I received this book for free from the Publisher, TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Highlander's Kilted Bride by Vanessa Kelly Series: Clan Kendrick #6
Published by Zebra Books on August 22, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Scottish
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: Publisher, TLC Book Tours
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The youngest brother in Clan Kendrick has become a charismatic force in his own right—especially when the perfect woman gallops into his life—in the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s sparkling Scottish Regency series.
Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart would rather don a kilt and ride her horse than simper in a ballroom. But with her younger sister about to be wed, she can’t escape the pressure to be next. A husband has been chosen, and Charlie’s fate seems set. Until an afternoon gallop sends her horse colliding with Kade Kendrick, the broad-shouldered Highlander who was once her childhood pal . . .
As a youth, Kade felt overshadowed by his older siblings. Now he’s a renowned musician whose fame provides cover for his other work—as a spy. Home from his latest mission, he’s annoyed to be roped into attending the wedding of a family friend—until it reunites him with the fearless tomboy who has become a breathtaking beauty. And though his thoughts should be on a new concerto, Kade is soon distracted by rival suitors, a dangerous quest—and the unconventional woman who fills his soul with music and his body with desire . . .
It’s been a while since I’ve read historical romance, but when TLC Book Tours approached me for Vanessa Kelly’s THE HIGHLANDER’S BRIDE, I decided to dive back into this genre. This is book #6 in the author’s Clan Kendrick series that feature several highlander brothers as they find love and happiness in 1800s Scotland. Now let me tell you that the Kendrick boys, their wives, and children are very colorful and lively. Mix in a very outspoken and opinionated grandfather named Angus and many a ruckuses have been caused over the years.
This installment features the youngest boy Kade’s story. He was a sickly and frail child, but he survived to adulthood thanks to his nurturing and caring family. Now a celebrated pianist, composer, and also a sometimes spy for the king, he’s returned to his family home to heal after getting stabbed while working for the country. Before he knows it, he’s dragged along by his family to a wedding of his grandfather’s cousin’s daughter deep in the Highlands, and Kade isn’t sure what he’s getting himself into once he learns the bride and mother of the bride want him to perform at the wedding.
Charlotte Stewart is very unique for her time, more tomboyish than womanly, much to her family’s consternation. She’s had a crush on Kade since she was 11 and he was 13, and having not seen Kade in years hasn’t dulled her affection much. But Charlotte goes by Charlie to those that love her and she’s a woman that can’t be tamed. She speaks her mind, and even rides horses and fights like a man. She knows what she wants out of her country highlander life and she lives it with gusto. Now that Charlie and Kade’s childhood bully from another clan is at the wedding to court Charlie, she and Kade won’t sit idly by and let that happen. Even if Charlie has to instigate a bit of drama to scare that suitor off.
While Charlie and Kade are fantastic, unique characters that do change over the course of the book, I really enjoyed Kade’s family every time they were on the page. His feisty grandfather Angus–the man who raised the brothers–made me laugh every scene he was in. He thinks that clan history should be known and respected, and he makes that loud and clear to everyone. He also has his own ideas of who should marry Charlie, and his name-calling for the people he finds lacking in this novel are hilariously en pointe.
I give The Highlander’s Kilted Bride a five out of five. This is the first book that I’ve read from this author and even though this is the latest book in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone and not lose anything in understanding. The author’s writing isn’t bogged down in historical speech or overly descriptive sections, which made this flow very smoothly. The storylines were woven together nicely with entertaining and comedic events and romantic moments spread throughout. I highly enjoyed this book and will probably go back and read the first 5 books when I get the chance. Charlie and Kade were both feisty and work well together–all while their attraction grows throughout the book. There are several mysteries that need to be solved, and I really enjoyed how everyone worked together to figure all of it out.
Find THE HIGHLANDER’S KILTED BRIDE
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About Vanessa Kelly
Vanessa Kelly is the award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of The Improper Princesses series, the Clan Kendrick, The Renegade Royals and The Stanton Family series, in addition to other historical romances. Named by Booklist as one of the “Stars of Historical Romance,” her books have been translated into nine languages and published internationally. In graduate school, Vanessa specialized in the study of eighteenth-century British fiction and is known for developing vibrant Regency settings, appealing characters, and witty story lines that captivate readers. She lives with her husband in Ontario, Canada. Visit her at VanessaKellyAuthor.com or join the Clan Kendrick Facebook Group at Facebook.com/groups/ClanKendrick.
Find Vanessa Kelly
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Vanessa Kelly’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS for THE HIGHLANDER’S KILTED BRIDE:
Saturday, August 19th: @subakka.bookstuff and Subakka.bookstuff
Monday, August 21st: @gallaghergirlreads
Monday, August 21st: The Romance Dish
Tuesday, August 22nd: Bewitched Bookworms
Tuesday, August 22nd: @plottrysts
Wednesday, August 23rd: @booksandcoffeemx
Thursday, August 24th: @laurasreviews_1 and Laura’s Reviews
Friday, August 25th: @the_naptime_reader
Monday, August 28th: What is That Book About – excerpt
Monday, August 28th: @littlebittydelights
Monday, August 28th: @sarahs.bookish.reviews
Tuesday, August 29th: Books Cooks Looks
Wednesday, August 30th: @gwendalyn_books and Gwendalyn’s Books
Thursday, August 31st: @booksimperfectcondition
Saturday, September 2nd: @lowkey.bookish
Monday, September 4th: @jessbeyondthepages
Tuesday, September 5th: From the TBR Pile
Wednesday, September 6th: @romantically_swept_away
Wednesday, September 6th: @everlasting.bookworm
Thursday, September 7th: @shopcoffeekids
Friday, September 8th: @bookedonlattes
Monday, September 11th: @janaandbooks
Tuesday, September 12th: The Book Diva’s Reads – excerpt
Wednesday, September 13th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
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