Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade publishing for the arc of "The Forest Bride" by Susan King.

As soon as I saw the cover it gave me Merida vibes and I had to read it! The plot was fast paced and very engaging. I loved seeing Margaret and Duncan fall in love and special bonus points for the pets being included in the story. I love a good historical romance story and this one did not disappoint. Loved the setting being in Scotland.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I really loved all the notable pets in this story - dogs and falcons. You can really tell that an author has a soft heart when the fit pets into their stories. The romance between Margaret and Duncan started out slow, but in the end was sweet. Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Thank you to @netgalley and @dragonbladepublishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I grew up reading historical romances and when I saw this one come available it felt like a blast from the past and I couldn’t wait to dive in. PLUS it’s set in Scotland which was my prime reading material when I was younger, so I felt like I couldn’t go wrong.

This book gives off Merida vibes from brave and I really enjoyed every time our FMC Margaret was on the page. She is such a strong character with an amazing moral compass. She is compassionate and loves with all her heart, even staying true to a man who rejected their arranged marriage when they were young despite thinking he was dead.

The pacing of the book was overall decent. It kept the story going without any unnecessary lulls. However, some parts did fall a bit flat. I’m not sure if it was the dialogue or just the overall writing, but it felt like we kept being TOLD instead of SHOWN. I feel like this is a n issue for a lot of authors so I can’t reallly fault this one.

I do like that this is technically part of a series but it’s a stand alone. You don’t have to read the one before it to understand what’s happening, but it is nice to see mentions of the previous couple. It makes the world feel more fleshed out and well rounded.

Overall, a decent read that gave major nostalgia vibes!

This book was so addictive! The story was so good and the main characters were very well written and I loved their romance!

I loved this book!! It kept me turning the page reading chapter after chapter having to know what happened next. The last 100 pages or so for sure kept me reading it all night. I enjoyed the love story the plot the characters ,the magic.

I normally don't read a lot of historical romances but this one really called my attention and Scotland? Of course I had to read it.. I loved the story between Margaret and Duncan, the arranged marriage that never happened (and thank god, I know that was normal in that time but please) it was very entertaining and kind of sweet, since they would both were very involved in each other

I’m in love with this new-to-me author. I am a huge fan of the historical romances set in Scotland and with that medieval vibe. This story was perfect for me. Lady Margaret Keith is out to rescue her charge and with an archery contest giving her the opportunity. Sir Duncan Campbell, the man who broke her heart in the past, is now a judge. Now thrown together with circumstances can their passion rekindle. Add in some magic and a faery stone and you're in for a magical adventure. I loved the way King writes. Her characters are so fun and full of life. I loved the setting the most, So detailed. I felt like I was there in Scotland with them. You will love this story. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

An engaging, amusing and different take on the nuances of the ton in regency times. Enjoyable at every chapter, we follow clever FMC as she navigates the perils of the female in challenging times. Thoroughly enjoyable at every chapter.

The Forest Bride by Susan King is a medieval romance fill with so much description and historical reality, it is worth the read just for that. Margaret Keith was just a little fey. She inherited from her grandfather who was well known for his abilities. He had left her several things when he died, one of which was a cloak brooch with a seeing stone embedded in it. Through it she could see glimpses of the future. Now in the middle of the transport taking Robert the Bruce’s oldest daughter to meet a boat that would take her to her father, it was gone, and so was Lilias. In fact so was everyone except for Andrew, a boy who had been traveling with them. Some dead. Some captured. It was up to the two of them to gt Lilias back and get her to her father. In the process of doing that, she ran across the local justicar, who was also the man who had broken her heart when he had broken their betrothal years earlier. He had been reported dead. That was obviously not the case. But it had been reported to him that she had become a nun. That was not the case either.

They had bonded, back then, over a falcon, one forbidden to anyone but the English king. It had been wounded and they had saved it. She was just thirteen and he twenty. His life had been spent in a dungeon and then fighting for the English king. But he still had the bird. He remembered Margaret but still believed he had done the right thing, breaking the betrothal when he was leaving, possibly for years. It took some convincing, but eventually he believed that Lilias was being held by his neighbor. Getting her back was troublesome. What a good book. The characters were endearing and interesting. The plot was well-thought-out and the villain was a masterpiece. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thanks Susan King!

I was invited to read The Forest Bride by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SusanKing #TheForestBride

A sweet book two of a series. Fast moving and engaging. Margaret is to protect and care for a Scottish Royal. She is feisty, brave and full of vigger. Her past comes along to complicate matters and a second chance presents itself. From an author who does a fantastic job writing Scottish novels, this is one for any age with a bit of magic added. Loved it.

I very much enjoyed The Forest Bride by Susan King. Duncan and Margaret were enjoyable and layered characters. I also loved the action and the time period. The Scottish history and culture is well researched and adds so much to the novel. It was also interesting to learn about a gyrfalcon.

Thank you to Susan King, Drangonblade Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This historical romance has a fun touch of fae magic included to enhance the plot and offer the reader, and characters, insight into what is occuring. Told from multiple perspectives, the story follows characters facing a political time of unrest in Scotland. With kidnapping, mistaken identities, lost love, and second chances the story kept the reader captivated (pun intended) from beginning to end.

The Forest Bride is about a FMC named Margaret who is charged with escorting the Scottish King’s daughter to safety. She gives off Merida from Brave vibes with her vibrant and spirited attitude as well as being excellent at archery. She crosses paths with her ex betrothed whom she thought had died in combat ten years prior. There is some turmoil that they come across through the story as well as a bit of magic.

I really enjoyed the plot and the magical aspect of this book. I do however think it needs to be longer in order to really develop these characters and create more chemistry between the two main characters. Some parts were flat at times and maybe needs more dialogue added, more showing what they’re doing and less telling. Definitely needs more of a climax build up but I did like the idea of the storyline. A lot of characters are introduced but not very much dialogue happens with them besides a retelling of history or story we already know. So definitely add more of that and maybe some banter to get a feel for the side characters as well.

This is a sweet historical romance with characters. Our hero made a decision years before that he has come to regret. Our heroine has grown up to be a spirited young woman . She takes her responsibilities seriously and will not let anyone stand in her way.
A difficult time with secrets galore.
Good fun.

Lady Margaret is young, but at just 14, she's already dealing with a broken heart. Her betrothed not only calls off their wedding but then dies in battle. So, ten years later, the last person she expects to see is... him.

This novel blends historical romance, danger, and faery enchantment set against the wild backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

Margaret is independent, bold, and unafraid to stand up for those she loves. A truly spectacular historical romance that every Scottish heart will love!

A Good Adventure with a Disappointing Romance Finale:
This was a good solid adventure story that had so much promise for a wonderful romance, but it certainly fell flat for me
The buildup of the characters magnetic relationship was so promising, and their everlasting romance could have been outstanding but to finally get to the marriage love scene that could have been wonderous was executed with a lack of feelings, no passion, no heat, a terrible intimacy scene and ever so disappointing for this unhappy reader.
This could have been a 5-star book if the author had brought in a bit of desirous sizzle. It feels like the book was written for a teenager.
The mystical parts of the adventure along with the villains made this an interesting read.
📖Book Grade for Adventure parts: A
🛏️ Grade for marriage bed scene fell flat and so did the groom😴 D-
📣Special Mention: The big dogs💖added a special treat to the story.
🧙‍♀️ I wish I could give the book 3 1/2 ⭐'s
🙋‍♀️I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion

"The Forest Bride" by Susan King is the second installment in The Highland Secrets Series, but I found it captivating as a standalone read. This series revolves around sisters, with this particular book focusing on Margret's journey.

Lady Margaret Keith faces a perilous situation when her escort group is attacked. Determined to rescue the Scottish king's daughter and retrieve a stolen seeing stone, she seizes an opportunity during an archery contest. Disguised as a boy, she inadvertently injures a lord, escapes into the forest, and is apprehended by the local justice – a man who broke her heart years ago. As they reunite under his custody, their romance is reignited.

This novel mixes historical romance, peril, and faery enchantment unfolding against the rugged Scottish Highlands. Join Lady Margaret on her adventurous and risky path, delving into a narrative of love, loyalty, and redemption with magic sprinkled in.

Thank you to Susan King, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to enjoy the advance copy of "The Forest Bride" by Susan King. Scheduled for publication on August 1st, 2024.

The Forest Bride was such a fabulous read omg. I rated it 4 stars because I really loved the plot, the characters were so immaculate and interesting. Loved!

This is. great historical fiction story set among the Highlanders. I loved the story of Margaret and Duncan, and rooted for them all the way. The plot had lots of action, deceit, loyalty , and of course romance. Any fans of this genre will thoroughly love this book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.