*4.5 stars*

Wonderfully lost in the Scottish brogue…

This story was so much fun! A time travel, historical romance, this was a wild trip back in time with intrigue in abundance and a lot of laughter…

Of course, it’s quite serious when Andrew’s leadership of his clan is threatened so that always percolated in the background. At the same time, Van, surprisingly, fit right in to the castle with her modern outlook and curiousity. She asked lots of questions and soon became personally invested in Andrew’s home and life. And of course Andrew was a hero of the first order…

The book was full of historical charm, a thick Scottish brogue and dragons and faeries (oh my!) as the pair figured out their future and each other…
Loved it!

Embrace the Lace by Shannon MacLeod earns a 3.5-star rating for its engaging blend of romance and time travel, set against the vibrant backdrop of 17th century Scotland. The novel follows the journey of Evangeline “Van”, a spirited protagonist trying to make sense of her new world after she time travels back in time to 1659 Scotland. MacLeod's writing is both heartfelt and humorous, capturing the essence of Van’s inner turmoil and the charm of her new surroundings. The chemistry between Van and Andrew is palpable, adding depth to the narrative. However, the story occasionally leans on predictable tropes and could benefit from more nuanced character development. Despite these minor drawbacks, Embrace the Lace remains an enjoyable read, offering readers a delightful escape. If you love Outlander but want a more fantastical experience, you will most likely enjoy this book as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publishers for giving me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Embrace the Lace, by Shannon MacLeod was a departure for me as I tend to stick to authors that I know and love. The description on the blurb caught my attention because I was looking for something different and this book did not disappoint. Shannon was able to navigate going from time period quite smoothly. I needed Evangeline(Van) being deemed a witch to be a bit more fleshed out, but overall, with humor and emotions in heavy presence I found myself wanting to continue reading on to see how Andrew and Van were going to navigate this adventure they found themselves in. I usually like my romance with a love of heat and so wanted more, but overall this was such a fun adorable read.

Embrace the Lace is an historical romance with time travel. Paisley Evangeline Darling, better known as Van, is a mechanical engineer. On visiting a renaissance festival she is plunged straight into 17th-century Scotland. This book is brilliantly written and hilarious in parts.

The characters of Van and Andrew the Laird of the land she end up in are both likeable. As Van tries to find a way home and adapt to the time period, she is getting closer and closer to falling for Andrew. Whilst others int he keep plot her and Andrews demise.

This is a book that would be great for any fans of historical romance, or time travel and of course Outlander.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Van is suddenly flaying in a pond, only to be rescued by a Scottish laid. Andrew has no idea how the lass in pants ended up in his pond but he's captivated by her. Andrew's uncle believes he should be laird and will do everything in his power to take over the clan.

Van brings humor and a lot of novel ideas to the clan. The characters and the story were well written with medaling from the fae. It was mostly what I expect in a time travel novel.

Ah, the cover tells the wrong story... we actually need a kilt!
An enjoyable historical story with characters to empathise with. Nicely written and well plotted.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so filled with wonderful humor and emotion. I was laughing the whole way through but a;so on the edge of my seat as things were happening. The heroine really made the book. She was all thing modern, mouth, learned, and adorable the perfect contrast to the brooding ancient warrior of the male protagonist. I loved them so much, the writer was wonderful in detailing the reactions and confusion of ancient highlanders when faced with a modern woman and her ideas. I do feel like the topic of her being thought of as a witch had merit and could have been expanded upon, but overall I thought the book was well thought out, wonderfully written, and delightfully funny. I can’t wait to read another by this talented authoress.

Such a fun read! This is a romantacy novel similar in plot to Outlander(it even references the outlander books at one point!), but it's a lot lighter. Our modern heroine Van gets pulled into the past to meet Laird Andrew McIver in 1659 Scotland, and a quick burn romance ensues. I love that the author highlights the disconnect with Van's modern upbringing and life in the 17th century. The cast of characters was fun, including a motherly chatelaine, a grumpy blacksmith, mischievous fae, and even an evil uncle to cause problems!

The only thing that took me out of the story a bit was some odd conveniences that moved the story along. For example, Van's smartphone somehow still had battery life after 2 weeks in the past. Also, even though she graduated from college in only 3 years, she somehow had taken all sorts of convenient, yet unrelated extra college courses that happened to help her in this situation(culinary classes, engineering, physics, French, etc).

I like reading Scottish set books, and I enjoyed this fun ‘highlander’, romance, forget about the ‘if you time travel don’t change anything’ mix, story. I especially liked the mischief that Van brings to the Laird’s house as she brings modern to the 17th century. A quick and easy read. Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This author was a first for me and I liked the story! Slow burn and great chemistry between the characters!

Embrace The Lace by Shannon MacLeod is a captivating tale that weaves together the threads of time, romance, and adventure in a rich tapestry of historical and futuristic elements. The novel presents a unique blend of genres, combining the allure of historical Scotland with the intrigue of time travel and the warmth of a blossoming romance.
The story revolves around Andrew MacIver, a 25-year-old widower and chieftain of his clan, burdened with the weight of leadership and the quest for a love that echoes his parents' bond. His life takes an unexpected turn when Paisley Evangeline Darling, affectionately known as Van, a modern-day woman with a passion for adventure and a brilliant mind for mechanical engineering, is thrust into his world from the future.
Shannon MacLeod's storytelling is lauded for its sensory stimulation, creating a vivid picture of 17th-century Scotland with a modern flair, a touch of fantasy and sci-fi.

It was a quick easy read, like a cozy but sassy modern time Outlander. While nice, it's also pretty forgettable. The title did not seem to fit the story. The ending seemed a bit "much" by way of fae magic, but seemed ok for a cozy read. I thought more of the Andy's mom scenario would be explained, or more of how Van's parents got to her wedding would be explained, but ... yay magic. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Time travel, with a touch of fairies, humor, modern day mix ups.

Van travels to the past and is rescued by Andrew. Once she realizes that she has time traveled and is not in an enactment, she starts imparting her futuristic knowledge on Andrew's clan. Together they fight for his legacy and their romance.

Entertaining, light read.

"Embrace the Lace" by Shannon MacLeod is a contemporary romance novel that blends elements of humor and heartfelt moments. The story revolves around engaging and well-drawn characters, set against a backdrop that combines modern settings with touches of whimsy. MacLeod's writing style is both accessible and evocative, drawing readers into the protagonists' journey as they navigate love, challenges, and personal growth. The novel’s unique blend of romance and lighthearted narrative makes it a delightful read for those looking for a charming escape. If you enjoy stories with a balance of laughter and romance, this book is a great pick.

Like I needed a reason to fall in love with time travel romances again. This was a great time. If you’re looking for historical accuracy, you won’t find it here but what you will find is banter, angst and instant love connections.

Tom Brown was probably my favorite character out of everyone. Evangeline’s chatterbox felt so accurate to how I would be in a similar situation.

If you need a book to lighten the mood and a guaranteed happy ended you’re going to find it here.

Loved reading the mesmerizing and spellbinding story. When Evangeline (Van) ends up in 17th century Scotland, she ends up being saved from Laird Andrew MacIver. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written, and a must read riveting and captivating romance story.

This passionate love story is something that make me dream and enjoy. Wonderfully writen, lovely characters, captivating from the very beginning to finish.