Ainsley a d Royal takes us on a fun filled adventure in their story. I love visiting the Highlands with these characters. Can’t wait for more.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine. Ainsley and Royal were well-written characters. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Guest review by Amy Compton
I fell in love with the Kendrick family in the 3rd book of Vanessa Kelly’s Improper Princesses series. They’re the kind of family you can’t help but love yet you know you’d go crazy if around them too long. At the time, I wasn’t sure whose story I wanted next. I just knew that I wanted more of this crazy, loyal family. I’m thrilled it was Royal and Ainsley’s story. Royal really intrigued me in that last book. Injured and brooding, he was very hard to figure out, but it was clear Ainsley had an effect on him, and I couldn’t wait to see where that led. After reading The Highlander Who Protected Me, this Clan Kendrick series promises to be every bit as spectacular as the series that gave birth to this amazing family.

Royal Kendrick had fallen in love with Lady Ainsley Matthews the moment he met her. Her vibrant beauty and lethal wit drew him in and he desired her more than anything he’d ever wanted. But he knew his desire was all he’d ever have of her. He was just a common second son. A man with a mangled leg and a moody temperament. Ainsley was an heiress. The darling of the ton. And she was promised, if not officially yet, to the Marquess of Cringlewood. Ainsley admired Royal for his bravery and sacrifice. He was as blunt and bad tempered as she and she enjoyed the acerbic humor and witty banter they shared. She trusted him and saw him as a good friend, though that was all they could be as her father would never consider Royal as a suitor. He was intent on a match with Leonard, the Marquess of Cringlewood. Unfortunately, the Marquess was a vile, cruel man who forced himself on Ainsley leaving her pregnant and with no choice but to flee to Scotland before Leonard discovered her plight and forced her into marriage.
When her friend Royal arrives to visit, Ainsley knows he is the only person she trusts to keep her baby safe. Though it will devastate her to place her child in someone else’s hands, it’s the safest place for her to be. Losing her child and losing Royal, the only man she’d ever thought she could love would be difficult, but it was the only way to keep the baby from a father who had no decency or compassion. Royal would do anything for Ainsley and agrees to raise the child as his own even though doing so would bring scandal on him.
Royal and the Kendricks quickly fell in love with the baby, and Royal, who’d felt he had no purpose after the war, found a new motivation for his future in raising the child. It doesn’t take long for Ainsley to realize she can’t bear being separated from her child, and she finds herself once again asking Royal for help. To marry her and raise the child together. Royal would like nothing more than to call Ainsley wife. But could Ainsley give up her wealth and status to marry a poor, crippled Scotsman? He’d been nursing a passion for her for two years. Could he be content to marry someone who may not return that passion? And most importantly, would marriage be enough to keep Ainsley and her baby safe from the Marquess of Cringlewood?
I adored Royal from the moment I met him in the previous series. Like all the Kendricks, he was loyal. But Royal has to be the most selfless man to ever exist! His injuries from the war left him in great physical and emotional pain yet he never complained. He was the peacemaker of the family, often having to referee between them. Whatever the task, Royal bore it. Again and again. Nothing mattered more than family. And Ainsley and her baby were family now.
Ainsley was harder to love at first. She was spoiled, though in her defense, it was all she’d ever known until the assault by Cringlewood and the subsequent betrayal of her family. But she was brave to run away and put her child first. And she was smart to trust Royal. I felt sorry and afraid for the predicament she was in. Cringlewood had wronged her but she was the one who would suffer. Regardless of his actions, she’d be the one at fault.
Seeing Royal and Ainsley together made me realize how very much they needed each other. I admired Royal for how patient and encouraging he was with Ainsley as she struggled with motherhood. The tension and humor in caring for a baby helped me see how much they cared for each other. Royal never gave into his passion, waiting instead till Ainsley was ready. He didn’t push or demand but allowed her to move at her own pace. I admired Ainsley for giving up so much for her child. Coming to a land she rather hated and living with a family that drove her mad. Because of the assault by Leonard, she was unsure of the way Royal made her feel at times. It was fun and sweet to watch her battle between her fears and her desires. The intimate moments between she and Royal, when they weren’t interrupted by Angus, were steamy and playful. The slow build to Ainsley and Royal finding love made it that much more rewarding.
The “wonderful supporting characters that keep you laughing” award goes to Angus Kendrick. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to hug him or strangle him at times. But he brought so much laughter and warmth to the story. I gained a whole new respect and love for him in this book.
The magic ingredient in this story has to be the witty banter. The clever, romantic sparring created sparks that brought Royal and Ainsley alive on the page. Sometimes seductive and sometimes playful, it painted such a brilliant picture of these characters. Even the sometimes aggressive banter was perfect because it showed how intense the attraction was. . I love that her characters can show wit and perfectly placed sarcasm even in the middle of romantic moments. There’s nothing like swooning and giggling at the same time. Their clever repartee kept the plot moving forward and ensured a fun filled ride to their happily ever after. Vanessa Kelly never fails to make me swoon with her amazing characterizations and her intriguing stories. I am eager to see which Kendrick I get to fall in love with next.

We journey back to Scotland and the marvelous Kendrick family. Nick may be the head of the family, but Royal is the glue that holds it together. He came back from war a broken man. Even in pain from a badly injured leg, he knows he needs to keep going for his family. He found more to live for when he met Lady Ainsley Matthews. They saw in each other what others did not. They are able to toss teasing remarks back and forth, where others would be insulted, they laugh. Unfortunately, at their first meeting when he hoped for more, he found her parents had already promised her to the rather nasty Marquess of Cringlewood. Fourteen months later, Royal knows Ainsley is staying with her great aunt and finally decided he must see her. There is a story of what happened in those months, well covered in the last book of The Improper Princesses series. I dare not give much more away or this will be a spoiler review. Just let me say what Royal finds at Underhill Manor is a shock and a surprise, but he just takes it in stride. What follows is a wonderful story. The more I read about Royal and his actions, I am convinced that he is by far my favorite Kendrick. Not only is he a handsome brawn Scotman, he is also very sensitive to others and their needs. He would give everything for his family or Ainsley including his life. What a man! I love this series, all I can say is more Kendricks please!

Vanessa Kelly writes highlanders who jump from the page, these men are everything one could desire as is the plot line. I love Ms. Kelly’s work and can wait to read more by her.

Royal Kendrick and Lady Ainsley Matthews are thrown together for a purpose which evolves to something more. Excellent story line and characters . Enjoy this author.

Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.

This is book 1 of the Clan Kendrick series and what an awesome start to the series this story is! This book is wonderfully entertaining from start to finish. Really well-written, very interesting and likable characters that are well-developed with a story line that is certain to pull at your heartstrings. I very quickly got into the story which had lots of emotion, humor, drama, a bit of suspense and great romance. The heroine is fiery and strong, and yet she is also vulnerable. The hero is a strong Scottish man who will do anything for his lady love, including protecting her at all costs. If you are a lover of Scottish romance then you are going to love this book! I am so looking forward to the next installment in this series! I highly recommend this book!

This was difficult getting through as I never found myself liking the spoiled, Lady Ainsley Matthews. Her life, and what she had gone through were tragic, yet I was shocked at the mention part of the reason she had gone back to London without her daughter was to see if she could get her carefree life back. Her continual rescuer, Royal Kendrick, was a glutton for punishment. I never got the sense that Ainsley loved him for the man he was but more for his unwavering loyalty to her and that he would always do what she asked.

I love a good highlander story and this one did not disappoint!! The chemistry between Royal and Ainsley was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I thought Ainsley was kind of bratty at times but overall I loved this story

Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match. Instead she’s hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. One man can help her—Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan. Though a mistake drove them apart long ago, Royal is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby—even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again. Scarred in body and soul by war, Royal suddenly has a purpose—caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can’t stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there’s only one solution: marriage. And only one likely outcome: surrendering to the desire that’s simmered between them for so long, no matter how dangerous it may be.
Ok, so I have mixed feelings about this story. First, I really loved Royal and felt bad for him. Second, I really didn’t care much for Ainsley (more of the reap what you sow). Third, this book is a little different them most HRs, but it also has a sensitive hot button item to it that I personally don’t like reading about. The third item, and the way it was handled, actually doesn’t really affect my rating of the book. I thought that poor Royal was constantly put through the ringer, which made me want him to find a worthy woman. Even after reading it, I can’t really say that Ainsley is worthy of his love.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

A story of a stubborn Highlander and an equally stubborn young lady. Ainsley was a diamond of the Aristocracy and Royal was as he saw it just an average Scotsman with nothing to recommend him. He was wounded at Waterloo and thinks of himself as crippled.
They are made for each other with their sense of humor, their biting wit. Neither one of them could predict how their feelings for each other would get them in serious trouble or how love can conquer all.
A splendid book, I expect no less from Vanessa. She is a favorite of mine and I own all of her books.
Take a ride into Vanessa's world of sexy Highlanders and bossy females. I guarantee you will love it!

I think that Lady Ainsley Matthews was smart to trust Royal Kendrick with her secrets. Royal is a troubled Highlander who suffers from wounds at Waterloo but he is very loyal to his family and to his friends. By the time that Ainsley realizes that she must place her trust in Royal, he is willing to overlook their past differences and offer his protection. There's plenty of action and drama in this story and it is a standalone story that refers to an earlier tale. I'm looking forward to future stories of the Kendrick sons.

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC; all opinions are my own.

There are no victims only survivors. Kelly dreams up a stunningly, captivating tale of heartache, bravery and romance. Royal and Ainsley are a little bit broken but no less heroes. Both are looking to find their place in a world judgment, cruelty and war. They find that place in each other's hearts. The Highlander Who Protected Me is a slow burn. Love kind of sneaks it's way into your heart. The battle is hard won, but the fire is never-ending.

This book is listed as the first in a series, but unfortunately for many readers, this was a spinoff from another series where these characters are introduced and their back story takes place. There was a short introduction to the story where some of that backstory is shared, so I was okay with this book, but others did not feel the same way.

Ainsley is engaged to the Marquess of Cringlewood, but detests him and wants to break the engagement. Apparently he raped her and she became pregnant. She has run away to a Scottish estate, belonging to her aunt to have her child. She knows Royal Kendrick from the past and they have a trusting relationship, so she summons him to the estate and asks him to take her daughter and raise her as his own. He agrees, so she returns to her home, leaving her daughter behind. Royal is healing from horrible wounds, both physical and emotional, from war and throws himself into raising "his daugher". It doesn't take long for Ainsley to realize that she can't live without her daughter so she heads to Kendrick Keep and tells Royal she wants to marry him. Royal has been in love with Ainsley for years so he agrees, even if the marriage is in name only. The marriage has a real chance, given Royal’s incredible patience with Ainsley, but, her parents and her former fiancé refuse to back down and let her live her life in peace.

I really enjoyed this story. You had the brooding, wounded hero, hopelessly in love, the love interest who is trying to do what is best and has her own wounds to deal with and a child who is loved by them both. I enjoyed the banter between these two as well as between them and Royal's family. There is some action, humour, drama and romance. I really enjoyed Royal's grandfather. He was sassy and not accepting of Ainsley, but when push comes to shove, he puts his life on the line for her and the bairn. Once again, you had the villians who you were supposed to dislike and dislike them I did. There are some triggers in this story (rape, war) but I believe the author handled them well without giving graphic details. The story was well-written and moved at a good pace. I am ready to visit the Scottish Highlands again and see what is next for the Kendrick Clan. The publisher, Zebra, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

This book is the first in a new series by one of my favorite HR authors -- Vanessa Kelly.

Ainsley is a woman on the run when the story begins to unfold. She had fled to escape her abusive fiance (there is some graphic description of the violence for those who may have triggers) and is pregnant --- a definite no-no for an unwed woman at the time. Royal was at Waterloo where he was grievously injured and still suffers both physically and emotionally. When he first encounters Ainsley, there is palpable chemistry between the two, but he discovers that she is betrothed. Miscommunication ensues, and the couple is separated for several months. When they are reunited, Royal is shocked to learn of what has happened since he last saw Ainsley, and he is determined to protect her and be the man she needs.

This was a very enjoyable story with passionate characters, and although at times it was angsty-er than I tend to prefer, it was still a very good read. Royal was definitely swoon-worthy as a fierce protector but tender provider, and the love scenes were hot :) Recommended to those who enjoy HRs but don't need complete authenticity as there are some aspects of the story that are not historically accurate (this doesn't bother me, but I know some readers are sticklers for that kind of thing).

I enjoyed Kelly's first novel in her new series, even if I was a bit confused about events that apparently happened in the previous book. I did like that while the couple built a lasting relationship by the end of the book, it didn't solve all of their problems.

Delightful!

Lady Ainsley Matthews flees her abusive fiancé to the wilds of Scotland. Pregnant and alone she turns to Royal Kendrick for assistance. Royal agrees to raise the baby as his own whilst Ainsley returns to her former life as a leader of the ton. Ainsley however finds herself unable to forget her child. She returns to Scotland despite the risk that her former fiancé might take her child from her. There is only one answer, marriage to Royal.
I was absolutely charmed by this story. I smiled at the lively, often sardonic banter between Ainsley and Royal.
The understated strength of both lead characters, the tenacity of Ainsley, a suitable despicable villainous member of the ton, some lively characters including the old rascally Angus, Royal's grandfather, made this novel an intriguing and unexpected enjoyable read.

A NetGalley ARC

I received this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

As with any other young woman of means, Lady Ainsley is expected to make an advantageous marriage. The problem is, she doesn't like him at all and doesn't want to marry. She doesn't really want to marry at all.

Royal has been in love with her from the day he met her. Not only is she a beauty but he also loves her sassiness. Royal is pretty sassy himself, he has not problem saying exactly what he is thinking and it doesn't always endear him to all but Ainsley actually appreciates his honesty.

Royal finds out that Ainsley is in Scotland, staying with an Aunt so he goes to see her. Ainsley was raped by her "fiancé" and is very pregnant. Sha also delivers her daughter while he is their and has asked him to take her baby and raise her, because she knows he is a good man and she knows her fiance would use the baby to control her.

Months later, Royal and his family (brothers and grandfather and a sis-in-law) are all in love with baby Tira when Ainsley arrives. She hates being away from her daughter and wants to be a part of her life.

There is only one way she will be safe from the beastly man who refuses to let her go but can she get past his blackmail? Will Royal agree? Can he keep them safe and will she love him as he loves her?

Ainsley is the typical victim of women of that era, she had no rights. As much as she tries to fight it she really didn't have anyone to help her...until Royal. I did get frustrated with her at times because she just didn't see how much he cared for her. She also kept secrets from him when she received threats. All he asked for from her was honesty.

I did love the battle between her and Royal's grandfather, it was quite entertaining.

I did enjoy this story and really do want my own Royal!!

Available now: The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly
**** 3.5 stars: If you want to get away with a book, The Highlander Who Protected Me is a good book to jump into.



Recommended readers:

If you like Vanessa
If you like Regency-Highland historical romance
If you like rekindled love stories
Here's my Rankings:

3/5 for characters
3/5 for plot
3.5/5 overall
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Sometimes it's great to just step away from life and immerse yourself in another story and another time - and that's why I like to grab a historical romance. Lady Ainsley is a popular and wealthy lady - so whatever is making her hide away in the Highlands. And she reaches out to the former love of her life, Royal Kendrick. Though sometimes odd, Lady Ainsley makes some interesting decisions that put her in front of her former love.

Available now: The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly

A Highland hero to adore

I first want to say that Royal Kendrick is a fantastic hero! He is my new favorite Highlander in any book. Royal is gruff, loyal, intelligent, respectful of women, compassionate, great with babies, and patient with his lady. I also like that he is a veteran of the Battle of Waterloo. I absolutely love how he loves Ainsley. Ainsley brings chaos into Royal's life. I like her, but she got on my nerves a little bit early on. However, she really grew as a person, actively trying to stop being snobbish and rude, so I liked her more and more as the book went on.

There is a lively bunch of lovable, funny minor characters. I especially appreciate Royal’s funny grandfather and Ainsley’s quirky old aunt. It seems like this family has appeared in previous Vanessa Kelly books, but I’m not sure. This is the first book by Vanessa Kelly that I have read, but it surely won’t be the last. I was surprised and pleased by the unpredictable plot developments and timeline of this romance. FYI, it is told in third person perspective, not first person as the title would seem to indicate. This novel is a really high quality Regency/Scottish romance that I recommend to all historical romance fans, except for those who care about the trigger warning below.

Trigger warning: Ainsley previously was the victim of a sexual assault perpetrated by the villain, and she does describe the event with some level of detail.