This author writes a powerful and compelling story about love in the highlands. I was truly captivated by this talented author until the very last word. I can't wait for what comes next.

Jo Pennington although loved by her adopted family, was her mother really just a strumpet who died giving birth to her on the side of the road? Always on the side of society, having to listen to their innuendos about her background. Jo is thankful for her loving family, but just who is she? One day, drawings arrive that bear a curious resemblance to her. Are they a clue to her past? What happens when the search for her biological family leads her to her ex-fiance, Wynne. Sixteen years earlier he called off the wedding ten days before it was to take place. Will she be able to find her family connection and the truth about her mother? What will she do about Wynne and her feelings for him?
I have enjoyed every book I have read by this husband/wife team, even though this one did not quite have the intrigue and danger the others have. However, this book has its own redeeming qualities, giving the very likeable Jo a past and a future before continuing with the remaining Pennington siblings. Another wonderful read from May McGoldrick.

Lady Josephine Pennington met and fell in love with Captain Wynne Melford. When rumors of her questionable origins are being spread, she is jilted.



For sixteen years, Josephine has molded herself into the perfect paragon. Jo receives a package of sketches that look eerily like her with an invitation to meet the person that drew them. Jo changes her travel plans because this may be a clue to the identity of her birth mother.



Captain Wynne Melfort ended his engagement to Jo Pennington because he knew he could not protect her from his family while he was at sea. After he broke the engagement, he thought he would never see Jo again until he sees the drawings of one of the patients at the clinic he supports.



While Wynne and Jo attempt to unravel the mystery of her birth, they begin their romance again. Jo must learn how to trust Wynne and Wynne needs to forgive himself. Will they be able to solve the mystery of her birth and rediscover their love?



This was a great second chance at love romance. The only thing I wish was there was not such a large gap in Jo and Wynne reuniting. I loved the characters from Jo and Wynne to the wonderful supporting characters. This was such a well-written and enjoyable book.



I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

This is a wonderful book filled with intrigue, colorful characters, romance. Jo is the adopted daughter of an Earl and knows little of her origins. Wynne, a sea captain, and Jo were engaged several years ago and broke it off under dark circumstances. Now the two are pulled back together by the possibility of learning of Jo’s biological family. But in that discovery danger lurks and the two begin to work together to solve a thirty five year old mystery.
The heat between the two was well written and the colorful characters added a great deal to this story. I am really looking forward to the next and highly recommend it as I couldn’t put it down.

Captain Wynne Melfort and Lady Josephine are thrown together again as he discovers clues to her past . She must overcome her pain being jilted and learn to trust this man again as mystery and danger abound. Enjoyed this tale as these two find out the mysteries to her past amidst suspense.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

On the cusp of their wedding, Lady Josephine Pennington was jilted by her fiance because of the talk and rumors surrounding her birth. Sixteen years later, Captain Wynne Melfort finds information that could help Josephine to uncover her past so he decides to right a wrong and help her uncover the mystery.
I’m not a fan of second-chance romances, but they aren’t usually a plot in historical romances. I decided to try it out of curiosity. This wasn’t a horrible story, per se. My problem was with Wynne. I didn’t like him or his story at all. The thing is, what he did to her in the beginning completely ruined her and her life. The more the author attempted to justify it, the more it made me not like him. I’m not sure if I’ll try anything more from this author.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I could not put down this book! The love story was exquisitely written. It cast me back in time and had me swooning right along with the main characters, Jo and Wynne. I went investigating with them through Scotland in search of Jo’s birth mother. If you ever doubt a book can take you to another place in time, read this book and all doubt will be dispelled! Loved! Book provided by NetGalley.

As a second chance romance, this story fails. I felt zero, nada for them as a couple. There was nothing between then, their initial courtship was short and ended coldly. Jo’s memories of Melfort were not much more substantive than a blushing girls crush. He left her for flimsy reasons and his own memories of their time betrothed were more of a fondness, no significantly deep bonds between them. As a character, Melfort was boring and stiff, lacking any twinkle or excitement. He was better suited as a random background character for all he was interesting. On the contrary Jo was a breath of fresh air. She was mature and kind and thoughtful and engaging. I enjoyed all of her interactions with the other characters and found her voice pleasing. I didn’t much care if she wound up with Melfort, as a matter of fact, the most flirty, and engrossing interactions in the novel was between Jo and Dr. Mckendry.

Second volume in the series about the Pennington family of which I read and reviewed the first, Romancing the Scot, last November, It Happened in the Highlands is about Lady Josephine, sister of Hugh, the hero of the previous volume.

When her mother died giving birth to her on the side of a road, Lady Jo was taken in and raised by Hugh’s parents as their daughter. Unfortunately rumors are rife, and when a smart Marine officer asks her hand in marriage, gossips are unleashed, insisting that her mother was a whore and Jo has no right to show herself in Society. Wynne, the fiancé, receives at the same time his mission orders and he breaks off their engagement through a letter ten days before the wedding.
Mortified and hurt, Jo is going to spend the next sixteen years to conform in all points to what Society expects from a woman, devoting herself to her family and a sanctuary for women and children.
Wynne has just retired and has come on his friend and ship’s doctor estate to help him financially to open an asylum kinder than those existing at this period. Amidst the patients one of them is always sketching a woman looking like Jo, and Wynne convinces his friend to contact her in case the patient would have information about the heroine’s origins. But he intends not to be here if she comes, brave as he is… Of course that won’t happen like this.

My problem with Jo is that she’s way too kind. Yes she was mad at Wynne and still is, but she forgives him easily once he explains everything. Even at the end when she puts back in her place the viper’s tongue who said the most horrible things about her, she does it way too calmly and not incisive enough. Of course at times she get a bit angry, or feels jealousy when she learns Wynne was married and has a son, but that stays lukewarm.

Wynne is more difficult to pinpoint and to appreciate. He’s determined to avoid Jo, then to apologize. Confronted to her refusal he waits for a moment when she can’t avoid him to explain, sixteen years too late. His reasoning was that during his absence his parents would have made Jo’s life a misery because of her unknown origins and he didn’t want her to be unhappy. Once more he’s a character who decides what’s better for the heroine without asking her opinion (especially as she still had her adoptive family to help her). Where he’s more believable is with his son: he didn’t raised him, was forced to take him back to Scotland, and the boy refuses to talk to him, only wanting to go back to Jamaica. The helplessness of a man used to be obeyed faced with an obstinate pre-teen is well done.

The plot around the patient and Jo’s origins takes place slowly, allowing long weeks where Jo and Wynne are forced to be together and where their feelings resume with greater intensity. Unfortunately I wasn’t really touched by their couple. Fortunately Wynne is a big help to Jo when finally they learn details about her real parents, and Wynne’s son soon becomes attached to her (but she’s almost the only woman around and she’s super kind and understanding with him).

All in all I was a bit disappointed by this story that had a lot of potential, and I thought the execution was meek and slow. There was something lacking in the first one for me, and it’s the same here, sorry.

Lady Josephine Pennington has been raised by the Pennington family who always treated her as if she were their own, despite the talk surrounding her birth since the moment she made her debut in society. Jo has always wonder who her real birth mother was who died giving birth to her and she hopes to one day find out. Lady Josephine Pennington was jilted by her fiancé, Captain Wynne Melfort once rumors spread about her questionable origins. Wynne’s parents are both extremely bigoted and I know it would take a lot for a young man to go against his father.
Sixteen years after the broken betrothal, Wynne is retired from the navy and the director of a hospital for people with mental illness. His friend a surgeon is the doctor at the hospital has a patient who keeps drawing pictures to look exactly like Josephine and he know there must be a connect between the patient and her past. Wynne has the doctor send for Jo. When she arrives at the hospital she realizes Captain Wynne Melfort, the man who broke her heart sixteen years ago is involved with the mental hospital. For Jo, Wynne broke her heart all those years ago and she must learn to trust him again if she wants the answers she seeks. She finds out Wynne has married and now has a son Cuffe who is not happy to be living with his father and he simply refuses to speak to him. Jo and Wynne discovery many things about themselves as they grow closer again. I love second chance romances as our heroine and hero find they are stronger together as they defy society to find their HEA! This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Initially I wanted to give it at least 2.5 stars but the more I think of the characters, the more I dislike them...

....And while I was writing this review, I realized I hate the characters even more than I thought at first. I was trying to forgive them, especially the hero, for what he did but the more I think of what happened while H and h were separated, the more I DESPISE the story.

Possible spoilers which I think you'll need

So I love second chance romance and Historical Romance so it wasn't surprising I requested a copy of this from Netgalley. (BTW, they granted me a copy on its publication day.) I was excited to read it right away but as early as prologue, when I read how the Hero, Wynne, broke the engagement with Josephine, I lost interest. It was through a note. LAME!!! Anyway, that's why this review is so late. It took me a long time before I convinced myself to try reading it again.

The side plot about Jo's real origin was actually okay so I have to give it a star. It's still a big part of the plot. But the romance along with the characters don't deserve any star. Why? Well, for me the Hero is really so lame. When I read the description, I got no problem with him ending their engagement, I was expecting he'll have the most valid reason there is. What did I get? A VERY LAME excuse. No, really. It's lame. And worse, he married someone and had a son before his reunion with the heroine. Now I don't have a problem with widower or a single dad, I'm okay with a child being part of the romance between the MCs but it was hinted that he loved her before. I DON'T THINK SO, you COWARD. The more I think it, the more I despise it. I see what he did as major cheating/betrayal. Darn it. It's one of my main hated tropes in novels, in ANY Genre. Maybe it wasn't a direct cheating but it IS for ME. The description should indicate he married someone else so I would've avoided this and there would be lesser 1-star in overall ratings.

And If you haven't read the book, just look at the Goodreads description, specifically this line:

But after he uncovers information that could reveal the truth about Jo’s parentage, Wynne feels bound by duty to right an old wrong and inform her of his find.

Wynne feels bound by duty... years ago, he should've felt the same. He should've thought it was his duty as Jo's betrothed to fight for their love. And saves her from worse gossips. he knew she would suffer more. What kind of a guy would do that? Especially in a Historical novel where a woman's reputation is so delicate. he doesn't deserve a second chance. I don't believe he ever loved her. Not before, not now. If he feels something for her, it's not real love.

I got a problem with Jo as well. She's a doormat. The story hinted she's strong as she'd been living with gossips about her real parentage all her life but she was portrayed differently. I can say she's a good person but not really a strong one and strong personality is what her character needed because duh!!!, the hero is lame...

Oh darn, I should stop now when I still can, because seriously, I'm about to have an endless rant.
Really, it makes me sad that I had to lessen the stars from 2.5 to flat 1. I heard the first book in this series was better so I'll try that one. I don't judge a writer by judging only one of his/her works, anyway. :)

I've never read May and took a chance when the ARC was offered to me. I am SO glad I did. I now have a new Historic Scot author to add to my favored list! This was a great story about prejudice and how gossip hurt others. It's about knowing the value of yourself and trusting that inner core of strength.

Lady Josephine Pennington was born in the streets of London witnessed by her adopted mother while her unknown birth mother died from her labors. Jo was fully embraced by the Pennington family and treated as one of the many siblings she grew up with. Unfortunately there were others in the "ton" who also witnessed her birth and never let others forget her uncertain heritage with their malicious whispers. All her life Jo tried to ignore the whispers, her family surrounding her jumping to her defence. When she was presented to the Queen for her "coming out" and put forward in the "marriage mart" she caught the eye of young Captain Wynne Melfort. He saw the slight to her heritage and sought her out to ease her hurt. During their courtship he was ever there, quick to defend and give her support. Even to his parents who did NOT favor their courtship. Ten days before they were to be married he received his Navy orders that he was to ship out to fight in the war not knowing when he would return. The realities of not being there for her and knowing his parents would make her life hell, made him realize he couldn't go through with the marriage even though he loved her dearly.

Years pass and Jo has become a "spinster" heiress who uses her wealth to help women and children who need support and have nowhere to turn. She gets a clue in the post of someone who might know who she is and decides to investigate on her way to visit her brother who's going to be a father for the first time. This starts the adventure as it's retired Captain Melfort who sees the clue and makes sure she gets it. He's planning to stay out of her path when she arrives but you know how plans go. I loved how these two find their comfort zone and renew the passion between them. I'm a sucker for second chance stories and guardian protector heroes. This one hit all my favorite "hot buttons" for story lines.

Just loved this adventure! Thank you May McGoldrick and St. Martin's Press for the NetGalley ARC of this book. I'm sorry it's late but well worth the time I took to read the story. I will be seeking more stories from this Husband-Wife writing duo.

As usual Ms. McCormick has written a very entertaining story of lost and found again love. Wynne was betrothed to Lady Jo 16 years ago breaking he heart by breaking off the betrothed in a very cowardly way. He returns with information that will have them working closely together after he comes across some information regarding Jo's past.

I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to those of you who enjoy reading mystery mixed with romance.

I received this book for an honest way review.

Lady Jo and Wynne were betrothed but weeks before the wedding he broke the engagement. Well Jo feels it is because of the rumors about her birth. A well to do family took in an orphan infant and raised her as their own, she was as much their child as their natural children were.

Jo had heard the whispers, the rumors, but she would try and ignore the talk and act like it didn't bother her...but it did, it hurt her immensely. After Wynne left her, she decided she would never marry. Sixteen years later she receives a packet of drawings, the face of a woman who looked just like her....

Wynne has left the life of sailing. His good friend opened a hospital for the mentally ill and he helps him while developing his own interests. When Jo writes to tell his friend that she will stopping by on her way to her sister-in-law and brothers home, Wynne doesn't want to be anywhere around...but fate has other plans.

Will Jo learn about her natural parents? How will she deal with Wynne? Are their feelings done?

Loved this story! Jo and Wynne were so right for one another. They truly enjoyed each other company, it wouldn't have been like an arranged marriage. Wynne had his reasons for leaving her, which I won't say because it will be a spoiler! They have both changed and grown as a person but they are basically still the same people they were. The attraction is still there also. Can they correct a wrong and be happy?

Then there is a 10 year old child who is angry over being taken away from his grandmother in turbulent Jamaica and now lives with his father in Scotland, a father he never spent too much time with as his father was sailing the seas...

I would recommend this story!

Can two people have a second chance at love after sixteen years apart? Josephine Pennington and Wynne Melfort were engaged to be married. Jo was a foundling who did not know her birth parents but was so lucky to be a part of a wonderful adoptive family. But gossip and ugly stories about Jo's background tear them apart. Wynne's family is against his marriage and he ends up breaking if off with Jo. She is of course devastated because she really loved Wynne so she devotes herself to helping others and tries to forget him.
So sixteen years later, Jo and Wynne meet again and find the old attraction is still there, although both have changed a lot with the passing years. Can they come together or let the past keep them apart? Does Jo find out about her birth and where she really came from? This is a wonderful story you will be glad you read and will leave you anxiously awaiting the other stories in this series!

Delightful is the key word for this story......but that is only after the word heartbreak. This book brings to mind the question "What happens when you make a decision for what you think is all the rights reasons and it turns out to be wrong?"

The opening of the book prepares the reader for this finely written story of lost love. Captain Wynne Melfort originally did not catch my attention because I felt he was weak in character for jilting Jo. It wasn't till further into the book that he became more real when I learned his reasoning but seriously I was still upset with him until I realised his age at the time.

Jo was hung up on her feelings of not being enough. Many people can relate to her situation but I was glad when events in the book caused her to open her eyes and consider other possibilities. The authors superb job in this area will teach all readers a much needed lesson.

This book was well written and the descriptive scenes will draw the reader into this book.

I give this 4.5 STARS for being deeply profound in many areas of life causing this reader to think about things from another point of view.

it happened in the highlands is a second-chance at love story that addresses some real issues like adoption and identity and race. wynne melton and jo pennington had been engaged once, when they were young and innocent. he was going off to war and she was overwhelmed by a society that didn't quite know where to place her.

he broke her heart. and he nearly died for it. and sixteen years later they meet again. this time when a patient at the mental hospital he helps manage draws images that bear her likeness. there is a mystery afoot. and it might reveal the secrets of jo's birth and her circumstances.

wynne has never forgotten her. he's never forgiven himself for how he handled things. but jo doesn't want to dwell on the past. she wants to move forward. except neither of them can forget the hold they had on each other's hearts back then. it's a hold that is still evident in the present.

and so they find their way back to each other. and they learn about who they really are. jo quite literally. but wynne shows us growth as a character too. sometimes i'm not always sure about second-chance stories because i find that there is too much to forgive, too much atonement required. and yet, jo isn't ever bitter, and when she does finally allow wynne to explain himself, she only makes him do it once. her forgiveness is freely given. and that makes all the difference.

**it happened in the highlands published on march 27, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/st. martin's press (swerve) in exchange for my honest review.

It Happened in the Highlands follows Lady Josephine Pennington, who for all that has been thrown at her, as a strong, compassionate and forgiving woman. Faced with the scandal of her birth by what was believed an unmarried woman, Josephine is jilted by her fiancé, Captain Wynne Melfort. Sixteen years later, a clue to who her parents were, finds her back in contact with Wynne. In their time apart, Wynne has married a Jamaican woman and fathered a child, Cuffe, who he finds himself constantly at odds with.
Finding love again after so many years, may not have seemed believable but with the character of Josephine, this all seemed possible. Wynne may not have been the most appealing of characters but even his reasons were (almost) forgiven, as the story unfolded. His relationship with his son did help his cause!
The secondary characters in this story definitely made this an interesting read. I particularly found the different issues that were addressed, such as mental illness, made this a more complex novel.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book of the Pennington Family series but third story as the youngest brother’s book was in a collection of short stories, Christmas In Kilts.

I enjoyed seeing Jo find Wynne again after 16 years but the love story was a little too quick when he had left her a letter to end their engagement. When he proposed I wasn’t sure that was what happened until Jo talked about accepting his engagement later. I liked seeing Jo solve the mystery of her mother’s family and I’m guessing they are settling down in Wynne’s home at the mental institution. Wynne’s son, Cuffe, was a great addition to the family as well. The updates on Grace and Hugh were great too.

I look forward to the next adventures of the Pennington family.

ARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first full length novel I have read by May McGoldrick. I can tell you it won't be the last. I absolutely loved it! When it started out, I thought it was going to be a typical Regency novel, "boy meets girl, boy is a jerk and breaks girls heart". But the story has twist, a mystery to it. I'm not going to go into the storyline but all I can say is once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I stayed up all night reading it. I look forward to going back and reading her other books!