This story is really an emotional heart string tugger. Honestly, Liam and Evelyn's story gave me some complicated feelings. Liked it I did but there were just certain things that kind of didn't set right for me. Not big things and nothin make or break but pet peevish things I guess. I found it super easy to feel for these characters, in fact my heart ached for each of them. This is definitely and engaging read but not always an easy one on your heart. This book does include some content that may be triggers for some readers. None of it is graphic but many things are mentioned, so please be aware and take care of you.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband is the third book in the Clan MacKinlay series by Allison B. Hanson. A steamy romance with scenes that have a little heat. The characters are well-written with lots of drama that will keep you turning the pages. While this is the third book in the Clan MacKinlay series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel.

Well, I might need to take a break reading Allison B. Hanson. The first book was amazing! I really enjoyed it. However, the last book and this one just didn't have characters I was fully onboard with. In the second book, it was the hero who I didn't feel was a good one for the story, and in this book, it's the heroine I take issue with. Not that she's a bad person or doesn't deserve a happy ending. However, the hero is a sweet lovebug who doesn't deserve to be used the way he is. I was really upset by both their stupidity when they decided to run away together, and then when out pops her four-year-old daughter following their wedding, I was really not happy. You don't wrangle a young man into marrying you against your father's wishes, knowing it will cause a lot of issues, and not tell the man that you are a mother. For goodness sake. I didn't feel like the heroine really appreciated the situation she was causing, and the hero was too gullible and kind to think about the bad decisions he was making. Just did not work for me at all.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband
Book 3 in the Clan MacKinlay Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

******SPOILERS AHEAD********


Her Forbidden Highlander is the third book in the series and tells the story of Liam MacKinlay and Evelyn Stewart. I'll start by saying that this is not a light read, since we see how Evelyn is still suffering the consequences to what happened to her three years ago. She sees Liam's marriage proposal as an escape from her father's plans of marrying her to an heir to another clan. Poor Liam....he marries her because he fell in love with her when he first met her. ( His clan is who rescued her from the group of men who had abused her). Liam has a very sad backstory and at his twenty years of age still feels that he doesn't belong and sees his marriage to Evelyn as a way to finally have the family he always desired.
Why the 3 stars?
I liked the story, but I wished I would of loved it like the previous two. This story has many sad and upsetting situations happening. Like I mentioned earlier, this is not a light, happy go lucky read. Most of the time I just wanted to cry for Liam or Evelyn because of what they had gone through or for how the past was still hurting them. I feel bad for what happened to Evelyn, but for some reason I think she wasn't ready to fall in love. She's still dealing with her trauma and finally being able to be with her daughter without having to go behind her father's back. If she would of gotten more time to adjust to finally being with her daughter and not have the pressure to accept Liam's feelings she wouldn't of reacted or said some hurtful things to him. I liked Liam, but I think him being twenty years still needed a little growing up. I loved that he had a big heart and welcomed Gwen since day one as his daughter.
Also, some the scenes felt a little repetitive and by the 54% mark it seemed that the biggest obstacle had been overcome. Therefore for the rest of the story I got a little bored.
I do recommend if you read this one, please read the previous two so you can meet the other two couples that we see in this one. ( I gave book two 5 stars.)

A very touching and emotional story. Liam was an orphan adopted into Clan MacKinlay and now he has been made War Chief. He is a brawny young man who is sensitive and kind. He is well loved by all who know him. Evelyn is a young woman, the daughter of a powerful Laird, who has experienced a devastating trauma. She is determined to retake her life despite everything. The author does an amazing job of discussing the very sensitive issues that Evelyn and Liam have to deal with. There is also a beautiful picture created of family with the children that come with the couple. The couple overcomes resounding odds to create a beautiful and loving family.

Liam MacKinlay is certain that when he asks for Evelyn Stewart’s hand in marriage, the third time’s the charm. For hasn’t he risen to war chief of the clan MacKinlay, a seasoned warrior, and an honoured member of the clan that took him in as a child? But once again, her father denies Liam the lass he lost his heart to years ago. Daughter of the Laird of the Stewart clan, Evelyn is expected to perform her daughter’s duty, including marry for the better of the clan even if that’s against her will. But upon learning her father plans to trade her to to the heir of the Morgan clan in exchange for cattle, she will do almost anything to escape the future set out before her including running away and marrying Liam MacKinlay.
This is the third book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own, the two previous books do set the scene for this one. The characters were well portrayed & had depth, I liked both Liam & Ev but I didn’t love them. I preferred Liam to Ev but I found it hard to reconcile the ruthless warrior with the almost meek man at home, he was honourable, loving & had a heart of gold but he also had insecurities. Ev had suffered terribly at the hands of the McCurdys & found it hard to move forward but I applauded her for trying & finally succeeding, I didn't like that she deceived Liam for so long. Their road to a HEA wasn't easy & in the end had a very surprising turn. A well written book that was evenly paced & was full of emotion & not the typical highlander romance
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book.
Liam was abandoned as a child and has dream of having his own family since. Since he helped rescue Evelyn she has become part of that dream.
Evelyn's father wants to marry her off for the sake of the clan but Evelyn is desperate to escape.
When Liam returns to ask for her hand yet again she runs away with him since she has no other option.
Evelyn frustrated be a times even when it made sense where she was coming from. And Liam was truly too good to be true.
Overall I liked the book and would check out something else by this author.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband is a hard book to read at times, in part because of events that happened off page prior to the start of this book. That's where the trigger warning comes in, and I'll put it at the bottom of this review. It's not necessarily a spoiler because we learn about it quite early on, but I still want to give y'all the option. It's also a hard book to read because it's fairly slow and the heroine isn't always particularly likeable. (And then I feel bad saying that because of the aforementioned trigger warning. She does deserve a break, but I still found some of her behavior really annoying.)

So Evelyn is the daughter of a laird who wants to marry her off to the son of a neighboring clan in exchange for cattle. Evelyn wants no part of that, so when she overhears Liam begging for her hand in marriage for the third time and being rejected, she decides to seek him out. They marry in haste and leave before anyone notices they're gone. Their destination is clan McKinley where Liam serves as the war chief and is close enough to the current laird to consider him a brother. Liam has lived with this clan since he was found wandering a field alone when he was around 4.

The path forward isn't easy for Evelyn and Liam. She has serious things in her past that she needs to deal with. Fortunately for her, Liam is extremely patient and kind. They eventually get through a majority of their hardships, but the fact remains that her father has tracked her down and insists that she gets an annulment and be returned to marry the laird's son.

Despite of the promise of a clan war, most of this book focuses on Evelyn and Liam figuring their way out together. Because of Evelyn's past, the time is necessary. From a reader's perspective however, it does seem to make things drag. There are times when Evelyn even comes across this selfish in spite of her intentions being described as pure.

This book is supposedly the third in a series though it's the first one that I've read. A lot of the critical elements surrounding Evelyn's past seem to have happened in the previous novel (though I'm not certain of that fact). A prologue or something to catch the reader up would not be a bad idea.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Sexual assault/rape (off page and happened before the book starts), child abuse, domestic abuse

This is the third book in the Clan MacKinlay series, but can be read as a standalone.

I have to say that this series is one of the first series I ever read that was a highlander/ historical romance and sent me down a very long journey of reading these kinds of book for over a year now. That being said this one was a hard read for me. I loved Liam in the first two books and was glad he got his own story. Evelyn is a hard character to fall in love with, even understanding her tragic / trauma filled past, it feels a lot of the time she is just using this wonderful man who loves her. Though saying that Liam comes to find out quickly he doesn't really know what love is and is very confused/ hurt a lot. I enjoyed that Liam went searching for answers and ways to help him better understand Evelyn and loving a woman. Those scenes with characters from early books made my day. I loved Liam and Gwennie together and how he just loved her from the start and in his own way he wanted this to be away for him to repay the kindness done to him when he was a boy. The surprise spin at the end is worth powering through this book,. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Based on the description of Liam - this cover is perfect for Her Forbidden Highlander Husband.
It is truly SPOT ON!

Liam met the love of his life after he rescued her from a dire situation, but Evelyn is unaware of his affections. After many years apart, Liam set his sights on her hand in marriage. Armed with a letter of support from his clan, he sets out to seek her fathers approval. Evelyn's father rejects his offer, as he has determined Evelyn must align his clan to another, and the price his daughter's hand in marriage. Determined to leave the constraints of her father rule, Evelyn runs away with Liam and secretly marries.

Liam and Evelyn have troubled pasts and haunts that still terrorize their dreams. Both have endured their fare share of poor choices except this one, their lives together. The happily ever after they dream is riddled with bumps along the way and the treat of a clan war.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband is an endearing story of overcoming hardship to find happiness even after a few surprises you can't predict. This can be read as a stand along in the series.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for the complimentary copy.

Liam, Liam, Liam, oh how I loved his and Evelyn's story. Lots of angst between these two, as they both long for similar things. But they both have trauma that affects them as they try to move forward.

Liam sets off with his laird's permission to once again ask for Evelyn Stewarts' hand in marriage. He has been pining for Evelyn for quite some time now, having lost his heart to her years ago. He figures his position as war chief will help her father see that he can take care of his daughter.
But once again the Stewart laird rejects Liam's request.

Evelyn has always done what is expected of her. Especially after she was kidnapped by McCurdy men a few years earlier. Ever since then her father has grown distant and can barely look her in the eye. When her father tells her she is to marry the Morgan heir in exchange for the cattle, she knows she must find a way out. And when she overhears Liam's request and that he has asked before, she decides to take her chances with him, remembering how kind he was when he escorted her home after the kidnapping.

Their marriage starts off a little rocky. Evelyn is still shaken up by what happened to her and keeps her husband at arm's length as they try to get to know each other and grow as a couple and a family. Something Liam has always longed for.

Thanks so much to Entangled, the Auhtor and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Liam MacKinlay was taken and raised as family after he was found alone and wandering on MacKinlay land as a young child, and since that day he has tried to be worthy of the honor the MacKinlays did for him by taking him, and more than anything, he wants his own family. But after meeting Evelyn “Ev” Stewart when he was part of the rescue party that saved her from the McCurdys that abducted and held her captive, he added another wish to his list – Ev as his wife. Over the past few years, he has asked her father for her hand and been refused twice. Now he plans to ask a third time, but this time he comes as the War Chief of the MacKinlay clan and hopes the title will hold some sway with her father. Sadly, it doesn’t and Liam is rejected once more and sent on his way. As he is leaving, Ev confronts him in the stable and tells him that she will marry him – now.

Liam can’t believe his good fortune, he marries Ev, and just as they are setting out to return to his home at Dunardry, Ev runs to a cottage in the village and returns with a small girl, who she introduces as her daughter Gwendolyn. Liam takes this surprise in stride and accepts Gwennie as his own without question. Ev then makes it clear that after the abuse she endured at the hands of the McCurdys that she cannot abide a man’s touch and in doing so, shatters Liam’s dreams of children of his own, but he takes this in stride as well, happy to have Ev in his life any way he can have her. But things go from bad to worse when they arrive at Dunardry and Liam realizes that what he thought was love was just a fantasy, he couldn’t love Ev because he never really knew her and with the patience of a saint, Liam sets out to get to know his wife.

Slowly, Ev warms up to Liam and even begins to desire him, something she never thought would happen, they not only become intimate, but they also take in more children and form the family Liam always dreamed of having, but Ev is keeping secrets from him, secrets that could cause a multi-clan war. Even when her father demands Liam annul their marriage and Ev’s return, Ev doesn’t reveal the real reason – that her father has promised her hand in marriage to the heir of the Morgan Clan. Instead, she breaks Liam’s heart by agreeing to surrender to her father, rather than let the MacKinlays go to war. But Liam isn’t willing to let her go and after making some emotional realizations, rides out with his “brothers” to confront her father and gets the shock of his life in a twist that will change everything!

I am not sure how to rate this book because while the story was excellent, I had a really hard time liking Evelyn and I found Liam to be a bit too beta, but as the story progressed, they both began to grow on me and by the end of the story, I loved them both. This is not your run-of-the-mill historical romance, Liam is a beta hero with a huge heart of gold and Evelyn is a survivor of rape and captivity. In the beginning, Ev is very hard to like, she uses Liam and treats him very badly, but slowly, Liam's innate goodness prevails and she learns to trust and love him. The book has a lot of emotion, some triggers, warm love scenes, surprising revelations, shocking twists, familial love, acceptance, and finally a very sweet HEA. This book is the third book in the series, but I didn’t read the previous stories and I was able to follow the backstory with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*

this was the first book i've read of this author and series. and while i could follow there is definitely a back story that feels is connected to another book so i felt a little lost. the story is medium paced with no action and a lot of miscommunication and misgivings. Ev acts childish in many ways.

This story will pull at your heartstrings and warm your heart. I have read the first 2 books in the Clan MacKinlay series and loved them both but I think this one is my favourite so far. So many emotions across the pages with characters you won't soon forget!

Liam and Evelyn’s story is not one for the faint of heart and be prepared for subjects that can trigger upset but the love these two will have for each other makes it all worth it in the end. I thought this story beautifully written and with a sensitivity that I appreciate.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Her Forbidden Highlander Husband’s ending was not what I expected at all. I did not pick up on the clues. When you read this sweet addition to the Clan MacKinlay series, pay attention. One of the things I love about Allison Hansen books is the sense of family that comes through on the pages. We get to be a part of the clan as the warrior chief, Liam, weds and woos Evelyn Stewart. Evelyn keeps her secrets close to her chest, not telling Liam that she has brought possible war to his clan by asking him to marry her, and not telling him about her daughter from the kidnapping and mistreatment years earlier.

Liam rescued Evelyn from her kidnappers in an earlier; so, understood her fear of men. He did not like it, but he was so very caring and careful with her mind and her body, winning her heart in the process. Evelyn knew Liam to be kind and gentle, but she still struggled with trust. Watching their relationship develop into the loving one it became is precious.

Liam as Scottish warrior is as manly as it gets, as a father is as endearing as it gets. Evelyn was slow to trust, but she could not have chosen a better man for her sweet daughter. Even the ending shows that Liam sees what is important in life and cherishes it. Evelyn has a keeper.

I obviously loved this one again, just like the first two books in the series!

This book is really endearing and special to me since it involves children and adoption, and shows us that blood relation isn't a requirement to be a part of a family. I also appreciate how the author doesn't shy in weaving harder topics such as victim-blaming, rape culture, adoption, and trauma in this book in a way that it is handled well with proper research and most importantly, care, and is genuine and felt true for who the characters are.

However, Evelyn is definitely my least favorite heroine from this series. I'm just annoyed at her for not immediately telling Liam about her supposed-to-be wedding with the other clan. Like, she was able to divulge her secrets and trauma to him but not the arranged marriage part where that fact can cost the lives of MacKinlay men on war? Make it make sense, Evelyn. We have also seen the gradual buildup of Evelyn's trust in Liam and we loved to see it. However, by the 58% mark and until the 80% mark, she was basically still not trusting him because if she did then why would she not divulge her arranged marriage to him? Evelyn is probably the most annoying heroine in this series so much.

Liam definitely saved this book for me! We love an understanding, loving, caring, and genuinely good person as a husband. The ending felt rushed and lack of build-up for me, but I just did not mind any of those since I'm happy for Liam and I just want the book to be over so that his happy ending is set in stone. The only thing that I loved in the ending is the plot twist, and maybe Evelyn finally starts making sense. Thank God.

Objectively speaking, I'm a bit lukewarm at the ending and how this book generally concludes. I hate that Evelyn's horrible father, who shames her for something that's never her fault, was forgiven easily and it's not even a sincere apology! That's the only thing that infuriates me from the start and until the end of this book. I just want more from it and from Evelyn's character arc, but it's just not there.

Overall, the author is really commendable for how great the characterization of all the characters in this series and how genuine and authentic they felt to me, not just as a character in a book, but as a human being. Her writing and characters really continue to make me love this clan so much and I hope she writes more highland romance, especially focusing on Clan MacKinlay.

Evelyn Stewart always thought she was the loved daughter of the Laird. That was until a few years ago. Now all she's worth is a herd of cattle . There is no way she can submit to marrying a stranger just to please her father.

Liam MacKinley is now the war chief of his clan. Perhaps that will help him win the approval of the father of the woman he dreams of making his wife.

Our hero has dreamt all his life of having a loving family to call his own. Real life doesn't usually live up to our dreams. He has faced a lot of heartache, now he must accept what he gets.

Our heroine knows she is worthless. She just needs a safe place to live.

A very emotional historical romance filled with as many giggles as tears. This book is part of a series involving this Clan, where the children are multiplying almost as quickly as the bunnies. Each book can be read on it's own, but as a series it's better to read in order.

Great fun.

I adored this richly emotional love story!

The theme of this series sets up honorable Highlander heroes rescuing their damsels in distress through the strategic use of marriage. This third book is different than the earlier two in that Liam has fancied himself in love with Evelyn ever since he took part in rescuing her from a horrifyingly traumatic attack four years ago. He's asked her father for her hand several times, being rebuffed each time. Now as his clan's war chief, he thinks he's proven himself worthy of her and sets off to try again.

Once Evelyn finds out why Liam is there, and why he's suddenly leaving, she takes matters into her own hands and proposes that they elope. Even though the last thing in the world she wants is a husband, she realizes that marrying Liam is the only way she can escape her current predicament. Liam doesn't much care why, he's just thrilled to finally marry the girl of his dreams.

And this is where the story really starts, as these two figure out how to make the best of their marriage, especially once all the secrets are out and Liam understands the extent - and limitations - of Evelyn's marital expectations. This is a gentle, compassionate story that employs the earlier couples and saves the best secrets for last.

I really enjoyed reading this romance. As much as I adored the earlier two, I loved this one the most. Liam's heart was so tender, so open for Evelyn that we couldn't help but fall in love with him. I especially loved how the life-changing secret revealed at the end didn't really change who they were in their hearts. Sometimes I wished that Evelyn could have been a little more brave, but she was balanced by Liam, who was brave enough for an entire army.

After a terrifying and devastating original meeting, these two enjoy one of the sweetest HEAs ever. I couldn't have loved this more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Oh, Evelyn tried my patience a few times. Granted, she had been through the worst life has to offer and understandably had problems with trust, safety, and men, but Liam was the most likely candidate to ever make her feel somewhat safe again in life. Sure, she had to trick him a bit and she withheld more than she shared at times but she did have her reasons. Some weren’t very smart reasons, but they still felt like the best option to her at the time.

As for Liam, I truly felt for him. He wanted a family and Evelyn more than anything, so he would take both any way he could get them. And eventually, his patience and sheer goodness would win Evelyn over and prove to her that he was one to be trusted and relied upon. And I had to adore his candor with others when asking how to make certain things better or easier for Evelyn.

I enjoyed this story immensely and, while the ending felt like it was the only conclusion possible, the journey to get there was still twisty and bendy and gave everything I could’ve wanted for Liam, Evelyn, and their growing family. I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author now.

This is book is book 3 in the Clan Mackinlay series. In this story we have Liam finally getting the woman he has asked for 3 times. I really enjoyed this a great deal it was a good interesting read. I am looking forward to more in the series.