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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
This novel is one of many written by the married writing duo, Nikoo and Jim. They write under the name May McGoldrick, among others. If you don't know them yet, go check them out today...like, right now...go...I'll wait...
Amazing, right?
Now that you know what the heck is going on here, let's dig in, shall we?
I will say that I wish I had read this writing duo before because I probably would have been more prepared for a closed-door romance novel. Sometimes the fact that I like going in completely blind bites me right in the butt. I didn't realize what was going on until I was about 50% through this book with nary a love scene or much more than a couple of very intriguing glances being exchanged. It's always a bit of a shock when you don't see it coming but there are usually signs. I just wasn't paying attention (more on that later).
When we finally DID approach a love scene it had a wonderful build, a lovely and vague overview, and we were back to relationship and character building in a matter of about 4 paragraphs. Every once in a while that is just refreshing! Do we HAVE to spend 5 pages drudging on and on and ooonn about the velvet feel of a leg or the way someone sighs someone else's name? Not today we don't! I have laundry to do! The scene itself is paced beautifully and you get a real sense of them growing as a couple and of how down to earth they both are from the immediate before and after moments.
Remember up there (🠉) when I said that I missed all of the signs of a closed-door romance...?
I'm sure your asking yourself, "How could she MISS that??"
Well, it's because I absolutely LOVED the heroine, Dr. Isabella Drummond, and every. single. freaking. time. that she was on the page, I was distracted by how fierce, intelligent, logical, and tough she is. There isn't a moment that she was present that I wasn't obsessed with her. She is endlessly selfless, powerfully independent, and the feminist we all need in our lives. What a joy she must have been to write!
On the flip side, our hero, Cinaed Mackintosh, is a very typical hero with a secret inner sense of self. I was instantly impressed with how well he leads his people and encourages those around him. He doesn't just bark orders and walk around with his broad shoulders, looking lovely in a Highland breeze. He is in the trenches working right along beside everyone and leading by example. When he starts to build a relationship with Isabella he is all in and ready to start, no matter where it may take them. I absolutely adore a man who knows his own mind. (Don't ask me how to pronounce his name though...Kinny, Kenneth, Sin-aed, Shin-aed, Kin-aed? Research gave me all of those and nothing concrete)
The intrigue and action in this novel had me on the edge of my seat and fidgeting the entire time! Every time I THOUGHT I knew what was coming I was sorely mistaken and pleasantly surprised. Even without the mass carnage or hacking and slashing that you tend to see with Highland Historical Novels, you get enough of a sense of what's happening in the distance and just "off screen" that you comprehend the extraordinarily violent nature of our antagonist.
Speaking of the horrible human that is our antagonist, because of him, every moment of our hero and heroines lives are down right nerve-wracking and exhausting. You finish the novel completely wrung out and with a sense that they will be moving into a loving, if not dangerous, future together. I'm not used to Romance Novels ending with a big ol' question mark (anyone else DESPERATE to find out the one remaining unknown in our heroes life?) but it does help to encourage a reader to return and reassures us that we WILL get to follow up with these two in books to come.
My only draw back with this book is that I think we could have dug a bit more and fleshed out the romance between the hero and heroine. While I understand this is a very fast-paced book written in a very fast-paced world, I think there were a few missed moments that would have really rounded these guys out and made me swoon a little longer. Everything is very matter of fact and then the short moments we get with these two are over and we're back to history, politics, and relationship building with the secondary characters.
The secondary characters are all well written but, again, I think I could have fallen in love with them and their stories if we had just had a few extra "join hands and get to know each other" moments. I'm looking forward to revisiting these guys in the future and getting to know everyone a little bit better throughout the series.
Bottomline: A well researched and well written venture into the deep and colorful history of the highlands. Looking forward to seeing these guys' final HEA!
Rating: ★★★★
Favorite Quote: "They were fearless. With a gang of armed men, he had freed two so-called enemies of the Crown, but these people-- born with the same Highland blood that flowed through his body-- had come here with nothing but empty hands and raised voices. They'd come to this protest, crying out for reform, for freedom, for justice, armed only with a free, clear conscience...and their courage."
*I was given a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review*
Amazing, right?
Now that you know what the heck is going on here, let's dig in, shall we?
I will say that I wish I had read this writing duo before because I probably would have been more prepared for a closed-door romance novel. Sometimes the fact that I like going in completely blind bites me right in the butt. I didn't realize what was going on until I was about 50% through this book with nary a love scene or much more than a couple of very intriguing glances being exchanged. It's always a bit of a shock when you don't see it coming but there are usually signs. I just wasn't paying attention (more on that later).
When we finally DID approach a love scene it had a wonderful build, a lovely and vague overview, and we were back to relationship and character building in a matter of about 4 paragraphs. Every once in a while that is just refreshing! Do we HAVE to spend 5 pages drudging on and on and ooonn about the velvet feel of a leg or the way someone sighs someone else's name? Not today we don't! I have laundry to do! The scene itself is paced beautifully and you get a real sense of them growing as a couple and of how down to earth they both are from the immediate before and after moments.
Remember up there (🠉) when I said that I missed all of the signs of a closed-door romance...?
I'm sure your asking yourself, "How could she MISS that??"
Well, it's because I absolutely LOVED the heroine, Dr. Isabella Drummond, and every. single. freaking. time. that she was on the page, I was distracted by how fierce, intelligent, logical, and tough she is. There isn't a moment that she was present that I wasn't obsessed with her. She is endlessly selfless, powerfully independent, and the feminist we all need in our lives. What a joy she must have been to write!
On the flip side, our hero, Cinaed Mackintosh, is a very typical hero with a secret inner sense of self. I was instantly impressed with how well he leads his people and encourages those around him. He doesn't just bark orders and walk around with his broad shoulders, looking lovely in a Highland breeze. He is in the trenches working right along beside everyone and leading by example. When he starts to build a relationship with Isabella he is all in and ready to start, no matter where it may take them. I absolutely adore a man who knows his own mind. (Don't ask me how to pronounce his name though...Kinny, Kenneth, Sin-aed, Shin-aed, Kin-aed? Research gave me all of those and nothing concrete)
The intrigue and action in this novel had me on the edge of my seat and fidgeting the entire time! Every time I THOUGHT I knew what was coming I was sorely mistaken and pleasantly surprised. Even without the mass carnage or hacking and slashing that you tend to see with Highland Historical Novels, you get enough of a sense of what's happening in the distance and just "off screen" that you comprehend the extraordinarily violent nature of our antagonist.
Speaking of the horrible human that is our antagonist, because of him, every moment of our hero and heroines lives are down right nerve-wracking and exhausting. You finish the novel completely wrung out and with a sense that they will be moving into a loving, if not dangerous, future together. I'm not used to Romance Novels ending with a big ol' question mark (anyone else DESPERATE to find out the one remaining unknown in our heroes life?) but it does help to encourage a reader to return and reassures us that we WILL get to follow up with these two in books to come.
My only draw back with this book is that I think we could have dug a bit more and fleshed out the romance between the hero and heroine. While I understand this is a very fast-paced book written in a very fast-paced world, I think there were a few missed moments that would have really rounded these guys out and made me swoon a little longer. Everything is very matter of fact and then the short moments we get with these two are over and we're back to history, politics, and relationship building with the secondary characters.
The secondary characters are all well written but, again, I think I could have fallen in love with them and their stories if we had just had a few extra "join hands and get to know each other" moments. I'm looking forward to revisiting these guys in the future and getting to know everyone a little bit better throughout the series.
Bottomline: A well researched and well written venture into the deep and colorful history of the highlands. Looking forward to seeing these guys' final HEA!
Rating: ★★★★
Favorite Quote: "They were fearless. With a gang of armed men, he had freed two so-called enemies of the Crown, but these people-- born with the same Highland blood that flowed through his body-- had come here with nothing but empty hands and raised voices. They'd come to this protest, crying out for reform, for freedom, for justice, armed only with a free, clear conscience...and their courage."
*I was given a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review*
Definitely disappointed in this one. I like a fair amount of action with my romance, but the romance plot here was perfunctory at best: insta-love, with no romantic conflict or emotional growth at all, and fade-to-black sex scenes at inexplicable times that do nothing at all to advance the story. The plot as a whole was all action, all the time, so much so that you almost (but not quite) miss the fact that no one's motivations make sense under even the barest scrutiny. The characters are flat archetypes, or in Jean's case, utterly nonsensical; she is by turns cranky, loving, suspicious, trusting, frail, strong, cynical, or hopeful, not due to any kind of organic growth or character development, but simply whatever is convenient for the plot at any given moment. And the big reveal of Cinaed's parentage, and really his entire backstory, just don't make sense. Such a disappointment. Pass.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a richly, well layed out novel. Filled with adventure and romance. Isabella is a strong female protagonist who is also a skilled doctor which is rare in 1800 Scotland. I liked that she saved Cinaed without knowing him and risking capture. She builds a relationship with him based on trust and friendship. Although a slow build novel it does pick up and keeps you engaged.
This was a richly, well layed out novel. Filled with adventure and romance. Isabella is a strong female protagonist who is also a skilled doctor which is rare in 1800 Scotland. I liked that she saved Cinaed without knowing him and risking capture. She builds a relationship with him based on trust and friendship. Although a slow build novel it does pick up and keeps you engaged.
As many others like me, I was attracted to this story by the idea of a female physician in the early 19th century. Unfortunately, it was nothing like I expected and the book ended up in thorough disappointment.
From my perspective, it was more historical than romantic, slow and, though I read the whole thing, I was only on board with the story for short snippets of it. During those times, I even thought I might try book #2, but when the last twist of the story was revealed, I decided my time was too valuable to follow that cliffhanger.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
From my perspective, it was more historical than romantic, slow and, though I read the whole thing, I was only on board with the story for short snippets of it. During those times, I even thought I might try book #2, but when the last twist of the story was revealed, I decided my time was too valuable to follow that cliffhanger.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley*
dnf at 61%
This is my first May McGoldrick book. First off, I love the cover, but it will fool you thinking this is a romantic historical fiction. Either that or its a real slow burn and I never made it that far to really find out. This book was just dry, boring, and dragging majority of the story. I wasn't really falling in love with the characters either. I couldn't even figure out what the story was about aside from them being on the run. I won't let this one prevent me from reading more of the duo's work, but Highland Crown wasn't for me.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is my first May McGoldrick book. First off, I love the cover, but it will fool you thinking this is a romantic historical fiction. Either that or its a real slow burn and I never made it that far to really find out. This book was just dry, boring, and dragging majority of the story. I wasn't really falling in love with the characters either. I couldn't even figure out what the story was about aside from them being on the run. I won't let this one prevent me from reading more of the duo's work, but Highland Crown wasn't for me.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This was a great story with a great blend of romance and historical fiction.
I loved Isabella right away. Her achievement of becoming a physician in the 1800s already speaks to her intelligence and strength of character. She is on the run from both the British government for alleged treason and the Scottish rebels who believe she will spill their secrets if she was caught. From the start of the book, we are caught up on the intrigue of her attempting to escape Scotland to find safety.
Her first encounter with Cinaed was to use her skills to save his life. He quickly becomes enarmoured by her and not just because of her beauty. He acknowledged her bravery and the risks she took to nurse him back to life. Their connection of savior and saved eventually propels into a beautiful love.
Cinead and Isabella's love story is centered around the political unrest in Scotland during this time period but I never felt like the history was too much. Rather, I enjoyed watching this romance grow in a time of danger with a looming threat to both of their lives. The strenght of their love is seen as they sacrifice and risk everything for each other.
I didn't realize this was the first book in the series so there is definitely more to come with these two. However, I didn't feel this was a cliffhanger. You can certainly appreciate their HEA at the end of this book.
4 Stars
Historical Romance
Heat Level: Mild
POV: 3rd person
HEA
Follow me for your next comfort read!
I loved Isabella right away. Her achievement of becoming a physician in the 1800s already speaks to her intelligence and strength of character. She is on the run from both the British government for alleged treason and the Scottish rebels who believe she will spill their secrets if she was caught. From the start of the book, we are caught up on the intrigue of her attempting to escape Scotland to find safety.
Her first encounter with Cinaed was to use her skills to save his life. He quickly becomes enarmoured by her and not just because of her beauty. He acknowledged her bravery and the risks she took to nurse him back to life. Their connection of savior and saved eventually propels into a beautiful love.
Cinead and Isabella's love story is centered around the political unrest in Scotland during this time period but I never felt like the history was too much. Rather, I enjoyed watching this romance grow in a time of danger with a looming threat to both of their lives. The strenght of their love is seen as they sacrifice and risk everything for each other.
I didn't realize this was the first book in the series so there is definitely more to come with these two. However, I didn't feel this was a cliffhanger. You can certainly appreciate their HEA at the end of this book.
4 Stars
Historical Romance
Heat Level: Mild
POV: 3rd person
HEA
Follow me for your next comfort read!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Do you love Diana Galbadon’s Outlander Series? Or, like me, did you love books one through four but you just couldn’t take it anymore? I mean, Jamie is great but can Claire just stay out of trouble for two minutes?!? Sheesh. If, like me, you love a lot of things about Outlander but not the infinite never-ending drama, look no further then Highland Crown by May McGoldrick.
I don't love comparing new books to popular titles but with this particular novel it cannot be avoided., I mean, a doctor woman hiding in historic Scotland and falling instantly in love with the magnetically handsome and powerful Scot? The only thing missing is the time travel. Well, and Claire's ridiculousness.
I do want to focus on the differences between the two books and why it all worked so beautifully. Written by Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick under the pen name Mary McGoldrick, Highland Crown is a fast paced romance told in shifting narratives with loads of historic facts that brought the action to life. Alternating between the beautiful doctor and fugitive, Isabella Drummond, and the strikingly handsome ship captain, Cinead Mackintosh, the reader is literally tossed into the action from chapter one. And, since half of this writing duo has a PhD in sixteenth century Scottish and English literature, the historical aspect felt so true and alive it was hard to step back into the present.
I am an absolute sucker for romances where the male character falls deeply in love and has to either reassure the female character of his love or somehow earn her trust. This book gave me that romantic aspect in spades and I cannot wait for the next two books in the series!
I don't love comparing new books to popular titles but with this particular novel it cannot be avoided., I mean, a doctor woman hiding in historic Scotland and falling instantly in love with the magnetically handsome and powerful Scot? The only thing missing is the time travel. Well, and Claire's ridiculousness.
I do want to focus on the differences between the two books and why it all worked so beautifully. Written by Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick under the pen name Mary McGoldrick, Highland Crown is a fast paced romance told in shifting narratives with loads of historic facts that brought the action to life. Alternating between the beautiful doctor and fugitive, Isabella Drummond, and the strikingly handsome ship captain, Cinead Mackintosh, the reader is literally tossed into the action from chapter one. And, since half of this writing duo has a PhD in sixteenth century Scottish and English literature, the historical aspect felt so true and alive it was hard to step back into the present.
I am an absolute sucker for romances where the male character falls deeply in love and has to either reassure the female character of his love or somehow earn her trust. This book gave me that romantic aspect in spades and I cannot wait for the next two books in the series!
3,5 Stars.
A Really enjoyable historical romance story set in Schotland. Gave me all the outlander feels. Review will follow closer to the release date.
A Really enjoyable historical romance story set in Schotland. Gave me all the outlander feels. Review will follow closer to the release date.
I received an eARC at no cost from the author, in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. Thank you.
Review will be posted at Romancing Romances on the publication day.
2.25*
This was the first book I’ve read of May McGoldrick (whom is actually two people) and, sadly, it just wasn’t it for me.
I really wanted to like the characters, but I found myself annoyed by Isabella, and a bit confused by Cinaed.
The book has a great premise, and the story is interesting – I love stories that have not only the romance, but something that ties everything together, and this book had that, even if it is sometimes confusing.
I really wanted to like Isabella, but she just didn’t rise to the expectations. She was a physician, and that was the most interesting part about her.
I liked Cinaed, but sometimes he was a bit confusing – completely trusting, and then suspicious, but always ready to protect Isabella… It seemed a bit forced.
Also, I’m not a fan of insta-love. And even though this was more of an insta-attraction for Isabella, it felt like insta-love to Cinaed.
There was a lot going around and sometimes it became confusing and the actions of the characters didn’t seem completely faithful to whom they were.
Sadly, I just didn’t connect with the book. It was the first book I read in 2019, and it took me a whole month to read it. Not the best introduction to this author.
Review will be posted at Romancing Romances on the publication day.
2.25*
This was the first book I’ve read of May McGoldrick (whom is actually two people) and, sadly, it just wasn’t it for me.
I really wanted to like the characters, but I found myself annoyed by Isabella, and a bit confused by Cinaed.
The book has a great premise, and the story is interesting – I love stories that have not only the romance, but something that ties everything together, and this book had that, even if it is sometimes confusing.
I really wanted to like Isabella, but she just didn’t rise to the expectations. She was a physician, and that was the most interesting part about her.
I liked Cinaed, but sometimes he was a bit confusing – completely trusting, and then suspicious, but always ready to protect Isabella… It seemed a bit forced.
Also, I’m not a fan of insta-love. And even though this was more of an insta-attraction for Isabella, it felt like insta-love to Cinaed.
There was a lot going around and sometimes it became confusing and the actions of the characters didn’t seem completely faithful to whom they were.
Sadly, I just didn’t connect with the book. It was the first book I read in 2019, and it took me a whole month to read it. Not the best introduction to this author.