I just absolutely had so much fun and I was so sad to turn the last page. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories from this author.

Overall: 3.5 rounded ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥 if you’re generous
Humor: Yes, there is, though it’s not a light hearted book

Should I read in order?
This one is all right as a stand alone but I think you’ll get more enjoyment reading the series in order. The Clan lives and works together, so the characters from book 1 are here and referenced to a number of times

Basic plot:
A bargain is struck between the McCurdys and MacKinlays – marriage to Dorie McCurdy by Bryce Campbell will gain their clan access to an important seaport. Bryce lost his wife and child to illness ten years ago and is not interested in marrying again – he does it at the order of his laird but knows he will never love her.

Give this a try if you want:
- Medium steam – there are a handful of scenes but I found them on the short side (I listened to audio so it’s harder for me to tell length)
- Older hero/younger heroine
- Arranged marriage
- Highlanders!
- Disability featured – heroine has selective mutism due to trauma when she was 9 years old
- You have to be okay with some heavy content warnings (at end under spoiler warning)
- Hero nurses heroine back to health
- Stuart era Scotland – 1662 (There is some brief time of the book in London)

Ages:
- Heroine is 18, hero is 31


My thoughts:
I am conflicted about this book. It did tug on my heart a big, especially in the beginning with learning about Dorie’s background. But as it went on I got frustrated with a number of things. Ultimately I can’t say I loved the story and I don’t think ever reread this. But I do find it memorable so I decided to round my rating up.

Hero:
Bryce is drowning in grief. It still consumes his life after ten years – he has guilt over what happened to his family and has never found closure. He shuts himself off from everyone to keep the pain inside and this is a major plot point of the story. He is war chief of the clan that has adopted him in after his father basically gave him up after the death of his mother. Basically this guy desperately needs some therapy to work through his emotional trauma. I struggled with a lot of his behavior throughout the book – but I had guilt for feeling this way. The man had been through a lot, it just made it difficult to like him. Though I did love that he was willing to repeatedly look at his behavior and apologize soon after. He realizes when he hurts and makes amends. I don’t see this often in romance unless it’s a grand gesture at the end of the book (or nothing at all :P)

Heroine:
Dorie was an absolute delight to me. I loved her, so much. She had been through extreme abuse and seclusion. My heart really attached to her in the beginning and I was rooting for her to be able to heal and find happiness. She is repeatedly let down by Bryce but has a forgiving and understand heart. She helps heal him and eventually he helps heal her too, though in the end I just really wanted a bit more from Bryce.

The story had some things I enjoyed – a bit of humor, rich back story for the characters, supporting side characters that brought the story to life. Overall though I wanted more from the hero and got a bit bogged down with the non stop attempts on the heroine's life in the beginning, somewhat boring plot aspects (hero and heroine spent quite a bit of time apart, and I got to read about the heroine burning food, etc - and they also had a long separation towards the end of the story)

I think if you’ve liked Maya Banks you should definitely give this series a try. This was my first read of this author's work. I would try her again.

Another great book by Ms. Hanson. I was obsessed with chapter after chapter. I laughed I cried . Oh this book is so good . I hope to read about Liam and one about Rory soon . Thank you for this wonderful adventure I went on with your book.

Alibis on B Hanson has a way with words and highlanders that is just a wonderful as it is steamy. I adore this writer and her novels. Excellent story telling and the brawny men I can just drool over as they find their other half. It’s romance at its finest and this latest book is no exception. Crafted with all those elements that a reader cherishes in a great historical romance Her Reluctant Highlander is a wonderful read i will definitely be recommending. I can’t wait to see what this author has in store for us next.

I appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review and feedback of this novel.

Hmmmm, I’m conflicted about this one. On one hand, I liked the characters and the story, but on the other hand, it moved slowly, with the main characters repeatedly going over the same territory in their heads, and to a certain extent, in their interactions with each other. When the story was moving along and into new territory, I enjoyed it quite a lot, but then we’d be back to either Bryce or Dorie blaming themselves for things beyond their control, or hiding very important—life or death!- information from each other. If you have patience to stick with it through the repetition, or if that doesn’t bother you, there is much to enjoy in this book. The main and secondary characters, setting, and plot are interesting and engaging. Dorie was horribly mistreated by her family, yet somehow is still caring, sweet, and kind, desperately seeking a family connection. It’s nearly impossible not to love and root for her, she deserves so much better than what she’s had. Bryce’s story is heartbreaking; he’s still not recovered from the loss of his wife and young daughter ten years ago, and is determined not to open himself up to devastating pain and loss again, but he struggles to maintain his distance from Dorie, especially when it becomes clear her life is in danger. While their love story was the primary focus, the battles and bad blood between their two clans added an element of danger, intensity, and tension to the story that made it nearly impossible for me to put down. This is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone (I did). The characters were well-written, the plot was interesting. I think if the writing was just a little tighter, with less repetition, I would have enjoyed it even more and rated it a little higher, but I still recommend for historical romance/Scottish highlander fans.

MUST READ!! I could not put this book down!! Allison B. Hanson has written a tale so enchanting it kept me captivated from start to finish. Held captive for the majority of her life, Dorie McCurdy lives in a world of silence when she is unwittingly thrust into marriage with the war chief of clan MacKinlay. Bryce MacKinlay has lost everything dear to him and has shut his heart away from the world. When his Laird commands him to marry Dorie he has no choice but to comply. When these two broken souls encounter a danger from a plot no one can predict, can they overcome the danger and find the love they both deserve? This book with its much deserved conclusion is one that this reader will surely read multiple times! I received an ARC of this work in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and given freely. Sincerely, Anna

Her Reluctant Highlander Husband is the second book in the historical Clan MacKinlay series. It can be read as a stand-alone but the first book was great so reading it as a series made sense. It was fast-paced with plenty of suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat. Dorie had survived so much over the years and I couldn’t help but cheer for her and her happiness. Bryce was truly miserable and needed someone with an open heart to love him and help him find some happiness in life.
Bryce MacKinlay became the new war chief for his clan and is ordered to marry Dorie McCurdy to form an alliance between their clans. He had lost his wife and child years ago and he did not want to get married again but was left with no choice. He plans to marry Dorie, protect her, and provide for her and nothing else. He was horrified by the way her family treated her. Bryce sets her up in his cabin and then returns to his life as war chief at the castle. He did not want to allow anyone into his heart again after experiencing such anguish upon his family’s death. Dorie McCurdy has been her stepfather’s prisoner for years. She’s terrified to speak because the last time she did her mother was killed by her father. She’s happy with her new home and friends but has never had to take care of herself before. When her life is in danger, Bryce must accept her presence in the castle and protect her. Dorie’s real father learns of her existence and travels to Scotland to meet her. He offers to annul Dorie’s marriage and the opportunity for her to come to England with him and find someone who can be the husband she deserves. Will Bryce overcome his fear of commitment before Dorie is lost to him?
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Okay, now this was a story about how an older man romance should be written. What I enjoyed most about this author was that the angst each character had wasn't written so overly dramatic that the character wallowed in it. Some authors just drag things out too far. This story was about a young woman who had seen something so horrific it stole her resolve to speak and then she endured a decade of imprisonment, by her own family!! The hero was older than her by about 13 years and his wife and child had died years before of a plague on the village. He always felt his heart died with them and refused to marry and have a woman suffer from his lack of love. But, this is the Highlands and dynastic marriages are the norm. So his wife is dragged out of her inprisonment, washed and dressed in rags and plunked before the hero for a wedding, even though her speech had literally been scared out of her. They fuddle and muddle along and when the heroine's real parentage is discovered, the marriage is annulled. But is that going to stop this HEA? You will have to read.
I liked this story because of the well written story and continuity.this was one of a series, but it didn't depend on the previous stories or following stories. There were no grammatical or spelling errors to confuse the reader. I give this story 5 stars with a recommendation to read.

A touching read that shows the depth of loss and pain but also how love can help you heal. Dorie and Bryce have bother suffered loss and pain so they are hesitant to trust again. However, when Bryce realizes that Dorie's life is in danger he must keep her close. As they are forced together they soon think about trusting again but is it worth it?

Dorie is strong women for all she has been through and she remains kind. Bryce is hurt but also able to show Dorie compassion. The secondary characters really enhance the story and make is such a good read.

This was a great sweet sexy highlander love story. I enjoyed their story of their challenges of love a second time. She was sweet and oddly not as damaged as she should have been. He showed his damage and he evolved well from it. All in all it was an easy nice read.

Bryce is not happy to have to marry Dorie, the daughter of the chief of Clan McCurdy, but will do what he has to as the war chief of Clan Mackinlay. Nine years ago, Bryce's wife and daughter died, and he does not believe he will ever love again. Dorie has her own walls up. When some careless words led to her mother's death as a child, she vowed to never speak again as a form of protection. Eventually, Dorie is able to open up to Bryce and her new friends, but Bryce does not his guard down so easily.

Bryce genuinely believes he can't love Dorie, but takes the risk of allowing her to fall in love with him by treating her in all ways as a wife. At first he holds her at a distance, but soon they form a friendship (with some serious benefits). It's a fast and slippery slope to love on her part, and as the reader, you can tell Bryce is feeling it too, even if he won't admit it. Throw in some family history and the possibility of an annulment, along with the constant threat of battle, and this makes for an exciting, dynamic romance.

I will say I was a little disappointed that no one ever asked Dorie, that we see, if she can write as a way of communication. Early on in the novel, everyone things Dorie can't speak, not that she chooses not to. The main characters all seem to read and write, so it wouldn't be a stretch to ask Dorie if she was able to express herself this way.

Overall, this was a 4 star read for me. I really enjoyed it! My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review. Allison B. Hanson has made me a fan of a subgenre I was never interested in before!

Bryce Cambell MacKinley is devastated that he lost his wife and child years earlier. He has vowed never to live again. He is the war chief to clan MacKinley and that is his life . Until his laird tells him to marry into their rival clan as an attempt to bring them to the sea. Doris has been locked up,in a mall room for most of her life. She has no idea what this marriage means. She is just glad to get away from her abusive father who isn’t really her father. This is the truth that got her mother killed. But the sweet taste of freedom and glimpses into her husbands heart sets them on a path that opens up hearts of everyone involved. We can’t help but cheer these two even when they don’t see it themselves.

This one is better than the first in the series. I was meh about the first book Her Accidental Highlander Husband, but I really enjoyed this one! I will say that the first two chapters were confusing to me to decipher what is going on but then it took off. I really liked Dorie's story. Bryce however needed to let the past go a bit and get himself together, there was a bit too much brooding but it just made it that more sweet when they came together. There is a lot of back and forth (filler if you will) but I didn't mind that so much in this story. This can read as a stand alone novel and actually I think is better that way. Great writing, really like how the author has set this one up and her words and thoughts flow nicely.
Highly recommended, an easy read, unpredictable, romantic, a unique love story.

Dorie has been held captive in her family home by her own father, when suddenly she finds herself wed to a complete stranger. Bryce is only marrying because he's being forced to. His laird is demanding it of him. He may have to marry, but he doesn't have to be a true husband. Dorie slowly begins to realize that she is free. Although not yet free enough to speak. The relationship these two start out with is so sweet. Bryce seems to be able to communicate with Dorie without words. In time these two begin to share more and more. I really loved this book. It was great to see Bryce become a real husband to Dorie. I definitely recommend this book!

This was the first time reading a book by this author and I am so glad I did! Highland romances are not an easy genre to get right. With so many different nuances going on at the same time, the romance portion is often what is left lacking, but as Goldilocks said it best, "This one is just right".

Dorie McCurdy's life had been literal torture both mentally and physically. Fear had caused her to remain completely silent. She thus offered no verbal protest when her bother took her from where she was held prisoner. Anything that got her away from the McCurdy clan would be a chance worth taking, so the forced marriage to the war chief of clan MacKinlay, Bryce MacKinlay Campbell, was her one possible escape.

Bryce MacKinlay Campbell on the other hand was livid that his cousin would ask him to enter this arrangement. He ended up being dutiful to his clan but he would never allow Dorie to get close to him after already loved and lost his first wife and daughter to illness. He made it perfectly clear he would never grow to love her... famous last words.

Bryce seemed, for the longest time, to keep true to his vow regarding his second marriage. Seeing Dorie so hurt by the juxtaposition of his extreme caring and protective nature verses his aloofness and stubborn stance on love, was aggravating. The length of time it took Bryce to realize what he had was my only negative take with this book. If ever more groveling was needed, it was in this case.

This was as an emotional ride of a romance but one I am so glad I didn't miss out on. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Allison is a new author for me so i was excited to read this story, i was captivated by the synopsis and was looking forward to reading it, it lived up to all my expectations and i really enjoyed reading it.

The entire time I was reading this book I kept thinking I had read it before. It just seemed so similar to something else that I had read, but I never figured it out. Dorie is the abused daughter of a rival family that Bryce is forced/asked to wed. He doesn't think he has any love in his heart to give her, but marries her anyway. Predictably, he finds he does come to love her and when she has set him free, he wants her back.

A Must Read - You will not be disappointed
AMAZING, SUPERB, EXCITING, TRAGIC, DANGEROUS, MIRACULOUS. Two people haunted by their past forced into an arranged marriage find the challenges of emotions and feeling almost destroying any happiness they could have found with each other. Bryce MacKinlay Campbell, war chief of Clan Mackinlay stays haunted with guilt by the death of his wife and small babe. He was away fighting when they passed from a fever. He felt so guilty. For three years he remained a shell of himself. Dorie McCurdy of Clan McCurdy has been imprisoned for nine years from the age of nine. She did not mean to expose a secret of her mother but she did and her mother was dead because of it. She swore to never speak again in case she would cause someone else's death. Everyone thought she was mute. All Dorie wanted was to be rescued and loved. All Bryce wanted was to wallow in his pain and guilt and to reject any other woman who may make him happy. He did not want to marry Dorie but he was loyal to his laird and it would be for an alliance the clan needed. Thus, they wed. Dorie was a kind gentle soul. Whereas Bryce was an @rse to her. After three attempts on Dorie's life failed the Laird Lach MacKinay and Bryce realized the McCurdy's wanted Dorie dead to get out of the alliance. Lach and Bryce decided to put an end to the McCurdy Clan but they would need more men. One option was going to the Campbell Clan and asking for help. Bryce had not seen his father for many years since he was sent away to his mother's clan the MacKinlays. He did not want to go. In the meantime, Bryce and Dorie were getting to know each other and like each other. Bryce told Dorie he would offer everything except his heart. It would always belong to his dead wife and child. Dorie thought she had enough love for both of them but in the end, she was offered an annulment and she accepted to set Bryce free of any obligations he felt towards her. She wanted someone to love her for herself. The McCurdy's had many enemies and it was easy for Lach to get the support he needed to defeat them. This is an exciting action and adventure romance with so many realistic emotions and feeling that even time would never erase from human nature. I love the author Allison B. Hanson’s writing style. It is unique, honest, raw and realistic. The main characters are understandable, complex, haunted, down-to-earth but Bryce not willing to see things as they really are and deal with them sensibly as Dorie had been doing. A Marvelous Highland romance. A must read. You will not be disappointed.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed
Inspirational
Original
Page-turner
Realistic
Steamy
Tragic
Unpredictable
Wonderful characters

Rating 4.5/5*

My thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for my copy of this book which I have voluntarily read and honestly reviewed. This is the second book in the Clan Mackinlay series but it may be read as a standalone although characters from the previous book also appear in this one - and it was great to catch up on them!

Bryce MacKinlay Campbell, war chief of Clan MacKinlay, has never recovered from returning from battle to discover his beloved wife and young daughter dead from fever. He is ordered by his Laird to marry Dorie McCurdy, who has never met, to help forge an alliance between the two clans. He's shocked when she arrives in an ill fitting gown, dishevelled and with bare feet. She's also mute. Her family's treatment of her shocks him and he agrees to provide for her but says he'll never love again.

For the previous nine years Dorie McCurdy has lived in a single room, a prisoner, terrified of what will happen if she speaks again. Both have suffered enormous loss and heartbreaking pain. Can they help each other heal and find a new reason to live - together?

This story is packed with family drama and secrets. With the McCurdy clan plotting, Dorie's life in danger and there's a scruffy pup, Rascal, that grows into a huge protector. Dorie's father is an intriguing addition to the story and his actions, motivations and plans aren't revealed until the end. This is a fascinating addition to the series which I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into and have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys historical Highlander romance and drama.

The accurate, well written synopsis says it all, folks. If it appeals to you, I think there is a verra good chance this author’s seamless writing will bring this Scottish relationship angst romantic tale to life for you, as it did for me. I stayed fully engaged and was thankful when tragic past, heart hardened Bryce, the hero, finally admitted and allowed himself permission to love again. You’ll have to be patient though, because this stubborn, reluctant, afraid to love, brawny lad makes the heroine and us wait a verra long time indeed.

It’s amazing Dorie, the heroine, is still standing. This just wants to be loved fully and completely heroine has been through the wringer. Living under what you could definitely call life’s rock bottom circumstances, this resilient lass’s future had only one way to go and that was up. She was quick to be genuinely grateful and happy with the littlest things granted her. I loved the rags to riches aspect that was woven in for her. Her heart, however, demanded an unconditional, priceless, full surrender type love she knew she not only needed but deserved.

Again, you’ll have to be patient with this stubborn, knocks his own head against the wall, knucklehead hero. It may not be romance safe for those who don’t abide a hero holding on so tightly to a deceased love. At least you are clearly warned in the synopsis. I don’t usually travel that road myself, but this author’s writing made it worth it. My only regret is I wish Bryce would have had to work harder, longer, grovel more to secure their HEA at the end. Here’s hoping this review has been helpful in some way, so you can decide for yourself if this book is a good fit for you.

Title: Her Reluctant Highlander Husband, Series: Clan MacKinlay (Book 2), Author: Allison B. Hanson, Pages: 400, pub date: 11/20/20, widow hero very reluctant to love again, deeply in love with dead wife, some violence, get to know each other first, very steamy scenes, pushing away, relationship angst read, celibate awhile hero, virgin heroine.

Book 1 - Her Accidental Highlander Husband
Book 2 - Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

(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 any PR firm.)