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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Some good moments but difficult for me to get into. Loved the opening chapters and the characters but the plot was sluggish in places and too quick in others.
It was nice to re-enter the MacKenzie world. There is something special about this series from Jennifer Ashley and this one did not disappoint! And the one scene with Ian was everything.
Another great book of the Highland pleasures series. I loved Elliot and Juliana. I had my reservations about them at first, thinking that I wouldn't like them as much as the Mackenzie family or the author would become repetitive with so many books in the series, but I was wrong - they were very original as personalities and very nice to read about. I loved their story and I loved the secondary characters, as always with this series.
This was my least favorite of the series so far, since I didn't really know Elliot or Juliana, and we only got small glimpses of the Mackenzies. The story was interesting enough, though the introduction of Mahindar was a little too white-savoir-y for me, and though his character (and his family) was given a little more depth as the book went on, they were there mostly to serve and support Elliot, which was just ... weird.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Author did an amazing job conveying PTSD. Love the series
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
I like the book but I had a hard time staying with the story. I don't know if I connected with the characters as well as I did with the first few books.
I read the first book in the series not expecting to read any of the other books but decided to pick it up when it came recommended because of it's disability rep in a romance.
Elliot and Juliana have been in love with one another since their teenage years. They shared a passionate kiss but Elliot left for India. Juliana on the other hand got engaged. But on her wedding day, she is jilted and comes upon the man she loves. She decided to ask an outrageous question and unbeknownst to her, Elliot came back to get Juliana to marry him. He needs her to heal him. Things seem to fall into place as They get married on that day and off they go.
I thought it was interesting that he has an Indian manservant and the whole family comes to live with the newly wed couple at the run down McGregor estate. Though at times, I felt undertones of racism when the white characters interacted with Mahindar and his family. Juliana finds out that Elliot has gone through trauma, has scars on his face and back (I guess he had been tortured) and has episodes where he can't control himself like what she saw when he almost stabs Hamish, a helper on the estate.
Juliana initially came across to me as privileged and sheltered but she took things in her stride and was strong. I liked how she enjoys making lists and organising things. She tends to keep her emotions in and needs to show nothing since she had to grow up fast as a child with an absentee and irresponsible mother. Her life at the castle is pretty relaxed: have sex and hire men to repair the building.
It felt very abrupt for them to have sex less than 50 pages in but I guess that is expected since they did get married in Chapter 2.
I realised that most romances feature a hero with disability and chronic illness rep: be it physical scars, mental trauma or a disability. They need a kind, gentle and bright spirit (a female) to help them heal. It feels like it is acceptable for a male to be scarred, broody and affected but not a female. It's the identity of the gender and what we commonly expect from it based on stereotypes.
While I do enjoy those, I want to see more female characters with disability and chronic illness instead. I don't quite relate to the male characters as much though I understand some of what they experience.
Elliot is stoic and does not show much emotion. He struggled through PTSD but in that era, he was known as mad. I can understand why people would think so with limited knowledge of trauma and how it can affect the mind. He does odd things: suddenly disappears, sleeps for long hours and attacks people, seemingly not knowing who they are. But most are understanding.
There is a story there in his past with Stacy and Jaya. I didn't like how almost every scene with Juliana has them having sex. It was usually when he wanted to forget past memories. While I understand how he is obsessed with her because imagining her helped him through his captivity and torture, it feels not quite right to put this person on a pedestal and declare that they will heal you.
His behaviour could be possessive like how he wouldn't let her leave when his sisters visit and suggest it. She takes it in stride, perhaps understanding it has to do with his trauma and he can be reasoned with if it came to it. I liked how supportive and calm she was towards Elliot and the help. She is there for him in the bad moments and does not let her neighbours be racist to Mahindar.
But I liked his arc from beginning to end, originally he though he could heal before he got together with Juliana again and then he thought she would heal him but he finally realized that it will take time and it may never be fully healed but as long as he has those he loves around him. A found family! My favourite, he can manage.
I thought the secondary characters were delightful. McGregor and Komal make a funny pair of elderly people. The food that Mahindar and Channan made was a refreshing change from typical English and Scottish food. I did like the fushion they did with the small cakes and spices.
What the author does well is her writing, I did continue reading as it flowed well even if the characters annoyed me. I was disappointed with Stacy because he is hyped up to be this scary, proficient villain and he wasn’t.
I think readers who enjoyed the previous books would like this or if you are looking a historical romance where the hero has PTSD and scars on his body.
Elliot and Juliana have been in love with one another since their teenage years. They shared a passionate kiss but Elliot left for India. Juliana on the other hand got engaged. But on her wedding day, she is jilted and comes upon the man she loves. She decided to ask an outrageous question and unbeknownst to her, Elliot came back to get Juliana to marry him. He needs her to heal him. Things seem to fall into place as They get married on that day and off they go.
I thought it was interesting that he has an Indian manservant and the whole family comes to live with the newly wed couple at the run down McGregor estate. Though at times, I felt undertones of racism when the white characters interacted with Mahindar and his family. Juliana finds out that Elliot has gone through trauma, has scars on his face and back (I guess he had been tortured) and has episodes where he can't control himself like what she saw when he almost stabs Hamish, a helper on the estate.
Juliana initially came across to me as privileged and sheltered but she took things in her stride and was strong. I liked how she enjoys making lists and organising things. She tends to keep her emotions in and needs to show nothing since she had to grow up fast as a child with an absentee and irresponsible mother. Her life at the castle is pretty relaxed: have sex and hire men to repair the building.
It felt very abrupt for them to have sex less than 50 pages in but I guess that is expected since they did get married in Chapter 2.
I realised that most romances feature a hero with disability and chronic illness rep: be it physical scars, mental trauma or a disability. They need a kind, gentle and bright spirit (a female) to help them heal. It feels like it is acceptable for a male to be scarred, broody and affected but not a female. It's the identity of the gender and what we commonly expect from it based on stereotypes.
While I do enjoy those, I want to see more female characters with disability and chronic illness instead. I don't quite relate to the male characters as much though I understand some of what they experience.
Elliot is stoic and does not show much emotion. He struggled through PTSD but in that era, he was known as mad. I can understand why people would think so with limited knowledge of trauma and how it can affect the mind. He does odd things: suddenly disappears, sleeps for long hours and attacks people, seemingly not knowing who they are. But most are understanding.
There is a story there in his past with Stacy and Jaya. I didn't like how almost every scene with Juliana has them having sex. It was usually when he wanted to forget past memories. While I understand how he is obsessed with her because imagining her helped him through his captivity and torture, it feels not quite right to put this person on a pedestal and declare that they will heal you.
His behaviour could be possessive like how he wouldn't let her leave when his sisters visit and suggest it. She takes it in stride, perhaps understanding it has to do with his trauma and he can be reasoned with if it came to it. I liked how supportive and calm she was towards Elliot and the help. She is there for him in the bad moments and does not let her neighbours be racist to Mahindar.
But I liked his arc from beginning to end, originally he though he could heal before he got together with Juliana again and then he thought she would heal him but he finally realized that it will take time and it may never be fully healed but as long as he has those he loves around him. A found family! My favourite, he can manage.
I thought the secondary characters were delightful. McGregor and Komal make a funny pair of elderly people. The food that Mahindar and Channan made was a refreshing change from typical English and Scottish food. I did like the fushion they did with the small cakes and spices.
What the author does well is her writing, I did continue reading as it flowed well even if the characters annoyed me. I was disappointed with Stacy because he is hyped up to be this scary, proficient villain and he wasn’t.
I think readers who enjoyed the previous books would like this or if you are looking a historical romance where the hero has PTSD and scars on his body.
Did the audiobook for this one and I just wasn’t feeling it.
Maybe will pick it up at another time
Maybe will pick it up at another time