kimber_reads's review
4.0
Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball is a Scottish Regency Romance. It has an arranged marriage, a charming Scottish male lead, and an unpredictable plot full of heartbreak, redemption, and forgiveness.
I heard so many wonderful things about this book and it truly deserves the praise! I loved all the character growth, not just for the main characters but for important supporting characters as well. I loved that the characters had real flaws and made big mistakes and had to deal with consequences of their actions. I felt like the progression of the characters and the plot were well paced. It was fast enough to keep me interested but slow enough to feel realistic and relatable. Forgiveness and change take time and I like that Heidi Kimball gave Kate and Callum that time.
I loved all the details that made this story unique! Callum’s journal, Kate’s sketchbook, and Charlotte’s antics all helped me get to know the characters on a deeper level without distracting from the plot. Every scene and every detail had a purpose and contributed to the story and I loved that!
There were a lot of supporting characters in this story, and I really wish we could have seen more of certain characters. One character I would love to see more of is Callum’s mom. She seems to be such a wise and caring person! My favorite quote from this book is something Callum’s mom says to Kate. I really wish we could have seen Callum’s mom interact more with the main characters.
Lastly, I love how tastefully Heidi Kimball described Kate and Callum’s more intimate moments. Their wedding night in particular was so well done. Just like the rest of the story it felt very real and relatable rather than glamorized. You can tell Kate and Callum develop a very special connection and that foundation is very important to their relationship. And of course I appreciate that it was all very clean and tasteful. Major props to Heidi for writing a story with marital intimacy that encapsulates all the love and sacredness without any of the glamour or “steam” that is all too common in most forms of media. Even their kisses were passionate enough to show Kate and Callum have chemistry but were clean. It all was perfectly balanced and is exactly the kind of romance I love to read!
If you enjoy deeply emotional stories, handsome Scottish men, lots of character growth, and love stories with perfectly imperfect characters you should read Heart in the Highlands!
I heard so many wonderful things about this book and it truly deserves the praise! I loved all the character growth, not just for the main characters but for important supporting characters as well. I loved that the characters had real flaws and made big mistakes and had to deal with consequences of their actions. I felt like the progression of the characters and the plot were well paced. It was fast enough to keep me interested but slow enough to feel realistic and relatable. Forgiveness and change take time and I like that Heidi Kimball gave Kate and Callum that time.
I loved all the details that made this story unique! Callum’s journal, Kate’s sketchbook, and Charlotte’s antics all helped me get to know the characters on a deeper level without distracting from the plot. Every scene and every detail had a purpose and contributed to the story and I loved that!
There were a lot of supporting characters in this story, and I really wish we could have seen more of certain characters. One character I would love to see more of is Callum’s mom. She seems to be such a wise and caring person! My favorite quote from this book is something Callum’s mom says to Kate. I really wish we could have seen Callum’s mom interact more with the main characters.
Lastly, I love how tastefully Heidi Kimball described Kate and Callum’s more intimate moments. Their wedding night in particular was so well done. Just like the rest of the story it felt very real and relatable rather than glamorized. You can tell Kate and Callum develop a very special connection and that foundation is very important to their relationship. And of course I appreciate that it was all very clean and tasteful. Major props to Heidi for writing a story with marital intimacy that encapsulates all the love and sacredness without any of the glamour or “steam” that is all too common in most forms of media. Even their kisses were passionate enough to show Kate and Callum have chemistry but were clean. It all was perfectly balanced and is exactly the kind of romance I love to read!
If you enjoy deeply emotional stories, handsome Scottish men, lots of character growth, and love stories with perfectly imperfect characters you should read Heart in the Highlands!
rryynn's review against another edition
DNF @ 64%
at this point, i am just forcing myself to finish it. the plot is dragging and is very predicable.
i can’t stand the characters as well. especially callum. he is very cringe.
at this point, i am just forcing myself to finish it. the plot is dragging and is very predicable.
i can’t stand the characters as well. especially callum. he is very cringe.
bubblewombat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.0
“My heart is yours, Callum.” The pulsing beneath his palm was proof of the truth of her words.
What did a man say when he was offered all he’d ever wanted? He couldn’t speak. His chest expanded with hope, but he couldn’t let her confession go un-answered. “And my heart is yours, Katie. Broken and bent as it is, it beats only for ye.”
I knew that this book would hurt me early on and I was correct.
Kate and Callum were a marriage of convenience couple, but they had a lot of tension from the start. I really loved the two of them together, how they thought it might not be so bad after they met each other, it was all looking up.
But then Callum decided to leave FOR FOUR YEARS(!!!!) because he argued with his father...my problem with this is that his reason wasn't good enough, and he was old enough to know better. If he was a teen I'd be more willing to forgive him, but he was 26.
During that time Kate suffers by herself, and then EVENTUALLY Callum comes back, but not of his own accord, only because an urgent family matter called him back. And then, in my opinion, he didn't grovel enough for Kate to forgive him.
She didn't forgive him easily though, but most of the time he acted like everything should be okay now that he's back. He did, at least, redeem himself a bit by being a good father to Charlotte.
Charlotte was my favourite, she was sooo adorable, I can't wait to read her own book. And, I hope there's pirates too (I can dream).
I also loved the writing from the very first page, that was how I knew I'd enjoy it.
Surprisingly, as a second chance romance hater, this one worked for me. Other than Callum leaving, of course. But I don't know, I prefer this to every other second chance I've read, it was done so much better.
I could actually feel the pain Kate went through and cried with her. And I will say that she deserved so much more. But Callum is all we got, so I gotta learn to forgive him too. At some point. In the very distant future.
The setting was magically described, and it made me want to to visit Scotland. Some of the characters speaking in Scottish brogue helped to envision it better too.
Heidi Kimball is on my radar now, and I'm planning on checking out some of her other books as well.
What did a man say when he was offered all he’d ever wanted? He couldn’t speak. His chest expanded with hope, but he couldn’t let her confession go un-answered. “And my heart is yours, Katie. Broken and bent as it is, it beats only for ye.”
I knew that this book would hurt me early on and I was correct.
Kate and Callum were a marriage of convenience couple, but they had a lot of tension from the start. I really loved the two of them together, how they thought it might not be so bad after they met each other, it was all looking up.
But then Callum decided to leave FOR FOUR YEARS(!!!!) because he argued with his father...my problem with this is that his reason wasn't good enough, and he was old enough to know better. If he was a teen I'd be more willing to forgive him, but he was 26.
During that time Kate suffers by herself, and then EVENTUALLY Callum comes back, but not of his own accord, only because an urgent family matter called him back. And then, in my opinion, he didn't grovel enough for Kate to forgive him.
She didn't forgive him easily though, but most of the time he acted like everything should be okay now that he's back. He did, at least, redeem himself a bit by being a good father to Charlotte.
Charlotte was my favourite, she was sooo adorable, I can't wait to read her own book. And, I hope there's pirates too (I can dream).
I also loved the writing from the very first page, that was how I knew I'd enjoy it.
Surprisingly, as a second chance romance hater, this one worked for me. Other than Callum leaving, of course. But I don't know, I prefer this to every other second chance I've read, it was done so much better.
I could actually feel the pain Kate went through and cried with her. And I will say that she deserved so much more. But Callum is all we got, so I gotta learn to forgive him too. At some point. In the very distant future.
The setting was magically described, and it made me want to to visit Scotland. Some of the characters speaking in Scottish brogue helped to envision it better too.
Heidi Kimball is on my radar now, and I'm planning on checking out some of her other books as well.
bookwormwordnerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
5.0
The Swoony Reads Society has done it again—introduced me to a new author and showed me all I was missing! This book has been on my radar but never quite made it to the top of my TBR until it was picked for this month’s book club read. It is SO good. Heart achingly good. This is one of the best marriage of convenience, second chance romances I have ever read.
Things I Loved:
-Their meet cute
-Forehead kisses
-Wedding scramble
-Weapon of choice
-“‘Och, Katie,’ Callum murmured. ‘Ye are a fine surprise indeed.’”
-Lydia and William
-“As it turned out, living in the present was nearly impossible when one was busy agonizing over the past.”
-Charlotte
-“Ye’ve changed a great deal, Katie, but ye’ve not improved as a liar.”
-“‘I daresay children require more careful handling than sheep.’ She gave him a sideways glance. ‘I doubt you’ve ever lost a negotiation with one of your lambs.’ Callum tipped his hat. ‘Touché.’”
-The spasm 🤣
-Uncle Blair
-Harriet and Archie
-The journal and the sketchbook
-“Nae. It is admirable tae love so much that another’s happiness brings you joy, but ye also need a contentment that is all your own. One that isnae dependent on someone else.”
-Charlotte’s birthday present
-“She’d given him glimpses into herself, an artist revealing a small corner of her painting. But that wasn’t enough for Callum. He wanted—needed—to see the whole canvas.”
-The Epilogue
This book was a stunning picture of how hurt, bitterness, hatred, and forgiveness can shape our lives. There is so much depth here and also so much sweetness and fun, it is quite a dynamic read. I look forward to reading more books by her in the future!
Content: Closed door (married couple, brief implied intimacy, nothing on page)
Trigger Warning: Deals heavily with abandonment, strained parent relationships, fertility struggles, & infant loss. As someone who has experienced miscarriages, it was a deeply emotional read.
Things I Loved:
-Their meet cute
-Forehead kisses
-Wedding scramble
-Weapon of choice
-“‘Och, Katie,’ Callum murmured. ‘Ye are a fine surprise indeed.’”
-Lydia and William
-“As it turned out, living in the present was nearly impossible when one was busy agonizing over the past.”
-Charlotte
-“Ye’ve changed a great deal, Katie, but ye’ve not improved as a liar.”
-“‘I daresay children require more careful handling than sheep.’ She gave him a sideways glance. ‘I doubt you’ve ever lost a negotiation with one of your lambs.’ Callum tipped his hat. ‘Touché.’”
-The spasm 🤣
-Uncle Blair
-Harriet and Archie
-The journal and the sketchbook
-“Nae. It is admirable tae love so much that another’s happiness brings you joy, but ye also need a contentment that is all your own. One that isnae dependent on someone else.”
-Charlotte’s birthday present
-“She’d given him glimpses into herself, an artist revealing a small corner of her painting. But that wasn’t enough for Callum. He wanted—needed—to see the whole canvas.”
-The Epilogue
This book was a stunning picture of how hurt, bitterness, hatred, and forgiveness can shape our lives. There is so much depth here and also so much sweetness and fun, it is quite a dynamic read. I look forward to reading more books by her in the future!
Content: Closed door (married couple, brief implied intimacy, nothing on page)
Trigger Warning: Deals heavily with abandonment, strained parent relationships, fertility struggles, & infant loss. As someone who has experienced miscarriages, it was a deeply emotional read.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
4.0
This has been on my tbr since it released and I was able to listen to the audio. The narrator is perfection!!
readingthethings's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🍥 Summary in one sentence: Callum Darrington, future Duke of Edinbane, is ordered by his father to marry Lady Catherine of England to ensure an heir and clean the line of the “pollution” of Scottish blood introduced by Callum’s low-born Scottish mother, so he quietly marries and spends a night with Lady Catherine, then leaves in disgust, returning four years later abashed at his own behavior and desperate to make amends with the woman who now finds him both odious and undesirable.
🌷 My remarks in one sentence: This is such a gentle, kind, lovely story full of redemption and gentle love and slow-building depth, with lovely descriptions of Scotland, and I felt I was there and cried in the very best way, & it left me feeling GOOD and COZY. <3
🌼 Takeaway: Consider the price of your anger.
💮 Writing style: gentle, domestic, emotional, character-driven, wind-blown, inspirational
🌸 Quotation: “I've come tae accept that if I waited tae love someone until they were perfect, I'd ne'er love anyone at all."
🌷 Genres: Christian Romance, Historical Romance
🌼 Setting: the highlands of Scotland, early 19th century
🌷 Date published: August 9, 2021
🍥 Date I completed it: June 29, 2023
🌸 Also check out:
SUMMERHAVEN by Tiffany Oderkirk
A HEART WORTH STEALING by Joanna Barker
WHERE THE STARS MEET THE SEA by Heidi Kimball
kylaslittlelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I love this author and her writing. This story just wasn’t for me.
punandprose's review against another edition
5.0
This book and its characters feel like they could be real. From heart-rending moments to joyful experiences, the emotions of the characters feel so natural and authentic. I appreciated how the author was true to her characters' personalities and how she slowly had them work through their issues to learn more about themselves and how to love each other. Plus, the message of love and forgiveness in this story was beautiful.
This book has a more serious tone overall as compared to similar novels because it deals with grief and abandonment. Due to that, it was a slower plot, but by no means does that mean it's less of a story. There's a depth to it that just makes it lovely to read (or in my case, listen to).
I haven't been a fan of second chance romance in the past (mostly because I feel like I get airdropped into a couple's story and don't get to see them from start to finish), but the author got it right in this story. We see Kate and Callum as they first get to know one another, and then we're there along through their journey of learning to truly love each other despite major roadblocks.
In the end, this is a lovely tale of forgiving and loving others despite their imperfections. Content is very clean with a few kisses and implied marital intimacy. No swearing and no violence.
This book has a more serious tone overall as compared to similar novels because it deals with grief and abandonment. Due to that, it was a slower plot, but by no means does that mean it's less of a story. There's a depth to it that just makes it lovely to read (or in my case, listen to).
I haven't been a fan of second chance romance in the past (mostly because I feel like I get airdropped into a couple's story and don't get to see them from start to finish), but the author got it right in this story. We see Kate and Callum as they first get to know one another, and then we're there along through their journey of learning to truly love each other despite major roadblocks.
In the end, this is a lovely tale of forgiving and loving others despite their imperfections. Content is very clean with a few kisses and implied marital intimacy. No swearing and no violence.