Lady Maura Campbell Gordon was overjoyed when the black-clad Scotsman kidnapped her from an Englishman's clutches, saving her from a forced marriage. But when she felt the aggressive touch of her 'rescuer,' she became outraged...for this was 'the black' MacLaren - not only a sworn enemy of the Campbells but also a scoundrel who'd become famous for his masterful skill in bed! Yet despite Lady Maura's resolve to reject such a rake, she could not deny the shivers of wanting that coursed through her as he boldly caressed her body and whispered his delicious plans...Alexander MacLaren had saved Lady Maura Campbell from a hellish English marriage only as a favor to her father - a Gordon - but Alex could not forget that the hated Campbell blood surged through Maura's veins. Nor could he deny that protecting her would bring on the wrath of Cromwell himself. Yet the striking beauty of this raven-haired lass made Alex burn with wanting. And though she resisted, he knew he wouldn't rest until he saw her violet eyes smolder with the color of desire as he took her to heights of ecstasy more wondrous than the highland hills!
Read: 6/22/25 Setting: Restoration England, Scotland Trope: enemies to lovers
What a wonderful surprise!
At first, I thought this was your typical Bodice-ripper. The h was treating her recuer horribly. The TSTL character 🙄 . Once they reach his castle, the reader gets a totally different book. The romance is on full blast, and I loved it! The h's shrew behavior stops, and she becomes a great h. They were a great match! The only problem is that the H is stubborn about marriage, but with his backstory, you completely understand his side.
In the background, there are others who will tear them apart. There's the OW (one-sided love), the h's evil fiancé and even Oliver Cromwell himself, all set to destroy the couple. How can these two be together?
Conclusion: This book was what I was looking for in an old school romance. The story was nothing special, but it was entertaining. I'll definitely be trying more books by this author, I just hope I can find them.
Gue nggak nyangka kalau cerita novel ini bakalan bagus. I chose this book because of its price.. it only cost me Rp. 20.000.. buku ini fulls of romantic words.. you will probably get melt over the hero's words.
ceritanya.. Lady Maura Campbell (orang Scotland yang sudah lama tinggal di Inggris) mau dinikahkan dengan salah seorang bangsawan Inggris secara paksa.
Tentu saja dia nggak mau, dan ditengah kepanikannya itu, eng-ing-eng, datanglah ksatria kita yang tiba-tiba muncul dari balik jendela untuk jemput dia..nih adegan berhasil mengocok perut gue..
Kaburlah Maura, ibu Maura bersama ksatria itu dan pengikutnya dari Inggris menuju ke Dunraven, tanah klan Maclaren. Ditengah jalan, akhirnya Maura tau siapa identitas asli si 'penolong'nya ini. Dia adalah Alexander Maclaren, dia adalah laird dari klan Maclaren, pria yang memiliki reputasi yang buruk menurut gosip yang didengar oleh MAura, dan dia juga merupakan musuh dari klan Campbell.
Di sisi lain, Alexander Maclaren juga terpaksa menolong (membawa kabur) Maura oleh karena permintaan teman baiknya, Donald Gordon, yang merupakan ayah dari Maura Campbell. Maura Campbell adalah anggota klan Campbell yang pernah membunuh ibu dan saudara perempuannya. Walaupun begitu, Alex tetap mengiyakan permintaan Donald yang sudah sakit-sakitan juga karena dia sangat menyayangi Donald seperti ayahnya sendiri.
Selama perjalanan menuju Dunraven, Maura dan Alex kerjaannya berantem melulu.. Nggak tahan liat Alex yang dengan sengaja bikin Maura jengkel dan berakhir dengan adu mulut. Maura juga sempet nolak ketemu ayahnya karena dia nganggep ayahnya udah menelantarkan dia dari kecil.
Gue suka banget sama cerita ini karena kesalah pahaman diantara mereka nggak dibuat secara bertele-tele. Buktinya, beberapa hari setelah Maura tiba di Dunraven,hubungan antara ayah-ibu Maura dan Maura segera membaik.
Ada juga saat-saat dimana mereka jealous satu sama lain dan tragedi yang membuat mereka menyadari perasaan mereka masing2..(ini masih setengah buku), setengah buku terakhir diisi dengan pembuktian besarnya kekuatan cinta mereka menghadapi segala rintangan yang menghadang. Gue salut sama Maura yang nggak pernah ragu akan cinta dan perkataan Alex, walaupun banyak yang mencoba merusak hubungan mereka, tapi Maura hanya percaya pada Alex..
Sedih baca bab-bab terakhir..waktu Alexnya mau di hukum gantung..huhu Tapi untungnya... endingnya bahagia (walaupun pendek banget dan nggak puas).. Ada saudara Alex yang bernama Colin dan Simon.. remembering me of Bridgerton brothers. haha.
Oh man, nih review panjang banget..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.