Series: Sons of Sinclair, #3
Traits & Tropes: enemies to lovers; opposites attract; highlanders; widowed heroine; starched hero
Publication Date: 04.26.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Medieval; Caithness, Scotland, 1590
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 4/5
Raised on books and tangible knowledge, Gideon Sinclair has always embraced his role as dispenser of justice for his clan. He sees things in terms of right and wrong with no room for deviation in between. His prowess at cultivating allies has led to his role as master of Varrich Castle, working to integrate the violence-prone MacKay clan with the Sinclairs. He’s working to make improvements and dole out punishments where necessary and one of his first judgments is of Cait MacKay, a young widow to whom he's instantly attracted, and who stole a valuable ring from him.
Cait MacKay spends her time caring for the clan’s orphans but with the poor conditions they’ve faced in the past few years that has often meant stealing to keep them fed and clothed. She’s been stealing to help others in the clan as well, but when she’s caught, she must suffer Gideon’s punishment.
Upon learning Cait’s identity, Gideon finds himself hesitant to punish someone for the first time in his life. He knows he can’t let her get away with it completely, but comes up with a light punishment, only to have her land in even more trouble when King James comes for a surprise Hogmanay visit, suspicious of treason everywhere. Gideon is faced with the impossible choice of following his heart by breaking the law or adhering to it and seeing his love come to harm.
I’ll admit, I didn’t care much for Gideon or Cait at first, but I don’t think I was supposed to. To begin with Gideon is stern, rigid, unyielding in his beliefs that right versus wrong is an immutable fact with no gray areas. He acts only on facts with little thought for the feelings or emotions of others. Meanwhile, Cait acted with perhaps too much emotion, without giving much thought to potential consequences. These two had much to learn about themselves and the things they valued in life and in that respect, they brought out the best in each other. Cait had to learn to trust someone else to look out for her best interests, something that was very difficult for her after having been forced to be independent for a long time. Gideon had to learn to compromise and see the world through a less judgmental veil. They were both the better for having met one another and I enjoyed the side characters and the dose of intrigue in the plot, even if it was a bit more angst than I had expected. All in all, I enjoyed the pacing of this story and Gideon’s standing up for what was right, even when that meant changing up his own views and standing against his king to follow his heart. I will be looking forward to Bas’ story now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2182703729
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3992510271
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