When a Scot Ties the Knot
Series: Castles Ever After #3
Author: Tessa Dare
Published August 25th 2015 by Avon

Goodreads Synopsis
On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.
Goodreads

Review
Just as she is set to debut for her first season, Madeline Gracechurch claims to be in love with a Scottish officer, and eschews all events that may show just how shy and awkward she is. With the fictional Captain MacKenzie around, she is comfortable and secure, and loves the whole experience. After the time has elapsed she kills him off, but after inheriting a castle in the Highlands, the real Captain MacKenzie appears. The letters that she had been sending to keep up the ruse had actually be given to Logan while out in Spain, and when he is invalided home, with the rest of his detachment, he heads to Scotland to find his 'lover', and make her his bride.

This was a book I wasn't expecting to be so funny, but there were some proper laugh out loud moments. Madeline and Logan were wholly fleshed out characters, with pain and suffering in their pasts, but together they could be themselves, and the moments were they were pushing the boundaries with each other, and with the rules around the castle were fantastic! That being said, there were some really heartbreaking moments when we saw just how much the war had affected Logan's men, from PTSD, to injuries, to ruined futures, and I felt that Tessa dealt with this really well. The side plot of the lobsters - yes, I mean it - was the lighthearted reprieve we needed from it all, as were the true affection between Madeline and Logan. Definitely a fantastic book by Dare, and I can't wait for more!

Dates Read:
June 21-22, 2020

Rating
4 Stars