ARC Review: The Highland Laird by Amy Jarecki

My Review:

The Highland Laird is a wonderful addition to the Lords of the Highlands series and focuses on Emma, a blind and sheltered woman who leaves the safety of her family to rescue the man she loves. On a mission for Scotland, Cial is falsely imprisoned for murder and sentenced to death. However, when Emma, his friend’s beautiful sister, rescues him, Ciar has a chance to clear his name and be with the woman he loves. Now on the run, can Emma and Ciar evade the Redcoats who pursue them until they clear Ciar’s name?

I enjoyed this historical romance. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is filled with action, excitement, and a swoon-worthy romance. I love Emma’s fierce determination to save the man she loves, assert her independence, and have a grand adventure. She trains a pup to aid her and doesn’t back down when challenged. Her fiery spirit and kindness endear her to others, especially Ciar.

The romance between Ciar and Emma is fantastic! They’ve known each other since childhood and have wonderful chemistry. From the start of the book, it is clear they have feelings for each other, and once Emma rescues Ciar, their relationship deepens. Ciar and Emma respect and admire each other, but there is so much more to this couple.

Ciar and Emma understand each other and see each other in ways that no one else does. Ciar doesn’t see a woman in need. He sees a strong, brave woman, who looks at the world in an amazingly unique way. I love the way he supports her but doesn’t hinder her. He treats her as an equal, which is something she doesn’t experience often. Emma, in turn, doesn’t see a “beast,” as others often call Ciar. She sees a kind, brave, and honorable leader who treats everyone with respect. The depth of their feelings is immense, and it is lovely to see their relationship evolve.

The historical aspects of this story are also really interesting. Jarecki delves into the tense political situations following the death of the Queen and how it affected England and Scotland. She also examines the maltreatment and prejudice that befell blind people during that time period, who would have been persecuted and potentially murdered for their disability.

Though this is the eighth book in the series, it can totally be read as a standalone. I didn’t read all of the books in the series, and I easily followed along, as will readers who enjoy historical romance with fantastic characters and an action-filled story! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Forever for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance! I love Ciar and Emma!

• The character development. Emma and Ciar are well-developed and interesting!

Recommendations:

Readers who enjoy historical romance will love this story!