Scan barcode
balletbookworm's review
3.0
This is not the book I wanted for Aulay. God almighty, but I absolutely loathe amnesia tropes. They are #1 on my Shitty Romance Tropes list. Consent issues run rampant. This one wasn’t as bad as most - they don’t do the nasty before Aulay breaks it to her they aren’t married but they do get RUL handsy - but it walks some really fine lines. This is still a very readable, bananapants Sands Scottish historical. They even make a joke about how the Buchanans seem uniquely able to attract women with murderers after them.
winterreader40's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Aulay finds Jetta tied to a mast floating in the bay by his cottage, she's lost her memory after being comatose for 3 weeks and when she wakes she assumes Aulay is her husband. Given her fragile state Rory tells him not to correct the assumption. So he spends the next few weeks trying to control his baser urges while she recovers and is affectionate to him instead of recoiling in horror from his scarred face.
This is your typical Sands storyline of woman in danger and man trying to protect her but missing all the clues initially. I've been waiting for Aulay's story and he is adorable and I really enjoyed Jetta as well.
TW: rape/abuse description
Aulay finds Jetta tied to a mast floating in the bay by his cottage, she's lost her memory after being comatose for 3 weeks and when she wakes she assumes Aulay is her husband. Given her fragile state Rory tells him not to correct the assumption. So he spends the next few weeks trying to control his baser urges while she recovers and is affectionate to him instead of recoiling in horror from his scarred face.
This is your typical Sands storyline of woman in danger and man trying to protect her but missing all the clues initially. I've been waiting for Aulay's story and he is adorable and I really enjoyed Jetta as well.
TW: rape/abuse description
aprilbooksandwine's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
naomilane's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I liked this book but I find myself being a little tired of the repetitive plot throughout the series. Each book is basically the same, and while I really enjoy the characters and the story it’s starting to be a little boring and very predictable.
I also found this book to be more rushed than the others. I did really like the hero and heroine, as always with Lynsay Sands but I would have liked more time with them.
I liked this book but I find myself being a little tired of the repetitive plot throughout the series. Each book is basically the same, and while I really enjoy the characters and the story it’s starting to be a little boring and very predictable.
I also found this book to be more rushed than the others. I did really like the hero and heroine, as always with Lynsay Sands but I would have liked more time with them.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. I've been looking forward to Aulay's story, and it did not disappoint. Aulay is the oldest of the Buchanan's and laird of the clan. Several years earlier he was badly scarred in a battle that also killed his twin brother. On his return, his fiancée refused to marry him because of the scar. Since then, Aulay has resigned himself that no woman would want him and instead devoted himself to caring for his family and clan. As the anniversary of the battle approached, Aulay planned to get away for a few days where his black mood wouldn't affect others, and his well-meaning family wouldn't try to cheer him up. He wasn't able to escape completely, as youngest brother Alick decided to tag along. I had to laugh at Alick's dismay when he discovered that Aulay's definition of relaxing was fishing, not drinking and wenching.
Aulay's plans to relax went out the window almost immediately. While out fishing on the ocean, he and Alick came across a woman tied to a ship's mast and floating in the water. In a brief moment of consciousness, she called Aulay her angel and muttered something about someone who wanted to kill her. When she finally regained consciousness, she could not remember who she was or anything about her life. However, she believes that she and Aulay are man and wife.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Aulay and Jetta. He was caught between a rock and a hard place for most of it. His brother, the healer, insisted that Aulay go along with the deception, believing that telling her the truth could hinder her recovery. But the growing attraction between them made it difficult for Aulay to do the honorable thing. I liked Jetta. Aulay's scar never bothered her from the very beginning; she actually believed that it made him better looking. Instead of the monster he believed himself to be, Jetta thought he was the kindest, most considerate man in the world. I ached for Aulay. Underneath the surface of the laird was a vulnerable man who wished for a woman who wanted him for himself. He wanted what he had with Jetta to be real. I loved the time they spent together, which was sometimes sweet and simple, and other times hot enough to scorch the pages. Aulay also knew that he had to tell Jetta the truth before she learned it on her own, but he was also afraid of how it would affect them. When the truth did come out, I loved how the less-than-eloquent Aulay tried to find the words to tell Jetta how he felt.
There was some suspense added to the book by the question of who wanted Jetta dead. When a look-alike Buchanan clanswoman was shot, it became clear that Jetta was in immediate danger. I loved how the Buchanans rallied around her, joining forces to protect Jetta and discover who was behind the attacks. The tension increased as the attacks escalated and Jetta had flashes of memory return. The final confrontation had several unexpected twists, as the villain made their move. I especially enjoyed how Aulay figured out who it was, though it took him a few minutes longer than it should have. The intensity of the final scene was incredible and had me glued to the pages until it was over. I loved that it was Saidh who saved the day.
Aulay's plans to relax went out the window almost immediately. While out fishing on the ocean, he and Alick came across a woman tied to a ship's mast and floating in the water. In a brief moment of consciousness, she called Aulay her angel and muttered something about someone who wanted to kill her. When she finally regained consciousness, she could not remember who she was or anything about her life. However, she believes that she and Aulay are man and wife.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Aulay and Jetta. He was caught between a rock and a hard place for most of it. His brother, the healer, insisted that Aulay go along with the deception, believing that telling her the truth could hinder her recovery. But the growing attraction between them made it difficult for Aulay to do the honorable thing. I liked Jetta. Aulay's scar never bothered her from the very beginning; she actually believed that it made him better looking. Instead of the monster he believed himself to be, Jetta thought he was the kindest, most considerate man in the world. I ached for Aulay. Underneath the surface of the laird was a vulnerable man who wished for a woman who wanted him for himself. He wanted what he had with Jetta to be real. I loved the time they spent together, which was sometimes sweet and simple, and other times hot enough to scorch the pages. Aulay also knew that he had to tell Jetta the truth before she learned it on her own, but he was also afraid of how it would affect them. When the truth did come out, I loved how the less-than-eloquent Aulay tried to find the words to tell Jetta how he felt.
There was some suspense added to the book by the question of who wanted Jetta dead. When a look-alike Buchanan clanswoman was shot, it became clear that Jetta was in immediate danger. I loved how the Buchanans rallied around her, joining forces to protect Jetta and discover who was behind the attacks. The tension increased as the attacks escalated and Jetta had flashes of memory return. The final confrontation had several unexpected twists, as the villain made their move. I especially enjoyed how Aulay figured out who it was, though it took him a few minutes longer than it should have. The intensity of the final scene was incredible and had me glued to the pages until it was over. I loved that it was Saidh who saved the day.
isitcake's review
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Yay finally Aulay's relationship! I love a scarred grumpy hero and the setup for how he ends up married to Jetta works really well. I'm glad we got a brand new character and while the plot of this book maintains the series theme, where the hero needs to discover and catch the attempted murderer of the heroine, the villain made some sense.
Jetta is discovered nearly unconscious bobbing in the sea tied to a mast. She mumbles some words about not returning her to her family and then loses her memory. Auluy discovers her while at his hunting lodge and gets Rory, and soon his entire family and their wives some up to help him. Jetta assumes that Aulay must be her husband and Rory encourages Aulay to continue the farce for fear that her feeling completely alone might set back her healing. She has a nasty head injury.
But then a maid, Katie, who looks like Jetta from behind with her long black hair, is shot in the back. Later Jetta is pushed down some stairs in front of everyone. Clearly someone is out to murder her. Due to some slip ups, Aulay is forced to admit that he's not really her husband but that he cares for her and she still cares for him so they agree to get married. On their wedding night, the stable is locked and set on fire with them in it.
The big reveal is that Jetta, whose real name is Sorcha, has a twin sister Cateline aka Cat. Cat didn't want to go marry her betrothed in France so she tied Jetta to the mast, which then was lost in the horrible storm. When the news that who they thought was Cat died at sea, the real Cat is forced to go to her betrothed. The first week she's treated great but once all the guests leave he becomes horribly abusive, at once point raping her on the Great Hall table in front of everyone then pissing on her. She pushes him down some stairs and he dies, but all his wealth and even the wealth she came with goes to a cousin. Cat is sent back to her father, who she promptly kills and inherits their estate. But that's not enough for her, she's clearly insane at this point and she thinks that Jetta somehow maneuvered her escape. She attempts to kill Jetta, sneaking in the secret passages of the Buchannan keep. They finally catch her while she holds a knife to Jetta's throat, but Saidh throws a knife and kills her. And the story just ends there with Aulay and Jetta going off the bathe in the loch for some much needed alone time.
But then a maid, Katie, who looks like Jetta from behind with her long black hair, is shot in the back. Later Jetta is pushed down some stairs in front of everyone. Clearly someone is out to murder her. Due to some slip ups, Aulay is forced to admit that he's not really her husband but that he cares for her and she still cares for him so they agree to get married. On their wedding night, the stable is locked and set on fire with them in it.
The big reveal is that Jetta, whose real name is Sorcha, has a twin sister Cateline aka Cat. Cat didn't want to go marry her betrothed in France so she tied Jetta to the mast, which then was lost in the horrible storm. When the news that who they thought was Cat died at sea, the real Cat is forced to go to her betrothed. The first week she's treated great but once all the guests leave he becomes horribly abusive, at once point raping her on the Great Hall table in front of everyone then pissing on her. She pushes him down some stairs and he dies, but all his wealth and even the wealth she came with goes to a cousin. Cat is sent back to her father, who she promptly kills and inherits their estate. But that's not enough for her, she's clearly insane at this point and she thinks that Jetta somehow maneuvered her escape. She attempts to kill Jetta, sneaking in the secret passages of the Buchannan keep. They finally catch her while she holds a knife to Jetta's throat, but Saidh throws a knife and kills her. And the story just ends there with Aulay and Jetta going off the bathe in the loch for some much needed alone time.
swampgoddess's review
4.0
I was keen for Aulay's story. Who sees a man with battle scars and shrieks in terror?! Absolute monsters. 3.5 stars.
Also, maybe this is just my insecurity showing, but can we have, like, ONE heroine whose tall and strong framed?? Like, Brienne from GoT? Why they all gotta be tiny? Someone direct me towards the The Highlanders Shield Maiden or some shit.
Side note: I'm off work with an injury and I've been listening to these books back to back and reality means nothing and I keep saying things in a Scottish accent for no good reason and now I'm having an identity crisis.
Also, maybe this is just my insecurity showing, but can we have, like, ONE heroine whose tall and strong framed?? Like, Brienne from GoT? Why they all gotta be tiny? Someone direct me towards the The Highlanders Shield Maiden or some shit.
Side note: I'm off work with an injury and I've been listening to these books back to back and reality means nothing and I keep saying things in a Scottish accent for no good reason and now I'm having an identity crisis.
ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5