The Highlander's Return is another Lynsay Sands victory. I am a sucker for a strong, unflappable heroine and a hero who gets starry eyed over the FMC's strength. The who-done-it elements were also satisfying and added to the relationship arc. I usually love a slow burn, and this is very much different from that. This incendiary romance was delightful, funny, sexy, and all around a great time!

Book: THE HIGHLANDER’S RETURN
Author: Lynsay Sands
Series: Highland Brides, Book #12
Number of Pages: 352 Pages
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flags

Scottish Highlands
Graeme MacKay was born a second son and has been a mercenary; he left his home long ago to fight all across Scotland. Now his brother William has passed and he must take his place. He is shocked when he meets his brother’s widow as this who is stunning and outspoken and direct not creature is not the quiet, biddable wife he recalls from his brother and Annella’s wedding from many years prior.

Annella is breathtakingly beautiful but has no reservations about speaking her mind either! When she discovers her husband is dead she is not sad or full of remorse and grief. Quite the opposite really; she is happy and ready to leave this Gunn household. Afterall her husband left in the middle of the night with the village light skirt and it was the last time she saw him. It was the day after their wedding her mother-in-law blamed Annella making such cruel and horrible accusations like she wasn’t pretty, had an ugly physique and didn’t know how to satisfy a man.

What she does realize is Graeme is not the new Laird and needs a wife. Plus Annella needs to have the Lairds permission to leave the Gunn lands. He has decided she will be his next wife. He is already attracted to her and sees her feisty and has done a great job acting as Laird and healer. Plus his people admire and respect her minus his mother who he knows is a wicked witch from his own experience.

Now Graeme has found the perfect excuse to show him the rope and teach him to become a proper laird. Of course he is lying through his teeth but hopes during the time to woo her and have her fall into his arms. Will his charm and manipulation work with this feisty independent beauty? Except it is not all calm safe waters with wooing as an enemy comes into their atmosphere that wants them both dead! Read and discover their fate!

I have been reading Lynsay Sands books for close to thirty years. I have read all twelve books in this series. Again it is another brilliant read that just blew me away! It is filled with breathtaking betrayal, heartwarming passion and a love that could not be denied. A book Scottish historical romance readers do not want to miss! As always it is another Sands book that had me hooked right from the start. It can be read as a stand alone book or in series orders. A book I highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

This isn’t a bad book, but it’s definitely a truly insane one. In the most fun way! There’s so much chaos and mystery and attempted murder and steamy moments and Scottish accents! The very basic, the romance between Annella and Graeme, is actually quite good. They have chemistry and sparks and are really complementary characters. The moments when it’s simply about these two people exploring how they feel about each other work so well.

Graeme’s family, though. The wildest secondary characters I have read in a looooong time. They’re probably gonna make you appreciate your family way more. But they’re so deeply chaotic that the book never lets you settle into it. It’s one shocking, crazy moment after another. If you’re into that, you’ll love this. If you want a soothing read, I would have this for another time.

This is a fantastic historical romance set in the highlands. I love the fact that the heroine is strong and has actually been running things in her clan while her husband was gone, but now that he has died and she must marry his brother there are some disagreements on who shall be in charge. I love seeing how the relationship develops and that they really are a perfect match for one another. They both love the people in their clan, and it’s heartwarming to see how they fight for themselves and their people

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel.

This was a fast, fun read. This Scottish love story had all the drama, steaminess, and action you would expect. I haven't read all of the other books in this series, but I definitely will.

I loved this from beginning to end. Annella and Graeme are a perfect match. There are several facets to their story that kept me so engaged to where I didn’t want to put it down!
I’d give this 5 stars all day long.

I absolutely enjoyed this historical fiction romance by Lynsay Sands. I will be dreaming about Graeme!

Book: The Highlander's Return (Highland Brides # 12)
Author: Lynsay Sands
Publishing: September 24, 2024
Rating: : 4/5(⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5)
Review:
I was surprised to receive this ARC. I have read every book in the series. This series is one of my guilty pleasures. Fast-paced romance with mild smut. A quick read. A perfect read for a rainy fall day. Slightly predictable, but an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, & Lynsay Sands for this ARC.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

#TheHighlandersReturn #NetGalley #LynsaySands

This was a well-written, entertaining book. It was action-packed, fun, steamy and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

I have never gotten into the more historical romances. I have been trying to read some by new to me authors, but I think it's just not my thing. Unfortunately I DNFd this at about 20% because it just wasn't my thing.

This was a case of, it's not the book, it's a me thing.

Yet again Lyndsay Sands shows me why she is my favorite author. In this adventure we meet Annella, a very strong willed and not your average woman. She married into the Gunn family only to have her husband disappear on their wedding night. She has run the keep and everything since then. Graeme Gunn has always been a part of the action and didn’t want to be responsible for home and its people. Now with news of his brother's death he must return to his responsibilities, and his brother’s widow. So many questions still unanswered Annella agrees to help Graeme learn how to run things in exchange for her way home. Things don’t always work out that way.
This was such a fun book for me. One of my favorites. Annella was such a take-no-nonsense woman and a strong character. As always Sands creates amazing detailed characters and story. Graeme falls fast for her spirit and strength. Can he convince her to stay? This story is packed with mystery, action, and don’t forget the passion! Wow! The perfect mix of humor, action, intrigue and passion. You're going to love this one! Enjoy this adventure.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me enjoy this story.

This was my first book in this series but it won’t be the last. I really enjoyed this, it has mystery, action, romance, family drama, and even some fun.
When Graeme Gunn has to return home with his brother’s body to tell his brother’s wife the news of his passing, Anella MacKay Gun has spent the last six years being the Laird, Chatelaine, and healer for the Gunn clan when her husband disappeared on their wedding night. I love her, Annella is amazing and her brassy comments made me laugh out loud. This was a great story and I couldn't put the book down!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is awesome! The Highlander’s Return has Graeme 'meeting' his future wife, Annella, as she is ‘barking’ at one of his clan. The last he saw her, six years ago, she had just married his brother and was a quiet, mousy female. Graeme has come home to her and the clan to tell her of her husband’s death, but the change in her strike him as just the wife he needs to help him rule his clan. Well, since she has been doing just that for the last six years while he and her husband have been away fighting a war, trouble ensues. And, he has a crazy family to go along with him but, again, she already knows that, too. She has been dealing with them all this time without his or anyone else's help.

You will chuckle over Annella’s attempt to not marry Graeme and how she gets frustrated with him at every turn. You will never think of pasties in the same way again! Read and enjoy as this romance in the Highland Brides series will be a great one to have as fall comes around.

p.s. I am more of a 'closed-door' reader; so, I need to admit that I skipped a few pages of the 'steamy' stuff many readers enjoy.

I really enjoyed reading the latest highland romance by one of my favorite authors. Ms Sands writes a terrific story that had me at first page and never let go. Even though this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own.
I adore this kind of book that shows us the reader, lots of brawny guys with muscle and kilts.
Graeme Gunn has been gone several years on his own being a mercenary. He likes his life, but then he receives news that his brother has died. So he makes his way back home to see what is happening.
But he finds his brother's shy young wife has changed since he's been gone. Annella Mackay is one beautiful woman who has blossomed into a confident person and taken over duties to oversea her home. She thought that once she married she thought her dreams would come true. But now its changed into her hands, and she like it that way.
Both Graeme and Annella have a clash of wills and also an attraction to each other. So Graeme decides to stay and claim his duty to his clan, but someone doesn't want him to succeed.
It will take a strong man and woman to fight for their home. Love blossoms and fate takes over into a happy ever after.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

The daughter of the first Highlander Brides book is finally getting married!
Well, sort of, her husband ran off before even bedding her. Annella became the laird, lady, and healer of the entire land when her husband deserted. 6 years later, his brother and Annella's brother come home with her husband's bones. This begins her love story and the new laird, her husband's brother, who quickly becomes her husband. The spice seemed to start early in the book, and I kept going through the book—the mystery part I caught early but was surprised at how it ended. Overall, I want to read the rest of the books, especially about Annella's parents!
Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins, Avon and Harper Voyager, and the author for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

The Highlander’s Return is #12 in the Highland Brides series but can be read as a stand-alone. This was a steamy medieval Sottish romance with plenty of comedic relief.

Annella Gunn has just learned that her MIA husband of six years has passed away—and she isn’t sad about it! Her late husband deserted her shortly after their wedding ceremony, leaving Annella to act as the laird of clan Gunn in his absence (as well as lady of the keep, nurse and all-around peace maker). Unfortunately (or perhaps luckily LOL) for Annella, her late husband’s younger brother, Graeme, is set to take over as clan leader and he has his sights set on keeping Annella around, as his wife! Annella is overworked, tired and fed up with her nasty in-laws and will take a lot of convincing in order to stick around.

This story was a good time! I really enjoyed how strong and feisty Annella was as well as how soft Graeme, a former war mercenary, treats our leading lady. In addition to their charming romance, there is an element of mystery/suspense as someone is not happy about the budding relationship taking place between Annella and Graeme.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 stars

Scottish romance
Widow
Medieval romance
Reluctant bride

I've been reading Lynsay Sands since high school and I still get excited when I see a new release in the catalog. Scottish romances, or "kilt-rippers" as I've come to call them, are my favorite subgenre. The Highland Brides series seems to scratch that Caledonian itch when I'm hankering for a deep European burr. After marrying off all the Buchanan siblings, we've reached the lesser known boughs of their family tree. The Highlander's Return was a peculiar romance with an off-kilter timetable. Our couple ignited their passion at the 25% mark and I was thrown off by their premature procreation. It's traditional for the kilt to come flying off closer to the halfway mark, but these too seemed eager to ditch the sporran.

The Highlander's Return features the unlikely couple of a dead laird's brother and the widow he left behind. He pretty much just bounced on his wedding day and chose to pursue the village lightskirt instead for six years! It was a creative set up to pair these two together, although I was less than enthused over the heroine's thought patterns. She was capable, smart, well-versed in running the castle but was ready to pack her bags as soon as she heard the news of her husband's passing. I didn't like the heroine's emotional unavailability and the murder subplot that has occurred in every single Highland Brides book. Can we please go a single volume with an arrow in soft flesh? I'm begging you!

Lynsay Sands books have always been a great comfort to me. They're easy to read and utilize my favorite tropes. I'll keep reading these books as long as she keeps writing them. They're a nice way to spend an afternoon. Just me, the Scottish countryside, and a big beefy Scot willing to turn his kilt into a picnic blanket. What else does a girl need but The Highlander's Return?

Since being abandoned by her husband of less than a day, Annella Gunn nee MacKay, has been acting as both Lady and Laird of the castle with no help from her husband’s family, especially his vile mother. Yet despite that, she has been very successful and won the respect of the clan. Now six years later, her husband has been found dead and his bones returned to Scotland. No longer needed to stay with the Gunns she is eager to return home. Hoping her father (Ross MacKay) will find her another husband, hopefully one who will love her and give her children. But she will need the permission of the new Laird, her husband’s younger brother – Graeme Gunn. She is sure he will agree, but her brother convinces her to stay a little while to help Graeme in his new position, after all the man has not been home in years and never thought he would be Laird. She reluctantly agrees and starts to spend time with Graeme, and has to admit to herself that she is attracted to him, more than any man she has ever known. When things get heated between them, Graeme insists on marriage, and she resists, until circumstances force her hand. Can she find the love she has always wanted or is she doomed to living unhappily ever after?

From the moment he returned home and saw Annella tending a clan member, Graeme Gunn knew she was the woman for him. But convincing her was a lot harder than he anticipated. He will need the help of her brother Payton and his fellow mercenaries, Symon and Teague to win her hand. But no sooner than he does, it becomes clear that someone is trying to kill one of them! He will have to figure it out before he loses the only woman he has ever loved.

This book has all the elements that made me a fan of Lynsay Sands! The book is well written, nicely paced and has wonderful characters. It took me a minute to figure out how Annella and Graeme were connected to the “Highland Brides” and then I realized that Annella is next generation of Highland Brides, since she is Ross & Annabel’s daughter from the first book in the series and readers will be delighted to reunite with them in this book. The story classic Sands with her trademark humor, intrigue, and steamy love scenes. The book is filled with mystery, wonderful characters, witty banter, a strong heroine, a sexy highlander hero, great secondary characters, vile villains, a bit of miscommunication and finally a HEA complete with an epilogue. I will be honest, I am not sure how I feel about how things ended with the villain, I can’t say more without spoilers, but I did find it unsettling, not undeserved, just not quite what I was expecting. Anyway, it was a for the most part, a fun, spicy read that could be read as a standalone title with no problems and a book that I am happy to recommend to my fellow Lyndsay Sands fans.

4, maybe 4.5 stars

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

I wanted to like this book, but I could not get into it. On the plus side, it was a short read and moved quickly. It was hard with the Scottish talk and I figured out who was doing it from the beginning.

I always enjoy Lynsay Sands' Highlanders series- full of crazy family situations, insane chemistry between the main characters, laugh out loud situations, and good entertainment. You don't have to read the series in any kind of order, although the books are loosely connected through characters.

Graeme and Annella are good characters. I especially liked Annella- she arrived at Gunn as a young, insecure bride and had to take over as laird, lady, and healer when her husband leaves on their wedding night. She earns the respect of the clan and becomes a strong leader who thinks of everyone but herself. The opening scene where Graeme first sees her is a classic and had me laughing out loud- and Graeme convinced she was the woman for him!

The plot wasn't as strong as some of the others in the series, with a lot of the action taking place 'off page' and the reader just hearing about it later. Graeme trips over himself a lot when trying to figure out how to get Annella to fall for him and doesn't think things through as much as he should, which got annoying.

Not the best in the series, but a great main female character still pulled it through. I'd recommend starting with a different one in the series though, to get hooked with a better book.

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