Hit Me With Your Best Scot by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders, #3

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Thanks to an agreement his estranged parents made 17 years ago, Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril and heir to the Earl Aldriss, along with his two brothers – must marry an Englishwoman before their sister Eloise marries in a few weeks or their mother will no longer fund their Scottish estate. Originally the brothers planned to arrive in London and wreak havoc, thinking that their mother would back down, but grossly underestimated her and now that his brothers have found love, Coll has no choice but to find a bride – but he will do so on his own terms and will not let the countess pick his bride! He is escaping her latest matchmaking attempt when he meets Mrs. Persephone Jones, the lead actress at the Saint Genesius Theatre, and is immediately intrigued, and even though Coll knows that an actress is not a suitable choice for a wife, he can’t seem to walk away. And when he protects her from an unwanted suitor he decides to take the position of her protector – at least until he finds a wife.

Persephone has secrets and has been hiding in plain sight for eight years, she knows getting involved with Coll is a mistake and could potentially expose her, but there is something about him that touches her like no one ever has, and even knowing he needs a bride, a position she could never fill, she can’t seem to send him away. She knows their time together is limited and even offers to help him find a bride and justification for spending time with him in exchange for his protection, a position he happily agrees to. Coll plans to enjoy his time with her and even tells his mother he is going to marry her to annoy her and to give him time to find a bride without her meddling. But after yet another “accident” almost kills Persephone, Coll realizes two things, one; that someone is trying to kill her, and two; he can’t live without her. Persephone knows the time has come to tell Coll the truth and wonders if she is brave enough to face her past so she can have a future with the man she has come to love.

This was a great story, well-written and fast-paced, with wonderful characters and a well-plotted “whodunit”. Of the three brothers, I think Coll is my favorite, I loved his protective nature and his willingness to let Persephone be herself –Sigh, he is just amazing. The story has so much to offer: secrets, scandal, steamyish love scenes, a well-executed mystery, cameos from previous characters, surprises, a strong likable heroine, great secondary characters, and a hard-won HEA. What kept this from being a five-star book is the fact that it is the last book in the series and it ended with some unanswered questions and no epilogue. I wanted to know what happened with his parents and would have liked a glimpse into the future with all three brothers, unfortunately, that did not happen, so I am left to wonder and feel a bit cheated. Even still, I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend the title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions are my own *