An impossible pairing… temper with the pretty miss and his recklessness leaves her reputation in ruins.
A marriage made in scandal…
Emily has always thought her father’s spectacular protégé was far too arrogant for his own good. But what is she to do when the only way she can save her good name in society is to wed the unruly laird? Reluctantly she accepts Hamish’s proposal, but only on the condition that their union remains chaste. That shouldn’t be a problem; they’ve never been friends, let alone potential lovers – except that after they marry, Hamish reveals unexpected depths and a host of admirable qualities, and he’s so awfully handsome, and now the swaggering rogue admits that he desires her…
From the ballrooms of London to the grandeur of the western Highlands, a battle royal rages between these two strong-willed combatants. Neither plans to yield an inch – but are these smart people smart enough to see that sometimes the greatest victory lies in mutual surrender?
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Maybe 3.5 stars
Hamish Douglas, Laird of Glen Lyon is sure that Emily Baylor, the daughter of his mentor, is the most annoying girl in the solar system and as an astronomer, he knows what he is talking about! He is at an event honoring his discovery of a comet and Emily is insisting his calculations are incorrect. Annoying she may be, but Emily is one of the smartest people he knows. He agrees to hear her out, but not in the ballroom – he convinces her to go to the gardens and from there things go from bad to worse. Not only is she right about his math, but they get caught in the rain and are discovered together while Hamish is trying to sneak Emily out.
With both there reputations ruined, they will have to marry – something that neither is happy about, but needs must, so Emily will only marry him if Hamish agrees to a paper marriage – his even less happy about this, but agrees, secretly hoping their marriage will progress and they will be happy. Hamish does his best to make Emily happy and believes that they can have a good marriage, but when her father dies and she sinks into grief, Hamish is heartbroken, but respects her wishes and leaves her alone. When Emily learns that he is gone she realizes that is not what she wanted, but it is too late – or is it?
This was a well written, fast paced read with a hero to die for – Hamish is far and away my favorite hero in this series – he is of course a hulking, handsome highlander, but he is also brilliant, kind and caring. And in my opinion – deserved a better heroine. I really did not like Emily – she was unreasonable, selfish and self-centered for the first part of the book and unfortunately the way the book is written, I have no idea what changed for her in the 10 months between “Part 1” and “Part 2” – she lets her husband walk away at the end of Part 1 and then sets out to win him at the beginning of Part 2 – why? I really don’t know. I guess I am supposed to believe that they always were attracted to each other and secretly liked each other – I can believe Hamish did – but Emily was too nasty and negative in the first part for me to believe that she harbored secret feelings for years – I really wish the reader had been given more insight as to why Emily underwent such a huge transformation between Part 1 and Part 2 and why did it take so long for her to go after him, because I feel like l missed something major. That aside, once they meet again, the sparks fly and it seems like HEA is a given, but not everyone is ready to believe that Emily really cares for Hamish or that an English bride is right for the Laird of Glen Lyon. This was an interesting story, with a lot of emotion, steamyish love scenes, a wonderful hero, cameos with former characters and a HEA. This is the sixth book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone title.
If you read my blog you know that Anna is one of my favorite writers of Historical Romance. I was hooked on her books when I read her first novel in 2007 “Claiming
the Courtesan”. I have read every one of her books.
I have always had favorites and now I am adding this one to the top of my list. I absolutely loved this story from beginning to end! Hamish is now my favorite Highlander! Six Feet Five Inches of breathtaking masculinity, honor, and intelligence.
Emily Baylor is a smart young lady who thinks Hamish is arrogant, condescending and so damn beautiful. They have been at loggerheads most of their adult lives. Like oil and water, they just don’t do well together. When a scandal breaks and the only answer is to marry they do so reluctantly. Hamish is willing to try to make a go of the marriage, Emily is not. So Hamish retreats to Scotland and Emily stays in London.
What will it take to bring them together and to realize that they have a chance at a love that will change them forever?
This love story is a roller coaster ride of epic moments that will leave you wanting more. Anna is a master at creating characters that will stay with you long after you have finished her books. All I can say is that I never put this one down until I read the entire book.
I highly recommend this and every book that Anna has written. You will be hooked too!
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-1cU
Hamish Douglas is just about to make a presentation, which he hopes will assure his becoming Royal Astronomer. Shortly before he starts, annoying Emily Baylor, the daughter of his former mentor and tutor, insists that he has made an error in his calculations, and that he will be ridiculed if he goes forward. Having checked the calculations numerous times, Hamish is annoyed, but Emily won’t leave it alone. Finally, before they come to a shouting match, Hamish insists they go outside to continue the discussion. Rain, mud, a thorny bush, and a torn dress later, they realize they can’t return inside looking as they do. They attempt to sneak away, but they are spotted, and the rumors start.
Hamish and Emily have a volatile ten year history. When Hamish came to study under her father, Emily, who is brilliant in her own right, was totally unimpressed by him. Her initial disdain set the course for their ongoing sniping and antagonism. Now their scandalous encounter has caused Emily to be shunned, and it was already hard enough to be taken seriously before the gossip. Hamish also has suffered some backlash, and feels that he must correct the situation by proposing marriage. Of course Emily refuses, until she faces the reality of her situation. Her father is in very poor health, and when he is gone, she will have no means of supporting herself, particularly with a tarnished reputation. She reluctantly accepts, but with conditions, one of them being a chaste marriage.
While Hamish has no love for Emily, he does find her attractive, and respects her intelligence. The thought that he’ll never share intimacy or have children with Emily is crushing, but he agrees, seeing no other way out of their situation. Hamish is a wealthy man and a Scottish laird, and is extremely generous with Emily after they marry. He gives her an allowance, showers her with gifts, provides care for her father, and hires extra servants. He treats her with the utmost courtesy, which doesn’t seem to soften Emily’s demeanor at all. When Emily’s father passes away just a few short weeks after their marriage, Hamish entreats Emily to tell him how he can help her. Emily’s harsh response is for him to just leave her alone. So he does.
Hamish tried his best to make his difficult marriage work, but Emily’s coldness truly hurt him. Since she desired to be left alone, Hamish returned to his Scottish estate. There he spent months working hard and trying not to think of his wife, whom he desires, even as she maddens him at the same time. You can imagine Hamish’s surprise, when suddenly one day, Emily appears at his door, wanting to give their failed marriage a second chance.
I have to say that I really did not like Emily at all for the first part of this book. I can’t deny that Hamish was a bit arrogant and short-tempered, but Emily’s reactions seemed extreme to me. For example, she has an analytical and curious mind and had no past bad experience which would make her afraid of intimacy. She did want children of her own, so why would she insist that their marriage be in name only? Even after their marriage took place, she seemed to brush away all of Hamish’s overtures, never seeming to see the genuine man he was, and how much he was trying. To me, the relationship was totally one sided, and her telling Hamish to leave her alone was truly heartbreaking. After the shock of being left alone, and having time to grieve for her father, Emily begins to think. Perhaps there’s a chance she can repair her broken marriage – if it’s not too late. Since it’s apparent Hamish will not be returning to England, she’ll travel to Scotland.
This is where I began to fall in love with THE HIGHLANDER’S ENGLISH BRIDE. Emily lets go of some of her pride, and makes her proposal to Hamish. This version of Emily is much more mature, open, likeable, and even playful. Hamish is captivated, but determined to take things slowly, wanting their union to work this time around. Their previous animosity seems to have transformed into an equally strong passion as they finally indulge, finding a physical compatibility that leaves them both amazed. This is a fine beginning, but what about love? Emily now has to deal with the doubts of Hamish’s friends, as well as the scorn of some of his clan for her English-ness. Once again, Hamish shows what an awesome man he is by how he handles their bumps in the road. I do love this gentle giant! Both Emily and Hamish showed significant growth and maturity from their younger, brash selves. I enjoyed their journey and the people they became. THE HIGHLANDER’S ENGLISH BRIDE is an emotional and definitely steamy read, one that will especially appeal to readers who enjoy enemies to lovers and a sweet happy ever after.
(Note: This book is part of the Lairds Most Likely series, but easily reads as a standalone. It’s also my favorite of the series!)
his is my favourite book in the series although I didn’t like Emily much as she was rather self-centred and ungrateful but then if she had been anything else there would have been no story. I found the story very sweet and romantic until towards the end where there was a couple of sex scenes which this reviewer as always skips and they don’t affect my enjoyment of the book. Ms Campbell has a wonderful talent for developing her characters and putting them to paper. I liked how we also got to catch up with past characters and the inclusion of the astronomy to add another dimension to the story.
Starring Emily Baylor and Hamish Douglas, Laird of Glen Lyon. Enemies to lovers and compromised tropes.
“Don’t you know I’d shift every star in the heavens for you, woman?” ~Hamish
Gaaah… I know right?! I absolutely loved Hamish and Emily’s story. I ugly cried AF and I was so happy when they got their HEA. What a fun and scorching hawt couple.
Hamish is a Highlander Adonis who wears his heart on his sleeve. I love how passionate he is over his scientific work and especially over Emily. He was so wonderfully attentive. Hamish is my favorite kind of hero… moody, broody, and hella-delicious.
Emily was a hard nut to crack. I felt so bad for all the weight she was carrying on her shoulders. I did cheer when she decided to go after what she wanted… that being Hamish. I loved how vulnerable she was. She was such a beautiful heroine.
Together Hamish and Emily sparkled like the brightest star. These two gave me all the wonderful feels. I love that they knocked heads constantly… they were totally kindle waiting to ignite. Such an exciting couple. Two brilliant minds and two souls who are amazingly perfect for each other. Le sigh!!
I absolutely love Anna Campbell and her stories. She always writes fascinating characters that I want to sit down and have tea with. This book is another wonderful example why she’s on my keeper shelf and why I’ll continue to read everything she writes. Another winner!! Good job, Anna Campbell!!
My Star Rating: 5 stars x 100
Ugly cried AF. Major book hangover. Characters and storyline were freaken amazeballs. Made me wanna hug the author for writing a book that gave me all the feels!! Will definitely be reading this story over and over and over again!!
I was gifted a copy of this book.
Hamish and Emily characters are strong willed lovers. It was very clear throughout the book how the author wanted to show that love conquers all. The writer gave the reader great visualization of what she wanted the reader to see ass they read the book. This method is a good way for the reader to relate more with the characters.
Deep sigh, this is how I feel when I finish one of Anna Campbell’s stories, she never fails to makes me feel so good, I could melt in a puddle of happiness, Hamish, you have to get to know Hamish what a hero he is everything a beautiful smart English woman would want even if they have fought like cat and dog for years and it takes her a bit to see this, scandal has bought them together now let’s see their journey to love and happiness.
Emily Baylor is the daughter of a Scottish astronomer, she is smart and often helps her father and other people in the field with their work, her father often mentors young men and one in particular the laird of Glen Lyon is way too arrogant in Emily’s opinion and they clash often, but when one night scandal erupts Emily can do nothing else but except Hamish’s proposal to save her reputation, but Emily is determined to add a stipulation to the proposal that Emily soon realizes may have not been the best condition.
Hamish, Laird of Glen Lyon is Scottish through and through but has lived a lot of his life in England a keen astronomer he is taken in and mentored in the house of Sir Baylor, here he learns a lot but also clashes with his mentor’s daughter Emily, when at a presentation Emily is about to push his buttons, this causes a scandal in the gardens, innocent as it is there is nothing Hamish can do except marry Emily.
I loved this story from page one Emily and Hamish are really meant to be together, their fiery clashes have a very sensual pull, Emily is determined to stay chaste it might take her a bit to see the error of her ways but a trip to the Scottish highlands sees all barriers fold spectacularly with a very sensual and loving reunion, Hamish what can I say I loved him he is just so close to perfect in looks and personality. Another awesome story from MS Campbell catching up with some of the other likely lords and their wives was fabulous and this is one that I highly recommend MS Campbell has a way with words that is magical. This one is witty, sensual and left me feeling so happy, a must read.
Each work offered in Anna Campbell’s series The Lairds Most Likely has been a pleasure to read by this reviewer and left me wondering how many more I might look forward to. The two main characters in The Highlander’s English Bride are certainly like oil and water. They just don’t mix. Emily Baylor, daughter of Sir John Baylor, well-known scientist, and astronomer, has daggers drawn with Hamish Douglas, Laird of Glen Lyon, formerly tutored and mentored by her dad. Emily has always thought Hamish arrogant and unruly, and he has thought her too independent and opinionated. Emily tries to convince Hamish the material he is soon to present to his peers is based upon incorrect calculations but Hamish thinks she is trying to squash accolades and honor he is sure to gain from his research and findings. The contretemps between them soon cast a blemish on her spotless reputation as well as stains his. Hamish does not want to wed but has no option but to propose marriage to Emily. Initially, she declines but the behavior of others, especially toward Emily, soon nullifies that opinion. Emily establishes stipulations that Hamish must agree to before she marries him. He is not pleased but accedes.
What begins as a cold contract between two people who didn’t want to marry, becomes a lovely story of how they came to like and love each other. Anna Campbell did a very good job engaging my interest in these two characters and the change in opinions they gradually had of one another, and the slowly growing romance between them. Emily is like a porcupine. Very spiny and you don’t touch. She had a brilliant mind and would have liked nothing better than to become a well-known astronomer and scientist like her father though it was denied to her because of her sex. Hamish is a likable man, as well as good and kind-hearted. Ms. Campbell sprinkles into Hamish and Emily’s story some of the characters from previous works in this very enjoyable series. The first “loving” episode between Hamish and Emily was so exquisite. I wanted to swoon. “Her touch felt like a benediction. Wherever she stroked his skin, she made him whole in a way he’d never felt before.” Bravo Ms. Campbell for how you handled this sexual episode and the others and how you worded this emotionally packed passage. It was divine. I recommend this book and rate it 4 ½ stars with a 4-star heat level.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author which has in no way affected my honest and voluntary review.