Novella – Flippin' Pages Book Reviews

Christmas Wishes of Love by Julie Johnstone

Series: Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts #11

Release Date: December 1, 2025

When she was just a child, Lillith MacLeod made a wish that she would never suffer from a broken heart after seeing how unhappy her father was after losing her mother. Since that day, Lillith has dedicated herself to becoming a warrior for her clan and has made it clear that she has no plans to marry. Lucky for her, her father found love, remarried and promised that Lillith and her twin sister Lenora would be able to choose their own husbands. But that promise may be in danger of being broken, when the king demands that MacLeods end their feud with the Matheson clan by marriage! The king has declared that Rory Matheson, the heir to the Matheson laird can choose his bride between the two sisters. And after being accidentally shot with an arrow by Lillith, it is clear that he won’t be choosing her, he wants a biddable wife.

This royal decree has ramifications, if the clans do no abide the king’s command, they will lose lands and power, but if Iain MacLeod agrees and forces one of his granddaughter to wed Rory, then the cost could be his marriage, as his wife, as well as several of his other womenfolk are adamantly opposed to forcing the girls to wed. Lucky for him, the women have a plan to scare Rory off and shift the blame for the failed clan merger on the Mathesons. Lillith is more than happy to torment Rory, since she has no desire to ever get married, but why does he have to be so handsome and likable?

I really enjoyed this novella, it was well-written and nicely paced and I felt that the relationship between Lillith and Rory progressed at a believable pace. If you love a low/no steam, enemies to lovers romance, then this book is for you! This book is linked to the Highlander Vows: Entangled Hearts Series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

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

The Kilted Groom by Lauren Smith

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone?

Release Date: November 2, 2025

When her grandmother dies, she leaves her estate to Ainsley Hazelwood but to claim her inheritance, she is tasked with returning an old ring to a family in Scotland. Feeling somewhat adrift and a bit lonely since her grandmother passed, Ainsley decides to quit her job and set out for Scotland. But right from the beginning, things do not go as planned when her car gets stuck in the mud on the way to the B&B she is staying at. With no cell service and a raging storm, it looks like it is going to be a long, cold night in her rented car, that is until she is saved by a very handsome local – Leith Creighton. She is wary at first, but he proves himself to be a great guy and they enjoy each other’s company for the night, not expecting to see each other again. Ah, the best laid plans…

Leith Creighton, the Earl of Blair and the owner of Blair Castle, a medieval fortress build on the edge of Loch Awe, is on his way home when he comes upon Ainsley. He offers to take her to the B&B and ends up spending the night there himself. When he returns home the next day, he wonders how he can see her again, even though they agreed to just one night. So, no one is more shocked than he is when she shows up at his door. It turns out her Great-Great-Great Grandmother was engaged to Leith’s Great-Great-Great uncle Daniel, who perished in WWI. Ainsley’s relative Saoirse was heartbroken when Daniel died and left Scotland, she returned their letters to the family, but kept her engagement ring, which was a family heirloom. Leith is shocked that Ainsley is returning it and shares Daniel and Saoirse’s love story with her. Not wanting to break their connection, he offers her a job. Is it possible that they could continue the love story that their relatives had stolen from them?

This was such a great story, I loved Ainsley and Leith and was rooting for them right from the start! The writing was great, it was paced nicely and had just the right amount of spice. Ainsley and Leith have a believable connection right from the beginning and I loved the way the author wove the story of the ring into their story, making their instant attraction almost feel fated. My only complaint was I wish it was longer, and I wanted to experience their HEA, but there is the promise of another story, so fingers crossed this is not the last we will see of them! Other than that, I was enchanted and would happily recommend this book.

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

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