This is the first book in the series, but I accidentally read the second book first and then this book after that. It ended up working out because most of the second book takes place BEFORE the events of the first book.

This book has way too much “tell” and not nearly enough “show.” As the story begins, Isabella has fled Edinburgh and is hiding out because of her association with seditious efforts. Her husband has been killed and she only got out of the city because of Sir Walter Scott. Yes, THAT Sir Walter.

But the reader doesn’t get to experience any of that; we are merely told of these events as Isabella hides in a cottage waiting to move to her next location. That’s where she meets Cinead when he washes up onshore after his ship sinks.

Like I said in my review of Highland Jewel, when considering this book as a historical romance, it’s somewhat lacking. There’s virtually no chemistry between the two protagonists. It’s also strange that Isabella’s husband has JUST been killed in an attack on his clinic, yet she’s jumping into a new situation only a few months later. Yes, they had a marriage of convenience, but she’s still not particularly upset about his death.

Ironically, there are plenty of details when it comes to torture and abuse from the English. In one scene, at least three or four characters described what the English did to their antecedents. Yes, the English were unequivocally horrible, but the effect was more “infodumping” rather than invoking sympathy for the torture and degredation.

I would recommend this book as historical fiction. The story is intriguing and the characters are likeable, despite their lack of romantic chemistry. The series as a whole would probably make more sense chronologically rather than the piecemeal fashion in which it’s presented.




I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley.

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.

This book was everything I love about historical romances with a slight twist. I have never read a historical romance with a female physician before. It was very unique to me for having a heroine with that background. Cinaed was absolutely swoon-worthy of course. I very much enjoyed the way the very real history of 1820 was featured in the story. I feel like this was historical fiction meets historical romance and I'm here for it! I will definitely be looking for more from this author.

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

I absolutely loved everything about this book! It's the first book I've read by this author, but definitely will not be the last!
These characters swept me right into the book and I was hooked. The action, suspense and romance were wonderful and had me on the edge on my seat. I cannot wait to read more. Thank you Ms McGoldrick for a fascinating tale.

Perfect for fans of Outlander and those seeking adventure in lush Scotland, complete with hunks in kilts!

I enjoyed this book. I don’t have much experience reading historical Scottish books. But I liked the story. Will be nice to continue the story.

May McGoldrick is a favorite in period time romances. I love any and all romances set in Scotland and Ireland. Gifted read by Netgalley, this is my honest review

A while ago I commented on Facebook that so many historical romances today do not include any real history. They are somewhat generic. Well, that complaint is not relevant with Highland Crown. It is loaded with fascinating history AND there is a compelling romance as well. Isabella Drummond is a doctor and was recently widowed. She is wanted by the British government because she knows the name of Scottish insurgents in Edinburgh. Cinead Mackintosh is a ship captain importing weapons and other supplies to the Highlanders until his ship crashed on the Scottish coast. From that point Isabella and Cinead are on the run and danger abounds while love develops.

This book is full of heart-stopping adventure and its all part of history! I was so happy to find out that the love story (and history-embedded story) of Cinead and Isabella is not over. Their adventures in Scotland will continue in two more books, focusing on her half-sister and her step-daughter. I am definitely looking forward to them! Anyone who enjoys history and a really good romance will love Highland Crown.

Finding the one person you need the most at exactly the right time. They saved one another and embarked on an adventure. Great historical romance that will toss you into a world that requires you to fight for what you believe in and choose your allies very carefully.

A Scottish romance novel between two strong characters who aren't what they seem. Some of the supporting characters are so dynamic and well-written that it makes it hard not to finish the book just to find out what happens to them. Pretty good story overall, although the budding romance is somewhat tame and the ending definitely feels more like an introduction to the next installment. Net Galley Feedback

This is quite a fast-paced and interesting beginning to a new series, and also very promising.
The author does a good job creating and developing likable and compelling characters with Isabella and Cinaed. If you like History I think you'll also enjoy the backdrop of the Scottish rebellion, the politics could feel a bit slow but it wasn't really a problem, I think readers will get hooked into the story that it won't matter much. It has a nice pace and good combination of action and romance.
Would surely I highly recommend it.

Highland Crown by May McGoldrick
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 30 Apr 2019
Publisher: St Martin’s
Format: ebook, print
Length: 316 pages
RRP: $8.60 (ebook); $15.99 (print)
The highlands are a hotbed of rebellion and Cinead and Isabella are in the middle of events.
Isabella Murray Drummond has trained as a physician, unusual for women in those days, but she followed her father around and then married a doctor, who has many activities opposing British rule in Scotland. One night she sees her husband shot by the British and has to escape quickly. However, she also needs to find her sister and her stepdaughter. Events lead her to Jean and Cinead.
Cinead Mackintosh is a ship’s captain. On a bad night his ship sinks, and he blows the ship up rather than have the locals scavenge the contents. It is this night he is shot. Isabella takes care of him but he is then discovered and both need to run.
Once Isabella, Cinead and Jean arrive at Seanc’s house, Cinead and Isabella need to marry, or ‘pretend’ to be married so that they will not be betrayed. But it is here that the couple fall in love. As events swirl around them both, their love intensifies and the commitment to the cause also intensifies and becomes more open in their rebellion. Isabella is being hunted by an English officer who wants names of subversive types that her husband associated with. Once this rogue officer finds Isabella, she has to fight for her life.
Jean is a first suspicious of Isabella and her motives but then swings fully behind her as she knows Isabella’s heart. Jean also becomes a great support to Isabella and Cinead. Does this small rebellion by the people in the town mean that Isabella, Cinead and Jean and their close family have to run further, and to Halifax?
You can feel the connection between Isabella and Cinead from the beginning. And while they are on the run, this closeness is also attraction. It is practical to marry to hide Isabella’s identity, but the attraction is greater.
Stories about Scotland are always interesting when they contain some of the historical background. In this case, a town has not complied with the rogue officer, so he sets a course to destroy the town. Events move quickly, so the story moves along at a pace. But Cinead and Isabella do what they need to make sure events are in their favour and that their relationship can last the distance.
I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series.
reviewed by Heather
A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

I ended up DNFing this book despite getting rather far into it. I had to set it down and then completely lost interest. The two star rating is because it will not let me leave it unrated. The book showed promise early on but midway it became a bit of a chore.

Isabella and Cinaed are such lovable characters!!! And their story is filled with so much intrigue that I cannot wait for the next book in this series! I literally read this book in 8 hrs and pushed everything to the side until it was finished. I was gripped within this book and held tight within its pages until the very end. Such an amazing story! I highly recommend this historical romance novel to all who enjoy reading a gripping and thrilling journey!

You are in for a treat if you love a fast-paced action-packed historical romance. Author May McGoldrick is respected in the writing world for their intense research and descriptive writing which continues in this new "A Royal Highlander Novel" series.

The development of the primary characters Isabella and Cinaed are noteworthy. Both of them individually excel in what they do, have strong integrity and personalities with deep beliefs. On the surface they appear to have nothing in common but as the reader gets further into the story you will see they have more in common than what appears on the surface. Commitment to doing the right thing, caring and helping others who can't protect themselves and taking care of those they love are just a few examples. As they run for their lives they learn how to work as a team, to trust each other and then come to like and respect each other.

There is constant action in this book to keep the reader glued to the pages wanting to know what will happen next. This is what the author does with precision. Enthrall the reader.

5 STARS for the depth of this storyline and showing the readers that anything is possible even in the darkest of times.

Full review appeared at Reader;s Edyn on 03/01/20

Isabella is a woman who has always done what was necessary to get through life and her choices have not been easy given the path of her deepest passion – a career as a physician. Had it not been for her father’s influence as a doctor, she likely wouldn’t have made the advancements that she did., However, winning people over to a female surgeon is still an uphill battle. Never one to rock the boat despite her unconventional profession, even her marriage is one of a need for protection as well as its convenience. But her husband’s sympathies towards the rebellion land her in unbelievable circumstances and she finds herself running for her life, desperately trying to save the lives of her sister and stepdaughter, her husband already having paid his final dept. When Cinaed unexpectedly lands at her feet, she has no choice but to save him and the path they embark on together is one she could never have guessed she’d find herself on. She may have always been passionate about her profession, but she’s never experienced the kind of passion Cinaed inspires within her and before too long the two realize that together they are more powerful united despite their seemingly bleak future.

Cinaed has never truly belonged anywhere and the truth of his heritage is known only to a few. A revelation that will shake up the rebellion in unimagined ways, even Cinaed isn’t privy to the truth and the implications and weight such knowledge possesses. Known only as a phantom of sorts, he has been smuggling weapons and supplies to those in need so that they are better prepared when the uprising occurs – and it’s coming soon. When his ship is lost and injury threatens his life, he must trust Isabella to save him. Owing her his life, this man who pledges allegiance to no one now pledges himself to Isabella and determines to keep her safe no matter the threat or consequence. The more dangerous their path, the stronger their bond becomes. When the truth of Cinaed’s heritage is finally revealed, the question lingers as to whether Isabella will fight with him or flee. For the first time in his life, he finally feels like he belongs somewhere when he’s in Isabella’s arms. But if he must let her go, he will do just that in order to protect her.

I am so in love with this book! I absolutely adore the magical writing prowess of this author team and how they craft such an extraordinary tale woven with historical truths and fictional characters. A reader is nearly robbed of the ability to choose between like and dislike with this author. The inevitable romance between reader and book practically a certainty. I was swept into the mystery of misdeeds by black-hearted souls, and the desperate fight for justice from kind-hearted people from the instant I began reading and continued peeling beck the pages; unable to keep from seeking out what would occur next. Cinaed and Isabella created their own amount of danger for themselves in the lives they led, but once they came together the danger factor soared to ridiculous heights. While their attraction was a bit of a slow burn, once those embers stoked to life, there was no taming the flame. I found myself hoping for a way in which they could be together despite having nearly every possible thing going against them. I’d like to think that there could have been two such selfless people, desiring only to help those in need, that could come together with like goals and find a way to champion the underdogs in momentous ways, all while carving out an HEA for themselves. Initially, there are several characters mentioned, but many of them are not a part of this story until much later in the book. This worked well because once someone who had been described (however briefly) was brought in, the reader had some knowledge prior to the appearance. Had they all been brought in at the same time and without forethought, confusion could have easily taken this story over. Between the cast and the constant state of danger, much happened within these pages, but the brilliance of this writing couple allowed me to keep up as events unfolded, secrets were revealed, and danger relentlessly attacked. I’m still a bit shocked at how intrigued I was with this book. I even told my husband I was pretty sure I had stumbled upon a romance series I believed he would enjoy. *whispers* I never say anything like that and tend to keep my readings to myself. So what a huge statement that was for me to make! And I meant it wholeheartedly! If I had to describe this for those who cling to familiar – think of this book/series as similar to Outlander. Even the parallels with Jamie and Claire – Highlander and surgeon. But this is decades following Culloden and the struggle to find their place and fight for what is right following the defeat. So similar to Outlander and yet nothing like it - if that helps at all. The authors may not appreciate that drawn likeness, but I know several who would be that much more attracted to this series simply for that observation.

As mentioned, some of these characters do wait until quite late in the book to appear, but I came to find out that our main couple continues in the next book and we see many more of these secondary characters and will spend more time with them in future installments. This in no way implies a cliffhanger as I personally despise them. Everything ends in an appropriate place which would allow a reader to feel satisfied at the conclusion, but with just a bit of a hint as to what is to come. Also helpful were the author’s notes at the conclusion, providing a glimpse into the separation of fact from fiction, their inspiration for writing, and where the series was headed next. I literally just came back from my eReader and discovered that I actually managed to obtain the entire series in the form of ARCs, so I am thrilled to know I will be digging into the next book HIGHLAND JEWEL forthwith. As far as steamy, this book kept things modest. While the passion was most definitely a very real thing between Isabella and Cinaed and their heated glances practically sizzled off of the pages, their coming together was basically eluded to and not described except with very minimal detail. While I tend to like a bit more meat within “bedroom scenes”, for this book, it fit perfectly. I believe it would have been somewhat out of place to cut from so much fear and danger to an illicit sex scene despite the fact that several of the most steamy scenes I have come across were born of near-death experiences, or exceptionally dangerous situations just prior to the joining. As far as the league of secondary characters, from Edinburgh to Maggot Green, many of them take a bit of time warm up to, but warm-up I did. Due to the state of unrest these small-town people have been living in, many are wary initially and extremely distrustful. Completely understandable given the recent events within the Highlands leading to so much death and corruption. Honestly, I could likely go on for many more pages about how much I loved this book, how fantastic the creation of these characters were, how perfectly this world was built using history and fiction, and how absolutely thrilled I am to read the second book next. However, that won’t get me to the next installment any quicker, so I will depart with the following thoughts. May McGoldrick is an absolute MUST READ author. If you have not yet experienced any of their books, you are seriously doing yourself an injustice. For those who enjoy historical romance and particularly Scottish history, this will be a gem. Never have I been so swept away. In fact, I’ll likely be reading this series more than once and I will definitely be recommending it to others. I count myself lucky to have stumbled onto this series and author and will relish every single moment I feel privileged to spend within it.

Kindle version provided by NetGalley/St. Martin’s in exchange for an honest review.

Highland Crown is the first book in this trilogy and WHAT A BOOK. I simple adored this story in every way. There was so much delicious moments and great historical adventures. First off SALUTE to this couple writing team (and yes the name May McGoldrick is for a couple that have been writing romances since I got hooked on them) they definitely were in depth with all their research that came into play with this book here. I simply loved it in so many ways. It might not be for everyone though, there is plenty of focus on the romance but there is just as much romance as there is historical plot but at least for myself, I didn’t feel like the romance was neglected in any form but its style might not work for everyone. But seriously, I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book and I have no complaints here.

The story begins with our heroine whose husband has been captured and viewed a traitor to the crown, and so she and her sister and stepdaughter are on the run and Isabella is now in hiding but then a ship captain ends up injured on the shore near where they live and as a Doctor, Isabella aids him but through a series of events she and Cinead will be forced to go on the run and find help with his mentor and friend. Along the way of their journey there is a connection that forms that is sweet and sensual but also each of them discover many elements of their own lives and the history and where they are heading in the future.

Highland Crown is a great beginning to a fabulous story and I am thrilled to be able to pick up books two and three and see where this journey takes our characters and those people that are connected to Cinead and Isabella. I have a feeling May McGoldrick will be taking us on quite a ride and I am totally ready for that. It’s really so fascinating the history that is shown here but its a history that is not easy to read at times to be honest. This is the WORST time for the Scot’s (in my humble opinion) the regency era while in Scotland is full of turmoil and hardship for the great people of Scotland. And McGoldrick really showed this so well but at the same time they also show the true strength, zest and courage they had to fight for what they believed in.

Overall I found Highland Crown to be elemental reading for anyone who loves a historical rich romance that elevates and illuminates the beauty and strength of the Scottish people!! Beautifully portrayed in every way!!

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book one in a new series by May McGoldrick. I had started to read this awhile ago and couldn't finish the first chapter. I am glad that I finally pushed through. The story did get better and I did end up enjoying the read just wasn't a fan of the beginning. Looking forward to seeing if the author grew is style in book 2.

Rich in historical detail with a compelling plot and some interesting characters, this novel is smarter and more interesting than your average Highland romance novel. i Will be sure to read the rest of the series.