Series: Highland Fling, #1
Traits & Tropes: class difference; forbidden romance; slow burn
Genre/Setting: Historical; Scotland/England, 1870
Publication Date: 07.28.20
Heat Rating: 3/5
Rating: 3 stars
Despite their difference in station, Lady Jennifer Adaire, daughter of the Earl of Burfield, and Gordon McDonnell, son of the estate’s gardener, grew up together as close friends. Jennifer has always loved Gordon, even though their relationship was forbidden. When Gordon left Scotland with no explanation, Jennifer was devastated. Gordon has spent the last five years amassing his empire in London but has only just returned to Adaire Hall, ostensibly to see his dying father, but really to finally claim Jennifer now that he is worthy of her. The two are shocked to learn of the meddlers who conspired to separate them all those years ago, but they find their love is stronger than ever and they refuse to be separated again. Just when everything is coming together for these two, a secret comes to light, threatening any hopes of a future together.
This was a strange and very slow-paced book. I enjoyed it at first, but as it continued and more side characters were added, it began to feel more and more discombobulated. There was so much misunderstanding and plot twisting that it almost felt repetitive and there were several points left totally unaddressed. I found Jennifer to be a rather flat character; there was nothing much to her beyond her love for Gordon and Adaire Hall and she was a bit too sunshiney for me much of the time. There was some great drama here, but I would’ve liked to see an actual comeuppance for Harrison, though perhaps that had been intended for a future book. Sadly, this was the late Karen Ranney’s final work, so we readers will just have to come up with our own just desserts for him. Overall, it was clear that this author was a master plotter, the family saga and slow burn just had me losing interest in places, though credit must be given for the sheer originality of the plot. This was definitely unlike anything I’ve read before.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3134549777
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