I feel bad that the best I really have to say about Rose Prendeville's Mistress Mackintosh is that it was....fine. Nothing really wowed me or drew me in, but I can't quite put my finger about why I never really cared about the characters, their world, or the romance. Everything was....fine.

I will say, if I had to give one area of critique, is that the characters read much younger than they should have. I checked the description several times to make sure that this wasn't supposed to be a YA novel. It's not, but the way the protagonists are written made them seem more 17 year olds than 20-somethings. Part of it was the authorial tone. Part of it was the dialogue and characters' internal thoughts.

Thanks to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

I enjoyed the two characters and their verve together immensely. This is a book (and consequently in this genre, a series) with a spark to it, and while the pacing is a bit of a mixed bag I feel it pays off well.

This just wasn’t a good match for me. The writing style wasn’t bad and I didn’t seem to have issues with it from a story perspective. I just had a hard time getting into the story and sticking with it, possibly because it’s so similar to past reads.

Give me Scotland, a Highlander and strong willed leading female character and I'm sold! I adored meeting Jory and Finlay. Loved the backstory, the Scottish scenery and budding relationship in this book.

This was super fun and kinda dark at the same time. Definitely check content warning (lots of mentions of SA- common in time period). Some history parts that weren’t super explained. Basic understanding is helpful. You could still follow the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch

Brides of Chattan, Book 1
by Rose Prendeville

⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5

Fans of highlanders and Scottish historical are in for a treat with this new series!

In this series opener we are introduced the Mackintosh and Shaw clans as two clan misfits set out on an adventure together! Orphan Jory Mackintosh has dreamed of being a healer forever and has never thought of herself as the wifey type. Born with scoliosis she was the apple of her parents eyes, but now finds herself another burden on her uncles household… but she is still surprised to find out that instead of finding her a husband, her uncle has agreed to send her off to a secret convent run by a rival clan!

Finlay Shaw may be the brother of his clans laird, but instead of being known as the heir, he is the wretch! After a youthful indiscretion costs his clan many lives at war, he is orphaned and ostracized from his clan. Now only good enough for menial tasks, he is dispatched to escort Mistress Mackintosh across Scotland to her nunnery.

Jory and Fin have some wild adventures as they re-get to know each other and travel across treacherous countryside. From the hazardous environments to the dangerous inhabitants, these two learn each others strengths to not only reach the convent, but to uncover a mystery that restores their status within the clan… oh, and they fall in love along the way!

I really enjoyed the in-depth scenic and historical details included in this book. I had a real Outlander (without the time travel!) vibe as they traveled across the country together. I haven’t read a Scottish historical romance like this in a long time and it was really refreshing. So, if you are looking for a road trip through historic Scotland, this slow burn, fated mates romance is for you!

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


#MistressMackintoshandtheShawWretch #RosePrendeville #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

I really struggled with this rating. On the one hand, I liked both Jory and Finn a lot, and their initial spark was compelling to me. On the other, I struggled like nothing else to actually read the book, because the pacing of events made me feel like I was wading through mud. I also think that in this case the alternating POV harmed the story because Jory's extreme distrust of Finn ended up reading as wilfully ignorant instead of (as it was, really) justified wariness.

Overall I would recommend this to people who are into F/M historical romance, and I really did like Jory as a disabled heroine. I just wish there was a little more to the story starting out to engage me as a reader.

Give me Scotland, a Highlander and strong willed leading female character and I'm sold! I adored meeting Jory and Finlay. Loved the backstory, the Scottish scenery and budding relationship in this book. I loved Jorys journey to get back her power and defend herself in a time when women were treated poorly by some men.

This was super fun and kinda dark at the same time. Definitely check content warning (lots of mentions of SA- common in time period). Some history parts that weren’t super explained. Basic understanding is helpful. You could still follow the story.

Super quick read. Fun characters with decent banter. Finn is so adorable and I just want to protect him. LOVED Jory saving herself. Cute romance with some action- nothing explicit or super descriptive but it’s there. More than blackout

Standalone, complete story with HEA

Special thanks to Netgalley and Eridani Press for this digital ARC.

Always check content warnings.

Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch.

I opted to give this book 4 stars because I really would have given it 3.5 and decided to round up. This book was really strongly written. Different from what I'm used to reading (written with many Gaelic spellings and phrases I had to Google), I really enjoyed the book. I will say that this book is slower paced than what I'm used to. It was sometimes good for the storytelling aspect, but I assumed more would happen in the lulls of the story. I was glad to see the characters come together and learn from each other's pasts and their strengths, but I just wanted more in terms of action.

Jory Mackintosh is determined to seek out her future in a medical school, but her family has other plans for her. Finlay Shaw, the disgraced younger brother of the laird, finds himself order to escort Jory to her new life as a nun. In doing so, there will be an alliance with the freshly formed Black Watch, his final chance for redemption with his family. Yet Jory has no plans of assisting Finlay with his plans.
Trapped on the road together, often with only one bed between them, they must work together to face the secrets that have haunted them both for years. They must trust each other if they are to have any happiness or future.
A great story with two very appealing main characters. There is plenty of chemistry in this sweet story. Both Jory and Finlay bring with them an easy banter which develops into more as they journey together. A great start to what will be an interesting series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, this story was so fun to read! I obviously immediately fell in love with the cover and the premise of the book (first in a series - how exciting!) was right up my alley. I don't read a lot of historical romances, for some reason, but I actually do enjoy them a lot more than contemporary ones if done well, and this one absolutely did its job. It's not as steamy as I was led to believe, but I still found the chemistry between the two protagonists very sweet. They feel fleshed-out and, plot-wise, there's a great balance of banter, feminism and road trip. Finn is such a great benevolent male character, very swoon-worthy even! If only real people could all be more like him, I'm fairly sure depression would be forever cured. Anyway, this is a solid start to the "Brides of Chattan" series and I honestly can't wait to read more.

Arc Review

I will say this book was not as funny and light hearted as the cover made it seem. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I was just surprised! The book is dual pov so that was really good because this book is on the road pretty much the whole time so being able to know what each mc is thinking/feeling really helped make the connection between the two more understandable.

I will say that Jory was an enjoyable character for the most part she held on to her anger and distrust a little too long for me but I think Finlay picked up the slack and was a very sweet beta.

There is some mention of trauma happening in Jory’s past so it does kinda deal with some heavy topics.

The story over all was good. Just don’t do into it expecting a silly rom com, it has it moments but is more on the serious side.

Definitely recommend for those that like strong woman, sweet men, forced proximity and one bed trope give this book a go!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

4 Stars for me!

A deeper and more serious novel, and might be enjoyable for everyone. The cover is really beautiful and it gave a quirky and fun outlook for the book but beware because this book is more than its facade.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This highland romance was a delight. Part forced-proximity historical romance and part romping adventure with a high stakes rescue to cap off the story, I tore through this book unable to put it down. The MCs leapt off the page with chemistry and fun banter. The historical detail was surprisingly thorough and woven into the story in a way that made it richer without slowing things down. Honestly can’t wait to read more in this series and from this author!

Book 1 in the Brides of Chattan Series
Rating: 4 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

**Some spoilers ahead**

I really enjoyed this story! It was a very slow burn romance but because they were on a road trip (he's taking her to a convent since she has been ordered by her uncle to become a nun) it was so much fun! On their way there are many things that happen that keep the story going. I loved the chemistry between them and I thought it was sweet that they had known each other since they were children. There are some serious moments that happen towards the end when they get to the castle. Some things are uncovered and the villain of her past comes to play a role again in getting hurt. She fights her way through it and even manages to save Shaw along the way.

I look forward to more of this series.

Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch by Rose Prendeville

Thoroughly enjoyable way to spend the day today and a nice introduction to a new series.

What I liked:
* Finlay Shaw: youngest brother, living under a black cloud due to something that happened when he was fifteen, trying to find his place again in the clan, healing touch, kind, honest, gentle, feels drawn to Jory
* Jory Mackintosh: orphan, raised by her uncle’s family, well-liked by her cousins, healing abilities, has scoliosis, defensive, has dreams of studying medicine, acts before she thinks, feels drawn to Finn, has been told she will be a nun
* Finn’s friends who assisted when needed
* The childhood intersections and connections Finn and Jory shared
* The growth of the relationship as the journey toward the convent took place
* That the two became more trusting and better able to communicate over time
* The way their backstories influenced them
* That I felt the two were equally matched and well suited
* That the bad guys were exposed and thwarted
* The happy ending for the couple
* Reading a new-to-me author and knowing there is another book in the series to look forward to
* The cute cover

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Knowing that expectations of and for women (and men) in this era were often set in cement and not necessarily what they might have wanted

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

4 1/2 stars.

I really liked this one! A road-trip historical romance with lots of tension and adventure, not to mention cute moments between the main characters.

Having both POVs was a treat and it made following the story an easy task. The writing is well done, the history and setting captivating, and the characters charmingly flawed.

Looking forward to more from this series.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

A determined maid!

So Finlay Shaw, the “Shaw Wretch”, received his moniker when as a youngster he was persuaded away from his watch. That led to tragedy at the Battle of Preston, “where his callow blunder cost many mens lives.” Ten years later and he still Carrie’s the name and his shame. It’s 1725 and he’s to escort a young maid to a secret convent in Aberdeenshire as part of a Chattan clan agreement.
Marjorie Mackintosh (Jory) is a young woman who has curvature of the spine. Men don’t find her attractive. So far Jory’s bridegrooms have failed at the last moment. Jory’s father had been killed at Preston and Jory is in the care of her uncle.
Her uncle has decided to give her into a nunnery run by their enemies the Gordon’s, in the hope that they will constrain the actions of the Watch. Vain hope! but then nothing to loose and everything to gain. The Gordon’s asked for Jory by name. Now you and I might be suspicious but the we’re following the general drift and occasionally going, Huh!
The thing is Jory is planning to take her dowry and escape enroute! She tries and there’s a few funny, and quite poignant moments.
There’s also several heart-stopping advents, some occasional light relief times, many Oh My’s and other times of frustration with our main characters. A storyline of deception, trust and betrayal.
Of course redemption for both characters lends a hand in this Highlands historical romance. Sparkling, and often hilarious times makes this a winner.

An Xpresso Book Tours ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

*Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC*

trigger warning: this book contains references to sexual assault

Okay time to preface this review: going into this book I was ready to dislike it. As a Scottish reader it’s so hard to find Scottish romances by American authors that don’t rely on stereotypes, misrepresentations, the butchering of the Scots language, or just historical/cultural/geographical inaccuracies. I went in jaded, but with the open mindedness to admit i could be wrong about the genre.
I also am not a fan of one of the major romance motifs it includes which is the one bed trope.
In many ways I am not the ideal reader of this book so I will be trying to review this in a way that is mindful of these biases but is still honest to my opinion.
I wish I could say it changed my mind on the genre.
Okay let’s start with the writing: there was a decent attempt at scots, definitely got stronger as it went on, and the author definitely did her research which i appreciate. Did it rely a little on stereotypes? Yes. Was it to the point it was unreadable? Nowhere near. I found the writing overall sluggish to get through, just felt very wandering and slow. I feel like it would have worked stylistically if the plot had been more interesting. The plot too just wandered too much for me and never really reached anything that i found engaging.
I think it was written as character and relationship focussed rather than plot which is fair enough.
I like Jory at times, and I liked the scoliosis rep, but I just found her flat overall. Same with Finn, they both just lacked life. That in turn made their relationship feel lacklustre and lifeless.
I’m sad this review is so negative because I didn’t have a bad time reading it, but it overall just missed the mark from me.
I think it’s the start of a series? so hopefully the rest gets more into the flow.
I did really enjoy the setting, I thought (from a Scot who lived in Aberdeenshire) it was nicely done.
Like I said, I’m not the right reader for this book.

1725 in the Scottish Highlands. Jory Mackintosh and Finley Shaw (from separate clans) embark on a dangerous adventure. While this did have the makings of an epic story, there was just something lacking for me. This was not the swoon-worthy romance I was expecting. Finley, the Shaw Wretch, was adorable and a great hero (I'd classify him as a Beta). But he was kind and sweet and patient with Jory (when he massages her back, sigh). Jory, on the other hand, was very unlikable for most of the book. I liked that she was strong-willed, she didn't let her scoliosis stop her, but she was quite mean and distrustful of Finley for most of the book. She didn't listen and acted very childish.

I have to mention the cover. It's super cute. But it's also super misleading. Don't judge this book by that cover. It's a pretty serious book, the cover made me think there'd be a lot of humor and lightheartedness, which there was not. I know a lot of people are put off by these animated covers, and this is definitely one book where I do not think this type of cover works to its advantage, but that's just my two cents.


Try if you like road trips, forced proximity.

CW: rape (attempted), violence against women (on page)

3.5 stars. Rounding up because I'm feeling generous. I did enjoy the story, it was ambitious, and I will keep this author on my radar.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions are my own and freely given.