The Highland Renegade by Amy Jarecki | ARC Review

Series: Lords of the Highlands, #5
Tropes & Traits: titled hero
Publication Date: 01.08.19
Genre/Setting: Historical, Scotland, 1712
Rating: 4 stars

Janet Cameron, daughter of a highland laird, has traveled to a nearby town with her brother, Kennan, to celebrate the festival of Samhain, where many other clans, and British soldiers, are as well. Laird Robert Grant is also in town for the festival and promptly accuses Janet's brother of having Cameron men steal Grant cattle. Though someone has stolen from the Camerons as well, there is a long-standing feud between the two clans that leads to a duel between Kennan and Robert. (Kennan began to annoy me from here with his immature, blustery behavior and his refusal to own up to his own errors, but maybe we'll some more development from him in future books).

When drunken revelry at the festival ends in Janet's arrest by some nasty British dragoons, Robert finds himself going after Janet, even though he knows this is none of his business and he should just head for the hills. Janet's hatred and mistrust of Robert and his entire clan has been ingrained in her since birth, but she has little choice but to trust him, especially since they've both made a determined enemy in the English lieutenant. With the onset of a blizzard and a fall that injures Janet, Robert opts to get them to his home and keep her safe from the English until she's healed enough to travel to her own home. This angers Janet, who, despite the obvious connection between them, is determined to dislike Robert and maintain the mistrust between their clans simply because the feud between them has lasted for generations. Robert understands the risks of getting involved with Janet and does his best to keep himself apart from her, but he feels desperately drawn to her. Will he be able to convince her to accept him and make peace with her clan?

This is much improved from other, earlier works I've read from this author. Although Janet did really get on my nerves, I liked Robert a great deal as a good example of a flawed hero who demonstrates character development. This one has made me want to start reading this author again.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.



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