Catherine Tinley's best book yet. Strong characters, and a beautifully written love story all set against a glorious backdrop of the Hebrides. I love stories set in the remote Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and thanks to the author's descriptive writing, I really felt like I was on Benbecula with Alasdair and Lydia and the scene-stealing Mairead. It's a story of second chances for both characters and had everything I wanted from the story: likeable lead characters, a strong plot, a good sense of place and a wonderful cast of supporting characters, several of whom could easily have their own story in a future book. I was equally pleased that I was able to understand the occasional Gaelic phrase used in the dialogue. I believe this is the first of a series and look forward to reading the next instalment.

I really liked this book for a number of reasons. The writing was good in style and the inclusion of the gaelic made it seem more authentic. It was also well told and the story was intriguing.
The other reason I liked the book was the setting. It brought back happy memories of my own stay in Benbecula. We too took a ferry to Loch Boisdale, then the laundry 'bus' took us up South Uist through the wonderful wetlands to our next stop. The Uists are barely above the waterline and very flat.
To get to Benbecula we took a second world war landing craft! It went through the islets and many seals sunning themselves and pups too. The water is shallow and you could see the fish underneath and the many rocks jutting out.
The island itself is a little haven. We had stunning weather and walked the machair with its many flowers, a veritable carpet, and a white sand beach where we were alone for quite some time, in the sun.
So the book was a feast of memories for me.

Alasdair is a Laird in the scottish highlands whose daugher was left with weak legs after an illness, he is in desperate need for a governess to come and help him. Lydia is from London but her beauty causes her troubles with the men of the ton and once again she finds herself without a job, so when the chance arises to go to the highlands she accepts.
this was a lovely story of romance, history and trust and I would reccomend

A truly lovely sweet romance set on a remote Scottish island, After losing numerous posts due to unwanted male attention and being blamed for it, Lydia becomes governess to Mairead, and helps this headstrong six year old to recover her health as well as improving her education. Alasdair who has decided he does need a new wife also succumbs to Lydia’s beautiful nature and love blossoms Very enjoyable read, I would recommend this book.

Lydia is a Governess, she loves her job and the kids she looks after, she has to leave position after position, why? Lydia is beautiful, inside and out, even when she plays down how she looks, avoids them, males cannot help themselves. When she is offered a position for A Laird in Scotland, remote with the most adorable little girl could Lydia have finally found somewhere she can settle or will she be forced to leave again?

Ooooh Alasdair is an enigma, he is polite and kind, he is moody and rude, he is a doting father, he is aloof. Lydia finds herself able to settle and focus all on the bairn, a lovely bright stubborn little girl who is physically disabled and needs carried around the castle. As Lydia spends time with the child and lets her guard down she finds herself drawn to Alasdair and the bairn Mairead.

It is a lovely story set in Scotland, I liked the tradition, the location, the family, the way the staff were more than just staff. We follow Lydia as she goes from "the outsider" the becoming a part of the team, being comfortable in her own skin and learning to trust and love those around her.

Years ago I used to read Mills and Boon and like a comfy pair of slippers you knew what you were getting. This was different but not in a bad way, it didn't stick to a formula of any kind, just a story that has relationships, love, personal growth, friendship, happiness, loss, personal growth and community spirit. I would love to spend more time there. If you need a story that takes you out of your own day this one will do the job, 4/5 for me this time. First time reading this author and I won't leave it as long to read another M&B.

I feel like Catherine Tinley is a friend. This book is another hit and a great story covering love, loss and the beauty of Scottish island living. You live with the islanders and cry when they experience loss and cheer when they overcome some of the adversity in their lives - no matter how old they are. Another beautiful tale.

4.5 Stars
Lydia Farnham is a governess must travel to a remote Scottish island, Benbecula, for a new job for widower Alasdair MacDonald, who doesn’t trust her or her unconventional teaching methods! Yet as his daughter Mairead flourishes, so too does the intense connection between Lydia and Alasdair. Only she should know better than to fall for the handsome laird when it could leave her without a job, or a home
A very well written series starter, the characters are well portrayed & have depth. I loved this slow burn romance, Lydia is very beautiful both externally & internally & I loved how she worked with Mairead & also how she learned gaelic so that she was able to fit in. I also loved the sceptical Alasdair. I found the way relationships grew & changed to be believable & it left me with a satisfied sigh
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I would like to thank Netgalley, Mills and Boon and Catherine Tinley for the E Arc for this book.
We meet Lydia who is a governess to a family in London. She is let go and needs to find herself a new job. Going to the agency she uses; she is given the opportunity to become a governess in the Scottish Islands.
In Benbecula she meets Alasdair and his daughter. His daughter is fragile but with Lydia’s help she flourishes. I loved that Lydia uses techniques that in those days may have been seen as strange. As his daughter improves Alasdair finds himself drawn to Lydia. Lydia however, is very reticent and doesn’t want Alasdair to fall for her and vice versa. Their romance is slow moving which was nice to read.
I loved seeing Lydia become more involved with the Island community and the fact that she learns Gaelic was a big positive for me. As a Gaelic speaker, it was lovely to see it being used. Catherine did a great job of using it in context and not over loading it throughout the book.
The characters were really well developed, the situations were believable. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

4 stars

A Clean read. Lydia is getting more fed up with the sexual play of relatives of the children she is tutoring. She is sent to a scottish Island to look after a little girl. She meets Alasdair the father and over the weeks they start to form a relationship.

I think I'd have liked a bit more passion but it's a quick entertaining read.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

As a governess, Lydia Farnham knows that she relies heavily on the goodwill of her employers, and as a young lady, she risks her reputation regularly. Having to leave her latest position due to the unwanted attentions of her charge's uncle, she begs for another position, and jumps at travelling to a remote Scottish island, hoping for a change. Her young charge, Mairead, has had a disjointed childhood, and an illness left her close to death at the age of two, and she's never walked again. Lydia knows she needs to use 'unorthodox' methods to get Mairead on side, but soon the two have a connection that is difficult to shake. So when sparks begin to fly between Lydia and the dour Laird, Alasdair, can she continue without losing her heart?

I was so happy to be approved for this book, especially after talking to a blogger friend of mine about how cute it was. So I immediately dove in, and could not put it down until I finish. My god, this book was fantastic. I adored all of the characters, from Lydia, to Alasdair, to little Mairead, and even Eilidh (both the cousin and the maid). I was also blown about by the plot line. Lydia needed a good position as governess, having fallen into poverty at the deaths of her parents, and this was her final chance. Alasdair was extremely unwelcoming at first, partially because of his feelings for Lydia, but also because his late wife hated living in such a remote place, and he expected Lydia would be the same. And then there's little Mairead, who had struggled so much, but with Lydia found someone she trusted, and who helped her to become strong again, and walk and learn, and the be the little girl she should always have been. Maybe she had been coddled a little too much, but the whole island needed Lydia to help them, and she definitely did that! I'm really happy this is going to be part of a series, because I need more of this family in my life!

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

This is a historical romance and really enjoyed this
Really enjoyed the use of language and couldn't put this down

A great way to spend an afternoon

This was a most enjoyable book to read. A historical romance with a difference, set on a Scottish island. Not the typical governess/lord romance and a lovely tale of love, loyalty and friendship. Well written and edited, this book was a delight from start to finish. Catherine Tilley and Mills and Boon is always a sure recipe for a good read.