Scan barcode
jackiehorne's review against another edition
DNF at 20%. Asher, the eldest MacGregor sibling, was declared dead in a previous book in this series, his title of Earl and clan Laird then bestowed upon his next eldest brother, Ian. But when this book starts, Asher is back in Scotland, and is holding the title, with no explanation of what happened, how he adjusted to his family after being away, or how the title came to be his (which legally would not have happened; once you inherit a title, as Ian did, it can't be taken away unless you die or commit treason).
I was disappointed that this story ignored all the set-up about Asher from the previous books in the series. But I stopped reading when I still had no idea who Asher or Hannah, the female lead, were by 20% in, what their goals and motivations were, why I should give a damn about either of them. The narrative is even more opaque than usual for the often secret-hoarding Burrowes; the story unfolds almost entirely in dialogue, with very little narrative to give context or give you a reason to care about either of these characters. We're never given a reason why Asher must take Hannah to London to help her husband hunt, or why her evil step father thinks he can control her future husband when he isn't the one arranging her marriage (he's back in Boston), either. The lack of plot sense and the absence of a reason to care for either protagonist made me decide to put this one aside.
I was disappointed that this story ignored all the set-up about Asher from the previous books in the series. But I stopped reading when I still had no idea who Asher or Hannah, the female lead, were by 20% in, what their goals and motivations were, why I should give a damn about either of them. The narrative is even more opaque than usual for the often secret-hoarding Burrowes; the story unfolds almost entirely in dialogue, with very little narrative to give context or give you a reason to care about either of these characters. We're never given a reason why Asher must take Hannah to London to help her husband hunt, or why her evil step father thinks he can control her future husband when he isn't the one arranging her marriage (he's back in Boston), either. The lack of plot sense and the absence of a reason to care for either protagonist made me decide to put this one aside.
language_loving_amateur's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Classism, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Addiction, Drug abuse, Child death, and Emotional abuse
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
4.0
What if the steps they take to avoid marriage...
The last thing Asher MacGregor, newly titled Earl of Balfour, wants is a society wife, though he has agreed to squire Boston heiress Hannah Cooper about the London ballrooms. When he's met that obligation, he'll return to the Highlands, and resume the myriad responsibilities awaiting him there.
...Lead instead to impossible love?
At her step-father's insistence, Hannah Cooper must endure a London season, though she has no intention of surrendering her inheritance to a fortune hunter. When she's done her duty, she'll return to Boston and the siblings who depend upon her for their safety... or will she? The taciturn Scottish earl suits her purposes admirably-until genuine liking and unexpected passion bring Asher and Hannah close. For if the Scottish earl and the American heiress fall in love, an ocean of differences threatens to keep them apart.
The MacGregor Series
The Bridegroom Wore Plaid (Book 1)
Mary Fran and Matthew (Novella)
Once Upon a Tartan (Book 2)
The MacGregor's Lady (Book 3)
What a Lady Needs for Christmas (Book 4)
"Burrowes' powerful and complex characters will enthrall you." —RT Book Reviews
**
blodeuedd's review against another edition
3.0
Oh these two *goes in and shakes them by the neck*. But I understood, I understood.
Asher is finally back in Scotland and settling down as an Earl. He wants to do the best he can. I really liked him, he was crush worthy.
Hannah has been sent to find a husband. She does not want to because she wants to be in Boston protecting her mother and brothers from their stepdad. Yes you can see where this is going.
First there is friendship where he takes her to a pub. That was funny. Then they start to fall, but they both know that she has to go back and he has to stay. I kept wondering how they would fix it, I had an idea first, but now, there would still be issues.
So that leaves us with passion, two lovers trying to find away and despairing. Meddling members of family. Morelands showing up. And quite the scandal brewing.
Fun.
Asher is finally back in Scotland and settling down as an Earl. He wants to do the best he can. I really liked him, he was crush worthy.
Hannah has been sent to find a husband. She does not want to because she wants to be in Boston protecting her mother and brothers from their stepdad. Yes you can see where this is going.
First there is friendship where he takes her to a pub. That was funny. Then they start to fall, but they both know that she has to go back and he has to stay. I kept wondering how they would fix it, I had an idea first, but now, there would still be issues.
So that leaves us with passion, two lovers trying to find away and despairing. Meddling members of family. Morelands showing up. And quite the scandal brewing.
Fun.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
2.0
After some hemming and hawing, I decided to round down from 2.5 stars. Yes, I liked the leads and I enjoyed seeing the rest of the MacGregor clan again, but I needed certain aspects of the book to be more developed. I needed more information about Hannah's home situation (and the resolution was too quick), and I needed more about Uncle Fenimore, and Malcolm's motivations - his actions seemed to come of out nowhere. I will say it was nice to see Gayle in his role as Moreland.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Very good book. Asher has returned to Scotland after being declared dead, to take up his responsibilities as the earl. He has no intention of marrying, having a tragedy in his past that has made him unwilling to risk his heart. He has been coerced into escorting Hannah and her aunt around London, after which he will return to Scotland and his duties there.
Hannah has been forced by her stepfather to go to London and find a husband. She has no plans to marry; instead, she will return to Boston to watch over her younger brothers, grandmother, and mother. All she has to do is remain unmarried until she can claim her inheritance.
I loved the relationship that developed between Asher and Hannah. They clashed at the beginning, as neither wanted to be where they were. But it didn't take long for them to discover their similarities, and a pretty sweet friendship developed from there. Hannah is pragmatic about herself. She doesn't see herself as attractive, she has a limp and feels that her only appeal is her fortune. Her family is important to her, and she feels that she is the only one who can protect them from her stepfather. Her focus is on surviving the Season and returning to Boston. For Asher, his family is also his focus. He feels guilty for the way he had previously abandoned them and is determined to make everything right now that he is back.
It was fun to see Asher push Hannah through the preparations for the Season. She tried to resist but ended up giving in. I loved his sensitivity to her limp and the way he found to fix it. It was sweet to see how he wanted to make her forced social time easier for her. As they spent time together, they discovered that they liked each other and appreciated the similarities of their situations. That liking turned to love, intensified by the attraction they felt for each other. Asher quickly realized that he wanted to keep Hannah in his life and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Hannah was still focused on her need to return to Boston. I was a little frustrated with her, as Asher made multiple offers to help her with her family issues, but she refused his help. I ached for them both as they admitted their love for each other, but couldn't see a way to make it work.
I loved the support that Asher received from his family. They welcomed him back into the fold with few recriminations. When he wanted their help with Hannah's Season, they came in force. There is an especially moving scene near the end, as Asher is holding a baby, where he finally confesses his painful past to his brothers. I loved their understanding and shared grief.
I wasn't sure how Asher and Hannah were going to get their HEA with everything that was working against them. Seeing her get on that ship, headed back to Boston, made me want to shake her until she saw sense. That Asher's plan was nearly too late made me crazy when so much could have been avoided if he had just told her what he had done. I loved the ending as Hannah makes a decision and tries to stop the ship at the same time Asher attempts to do the same. It was a scene that had me laughing out loud and cheering them both on.
Hannah has been forced by her stepfather to go to London and find a husband. She has no plans to marry; instead, she will return to Boston to watch over her younger brothers, grandmother, and mother. All she has to do is remain unmarried until she can claim her inheritance.
I loved the relationship that developed between Asher and Hannah. They clashed at the beginning, as neither wanted to be where they were. But it didn't take long for them to discover their similarities, and a pretty sweet friendship developed from there. Hannah is pragmatic about herself. She doesn't see herself as attractive, she has a limp and feels that her only appeal is her fortune. Her family is important to her, and she feels that she is the only one who can protect them from her stepfather. Her focus is on surviving the Season and returning to Boston. For Asher, his family is also his focus. He feels guilty for the way he had previously abandoned them and is determined to make everything right now that he is back.
It was fun to see Asher push Hannah through the preparations for the Season. She tried to resist but ended up giving in. I loved his sensitivity to her limp and the way he found to fix it. It was sweet to see how he wanted to make her forced social time easier for her. As they spent time together, they discovered that they liked each other and appreciated the similarities of their situations. That liking turned to love, intensified by the attraction they felt for each other. Asher quickly realized that he wanted to keep Hannah in his life and proposed marriage. Unfortunately, Hannah was still focused on her need to return to Boston. I was a little frustrated with her, as Asher made multiple offers to help her with her family issues, but she refused his help. I ached for them both as they admitted their love for each other, but couldn't see a way to make it work.
I loved the support that Asher received from his family. They welcomed him back into the fold with few recriminations. When he wanted their help with Hannah's Season, they came in force. There is an especially moving scene near the end, as Asher is holding a baby, where he finally confesses his painful past to his brothers. I loved their understanding and shared grief.
I wasn't sure how Asher and Hannah were going to get their HEA with everything that was working against them. Seeing her get on that ship, headed back to Boston, made me want to shake her until she saw sense. That Asher's plan was nearly too late made me crazy when so much could have been avoided if he had just told her what he had done. I loved the ending as Hannah makes a decision and tries to stop the ship at the same time Asher attempts to do the same. It was a scene that had me laughing out loud and cheering them both on.
planetarypan's review against another edition
5.0
Grace Burrowes continues to prove why she is my favourite historical romance author out there right now (that isn't Diana Gabaldon). Her latest Scottish novel had me laughing, smiling, and outright sobbing toward the end. I think the description on the back of the book is pretty misleading though -- the leading man is clearly into the leading female early on in the story. As she is into him. More of these please!
sarahspace's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book after reading the other books in the series. However, I found neither the hero or heroine likable. The heroine was stubborn in the extreme and kinda stupid. Yes, she had a good reason to want to avoid marriage and return home, but had no plan to solve her family's problem. She ignored advice or help that might actually improve her family's difficult situation. Then the hero is a self absorbed jerk. I never got why he thought it was ok to abandon his Scottish family and let them think he was dead. Woe is me! My family can't love me! They don't know me and I am going to make sure they never do, so I can wallow in my own self pity. So disappointed this great series end with this dud.