I absolutely loved this book... so much in fact that i purchased the Audible too and cant wait to listen to it!!!
Ravenna and Courtland both complicated. Within the storyline I enjoyed a runaway bride, scandal, adventure, compromising position, villainy and sizzling romance. The storyline is well developed and strong with character that were absolutely marvelous!

I was gifted this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary and honest review.

Once a Laird is the 6th book in Rogues Redeemed by Mary Jo Putney brings us to the remote Thorsay Islands in the far north of Scotland. It is here we meet Signy Matheson who has been helping the old Laird.

Kai Ramsay has been roaming the world seeking adventure. He left home and didn’t return for many years. Until he was called home. Taking the role of Laird with Signy helping him opens him to many things including recognizing the love that is growing within him for Signy. Only problem is that Signy is ready to spread her wings to work toward her dreams.

I loved the descriptions of the people and the land of the Thorsay Islands (think they are the Orkney Islands). The wild weather and the independent nature of the people made the story come alive for me. Kai and Signy are an interesting couple who really love the people and the land. I enjoyed their love story and their struggles to find their way. Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney is a good read.

I loved this couple and the dynamic they had. I also felt for them both, each felt their freedom curtailed in a way, and was slightly resentful. But both had enough honor to do what just be done for the good of many. As their relationship and friendship evolves, and they each learn about the place they call home, I fell in love with their story, the plot that unfolds and so on. The complicated and slightly "naughty" nature of everything because of his previous relationship with her sister make things more complex and this story has so many emotions to deal with and sift through. I am coming into this as someone who has not read any of the other books of the series, and though i was slightly mystified by some of the characters, this read perfectly well as a standalone and simply made me want to read the previous books! So good! #netgalley #oncealaird

Mary Jo Putney has added another great book into her Rogue's Redeemed series. I love both the hero Kai and the heroine Signy. As always with the heroines in this series, Signy, is not simpering or missish. Her Viking roots permeate through her character. Kai, although emotionally fragile due to the death of his fiancé 12 year earlier, and the death of his grandfather upon his return to Thorsay, he portrays strength and courage. They are well matched in almost every way. Although Signy's relationship to his deceased fiancé did throw a loop into the romance.
The difficulties with his uncle that Kai runs into upon taking the past Laid's position and their archeological discoveries provide just the right amount of plot device to move the story forward.
I recommend this book for those who love a good historical romance with strong heroines. It will not disappoint.

Returning home from years abroad working as a mixture of a spy/antiquarian, Kai Ramsey Is not quite ready to assume his position as Laird of Thorsay islands. But time waits for no man,. So ready or not, when his grandfather dies, Ramsey must assume the position anyways. To make matters more complicated, the old Laird’s assistant happens to be the sister of the woman that Ramsey had loved and lost years ago. When he left Thorsay, Signy had been no more than a young girl. Now she’s a woman. A woman who has the ability to cause Ramsay’s heart to race. But it seems like she doesn’t feel the same way.

Signy doesn’t know what she feels towards Ramsey. There’s anger there, to be sure. Anger over him not being there when her sister needed him most. Anger over his ability to travel and see the world while she’s stuck. Anger over him not being there to Help run the islands. So much anger. But there’s something else too. Something she can’t quite give voice to, but that draws her closer and closer to him.

Is the past going to stand in the way of Signy and Ramsey’s future? Or is there something even more malevolent on the horizon?

—

I have an interesting relationship with Mary Jo Puntney’s works. She’s one of those authors whose stories I’m either going to absolutely love and adore or I’m going to get really really frustrated with. And I never know which is going to be which.. The author has a writing style that I love and she creates very interesting characters who for the most part I really enjoy. But every so often she’ll create a scenario, or a character, or a plot point that just lands badly for me. And unfortunately that’s what happens in this book.

So this looks to be the conclusion of the Rogues Redeemed series, which is a spinoff series of her Lost Lords series. Thankfully, you don’t need to read the previous 12 or so books to understand this one, although it would help. That said, this book is the most standalone and features the least amount of characters from the previous books. Point of fact, the first mention of an importance of any of the previous characters in the books doesn’t come about until about the 75% mark. So if you’re looking to see your old favorites and interactions with previous characters, you’re going to have to wait a bit. I’ll be honest I haven’t read all of the Rogues Redeemed series, so I was confused coming into this book is just to Ramsey was. It’s not revealed until about 85% of the way through the book what his name was when he was part of the prisoners in that basement during the peninsular wars. I don’t know if it’s meant to be a surprise, or if it was just a slip. But I don’t feel comfortable revealing who he was because the reveal happened so late.

However as with all of Mary Jo Putney‘s works, there are often very difficult subjects and subject matters that are tackled in the text. And this book is no exception. I need to provide trigger warnings for the following: miscarriage, death in childbirth, parental death, guardian/parent death on the page, Animal injury, period. appropriate sexism, implied parental abuse, Implied parental sexual assault, period appropriate colonialism, and others I might be missing. Please use care when reading this book and make sure you’re in a good place before doing so.

I’m conflicted and frustrated with this book. There are parts of it that I really liked, like I liked parts of Ramsey learning how to be a good Laird. But at the same point I felt that the stakes were very very low and the big conflict and the sword of Damocles been hanging over Ramsey‘s head regarding his lairdship is solved in a manner that I found really unsatisfactory. It came out of nowhere narratively.. so while it made sense it wasn’t built up to appropriately, at least in my opinion. I also liked that Sydney had her own goals and drive. She wants to leave the island and study under a particular artist to learn to be a better painter. That’s a great goal my problem is that her character arc of wanting to leave the islands and pursue her own Destiny isn’t handled well. It would be a spoiler to get into it but I felt honestly angry and very let down by how her character arc is handled. It was frankly misogynistic and she lost all of her agency. Also this is once again a situation where the female character Hass to give up her hopes and dreams for love/the hero. It bothers me. It also bothers me how plot points were solved in someways way too quickly and then others seemingly forgotten until they were forcibly shoehorned back into the narrative. Also it was very clear who the villain was going to be and so there was no surprise and no tension. The book just really felt in a weird way super low stakes and anytime there was any hint of rising tension it got solved just way too quickly so the book felt one note in a weird way.

The writing style is still very good. And very readable if you like Putney‘s other work, which I do. It’s pretty clear that she’s setting up a new series probably centered around these islands which are based off of the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Thankfully they are fictional which means that you aren’t getting into some of the weirdness with it. And the reality of what it was like to be An archaeologist/antiquarian in that time period is fairly accurate. While it might feel anachronistic that the amount of care that Ramsey shows to the dig sites, there were archaeologists/antiquarians who did show the same level of care: for example I can think of is a specific Island up in Norway that was explored in the 1830s and has meticulous notes on it that are as good as today’s.

The romance between Ramsey and Signy also frustrated me. I didn’t like how pushy Ramsey was towards Signy and while he said he was going to respect her wishes his actions said otherwise. I also felt that Signy got over her antagonism toward Ramsey way too fast. I liked the characters I didn’t necessarily like them together. It was frustrating.

In all, this is a book that I would recommend if you are a fan of Mary Jo Putney and you are a completionist. It’s also one that is definitely going to appeal to lovers of old school romance. That said, the book didn’t land for me the way I wanted it to.

Two and a half stars rounded up to three.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGaley

✨✨✨Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book! ✨✨✨

This was a wonderful, sweet historical romance, and a great continuation of this series. There is something so quietly beautiful about Mary Jo Putney’s writing.

Kai is summoned home to Scotland by Signey, who is the sister of his fiancée who died years ago. Signey holds some anger towards Kai regarding her sister’s death, which makes for an intense and emotional reunion between them.

That anger is dealt with pretty quickly, which I was glad for. It was kind of understandable, but it would have gotten annoying if it had been dragged on. It was also refreshing that they both communicated and got things out in the open right away instead of not talking about important issues.

This was a beautiful story, and I think I want to go back and read the other books in the series that I haven’t read yet.

After twelve years away, Kai Ramsay returns to Scotland after twelve years away he’s called home to Thorsay Islands. He’s hoping to see his grandfather before he dies and he takes on the role of laird. Signy Matheson has blossomed into a beautiful young woman while Kai was away traveling the world. She’s been taking care of his grandfather and now looks at him with loathing in her eyes. A captivating story of where Kai knows he needs Signy to teach him everything she knows, everything she learned from his grandfather while he was away, but that doesn’t help the longing and sexual tension between friends as they navigate their feeling and emotions. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the great book.

Mary Jo Putney’s Once A Laird is a slow burning romance set in an atmospheric Scottish island.

The story starts with our hero, Kai Ramsey being summoned back home from the Continent as his grandfather is dying and needs him to step up as laird. He reconnects with Signy, the old Laird’s right hand woman and the younger sister of his late first love. He is intrigued by her, but Signy is eager to depart and pursue her artistic dreams. However, she agrees to assist him in adjusting to his new role amidst life threatening weather, financial difficulties, intrigue and their not-so secret developing feelings for each other.

The protagonists in this book have a core of practicality and definite strong streak of responsibility as they serve the people of Thorsay. Interwoven with their mundane duties, their barely suppressed attraction to each other leads them to behave uncharacteristically. (Much to my delight!)

I would have liked more of a focus on the romance, but enjoyed the story overall.

This is the he final book 📖 n the Rogues Redeemed series. It wasn't one of my favorites. I found the book slow and a little boring. It had some intrigue, some romance. But nothing really riveting, nothing to capture and keep my attention. I thought the best part was the end where the Rogues reunited.
3 stars
I want to thank netgalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

I have read all but one of the previous books in this series and enjoyed them all. This one was pleasant, but I found myself skipping ahead so I guess I got a little bored with the island travelogue. 2 stars.

I loved this story! At the beggining I was afraid it will be dark and sad (part of the story evovles about Sig's sister that passed away years ago and was Kai's fiancee).

Plot:
Kai returns home to see dying grandfather and takes his place as laird. Signy was old laird's assistant and everyone loves her. Kai can't believe that she transformed in a "nordic godess" and quickly falls in love with her. And so is Singy although she still thinks he belongs to her sister not her.

While teaching Kai how to become a laird and travelling around with him, they develop greater feelings- but Signy wants to explore the world and become artist- she wants to escape the island for a while.
And then new plot unveils- gradfather has made high dept to his cousin and he wants money soon or else everything becomes his. Will Kai collect the money and save the land? Will Signy fly away and return back?

_________________________
Ah, I loved furry friends in here- Fiona (the dog) and Oswald (the cat).
Story focuses mainly on Sig helping Kai, and they are discovering many different spots around the land. Putney's writting was so good, that I had a feeling I was seeing the land in person. There were lots of twists and unexpected events, but I liked the fact that romance between Kai and Sig was without drama and they quickly fell in love. I loved the fact that Kai was ready to let her go as long as she returns one day to him. There were lots of romantic acts in this story.


I would like to thank NetGalley and Mary Jo Putney for sending ARC to me. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney. This is a historical romance that is the sixth of a series, but can be read as a standalone. Ramsey and Signey are interesting characters that made a very enjoyable read.

I am a bit mixed about this book. It took me three attempts to actually get into the first few chapters mainly as there is just so much information to absorb it gets overwhelming. MaryJo Putney is for certain a master at creating beautiful scenes for the imagination with her words, the problem for me was that it was a bit too much. This is a book you need to concentrate on, you need to keep up with following the story, and get to know the characters. While the author does give you an in-depth analysis of the characters and places, it was again a bit too much that I found myself wrapped up in her words and then trying to figure out what was happening in the story.
This is the first I have read in this series and with this author. I felt that if I had read the books prior it may have helped with Kai and Signy's relationship. I felt that these two, while great characters, were just slow-burning the entire time but without all the drama and angst that is typical in a historical romance book. Thus, it made for a pretty even keel romance. Even the supposedly exciting and action-packed scenes didn't really seem that great, it was just even.
This still is a very well-written and sweet romance story but for me, it really didn't end up going anywhere and was more colorful and descriptive scenes. Loved the cover art, and it's what drew me to it.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review

This book is just too long for my liking with lots of filler paragraphs and sometimes, chapters. There's a lot of internal turmoil & conflict that reading about it over and over again becomes tiring and annoying already. I wished some of the descriptions and paragraphs were omitted and told in a more concise way since long paragraphs tend to easily lose one's attention.

It's time for Kai Ramsay to give up his wandering, bid his dying grandfather goodbye and take up the mantle of Laird. It was the death of his fiancée that drove Kai away from home but it is her sister Signy who breathes new life into him and makes coming home worthwhile.
As Kai takes on the mantle, he spends the time renewing child hood acquaintances and in his quiet way making meaningful changes. It is clear that someone doesn't like what he's doing since a bullet was fired at him. Fortunately the bullet missed and Kai continues on his path.
Kai finds Signy very attractive and would like to pursue a deeper more meaningful relationship with her. But Signy who has stayed home so far wants to wander further afield and travel while Kai is now laird and bound to the land he manages.
It's only when it appears that Kai might lose everything that he truly discovers how much the people and the land of his forefathers mean to him. However his friends come to his rescue and the author gives readers a chance to catch up with all the redeemed rogues who's stories have preceded Kai's.
A slow building romance that swept me in despite myself.

Terrific conclusion to the Rogues Redeemed series. From the time he was a child, Ramsay's fascination with the past infused him with a desire to travel. Though the heir to the Laird of Thorsay, after the death of his fiancée Ramsay left Scotland to roam the world, promising to return when necessary. During his travels, he barely escaped death as a spy in Portugal (where he met the other Rogues), explored ancient ruins, and served his government in unnamed ways in Constantinople. It was there that a letter from Thorsay finally caught up with him and summoned him home. Though sad to leave Constantinople, he knew it was time and hoped to reach home before his grandfather died.

Ramsay's arrival home gets off to a rough start when he is confronted by Signy, his late fiancée's younger sister. Signy harbored some deep anger toward Ramsay, but they worked through it quickly. Signy spent the last several years serving as the old laird's assistant, devoting herself to the health and welfare of the island's people. Intelligent, compassionate, and a gifted artist, Signy can't wait to turn her duties over to Ramsay and start living the life she wants. She tells Ramsay it's her turn to travel, and she'll start with training with a woman artist in London. But first, she'll fulfill her promise to the old laird to help Ramsay settle into his new responsibilities.

I loved watching the relationship develop between Ramsay and Signy. Blown away by her transformation from a gangly schoolgirl to a Viking goddess, Ramsay can't deny the attraction he feels for her. Encouraged by his grandfather to marry Signy, Ramsay also realizes that pushing will only drive her away. Signy also feels the sparks between them, but she has plans and won't give them up. They haven't seen each other in more than a decade, but their former friendship grows stronger as they get reacquainted. I loved seeing them work together to bring Ramsay up to speed.

I loved the scenes all around Thorsay as Ramsay and Signy carried out his tour. The details of the kelp burning and the people who did it brought that facet of island life into sharp focus, along with the dangers that went along with it. The descriptions of the land and the ruins that occupy it were vivid and made me feel as though I was there. I liked how Ramsay appreciated Signy's insights and advice when it came to both people and places. I loved watching their feelings for each other grow while at the same time they are careful not to rush into anything, but wait until the time is right. There was no great drama, just the realization that they belonged together.

I ached a bit for Ramsay at the beginning as he gave up his explorations to fulfill his promise to his grandfather. I loved when Signy pointed out to him that the islands had enough ruins to keep him busy for a long time. His excitement leaped off the page when a storm uncovered a Viking ship and an ancient village. At the same time, Signy is torn between her plans and her growing feelings for Ramsay. I loved the surprise he planned for her and how it showed his love for her.

However, trouble looms on the horizon for Ramsay and Signy. The disasters that rocked Thorsay in the past created tremendous strain on the laird's finances. Ramsay's grandfather took out a loan that's about to come due, and Ramsay has no way to pay it. The loan's owner is a particularly nasty piece of work. I was glued to the pages as I waited to see what would happen, knowing that Ramsay and Signy would manage however it turned out.

In keeping with their promise in that Portuguese cellar, the book reunited all the Rogues and their ladies. I loved the timing of their arrival and their words of gratitude for Ramsay. I would have liked to see a bit more of their time on Thorsay, but overall it was fantastic.

My favorite secondary characters were the animals. The one-eyed cat, Odin, belonged to Ramsay's grandfather and later attached himself to Ramsay. Like his namesake, Odin has a strong personality and makes his presence known in many ways. Signy's dog Fiona is loyal and intelligent and proves to be a lifesaver at a crucial time. I also loved the horse Thor (the Fifth) and laughed at the scene where he insisted on visiting Signy.

I consider this a very low key romance. Any stress involved is the payment of a loan from Ramsey's successful cousin to the dying Laird. Grandson, Kai Douglas Ramsey, is the new Laird. He has been away from Mainland Thorsay for twelve years and promised to return on his grandfather's death. Establishing himself as the new Laird is easier with help from Signey Matheson the sister of his dead first love. Ramsey falls quickly, but Signey is not ready to commit. A budding artist, she wants time to study painting in oils and travel. Ramsey spent a lot of time looking for antiquities while away. Exploring his own island turns out to be an antiquarian's dream. A slow build for a romance and friends who help each other.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Once a Laird tells us the story of Kai Ramsay and Signy Matheson, two people from the remote Scotland islands of Thorsay. Kai has just gotten back to his home after years away, and to see Signy has blossomed into an independent, fierce woman. Soon, their love also blossoms.

I had heard many great things about Mary Jo Putney books before, but this is my first one. It's a good book, yet I hoped for a bit more. While I really liked the main romantic pairing and enjoyed their connection, I think the start of their romance was a bit rushed and every decision was not pondered at all. For example, Signy is hesitant at first with the idea of marriage, but then she changes her mind too quickly. I wished their relationship things would be a bit more realistic and fluid.

I also wished that the action part regarding the problems with the money owed by Kai had been more explored throughout the whole book instead of just at the end, but that is just a preference and didn't affect my opinion on the book.

I absolutely loved the characters, specially Signy, and the reading was, overall, a pleasant one, having been able to conjure in my imagination beautiful images of these made-up island.

I recommend this to anyone who liked Bridgerton, for sure, and historical-fiction set in Europe. Lovers of fluffy romance with a bit of spice will also love this.

This was my first book from this author and it will not be my last.
I really enjoyed her writing style and this story.
FYI this is a slow burn.

After years away and many adventures, Kai Ramsay is returning home to Scotland. The last letter he received from home informs him of his grandfather's impending death.

Upon his return, he is shocked to see that Signy Matheson has blossomed into quite a beautiful woman. She's been the old laird's right hand.

Though they have a complicated past she's promised to help Kai become accustomed to his new role as laird and work together for the people of Thorsay.

Thanks so much to the publishers, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

I love Mary Jo Putney, and she is mostly brilliant. This book had two really interesting and charming main characters. Kai Ramsay has spent over decade away from the Scottish island of Thorsay, working for the British in the Middle East and indulging his love of antiquities. The deal he made with his grandfather, is that he could have his freedom to travel, and then return to take up his responsibility as laird to be. Signy Matheson is the younger sister of Kai's fiancee who died many years before. She has grown to be Kai's grandfather's right hand woman, and she is clever, capable and well respected.

When The old Laird is on his deathbed, Kai is summoned home, and after a initially hostile meeting, Signy and Kai soon find a bond develops between them. Kai has to lean on SIgny to show him the difficulties the islanders have experienced, after some devastating storms,and the debt his grandfather has acquired to bail them out. As they grow closer, the financial worries become ever more troublesome, and the weather worsens. Can they save the islanders and the Laird's estate, or will Kai have to lose everything.

Their developing relationship causes some complications as Signy has been yearning to develop her artistic skills by studying with a master, and to travel the world.

The creation of the fictional island of Thorsay is wonderful, including the harsh weather, the beautiful landscape, the mix of Viking and Scottish history, and the uncovering of ancient ruins is wonderful, it feels well rounded, multilayered and very real. I also loved the way the relationship developed between Kai and Signy.

My only issue was the early scenes between the two protagonists - the dialogue and set up felt very clunky and forced. Once the plot details around Gisella and Kai's history were delat with the story felt much more natural and unforced.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.