The Highlander’s Christmas Bride

Fun book about two people who need to overcome guilty feelings about past events before they can accept that they can have a happy future together. From the moment they met, the sparks flew between Logan and Donella. Logan wants the Earl of Riddick to enter into a business relationship with him, so he agrees to escort the man’s grandniece from a convent to her family’s home. He’s stunned to find a beautiful and feisty woman instead of a plain and pious spinster. Donella entered the convent three years earlier after a series of events that caused a scandal. A month from taking her vows, the Reverend Mother has told her she’s unsuited to being a nun (cue “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Donella?).

I liked both Logan and Donella. Donella is feisty and independent. She also loves her family and wants to keep them from having to deal with the fallout from her scandal. She can be brash and blunt and has no problem expressing her opinions to Logan. Having lost her place at the convent, she’s not sure what’s in store for her future. I ached for her as bits of her story were revealed throughout the book, leaving her doubtful of her worth. Logan is a good man with a painful past. He desperately wants to be a good father to his son, but events from his past make it awkward for him as he tries to reconnect with Joseph and the rest of his family.

I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Logan and Donella. The banter between them was snappy and fun to follow. When their carriage was attacked by another clan who wanted to kidnap Donella, Logan refused to cooperate. I loved seeing them have to work together to escape. As the circumstances threw them together, the sparks between them flared hotter, but neither was willing to give in to them. Logan has no intention of marrying again, and Donella hopes to find another convent to go to. It was exciting to see their escape play out, especially with the lengths that Logan went to to disguise her identity. I laughed out loud when help finally arrived, and they had to do some fast talking to avoid a forced marriage. They parted, thinking they wouldn’t see each other again.

But Fate wasn’t done with them. Donella’s uncle refuses to let her run away to another convent just yet and sends her off to Glasgow to help with family Christmas preparations. Since she needs a chaperone, she’s sent to stay with her cousin Victoria – who just happens to be Logan’s sister-in-law. From the moment they meet again it’s evident to everyone around them that there is something between them. When Logan’s son and grandfather arrive unexpectedly from Canada, Logan is surprised by how quickly Joseph and Donella bond. As Logan discovers that Donella brings light and laughter back into his life, he decides that he’d like to keep her in his life.

Meanwhile, Donella is surprised by the effect that Logan has on her, but she has secrets that keep her from believing that she is suitable for him. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, first building something of a friendship in their mutual care of Joseph. The attraction also continued to build. I enjoyed seeing Logan try to work past Donella’s walls. The scene at the ball, where he and Donella were caught together was pretty funny. I loved Logan’s support of Donella when she finally confessed all of her secrets.

Though Logan and Donella are ready to embrace their future, her past isn’t quite done with her. When a man with a grudge succeeds in kidnapping her, it’s up to Logan to find her before it’s too late. The final confrontation was both intense and funny, as the kidnapper’s plans are foiled by a surprise twist. The actions of several highly volatile Highland men left me laughing and shaking my head, especially when it took a woman to bring them under control. I loved the epilogue and seeing the happiness that both Logan and Donella found together.

I will definitely go back and read the first book in the series as soon as possible and look forward to further books about the Kendricks. They are sure to be just as fun. The only issue I had with this book was the occasional use of anachronistic words or phrases, but it didn’t diminish my enjoyment by much.

The Highlander’s Christmas Bride (Clan Kendrick, #2) by Vanessa Kelly …Congratulations to Vanessa Kelly for another wonderful Clan Kendrick book. Thanks to her, the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Donella Haddon ( Flower of Clan Graham, jilted bride and failed nun) Logan Kendrick ( Widower, father of Joseph and sometimes trouble maker) When he is sent to bring her home the action begins and lasts through the story… there are secrets, scandal, kidnappings, danger, clan feuds, angst, laughter, some tears ..happy and sad, great interactions with old friends and some steamy stuff …all getting us to a very HEA. I can’t wait to see what will be next.

This is my first read by Vanessa. The writing was good. While this was a good start, its a bit long for me in which things slowed down too much for me a few times in the story. I also found how many characters there were to be a bit overwhelming. I have the first book in Clan Kendrick “The Highlander Who Protected Me” but I haven’t read it prior to reading this one. Although even though this is a standalone, I’m sure some the characters popped up from the first book, I might have understood better who was who. I’m still willing to check out more of Vanessa’s work.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.