details but explained she was leaving. They got into a fight and broke up.

The day she was leaving she saw him in the bar of her hotel. He was distant with her, and she assumed he was drunk. That the only way he could bring himself to see her was to be drunk.

She sought him out and they ended up having sex outside the bar. She knew it was their last time together.

She moves and a few months later finds out she’s pregnant. She tries to contact him but he’s blocked her number and accounts. She’s devastated but wants to keep the baby. Her dad arranges for a distant aunt in Scotland to find Max and tell him in person.

She has the baby, Evie, and the distant aunt tells her Max was told but doesn’t want anything to do with her. She had a difficult birth and is furious with him.

Max is heartbroken when she leaves. One day Maddock tells him he accidentally slept with Lia. Maddock went to the bar and a girl approached him. They had sex and the girl left. Another girl approached him and told him he just slept with Max’s ex. He felt so guilty he told Max.

Max is devastated and angry. He leaves town and starts working with a mentoring program for kids along the coast in poor neighborhoods. He teaches them to fix cars, since he’s a mechanic. His relationship with Maddock is non existent.

Max goes to a festival with his cousin and meets Rory. They become fast friends but there’s no spark. Rory comes to Scotland for a visit and decides to try a friends with benefits situation with Max. She bumps into Maddock thinking it’s Max and kisses him. Max sees and is furious. He leaves town. Rory and Maddock track him down. He and Maddock apologize to each other and resolve their issues. (Book 3)

Rory heard about Maddock sleeping with Max’s ex and knows Max still has unresolved feelings so she tracks down Lia.

Lia gets Rory’s message and decides to confront Max. Lia shows up unexpectedly and tells Max they have a daughter. That he’s a terrible person for denying their baby.

He’s shocked. He realizes the baby could be Maddocks. He’s furious with her. She’s shocked to find out he has a twin. She knows Evie is his and is furious he won’t accept Evie.

She tells him about the aunt and he tells her that didn’t happen. They decide to track down the aunt but can’t find her or anyone that knows her.

She calls her dad assistant for contact info but the assistant is shifty.

She and Max slowly reconcile. They admit they’ve never gotten over each other. He decides Evie is his no matter who the father is.

She explains her dads job and decides she wants to stay in Scotland with Max. She tells him she thinks her dad would retire and settle with them.

Maddock comes back to town and tells Max Rory is pregnant. That they’re engaged and have been staying away to make things easy on him and Lia. That he wants Max to be his best man. That he wants to raise their kids together as cousins. Max wants that too.

Lia decides to talk to Maddock and clear the air. She tells him it was all a mistake, but she doesn’t want things to be weird between them. He wants that too. They agree to put things behind them.

One day they’re out together and his cousin is watching Evie. A man shows up and kidnaps her. They find out it’s her dads assistant. The assistant knew her dad would retire but believed his diplomatic work was too important to the world. That he’s the one who faked the aunt story because he knew Lia would want to go back to Scotland and her dad would go with her.

The assistant agrees to give Evie back if Lia’s dad signs a contract to keep working. He agrees and they get Evie back. Lia feels bad, but knows working is not a hardship for her dad. Her dad is at peace with the decision.

She gets a dna test done on Evie and finds out Max is the biological father. She and Max get married. She gets pregnant again almost immediately.





This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review1 follower
November 8, 2021
I was so excited about this book and wasn’t disappointed.

The two main characters are wonderfully thought out and do a lot of soul searching and growing in this book. At the beginning I was sure what was going to happen in the end but shortly into the book I was questioning everything. I was still confused (in a great way) up until the end of the book.

The family dynamic is super important in all of these books so it’s a great idea to read from the very beginning. Characters from past books are always popping in to help. You could read this as a stand alone but it would be way less fun.
Profile Image for Sandie Chraponski.
1,763 reviews18 followers
November 18, 2021
One day! I read this one in one day, I couldn’t put this one down. Jolie Vines has given us such a great story of forgiveness and love.

Max and Lia’s story is one you think you will have read before but Jolie gives this a fresh take that is just going to make you fall in love with the couple and the McRae family even more.

These Scots are everything we love and then a whole lot more. This story gives us a little intrigue, a lot of emotion and the perfect amount of heat. So head back to Scotland and spend some more time with the McRaes, you won’t be disappointed!
45 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2021
Oh my goodness! Finally, Max! I loved this book, and loved seeing this hot Scot find some peace at last. The pace of this book is a tad slower, less edge of your seat, without being the least bit slow. It’s just more comfortable, low key tension most of the time. It was a nice change of pace. Right up till it got crazy, of course. :-). Jolie never disappoints and I can’t wait for Gabe’s story! I want to live with this family so much!!!
Profile Image for Heather Williams.
116 reviews
November 8, 2021
Oh my ...Max and Lia's story is full of drama and twists and turns!!! I love all of Jolie's books, but this one brings all the emotions!!! Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotion and as always the urge for more of the McRae's. I loved the cameos from various McRae's from previous books. The growth of both Max and Lia is amazing.
1 review
November 8, 2021
Absolutely fantastic book start to finish. Totally engrossed from the very start with Lia and Max's story and there beautiful daughter. This story had me in tears with laughet and sadness with max. My advice- make sure you have nothing to do when reading this as you will not want to put it down!!! Another amazing story from jolie vines!!!
14 reviews
November 8, 2021
OMG Jolie does again! What a wonderful writer she is. She never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat with so many unique twists and turns. Great ending for Max's story. Jolie you did Max justice with his realistic story. Can't wait to hear Gabe and Elfie's story and know I have to wait in suspense for many months, but it's worth the wait. Looking forward to reading your next Scotiah series.
Profile Image for Leonie .
503 reviews235 followers
May 8, 2025
"I´d do anything for ye."

This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Max and Lia.

I loved how we got different versions of Lia throughout the book and how she grew more into herself. I feel like for her it was more about character development and finding herself. In the beginning she is more of a "pushover" as she calls herself but learns more about herself during the span of the book. Max is a typical "wild child" so to speak, impulsive, a bit hot headed but always following his heart. I loved how he was so protective of Lia and such a sweet dad with Evie. I feel like he also underwent a lot of growth in this book.

Regarding the side characters, I loved to see Rory and Maddox story continue. I always love the big family vibes they always have going on where everybody helps and supports everybody. I liked that all of them had a well fleshed out background story and their own history as well. I loved how Effie got introduced and how she befriended Lia.

Plotwise I really really enjoyed this. We have a second chance romance in here with the "surprise pregnancy" trope. So there is some angst as well as nice tension. You can expect a few spicy scenes in here, as well as domestic and sweet family moments and a few action scenes on top. The pacing itself was well done, never felt like too slow or too fast, and I love how Jolie Vine´s books always have that added mystery factor. I loved how the next spin off series was already introduced (I am reading the series in wrong order, so to me it was like "Look, my shayla"). I knew Max´s book was probably gonna be my favorite of the series (I think I already said this during book 1) and indeed it was. I can´t read to reast the last book of the series.

Overall it was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

trigger warnings: kidnapping, mentions of hostage situations
Profile Image for Amy Dickinson.
1,466 reviews40 followers
November 20, 2021
Overall Grade: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I want to first start this review with a word of praise for Jolie Vines, the author of the newest book, Betrayed, book 4 of her Wild Mountain Scots series. You see, I found Jolie with her second-ever book, and over the course of the past couple of years, I’ve gobbled every one since. While I was reading Betrayed, I found myself lost in her story but also reflective about her evolution as an author. Honestly, for me, Betrayed is her best bit of storytelling yet. There is a cohesion and story-pacing that feel polished in this book. I’ve always enjoyed her as a writer, but, in the past, there were moments in her stories that felt like the story peaked too soon and lost steam or felt disconnected at times. With this newest series, each moment showed maturity in story development: the right pacing, the most-developed characterizations, and her continued acknowledgment of her brand. In other words, over time, Jolie Vines has become a better storyteller, and I feel pride in reading her books and offering up reviews to promote them.

Betrayed follows Max, the twin to Maddock and the son of Scarlet and Ally. In the other books of the Wild Mountain Scots series, in a word, Max has been angry. There are reasons: he seems to have feelings for Rory, his brother’s eventual girlfriend, but Maddock kisses her first and it’s clear that she’s meant for Maddock, not Max. He and his brother are like the yin and yang symbol, constantly at odds with each other while also symbiotic. And, years earlier, Maddock accidentally has a drunken one-night stand with Max’s ex-girlfriend whom he still loves. Therefore, Max has been a sullen man and isolated himself from his brother and his family in the earlier books of the series.

As you enter Betrayed, there is more of this; however, Vines doesn’t make us wade too long in Max’s angry pool. Instead, she forces us to jump into the deep end fairly quickly, and she deftly untangles Max and Lia’s complicated mess of a past, throwing her reader a life preserver. What happens is true to Jolie Vines form: their insta-love is rekindled, and Max shows us his true heroic nature, one filled with the capacity to love his secret daughter and fall deeply in love with his former girlfriend. Underpinning the romance of this story is a more complicated one involving Lia’s father and some type of secret society intent on keeping him in his job. It was all well-developed, hinting at more stories in the future. In fact, by the end of Betrayed, you will know the hero and heroine of her next book of the series. I won’t divulge the details here, but my interest is already piqued for Tormented, book 5 of this series.

So here’s the thing: if you love burly, Scottish heroes who fall in insta-love with their heroines (I mean these guys fall hard while steadfastly holding onto their masculinity) and heroines who can be a bit messy but worthy of the adoration of this type of hero, then you should run fast into Betrayed and its predecessors. Honestly, there is lots of suspense with the stories of this series, interesting situations that draw you in and keep you engaged. Once I began reading Betrayed, I simply couldn’t put it down, and there is nothing better than a hero who adores his daughter and the love of his life. Well done, Jolie. Well done! I feel honored to be one of your diehard readers.
Profile Image for Becky.
1,933 reviews65 followers
November 20, 2021
Everything and more!

This book delivered everything and more! I've been eagerly anticipating Max's book as well as the reunion of Max and Maddox! Twins share a special connection and brothers especially should be best friends not enemies! It broke my heart to see the deteriorating brotherhood between these two! This book has twist and turns, ups and downs! To be honest, I didn't see how this author could rationalize what happened between the brothers and Lia's involvement in their devision. But she did and that's why this author is a one click buy/rent always! These books are about an amazing, big, loving Scottish family. These families trials, loves, births and finding Hea is a journey that will leave you happy, crying tears and sigh moments. Sign me up to be an honorary McRae please! Btw way Evie be still my heart "ba" 💚💚 read in order and I suggest starting with the rents book in Mary the Scot! Happy reading you'll feel like your living in the highlands of Scotland!
Profile Image for Patricia Baxes.
3,050 reviews30 followers
November 18, 2021
Be still my heart…I went through all the emotions I have while reading this book. I laughed; I cried; I railed at the gods…and then I read the whole book again to make sure I didn’t miss anything!

This book is going to smack you right where it hurts…then it’s going to wrap you in a love like you’ve never known. Thank you, Jolie Vines for a great read! This book has one helluva storyline. Characters that keep you guessing which way is up. Plot twists and turns that are borderline crazy—or is that crazed? And the HEA…oh Lordy, please pass the tissues. You’re going to need a whole bunch!

Don’t let this book get by you! You definitely want this bad boy in your personal library. Get your copy today!! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and absolutely loved it!) ❤️❤️❤️
Profile Image for Liza Rutti.
152 reviews
November 18, 2021
MAX!!!

What a ride! This is the 4th book of the Wild Mountain Scots Series and finally Max’s story! We get a peak at Max in the Wild Scots series but he plays major parts in the three books that come before him WMS So to finally get his story was something we’ve all been waiting for. Max has a huge heart and had been suffering through a broken heart. Finally we get the details of that which brings in Lia and the ever precious Evie. Max and Evie reconnect after 2 years apart with anger due to broken hearts. Max finds out he’s a father and things go from there (I won’t spoil it)

I had some issues with Lia early on but that’s probably because Max was an established and loved character but she quickly won me over. My heart was happy with this ending.
Profile Image for Kari Shanahan.
133 reviews4 followers
November 18, 2021
Finally getting Max's story!!!!!!
I've read every one of the Marry the Scots books, Wild Scots, and now the Wild Mountain Scots. I can honestly say this book had so many twists and turns, that I couldn't have known what was going to happen. I've always wondered about Max since his twins book and I'm glad I finally know his tale. Max and Lia are like a modern day Romeo & Juliet but WAY steamier and less murder-y. I was counting the pages down and worried I wouldn't get the ending Max deserved but Jolie didn't let me down (I know she wouldn't dare!!!) She did give a little sneak peek at the next series and I am LIVING for it!!! Everyone needs to buy or download and read this book ASAP!!!!!
Profile Image for Lynne  Rainbow.
201 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2021
Max’s book is something else. It has everything from mistaken identities, errors in judgement, betrayal and consequences. Having loved and lost Max is wondering aimlessly through his life never really moving forward but he’s happy that way, or so he thought. However when the girl he loved and left him returns and demands answers for his abandonment before dropping the bomb of his fatherhood. Things get a lot more complicated especially as she’s also slept with his twin. Full of twists, turns and dangerous enemies this is one wild ride for our McRae clan. Fans of Jolies Scots will rejoice another perfect coupling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.