2 1/2 -3*'s rounded to 3 as the characters were likable and there no real annoying plot issues. my biggest issue with the book was pace (which was slow & tedious, particularly early) and that it felt disjointed or stilted at various points. the first 25% of the book is Geordie, his brother Robbie & family friend James traveling east so Geordie to satisfy a growing need to see the ocean again. it isn't until after that that we finally meet our heroine who goes by Belle. this slow start made it a little hard to connect and grab my full interest in the story. it may be in part due to my reading the book in short spurts for parts of it, but it felt difficult to follow the time table (some dates or such reference may have been helpful to clarify if the events in once scene were shortly after or a couple days later than the prior one) and to fully connect to the main couples & their romance which seemed to just happen. I've read many of Ms. Howell's books and usually find at minimum an enjoyable read with interesting character, romance, a touch of humor & an appreciation for family/family connections in one's life. this story contained all those elements just not quite at the expected level. In some regards this book felt as if the author had too much story to be told and had some trouble cutting it down to fit the allotted book pages while still getting A, B, C & D into it resulting in a slightly uneven book which is atypical of Ms. Howell's. For me this was a one off that didn't quite work, but I still look forward to her next.

The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away has strong likable character- a hero and heroine living in the face of myriad challenges. It is the story of a slow filling-in-love with some sexy bits thrown in. It is part of a series and would not do well as a standalone. Truly the Civil War is a strong secondary character. Therefore it is disconcerting that there is no mention of the plight of African Americans. The plight of Native Americans is part of the plot. This blindness, while not overtly racist, seriously took away from the authenticity. I would not recommend the book to patrons.

Hannah Howell is one of my favorite authors and the Seven Brides/Seven Scotsman series is my favorite series so far. The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away is the third book in the series. This story is focused on Geordie, who has a need to sit by the ocean. When James, brother to his sister-in-law, stops to visit on his return to Maine, Geordie and Robbie join him. Robbie needs to test himself after the crippling injuries he received during the war. The journey is eventful and the three travelers end by driving off bullies intent on taking over the farm of a young lady. Belle becomes the love Geordie has been looking for and is instrumental in healing Robbie's injuries. Add in the events leading to another orphan to be absorbed into the MacEnroy family and you have a great tale with a happy ending.

Great Hannah book. A little slow in starting the book so didn't hold my interest at first but it got there.

The Scotsman Who Swept Me Away, was a light read but a little scattered at times. Geordie seems to know what he wants. Things come easily to him. Belle has a hard but rewarding life.

I love Hannah Howell’s books, so I wish I could say that I enjoyed this story but alas, this is not the case. I just could not get relate to the characters. It was slow to start, had very little plot and was actually difficult to read with far too much dialogue. Not one of her best. I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

As I landed in this series through the third installment, I needed at first some times to understand the situation outside of the one brother staring in this book, glad the author managed to resume the history of some of the other brothers.
This is a slowly conducted story as it first focused on the hero of the book.
Geordie is the one brother who has a sea call, he feels an urge to go the coast and misses the ocean and he knows in his guts he has to see it again. Why he embarks in this trip to the east.
It has been decades since I read a book setting during the Civil War (probably the North and South Series), well this one here is set after and shows the devastation it caused.
Plus, as a coincidence, I read just two days ago, a book talking at a time of the ravages caused by the violent eviction of the Scottish tenants, some escaping to America in hope of a better future.
It was a very unhurried paced read, the heroine is introduced at the quater mark of the story.
Mehitabel is no damsel-in-distress, she has full control of her land but deals nearly every day with a neighbor who does not understand the word no. And his threats become more and more urging.
Geordie and Belle’s romance was a quiet affair, no sizzling lust, just them enjoying another’s presence and their closeness helping to bring them together.
It is a lovely tale with a lot of descriptions about Geordie’s journey with his brother and friend, then the care of Belle’s land and the healing of Robbie, Geordie’s brother.
Outside the romance, the storyline has many ramifications and side characters, each branch finds its resolve. The author is very talented to have crafted such a very detailed story with the hardship and struggles the people had during this period, it is not my favorite style of reading, a bit too sluggish at time, with not enough sparkles between the couple, it felt short outside the bedroom scenes, more an historical fiction than romance with a lot of informations about the way of life during these times. But if you like your reads full of details, with aplenty of characters, this is one for you.
But as I came to love Robbie, the wounded brother, I am curious about his fate.
4.5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by Netgalley and the publisher Kensington Books, I purchased my own copy too. It is my true and unbiased opinion.

I wanted to love this book, because I have loved everything I have read by Hannah Howell. I liked it okay. The pace of the book was slow. I tried to relate it to the fact it is a historical book. There was not really any romance. At times I felt the book switched plots without any warning. It seemed to jump from one scene to another and I would find myself looking back to make sure I didn’t skip pages. I definitely enjoyed parts of the book, but for the most part was disappointed.