I've been enjoying this series by Karen Hawkins and especially like Mad for the Plaid. I'm a fan of competent and clever heroines and that's what Alisa is.

I really enjoyed Nikolai and Mairi's story! I really liked how Hawkins had their love grow as they got to know each other rather than an insta-infatuation which seems to happen so often in stories. This was a great addition to the Oxenburg Princes series!

I loved 90% of this book and I was in thrall until the very end.

Grand Duchess Natasha has been abducted while visiting with Ailsa MacKenzie's grandmother at Castle Leod. Ailsa (I am not 100% sure what her name is going to end up as in the final product - on Goodreads the heroine for this book is named Lyssa, in the blurb at the beginning of this book she is Mairi and in the actual story she is Ailsa - so that is what I am referring to her as) has written to her grandson Nikolai to let him know that his grandmother has been taken and that she will find her and keep him informed.

Nik loves his grandmother and is not sure if her abduction is as straightforward as Ailsa claims. He decides to go to Castle Leod in disguise as a groom and mount a rescue of his own.

Nik is quickly found out by Ailsa and they share a blindingly passionate kiss. Ailsa agrees to let Nik "help" but Ailsa is determined to rescue Natasha on her own - she is the youngest of her father's children and has been left to run the castle on her own. She portrays herself as completely in control - but inside she worries and second guesses herself constantly.

These two try to outmaneuver each other from the onset - it is really quite amusing. And when they finally agree to work together - it is oblivious that they are meant to be. However, nothing comes easy in love and Nik will have to move pass years of betrayals and mistrust - he will have to open himself up to Ailas and risk heartache.

When they finally make love - Ailsa expects nothing from Nik. But the years of intrigue and deceit have jaded Nik and he accuses Ailsa of trying to trap him. Ailas is furious and sets Nik straight. She is deeply hurt because she loves him and thought that he trusted her. After she leaves him Nik realizes the huge mistake he has made - but he doesn't know how to fix it. He knows he loves Ailas, but he believes that her spirit will be destroyed by the deceit and betrayals of royal court - he decides that he loves her too much to let that happen.

Later when they rescue his grandmother, Nik is dealt another devastating betrayal, which only cements his earlier thoughts. Ailsa doesn't understand why Nik is avoiding her - she knows he was hurt by the betrayal but instead of letting her comfort him - he pushes her away.

Nik leaves with his grandmother and makes it clear that he will never see Ailsa again - she is heartbroken. As they are leaving Natasha takes Ailsa aside and tells her not to worry and that Ailsa will write to her and she will write back.

This is where the story nose dived for me - I really don't like endings where I don't believe the H/h will be together without the interference of a third party - it reminded me of the ending of Tracy Anne Warren's book The Trouble with Princesses. I am not sure Nik would have ended up with Ailsa if his grandmother hadn't interfered and that makes me sad and in a way diminishes the belief that he really loved her - I am more of a love conquers all type of person and not a fan of martyrs - I totally understand his reasons for leaving her, but I felt that if he really loved her - he would find a way to protect her and that didn't happen.

That is really the only complaint I have with the book - because it is well written, flows perfectly, has some steamy moments, some funny moments, life and death moments, wonderful character devolvement and some heartbreak and FINALLY a sweet HEA.

This is part of a series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title with no problems. I would recommend this book and even though I was not happy with the ending, that is just me and has nothing to do with the actual writing.

I loved reading this book! It was different from other romance novels in where the hero is from a different country and of royal blood. The heroine doesn't care for the title at all, which makes his pursuit of her even more entertaining! A surefire love story for the ages!

This book was great. I had never read any books by Karen Hawkins before but I have since started reading some of her other books.

Love this series and this story is no different. The story line is great and I loved Lady Alisa and Prince Nikolai. They were awesome together and a great end to the series.

Another awesome book by Karen Hawkins! I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next!

First published September 29, 2016 (Booklist Online).


The third installment in Hawkins’ Oxenburg Princes series (The Princess Wore Plaid, 2016) is a madcap tale of rescue and intrigue in the Scottish Highlands. Prince Nikolai Romanovin of Oxenburg is bored with his London life and socialite women. When word comes to him through Lady Alisa Mackenzie, estate manager of Castle Leod, that his beloved grandmother, the Grand Duchess, has disappeared, he decides to go undercover to find her. Posing as a groom, he steals away to Scotland. His ruse fails to deceive Lady Alisa, but she agrees to keep his secret. At 22, Alisa never had a season of her own after giving up the opportunity to care for her ill mother. Love and marriage, she believes, are just not in her future. Nikolai, Alisa, and their men team up to search for the duchess, and an adventure fraught with danger ensues. When Nikolai is hurt, Alisa nurses him back to health and comes to see and love the man, not his title. But Nikolai refuses to acknowledge his feelings and pushes her aside. Thankfully, the Grand Duchess is rescued and works more of her Gypsy matchmaking. Fans of the series—one to recommend to all who love Scottish romances—will be delighted. — Ilene Lefkowitz

This book had everything historical romance readers will love. There's mystery, intrigue, kidnapping, disguises, betrayal, attempted murder, a strong heroine, and a very alpha hero. Nik and Ailsa do not start off on the right foot. Through a series of letters, Ailsa thinks the prince is an empty headed charmer caring little for his grandmother, who is visiting Ailsa's grandmother. He was so eager to be rid of her, he dropped his poor grandmother off at the door and left immediately. On the other hand, Nik thinks Ailsa is a dowdy old spinster and incapable of handling his demanding grandmother so she pesters him with letter after letter. When Nik's grandmother and male firned are kidnapped, he and Ailsa have to work together to figure out not only who took them, but also why they were kidnapped in the first place. The banter between these two as they journey through Scotland in their search, is uproariously hilarious. Ailsa brought a reality check to Nik's world while the two used their wits and intelligence to finally figure out who the culprit was. And I will admit I didn't see that coming. I can't say much more without giving it all away, so go pick up your own copy of this book today!!!

very good book! Karen Hawkins always writes fantastic stories!