This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was clever, funny and romantic. All the characters were described well. The story moved quickly and I couldn't put it down. Lady Sabrina Bell is stood up for her rendezvous, robbed, and pushed into the river. Graeme Kendrick is nearby when she is pushed into the river, and he is quick to rescue her. He finds her to be stubborn, impetuous - and irresistible. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author. This can be read as a standalone story, though it is #3 in the Clan Kendrick series. I eagerly search out books in this series.

I found i quite enjoyed this fast paced historical.
Graeme Kendrick is a Scot in search of a wily band of criminals in London. In Hyde park, he meets Lady Sabrina, in a not-meet-cute. I found I liked their sparkle and witty banter. Sabrina, for being a lady is ever practical and capable.

But, there's some intrigue and Graeme has to keep Sabrina alive. I liked how focused his new mission was: that would be Sabrina. And I liked her gumption (she wasn't going to make it easy for him).
Recommend.



4.5

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. The Highlander's English Bride is part of the Clan Kendrick series, but can easily be read as a standalone. This title features Graeme, the wildest of the Kendrick siblings. All grown up now and trying to make up for his wilder escapades as a youth, he has been living in England and helping his brother-in-law with tricky cases that require more than just a Bow Street Runner's touch. While following a gang of thieves, Graeme comes across Lady Sabrina and rescues her from an attack.

Although Sabrina is sure she could have saved herself is initially less than gracious, she finds herself intrigued by the sexy Highlander who rescued her. Finding that they are both acquainted with Lady Vivien St. George and her husband, Sabrina and Graeme find themselves in company together and both are drawn to the other. When Graeme leaves London for Scotland to help provide security for the King's visit to the country, Sabrina quickly finds a way to follow. Can Graeme find a way to keep Sabrina safe from her impulses to help others while keeping his heart protected?

Overall, I enjoyed both Graeme and Sabrina as characters. Sabrina grew up extremely sheltered by her father following the death of her mother when she was very young. At times an almost prisoner of her father's fears and phobias, I could understand her sometimes naïve reactions to people and events although I did get frustrated with her on occasion. Graeme is a sweetheart and I liked his acceptance of Sabrina as she was without demanding that she change. There is a side story around a potential plot against the king during his visit to Scotland and events an estate that had belong to Sabrina's maternal family that is interesting. Overall, I enjoyed the story and getting to revisit other members of the Kendrick family although this isn't my favorite book in the series, it is well worth a read. I will definitely be reading the next title in the series.

📚📚📚BOOK📚REVIEW📚📚📚

“The Highlander’s English Bride”
By Vanessa Kelly

Reviewed by Tartan Book Reviews (Barb Massabrook)

Due to his father being a bit of an alcoholic after his mum died, as a boy or seven he would mentally abuse him with words! Then due to some other things in his past, where he was actually being a hero. He does not see himself in that way, he only feels he is not good enough. Especially for the perfect Sassenach angel, Lady Sabrina Bell!

Book: The Highlander’s English Bride By Vanessa Kelly

Series: Clan Kendrick, Book #3

Release Day: May 26, 2020

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook of
1. Tartan Book Reviews
2. Purple Tulip Book Reviews
3. Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
4.Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Heat Rating: 🔥

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

London, England Edinburgh, Scotland 1822

Lady Sabrina Bell feels ashamed and stupid when her admirer does not show for a tryst at Hyde Park as planned. Then she is horrified when she is robbed and thrown into the Serpentine! Yet she is especially mortified when she is rescued by a gorgeous strapping Scot, Graeme Kendrick. Could her day get any worse?

Graeme who has been trying to find this gang of thieves who pray on the wealthy and royal Sassenachs of the ton. He is a government agent or as some would call a spy. His employers aren’t too thrilled with him as he seems to be losing his touch lately. Now he was tracking down one of the notorious thieves of the gang and is about to apprehend him. Then he sees the bloody black guard is charging for this wealthy dressed woman!

Graeme sure wasn’t expecting this beauty in this horrible weather and member of the possible gentry or ton so early in the morning! Unfortunately she seems to be the thief’s next target! He is filled with fear when he sees she was pushed into the Serpentine he could not let this beauty drown! Once again he lost his prey but sparks fly for him immediately seeing this beautiful woman who he knows is Lady Sabrina Bell, though they had never officially met before. Yet attraction sparkles on both sides for this new acquaintance for both of them.

Later Graeme finds out the man she was to meet is a big enemy of his family. He had been exiled into the continent but now the villain was back and Graeme was furious and ready to break furniture! Anyone who read the previous books in this series will know what crimes this horrible vile, exiled Marquess of Cringlewood did! Unfortunately with nobility now he has the King’s mistress and other members of nobility backing him up.

Lady Sabrina was a wealthy heiress a daughter of a wealthy English Earl who hated everything Scottish since his Scottish wife died of illness there! Sabrina is also the Kings’s Goddaughter! Finally when others made Sabrina aware this Marquess was a cruel penniless fortune hunter but a very bad cruel person as well. When Lady Sabrina questioned Graeme about the type of person the Marquess really is, he allowed her to know he is untrustworthy, abusive to women, besides being in financial debt. He warns her never to be alone with him. She just now remembered the scandal involving Graeme’s sister-in-law and his brother Royal, Sabrina had been out of town when this occurred.

Sabrina was not shocked of Cringlewood being a fortune hunter, as most men pursuing her were. It was his other flaws that surprised her. She Was disgusted she didn’t get a correct read on this scoundrel! Now Sabrina was no shrinking violet and planned to interrogate him and have him admit his crimes putting herself in danger again! She didn’t want him to hurt other young wealthy women. As the Marquess shows his true colors and the ugliness inside him. So she puts herself in another situation where Graeme saves her again!

Now Graeme had a new assignment to go back to Scotland something he hadn’t done in two years. As Graeme has many self esteem issues, never feeling good enough and filled with guilt and remorse. In addition for his own health and for Sabrina,he had to get away from Sabrina Bell. He knew he was not good enough to even lick her boots. Graeme had many skeletons he needed to get rid of in his closet, his father had been mentally abusive to him as a young boy. He turned to the spirits after his wife died blaming his children for her death, this filled Graeme with so much guilt and hatred for himself. Luckily the grandfather took care of them once he saw the cruelty of their father!

Now Lady Sabrina’s father hated everything Scottish, so he ignored everything Scottish even his own properties and estates, which he let others run. Graeme was also a younger son and her father would never allow something to develop between his Sassenach angel and himself. His new assignment was to guard the King but he was surprised when he see’s that Lady Sabrina came with the King to celebrate in Scotland’s capitol!

The feelings between these two just get stronger and love is in the Scotland air. Plus now his crazy family was doing everything to make a match between them with their crazy antics! They wanted Graeme and Sabrina to be happy and together, yet this is also is an adventure, filled with danger and heroism! Soon they trade places and Sabrina saves Graeme in some very dangerous situations. Though he is spitting bullets she is putting herself in danger for him. He sees Sabrina as this perfect woman who wants to make the world a better and safer place for women and children or any person who suffers. She had always been hidden from the realities of the world but when she befriends some young pick pockets and tries to help them-now seeing the cruelties of the world. She also wants to save everyone it nearly breaks Graemes heart, yet during this scuffle he finds out the person with a target on their back is the woman he loves as many are blaming her for her fathers mistakes.

Will Sabrina ever be truly safe whether it is fortune hunters or cutthroats? Will Graeme ever feel he is good enough for his Sassenach Angel? Will Sabrina ever be able to catch the one man who owns her heart? The one man who doesn’t care about her wealth. Will she be able to prove he is good enough for her, a true hero, the bravest, kindest, and most stubborn man she has ever met! Will they ever be able to get her Scottish hating father to accept their love? What will the King do? Will the Kendrick family be overjoyed? Will this couple ever come together and find a happily ever after? A book readers definitely don’t want to miss! Read and find out much more!

This book made me laugh and made me cry. The matchmaking Grandfather and all the Kendricks and all their antics is absolutely hilarious! Even the flirtation of Royal and Ainsley, and other married characters is hilarious. The children in this novel are absolute scene stealers no matter if it was hilarity of the wealthy children or orphans pulling your heart strings. I found this book a wonderful escape that I did not want to end besides it is absolutely brilliant! This is my favorite of the series as Ms. Kelly write another winner. This is my favorite Vanessa Kelly novel though I love them all.

“The Highlander’s English Bride” is a book you can read as a stand-alone. I personally think you will get more out of the background if you read all three books. As you will understand more about the family, brothers and the matchmaking grandfather Angus too. Kind of like connecting the dots. It’s the readers decision, this is just my humble opinion.

“The Highlander’s English Bride” was pure joy I can’t recommend it enough!

Clan Kendrick Series
——————————

1)The Highlander Who Protected Me
2)The Highlander’s Christmas Bride
3)The Highlander’s English Bride

I can’t wait to read about Graeme’s twin brother Grant in the next Clan Kendrick book and see if he gets his HEA too!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy and an advance reader copy from the publisher. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Highlanders-English-Bride-Clan-Kendrick-ebook/dp/B07W8YZSBY/ref=sr_1_3

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-highlanders-english-bride-vanessa-kelly/1132868180?ean=9781420147056

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=The+Highlander%E2%80%99s+English+Bride+by+Vanessa+Kelly+

https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/39425

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Highlander_s_English_Bride.html?id=htKnDwAAQBAJ

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Vanessa_Kelly_The_Highlander_s_English_Bride?PAffiliateID=1l3vnbh&PCamRefID=bookbubblogd&_bbid=12780430&_bbreg=us&_bbtype=blog&id=h

Lady Sabrina Bell meets Graeme Kendrick, when he saves her from a fall in the Serpentine river but despite her embarrassment, she finds herself seeking him out whenever they happen to meet. Together they find themselves in many adventures, involving a threat against the King, who has a connection to Sabrina, as well as the vile Lord Cringlewood, plus issues with smuggling thrown into the mix.
This is the third book in the Clan Kendrick series, and whilst this is part of a series, the integration of many of the characters from past books, soon sorts out the who’s who of the Kendrick family. This has been an enjoyable series, so it was great to see many of the characters again. Once again, the loveable character of Angus, Graeme’s grandfather, is such a great addition to the book.
Graeme presents as a strong character with such a strong sense of family and honour. Similarly, Sabrina is loyal to her friends and quite a headstrong woman. Together, they were delightful together, particularly given Graeme’s work as a spy. However, I must admit that there was no single villain with several issues, which at times, meant that there was less of a central theme.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is my fair and honest review, given in my own words and voluntarily, for this ARC. Delightful story with so many awesome characters. Absolutely stuffed with wit and banter! Even the bad guys are so quick with a funny bent. So well told and worth the read.

First sentence: Graeme Kendrick lurked beneath the giant elm, keeping his prey within sight. After losing the slippery Sassenach a few hours ago, he’d spotted the bastard climbing over the wall that separated Kensington Gardens from Hyde Park.

Premise/plot: Graeme Kendrick stars as the hero in Vanessa Kelly's newest romance novel--the third in the series. (I have not read the previous books in the series. All books star the Kendrick family, I believe. And their presence as a family is HUGE throughout this one. So perhaps fans of the other books will love this one more.)

He works as a spy for the King. Most of the time he tends to like things just the way they are--his love life uncomplicated. But. After "rescuing" a young woman from a thief, the lovely heroine, Sabrina, he finds it impossible for life to return to normal.

No matter his current mission, his current task, his focus is divided. She is always, always, always on his mind in an infuriating, captivating, charming way. And it is mutual. Sabrina may be protesting a bit too much about how frustrating Graeme is! She sure seeks out his company and all but chases him around.

My thoughts: I knew accepting this review copy that it might not be my cup of tea. On the one hand, I have a weakness for the Scottish accent/dialect. I also love Regency Romances. The setting being in Scotland itself and him being a spy--I thought it might lean a bit more towards mystery and action than bodice ripper. On the other hand, I am not a big fan of adult romances aka smut, aka bodice rippers, aka books where 90% of the plot focuses on the lusty desires of the characters and the obstacles that stand in their way. I wouldn't go so far as to say this one is 90% inclined that way--it's not quite that bad. But it didn't have enough history to be historical--none of the historical details actually felt historically right or appropriate. Sabrina might as well have been born in the year 2000. In fact, I would say most of the characters felt disconnected from the Regency time period. It had plenty of mystery intrigue--but in a clumsy sort of way where the focus was always not so subtly in how can this move the hero and heroine closer to each other. Can this dangerous moment bring them closer together in a physical way? So even though there was an attempt to keep throwing mystery and dangerous intrigues and fiendish plots at the hero in a juggling type fashion, it felt a bit off balance. It wasn't enough to shift focus off of the inevitably destined to be together forever couple.

As far as smutty romance goes, it's been a good while since I last read one cover to cover. (I rarely read this type of fiction on purpose.) I don't think it's worse than any other of its genre or sub-genre. Way, way, way, way back in the day I loved the Bridgerton romance series by Julia Quinn. I wouldn't say this one was as good as some of my favorites from that series. But as I said, it's probably been decades since I read this type of fiction for fun or review.

Another fun Kendrick story. I just love this family. The men are so hard headed, but when they fall in love, they fall hard. Graeme ends up fishing a woman out of the water. She promptly lets him know that she could have saved herself, he didn't have to help her. That is just the beginning. They end up saving each other several times. Much to Graeme's chagrin. He is supposed to protect Sabrina, but she keeps getting herself into messes and then she ends up saving him, again. She is so far above him, she deserves better and he should leave her alone. But, can he?

Oh! Graeme Kendrick, the brother who is always in or causing trouble, has grown up and makes the most marvelous hero. I loved him – and Sabrina Bell made the perfect heroine for him. She calmed the restless energy within him, steadied him, while he brought out her courage and spirit of adventure. Add in marvelous visits with most of the other members of the Kendrick clan and you have a wonderful, exciting, romantic adventure. It was particularly fun to see the heroine pursuing the hero – until he caught her. Remember Graeme’s affliction with breaking furniture – not on purpose – he’s just a big fellow? Well, there is a wonderful furniture breaking scene included – just to make you smile – and wonder.

We first met the Kendrick family in The Highlander’s Princess Bride, Improper Princesses series #3. In that book, we met Nicholas Kendrick, Earl of Arnprior, and his six very unruly siblings – Logan, Royal, Graeme & Grant (twins), Braeden, and Kade plus their irascible grandfather Angus. We’ve already had Royal’s story (The Highlander Who Protected Me) and Logan’s story (The Highlander’s Christmas Bride) and now we finally get to Graeme. I had wondered how the author was finally going to mature Graeme and make him into a believable and admirable hero – and now I know. She did it very well!

The Kendrick’s are a very close-knit family, but Graeme has somewhat separated himself from them for the last couple of years. He loves them, but he carries a lot of guilt and blames himself for a number of things that are not his fault – but his biggest secret is the one that makes him feel unworthy. Unworthy of their love or anyone else’s. When he rescues a beautiful young lady in Hyde Park – early one morning – he is immediately drawn to her. When she stands up to him and holds her own with him, he is even more drawn to her. Except he knows he doesn’t deserve her and walks away – all the way back to Scotland. He needs the distance and he has a mission to perform for the Crown.

Lady Sabrina Bell is a wealthy heiress and is totally accustomed to having men pursue her for her fortune. She’s quite sanguine about it and just marches along with her life – and she’s very happy that way. She does need to marry though and has met a newcomer to town who she thinks might be a candidate. Against all propriety, she even agrees to meet him very early in the morning – in Hyde Park. What an ordeal of a morning it turned out to be! It was raining, her assignation didn’t show up, she was wet, she was robbed and pushed into the Serpentine, and then she was rescued by a beast of a Highlander when she didn’t even need rescuing. He is certainly an intriguing man though.

As Graeme and Sabrina come into contact more and more often, both are thoroughly smitten. She freely admits it to herself – and he denies it totally. When he leaves London and heads to Scotland, she finds a way to get herself to Scotland. She’s a determined lass and has decided Graeme is the one for her. He doesn’t make it easy on her – and she almost gives up. He fights it with every fiber of his being, but poor Graeme just isn’t a match for Sabrina and his entire family. Then, add in kidnappings, smugglers, bootleggers, plots against the king and you have a rollercoaster ride of a story.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did – even though it does have some very modern situations and conversational styles. You’ll love both Graeme and Sabrina as well as visiting with most of his brothers and their wives.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Highlanders English Bride by Vanessa Kelly.
Graeme Kendrick was searching for a criminal who had taken an heirloom, a gold watch. During this pursuit was a gang of them robbing from the ton. A figure was lingering near the serpentine and the criminal pushed her into the water. Graeme had to save her. He placed his coat on her shoulders and she started to pull implements out of the pocket. Like a knife, pistol, and, knuckledusters.
Lady Sabrina Bell was the lady who got tossed into the Serpentine. Graeme was taking her to Lady Vivian St. George. So she could change and go home.
Throughout the book, they bicker back and forth. She thinks he is handsome and he thinks of her as trouble. She always seems to be in trouble. An exciting and fun story. Graeme has a large family with a tragic past. The plot pulls you in and the wonderful characters keep you there. They travel from England to the Highlands of Scotland. It seems as though they meet bads guys everywhere. They are so cute a couple but then all his family is also rather eccentric. The whole novel was a treat and so enjoyable.
I received this ARC from Net galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Loved, loved, loved this book. This is the third book in the Clan Kendrick Series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Graeme Kendrick works for the King's Spymaster while watching a thief skulk through Hyde Park, he comes to Lady Sabrina Bell's rescue when the thief pushes her into the Serpentine. When a close friend finds out what Lady Sabrina was doing out at such a late hour, she is warned about her would-be suitor being a fortune hunter. And again he finds himself rescuing her as thieves ransack the ball they are attending.
Now Graeme must travel to Scotland ahead of the King's visit to make sure things are secure upon his arrival and little does he know that the beautiful and exasperating Lady Sabrina is also joining the King. Because she has plans to get under Mr Kendrick's skin.

There's action from beginning to end, which makes this a pretty great read. So it never felt boring.
I loved all the Kendricks featured in this book. Their voices brought a lot of funny moments and had me giggling out loud. I also loved how they were all trying to push these two together. So all the banter was great.
Okay, now I'm off the add the first two books to my TBR.

ARC provided by Kensington Books via NetGalley

I admit I was worried at first that I would have issues with Sabrina being spoiled, arrogant and bossy -- just not likable. While she is spoiled and can be arrogant & bossy, she is also aware of those things and is willing to admit/apologize when appropriate. She is also caring and smart, the latter of which does her well when dealing with a clan member of the Kendrick clan. In his brothers' books, Graeme (along with his twin brother) was a bit of a hellion with good heart who showing increasing signs of maturity. Graeme has been working for England's home office for the past couple years doing various investigations. he enjoys the work, giving him a sense of purpose and redemption for prior misdeeds that he feels makes him less worthy of finding happiness or his family's unquestioning support/love (and eventually Sabrina's affections either). His current investigation results in him meeting and crossing paths with Sabrina on several occasions where sparks (both conflict & attraction) occur. together Sabrina & Graeme make a delightful couple that is fun to read, there a little mystery plot to help keep things moving along. Graeme's family and friends help (meddle) as well in addition to adding a good bit of humor to the story. All in all a delightful read from start to finish.

The Highlander's English Bride (Clan Kendrick Book 3)
by Vanessa Kelly 3.5 Stars
This historical romance is a humorous spymaster drama. The characters are all well fitted to each other in similarities of being irreverent, light hearted, with loads of sarcastic humor. The storyline and plot do contain content is of a serious and complex nature however, everyone has a sarcastic and humorous dialogue that left me conflicted.
I love witty and sarcastic banter, but I like it in good measure with a balance between the proper time for lightheartedness and the proper and appropriate time to be respectively serious.
For instance, the bad guy was exiled for rape, kidnapping, and attempted murder, now he is back and in town and interacting with people at a ball where he’s attempting to kidnap again, but the story doesn’t take on a seriousness note that you would expect. And, the spies “run dangerous missions for the King’s spymaster” however, they, their spouses, and children all have loose lips admitting they are spies in mixed company and talking business in public. I prefer realistic stories that I can believe and get lost in the story. Too much sarcastic banter made it hard for me to get through some of the content. This review is my own opinion.
If you love humorous and sarcastic banter in your historical spy novels then this is your book.

The Highlander's English Bride
Series: Book 3 in the Clan Kendrick
Rating: 3 stars (more of a 2.5 book)

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The Highlander's English Bride seemed to have too many things happening. There was so much going on with our two main characters that their love and romance got lost. I would of liked for them to spend more time together and getting to know each other without having to thwart so many evil plans. Graeme and Sabrina seemed to always find themselves butting heads, while trying to rescue each other from many dangers. He wanted to protect her from danger, she went out looking for danger. His growling and grunting equaled her stubbornness. She would later realize that he was right, but then something would happen and they would end up in the same place. To be honest I was bored for most of it. I actually skimmed pages.
What I did like was his family throwing hints from the beginning that they would be perfect for each other. Their attempt at matchmaking was cute. Though it took Graeme a while to realize that he was worthy of Sabrina.

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

The Highlander's English Bride, by Vanessa Kelly, will be available at booksellers on May 26, 2020. Although book 3 in ms Kelly's Clan Kendrick series, it works just fine as a stand alone story. I've been waiting for this couples story and it didn't disappoint. A rare for me 5 stars.

Graeme and Sabrina are wonderful characters. Both are sure of themselves, a little bossy, good a managing things, and down right funny. They can insult each other in the wittiest ways. The Kendrick clan has so far been an enjoyable series with good characters but these two are the best. Graeme is constantly trying to save Sabrina, like she's a damsel in distress, she's not. Sabrina saves Graeme as, if not more, often. Their back and forth is a cover to hide feelings but it, of course, gives it away. Graeme at one point feels like an anvil fell on his head! Shades of Wiley Coyote cartoons! I loved it. Prepare for King George to be called every silly made up name the writer couple think of. Hysterical stuff. Happy reading.

#VanessaKelly #TheHighlander'sEnglishBride #ClanKendrick #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishine #Zebra

The Highlander's English Bride by Vanessa Kelly 4 stars (Clan Kendrick #3)

This was an enjoyable read. However, if you haven't read the other Clan Kendrick books and one book from the Improper Princesses series and maybe two from the Renegade Royal series you won't get the full effect of the multitude cast of characters. I've read all of them so all the nuances were there for me to enjoy.

This book had a lot plot; a villain from a previous book was introduced and disappeared pretty fast. Both Graeme and Belinda were strong characters who are competent and skilled. The other villain that was introduced later in the book was dispatched with a group effort. I have to say that I really liked Lady Belinda and someone who knows what she wants and goes after it. I hope that Graeme's twin brother will be the hero of the next book.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC

Graeme Kendrick has reformed his trouble maker ways as a youth and now is paying it forward as an inquisition officer working for his King and country. He is on the case when a lady gets in the way… forcing him to abandoned his pursuit and jump into the Serpentine to rescue this damsel in distress!

Lady Sabrina Bell is no damsel in distress! She has had the run of her fathers’ estate since she was barely out of the schoolroom. She can handle herself in any situation… unless that situation includes grumpy, handsome highlanders!

Now that Lady Sabrina and Graeme’s paths have crossed they have become as drawn to each other as the trouble that follows them!

This was a fun read with both the hero and the heroine presenting independent, strong willed personalities that are better working together than apart. Lady Sabrina was a surprising treat, her character starts off strong and only gets better as she learns to ask for help and lean on her new family and people (from her estate).

The Kendrick clan/family shows up in force to support the unusual courtship between these two with hilarious results! As the third book in the series, this book could easily be read on its own, but is all the more fun with the the rest of the Kendrick history behind you.

The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly was release May 26th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zebra, Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Blog: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-highlanders-english-bride.html

#TheHighlandersEnglishBride #VanessaKelly #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

This is the third book in the Clan Kendrick series. It is best read as part of the series, along with book one of Kelly’s Renegade Royals series, as those characters play a role in this book.

Graeme Kendrick is working jobs for a British spymaster when Lady Sabrina Bell splashes into his path. Graeme is attracted to (but annoyed by) Sabrina, the pampered only daughter of an Earl and goddaughter to the king. During a royal visit to Scotland, multiple mishaps have Graeme and Sabrina rescuing each other and growing closer.

This book suffers from too much going on, and it was difficult to boil the story down to that quick synopsis. Kelly brings back a villain from a previous book in what felt like an unnecessary side plot. Graeme is involved in spy business, but everyone around him seems to know what’s going on and talks openly about it. Sabrina is completely impetuous and stubborn, but the perils that surround her throughout the book seem too easily resolved/set aside. None of the “dangers” feel serious and, as I reader, I felt disconnected. If the book had centered around protecting Sabrina on the trip to Lochnagar, the book could have been much more successful.

Also, the romance takes a major backseat here. There is an attraction between the characters, but I didn’t feel a genuine bond. It takes three-quarters of the book before the characters are engaging together instead of around shared circumstances. They talk about their feelings, but I want to be shown not told.

I’d like to say it was an enjoyable book, but if I was reading it as a standalone without a connection to the other Kendrick family members then I might have had trouble getting through it.

* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #TheHighlandersEnglishBride #NetGalley

This was another enjoyable story from Ms. Kelly although I did think there was a little too much going on with the plot. Graeme Kendrick works unofficially as a spy and is supposed to be very good at his job, however, throughout this book various villains get the jump on him. His number one distraction, Lady Sabrina Bell, keeps invading his thoughts at crucial points in various investigations.

I liked Sabrina. She started out as a typical Regency young woman. She ran her father's household--was organized, and always the dutiful daughter. However, after Graeme rescues her from the Serpentine, her personality seems to be take a 180 degree turn and she could have been a modern heroine. Although her father depends on her, Sabrina has no qualms about leaving him when she accompanies the king on a trip to Scotland. There is plenty of lively banter between Graeme and Sabrina and the Kendrick family, all seemingly at Graeme's expense. The plot moves along at a good pace, but I shaking my head at Graeme's ineptitude as he tries to ferret out clues in a smuggling ring.

All in all, I enjoyed the book, but I do think it could have done without all obstacles thrown in Sabrina's and Graeme's path. These two do nothing but argue throughout the book until they confess their love and get their HEA.

We finally get twin, Graeme Kendrick's story. Who is the perfect lass for this highlander? Why Lady Sabrina Bell, the only child of a wealthy English earl, and the goddaughter of the King....and boy is she a spitfire!

While Graeme is working undercover for King’s spymaster early one morning, he witnesses someone attacking a woman and pushing her into the Serpentine. Graeme really wants to chase after the assailant, but ends up rescuing the woman out of the water instead. Of course said woman is Lady Sabrina Bell. Graeme finds it curious that Lady Sabrina is out and about unescorted that early in the morning but still ends up helping her out. This starts their war of wills. Both of these two are stubborn and passionate about everything in their lives....which of course always makes for a good match! ;)

When Graeme is tasked with providing security for the King for his trip to Scotland, he is completely thrown when Lady Sabrina shows up getting off the ship. Of course the Kendrick's clan find this new turn of events amusing! As Graeme and Lady Sabrina spend more time together, feelings toward each other start to change and before they know it, they find themselves yearning for the other. When it appears that someone is out to harm Lady Sabrina, Graeme's alpha protective ways start to show and these two have a fun showdown! Of course it also causes them to profess their love for each other too!

It was so fun watching these two stubborn, headstrong individuals fall hard! I just adored Lady Sabrina. She is a great, kick butt, take no prisoners type of person and putting her up against a redheaded alpha male highlander provided for some great moments. Together they brought us a great story and a perfect happy ending!