When You Love a Scotsman

3.5 stars, rounded up. I liked this book, but I didn’t love it and I probably wouldn’t read it again.

The story opens with Matthew MacEnroy and his men staking shelter from Rebel forces at a farmhouse. The house is the home of Abigail Jenson and her parents. When the Rebels arrive, Abbie races inside to warn her mother and father.

Weeks earlier her family was attacked, her brother was “pressed” into service, her father beaten and her mother violated, Abbie was spared because she had hidden. Her father is near death and her mother is mentally unstable. When she enters the house, Matt and his men are there, but she soon realizes that they are going to help her. Abbie tries to warn her mother, but the woman will not listen. Abbie is a crack shot and impresses Matt with her ability. When one of his men is wounded, she cares for him, but is not able to save her parents. The Rebels set the house afire and there is nothing Abbie can do to save them or her home.

Matt offers to take her to the town where his company is stationed and will no other options, Abbie agrees. When they arrive at the town, Abbie is taken to the “Benton House” which houses various war widows and orphans. Abbie settles in and even begins to assist the doctor. She and Matt do not have a lot of interaction at this point in the book – but they are both attracted to the other. This part of the book focuses more on Abbie’s relationship with the women and children in the house, especially her roommate Julia. Julia is in love with Robert, one of the soldiers stationed at the camp and they plan to marry. When it becomes obvious that Julia is expecting a child, Abbie tells her she must marry now. Robert and Julia marry and then tragedy strikes.

Matt and Abbie have been spending time together, Matt knows he is interested in her, but is not sure if he is ready to marry or if what he feels for her is more than lust. When they are alone, the passion between them is undeniable, and they become intimate but they are constantly interrupted. When they slip away together a few days after the wedding, they spot a band of men sneaking up the river. They rush back to town to warn the others and then a battle ensues, in which Robert is mortally wounded. Julia is brought to his side and is inconsolable when he dies. Her grief is consuming and causes her to go into labor. When her son is born, Abbie hopes it will be enough to drag her out of her grief – but it isn’t and when the town is attacked again, Abbie finds Julia near death on her husband’s grave. She takes Julia home and goes for the doctor. At the medical tent, she asks the doctor to check on Julia and then learns that Matt has been wounded. She tends Matt while the doctor takes care of Julia. Sadly, Julia is dying and she begs Abbie to take care of her son. Abbie agrees and when Julia passes, she has her buried next to her beloved Robert.

Soon after, the company of soldiers is commanded to move south, Matt is told to go home, his commission is almost up and Abbie is recruited to take him home. There is a heart wrenching moment when Abbie must say goodbye to Noah, one of the orphaned children. She promises she will come back for him, but with no home or husband and a newborn baby, she is not able to take him at this moment. Noah is upset and refuses to see her off.

They journey back to Matt’s family and he again wonders what his intentions towards Abbie are and she wonders as well. They are attacked by marauders but manage to reach his home unscathed.

Matt’s family welcomes Abbie with open arms and they too question Matt’s intentions. Matt and Abbie are perfect for one another, but Matt can’t seem to decide what he feels for her.

The book was good, but it was a little boring and repetitious. There is no real conflict and nothing keeping Abbie and Matt apart, except Matt’s inability to decide what he wants to do with her. I honestly was not very happy with him, he took her virginity and took no precautions to keep her from getting pregnant, but didn’t plan to marry her – it seemed dishonorable to me. The story drags a bit due to the lack of conflict and Matt’s indecision becomes a little tiresome. But the secondary characters were good and the love scenes were steamy, there are a couple of heart breaking moments and a few surprises as well as a lovely reunion scene for Abbie. All in all not a bad book, but I had hoped for more.

This is the second book in the series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

Although this is a romance novel and has a happy ending, I wasn’t a fan of the writing style itself. The plot was more intricate than I originally anticipated, but the conversations between characters seemed stiff and a little awkward. It was hard to warm up to any of them and I can’t say I enjoyed the book as a whole.

I own most of Hannah Howell’s books. Especially her older historical romance. Love the characters.

When You Love A Scotsman was a good solid read for me. Matthew MacEnroy was yummy, protective and at times playful. Abigail was brave, smart, and had a big loving heart. I thought Matt and Abbie were very cute together. The steam factor was high too. I only had two problems with this book that made it a 4 star read instead of a 5. I will try to relay those issues without giving away a ton of spoilers if possible.

Problem #1 the attitude towards sex in this book and also in book 1 was a little too modern. Let me explain. Women for the most part in the civil war times still had very strict ideas about sex before marriage. As in you don’t have sex before you are married. Yes I know it did happen and of course more so if your beau was going off to war. But it wasn’t the norm, and it was normally with some courting, a declaration of marriage or love or something. That didn’t happen in this book. Matt just takes Abbie for a walk, on what I would count as the equivalent of a second date at best, and just has sex with her. No real build up. No I want to be with you forever Abbie. No I love you. Not even I want to court you. Nothing! He just showed up randomly(every couple of weeks)ask her to go walking, not really talking about much. He did feed her so that was nice, and then he would jump her lol. Now the 2nd or 3rd time he took her “walking” he was kissing her and just without even getting fully undressed had sex with her. Abbie doesn’t say a word in protest. No what of my honor? Are you gonna make an honest woman of me? Are we together? Nothing. She just gave her virginity away. Which back then would have been a huge deal, as it would have lower her chance at marriage. Also if she would have gotten pregnant would have had her child labeled a bastard. She just gave it away without a word. I just didn’t buy it. Now don’t get me wrong I hate the way women were treated back then, but history is what it is and it just didn’t feel right when I read it. Still I could overlook it and enjoy the read.
Now for the second problem I had with this book which kinda ties into the 1st one. Problem #2 Matt’s attitude towards sex and Abbie. This was the biggest problem for me. It was what bothered me the most. See Matt sat there and slept with Abbie over and over, never giving her words of love, or commitment. He knew he took her virginity, but he just didn’t seem to care much. It was like he was just having fun and if he would have walked away she would have been ruined. I needed him to really want to be with her. I wanted him to have deep I’m keeping her feelings, not just having sex with her knowing what was at stake for her. It felt kinda selfish and not a honorable thing to do. It bugged me. It bugged me more that people kept asking Matt if he was “gonna marry the girl” and he just kept saying he didn’t know and he was thinking about it. It made me just want to shake some sense into him.
Now even with those two problems the book was still a great read. I loved the civil war setting. It was heartbreaking, as well as beautiful. I think Hannah Howell did an amazing job at showing the truth of the brutishness, cruelty, ugliness born in war times. She didn’t paint over the pain and loss war leaves behind. I loved Abbie’s courage through the whole book. Every time something knocked her down she would just pick herself up. On top of that she helped everyone. She didn’t cry and whine she just jumped in and helped. My favorite type of heroine is the brave, strong ones, and that was Abbie for sure. I loved her so much. I also really loved little Noah (4 year old orphan boy that claims Abbie as his) he was just so precocious and cute. I loved getting to catch up with the whole MacEnroy clan including Mrs O’Neal her children and the Jones brothers. I really loved the epilogue. It gave a nice deep look into the future. I can’t wait for the other sexy Scottish MacEnroy brothers to get their books.

Love Hannah Howell. She always brings her characters to life.

When I see Hannah Howell beneath a book title, I immediately know it will be a well written, page turning story. Such was the case with When you Love a Scotsman. With a different twist of the Scotsman being in America, during the Civil War, Matthew MacEnroy and his six brothers had landed in a time of turmoil. FIghting in Missouri, Matt and his men come upon a cabin and he finds Abigail Jenson trying to save her parents. When there is no hope for them she goes with Matt to town, where she stays to help with a house of orphans and aid in the care of the wounded. Matt and Abbie’s relationship begins to develop but with many twist and turns which include an adorable orphan and a baby that Abbie is left to care for after her friend dies. Matt is released to go home and he takes her with him. The interaction of his family and all the characters that come into play bring the story along. With a few surprises and descriptions that make you feel you are part of the story, this will leave you waiting for the next installment in this series. This can be read as a standalone book although as the brothers are introduced. you will be glad you read the book before!! Well done!