Member Reviews
To Wed a Wild Scot was an excellent read featuring an amazing romance between two people from vastly different backgrounds.
Lady Juliana Bernard thought finding a match would be simple, but after two failed betrothals she realizes she needs to come up with a different plan. Faced with the prospect of losing guardianship of her niece unless she marries, Juliana heads to Scotland to track down her childhood friend the Duke of Blackmore. But upon arrival, Juliana discovers the duke is already betrothed to someone else and it’s his brother’s fault that he didn’t receive any of her letters detailing her predicament. With no choice left, Juliana marries the duke’s brother Logan, the Laird of Clan Kinross. After some initial issues, the pair’s marriage seems to be headed in the right direction until the secrets they’re keeping threaten to destroy everything.
Juliana and Logan’s relationship doesn’t get off to a great start due to Logan’s interference with Juliana and Fitz’s letters. And while Logan ultimately feels bad about destroying the letters, he doesn’t regret doing it as he had the interests of his clan in mind. Juliana and Logan quickly come to realize they were wrong in their initial assumptions about one another and they discover that they’re actually a great deal alike. When the two do marry, their relationship has its’ problems as both Juliana and Logan have trouble trusting one another completely. While they do make some headway towards fixing those issues, their relationship suffers another setback after a misunderstanding about something Juliana said. I was happy with the way the pair managed to fix their marriage and I thought the ending of the book was well done.
Overall To Wed a Wild Scot was a fantastic read and I’m looking forward to the release of the third book in the series, For the Sake of a Scottish Rake, next year.
Just add a Sexy Scotsman for a.great story. I wanted to smack Logan at the beginning. Juilana is very family oriented, her love for Grace is awesome.. Love that she takes care of herself. She doesn't wait for some one to do things for her
To Wed a Wild Scot is the second installment from the Besotted Scots series. I thought it was pretty good. I give four stars.
Anna Bradley's Besotted Scott series is so good. This is a book follow the love story Lady Juliana Bernard and Logan, Laird of Clain Kinross. Lady Juliana must marry and she turns to her childhood friend Duke of Blackmore. But what she doesn't know is that Duke of Blackmore is already betrothed. She now has is left with a fiance and need to remedy that quickly enter in Logan twin brother to Duke of Blackmore. This is definitely close proximity, and with a little bit of enemies to lovers.
What kept going through my head as I read this...
1. Did I miss Fitz and Emilia’s story? This reads like I should understand their back story.
2. Enough with the misunderstandings already. Sheesh - once or twice is ok, but repeatedly spending days upset because neither of you can ask a simple question? Maddening!!!
So, I enjoyed Logan and Juliana’s story when they were getting along, but unfortunately the majority of the time they aren’t getting along because they don’t bother to communicate.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.
I enjoyed TO WED A WILD SCOT, although I have to catch up with the series for I’ve not yet read THE WAYWARD BRIDE. That didn’t make a difference in being able to fall into this story full of the beauty of Scotland nor the intrigue that meets Juliana when she arrives.
It would be so easy to dislike Logan from the very start. He did what he did for, in his mind, the right reasons. He never thought of the repercussions of his actions on others, especially Julianna. Yet, it’s hard to dislike someone who loves his country, the people he sees as his own to watch over their futures or how he feels when his brother returns home to take up his legal position. Juliana is also easy to like for she’s doing the things, the lengths she is willing to go to for the love of another. It’s just that two emotionally wounded people who do not trust easily are going to run into trouble when they allow misunderstandings, jealousy, and anger to get in their way.
TO WED A WILD SCOT is an emotional story that flows smoothly and draws the reader into this world. I had fun with Logan and Juliana’s story and would not hesitate to recommend it to any reader who loves a good Historical Romance. By story’s end, I was very happy with their relationship, for their happy ever after ending. The road to love and happiness doesn’t always prove to be smooth but the end of the journey is well worth the effort.
Simply an aside comment – I love that cover, it’s beautifully stunning yet haunting at the same time.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Review excerpted from my blog post over at FanSciHist (https://fanscihist.wordpress.com/2019/09/22/to-wed-a-wild-scot-by-anna-bradley/)
My Rating: 3.5 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.
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Number of titles I have read by this author: 4
Love story speed: Medium burn
Relationship dynamics: The Scottish Laird (H) / The Desperate English Lady (h)
Sexual content: Some; both on-screen and explicit – of note is that most of the sexual content occurs within a single section of the book
Triggers: Descriptions of the Highland Clearances (village razing, arson, murder); animal death; some violence and detailed descriptions of wounds
Grammar/Editing: This ARC had some typos and incorrect word choices
Review: The pacing of this novel is mostly even, although the middle section of the book goes quicker than the rest of the novel. The historical setting (Regency Scotland and England) is well-researched, accurately presented throughout, and all artistic license is described and acknowledged by the author in the afterword. The reader should be aware and prepared, however, for the fact that the more vivid descriptions of the Highland Clearances occur right at the beginning of the novel.
Logan and Juliana have a relationship that feels like misunderstanding after misunderstanding throughout the whole book. While some issues seem to be resolved quickly and in mutual understanding, others result in brooding, anxious silences, and awkward interruptions from other characters. The experience of their relationship for me, as a reader, was therefore not terribly satisfying. The supporting characters were not as well-developed as I would have expected from Bradley’s previous work. I have not read the first book in this series, so perhaps there is more information in that novel, but it felt as if we got to know the stable hands (very minor characters in this instance) as well as we got to know Logan’s brother and his betrothed, even though they are written as good friends of the main characters. That being said, I do still intend to go back and read the first book in the series, as it sounds interesting, conceptually, which is why I am giving this book the extra half star.
Travel version: This carriage ride is unnecessarily bumpy and could have been improved with the judicious use of superior materials by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is known for its far superior models, so it is perhaps a good idea to travel in one of those before taking a long journey in this one.
Full disclosure: I received a free advance review copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Juliana needs to get married quickly to not lose custody of her niece. She decides to marry Logan, though they dislike and don't trust each other. Lots of chemistry in these complex interesting characters. Good story with lots of twists and turns. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Lady Juliana is in desperate need of a husband and after two failed betrothals she can’t afford to waste time so she tracks her best friend, the Duke of Blackmore all the way in Scotland only to find out he’s already engaged. And he has a brother, who was responsible for Juliana having to travel to Scotland in the first place, and he’s the last option Juliana has if she wants to keep guardianship of her niece. Logan, Laird of Clan Kinross is at first harsh and unrepentant but with a little time, Logan and Juliana begin to find common ground and possibly more than just a marriage of convenience.
Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Since the third Sutherland sister’s story, I’ve had a downhill relationship with this author’s books, and I just couldn’t get into the Besotted Scots books as much as I had her previous books. I struggled to connect with the writing and struggled even more to connect with the characters, they were either dull, mousy, or just unlikable so I have no idea what possessed me to pick up To Wed a Wild Scot other than a mild curiosity to find out Lady Juliana’s fate.
While slightly slow to start, the pace picks up considerably and I was drawn in by Lady Juliana’s fear and desperation. It drove her to be resourceful, determined, and tough. No silly little girl antics for this woman. She needed a husband and she needed him like, yesterday. My only concern in the beginning was that she would be one of those dramatic, fall-on-your-sword type characters that quickly irritate and bore but nope, Juliana, while desperate, wasn’t going to take anyone’s crap. She’d reached her limit with idiots by the time she got to Scotland and found out that her best friend was engaged and madly in love. She was quick to find another alternative because hey, she’s a good person, she wasn’t going to take away her best friend’s chance at love. I liked that she wasn’t prone to fits, fainting, or a damsel in distress attitude. I mean, she was in distress but she didn’t sit around waiting for someone else to come up with an idea to help her. And she certainly didn’t take any of Logan’s crappy attitude when they first met.
And Logan did have a crappy attitude in the beginning. I mean, I couldn’t believe how cold and cruel he sounded when he first interacted with Juliana. He was the reason Juliana went to Scotland in the first place and ended up having her hopes dashed when the solution to her problems ended getting engaged. I think the only thing that kept me from hating him from the start were his reasons for doing what he did, that made me pause and give this guy a chance. I’m glad I did too because Logan has much more to offer than a surly attitude. In fact, Logan wasn’t the surly creature I assumed he was, his first impression was a bad one but he quickly showed the real him. He’s kind, caring, fun, loyal, and protective of his inner circle. It was easy to fall in love with him after that.
The relationship between him and Juliana began as very antagonistic, of course it would with Logan being stubborn and trying to prove a point and Juliana unwilling to let him intimidate her in any way. I think this part of the relationship was handled in a way that made it entertaining but also in a backhanded way, complimented each characters’ strengths and gave both of them a chance to see the other in a new light. It also allowed their relationship to change from antagonistic to curiosity and attraction. Their marriage of convenience was the perfect opportunity for these two to spend real time with each other outside of Scotland and away from others. It isolated them and to a point it did give them a chance to get to know each other. However, the problem I had with Logan and Juliana was the lack of real communication at the end. These two were married, physically attracted to one another and knew a lot of personal things about each other yet there was a constant back and forth of assumptions, mistrust, and misunderstandings that didn’t make sense for the relationship that they were building.
But overall, I was so pleased with To Wed a Wild Scot. It felt familiar like the very first book I read by this author. Now I’m back to being excited about the next book by Anna Bradley.
Click It or Skip It? Click It. The magic is coming back.
Logan Blair is in the unique position of having a twin brother he’s never met. Since his older brother, Gavin, was born first, he is the heir to his uncle’s dukedom. When the twins’ mother dies after their birth, the duke whisks his heir off to London to raise him as an Englishman, now christened Fitzwilliam. Logan remains in Scotland, raised by his father as the heir to Laird of Clan Kinross, although that title technically belongs to his brother, as well. Logan lives in the time when the clearances were happening in Scotland, and sees the horror of his people being driven from their homes, often with all their possessions being destroyed in the process. This leaves him with no love for the English, and no doubts that his long lost brother is being raised with no regard for the Scottish half of his heritage. Logan knows that when the duke dies, his brother will be returning to claim his inheritance, and there will have to be a reckoning.
Juliana Bernard is en route to Scotland in pursuit of her best friend and former fiancé, Fitzwilliam. Her father is very ill, and when he dies, if Juliana remains unmarried, she will lose custody of her beloved niece, Grace, whom she has been raising. When Fitz came into his title and traveled to Scotland, they corresponded regularly, but in the last months there has been no word from him. Desperate and uncertain, Juliana is determined to track Fitz down and convince him to marry her, though their relationship, while loving, is like that of brother and sister.
As fate would have it, Juliana encounters Logan at a Scottish inn, and at first mistakes him for Fitz. Soon enough she realizes he’s a completely different person, but has to be a relation for as much as they look alike. As she secretly observes him, she discovers exactly why there has been no correspondence from Fitz, and she decides to follow Logan to his home, certain she’ll find Fitz there. Juliana does indeed find Fitz, only to discover that while he’s overjoyed to see her, he is in love with, and betrothed to another. Juliana is no shrinking violet, and since the blame for all the subterfuge is squarely on Logan’s shoulders, she insists that he should now marry her. Logan accepts that his machinations have caused Juliana’s impossible situation, but he refuses to marry her. He’s not ready for marriage, and when he is, it will be to a Scottish girl of his own choosing.
Juliana and Logan were attracted to each other while being antagonistic from the get go. Logan’s intention was never to hurt his brother or Juliana, but to do what was best for his clan, regardless of the cost. Slowly, as he comes to learn a little more of Juliana’s character, and the story of her niece and the odious man who would become her guardian, he begins to seriously consider marriage. They are a couple of very strong, stubborn, and determined people, and sparks fly when they are together. They come to agree to marry, and plan to return to England immediately.
One thing I dearly missed in this story was the reunion of the brothers, their feelings and reactions to meeting each other for the first time in twenty eight years. The action just picks up after Fitz had been there for several months, and while we are given some glimpses into his character, I really wanted to know him better. Logan took some unwise actions, but always with the best of intentions. He is dedicated, charming, strong, and very, very sexy. I found his protectiveness and care of his innocent wife to be so attractive, while at the same time, wanting to shake him for his evasiveness and secrecy. Juliana also is much to be admired. She’s focused, strong, forgiving, and willing to do whatever it takes to gain custody of her niece and to make her marriage work. This couple falls in love quickly, but has to learn to share and respect each other’s abilities, while not jumping to erroneous conclusions. TO WED A WILD SCOT is a steamy and engaging read that I didn’t want to put down and thoroughly enjoyed.
Anna Bradley has that ability to take elements of history and intertwine romance that holds your interest till the end. The clearings in Scotland are a horrible time in the history of an amazing country. She uses that difficult time to bring a couple together in a special way. Lady Juliana needs a husband to protect her niece Grace. Since her betrothed/former betrothed is betrothed to someone else, she still needs a husband. From the beginning, including the crazy ‘I would never marry you’ conversations, you know Logan and Grace will end of getting married. The wedding night scene was unexpected. That is what makes it unique! Not what you would have expected at all.
There are so many great aspects to this story – Juliana strength, Logan’s understanding of her relationship with her father, Juliana taking off across the country to protect Grace, Logan protecting his clan, the unusual aspect of Logan and Fitz’s relationship, Juliana and Logan, both of protecting each other. I did not want to put this book down.
This is my fair and honest review in exchange for this ARC. She calls them lies, I call it as desperation anf the need to keeo those you love safe. Either way, a story that will find it's way into your heart.
Anna Bradley writes a great brawny Scot novel. It isn’t surprising that Juliana and Logan don’t communicate. They are married practically minutes after they first meet. They don’t trust each other, and why should they? Will they be lucky enough to make their marriage work, despite its unsteady beginnings?
I missed book 1 in this series, but I will definitely cycle back to it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To Wed a Wild Scot is the second book in the Besotted Scots series but can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book, but it looks interesting. Lady Juliana’s father is dying, and he has changed his will so if Juliana does not marry her niece will go to a cruel man. The Duke of Blackmore “Fitz” has gone to Scotland and was not responding to her letters. He is her last hope of marriage and saving her niece before her father dies. Logan (Fitz’s brother) has been stopping her letters from reaching Fitz and tried to keep her from finding Kinross. When Lady Juliana sees Logan, she realizes he must be related to Fitz and follows him to Kinross. Upon discovering that Fitz is engaged to another women Juliana insist that Logan marry her to save her niece. I loved the storyline and the characters were great. Seeing them grow from enemies to lovers and overcoming all the misunderstandings was entertaining. I think I will have to read the first book since it gets such great reviews. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I first fall in love with this cover, I was drawn to it many likes looking through NetGalley once I read the Blurb I was more hooked as it was a Scottish romance one of my favourites. Anna Bradley is a new author to me, I must say I enjoyed her writing style and language used through ou this book as there was a little bit of Gaelic throughout the story. Her characters were strong, interesting, relatable and enjoyable to read with a strong storyline to keep your interesting to the very end. There were no real surprises as you could guess what was going to happen before it did but it's one of those stories that is about the journey to the end with the characters that matters the most.
Lady Juliana Bernard is on her way to Scottland to find a husband in the form of her best friend the Duke of Blackmore. Fitzwilliam has been her best friend since they where children and in later life, she betroths until he went to Scottland many months ago. Juliana is a desperate need for a husband to keep guardianship of her niece Grace. A desperate situation call for a desperate move by Juliana to go to Scotland on her own in search for Fitzwilliam.
Her plan does not go as planned when she finds Fitzwilliam's doppelganger in a tavern along the way, who turns out to be Fitzwilliam brother and the vain of Juliana's word as she tries to find her best friend. When she finally gets to the caste she finds out that Fitzwilliam is betrothed to another, his true love.
What will Julianna do now?
Logan Blair has been the Laird of his clan and land since his father's passing but that all changed many months ago when his twin brother appaired in Scotland. Fitzwilliam is the oldest so he is the rightful place as Laird of the Clan. Logan is happy to have his brother in his life and will do whatever is necessary to protect his people.
But will a marriage of convenience be what he needs to do for the clan?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC copy to which I am writing my honest and voluntary review of.this enemy to lover romance. This is a fast-moving story that will have you enjoying the characters in this book.
To Wed a Wild Scot by Anna Bradley is book 2 in the Besotted Scots Series. This is the story of Logan Blair and Juliana Bernard. I have read (and Loved!) the previous book, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Julian has guardianship of her Niece but that won't be for long unless she marries. Which her last hope is her friend Fitzwilliam but she finds that he is already engaged. Julian finds out that his brother Logan had some hands in that engagement. So what choice does she have but to marry Logan, which she will do anything to save her niece.
I really enjoyed their story and 'watching' how Logan and Juliana came to be. Ms. Bradley is one of my very favorite authors!
This was a lovely read from the always excellent Anna Bradley. I always look forward to a new release from her, because she is an accomplished writer and always keeps me reading.
Her latest did not disappoint. Lady Juliana is desperate. Her I’ll father is close to giving guardianship of her orphaned niece to a difficult and vindictive neighbour, Lord Cowden. Juliana can retain her guardianship if she is married, unfortunately, although beautiful, accomplished and well dowered, she has two failed betrothals behind her, and she is running out of time, her last, best hope is her childhood friend Fitz, now the Duke of Blackmore. He is also heir to a Scottish estate, and has travelled up to Scotland to learn about the land and his clan. Juliana want him to honour their longstanding betrothal promise and marry her quickly, but he has stopped responding to her letters. Increasingly concerned, she sets off to Scotland with her companion on and trusted groom.
Logan is Fitz’s twin, separated as infants, Fitz was brought up in England, with relatives, in order to get the education he needed to be a Duke. His younger brother Logan was left with his father, and brought up to be the Laird, even though his brother will inherit that title too. He has always been taught to put the clan first, and he is struggling, it is the time of the cruel Scottish clearances in the 19th Century, and he is trying to get his clan protected by any means possible, and that means trying to tie his brother to the land and the people so he won’t evict them. He has successfully introduced Fitz to a Scottish Lady, and they are now engaged and in love. The letters that arrive at the Sassy Lassie inn, from a spoiled English Lady will interfere with his plans, so he intercepts and destroys them.
When Juliana arrives, she is furious when she sees Logan read and burn her latest letter, and when she discovers he has been destroying all but the first few, she is devastated, and they clash angrily, but Juliana soon sees that she can’t hold Fitz to his promise and take him away from his beloved. She now has no time to find an alternative, how can she protect Grace? Eventually Logan is convinced to become her substitute husband. Once married, they travel to England, to visit her ailing father and assume guardianship of her niece. As they travel, they become increasingly devoted to each other, but scared of confessing their feelings. How can they trust each other enough to confess their feelings, or will misunderstandings and the wicked Lord come between them, and are they destined to live separately.
This novel has one of my favourite tropes, a marriage of convenience, and a strong and spirited but not tstl heroine. Lady Juliana was admirable, fighting to escape the straitjacket of being a ‘decorative and useless’ Lady. She wants to care for her brother’s child, and is brave enough to go and get what she needs, travelling to Scotland, and then working hard to convince Logan to marry her. She was also very selfless, relinquishing two prospective suitors so they could marry their true loves, and also prepared to make a huge sacrifice to keep Logan safe in the end. She was also not afraid of standing up to Logan, and this was done so well. Often in historicals, when the ‘feisty’ heroine stands up to the hero, she is either overruled and dominated, or becomes embroiled in scrape from which she has to be rescued by the hero. This wasn’t the case here, she held her own, and was impressive. Logan was very singleminded and dismissive of Juliana and even Fitz because he saw them as ‘English’ I found him a bit mean and misguided to begin with, because he deceived his brother and put Juliana in an untenable position he also refused to put things right initially. However, he soon fell in love with Juliana, and he was much more compelling then.
I really loved the way that Julian was the character who got to ‘save’ Logan, rather than the other way round. It rarely happens in this genre, and it was truly refreshing to read, and also beautifully written. The exploration of their feelings was nicely judged and tender without being too soppy.
Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Also posted on Goodreads
He was a man on a mission to save his clan. After the English had made a path through Scotland, killing and burning everything in sight, he was determined. But Logan Blair was not really the Laird of Clan Kinross. His twin brother was, who had been taken when young and raised in England by their uncle who had even changed his brother's name to Fitwilliam.
Years later, Fitzwilliam does go to Scotland, and Logan wants him to step up and marry a Scotish lass which will tie him further to the clan. Fortunately, Logan begins intercepting letters sent to his brother from an English lady in care of a local inn. He sees she is wanting them to get married and he will have none of it and destroys the correspondence.
Lady Juliana Bernard, has to get married as quickly as possible so she can have custody of her six year old niece. Fitz was her best friend and they had been bethrothed since childhood so she kept writing to him to let him know. Unfortunately he had not answered her last letter with her urgent plea.
So she sets out for Scotland to find him! Headstrong and determined, Juliana comes upon Logan by chance at an Inn on her way. Wait, what? this man who looks like dear Fitz but has a Scottish Burr? Plus he looks a little harder around the mouth. No, what is going on? Then she sees him burning one of her letters at the Inn she has been sending them to! No wonder!
Let the adventure begin!
So she demands Logan marry her. Oh yes, and the sparks begin to fly. Yes their attraction is high but there are other emotions that come out. Can these two ever come together and trust each other?
Absolutely loved this story and Anna Bradley always grabs me with her writing and her strong characters. Although this can be read as a standalone, I encourage you to read the first book. You will be happy you did! Excellent!!
Lady Juliana Bernard had been betrothed twice and both times it was canceled. But since her brother and sister in law were killed at least there was Grace. You could not find a sweeter child. Her father put a clause in his will that for her to keep Grace she must be married. Her best friend has gone to Scotland and she is following.
He and his twin had been separated as babies. Gavin the oldest went to England to be raised by his maternal uncle, the Duke of Blackmore. They changed his brother's name, Fitzwilliam Vaughn. The problem was the English who owned the land were burning and driving their farmers off so they could settle sheep on the land instead. Some had been there for centuries. Logan Blair being the youngest actually had nothing. But with his brother's absent the people called him Laird and he took care of his people.
I loved this book. Juliana didn't care what the ton thought of her. Such as she took a very long trip without a chaperone. She spoke her mind and was firey. The author was great with all the twists and turns, the problems they had to face. The interaction between the characters. The beauty of the surroundings. It kept your interest and begging for more. There are some sexy scenes, so be aware. I very highly recommend this novel and I am glad I got a chance to read it.
I received this from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
1814: Strathnaver, Scotland
The Countess of Sutherland sends her factor to burn homes with the families still in them, driving the farmers from their lands and clearing the way for sheep. Logan Blair, considered the Laird of Clan Kinross, travels north to see the devastation and aftermath. The lairds are now more English, like the Duke of Blackmore, Logan’s maternal uncle, who has never seen his land and doesn’t understand what is happening. Logan has a twin brother he has never seen, or spoken to, as he was taken to England as a babe. His brother was christened Gavin Blair but goes by Fitzwilliam Vaughn as he is the heir.
1816: The factor who burned and killed the Scots was found not guilty. Logan is determined that the English will not destroy Clan Kinross.
1818: Lady Juliana Bernard and her companion have left England and are headed to Inverness. She is worried about her dear friend, Fitzwilliam, as she hasn’t heard from him lately. When they stop at an inn on the way she meets a man who looks like Fitz. She sees Logan again in Inverness and decides to follow him to his castle. He knows he is being followed and catches her. She expects to marry Fitz, but he’s engaged, and his fiancée is pregnant. Logan is not so happy to have her there. After she helps with the sheep and saves a lamb, he learns to appreciate her. He marries her as he’s learned she must be wed to have custody of her orphaned niece.
There is a lot more going on while they’re learning about each other and the child they will raise together. I loved this book and hope you will try it.