jenwacasey's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
sylviep's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
addieneedsabook's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
moseyrosie's review
3.0
One of Nora's few historical romances! This story gives a look back into the MacGregor family past by telling the story of another Serena MacGregor against the backdrop of the Stuart Rebellion in 1745 Scotland. This book tells the story of enemies to lovers, Serena and Brigham Langston. Nora does a good job of placing you in history and providing enough information that you know what is going on without slowing down the story. We also get a side love story between Serena's friend and her brother, Coll MacGregor. To hear a full discussion of Rebellion listen to Season 1, Ep. #11 "Nora Roberts The MacGregors: For Now, Forever, Rebellion, and In From the Cold" of Romancing the Shelf, a Nora Roberts podcast: https://romancingtheshelf.libsyn.com/
sewcialist_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
Typical contemporary romance from Nora Roberts.
jonetta's review
4.0
Serena MacGregor loathes the English, a hatred borne from the assault she witnessed in her own home ten years before by a brutal English captain. Unfortunately, her brother’s best friend Brigham Langston is an English lord who is secretly supporting Prince Charles’ attempt to restore the Stuarts to Scottish rule and is determined to win her heart. She can’t deny her own attraction to him but it’s not enough to overcome her disdain of all things English. In the meantime, plans for a rebellion are escalating and it will impact the entire MacGregor family and clan, including Brigham.
This story takes us back several generations of MacGregors to when the clan was led by Ian MacGregor in Glen Forest, Scotland, around the time of the Jacobite Rebellion. Serena is the oldest daughter but she’s as fierce as her father and oldest brother, Coll. Her budding relationship with Brigham was all spitfire and heat as the last thing she was interested in was becoming anyone’s wife let alone an English aristocrat. It was entertaining and although sometimes tiresome, it transitioned at the right moment. What really distinguished this story was the rebellion as the events leading up to the actual event provided an historical insight I found educational. I’m familiar with elements but having both the English sympathizers and Scottish points of view was enlightening.
I enjoyed the story, even though it took some time for me to get traction. I loved learning the MacGregor history and liked that the series took this step back into the past to explore the rich background of the family. The rebellion wasn’t glorified, as all the horrors of that war were illustrated rather vividly, as well as the lasting impact of it on the family.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
This story takes us back several generations of MacGregors to when the clan was led by Ian MacGregor in Glen Forest, Scotland, around the time of the Jacobite Rebellion. Serena is the oldest daughter but she’s as fierce as her father and oldest brother, Coll. Her budding relationship with Brigham was all spitfire and heat as the last thing she was interested in was becoming anyone’s wife let alone an English aristocrat. It was entertaining and although sometimes tiresome, it transitioned at the right moment. What really distinguished this story was the rebellion as the events leading up to the actual event provided an historical insight I found educational. I’m familiar with elements but having both the English sympathizers and Scottish points of view was enlightening.
I enjoyed the story, even though it took some time for me to get traction. I loved learning the MacGregor history and liked that the series took this step back into the past to explore the rich background of the family. The rebellion wasn’t glorified, as all the horrors of that war were illustrated rather vividly, as well as the lasting impact of it on the family.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
DNF. It had the "You're hot but you're a bitch" pov for the male lead, the "I hate you for superficial reasons and now have to endure the way my family loves you and compliments you to me" pov for the female lead, and the "I don't need your consent to make a move on you" scene. Three strikes and out.
laufox's review against another edition
4.0
My first Nora Roberts book, and I have to say -I am impressed! Nora does a skillful job at weaving history into this romance, and the book transcended its romance roots to bring true humanity and historical perspective to the work. Because of that, it felt very real and present, and gave the characters an unexpected depth that I often find lacking in romance. While this was written pre-Outlander (and a big part of me wonders how much inspiration Outlander actually drew from this because the number and types of similarities are almost beat for beat; although at 300 pages this is more "Outlander lite"), it felt like it set the tone for the whole Scottish lord romance sub-genre so many authors have capitalized on since. I also generally don't buy into the hate-to-love trope, but it was well-executed here because of Nora's follow-through from misplaced perceptions a la Pride and Prejudice to actions that appeared to uphold those prejudices (without the abhorrent miscommunication tool that is often wielded for too frequently as a character development device), to character growth as they understood how their own personal failings and experiences colored their interactions as their romance began to coalesce. Well done.
ruth5garcia5's review
5.0
A glimpse into the past of highlands of Scotland leaves you with the impression of where the MacGregor line began. The rich history, the battles, the cause, and the sacrifices of a people who fought hard, is the heart of the book.
Serena MacGregor is stubborn, prideful, and with reason, full of hate for the English. When Brigham arrives with her brother Coll, she has a strong distaste for him. She has many suitors but wants none of them. She can't see herself marrying any of them and longs to join the ranks of the men. Sitting and waiting is frustrating to her. They call her the wildcat.
Brigham Langston is Lord of Ashburn and has wealth, respect of his men, and fights with the heart of a Scott. Brig is English but his grandmother was a MacDonald. He fights with the scots and for the bonny prince. With many battles with the sword, he wields another with his heart. Taken by Serena, he finds her fascinating and not altogether like the french women he's used to.
I really enjoyed this story and I loved Scotland's history in the eyes of the MacGregors. The motivations, the emotions, the drive. It really brought it to me in picture. I could see this as a movie. To see the fight, love, and the carnage. Nora did an amazing job of it and Serena and Brigham's story was epic and one for the ages. I can see the traits of the characters in all the other books.
Serena MacGregor is stubborn, prideful, and with reason, full of hate for the English. When Brigham arrives with her brother Coll, she has a strong distaste for him. She has many suitors but wants none of them. She can't see herself marrying any of them and longs to join the ranks of the men. Sitting and waiting is frustrating to her. They call her the wildcat.
Brigham Langston is Lord of Ashburn and has wealth, respect of his men, and fights with the heart of a Scott. Brig is English but his grandmother was a MacDonald. He fights with the scots and for the bonny prince. With many battles with the sword, he wields another with his heart. Taken by Serena, he finds her fascinating and not altogether like the french women he's used to.
I really enjoyed this story and I loved Scotland's history in the eyes of the MacGregors. The motivations, the emotions, the drive. It really brought it to me in picture. I could see this as a movie. To see the fight, love, and the carnage. Nora did an amazing job of it and Serena and Brigham's story was epic and one for the ages. I can see the traits of the characters in all the other books.