Anyone who promises wild and wicked Highland romance has snagged me hook, line and sinker. Scot Under the Covers by Suzanne Enoch not only has a DAMN, YES MA’AM! cover, the blurb hinted at a plot ripe with tricks and games of intrigue. Will they, won’t they!?- Of course they will- this is HEA through and through, but the journey to the happy ending was a riot. And I guess I’ll start there. I didn’t expect this novel to be as freaking funny as it was! Historical romances often have lots of winks and warmth, but I just didn’t expect the elite level of humor Suzanne Enoch infused here! Off hand, I can’t recall if I’ve read this author before, but if this writing style is any indication of what I can expect from her, not only am I going back to find book 1 of this series- I’m adding more of her catalog to my TBR (Yes! I’m allowed to add to my TBR because I’m reading TF out of whats currently there….and yes, still adding more books to my list daily…but that isn’t what we are focused on right now- right now we are in love with this comically sweet and sultry story that is Scot Under the Covers!)
Miranda Harris is known for her charm, wit, and ability to solve any problem she encounters. But when her brother lands neck-deep in gambling debt to a crafty villain and Miranda is subsequently blackmailed into marrying him, she must enlist the help of the devil himself to save the family honor―and herself.
Devilishly handsome Highlander Aden MacTaggert knows next to nothing about the ways of the ton, but he most certainly knows his way around gaming halls and womens’ hearts. Still, Aden is not sure how he’ll manage to find a Sassenach bride in time to save his family’s inheritance. When his almost sister-in-law Miranda comes to him for assistance, he proposes a partnership: She will help him navigate London society and he’ll teach her everything about wagering…and winning back her freedom. The beautiful, clever lass intrigues Aden―but is she playing her own game, or are the sparks between them real? He is accustomed to risking his pocket. But betting on Miranda’s love is a game he can’t afford to lose. . .
I loved, loved, loved how balanced the dynamic was between Aden and Miranda. Their fair exchange-is-not-robbery- to-lovers journey kept me 100% invested from start to finish. Miranda is a woman who knows she is being set up to be a victim, but she is willing to use every ounce of cunning at her disposal to persuade and insure she has a way to reclaim control of her life. Aden is my kind of hero, and a truly nice guy personified. Highland gentleman through and through. I loved how he was altruistic to his core but behaved juuust selfishly enough where his desire for Miranda influenced him to act out in little delicious ways that were juuust enough to keep her a little off balance. Yet even when she found herself falling for Aden, she never shied away from letting him know she was not a lass to be coddled.
“They say that sometimes the brightest men are also the stupidest, but have it your way.”
Not many things genuinely surprised Aden, but Miranda did, almost constantly.
“Could ye repeat that?”
“You heard me. You’re being honorable, and stupid. I’m slightly insulted, but I understand.”
“Ye’re a sharp-tongued woman, Miranda. I like that about ye.” He adored it about her, but this definitely wasn’t the time for those sorts of declarations.
“Good. I don’t intend to change.”
Bad guys, corruption, dangerous gambling halls, thwarted arranged marriages and high stakes are the backdrop for a funny, sweet romance that was an absolute joy to get lost in.
I definitely recommend this novel for anyone who is also a fan of slow burning in their romance. I also feel compelled to call out that the author’s use of Highlander vernacular was a little on the heavy side…ok- a lot on the heavy side. I’ve been reading and reveling in this style for years so I felt right at home, but I can definitely see where a little warning would be nice for a more casual Highlander romance reader.
Fans of hotly sweet and witty, funny banter needn’t look further. This was one TBR I’m so glad I read sooner than later!
On to the next one!
Grade: B
Thank you for the rec!
Sandra