A Scot’s Pride by Eliza Knight

Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Distinguished Scots, #1

Release Date: August 15, 2023

At his grandfather’s urging, Bryson Mackenzie Fraser, Baron Lovat goes to London to find an English wife. He relies on his aunt, Lady Daven for help, suggesting that while he will marry an Englishwoman to appease his grandfather, he would like a bride with some Scottish blood. His aunt agrees to help and supplies him with a list of eligible brides, but then she confuses him when she introduces him to Miss Freya Grysham, a lovely woman who is completely wrong for him and not on the list. Bryson who usually has no problem charming ladies, finds himself immediately at odds with Freya. He is happy to be done with her, but when he learns her sister is the love of his best friend’s life, he will try to get along with her to help his friend. Too bad she doesn’t seem willing to play nice.

Freya Grysham is the second daughter of Baron Grysham, she and her elder sister Riley are partaking in the London season with hopes of finding husbands. Riley is madly in love with Hugh Gray, the Earl of Ashbury, but they are both painfully shy and the courtship is not progressing. To make matters worse, their father makes it clear that they need to marry well or risk being left penniless when their father dies and their cousin inherits. There is also the suggestion that Riley marry him, but Freya knows her sister is in love and will do whatever is necessary to help her attain her HEA – even spend time with the earl’s obnoxious best friend, Lord Lovat. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself drawn to him but is sure nothing will come of it, especially when her family abruptly leaves London. Leaving her to wonder if anyone will be getting a HEA!

What a great start to a new series! Featuring an enemies-to-lovers trope, the book is filled with likable characters, more than one romance, an elopement, a bit of drama, a nod to previous heroes in other series, highwaymen, lots of sisters, witty banter, some tears, a bit of steam and finally a HEA. This is the first book in a new series, but I didn’t really feel a lot of setup for the series, but I am assuming that her friends will be finding their HEAs in upcoming installments. Overall, I enjoyed this story and will certainly be looking forward to the next book.

*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.*