When the banished Campbell clan attacks Castle Sween, their former holding, killing both the laird and his brother, Ross MacMillian, the former laird’s nephew must step up and lead the clan. His first order of business is to secure allies and to do that, he will arrange marriages for himself and his siblings Fergus and Elspeth. He agrees to marry Laird MacDonnell’s eldest daughter Lilidh in exchange for supplies and warriors. But he is not able to travel to MacDonnell’s holding since he is busy trying to repair the damage done to Sween and prepare for another attack. Instead, he sends his friend Dougal to collect his bride and agrees to marriage by proxy. It isn’t until his bride arrives at Castle Sween that he learns that he has been deceived, his bride is not Lilidh, but is the middle sister, Ilysa, who is rumored to be deformed.

Ilysa MacDonnell had been at a nunnery on Iona for three years when her father’s men arrived in the dead of night and took her back to her father’s castle. When she arrives she is informed that she is to marry the MacMillian, but is surprised at the ceremony that the priest uses her sister’s name. Afterward, her father tells her to sign the marriage papers with her own name. And then sends her to Ross. Years ago Ilysa’s arm was damaged and is now completely useless, an injury that caused her former betrothed to cry off and shame her in front of her clan, an act that lead to her banishment to Iona. She knows her father deceived Ross and is prepared for him to punish her for that deceit. But to her surprise, Ross accepts her and is kind. Giving her hope that she might at long last find happiness.

Despite his kindness, Ross doesn’t trust his new wife and is sure she is a party to her father’s true machinations. But as he gets to know her, he changes his mind and believes she is just as much a victim of her father as he is and slowly begins to fall in love with her. But when conflicting reports suggest that Ilysa was complicit with her father’s schemes, Ross is faced with a dilemma, trust the woman he has come to love or believe the reports from his trusted spies?

This was a very well-written, nicely paced book with wonderful characters who are faced with a lot of betrayals. The book sets up the series nicely and is filled with action, emotion, betrayal, steamy love scenes, trust issues, insecurities, great secondary characters, a nasty set of villains, and finally a hard-won HEA. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read, but I did feel like the trust issues were too repetitive and dragged on a little too long for it to be a 5 star read. This is the first book in a three author collaboration series and I am happy to recommend this title and am looking forward to reading Fergus and Elspeth’s stories!

*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.*

Riveting love story!

As the new chieftain, Ross needs to marry and solidify an alliance at the same time. Only, the wife he thought he was getting was replaced by her father with her less-favored sister. This romance beautifully centered on the careful development of Ross and Ilysa's connection in the midst of impending attack, deceitful allies, and even treachery within her family. It's a sweet story of finding one's self-worth, trusting each other, and fitting in with her new clan.

The writing couldn't be better, with realistic descriptions that render an aura of authenticity, making the reader feel right in the midst of the action. I enjoyed this story immensely, and highly recommend it for anyone who loves medieval highlander romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

This is my first 1300s historical romance and man oh man I'm a fan! Add in Scotland - clans- fighting-war- horrible fathers- chess game of life- and one sweet new husband and you have me forever! I just love this switching of the brides and it turned out he got the good one. Loved the build up for the series and I know need them soon! I'm in love with this clan and this couple. Leading lady goes from almost nun to badass saving of her husband. We get steam with some very sweet love with it all.

I can't wait for more of this series!

4.5 stars
3.5 steam

Thanks to the publisher for.a copy of this book via net galley.

Ross MacMillan did not get the wife he wanted; instead, he got the wife that he needed. Handicapped, Ilysa, did not think that she would ever marry. When her father forces her to act as a pawn in a game that he is playing against Ross, she finds love and acceptance. There are so many stories where a beautiful woman sees past a man's physical imperfections. It was great to see a man who was willing to provide unconditional love and help his partner feel whole. Ross completes Ilysa and vice versa. Of course, there have to be conflicts between the hero and heroine; however, their last conflict did not make sense, especially after how they had already bonded. There were a few times towards the end of the book where the writer summarized the action rather than describing it, making the story rushed and feel flat. This was disappointing given how great the book started. Still, Ross and Ilysa's story is touching, and you'll want to read the rest of the series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

This book has some plot holes and ends with an HFN, but the series arc looks compelling and it was a fast-paced read.

Book: The Highlander’s Substitute Wife
by Terri Brisbin

Series: A Highland Alliances #1

Publisher: Harlequin

Release Date: 1/25/2022

Book Rating: 5/5 stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags


Caistéal Suibhne (Castle Sween)
Argyll, Scotland, 1360

Twenty years ago Alexander Campbell became a traitor and enemy of their King, therefore his lands and holdings were awarded to the MacMillan clan. This elder Campbell was an enemy the MacMillan’s never expected to see again, but they very much miscalculated. As the MacMillan clan were not prepared for an attack and were late in sounding an alarm to warn everyone! They had been over confident and not guarding and protecting their lands, people and castle as they should have been. Now the elder Laird had a full grown son and the MacMillan’s didn’t even know what other clans might be aiding them and becoming their allies in this battle.

Ultimately, the Macmillan clan were annihilated, where half the clan, villagers and even their cheiftain was wiped out. Now the commander of the clan Ross MacMillan was the new young laird and he knew they needed help financially and more warriors to fight besides starting to repair and rebuild all the Campbell’s destroyed. They needed to find allies and other clans support so this won’t happen again. The best way to do this was through marriage alliances. Ross also had two younger siblings, Fergus and Elspeth, who he sent away for protection and to wait for their arranged marriages as well. Of course neither is happy about these forced alliances with strangers, but each of them must do their duty to save and strengthen their clan. Plus they knew they would be attacked again and they must be prepared this time so they would survive and win this battle.

Now Ross had made arrangements with Iain MacDonnell for a marriage alliance with his eldest daughter Lilidh which included gold and warriors to help rebuild and aid his clan for the next battle. Except he tricks him and gives him the wrong daughter, as it is his beautiful younger daughter Ilysa, the deformed nun. Though to look at her it was difficult to spot the deformity which was a lame arm. This was a temendous insult to Ross and his clan to be promised one wife and given a different wife then what was promised. Ross knew if he refused this marriage he would be declaring war with another clan and playing right into Iain MacDonnell hand and would lose everything! Now he wonders if she was sent to spy on them as was she part of this insult. It was to promise one daughter and get another, but the more he gets to know this daughter the more he wants and desires this woman.

Ilysa had been humiliated by a broken betrothal and was sent away to a nunnery three years ago. She had been physically abused by her father all her life and her sister abused her mentally. After this experience she never wanted to marry again and even though this was a punishment she loved the abbey and the nuns who lived here. She would of been happy to live their her entire life, but she knew she could never take her vows to become a nun, as her cruel father would find another way to use her to line his pockets. She assumed Ross would be another abusive, hateful, man that would beat her like her father to get his way. Ilysa found this attractive, young, laird different then most men especially a man who would never lift a hand to beat her. They both have trust issues and find it difficult to open their hearts and easier to believe lies and stories made up by others. Is Ilysa just the Trojan horse her father sent to spy and weaken the MacMillan clan who will ultimately be destroyed? Will Ross not realize and treasure what’s right in front of him? Another magnificent Terri Brisbin novel that readers don’t want to miss!

Terri Brisbin is one on of my favorite authors that I absolute love, I have been reading her wonderful books for over twenty years and never disappointed. Again, this new Highland Alliances series where hers is the first book and where authors Jenni Fletcher and Madeline Martin follow. It’s another extraordinary read that I could not put down, I do warn it’s not all unicorns and rainbows and have a handy box of tissues nearby. Yes it’s definitely emotional where at some points it had me in tears! A book readers will absolutely love and I highly recommend. I can’t wait to read Jenni Fletcher and Madeline Martin’s books next!

Highland Alliances Convenient marriages to save their clan!

Book 1: The Highlander''''s Substitute Wife by Terri Brisbin 1/25
Book 2: The Highlander''''s Tactical Marriage by Jenni Fletcher 2/22
Book 3: The Highlander's Stolen Bride by Madeline Martin 3/29'


Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Harlequin Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.


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typical historical romance with a a highland, didn't love it didn't hate it. It was fairly easy to predicate what was going to happen.

The story was choppy, but okay until the end where it just fell completely apart.
The evil sister was almost too cartoon in her characteristics. The other characters were okay but shallow.
The ending has this weird misplaced paragraph that tries to explain something but I read it three times and was still confused. Then it is rushed to end.
Needs heavy edits and rewriting.

I really liked The Highlander's Substitute Wife! I do think Ross should have groveled better and longer, but that's just me. A nice way to spend an afternoon.
3. 5 stars rounded up to 4.

The Highlander’s Substitute Wife is a wonderful historical romance that follows Ross MacMillan and Ilysa MacDonnell. Ross is shocked when he lifts his bride’s veil and realizes she is not the woman he agreed to marry. Instead, it is Ilysa, the younger sister of his intended. Ross needs this union to protect his lands and people, and he knows he must accept Ilysa as his wife. However, he can’t help question the switch. What is Ilysa’s father up to? And does Ilysa have a part in her father’s twisted games? Ross determines to find out, but the more he gets to know his beautiful new bride, the more he realizes there is more at stake than his land and people – his heart is at risk too.

For three years, Ilysa lived in peace and away from her father’s manipulations. She thought she was free, only to be unwillingly pulled back in and ordered to marry a man she doesn’t know. Ilysa hates that she has become a pawn in her father’s game. However, things are not as horrific as she feared, and Ross is nothing like the domineering and manipulative father (and sister) she grew up with.

Ross and Ilysa are both interesting and layered characters, and their stories, both as individuals and as a couple, are compelling. I love that Ross sees Ilysa for the strong leader that she is and admires Ilysa’s intellect, generosity, wit, and kindness. He sees all she has done for his people, caring for them and helping to keep them safer and happier. And I love the little ways Ross shows Ilysa that he cares about her. It’s super sweet and shows a tender, more vulnerable side to the warrior. Though they both make mistakes and let fear, lies, doubt, and more influence them, I so rooted for them to follow their hearts and find happiness with each other.

Ross and Ilysa have a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance. Though they have a strong connection, their road to happiness is rocky, especially since their relationship began with a wedding switch-up. Both Ilysa and Ross are slow to trust each other, but their chemistry is high right from the start. You can tell they’re fighting their feelings, especially Ross, but the more time they spend together, the stronger their affections become.

This is a wonderful start to what promises to be a fantastic historical romance series! The constant threat of attack, potential spies in their midst, war preparations, and more add a bit of suspense to the story, the characters are richly developed and compelling, and the romance is swoon-tastic.