Perfectly charming and heartwarming characters. Witty and romantic! Interesting plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Enjoyed every minute of it!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

I would like to thank netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Freya has been looking after her niece since the deaths of her sister and her husband. She travels to the Scottish borders to meet the child's paternal family and to prove that she is capable of looking after the child. However the family would prefer her to be married, so she agreed to marry a horrible cousin. But, her escort on the way down may make her change her mind.

Freya Sutherland is a desperate aunt trying to keep custody of her precocious young niece, Ella. After the death of her father, Freya is willing to do anything to prove she's capable of being Ella's guardian, even if means marrying for security instead of love.
This was a really good story about family centered around the holidays. I really liked all of the characters. The story flowed well and put me in a good holiday mood. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

The only thing wrong with Sweet Home Highland Christmas is that it is a novella and therefore ends much too soon. It was included in the Christmas anthology, Christmas in Kilts,. However, it is so worth another read through. I have really loved the characters in the Pennington series, but love these characters the best. Gregory Pennington is all a woman would want in a man, kind, intelligent, and of course handsome. Freya Sutherland has been raising her niece with the aid of her father and a fine job they have done. Ella is a very precocious five year old. Her antics are often hilarious. Gregory is charged with escorting other party to Baronsford, his home which was close to the Dowager Lady Dacre, Emma's paternal grandmother. Freya is bound on marrying her disreputable cousin just so she can keep her niece. Ella and Gregory are just determined that she will not. From there the story progresses as they travel onward, and the attraction between Gregory and Freya deepens.l have not read a May McGoldrick book I have not throughly enjoyed, this one is no exception.

Freya Sutherland must find a way to keep the guardianship of her niece . Enter Captain Gregory Pennington when he helps to escort them when they discover feelings that her niece encourages. Delightful tale and character and is Page turner.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

The Story in a Nutshell: Desperate to keep custody of her young niece Ella, Freya Sutherland makes the decision to marry and quickly to show that she can provide security and stability for the rambunctious girl. Captain Gregory Pennington is recently retired from the military and on his way home for the holidays when his brother asks him to escort Freya and her party to the bordering estate. Penn and Freya’s chemistry is instantaneous but Freya already has groom and Penn has no intention of marrying anytime soon but with Ella conspiring to get them together, these two don’t stand a chance.




Overall reaction to the book? Get ready for some Christmas magic! Sweet Home Highland Christmas is the book I’d choose to kick off the holiday reading season in a light and cheerful way.


I love this writing duo’s style. It’s a combination of sweet, spicy, and heartwarming. I normally don’t care for kids in romance novels but Ella was a lovely addition to the story. She was intelligent, forthright, and yes devious in the best way. I enjoyed her contributions to the plot and found myself laughing at her audacity in certain scenes. She stood out without taking away too much attention from the romance between Freya and Penn.


Freya’s utter devotion to Ella’s care and happiness was admirable. She was willing to marry almost anyone in order to secure Ella’s place by her side. I liked Freya and her devotion to making sure Ella was happy. I think that readers will get to know Freya through her relationship with Ella more than through Freya herself and that worked in this novella. If it had been a full length novel I doubt that would have worked as well. Freya is loving, kind, and patient but she also has a stubborn streak that doesn’t show itself until absolutely necessary.


As a second son, Penn had to make his own way into the world and he pretty much managed to do that but still has a ways to go before he feels he’s established himself as an independent. I loved Penn because while he had his own plans, he wasn’t a selfish sort to walk away from someone in need. He has that Pennington streak of noble behavior that is just enough to get you to fall for him but not over the top and makes him seem sanctimonious. He and Freya made the sweetest couple (but not too sweet you know) and toss in Ella? Just wonderful.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. At just around 100 pages, Sweet Home Highland Christmas is a lovely start to the upcoming holiday romance season.

This book had me crying so many happy tears. I loved the intricate web that was wound around these wonderful characters. It made the book come alive.

I enjoyed Sweet Home Highland Christmas. This short story makes me want to pick up more by May McGoldrick. A well deserved five plus stars.

This was a highly entertaining, quick holiday story. The story line is well written and the characters are great, especially Ella.

I enjoyed this novella. Loved the little girl in the story. The romance was believable and interesting.

This is story will most definitely put you in the mood for Chritsmas in July. Author May McGoldrick always delivers wonderful Reads that will keep you entertained.

Freya must marry in order to keep her niece who she has raised since birth and her niece Ella is a 6 year old that has turns matchmaker for her Aunt. She has set her sights on their escort Captain Pennington whom Ella has determined this is the right man for her Aunt.
You will find yourself entertained with Ella as she works her matchmaking magic and will be laughing throughout the book with her antics. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

I’ve read this in an anthology prior to this release, and enjoyed it then. Still a nice novella for the holidays. Great read in the series, stands well alone. Greatly enjoy these authors and the family. I received a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Freya has been raising her niece since her sister died. Her niece's grandmother has issued the ultimatum that Freya needs to be married to keep her niece. Freya makes a bargain to marry her cousin and father's heir. When her cousin backs out of escorting Freya home, Captain Gregory Pennington steps in.

The attraction between Freya and Penn is instant. However, Penn does not plan for an instant family and Freya has responsibilities as Ella's guardian. Ella plays matchmaker and Penn and Freya find the true magic of the holidays.


I loved the characters in this book. I thought the book was pure magic and didn't put it down until I was finished.

I received a complimentary ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

This was a wonderfully sweet romance! Having read the others in this series, it was a good addition - but great as a stand alone too. Thoroughly enjoyable!

An adorable lively story with Ella, a precocious 5-year-old girl older than her years and how she tries to marry her aunt off to Penn. Truly a story that will make you laugh while feeling all romantic and warm inside.

Penn is the perfect newly retired military man. Set in his ways and use to being alone but always willing to do his duty. It is amusing to watch how he falls in love with Ella and he begins to unthaw. As the story progresses and his life changes he realizes that possibly he could have more than he ever imagined.

Freya affectionately nicknamed Fie is Ella's aunt and guardian after her sister's death. This strong woman goes against convention to do what is right because she loves her niece and is willing to sacrifice her dreams to keep her niece. I love strong women and this story emphasizes this attribute in Fie to perfection.

Author May McGoldrick develops this storyline in a subtle and delightful manner causing this book to deserve 5 STARS for the uniqueness of the storyline.

This is romantic and highly entertaining. Gregory is charming, kind, chivalrous and unassuming. Freya is strong, sweet and determined. Ella is bold, precocious and amusing. Gregory volunteered to bring his mother's guests, Freya and Ella, to her home, but he wasn't expecting a 5 y.o. girl to immediately start trying to get her aunt to marry him. Freya is determined to marry her cousin in order to keep custody Ella, but Ella prefers Gregory, and the more he gets to know them, the more he wants what Ella wants. It's an amusing storyline and the characters are wonderful people who all deserve a happy ending. I recommend adding this to your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

A delightful short story, with all the Christmas spirit.
A woman who surrenders to the need to marry - even without love - to be able to keep the custody of her niece, the daughter of her sister who died shortly after the birth of her daughter.
Freya is a sweet but strong and determined woman.

Cap Gregory Pennington is one of those men who make their own way.
About to retire from his military work, he meets Freya throughout a journey in which he was her escort.
The attraction between them is undeniable. But he had no plans to marry so soon, much less to have children.

The little Ella will be the fundamental link to unite the two, despite the resistances.
5 stars

What a refreshing book to be caught up in. An unexpected romance with dire circumstances looming in their wake. The characters were enjoyable, alluring and what really brought it home was the adorable and encouragable little girl who stole everyone’s heart, including mine. A fantastic feel-good story that I highly recommend. Book provided by NetGalley.

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Book: Sweet Home Highland Christmas
By: May McGoldrick

Series/Novella: The Pennington Family. Previously in anthology Christmas in Kilts

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: Sweet


Overall Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️







This book is part of the Anthology Christmas in Kilts. Guardian of her niece Ella is Freya Sutherland now Ella’s royal faternal grandsires may want to take Ella away from Frey
which is absolutely heartbreaking to Freya. As Freya has been caring for her niece for her enrire six years od her life.

Captain Pennington meets Freya by being assigned as Freya and Ellas escort. He is attracted to Freya but not ready to chain himself to marriage and give up his bachelor days. Yet it is the only solution that Freya requires-to be able to keep Ella and remain her guardian.

As Penn was just looking forward to retirement from the Army and doesn't see being shackled by marriage in his future. Yet a 6 year old child gets under his skin playing matchmaker for her Auntie. Plus Ella makes this novel hilarious at times with her wonderful antics, a humorous addition to this story. Yet Freya is running out of time and soon wont have a choice but marry her dreadful cousin the heir of Ellas fathers lands.

A definite must read and a wonderful collection and addition to any May McGoldrick library. As always its written exquisitely with a fast paced, fabulous, romantic adventure that historical romance readers will adore. Star crossed lovers with a child playing matchmaker that anyone with a romantic heart will love. I highly recommend this beautiful sweet novella.

I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author and also from Saint Martins Press publishing through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All opinions, ideas, words and thoughts are my own.

https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Highland-Christmas-Pennington-Family-ebook/dp/B07D2B19HK

Sweet Home Highland Christmas was familiar to me as soon as I started reading it. It took a bit of remembering, but I recalled it as part of an anthology, Christmas in Kilts: A Highland Holiday Box Set. Sweet Home was just as good the second time to read as the first. It is one you will not tire of reading when you need a light-hearted romance novella.

Freya Sutherland is guardian of her niece Ella. They are being escorted to Ella's fraternal grandparents who may want to remove her from Freya's care. Captain Pennington is their escort and quickly becomes enamored of Freya and precocious Ella. The connection between Freya and Penn is a challenge to both of them as he is not interested in marrying, yet, and she has to marry be keep Ella.

Their journey is one in which Freya, Ella and Penn get to know each other quickly. Along the way, Freya's cousin to whom she may or may not have an 'understanding' shows up to cause difficulty. Ms. McGoldrick writes Freya and Penn's HEA, and Ella's too, in such a way that you root for them from the very first written chapter.