How to Ensnare a Highlander

I loved this book right up until the last few chapters and then I couldn’t believe how it ended.

Lady Elizabet Harding is distraught, she had just learned that her father has betrothed her to a man that she cannot stand, Fergus Ramsay. In an effort to collect her thoughts, she goes out for a ride, but when a storm blows up and her horse is spooked, she is sure she is going to die, but she is plucked from the runaway horse by a masked man. At first she is scared, but he is kind and sees that she is sheltered from the storm. She knows who he is, the infamous Highland Highwayman. They talk and just as it seems he will kiss her, Fergus arrives.

John MacGregor hates Fergus Campbell or Ramsay as he is calling himself these days. John has one purpose and that is to destroy the men responsible for his brother’s death. He knows Fergus and Lord Dawsey (Elizabet’s father) are responsible and just as soon as he has enough evidence, he will see them pay for their crimes. He cannot imagine someone as lovely as Elizabet with Fergus, but he can’t be detracted from his goal.

Later that night, Elizabet’s parents return to London, they want to stop any gossip regarding her “escapade” so Fergus will not call off the marriage. On the way their coach is held up by John, who didn’t expect to see Elizabet. He robs her father and easily disarms her when she pulls a dagger on him. He asks for a kiss and doesn’t take it, instead he returns one bag of coins and kisses her hand before leaving. As he is riding away, she goes to pick up her dagger and one of John’s men shoots her. The horses are spooked and take off, leaving her laying in the road bleeding. John rushes back to her side. He takes her to his hideout and then to his home in Scotland. In all the time they are together, he is careful to disguise his voice and wear his mask. He nurses her back to health and falls a little more in love with her each day, but he knows that he has to return her to her family. They return to England and stop for the night in his hideout. He tells her he has a meeting and to stay in the cottage. She of course doesn’t, and ends up in danger, after observing her “betrothed” digging in the ruins of her dowry property. When she confronts John (whom she knows as Jack), he tells her that he is trying to stop him, but soldiers arrive and they are all in danger. She races back to the cottage and John follows her. He hides in the tub while she tries to get rid of the soldiers – but when one gets a little too friendly, she shoots at him, which brings more soldiers. When the soldiers finally leave, she learns the true reason John hate Fergus and her father. She doesn’t want to leave him, but she cannot help him destroy her father.

She returns home and it seems like the wedding will take place. She misses Jack and when she sees John at a ball – unmasked, she asks her friend Alice who he is, she puts two and two together and decides to try her hand at blackmail. She threatens to expose him as the highwayman if he doesn’t marry her. He agrees, but the King refuses to break her betrothal. He returns to his rooms and finds Elizabet waiting for him. He tells her of the King’s decision and kisses her. She knows it is hopeless, unless she is willing to turn on her father, there is no way they can be together. She asks him to make love to her, so she will at least have a happy memory. He can’t say no to her, when she is getting ready to leave, he asks her again if she would bear witness to her father’s crimes and she refuses. At that moment, her father bangs on John’s door and when he tries to slip her out through the courtyard, Fergus is there. From this moment on everything goes to hell. John is named as the highwayman and while trying to flee is shot.

Elizabet is inconsolable, until she learns he did not die. But John will have to make decisions that will change his life, a life he can’t ask Elizabeth to share.

I loved this book until the final chapters and then I was shocked at the twists and turns. I didn’t hate it, but I was not happy with the ending. The book is well written, flows nicely, has lots of action, angst and wonderful characters. There is one love scene, but it is not graphic and is barely lukewarm, the villain(s) are especially vile and the ending leaves a lot to be desired (IMO), but the epilogue was sweet and hinted that this story is not necessarily over, so I will definitely be reading the next book with high hopes for a more satisfactory outcome!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Book: How to Ensnare a Highlander
By Michelle McLean

Series: The MacGregor Lairds, Book #2

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)
Tartan Book Reviews
Purple Tulip Book Reviews
Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog

Overall Rating:

Northern England, 1667

This book’s heroine is Lady Elizabet Harding, she takes her horse out in a thunderstorm. Due to being upset to her families forcing an unwanted marriage on her. In addition, mounting pressure on her to save her family from financial ruin. Basically selling her to the highest bidder! Her father Lord Dawsey is dishonest and °unscrupulous, her cold, unfeeling mother is forcing an unwanted match on her to Fergus Ramsay/Campbell. A man she does not want and is suspicious since she has no dowry to speak of. That is due to Highland Highwaymen one who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. A real life Robin Hood!Then just as she was about to be thrown by her horse in this bad thunderstorm, she is saved by the notorious Highlander Highwayman himself!

Laird John MacGregor, whose nickname is Jack. By day he is good friend of King Charles II. At night he is the Highland Highwayman. A man who has wanted to get vengeance against Fergus Campbell for his brothers death several years back. He blames both Fergus and feels Lord Dawsey is also possibly involved with their smuggling operation. They have done wrong to many which have costed many deaths. All John needs is proof to show their involvement for their many illegal misdeeds!

Now falling for his enemies daughter was not in the plans. He won’t show his face, but to Elizabet he is a savior, gentlemen, charming, and makes her feels things she shouldn’t be feeling. He is a gentleman thief where he never harms anyone.

Soon the past catches up with them and they have to make heartbreaking choices. As noone wants these two star crossed lovers together! I loved the wee tease about the third upcoming book in this series. It looks like the next romance is between Lady Alice Chivers and Phillip MacGregory. I can’t wait read it.

Such a delightful, awe-inspiring, exhilarating, heartwarming, page turning story! I could not put this captivating book down. The swoon worthy hero was absolutely highland hotness. The heroine was feisty, independent and sassy. I absolutely loved this entertaining book. The setting, plot pacing, characters were all absolutely brilliant!t

This is the second book in the fabulous The MacGregor Lairds series. You can also definitely read as stand alone book too. If looking for a drool-worthy, emotional, heart-warming story “How To Ensnare a Highlander” is definitely one I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary ARC copy from Entangled publishers through netgalley. I voluntarily agreed to read, review and blog an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my own.

Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/How-Ensnare-Highlander-MacGregor-Lairds-ebook/dp/B0796XGZWX/ref=nodl_. v

Entertaining from Beginning to End, this story includes a chivalrous Highway man, who really is not what he appears and a damsel in distress! Laird John MacGregor is focused on revenging the death of his brother. But he also is disguising himself as a highwayman and robbing the rich to give to those who have been hurt by those same people. Wait, does this sound familiar? But the good part is he is considered the gentleman bandit and he never harms those he robs. Having been pretty successful, his world turns a little unpredictable when he saves by chance the spirited Lady Elizabet Harding. She is unintentionally wounded by one of his group and he takes her home and tends her, of course always wearing his mask. He finds out she is the daughter of one enemy and betrothed to another who he is certain had something to do with the death of his brother. Elizabet has grown up always being taught to do her duty which included marrying a man she had begun to abhor. As John keeps her safe and they spend more time together, she begins to trust him and learn of her father and betrothed’s nefarious deeds. Many twist and turns and intrigue bring this story full circle and you will fall in love with the characters. Looking forward to the rest in this series.