Shannon C’s review of MacLean’s Passion (Highland Pride, book 2) by Sharon Cullen
Historical Romance published by Loveswept on 28 Jun 16
I wanted to like this book much more than I did. I love the idea of reading an historical with adventure, kick-ass characters, and maybe even a little swashbuckling. I’m less worried about whether every period detail is accurate than I am about whether the story is any good. Unfortunately, I’m still looking for my swashbuckling, adventure-filled historical, because this one wasn’t it.
It’s just after the Battle of Culloden, and Scotland is maybe not such a great place to be, especially not for Colin MacLean, who is now the chieftain of the MacLean clan since his older brothers were slaughtered. He hasn’t taken up his responsibilities, though, as he has been thrown in an English prison. When he’s offered a chance at freedom, he impulsively asks his cellmate, a quiet and stoic lad he’s come to admire, to leave with him, it’s not long before he realizes the “lad” is a lass, namely Maggie Sinclair. Maggie ran off to Culloden because her brother had promised her in marriage, and of course she’s the sort of heroine who won’t put up with that. Colin is determined to bring her back to her brother, but as the two of them spend more time together, they realize they’re drawn to each other, and soon Maggie inspires Colin to try being less of a wastrel, and Colin inspires Maggie to… put on a dress.
I didn’t connect with either of the leads at all, which is why the romance doesn’t work for me. They’re both a collection of tropes, many of which I can’t stand, so they never gelled into anything more cohesive, like well-rounded characters with interesting personalities. Maggie is feisty. She doesn’t like dresses. It’s only after she spends some time with a boy who makes her lady bits tingle that the idea of anything feminine appeals to her at all. She should have worked for me, but mostly I find her tiresome, and her story arc is the sort I’ve read countless times before. She talks a big game about wanting to be just like one of the lads, but, in the end, she completely embraces her role as Colin’s wife. Sure, she still plays with swords, but now it’s okay, because she’s also domestic.
Colin should have worked for me, too. I love heroes who are convinced of their own unworthiness who learn over the course of the book that those unworthy qualities are actually things people admire, but he never quite got there. He should have been off leading his clan. Instead, he’s gallivanting around with the hero from the first book. He’s not terribly proactive, which is what I want out of an alpha, and I thought his angst ended up being just so much whining to no good purpose.
What I can say for the book is that the writing moves along at a brisk pace. Even as I was rolling my eyes at both Colin and Maggie, I was turning the pages quickly, wondering how they’d reach their HEA. I think Ms. Cullen managed to convey the danger being a Jacobite sympathizer posed to our Scottish heroes. And Maggie does end up with a couple of nicely drawn female friendships, thus saving her from the fate of not being like those other girls.
I fully admit, this book might work better for some readers than it did for me. One of the reasons I didn’t connect with it was the use of dialect. I found it distracting, and I kept hearing Groundskeeper Willie in my head. This is a big reason why, even though they appeal to me, I have a hard time reading Scottish-set historicals. Others might also find the use of the ne’er-do-well hero and the chick in pants tropes better executed than I did. As for me, whatever happens in this iteration of Scotland, I probably won’t stick around to find out.
Grade: C
Summary:
USA Today bestselling author Sharon Cullen’s Highland Pride series continues as Scotland’s most reckless smuggler meets his match in a beautiful spitfire
who arouses a renewed sense of duty, camaraderie, and passion.Colin MacLean has always felt like a black sheep—especially after his brothers are slain before his eyes in the Battle of Culloden. A smuggler by trade,
Colin makes for an embarrassing chieftain. He can’t even save his friends from their British pursuers without getting himself captured. But before he is
martyred by the hangman’s noose, Colin escapes with his cellmate, a brave lad he’s come to admire. It’s only in the depths of the Highlands that Colin
discovers the lad is a lass—and a bonnie one at that.Raised by her older brothers, Maggie Sinclair can drink a pint in no time flat and wield a dagger with the best of ’em. Still, men have always excluded
her and women have always shunned her. Colin makes her feel different. His wild spirit and rugged good looks have Maggie reconsidering her less than ladylike
ways. For the first time, she’s tempted to put on a gown, just to see how Colin would react. She can only imagine what might happen next: a kiss . . .
a touch . . . and perhaps enough sultry heat to melt a cold Highland night.Praise for the novels of Sharon Cullen
“This Regency romance has it all—danger, blackmail, passion, love, and characters that draw you in and leave you wanting more.”—Fresh Fiction, on Sebastian’s
Lady Spy“Heart-wrenching and full of real emotion, proving that love is always the answer, His Saving Grace is the best book I’ve read this year!”—USA Today bestselling
author Bronwen Evans“A sizzling, smart relationship that evolves beautifully to capture readers’ hearts as well as their imaginations.”—RT Book Reviews, on Pleasing the Pirate
“Loving the Earl is charming and fast-paced. It’s filled with passion, intrigue, a resourceful heroine you’ll love, and a delicious hero you’ll fall in
love with.”—New York Times bestselling author Jacquie D’Alessandro“The Notorious Lady Anne has everything I look for in a romance. Cullen’s debut is a sexy, fun, and thrilling read.”—Bestselling author Shana Galen
Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
No excerpt available.
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