They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards-dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster, in the stunning debut historical romance The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne. STEALING BEAUTY Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London’s … hard-hearted, Dorian is one of Victorian London’s wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who’ve wronged him…and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception-and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands…
COURTING DESIRE
But Farah is no one’s puppet. She possesses a powerful secret-one that threatens her very life. When being held captive by Dorian proves to be the only way to keep Farah safe from those who would see her dead, Dorian makes Farah a scandalous proposition: marry him for protection in exchange for using her secret to help him exact revenge on his enemies. But what the Blackheart of Ben More never could have imagined is that Farah has terms of her own, igniting a tempestuous desire that consumes them both. Could it be that the woman he captured is the only one who can touch the black heart he’d long thought dead?
Read the Victorian Rebels
- The Highwayman
- The Hunter
- The Highlander
- The Duke
- The Scot Beds His Wife
- The Duke With the Dragon Tattoo
- A Dark and Stormy Knight
more
I quite enjoyed this book. it was well thought out and the characters came to life. a few twist & surprises which kept me very interested. this was my first read with this author but definitely not my last!
One of my all-time favorite books. I’m not normally into dark heroes, but this was one of the most beautifully written, poignant books I’ve ever read. I you like historical romanece, you must read this.
“The Highwayman” is the devastating,riveting and carnal romantic novel i have waited for ages to find a opportunity to read.Its the first book i have read by Kerrigan Byrne and i am darn well pissed that i didn`t read this book much earlier.She has a very vivid imagination and a perfect sense of mixing mystery and romance together-in that she also creates unforgettable charismatic characters that readers never will be able to forget.No one warned me of this hero and his irresistible dark sexiness,nor of the heroine who dares him to love her.Two lonely children who fall in love and marry in a orphanage and later on get bitterly separated by evil human beings only to reunite again 17 years later.The agony,the darkness and the passion between Dorian and Farah was too much for my poor heart to handle.I LOVED THIS BOOK and i even now want to read it all over again!
Farah Leigh enchanted me with her sweetness and innocence as a 8 year old Child who befriends Dorian and promises to love him and never let him starve.As a 27 year old Farah Mackenzie she fires up the pages with her wit and intelligence-and her undying longing for her lost husband.She doesn`t recognise him in the brutal monster he has become when she reunites with him as a woman but still never backs away from his intimidation.For when he kidnaps her and blackmails her into marriage she makes him a deal in return to give her a child.That scene made me baffled with joyful surprise and i applauded for her bravery.She never judged him for his violent past that destroyed the boy who married her.Her light was a solace to his darkness,together they were a perfect blend of sensuality,tenderness and intensity that made them soulmates.
Don`t let me talk about the hero…just DON`T!!!Because i don`t know what to mention or what to say!Dorian Blackwell is one of those heroes that takes over completely with their terrifyingly wicked appearances.He is one of those Byronic Heroes where life have destroyed him so many times that he destroys it hundred times back and never apologises for it.He is so passionate without even trying to be-instead of doing everything to carve ice around his heart.But he lost his heart to his beloved Farah who he called his Fairy as a 11 year old boy and still stays strong and faithful to the memory of his wife even after experiencing so many years of torture,blood and death.What was done to him in the prison almost made me vomit.No wonder Dorian had all this rage and suffering caught up inside him-he literally bristled with it and it all made it so shattering that i cried so many times for what he went through.As a young boy he was fiercely protective of his Fairy-despite the beatings he took Farah was the one who kept him happy.Their child-hood memories was so sweet and funny.17 years later he becomes known as the Blackheart of Ben More and has become a predatory,ice-cold and vicious devil who stirs fear in ever human being that encounters him.His restless and eternal passion,possessiveness and love for Farah made me swoon to the moon-he was so afraid of the dark urges inside of him when it came to Farah and tried to protect her from himself.He was such a fascinating broken creature that fired up the pages-his animalistic sexuality was brutal in every scene and it felt so strange being aware of a (book) hero like that!
THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ for all fans of historical romance!Just come on,you won`t regret it.I couldn`t put this book down.What a masterful story-teller Kerrigan are and i really must check out the other books in this series about the other Anti-heroes who intrigue me!Dorian and Farah are one of the best fiery passionate couple of all times-there was so much raw dark intensity between them,i couldn`t even blink an eye for fear of missing anything out.This book would hit the box office records if this ever became a movie!JUST WOW!
(This review can also be found in Goodreads)
Raw, angsty, dark, suspenseful, romantic… this story has it all. A must read for anyone that likes historical romance.
The prologue is heartbreaking. Dorian is such a broken hero, victim of incredible abuse and bearer of immense shame. Reading his perspective was so heartbreaking. He led a life filled with violence and vengeance, a self-made man raising from poverty to great wealth.
Farah is a great counterparty to Dorian. She is strong, warm, kind and resilient. She sees his pain and she loves him despite his proclivities.
Although the plot twists were predictable, it didn’t take away from the book’s beauty.
The book makes you reflect on abuse and poverty.
One of my favorite series ever!
Best book ever!
Wow! Where do I begin? With a tip of the hat to 50 and Outlander, Kerrigan Byrne exceeds all my expectations. I’ve been hearing whispers about Byrne for quite a while but had yet to read her. When I discovered The Highwayman on Audible Escape I dove in!
I loved everything about this audio book! Narration was perfection. Characters were engaging. Storyline was enthralling. I honestly did not want this book to end!
Wonderful story. Love conquers all, two souls forever entwined who make their way back to each other. And Farah knows how to break a man down! and just in time too. Lots of dastardly characters…or are they? Some definitely are. But the really bad ones get their comeuppance. And all is well with the world. Really enjoy KB’s stories.
I have followed Kerrigan for years. Read this and had to immediately move onto the next. A great book and the rest of the Victorian Rebels series is not to be missed
Stays with you after you read it!!!
I really enjoyed it
This book is wonderfully written. It has all the feels: steamy, historical, tragic, kilts, strong woman, tortured hero and HEA.
Great story
Enjoyed!
Maybe 4.5 stars
Loved this historical gem! The story flowed and really put you in the scene. I did think the twist, if it was one, was very obvious from early on, but again, I didn’t mind in the least, it was more about finding out how it would all come to a head. And it was done beautifully, with the epilogue perfectly wrapping up the story.
Kerrigan Byrne and The Highwayman where have you been all my life <3 ? I loved this book and almost read the entire thing in one sitting. Then when it was done, I added her entire backlist to my TBR. Such a good read!
Mrs. Farah Mackenzie is a widow working as a clerk for Scotland Yard. When the infamous and wealthy criminal mastermind Dorian Blackwell, known as the Blackheart of Ben More, is brought in for questioning, he makes an amazing discovery that permanently changes the course of her life.
I’m loathe to share too much of the story as this one has one of the best opening chapters I’ve read in some time. It begins seventeen years earlier in the Scottish Highlands when eight-year-old Farah meets eleven-year-old Dougan Mackenzie. It will warm the most stoic heart and sets the stage for this wonderful tale. What happens to both Farah and Dougan is tragic and shapes both of them into adulthood. Dougan’s relationship with Dorian later becomes important.
I loved everything about this story and the characters couldn’t be better crafted and designed. Farah has a resilient, hopeful spirit, which is the complete opposite of the dark and ruthless Dorian. Their journey and discoveries are mysterious and exciting, with secrets slowly revealed throughout as there are threats to Farah’s well being. Even the secondary characters are compelling and interesting. And, it has a fantastic epilogue, giving us a conclusion worthy of what came before it.
I also chose to listen to the book and was extremely pleased with the narrator, Derek Perkins, who adeptly managed the important characters with distinction and verve. His storytelling skills are wonderful. I’m really excited about continuing the series, all on audio.
I’ve been meaning to read one of Kerrigan Byrne’s books and finally got a chance during Romanceopoly 2020. The Highwayman is the first book Kerrigan Byrne’s Victorian Rebels series, and I had a hard time putting down this book. I loved how Kerrigan Byrne immediately grabbed me from Chapter One to the Epilogue.
The first chapter introduces readers to Farrah and Dougan and how they met when they were young at an Orphanage. These two were immediate soulmates until they were ripped from each other due to Dougan protecting Farrah. Now, as an adult, Farrah is working for Scotland Yard and lives her life as a widower. She ends up crossing paths with the most influential man in London, Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, when he is captured and questioned by her boss. He’s known as a man that wreaks vengeance everywhere he goes on the people that wronged him. He also gets everything he wants, and now he wants Farrah. He ends up kidnapping her and swooping her away to the Highlands. He has a mission, though, to protect her and also help her gain what she lost, but Farrah doesn’t trust the dark and tormented man. After a while, though, she starts falling for Dorian, even though she shouldn’t since her first love Dougan still holds her heart.
Dorian Blackwell is one man that I fell hard for since he’s a dark and tortured soul that has so much hate in his heart. Although he has been accused of not having a heart throughout the story, and I knew why he had no heart after Kerrigan Byrne brought to light what happened to him when he was imprisoned at Newgate. He knew Farrah’s Dougan very well and swore to find and protect Farrah, who was known as the Fairy. The minute he finds Farrah in the story is when readers will realize Farrah is one of his weaknesses. I should’ve not liked Dorian on how he came off to Farrah. One scene alone, he becomes an exploding cannon when Farrah touches him. There’s also the first bedroom scene between the two characters, but of course, Farrah realized then that something was wrong with him.
I adored Farrah too in the story with how she was a fighter in her way. She’s innocent and kind to everyone she meets throughout the story. Although she fought with Dorian, even when she wouldn’t win, she was determined to find his heart and also find out the real Dorian. Farrah was in danger in the story, and a man like Dorian wanted to protect her and knew her Dougan. She wanted to trust him. She also became attached to the men that Dorian had under his employ, and those characters kept Dorian on his toes too.
The best part of the story though, was when the truth came to light about Dorian. I had a feeling though from the hints that Kerrigan would put in the story that eventually Dorian’s identity would be revealed. Once everything fell together, it was heartbreaking. This story is a second chance at romance for both characters. Dorian learning to have someone touch and love him and Farrah, teaching him how not everyone will harm him. I could go on and on about this book, but don’t want to give anything away.
Kerrigan Byrne has now become an author I need to read more books from, and I’ve already added the next Victorian Rebels book to my Goodreads TBR list and hope to read it soon. I love Kerrigan’s writing style. I tend to be picky with Historical Romance books, but I have a feeling that Kerrigan will make me love this genre even more.
If you’re looking for a Historical Romance book that has a tortured/damaged hero and innocent/sweet heroine, then this book is for you.
Story Rating: 5 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of series.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Second Chance at Romance; Hero: Rebel; Tortured, Dark, Vengeful, Scarred; Heroine: Fake Widow; Sweet, Kind, Beautiful
Listen, I’m only halfway through this book and already I know it’s recommendation-worthy! You know I love broken heroes and this guy is just wonderful. Bonus points for an unconventional heroine!
I’m not good at writing reviews but this is a fantastic story. The Highwayman is the first book in the Victorian Rebel series. Its Dorian and Farah’s story. It’s a little old time romance like the 70’s with Dorian but not as bad and Farah knows how to handle him.I haven’t read a historical romance that I have loved this much in a long time. Just finished the second book The Hunter and that was just as fabulous.
This was AWESOME. Just what I needed. I’m sad The Highwayman sat on my Kindle so long unread and I’m sad I read it so voraciously that it’s over. I want ALL things Dorian Blackwell and Mrs. Farah Leigh Mackenzie.
If you’re a fan of any of the following I HIGHLY SUGGEST you pick this up:
– a well written, brilliantly plotted, historical romance
– a tortured, cynical, complicated, swoon worthy anti-hero
– a wise, stealthy, sassy, beautiful heroine
– a unique second chance
– a group of loving misfits, rebels, scoundrels, and heathens
– dark, devious, descriptive, purposeful prose
This isn’t a story of a beautiful Duchess and her prince charming. It’s the historical, shadowy underworld as told by a story teller for whom quite obviously loves the vulnerability, honesty, and darkness you can only get from the outlaws.
Let the deliciously devilish Blackheart of Ben More and his witty, conquering match Farah wow your reading heart as expertly told by Kerrigan Byrne. I cannot wait for more Victorian Rebels.