I absolutely adore romance stories that tie in a whodunit mystery! I found myself as interested in the love story as I was trying to figure out who the killer was before it was revealed. I always hope that I'm clever enough to figure it out, but folks, this is why I'm not a detective. It's never the person I think it will be, and in this case, I bounced around from person to person until it was finally revealed. This time not only does May McGoldrick throw in love and history, but she creates a murder mystery that completely threw me for a loop! Definitely a keeper.

Phoebe Pennington is the wild child of the Pennington family, determined to reform Edinburgh and help those less fortunate. Under an assumed name, she has been writing articles that exposes the underbelly of the city, and in doing so she has put herself in many dangerous situations. When she goes too far one night, she is saved by her childhood crush, Captain Ian Bell, who is determined to keep her safe. Having lost his sister three years prior to an unknown killer, he is set on keeping Phoebe alive no matter what. Once they are thrown together, it is only a matter of time before that passion turns to love. But with a killer still on the loose, it becomes clear that he or she wants Phoebe dead. Now it's a battle of wills, between the dark shadow of Death and the determination of a man who knows Death well.

Ian was one of those swoon-worthy heroes that immediately grabbed my attention with his rescue of Phoebe. My heart just goes pitter-patter every time there is a scene in a romance book where the heroine is hurt and the hero rushes in to save her. Now, granted, Ian didn't know he was saving Phoebe at the time - he thought she was a boy - but it doesn't really matter to my romance-addicted heart. And then later on he saves her again in what can only be described as a scene that filled me with all sorts of swoony feelings. So Ian was a keep for me from the beginning. Phoebe was also a great character that I connected with early on. While she did have some moments where she needed to get some common sense for the sake of her safety, I appreciated what she was trying to and felt she was a very strong woman for her time period. It's great to see someone who feels that strongly about those less fortunate, and in that age, when people of her station were expected to be blind to it, that's especially impressive. The heroines of McGoldrick's book never fail to dazzle.

Once again, a spectacular book in the Pennington Family series! I look forward to reading more of this author's works in the future.

Sleepless in Scotland (The Pennington Family, #3)
by May McGoldrick

Another superb writing from this author. It is a definite buy buy buy buy buy book.
However, I need to warn you, there will be tears as there are parts that touch the heart deeply and may even strike cords of sadness and hurt within. It is a magnificently written story that is deep and just grabs and holds the reader. Each part will touch another part of your emotions. As I traversed through this saga, I was captured by the characters and enthralled by the way the plot was as well as having my heart touched by so many things through out the entire book. I will not write a spoiler, instead I will say you need to buy this book and enjoy it. Have tissues at the ready ! I was given this book arc .. via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. I voluntarily am writing this review... Buy, enjoy and get the others in this series, you absolutely will not be disappointed. Regards, Anna Swedenmom

This story was a miss for me. I have read some of the previous novels, so I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, Phoebe annoyed me. She seemed more like a teenager in some parts, rather than a 27-year-old woman. I liked Ian and totally felt for him in his tough situation with his mom. I also had a hard time believing in the romance. Although they have a shared history, they seem to fall in love after a few interactions. I didn't feel their chemistry when they were together and their love seemed underdeveloped. This wasn't a bad read; it was just not for me.

Phoebe Pennington write articles for a publication and is working on one based on information she'd received that points to corruption.
Ian Kerr Bell haunts the vaults nightly searching for the murderer of his sister Sarah.
They're acquaintances, but never expected Ian to save Phoebe in the vaults. They each work at their goals and Ian enlightens her, things are not always as they seem.
The couple end up solving the murders, as there were many more, and the murderer is quite the surprise.
Ms. Goldrick tale is written with intrigue and passion and draws one into the tale.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc for my honest opinion.

I read the previous book in this series so when the publisher invited me to read this one I jumped at the chance. This book follows Phoebe and Ian. Ian is still dealing with the murder of his sister Sarah and Phoebe, who was Sarah's best friend, is on a mission to expose corruption in her news articles. When Phoebe finds her self in danger Ian must save her from the same fate as his sister.

I really liked both Phoebe and Ian. They had good chemistry and were interesting characters to follow. I liked how their romance weaved with the murder storyline but at times felt like the book just dragged on. I did not guess who the murderer was and liked the confrontation at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.

OMG! What a fantastic read. Sleepless In Scotland by May McGoldrick is an amazing historical romance. Ms. McGoldrick has supplied us with a well-written book and loaded it with phenomenal characters. Phoebe is writing an article under a pen name and puts herself in danger by looking for information. Ian's sister was murdered and years later he's still looking for the killer. Phoebe and Ian's story is loaded with drama, humor, sizzle, action and suspense. This book held me captive from cover to cover. I enjoyed reading Sleepless In Scotland and look forward to reading more from May McGoldrick soon. Sleepless In Scotland is book 3 of The Pennington Family Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ian has been searching relentlessly for the man who murders his sister three years ago. Phoebe writes articles about the poor of Edinburgh. When out looking for information she is nearly killed and Ian comes back into her life saving her.

This was fast paced and kept me engrossed. At the start the period detail was so scant I couldn't work out what time period it was set in, but as it went along more detail was added.

A massive thank you for NetGalley to provide this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you also to the publisher and author.

Ever had that feel-good book that you just want to cuddle with because you never ever ever want to separate from it? Well, this book was it for me.

The hero and the heroine matched each other perfectly and there wasn’t any drama or angst to be worried over.

Set in the 19th century of Scotland, this book took us on a heart-warming story of Pheobe Pennington and Captain Ian Bell.

Pheobe Pennington had known Captain Ian bell since her youth through her late best friend, Sarah. Now, working as a columnist for Edinburgh’s Review under a pen name, Pheobe wanted to reveal the disheartening condition of the marginal society in Edinburgh. But it wasn’t until an unexpected encounter in one of the rough part of town that she realized what danger her job will cost.

Captain Ian Bell was still in mourning of her sister’s death when he saved a not so damsel in distress as he roamed the streets at night. After the war and the terrible fortune that fell upon her sister, he vowed to seek out the monster that had been haunting Edinburgh for the past six years. What he wasn’t expecting was the witty and bold Miss Pennington and the dangers she managed to put herself in

Before you start guessing if it were one of those cliche stories about the girl and her best friend’s brother, prepared to be disappointed. This book surpassed anything beyond what I imagined. It had just the right amount of romance and mystery that it didn’t appear to cringe.

The characters weren’t complex whatsoever and the storyline was neat.

Pheobe and Ian’s relationship blossomed progressively that when it reached the climax I couldn’t help but squealed in excitement.

The heroine was passionate about her work and the hero supported her constructively. They were both smart and complement each other perfectly that even when there’s an argument you would hardly notice who’s right or wrong. I love that the author could give such real-like dynamic in a relationship that it was obvious they had an equal standing and position as man and woman.

But do not fret, because there are also scenes to make your heart fluttered and raced.

All in all 5 golden stars! So make sure to check out Sleepless In Scotland all its other installment by May McGoldrick.

Phoebe and Ian were great. I loved that he wasn’t a rake and I didn’t have his sexual past shoved in my face. There was a good mystery although the story of Ian’s sister is very sad. Phoebe and Ian’s relationship was perfect and they were well matched. A satisfying read. I will look for more by this author.

The story of Ian and Phoebe had a different story line than what I've read in other books. I loved that Phoebe was passionate about her beliefs, always thinking of others. Ian was committed to finding his sisters killer and bringing him/her to justice. The writing was great in that I wasn't sure exactly who the villain was until near the end of the book. Great writing and a great story!