Series: The Brides of Skye, #1
Tropes & Traits: tortured/scarred hero; swoonworthy; forced marriage
Publication Date: 04.16.19
Genre/Setting: Historical, Medieval, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Heat Level: 3/5
Rating: 5 stars
Lady Rhona MacLeod has no desire to marry. Ever. She's seen what it has done to her elder sister and doesn't want to face the same fate. She's seen how cruel men can be and longs for her freedom instead. Her father, Chief of Clan MacLeod is fed up with his daughter's stubborn willfulness and when she humiliates him by publicly refusing the suit of one of his allies he is infuriated. In his rage, the Chief decides to hold games for Rhona's hand. Men will come from all over the Isle of Skye and Mainland Scotland to compete and Rhona will be forced to wed the winner.
Heavily scarred and fiercely loyal, Taran MacKinnon carries several nicknames in his role as a member of Chief MacLeod's personal guard, not the worst of which is 'The Beast of Dunvegan.' Rhona has trained secretly with him and seems him as something of a friend, but never as a man, leaving Taran's longtime feelings for her a well-guarded secret.
Though he is loathe to compete because he knows this is not what Rhona wants, these games could be Taran's one chance to prove himself and to protect Rhona, even if it does mean she may never return his feelings. He knows she'll likely hate him for this but at least he'll know she won't be mistreated, even if she'll only see him as an ugly brute and he'll be tortured by his unrequited feelings for her.
This book had me tense and frustrated from the get go. Poor Taran tugged at my heartstrings - I'm a sucker for the strong and silent type - and I wanted to know his story. Rhona's callous father just wants to get rid of her and doesn't really care what's best for her so he infuriated me. Rhona is quick to believe the worst of Taran when he enters the competition and cannot see past his ruined face at first. She feels betrayed and is nothing but angry with Taran without giving him a chance and her immediate hatefulness started to annoy me rapidly. Fortunately Rhona did grow on me the more she got to know Taran and it made the progression of their relationship believable and I appreciated her growth as a character.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Heavily scarred and fiercely loyal, Taran MacKinnon carries several nicknames in his role as a member of Chief MacLeod's personal guard, not the worst of which is 'The Beast of Dunvegan.' Rhona has trained secretly with him and seems him as something of a friend, but never as a man, leaving Taran's longtime feelings for her a well-guarded secret.
Though he is loathe to compete because he knows this is not what Rhona wants, these games could be Taran's one chance to prove himself and to protect Rhona, even if it does mean she may never return his feelings. He knows she'll likely hate him for this but at least he'll know she won't be mistreated, even if she'll only see him as an ugly brute and he'll be tortured by his unrequited feelings for her.
This book had me tense and frustrated from the get go. Poor Taran tugged at my heartstrings - I'm a sucker for the strong and silent type - and I wanted to know his story. Rhona's callous father just wants to get rid of her and doesn't really care what's best for her so he infuriated me. Rhona is quick to believe the worst of Taran when he enters the competition and cannot see past his ruined face at first. She feels betrayed and is nothing but angry with Taran without giving him a chance and her immediate hatefulness started to annoy me rapidly. Fortunately Rhona did grow on me the more she got to know Taran and it made the progression of their relationship believable and I appreciated her growth as a character.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2774215959?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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