Smexy Books

Romance and Urban Fantasy Reviews

  • Review Request
  • Contact
    • Smexy Reviewers Profiles
    • New Reviewer Application
    • Contact
  • Advertising
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • By Genre
      • BDSM
      • Contemporary
      • Erotic
      • Fantasy
      • F/F
      • Historical Romance
      • Historical PNR
      • LGBTQ+
      • M/M Romance
      • New Adult
      • Urban Fantasy
      • Paranormal Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Romantic Suspense
      • Young Adult
    • By Letter Grade Rating
      • A Reviews
      • B Reviews
      • C Reviews
      • D Reviews
      • DNF Reviews
  • Features
    • New Releases
    • Smexy Deals!
    • Retro Review
    • Weekly Wrap-Up
    • Blog Tour
    • Scenic Sunday
    • To Be Read
    • Guest Post
    • Top Ten/Happy Friday
    • Smex Scene Sunday
  • The Psy/Changeling Channel
You are here: Home / C Review / Review: The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch

Review: The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch

January 23, 2014 by admin 5 Comments

thedevilwearskiltsThe Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch (Scandalous Highlanders #1)
Released: November 26, 2013
Historical Romance
St. Martin’s

Reviewed by May

On a mission to rescue his runaway sister from the lure of flowery compliments and a useless lot of satin-clad scalawags disguised by their snooty titles, Ranulf MacLawry, Marquis of Glengask, has roared into British society like a storm across the Scottish Highlands. But he’s about to find out that satin has its appeal, especially when it covers the curves of Miss Lady Charlotte Hanover—whose tongue is as sharp as her skin is soft…

Lady Charlotte Hanover has had her fill of hot-headed men, having lost her fiancé in an utterly unnecessary duel. When did brawn ever triumph over brains? And yet there is something solid and appealing about the brash Highlander who’s as dangerous in the ballroom as in battle. Sometimes bigger really is better…

This story pained me, because it was just so typical. Ranulf is the quintessential Scottish Alpha and Charlotte is the stereotypical English spinster. Each is so cookie-cutter that it was impossible to get excited about the story.

Ranulf makes it clear (repeatedly) how he hates the English, how useless they are and how Scottish ways are best and he stomps around London bellowing at his sister and behaving exactly as you might expect. To me, this really hurts his character and the story because there is simply nothing to like about him!

Well, maybe that is a bit harsh. He does have great conversations with our heroine Charlotte.

“So this is you simply being you, is it?” she ventured in a low voice. “You’re not making a statement or showing your contempt for my fellows?”

His grin deepened. “It’s just clothes, lass.” He patted himself on the chest, his silver buttons glittering. “All proper up top, and fun down below.”

The two do have chemistry, and Enoch does a great job of showing how they fall for each other as well as why they are a perfect match. We are told there are conflicts (she hates violence, and that is his first answer) and reasons they won’t be together – but none of it really holds up or provides good conflict.

“I say that a lass willnae order me to do anything. I also further say that ye’ve not convinced me that ye find my touch distasteful. In fact, I think ye enjoy having me aboot to argue with. I think ye were bored before Rowena and I arrived on yer doorstep.”

He’s overbearing, she doesn’t back down. He’s used to being obeyed blindly, she doesn’t see why she should even consider such an insane course of action. He wants her and propositions her, she is a lady who won’t ruin herself. It is all just so predictable and unoriginal that despite the lovely writing and witty conversations I couldn’t get into this book.

The bottom line is that if you like your heroes to be extremely alpha Scottish men and your heroines to be bewitching English bluestocking spinsters then this might be just the book for you. Enoch has a wonderful voice and beautiful way of story telling. I simply was annoyed by the clichéd nature of this book and that it felt like dozens of books I’ve read before. With such a talented author I expect more than an overused trope and lackluster plot.

Grade: C

Goodreads l Author Website l Series Guide

Kindle l Nook

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: C Review, Historical Romance, St. Martin's, Suzanne Enoch

Comments

  1. Jamie Beck says

    January 23, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    I read this and sort of feel the same way you do. I might give it a B instead of a C simply because, while not exactly “fresh”…it is well written and the dialogue was often very strong. I liked the characters for the most part, although both could be a bit too arrogant for me at times. I’ll admit to a hero-bias. If I really like the hero, I can tolerate a heroine I don’t like as much. That was sort of the case here. Sometimes Charlotte got on my nerves. She seemed to overstep at times, getting between a clan leader/oldest brother and sister.

    What I remember most about this book is being interested to read Rowena’s story whenever it is written. She, too, was a bit selfish and such, but I still hope she ends up with her long-time crush (whose name eludes me right now). I love that trope. Guess I’m a trope ho…LOL.

    Loading...
    Reply
  2. Annie @ UTC says

    January 24, 2014 at 11:14 am

    I actually enjoyed this one, May. I was at a point where I was reading waaaay too many Contemps and just needed a historical romance. I enjoyed the hero even when he was infuriating. Great review!

    Loading...
    Reply
  3. Suzy says

    January 24, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    I was excited to read this over the holidays because it had been so long since I last read a Suzanne Enoch novel. But it was disappointing because just as you said, it really did feel like a dozen books I’ve read before.

    Loading...
    Reply
  4. aurian says

    January 25, 2014 at 5:04 pm

    I gues this one won’t cure by historical romance burn out then, even though she is one of my favourite heroines. I think I need the next Bertrice Small book for that …

    Loading...
    Reply
  5. Does Pregnancy Miracle Work says

    July 25, 2014 at 8:28 am

    Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative.
    I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.

    Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Loading...
    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome to Smexy! If you are reader feel free to use our search feature to find a specific book or browse through our features to find Smexy Deals, New Releases, and book news!

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords,  Booksamillion, and Bookshop,org.

 

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

Angela

Melanie

Jen

Kate

Iby

Kate H.

Sign Up for Daily Emails


Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
    Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
  • Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
    Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
  • Smexy Deals- Deals for books by B.K. Borison, Tessa Bailey, Caitlin Rozakis, and more!
    Smexy Deals- Deals for books by B.K. Borison, Tessa Bailey, Caitlin Rozakis, and more!
  • Smex Scene Sunday
    Smex Scene Sunday
  • Retro Review: Torn by Cynthia Eden
    Retro Review: Torn by Cynthia Eden
  • New Releases- Week of May 26-30, 2025
    New Releases- Week of May 26-30, 2025
  • Steamy Excerpt from Everything's Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden
    Steamy Excerpt from Everything's Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden
  • Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
    Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
  • Cover Reveal- Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan
    Cover Reveal- Make the Play by Kaylee Ryan
  • Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
    Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

Disclosure

The majority of the books reviewed at this site have been provided for free by publishers, authors, or other third parties like NetGalley or Edelweiss. Acceptance of a free copy does not guarantee a review or a positive review.

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Booksamillion.

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

 

Find Our Reviewers

Angela @fv-angela.bsky.social l Goodreads

Melanie @melonreads.bsky.social l  Goodreads

Jen .@thebooknista l Goodreads

Kate  @kateminasian l Goodreads

Iby Instagram l Goodreads

Kate H. @Naranjadia l Goodreads

Copyright © 2025 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d