ARC Review: Highland Hero (Children of the Mist #2) by Cynthia Breeding
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Series: Children of the Mist #2
Author: Cynthia Breeding
Published June 14th 2021 by Entangled: Amara
Goodreads Synopsis
If Juliana Caldwell said the sky was blue, Rory MacGregor would tell her it was gray, with a storm due any minute. No man gets under her skin more than the arrogantly handsome Scot. When she is abducted by a rival clan, Rory is the last person she expects or wants to call her hero.
Rory is the best tracker the MacGregors have, so when his brother’s sister-by-marriage goes missing, he’s ordered to find her. But binding himself to the fiery English redhead with an opinion about everything is not how he saw this rescue going. To save her from the clutches of the villainous Cameron laird’s son, though, he must declare them handfasted.
When their escape goes horribly awry, Juliana and Rory are forced to take the long way home. Surviving blizzard conditions, meddling clanspeople, and a near-fatal ambush on the trail, nothing compares to the unexpected and unlikely passion that ignites between the rugged Highlander and his English warrior princess.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
After the MacGregor family name and estates are restored, and Laird Ian MacGregor marries Emily, the former dowager Countess of Woodhaven, Juliana is overjoyed for her sister. But, she makes a mistake, and while walking the garden following the celebration, Juliana is kidnapped by Neal Cameron, the son of a rival clan laird, who wants to make her his bride, against her wishes. Now, Rory MacGregor, the brother of Ian, and best tracker in the clan must find Juliana and return her, even if there is a hatred between the two. But, the only way to do so is for Rory to claim he and Juliana are handfasted, and flee as quickly as possible. Juliana doesn't understand the true meaning of being handfasted, rather she thinks that it is more like a betrothal than a marriage, and she has no intention of ever marrying, not after what she has suffered in the past. Her and Rory must battle the elements to get home, with a furious Neal hot on their heels, and try not to lose their hearts in the meantime.
Now, this was a book I just devoured! As soon as I had met both Rory and Juliana in Highland Renegade, I couldn't wait for their own story. Since their first meeting, they've always snapped at each other, and done just about everything they could to annoy and aggravate the other. But, no matter what, when someone else hurts them, they will do whatever it takes to avenge them. Rory is the best tracker, and he quickly catches up to Juliana and the Cameron's, but not fast enough to get her and flee without having to claim to be handfasted. And, because Juliana agreed to it, albeit without knowing the truth about it all, they are bound by it for a year and a day. However, Juliana had already said to the Cameron's she would never marry, and now Neal is out for revenge. He hates Rory, and will do anything to get at him, and if that means stealing Juliana, he's more than happy to do that. The adventure that Rory and Juliana find themselves on to flee and return to safety, in the Highlands in December, was fantastic, and it facilitated such a slow burning romance, from enemies to lovers, with genuine affection, perfectly. Now, the book started with a trigger warning for rape, and it was really appreciated, and the discussion over Juliana's rape - in the past, off screen, but spoken about - was dealt with such care, and showed us another side to both Juliana and Rory, while also explaining why Juliana was so against marriage. Because the book is mostly a 'road trip' adventure, we don't see much of the other MacGregor's, but I'm hoping that future books see Alisdair and Lorelei's romance, or even someone for Fiona or Devon. I can't wait to read more!
Dates Read:
May 30, 2021
Rating
4 Stars
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