There is an entire historical romance sub-genre based around Scottish Highland lairds and the tartans that love them. You can recognize the books instantly by the swathe of kilt and bare, muscular chest on the cover. I don’t read them because I get preoccupied with how cold everyone must be in Northern Scotland. Hitting on two genre quadrants, the new Scandalous Highlanders series from historical romance novelist Suzanne Enoch features members of a Scottish Highland family looking for love in Regency London. It’s kind of brilliant cross-marketing, really. The men are enormous, testosterrific, and entrenched in a kind of noble feudalism; the women are bright and steely Bennett-Dashwood-Elliots.
Rowena MacLawry of Glengask has fled her Highland home in hopes of having a London season. Her brother Ranulf, the Marquis, tracks her down at the home of their mother’s friend, Lady Hest. The Hests have two daughters, the older of whom, Charlotte, is our heroine. Ranulf and Charlotte clash in the standard “He’s a philistine!”, “She’s a busybody!” manner yet somehow manage to overcome their differences, indulge in sexual liaisons, and become betrothed. All this despite internecine clan warfare, English obnoxiousness, real estate purchases, morning rides, and a stable fire trying to distract them. The days are just packed.
The Devil Wears Kilts was fine, better than most and less than some. Suzanne Enoch is the tiptop of my romance B List. I read a lot of her work, but I avoid paying for it. I’d say I won’t bother to read more in this series, but who are we kidding? It will come to the library and I will bring it home with me. The books will be mostly enjoyable, but never quite enough somehow to lift them to the next level. I have inserted links to other Enoch books below and recommend the titles in bold.
With this Ring Series (fell swoop review)
Reforming a Rake
Meet Me at Midnight
A Matter of Scandal
Lessons in Love Series (fell swoop review)
The Rake
England’s Perfect Hero
Links to my other reviews can be found on my complete reading list of books sorted by author or Author Commentary & The Tallies Shameful.
Mrs. Julien Presents 