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gonturans's review against another edition
5.0
cw: childhood sexual abuse, portrayal of grooming
this is a deeply affecting and emotional novel about healing and the making of a marriage, but could be triggering for childhood sexual abuse survivors as brenna's trauma is the lurking dread underpinning the growing trust and tenderness between her and michael, and michael's younger sister moving to the castle.
one of grace burrowe's best imo, but definitely very heavy despite the beautiful relationship at the center
third read update: it's hard to call this a favorite, but it remains one of the author's best novels and a shining example of the ability of the genre to be a balm to deep hurts
this is a deeply affecting and emotional novel about healing and the making of a marriage, but could be triggering for childhood sexual abuse survivors as brenna's trauma is the lurking dread underpinning the growing trust and tenderness between her and michael, and michael's younger sister moving to the castle.
one of grace burrowe's best imo, but definitely very heavy despite the beautiful relationship at the center
third read update: it's hard to call this a favorite, but it remains one of the author's best novels and a shining example of the ability of the genre to be a balm to deep hurts
kiwifire's review against another edition
3.0
Never expected a romance novel to be a plodding think piece on child abuse. While I appreciate sensitive topics being raised in more and more books, and I know the emotions and reactions were accurate....it was the most boring book. Nothing happened, nobody went anywhere, it was all just mental anguish and no plot.
At least the main characters didn't do that annoying "kiss me! I AM HORRIBLE NEVER LOOK AT ME but kiss me! I CANNOT CONTROL MYSELF but kiss me! I AM SHAMEFUL HOW CAN YOU STAND ME THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD" thing.
At least the main characters didn't do that annoying "kiss me! I AM HORRIBLE NEVER LOOK AT ME but kiss me! I CANNOT CONTROL MYSELF but kiss me! I AM SHAMEFUL HOW CAN YOU STAND ME THIS IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD" thing.
mrvm's review against another edition
3.0
This book was really hard to read. Mostly because you knew where the story was going, and knowing that there was nothing you could do to stop it, and because there was very little being done that could stop it. Despite this I actually enjoyed this book, it is not my favorite work by Burrowes but it wasn't bad.
My only issue was how Burrowes would go from the horrible incidents right into a sex scene. It happened every time. I just felt like there needed to be a bit more of a buffer between those.
My only issue was how Burrowes would go from the horrible incidents right into a sex scene. It happened every time. I just felt like there needed to be a bit more of a buffer between those.
kstep1805's review against another edition
3.0
Don't skip the author's note at the beginning, it is a trigger warning. This book was tough to read, you knew what was going to happen but didn't want to know. The storyline didn't always make sense but she still was able to evoke a great deal of emotions. This made it seem much less formulaic and a better read.
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
Michael and Brenna have been married for over ten years, and were betrothed since childhood. Michael left ten years previous to fight in the war, and now he has returned and he barely knows Brenna. Brenna has had to fight for keeping their home, she has had to face enemies within the clan to keep them above water, and now her husband has finally remembered he has a wife and people who care about him. In the beginning of his return Brenna has inner demons that is keeping her from being fully Michael's wife. Michael is impressed with how well Brenna has managed things so far since he has been gone. Michael doesn't want to see the animosity between Brenna and his people. But as he starts to woo his wife and convince her of his love for her, he starts to see her strength and fortitude. Michael begins to see that its not as simple as wooing his wife, he will have to win her heart as well as her affections.
The Laird is the third in the Captive Hearts series. I think out of this series so far, that The Laird is my favorite. This series has been quite a ride so far, and I would say probably some of my favorite books from this author. I loved the theme of this series, and each book has done a great job in the implementation. We see how each pair in each of the books have to fight for love, and The Laird is no different. This story is all about sacrifice and trust. Both of the characters in the story even though married, have never made love, they barely know each other, and have been separated for ten years. The story begins as a courtship, a chance for these two to reconnect, but life seems to get in the way of these two. You begin to develop a kinship to the heroine, she has heart and gumption and is not afraid to fight for what is hers. You can tell that she has some skeletons in the closet, that she has been keeping from Michael. Skeletons that she fears and that haunt her daily. She and Michael's uncle are at odds with each other (but for good reason), and the more you delve deeper in the story the more that you begin to appreciate her courage and will. Michael is a charmer and romantic. I love the way he goes about weakening Brenna's defenses and showing her how genuine his feelings are for her.
The plot of the story is steady paced and didn't feel rushed or too slow. I felt like it was just right for the theme of the story and knowing how Burrowes writes, not unexpected. But there were quite a few surprises along the way that really will shock you to the core. But I loved the way she puts the story together and it really comes together in the end in such a way that is perfectly well suited to the story. I loved seeing it unravel in slow degrees, that was enjoyable and enthralling. A story to remember, a tale to fall for and a experience that will burn in you!!! EXCEPTIONAL!!!
The Laird is the third in the Captive Hearts series. I think out of this series so far, that The Laird is my favorite. This series has been quite a ride so far, and I would say probably some of my favorite books from this author. I loved the theme of this series, and each book has done a great job in the implementation. We see how each pair in each of the books have to fight for love, and The Laird is no different. This story is all about sacrifice and trust. Both of the characters in the story even though married, have never made love, they barely know each other, and have been separated for ten years. The story begins as a courtship, a chance for these two to reconnect, but life seems to get in the way of these two. You begin to develop a kinship to the heroine, she has heart and gumption and is not afraid to fight for what is hers. You can tell that she has some skeletons in the closet, that she has been keeping from Michael. Skeletons that she fears and that haunt her daily. She and Michael's uncle are at odds with each other (but for good reason), and the more you delve deeper in the story the more that you begin to appreciate her courage and will. Michael is a charmer and romantic. I love the way he goes about weakening Brenna's defenses and showing her how genuine his feelings are for her.
The plot of the story is steady paced and didn't feel rushed or too slow. I felt like it was just right for the theme of the story and knowing how Burrowes writes, not unexpected. But there were quite a few surprises along the way that really will shock you to the core. But I loved the way she puts the story together and it really comes together in the end in such a way that is perfectly well suited to the story. I loved seeing it unravel in slow degrees, that was enjoyable and enthralling. A story to remember, a tale to fall for and a experience that will burn in you!!! EXCEPTIONAL!!!
whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
5.0
Some stories are hard to hear, that doesn't mean they shouldn't be told. All three books in the Captive series deal with abuse in all its forms and effects. The Laird is about child physical, sexual, and mental abuse, I mention this because of how this can be a trigger for some but know that it is never gratuitous and except for two scenes it is more about the emotional trauma such acts can cause in individuals.
Michael Brodie is finally coming home after 9 years away at war and with very minimal communication between him and his home. The years he spent in France as a traitorous non-traitor (The Captive and The Traitor) have taken their toll; he is world weary and ready for his homeland and clan to soothe his tired spirit. Michael especially hopes the young bride he left behind will lead this forefront. Brenna Brodie may have been surrounded by home and hearth but like Michael, she lived a life full of fear and lacking security. When Brenna was sent to Michael's home as his betrothed she was only eight years old, lonely and feeling out of place she was befriended by Michael's uncle Angus. Angus groomed her and then preyed upon Brenna's insecurity for years until she hit early teenage years and began to understand something wasn't right. When Brenna turns sixteen, her and Michael are wed and on that night Brenna begs Michael to take her with him when he journeys to war. Michael, only twenty, was reeling from a recent incident that shattered his world and unable to process it, essentially escapes to war distancing himself from everyone that knows him and leaving Brenna behind.
What follows is an extremely emotional read about not only two people trying to overcome and manage traumatic events but how friends, family, and communities cope with the dark realities of life. The heart of this story is Michael and Brenna trying to traverse the vast distance years and circumstances has created between them. This is a slow moving story but at the same time, I flew through it as I was completely absorbed and invested in Michael and Brenna together and separately. The awkwardness and yearning the two demonstrate made me pull for them right in the beginning. Michael even with his scars from the war remembers Brenna as his cherished childhood friend and with every interaction and observation grows to love Brenna as the woman she is now. As the events swirling about Brenna are mostly the catalyst for the heart of the story, she is what readers will focus on and what a heartbreaking and inspiring character she is. The shame, guilt, anxiety, strength, heart, and endurance Brenna displays make her a character you will not soon forget. The gentleness and understanding Michael gives to Brenna and Brenna's simple trying makes you want to simply clutch this book to your chest and weep for them. While the ending may leave some to bemoan Uncle Angus not getting his just rewards, the healing Brenna and others exhibit is satisfying enough for me.
I am very fond of the first two books in the series, but The Laird, it stole a piece of my heart. When someone mocks or claims romance genre books are trashy, simplistic, or otherwise unworthy, this is the book you point them to. There is a subtleness to Ms. Burrowes writing that has me hooked and will have me looking at her backlist and watching for new releases. Some stories are hard to hear, there is in where their beauty lies.
Michael Brodie is finally coming home after 9 years away at war and with very minimal communication between him and his home. The years he spent in France as a traitorous non-traitor (The Captive and The Traitor) have taken their toll; he is world weary and ready for his homeland and clan to soothe his tired spirit. Michael especially hopes the young bride he left behind will lead this forefront. Brenna Brodie may have been surrounded by home and hearth but like Michael, she lived a life full of fear and lacking security. When Brenna was sent to Michael's home as his betrothed she was only eight years old, lonely and feeling out of place she was befriended by Michael's uncle Angus. Angus groomed her and then preyed upon Brenna's insecurity for years until she hit early teenage years and began to understand something wasn't right. When Brenna turns sixteen, her and Michael are wed and on that night Brenna begs Michael to take her with him when he journeys to war. Michael, only twenty, was reeling from a recent incident that shattered his world and unable to process it, essentially escapes to war distancing himself from everyone that knows him and leaving Brenna behind.
What follows is an extremely emotional read about not only two people trying to overcome and manage traumatic events but how friends, family, and communities cope with the dark realities of life. The heart of this story is Michael and Brenna trying to traverse the vast distance years and circumstances has created between them. This is a slow moving story but at the same time, I flew through it as I was completely absorbed and invested in Michael and Brenna together and separately. The awkwardness and yearning the two demonstrate made me pull for them right in the beginning. Michael even with his scars from the war remembers Brenna as his cherished childhood friend and with every interaction and observation grows to love Brenna as the woman she is now. As the events swirling about Brenna are mostly the catalyst for the heart of the story, she is what readers will focus on and what a heartbreaking and inspiring character she is. The shame, guilt, anxiety, strength, heart, and endurance Brenna displays make her a character you will not soon forget. The gentleness and understanding Michael gives to Brenna and Brenna's simple trying makes you want to simply clutch this book to your chest and weep for them. While the ending may leave some to bemoan Uncle Angus not getting his just rewards, the healing Brenna and others exhibit is satisfying enough for me.
I am very fond of the first two books in the series, but The Laird, it stole a piece of my heart. When someone mocks or claims romance genre books are trashy, simplistic, or otherwise unworthy, this is the book you point them to. There is a subtleness to Ms. Burrowes writing that has me hooked and will have me looking at her backlist and watching for new releases. Some stories are hard to hear, there is in where their beauty lies.
lumbermouth's review against another edition
3.0
Heyyyyyy trigger warning child abuse? Like, child sexual abuse. A lot of these Regency-era romances have some sort of trauma for one or the other main character to overcome, usually via a titled gentleman's magic dick, and they vary in acceptability as plot devices/fridges, but this one is an entire book based around TRIGGER WARNING/SPOILER a child groomer/abuser. So, that's fun and sexy to talk about in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands?? I guess if you're ready to read about that, then you're in good shape. The villain of this book is real dang clangy; it's also a book about non-toxic male friendship, though, which is a refreshing turn. So, I don't know: 5 stars for FRIENDSHIP, 2 stars for surprise child abuse, evens out to three stars.
jamiebrito's review against another edition
Child rape and drawing naked children
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Child death
altheodorou's review against another edition
4.0
A bit of a melodramatic end, but that's just me being nit-picky.