Alicia Thomas’s review of To Scotland, With Love (MacLean Curse Series, Book 2) by Karen Hawkins
Historical romance published 21 Aug 07 by Pocket

 (Book 3, To Catch a Highlander, comes out 22 Jan 08)

Blurb: 

When Lord Gregor MacLean learns his childhood friend, Venetia Oglivie, has been abducted by a fortune hunter, he rides off to Scotland in hot — and very annoyed — pursuit. Venetia’s soft heart has gotten her in major trouble this time: if he doesn’t rescue her swiftly, the scandal will ostracize the provocative wench!

The only sensible member of her family, Venetia is sure she can fix any problem, even this one. So when an irate Gregor catches up with her, arrogantly expecting a hero’s welcome, the sparks between them begin to fly. Then an unexpected snowstorm traps them at an inn, and Gregor discovers his feelings for the lovely Venetia are far warmer than he realized — fiery enough to burn down the inn! Now if he can only convince Venetia that his motive for marriage isn’t duty… but desire.

Excerpt.

I wasn’t crazy about the first book in this series, How to Abduct a Highland Lord. I did feel like I could like the author, though, so I went ahead and read the second book, To Scotland, With Love.

Venetia and Gregor were appealing to me and I wanted them to be together, which is a step up from the last book right there. I enjoyed the parts of the book that focused on them and their relationship. The loss of their friendship was well written and heartbreaking. Their reluctance to lose a lifelong friendship for a romance that may not last made sense and felt real.

The humor, though, fell flat for me again. I got a couple of giggles but for the most part the chaos and silliness only tempted me to want to skim through it. The climax of the book would have brought me to tears, but it was interrupted by the (numerous) humorous characters. By the time they were dealt with, the moment was lost to me.

If you like very silly humor, and a lot of people do, this could be a great book for you. If Ms. Hawkins writes a book that is not a comedy, I will be the first to buy it.

Grade: C-