This is my first Heather McCollum book and I loved it! I can’t wait to read the next book. Trust and love and a curse that may just get someone killed.

Lark Montgomerie father has given her an ultimatum you will wed tonight, pick a groom and marry or he’ll choose one. When she’s trying to avoid prospective groom she’s caught up a tree by Chief Adam Macquarie comes to her rescue. Chief Adam and his brother are attending the Beltane festival to find wives for themselves. Their clan is desperate woman are scarce and each brother needs a wife. Macquarie’s were cursed over a hundred years ago, but to break the curse they must know love and have legitimate children. During Beltane Adam is astonished lark chooses him as her husband, but who can refuse a red headed beauty to have as his wife. This is a captivating story of finding love and a home for all of them where they belong. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

Another great Highland romance by Heather McCollum. With her beautifully written stories, well developed characters, and steamy romance, McCollum is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This novel has all of those characteristics plus an interesting look at the Highlands superstitious beliefs. I truly enjoyed both main characters and the supportive characters were also equally interesting and likable. I look forward to reading the next book in this series! I wonder which brother will be next.....

I wanted to like this book far more than I did. Something about the absurdity of several plot elements combined with what was actually quite a dire situation for Lark (forced marriage, leaving her sisters, her tragic backstory, etc.) made for a disjointedness in the whole vibe, like it couldn't decide between being serious and emotional or absurd and quirky, and it couldn't find a way to marry those two concepts together.

I had to end up ignoring some of the more egregiously discordant plot elements to concentrate on Lark and Adam's relationship, or else I'd lose focus and interest. However, I still enjoyed the read.

I received a digital advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Heather McCollum’s The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal is an atmospheric and passionate tale fans of Scottish historical romances are sure to fall in love with.

Marriage is uppermost on the minds of both Lark Montgomerie and chief Adam Macquarie. The two of them have different reasons for needing to marry and with time running out and the situation becoming increasingly desperate, it looks like a union between the two of them will be the answer to both of their prayers. Lark’s father is keen to marry her off, but the suitors he has in mind are as far removed from her idea of a suitable husband as it is possible to get. Meanwhile, Adam has the weight of duty and responsibility weighing heavily upon his broad shoulders with the future of his clan resting squarely with him. Marrying one another seems like the ideal solution even if neither one of them has been honest and forthright about their reasons for choosing to pledge their troth to each another…

Having narrowly avoided her father’s drunken machinations, Lark simply cannot wait to start her new life with her handsome Highlander husband. She is eager to start afresh on her husband’s gorgeous Scottish island, however, on her arrival she ends up getting the shock of her life when she realises that her new husband has failed to mention a couple of important things about his new home – mainly that his remote island is home to only a handful of inhabitants and that she is the only female resident.

Nothing was meant to dampen her spirits and with society being few and far between on this Scottish isle, Lark has plenty of opportunities to spend time with her new husband. With each passing day, their feelings for one another intensify and when the sizzling chemistry between them makes it absolutely impossible for the two of them not to give into temptation, Lark and Adam quickly surrender to their deepest desires…

Brought together by fate and united by a passion that cannot be deny, will Lark and Adam find the strength and courage to admit the truth about their feelings for one another? Or will their fears end up costing them a love that will last a lifetime?

Heather McCollum’s The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal is an emotional, enthralling and enjoyable historical romance that sweeps readers back to Scotland and into a world of curses, mystery, mischief, danger and desire.

Lark and Adam are two fantastic characters readers will love. Strong, flawed, determined and courageous, theirs is a love story that will make readers laugh, cry and sigh as they find themselves completely and utterly engrossed in The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal.

A sensuous historical romance from a writer whose love of Scotland shines through the pages, Heather McCollum’s The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal charms and delights from the first page until the very last word.

I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the start of a new series by Heather McCollum. This was an interesting read. I don’t know if I was a super fan of it though. It was interesting but the characters were a little ridiculous sometimes. I would be interested in more in the series though.

The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal by Heather McCollum
Brothers of Wolf’s Isle #1

What if:
* You begin to read a book
* Identify with the female lead and
* Can’t put the book down?

Well…you keep reading…

Of course, 😊 Why put down a book in which you can identify with the heroine so…you keep reading…

What a great way to begin a new series by a great author!

I know there are brothers of the first Macquarie tribe in the wings waiting to find their brides…though they may need to steal them as they did in 7 brides for 7 brothers (the movie) BUT…perhaps these brothers will not need to kidnap women to further their goals?

Anyway…Adam and his brothers need wives.
He is intrigued by…a shoe
She is intrigued by…his returning of her shoe…by his brother
And thus, the story begins

I loved the story with pirates, good and bad guys, maybe-witches, and other things and believe you will, too

There is so much more to this story that…I am not willing to divulge

Did I enjoy this story Yes
Would I read more in the series? Definitelly!

Thank you to NetGalley and Engtangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Love love love Adam. He was kind and gentle and yet determined and stubborn. He could be tough as well when it was needed. Their meet cute was so precious-her stuck in a tree hiding trying to come down and him seeing this and helping her. That got him intrigued about Lark and her seeing he was a good man. He didn't start out going for a wife but ended up with one because of how amazing he is.
Lark was strong, stubborn, smart and wanting more. She wanted a place that she felt safe and could contribute. Be an equal and grow. With Adam she felt she would get this based on how he was about her in the tree. She was hiding things from Adam and was scared if he knew he would run. She didn’t really give him a chance to be the man he was when it came to this. She just assumed as he did with her about his secret. Only Adam when finally told didn’t react how she expected, he was caring and understanding. Was he angry? Yes not at her but what she went through. He was angry over her double standards. To him it was okay for her to keep something from him and say all she wanted was honesty and then she went and wasn’t honest and got angry at him for his secret. It was wrong. He didn’t stay angry though and that is the difference to me between Lark and Adam. He let it go she let it take over for a bit even though she was doing just what he did, keeping a secret.

Only he did have a secret and didn't reveal it. By the time he did, you can see he was in love with Lark. Didn't want to admit it but he was. He respected her and treated her like a equal. What bothered me with Lark is how she reacted about his secret. She was angry yes that is acceptable but she was hiding things as well and didn't have the right to react how she did. The man was scared like she was. and he didn't want to lose her.Their discovery of each other and falling in love was filled with bumps in the road. A curse that the brothers believed in wholeheartedly. A old woman who couldn’t let go but in the end when she sees that Adam and his brothers aren’t bad people, began to. Brothers that had good intentions and were sweet but meddled a wee bit too much. Pirates that wanted the land for reasons I am not quite understanding why for pirates that end up with egg on their face. And a friendship that is now precarious but the person had good intentions.
Lark and Adam learned about one another, worked together and fell in love. They respected one another and supported each other no matter what. The way Adam stood by Lark was just so heartwarming. And in the end how he was willing to sacrifice so much was just so so precious. I like how they learned about each other and themselves along the way. They fall in love before our eyes and you just can’t help but love them.

That ending wow how romantic of him. I felt bad over Liam though. Hope that can be fixed.
Lark was a strong, stubborn smart woman and perfect for Adam. I love how she just wanted a place to feel safe and loved. She found that with Adam and his brothers. Even if the curse did kind of muffle that with the brothers at first. A great book.

I loved this story with its fairy tale aspects – the witch, the curse, the ‘dying tree.” Add in the handsome Macquarie brothers and their need for women to rebuild their clan and populate their island. Lark becomes the chosen one. She is so adorable. As Lark stated, she went from one prison to another. She could laugh, weep or stab someone. Turns out she is pretty good with a knife.

Lark’s life has not been an easy one, but her mother raised her to be strong and independent. So, she grabs at life. Or, I should say she reaches for Adam. Theirs is a sweet, difficult road to trust and love, but they get there in an entertaining, and sometimes, eerie fashion.

This is a tremendous beginning for the series The Brothers of Wolfe Isle! Lark and Adam explode from the pages with their love story. The laughable moments are as frequent as the troubled ones for Lark and Adam. Either way – great read.

This completely took me by surprise! I was expecting just another highlander novel but this delivers so much more than that. Readers get a meet cute, marriage of convenience and a highlander family curse!
The characters were great. The hero and heroine complemented each other and were interesting on their own. In particular I loved Lark. She was such a different kind of heroine. She stays true to who she is and propels the story along. She's snarky, smart and compassionate. Adam was equally great. He may have seemed like he had a stick up his bum but he's just the grump to her sunshine. I liked how protective he was of Lark from the moment they met. Their romance was sweet and sensual.
Adam's brothers were also entertaining. I can't wait to read their stories as the series continues.
The plot unraveled in a way that was satisfying. I was never bored or confused while reading.
I would recommend this to readers who love fast-paced historical romance along with breaking a longstanding family curse. Oh, and highlanders!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

What a fantastic start to another series. I am already looking forward to the other Macquarie brothers! Another plus was catching up with prior characters of the Highland Isles series.

The Macquarie brothers are at the Beltane festival looking for a bride. They need to rebuild their clan and their home on Ulva (Wolf) Isle. A "witch" placed a curse on the clan over a century before and only the brothers remain on the isle. Lark Montgomerie and her family are also at the festival. Lark finds out that two men are after her hand in marriage. She despises them both. She hides up a tree and that is where Adam Macquarie (chief of the clan) finds her after spying her slipper amongst the leaves.

The adventures and mysteries that surround these two were fascinating to read. I was so intent to discover the mystery in the happenings on the isle that before I knew it, I had finished. I was completely enchanted by the couple (and of course the remaining brothers!)

There were some "sexy" scenes but the details were so highly glossed over, they were not offensive (at least to me.) That being said, of course, if you adore a wonderful historical (especially Scottish) romance, I would highly recommend this to anyone over the age of 18.

Adam and his brothers go to the Beltane festival. He is hoping to find a wife for his brothers so that they can build their clan back up. He didn't count on finding a woman that intrigued him. But what was even more surprising, was when she chose him to marry her right then and there.

Lark is desperate to get away from her father. He is intent to marry her off this very day, but she doesn't like any of his choices. When she meets Adam, she sees it as a way to finally get away from her past and the man she hates.

Can this unlikely marriage be the new start to clan Macquarie?

I adored Adam and Lark's story! Lark was trying to get away from a situation that she could no longer stand, so she jumped at the first change that she got to get away. While Adam hadn't planned on getting married so soon, he did need a wife and saw this as a chance to help his clan. I just loved watching these two fall in love! This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read the stories of Adam's brothers!

I do not really know why but I do love a Highlander and reading about them is so satisfying. this author can stir my self with her Highlanders with this one being no exception. Lark thinks she is getting the better of the bargain when she gets Adam to take her hand in marriage. She thinks it will be better than what awaits. Adam whom has his own reasons even though he finds it odd goes for it because of his needs. They are both in for a surprise with us getting the best of the bargain. The spirit of the two of them comes out giving us delight. Ihope i do not miss any if this series.

When chief Adam Macquarie finds a young woman hiding in a tree, he quickly gets the notion she doesn't want to marry the two suitors out looking for her. Intrigued by her, he helps her out of the predicament and in the process, ends ups finding himself as her husband.

Lark Montgomerie is going to make the best of her situation, and she's all-in until she discovers the conditions of her new home. It's not that she's worried about hard work -- she's got a secret that could raise havoc for her husband's clan and herself if the truth comes out. To say that these two are less than honest with each other at first is an understatement.

I did enjoy the interactions between Lark and Adam and when they are on page together, I couldn't help but root for them. Adam is respectful and considerate of Lark and I loved that about him. And Lark is fiesty and fun, and it's easy to see why Adam falls for her.

There's a bit of action at the end that brings some tension but is resolved quickly. The story is fairly predictable, but entertaining all the same. It's a classic historical romance, from the almost arranged marriage to the acceptance of their future. I really liked Lark and Adam, and that made it all worth the read.

Overall, a good start and I'll be looking for more from Macquaries on Wolf Isle.

Emotionally thrilling, action packed adventure filled with intriguing and engaging charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists, exciting turns and undeniable passion. Was a highly entertaining, edge of your seat, hard to put down read.

I’ve adored every journey to the Highlands author Heather McCollum has taken me on and The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal is no exception. Secrets and curses have no chance against two such endearing protagonists as Lark and Adam.

Lark Montgomerie is in a desperate situation at the beginning of the story. Her drunken, abusive father is determined to sell her into marriage and she has to be wed by sundown. Rather than the fools her father has promised her to, Lark takes a chance and marries handsome stranger Adam Macquarie. Adam has his own reasons for needing a bride and Lark’s spirit, beauty, and plain-speaking appeal to him right from the start. The two are strangers, but it’s clear they’re well matched from the start. I loved the sparks between them and the simmering sexual tension.

Lark and Adam make a great match from the start. They’re both hardworking, focused, and have good hearts, but each has secrets they need to reveal in order for love to be able to grow between them. My heart broke for Lark more than once, but at every turn Adam was steadfast and honorable, which I just loved. More than anything, Lark wants to build a life based on trust with her new husband. That’s easier said than done when she arrives at her home on Wolf Isle and discovers she has married into a cursed family. The Macquarie clan was cursed over a century ago and they’re close to dying out. I won’t spoil the state of Wolf Isle, but suffice it to say Lark and Adam have their work cut out for them if they want to make their clan strong again. I enjoyed learning about the curse and watching the Macquaries figure out what it would take to break it.

Hidden dangers, possible witches, and political plots weave through The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal and help make it an addictive read. I thoroughly enjoyed each twist and turn this story took. And if you’re a fan of Ms. McCollum’s, you’ll be delighted to learn that some of your favorite faces from the Highland Isles series play strong supporting roles in this tale. I couldn’t be happier to revisit the Isle of Mull and I hope to see more of it in future Brothers of Wolf Isle books. It would also be remiss of me to talk about this story and not mention Adam’s brothers. The four younger Macquaries charmed the heck out of me and once Lark arrives on Wolf Isle there are some nods to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that made me smile.

I sincerely enjoyed The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal from beginning to end. It’s romantic, action-packed, and a true delight. I cannot wait to see what Ms. McCollum has in store for the rest of the Macquarie men!

The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal is the first book in Heather McCollum's The Brothers of Wolf Isle series. At approximately 150 pages, I would characterize this as more of a novella than a full-length novel. I think the shorter length was perfect for this story...it was so good I didn't want to put it down and I breezed right through the entire thing!

Lark Montgomerie's drunken father demands she marry the night of the Beltane Festival. She's desperate to get away from him, but not by wedding the fools who are pursuing her. So after being helped by handsome and brawny Adam Macquarie, the Chief of Clan Macquarie who helped her escape her pursuers, she begs him to marry her. Well, he certainly wasn't expecting THAT! But Adam needs to wed and most woman would not be happy about the circumstances of his home, so he agrees...without divulging certain secrets of Wolf Isle. That's quite all right, though, as Lark has some secrets of her own she's not willing to share...

This book was a wonderful start to the series. Brawny Highlanders in kilts, strong women, humor, passion, secrets, curses and heartache...it was all here. Lark was an incredible heroine; she lived a hard life but never gave in to self-pity. She could wield a Scottish blade as good as any man, and go head-to-head with tough men, too. Adam was also great. He was chief of his clan and was determined to rebuild their home back to its former glory pre-curse. They were a passionate and stubborn couple. Both believed trust and honesty were essential to a successful marriage, but both also struggled with those ideals. The supporting characters were also wonderful, especially Adam's younger brothers. I definitely plan to keep up with the adventures of the Macquarie brothers in their search for their own loves!

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 expressed are entirely my own.

A lass desperate to get away from her father and a clan chief that needs to wed. She proposes, he accepts, but this marriage of trust is tested when secrets come out. Rival clans, a curse on an island and betrayals may be the catalysts for their annulment. Strong Scots fight for what they want and take baths in a horse trough. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Highlander's Unexpected Proposal by Heather McCollum was a great story that I didn't want to put down. I mean how can you go wrong with a Highlander Chief attempting to rebuild his clan while competing against a family curse?

So what did I enjoy?

- Chief Adam Macquarie is a gruff and fierce Highlander with a heart of gold who obviously loves his family and friends.
- The heroine, Lark Montgomerie, is a woman who has grown up with a lot of obstacles in her way but remains fierce and is just someone you can't help but cheer on.
- The Macquarie brothers and friends are a great group and I can't wait to get to know them better in what I am sure are sequels to come.
- There is a witch and curse but what I really enjoyed is that the witch and her subsequent family are nuanced and not just typical villains.

I highly recommend this book to fans of Highlander books. The book does bring a fair amount of steam. If that is not your thing I'd say it is fairly skippable.

From the get go, danger, trouble, and big problems to solve seem to follow and bind this main couple. Fortunately for them, their steely determination to do whatever it takes to secure a new beginning helps them figure out what must be done. Even during the times when just winging it and hoping for the best was all they could really do.

Sure, Adam, the hero, accidentally on purpose didn’t fully reveal all the details regarding what Lark, the heroine, was marrying into. However, she was in such dire straits to begin with, he was certainly still her best life line.

This alpha protective, good guy, laird of his clan hero and sassy, beautiful, hard working, doesn’t back down when the going gets tough heroine were a great combination together. I stayed fully invested in their story from the beginning until the conclusion. I was surprised by a couple twists and turns that laid hidden until nearly the end, causing quite a stir and even a perilous situation. One had some disturbing trigger content.

I’m already looking forward to Beck, a younger brother, meeting his perfect match in the next book of this series. There is obviously a verra good chance more books will come featuring this entire band of brothers as they rebuild their clan. Since I enjoy this author, I hope to read them all.

Title: The Highlander’s Unexpected Proposal, Series: The Brothers of Wolfe Isle (Book 1), Author: Heather McCollum, Pages: 199, pub date: 10/19/20, stand-alone but part of a series, sassy, capable, caring, hard working heroine, virgin heroine, brief flashback/reference to disturbing past sexual assault attempts, secrets others already knew, some bloody fight violence, only a few very graphic smex scenes, can feel their chemistry/attraction.

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or PR firm.)