I laughed, and cried while reading this book . I am in loved Declan's character, he is romantic and. Very honorable. I highly recommend this book. I can't wait to read the following book from this series. Thanks to Netgalley for this free copy. ☆☆☆☆☆

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 2 in the series by Jennifer Trethewey. I have to say I was disappointed. The Sinclair’s in the book just drove me crazy. I didn’t like how they kept the two main characters apart. I just couldn’t get over how annoying they were.

When Declan Sinclair wins Caya Pendarvis in a wager with her brother, he knows he's met the woman of his dreams. There's just one problem: she's been promised to another to pay off her brother's debts. It seems her nasty brother isn't above gambling away his sister. Twice. But Declan's not giving up the beauty. He'll have to convince her he's worth more to her than just settling a debt. Time to run through his rusty, and albeit limited, flirting skills, because it's time to win his lady's heart.
This was a cute story with very likable main characters. I really liked Declan especially. I didn’t really care for the multiple POVs, but it was still enjoyable. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Review: Wasn't my cup of tea. The low rating is realistically my opinion of it. Good flowing writing that I wish I could just...enjoy and read. But I couldn't.


Downloaded through Netgalley in exchange for review.

Betting the Scot is the second book in The Highlanders of Balforss series by Jennifer Trethewey. I did read and enjoy the first book in this series, Tying the Scot, but think that each book can be enjoyed on its own.

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams—his future wife. Though her brother had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game—and the prize is the lovely Caya. Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts. Winning at cards is one of the many things Declan Sinclair does well. Unfortunately, the ability to court a woman—a talent he lacks—is the only skill he desperately needs to win Caya’s heart.

Betting the Scot is a multi layered romance that catches the attention, and keeps it through out the entire read. I liked the set up with Caya, and her brother. I also like that while Declan is far from poor, neither Declan or Caya are gentry, which is a nice change of pace in historical romance. So often the main players are Dukes, or other lords and ladies, so while Declan is related to the head of his clan he is not exactly royalty. I like that Declan is certain Caya is to be his wife, but is so lost and uncertain about how to go about making it happen. Caya is at a loss after her brother sells her, them gambles her away. She still loves him, and wants to help him, but knows that he has greed and weaknesses that are dangerous. I enjoyed getting Declan's side of the story for most of the book, and liked his honor and kindness, that is not always obvious to those around him. I will admit that I was annoyed with Caya for trusting her brother after all he had done, and for not fully confiding in Declan.I though Declan was a complex and sympathetic character, and I was rooting for him through the entire book. I found Caya to be a little less likable, she often annoyed me in her own way, but I never hated her. I think if she had trusted Declan more, and her brother less, I would have enjoyed the book even more. The danger was well done, and the drama crafted with a satisfying conclusion. I loved getting to see Peter in action again, after loving his character in the previous book, although those that did not already know him will still find this young secondary characters to be fabulous. I also liked getting a hint as to who might be next while not leaving so many open questions that I was frustrated.
Betting the Scot is a well written historical romance with plenty of twists and turns. I enjoyed the characters and their depth, and my only complaint is that sometimes I feel like there might be one too many twists that could be replaced with conversation to ease communication issues rather than life or death danger turning the tide.

Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. Declan is a very appealing hero indeed. I also appreciated that the heroine showed some common sense and there was no insta-love. Their personality quirks also seemed quite endearing (like her wanting to show Declan she was a superior pasty maker -too funny). I will look for more from this author. Recommended for sure.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Declan Sinclair has been dreaming about his future wife. He is at a tavern when he sees the very woman he has been dreaming of is right across from him. Declan knows somehow he will win her hand. Declan is surprised when her brother, Jack, approaches his table for a friendly game of cards. Many hands later, Jack bets his sister as payment and although it goes against everything he stands for, Declan plays for her hand and wins.

Caya Pendarvis is in Scotland to help pay off her brother's debts by marrying an Irishman there. Unfortunately, those plans change when she finds out Jack has not only spent all their money on gambling again, but has bet her as well. Ashamed and disgusted with Jack, Caya would rather marry Declan than give her brother anything he wants/needs. That is how she finds herself riding away with Declan and his cousins.

Caya is prepared to marry Declan, but after meeting his uncle, plans are changed once again. She is offered a place amongst Declan's family as a ward instead. Caya cannot deny her disappointment, but this will give her time to get to know Declan. Could she find love where she least expected?

I give BETTING THE SCOT by author Jennifer Trethewey a 3.5 out of 5 stars! It gets off to a quick start, but then really slows down. The characters, primary and secondary, are very entertaining. Each one adds something different to the story. Declan has pre-cognitive dreams and his cousins give him a lot of grief over it. I laughed out loud more than once at his slight air-headedness and all of his questions about women... as he does not have much experience in that area due to his overprotective family. All, in all, BETTING THE SCOT, is a fun read.

This is the second book in The Highlanders or Balforss series. I didn't read the first one, but had no trouble reading this book and following the story. I will go back and read the first story just because I enjoyed this one so much. It is the story of Declan Sinclair, the nephew of Laird John of Balforss. He has dreams and they come true. He has dreamed about the woman he will marry, now he just has to find her. While in Wick, Scotland, Declan and his two cousins stop at a local inn. From across the room, Declan sees his wife. As the evening progresses and Caya has retired for the evening, Jack Pendarvis challenges the highlanders to a card game. By the end of the night, Declan has all Jack's money, his mother's ring and Caya's hand. Now Caya Pendarvis, is a lovely yet shy woman from Cornwall. Her brother has betrothed her to a herring business man in exchange for enough money to pay off his gambling debts. When he tries to sneak out of the Inn in the middle of the night with his sister, the highlanders are waiting. Caya agrees to go with them. However, what will her brother do when her husband to be turns up to collect his bride? How will he repay his debts now?

This is a highly entertaining read, a brilliant historical story with humour, suspense and romance. There is also plenty of action, several twists and turns, accusations of witchcraft, kidnapping, whisky, danger and more. There's even another rival for Caya's hand in marriage. Don't worry, it does not become a love triangle. I enjoyed the strength of the women of Balforss and the backbone that Caya develops while living with the Laird. The men may be warriors, but they are gentle and loving as well. Declan is very persistent and it pays off eventually. Family means everything to them. I read this book very quickly and enjoyed it much more than I expected. I do not usually read historical romances, but this was recommended by a blogger I follow and she was not wrong. Get yourself a copy of the first two books in this series and enjoy them before the third one comes out. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

This was a delightful story with a great H and an overall likeable h. To clear up another review misconception, the h did not accept the proposal of another man. Not sure if that reviewer read the entire book or just skimmed through. The H has had dreams about the h, and recognizes her in an inn as the woman he has dreamed about. She and her brother have traveled from Cornwall to Scotland to meet a merchant her brother has sold, Er , betrothed her to. She has never met him. After dinner, she retires, while her brother stays up and gambles with the three Scots, our H and his cousins. He wagers his sister and loses her to Declan, our H. Trying to sneak out before sunrise with his sister, the Scots confront him, and she learns of his deception. His gambling and drinking have led to downfall since the death of their parents, and given the choice by the Scots, she elects to go with Declan. Taking her back to their home, over the course of a day, they begin to become acquainted, and he declares he intends to marry her.
Arriving home, his aunt and uncle, upon hearing the story, take custody of the h, to Declan’s dismay, and say he must wait and court her. The story does drag a little in the middle, but I think it was some interesting development of the story.
Needless to say, her brother reappears, bringing trouble, and potentially material for future books in the series. I liked that the story didn’t have everyone reform, and some bad people didn’t make it through. I haven’t read the prior book, but intend to do so now, this book stood quite well on its own, but I’m interested in reading it. I received a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving an ARC of this ebook via NetGalley.

Betting the Scot is the second in the Highlanders of Balforss series. I did not read the first book in the series, but had no trouble following the plot of this second installment. That said, perhaps I might have enjoyed this book had I read Lucy and Alex's story first. Despite an interesting story line, likable characters and an enchanting setting, this was not one of the better novels I have read. The main problem is in the story's pacing. After a promising start, the middle of the story really drags, and then rushes on to a fast and furious finish. Perhaps a little less dithering about whether Declan and Caya should or should not be courting and more time spent getting to know each other's backgrounds would make the middle more interesting.

Betting the Scot was mostly a good book. I loved the hero because he was so dedicated to the heroine and even when he was awkwardly trying to convince Caya to give him I chance by telling her all the wrong things I couldn't help but love him. I didn't get frustrated when he did all that. Instead, I got frustrated with the heroine because she made no sense to me and she kept pushing Declan away. Let me give you an example. Another man proposes to her and she is thinking about it. Then she thinks of Declan's future wife and how jealous she would be and ends up saying that she wanted to be that wife and stuff like that. After that, she decided to accept the other man's proposal. Does this make sense to you? Because it doesn't to me. The author wrote wonderfully her hero, but the heroine needed more work and that's the reason I am giving the book 4 stars. The rest of the story was good and I would like to read in the future the rest of the series. I would recommend the book.

Jennifer Trethewey's second book in the Highlanders of Balforss series, Betting the Scot is a fast paced Scottish romance that will have readers swooning. Main character Declan Sinclair has a way with dreams. When he sees the woman he's been dreaming about for three years in a public house, the adventure begins. Readers looking for a good rollicking Scottish love story will find this one captivating. With everything from pirates to witchcraft and a bit of healthy competition for a woman's heart, Betting the Scot is a great "bet" for a good read.



What I liked:



Oh for the love of highlanders! I love a good story set in Scotland and highlanders are always fun to read about. Declan Sinclair is no exception. This hero is a warrior, a dreamer, and a darn good card player. Betting the Scot starts out with Declan seeing his dream bride for the first time and then winning a bet in which she is the prize. He's been dreaming about this girl for three years, preparing for it even. He's such a sweetheart of a character. I enjoy a good alpha male character, and Declan has those characteristics but he also has a softness about him, a shyness that is so endearing. Trethewey, gives readers a different sort of Scottish hero and that was quite a surprise in a very good way.



As with the first book in this series, Tying the Scot, Trethewey continues to wow with her smooth style and powers of description. The Scottish way of life is often portrayed in a barbaric sense, but Trethewey really captures the essence of family and Clan and what that means with this novel. I loved the parts of the story where Caya, Declan's intended, is becoming a part of the way of life that Declan grew up in. When Declan's Uncle and Laird refuses to let them marry right away because Caya is English, it gives her time to learn the lay of the land and understand what she's getting herself into. I found this aspect of the book very nice.



The romance between Declan and Caya is not an easy one. First, he practically wins her in a card game. That's not a good start. She's upset with her brother for basically handing her over because of gambling debts and drinking and she doesn't have the best of self esteem because she doesn't feel anyone values her. It's interesting to see how she reacts to Declan and how he sees her, wants to protect her and cares for her. She makes a few blunders and there is another man interested in her. There are some bad decisions and the relationship is a bit rocky until the end. But the chemistry between Declan and Caya is honest and sweet and readers will find it enjoyable to read.



What I didn't like:



You guys know how I am about Scottish historicals. Having a Scottish background myself, I'm fairly hard on authors of this subgenre. I want to see a story that is based in historical fact. It's not necessary to make a romance a good read, but it is more authentic and more realistic as it relates back to history. There were a few missteps in this area of the book. It did not take away from the story, but it stood out to me. Not everyone is going to be bothered at all by it, but some of you will. So keep it in mind.



I loved Declan as a main character. He was everything I wanted in a hero. But Caya wasn't my cup of tea. I like a good romance between a highlander and an English lass and that angle was a good. But she kept making these judgement calls and mistakes and outright bad decisions. I thought Declan deserved a better heroine. Caya had issues of her own and perhaps that could account for some of her mistrust and glaring disregard for Declan's feelings, but not all of it. I just didn't get behind her.



Bottom Line:



This one is pretty good. There is a lot of adventurous moments and Declan is a real dream. I enjoyed revisiting the characters from the previous book in the series, but there were a few key problems for me. I just didn't particularly like the heroine. Though Declan's way of wooing her was sweet and sensual and their chemistry was good despite her issues. Those little historical pet peeves are hit or miss. Some will be bothered, others won't. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, because this is still a very good romance.

An excellent romance with lots of good writing. Solid plot kept me hooked. Totally loved the romance.

Declan Sinclair, a Highlander who has dreams which usually foretell what will happen. He’s dreamed of a wife with yellow hair, a women he’s not even met yet. He stops at an inn on his way home when he sees the woman of his dreams across the inn. Caya Pendarvis’s brother Jack has been brought her to Scotland to marry someone she's never met, Sean O’Malley a herring merchant, whose has agreed to pay him enough to settle his gambling debts. Caya see the mysterious man giving her looks, didn’t he know it was ungentlemanly to stare at a lady, but she couldn’t help but look back at him too his look is of longing, warmth and caring. After Cara retires for the night her brother Jack challenges the Scotsmen to a game of cards, proceeds to loses her in a wager to the mysterious Scots man Declan. For Declan winning Caya was easy now he needs to win her heart too.
What will her brother do when her husband to be turns up to collect his bride? How will Jack repay his debts now? There are plenty of misunderstandings and danger along their journey full of twists and turns, a kidnapping and accusations of witchcraft as Declan and Caya find their true happiness and 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.

Well written and highly captivating story, I couldn't put this book down, I just wanted to read and read, I loved everything about it, the setting and the characters, everything.

I received a copy from Netgalley and I am voluntarily leaving my own honest opinion

Declan Sinclair recognizes the woman from his dreams the moment he sees her. However, finding a way to convince her to give him a chance seems impossible until her brother offers her as the prize in a card game. Will Declan be able to win Caya Pendarvis over or will she walk away from the one man she could be truly happy with?

What a fantastic and captivating read Ms. Trethewey has delivered in this second book of her Highlanders of Balforss series where the main characters and dialogue entertained me from start to finish and had me reading quickly, determined to discover how things would turn out for Declan and Caya. Since from the moment they meet, it's palpable that Caya believing Declan is her best hope is going to lead to trouble. Will her brother ever stop betraying her?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the heroine, because she's been treated by her brother like she's a prize that her sibling can continue to gamble away to the highest bidder. Will her brother ever do right by her? Moreover, the main characters were wonderful and I enjoyed the obstacles they had to overcome to be together. Will the heroine realize that Declan is the one she wants before it's too late? Will Declan be able to prove to Caya that everything that happens isn't her fault and that he wants to marry her no matter what?

With the main characters, the heroine is strong and brave in giving Declan a chance, considering the fact that if she can't trust her own brother, how is she supposed to trust anyone else? I also liked how kind and caring she is and that she would do anything to help someone, which is proven by what she does that has people thinking she's evil. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is how well she fit in with Declan's family and that they were willing to do anything to make her time with them as pleasant as possible. While the hero, he's confident, hard-working and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over, even though that isn't easy. I also liked the close bond the hero shared with his family, especially his cousins because they were willing to help him any way they could. Then again, they like to tease each other too.

Overall, Ms. Trethewey has penned an absolutely delightful read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was wonderful and showed how good Declan and Caya are together; and the ending had me worried for the main characters, but had me loving that the secondary characters had Declan's back when it came to what they needed to do to make certain the heroine was safe. Yet, what I liked most of all about the ending is how what happens brings this couple even closer. No way will Caya and Declan let anyone hold them back from being together any longer. I would recommend Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey, if you enjoy Historical Romances or books by authors Heather McCollum, Julia London, Vanessa Kelly and Michelle McLean.

I was so excited to read this book since I loved the first book. You can read as stand-alones, but would get a better feel for the secondary characters when read in order. Declan and Caya were made for each other, but she doesn't realize it right away. She is expecting to be married to a wealthy merchant man, but her brother gambles her away to Declan.

Watching Declan and Caya bump up against each other was a fun read. I couldn't help laughing at them, while cheering the progress of their relationship.

I received Betting the Scot by Jennifer Trethewey from NetGalley in exchange of a far review. This is the third book in The Highlanders of Balforss series but can be read as a stand alone. This is the first book I have read written by Jennifer Trethewey.
Declan Sinclair has dream of his future wife but hasn't seen her face. When he sees Caya Pendarvis across the tavern, he claims her as his by winning her in a card game. Caya Pendarvis is a religious person who does everything for her bother, including allowing him to sell her, sight unseen, to a stranger. But when her brother wagers her to a stranger, she gives up on him and travels with the stranger.
Once the reach Declan's home, Declan's uncle places Caya under his protection and makes her his ward. Declan attempts to court Caya and fails and Caya is just as clueless in the romance section. But an attraction exist between the two. Enter a pastor, a bother causing trouble , and witchcraft, Declan and Caya struggle to find their HEA.
This was a sweet book about young love. Both Declan and Caya seems immature to me and struggling to grow up. At times, the characters were underdeveloped and didn't really impress me. The story was also really slow an dragged in places. #BettingtheScot #NetGalley

First time in reading this author which she provided the perfect escape. The story that is used here is one that would not be so easy to do today so it makes for one that picks the interest. This centers around Declan and Caya who when their paths cross they are on opposite sides thanks to his brother. You stick with this one just to see how long and how he does it to turn the tides for them both. She will also have a bit in it to be sure with the time it is set makes for interesting and some heat. Twists are thrown in there with it making for even more interest that this is one you will quickly devour.

This is a highly entertaining read, a brilliant historical story with humour, suspense and romance, one that was a real page turner that I really enjoyed and have no hesitation in highly recommending. It is the second book in a series and I haven't read the first but still found this a superb read and have to say it works well as a standalone.

Caya Pendarvis has been brought to Scotland by her brother who has arranged for her to marry someone she's never met, a sailor who has agreed to pay him enough to settle his gambling debts. They stay in a Inn to await the arrival of her husband to be and, whilst dining there one of the other diners keeps looking at her and is obviously discussing her with his two compatriots. They both find the other attractive, but haven't even spoken. The man is Declan Sinclair, a Highlander who has dreams which usually foretell what will happen - and little does she know that she has featured in his recent dreams, dreams in which she becomes his wife!

When she retires for the night, her brother challenges the three Highlanders to a game of cards. He accrues a decent pot but then loses it all. Desperate, he gambles his sister - and Declan wins. Now, winning Caya like this was easy but now he needs to win her heart and this is something he has no experience of, he's going to need to learn to court Caya for his dreams to come true. However, what will her brother do when her husband to be turns up to collect his bride? How will he repay his debts now?

My advice is go grab yourself a copy of this book and get ready for a story with a plethora of great characters, plenty of action, full of twists and turns, accusations of witchcraft, kidnapping, whisky, peril and so much more! There's even another rival for Caya's hand in marriage! There are plenty of misunderstandings and danger along their journey to their HEA and Declan is an endearing, hard working, reticent but determined suitor and a real sweetheart, too. I'll definitely be looking out for more by this talented author in future!

I requested and was given a copy of this novel, via NetGalley, with no obligation. This is my honest review of the book after choosing to read it.