Tag: Vanessa Kelly

The Highlander’s Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

The Highlander's Irish Bride (Clan Kendrick Book 4)The Highlander’s Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly

Tracy’s rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Clan Kendrick, #4

Release Date: July 27, 2021

When Kathleen Calvert, the daughter of Baron Gorey finds herself enmeshed in scandal, her step-mother insists that she leave London and go to stay with her cousin Sabrina in the highlands, Kathleen is devastated and longs to return home to Ireland. But her step-mother is adamant and refuses to back down, thankfully, Kathleen’s friend, Gillian, the Duchess of Leverton is planning a trip to Glasgow and offers to have Kathleen join her for a few weeks before heading to the highlands.

Kathleen and Gillian set out and just two days into the trip learn that Kathleen’s 16-year-old step-sister Jeannie has stowed away and refuses to return home. Reluctantly, Kathleen agrees to let Jeannie travel with them as Gillian assures them that her cousin Victoria Kendrick, the Countess of Arnprior (who happens to be sister-in-law to Sabrina) will not mind the extra company. So off they go.

When they arrive, they are welcomed with open arms by the family, all except Grant, who seems to be the complete opposite of Kathleen in every way imaginable, despite the family’s hints that super-sober and oh-so-boring Grant was once a hellraiser of the first order. Kathleen finds herself fighting an attraction to him and is almost relieved when Jeannie creates a scene that will see them traveling to the highlands much sooner than expected. But her relief is cut short when the matchmaking Kendricks insist that Grant accompany the ladies to Lochnager, home to his sister-in-law Sabrina and his twin brother, Graeme. Unbeknownst to Kathleen, Grant is also fighting an inconvenient attraction, but with no way out of escorting them, he agrees.

The trip turns out to be longer than expected when they are held up by highwaymen and his brother confesses needing help to get to the bottom of a recent crime wave. Grant doesn’t think he should stay, worried that he won’t be able to deny his attraction to Kathleen for much longer, but can’t refuse to help his brother. So he stays and their attraction grows, but will they get a HEA or will they leave the highlands brokenhearted?

The is was a well-written story, with great characters and a very slow-burning romance. The book is filled with witty banter, outspoken, unrepentant females, denied attraction, a heroine with surprising baby-calming talents, warm love scenes, more than one unrequited crush, a teenager with a penchant for causing trouble, meddling matchmakers, evil villains, and finally a well-deserved HEA. I liked this story, but OMG – Jeannie was such a brat, I find it hard to believe she was 16, because she acted like she was 6 most of the time, and EVERYONE coddled her, it was so over-the-top and annoying. In addition to that was the mystery of her family – if Kathleen and Jeannie were in fact step-sisters, why did they have the same last name? Not really a big deal, but I found it distracting. Overall, it was a good read with a decent mystery and likable leads. This is the fourth book in the series and could be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading the books in order (including the Improper Princesses series if you are interested in Victoria & Gillian’s stories).

*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 Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

On By TracyIn Christmas, Georgian Era (1714-1837), Regency Era (1811-1820), Scottish/Highlander, Tracy's Reviews1 Comment

The Highlander's Christmas Bride (Clan Kendrick, #2)The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly

Tracy’s rating: 3.5/4 of 5 stars

Series: Clan Kendrick #2

Release Date: October 29, 2019

Donella Haddon retired to a convent 3 years ago when her cousin Alec, who is her betrothed, married another woman and her mother tried to kill him, but now the nuns have decided that Donella doesn’t have a true calling and have asked her to leave. Her uncle Earl Riddick is in business negotiations with Logan Kendrick and asks him to escort Donella home.

Logan Kendrick has only recently returned to Scotland after many years of self-imposed exile in Canada after the death of his brother Nick’s son. But his time is Canada wasn’t all self-crimination – Logan built a successful business, married his love, who also happened to be his partner’s daughter and fathered a son. He lost his wife shortly after his son Joseph’s birth and hasn’t stopped grieving. But when he meets Donella, there is no denying the attraction between them. However, things do not start out well and almost as soon as they start out for her uncle’s, they are set upon and the Murray’s attempt to kidnap Donella. Logan is forced to abandon the coach and take Donella into the wilderness. After a grueling journey, they finally arrive at a cottage and take shelter and wait for Alec to arrive to take Donella home. When Alec arrives and finds them in the bed, he demands that Logan marry her – she refuses and they part.

Logan returns home and finds out that his grandfather had returned from Canada with his son. Although he was scared that Nick would be upset, everyone immediately accepts him. But he is still a little quiet around everyone.

Back with her family, Donella tries to convince her family to let her join another convent, but they insist that she go to the family home and prepare a Christmas celebration – since Evie (Alec’s English wife) celebrates and so does Donella since she is a catholic. They send her to stay with the Kendrick’s until Alec and Evie can join her. At the Kendrick’s she immediately bonds with Joseph and grows closer to Logan. It appears that they are on track to their own HEA, but not everyone is happy with that plan. Former lovers and loves will interfere and secrets may tear them apart if they can’t find a way to move on from their pasts.

I thought this was a pretty good story, it did seem to drag a bit and I don’t know if I completely believe Logan is truly in love – the man seems to “fall in love” at the drop of a hat, so I don’t know if I trust his love is true. I did enjoy catching up with Nick, Victoria, Alec and Evie, as well as getting to know Donella. She was likeable, but a bit misguided. I loved her interactions with Joseph and was touched by the bond between them. This is the second book in the series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*