Genres: Historical Romance
Published by Berkley
Released on August 2, 2011
Pages: 338
Format: eBook
Source: Library
The Delight
I have been meaning to start this series forever after reading the fabulous reviews from Anna, Kimberly, and Renee over the years. I have taught kids on the Autism spectrum and love history so I have wondered at time what it would have been like to live with a disability of this nature before the research, accommodations, and understanding were known. I thought the author did a splendid job of showing a sexy, bold, and brave hero who also happens to be unlike any other because of his abilities and not just his disabilities.
Review
The book really ticked off so many boxes to build my overall love of the story: 4 wild and roguish aristocratic Scottish brothers, a dark mystery, sensual and spicy sexual tension and encounters, honest and colorful characters, quirky, main character with a disability, and solid start to a series.
As I said in the opening paragraph, Lord Ian is on the spectrum. He had a horrific childhood of abuse and then time in a Victorian era insane asylum as a result, but his brothers got him out of that and rallied around him. They are protective and he was given the most unique valet ever to help him, but he has a freedom and a productive life for all that. Unfortunately, he also has a terrible reputation for being mad- and wild like his brothers and past Mackenzies. Beyond that, there are some that are convinced he is a brutal murderer of prostitutes as well.
Into Ian’s world comes Beth. Ian takes to her on first sight when he decides to save her from marrying a despicable man who only wants her for her fortune. Ian wants Beth, but he is convinced he can’t love and tells her so. She doesn’t accept his proposal, but she doesn’t let the scary reputation keep her from becoming a merry widow with a lover. She is warned about the Mackenzies, but dives in regardless. She’s no delicate flower of society and grew up from a hard life and just barely avoided becoming a prostitute herself with her first marriage that was for love. She got lucky when she inherited a fortune and now she has choice for the first time- and her heart picks Ian.
I enjoyed that the crazy family were all introduced and present with their situations promising good future books in the series. The enigmatic and embittered police detective who hates the Mackenzies and wanted to bring them down helped add suspense to the murder mystery investigation part.
Now, the investigation is the one niggle I got from the whole book and it wasn’t a big one. Well, the mystery and solution were actually fine. Rather it was one of the amateur sleuths that had me shaking my head a few times. Beth was stubborn and was so vested in proving Ian innocent and solving the case to bring peace to the family that she got stupid about safety when she rushed in like it was a household cleaning project and not the dangerous deaths of two with a killer on the loose. I totally understood why she got involved and I applaud that part because Ian and Hart and even the police would not look at a different solution.
But, the real crowning gem to this book was the love story. Ian and Beth were both so amazing in their own way. The author didn’t hold back with Ian’s quirks or the disparity in their experiences, but she made it heartwarming and sensual along with exciting and hot.
All in all, I felt the impact of this story through and through. I am now aware why this one makes so many Top Five historical romance lists for folks. I am now joining the bandwagon of those who want to push it on other historical romance fans.
Challenges
Library Love #12
Recommendations
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I have one of her PNR book but I haven’t tried her HR books so I should try too
Oh cool! Worth it, Melliane. 🙂
I completely loved this one as well. Although I think I listened instead of read. It was fascinating I thought. I recently read a novella in this series and liked it as well and I think I’ve read another of the brothers story. Maybe. I have a horrible memory. Glad you loved it!
I was glad that my library had this one since I have been meaning to read this one since so many recommended it. I hope to keep going. I think I have a freebie Christmas novella from the series. Maybe that was the one you read.
It was called MacKenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift. I had to look on book list on GR’s
Yes, the same one. Cool!
I’ve read a bunch of her pnr books but I don’t read a lot of historicals.
I still need to read her shifter series. I’ve been enjoying her historical romantic suspense series so I wanted to try this one. I will definitely be finishing the series. 🙂
Now…my question is….where can I get a wild and roguish Scot? D: LOL! XD
Just make sure the last name is Mackenzie and apparently its mission successful. LOL
I’ve been devouring historical romance this month. An eight book series..eep! I added it to my wishlist!
Yeah, its on my list now after finishing my first one. 🙂
Hallelujah!!! You finally read this one!!! HEHE I can’t tell you how happy you have made me in picking this one up. Ian and Beth are one of my favorite relationships and the family is a hoot.
Yep! It was fabulous. I can definitely see why you love all over this one. I look forward to the rest since all those brothers sounded like something else. 🙂
Aw Sophia. I’m so happy. It’s a wonderful series and family and Ian. Ian is just something. Their romance really was wonderful. Ha on the niggle. I honestly don’t remember that at this point but I’m sure I wanted to shake her over that at the time. Heh I hope you enjoy the rest of the family 🙂
It was definitely a cutie. This reminds me that I need to get on the library waiting list for book two. Yes, this is a popular series in my town, apparently. 🙂