I struggled to rate this because I really enjoyed it. It's definitely a solid 4.5 to me. It was a fascinating take on a kidnapping romance that went all the way to Scotland. I enjoy a good Scottish road trip with a cast of unique characters and tons of drama. This one had it all.
Briar came from a very forward-thinking family. She was pretty comfortable in her own skin. Even though she was of the age to have her first season, her older brother didn't make her do so. Perhaps it was because of her parent's death or he wasn't really into all that kind of stuff. Briar does have a "fiance" that comes drunkenly to her house trying to force her hand in marriage. Percy, the fiance has also been spending time with a young lady from the village. He isn't aware that Briar also knows this and that there is a baby coming. So she lets him know she won't be doing anything with him. Well, Percy is just a pitiful human and is kicked out of the house after insulting her. While ranting and raving outside, the gardener overhears and Percy ends up with a bloodied nose. Now the gardener has his own secrets and isn't who he says he is...
The reader gets a peak of Wren's, the gardener, character when he accompanies Briar to the mother of Percy's child's house. Even though Percy is a jerk and quite immature, Briar is still concerned about the young lady and the baby. She desires to be helpful. I really think she was happy she didn't have to marry Percy's, childish self.
Anyway, this is where I end my review because what happens next is unbelievable and quite hilarious in some parts. If you enjoy Highland/Scottish romance with an interesting class of characters and tent action, definitely pick this up. You won't be disappointed.

I haven't read anything by this author before, but after this book that is going to change. This book was so well written and wonderful that I cannot wait for more in this series.

The plot is well done - the romance and the B plot are balanced so well. Both the main characters felt so genuine that you can't help but root for them. I also always have a soft spot for romances that don't do the third act couple breakup/fight but instead do something with the B plot.

While there is action, adventure, and nefarious plotting this book, this book to me was soft and satisfying (like the book equivalent of hot toddy - perfect to curl up with when you need to unwinding with a little kick so it's not boring).

Strong plot,loved the description of the characters and setting.
Keeps the reader interesting and love to read a sequel to the book.

I like the fact that she was trying to get Wren’s attention and make him like her. It reminded me of a hard to get love. They had a marriage where she was kidnapped but it was a really genuine type of love. I didnt like the secrets that wren kept and why he just didnt tell Briar cousins past behaviors. But other then that i love how clean the story is and the writing she writes really well. My favorite character was Briar. Great story thank you for letting me read the arc.

This was given to me free for exchange of my own review.

First in a new cross-class
historical romance. Lady Briar has is abducted alongside their Scottish gardener Wren Spencer, who’s been separated from his clan due to a feud and has lived quietly for three years after coming home from Waterloo. I read the prequel in a Christmas anthology and while it wasn’t my favorite, I wanted to give a full-length read a shot.

I struggle with the concept in this time period. Employee and employer being related by marriage with zero repercussions? The in-laws are just supposed to use first names like they’re family and pretend what one isn’t a servant of the other. It’s a weird relationship and power dynamic in heavily stratified regency society.

If you can suspend disbelief about the class difference, the local drunk Percy who wants to marry Briar, Wren, and Briar are abducted together when Percy’s scheme to help mercenaries bring Wren back to Scotland goes awry.

Wren was far too trusting when he returned home. There’s some romanticizing of Scottish people, which is why I don’t always love highland-set romances. I wanted more interactions with Loghain and Wren to raise the tension. A few things were told that should have been shown, like Wren’s recounting of his history and his challenge to Loghain.

I enjoyed the intrigue plot and the pacing, especially Wren’s backstory. Briar is sweet and assertive, if a little naïve, and Wren is protective and struggling to accept all the lies. It’s nice to read a romance where the MCs have conversations and the misunderstandings aren’t overdone.

I read the novella prequel to this series in the Naughty or Nice collection but if you haven't read that don't worry, you'll be able to pick up what's going on pretty easily. I really liked Briar when I met her in Kat's story so I was excited to get to see what the author had in store for her. I liked that she was trying so hard to get Wren to like her because they were now family-by-marriage. She is such a genuine and caring person you knew he wouldn't be able to resist her for long. Their romance, although forced by the circumstance of being kidnapped, was actually really sweet. It was also great to see Percy's transformation from spoiled brat to good man. I'm not sure how I feel about what ultimately happens to him. It certainly raised the stakes, but didn't need to occur in order to move that part of the story forward. It ultimately felt like such a waste of what could have been a really great character. I'm not sure why Wren hadn't told Briar about his cousin's past behaviors as it would have protected her from his machinations. But, other than that this was a pretty great book. It certainly made me want to read more not just from this series but from the author as well.