Tag: Lauren Smith

The Kilted Groom by Lauren Smith

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Novella, Scottish/Highlander, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Kilted GroomThe 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. *

Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith

On By TracyIn Author Collaboration Series, Book Publicity, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Novella, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Top Pick - Highly Recommended, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Snowflakes and Wallflowers (Christmas Wallflowers, #2)Snowflakes and Wallflowers by Lauren Smith

Tracy’s rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Christmas Wallflowers, #2

Release Date: December 20, 2022

Just weeks before Christmas, Matilda Matthews and her aunt Florence get a letter from the new Earl of Castleton telling them they have five days to vacate Meadow Cross cottage. The cottage has been Matilda’s home for her entire life, her father was the late earl’s steward and friend, when he died, the late earl promised Matilda she could have the cottage for life, rent-free and even gave her a small annuity, which is her only income. Now the new earl wants them out or to pay an outrageous amount in rent – there is no way Matilda is going to pay the rent or move out. She sets out in the snow to give the earl an earful! But things don’t go as planned…

Arthur Brynnwood is an unrepentant rake, he didn’t expect to inherit the Castleton earldom so soon and is a bit overwhelmed. He just wants to set the estate in order and return to London and his hedonistic life. But what he gets is a snowball to the face after a disagreement with his tenant – Miss Matthews. So he does the unexpected, grabs her, and locks her in a room until he decides what to do. His solution is simple, he is lacking female companionship, so if Matilda is willing to be his mistress for the next two weeks, he will let them stay rent-free in the cottage for 5 months. But once he goes to get her aunt and sees the state of the cottage, he is shocked and a bit ashamed. Renegotiations are in order and Matilda surprises him at every turn. Soon two weeks won’t be enough and he begins to think of ways to extend their time together. But when unexpected guests arrive, will the obvious differences between them tear them apart, or will love keep them together?

This was a very well-written, nicely-paced, fun story. I thought Arthur was a bit of a jerk at first, but he grew on me and by the end, I was smitten. I loved Arthur and Matilda together, their connection started as lust but developed into a true friendship, filled with admiration, respect, and love. The book has witty banter, laugh-out-loud moments, smokin’ hot love scenes, wonderful secondary characters, a bit of heartache, and finally a HEA complete with a feel-good epilogue. This is part of an author collaboration series, but it is a standalone title and quick read that I loved, and hope you will give it a try!

*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.*