Lady Samantha Penwith is searching for her late husband's killer and trying to find out why kids from her orphan home that was started by her late husband has gone missing while taking care of her deaf sister-in-law and keeping her in her care so her grandfather doesn't take her away from Samantha when dr Braden Kendrick is out late night one night and needs to be rescued lady samantha and her footman comes upon him and rescues him he notices that they use sign language to communicate after he is rescued he tries to find out who saved him he ends finding her and falling in love with her this was a great book I just reviewed The Highlander's Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly. #TheHighlandersHolidayWife #NetGalley
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The Highlander’s Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly is the fifth Clan Kendrick book. Lady Samantha Penwith is on a mission to find her husband’s murderer. Her husband was the founder of a charitable school for orphaned children. During her latest secret excursion into the dangerous parts of town, she rescues a man from assault. Braden Kendrick is the sensible one in his family. As a doctor, though, he does find himself taking late-nights calls in the dangerous parts of town. When Braden is rescued by a mysterious woman, he is determined to discover her identity. When the truth is discovered, Braden and Samantha must face their pasts and open themselves to love once more, all while working to crack the case together.

I really liked the mystery in this book. I found myself trying to figure everything out along with the characters. Braden and Samantha were wonderful together. The Kendricks are such a joy!

I just can’t get enough of the Clan Kendrick stories. I could not image the strength it took for Samantha to search for her husband’s killer only to find love. Braden is somewhat of a stick in the mud but come free after a night of passion.

Loved this book! The Clan Kendrick series is one of my favorite romance series, and this installment does not disappoint at all. Braden and Samantha are lovely together and their story is fantastic!

They don't go looking for it, but the Kendrick's always seem to find dangerous trouble, which leads them to their "true love". This is Braden's story, the scientist of the family. While in medical school, he had fallen in love, but his love had died tragically, and he never wanted to put himself in that position again. He had already had enough lose in his life. So he is dedicated to his patients, the medical college, runs a free clinic in the worst part of Edinburgh and still takes classes, therefore no time or inclination for society. But his mentor and friend talks him into serving on the Board of the Penwith Philanthropic Foundation, which runs an orphanage for boys and a charity school for girls. Lady Samantha Penwith, widow of the founder, lives quietly with her sister-in-law, Felicity, who is deaf. She is constantly in contention with her grandfather-in-law, and most of the other board members. She suspects that at least one of them is responsible for the murder of her husband, Roger and embezzlement. She and her manservant, Donny, roam the streets at night, looking for clues to the murderer and one night save Braden from 2 ruffians. While working together, both learn that there is a second chance at love, without dissing the memory of the first love. As always, lively banter, enchanting characters and an engaging story.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

She saves him, and boy is he impressed! Braden must find out who she is! Of course, we want him to find and fall in love with our heroine, Lady Samantha. It's not an easy road to love for these 2, but a joyful one to read. Love them.

4 1/2*STARS*
Samantha Penwith saves Dr. Braden Kendrick's life one night in Old Town. Later when he discovers the lady's identity, he becomes embroiled in finding answers to her husband's murder and the disappearance of children from her charity, the Penwith Philanthropic Foundation. Soon the Kendrick family is involved, a force to be reckoned with. More digging into the Foundation, reveals someone is skimming money. It's a dangerous game to solve the mystery. Meanwhile, Samantha and Braden help each other to let go of the past to find a life together. An interesting and amusing family are the Kendricks. A compassionate and kind man is the doctor.
Kissing only.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

‘It's Christmastime in Edinburgh, but Lady Samantha Penwith's secret mission takes no holiday: the Highlands-born lass vows to find the assailants who murdered her beloved husband, founder of a charitable school for orphaned boys. On her latest undercover excursion, she closes in on a pair of armed attackers and interrupts another assault, then disappears into the darkness, leaving the lone victim mystified--and lucky to be alive...

Braden Kendrick may be the sensible brother, yet the dedicated doctor routinely ignores the dangers of his late-night calls to the city's slums. But when a fleet-footed rescuer saves his life, he's determined to uncover the stranger's identity. And once he does, he'll find himself facing his own past loss for the first time--and more than willing to risk his heart again, just in time to make the Clan Kendrick's Christmas celebrations more festive than ever...’
________________

The Highlander’s Holiday Wife is the fifth book in Vanessa Kelly’s Clan Kendrick series and is a historical romance and mystery/adventure.

Overall this was not a favorite of mine from this series because I didn’t really feel the connection between the two main characters. It was alright, but slightly disappointing. Plus we already had the ‘Christmas Bride’ in this series, I would have preferred to see something fresher than the ‘Holiday Wife.’ To be clear, it’s not like these two books in the series are extremely similar, but it’s a small series and I would have preferred to see something new rather than the cutesiness of the festive happily ever after used again only 3 books later.

I’ve been enjoying reading about this family through the series and have been looking forward to learning more about Braden. Every book has a good amount of Kendrick family ridiculousness and humor, which is always fun. Samantha was the issue for me in this book. For a character that is supposed to be self-sufficient and independent, she is reckless and willfully naive more often than not. The villains were obvious almost from the start, but Samantha ignored all of this and put herself and others into a dangerous position as a result. She wasn’t particularly unlikable, but I wish I had been able to like her more as I think that would have elevated the story for me. They mystery was my favorite aspect of this story.

If you’re reading this as a historical romance, you may be disappointed. However if you’re reading this more for the mystery aspect, then I think you’ll quite enjoy it.

I enjoyed the adventure and danger aspects of the storyline.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for sharing an eARC of The Highlander’s Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed Samantha and Braden's story. It was fun watching these two fall in love while trying to solve several mysteries!

This was a festive historical romance, that I would definitely recommend to someone looking for a good book to read during Christmas!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A slow-burn regency romance. This installment is a mistletoe kiss for the holiday season. Hunky, kilt clad highlanders SOLD. The Highlander's Holiday Wife is entertaining but I'd beg for more romance between the love interests.

Thank you Kensington Books for the complimentary copy of this paperback.

Where is a place you would like to visit during the Christmas holidays?

I’ve always wanted to go to New York City at Christmas, but after reading a couple of Christmas books set in Edinburgh, I’m adding that to my list as well!

Braden Kendrick is a doctor who helps those in need in the seedier sections of Edinburgh. One night as he is helping out a patient, he is set upon by someone with a vendetta against him. A mysterious man and woman help him out. They never speak a word, but only speak in sign language. Who are they and what are they doing out and about at night?

Lady Samantha Penwith is working with her man servant, Donny, to try to find who murdered her husband, Roger. Roger Penwith had started an orphanage in Edinburgh to help unfortunate children. Boys have mysteriously started to disappear from the orphanage. Where are they going and why?

This is a historical mystery with romance included. It also has some humor. The romance is closed door. I wish the romance would have had more time to develop and shine between Braden and Lady Samantha. The setting is during Christmas, but there isn’t too much of a real Christmas theme to the story and it can be read any time of year. I loved the two main characters. They are both smart and independent. I also loved the Kendrick family overall. They were a fun and supportive family. I didn’t love though that they seemed to solve part of the mystery off page.

This is the fifth book in the Clan Kendrick series. I have not read the other books and thought it did well as a standalone novel.

Review Copy from Zebra as part of the TLC Book Tour. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Braden Kendrick has always been the most level-headed in the Kendrick Clan (something he translates to “boring”) but his drive to become a physician and help all tends to put him in sticky situations. One such situation nearly gets him killed, if not for the help of two shadowy figures, one of which is female, making him determined to uncover their identities.
Lady Samantha Penwith and her trusty companion are determined to find those responsible for her husband’s death and, possibly, solve the mystery of the children that keep disappearing from the family’s charitable school. No one takes her seriously when it comes to the murder or disappearances, so she has no choice but to embark on her own dangerous investigation. She just hopes Dr. Kendrick doesn’t figure out who saved him. When a mutual friend enlists his aid to help with the charity’s board, she finds herself reluctantly accepting his help, especially when he figures out her role in saving his skin.
Samantha is an amazingly strong woman, a perfect match for a Kendrick! I love how they learn to work together and trust each other in their search for answers. She also finds more family to help and protect her and her young sister-in-law from her husband’s grandfather who would prefer they be hidden from society.
Their quest is complicated when more Kendricks arrive to “help” Braden slow down and enjoy the holiday season. This includes the irascible Angus, their loveable if a little kooky, grandfather who is always up for adventure. I adore this family! They are always there to help, no questions asked, and will do whatever it takes to make sure their family is safe.
Braden and Samantha have both suffered losses and work together to not only solve the mysteries, but also heal and find love again. It’s always fun to revisit the Kendricks, and this novel is no exception. Vanessa Kelly’s THE HIGHLANDER’S HOLIDAY WIFE is part of the Clan Kendrick series but can easily stand alone. Angus is always fun, and his antics will leave you laughing. Since there is only one Kendrick left, it makes me sad to think that the series may soon come to an end… but at least there will be one more visit with Clan Kendrick! Enjoy some holiday “me time” and immerse yourself with Clan Kendrick!
Thanks to the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#THEHIGHLANDERSHOLIDAYWIFE #VANESSAKELLY #CLANKENDRICK #Kensington

This is my first experience reading something by this author and I will definitely be looking for more. The book is the fifth one of the series, but I had no trouble reading it as a standalone. It's a fast-paced, well-written story with a good dose of mystery along with the romance which made this an even more captivating read. Samantha is a strong, independent widow, who is determined to find out who killed her husband and also find the children that are missing and she believes to have been kidnapped. While on one of her nightly undercover excursions, she comes to Braden's rescue when he is attacked by local thugs. They end up working together to solve the mystery of the missing children and her husband's death. The romance that develops between them is passionate and wonderful. They now have a second chance at love after suffering their own losses. The story pulled me in from the start, and the characters were wonderful and I immediately fell in love with them. I enjoyed the story and will definitely be looking for more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I’m so sad to have to review this book in this way after how much I looked forward to it. I’ve really enjoyed the Kendrick family and have been anticipating strong, silent Braden’s story for some time. I found Samantha to be rather unreasonable in her reluctance to accept Braden’s help and she came off as reckless and hypocritical when it came to safety concerns, especially considering how she and Braden initially met. It was a good thing Braden was persistent, but I was left wondering how Braden was somehow suddenly in love with Samantha despite the fact that she’d been pretty mean to him, and they hadn’t even so much as touched. That said, we did have a promising slow burn here, but then it disappointingly faded to black and without that connection, we’re only told that love has developed between Braden and Samantha, but I didn’t feel that it was ever really shown. The romance was slow but also rushed and it just didn’t exactly feel romantic to me given the on-page interactions we did get between Samantha and Braden, especially coupled with all the other plot lines that were going on. I did appreciate that this serious-toned book was broken up by some Kendrick family humor, but Samantha’s villainous grandfather-in-law was a lot and I’m still not sure how things were resolved with him. The villains in this story were pretty obvious from the beginning, so that did lessen the mystery a bit and make Samantha seem a bit air-headed, but their motivations were rather cobbled together and never all that clear.

🩺 The Highlander's Holiday Wife 🗡️
Clan Kendrick #5
✒️ Vanessa Kelly
🌟🌟🌟

I always have had a special fondness for a historical romance with a healer as main character.
And those Kendricks are quite a lot.
But this time I found the modern language and grandpa meddling way a bit too much, layering the story with a goofy edge.
Braden and Samantha both carry the scars of their love life. Braden had to let it rest while Samantha is still dealing with her pain and the aftermath.
Each separately is a good and caring person, upon their different encounters, Braden feels the irrepressible need to protect her.
From there they will walk side by side looking for clues and fall for the other.
They are cute together but I never really felt their chemistry, their relationship is more sweet than sensuous. As the reason they have to marry.

The mystery is not really one as the villains are pinpointed from the beginning, while Braden and Samantha run circles around them.
3 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

The Kendrick Brothers have stolen readers hearts and this book is no exception. Vanessa Kelly has done a wonderful job making the reader feel as if they are a part of the family! Samantha and Braeden will be favorites for certain.

I had doubts that any of Kelly's Kendrick couples would be able to equal Logan and Donella in my affections but dang if Braden, the quietest among them, and intrepid Samantha weren't up for the challenge. I adored them, couldn't put their book down, and cheered them on the entire way. The Highlander's Holiday Wife is now one of my top two favorite Clan Kendrick books.

Kelly threw me into the action from the get-go with this book and never really let up until I reached the end. It's a tightly-crafted, fast-paced tale filled with suspense, danger, emotional depth, humor, betrayal, abduction, murder, and, of course, romance. Much of the humor is once again provided by the loving, meddling, and always entertaining Kendrick clan with Logan, Donella, their children, Grandda Angus, and the youngest Kendrick brother, Kade taking the supporting cast leads this time around. It was fun to watch Braden navigate their meddling while balancing his frustration with the surety of their love and support. I'm going to be very sad when Kelly finally says goodbye to this family. They're one of my fictional favorites. But they aren't the only creators of humor in this book. Several of Samantha's scenes had me chuckling out loud as well. Kelly is very good at knowing when to insert a snappy retort, sarcastic aside, or other type of organic humor to lighten tension.

I love the banter between Braden and Samantha. Also the respect, admiration, and growing affection. I enjoy how they work together. And I love their chemistry. I also enjoy how Kelly deftly balances their gradually deepening feelings with the growing intensity of the danger and mystery surrounding the disappearance of children from the orphanage supported by Samantha's foundation and her quest to discover the truth behind her husband's death. The emotional evolution of both characters is tightly woven together with unexpected twists that plunge them into life-threatening danger, revealing secrets that took me by surprise and events that kept me guessing what would happen next. My favorite kind of book!

The Highlander's Holiday Wife hit all my happy reader buttons, giving me a fast-paced, emotionally satisfying story with plenty of humor, heart, and adventure to keep me eagerly flipping pages from beginning to end. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

Though some continuing series characters have key roles, Braden and Samantha's story itself is begun and completed within the pages of this book. For that reason, readers new to the series should be able to begin with The Highlander's Holiday Wife and not feel lost or confused.

ARC received for fair and unbiased review

I loved this book. The fifth book in the Clan Kendrick series features Braden, the "boring" Kendrick. From the time he was a child, Braden was focused on his goal of becoming a doctor, motivated by a desire to help his younger brother. Though Ryan was healthy by the time Braden reached his goal, Braden had found his calling. Unlike his rambunctious brothers, he had always been a quiet, serious man but has been even more so recently. He devotes long hours to his work with the poor in Edinburgh, where we find him as the book opens.

Braden has never had a problem with his safety wandering the streets of Edinburgh's slums late at night until now. Unfortunately, two armed thugs seemed determined to end his "interference," and it seemed likely they would succeed. Luckily he's rescued by a pair of avenging angels - one massive, and one small, quick, and - female? He is thankful, intrigued, and determined to discover who she is.

Lady Samantha Penwith is a widow on a mission. Two years ago, her husband was murdered, and no one could be bothered to investigate. With her faithful servant by her side, she prowls Edinburgh slums, looking for the truth. She's recently added another quest - children are disappearing from the orphanage/school her husband founded. The last thing she needs is a nosy doctor poking around.

Braden and Samantha are brought together by a mutual friend, Dr. John Blackmore. John suspects Samantha's mission and worries about her safety. He is also a member of the board of the Penwith Foundation and is one of the few members backing her plans for the Foundation. John believes Braden will be an additional voice for good on the board, and the scenes involving his attempts to convince Braden are pretty amusing. Meanwhile, Samantha wants nothing to do with Braden, afraid he will figure out she is his rescuer. In fact, it takes little time for Braden to do so.

Braden and Samantha are determined, independent, and intelligent. He quickly realizes that nothing will stop Samantha from her mission. Instead of trying to stop her, he listens to her concerns, suspicions, and ideas and then offers to help her. He is also the voice of reason that balances her impulsiveness. There is a fair amount of push-and-pull between them as they delve deeper into their searches.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have the pain of love lost in their pasts and a reluctance to risk their hearts again. However, neither can deny the attraction that grows between them. Braden is the first to realize the truth of his feelings for Samantha but is sensitive enough to give her the space and time she needs to adjust to their growing relationship. Samantha's instinctive trust in Braden goes a long way toward opening her heart to him.

Samantha has another problem in her life. Her husband's grandfather is a controlling old man who has never approved of Samantha. She and her husband cared for his deaf younger sister, Felicity, while Lord Beath would instead have confined the girl to his estate. With Roger's death, Lord Beath constantly threatens to take Felicity away from Samantha if she does anything to bring scandal to the family name. I heartily disliked his attitude towards and about Felicity, especially when he appeared and started making threats again. It didn't help that he despises the Kendrick family. I loved seeing the family rally in Samantha's support and laughed out loud as they spiked the man's guns by using their more significant connections.

Lord Beath gets his licks in, though, when he stumbles on Samantha and Braden sharing a passionate kiss. Braden had already suggested one surefire way to keep Felicity with Samantha - marry him. Lord Beath's appearance expedited the necessity. I loved watching Braden and Samantha settle into married life. By this time, Braden is head-over-heels in love with Samantha, exercising great patience and restraint while he waits for her to love him back. When that point is reached, though their intimacy is closed door, there is no doubt about their feelings.

The mystery of the murder and the missing children is never far from Braden and Samantha's minds. I enjoyed following their progress as they chipped away at the puzzle. When a question about the Foundation's finances raises a red flag, Braden and Samantha recruit his brother Logan to help. The pieces come together quickly, revealing a more elaborate scheme than previously suspected. The intensity ramped up when Felicity was taken, and I was on the edge of my seat as I watched Braden, Samantha, and the Kendricks work together to bring her home. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I loved that Samantha was in the thick of it. The epilogue was great and an excellent conclusion for the book.

You can't have a Clan Kendrick book without involving other family members. In this case, it is mostly Logan and Donella, as Braden lives in their house. I loved the interactions between Braden and Logan. It was fun to see Logan attempt to get Braden to add a little balance to his life, and Braden agreed with Logan and then did as he wished. There is no doubt of their love and respect, but each has the Kendrick stubbornness. I loved Logan's thirteen-year-old son, who can talk rings around his father and is well on the way to being as intelligent as his uncle Braden. Life at the Kendrick home becomes even more chaotic when their boisterous and mischievous grandfather shows up. Angus is always good for a laugh over his self-delusions and antics; this was no exception. There is also no doubt about his love and loyalty for his family, even as he creates chaos around them. The youngest Kendrick, Kade, has a prominent role in this book, and I can't wait for his story.

I've enjoyed previous books in Vanessa's Kendrick series and this one was a great addition - and I am a softie when it comes to Christmas stories. I enjoyed watching Braden and Samantha meet and fight off their attraction even while fighting off the baddies. And it was pure joy when they finally gave in to love!
Brava!