I received this book for free from St. Martin's Paperbacks in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hit Me With Your Best Scot by Suzanne EnochAlso in this series: Scot Under the Covers
Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders #3
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on February 9, 2021
Genres: Historical Romance, Regency Era
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
The MacTaggert brothers have one task:Find English brides or lose their land!
Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril, is a big, brawny Highlander who doesn’t like being told what to do—not even by his exasperated English mother who is determined to see her eldest son wedded and bedded. However, when he comes to the rescue of an irresistibly beautiful woman, Coll discovers that he may have found his perfect match…
The challenge isn’t that Persephone Jones is famous, wealthy, independent, and smarter than anyone he knows. The problem is that she is not interested in marrying any man---especially not a hot-headed Scot—even if he is the only man who seems to understand who she really is even when she’s not sure herself. When Coll learns that Persephone is actually a lady-in-hiding and someone is willing to kill her for what she stands to inherit…Well, Coll has never been one to turn down a fight. When hearts are involved, nothing comes between a Highlander and his lady.
This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
Hit Me With Your Best Scot was my first pick as part of the “Historical Romance Read A Thon” hosted by Lisa, Lacey, and Jessica on YouTube. And my historical romance reading of late has definitely been lacking this year, 2021 has NOT been the year of reading historical romance and I definitely needed this read a thon to push me into reading this genre way more. I also received this as an ARC but never got around to actually reading it until now. Now I did alternate reading this from the audiobook and the ebook. I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator to be honest, I am not sure exactly what it was that bothered me, but the narration just wasn’t my favorite and I ended up switching to the ebook format.
This story begins with our two main characters, our hero, Coll MacTaggert, who is the oldest of his siblings and the last one to marry. He knows that he must marry within the month or he and his brothers will have to forfeit their inheritance. But when he sees a woman that catches his eye, he wants her passionately and especially in knowing it would upset his parents in seeing his pair up with an actress for a wife. So he makes a bargain with her, and at first their relationship is one where its a business proposition but chemistry between them is hot and their is something deeper that builds between the two and what begins as business soon turns into both revealing secrets of the heart and soul and learning to fight for each other, no matter what the cost may be. But when strange occurrences start to happen to Persephone, Coll’s protective instincts go into overdrive and he will do anything to protect the woman he loves, and also increase in his determination to keep her for a lifetime.
Hit Me With Your Best Scot was quite a fun historical romp and I had a blast in seeing what this author delivered. Now I will be honest this isn’t my favorite work from this author, but I found it quite diverging in many respects. The pacing of the plot could be slow going at times but I did find that it increased as you delve deeper within the story. The humor of the dialogue definitely had the “Suzanne Enoch” stamp on it and she definitely portrayed her normal flair which I found quite entertaining and so many moments that I was highly amused. I really found this pairing to be quite unique. It’s not common to see a highland noble and a famous actress find a HEA together, but somehow Enoch found a way to bring them their well-deserved ending, and the climax of bringing all the pieces together was blended in such a way that brings the reader to a culmination of satisfaction.
I was quite drawn to both of these characters and their relationship developed on a deeper level pretty quickly, but more quickly than I actually expected. We see them really unify in their feelings for each other earlier in the story and I found that spect more refreshing than having it all drawn out until the very end. The side characters of the family were quite the “cherry on the top” of the desert. We see how much flair of drama they bring to the table and I quite enjoyed seeing their contributions to the story and see our old favorites enter into the story. The siblings really gather together in this book and unify and I really loved seeing that aspect here. And also a small side story of the parents reconciling together which I wasn’t expecting to see happen.
Overall I found Hit Me With Your Best Scot to be an adventurous, witty, and unique plot point to deliver a satisfying read of a romance and with some unexpected growths along the way. A story you definitely need to take advantage of and buckle up for the ride.
Although it was not your favourite, it seemed to have some wonderful qualities. Awesome review.
Although it was not your favourite, it has some wonderful qualities. Awesome review.
I loved this series and this book most of all! I know what you mean about the narrator, but believe me, she’s heads above the reader of the first book. I wish more publishers used Mary Jane Wells to narrate novels. I listen to all of hers that I can find. Thanks for reviewing a Suzanne Enoch book, Renee.
Ooh this sounds good! I’m a sucker for the whole fake romance/convenience trope and this seems to fit the bill. And it’s been far too long since I’ve read a historical romance 🙂
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve read a Highlander historical romance and I’ve yet to try this author. I’ll have to keep this series in mind the ncxt time I have a lull in my schedule. Thanks!
This was my first experience reading this author and I really liked it! I really enjoyed the family shenanigan’s too, although I was a little miffed at the mother for keeping the family apart for so long. Nice to hear you enjoyed it as well. I should look up some of her back list.