Fun book. So much going on. Wasn't a fan of all the back and forth between people made it confusing at times but still enjoyed it.

Athena Trappes cannot believe she was deceived by the very man she thought she loved. When Athena's life is in danger, her uncle helps her flee to Scotland until things settle down at home. Athena is traveling disguised as a boy, but one night being a little reckless, lands her in a heap of trouble.

Highland Laird Symon Grant is not quite ready to move on from the loss of his wife, but he must do his duty and provide an heir. He hasn't met anyone of interest until he sees a ethereal beauty participating in the May Day activities. Athena slips from Symon's grasp, but he is determined to track her down and make the lady his bride. He just has to convince her to give love a second chance.

BETWEEN A HIGHLANDER AND A HARD PLACE is a fun fast-paced read. I give it a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars. The heroine, Athena, is young and spirited and recovering from betrayal from the man she thought she loved. She struggles with trusting any man because of it. The hero, Symon, is still healing from having lost his young wife. Athena lights a spark in him that he thought long dead. They both are head over heels before they know it, but circumstances try and try to push them apart. Find out if they can overcome them in BETWEEN A HIGHLANDER AND A HARD PLACE. I can guarantee it will not disappoint.

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place is everything you could want in a instalove/lust Victorian set era Highlander romance. It was a fast paced romance but that didn’t bother me. It was a very good read and one that I would recommend. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review after reading this arc.

Athena has her heart set on marrying an English noble. She is beautiful and unusually tall. Men are smitten with her, so marrying well should work out in her favor. Except, she has no familial ties. She was born of noble blood, but her mom died in childbirth and her father wouldn’t claim her. Her uncle raised her, but he doesn’t have a dowry or lands for a marriage agreement. Her lord tells her that his father has deemed her unworthy, but he would keep her as his mistress because he has to have her. With a broken heart her uncle sends her into the highlands while he sorts out how to get the lord away from his niece. Disguised as a boy, Athena finds herself on an adventure with a hot, stubborn scot screwing up her plans. This book is in a series, but can be read without having read the previous installments. It started off a little confusing, but gained steam and finished happily ever after for some and not others.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read, but some of the writing just fell flat for me and a lot of the phrasing became quite repetitive and a bit too saturated in religious fervor. The plot, however, was fairly engrossing and full of intrigue. The love scenes for me were a bit stilted and there is definitely instalove/lust here. That said, I would recommend this one, but I doubt I'll reread it myself.

I really enjoyed this fun romance set in Scotland. A lot of the romance novel cliches are here - who doesn't love a sexy highlander, but they are executed in an entertaining way. The characters are enjoyable and made me smile. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the chapters were on the long side. This kind of light reading is something that I like to do for a few minutes before I fall asleep and I like to stop at the end of a chapter which was hard with this book.

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place, by Mary Wine is an intriguing historical romance novel with captivating characters and a storyline focused on a Highland laird and English lady.

As the laird of his clan, Symon Grant is a powerful man, yet his cousin and clan are encouraging him to remarry, particularly for heirs. During a May Day festival, he encounters a lovely lass that he decides to claim.

Athena Trappes had a rough childhood without parents, due to death and abandonment. Now, she was being pursued for marriage by a noble man, who displayed his dark side as he declared she would be his mistress. Due to the circumstances, Athena ran away to Scotland and traveled dressed as a boy...until the May Day festival, where she literally let down her hair and then danced by the firelight. Symon and Athena are attracted to each other, but their courtship is difficult as they deal with various opposition and obstacles in their potential relationship.

Since it's the fifth book in the Highland Weddings series, it's ideal to start with the first book to meet all the characters. However, it's not necessary to read the books in order, since it easily reads as a standalone.

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place is geared towards those who enjoy reading historical highlander romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place by Mary Wine was a great story. I love Scottish romance stories and this one did not disappoint me. The characters were well developed, the story was full of history and well written scenes, and the book had a good steady pace. I even learned a bit of history about the time that the book represented. That alone is unusual in a romance story and I felt it was a positive bonus. I enjoy Highland stories and this one was well done. I recommend this story and look forward to the next book in the series. Good job Mary Wine!

This book while is a fun quick read. There is a lot of humor, a headstrong heroine, hot Highlander, and interesting plot. The heroine falls in love with the wrong man and after finding out the truth about him, she is forced to flee to Scotland. The hero needs a wife. After seeing the heroine dance on May Day, he decides she's the one for him. Little does he know, trouble will soon follow. While this story was good, I cannot wait to read Brenda's story. ARC copy was provided via Netgalley for an honest review.

I am giving this book 3 stars. The reason being is that I felt the beginning was to rushed. I wished that the relationship between Galswell and Athena were more fleshed our. I think that the relationship between Brenda and Symon was really great and funny. Their relationship was better to me than Symon and Athena’s love story.

This was not my favorite book of this series, but it had a lot of my favorite romance elements. Wine is able to intertwine a strong, female heroine and yet make her vulnerable. Symon was introduced in previous books and it set him up nicely for his own plot in this story line. Athena and Symon were a great match and even though the court angle took a turn I wasn't expecting, the plot was still enjoyable. The ending sets up Symon's sister well for her own story.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Excellent series of books by Mary Wine .
Highland adventures , with humour , amazing backdrops, wonderful plots , a couple of bad guys , and even more than a couple of highland hero’s , all mixed up with some feisty heroines , this is what makes a highland hit .
It’s great to be able to pick up a book and know your going to enjoy it just from the first page .
Recommended to all fans and first timers of this author.
I received an advance copy of this book and chose to submit a review

Between a Highlander and a Hard Place is a lovely Tudor period Highlander novella. Athena (love the name) is excited to be marrying Galwell. Galwell is a courtier in Elizabeth's court and an important man. Athena believes he loves her in spite of her modest birth and wants to make her his wife. She is devastated when she learns he doesn't want to marry her and decides to ruin her good name as well. Her uncle helps her flee and traveling with a wool merchant ends up in Scotland on May Day.

Symon is a widower who knows he needs to remarry to carry on his line but he doesn't want to. He doesn't want to lose another wife. Symon sees Athena on May Day morning and dancing wildly that evening by the fire. He is more than smitten, he may actually have fallen in love at first sight.

Athena needs Symon to rescue her and he comes through (more than once). There is definitely chemistry between these two and an instant attraction. Athena has been hurt by her former almost-fiancee and Symon was hurt when his wife died. They need each other to be whole again.

Very lovely story. Lots of passion, lots of heat and clear writing. I can't wait to read Symon's cousin Brenda's story - I believe her hero will work extra hard for her hand. Pick this one up, hot sexy highland men, Tudor time period, all good!

ARC copy graciously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of historical romance and am familiar with works of what feels like all of the well-established authors, but I have never even heard of Mary Wine.

The storytelling in Between a Highlander and a Hard Place is quite unique for the genre. Historical figures and events really come into play in this novel. However, this is one of my pet peeves in historical romances. Every time king or queen decides to play matchmaker or personally govern main characters’ private lives, I cannot help but roll my eyes. Influential people of the time seem like shadows of themselves and never given proper stage time to develop.

Our main heroine travels in disguise as a boy from England to Scotland fleeing London after setting fire to the home of her former suitor, who, as it turned out, only wanted her to be his mistress. During one of holiday celebrations in Scotland she lets her hair down, quite literally, and catches the eye of a powerful Scottish laird. What ensues is an entertaining courtship with medium amounts of heat.

Story had it’s lulls at times despite being overly convoluted and dramatic, but has the right amount of happy coincidences and happy endings!

Overall this is pleasurable novel if you don’t mind a bit of heavy-handed historical context layered on top of your steamy reads.

Well this had a lot of stuff going on, I mean a lot and then the ending you could consider it a cliff-hanger. Athena is broken hearted because the guy she thought she was supposed to marry really did not want to marry her but have her as a mistress. While fleeing she sees Symon who she is captivated by and vice versa. Symon is a widower and he needs to get married and have an heir but he is also reluctant to get married again but knows he has to for his clan. He notices Athena and is mesmerized by her. Now here is where we all get the convoluted we have kidnappings, all sorts of characters involved, lies and even though I understand this is a historical story some of the language just was a little too out there, an example (his manroot) come on!! what?!, but any how not that it was a bad book it just was a little too much, too many words, too many characters, too many different situations..I most likely will not read any more of this series or this author..

**ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Mary Wine is one of the best historical romance writers out there. To date I've read 18 of her books and all rate a 4.5 or 5 stars. Her latest Between a Highlander and a Hard Place ranks right up there. Great historical detail, interesting story line, a spunky heroine with just the right amount of sass and of course an alpha Scotsman. Throw in a whole lot of steam and you have a great book.

I received a. Advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review

This romance was enjoyable and uniquely educational- you really learn quite a lot about Scotland in the Elizabethan era That brings it up a star from three to four

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
Athena Trappes is a spirited young woman who believed the man she was to marry was in love with her as well. However, he only wanted to make her his mistress due to her beauty and tame her spirit. Trying to escape him, she set fire to his home. Her uncle sends her off to Scotland disguised as a boy. Highland Laird Symon Grant is one of the last of his line and desires a wife with spirit, not one who obeys. His first wife died in childbirth, though it was an arranged marriage. Symon sees Athena dancing and sees her passion, craving her for himself. When Athena gets into trouble, Symon takes her away to the Highlands. Athena tries to deny the passion she has for Symon, while he tries to woo her into marrying him. However, there are those wishing to use Athena for their own desires. But Athena is no damsel in distress. Symon will do whatever is necessary to make Athena his wife. Athena realizes she loves Symon, but trouble keeps finding them. With enemies on all sides, will they be able to find a way to be together?

A fun enchanting Scottish read. I enjoyed this book if at times it was a bit staid. The characters were well created and the story line interwoven with history in a way to sweep you away to the Elizabethan era. Despite some minor grammar issues sprinkled throughout the book flowed with excellent prose and description. I can't wait to read the next enstallment assuming we get a sequel to this book involving a certain cousin to our leading man. I've never read anything by Mary White prior to this, but I'm definitely going to be looking her up for my bookshelves.