REVIEW: The Highlander’s Bride by Amanda Forester

In The Highlander’s Bride (Highland Trouble #1) by Amanda Forester, Sir Gavin Patrick, knighted on the battlefield in France, has one more task to complete before he can go to his home in the Scottish Highlands. He must ensure Lady Marie Colette’s safety while escorting her to meet her fiance in Scotland. But ignoring his growing attraction to the bonny lass will prove to be every bit as difficult as keeping her and their traveling companions safe from the marauding Englishmen hunting for them.

“I shall miss ye always,” he whispered.
“If I were free to choose…” she whispered back, allowing her words to trail off.
At the door, Gavin stole a quick kiss. “Fare thee well, my love. Ye may no’ be free to love as ye will, but my heart beats true and only for ye.”

Colette grew up sheltered inside the family castle, longing for adventure such as she secretly read in her father’s books. But nothing could have prepared her for the reality of the crazy journey she embarks upon with Gavin. Everything he does or says proves to be scandalous to her maids, although Colette rather likes the handsome, devilishly charming knight. Maybe a bit too much, as it turns out, because the longer she is in his company, the harder it will be to let Gavin go once they arrive in Scotland.

‘In an instant, she took in his muscular chest, his powerful thighs, but she could not tear her gaze away from him, so, so naked. Hugely naked. Massively naked. Oh so very, very naked.’

The Highlander’s Bride was a fun journey over land and sea with a group of entertaining characters. What a nice way to start off a new historical romance series.

‘She wrapped her arms around him, and this time it was she who deepened the kiss. This was the man for her. This was the man she loved.’

Novels about forbidden love are always interesting to me. There’s so much to work with in such a storyline. Author Amanda Forester did a good job creating tension and passion-filled drama between Colette and Gavin while adding in excitement as they outran the English. And while the pairing of an aristocratic lady and a Highlander may not exactly be new, our hero and heroine were just unique enough to make this story a bit different from others in the genre.

I admittedly had to warm up a bit to Colette as she started off behaving like a martyr and was a bit emotionless. Her upbringing was to blame, so thankfully as she experienced life outside of the castle she became a loving, brave woman who gave Gavin a run for his money. I thought Ms. Forester’s description of Gavin being that of a puppy was fairly apt. He was a fun character who was loyal and loved to joke. He was courageous in battle but he had the playful Highlander personality where fighting and scuffles were normal and he rather enjoyed it.

The romance between Gavin and Colette built over the course of the book. There was an instant attraction between them, but I liked that they tried to do the right thing and focus on their journey and that Colette was promised to another. You kind of knew it was inevitable that they would get together in some way, though. The addition of outspoken teenager Pippa to the plot was great as she became a confidant of sorts to Colette. Pippa actually got her very own HEA by the ending as well!

A super romantic tale set in the mid-1300s, The Highlander’s Bride had enough heart, laughter, and adventure to make this a very enjoyable book.

Book Info:

Published September 1st 2015 | by Sourcebooks Casablanca | Highland Trouble #1

A passionate, fast-paced new Scottish Highlander romance series from critically acclaimed author Amanda Forester

“RIVETING, DIVERTING…DELIGHTFUL ROMANCE.” -RT Book Reviews, Top Pick, for True Highland Spirit

Their attraction is forbidden
All Highland warrior Gavin Patrick wants is to get back to his native Scotland. But before he can leave the battlefield, he’s given a final mission-escort Lady Marie Colette to her fiancé. Under no circumstances is he to lay hands on the beautiful, clever-tongued heiress…no matter how desperate the temptation.

Their desire, undeniable
Forced to pose as a married couple to make their escape from France, Gavin and Marie Colette find themselves thrown into peril…and each other’s arms. As the danger mounts, so does their forbidden passion. But it isn’t until Marie Colette is taken from him that Gavin is forced to decide-is he willing to lose the woman who stole his heart, or will he jeopardize his honor, defy his promise, and steal her in return?

“Vivid, effortless storytelling.” -Publishers Weekly on The Highlander’s Heart