How to Lose a Highlander

I loved this swoon-worthy love story! All my favorite tropes are exquisitely combined in this delightful romance. Scottish Highlanders? Check. Forced Marriage? Check. Enemies to Lovers? Check and double check! Sorcha and Malcolm are forced by King Charles to marry with only two hours' notice, in order to put an end to the generations-long fighting between their two clans. Despite being instantly attracted to each other when they'd met the day before without ever knowing each other's names, neither wants to marry their sworn enemy. They've got to go through with the wedding - but nothing was said about them STAYING married! Like the Kate Hudson movie, both Malcolm and Sorcha have their own agenda and reasons for wanting the other to seek an annulment. This part is brilliantly executed, with neither one wanting to trust the other, yet in the social setting of a Highland castle there's a lot that brings them closer together and forces them each to reconsider their futures. There's plenty of steam between these two, and many laugh-out-loud moments as they each try to derail the other. Ultimately, it turns out that not all is what it seems, and there's a common enemy that's at the root of all the hostilities. The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that are relatable and authentic, especially the main characters, while also giving us secondary characters who are well-developed and contribute significantly to the overall story progression. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this book and devoured it in one sitting. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Highlander romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

'How to Lose a Highlander' by Michelle McLean is book One in "The MacGregor Lairds" series. This is the story of Sorcha Campbell and Malcolm MacGregor Laird OF Glenlyon. Sorcha and Malcolm first meet at a masquerade ball where Sorcha father is trying to get the King's attention with the feud that has been going on with the Campbell's and the MacGregor's. Malcolm to is at the ball to talk to the King also about the feud. When Sorcha and Malcolm first meet under their disguises they find they are both attracted to the other. King Charles settles the matter of the feud by Marrying Sorcha and Malcolm. Both now are very upset by this and fight their attraction that they started when they didn't know the other. So they both go into trying to get out of this marriage. I so loved how they bantered between each other, it made for a lot of funny spots. I could not put this book down! I have to have more books by Ms. McLean! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

I'm really surprised I liked this book. its missing the steamy parts I love but still had a great story line. I feel like the book ended at the height of the climax tho. I feel like the epilogue should have played out as the last chapters. it would have given a chance for more romance and a better climactic ending. If not for that I would give 5 stars!