Whenever I browse the NetGalley catalog, I can sniff out Highlander romances like a truffle pig. They're my favorite subgenre and I will never get tired of reading them. All I saw was Bride Takes a Scot and I immediately hit the request button. I really loved the first half of the book. Great writing, exciting plot, and a strong female lead. I also gobble up Marriage of Convenience plots, so it looked like we were headed towards success. I was having a great time until the hero didn't seem like he was into his new bride. He requested separate sleeping arrangements, grudgingly offered her the warmth of his kilt, and his cousin was nicer to the heroine than Declan himself. Did I pick up the wrong book?

The lack of emotional availability from Declan was really disappointing. I know he was a widow with a mute son, but he wasn't present for his new bride. Isabella seemed strong and sweet, but I pitied her begging for her husband's affection. My biggest beef was Declan's cousin, Anse. He was so nice and cared more about Isabella than her actual husband. Justice for Anse. Somebody wife him up, for real! He better be next in the series or I may not pick up the sequel.

Bride Takes a Scot had a great beginning, but lost me in the second half. I loved the author's writing, as it was very pleasant to read without the typical flowery prose you encounter in romance novels. I did get my Scottish fix, even if the couple had a rough start. I may continue with the series, but only if my man Anse is front and center. The Bride Took Her Scot, but why can't it be that one?

"Bride Takes a Scot" by Kara Griffin is an enjoyable read for any fan of historical Scottish romances. This book has it all: a dashing laird, an enchanting maiden, and an intense conflict between rival clans.

Laird Declan MacKendrick, wrongfully imprisoned in King Alexander’s dungeon, is offered his freedom with one stipulation―that he marry a border baron’s daughter. is determined to uncover the identity of his accuser and exact his vengeance. Meanwhile, Isabella Forrester is far from pleased with the king's decision to force her into an unwanted marriage.

This gripping tale is the first instalment in the "Highland Vows & Vengeance" series, and it's a must-read for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a world of passion, intrigue, and adventure.

An arranged marriage becomes something more than a political alliance for Isabella and Declan. He is motivated by revenge for his false imprisonment, she is just lonely, an English woman in the Highlands. Slowly and steadily Isabella worms her way into hearts of her clan starting with Anse and Declan and then Noah and Marian. But the real threat of Declans accuser is still out there and harm to Isabella is what it takes to come to light.

So I liked the theme, I liked the characters even, but the writing style was very very choppy. The language was not period appropriate with tons of modern phrases included in descriptions / dialogues. Some scenes like her liking it rough seem a little contrived.

This was a really enjoyable story about the Scottish Highlands. It reminds me of the Julie Garwood books I stole from my mom, but with a more refreshing update to the typical tropes those types of books had. The storyline was also entertaining. I look forward to more in this series.

It was a little insta lust for my personal taste, but I enjoyed it just the same! I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!

This is another enjoyable highland story that you will not be able to put down. Isabella is tired of the life she is leading and ready for a change. Her parents are trying her patience. When news comes that the king has arranged for her to marry she is thrilled but also nervous. Declan never planned to remarry but when he is ordered to by the king there isn’t much he can do about it. He never dreamed that this bride would be so beautiful and outspoken and he loves it. They get married and things start to happen that targets his family, including his new wife. Will he be able to find the culprit before anyone is killed? This book was a great story with a strong female who is not going to be taken as a damsel. I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you like highlander clan stories with a strong romance, you'll enjoy this! It actually reminded me a bit of Lynsay Sands Highland Brides series.

Declan and Isabella were a great pairing. I really liked their chemistry and how their relationship developed. I liked that Isabella was a healer, as well as opiniated and smart. She reminded me a bit of Claire from Outlander. Declan is trying to solve a murder mystery and figuring out who is attempting to frame in for it. Plus he has a young son. I thought Declan was an interesting character too. Both characters have a lot going on but Griffin does a fantastic job of blending everything. I never felt overwhelmed with the storylines. The romance here is great and I enjoyed the setting.

Would recommend for fans of Lynsay Sands!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Bride takes a Scot by Kara Griffin is a third person dual-POV historical romance set in the Highlands of Scotland in the thirteenth century. Laird Declan MacKendrick has been falsely accused of murdering the father of his deceased wife. While King Alexander recognizes that Declan couldn’t have committed the murder, he still forces Declan into choosing a bride from among four noble women from the Scottish-English border. Isabella Forrester is the bride he chooses and she chooses him in return, joining him in the Highlands and becoming part of his family.

Isabella has a lot of preconceived notions of Highlanders that match a lot of the tropes that often exist in Scottish romances coming from American publishers, namely that Highlanders are barbarians. She initially comments on his long hair as if it’s less civilized, how large he is, that he seems like a brute. Over time, she understands that is not the case and she does walk back those opinions. Declan has his own opinions about her initially, but nothing in the same vein that Isabella had towards him.

Declan and Isabella’s marriage is initially a political one and both are fine with that. Isabella is quite practical and doesn’t believe in concepts such as love at first sight and Declan has already lost one wife and views this marriage as more of a speed bump so he can return home. It is that practical nature and how withdrawn they are from everything else around them that attracts them to each other and helps make them a good fit. They’re both fairly no-nonsense but also try not to make a big fuss in public and are aware of how other people view them. There’s still heat and passion in their relationship, but it’s built on that meeting of their personalities.

Content warning for attempted sexual assault

I would recommend this to fans of historical romance looking for a romance that critiques specific tropes relating to Scottish historical romance and readers looking for two practical leads in a romance

Laird Declan MacKendrick accused for murdering his dead wife father and is inprisoned . The King Alexander believes that he is innocent but he must marry a young lady between the 4 that he will meet in a month . From the four only Lady Isabella is able to gain his attention . Isabella is a very opinionated and smart lady and also is a healer , she does not believe in love but she is willing to marry the Scot . Declan is determined to clear his name and find the killer will protecting his new wife . Isabella at first is not welcomed from his family but with determination she wins them all . She even taking care of Declan's son Noah who is mute . Will Declan find who wants him dead and finally be happy with his family ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .