I didn’t realize that this was part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. The magic of the Mortar & Pestle have found a new love match to make in the Scottish Highlands. Cute love story, but the best part was that the characters forged their own path rather than doing what was expected of them.

3/5 Stars + 0/5 Spice

- Romance/Fantasy
- Tension
- Multi-POV
- Trigger/Content Warning: sexual coercion and insinuations (no graphic detail or explicit description)

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Jean M. Grant for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was so, so sweet. It was a short, easy to read romance with a bit of an underlying fantasy plot. Aileana ‘Lanie’, our FMC, hails from a bloodline that passes powers through the matriarchal line. However, she does not believe she possesses any of these extra abilities. Instead she grounds herself in her fortitude and determination. She is a strong willed, assured woman who is determined to prove that a woman holds more value than most believe there to be.

Brodie, is our MMC. He is the son of the laird of his clan and is destined to become the war chief. However, he is overcome by chronic illness and struggles to believe in his capabilities and himself. I really enjoyed reading this character’s POV. It evoked some heart rending emotions and you couldn’t help but feel for him.

There are some trials and tribulations the two face in attempting to find peace between their two clans. There is an additional POV of a character whose intentions are discovered throughout the book - in order not to spoil anything, that is all I will say on that.

Overall, I found this book to be a sweet and enjoyable easy to read romance between two very interesting and endearing characters. The overarching setting was well written and clearly well researched. I honestly would have enjoyed if the book was longer with more detail flushed out and hearing more about their lives. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a sweet, quick romance with an interesting sub plot!

I received an arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed reading this book as I got to know the main characters Aileana Montgomerie and Brodie MacDougall. As they get to know each other, they started to grow into themselves while trying to defend their clans.

The story was fast paced and an easy plot to follow. I do wish there was a little bit more world building or more history on the mortar & pestle. But that could have been done intentionally since this is a standalone in a collaboration of books. With that, I hope to read the other standalone books in the collaboration!

The dynasty of Aileana Montgomerie possesses priceless talents for healing and foresight, but each honour is accompanied by a curse. She worries if she belongs in a magical family because she lacks the skills of the Scottish Ancients despite being descended from the people of the mythical isles. All Aileana really wants is a goal. What use are her bow and arrow if she is unable to defend her clan? The next war leader of his clan is to be Brodie MacDougall. As long as his brother, the future laird, doesn't anticipate him to draw his sword and charge into war, the title is a privilege. He must spend his days alone due to his ongoing pain and anxiety. Can he stay one step ahead of his dishonest sibling thanks to his strategic abilities? Brodie fulfils his heart's dream thanks to a miraculous Mortar & Pestle. There's a catch, though. His brother's council membership is no longer contingent on his health... but with Aileana's might. Will their love lead to an alliance or lead to bloodshed given the rumblings of discord within their clans?
The book can be read as a standalone. I love the development of the characters. They gradually grow into personalities of their own terms rather than what people expect from them. The pace of the story is interesting. It's thrilling. I quite enjoyed this sweet romance dipped in little bit magic.

Thank you @netgalley for this review copy.

This book to me a second to pull my attention fully, but I am so glad I continued. This book truly has it all magic, romance, a strong female role! You can tell the author took her time developing each role. For a quick read this has to be one of my new favorites!

I love how Aileana’s matriarchal line all have a connection to one of the elements and is in possession of a magic mortar and pestle. Brodie is definite hero material. He is kind-hearted, smart and a little broody, but suffers from an unknown ailment. He shines in comparison to his very unlikeable brother! Their love grows throughout the story, but they must be strong together to thwart those who wish to tear them apart.
The author did a great job of world building in this novella set in the Highlands. She incorporated mystery, clan scheming and romance into this heartwarming story. The characters develop at their own pace and sometimes in ways I was not expecting.
Certainly recommend to those who love stories set in the Highlands of Scotland and like a wee bit of magic!

I absolutely loved Aileana and Brodie's story. It captures your attention right from the beginning! Aileana is not your every day young woman, more of a tomboy you loves archery and hunting. She feels she is the only one in her family that wasn't blessed with a magical gift so she feels like an outsider. Brodie is not your typical highlander. We learn right from the beginning that he suffers from what today we see as severe asthma. So he uses his mind and not his brawn.
There is magic, deception, family, honor, and evil in this story. I can be read as a stand alone book with a HEA!

I loved this book more than I thought I would. Aileana was such a strong woman, I loved her tenacity and her strength, she was herself and that was the best she could be. She was special but she just couldn't see it. He made her see and feel that. Brodie had been bullied so much because of his illnesses but he continued being positive and didn't let people bring him down. She helped him overcome his problems and made him see that he was fantastic the way he was. They really did belong together and they fought for each other, they were there for each other, no matter what.

What a cute read! While this book was not as polished as some, it was very enjoyable. The main characters, Lannie and Brodie, are very charming and easy to root for. The author clearly has a love for the Highlands and it shows in the little details such as the way the characters speak and the symbols associated with the clans. If you want a quick, pleasant read, I recommend picking this one up. I wish it was longer so the author could go into more detail in some areas, but overall, a good, fast-paced story with endearing characters! Content warnings for attempted sexual coercion, though nothing is particularly graphic or explicit.