Highland Beast by Amy Jarecki

Tracy’s rating: 3 of 5 stars

Series: The King’s Outlaws, #3

Release Date: June 29, 2021

Rhona the healer of Clan MacDougall is devastated when she learns her Granduncle, Alexander, Lord of Lorn has surrendered Dunstaffnage Castle to the self-proclaimed King of the Scots, Robert the Bruce, and is taking his best soldiers and fleeing to England. And if that wasn’t bad enough she then learns that Robert has assigned Sir Arthur Campbell to act as the constable – the man who broke her heart years ago and the one man she hoped to never see again.

Sir Arthur is thrilled to be at Dunstaffnage again and hopes to win Rhona’s heart again now that she is widowed – he is not sure why she is so cold to him and thinks it is because of his allegiance to the king, who is an enemy to her clan, which is true, but what he doesn’t know is that she never got his letter and that she thinks he deserted her.

Arthur is determined to woo Rhona and marry her, but Rhona is equally determined to keep him at arm’s length and to cause him problems by sabotaging things at the castle. She is able to keep her feelings under control, but when Arthur is injured and she tends him, she knows that she still cares for him. But even her feelings for him don’t stop her from betraying him by helping the men who shot him escape and making Arthur look like a fool – actions she later hopes to keep from him. Can these two find their way back to each other or will past hurts be too much to overcome?

As with every book I have ever read by this author, I found this novel to be a well-written, well-researched, nicely paced story with interesting characters and a bit of fact incorporated into the fiction. But unlike almost every book I have read by this author, I didn’t love this book. Personally, I didn’t really like Rhona, I found her actions petty and immature, I also had a hard time agreeing with her POV about the loyalty she owed to a man who took his best soldiers and left his elderly sister and widowed niece to fend for themselves with his enemies. Furthermore, I didn’t feel the connection between Arthur and Rhona, and when her secrets were exposed, I thought the “solution” was improbable and contrived. Arthur was a wonderful hero and unfortunately, I felt like he ended up doing all the work to make their HEA happen and he deserved better. This is the third book in the series, but the books can all be read as standalone titles with no issues.

*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.

The Highlander’s Secret Son

His first love
Now his sworn enemy…
What is Fiona MacDonald doing on the run across his lands? With a wee baby as well! Brandon once loved this woman with all his heart―until her family killed many of his clan. Now, as the new Campbell Laird, he must make sure she pays the price for her betrayal. But how can he claim his vengeance if what she says is true…? That her child is his son and heir!

Purchase Links:

Amazon US/Paperback ~ Amazon/US Kindle ~ Amazon/UK Paperback ~ Amazon/UK Kindle

Author Bio :

Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a Golden Heart ® Finalist, Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. Her Scottish Highland historical and historical romantic suspense novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.

Connect with Jeanine:

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ BookBub ~ Instagram

Giveaway!

Giveaway to Win A bundle of Highland Treats (Open INT)
Prize contains:
1) One signed paperback copy of The Highlander’s Secret Son.
2) Bookmark and magnet book swag.
3) Scottish Blessing Bracelet.
4) Sterling Silver “Spread Your Wings and Fly” Necklace.
5) Red Journal.

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Tracy’s Review:

The Highlander’s Secret Son by Jeanine Englert
Tracy’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

After what he believed to be an unforgivable betrayal by the woman he loved, Brandon Campbell’s life changed dramatically and he is now the Laird of Clan Campbell. It has been over a year since the attack by the MacDonald clan that left many dead and Brandon’s brother devastated by grief and no longer able to lead the clan, causing Brandon to take over. He blames himself for the losses, he never should have trusted Fiona MacDonald and hopes to God he never sees her again.

Fiona thought Brandon loved her and was crushed when she sent him letters telling him she was pregnant and he ignored her. Desperate to escape her father’s cruelty, she takes her son and plans to make her way to her aunt’s clan. But she is caught on Campbell land by none other than the man who broke her heart and abandoned both her and their son.

Once it becomes clear that Fiona didn’t betray him intentionally, Brandon refuses to let her leave and old feelings begin to rekindle. But when the elders insist he marries to strengthen the clan and refuse to even consider Fiona, Brandon will have to choose between love and duty. He chose duty and almost immediately realizes his mistake, but by then Fiona is gone, along with his son – is it too late for them?

This was a well-written, fast-paced read that was hard to put down. The story is filled with emotion, likable characters, betrayal, secrets, angst, very mild love scenes, shocking revelations, and finally, a HEA that didn’t seem possible. I loved Fiona and my heart just broke for her time and again, if anyone deserved a HEA, it is her, I just wish her hero hadn’t been such a wuss for most of the book. He does redeem himself in the end, but it felt like too little, too late in my opinion.
*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. *