Betting the Scot

I am voluntarily submitting my honest review after receiving an ARC of this ebook via NetGalley. Betting the Scot is the second in the Highlanders of Balforss series. I did not read the first book in the series, but had no trouble following the plot of this second installment. That said, perhaps I might have enjoyed this book had I read Lucy and Alex's story first. Despite an interesting story line, likable characters and an enchanting setting, this was not one of the better novels I have read. The main problem is in the story's pacing. After a promising start, the middle of the story really drags, and then rushes on to a fast and furious finish. Perhaps a little less dithering about whether Declan and Caya should or should not be courting and more time spent getting to know each other's backgrounds would make the middle more interesting.

Declan Sinclair is a Highlander who believes his dreams never lie. When he spots Caya at a public house, he knows instantly she is the woman in his dreams & his future wife. Though her brother, Jack had promised never to gamble again, he engages Declan in a card game and the prize is the lovely Caya. Caya Pendarvis has no time for childish things like dreams or fairy-tales or love. She’s the sacrificial lamb on her way to the far north of Scotland to wed a wealthy merchant in exchange for settling her brother’s gambling debts. I enjoyed the book it was a slow burner & it took some time for the story to ‘get going’, the characters were well portrayed. I absolutely loved Declan. I liked Caya but at times wanted to shake her. The story flowed well but I found it a gentle read & found my attention wandering at times at the start of the book but it certainly came alive in the second half. There’s some twists along the way & of course Caya’s brother Jack causes some problems. I loved Peter & would like to see him all grown up & then there’s Magnus who sees himself after so many years of hiding behind his beard. This is the second book in the series & could well be read by itself, I look forward to reading more from the author My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I liked this book, but the story was a bit drawn out. If you looking for a good romance in the sense of man saves woman and a ton of sexual tension you might like this. If you like a bit more trash to your romance as I do you are left wanting for sure.