Title: An English Bride in Scotland
Author: Lynsay Sands
Series: Highland Brides #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Scottish romance
Dates read: 29th December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Annabel supposed this was how ladies were treated… when they weren’t oblates in a nunnery.
She never expected to marry
Annabel was about to take the veil to become a nun, when her mother suddenly arrived at the abbey to take her home… so that she can marry the Scottish laird who is betrothed to her runaway sister! She knows nothing about being a wife, nothing about how to run a household, and definitely nothing about the marriage bed.
He never expected to fall in love
From the moment Ross MacKay sets eyes on Annabel, he is taken with his shy, sweet bride… and the fact that she’s blessed with lush curves only makes him utter his own prayers of thanks. But when an enemy endangers her life, he’ll move the Highlands themselves to save her. For though Annabel’s not the bride he planned for, she’s the only woman he desires…
This was my first full-length Lynsay Sands novel. I’ve now read a few of her novellas which were absolutely brilliant. Plus, I’ve been a little obsessed with historical fiction in the last month or so, so it was kind of a perfect fit. Which is quite obvious, since I read the whole thing cover to cover in one night. It only has a different start and finish date because I read it overnight when I should have been sleeping… should probably stop doing that.
There is something that seriously draws me into Scottish romance. Yet, like Lynsay Sands, this is my first ever full length Scottish romance. I’m probably so incredibly drawn in because my ancestors were Scottish. Finally something I connect to a little more strongly. Having said that, I have never been to Scotland, and most likely never will. This story just reminded me how much I want to discover more about my past. How much I love stories like this. They’re easy, cute and give me a weird hereditary nostalgia.
Although this story was primarily about the love between Annabel and Ross, it was also very much about discovering who was stalking her. Normally in stories like this, it’s kind of obvious, or even known by the characters. And the tale is more about getting revenge and escaping the evil creature. Not so much in this. I honestly had no idea who was the culprit, and, more importantly, why they were trying to kidnap the English bride. It made an interesting point of conflict. And not one that I often find in romances.
Normally in romances, the central point of conflict comes from some misunderstanding in the relationship. I thought the whole nun thing would be a point of contention and that would definitely show itself in the sexual relations. Not so. The main issue for the leads in this was the stalker. I loved that there was an external point of conflict and that neither character was unbelievably stupid. It’s great in stories, but a departure from this trend is also brilliant.
Earth and Skye 