With the Clan Kendrick series now wrapping up, I want to go back and binge the series again. We get glimpses of past siblings in this book mostly from Royal, Ainsley, their daughter, and Grandda Angus. He always makes me laugh with his antics.

Charlotte "Charlie" Stewart, loves her country life. She prefers riding her horse and wearing a kilt over simpering among society. But with her younger sister on the verge of marrying, the focus has shifted to her, her parents even have a potential suitor in mind.

As a child, Kade Kendrick lived in the shadow of his older siblings. Now a highly celebrated musician, he travels the world and uses it as cover for his other work, as a spy. Home from his recent mission, he's annoyed to be roped into attending the wedding of a family friend. Until he's reintroduced to the bold beauty Charlie.

He should be working on a new concerto but is distracted by a rival suitor. Not to mention the theft of a family heirloom that has everyone looking for the piece to marry Charlie. And he's not about to lose this quest.

Thanks so much to the author, Kensington and NetGalley for this ARC to review.

Cade was always sickly as a child, now he is a renowned musician and is happy with his life.. Charlie is not what her mother wishes se was. She is defineatley a tomboy. Now that her sister is getting married the pressure is on for her as well. With all the clans getting together thigs can change for both Cade and Charlie.

THis was an awesome book. I read it in one a few hours. I really enjoyed it.

FAMILY! A wedding at Castle Kinglas, Scotland, brings together extended family and turmoil. Too many suitors and not enough smelling salts. A missing broach and a curse. An unpleasant, uninvited guest threatens the brother of the bride. Charlie (Charlotte) daughter of Lord and Lady Kinloch and sister to the bride, is a problem solver, but this time she needs a little help from Kade Kendrick. Falling in love creates more problems as Kade and Charlie solve a mystery and compromise for their future.
STEAMY KISSES ONLY!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley

I have been a Vanessa Kelly reader since the first Kendrick books. Getting to read Kade’s story and his meet cute with his heroine made for an excellent read! Of course I can’t forget to bring up Angus’ latest antics with this latest grandchild is such fun!
Highly recommend this read!

I loved this read! Every part of the story was unique and delightful. Just the right amount of spice, mystery, and Scottish fun.

This one is bittersweet, the story of the last Kendrick brother… I hope it won’t be the last we see of Clan Kendrick! I adore this family and it’s wonderful to see Kade grow into an adult after seeing his journey as a secondary character throughout the series. Not only was he the youngest, he dealt with poor health that had everyone in his family overprotective of him. Now an accomplished musician, who performs all over, is it any wonder that he took a page out of the family book and uses his position to become a spy?
When a mission goes sideways, Kade heads home to recuperate, but ends up getting roped into performing for a family wedding and reunites with Charlie, whom he befriended and influenced when he was younger. Charlie is no shy retiring miss. She loves her Highland home and is perfectly happy with her wild, tomboyish ways, despite how much they vex her mother and sister. She especially has no desire to follow her sister down the matrimonial path with the prospective groom chosen for her. When Kade arrives, she realizes that her girlhood crush hasn’t changed. With a mystery, a ghost, wonderful secondary characters, and meddling family members, these two people may get more help than they need to realize they belong together.
If you are new to Vanessa Kelly’s Kendricks, you won’t be lost, but you will have missed a series full of nuanced and entertaining characters. If this is truly the last, I will miss this family, especially Angus. I hope to see the Kendricks again. THE HIGHLANDER’S KILTED BRIDE is a fun and captivating addition to the series.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#THEHIGHLANDERSKILTEDBRIDE #CLANKENDRICK #VANESSAKELLY #ZEBRA #KENSINGTON

I enjoyed this historical romance with its great characters and Highland setting. The couple is funny and perfect for each other. It was entertaining to find out how this couple finds their HEA,

This is the sixth and final novel series, Kendrick Clan. It can be read as a stand alone story. You can tell there are other books in the series because of how the characters are written into the story, but they can be easily skipped because they are background characters as well.
Charlotte "Charlie" befriends Kade Kendrick while children as both their families are both at a gathering. He is sickly, and cannot play with other boys, and Charlie falls in love, and follows him everywhere. They bond when he helps open her world to music, and gives her the confidence to follow her love of music, and not let others stop her. Richard Campbell sees them, and mocks Kade. Feeling the need to protect him, she punches Andrew in the face. They meet again fourteen years later, and she still feels the need to protect him. This time, his shoulder is hurt. She finds out how and why little by little throughout the story.
Kade, a famous composer and musician, and occasional spy for the Crown, Realizing spy is not for him, he decides to keep to his music after he is stabbed by a Russian spy during a mission.
He agrees to attend a wedding with his brother Royal, sister in law Ainsley, and all too perceptive niece, Tira. We cannot forget Angus, the grandfather. He is the best character ever. Read the book to find out why. Unbeknownst to Kade, Ainsley has been tasked with helping the sister of the bride how to act like a lady and not the "hooligan" she is. Kade feels duped when he realizes they are to arrive much earlier than the actual wedding, and that is supposed to perform a recital at the wedding. He is much concerned about composing the concerto for the king.
Upon their arrival, it takes a bit of time before he realizes Charlie is the girl he met many years ago, and takes almost half the book before he remembers how she followed him everywhere, sharing their love music, and sharing confidences.
Instead of trying to change Charlie, Ainsley helps her be more confident in herself, and embrace her true self.
There is mystery, intrigue, a mystery, bad guys, arch nemesis (funny,) and a little romance thrown in for good measure.
While Kade feels the pressure, and would rather compose his concerto, he is stuck, and Charlie helps him throughout the novel. To me,.this represents the romance between the two. She slowly begins to help him, and he begins to discover her gifts. The more it comes together, as do they.
The concerto part is probably the most confusing part of the novel as well. There is so much focus on it throughout the novel, but then nothing. Just nothing. I wasn't a fan of the epilogue either. It doesn't mention what could come as Kade keeps saying.
This is more of a mystery, Nancy Drew style, The Mystery of the Missing Brooch. There was romance, but I felt the mystery was more of the focus. I wasn't expecting it.
There isn't much steam., almost clean except one scene when she was sitting in his lap. There are no sex scenes.
No triggers
Have I mentioned Angus is the best character ever? I definitely plan to read the previous novels, if only to read more of his antics. I'm still trying to figure out Colin because of Melissa.. In real life, who in the world would marry a woman like her? Vapors, crying, hysterics. She is great in the novel. The perfect sister for Charlie.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was an incredible story. I loved the characters and the family history that the author shared in this story. I love reading about the time period when there were clans and highlanders and feuds. The Grandfather in the story made it more entertaining. This book was one I couldn't put down. I finished in two sessions and enjoyed every moment of the book. I like the way that the author tackled people who don't fit the regular model and helped everyone see that their differences make them unique and special. I highly recommend this book if you like historical romances with a twist of mystery and enjoy music.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for the reader's galley in return for an honest review of this book.

Where to start, this book has so much going on it is a fast-paced book with lots of wonderful characters from all the other books in the series. Charlie and Kade met as children, she was attracted to the quiet boy, who was different from the others. He was sickly and read books, something the other boys laughed at. She liked talking to him and he didn’t mind a little tomboy following him around. They met again years later when he is now a famous musician come to play for her sister's wedding. He is not sickly now! But as big, handsome as sin and just as sweet and kind as the boy she knew. Kade didn’t remember her at first and then couldn’t stop being surprised by all she could do. There is a mystery, evil people a foot, Granddad Angus being is normal self (you will understand if you have read any of the other books). This book has it all. You will not be able to put it down. The only thing I really missed and took a star off for it was an epilogue at the end. Kade hints at things to come thru out the book then nothing. I really wanted to read about all he left unsaid to Charlie. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

I’m a huge fan of Vanessa Kelly’s books! I love them!
Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart would rather don a kilt and ride her horse than simper in a ballroom. But with her younger sister about to be wed, she can’t escape the pressure to be next. A husband has been chosen, and Charlie’s fate seems set. Until an afternoon gallop sends her horse colliding with Kade Kendrick, the broad-shouldered Highlander who was once her childhood pal . . .As a youth, Kade felt overshadowed by his older siblings. Now he’s a renowned musician whose fame provides cover for his other work—as a spy. Home from his latest mission, he’s annoyed to be roped into attending the wedding of a family friend—until it reunites him with the fearless tomboy who has become a breathtaking beauty. And though his thoughts should be on a new concerto, Kade is soon distracted by rival suitors, a dangerous quest—and the unconventional woman who fills his soul with music and his body with desire . . .
I adored this story. These two were perfect for each other and this was definitely a romance worth waiting for. It was funny, easy to read and romantic. Charlie and Kade surprised me, and I was engaged in their interactions from the beginning.
There’s intrigue, romance and a bit of aghast. It was beautiful to see more Kendricks. I have read all the previous books in this series and they are all soooo good and funny. I highly recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I fully expected Logan and Donella (The Highlander's Christmas Bride) to finish out Vanessa Kelly's Clan Kendrick series as my favorite couple. Leave it to youngest brother, Kade and unconventional Charlie to slide in at the eleventh hour and steal the title away.

Kelly incorporates all my favorite facets of this series into this sixth and final book. There's mystery and mayhem, meddlesome family, pitch-perfect humor, heart-tugging romance, a nasty villain, plenty of twists and turns, and did I mention meddlesome family? Oh yes, the Kendricks are at it again. Kade's Grandda Angus is front and center (of course) but this time he has Kade's brother Royal and Royal's wife Ainsley (The Highlander Who Protected Me) helping. I especially enjoyed the relationship that developed between Ainsley and Charlie and the understanding and acceptance that was missing within Charlie's own family.

I loved the romance between Kade and Charlie. These two were perfect for one another. Watching them come to that conclusion and finally claim the love and life that was meant to be was pure joy. There's much more I could say about their journey but each reader should have the opportunity to discover all the delicious little details on their own.

If you're new to the Kendrick family, you should still be able to read and enjoy this book on its own merits. However, for those of you who have read the entire series (like me), it's very satisfying to tag along on Kade's journey to love after watching him grow up through his siblings' books. The Highlander's Kilted Bride not only offers another fun, swoony, heartfelt highlander romance but also a fond farewell to a much loved family. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley. Fair and unbiased review.

The Highlander’s Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly is the sixth book in the Clan Kendrick Series. However, the book can be read as a standalone without much of an issue. In this novel, Kade Kendrick finally meets his match in Charlie (Charlotte) Stewart.

Kade is the youngest of the Kindrick brothers. He is not as bold and brash as the others. As the youngest (and sickly as a youngster) he has excelled as a pianist and a composer. He is home from his most recent tour due to a knife attack by a woman who was a spy. (It is a bit more convoluted and complex than that.) Kade is working on writing a piece for the king and being dragged along with his older brother and wife to a wedding in the highlands, where he remeets Charlie.

Charlie is unconventional. She does not resemble a proper young heiress as her family expects. She plays the fiddle, not the piano. She runs when she should walk and she never simpers. She wants to ride and stay away from dresses and balls and stuffy people.

Charlie drops back in Kade’s life by jumping a hedge and stopping his carriage by accident! Not that Kade recognizes her until later. Kade and Charlie are meant for each other - not that they recognize it right away.

I have enjoyed the series by Vanessa Kelly and especially enjoyed Charlie and Kade’s romance. The Highlander’s Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly was a good read.

This was a seriously funny book! There were serious moments with all that's going on and the family dynamics had me laughing over and over again! I swear good ole grandpa Angus stole the whole book! Although Kade and Charlie definitely held their own with their wonderful love story. There is intrigue, a missing heirloom broach; a bit of danger, brother Johnny's "accidents"; and many steamy bits that tease you along the way. And of course we have a bad guy or two with Richard Campbell, Charlie's suitor who just wants her dowry, and Sir Leslie Morgan who is trying to swindle money out of Johnny. This is just a delicious story from start to finish!

Charlotte, Charlie Steward met Kade Kendrick when she was 11 and he was 13 at a clan gathering. Little Charlie was every bit a tomboy keeping up with the boy cousins. She discovers Kade in the garden reading and sits down to visit with him. Kade at this point is weak and recovering from being quite sick. He reads a lot and plays his piano and violin. He's very gifted. Charlie is very taken with him.

She meets him again years later when he comes to her sister Melissa's wedding. Charlie is a free spirit and gallops on her horse in a man's kilt and accompanies her Da when he visits his tenants. When she meets Kade once again she remembers him vividly as she had a huge crush on him since childhood. Kade now is a world renowned pianist who did some spy work for the crown on his off time. He's recovering from a stab in the back for his trouble. He comes along with his brother Royal and Ainsley to visit the Stewarts before the wedding. He quickly remembers Charlie. This begins the friendship that becomes more during their visit. I loved watching them dance around each other as the passion between them grew. They are perfect for each other!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved reading Charlie and Kade’s amazing story in The Highlander's Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly, book six, and the last, in her Clan Kendrick series. Once childhood friends, Charlie and Kade haven’t seen each other in years. Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart is still the outspoken and feisty tomboy Kade remembers, but Kade has changed dramatically. No longer a sickly and weak child, Kade is now a strong and talented man and popular musician. He’s also a secret spy. When a precious and cursed heirloom goes missing, Kade is the perfect person to find it. But he has to find it quickly because others, who have been promised Charlie’s hand if they find it, are looking for it too. As hi-jinks ensue and her brother suffers a few accidents, Charlie and Kade work together to solve the mysteries of who is behind everything and capture the culprit all while exploring where their growing attraction is leading. This is a wonderfully written, fun love story with laugh out loud moments and a cast of characters that add to the enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend The Highlander's Holiday Kilted Bride to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Charlie and Kade's story! We've watched Kade grow up throughout the series and it was so much fun watching him find him HEA. Especially with someone like Charlie! So much fun!

I have been waiting since the beginning of this series for Kade to be old enough for his own story. His character has always been fascinating to me - the illness that plagued him as a child, becoming a globe-trotting violin virtuoso - I just knew his tale to love would be fantastic. And I was not disappointed!

Charlotte 'Charlie' Stewart is as far from a 'proper' young lady as one can get, but her warmth and obvious love for her family cannot be denied. Having nursed a crush on Kade for many years after a childhood meeting, she is broken-hearted to find he does not remember her. However, Kade soon realizes she's the one woman he will never forget.

Their sparring was such fun to read, as was the way Charlie helped him find his music muse again. This was a romance worth waiting for, and I strongly recommend giving it a read. While it is part of a series (which everyone should read because all of the books are SO GOOD) it can stand well on it's own.

Kade, the youngest of Kendrickclan was always shown as a sick child needing to be protected by his older brothers.

We met at beginning of series, Kade was piano genius who indulged by his older brothers and their wives.

Surprise Kade grew up to a leading man who took Europe by storm with pianist skills and Kendrick good looks.

Finally coming home after touring Europe, his brother Nick and sister-in-law Victoria learned Kade was injured working for the Crown like his older twin brothers. They weren't sure how handle this changes.

Angus and Kade were invited to clan gathering with the Stewarts. Angus was his friesty old self determined to so everyone Kade's talent and find him a bride.

Charlie and Kade have a lovely romance. Once childhood friends, they haven’t seen each other in years. Charlie is still the outspoken and feisty tomboy Kade remembers, but Kade has changed dramatically. No longer a sickly and weak child, Kade is now a strong and talented man and popular musician. He’s also a secret spy. So, when a precious and cursed heirloom goes missing, Kade is the perfect person to find it. But he has to find it quickly because others, who have been promised Charlie’s hand if they find it, are looking for it too.

Tracking down a curse heirloom Charlie and Kade must work together and learn to trust each other.

Finding the missing treasure Kade realized he found love and happiness with Charlie.

In the end all of Kendrick meet again at family estate. Being this an incredible series who won hearts of readers for years to a close.

This was a terrific conclusion to the Clan Kendrick series. This book is about Kade, the youngest of the brothers, who was sickly as a child but has grown up to be a hale, hearty, and handsome man. Kade is a talented musician who has earned acclaim at home and abroad. His travels as a musician have also provided cover for his secondary occupation as a spy for the Crown. He's back home in Scotland, recovering from a wound received during his last mission and working on a concerto commissioned by the king. He's not happy to be dragged along to a family friend's wedding, especially when he learns he's also supposed to write and play a piece for the happy couple. That annoyance takes a back seat when he becomes reacquainted with his childhood friend, Charlotte (Charlie) Stewart.

Charlie had had a crush on Kade since the summer his family visited when she was eleven and he was thirteen. An unabashed tomboy, Charlie was protective of a kind but frail boy who was always nice to her. Now that she's grown, she's still just as much a tomboy and the despair of her mother. With Charlie's younger sister about to get married, Mom is determined to find a husband for Charlie - whether she wants one or not. Furious at her mother's plans, Charlie blows off steam in a wild ride that ends in a near collision with the Kendrick coach. While Charlie recognizes Kade immediately, despite his changes, Kade is clueless about the identity of the stunning woman in front of him.

I loved watching the relationship develop between Charlie and Kade. He helps his sister-in-law, Ainsley, with the "lady lessons" Charlie is forced to undertake. Charlie's individuality is seen as odd and embarrassing by her family, who don't understand her. But Kade sees an intelligent, talented, and beautiful woman who stirs feelings in him he's never felt for another woman. As a typically stubborn Kendrick man, he fights his feelings at first, but it isn't long before he realizes she is exactly what he didn't know he needed. Charlie has loved Kade for years but doesn't see how a girl from the highlands could aspire to a world traveler like Kade. Their shared love of music brings them closer together, and seeing Charlie's muse-like effect on Kade was terrific.

But this is a book about the Kendrick family, which means that nothing goes smoothly. The always hilarious patriarch of the family, Angus, begins the visit by irritating Charlie's father over a long-past highland battle and feud. Angus, who is never wrong about anything (in his eyes), is also adept at interfering in everything from relationships to investigations, usually with frustrating and hilarious results. Kade tries to keep his head down and concentrate on his concerto, but when a family brooch with a curse attached goes missing, he finds himself caught up in helping Charlie find it.

Charlie is desperate to find it herself because her father has promised that whatever man finds it can have her hand in marriage - a promise she is not interested in keeping. Two gentlemen appear to be most interested: a family friend who has the inside track with Charlie's mother and is more interested in Charlie's dowry than in Charlie. The other is a friend of Charlie's brother, Johnny, and gives off a creepy vibe. Charlie isn't one to wait for someone to rescue her, and her attempts to free herself from her unwanted suitors create some hilarious, or do I mean hysterical, mayhem. The mystery of the brooch is solved in a terrific scene where Kade's careful plans are nearly ruined by those he tried to protect. All's well that ends well, though, if Kade can convince Charlie that they belong together. I loved the ending, and the epilogue was fantastic. Seeing the whole clan together as the youngest gets married was the perfect conclusion for the series.

The secondary characters always add depth and personality to the author's books. Angus remains my favorite of those characters. Family always comes first with him, even if his methods are unconventional. Though he frequently exasperates his family, they love him despite it. I always love to see Ainsley, the spirited Sassenach wife of Royal Kendrick. It's always fun to see her go up against the stubborn highlanders in her family and come out on top. I especially love her relationship with Angus. I did not care much for Charlie's parents. They don't appear even to try to understand her, though I felt she had a fairly decent relationship with her father until he tried to force her into marriage. Charlie's mother was too worried about other people's opinions and should have been on Charlie's side when picking a husband. Charlie's sister, Melissa, was an airhead who seemed to live for drama. I felt sorry for her husband. Charlie's younger brother Johnny's biggest problem was that he was still young and foolish, which made him a target for the unscrupulous. He also allowed his pride to keep him from asking for desperately needed help. Luckily for him, Charlie wasn't about to give up on him.

I can't wait to see what the author has for us next.

3.5⭐️/5
0.5🌶️/5

This is for you if you want a Scottish historical romance set in 1828, with childhood friends to lovers, somewhat insta love, comedy, mystery, and a tease of steam (not even just the tip, if you will). Though this is book 6 of Clan Kendrick and I didn’t read the previous books, I did not feel lost in the background of the Kendrick clan.

From the prologue I was immediately sucked in and became a fan of lil Charlie, described as an unconventional girl (in a kilt!) and a lil scrapper. She was my hero. It was such a sweet friendship between the preteen versions Charlie and Kade.

Adult Charlie and Kade had a good chemistry and friendship. Charlie started out as ranking up there with my fave FMCs - a genuinely kind person but who has an independent streak. She was a sympathetic character to me since she was always being scolded, corrected, or frowned upon by her mom and sister for not adhering to what was considered standard for ladies of the time. My heart went out to Charlie because she thought she was just a country bumpkin, even though she was a talented, sweet original young lady who needed encouragement to thrive. 🥺🥺

Kade was a bit dense for a chunk of the story, however, like overly so (no way does he have feelings for Charlie! He could never get married!) and that was getting a bit redundant. The family dynamic was pure comic relief from Grandda Angus to sis Melissa with the vapors and lil sweet niece Tira

Around 60% of the book, I felt the plot kind of start to drag out and shift into a mystery/who dunnit caper, so I didn’t have as much fun when focus changed from the Kade and Charlie romance to “the case of the missing jewels” and related mysteries. That bummed me out because the first half had me so excited of this book’s potential.

Thank you to ZEBRA BOOKS Kensington Publishing Corp.and NetGalley for the advanced copy. This review was voluntarily provided and are my own thoughts/opinions.