Series: Sons of Sinclair, #1
Tropes & Traits: enemies to lovers, damaged heroine
Publication Date: 04.28.20
Genre/Setting: Historical, Scottish Highlands, 1589
Rating: 3/5
Cain Sinclair has been raised all his life to conquer and strategize, driven by a mostly-mad father. When his father's death in battle sees Cain become chief of the Sinclairs, he is able to do things his own way and decides to bring peace to his clan and avoid bloodshed by marrying Ella Sutherland, the chief of his clan's greatest enemy. He captures her in battle and forces the lovely warrior woman back to his castle, but she's less than willing to accede to his demands, even in the name of peace.
Ella spurns Cain's attempts at wooing her and continues to try her luck, albeit unsuccessfully, at escaping his well-fortified castle. The only thing that does seem to click between them is their physical attraction, but all Ella truly wants is to be free.
When Cain learns that Ella has been keeping a secret for years, one that could spell disaster for both their clans, he must decide how to uphold his role and maintain the respect of his clan, while still achieving the peace he quietly longs for, even if it means sacrificing a future with the woman he's come to love.
I had very high hopes for this book and this new series, but I've got some very mixed feelings about this. I really liked seeing Cain work to embrace who he really is and come into his own without his father forcing him into the role of first horseman that he never actually wanted to fulfill. Most of my issue was with Ella. She was incredibly judgmental of Cain, even after she started to get to know him and most of her decisions were just illogical. I found myself scoffing at her more often than not and couldn't bring myself to root for her. Then she went almost immediately from hating Cain and mistrusting him to being eager to jump into bed with him. I just didn't really feel the attraction or connection between them.
I do enjoy action in my romance, but some of the battle scenes/scenarios started to feel a bit repetitive and overused as plot devices. At times I felt like I was rereading a scene I'd already read earlier in the book. The writing style took some getting used to and I struggled to get into this. Most of it was a slog and didn't quite work for me or hold my attention until the very end. It wasn't bad, not by any means, just not quite what I was expecting. I seem to be in the minority here though, so I would still recommend this one and will likely continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ella spurns Cain's attempts at wooing her and continues to try her luck, albeit unsuccessfully, at escaping his well-fortified castle. The only thing that does seem to click between them is their physical attraction, but all Ella truly wants is to be free.
When Cain learns that Ella has been keeping a secret for years, one that could spell disaster for both their clans, he must decide how to uphold his role and maintain the respect of his clan, while still achieving the peace he quietly longs for, even if it means sacrificing a future with the woman he's come to love.
I had very high hopes for this book and this new series, but I've got some very mixed feelings about this. I really liked seeing Cain work to embrace who he really is and come into his own without his father forcing him into the role of first horseman that he never actually wanted to fulfill. Most of my issue was with Ella. She was incredibly judgmental of Cain, even after she started to get to know him and most of her decisions were just illogical. I found myself scoffing at her more often than not and couldn't bring myself to root for her. Then she went almost immediately from hating Cain and mistrusting him to being eager to jump into bed with him. I just didn't really feel the attraction or connection between them.
I do enjoy action in my romance, but some of the battle scenes/scenarios started to feel a bit repetitive and overused as plot devices. At times I felt like I was rereading a scene I'd already read earlier in the book. The writing style took some getting used to and I struggled to get into this. Most of it was a slog and didn't quite work for me or hold my attention until the very end. It wasn't bad, not by any means, just not quite what I was expecting. I seem to be in the minority here though, so I would still recommend this one and will likely continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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