Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This book went on a bit too much with the damaged hero, not enough conflict for me.
We've jumped tangentially with this one - skipping Inspector Fellowes (temporarily, I think, but he does put in an appearance) we jump across to Ainsley's brother Elliot (the one who was tortured in India) and a young lady we haven't met yet, Ainsley's school friend Juliana. Compared to the last book ([b:The Duke's Perfect Wife|8563829|The Duke's Perfect Wife (MacKenzies & McBrides, #4)|Jennifer Ashley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1317220977s/8563829.jpg|13432302] this one has a much tighter plot and the backstories don't take odd twists (i.e. I didn't have to read sections multiple times to understand why Eleanor would have broken off with Hart the first time). There's a lot of simplicity to the story of a man who has gone through hell and back and gets extremely lucky in the fact that the woman he always loved gets dumped at the altar.
As for timeline, this takes place the summer before the novella [b:A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift|16181686|A Mackenzie Family Christmas The Perfect Gift (MacKenzies & McBrides, #4.5)|Jennifer Ashley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417577103s/16181686.jpg|22084554] so there are a few teeny spoilers in that novella (but the novella, while taking a good deal of time to go over each family and the children, completely skips over Priti and I find it odd that Elliot would leave her at Castle MacGregor while he and Juliana went to Kilmorgan for Christmas).
Apparently Daniel is up next (according to the teaser chapter) - while I find the prospect of goofy teenager Daniel taking center stage as one of the virile Mackenzie (there's a little icky factor at work) at least this one will jump six years in the future.
As for timeline, this takes place the summer before the novella [b:A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift|16181686|A Mackenzie Family Christmas The Perfect Gift (MacKenzies & McBrides, #4.5)|Jennifer Ashley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417577103s/16181686.jpg|22084554] so there are a few teeny spoilers in that novella (but the novella, while taking a good deal of time to go over each family and the children, completely skips over Priti and I find it odd that Elliot would leave her at Castle MacGregor while he and Juliana went to Kilmorgan for Christmas).
Apparently Daniel is up next (according to the teaser chapter) - while I find the prospect of goofy teenager Daniel taking center stage as one of the virile Mackenzie (there's a little icky factor at work) at least this one will jump six years in the future.
A jilted bride, childhood first love and a hero with a damaged past, it's the type of opening that had me wondering if I was reading the store of the B-plot heroine from a previous novel. I found it hard to believe in the quick romance of it all, the McKenzies are still my favourite part of it all.
Good but didn't quite catch me like the Mackenzie books have. It was all pretty predictable and generally enjoyable but since I wasn't invested in either character it was a throw away read for me. Really loved the snippet from Daniel's book though and I'll happily pick that one up when it comes out.
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Seduction of Elliot McBride
4.5 Stars
The first book in the Highland Pleasures series not to focus on one of the Mackenzies and it is a unmitigated success.
The romance is simply wonderful as a sexy and sweet retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Scarred both physically and emotionally, Elliot is perceived by others as losing his grip on reality following his capture and enslavement by an ferocious tribe in India. Juliana, however, sees beneath the surface to the charming boy she remembers from childhood, and knows that he is still in there just waiting to emerge with love, loyalty and understanding.
The secondary characters are another excellent aspect of the story. Elliot's devoted Sikh servants and his eccentric uncle McGregor add just the right about of humor to a story with darker undertones.
My one small caveat is that Elliot's experiences in India are told in a matter of fact tone, which detracts from the emotional impact of his PTSD and as a result the story is not as touching as some of the other books in the series, i.e. Ian's and Cameron's.
In sum, a enjoyable addition to a fantastic series and I cannot wait for Daniel's book.
4.5 Stars
The first book in the Highland Pleasures series not to focus on one of the Mackenzies and it is a unmitigated success.
The romance is simply wonderful as a sexy and sweet retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story. Scarred both physically and emotionally, Elliot is perceived by others as losing his grip on reality following his capture and enslavement by an ferocious tribe in India. Juliana, however, sees beneath the surface to the charming boy she remembers from childhood, and knows that he is still in there just waiting to emerge with love, loyalty and understanding.
The secondary characters are another excellent aspect of the story. Elliot's devoted Sikh servants and his eccentric uncle McGregor add just the right about of humor to a story with darker undertones.
My one small caveat is that Elliot's experiences in India are told in a matter of fact tone, which detracts from the emotional impact of his PTSD and as a result the story is not as touching as some of the other books in the series, i.e. Ian's and Cameron's.
In sum, a enjoyable addition to a fantastic series and I cannot wait for Daniel's book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
