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torilovesheas's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is not JL’s best book but damn if it isn’t one of my favorites. For a romance written in ‘83, Sheena and Jamie’s story is fairly light compared to other books written around this time by other authors. The signature push/pull that Lindsey is so famous for is front and center, going all the way to the very end because she lives for the dramatics. And Sheena is a signature Lindsey FMC, outspoken and stubborn. But I do think she’s more likable than a lot of other JL leading ladies. She just wants her family to be safe from the clan feud and is only going off of information from her family when it comes to how big and bad Jamie MacKinnion is. I mean…he’s really not lol in the grand scheme of things, he’s a very mellow Lindsey hero. A strong warrior and protective of his clan, he may threaten violence to Sheena a few times but always sputters to reassure her that he’s just being an ass.
There’s not a terrible amount of plot and the only bodice ripping we have is from an attempted assault by Black Gawain, resident turd extraordinaire of Castle Kinnion. It’s mostly just an ongoing mystery to solve involving who’s really responsible for the breaking of peace between Jamie and Sheena’s respective clans. with the MCs in close proximity and Jamie trying to convince Sheena to marry him. But it’s such a fun romp that I don’t even care that there’s better Lindsey’s out there.
A 5/5 re-read for ScottyRoNovember!
There’s not a terrible amount of plot and the only bodice ripping we have is from an attempted assault by Black Gawain, resident turd extraordinaire of Castle Kinnion. It’s mostly just an ongoing mystery to solve involving who’s really responsible for the breaking of peace between Jamie and Sheena’s respective clans. with the MCs in close proximity and Jamie trying to convince Sheena to marry him. But it’s such a fun romp that I don’t even care that there’s better Lindsey’s out there.
A 5/5 re-read for ScottyRoNovember!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Rape, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Suicide, Sexism, Death, and Alcohol
courtneyabramson's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
sadie_rae's review against another edition
3.0
It was an ok read, maybe not just what I was looking for though. The lead lady(Sheena) has an unreasonable fear of Jamie(lead male), and while it does explain that he is a formidable Laird in the beginning... I think the book would have been better served with a prolong(sp?) that maybe showed him discovering his first wife and then the rumors that started. They eventually get to why she is so terrified of him and they kinda work things out... I would have liked it to come out that it wasn't she but her brother who let Jamie free. There just seems to be enough that I would change or do different, the plot was not so original, especially after reading tones of Scottish romance to begin with. But maybe what I really was looking for was actual history to do with more than just feuds. The sex was easily glanced over. Over all I would stick with a 3 maybe 3.5, but I'm just not seeing this as Johanna's best book.
gothmomauthor's review against another edition
2.0
Like most of her books, men use sex to get their way. And people have serious communication problems. But, a decent read for a rainy day.
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Violence
elblackwell's review against another edition
1.0
I mean, who DOESN'T want to read a spot (or five) of marital rape in the morning? I sort of feel like this weird project of reading and then reviewing a bunch of romance novels is backfiring on my greatly. After the delightful first one with William Wallace, and then the super boring one that ended up being a DNF, and then the third venture, the fourth venture is one that actually made me vaguely nauseated in parts? WHY did I even bother finishing is the greater question?
I guess I lived in hope that somehow, someway something would justify the rest of the book. But nope. It's basically just a few hundred pages of, "I married you and so I get to have sex with you. In FACT, I will purposefully wait until you're asleep and have sex with you so that when you wake up you'll be so lost to pleasure you'll be inCAPABLE of saying no." Except then she DOES say no, and attempts to get away, and he's like LA LA LET's KEEP GOING.
It's essentially an entire novel of the hero of the story forcing himself on the heroine and insisting she must like it. I honestly don't even think there was even a shade of an actual plot. Mostly just a whole lot of rape.
I guess I lived in hope that somehow, someway something would justify the rest of the book. But nope. It's basically just a few hundred pages of, "I married you and so I get to have sex with you. In FACT, I will purposefully wait until you're asleep and have sex with you so that when you wake up you'll be so lost to pleasure you'll be inCAPABLE of saying no." Except then she DOES say no, and attempts to get away, and he's like LA LA LET's KEEP GOING.
It's essentially an entire novel of the hero of the story forcing himself on the heroine and insisting she must like it. I honestly don't even think there was even a shade of an actual plot. Mostly just a whole lot of rape.
sewcialist_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Typical Lindsey historical. Highlander romance. Quick read.
words_and_dreams's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A classic Johnna Lindsey, so you know what that means. Saying that, while there are some problematic elements that were rife in 80s romance novels, its not as problematic as some from this author that I've read.
The basic premise is two warring Scottish clans where the main couple end up marrying to end the feud. This is after a number of plot points. The plot is quite convaluted, which I don't always mind in romance books. My main beef was the hero, he was just so annoying. Very alpha hero with a temper...and that justifies his behaviour and attitude apparently. Lol. He also claims to love the heroine but he doesn't know her. It's just insta lust, that's it.
Sheena is more tolerable and I enjoyed her sweet relationship with her younger brother. However, she suffers the burden of being too beautiful, poor thing. So beautiful every single man goea crazy for her. Like chill seriously.
I think Colen, Jamie's brother would have made a much better hero, he actually listened to Sheena and her wants and got to know her. Sheena chose the wrong brother and that's that
The basic premise is two warring Scottish clans where the main couple end up marrying to end the feud. This is after a number of plot points. The plot is quite convaluted, which I don't always mind in romance books. My main beef was the hero, he was just so annoying. Very alpha hero with a temper...and that justifies his behaviour and attitude apparently. Lol. He also claims to love the heroine but he doesn't know her. It's just insta lust, that's it.
Sheena is more tolerable and I enjoyed her sweet relationship with her younger brother. However, she suffers the burden of being too beautiful, poor thing. So beautiful every single man goea crazy for her. Like chill seriously.
I think Colen, Jamie's brother would have made a much better hero, he actually listened to Sheena and her wants and got to know her. Sheena chose the wrong brother and that's that
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
blake1999's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book is pretty boring and a bit lackluster. There is also a scene where the male lead rapes the sleeping female lead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Murder