The Highlander and the Governess

I cannot believe I have not read Michelle Willingham before. This is my first foray into her works and luckily the first book in a new series, Untamed Highlanders. This story has a lot going on and I thought not only was it fun, especially at the beginning, but also very sad in parts where loss is described. Both Lachlan and Frances suffered losses and were drawn together in their understanding and love for each other. Love highlanders, who does not?!?! Definitely will be on the lookout for the story of Regina and Dalton.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book: The Highlander and the Governess
By Michelle Willingham

Series: Untamed Highlanders, Book # 1

Reviewed by: Barb Massabrook (of)

1)Celtic Barb’s Tartan Book Review Blog
2)Administrator of Celtic World of Historical Book Reviews
3)Administrator of Tartan Book Reviews
4)Administrator of Purple Tulip Book Reviews

Heat Rating:

Overall Rating: Five Stars and Five Kilts

1813, Scotland

Frances Goodson, the daughter of a Baron, is now being shunned by London society. She was ruined due to an awful decision in her past. Just because she believed the sweet words of a silver tongued nobleman’s deception and empty promises! As beautiful Frances was very young, innocent, gullible and naive. She now lives in poverty in exile away from her family. This was her choice, as she did not want any of her bad decisions to affect her family by the ton. She also decided never to marry or have children. It wasn’t like gentlemen were lining with marriage offers! Who would want her anyway she thought, as she had little self esteem and a very low opInion of herself!

So after three years of heartache she was overjoyed to receive an offer employment! It was to become a governess in Scotland, which was perfect, to start a new life and fresh beginning! Frances had assumed the offer was from Lachlan MacKinloch, Laird of Locharr, for his children. When Frances arrives, she immediately falls in love with Scotland and this beautiful castle she will be living in. She is soon disappointed to learn this laird is a bachelor, and he never made this offer of employment! She discovers it was his mother, who is traveling abroad, that offered her this position. Frances decides to give her son lessons in acceptable manners and proprieties to win a wealthy, shy, English heiress. As Laird MacKinloch is to marry a woman he has not seen in a decade!

Lachlan wants this bonnie English governess to leave as soon as possible and out of his atmosphere. A man who others see as a hideous scarred monster, from a tragic accident of his past. He has healed physically, but is still suffering mentally. Feeling guilt and heartache from this accident, making promises to a family member. Especially since he could not save this family member, from this horrific accident! Frances is also mentally suffering from the past and they both need to heal for different reasons. They are two peas in a pod in many ways-even though they don’t realize it.

So even though Lachlan finds his governess teaching him how to to behave in London society ridiculous! He can’t ignore her beauty, kindness, and humor. Frances bribes to stay longer even without pay! She soon wins the hearts of the MacKinloch Clan and eventually the Laird himself. She soon become air to Lachlan though he knows he can’t keep her and a new wife under the same roof. Nor would he ever humiliate she or his new wife with a mistress, not even a wife he does not care for romantically! This marriage is only a business arrangement to keep his clan fed which Frances truly admires about the Laird.

Frances soon realizes-between cheating at cards, proper forks and fumbling dance steps she is in dangerous territory. As she has fallen in love with a man she can never have! Soon the Laird feels the same, but he knows he has no choice but to marry the woman or his Clan will not survive another winter. As this star crossed couple will have to say goodbye forever and never see each other again. Can these two broken individuals survive such a sacrifice? Read and find out!

Have a box of Kleenex ready fo this extraordinary tale! Another Michelle Willingham story really pulled at my heartstrings. It was absolutely captivating and brilliant. I truly felt for this broken couple who never seemed to be able to get what they both truly desired. Any historical reader who wants to read an extraordinary conflicted romance which is always the most fun to read will absolutely love “The Highlander and The Governess”.

I am a big fan of Ms. Willingham’s work and loved the previous MacKinloch Clan series. You can imagine how thrilled I was that this clan got a new life! In addition I loved seeing characters like The Duke and Duchess of Worthingstone from her previous novel “Undone by the Duke”again too . I love revisiting characters from previous books it is like a mini reunion and update of their happily ever after too! As I have been reading Michelle Willingham books since her debut, which are always magnificent and definitely always capture my heart! This is the first book in her brand new (Untamed Highlander) series, as I definitely can’t wait for the next book to be released!

Again all the elements historical romance readers will absolutely love from beginning to the end. A fabulous setting, captivating characters, the plot twists were absolutely phenomenal, with breathtaking dialogues! Plus the My Fair Lady similarities was pure genius in my opinion! It’s a book readers don’t want to miss which I absolutely and unequivocally highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received an advance readers copy from the Harlequin publishers. I voluntarily agreed to do a fair review and blog through netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.

Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Highlander-Governess-Untamed-Highlanders-Book-ebook/dp/B07R61KSR5?_bbid=13029388&tag=individualbookpagesite-20

https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-highlander-and-the-governess-michelle-willingham/1131350366?ean=97814880475

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-highlander-and-the-governess/id1461085281

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https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488047558_the-highlander-and-the-governess.html

Good start to the new series. As the book opens, Frances is on her way to Scotland for a job tutoring someone in etiquette for a London season. She wasn’t given any details and believed her student to be a young lady getting ready for her first season. Imagine her shock when she discovers her student is none other than the laird himself!

Lachlan is not happy when Frances shows up. His mother did the hiring unbeknownst to him. He was contracted to marry an English heiress by his father and hers and is not enthused about the idea. However, he needs the woman’s dowry to save his people from starvation, so he’ll go through with it. He sees no need to change who he is to do so.

I loved the first meeting between Frances and Lachlan. He is determined to send her home, and she is equally committed to staying, both having their reasons to do so. Frances has a scandal in her past that made it impossible for her to remain in Society and estranged her from her family. Her work as a governess is all she has. Lachlan carries a load of guilt over his father’s death and feels that the marriage is also his way to honor his father’s wishes. I laughed at the way Frances bargained her way into staying and doing what she was hired to do. There were sparks between Lachlan and Frances from the beginning, and they burned hotter by the day. I loved how comfortable they became with each other and the teasing and banter between them. I ached for them both as they grew closer, and their feelings deepened because both knew that there was no chance for them to be together.

Their situation became even more heartbreaking when the story moved to London. Frances’s lessons proved to be invaluable, and Lachlan was wholly accepted. He was still unaware of some of the pitfalls in front of him, and there were a couple of great scenes where Frances kept him from disaster. The more time Lachlan spent with his bride-to-be, the more he realized that neither of them wanted the marriage. I ached to see Lachlan’s protectiveness toward Frances and her determination not to interfere with what he needed to do. I wasn’t sure how they would find a way to be together. I loved how Lachlan made it happen, perhaps imitating the methods of his ancestors. There were a couple of interesting twists at the end that wrapped up the story quite nicely.

I liked the introduction to Lachlan’s friends, who I assume will be the subjects of the other books. I am especially interested to see the next book, as I believe it will be about Lachlan’s ex-fiancée and his friend Camford.

Lachlan and Frances – Captivating!

I’m thrilled with this new series by Michelle Willingham. The writing is great, with wonderful characters and so many possibilities for future stories. Lachlan and Frances’s book is definitely a page turner! Amazing! A must read!