Adanel, the daughter of the Laird of Mackbaythe happened to meet Dugan, a warrior in the service of Clan McTiernay. The clans hate each other. When the two met, no names were given. They met several times until Dugan believes he has been deceived. She was placed in a room and kept captive by her father as he wanted her to marry another. Dugan and a few men took her to Dugan's clan and questioned her harshly.. Dugan did not stand up for her. She loves him but decides not to have anything else to do with him. There is a war coming. Will Dugan and Adanel overcome their differences and work together? My review has not this book justice as there are many twists and turns. I don't want to give anything away, but I loved the book. I received this book from Net Galley and Kensington/Zebra Books for a honest review.

“I love you with every beat of my heart, every breath of my body. Now and forever.”

Adanel, Laird Mackbaythe’s daughter, has grown up in a den of perverse cruelty. Laird Mackbaythe rules his clan under the banner of fear and brutality. Adanel has witnessed first-hand just how far her father will go to see that those that serve him do not question his authority. Longing for peace, she finds a private loch hidden away where she can swim and be alone if only for a short time. But the one thing she never counted on was to be discovered by a powerful soldier. Grasping for a small chance at happiness, Adanel enters into a love affair with her mysterious soldier, and her heart and body is awakened to what it is like to love and be loved.

Commander Dugan of the Clan McTiernay is fascinated by the fiery temptress he stumbles upon when making his rounds in the outskirts of their highland territory. Dugan has never been one to allow a woman to rule over him, but there is something about this sharp tongued wench that draws him in and keeps him returning for their weekly trysts. But when he discovers she is of the dreaded Clan Mackbaythe, he feels betrayed and ends their affair without a word to Adanel as to why.

In the midst of battle, Dugan and Adanel are once again put in each other’s paths. But will past hurts and misgivings be too much for them to overcome, or will their hearts reconnect and show them the strength of how true love always has a way of getting what it wants.

How to Marry a Highlander is a first read by this author for me, and I really enjoyed it. There were places where the constant bickering between Dugan and Adanel got a little redundant, but overall, the story is one that I would recommend to lovers of Highland romance.

This book had lots of ups and downs. Loved the beginning then slowed down before picking up again. Many points of view for an all around perspective.

McTiernay clan commander Dugan is a known seducer and it is common knowledge that he isn't one for commitment, though that doesn't keep ladies from trying. When he encounters a mysterious and beautiful woman while out checking on outlying families, he is intrigued by the fresh face. Immediately the two wind up having a nameless tryst then go their separate ways. Of course this fiery woman is Adanel Mackbaythe, daughter of the cruel Laird Mackbaythe and is afraid of forming any attachments since her father brutally executed her first love right in front of her. Adanel is desperate to escape her life under her cruel father but he has made so many enemies she has few options. Upon reflection on her encounter with the obviously unattached McTiernay soldier, Adanel thinks he may be the perfect solution, someone who could stand up to her father, and a brief year's handfast would be all she would need.

Dugan has no problem with loyalty, but he trusts no one but himself and the feelings his mysterious lover brings to life in him are new and alarming, as is her desire to remain nameless as their tryst becomes more serious. The mystery grows old for Dugan and he tries to learn more about his redheaded paramour in an effort to cleanse her from his every waking thought.

Soon both begin to acknowledge, to themselves at least, that their feelings for one another are deepening and Adanel becomes increasingly more fearful of being honest with Dugan because she fears losing him. Neither wanted to be in love but that is just what has happened, though it may not be enough to keep them together, especially when their illicit meetings come to light, leading to war between their feuding clans and Dugan's need to have revenge for what he sees as a betrayal causes their paths to cross once again.

Although I haven't read the previous book in this series, I do have it in my TBR pile and since I saw the angry reviews about its cliffhanger ending I couldn't resist just skimming the epilogue of that book to be prepared for this one and thought it in rather poor taste as a way to encourage people to get the next book. That said, that same epilogue features as a chapter in this book when the storyline jumps forward three chapters in and is a key plot point in this story. Even before that leap there was quite a lot of jumping back and forth to give us scenes from both main characters' points of view and that got a bit confusing at times when combined with the timeline changes.

Dugan was a bit hypocritical in his desire for Adanel's trust when he is unwilling to trust anyone. When he learns who her family is he feels betrayed and hardens his heart without allowing her to explain her reasons for not yet confiding in him; he believes her to be scheming and manipulative like her father, even after feeling like he knows her. This leaves Adanel heartbroken and essentially her father's prisoner and leaving both with huge amounts of anger toward each other. I found myself frustrated with Dugan and yet understanding of his mistrustfulness. Same for Adanel. Both have been betrayed and are very stubborn and it takes a lot for them to actually talk and try to make progress with their relationship, much less survive the near-war they've inadvertently caused.

There were so many storylines and elements for this one couple to go through and it really didn't look like they'd be happy, even if together. Although their love came about quickly, their story afterwards took a long time to develop and had many elements for them to contend with. In that respect this certainly didn't read like the typical historical romance and I somehow had the feeling that it was dragging on a bit, but also that it ended rather abruptly and without too much of a climax. So I had some mixed feelings about this one, but I did enjoy it overall.

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

3.5 This book has an interesting enough plot. The reason why I gave it 3.5stars ate based on my personal preferences and expectations. Although this was supposed to be a historical romance, majority of the terms used and the way it was written was modern and contemporary.
We have a heroine with a past lover. We have a hero who is hesitant to tust and jumps to the worst conclusion when it came to the woman of his life. They meet at a loch and there is instant lust and sex. Then months of clandestine trysts. Until the first signs of falling in love happened. Then this is where the plot unfolds into interesting twists and turns. I honestly did not see how the heroine’s past lover contributed to her character development other than make it seem like she is willing to engage in sex whenever she feels a deep affection/attraction (which I am not quite sure is in line with the values and beliefs of that period). I wish it had just been an innocent courtship with a past betrothed. But that may just be me whining about it.

The last book I read from this series was Cole’s story and honestly I enjoyed Cole’s story more than this one.
I do appreciate this copy given to me by Netgalley. I still am a fan of this series and will purchase Conan’s book because I have not had the chance to read that yet.

The blurb gives me Tessa Dare vibes! Sadly I didn't really enjoy this book although I did try. Just a case of it's me, not the book and I'm sure other readers will love it. Thank you for the review opportunity!

Adanel and Dugan first encounter is so unrealistic it is hard to wrap my mind around. At a private loch Adanel is bathing and spots Dugan, we have detailed description of his physical attributes (overkill) and how she's lusting after him. And next we have him in the water, some silly dialogue ensues between the two and next thing we know they are having sex. Sorry, but this just didn't make any sense to me for laying out a foundation for this romance or story. I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story with no reason or understanding and felt totally lost.

The relationship between the two is pretty much miscommunication and misconception. I found this to be more about lust than love. It was pretty much steam with a sprinkle of romance. And the relationship between the two was immature at best.

Adanel wants to be away from her dreadful father and is hopeful Dugan is her key to escaping her father. They continue their affair but each is keeping secrets. Dugan senses Adanel is hiding something and leaves without her.

Adanel is hopeful Dugan will return as her father is forcing marriage and she lies to hold off the marriage. That sets off a string of events that sets stage for the rest of the storyline. You have intrigue, some suspense and a lot of miscommunication.

So, the first part of this book was amazing. The second part? Not so much. I loved watching the characters fall in love. The romance was steamy and everything was going great. But then the guy effed it up. Instead of communicating Adanel, he makes assumptions and decides to hate her. And then even when she contradicts those assumptions, he still hates her. And he doesn't stand up for her in a moment that might break someone. Meanwhile she's still in love with him and waiting for him to love her back. I thought that if he wanted to win her back, he should have been groveling on his knees. Did he? Of course not. Instead he passed off his horrible behavior as having been betrayed before. How he treated her was seriously sucky, and I honestly think she shouldn't have taken him back. And he/the author tried to make it a two way street, but Adanel never really did anything wrong. Yeah she kept secrets, but for very good reasons.

On a side note, I believed this book to be Regency/Victorian, when in fact it takes place in the 1300s. It doesn't say that anywhere when talking about the book, so be warned if you are picky about your historical romance like I am.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The sexual chemistry between both heroes is explosive from the beginning. They give in to their desires for each other without a second thought. not love just sex. While I enjoy a more slow burn romance this wasn't entirely bad. Plenty of intrigue and Highland battle.

While there isn't anything extra special about How to Marry a Highlander, it hits the mark for those looking for a Scottish-Highlander-falls-in-love-with-sassy-woman book. The romance is there, the historical aspects seem decently researched. What more do you want?!

How to Marry a Highlander
by Michele Sinclair

From a chance encounter at a private loch, our two main characters, fiery Adanel Mackbaythe and Commander Dugan from the McTiernay clan, begin an intense affair. But, due to both keeping truths to themselves their secrets causes Dugan distrust and to leave Adanel behind.

Being left behind, Adanel lies to her father to delay a forced marriage. Hoping that Dugan will rescue her. That lie sets into motion the main plot of the story. The suspense will keep you going through to the end.

I enjoyed reading this book it held me through the whole story. The characters were very well defined and the plot of this historical Romance keeps you hooked. The only bothersome detail is that when there is conflict between the two main characters, the man only has to kiss the female and instantly everything is all right!

I do recommend this story its a great historical read.

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

#Netgalley

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book started out hot right away, and I was actually looking forward to reading the bonkbuster,, but the heat sizzles out and drags for the majority of the book. By the time the couple reconnected, the fire is pretty much gone out