The Wayward Bride

The Wayward Bride by Anna Bradley Besotted Scots #1 In which everyone seems to be betrothed to the wrong person for the right reasons and in love with someone else BUT eventually all finally end up with the right person – their own and only true love… What I liked: * the complexity of the story * the sweetness of Luke and Sydney together * Brute – the bear/dog * the selflessness of many * the caring * family What I didn’t like: * hmm….thinking about this...perhaps the miscommunication between Hugh and Islsa * the angst...though a little really had to be expected since so many were not happy… * the pressure put on Juliana...really thought she might end up with the still single brother of Isla but see she is to end up with someone else as the blurb for her book is out already Did I enjoy this book? Yes Do I want to read more in this series? Yes NOTE: This does have a M/M romance through half the book so...heads up if that is not your thing Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Press for the ARC – this is my honest review. 4-5 Stars

Isla Ramsey is due to marry Henry Northrup, the sixth Earl of Sydney but she remains haunted by memories of the dashing Hugh Courtney, the Marquis Pierce. who had hinted at forever and then tossed her aside after a scandal at a ball, leaving Isla with few viable options. Now, she’s staying at Huntingdon awaiting Sydney’s arrival from London, she rides her horse past Hugh’s estate at Hazelwood every day, pining for a man who was never truly hers. Isla decides to go riding against her sister in laws advice as a storm is brewing but she needs to ride by Hugh's home then the snowstorm arrives, taking shelter in the woods Isla falls from her horse. Hugh sees her disappear into the woods. He & her brothers search for Isla but it’s Hugh who rescues her & they are forced to take shelter together at his private estate. In such close quarters there is no escaping each other. Meanwhile Sydney suffers a carriage accident on his way to Huntingdon & is rescued by Lucas Dean a young farmer. This is the first of a new series but I loved it that it’s linked to the Somerset Sisters, Isla being the sister of Lachlan who married Hyacinth in the last of the Somerset sisters series. The author’s books are always very well written with well fleshed characters & an engaging & interesting story. This book is in fact two love stories & both stories are lovely. Isla & Hugh fell in love during the season but parted after misunderstandings, when they are thrown together during the storm sparks fly. Sydney’s romance is a much gentler falling in love. There was no mention anywhere of the risk Sydney & Lucas were taking as their relationship was a hanging offence in the nineteenth century & for them to be living openly together was very brave indeed, I would have been happier for Lucas to have become Sydney's steward or secretary for appearances sake. Whilst this book had me enthralled from start to finish I was a little concerned that there was triple infidelity, I realise all three were making marriages of convenience but a betrothal was almost as binding as a marriage & this was the reason I give this novel 4 Stars not 5. Also Scottish whisky doesn’t have an ‘e’, if it’s spelled whiskey then it’s not scotch. My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Huntington Lodge, Buckinghamshire, March 1818. Be still my heart. Hugh Courtney was never far from her mind. After being heartbroken by him during her season, Isla could not deny her feelings even though she was to marry the earl of Sydney in a few weeks. Longing to see him yet knowing he would not speak to her she rides out and gets caught in an ice storm and is rescued by none other than... yes Hugh. Hugh had been trying to get Isla out of his mind and heart, but as he brings her home and they get snowed in, it seems fate cannot be denied. You see Isla had been involved in a scandal and Hugh had abandoned her. The only recourse she had was to become betrothed to her best friend Sydney. But as the two spend time together and get to know each other, what will happen? Can they ever be together with so may outside forces working against them? I adored all of the extra characters in this story including Sydney and local farmer Lucas. This is almost a second story within this one and is really well done. The pages could not turn fast enough so I might see how everything would turn out and I could only sigh as I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book and excited it is the first book in a new series!