This “new to me” author has definitely grabbed my attention and not just because she used “laird” in the title. As an avid Scottish romance enthusiast, I openly admit that word alone on a book cover is enough to peak my interest. No, it was her engaging, angst filled, emotional, sizzling chemistry of misunderstood enemies to lovers romantic tale featuring a reluctant to trust/love heroine and a Billionaire/computer coder genius/virgin hero who has difficulty interacting with people that did the trick.

Lorne may be loaded with loot, but he obviously has some type of personality disorder that keeps him from accurately reading people and responding accordingly. No, he isn’t some embarrassing klutzy geek. In fact, he comes across as wicked smart, stoic, all business, don’t mess with me or you’ll regret it. He just needs a little help from his best friend and business partner, Doc, from time to time to steer him in the right direction. In fact, Doc pretty much becomes Lorne’s lifeline when dealing with all things Ceri. Their friendly, witty, sarcastic banter comradery added a lot to the entire storyline. Once you understand Lorne’s condition, you learn to forgive him for his plan to de-castle Ceri and even eventually for his determination to seduce her.

Ceri has a lot to lose. She was manipulated into marrying at a young age out of necessity then kicked to the curb when her not so dearly departed, much older wealthy husband died. After being befriended by Will, Lorene’s father, she was deeded Lorne’s family castle estate upon his death. Lorne shows up full of misconceived notions/false information and is determined to make her pay for hoodwinking his partly estranged father. Since he’s as rich as Croesus, Lorene really doesn’t have anything to lose other than his pride, or so he thinks. Ultimately, he loses his heart to Ceri and wants nothing more than to see her happy.

With misunderstandings and reluctance to be the first to confess their feelings, there is a somewhat predictable, but heart-wrenching/melting showdown where these two finally go into lockdown and release their heart and soul to each other. Rating: 5 stars.

Title: Laird of the Highlands: International Billionaires IX, The Scots, Series: International Billionaires Book 9, Author: Caro LaFever, Pages: 386, contemp. romance, stand-alone, HEA, no cheating, no OW/OM drama, no violence, rich/computer coder genius/virgin hero, hero has difficulty interacting with people, VERY steamy scenes that don’t hijack the storyline, emotional angst, reluctant to love/trust heroine, well-written.

(This review is based on ARC generously provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion. No compensation was paid to the reviewer nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

Lorne and Ceri must find their true homes to find their loves . Lorne an alpha geek who looks at the world differently while Ceri works in plants and herbs to spin her world. Enjoyed this new tale of the highlands

I have to admit, in the first few chapters I was fearful that I wasn't going to like this but WOW! I adored this book! In some ways this is such a typical storyline and in other ways, it's so incredibly unique. But be aware, it will rip your heart out and you will find yourself laughing through your sobs. Whoa Buddy, what a ride!

The Good: Lorne is far from what we consider normal, I would bet, if diagnosed, he has high functioning autism. He is endearing with his blunt observations and strategic plans. He knows his strengths and weaknesses and he doesn't take himself too seriously. His friend Doc is loveable and I want more from him!

The Not So Good: Could have done without the sex scenes.

The Verdict: 4.75 Stars (Solid 5 without the sex scenes)

Laird of the Highlands was fun, witty, charming and seductive. The characters are so much fun and their personalities seem to clash beautifully together. And the romance, HOT, ELECTRIFYING, AND FIERCE! There is a tug and pull with Ceri and Lorne are just remarkable people.

There seemed to be a fun, slightly outrageous, never boring wittiness to the whole plot that was just to hard to resist. The sex is just as scorching as the romance and deserves a good mention too! This is my first book by author Caro Lafever and I was EXTREMELY satisfied with her book. I will be looking up more books by her in the future.

Laird Of The Highlands gets a SIMPLE IRRESISTIBLE FOUR SHOOTING STARS! An absolute great romance with a delicious, slightly moody highlander and a sassy, spirited nerd.

These are not your typical hero and heroine--and that's a good thing. Lorne is labeled as "odd" from a young age, but we quickly come to realize that he is probably autistic: brilliant when it comes to writing code and figuring out finances, but struggles with personal relationships. Ceri has made some difficult choices in the past to do what's best for her family and have left her scarred. These two meet and butt heads, but they can't fight their attraction. I liked the fact that Lorne was straightforward and didn't play games. At times, I felt sorry for him as he struggled to learn how to navigate a relationship. Ceri has not had an easy life; the rumors follow her everywhere. It's very difficult for her to trust people-especially men. She desperately wants to trust people, but finds it difficult due to her past. Can Lorne and Ceri learn to take a chance on their feelings?

I hope that Hugh gets his own story.

Caro LaFever is a new author to me until i no now what an amazing author she is so i will be one clicking allot now :)

This book is brilliant it has A miss understood Billionaire who is so different too others, he prefers too be with his computer writing code... but no his dad has passed away and he is now a Laird, but all is not happy in his world when he learns his dad has passed the family castle on too a woman. and if there is one thing Lorne doesn't understand it is women.

Ceri Olwen has had a hard life she has made many a sacrifice and finally has a home for the last five years she has built up the castle and helped where ever possible modernised it were she could. and has a thriving business through it which puts necessary monies back in too the castle but all that changes when Lorne Ross turns up and decides too ruin it all.

There in lies the story line it is super fun and at times exasperating but one things for sure this book is not boring it holds your attention through out. o and the intimate scenes....." fans myself ".
another reason i loved this book was because the lead male was the inexperienced one... you hardly ever get that in books and i for one loved it, it made Lorne more relate able.

The characters are strong and fierce and at first Lorne made me want too crawl in too the book and scream at him but then i grew too love him, Then Ceri started making me want too go cray cray man these characters and there emotions..... your on one thrilling roller coaster.

4 Out Of 5 Hearts From Cariad Books

I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
'Laird of the Highlands: International Billionaires IX: The Scots' by Caro LaFever This is the story of Lorne Ross and Ceri Olwen. Lorne father has died and left the castle to Ceri. Lorne is very upset by this an comes to take back the Castle. Lorne is under thinks that Ceri is a gold digger and she got the castle under false pretense. Ceri was married at a early age to and older man who has since died. She had become a friend to Will Ross (Lorne's father). It was fun and interesting to watch their love grow. Another great book by Ms. LaFever!!

Laird of the Highlands is an unexpected gem. It is nothing like I was expecting from the title and description. You definitely realize early on that Ceri and Lorne are a perfect fit but they are definitely going to have struggle between them. Ceri has always been wanted for her beauty and not for herself which bothers her tremendously. At eighteen she married to protect her brother and have funds to care for her ill and dying Mom. She definitely married to be able to take care of them by marrying a man 30 years older than herself. As such, she was seen as a gold-digger and thought to be a loose woman by her husband once rumors were started about her by those jealous of her. When he dies a few years later, her Mom has passed and her brother off at school, but she still has care of him. She moves to be near where he is at boarding school. Thus, meeting another older man, Will Ross.

She moves into the cottage behind Will's castle and is a good friend to him. She comes to love his castle and lands as much as he does. In the five years she has lived behind the castle, Will's son Lorne has never visited. When Will passes, his son comes home to reclaim the castle his father left to Ceri. I could not help but think that Will knew leaving the Castle to Ceri would bring his son home and place him right in front of Ceri. Lorne not only plans to take the castle away from Ceri, but plans to punish her wherever she goes for taking advantage of his Da.

You realize fairly quickly that Lorne has gifted and autistic tendencies. His keen desire to punish and Ceri's gentle nature are great characteristics to bring together. The secondary relationship in the book that helped bring them together through advice was Lorne's close friend, Doc. Doc and Lorne met at Oxford and formed a life-long friendship and partnership benefiting them both. The great part of that relationship includes Doc guiding Lorne, but also, that Lorne eventually, realizes he needs to figure this out on his own.

The outmaneuvering each of them, Ceri and Lorne, tried flowed well to bring two deserving lovers together for their HEA. Laird of the Highlands was a bit lengthy, but it was still a great page turner just to see what would happen next. This is my first Caro LaFever book and will not be my last. If you have not read one of her books before, like me, this is a good one to start with for an interesting and unusual love story. Thank you Net Galley for sharing this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the idea of this story, but it was a little drawn out.

Lorne is determined to get his childhood home back from the scheming woman whom his father left to her in his will. Ceri has finally found some place to call home for her and her bother, thanks to a friend that believed in her. Ceri has secrets from her past and is determined to not let Lorne get in the way of her dreams and the future of the castle. Thorne is also determined to get his castle back. As the two battle wills and spend time together ; they began to see each other in a new light. They enter into a relationship that is later threathen due to both of their insecurities which they later learn to let go and trust in each other and their love. Great story about not judging people by a rumors and perception. There are so emotional moments. Recommended read.