*I received a free copy of How to Marry a Royal Highlander from Kensington Books via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.

Series: The Renegade Royals #4
Published by Kensington Books on 30 June 2015
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley



Illegitimate yet thoroughly irresistible, the Renegade Royals are leaving behind their careers as daring spies for the greatest adventure of all…
At sixteen, Alasdair Gilbride, heir to a Scottish earldom, fled the Highlands and an arranged betrothal. Ten years later, Alasdair must travel home to face his responsibilities. It’s a task that would be much easier without the distracting presence of the most enticing woman he’s ever met…
After one escapade too many, Eden Whitney has been snubbed by the ton. The solution: rusticating in the Scottish wilderness, miles from all temptation. Except, of course, for brawny, charming Alasdair. The man is so exasperating she’d likely kill him before they reach the border—if someone else weren’t trying to do just that. Now Eden and Alasdair are plunging into a scandalous affair with his life and her reputation at stake—and their hearts already irreparably lost…
How to Marry a Royal Highlander is exactly the kind of historical romance I enjoy the most. Stubborn ladies and hot highland lords – what’s not to love?
It’s not often I read a Historical Romance that is also a Romantic Suspense! How to Marry a Royal Highlander is both, though, and I know that is part of why I enjoyed Edie’s and Alec’s story so much. Add to that that Edie had been in a scandal, and she had to leave London for the rest of the season, to stay away at least for the whole winter. Alec, with help of Edie’s twin sister Evie’s husband Wolf managed to persuade a very involved mother that the Scottish Highlands was the best place to go to make the ton forget all about Edie and her possible indiscretions.
I’m pretty sure I had already fallen in love with both Edie and Alec in How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy, and getting to know both of them better cemented my feelings for them. Seeing them get to know each other, and first become aware of their own feelings towards each other – then realizing all that was at stake for them to be able to be together was a delight. But it was definitely not an easy path for either of them, especially because several people did not at all want Alec to come home and take his rightful place as the laird. Not only was the romance titillating, the characters grew in a way I hadn’t suspected, and while I liked both of them at the beginning of the story, I absolutely loved them by the end.
Because of the suspense elements, there was never a dull moment, and added to that was the fact that Alec had been promised to his cousin, Donella, since he was 16 – at what time he ran away from home to see the world, and not be forced into a loveless marriage. Needless to say, his family wasn’t exactly happy to see him arrive home after ten years, with an English lady and her mother in tow. This brought on several laugh out loud moments, as well as some very well done tension that made How to Marry a Royal Highlander impossible to put down.
Written in third person point of view, and in past tense, the story unfolded at a nice, even pace, with some scenes paced faster, to make the excitement more palpable. I think both historical romance fans and romance suspense fans will enjoy this installment, which can be read as a stand-alone.
“Now, what was that ye were sayin’ about my beloved homeland, lassie?” he asked as he stood next to Wolf. “Surely ye can’t be thinkin’ it’s anything but heaven on earth.”
“Oh, God,” she muttered. “Please, not the brogue.”
He simply laughed.
The man was ridiculously handsome – and nice when he wished to be. It made Edie feel rather gloomy, probably because she was used to men like him falling at her feet. So far, however, Gilbride seemed entirely immune to her charms.
“Ah, lassie, you can’t fool me,” he said, that seductive Scottish burr roughening his voice. It dragged across her nerves, making her shiver. “I’m not one of those manmilliners you lead around by the nose like docile geldings. I know very well you’ve been avoiding me.”
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I’ve been meaning to read one of Vanessa Kelly’s books for a while now, I think you may have just pushed the right button, Lexxie . . . Thanks for that 😉
Oh yes, you should definitely try her books, they are really well done, Silvia 🙂 And I’m happy I could push your buttons 😉
This sounds great. I don’t read too many highlander stories, but the mix of historical and romantic suspense sounds fun. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
It was so good, Majanka! And the suspense part was just as well done as the romance part, too 🙂
This sounds like an absolute delight, Lexxie, and I love the quotes you shared! It’s nice to know the characters won you over and that they grew in ways you didn’t expect. The suspense element has me that much more excited about reading this as well. You said it can be read standalone but you met them previously. Does it help to read the books in order?
Happy Tuesday, my dear! I hope the week goes well and I’m looking forward to a nice long chat! **BIG HUGS**
Yes, it was definitely a delight, Brandee, and I know you’ll love this story as well! I really think this can be read on its own… but of course there is always an extra element of enjoyment when you have already met the characters before they get their own story.
Happy Tuesday to you, too, my dear! *BIG HUGS*
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
You know I love this series and have this to read but I don’t know why I never read it. I guess it just got lost in the sea of review eARC’s from last year. 🙁 I am going to have to dig it out. 🙂
Oh you should, Stormi, it’s my favorite in the series 🙂 And I think you’ll really enjoy it, too!
This one sounds really good. I love that this book is a historical romance but with a suspenseful plot. That would really add a lot to the book. The characters do sound wonderful and I love a Highland romance. I will add Vanessa Kelly to my list of authors to check out. Great review!
That’s exactly it, Carole, the suspense elements really brought a lot to the story, and the romance was still awesome 🙂 I hope you’ll enjoy Vanessa Kelly’s stories as much as I do 🙂
it’s true that it’s rare when we have a good mystery in them but it’s always so nice when it’s the case. I love HR but it’s been a few months I haven’t read one… I think I heard about the author but I can’t remember the book.
The mystery mixed in with the romance made this a winner, Melliane! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, my goodness! that first quote made me laugh!
I may just have to break out of my box and add this to my “to be read” list. 😀
I know, right? It made me laugh as well 🙂 You should definitely add this author to your TBR list, Xyra 🙂
Twitter: kbaby81
Great review! Glad that you were able to enjoy this one so much.
Thanks, Lekeisha! It was a really good story 🙂
I love romantic suspense + historical is just a great bonus! 😀
I know! To have both the historical and the suspense elements together was really good 🙂
oh so glad that you enjoyed this one!! I really loved it as well. Their interactions were so entertaining. Loved it.