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jaxatta's review
This book is poorly written and edited. I couldn't focus on the story because the language was so poor. Author over used words like 'bratchet' and kept adding the letter a as a prefix to perhaps make their prose sound more old fashioned or Scottish? Afore, abed, etc. I just couldn't deal with this hot mess anymore when lemmings were mentioned on page 96, which were NOT a widely known thing in the era of this book, having come to popular knowledge in the mid 1900s due to a bogus Disney filmmaking scene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
theboricuabookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Black Scots taking down racist and misogynists one smoking hot love story at a time? Oohwee yall get your hands on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racial slurs, Slavery, and Violence
spicycronereads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I enjoyed this historical romance featuring Ailsa Connery, a Black highland lass who has been held captive for three years after being mistaken for an escaped enslaved woman. Now enslaved by none other than King James, she has waited three years for her opportunity to escape and rejoin her clan. Her plans are scuttled by Kallum MacNeill, the chief warrior of a rival clan. And hijinks ensue…
There are a few twists and turns along the way that make this an enjoyable read. Some were formulaic for the genre and others were a surprise. It did take me a while to get past the author’s use of anachronistic language. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction but I am not new to the genre either and something about the way she wrote the characters’ speech and thoughts was difficult for me to parse. But about 25% in, it either smoothed out or I became accustomed to it and it became less intrusive.
The secondary characters, especially Inan and Caitrin are well-written though they remain fairly surface-level.
Ailsa and Kallum are both Black and there is a character that liberates enslaved persons. Ailsa occasionally speaks Yoruba though we are told this rather than shown it, which is a missed opportunity, especially given that the author does include Gaelic phrases from time to time. But there is quite a bit of diverse representation in this read.
The spice is a slow burn. When it hits, it is fairly euphemistic. I give it 🌶️🌶️.
As I look back in my highlights I am noting that the book lacks any passages where there are lyrical thoughts of yearning or poetic declarations. Nothing I can really add to my reviews as a quote that I loved. Aside from strong character development, words and language have probably the biggest impact on my reading experience. So that undoubtedly contributes to me rating it in the 3-star range rather than 4.
Overall, it was enjoyable. I read it as a buddy read with a friend. We are going to SteamyLit Con and Rayne is one of the attending authors. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️
There are a few twists and turns along the way that make this an enjoyable read. Some were formulaic for the genre and others were a surprise. It did take me a while to get past the author’s use of anachronistic language. I don’t read a ton of historical fiction but I am not new to the genre either and something about the way she wrote the characters’ speech and thoughts was difficult for me to parse. But about 25% in, it either smoothed out or I became accustomed to it and it became less intrusive.
The secondary characters, especially Inan and Caitrin are well-written though they remain fairly surface-level.
Ailsa and Kallum are both Black and there is a character that liberates enslaved persons. Ailsa occasionally speaks Yoruba though we are told this rather than shown it, which is a missed opportunity, especially given that the author does include Gaelic phrases from time to time. But there is quite a bit of diverse representation in this read.
The spice is a slow burn. When it hits, it is fairly euphemistic. I give it 🌶️🌶️.
As I look back in my highlights I am noting that the book lacks any passages where there are lyrical thoughts of yearning or poetic declarations. Nothing I can really add to my reviews as a quote that I loved. Aside from strong character development, words and language have probably the biggest impact on my reading experience. So that undoubtedly contributes to me rating it in the 3-star range rather than 4.
Overall, it was enjoyable. I read it as a buddy read with a friend. We are going to SteamyLit Con and Rayne is one of the attending authors. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
SA is attempted off page during the narrative and implied as having happened in the past.deidrelj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The use of old Scottish/English made for a rough start to get into the rhythm of the speakers. But once acclimated, the clumsy phrasing melts away and the romance blossoms as expected.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: Racial slurs
meghansarmiento97's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Medical content, Abandonment, and Classism
noellelovesbooks's review
4.25
Content Warnings: Sexual content, slavery, sexual harassment, racism, racial slurs, kidnapping, sexual assault, attempted rape, blood/gore, violence, and death of parent(s).
I received an ARC, through Netgalley, ahead of release. All thoughts are my own.
Ailsa and Kallum... *swoons*...he's used to dealing with women who never think to question him and she's used to dealing with men that are the scum of the earth. So when he goes to "rescue" her when she was already in the process of rescuing herself, let's say shenanigans ensue.
I adored this book and getting to know both Ailsa and Kallum. Both characters are so strong-willed and stubborn. Kallum is used to things mostly going according to his plan and schedule whereas Ailsa is used to having to fight tooth and nail for her very survival.
Watching these two stubborn people learn to open up, trust, and care for the other and start to change the futures they saw for themselves... *chefs kiss* I cannot wait to read more Lisa Rayne!
I received an ARC, through Netgalley, ahead of release. All thoughts are my own.
Ailsa and Kallum... *swoons*...he's used to dealing with women who never think to question him and she's used to dealing with men that are the scum of the earth. So when he goes to "rescue" her when she was already in the process of rescuing herself, let's say shenanigans ensue.
I adored this book and getting to know both Ailsa and Kallum. Both characters are so strong-willed and stubborn. Kallum is used to things mostly going according to his plan and schedule whereas Ailsa is used to having to fight tooth and nail for her very survival.
Watching these two stubborn people learn to open up, trust, and care for the other and start to change the futures they saw for themselves... *chefs kiss* I cannot wait to read more Lisa Rayne!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
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