I received Highland Crown written by May McGoldrick from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the first installment of their Highland trilogy. I have read many books written by this husband and wife team and have enjoyed most of them. Highland Crown was a wonderful beginning.
Set in Scotland in 1820, Isabella is a trained physician ahead of her time. When her husband is shot by the British government as a Scottish rebel, she must flee to save herself and her sister and step-daughter. While hiding to save her life, her doctor skills kick in when a ship's captain is shot and needs surgery to survive.
Cinaed Macintosh is a secluded soul whose only allegiance is to himself. However, he feels for the Scottish people trying to improve their living conditions and does what he can to help them. But when he is shot and Isabella saves his life, his honor requires he do what he can to save Isabella. But to do that, he must travel home and face his past and maybe, his future.
Wonderful story that intertwined fact and fiction. I loved ready this book so much and I look forward to the other two books of the trilogy. #HighlandCrown #NetGalley

Scottish adventure that is filled with likable characters, a plot full of struggles against injustices and bias, and an unlikely romance. Highland Crown by May McGoldrick is an interesting and engaging read. Not knowing much about this time in Scottish history, I can only say that the plot seems realistic and plausible.

The story is well-written that kept me reading though this period of history is not one I generally chose to read. The Prologue sealed the deal being a most compelling beginning. The characters, Isabella and Cinead are nicely fleshed out so that they seem to be real people who must survive against the politics and dangers of the time. Wanted and found is a good description of theses two and their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am not a regular Romance Reader but when I came across the chance to participate in this blog tour, I thought why not?

It is a historical fiction set in Scotland, which is focused on history as well as Romance but I would say it leans more towards history which made me a bit bore. This book offers many elements love, bravery, kinship, politics, rebellion and much more.

Main Characters are interesting enough to engage the readers. Both are from different worlds but their understanding is relatable.

Isabella, a brave, smart and educated lady who knows what she wants and how to do it and she is totally family oriented, I really liked her character. Cinaed, a rough tough mysterious guy. I liked their chemistry and the way they understand each other, the pace of their story was perfect.

The world building is beautifully done. The writing and too much history was a bit let down for me, especially the writing but if you are a regular historical fiction reader than I think it is totally your cup of tea.

It is a part of a series so the ending was expected.

3.5 stars
The duo behind May McGoldrick is a new to me author and I was excited to try to a new historical romance. Highland Crown is the beginning of a new saga; meaning while this book has closure the story is far from complete.
I enjoyed the story here, especially the strong heroine in Isabella. The authors also did an good job of balancing the world building for the series/saga and the romantic story between Isabella and Cinaed. I found both to be realistic and believable.
My complaint - and the thing that kept this from being a 4 start read - was the curve balls at the end. One of them (and you have to read to find out) fit the story fairly well based on character descriptions and behaviors by secondary characters earlier in the book. The second seemed like an afterthought relating to Isabella's family. The two young ladies had been nothing but mentions and then they suddenly were influencing character behavior.
I enjoyed Highland Crown and and curious to see where the series goes next.

This is my fair and honest review in return for this ARC. OMG, what a read!! The sense of being there during such tumultuous times, just keeps you riveted!.. So well told with great characters and writing.

If you are a true history buff, you will absolutely appreciate the depth of research the author has put into this book. She captures the fighting spirit of the people of Scotland admirably. This is the beginning of the love story of Cinaed and Isabella. It also tells the story of the path they take in their fight to see Scotland gain its freedom from British oppression. The plot and character development are well done. Readers will be impressed with Isabelle’s fierce willingness to fight for her beliefs. Cinaed is loyal and tenacious. The dialogue is witty and smart. I look forward to the continuation of the series to see how all the action plays out.

What could be more pertinent to the suffering of the Scottish Highlanders during the Highland Clearances inflicted on them by the English king than a connection to Bonnie Prince Charlie? Highland Crown by May McGoldrick is a book that is steeped in the history of Scotland in the 1820s and lays a solid foundation for the intense romance built on top of it.

Where history stops, imagination takes off, and McGoldrick seamlessly blends real history with her invention of connections, people and events. Against the fierce action of capture and escape, Cinaed and Isabella’s story of hope unfolds. Just as Isabella saves Cinaed’s life, he saves hers, and it is lovely to see how this strong bond between them deepens into love. I really enjoyed watching how despite the desperation of their circumstances, they are tender with each other, even as attraction simmers strongly between them. McGoldrick’s skillful writing makes that contrast momentous — at times, shocking, at times, sigh-worthy.

Highland Crown is one of the best Regency-era books I have read in recent months, and it is a worthwhile addition to your home library.

https://frolic.media/the-heart-of-a-story-highland-crown/

Good story flow. Interesting and entertaining characters. Like a story written in history. Fun to read the development of relationship and how people were in the past. Good read.

Intriguing and so interesting!
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From the very first paragraph I knew this was going to be impressive. It just had a great vibe and I was very hopeful that the rest of the book continued with in the same strain. Thankfully, that is what happened.

The author took a ton of time researching her history and it definitely shows in this story. With a unique theme that makes this book an addictive read, the pages just fly by.

I love the blend of history, romance, and spicy heat! Plus, the heroine is pretty bad-ass for the time too. No wilting flower here! In fact, all of the characters are pretty awesome, whether bad guys or good! They are beautifully blended and memorable!

Highland Crown by May McGoldrick is a first book in this new series and it is a story to remember! I will definitely read more in this hot series!

This story had me mesmerised from beginning to end. It's very well portrayed and paced just right. It's a good rendition of the unrest between Scotland and England in the 1800s.

Cinead is a ship captain carrying cargo which leads to his ship's demise.

Isabella is a doctor, dedicated to helping the underprivileged and she is now on the run as she is wanted by more than one enemies.

Cinead has always fended for himself until his ship is destroyed and he is mortality injured. Isabella, being who she is rescues him and Cinead feels endebted to her and he is also drawn to her. Together, they face many dangers. There is an obvious draw between them, but will the enemies stop them from exploring what could be developing between them?

Isabella's courage and determination shine throughout the story. Cinead is courageous and fights for the cause that he believes in. The revelation about who he really is at the end could interfere with their relationship. Although it ends on a good note, it has left me guessing as to what happens next.

I like how the story flows. It's fascinating and vividly portrayed. The primary and secondary characters are believable. The mystery behind the story is solid and the romance is sweet.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

History class was never this engaging!

Opening with a prologue from Sir Walter Scott's POV, this is a unique historical romance crafted from real-life people and events. Cinead and Isabella's love story is amazing, captivating, and exciting throughout. The attention to historical detail is commendable as the author sets the stage for an expansive look at Scotland during a pivotal point in history.

It's a wonderful story, beautifully told, with memorable characters who take the reader along on a captivating journey. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

When I picked up Highland Crown I thought it’s going be straight up romance novel but this book turned out to be so much more. Highland Crown is a start to a historical fiction series, rich in Scottish history and lore. Of course, we also get a swoony romance.

In Highland Crown, we are introduced to Isabella Drummond, university educated physician, and Cinaed Macintosh, a sea captain whose ship crashes near the coastal village where Isabella hides. Isabella is on the run from both the British soldiers and the Scottish rebels. British soliders want her for treason and the rebels want her because they are afraid she will reveal their secrets to the soldiers. After she saves Cinaed's life, he wows to help her evade her pursuers. The constant danger that they find themselves in brings them closer and closer together.

I liked both Isabella and Cinaed very much. Cinaed respects Isabella's intellect and her skills as a physician and Isabella is attracted to his charisma and his leadership skills. But Cinaed have secrets in his past that even he is not aware of and that may prevent them from finding happiness together. Highland Crown is not a stand alone book, it's only the beginning of Cinaed and Isabella's journey and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

It's 1820, and Isabella Drummond, a female physician who is on the run, saves the life of a ship's captain. Cinaed, the captain, feels he has a responsibility to Isabella, and that's a new feeling for him. The romance is strongly situated in place and time with early 19th-century Scotland drawn clearly and referencing historical events. That's the strong point, but the romance and main characters feel much weaker. Pacing felt uneven, and though I understand the prologue is supposed to be a framing device, I felt like it just made the story start slowly and detracted from the book rather than added to it.

A Historical Scottish romance with good history of the times and conflict.
Great characters Isabella a Doctor is a strong woman ,caught up in the conflict of the times.
Cinead is a rogue and pirate who tries to helphis people.
Drama, adventures,angst suspense and romance.
Really liked the story,characters just a good Historical romance.
Voluntarily reviewed

I think I’m into the Royal Highlanders series for the long haul. I enjoyed the setting and characters of Highland Crown. Isabella Drummond is smart and canny, and Cinaed Mackintosh is smart, patient and swoon-making. A tad reminiscent of Outlander (without the time travel or OTT sex scenes), this looks like its going to be a enjoyably historic romance series.

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

I love historical romance so I devoured this book!!! Great writing and a fast paced plot! I recommend it to fans of the genre.

If you are anything like me when looking to read Historical fiction I simply adore it when the author is able to weave in actual events of historical nature into the fiction making me think – yes, this could be very true! In Isabella and Cinaed’s case who’s to say these adventures didn’t take place. Who indeed?

Isabella was unique in that in the 1820’s she was a doctor and had passed the tests to practice medicine. Although it was generally at the side of her doctor father and later doctor husband that she would practice. Dedicated to healing she tried to overlook the Highland rebel activities she knew her husband was involved in. And it did come to pass that the rebels were rounded up during an ambush where her husband was killed but Isabella escaped with her sister and his daughter. Now guilt by association, the English authorities had set a bounty on her head. Spirited away by a friend she was handed over to a woman Anna who had no use for an English woman and if she knew of the bounty Isabella would have been turned over to the authorities in a heartbeat.

Enter Cinaed Mackintosh, a ships captain who had after being thrown into the rocks from a horrible storm then had to destroy what was left of his ships cargo and the ship before the English discovered him. Unfortunately, the people who scavenge for loot don’t want to see survivors so he was shot and left for dead. Isabella, found him and there was no way she would let a living soul perish if she didn’t try her best to save him!

The rest of the story is what you will have to read your self. Where you will meet a plethora of secondary characters whom you’ll love and hate, but you won’t forget. Highly recommended for the adventure, the fast pace, and the lovely romance. And as an added bonus a pretty surprising ending!

Marilyn Rondeau

I was given a ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.

This is my favorite series from McGoldrick. Love the history, passion, and tease of future books.

I was a little confused at the beginning, the first chapter threw me off a lot. Once I got into it, I enjoyed the story. Seemed to end a little abruptly though, I wanted to know what happened next to Isabella and Cinaed. I didn't know there was a next book that continued their story.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

An adventurous romance book with historical factors set in the highlands. Cinead and Isabella were interesting characters. The book is fast paced and exiting. To know more about the twist revealed at the end, we have to wait for the next book in the series

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.