The Highlander is All That by Sabrina York
Series:Untamed Highlanders #4
Historical Romance
Released: October 10, 2017
St. Martin’s Press

Reviewed by Sheena

Elizabeth St. Claire has always been hard to please. Dreaming solely of Highlander men her whole life, no prancing London Lord can stand a chance at winning her heart…

… But perhaps a Scotsman can.

Elizabeth watches intrigued as the Highlander of her dreams, a Scotsman named Hamish Robb, arrives to oversee her season at the behest of her cousin, the Duke of Caithness. Elizabeth doesn’t hide her feelings for the striking Scot. But Hamish, determined to obey his order to protect the St. Claire sisters, steadfastly rejects her every seducing lure.
Believing that the debutante Elizabeth deserves a better, wealthier man, Hamish continues to turn away from her affection, even though he doesn’t exactly want to. Can this Highlander Scot resist the tempting seductress’ attempts to win his heart?

Favorite Quote:“Can we do it again?”

His laughter increased and he rolled her over so he was half on her, and kissed her. “Nae doubt . . . But give me a moment.”

She put out a lip. “I thought you were a Scotsman.”

“Aye. But no’ a Titan.”

The Highlander is All that was indeed, ALL THAT. Delightfully fun, endearing, peachy and sublime.  Enamored with the tale right from the start, I couldn’t have been more pleased with this fast paced, witty romance. Elizabeth is one of four sisters who are all ready for “the season.” They are the beneficiaries of a distant cousin’s good will, The Duke of Caithness, who has graciously agreed to bankroll the orphan sisters and their aunt nee’ governess during their new coming out season.  Unable to escort and look after them personally, he enlists trusted friends, Hamish Robb and Ranald the Baron of Bower.

Something felt strikingly familiar about the feels I was getting from the novel and midway through I remembered that I’d previously read book one of this series, Hannah and the Highlander, and at once I was at home.  The characters were all so spirited and accessible.  There are a lot of characters in this story but they all fit perfectly, none felt as if they were jockeying for position.  Each sister finds love and an HEA, in their own unique ways and I think the author made a brilliant decision to follow each girl’s romance, some closer than others, and not let this just be the Elizabeth and Hamish show.  The addition of the supporting romances gave the novel texture that kept my rapt attention.  I had a perpetual grin on my face the entire time.  Even when the primary hero(es) behaved in manners that were most unheroic (I’d spoil, but you absolutely deserve to read- experience chapter fifteen for yourself.)  However, know this,  WTF-LOL!!! baaareeely manages to cover the overall sentiment of the Scot’s antics.

Elizabeth is the first sister to have an obvious suitor. The sneaky and overly persistent Lord Twiggenberry, with the odorus fragrant pomade who turns her stomach is relentless in his pursuit.  Little does he know, Elizabeth is already smitten with Hamish and has begun a most amusing flirtation with the irresistible Scot.  His sense of prosperity and the knowledge that he is without a title initially holds Hamish back from pursuing Elizabeth, however, their attraction will not be denied and sparks fly. I thank author Sabrina York a thousand times for not drawing out the coupling, things moved rapidly for Hamish and Elizabeth.

They walked in silence for a bit, but mostly because Hamish was brooding. When he spoke, it was in something of a grumble. “So, do you?”

She glanced at him. His expression was tight. A muscle bunched in his cheek. She noticed that the speckles of his beard caught the sun in glints of gold and red. “Do I what?”

“Kiss strange men?”

Ah. He was jealous. She hid her smile. “I do try to avoid the strange ones.”

Oh! He did not like that. He bristled like a hedgehog. Her smile deepened.

“How many men have you kissed?” She couldn’t tell him the truth, so she merely shrugged.

“Can you even remember?”

She could. The answer was one.

love declarations felt premature, but also reckless and exciting and full of passion, which fit the couple perfectly.  Naturally misunderstandings and sabotaging throws a wrench in their plans to be together and things fall apart in spectacular fashion, one blow after another lobbed at the poor couple. Hearts break and pride is pricked, luckily they have a few friends on their side who are just as determined to set things to right.

Hamish and Elizabeth’s love declarations felt premature, but also reckless and exciting and full of passion and promise, which fit the couple perfectly.  Naturally, misunderstandings and sabotaging throws a wrench in their plans to be together and things fall apart in spectacular fashion, one blow after another lobbed at the poor couple. Hearts break and pride is pricked, luckily they have a few friends on their side who are just as determined to set things to rights.  The slow burning flame of the novel was between Elizabeth’s sister Anne and Ranald the Baron.  Titled, he did not face the same objections as Hamish, however, he is a widower with a young daughter back in Scotland.  I enjoyed Ranald, he was a steady and reliable character, not at all as polarizing as Hamish and he had all the signs of being such a good and true man, taking his time, yet once decided, moving on his own desires.

“I doona think it would be wise for me to be naked in your presence.”

“Do you think you would lose your mind and ravage me?” Oh. Please. His grin was crooked.

“Quite the opposite. Women often lose their minds and ravage me when they see me in all my glory.”

“It’s a good thing you are humble.”

“Indeed, it is.” But all banter aside, she did want to see him in all his glory. “If it will help, I will close my eyes.” “Do you promise?” he asked. “I am terribly shy.”

“Of course.” Her smile was mischievous. The lie tasted delicious.

“Heaven only knows what will happen if you peek.”

“Do tell.”

“I might indeed lose my mind and ravage you.”

Suddenly, he didn’t seem to be teasing at all. She sobered as well and stared at him. “What are you saying, Ranald?”

“You have to know I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.” Oh heavens!

The youngest sisters, Mary and sweet sixteen, Victoria also have romances of their own, both rocking the ton to its foundations.  I have so my appreciation for how York crafted the four storylines, each important and vital to the plot-  each a catalyst in its own right.  The relationships and the couples banter is a highlight of The Highlander is All That. Though if pressed, I’d have to say that no character apart from Aunt Esmerelda, gave me the most pleasure.  Aunt Esmerelda was guardian to the St. Clair sisters and hilarious.  She was prim, matronly and relentless in her quest to marry her nieces off and well.  The subtle changes Esmerelda undergoes was pivotal and I have such a healthy respect for her.  Though she was deeply entrenched in the ways of the ton, she had a bond and genuine loving relationship with the girls and her scenes were some of the best.  I liked her most when she acted the buffer between the viperous and judgey ton and ran interference when the snobs of society tried to treat Hamish and Ranald as highland savages- not on her watch! *shakes fists in solidarity*

I could gush and fan girl over this novel all day (yes, even chapter fifteen, WTF, LOL eww! LOL!!!).  Things got a little fast and loose toward the end and it almost felt like York was throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the plot, but by then I was already so captivated I could care less and took it all in stride.  I was far more impressed with the juxtaposition between the merits and importance of true love  no matter one’s station in life vs the harsh reality of life amongst the ton. I seriously do not know how I missed reading books 2-3 of the Untamed Highlanders series, but I am back and thrilled to catch up with a world and author I absolutely enjoy.  This stands alone, though previous novel (well the first novel, as far as I know for sure) characters are revisited but there is noting stopping you from diving right into this beauty and having the time of your life with all of the sexy, fun and humor The Highlander is All That is serving.

Simply delightful!

Grade: A

Recent Sabrina York Reviews: Hannah and the Highlander

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