Review by Ronny
Series Name: Highland Brides, # 1
An English Bride in Scotland was my first Lynsay Sands read, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Favourite Quote:
She has a way of telling a story that made even the most boring event seem an adventure and his men had sat astride their horses or around the fire, watching her with a incredulous fascination that would have made most think these men had never seen a female before.
But he supposed the truth was none of them had ever encountered a female quite like Annabel before.
Book Synopsis:
Annabel was about to take the veil to become a nun when her mother suddenly arrives at the Abbey to take her home… so that she can marry the Scottish laird who is betrothed to her runaway sister! She knows nothing about being a wife, nothing about how to run a household, and definitely nothing about the marriage bed!
But from the moment Ross MacKay sets eyes on Annabel, he is taken with his shy sweet bride… and the fact that she’s blessed with lush curves only makes him utter his own prayers of thanks. But when an enemy endangers her life, he’ll move the Highlands themselves to save her. For though Annabel’s not the bride he planned for, she’s the only woman he desires…
Review:
I came to the romance genre when I fell in love with Julie Garwood’s Highland romance books, which means that I am always on the lookout for new or old Highland romances. I stumbled upon this book when Kobo recommended it to me. The plot instantly intrigued me, and I added it to my collections, and I am so glad I did. This book reminded me why I love Highland romances so much.
The premise of this book is delightfully bonkers. Annabel has spent the majority of her life living in a nunnery because her parents don’t want her in their lives. But one night, Annabel is whisked away from the nunnery because her sister has run away with the stable boy, and they need Annabel to marry Laird Ross in order to fulfill the agreement between their two families. I love the ridiculousness of this plot because I know I am in for a wild and entertaining ride. It’s one of the reasons why I love romance books so much. The overall story has all those qualities that I expect from a historical romance; you have elements of danger, betrayal, drama, lusty romance, and the feeling that you are being swept into this epic romance. Lynsay knows how to do the job, which is shown in her storytelling. She really knows what her readers are looking for. One of the things that I loved about this story is the back-and-forth sway the plot has taken. There are quiet, slower-paced moments between Annabel and Ross where they are learning to live together as husband and wife. Those moments are often bursting with lusty tension and humour. But then the pacing swings, and all of a sudden, you get these faster moments of danger. Without giving too much away, an unknown enemy seems hellbent on kidnapping Annabel, and as a reader, you never know when another attack might occur. Everything about this story and its pacing made for a super enjoyable and addictive read.
Annabel is an absolute delight. Her character reminds me of some of the heroines Tessa Dare and Julie Garwood write. There is this unbridled joy radiating from her. Her happiness and curiosity is infectious, and I adored that she just went along befuddling everyone while simultaneously capturing their heart. Her unbridled joy may seem over the top, but it comes from being sheltered in a nunnery her whole life, where she was denied experiencing anything that would bring someone joy. But behind all the happy, chaotic energy is someone who is insecure and afraid. Annabel knows that she is only the replacement for her sister and realizes her lack of training when it comes to running a castle may embarrass Ross.
I really, and I mean really, enjoyed the romance between Annabel and Ross. Ross is bewitched by Annabel right from the moment he lays eyes on her. He knew that she wasn’t the woman he was supposed to marry, but he didn’t care because he knew he needed to have her. Ross is that typical hero in many ways, but he does have a softer side that makes him seem like a gentler hero. I loved the chemistry between these two because it was just so romantic. Ross loves Annabel and thinks all her “quirks” make her the amazing woman that she is.
An English Bride for Scotland is swoon-worthy historical romance that is sure to put a smile on your face.
