I loved Evelyn and Grey's story!

Evelyn was trying to get out of an unwanted marriage when she traveled to Scotland with her sister to set up a school on her brother's newly purchased property. She had no idea that she would encounter an angry laird that wasn't about to give up his home. What ensues is a throughly enjoyable read with plenty of adventure!

I can't wait to read the next book in the Highland Roses School series!

Excerpted from the review posted to my blog (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2018/08/10/a-rose-in-the-highlands-by-heather-mccollum/):

My Rating: 4 stars

Library recommendation: Recommended for public library historical romance collections.

Warning: Hereafter, you chance spoilers. I will try never to reveal major plot points, but to review any book, you must reveal some parts of the story.





Number of titles I have read by this author: 1

Love story speed: Sneaky medium burn

Relationship dynamics: The Financially Disowned Schoolmistress on the Run (h) / The Brawny, Wronged Highland Chief (H)

Sexual content: Some; sex is romantic, “onscreen” and explicit, although the author avoids using the more vulgar words for sexual anatomy (numerous references to H’s “rod”, “jack” and “member”)

Triggers: Physical violence (not a significant amount “onscreen”); some survivor trauma (h)

Grammar/Editing: A few typos, some awkward phrasing and incorrect word usage (e.g. hanged vs hung). As this is an ARC, much of this will hopefully be corrected in the final, published version.

Review: This book sets a medium pace and is mostly well-written. The conflict was fairly balanced and I felt that that balance really helped draw emotional investment from me as a reader. The action in this book is well set within its historical context. The author has created a plausible and engaging intrigue in what is a tight timeline at the end of Charles II’s life (Charles II is dead by mid-February 1685).

Evelyn and Grey are very likable, eloquent characters and their verbal sparring is quite cheeky and funny, which made the book an easy, quick read. The tension in the relationship is really well-done and the progression of the relationship feels very natural, even though they are in what amounts to a hostile environment, although it’s not “you and me against the world” in tone. The supporting characters are well-developed, interesting, and some are quite funny. It’s clear who the next book will feature as a heroine and I am left with hopeful speculation about potential heroes.

I will certainly be putting the next book in the series on my to-read list.

Self-Defence version: This book starts with a full-frontal attack. Readers must be ready to turn pages quickly – the dog-ear technique will not be necessary in a fight with this book. Readers should still be ready for a sneak attack, but remember that the end goal of the book is to entertain – don’t tense up; just go with the flow.

Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.