My first foray into the Highlands romance subgenre was with Allison B. Hanson’s Her Accidental Highlander Husband. I enjoyed this book so much and was excited by the opportunity to read its sequel! Readers are introduced to the hero, Bryce, in Book 1, as well as the premise of his future marriage, a union which will benefit his clan, even though Bryce does not believe he will ever be able to love again after his wife and daughter died many years ago.
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The summary, from Amazon:
After nine lonely years as her father’s prisoner, Dorie McCurdy is forced to marry the new war chief of clan MacKinlay. Terrified and unwilling to speak, she imagines the worst of her handsome, imposing new husband.
Bryce MacKinlay Campbell’s wife and child were taken by illness years ago, and all he’s wanted since is to be alone. Unfortunately, he is ordered to marry the McCurdy laird’s daughter for an alliance between their clans. He’s appalled by the way his bride is treated by her family when she shows up looking like a ragged, homeless waif. Bryce can provide for her needs, and offer his name, but not his heart—that will never happen again.
In her husband’s strong arms, Dorie slowly emerges from her silence…and gradually the ice around Bryce’s heart begins to melt. But when she is unexpectedly offered an annulment, she must choose—stay with Bryce, who she’s fallen in love with but who never wanted her, or choose the unknown possibilities of a different future.
Each book in the Clan MacKinlay series is STANDALONE:
* Her Accidental Highlander Husband
* Her Reluctant Highlander Husband
Buy Her Reluctant Highlander Husband here.
And don’t forget to check out my review of the first book in the series, Her Accidental Highlander Husband.
Bryce is not happy to have to marry Dorie, the daughter of the chief of Clan McCurdy, but will do what he has to as the war chief of Clan Mackinlay. Nine years ago, Bryce’s wife and daughter died, and he does not believe he will ever love again. Dorie has her own walls up. When some careless words led to her mother’s death as a child, she vowed to never speak again as a form of protection. Eventually, Dorie is able to open up to Bryce and her new friends, but Bryce does not his guard down so easily.
Bryce genuinely believes he can’t love Dorie, but takes the risk of allowing her to fall in love with him by treating her in all ways as a wife. At first he holds her at a distance, but soon they form a friendship (with some serious benefits). It’s a fast and slippery slope to love on her part, and as the reader, you can tell Bryce is feeling it too, even if he won’t admit it. Throw in some family history and the possibility of an annulment, along with the constant threat of battle, and this makes for an exciting, dynamic romance.
I will say I was a little disappointed that no one ever asked Dorie, that we see, if she can write as a way of communication. Early on in the novel, everyone things Dorie can’t speak, not that she chooses not to. The main characters all seem to read and write, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to ask Dorie if she was able to express herself this way.
Overall, this was a 4 star read for me. I really enjoyed it! My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review. Allison B. Hanson has made me a fan of a subgenre I was never interested in before!
Find out more about how I rate books here.
Her Reluctant Highlander Husband by Allison B. Hanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fun, steamy read about two people overcoming their fears to find happiness and love together. I felt there was a minor plot hole, but overall I enjoyed revisiting Clan MacKinlay, with a broody hero and an interesting heroine. My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Book Club Questions
- Bryce and Dorie both let fear hold them back in life. Are their fears warranted?
- Dorie reflects on different types of love, and considers that first love might be more passionate than a love that comes later in life. Is this true? Do you believe there are different types of romantic love?
