Charlotte Stewart is the eldest daughter of the Laird of Kinloch and is having to be tutored on how to be more ladylike by Ainsley Kendrick so that she can be more presentable at her sister's wedding. Ainsley is the sister in law to her childhood friend, Kade Kendrick. They met as children when Charlie was a tomboy who ran with the other local boys and Kade, who was sickly as a child was playing by himself. Fast forward to present day, the Kendrick clan is visiting Castle Kinloch for the wedding of Charlie's sister and Kade, now a famous concert musician is asked to provide music for the ceremony. Kade has also been dabbling in spy craft for the home office so his skills come into play when there is a mystery to be solved. An heirloom brooch which belongs to Charlie is missing and her father announces that whomever finds the brooch will be given her hand is marriage. Charlie and Kade reconnect while searching for her brooch and when she assists him with music he is writing to perform for the King. There is one drawback, her parents have already made up their minds who should be her husband and they do not respond appropriately when Kade starts to show interest in Charlie. A great Highland story with mystery, love, humor provided by a crotchety grandfather and a HEA.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Zebra books and I am voluntarily leaving a review

Do you play an instrument? I used to play the piano and clarinet, but I haven’t played in quite some time. Now I enjoy listening to my children play the piano and their other instruments.

Music plays a key role in The Highlander’s Kilted Bride. In 1828, Kade of the Klan Kendrick has recently returned home to Scotland after a worldwide tour playing his music and also spying for his country. He is annoyed at being roped into attending a wedding and perhaps playing a concert of his music rather than getting to spend his time working on his latest piece that has been commissioned by the king. While on the way to the wedding, his carriage is nearly crashed into by a feisty lady riding a white horse, Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart. The two met as children and have a shared love of music. Charlie is meant to marry another, but will Kade and Charlie forge their own path?

I thought The Highlander’s Kilted Bride was a delightful escapism read. It’s been a very busy week at work and in life and it was fun to be able to settle down each evening and read this novel. I loved the characters in this novel. The story starts with a prologue where Charlie and Kade meet as children and Charlie defends Kade by punching another boy in the nose. This sets the tone for their relationship, and I loved it. I loved Charlie’s spunky personality and also enjoyed their shared love of music. All of the other characters were great, but I think I would have loved them even more if I had read the first five novels in this series and knew their back stories. I always enjoy a Scottish setting and loved the highland setting of this book.

The story was very fun with a wedding, a loss of a family heirloom, and the search for a treasure all with love blooming in the midst. I enjoyed the mysteries. I especially loved feisty Grandpa Angus. He has great love for his family and hilarious anger towards other families for past historic misdeeds. The book had great humor and had me chuckling often. I loved all of the family interactions.

Favorite Quote: “One need not trick oneself out in the latest styles or simper about as a ninny to be a woman, and a lovely one at that.” I loved the message of being yourself in this novel.

Book Source: Review Copy from author Vanessa Kelly and NetGalley. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the TLC Book Tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

'The youngest brother in Clan Kendrick has become a charismatic force in his own right—especially when the perfect woman gallops into his life—in the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s sparkling Scottish Regency series.


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 . . .'
______________________

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

The Highlander's Kilted Bride is the sixth and, I believe final, book in the Vanessa Kelly's Clan Kendrick series and is a historical romance.

Angus continues to be one of the best parts of this series. He’s very amusing and I especially loved his animosity and needling of their host. But onto our main characters- Charlie and Kade, who are a great pairing that met originally as children. We’ve heard a lot about Kade throughout this series as a frequent source of worry to his family due to how sickly he was growing up. This proves to be a big source of friction for Kade as he is now hearty and hale, but his family still frets over him and tends toward coddling in the hopes to prevent his health from reverting. I really felt for Kade because he knew everyone was coming from a good place so he tried to be patient, but that would have been so frustrating. He somehow doesn’t recognize Charlie when he first sees her again, even though he is the one who has changed so much over the years.

The mystery was fun and one of my favorite parts of this story because with the meddling and hijinxs it felt a little like a Scooby-Doo episode, complete with a g-g-g-ghost!

I’d recommend this story and I think it can even be read as a stand alone if you wish to do so, but ideally you’d read the series together(but actually starting with the last book from the previous series so you read all the brothers’ stories) which will help with keeping the many members of this family straight. I’m quite certain that this is the last book in the series as all the Kendrick siblings have now had their story. This book has a very sweet ending, but it didn’t feel like the big ending that I would expect from a series conclusion with a family whose stories have spanned across two series. I think I was expecting a bonus epilogue that kind of glimpsed everyone's HEAs, but that probably would have made it really sappy and I wouldn’t have loved that, so I’m not going to question this too hard. If this is the last book, I’m looking forward to what her next series will look like.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing an eARC of The Highlander's Kilted Bride with me. This is my honest review.

The Highlander's Kilted Bride is such a fitting last story in the Kendrick Clan series! It was great to see many of the previous characters and a very unexpected heroine who really gave the hero a run for it. Sexy and emotional and fun, I really enjoyed this finale!

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy and kept me reading. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next and didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Kade and Charlie met as children some years ago. They meet again at her sister’s wedding. Charlie is trying to dissuade suitors. Kade has come to the wedding with Royal, Ainsley, and Grandda Angus. Kade is a renown musician. Charlie is still a tomboy who rides her horse in a kilt. Kade and Charlie are made for each other. Both want to be independent, to be the one taking care of things. They are unconventional and great fun when they are together. Those around them are wonderfully entertaining, especially Grandda Angus. There is a “lost-and-found” mystery and a villain who is easy to spot. An enjoyable story with great characters.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

#BOOKREVIEW #BookBirthday #BookRelease #KensintonPublishing #ScottishHistorical

Book: The Highlander’s Kilted Bride
Author: Vanesssa Kelly
Series: Clan Kendrick , Book #6
Publisher: Zebra Books, Kensington Publishing
Book Length: 352 Pages
Book Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flag

Glencoe, Scotland 1828

Charlotte Charlie Stewart who is known as ‘Charlie” is a tomboy who would rather throw away her dresses, hair ribbons and all other feminine hair accessories, and wear a glorious great kilt! She also rides a horse like lad, no side saddle for this spitfire who has a rebellious nature to be sure. She is so furious since her little sister is about to join marital bliss, something Charlie wants nothing to do with! However now the pressure is on her, a man has been picked to be her future husband! A man that is very boring, wears outrageous garments that are absolutely hideous and even curls his straight hair! On top of that it is not a love match like her sister Melissa. This man is only interested in her big fat dowry!

Charlie needs to release some steam, being so furious she goes on a run with a horse. That is until she nearly collides into her dear childhood friend Kade Kendrick and a few of his family members, including everyone’s favorite match-making grandfather, Angus MacDonald. This is where Kade Kendrick bumps into his childhood friend who was like one of the lads, but this woman he barely recognized since she was such a tomboy when she was a child. Now Charlie Stewart has turned into a stunning beauty with spirit and class. Of course she had only been eleven and he was thirteen and it is fourteen years later. What he does not know is his sister in law Ainsley is there to give her some tutoring in becoming a lady.

Of course in their childhood Kade was weak and sickly barely surviving and she was one of the lads. Now he is an accomplished musician and composer which helped him hide his previous identity as a spy. He is now at this wedding as he is the entertainment being a musical prodigy and soon Charlie becomes his muse as she has musical talent too. Kade also has changed very much physically too with a muscular braw body, the face of an angel that would make any lass swoon. The attraction between Kade and Charlie happens very quickly. Although Charlie has loved Kade since she was a girl. Kade has never felt this way before about any woman in his life.

The problem is Charlie's family only sees her as an embarrassment and an oddity. The only person that seems to understand her is Kade; he sees her as the talented, intelligent, beauty she is as their love only seems to grow. Now there's a missing heirloom her family has decided that the first person to find it may have Charlie’s hand in marriage! This is absolutely humiliating for Charlie and she is beyond hurt. On top of that her brother Johnny is with the wrong type of people, who are taking advantage of him and might even put the lad in danger. Charlie wants to protect him from ruin. Plus Angus and Charlie’s father still feud over the Battle of Glencoe like it just happened yesterday! So again these two families are beyond silliness but now there is a villain in their mist! Do Charlie and Kade have a chance at love or will she be forced to marry a man who is only interested in dowry?

If you want to start with the first book which is Nicholas Kendrick, Earl of Arnprior in The Highlanders Princess Bride in The Improper Princesses series in book #3. Of course the other 6 brothers are in this Clan Kendrick series which are Royal, Logan, Graeme, Grant, Braeden and Kade. Read as stand alone or in series order. I highly recommend reading the entire series, as I think readers will have a better understanding of the Kendrick brothers and the women who capture their hearts.

This is the sixth and series finale of the Kendrick family sadly. Have the Kleenex ready as I am very sad to see the series end which I have loved so much. Be prepared to laugh and cry as it is an extraordinary finish to a fabulous series that is absolutely unforgettable. Again another book I highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received this advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


Buy Links:
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Wow! What a great story! If you haven't been reading this series start! This book hit all the marks for me! Entertaining and fun book! I believe this one is my favorite! I laughed out loud in several parts. You will fly through the pages. I was just waiting to see what Charlie would do next and she never lets you down.

4.4 Stars
Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart would rather don a kilt and ride her horse than simper in a ballroom. But with her younger sister Melissa 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 almost colliding with a carriage. As a youth, Kade Kendrick felt overshadowed by his older siblings as he was sickly. 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.
The final Kendrick brother finds his HEA. I‘ve loved this whole series & the Kendrick brothers & Grandpa have been a delight. I loved Kade & thoroughly enjoyed his often hilarious journey to a HEA. Charlie was a delight & a perfect partner for Kade, he brought out the best in her. A well written well paced story that made me often laugh out loud especially as Angus hasn’t mellowed with age. My only quibble was that I’d have loved an epilogue to finish off the series but maye the Kendricks may get together sometime in a novella (hint, hint)
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The last brother of the Kendrick Clan has met is match with someone from his childhood. Kade has a few mysteries to work through while visit Charlie's family for her sister Melissa wedding to Colin. There is enough action and romance to keep your attention and enough characters that will have you laughing at some of their high jinx. The author has has brought the series to a conclusion, but hate to see Grandda go.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and am leaving a review by my own choice.

Kade Kendrick is the quiet, sweet guy of the Clan Kendrick. Having overcome a serious illness in his youth, Kade is now a famous renowned musician who travels Europe giving concerts. Kade also spends some of his time as a spy for the crown because of all his traveling. When Kade is forced to go to the wedding of the family's friends he is none too pleased....that is until he crashes into a blast from his past....Charlotte "Charlie" Stewart....the sweet tomboy who was his friend when he was younger. Now Charlie is all grown up in the all the ways that count! Seems that Charlie still has some of that tomboy left in her too! While the family is getting ready for Charlie's sister's wedding, Kade and Charlie get some spend some quality time together. Kade has to write a new concerto to complete for the King but he is stuck in a rut. Image his surprise when Charlie helps him with his music....she must be the muse he's been looking for!

When Charlie's family decides that she must find someone to marry, all the fun begins. Not only are two different men vying for that privilege, but Kade finds himself wanting to also be in the mix. As Kade and Charlie spend more time together, a slow fire starts to burn. At the same time, danger is lurking just around the corner. As the race continues for Charlie's hand in marriage, a dangerous situation is developing that Kade gets thrown into the middle of. It will take some secretive planning but in the end, everything ends on a happy note and Charlie and Kade find their happy ending.

I really enjoyed this sweet romance between Charlie and Kade. Charlie was still a tomboy at heart but she could be a perfect lady if she chose to. Kade was the best man for Charlie because he loved her for how unconventional she was. Together they were perfect. I sure hope this isn't the last book in this series because I just adore Clan Kendrick....especially Angus!

This was a well written read with a mystery woven into the romance and a very quirky family on both sides. Kade and Charlie are very well suited with great banter and chemistry The story has a lot of secondary characters, and there is a lot going on with the mystery, an unwanted suitor, curses, accidents, phantom fiddlers and a stolen family heirloom and all the general chaos made it a fun read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed reading this latest book by one of my favorite authors. Ms Kelly knows her craft in developing a sublime and witty adventure involving those fun loving Kendrick Clan. The characters are fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own. Even though this is the sixth in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. It's always good to read a continuation of a family and what their lives have changed. Kade Kendrick has changed from the sickly child he was and now is a well known musician. He handsome and totally a hunky guy that is poplar in London's elite. Now he has returned to Scotland to write a concerto for the bridal couple. The family expects it to be a good one if he can find the right place and time to write it.
When he is secluded, he finds himself intrigued by a woman in a kilt, climbing a tree to rescue a kitten that has been stuck. Of course, the long legged girl is the tomboy Charlotte "Charlie" Stewart.
Kade and Charlie have known each other since childhood. Charlie is a feisty and pretty who doesn't put on airs about who she is. Kade is drawn to her but is unaware that she's had a crush on him a long time.
A lost heirloom, a grumbling granddad, and a treasure hunt make this a fantastic read. It's also where two people are destined to fall in love. Kade and Charlie find their happy ever after, after all.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

This was a nice conclusion to the series (though it would work as a stand alone book as well) with a lot of sweet happening from the prologue's first meet when the two were young till to the final chapter when (sorry no spoilers!). Kade & Charlie match and balance each other well -- Charlie brings life and energy to Kade while Kade brings passion and possibilities for Charlie. Kade is feeling a little world weary and disconnected from his music when he is dragged off to an extended house party for a neighboring wedding by his brother & sister-in-law. There he reconnects with Charlotte (who got to run a little free as her father's oldest and favorite) and rebuilds the friendship they had formed when they met at a large clan gathering during their childhood. There's interference and madcap mayhem by family (though the author does keep grandpa Angus from being too much), a touch of mystery, music and romance (the heat level is kept low) as the two find love together.

A tomboy young woman kilts right into your heart!

Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart has always been a force to be reckoned with as a child, and nothing has slowed her down as she’s moved into womanhood. She’s a feisty, and sparkling breath of fresh air.
(Good to see Kade Kendrick’s story. I’ve loved this series from the very first!)
Remember Kade? The youngest Kendrick brother. Kade had been a young boy, musically talented in the violin and piano. He was the main reason Victoria, now Countess Arnprior, had stayed at Castle Kinglas when employed as a governess, to tutor Kade.
Year’s later 1828 he’s an accomplished musician and composer who’s been the toast of London, Paris and the Continent. Kade is busy composing a concerto for King and has come back to Scotland to heal from a shoulder wound. Did I say he’s also been a spy?
Kade and family including that old reprobate, his Grandda Angus are attending a wedding. He’s apparently also supposed to compose a piece for the bridal couple.
Kade’s sitting outside resting when he finds a kitten up a tree and a gorgeous woman in a kilt about to climb up to rescue it.
The wedding will bring surprises, including the loss of a treasured Stewart family heirloom. The reward for the finding of the heirloom has Lord Kinloch flinging down an unorthodox challenge, a treasure hunt, and the prize? Hmm, your right!
Hilarious romp with plenty of sardonic humor and lively family interaction!

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

The Kendrick family is one you would want to be around. They are a family who are full of love, loyalty, fun and more than a bit of mischief. The Kinloch family is made of much sterner stuff. Charlotte, the eldest daughter is the exception. She is very much a free spirit who loves the wild highlands. However, her family is critical of the very things that make her unique. They despair of her finding a husband especially since her sister is to be married shortly, so they invite a potential suitor to the wedding. The problem: Charlie doesn't want him because she has loved Kade Kendrick since they were children, but she has no hope that he will ever return it. Little does she know that he appreciates her and the quirks that make her special. Throw in an unwanted suitor, an unwanted guest, a missing heirloom broach, and Charlie's troubled brother and you get a tale. As Kade and Charlie search for her missing broach, he discovers what his life has been missing - her! It is sad that Kade is the last of the brawny Kendrick men to find their soulmate. Each one's story has been so very enjoyable especially Angus. He is truly a unique character. I don't think that I have met another like him anywhere else. I do hope that we will see the Kendricks again as secondary characters in other books.

I enjoyed this witty and entertaining Highland romance, where clan feuds had never been laid to rest, and superstition ruled the day. At times the only sane characters appeared to be Charlie and Kade. It was all too much for a determined suitor let alone the bride whose wedding party descended into chaos. There was some suspense as a family member walked into a trap and almost lost his life, but the incorrigible Angus had his way of winkling out the truth. Despite the differences between Kade and Charlie, they were in fact perfect for one another, as the suave musician and the wild Highland lass complemented one another in their search for the miscreant in their midst. The novel is well-written and exciting and held my attention throughout. Although part of a series, it is nevertheless a standalone and comes to a happy conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

I so love this book! It was such a fun read!

Kade Kendrick, brother to Nicholas Earl of Arnprior, Victoria, Countess of Arnprior, was Kade’s former governess, now Nick's wife, twin brothers Royal married to Ainsley,
Braden who took up medicine after helping take care of Made as a child married Samantha. Then there is grandda Angus MacDonald, who is a pip!! He takes his heritage seriously, supports what they want and prayers them as if he show be in bedlam. Interfering is his nature along with such plain speaking he will have you wondering what he will be up to next.

Charlotte Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of Lord Henry and Lady Elspeth Kinloch, sister Melissa who is marrying Colin MacMillan, and her brother Johnny. Charlotte goes by "Charlie" except with her mother and sister. She wore kilts,Loves horses, and Loves her obnoxious family.

Richard and Andrew, Campbell boys, tormentors when younger, now Richard wants to court and marry Charlie for political connections and her dowery.

Aden St. George was Chief of Intelligence at the Home Office., Vivien was married to Aden St. George and a half cousin to Kendrick family.

Sir Leslie Morgan, pompusness self-indulgent vermin is what he is being referred to as.

We are gathered to celebrate the wedding Miss Melissa Stewart to Mr Colin MacMillan. For this joyous occasion we have mayhem, bedlam, and a mystery of a "stolen" brooch, the "Clan Iain brooch,” thistle brooch is a family heirloom, always passed down from mother to eldest daughter gifted by Queen Charlotte to the family years ago.

Melissa has a reoccurring case of hysterics, Johnny doesn't care, mom Lady Elspeth and dad Lord Kinloch are disappointed. Charlie is blasé about it. Kade knows something is afoot. Being a spy for the crown while touring Europe as a Violinist. Now he has something to solve in hopes to get Charlie to see he is the one for her.

Both families, the Kendrick and Kinloch are nuts but that just adds to the fun. Throw in Richard's absurd courting antics, grandda Angus meddling and constant boasting, not to mention the secret of Sir Leslie. All to give you a rip roaring laugh out loud read. Dysfunctional family fun that just flows and works together you can picture as your own family events.

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

Publication date: August 22, 2023

The Highlander’s Kilted Bride is the 6th book in the Clan Kendrick series. This is my first of the series and can be read standalone. These are Highlander romance with a bit of mystery.

Kade Kendrick is the youngest of the Kendrick brothers. Having spent most of his youth quite sickly, he’s become a worldly musician and part time spy for the crown. Although now one of the strongest of the brothers, Kade can’t seem to escape his family’s constant worry for both his health and his future.

After suffering a knife wound while spying for the crown, Kade is sent to his brother’s estate in the highlands where he is roped into playing at a wedding for a close family friend.

When the Kendrick’s arrive at the wedding estate, Kade runs into Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart. A most intriguing and somewhat odd lass that he remembers from his childhood.

As Charlie’s parents attempt to marry her off to the best suitor, she continues to display her odd behaviour in the hopes of discouraging most of the suitors her parents have lined up. She does have eyes for Kade however, but can’t believe a worldly musician and spy would be interested in her.

When a family heirloom goes missing and the prize for finding it is Charlie’s hand in marriage, the race is on to ensure the best suitor wins.

This was a 4 star read for me. A cute highland romance with a small amount of spice. I quite liked the relationship building between Kade and Charlie and was actually a bit disappointed there wasn’t more spice for them!!

#NetGalley #thehighlanderskiltedbride #vanessakelly

I have really enjoyed this whole series and have been waiting to see who Kade would choose. As usual, Angus' antics are so very entertaining. Kade is recuperating from a knife wound and goes with family to a wedding. He had forgotten all about knowing Charlie until she came riding her horse in front of their carriage. He is immediately charmed. Her family is almost as crazy as his family. Charlie's parents have decided that it is time for her to marry. The man they choose for her is totally unsuitable for her. She hit him in the nose when they were children, and his disposition isn't much better all these years later. It took Kade a while, but he realizes that he is in love with Charlie and all he has to do is convince her that he is quite serious about marrying her. A family brooch is missing, Charlie's brother is in serious trouble, and she has to decide if she can leave the Highlands. Charlie will be able to hold her own with Kade's family, but will he be able to handle Charlie's. Add Angus into the mix and you get a really fun story.