Not my favorite book of Karen Ranney. I felt it was very general. She delved into nothing in great depth. The relationship between Jennifer and Gordon had all happened in the past. So there was really no romance.
The villian, Harrison, doesn't get his just do. The way he treats his wife, his daughter, his sister, his estate is unacceptable. But he gets away with it.
So you had a second chance romance, a princess and the pauper and switched at birth all in one story. Too many story lines and jot enough detail.
3 stars. I want to thank Netgalley for giving me the chance to review this book.

I received an advanced copy of this book. from NetGalley for my honest review.

Karen Ranney's books are usually hit or miss for me. This one was somewhere in the middle. The premise of this book was great, but it got off to a slow start. At times I found the book to be bit dramatic and soap opera-ish (with a last minute plot twist).

The story starts off with childhood friends Jennifer (the daughter of an Earl) and Gordon (the gardener’s son), who grow up together and fall in love. Due to social and class differences they are separated from each other with Gordon being banished from Adaire Hall (Scotland). After five years apart, Gordon makes his fortune in London, and returns home to his dying father. Jennifer and Gordon reconnect, but continue to struggle to be together due to circumstances beyond their control.

Overall, My Highland Rogue is a very well written book with plenty drama, but not enough romance, in my opinion. Would recommend this book to readers and fans of Karen Ranney.

On a side note, I was saddened to read of Karen Ranney's recent death. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and readers. May she rest in peace.

Oh the twists and turns of true love! Really a good romantic read! The twist at the end was fun. I've liked Ms Ranney's books in the past and this was no exception.

My Highland Rogue (the first in a new series: A Highland Fling Novel) by Karen Ranney is an excellent historical romance that kept me interested from beginning to end. I am so excited to hear that this is the first (in hopefully) a long and entertaining series.

I loved everything about this book: the locations, (I love anything Scotland!), the plot, which was creative and engaging, and the full character cast.

I loved the main characters: Jennifer and Gordon. Their story is of love found, lost, and luckily reconnected. It was sad to see two people that were clearly made for each other, separated due to external circumstances. Despite all, being able to find love in one another makes for an excellent story. So sweet and romantic.

I can't wait to read more from this author, and most definitely, this series.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Avon/HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC and in return I am submitting my voluntary and unbiased review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon and B&N accounts upon publication.

3.5 Stars
My Highland Rogue is the first novel in the new series A Highland Fling and it was a good start for the series. It was a forbidden childhood romance with lots of twists and drama. The book started fast-paced but slowed down in the middle and then felt rushed in the end. I feel like the book focused too much on the side characters which slowed it down.
Gordon McDonnell’s father was the gardener for the Earl of Burfield. He grew up with Lady Jennifer and fell in love with her. Gordon was devasted when he was told that Jennifer had requested he leave Adaire Hall. He left and went to London where he made his fortune. After five years of living in London, he received Jennifer’s letter telling him his father was dying and he decided it was time to return to Adaire Hall.
Lady Jennifer Adaire grew up with Gordon and never cared about him being the gardener’s son, she loved him. She never knew why he had left and when he returns and tells her he still loves her, they make plans to be married. A secret is revealed when Gordon’s father is on his death bed. It shocked them and made it impossible for them to marry until another twist changes everything.
I liked the book even though I do wish there would have been more written about Gordon and Jennifer’s relationship and their future life together.

I liked the premise of this book, but it got off to a slow start. Second chance romance is always tricky, balancing the couple’s Tragic Couple Backstory with proper restitution/groveling in the present, and I felt that this book fell short, with Gordon and Jennifer’s past feeling a bit trite to then, once the air was cleared, jump right back into using phrases like “the woman I love” in their internal dialogue. It created a dynamic I just couldn’t get invested in. I think most of my issues with this book were based on execution of this premise, so I wouldn’t be opposed to reading other books by this author.

A digital advanced copy of this book was provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I struggled a bit with this one. The synopsis sounded perfect and I actually really enjoyed the story up until the midway point. About 50% in, the story took what felt like a very melodramatic turn and went in a completely different direction. I liked Jennifer and Gordon's characters and wish I had gotten more of them from the first half of the book. This would be a good choice for those wanting a bit a less romance and a bit more drama.

I received an early copy from NetGalley for review.

I started crying half way into the book and couldn't stop until the end. Ranney writes an absolutely beautiful love story. Gordon McDonnell is the son of the gardener of Adaire in Scotland. Five years ago he was forced to leave. In that time away he made his fortune in London. When he receives a letter his father is dying he goes back to Adaire. Not only for his father, but for the woman he loves. Jennifer Adaire grew up with Gordon and has loved him even before he left Scotland. Once they are together they realize they are soul mates. Secrets can be bad or good, only hope is all that's left.
I definitely recommend reading this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I really liked this story. This author never fails to give a solid, satisfying tale of two strong people who deals with life's ills and overcome to find their happy ever after. The hero starts out being thrown off the estate for loving the heroine who is the daughter of the aristocrat who owns the estate and has been bequeathed a large amount of money from the countess who just passed away. He leaves for 5 years and comes back when his father, the gardener, is dying. The hero has become a successful, wealthy business man who had used the money left to him to build his business with investments and imports. The heroine was not told of him leaving. She had gone on a trip and returned to find he left the estate without a word. She had stayed to manage the estate while her brother removed himself to Lindon to drink, gamble and whore himself and his family to the poor house. But the heroine was able to manage the estate and hid funds to keep the estate functioning. This was such a heart-tugging story. There was such an outpouring of sacrifice on both sides as the worked towards their hea. Such an eloquent tale of not giving up. And the twists and turns this story takes. It is very well written and I highly recommend this book. 5 stars fir the characters and plot and cohesiveness. The author was very inventive in her story line of two people who didn't give up.

Gordon and Jennifer have grown up right next to each other. As they grow up their feelings start to change from play mates to romance. But so many obstacles keep standing in their way of a happy ever after. Luckily it looks like faith may just end up on their side.

This is the first book in the new Highland Fling series.

Lady Jennifer Adaire, daughter of the Earl of Burfield, has always loved the gardener’s son, Gordon McDonnell. After Gordon is forced from Adaire Hall, he heads for London to making a name for himself. When a successful Gordon returns years later, he learns a shocking secret from his dying father that could destroy any hope he has of finally making a life with Jennifer.

This book begins with Gordon being sent away, told that Jennifer doesn’t care about him and wants him gone, and continues five years later. Jennifer has spent that separation pining for Gordon and writing him unanswered letters. Every character - from the hero and heroine to the supporting characters - seems completely depressed and unhappy, which made it a somewhat unenjoyable start. The book gets interesting when a colossal family secret is revealed, but the fallout is predictable and I wasn’t satisfied with the ending.

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

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

Gordon McDonnell may have been just "the gardener's boy". To all who knew him growing up in the shadow of Adaire Hall. The great manor house belonging to the 5th Earl of Burfield. But to a select few inhabitants of that great estate. He was simply Gordon. Playmate, confidant, friend, and even first love.
But there are those who believe that Gordon's time within the walls of Adaire Hall have given him ambitions of life far above his humble station.
Particularly in regard the budding romance between he and Lady Jennifer Adaire.
And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the two are parted.
Even if it requires that two hearts be crushed by lies and deceptions in the process.

But fate it appears is a fickle mistress. And the plans and machinations are but a fraying thread in the tapestry of time. Needing only the slightest tug of circumstance to unravel.
Reuniting two bereft souls. Bringing Gordon back to the place were love, pain, and lies combined to strip him of everything and everyone he once considered home and his.


Some five years have passed, and Gordon is far removed from the wounded young man that was sent to find his fortune. With only the generous bequest of the late Countess of Adaire to his name.
In his place is a polished and successful business owner.
Returned at the behest of Jennifer. To sit at the bedside of his dying father.

This slowly simmering romance has more to do with the drama surrounding Gordon and Jennifer. Then the lovers themselves.
So much time is spent explaining the back stories of the countess, her son, his wife, and their aunt.
That Jennifer and Gordon become little more than points of reference for a great portion of this read.
Their romance reduced to a few stolen moments and chaste kisses.
With promises of more.
Until....
BAM!
The drama bomb is detonated at a little more than mid-book
Living Gordon and Jennifer's relationship in tatters once again.
With no hope of salvation.
Save a last minute plot twist worthy of the cheesiest daytime soap opera.

Though there is no denying that this book is very well written. The Prince And the Pauper-esque tale found here is nowhere near the caliber of story that this reviewer has experienced from Ms. Ranney.
Here's hoping that this series finds its footing in coming books.

WTF Are You Reading would like to thank Avon and Netgally for providing the review copy on which the above critique is based. The opinions expressed herein are those of the reviewer. And are in no way influenced by any other party. This is an unsolicited review.

I enjoyed this story of the love between an Earl's daughter and the gardener's son, one with a lot of angst before Jennifer and Gordon can find their happy ending. Perhaps there are a few too many long-kept secrets which need to be revealed to clear the way, but both the heroine and hero are extremely appealing characters and it's easy to root for them. I would read more by this author in the future.

Two children, Jennifer and Gordon, grow up together and fall in love. Due to class differences they are separated for five years. They reunite only to discover that they might not be able to be together after all. There is a nice twist to this story. I did feel it could have been a little bit shorter. I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for my honest review.

This book is a well-written highland romance. While I struggled with various parts of it, I can definitely appreciate Ranney's writing and would read more from her in the future. My Highland Rogue features Gordon, the gardener's son on a highland estate, and Jennifer, the Earl's only daughter. The two grow up together along with Jennifer's brother, Harrison, despite disapproval from various people due to their class differences, including Gordon's own father. The one champion for Gordon was Jennifer's mother who leaves him a large amount of money upon her death. Gordon must leave the estate when she dies and heads to London to make something of himself, leaving Jennifer (not knowing what happened to Gordon) confused and saddened by his sudden departure.

Years later something happens that sends Gordon from London back up to Scotland. Here is where I began having some issues. Without ruining the story, I'll just say that various secrets and plot lines come out that just didn't work for me. While some turned out differently than they first appeared I just couldn't get past the initial reaction and my suspension of disbelief just couldn't handle some things...be it the twists and turns that come up in the story or just the way that Harrison behaves.

That being said, I do think this is a well written book. I did love the portrayal of the highlands and the culture and traditions. If you are looking for an escape this book may be for you.

Karen Ranney is one of my favorite writers of romance, especially Scottish romance. This book is not what you may think of as the ‘typical’ Scottish romance, but that does not change how good it is! There is a mention of kilt wearing and highland traditions are followed, but this book is really about two young people having a huge amount of trouble reaching their HEA. Lady Jennifer and Gordon, the gardener’s boy, grew up together, played together, were educated together, went from friends to loving. Never the less, life, and everyone around them, conspired to keep them apart, except for Jennifer’s mother, the now deceased Countess of Burfield.

Although I knew Jennifer and Gordon would be together in the end, I could not put this book down until they were able to get there. Ms. Ranney is that good a writer. There are not many books I would stay up all night reading, but I did for this one..

I loved that Gordon was just a nice guy. Even after being treated abominably by those who should have loved him, he still turned out to be a true gentleman who was kind and helpful to others, especially those less fortunate than himself. I loved that he did not ‘sleep’ around. He truly loved Jennifer and showed it in his life choices.

A large part of Jennifer and Gordon’s lives involve Jennifer’s brother, Harrison, the Earl of Burfield. He is just not a nice person. There does not seem to be anything about him to like, yet, Jennifer tries to be a good sister to him. He in turn treats her, Gordon, his own wife and everyone else horribly.

The animosity between Gordon and Harrison is pretty much life long, but that does not keep Gordon from loving Jennifer even when he is sent away from her not returning for five years. Events and life situations push them apart again. This was an amazing story of two people who belonged together! Great start to the Highland Fling series!