The Temptation of a Highlander by Elisa Braden

Tracy’s rating: 5 of 5 stars

Series: Midnight in Scotland, #3

Release Date: December 28, 2021

When a spurned suitor turns violent, Miss Clarissa Meadows flees to the highlands and the home of her dear friend Kate MacPherson with her grandmother in tow. She believes that she is safe from the threat that Stephen Northfield posed and even considers marriage to Francis Prescott, Viscount Teversham, another dear friend as an added layer of protection. Their marriage would be in name only, a plan that seemed perfect until she met Campbell MacPherson.

Campbell MacPherson is the eldest brother and a quiet giant who has much pain and loss in his past. Pain that has held him a prisoner to darkness until he meets Clarissa. The attraction is fast, furious, and impossible to deny – but denying is exactly what he does. That is until it is clear that the threat that sent Clarissa in hiding has found her. And that stokes Campbell’s protective instincts, he takes Clarissa to his home to protect her and keep his family safe, but he still tries to deny his feelings for her. But soon, just keeping her hidden isn’t enough to save her and he demands that she wed him and even goes as far as to using her attraction to him to tempt her into agreeing. And agree she does, they wed, and mere hours later, Northfield makes it clear that he will kill Campbell and make her a widow. Clarissa tries to get Campbell to end the marriage, but he refuses and once again tempts Clarissa into compliance. For a short time, all seems right in her world, but soon his past and secrets will threaten to pull them apart. But even when the past is resolved and love blooms, the dark shadow of Northfield still hangs over them and it is clear that this fight is to the death – but whose?

OMG – every time I read a book by Ms. Braden, I think “this is the best one yet and I don’t think she can outdo herself” – but she does! Every. Single. Time. And this book is by far the best one yet! This book is perfection, it is well-written, perfectly paced, and features a plot that holds you captive from the first page and doesn’t release you until the last word is read! And even after you read the last word, you know that Campbell and Clarissa will stay with you for a long time and you will chafe at the knowledge that you will have to wait until the next book until you can reunite with them! This book has it all, secrets, a deranged psychopathic stalker, great secondary characters, pain, darkness tempered by moments of lightness, a heroine who inadvertently spouts inappropriate innuendo, dogs who fall in love at first sight, coos, steamy love scenes, a bit of magic, a soulmate type of love and finally a HEA that is bound to warm your heart and possibly bring a tear to your eye. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a standalone title with no problems. I can’t recommend this book highly enough; in my humble opinion, it is a must-read and definitely deserves a spot on your keeper shelf!

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