I am never disappointed with a Vanessa Kelly book! I absolutely love to Kendrick family!
I definitely recommend reading the entire series!!

I couldn't read this. I started it, read a few chapters, and just really couldn't get into it. It felt even sillier than I could sit through.

I was enjoying this one and finding it a nice average romance (with a couple of niggling irritations) until about 82% of the way through, when I decided to DNF it. That's quite late in a book to DNF, but honestly I started to find things a little ridiculous. I thought Donella really should have told Logan much earlier what her 'big secret' was, because it just felt wrong how long she was avoiding talking about it? It just didn't track for me. And given I was already finding it kind of average and just 'gently enjoyable' up til then, it didn't have enough going for it for me to stick with it to the end. Writing was quite good, though.

The Highlander’s Christmas Bride is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. It was entertaining. I really enjoyed the witty banter between the characters, the action and the realistically slow burning romance.

The characters are wonderfully written. They were immediately lifelike, and I absolutely loved the dialogue. Vanessa Kelly knows how to bring her characters to life and to keep readers invested in their stories!

The plot was clever and entertaining with enough action to keep me glued to the pages. I’m definitely going back to read the first novel, not because I feel I need to, but because I want more of Vanessa Kelly’s writing. If you enjoy historical romance, this is definitely a worthwhile novel!

Donella and Logan's story in The Highlander's Christmas Bride is one of my favorites from Vanessa Kelly. I've always enjoyed books from this author and this one is another hit! Donella has started off on a rough start and Logan has had his share of downs, but together they get one big, happy beginning! Loved it! I recommend.

You have to love a heroine who is a failed nun in a Scottish nunnery who simply cannot follow the rules. With a sketchy past. And an irritable temperament. Donella Haddon wants to play by the rules, she wants to be safe from her family and her past, but the universe appears aligned against her.

Hoping to get into Donella’s father’s good graces, Logan Kendrick has offered to escort his wayward daughter back to Perth. He is ambitious and has secrets and worries of his own.

However, it’s 1819 and traveling without a chaperone is a good way to lose one’s reputation. And one's heart.

This is well-written-page turner of a historical romance, with plenty of entanglements in societal and familial expectations, character angst and plot twists. I loved both characters, and though in a romance you know the characters will end up together in the end, the journey to get there was very entertaining. Recommended.

The 2nd book in the Clan Kendrick Series is Logan's story. He is my favorite of all of Vanessa's Highlanders so far. He is the perfect Highlander, tall, handsome, loyal, honorable, and has a great sense of humor. He is a widower with a young son who he protects with the fierceness of a warrior, and the gentle heart of a father who loves his son more than life itself.

Donella Haddon is our heroine. As the book opens she is being asked to leave the convent that she has been in for the past three years. Trouble and scandal seem to follow her wherever she goes. When her Uncle asks Logan Kendrick to bring her home she takes one look at him and knows this is going to test her like never before. He is arrogant, stubborn, and too damn beautiful. Logan expects a pious middle-aged spinster, what he gets is a beautiful spitfire who will try his patience and his honor.

Vanessa brings back some of our favorite characters from other stories that make this a beautiful and heartfelt story. I especially loved the way Logan's son Joseph brought out the tenderness and humor. Lots of laughter and tears in this stunning love story. Vanessa and Logan are incredible characters that make this book a must-read.

I recommend this love story and can't wait to read the next one in the series (less)

I loved this book. And who doesn't love love love a highland man. 😊
Unlikely lovers from unavoidable situations of someone else's making. Running for your life will bond two people though....

Guest Review by Lori Meehan
4.5*
This is such a wonderful book about two people who have suffered through years of guilt and or grief. To finally find forgiveness and peace and a future that they did not think they deserved or would ever find.
Donella Haddon is a strong highlander lass that knows her own mind but is conflicted with her past blunders that she’s feeling very guilty about and imposes her own punishment.
Logan Kendrick is full of love and strength but because of a past mistake, he’s lived a life of guilt. He feels that he does not deserve the love that surrounds him or a future he so craves.
Logan agrees to escort Donella back home to her family. They both feel an instant connection but neither feels they deserve a life outside their self imposed punishment. When trouble turns up Logan vows to do whatever it takes to get Donella to safety. Throughout their time together they begin to see that maybe they so deserve a life of love and family. That is until people from their past appear and threaten to end everything.
Joseph is the light of this book. I have been waiting for Logan to finally get his HEA so I could meet Joseph. For all the loss that he's suffered in his young life, he is joyful, funny and very serious at times. He is adorable.
This is such a great series and I can't wait down the next book

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into this one. Something about the pacing was off for me, and made the beginning of the book go excruciatingly slowly. I also struggled to connect to Donella, since I didn't have a clear image of her at all - I couldn't work out if she actually had any faith (which is tricky in a story about someone who nearly became a nun). She didn't seem to care about her place at the nunnery beyond being somewhere to hide from scandal, but then she would turn around and be super pious the moment Logan swore even mildly. She also seemed argumentative for the sake of it - not feisty like many romance heroines, but bratty. Logan was okay but again, not someone I deeply connected to. Also, a minor point, but I hate it when a story set entirely in Scotland has the accent written out phonetically for some characters but not others. It's very weird and interrupts what the dialogue is actually saying. DNFed at 26% out of boredom.

Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was humiliating enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick, has also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her family’s estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash, handsome, and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of would-be kidnappers. But the scandal in her past can’t be so easily outrun. Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a plain, pious spinster—not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own in any ambush. Though she’s known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring happiness back to his lonely little son’s life, just in time for Christmas. But first he must protect her from ugly gossip and a mysterious threat—and convince her that their wild, unexpected desire is heaven sent.
This was a great story containing two characters I really enjoyed. The story was good enough that I didn’t put it down until it was over. Great holiday read. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I was in need some some lighthearted romance over Christmas so was drawn to this book. I didn't have high expectations going into it and it pretty much lived up to what I expected. It wasn't a terrible read - I mostly enjoyed the story, some bits did grate on me but it was fine overall, and it did tick all the cheesy romance boxes I expected. I liked a lot of the characters, but did have to think about who was who so I didn't get confused. I didn't enjoy the style of writing though and the whole thing was just overly cringey - those were the main points that let the book down for me. Speaking of cringe - the exaggerated Scottish brogue made me want to melt into the floor. Overall though, it was fairly enjoyable and was a quick and easy read (once I committed to finishing it)- I gave it 3 stars because of this and the range of eclectic and likeable characters!

I just love Vanessa Kelly's Highlander romances and this one adds to my list of favorites. I so enjoy her humorous touch to storytelling and the sensual tension she builds between her characters. Brava!!

Loved everything about this book. The character development was amazing and had me investing in them very early on. Great Christmas read.

Book: The Highlander’s Christmas Bride
By Vanessa Kelly

Series: Clan Kendrick, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog



Dundee, Scotland
November 1819


Donella Haddon is the grandniece of the Earl of Riddick. She had been disgraced being rejected by her betrothed. Now it is even worse as she is being rejected once again. This time it was by the convent and she has no other choice, but to return to her family with her tail between her legs.

Wealthy Logan Kendrick
volunteers to be Donellas escort from the convent. As he is trying to get into business with her Great Uncle. He was expecting a plain, unattractive, pious, religious, old maid! Definitely not a beautiful, sharp witted lass, who can take care of herself even in a dangerous situation against a band of viper, vile, villains!

Soon Logan realizes he must protect this beauty known as the flower of Clan Graham. He has to shield her from despicable, nasty rumors and dark intimidation. Plus as both their hearts begin to open he realizes Donella would be the perfect Christmas gift for his son Joeseph. Yet can he convince her the tides are truly changing in their favor?

Another beautiful Vanessa Kelly book that readers will absolutely love. A wonderful holiday story that will open romance readers hearts. A definite fast paced page turner with brilliant characters, even the secondary characters were amazing in this magnificent read. The setting is breath taking, the dialogue was phenomenal and the plotting was exhilarating. A book readers don’t want to miss! This is the second book is the awe inspiring and action filled series I definitely recommend!


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC copy from Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/Highlanders-Christmas-Bride-Clan-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B07NCND8Z4?_bbid=11584655&tag=individualbookpagesite-20

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-highlanders-christmas-bride-vanessa-kelly/1130496750?ean=9781420147049&_bbid=11584649&st=AFF&SID=Barnes+%26+Noble&2sid=Pubmark+Inc._5620418_NA&sourceId=AFFPubmark+Inc.&cjevent=a9007ba032b111ea822a00750a240611&dpid=tekz25v83#/

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-highlanders-christmas-bride/id1470632619

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Vanessa_Kelly_The_Highlander_s_Christmas_Bride?_bbid=11584626&_bbreg=us&_bbtype=blog&id=8zOGDwAAQBAJ

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Vanessa Kelly's characters are wonderful. I absolutely love the Kendricks. It was so very nice to visit with them once again, along with many friends from previous series. Logan Kendrick, recently returned from Canada is doing a potential business associate a favor. He agreed to retrieve Lord Riddick's great niece from the convent where she has been for the past three years. Donella Haddon is nothing even close to what Logan imagined a near nun would be. The fun starts right in the beginning with the attempted kidnapping of Donella on the way back to Blairgal Castle. They think they are rid of one another once their adventure is done and Donella is delivered to her uncle. Fate has other ideas and they are thrown together once again in Glasgow. More surprises are in store for Logan as his son and grandfather have also arrived. The interactions between Angus MacDonald and the other characters will bring at least a smile, if not a full laugh out loud from the reader. In between serious conversations the dialogue between Donella and Logan is often lighthearted. However, Donella has some secrets, ones she is not willing to share willingly. Will her secrets destroy the fragile bond they have? Or will love conquer all? I loved this book as much as previous ones featuring the Kendricks. Thank goodness Vanessa Kelly has more Kendricks who need stories.

While this plot has been tread quite a bit (man serves as reluctant escort to woman leaving the abbey), Vanessa Kelly gives this one a fresh twist which was welcomed. I enjoyed the story of the spirited Donella and the jaded and taciturn Logan whose relationship evolves over the course of their journey, which is (of course) fraught with danger and strife. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the slooooow burn - I would have preferred to see things develop there a little earlier, but overall, a really good read.

Unusual, well written and swoon-y, with a heroine who holds her own, and two people who are drowning in guilt and regrets who find absolution in each others arms.

Should probably put this on your to be read pile because, kilts. abduction attempts, and "enemies" to lovers.
Go on, you know you want to.

What's not to love about this enchanting, humorous, romantic story about a sigh worthy highlander and an impetuous, high spirited lass? Not one thing, it was splendid! Vanessa Kelly never disappoints with the wonderful characters and storylines she creates.
Donella Haddon has been dismissed from the convent. She was just not "nun" material. The thought it would help prevent a scandal and give her a chance to redeem herself was not to be. I could only chuckle as she was given her orders to leave!
Widower Logan Kendrick had offered to escort her from the convent to her great uncle, the Earl of Riddick, hoping it might help in his business dealings with him. Little did he know that the woman would not be a reserved "nun like", but the complete opposite.
The journey begins, filled with adventure, a kidnapping and secrets held that are bound to come out. Plus an attraction that grows quickly between these two. Throw in some amusing, fantastic family members and the Christmas holiday and you have a story that will make you sigh, laugh out loud and make your heart smile and you have one perfect ending

Really enjoyed this sweet historical Christmas read. Perfect to curl up by the tree and read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.