Member Reviews
What an absolutely delightful book this was to read! Between the passion and the humour, you can't help but swoon and laugh at the same time:) And what would we do without Grandda Angus....what a hoot he is. I adore the way Vanessa Kelly writes, I get so immersed in her stories and she never disappoints.
I love Kade and Charlotte's characters, they are so perfect for each other. Even though Charlie is quite the "Highland hooligan", she's adorable, feisty and so in love with Kade. As for Kade, having been a sickly lad growing up, he's now in full brawny form and a famous musician to boot!!
You know you're reading a great story when you hate the end to come, you just want to keep reading! Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Kade goes on a much needed vacation to get some rest. He takes his brother, sister-in-law and his eccentric grandfather. On the way they stop to attend a distant relative’s wedding where Kade is reunited with childhood friend Charlotte. Tomboy Charlotte has always had a crush on Kade and is currently trying to evade a suitor her parents want for her. They both come to realize their mutual attraction is strong. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.
Charlotte Stewart was never a typical girl, at eleven she could out-ride, out-shoot, and out-hunt most boys, she wore a kilt and was called Charlie by most people. She never really cared about being a “proper girl” or thought about boys as anything more than playmates, until she met thirteen-year-old Kade Kendrick. It was a meeting that is forever etched in her memory and the day she fell in love with Kade and the violin. Now years later they meet again and to her complete mortification, he doesn’t even remember who she is. But that is about to change and if she is willing to risk her heart and can get rid of the suitor her parents are set on, Charlie’s life will never be the same.
Kade Kendrick was a sickly child and found solace in music, as he grew stronger, he outgrew his childhood ailments and became a world-renowned musician. But eventually, the shine wore off his fame and he dabbled in spying for the crown, but that did not work out and almost cost him his life. So he is back home to recuperate and finds himself roped into attending a wedding, where apparently his sister-in-law Ainsely has promised he will perform! He is intrigued by Charlie from the start and can’t believe he didn’t remember their first meeting right away. But when a family heirloom goes missing, he will have his chance to renew his friendship with her and maybe even convince her that when a Kendrick finds his true love, it is forever.
This was a fun read with a mystery woven into the romance. Kade and Charlie are very well-matched and have a wonderful chemistry. Charlie did suffer from a bit of insecurity and Kade seemed to fall in love a bit too fast, but I did love them together and enjoyed their banter. The story has a lot of secondary characters, a decent mystery, unwanted suitors, Angus being Angus, curses, accidents, phantom fiddlers, stolen heirlooms, stolen kisses, insecurities, and finally a HEA including an epilogue. I enjoyed this story and thought it was a nice ending to the series, but I was hoping for a glimpse into everyone’s HEAs in the epilogue and didn’t really get that, but overall this was a very good read and I would happily recommend it. I think it could be read as a standalone title, but I would suggest reading the series in order for the best reader experience.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Spycraft and music, mixed with the clash of eccentric families equals fun, chaos, action, and all around mayhem. The heroine is audacious, splendid and has a mind of her own while the hero is kind, supportive, protective and brilliant. Secondary characters like the sweet and smart niece and a grandfather who is quite a character add to the enjoyment in reading this book.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.
This is the 6th and final book in the Clan Kendrick series. It can be read as a stand alone but is so much better knowing the history of the family.
Kade is the baby of the family. His mother died giving birth to him, so he was raised by his oldest brother and his grandfather, Angus (who is a constant character throughout all 6 books). Kade was very sickly as a child, so he was fussed over and pampered and confined to the house. As a result he became interested in music and became so good, he becomes a concert pianist.
During his childhood, Kade meets Charlotte. She defends him against bullies. She lives listening to him play his violin. Kade encourages her to take up lessons (even though it is not considered proper for a young lady to play the fiddle). Charlotte does and learns to play beautifully.
The story was good. It has romance, mystery and danger.
But the end, the epilogue, I cried thru the whole thing. It just brought a wonderful conclusion to the whole series.
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.
As anticipated after finishing the previous book it is time for Kade Kendrick to have his romance. Kade is a renowned musician and goes with his grandpa Angus and his oldest brother to attend a wedding in the Highlands. There he re-meets Charlotte (Charlie) Stewart who he remembers from a visit in his young teens. Charlie has been raised as a her father’s girl and would rather ride horses and fish than worry about dancing. It is her sisters wedding and her mother is pushing a suitor for her as well.
This is a lighter book than others in the series. Charlie and Kade are drawn to each other and she uses old legends and family bickering to put off an unwanted suitor. Romance is helped along by Ainsley who is Kade’s wonderfully unflappable sister in law. (A favorite through the series.) There is some menacing towards Charlie’s brother over gambling debts. A lot of the humor is Angus bickering with Charlie’s father over clan history along with his usual pushy hijinks. I like that by the 70 percent mark the two have confessed and are secure in their feelings. They still have to deal with family and other mysteries but there is no last minute break ups.
If this is the last in the series it is a good send off point. And if the author wants to start on the next generation I’m happy to follow along. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Zebra for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review
This book bids farewell to the Kendrick brothers as the last one marries and finds his HEA. The book is well-plotted, well-delivered, and the main characters are delightful – Charlie is just the kind of heroine I would have chosen for Kade. You can imagine all the chaos that abounds when two volatile, impetuous, and wild families are thrown together for any period of time. There is wit, humor, villains, curses, theft, weddings, and secondary characters who will definitely keep things interesting. We’ve known and loved Kade throughout the whole series and love him even more now that he is grown up and finding his own HEA. Then, of course, I fell in love with brave, cocky, feisty, incorrigible, and oh-so-sweet Charlie as soon as her eleven-year-old self graced the page.
Eleven-year-old Charlotte (Charlie) Stewart briefly met thirteen-year-old Kaden Kendrick fourteen years ago at a house party. Kade was very frail and sickly most of his young life and Charlie took an instant liking to him and made it her mission to protect him from the ‘mean boys’ attending the party. Charlie was smitten – and stayed that way. She had no interest in anyone else and planned to just be a spinster. However, our sweet Charlie has a family who cannot accept her for who she is. They – especially her mother – call her a hoyden and constantly try to make her fit their mold of what a proper Highland lady should be. Charlie doesn’t change who she is, but deep down, she is filled with self-doubt.
Kaden has grown up to become a very famous composer who does performances all over England and the continent. He even has a commission to create a concerto specifically for the King. He really has no time to attend a wedding deep in the Highlands, but that is where he and other members of his family are headed. When they are almost there, he sees this angel, in a kilt, riding her horse at top speed. What a breathtakingly beautiful sight with horse and rider moving as one. Soon, he learns the angel’s name – but doesn’t, at first, remember her as the Charlie from his childhood.
I loved both Kade and Charlie and thought they were just perfect for each other. It was heartwarming watching Kade coming to terms with his feelings for Charlie and helping her to understand that she is worthy, she is perfect just as she is. Charlie, of course, had to teach Kade a few lessons when he was overprotective. While Charlie and Kade are dancing around each other, life is going on. There is complete chaos surrounding them and they know they have to set it right. With family curses, a thief, a ghost, and hysterics aplenty, they will definitely have their work cut out for them.
I enjoyed this story, but as the last book in the series, I fully expected an epilogue to completely wrap-up the series and there wasn’t an epilogue at all. There was a beautiful wedding scene and some precious moments with Nick, Angus, and Kade, but I would have really liked something grander for the series wrap-up. Maybe something with all of the brothers and their families attending one of Kade’s performances – and maybe Charlie performing with him.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An entertaining romance, lots to like with this Scottish Regency story and the Kendrick Clan. A childhood crush, a missing heirloom brooch and love blooming along the way. Jade and Charlotte are just wonderful characters, I was quickly swept up in their journey.
The Kendricks are back, this time trying to help heal Kade and find him a bride. Kade is healing just fine, thank you very much. And he doesn't need a bride. But just try to convince Grandad Angus, Kade's brothers, and their wives of that! This story has a lot of hilarity, plus romance, and a couple of mysteries to solve. All in all, a very enjoyable read.
This is a fun and entertaining addition to the Clan Kendrick series. I enjoyed the main romance and characters, and the mystery, though a bit predictable, was still intriguing.
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.
One of the main highlights of the novel and the series as a whole is the patriarch of the family. I love Angus. He’s so funny. A spitfire, even though he is a pain in the butt sometimes and he is meddlesome and ornery, he also has a heart of gold, great words of wisdom, and he bursts with pride and love for his family and country.
I liked the secondary characters, too, especially some of the Kendrick clan. It’s always great to see what they’re up to. Charlie’s family, however, was difficult to like, and they contrasted the Kendrick’s well. I also thought the mystery of the missing broach was intriguing, as was the curse behind it.
The setting is, as always, a gorgeous backdrop to the story, and I’m determined to one day go to Scotland so I can take in the breathtaking scenery I always read about. The story also takes place during a house party/wedding event. It was so fun and provided ample opportunities for shenanigans and mystery.
Thanks to Zebra for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
I’ve been charmed by all of the books in this series, and found this newest book just as enchanting! I feel in love with Kade and Charlie as individuals and also as a couple. I loved that they each accepted each other for who they were, especially because neither of them were conventional! They were fantastic, interesting characters separately and apart, but the most fun when they were together, of course! Kade’s grandda Angus steals all the scenes he’s in—what a great character! There is both romance and mystery in this story, and I was enthralled by it all!
I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the latest in the series but can be read as a stand alone ( although Royal, Ainsley, and Angus are around for most of the story).
Kade was a sickly child and the youngest brother so his brothers spent his entire childhood taking care of him. Now however he is a famous touring pianist and part time spy. He returns home and along with Royal goes to the wedding of a distant relative.
Kade had visited the Stewarts once when he was a child and that's when Charlie fell in love with him.
Charlie has always been unconventional, preferring to ride her horse asride in a kilt. Now her parents have decides she should marry.
I liked Charlie and Kade together. I likes how independent Charlie was and determined to live life of her terms. I liked that Kade want Charlie to be herself and appreciated her even when her own family did not.
The background mystery with her brother Johnny and the marriage was entertaining and did feel tacked on and then just disappearing like in many romance novels.
This one definitely lived up to the precious books in the series.
Vanessa Kelly never fails to amaze and entertain me with her beautifully written stories. I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of The Highlander's Kilted Bride from Netgalley and all thoughts and opinions are my own. We are back with the Clan Kendrick family and it's Kade's turn to make us believe in romance and love. He first meets the love of his life, Charlotte Kinloch Stewart when he was sickly as a young child and Charlotte stuck up for him by punching a bully, Richard, who now as an adult wants to marry her if only because she has a big dowry. Kade and Charlotte both love music where Kade is actually a renowned musician. Together, however, the music they make is literally perfect. A missing jewelry heirloom and a possible murder attempt bring both characters in even closer proximity. I loved the awkward farcical scenes in the book among the families and the bickering and banter between all the characters was hilarious. A fantastic story.
Got to love a highland lass who has to be a bit of a tomboy before the term was even used. But this one was a good one. I kept reading because I had to find what happened to Charlie. So finished this one in one day.
4.5 Stars! This is book 6 in the ‘Clan Kendrick’ series and can be read as a standalone. This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I didn’t feel lost at all, which can sometimes happen in a series. I really enjoyed this book. It had some mystery’s that needed solving, witty banter, embarrassing family members, unpredictable and funny happenings that had me grinning while reading, the Kinloch fiddler, smooching, and a HEA ending. Kade & Charlie, the main characters, were easy to love and root for. I enjoyed this book so much, I want to read the rest of the series. I definitely recommend this book!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
'The Highlander's Kilted Bride' by Vanessa Kelly is a joy from start to finish. Taking place over years it has humor, mystery and a thoroughly delightful romance. It was completely engaging from start to finish and I highly recommend it to all who want a great Scottish historical.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
As the youngest of the Kendrick brothers, Kade has been used to his family's overbearing protection. He knows that his ill health when he was young was part of it, but he's a grown man now, though the others don't seem to see it. Now a renowned musician, he's had freedom while living abroad, though recent injuries while spying for the crown have started the mollycoddling and over protection again. Kade is looking forward to being able to escape again, though first he has to attend the wedding of a family friend, and the only positive is spending time with Charlotte Stewart again. Charlie is like a breath of fresh air, riding the countryside astride in a kilt, and reminding him of the time they spent together as youngsters. Though while he has fond memories, Charlie has never been able to forget Kade, and seeing him change from the pale young boy into the man he now is, the feelings she had once been able to squash are blossoming. As Kade starts to consider that marrying might be on the horizon, and Charlie is the only woman for him, he finds he has a rival for her affection, though not one she's too happy about.
I just love this series, and couldn't wait for Kade's story, particularly after seeing him grow up through the recent books. Charlie was the perfect partner for him, and though her mother and sister didn't appreciate her for how she was, I'm glad she did have support in her brother and father, though they weren't always the best at showing it. I felt sorry for how she was paraded about as a prize to be won, especially over the missing brooch. Kade saw her for real, and though he wanted her to be his, he didn't want to 'win' her, he wanted her to want him back, and set out to show her he was worthy. Granda Angus is always a hoot, and though he was a little more helpful in this book than he has been before, there were moments when his actions nearly scuppered all Kade and Charlie's chances. This book was the perfect ending to the series, and though I'm sad to see the last of the Kendrick's, I know that Vanessa's next series will be just as great!
The Highlander's Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly is such a fun read. The book got a little sweet historical romance, an interesting personality from the characters, a great supporting characters, a little suspense from the actions scenes and a little bit of angst.
Charlie is such an interesting character whos would rather wear a kilt and ride a horse. However, with her sister's upcoming wedding, Charlie's been pressure to be next. A husband has been set for Charlie but with the arrival of a highlander who once her childhood pal, Kade rival her suitor.
I'll definitely be reading more from Vanessa Kelly and I'm looking forward to read the next story.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It was a really sweet book, I enjoyed the reading. Kade was a charming and intriguing man, and Charlie was amazing! She was such a strong and determined woman. The way that she falled in love with him was so sweet and I liked that when he noticed that he was falling in love too, he just accepted his emotions and doesn't try to hide. One thing that I noticed was that Charlie was so insecure about their love, and I was like "girl, he loves you! Why are you complicating the matter?".
Oh, and they share a love for music, and in my opnion the music was the matchmaker hahah
It was my first time reading the author, so I didn't know her writing's style, and I thought the couple had have such a chemistry and steamy scenes that I was waiting a s*x scene at least once... and I was reading and anxiously waiting, but nothing happened. But beside that, i really liked.
This is a story with lots of shenanigans, great characters, and a few mysteries. Charlotte, better known as Charlie, is making the effort to behave while the guests arrive for her sister's wedding. Her sister is a drama queen, her brother is hiding something, and her dad has announced that whoever finds her missing brooch will get her hand in marriage. She wants nothing to do with two of the men searching and hijinks ensue to stop them from finding it. Kade is supposed to be writing a concerto, but keeps finding himself involved helping Charlie or trying to keep his Grandda Angus out of trouble. Angus is one of my favorite characters as you just nevr know what he will do next. Kade finds himself falling for Charlie and is kept busy trying to keep the peace between everyone, convince Charlie of her worth, and solve the mystery of the brooch and deal with keeping her brother safe after a couple of accidents happen. It is a fun and thrilling story that has an ending that makes you smile.