The Highlander Who Protected Me
Series: Clan Kendrick #1
Author: Vanessa Kelly
Published October 30th 2018 by Zebra

Goodreads Synopsis
Lady Ainsley Matthews, heiress and darling of the ton, was expected to make a magnificent match. Instead she's hiding on a remote Scottish estate, terrified that her vicious former fiancé will use her pregnancy to force her into marriage. One man can help her--Royal Kendrick, son of a distinguished Highland clan. Though a mistake drove them apart long ago, Royal is the only person Ainsley trusts to protect her baby--even if that means agreeing to never see either of them again . . . Scarred in body and soul by war, Royal suddenly has a purpose--caring for an innocent babe and thereby helping the woman he can't stop loving. But when Ainsley ultimately returns to Scotland, determined to be a real mother to her child in spite of the risk, there's only one solution: marriage. And only one likely outcome: surrendering to the desire that's simmered between them for so long, no matter how dangerous it may be . . .
Goodreads

Review
Lady Ainsley Matthews has a secret, and it's a big one. As the darling of the ton, she's expected to marry well, and when the Marquess of Cringlewood proposes, it's as if everyone's dreams have come true. But Cringlewood soon shows his true colours, and after a horrific attack, Ainsley flees for a remote estate in Scotland, with only an elderly aunt to help her during her pregnancy. Ainsley will do anything to keep the baby safe, and a secret, unless she wants to be forced to marry Cringlewood, and when old beau Royal Kendrick arrives, and discovers the truth, she begs him to claim the baby as his own, and raise her. Royal would do anything for Ainsley, and wishes that the mistake he made had never drove them apart, and even ruining his own reputation is worth it. However, when Ainsley returns to Scotland, and wants to be with her daughter, it's clear that the feelings between the pair were never quite quashed, and marriage may be the only thing for them both.

This is my first book by Kelly, but I adored it, and am so glad I have the rest of the series ready to devour. Ainsley and Royal's love story was unusual to say the least, but the way they relied on each other, and supported one another in their battles, and when raising the baby, was perfect. I haven't read The Highlanders Princess Bride so have missed a little of the backstory, but the Kendrick family were such a riot, and I loved reading about them. Some really tough topics were discussed in this book, but carefully, and in a way that was right for the characters. I was blown away by the ending, and really hope that we see more of the family - particularly Grandad - in the other books!

Dates Read:
September 5, 2021

Rating
4 Stars