Rogue with a Brogue by Suzanne Enoch (Scandalous Highlanders #2)
Released: July 29, 2014
Historical Romance
St. Martin’s
Reviewed by May
London, 1817: Stuck in a Mayfair ballroom thanks to his lovestruck brother, highlander Arran MacLawry wants nothing but a bit of distraction from an arranged betrothal—and a clever auburn-haired lass in a vixen’s mask promises just that…until he discovers that she’s the granddaughter of the Campbell, chief of clan MacLawry’s longtime rival. Despite their families’ grudging truce, falling for fiery Mary Campbell is a notion too outlandish even for this Highlander…
Arran and Mary just can’t help themselves – they simply can’t resist meeting up and spending time together when they can. Both recognize a spark of something special and both are willing to risk everything for just a few stolen moments. That is, until a series of events and the prospect of a disastrous marriage for Mary escalates into an escape and race to Scotland together.
“You are a rogue, sir.”
He grinned. “Aye, that I am. Do ye have an objection?”
“Only that we’re both slated to marry other people and our families will murder us if they find out.”
This book is a part of a series, but it stands alone beautifully. It was nice to see Arran’s point of view on his family and situation. He is not happy that his brother is forcing a marriage on him, but he’s willing to do what is needed. I found the chemistry between Arran and Mary to be well done and I could see why the pair kept being drawn to one another despite the danger.
Mary is everything you want in a heroine – smart and quick thinking and friendly too. Not too vain or silly or foolish. Likewise Arran is precisely what you’d want in a strong highland hero. He is big, sexy, take charge, and of course tough as can be.
“I know you likely wrestle bears and lions for amusement, but four-to-one odds didn’t seem fair.”
It had seemed just about right to him, but she hadn’t grown up with a pair of large brothers. “Let’s get away from here before they find friends, and ye can spend the day telling me how manly I am and how fine the day looks with me riding aboot in it.”
The story is well done, lots happening and plenty of opportunity for this perfectly matched pair to fall in love. The only real thing that bothered me overall was the fact that everything just seemed so perfectly bland. No, that isn’t the right word because they were lovely characters in an interesting story. The thing is, neither stood out or was particularly special. When I sit down to write this I can’t tell you anything unique about the pair or this book – just that it was in general well done.
The big finale was amazing, and full of characters and moments that I really enjoyed and was hoping for. With the way this story is written this is absolutely vital as you’re clearly racing towards a big scene and confrontation. I was not disappointed in the outcome. There is just one problem – the book ends as soon as this scene does. There is no showing them settled or in any way living their happily ever after and I felt like with such a big powerful scene I would have appreciated one more chapter or even just a few pages to let me digest all that happened before just ending it so abruptly.
Overall? You can never go wrong with an Enoch novel. She writes great characters and story, and there is always a great mix of heat, humor, and action.
Grade: B
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I have been loving historical romance lately, but I haven’t read anything by this author. I think I would read the series in order, though. Thanks for the review!