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cala_p's review
5.0
I really enjoyed the first of the series. Loved the second. The third became a favorite of the series…but no. I didn’t know the word “favorite” until this book. I swear this series just gets better and better. The fifth will kill me.
Lecia Cornwall presents a Cinderella retelling like you’ve never know. The novel starts with John Erly, an Englishman, and Gillian. who first meet by appearance only, but they’re instantly attracted to each other. John went through a lot in life and only sleeps with available widows and the such. So young, innocent Gillian if not his type…Except she is. There’s this sense of instant lust between them but her fierce highlander father and her sisters warns him away from her. John the Englishman is seen as no good to the highlanders, a rake who murders and plunders basically despite him being Deir’s captain of the guard. Gillian on the other hand is a meek, quiet girl who just goes along with what she’s told to do. Until they hold a masked ball. She wears a dress different from the one her sister picked out for her, and while masked, slips away with an unknowing John and they kiss before she flees in the night.
10 months later and Gillian is engaged to an older gentleman, someone her father picked out for her and she went along with because that’s how she is. This brings her face to face with John, who ends up tasked to bring the girl to her wedding and worse, give her away during the ceremony since timing and travel issues kept her brother in laws and father from doing it. When they do first come face to face, he instantly recognizes her eyes and body as the ones he’s been missing for the last 10 months. Crazy. Their journey sparks all sorts of romance and tingly feelings between the two. While the characters fall from attraction to love, the reader just falls in love with them together. Sides of Gillian come out that no one has seen before, and John just becomes more and more smitten with her.
The novel goes through two undefined parts here: John bringing her to her wedding (and them falling in love) and him competing for her hand to marry her. I was so entranced while reading that I didn’t care, but I realized afterward how the story’s arc went. And I appreciated the story for that. It wasn’t what I expected going into the novel and that made it all the better.
Lecia Cornwall succeeds in creating angst to the tenth degree. The whole ‘he loves her but has to give her away’ pulled my heartstrings so bad for them both. They went through so much, were finally together, but she was another man’s. Then they went through the honorable phase, where he just wanted what’s best for her. But when he realizes how dumb that is, thus brings the part where he now must fight her father for her. Which also adds a sense of realism. They spent so much of the book insinuating that the Englishman would be dissed and not allowed with her, and then that aspect was brought into the novel for the reader to see the struggle they had to go through to be together. I loved this. Of course, throw in some outsider villains to twist the story even more.
I wished these books were on paperback because I would love to have them on my bookshelf. I loved this one so much. I don’t know how she could possibly write a better romance than the one that took place between John and Gillian. Oh, the twists and tingles my stomach endured for this book… I hope there’s a number five and I suspect Callum may be the hero in it…
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book!
Lecia Cornwall presents a Cinderella retelling like you’ve never know. The novel starts with John Erly, an Englishman, and Gillian. who first meet by appearance only, but they’re instantly attracted to each other. John went through a lot in life and only sleeps with available widows and the such. So young, innocent Gillian if not his type…Except she is. There’s this sense of instant lust between them but her fierce highlander father and her sisters warns him away from her. John the Englishman is seen as no good to the highlanders, a rake who murders and plunders basically despite him being Deir’s captain of the guard. Gillian on the other hand is a meek, quiet girl who just goes along with what she’s told to do. Until they hold a masked ball. She wears a dress different from the one her sister picked out for her, and while masked, slips away with an unknowing John and they kiss before she flees in the night.
10 months later and Gillian is engaged to an older gentleman, someone her father picked out for her and she went along with because that’s how she is. This brings her face to face with John, who ends up tasked to bring the girl to her wedding and worse, give her away during the ceremony since timing and travel issues kept her brother in laws and father from doing it. When they do first come face to face, he instantly recognizes her eyes and body as the ones he’s been missing for the last 10 months. Crazy. Their journey sparks all sorts of romance and tingly feelings between the two. While the characters fall from attraction to love, the reader just falls in love with them together. Sides of Gillian come out that no one has seen before, and John just becomes more and more smitten with her.
The novel goes through two undefined parts here: John bringing her to her wedding (and them falling in love) and him competing for her hand to marry her. I was so entranced while reading that I didn’t care, but I realized afterward how the story’s arc went. And I appreciated the story for that. It wasn’t what I expected going into the novel and that made it all the better.
Lecia Cornwall succeeds in creating angst to the tenth degree. The whole ‘he loves her but has to give her away’ pulled my heartstrings so bad for them both. They went through so much, were finally together, but she was another man’s. Then they went through the honorable phase, where he just wanted what’s best for her. But when he realizes how dumb that is, thus brings the part where he now must fight her father for her. Which also adds a sense of realism. They spent so much of the book insinuating that the Englishman would be dissed and not allowed with her, and then that aspect was brought into the novel for the reader to see the struggle they had to go through to be together. I loved this. Of course, throw in some outsider villains to twist the story even more.
I wished these books were on paperback because I would love to have them on my bookshelf. I loved this one so much. I don’t know how she could possibly write a better romance than the one that took place between John and Gillian. Oh, the twists and tingles my stomach endured for this book… I hope there’s a number five and I suspect Callum may be the hero in it…
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book!
wolfblade's review
5.0
Gillian is the shy and forgotten sister. Considered as not too bright, no one would think she would do anything the least bit daring.
But daring she is - at a masquerade ball she steals a kiss from John Erly, a disowned Englishman in Scotland.
A year later, he recognises her. Unfortunately, she's on her way to be married, and he's supposed to get her there.
Gillian was a bit wimpy in places, which was frustrating, but John was wonderful. Overall it was a lovely romance with plenty of heart.
It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I was there I loved it.
But daring she is - at a masquerade ball she steals a kiss from John Erly, a disowned Englishman in Scotland.
A year later, he recognises her. Unfortunately, she's on her way to be married, and he's supposed to get her there.
Gillian was a bit wimpy in places, which was frustrating, but John was wonderful. Overall it was a lovely romance with plenty of heart.
It took me a bit to get into the story, but once I was there I loved it.
andreaway's review
4.0
***ARC Review, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions and reviews are my own***
An enchanting twist on the Cinderella story. Gillian is a quiet daughter compared to her sisters. That is until one night she steals a kiss from a man at a ball. This mans turns out to be a disowned noble named John. I loved the added fairytale twist in this story. If you love retellings and you love historical romance, then this is definitely a book for you.
An enchanting twist on the Cinderella story. Gillian is a quiet daughter compared to her sisters. That is until one night she steals a kiss from a man at a ball. This mans turns out to be a disowned noble named John. I loved the added fairytale twist in this story. If you love retellings and you love historical romance, then this is definitely a book for you.
bibliophiliadk's review
2.0
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booksuperpower's review
4.0
Enchanted by the Highlander by Lecia Cornwall is a 2017 Swerve publication.
Captivating Scottish romance!
John Erly is an English Lord, banished by his father, who has relocated to Scotland. With a wild reputation to live up to, he flirts with all the ladies, but when the beautiful, but painfully shy, Gillian MacLeod arrives, he is warned to stay away from her.
But, while attending a masked ball, Gillian takes the bold step of stealing a kiss from the only man what makes her heart skip a beat.
John never learns the identity of the enchanting young lady until Gillian must be escorted home for her wedding. Thrown together in an uncomfortably awkward situation, the pair finds it hard to hide their true feelings for each other.
Along the way they will encounter much danger and intrigue, while falling deeply in love. But, Gillian’s father will never allow a marriage between his daughter and the rouge Englishman. Is the relationship doomed? Will Gillian be forced to marry a man she doesn't love?
It has been a good long while since I read a rousing Scottish romance and I had begun to miss those lovely Scottish traditions and fascinating superstitions and magic, along with the action, adventure and intrigue, plus with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I'm in the mood for a little romance.
This book has all those elements, along with a tortured hero, and strong female lead, who has the courage to take what she wants, to find a way to be with her true love, while remaining true to herself and blossoming into a respected heroine in the process.
Gillian’s quietness is misconstrued, with people drawing the conclusion she isn’t all that bright or does not wish to contribute. Nothing could be further from the truth and she surprises even those closest to her, when she steps out of her shell, proving her mettle, and quieting those who doubted her.
John’s backstory is unique, and I loved how he rose to the occasion to win Gillian, even though the odds are against him.
Naturally, there are a few battles to fight and there is also an interesting competition for the right to wed Gillian, which adds a spark of action and adventure, which is essential for a traditional Scottish romance, and kept me engaged, not only in the plot, but also for the characters.
There is a fairy tale quality to the story, which keeps things light amid the danger and angst. I enjoyed the fast pace, the characterizations, and the way Gillian and John fought so hard to be together.
This is a quick read, very enjoyable and is certainly entertaining. I always enjoy stepping back in time and letting myself get swept away by the beauty and tradition of Scotland, which is a nice refreshing change of pace after reading so many dark and serious novels in a row!
4 stars
Captivating Scottish romance!
John Erly is an English Lord, banished by his father, who has relocated to Scotland. With a wild reputation to live up to, he flirts with all the ladies, but when the beautiful, but painfully shy, Gillian MacLeod arrives, he is warned to stay away from her.
But, while attending a masked ball, Gillian takes the bold step of stealing a kiss from the only man what makes her heart skip a beat.
John never learns the identity of the enchanting young lady until Gillian must be escorted home for her wedding. Thrown together in an uncomfortably awkward situation, the pair finds it hard to hide their true feelings for each other.
Along the way they will encounter much danger and intrigue, while falling deeply in love. But, Gillian’s father will never allow a marriage between his daughter and the rouge Englishman. Is the relationship doomed? Will Gillian be forced to marry a man she doesn't love?
It has been a good long while since I read a rousing Scottish romance and I had begun to miss those lovely Scottish traditions and fascinating superstitions and magic, along with the action, adventure and intrigue, plus with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I'm in the mood for a little romance.
This book has all those elements, along with a tortured hero, and strong female lead, who has the courage to take what she wants, to find a way to be with her true love, while remaining true to herself and blossoming into a respected heroine in the process.
Gillian’s quietness is misconstrued, with people drawing the conclusion she isn’t all that bright or does not wish to contribute. Nothing could be further from the truth and she surprises even those closest to her, when she steps out of her shell, proving her mettle, and quieting those who doubted her.
John’s backstory is unique, and I loved how he rose to the occasion to win Gillian, even though the odds are against him.
Naturally, there are a few battles to fight and there is also an interesting competition for the right to wed Gillian, which adds a spark of action and adventure, which is essential for a traditional Scottish romance, and kept me engaged, not only in the plot, but also for the characters.
There is a fairy tale quality to the story, which keeps things light amid the danger and angst. I enjoyed the fast pace, the characterizations, and the way Gillian and John fought so hard to be together.
This is a quick read, very enjoyable and is certainly entertaining. I always enjoy stepping back in time and letting myself get swept away by the beauty and tradition of Scotland, which is a nice refreshing change of pace after reading so many dark and serious novels in a row!
4 stars
kalynau's review
4.0
This is the first book in the Highland Fairytale series that I've read, but it was easy to just dive right into the book without feeling like I was lacking any information. I found it a little hard to connect with the heroine, Gillian, at first but she ultimately grew on me as she finally started to make her own decisions and actually voice an opinion about the life she wanted. John and his willingness to not only push Gillian but also give her the space that she needed to grow into the woman she has the potential to become was also refreshing to read.
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