It seems like I have been waiting forever (yes, drama, it really hasn’t been) for Vanessa Kelly’s next Clan Kendrick book. Well, I have been waiting somewhat impatiently since the last Kendrick novel. THE HIGHLANDER’S IRISH BRIDE is the fourth book in the series but can standalone and I loved revisiting the Kendricks and their antics. Add in Kathleen, her young stepsister, and Gillian, Duchess of Leverton, and you have a merry romp.
Grant and his twin, Graeme, were wild growing up, but now Graeme is married, and Grant has found his calling, becoming the most ‘respectable’ (boring?) Kendrick. He isn’t looking for a wife, but Kathleen catches his eye, and he finds others, including Angus, giving him (sometimes hysterical) advice about how to win her. Kathleen had no desire to be in London, all she wanted was to return to her home in Ireland. When her actions land her in hot water with her stepmother, her punishment is being sent to stay with her cousin in the Scottish Highlands. If she stays out of trouble, she will be allowed to return to Ireland, so she has no use for the handsome, if boring Grant Kendrick. There’s romance, mystery, the Kendricks, and all the fun that I love about Vanessa Kelly’s novels.
THE HIGHLANDER’S IRISH BRIDE is a fun page-turner that I hated putting down and couldn’t wait to get back to. I will wait, impatiently, for the next one in the series (there are a few more brothers!)
Thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#TheHighlandersIrishBride #ClanKendrick #VanessaKelly #KensingtonBooks

Miss Kathleen Calvert spirit exuberance has gotten her banned from London by her stepmother. If she was being banned to their estate, Greystone, in the highlands of Scotland. To stay with her cousin Sabrina in the highlands. We met Sabrina in His English bride.

Gillian Penley, Duchess of Leverton has gotten word of the impending scandal. Gillian has taken steps to squelch the rumors. Wanting to meet her cousin Victoria Kendrick, Gillian offers to escort Kathleen to Glasgow for a short visit before Kathleen has to continue further into the Highlands. When they leave the following morning, Kathleen is relieved to spend some time with Gillian and then to be able to spend time with her cousin Sabrina. That relief only lasts two days until they discover Jeannie, Kathleen’s sixteen-year-old step-sister hiding in the luggage compartment of coach.

In Scotland Kathleen meets Grand Kendrick. Grant is running the family import business and trying to overcome his hellion past. Grant is all business the last thing he wants is to escorting Kathleen and her younger sister around town.

When scandal breaks out in Glasgow Gillian and Victoria decides it's time for Kathleen and Jeannie to continue their journey north to Graeme and Sabrina's home.

While traveling north their coach is hijack right outside the village of Graeme's estate. Grant deals with the attackers. Once at the estate Grant finds out his brother is dealing with a rash of burglaries and threats.

I could definitely see attaction between Grant and Kathleen why each would be attracted to the other – even though neither of them saw it at the time. Both characters were strong, decisive, brave, and stubborn – and both were determined they didn’t need anyone else in their lives. Their instant attraction caused them both to shy away from the other.

Kathleen Calvert is the daughter of an Irish Aristocrat, but she doesn't act like one. When the possibility of scandal looms, Kathleen’s parents, hoping to preserve her reputation and save her brother's betrothal, send her to Scotland to visit family until the rumors die down. She heads north with her younger sister and is welcomed by the wonderful Kendrick family. Her constant escort is the handsome but dull Grant Kendrick, a serious businessman who has no time for Kathleen or her spoiled sister, Jeannie.

I liked Grant and Kathleen. I enjoyed seeing them gradually come to appreciate each other and thought they balanced each other well. Grant was a wild in his younger years and has settled down and become responsible, while Kathleen wants nothing but to return to Ireland and raise horses. She is adventurous and takes risks and Grant likes that about her. This book was a romance, but the romance took a long time to develop. It was a slow burn but, Kathleen's sister Jeannie, was a spoiled brat and took so much energy from the adults to keep her under control. This was one of those situations where the teenager, she is 16, had been so coddled and over protected, that when she is away from her parents, she lets loose and finds herself in some inappropriate situations. Although this is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I have enjoyed them all, and suggest you do the same. I think this was my least favourite of the series, probably because of all the nonsense Jeannie gets up to and that she is allowed more often than not. I can't not talk about Graeme, Grant's grandfather. He has been in all the books and he is such a hoot. He is older and has no filter. He says what others are thinking, but it comes out so inappropriate at times, I had to laugh. There is adventure with robberies, possible kidnappings and some lives put at risk all with a romantic undertone. I have enjoyed this series and recommend it to lovers of Historical Fiction.

I just loved Kathleen and her little sister Jeannie! Both have such vibrant personalities. The romance with Grant was a slow burn and so so sweet. The banter between the two was so fun! I would love to read more in this series. Thank you to Netgalley, Zebra, and Vanessa Kelly for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun book filled with a lot of family dynamics amidst the romance. The drama of the bad guys stealing and stuff was an interesting addition, but I figured out who was behind it as soon as the character showed up. It was a little frustrating to have everyone so blindly miss who was behind things.

Romance, Humor, Crime Spree, Plot Twist

A refreshing, and enjoyable read. Kathleen Calvert, finds herself constantly involved in a scandal. Her parents send her away, before she ruins the chance of her brother marrying into a prestigious family. Kathleen very outspoken, enjoys drawing, landscaping, and whiskey , something a well breed young lady wouldn't do. While on her journey, Kathleen traveling with Gillian Penney, they stop to visit her family. Grant Kendrick, bookkeeper for Kendrick Shipping, and Trade, meets Kathleen, and it's instant attraction between the two. Can a perceived boring bookkeeper, and a spirited Irish lass find a balance in their lives as they fall in love?

The Highlander's Irish Bride is the fourth book in Vanessa Kelly's Clan Kendrick series. I didn't read the first three books, though they are in my Kindle to-be-read "pile". I'm glad to report, however, that this story stands alone perfectly well. It also begs the question: Just why haven't I read them yet? This one was cracking good fun, and I got to read about the other members of the Kendrick clan from the previous novels.

Kathleen Calvert is the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but you'd never know that from her behavior. Her family is currently staying in London, but all Kathleen wishes to do is to return to the family's Ireland estate to work in the gardens and spend time with the horses. When her latest prank is discovered (a "chariot" race against a male friend) and threatens her reputation, her parents decide to send her to visit her cousin at a remote Scottish estate. First is a visit to Glasgow, where she meets Grant Kendrick at his brother's home. Grant, she believes, may be the most boring man in Scotland. Grant is the most respectable Kendrick brother, and has become a respected businessman; it's hard to believe he was a hellion as a boy. Kathleen discovers that perhaps Grant isn't as boring as he seems when he protects her when their carriage is set upon by thieves while on the journey to the Highland estate. He's totally taken with Kathleen; can he win her heart while also helping to protect his family from a recent spate of robberies?

Though there were some lovely steamy bits in this book, it was the humor and familial interactions that totally grabbed me and drew me into the world of the Kendricks. I come from a family that speaks fluent smartassery, so these folks endeared themselves to me, as they spoke the same language that we do. Not only did all the family members tease each other and joke around, but they also were very affectionate and would defend each other to the death. Kathleen and Grant had the same type of repartee and I found myself laughing and smiling throughout the entire book. I adored all the Kendrick men and their wives. I must admit, however, that our hero and heroine were not my favorite characters in the book. That title goes to Angus, the Kendrick men's maternal Grandda. That man had me LMAO! He was funny as all get out, but was also charming and so caring of his family. Every scene in which he appeared was a pleasure! I liked that there was suspense in the story about robberies and other criminal deeds, even though you could figure out the villain's identity from a mile away. My only disappointment in the book was the character of Jeannie, Kathleen's younger stepsister who stowed away in her carriage on the trip to Scotland. I frankly found her to be an immature and annoying young lady. If not for her, this book would have been five stars. This book was totally worth reading despite her inclusion. You'll want to visit the endearing Kendrick family again and again!

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.

The Highlander’s Irish Bride is the fourth book in the Clan Kendrick series by USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly. It’s the first book that I’ve read in the series, and it stood quite well on its own. Many members of the Kendrick clan made appearances in this story, and I assume that they had previously had their own stories, which would enhance this book for those who have been reading the series from book one.

This book follows Kathleen and Grant. Kathleen is shipped off to Scotland by her father and stepmother in an attempt to avoid a scandal. Kathleen goes along with the plan if only to ruin her brother and sisters’ chances at suitable matches. Kathleen longs to return to Ireland, and if a stint in Scotland will get her there, she’s willing to do it. But trouble just seems to follow Kathleen. Then add Grant into the mix, and Kathleen just doesn’t have a chance.

Grant was a bit of a troublemaker in his youth but has become a respected businessman. But his family feels like something is missing in his life, and they decide to play matchmaker between him and Kathleen. There are sparks between the two, but they each feel that the other doesn’t like them and therefore don’t really act on it. However, they’re constantly put in each other’s path, and they just can’t resist once they really get to know each other.

Mix in a bit of a mystery with the well-developed characters and romance, and I felt that The Highlander’s Irish Bride was a wonderful read. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to go back and read the previous books in the series. For a fun romp through Scotland, I wholeheartedly recommend this title.

Meet the most respectable member of the Kendrick Clan in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly's intoxicating series--and the independent woman who has stolen his heart...

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy!
If you enjoy historical romance books, this book may be appealing to you!
This book is a slow burn book so please beware!
I enjoy the characters especially the hero and heroine!!! THE BANTER OMG
Please do read this book!

Though she’s from a titled family, Kathleen Calvert’s behavior is certainly not indicative of her aristocratic upbringing. She wants nothing more than to return to her family’s beloved estate in Ireland and tend to the gardens and horses and she couldn’t care less if she ever marries. Her stepmother disagrees, however, so when her wild antics threaten to ruin her reputation, she’s banished to her cousin’s estate in the Scottish Highlands where they hope she’ll learn some decorum. She’s off to a lackluster start, especially one of her escorts is a handsome, but unfortunately staid Highlander.

Grant Kendrick had plenty of misadventures during his youth and has now shocked his family by becoming the most reliable and respectable member of Clan Kendrick and a wildly successful businessman. He’s attracted to the lovely Kathleen, but unfortunately, she immediately judges him to be the most boring man she’s ever met. Fortunately for him, their journey to the Highlands affords him opportunities to show her just how interesting he can be, but Grant will have his work cut out for him keeping Kathleen safe when their remote village is threatened by a gang of thieves, as well as convincing her that a life with him is just what she wants.

This was quite the romp through Glasgow and the Highlands, and I enjoyed that aspect of the plot. I think Grant made for a lovely hero and definitely the sort of man you’d want by your side. Unfortunately, I cannot say I found the heroine to be equally likable. Kathleen was insipid and immature and of course her sixteen-year-old stepsister, Jeannie, was much worse and got just as much page time. Jeannie was a spoiled brat who got entirely too much leeway time and again and her antics took up entirely too much page time. Kathleen at times was just as reckless, nonsensical, and immature as her sister. Kathleen is supposed to be a ‘scandal’ but for the most part she did nothing but snipe at Grant for either being too boring or for not observing proper proprieties. This made her seem very wishy-washy in her characterization. This inconsistency wasn’t helped by her snapping at him for nearly three quarters of the book, then suddenly being in love with him, claiming to have been in love with him for some time and refusing to deny it any longer. This is the sort of behavior you’d expect from children who tease their crush because they don’t know how to act around them, not from a grown woman.

Kathleen griped about the childish things Jeannie said and then said essentially the same things herself. She wanted her own way just for the sake of it, even when she knew others knew better than she did. Kathleen was so hot and cold with Grant that I was just frustrated much of the time with this story. Jeannie was just idiotic in her behavior, and no one ever held her to account. Even when she herself was in danger, Kathleen could think about nothing but her sister, showing her own inability to be rational and sensible. I enjoyed the mystery element thrown in here, even if it was easy to pick out the villain, but I wish it hadn’t come with the price of making the Kendricks look like incompetent fools.

I was also annoyed by the wild overuse of words such as henwit, ninny, booby, etc., to indicate displeasure or lack of intelligence. Once or twice might’ve been fine, but these and others were constantly thrown in and it just got on my nerves, as well as the adults referring to each other as ‘old boy’ and ‘old girl’ and especially the oft repeated phrase ‘aye that.’ All of this probably bothers no one but me, but I found it annoying.

It was frustrating to me how quickly Kathleen judged Grant before even knowing him and how long it took her to see how good of a man he was when that was patently obvious to everyone else. I honestly felt bad for him having to put up with the people around him and I don’t think he ever received fair credit for the fact that he was essentially the glue holding the family together, instead he just kept getting described as boring and that frustrated me. Between the antics of Jeannie and Angus, and the irregularity of Kathleen’s behavior, this never felt like a real romance to me and I’m still not really sure how Grant fell for her. Really, I was more moved by the connection between Grant and his twin brother Graeme than anything. This was too much of a slow burn and I don’t think Kathleen and Grant had enough page time together to make their love believable. After my high hopes for this one, I’m a bit letdown by it, though I’m sure the light-heartedness of this one will appeal to many.

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

Now that was an epic adventure!

This tale starts with in London heads off to Glasgow, then to the highlands… all the while starting scandals, wrangling lovesick little sisters, skirting kidnapping, fighting highwayman and finding love!

This was a slow burn romance- but all the action and activities kept me distracted until our highlander and Irish lass finally succumb to their attraction!

Fans of the Clan Kendrick series will be pleased with most of the Kendricks making appearances and especially everyone’s favourite kooky grandpa, Angus! It was was also really nice to see Grant find resolution to past tragedies and find his HEA with Kathleen instead of focusing on taking care of the family clan always.

This was a fun and adventurous read - great for fans of the Kendriks or as introduction to this wild clan!

The Highlander’s English Bride by Vanessa Kelly was release July 26th, 2021.

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

#TheHighlandersIrishBride #VanessaKelly #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

Title: The Highlander’s Irish Bride
Author: Vanessa Kelley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥/5 (Warm on the Smut-O-Meter)
Series: Clan Kendrick #4
Tropes: Historical - Regency, Roadtrip, Only One Bed, Protector, Grumpy vs. Sunshine, Virgin trope, Suspense - mysterious thefts and fire
Content Warning: Trauma from previous death of a parent, Fire, Assault with a weapon

Vanessa Kelley continues her Clan Kendrick series. In the fourth installment, Grant Kendrick meets Kathleen Calvert. Grant is known as the stoic twin in charge of Kendrick Shipping and Trading’s Glasgow office. While he had a wild youth alongside his twin, Grant is now a bit of a spoilsport especially in his unique family. Kathleen is escaping a reputation of social faux pas. Our MCs have an instant attraction but their assumptions of the other keeps them at a distance despite their family and friends constant matchmaking. Slowly (sometimes too slowly) Grant and Kathleen get to know each other and explore their attraction.

While I think this book works as a stand-alone, Kelley places most (if not all of her books) in the same universe so characters are linked through family or friendship. Kathleen is sent to the Scotland to stay with her cousin, Sabrina (MC of Clan Kendrick #3 and married to Grant’s twin, Graeme). She is accompanied by her friend, Gillian, Duchess of Leverton (cousin to Victoria, MC of Clan Kendrick #1). Along the way they discover Kathleen’s younger sibling, Jeannie, had stowed away in one of their carriages. After stopping in Glasgow for a while, Grant and his grandfather chaperone Kathleen and Jeannie to Graeme and Sabrina’s home in the Highlands.

Jeannie causes a lot of the strife throughout the book. While some of these antics set up opportunities for Grant and Kathleen to spend time together, others were tedious and I was just pushing through them. Overall I found the story enjoyable because Grant saw Kathleen as an equal from the start. He never talked down to her or belittled her experience (an issue I had with Graeme and Sabrina’s book).

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the other two books in this series but some reason i couldn't get into this book. I loved the setting, the characters from the other books, and the main couple, but it was too slow for my taste. I did like how you got to learn about the main couple and the struggles they have to overcome enable to be together. I feel like though that the romance was very rushed and you didn't really get to see them fall in love with each other.

The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly was my very first book of her and definitely won't be my last!
This historical romance had EVERYTHING I LOVE about this genre! 😍

When Miss Kathleen Calvert has to leave her home to Scotland she meets the rather boring Mister Grant Kendrick. Well the first meeting of Kathleen and Grant is really awkward because both can't deal with their feelings... soooo is Grant Kendrick more than he seems? Or will Kathleen count the days until she can go back home?

Awww!!!! I instantly fell in love with this book right from the beginning! All the characters are so cute so funny and lovely! I fell in love with them as well!
I laughed so much and swooned and was shocked a few times!
So much happens with Kathleen and Grant and even her sister Jeannie & Co!
I really really loved The Highlander's Irish Bride and need to check out the other Vanessa Kelly books too!
Thanks to Kensington Bolks and Vanessa Kelly for the ARC via Netgalley.

♡ This is my honest review with my own words. ♡

Having read the previous books in this series, I was excited about this one. I love the main characters, Kathleen and Grant, and although their attraction was obvious from the start, there were so many additional characters involved that I was hard put to sort out one from the other, resulting in some confusion. The plot of the story is good, however, it was hidden under so much dialogue that I found myself skimming over large parts of it. Part of a series, this book does come to a successful conclusion, but I do trust that at some point Kathleen's younger sister was put over someone's knee and given the spanking she obviously deserved. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I enjoyed the ARC of Grant and Cathleen's story. Like all of the Clan Kendrick novels, it keeps your interest.

Awww, Grant finally meets his one and only. It was a nice read. Jeannie is annoying. But it was nice to see the Kendrick family again. I loved both Grant and Kathleen. It was an easy read, a steamy read with an instant attraction but a nice paced romance. Now I just have to wait for Kade

Vanessa Kelly takes readers back to Scotland for another adventure with her boisterous, meddling, and loving Kendrick clan. This time, it's twin Grant who finds himself on an unexpected journey to love with an Irish lass with a penchant for finding trouble.

When Kelly's Kendrick family is involved, I can be assured the story will be overflowing with adventure, mischief, humor, family, romance, and fun. This fourth book certainly has all of that. I enjoyed the slow-burn relationship between Kathleen and Grant. The progress of their relationship is very gradual, allowing them the time to move from acquaintances to friends to more. I liked the way they challenged one another and how each of them evolved over the course of the book. There's a sweetness to their love, along with the fire. They bring out the best in one another as, together, they are finally able to grow into their authentic selves, the people they were meant to be.

There is a rather large secondary cast of characters in the story, featuring many of the Kendrick family, which is always fun for fans of the series, as well as secondary characters from Graeme's book, The Highlander's English Bride, and new ones including an especially nasty villain. A special treat for me was the appearance of Gillian (My Fair Princess), one of my favorite Kelly heroines. She always livens up a story! Unfortunately, there was also a prominently featured character I did not enjoy: Kathleen's sister, Jeannie, an annoying, self-centered, sixteen-year-old who acted more like a spoiled, selfish child than a young woman. She dominated the story with her antics, to the point where, for me, every scene she was in overshadowed the other characters and not in a positive way. She finally redeemed herself but by then I didn't care. Others may feel differently about her but, for me, every appearance by her drained more of my pleasure from Grant and Kathleen's story. I understood her character's purpose in the overall story but I just wanted her gone.

The mystery was well plotted and even though I guessed the villain pretty early on I was still kept in suspense as to how it would all play out. The first half of the book was a slow build but the pace really picked up in the last half with both the action and romance racing to another satisfying Kendrick conclusion.

While I don't think you have to read the entire series to fully enjoy The Highlander's Irish Bride (though I loved them all), I do recommend reading at least The Highlander's English Bride as the characters, setting, and storylines from that book feature prominently in this one.

There are two Kendrick brothers left and I am eager to discover what kind of adventure, laughter, and romance Kelly has in store for them.

*ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I thoroughly enjoyed The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly. A slow burn romance, Ms. Kelly kept me on my toes with her colorful cast of characters, witty banter, and series of events that had you wondering if Kathleen and Grant were going to get their happy ever after. Although this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous books in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for receiving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the romance of Grant & Kathleen, how it slowly but steadily developed and bloomed into what could tell was a full and lasting love. they complimented and balanced each other as well as having a nice spark btwn them. it was also nice to see some of the other Kendricks and the family interactions. the story pace and touches of action and humor also added to the enjoyment of the story. alas what I didn't enjoy quite so much was the use of slang (sometimes it more heavily used than others) as, while it may have been period appropriate, it still felt out place and distracting to me. as much as I enjoyed Grant, Kathleen and the Kendricks, I found myself much less enamored of some of the secondary characters, particularly the younger sister, Jeannie, who seemed to added to the cast to just cause unnecessary trouble, conflict and drama. at least for me, I found myself dreading scenes with her involved and distracted from my enjoyment of the book and story instead.