A classic Sands.

Gorgeous, competent (if a bit naive) young woman meets deceased husband’s brother, falls in majorly lust, then wildly in love. He reciprocates of course.

A plot to murder them is afoot! Attempted poisoning, head injuries, mid-coitus arrow wounds, bed rooms aflame, more arrow wounds, fratricide, matricide, jealousy, revenge, lots of less violent sex, returned characters (she’s the daughter of the couple from An English Bride in Scotland), and a huge strong hot man knocked on his ass by his fierce wife.

Hope her brother is next!

Enjoyed this fun read. Annella's brassy comments made me laugh out loud. Couldn't put the book down!

I love historical fiction books with a Highlander theme, and this book did not disappoint at all. The plot had it all; mystery, action, romance, family drama, and even some fun. The characters were great, starting off with a STRONG female lead who does not take anything from anyone! Overall, a completely enjoyable, quick read!
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5 Stars! Lynsay Sands is an amazing author. Her books never disappoint! This was a great book with tons of mystery, danger, scheming, a strong female main character(Annella) who doesn’t take stuff from anyone, a strong male main character(Graeme) who falls in love at first sight, a ‘bad guy’ who will keep you guessing, loving family, hateful family, near death experiences, death, sizzling sexy times, a forced marriage, falling in love, and a HEA ending. I’d highly recommend this book, especially if historical Scottish romance is your thing.
*I received this book at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*

James' rating: 5 out of 5 stars of molten love! ✨

That was so filling and left me feeling content like when you have a home cooked meal after a long time!

I was wondering why the name Mackay sounded familiar and it just hit me when our past characters appeared in the story. The very first book in the series. It was so nostalgic to read about Ross and Annabel and their family. Our MCs had great chemistry, were basically blazing up for each other that I was starting to get jealous and a little mystery to spice things up. (not that it was needed if you know what I mean 😉)

Annella! I'm in love. It's usually the MCs that get me going but Annella is on a whole another level. She was full of magnetism and her growth left me in awe. She was compassionate and also had an iron will. Graeme was a perfect match for her with his charisma and that rugged, caveman personality. He was so patient, understanding and caring. Well, what more do you want?

The story flowed so well in a soothing way and I was near the end before I even realized it. I was so mad at all that Annella suffered but she finally got her HEA that she deserved so freaking much.

Thank you Lynsay Sands and Avon Books for a filling ARC!

Love Scottish stories and this isn't an exception. A second son, Graeham comes home after his brother's death to find life isn't want he expected. Annella, his brother's widow has been doing everything for the clan. Taking over being Laird is a challenge to begin with but add into that family issues, deceit, a horrible mother and more. Good story with an even pace and full of good Scottish vernacular. Don't miss out on this one.

In my opinion, Lyndsay Sands is the best there is in writing Scottish Romances. This book was just as good as always. She has such wonderful characters. They are funny, loving, intelligent. In this book she had me laughing, crying and a little surprised at the twist it took. I always love it when a book surprises me and keeps me on my toes. This book has it all.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

I love this series by Lynsay Sands. They are always a fun time and I appreciate how many of the characters that we get to see are interconnected. If you appreciate lighthearted happily ever afters with a bit of family drama thrown in, this is a book for you!

Highlander’s Return
Lynsay Sands

Lynsay Sands is one of the best as her fans can well attest. Whether it’s her historical romances set the Scottish Highlands or her profusely, prolific and never ending paranormal series of Argeneau Immortals (vampires) that you follow, she’ll surprise you. This one is short and I’ve read it before. It’s still enjoyable, entertaining and an easy read. If you’ve never read anything by her and you want to start with a short historical this would be a good introduction. If you’re like me and have eagerly awaited her next release for the past 27 years, then you have been blessed with an enormous amount of talent, imagination, humor and romance from one of the best authors of these genres. As you have probably guessed I’m a HUGE fan. Happy reading!!

This was a fun and sweet read. The characters are well written and the story is well paced. The spice is just the right amount while still having a strong storyline filled with a mystery. I enjoyed Anella being a strong and confident FMC and even better, that’s one of the main reasons the warrior highlander Graeme had “instalove” for her. Who can’t appreciate that? I didn’t know until after the fact that this book is part of a series (which I will be reading next) as it is strong as a standalone.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Beautiful, emotional, funny, and passionate. Lynsay Sands never disappoints me with her writing. The characters are well written and Graeme and Anella's story is swoon-worthy. While it is part of a series, you can read this as a standalone.

Another wonderful read by Lynsay Sands! Graeme left home several years ago to travel through Scotland as a mercenary. Now his brother, William h clan chieftain is dead and he must return to his clan. Now everything has changed. Will the sweet lass he left behind be the same or will she have changed too? Read The Highlander's Return is a great read!

A classic Lynsay Sands highlander tale with mystery, insta-lust, and smart heroine (hero wishes lol)!

Graeme is the second son who has been away as a mercenary for years, but returns home to be laird when he learns his brother has passed. When he arrives, he is immediately taken by his brother's widow, Payton, who he only briefly met six years ago. She's nothing like the demure, weak woman her brother (his comrade) painted her as and her strength, no-nonsense attitude, and appearance quickly makes her someone he respects.

With his father incapacitated, his older brother missing since the wedding, his mother a b*tch, and his younger brother too young, Payton took over ruling the keep and people for the past six years which Graeme uses to convince her to stay so he can woo her.

But as they find a passion and respect with each other, the question remains: why did his brother/her husband disappear the night of the wedding? And why are mysterious accidents taking place now? Who would want to kill Graeme?

Despite being the 12th in the season, you don't have to read the others to understand/enjoy this one. You will see some familiar faces (I can't believe we're in the next gen!) and familiar themes.

Thus, I once again enjoyed the predictability of Lynsay's books, the humor, setting, and passion between the leads.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

Feat: mystery, insta-lust, married for convenience/compromised/wants to (yes, all at once), medical field FMC

3.25 stars
2.5 spice

OMG I loved this book and this series. Lynsay writes such incredible characters and settings. Such a great book to read. i didn't want to put it down.

The Highlander's Return is the 12th offering in the Highland Brides series by Lynsay Sands. You don't have to read these in order, but they do reference back to previously introduced characters. You'll ger everything you have come to expect from Sands...romance and laughs.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital review copy.

This is such a fun historical romance read! Highlanders, Scottish accents, larids and ladies, a fiery FMC, Insta Lust, spice, and an mysterious assassination plot -- This is a fast paced read that might have you reaching for more.

I loved that every time the MMC thought he had the perfect plan to convince the FMC to marry him that something would happen and he would be at the misery of his hormones and completely fall into her arms.

The mystery assassination plot part was amazing! I guessed the big bads before the reveal but still enjoyed the reveal and the motivations for the assassination plot.

I had no idea that this book was the 12th in a series but I think that it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

This was another great story in this series. You have a strong willed woman who is determined to do everything her way. Things go a little different than she planned when she met Graeme. One look at her was all it took to know his life was about to change drastically. Will Graeme be able to woo her and keep her alive after someone is determined to kill her and maybe even him too? I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series!

Graeme Gunn has returned home with his brother’s body. Having to tell his brother’s wife the news isn’t going to be easy. 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 loved Anella. She is feisty, intelligent, and strong enough to care for the entire clan. Although, she could do without her mother-in-law’s vicious and demeaning temperament.

Lynsay Sands is a maestro at writing a story that captivates you from page one. I loved the characters, the story, mystery, and intrigue that were so well written, I couldn’t put the book down. Graeme is a true hero. Not only because he’s a superior warrior, but because he is willing to listen and change. He’s not perfect, but when he falls for his new wife, he has to be everything for her. I enjoyed their banter and the steam the two generated. I loved the supporting characters and would like to see them all get their own stories. And this cover is swoon-worthy. The Highlander’s Return is the twelfth book in the Highland Brides series, but it is a complete stand-alone. Although once reading this you’ll want to find out all the fun and mayhem from the first eleven books. Don’t worry, they are ALL worth the read.

Awesome, fun, and very sweet. Really reminds of the old school romances. A lot happening, a sweet love story, and the bad guys are very bad. I really enjoyed this book.

You can always count on Lyndsay Sands for fairly high-heat medieval Scottish romances combined with some zany antics and a possible murder plot, and The Highlander's Return is no different.

It does feel like there are two distinct halves to this book: Part one mostly consists of Annella wanting nothing more than to return to her ancestral home now that she's been widowed by Graeme's brother, except Graeme wants to marry Annella so he tries to "compromise" her by having her brothers catch them in the middle of the act (to be clear, her brothers are completely fine with this). And Annella is totally down for some no-strings sex but less so marriage after her first husband abandoned her and getting a taste of independence as a widow and chatelaine. It's light, it's humorous.

The plot really picks up about midway through the book post-marriage: you get the classic post-marriage communication issues, then there are multiple murder attempts on Annella and Graeme, and there's still the mystery of Annella's first husband's disappearance all those years ago. Because books clocks in at around 234 pages, the multiple resolutions felt quite rushed.

The sex:

Another Lynsay Sands classic: couples who are ready to go at it any time despite the number of creative injuries they have, and in this case, Annella and Graeme brave burn scars and arrows being shot at them WHILE they're having sex.

Overall:

This book wasn't for me, but I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, light-hearted Scottish romance.

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

Rating: 3.75/5
Heat Level: 3.25/5
Publication Date: September 24th