I received this book for free from St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Scot Beds His Wife by Kerrigan ByrneAlso in this series: The Highwayman, The Hunter, The Highlander, The Duke, The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, The Highwayman
Series: Victorian Rebels #5
Published by St. Martin's Press on October 3rd 2017
Genres: Historical Romance, Victorian Era, Scottish Highlands
Pages: 394
Format: eARC
ISBN: 1250122546
The Scot Beds His Wife is the next lush, captivating Victorian romance in the Victorian Rebels series by Kerrigan Byrne.
They’re rebels, scoundrels, and blackguards—dark, dashing men on the wrong side of the law. But for the women who love them, a hint of danger only makes the heart beat faster.
Gavin St. James, Earl of Thorne, is a notorious Highlander and an unrelenting Lothario who uses his slightly menacing charm to get what he wants—including too many women married to other men. But now, Gavin wants to put his shady past behind him...more or less. When a fiery lass who is the heiress to the land he wishes to possess drops into his lap, he sees a perfectly delicious opportunity...
A marriage most convenient
Samantha Masters has come back to Scotland, in a pair of trousers, and with a whole world of dangerous secrets from her time spent in the Wild West trailing behind her. Her only hope of protection is to marry—and to do so quickly. Gavin is only too willing to provide that service for someone he finds so disturbingly irresistible. But even as danger approaches, what begins as a scandalous proposition slowly turns into an all-consuming passion. And Gavin discovers that he will do whatever is necessary to keep the woman he has claimed as his own...
May Contain Few Spoilers
The Scot Beds His Wife is the fifth installment in this wonderful and riveting Victorian Rebels series that this author has brought to us. I would like to point our first and foremost, that this author has a very unique style. A writing style in romance that has died the past few years. Her writing voice is tough, emotional and packed with characters that are flawed, but so very realistic. Each character you can see being real especially in this time period. I feel like the Regency/Victorian era has come across has light and fluffy but I feel that there is another side to this era most authors never talk about. However, Kerrigan Byrne doesn’t sugar coat her romances. These stories are filled with men and women that make mistakes, that suffer injustices but somehow turn out to have hearts of gold. In The Scot Beds His Wife we have the story, of Liam’s brother Gavin. Liam was our hero in book three “The Highlander”. So it was such a delight to finally have Liam’s story. I was crossing my fingers that this lovely author would writes his book so I couldn’t wait to pick this one up.
This story sets off with our heroine, who lives out in the American West. She has had to make some tough choices in life, and made a easy choice to marry a man more appealing than a old lecher who had multiple wives. Before she knew it, she was robbing trains instead of a quiet life out on the coast like she dreamed and was promised. But when her husband was going to murder an innocent woman, she killed him and made a friend for life. This friend offered her a chance for a fresh start in Scotland. To take her name, and take her property and never allow a Mackenzie to keep it. So she agrees and heads over to Scotland and right on the train station, she falls into the arms of a handsome yet dangerous Scot who makes her feel in ways she never felt with her late husband. But then she learns that he is Gavin, the man who wants the land that she came to claim. But the past will come back to haunt them both, and they may lose each other just when they find a love worth fighting for…
“As much as you’d like to think your hands are clean, we both know they’re not. They’re stained with a million sins, with a thousand tears, a hundred deceits and maybe a little blood you pretend isn’t there. You may ignore it, but I see it. I see who you are. “
“Then why did ye fucking kiss me back?” he snarled
Samantha hid her gasp behind a shrug. “Because maybe I’m a monster too.”
[divider]
She had her own terrible secrets, she could leave him his, safe and somehow comforted with the knowledge that both of their souls were stained with sins.
Maybe they were both beyond forgiveness.
Maybe they deserved each other.
What a action packed and sexy filled romance that this story turned out to be. I instantly fell in love with this book, and I easily read it in one sitting and had more than my share of fun with this one. There are so many things to really love about this one. What was unique was the characters. You would think that they would make a good match at all. Our hero Gavin, is a rake and a scoundrel. He is used to getting what he wants and has the money to do it. Our heroine, is no pansy. She is tough, she prefers riding horses and can rope cattle. She swears on ocassion and has no talents for music or sewing. And she has spunk and isn’t afraid of Gavin. She stands up to him constantly and I loved seeing her put him in his place. It was pretty entertaining, seeing these two go at it so much. At first they don’t like each other very much, they want the same piece of land. They do have some sizzling chemistry, and boy this author can write some smexy scenes here. But soon this chemistry they have, turns these enemies into lovers. Two people who learn to admire and respect one another.
But ye’re the first woman I’ve ever felt this way about. Ye’re the last woman I’ll ever want
They have some bumps along the way of course, but boy this author definitely knows how to keep me fascinated, enthralled and spellbound in this powerfully portrayed story that will tie you up in knots and keep you thirsty for more!!
What do you love most about gritty and emotional romances?
Do you admire Kerrigan Byrne’s work and why?
Oh it looks great and I always love books like that so I confess that I’m curious
I’m curious about how different her writing style is because I can’t say I’ve read a lot of old school historical romances. But it sounds lovely the way you describe it. I need to try this author, and this series in particular. It just sounds like such a satisfying series! 🙂
Nick I think you should try this author out. She writes realistic historical’s. So they aren’t fluffy or light at all, I mean there is some great humor, but the plot is serious because the author implements real issues. I do think you would like it though if you are in the mood for a more emotional romance.
I’ve never read Kerrigan Byrne but I’ve been curious about her. I tend to favor the lighter reads, though, which is why I haven’t read anything by her yet. It sounds really interesting that the heroine has been living in the American West. I feel like we don’t get that too often either.
Glad you loved this one.
I think if you are in the mood for a more emotional read, then try this author out. But she doesn’t do light romances, but she is probably one of my favorites to read to be honest. She does have good humor but there is a ton of realistic views in her books. I like that she does it, but its not for everyone.
I own a lot of her books because of you so I really need to I love he sound of her stories and that she keeps true to the old style HRS.
Oh yay!!!!!! I’m so glad you loved this. Its on my TBR but this is a new to me author! I’m so glad to have a book to really look forward to!
Oh you will really love this Samantha. Its definitely up your alley for sure.
I’ve heard her books described similarly to what you’ve said here about them being a little grittier than the usual- more historically authentic it seems where the characters are concerned. I so want to give her stuff a go at some point.
Sophia I really do hope you give this author a chance. She is wonderful and her writing is refreshing.
Oooh im excited to read this thanks to your review 🙂 On my TBR!
Oh yes if you enjoyed previous books in the series I know you will love this one.
Aw the last quote. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this series. Glad to see you’re loving them, too!
Honestly Anna…you would ADORE this series so much. I just know that you would. Its definitely up your alley.