Wild Wicked Scot (Highland Grooms #1)
by Julia London
Blurb:
Wicked intrigue unfolds as an unlikely
marriage leads to a path of risky desire in the lush, green Scottish Highlands.
Born
into riches and groomed in English luxury, Margot Armstrong didn't belong in a
Scottish chieftain's devil-may-care world. Three years ago she fled their
marriage of convenience and hasn't looked back—except to relive the moments
spent in wild, rugged Arran McKenzie's passionate embrace. But as their
respective countries' fragile unity threatens to unravel, Margot must return to
her husband to uncover his role in the treachery before her family can be
accused of it.
Red-haired,
green-eyed Margot was Arran's beautiful bride. Her loss has haunted him, but
her return threatens everything he has gained. As the Highland mists carry
whispers of an English plot to seize McKenzie territory, he must outmaneuver
her in games of espionage…and seduction. But even as their secrets tangle
together, there's nothing to prevent love from capturing them both and leading
them straight into danger.
Themes: historical
Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
I have always been a fan of a well-written and
exciting highland romance and Julia London’s Highland Grooms series is the
beginning of a new wonderful world. London
has been a favorite author of mine, especially for her historicals, for several
years now, so when I was offered the chance to read an advanced copy of Wild, Wicked Scot there was no way I was
going to miss out. I was a tiny bit disappointed initially thinking that we
wouldn’t get to know the characters and see their original romance, but London
shows us glimpses of the lovers in the beginning of their relationship as well
as in the current timeline where the lovers are coming back together after a
long separation. If you are a fan of
truly interesting and sometimes trying Scottish hotties, this story is going to
bring you immense joy. I thoroughly
enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the next in the series. I was surprised that Julia was able in the
end to give the couple their HEA, but it was hard won and earned with blood,
sweat and tears to be sure.
Arran
and Margot had a tumultuous first few months as husband and wife, with glimpses
into the possibilities they would have a wonderful, loving relationship—if only
they could both let go of their preconceived notions of what their spouse
should be. Margot is much too young when they are first together, leaving her
floundering as she is trying to find a way to make her marriage into what she
thinks it should be. Arran is clueless
when it comes to young women and has no notion of what he should be doing to
aid his young wife in her transition.
Finally fed up with being alone so much, Margot decides to flee her
husband and new home, in favor of returning to her childhood home. But when rumors begin to spread there is no
way for her to hide out any longer.
Arran and Margot come back together with all the fiery passion and sweet
sensuality that was there in the beginning, but the anger and frustration is
new. Can Arran find a way to make his
wife happy enough to stay with him? Or is he destined to see her walk away from
him again?
Margot
is an interesting character. While she’s not exactly the damsel in distress she
is definitely a woman trapped between a rock and a hard place…err person. Margot
ran from her husband, mainly due to her inexperience in dealing with men,
especially big, alpha Scots. Now that she is faced with returning to her
husband in order to keep her family’s honor intact there is no doubt she will
have to brazen her way through the entire process. While there were certainly
times I wanted to smack her in the head to wake her up to the truth around her,
her naiveté was one of the reasons the story was able to move along. I enjoyed seeing her find her footing with
Arran and his people and of course in the end she is the hero, which made me
immensely happy. I can safely say in the
end I really liked Margot and was glad to see her and Arran find their
happiness and balance. Arran is the quintessential Scotsman of his time. Rugged and brash, brave and honorable, and
of course sexy as all get out. Arran had no idea what he was in for when he
fell for the sweet and beautiful Margot, but what man really knows how to
handle love at first sight, after all.
When she left him, he assumed she would return to him quickly, but years
later the anger and frustration has made him in to a bitter man and there is no
way he will allow himself to fall under her spell again. I liked Arran, even
though at times he seemed unforgiving and uncompromising, mainly because he
stands up for his principles and even though he still loves her he will not
allow her to damage their clan any further.
Trust is not something he will ever allow Margot to break again, but
when she ultimately earns his love and trust back, he moves on from the past and
embraces their love wholeheartedly.
This
return to the wild and sensual Scottish Highlands came at just the right time
for me. I was in a rut to be sure, but
with this novel my love of reading was reignited. Arran and Margot’s tumultuous
story of deceit, betrayal, honor, and love is one that kept my interest every
second the story was in my hands and pulled at me even when I had to put it
down. Margot is a young woman that was thrown in the deep end and she lost her
footing in the beginning, but when she blossoms and comes in to her own, the
woman is a pistol and certainly fits right in with her new crazy highland clan.
Arran is the type of man that makes any woman melt for him, even if his
gruffness and lack of female experience might have left him stumbling with his
new bride on a few occasions. When they
both finally start communicating and trusting one another the relationship
between them turns into the type of long-lasting love that can build not only a
family or even a mighty clan, but an entire world of love for the future
generations. The heat between these two was undeniable from the first moment they
set eyes on each other again and only sizzles hotter as they interact. I was thrilled to see these two finally find
the love that would sustain their marriage and find a way to overcome the
dangers facing them. Full of laughs,
sparks, and danger Wild Wicked Scot will take you on a thrill ride through the
untamed highlands and even into the borders of England where the danger is
boiling over as the Scots and English quarrel again over their borders and
lands. I loved this story and am dying
to find out who’s story comes next.
Another masterpiece from Julia, but honestly, I would expect nothing
less!
*eARC provided by author for the
purpose of an honest and unbiased review.
No compensation was provided.
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