This is a love story with a proud Scott falling for a kind English miss - one of my favourite combinations. I knew from the author and description that this was going to be for me, and it was absolutely on point. We get Scotland, an unashamedly manipulative "fairy godmother", scandal, and the gripping tension that accompanies a courtship of business when only one half is aware of the business.

Hope has had a rough go of it, having recently lost her grandmother, her social standing, and her fiance. She and her sisters travel to the Scottish Highlands to live with their great-aunt (Lady Belle) for somewhat of a fresh start. Graham has quite the love/hate relationship with Lady Belle, as he's taken tea with her weekly over a ten year course with the aim of reclaiming the castle that she lives in for his family. When she offers him the castle with the caveat that he must marry Hope, he becomes rightfully quite miffed, and remains so for the remainder of the story. This doesn't stop him from growing to care for Hope in the meantime, and it's quite endearing seeing him succumb to his feelings despite his best intentions.

I found this to be a very well-balanced read, the tension is established early on and builds in tandem with Graham and Hopes budding relationship. Poor Graham bears the brunt of it, trying so desperately not to fall in with Lady Belles plan and still reclaim his heritage. The HEA was of the sort where you're just so pleased that two lovely people get their lovely ending.
I received this as an ARC via Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing, and all opinions are my own.

Hope in the highlands by Matilda Madison is a historical fiction Scottish Rogue type of Love Story Graham and hope are intertwined with each other's lives the way I loved this story so much left historical fiction love. Peace Timeless love stories so happy to have read this definitely put on your TBR for 2025.

A decent read. What starts as an ultimatum turns into a love story for Graham and Hope. Graham is told that he is going to get his castle back only by marrying Hope. Their mutual attraction is strong, but pride, ex suitors, and interfering aunt and sisters add enough angst and interest to this romance.

#netgalley #HopeintheHighlands

The characters fell flat for me. The male mc was especially insta-lovey. I liked the aunt character the most, and her scenes were fun.

Scottish hero Graham McKinnon finds himself in a classic historical romance predicament: his father has gambled away their family legacy, which is the beautiful Linsmore Hall in Scotland. Gambled to whom? Why to none other than Lady Belle, who has a wild past full dramatic episodes in which she finds power in a strict, patriarchal system. Lady Belle is the great aunt to three of London society’s outcasts—Hope, Grace, and Faith Sharpe. Graham may regain of his beloved ancestral home if he and Hope wed, and even though this opportunity starts as Machiavellian, Graham develops a sincere longing for Hope.

This book does not have a quick resolution. If you like books with lots of pining and turmoil on the way to your to a happily ever after (HEA), this is a book for you. In terms of plot and angst, this book reminds me of Sherry Thomas and Lorraine Heath. The ongoing external conflicts lead to a few great “my wife” moments, which I know many readers will appreciate. There are some well written steamy interludes along the way, but it takes a long time for the plot to settle into an HEA.

The heroine, Hope, is confused and lost for much of the book. There are big secrets kept from her, and she lacks the autonomy and wisdom to trust herself until the very end. While this makes her realistic and dynamic in some ways, it may be frustrating to other readers who prefer a stronger heroine.

This is the first book I have read by Matilda Madison. I know that her style will appeal to lots of romance readers. If you are looking for a classic historical set up and a prolonged longing period, this is a great choice for you. Cheers to Scottish heroes, who are always a gruff delight!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book. Obviously, these are all my opinions and no one else’s.

The first book in a new series, I could not help but feel for Hope Sharpe as she takes the brunt of the problems that befall her family. Something of a dreamer, life crowds in on her from time to time, and I could identify with her need for space to regain her equilibrium. Circumstances in London force the three Sharpe sisters to take up their great-aunt's offer to live with her in the Highlands, however, Hope is unaware of the machinations of Lady Belle who is determined to see her married. Lady Belle's offer to Graham McKinnon to restore his ancestral home to him in exchange for marriage to Hope is soundly rejected. While quite willing to pay any monetary price the old lady asks, he will not go so far as being forced into marriage to do so. Graham is surprised to find that Hope is not at all the arrogant English miss he thought she would be, and it is only when he is at risk of losing her that he finally wakes up to the real treasure in his life. I got a bit frustrated with Graham's constant arguing, but the story fortunately came to a successful conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

What if home isn’t a house?

Ah, the rugged treasures of the north... untamed nature, castles in the mist and men in kilts. Friendship, rivalry, highland games and a grumpy brooding Scotsman stuck between his head and his heart. Three bewitching English roses - one shiny and bright, one thorny and one ready to put down roots.
There’s an instant attraction between Hope and Graham, but... he won’t be pushed around, and she knows nothing about the deal. And while I find Belle’s ploy a little insolent, she means well - even though it nearly blows up in her own face.

This was a riveting courtship tango!
A little naughty with tons of charm and tension. The two-steps-forward-one-step-back of it all, the mesmerising chemistry with just a splash of steam, his inner struggle and her steadfast common sense despite being swept of her feet.
The discrete but intriguing side-characters that I’m quite certain will reappear in the next books, the lovely sideline romance, Lady Belle and her secrets, his lovely cousin and her dry but caring wisdom, her foolish meddling ex, the bees, the lake, the bonfire compromise, the nursing back to health and the grand finale.

Warm, witty and entertaining; an excellent beginning to a new series!
The stage is most definitely set and I can’t wait to discover more!

Thanks to the author for not writing out the Scottish accent. I REALLY appreciated that. It honestly gives me the ick when authors try to write out accents. I liked Graham and Hope quite a bit. Graham was a good grumpy man. He was not mean or cruel just grumpy and I get that. Hope was a nice leading lady. She loves her sisters and wants what is best for them more than anything. I didn't love Felicity, she was really antagonist of the story and then was like ope wellll he does love you. Girl... pipe down. I also just really blame her aunt I don't think Graham did what he was accused of at all. I think the seeds for Felicity's story was planted in this book but I am not sure about Grace. My guess is she was the catalyst in the event at the beginning of the book but really I could be so wrong. The ending at the end surprised me, I wasn't expecting that. 3.75 over all.
Ending thoughts:
I think this might have been less smutty then the previous series (which I am good with)
Good Kissing scenes which are my fav
maybe a little more lusty than love (doesn't bother me really)
I did get this on NetGalley as an ARC but I purchased the preorder when the author announced it on her insta.

Scandals, Deceptions, Searing Kisses:
My first time reading this author and I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with this charming highland love story.
Graham made an intriguing character that I fell for myself, and Hope was a feisty intelligent English girl that stole Graham's heart.
The connivingly determined Aunt Belle was behind the angst that caused a few problems for the couple before they found their HEA.
The story had enough passion to appease me, but I could have used a bit more sizzle to rate the story higher. I thought this story was a good solid beginning of a new series.
I would be happy to read more writings from this author.
I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy for my honest thoughts and opinion.

If I had to describe a particular subgenre as my Kryptonite, it would be Scottish romance. I will always pick them up, no matter the author. Whether it's a first time writer or one I've read multiple times, nothing stirs me up like a Scottish brogue. When I saw Hope in the Highlands featured in the catalog, I knew it was fate. I was a bit wary because I was less than pleased over her Gambling Peers series, but this book was thankfully much better. The Seduced in Scotland trilogy features the adventures of the Sharpe sisters: Faith, Hope, and Grace. They all had distinctive personalities, but I kept mixing up their names because they were so similar.

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Hope in the Highlands focuses on the eponymous sister reeling from a breakup who dropped her like a hot potato when her family was embroiled in scandal. Good riddance, chump. The main conflict of this story is the hero's estate was lost in a card game by his father. The new owner will return it only if he agrees to wed her great niece, Hope. Graham is totally against it but is willing to relent when he discovers what a hot mama Hope of the Highlands reveals herself to be upon first meeting. Their chemistry was significantly better than the last book I read. They seemed well suited and had me craving honey something fierce. Who knew bees were responsible for such an aphrodisiac?

<img style="display: block;-webkit-user-select: none;margin: auto;background-color: hsl(0, 0%, 90%);" src="https://gifdb.com/images/high/winnie-the-pooh-eating-honey-czbjyfah6vviolil.webp">

Hope in the Highlands lived up to its title because I am certainly hopeful for the other Sharpe sisters to get their happy ending in Caledonia. This was a vast improvement from The Baron Takes a Bet. I wish the former suitor didn't get as much page time as he did. Like, girl bye! I also wish the Scottish brogues were amped up more. I know they can be hard to write phonetically, but you have Highlands in the title. Try a little harder. It was momentarily heavier when Graham was sick, so I'll take what I can get. I'm glad we ended the book with Hope because I'm looking forward to some Faith and Grace!

It’s Regency London and the Sharpe sisters, daughters of an earl, are out in society with the oldest, Hope, securing an engagement. When one of the younger sisters is caught in a compromising position at a ball with a man, society turns on them as does Hope’s fiancée, breaking off the engagement. Their grandmother is their guardian and dies suddenly leaving the girls to have to go their nearest relative, their aunt, the grandmother’s sister, who lives in Scotland.

Their aunt, Lady Belle, is a force of nature and the former mistress of a king. She won her Scottish castle off of clan MacKinnon in a poker game. Graham MacKinnon, the son of who lost it, now lives with his uncle and has become friends with the elderly lady who now lives in his ancestral home. When Lady Belle gives him a ultimatum, marry her eldest niece, Hope and he will inherit back the castle. Wanting no such ultimatum, he tells her no but definitely wasn’t expecting dark haired beauty Hope to be the most gorgeous woman he’s ever seen. He’s definitely going to have a hard time staying away.

Regency era stories are some of my favorites and this one didn’t disappoint. Think a mix of a Bridgerton and Outlander, the two worlds are forced together as Hope and Graham can’t seem to stay away from each other. This historical fiction is a great addition to your TBR!

What a delightful grumpy x sunshine romance!

My goal for next year is to read more historical romances and this one is set in Scotland (one of the most beautiful places in the world in my opinion) so I had to give this a read. I am so glad I picked this up. It was so cute and romantic. I really loved the setting, the characters, family dynamics and romance.

Hope and Graham are definitely the grumpy x sunshine trope. These two tried so hard to fight their connection. I enjoyed their relationship and how Graham kept purposefully saying the wrong name for Hope's ex. It was a cute and funny bit. Plus who doesn't like when a man is a bit jealous?

I found the plot interesting and entertaining. Reminded me a bit of Diana Quincy's story The Duke Gets Desperate. So if you enjoyed that, you'll probably like this.

I hope this series continues with the other sisters (which seems to be the case). I liked the sisterhood and the bond they had with Belle. Truly delightful read!

This was an exceptional read. The author pulled you in on the first chapter and let's you ride along with wonderfully written characters. This historical fiction is beautifully written with strong female and male characters.
#HopeInTheHighlands, #MatildaMadison,#HistoricalFiction

This is a new series featuring three sisters - Hope, Faith and Grace. They've been summoned to Scotland to live with their great aunt Belle, after their grandmother passed away. Belle is friends with a grumpy neighbor named Graham, who wants his castle back - after his father lost it to Belle over a games of cards 30 years ago.

Belle wills the castle to Hope and says he can get the castle too if he marries Hope. Of course Graham is insulted. But the more time Hope and Graham spend together, the more they can't deny the strong attraction between the two of them.

This is a delicious grumpy sunshine story. You can see them trying not to fall in love... but it's destined to be.

I love it when a character keeps referring to someone by their wrong name. I never get tired of it, it just tickles me! Graham keeps butchering the name of Hope's ex. Belle is a strong, no nonsense personality and they are lucky to have her. The story also starts paving the way for Faith and Grace's stories.
A great start to the series!

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own