Highland Spitfire

The ending of the book was disappointing. The book was good otherwise.

What a great start to a new series!! A next in line highland laird and a "spitfire" daughter from a feuding clan. With a clash like this one, and an accomplished author like Mary Wine, I just knew it is going to be a book that I could not put down until the last page. "Highland Spitfire" had great flow with developing characters and backstory in the telling of the fighting between clans. Bhaic MacPherson and Ailis Robertston were a wonderful pairing and I look forward to reading the next in the series. If you love scottish highlander books, this one is highly recommended. Thank You to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for gifting me with an ARC of "Highland Spitfire" and only asking for an honest review. 4.5 Stars!

Feuds in the highlands can make the Hatfields and McCoys look like playground spats. And the MacPhersons and Robertsons have been feuding for generations with no apparent end in sight. With threats to Scotland coming from all sides, the last thing the Queen needs or wants is bitter infighting. Dispatching her regent with a simple order: bring the clans together with a wedding… and we are off. Ailis Robertson is feisty, loyal and fierce, determined to have a life that both suits the clan and perhaps brings her some personal happiness. She wants to marry and find love, but with a man, not a savage being from a clan she’s been taught to hate and fear all of her life. Bhaic MacPherson is a feared warrior in battle, a loyal clansman and at heart, truly kind. Not loving the idea of a forced marriage, he finds Ailis admirable and courageous. He’s going to make the best of the situation to respect his clan’s decree, he just didn’t expect to fall in love with the enemy. Mary Wine uses emotions we can all relate to: a desire for acceptance, a fear of the unknown, a determination to make the best of a situation you aren’t particularly thrilled with because the choice is untenable. Combine this with a tentative getting to know you phase that is spurred onward by an obvious physical attraction, finding these two slowly unveiling themselves and allowing their attraction to grow. Both Bhaic and Ailis are determined, honest and courageous: understanding that the future of Scotland relies on the cooperation of the clans and they are willing, eventually, to do their part. The characters are the highlight in this story: moving us through an obviously difficult and tense situation for both of them, while displaying their own personalities as the story progresses. With so many issues playing into their relationship, it does take a while for them to come to realize that despite being thrown together rather ungraciously and without choice, they are wonderfully well suited and truly do enjoy one another: disproving years of untruths and distrust that fueled the strife between the clans. A wonderful start to a new series, I’m ready for the next! I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.