Dear Mrs. Stockton,Do you know you are one of my favorite authors? Every single book you write (and I read), I love. They make me happy. Incredibly, wonderfully happy. Every book gets better and better! I just want you to know that I sincerely love your writing and your books. This new clean romance in Scotland series is no exception. I adored this book!It took me a minute to get into this book, I think because it’s a slightly different style. Of course, the different historical setting probably had something to do with that as well. That said however, I was involved in story within a few chapters and was then hooked to the very end. I became fully invested in Isobel and Kieran’s stories and couldn’t devour this book fast enough.Some things I loved about this wonderful book:The attention to history and detail was fantastic! It was clear to me that you had done a lot of research and, while I did not feel as though I were being “info dumped,” I came away feeling as though I had been given a good glimpse of the time period and the place. The balance was struck quite well.Speaking of these attentions, I loved your inclusion of Scottish folklore, clan disputes, tensions with the British, and traditions common to the people at the time (like the whole thing with women and shoes, which I found to be equal parts appalling and fascinating). AND!! And and and! You did a phenomenal job writing in the Scottish brogue. It was not difficult at all for me to hear the narrative in a Scottish brogue as I read and I LOVED THAT! You are genius! Did you find yourself speaking in that brogue while you wrote this? Because I only read it and I sure slipped a few times while talking to my family. They gave me strange looks but I felt a kinship to ye, even if it were only fabricated in m’wee mind.Isobel is so wonderful. Perhaps the only thing she did that I raised an eyebrow at was her decision to run away to Bongary Spring. Otherwise I just loved her! She was strong and brave and selfless.Flawed characters! Oh, Mrs. Stockton, the weaknesses! Is it odd to say that I love how well you write an imperfect character and the subsequent arc that leads that character away from their flaws into better people? Because I really, really love that. Kieran was the perfect example of this.I liked the alternating perspectives of so many characters and I am really looking forward to more stories from these people I’ve grown to love already. I definitely need to see more from Marion, Ian, and Miles.Lastly, I must talk about cliffhangers. You know I hate them. I really do. Unless I have the next book ready and waiting so I can dive right in. (Perhaps this disapproval is echoed in my own life as I dislike “cliffhangers” in real life even more; I am not a very patient person and don’t want to wait for resolutions! I want answers!) That being said, while the entire story arc hasn’t been completed, the sweet resolution to Isobel and Kieran’s story was quite perfect. So I forgive you for writing a dreaded cliffhanger, because at least my beloved characters were not left in mortal peril or their love story unresolved.Well Mrs. Stockton, I have perhaps prattled on long enough. Do you believe me when I say that I loved your book? Because I really, truly did. Insert a happy sigh here. While I dearly desire for the second book to be available yesterday, I shall satisfy myself with rereading this one in the meantime. And I am not truly upset about this arrangement (though I wouldn’t complain if the next book became available much sooner).You ever devoted fan,JessicaRating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️**Many thanks to the author for the advance copy, which was offered and asked to review if desired. These are my very own thoughts.
