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Second Sons #1
What Happens in Scotland
Jennifer McQuiston’s debut historical romance, What Happens in Scotland, is a lively, romantic adventure about a wedding that neither the bride or the groom remembers.
Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it’s easy to understand why she panics and flees. Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable. But is it enough?
Fans of Sarah MacLean and Mary Balogh will enjoy this charming historical romance from New York Times best-selling author Jennifer McQuiston that features unforgettable characters and a satisfying mix of adventure and passion.
Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it’s easy to understand why she panics and flees. Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable. But is it enough?
Fans of Sarah MacLean and Mary Balogh will enjoy this charming historical romance from New York Times best-selling author Jennifer McQuiston that features unforgettable characters and a satisfying mix of adventure and passion.
357 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 26, 2013
About the author
Jennifer McQuiston
9 books726 followersA veterinarian and infectious disease researcher by training, Jennifer McQuiston has always preferred reading romance to scientific textbooks. A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, her books include WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND, SUMMER IS FOR LOVERS, MOONLIGHT ON MY MIND, DIARY OF AN ACCIDENTAL WALLFLOWER, and THE SPINSTER'S GUIDE TO SCANDALOUS BEHAVIOR. She also has a novella, HER HIGHLAND FLING. Visit her website at www.jenmcquiston.com or follow her on Twitter @jenmcqwrites.
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November 20, 2015
Update: As of 1/20/14 WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND is still only .99! It's a fantastic price for this story!
For Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-...
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James McKenzie
What Happens in Scotland is Jennifer McQuiston’s debut novel and an absolutely delightful story! If this is any indication of what’s to come from this very talented author, historical romance lovers are in for quite a treat!
From the author's website:Historical Romance is one of my favorite genres, so I'm always on the lookout for new authors and fresh story-lines. Well, What Happens in Scotland, isn't just fresh, it's romantic, sexy and lots of fun!
When recent widow Georgette Thorold wakes up in a Scottish inn with a wedding ring on her finger and lacking all memory of how she came to be there, she does what any well-bred lady with a modicum of sense and a distrust of marriage would do: she panics, clocks the wickedly handsome stranger in her bed over the head with a chamber pot, and runs.
James McKenzie, Esquire has either spent the evening protecting a very naïve, and—dare he say it—very drunk young lady from the advances of every disreputable character in the town of Moraig, or he has gone and married a pretty, scheming thief. Not that his own head is entirely clear on the matter, but when the woman in question repays his kindness with a knock on the head, the bill for her room, and the theft of his purse, an embarrassed James is determined to track her down and show her she picked the wrong solicitor to swindle.
As Georgette sets out to discover exactly what happened during her forgotten night, she uncovers a man that seems far more a hero than a rake. But when they finally meet, instead of sweeping her into his arms and kissing her senseless, he serves her with a summons, claiming she is a thief. Now the fight is on, and the only question is was it a night worth remembering? Or a mistake they would both rather forget?
I loved our hero and heroine, James and Georgette. Sure, there were times I wanted to smack Georgette, or grab James by his beard and shake him, but still I could help but love them. Their attempt to try and figure out what had happened - were they married, or not? - made for some very amusing reading. The village residents are also great, and I can only imagine how much fun life would be in Moraig! They, along with a wonderful hero and heroine, and an unforgettable story, made What Happens in Scotland a delight to read!
The bottom line: Jennifer McQuiston is a very talented writer! She took what would be an unlikely happenstance and made it believable by blending it perfectly with enough emotion to draw me in and make me care about James and Georgette, and enough humor to keep it light and entertaining. From start to finish I couldn't put it down and will be looking for more by this gifted story-teller!
And a note: I have to be honest, I'm taking great liberties with the author's description of James McKenzie. The truth is, I've never been a huge fan of heavily bearded men, so whenever James' beard was mentioned, this is how I envisioned him. To be even more honest, even after he shaved, I continued to lust after...errr.... envision him this way.
My thanks to Avon Books and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this ebook. It was a pleasure, start to finish!
January 14, 2015
Fede Ring Circa 1650
★★★★☆ Fabulous fun! I really enjoyed this one, which was sort of a spin on the popular movie Hangover – making it a Victorian Hangover. So many things should NOT have worked in this debut novel, but did. This was mainly due to the sheer fun of the read. The premise had all of us in Happily Ever After Café who were doing a “buddy read” cracking the book earlier than planned.
I would say this is a twist on a lighthearted comedy of errors, but not too over the top. I rolled my eyes over a bit in the set-up – both of the hero and heroine were having a problem with their memory – but others in the group were more forgiving. Plus, it is all explained later. We were entirely too interested in finding out the answers to all the little mysteries about what happened the night before, how Lady Georgette and James McKenzie woke up and found each other married to one another. Or are they?
Besides the entire list of unknowns to solve, what I really liked was the setting; the details of the era seem so well done. Although this historical takes place in 1842, I did feel like I was in a Scottish village – one stuck in the medieval ages. It was nicely detailed, but the plot didn’t drag.
There were several unique characters introduced and – even if the villain wasn’t that hard to figure out – well, most bad guys aren’t in RomanceLandia. Plus, as they were going about their day trying to reconstruct their memories of the previous evening, the fun of discovering yet another mystery instead of an answer was engaging.
A thoroughly entertaining read! I look forward to more by this talented author.
★★★★☆ Fabulous fun! I really enjoyed this one, which was sort of a spin on the popular movie Hangover – making it a Victorian Hangover. So many things should NOT have worked in this debut novel, but did. This was mainly due to the sheer fun of the read. The premise had all of us in Happily Ever After Café who were doing a “buddy read” cracking the book earlier than planned.
I would say this is a twist on a lighthearted comedy of errors, but not too over the top. I rolled my eyes over a bit in the set-up – both of the hero and heroine were having a problem with their memory – but others in the group were more forgiving. Plus, it is all explained later. We were entirely too interested in finding out the answers to all the little mysteries about what happened the night before, how Lady Georgette and James McKenzie woke up and found each other married to one another. Or are they?
Besides the entire list of unknowns to solve, what I really liked was the setting; the details of the era seem so well done. Although this historical takes place in 1842, I did feel like I was in a Scottish village – one stuck in the medieval ages. It was nicely detailed, but the plot didn’t drag.
There were several unique characters introduced and – even if the villain wasn’t that hard to figure out – well, most bad guys aren’t in RomanceLandia. Plus, as they were going about their day trying to reconstruct their memories of the previous evening, the fun of discovering yet another mystery instead of an answer was engaging.
A thoroughly entertaining read! I look forward to more by this talented author.
January 5, 2021
Really enjoyed this! RTC.
October 1, 2022
✨New Kink: Hot Scot with Hygeine✨
I mention the hygiene because obviously this book references the movie What Happens in Vegas and Ashton Kutcher’s character in that movie is SO DISGUSTING for 75% of it. Here, my James (MY James I’ll fight you for him) is a solicitor and obviously smells like pine and Scottish fresh air and a sex god. Having a torrid affair is not in his nature so it was a nice change from the movie and made me like him so so so much.
I was also really reminded of Leap Year (just trade Ireland for Scotland). The crazy shenanigans they got up to and their horrible luck really made me laugh in a mid-2000s rom-comedy of errors way. I loved the people of the town and it truly felt like a movie. The first page was the perfect introduction to the story. From that page alone I was just really hoping the book would keep that energy.
It was a super fun mystery because at the beginning you get presented with a bunch of random bananas consequences of their Wild Night and the entire book works to unravel what actually happened that night. It kept me engaged the entire time because there was always another one and they were revealed at a nice pace. There was an underlying villain and hint of danger/urgency that also kept the pace alive. Everything shakes out at the end and I had such a good time.
It was angsty but also low angst in the sense that I didn’t get worked up over bad decisions or villains or anything because I enjoyed it all. The third act breakup wasn’t a breakup but was just as dramatic worked supremely for me. I also got so emotional??? James’s relationship with his family really got to me. And when he was just like “would being married to me really be such a bad thing?” I just also have to take a moment to appreciate the relationship between James and Georgette. It was hot and bothered and romantic. Watching them fall in love in such a short time frame was unique but very well done and believable.
I loved the little flashbacks of the previous night that the characters remembered [read: the sexy times]. It kept the passion at the center of their relationship. It is definitely slow burn though because after the initial chapter the characters are separated for half of the book and then kiss a few times and then bang it out at the end. There was a lengthy scene near the end and I was happy with the steam we got! It wasn’t anything revolutionary but I was just eating up their little flashes of passion from the night before or when one would remind the other of something saucy. And we got a GOOD GIRL.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶.75*/5
*It was explicit-adjacent because I feel it definitely qualifies as a full open door sex scene but it didn’t go into as great of detail or language! Kinda like the Hating Game I think but maybe a little more? Maybe not idk but it was enough for me but it’s not a steamy steamy read.
**There are a few scenarios where you’re like ehh that’s cringey but everything pretty much ends up being above the board and maybe not what you think it is. Just maybe have that in the back of your mind!
***Note from future Hannah: Just saying Sarah MacLean said this was a technically perfect romance in her podcast and I AGREE
TWs: Miscarriage in the past, blacking out because of alcohol, s**cide of character in the past.
I mention the hygiene because obviously this book references the movie What Happens in Vegas and Ashton Kutcher’s character in that movie is SO DISGUSTING for 75% of it. Here, my James (MY James I’ll fight you for him) is a solicitor and obviously smells like pine and Scottish fresh air and a sex god. Having a torrid affair is not in his nature so it was a nice change from the movie and made me like him so so so much.
I was also really reminded of Leap Year (just trade Ireland for Scotland). The crazy shenanigans they got up to and their horrible luck really made me laugh in a mid-2000s rom-comedy of errors way. I loved the people of the town and it truly felt like a movie. The first page was the perfect introduction to the story. From that page alone I was just really hoping the book would keep that energy.
It was a super fun mystery because at the beginning you get presented with a bunch of random bananas consequences of their Wild Night and the entire book works to unravel what actually happened that night. It kept me engaged the entire time because there was always another one and they were revealed at a nice pace. There was an underlying villain and hint of danger/urgency that also kept the pace alive. Everything shakes out at the end and I had such a good time.
It was angsty but also low angst in the sense that I didn’t get worked up over bad decisions or villains or anything because I enjoyed it all. The third act breakup wasn’t a breakup but was just as dramatic worked supremely for me. I also got so emotional??? James’s relationship with his family really got to me. And when he was just like “would being married to me really be such a bad thing?” I just also have to take a moment to appreciate the relationship between James and Georgette. It was hot and bothered and romantic. Watching them fall in love in such a short time frame was unique but very well done and believable.
I loved the little flashbacks of the previous night that the characters remembered [read: the sexy times]. It kept the passion at the center of their relationship. It is definitely slow burn though because after the initial chapter the characters are separated for half of the book and then kiss a few times and then bang it out at the end. There was a lengthy scene near the end and I was happy with the steam we got! It wasn’t anything revolutionary but I was just eating up their little flashes of passion from the night before or when one would remind the other of something saucy. And we got a GOOD GIRL.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶.75*/5
*It was explicit-adjacent because I feel it definitely qualifies as a full open door sex scene but it didn’t go into as great of detail or language! Kinda like the Hating Game I think but maybe a little more? Maybe not idk but it was enough for me but it’s not a steamy steamy read.
**There are a few scenarios where you’re like ehh that’s cringey but everything pretty much ends up being above the board and maybe not what you think it is. Just maybe have that in the back of your mind!
***Note from future Hannah: Just saying Sarah MacLean said this was a technically perfect romance in her podcast and I AGREE
TWs: Miscarriage in the past, blacking out because of alcohol, s**cide of character in the past.
March 31, 2013
Lady Georgette Thorold is a widow and has been in mourning for the last two years. But her marriage wasn't ideal and she has decided she is NOT ever going to marry again. She will be an independent woman. Her cousin, Randolph Burton, has invited her to holiday in Scotland and she accepts. But when she wakes up one morning married and lying naked next to a handsome stranger with no knowledge of the night before she wonders if she shouldn't have stayed in London.
I see this is a debut novel from Ms McQuiston and if that's true then I am looking forward to future works from her. This was a fun, light-hearted, entertaining romp. I loved the characters. Georgette is a rich widow and James is a gorgeous Scottish solicitor. My only real gripe, and it is just a tiny, minor one, is it would have been nice to learn a tad more about their pasts. There were a few wonderful secondary characters too, like William, Patrick, Cameron, and Elsie. I highly recommend this for Historical Romance fans who like 'em fun and light.
I see this is a debut novel from Ms McQuiston and if that's true then I am looking forward to future works from her. This was a fun, light-hearted, entertaining romp. I loved the characters. Georgette is a rich widow and James is a gorgeous Scottish solicitor. My only real gripe, and it is just a tiny, minor one, is it would have been nice to learn a tad more about their pasts. There were a few wonderful secondary characters too, like William, Patrick, Cameron, and Elsie. I highly recommend this for Historical Romance fans who like 'em fun and light.
April 12, 2013
4.5 Stars
I loved everything about this little gem. What Happens in Scotland is Jennifer McQuiston's debut novel and if this is any indication of future publications, she'll be an auto-buy author for me!
If you're a lover of Historical Romance on the light and fun side then this has everything needed for an afternoon of perfect escapism. It was such a fun read with passion and adventure. Ms. McQuiston's voice drew me immediately in and throughout the tale I was surrounded by witty banter, a hero and heroine that I loved along with a cast of secondary characters that added many laugh-out-loud moments.
A big THANK YOU to all my GR friends who led me to this one!
....full review to follow:)
I loved everything about this little gem. What Happens in Scotland is Jennifer McQuiston's debut novel and if this is any indication of future publications, she'll be an auto-buy author for me!
If you're a lover of Historical Romance on the light and fun side then this has everything needed for an afternoon of perfect escapism. It was such a fun read with passion and adventure. Ms. McQuiston's voice drew me immediately in and throughout the tale I was surrounded by witty banter, a hero and heroine that I loved along with a cast of secondary characters that added many laugh-out-loud moments.
A big THANK YOU to all my GR friends who led me to this one!
....full review to follow:)
March 2, 2022
It has been 10 years since I read this book. I just remember not liking it at all, which is strange bc everybody else seems to love it. 🤔
November 8, 2014
This review is posted on Got Fiction? books
Here on Goodreads, I’m in a Highlander Group (of course, because, hello, Highland Hussy for a reason!). The group recommended What Happens in Scotland to me, and since it was on sale for a buck, I couldn’t resist. It was touted as The Hangover, you know, they wake up and can’t remember what happened the night before and have to backtrack to figure it out. It’s supposed to be funny and light. We have a super proper and serious widow, and a Scottish barrister who is trying to make his own way after a split with his father, the earl, it sounds like hijinks will abound!
But there are a few things that didn’t work for me. The first of which is that the hero and heroine don’t really interact for over 100 pages in. I didn’t think this worked at all because the whole story takes place in like a day and a half. I’m all for insta-love, truly I quite enjoy that trope, so having them fall in love in a day is not far-reaching for me. However, for that to be believable I feel like they need to actually spend time together.
I feel like the heroine’s sideplot with her cousin was so obvious that it dropped my opinion of her since she didn’t see it. If we had been told what was going on differently it would have worked, but we saw it unfold as she did, and she didn’t pick up on it until the very last few pages.
I don’t know, I loved the H/h when they were together, but I feel like so much more could have been done with this plot. I mean it has so much potential! Waking up in Scotland with no memory of how you ended up in bed with a strange Scotsman, and then finding out you two were married? It’s a fabulous concept! And definitely right up my alley. But the delivery kept it from being a 5 star book. I liked it, it had its funny moments, and I definitely say it’ worth the read, but it wasn’t as wonderful as I’d hoped.
I have this author’s next book “Summer is for lovers” which I am looking forward to reading, hopefully it’ll work better for me than this one.
Here on Goodreads, I’m in a Highlander Group (of course, because, hello, Highland Hussy for a reason!). The group recommended What Happens in Scotland to me, and since it was on sale for a buck, I couldn’t resist. It was touted as The Hangover, you know, they wake up and can’t remember what happened the night before and have to backtrack to figure it out. It’s supposed to be funny and light. We have a super proper and serious widow, and a Scottish barrister who is trying to make his own way after a split with his father, the earl, it sounds like hijinks will abound!
But there are a few things that didn’t work for me. The first of which is that the hero and heroine don’t really interact for over 100 pages in. I didn’t think this worked at all because the whole story takes place in like a day and a half. I’m all for insta-love, truly I quite enjoy that trope, so having them fall in love in a day is not far-reaching for me. However, for that to be believable I feel like they need to actually spend time together.
I feel like the heroine’s sideplot with her cousin was so obvious that it dropped my opinion of her since she didn’t see it. If we had been told what was going on differently it would have worked, but we saw it unfold as she did, and she didn’t pick up on it until the very last few pages.
I don’t know, I loved the H/h when they were together, but I feel like so much more could have been done with this plot. I mean it has so much potential! Waking up in Scotland with no memory of how you ended up in bed with a strange Scotsman, and then finding out you two were married? It’s a fabulous concept! And definitely right up my alley. But the delivery kept it from being a 5 star book. I liked it, it had its funny moments, and I definitely say it’ worth the read, but it wasn’t as wonderful as I’d hoped.
I have this author’s next book “Summer is for lovers” which I am looking forward to reading, hopefully it’ll work better for me than this one.
June 3, 2016
I really loved the beginning. I mean, it was The Hangover in Regency era Scotland for crying out loud! The first chapters were hilarious, with the heroine waking up to pretty much the same scene as the boys in the movie, so utter chaos and destruction, with no recollection of how they got there. I was on board with the whole piecing together what happened, but...
It dragged on too long for my taste. They spend the first 47% apart, each chapter alternating between their point of views, and they each learned something new in each chapter. Also, it takes them even longer to figure out if they are truly married or not, and while the are they/ are they not thing was cute, I felt it was dragged out unnecessarily. I would've preferred it if they had done that together, because I think that would've been more productive. Also, the entire book takes place in a single day. One. Day. At the end of which they're madly in love. I don't even buy that in Disney movies, sorry. I would've loved to see their feelings evolved over some time, maybe an epilogue to see that they had actually made it.
Which brings me to the heroine: after she wakes up to chaos, being called "wife" by a perfect stranger, she doesn't bother to ask either him or someone at the hotel they ended up for information, but she hit him over the head hard enough to knock him out, and runs away. To realize she is in a foreign country and doesn't even know what city she's in or how she got there. And still she doesn't just ask the one person who might help. She also had a major too-stupid-to-live moment later on where
But still, not bad for a debut, and if you like such crazy antics, go for it! It just wasn't for me. I definitely plan to continue this series though, because I did love the hero, his brother, and his best friend, and I'm hoping they'll get their own stories, too.
It dragged on too long for my taste. They spend the first 47% apart, each chapter alternating between their point of views, and they each learned something new in each chapter. Also, it takes them even longer to figure out if they are truly married or not, and while the are they/ are they not thing was cute, I felt it was dragged out unnecessarily. I would've preferred it if they had done that together, because I think that would've been more productive. Also, the entire book takes place in a single day. One. Day. At the end of which they're madly in love. I don't even buy that in Disney movies, sorry. I would've loved to see their feelings evolved over some time, maybe an epilogue to see that they had actually made it.
Which brings me to the heroine: after she wakes up to chaos, being called "wife" by a perfect stranger, she doesn't bother to ask either him or someone at the hotel they ended up for information, but she hit him over the head hard enough to knock him out, and runs away. To realize she is in a foreign country and doesn't even know what city she's in or how she got there. And still she doesn't just ask the one person who might help. She also had a major too-stupid-to-live moment later on where
But still, not bad for a debut, and if you like such crazy antics, go for it! It just wasn't for me. I definitely plan to continue this series though, because I did love the hero, his brother, and his best friend, and I'm hoping they'll get their own stories, too.
March 21, 2013
Our heroes Lady Georgette Thorold and Lord James MacKenzie, have found themselves in somewhat of a sticky situation. What happened the night before between them is somewhat a little fuzzy. This book made me laugh at the very funny situations they encountered trying to track each other down. I really enjoyed the vivacious characters that make up the little town of Moraig and found that they played a big part in bringing this story to life.
I loved everything about this and could not find many flaws. The plot is fun and fast paced, mixed in with lots of entertaining scenarios and the slow building romance, is a really nice treat.
I loved everything about this and could not find many flaws. The plot is fun and fast paced, mixed in with lots of entertaining scenarios and the slow building romance, is a really nice treat.
October 17, 2019
I loved the premise of this story..everything happens within 24 hours and it's one hysterical madcap adventure! A light-hearted comedy of errors, this is a recommended pick-me-up that will have you in stitches in no time!
August 17, 2015
4.5/5. HR take on The Hangover. Debut novel by a very talented author. Humour and heart and appealing leads. Can't wait to read her other books.
February 26, 2013
If the title alone isn't enough to tempt you, I bet the first two lines will do the trick:
Though she would never admit it to polite Society, Lady Georgette Thorold hated brandy almost as much as she hated husbands. So it was the cruelest of jokes when she awoke with nary a clue to her surroundings, smelling like one and pressed up against the other.
So begins What Happens in Scotland, a tale both hilarious and harrowing as it follows Georgette and James and their desperate attempts to unravel the brandy-soaked events of the previous evening — events that seem to have left them wedded but sorely lacking in bliss. Author Jennifer McQuiston makes her striking debut with a screwball Victorian-era scavenger hunt, deftly spiced with the angst, urgency, sexual tension and wit that make a romance unforgettable.
The trials and tribulations of this less-than-happy couple take place within a mere 24 hours, but the romance feels far from rushed. The pressing circumstances and the danger that plagues James and Georgette force an awkward alliance and bring all kinds of secrets to the fore — regrets, tragedies, desires — and this, coupled with a comical series of misunderstandings that reveal their characters layer by intriguing layer, allows James to realize he's not quite so content with his life as a loner, and Georgette to understand that "husband" is not necessarily synonymous with "wastrel." After the story's opening, when Georgette flees the room she shared with James, the two don't actually meet up again until halfway through the book. A crafty move on the author's part, because this builds an agonizing anticipation — I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, I was so anxious to witness the pair's reunion. Here the sparks — not to mention the rocks, accusations, insults and bullets — really begin to fly!
James MacKenzie took a step toward her, and her next ill-advised thought was one of worry. Well, that wasn't quite true. First there was the raw, shimmering awareness of him. This morning when she had first seen him, he had been abed. Her memory of him was of a man waking with a rakish grin, teasing her back to some forgotten forbidden pleasure.
This afternoon he was all too awake, and his eyes conveyed nothing of pleasure.
What Happens in Scotland is a droll delight, fast-paced and touching, with twists and turns aplenty and a vibrant narrative that will plunk you right down into the middle of the village Moraig and tempt you to stay put. The giddy euphoria you'll feel as you read this entrancing tale will make you think you're the one who's been tipping the brandy bottle. Slàinte!
Though she would never admit it to polite Society, Lady Georgette Thorold hated brandy almost as much as she hated husbands. So it was the cruelest of jokes when she awoke with nary a clue to her surroundings, smelling like one and pressed up against the other.
So begins What Happens in Scotland, a tale both hilarious and harrowing as it follows Georgette and James and their desperate attempts to unravel the brandy-soaked events of the previous evening — events that seem to have left them wedded but sorely lacking in bliss. Author Jennifer McQuiston makes her striking debut with a screwball Victorian-era scavenger hunt, deftly spiced with the angst, urgency, sexual tension and wit that make a romance unforgettable.
The trials and tribulations of this less-than-happy couple take place within a mere 24 hours, but the romance feels far from rushed. The pressing circumstances and the danger that plagues James and Georgette force an awkward alliance and bring all kinds of secrets to the fore — regrets, tragedies, desires — and this, coupled with a comical series of misunderstandings that reveal their characters layer by intriguing layer, allows James to realize he's not quite so content with his life as a loner, and Georgette to understand that "husband" is not necessarily synonymous with "wastrel." After the story's opening, when Georgette flees the room she shared with James, the two don't actually meet up again until halfway through the book. A crafty move on the author's part, because this builds an agonizing anticipation — I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, I was so anxious to witness the pair's reunion. Here the sparks — not to mention the rocks, accusations, insults and bullets — really begin to fly!
James MacKenzie took a step toward her, and her next ill-advised thought was one of worry. Well, that wasn't quite true. First there was the raw, shimmering awareness of him. This morning when she had first seen him, he had been abed. Her memory of him was of a man waking with a rakish grin, teasing her back to some forgotten forbidden pleasure.
This afternoon he was all too awake, and his eyes conveyed nothing of pleasure.
What Happens in Scotland is a droll delight, fast-paced and touching, with twists and turns aplenty and a vibrant narrative that will plunk you right down into the middle of the village Moraig and tempt you to stay put. The giddy euphoria you'll feel as you read this entrancing tale will make you think you're the one who's been tipping the brandy bottle. Slàinte!
December 2, 2012
A delightful historical romance from debut author Jennifer McQuinston that will charm the hearts of readers .
Georgette comes to Scotland to visit her cousin & get on with her life after the death of her no good , lying , cheating husband . She's through with mourning & ready to get on with living. Oh , she's living , alright enough . One minute she's fighting off the advances of her cousin & the next she's living-out-loud . Suddenly she's drinking booze , giving lap-dances to drunk Scots & instigating barroom brawls . She never dreamed she'd wake up the next morning with a strange man in her bed & no memory of the night before . The ring on her finger & the gleam in his eye send the normally mild mannered widow into a panic . What's a girl to do ? Well , Georgette hurls the chamber pot as his head , of course .
Reformed hellraiser , James McKenzie is livid after he awakens with a cracked head & a missing purse .He thought his days of wild living were a thing of the past . How could he have fallen off the bandwagon so easily ? A pretty face & a shapely leg are the most likely explanation . The handsome attorney at large will make his thieving wife pay if it's the last thing he does .
It's a twisted journey the newlyweds take to find each other . Jaimie & his faux bride are outraged as they piece together the puzzle of their wild night together . Their memories start to return as the inquiries reveal more & more exploits...each tale becoming more outlandish than the last . But the lovebirds only want to know one thing....are they married or not . Will they stay together if they really are truly wed ? And what really set this event in motion ?
I absolutely loved this book . Jaimie & Georgette go from strangers to adversaries with an enemy in common . Because you see ....Jaimie really was a chivalrous man with honorable intentions . He only wanted to protect the drunken damsel in distress . There really was a villain in this story . And intrigue aplenty . Jaimie & Georgette go from wanting their freedom to desperately wanting forever . Sigh....
Looks like I've found a new author to follow . Reader beware...you'll love this charming story as much as I did . So what are you waiting for... grab yourself a copy & get to reading .
Thanks to Avon Publishing for letting me read this book in return for my honest opinion . ARC downloaded via Edelweiss .
March 29, 2021
I had really high hopes for this one.
But....
It takes place all in one day. The two leads don't even end up in the same place until 150 pages in. There is barely any steam to speak of, and it was pretty exhausting to have 400 pages of constantly running.
But....
It takes place all in one day. The two leads don't even end up in the same place until 150 pages in. There is barely any steam to speak of, and it was pretty exhausting to have 400 pages of constantly running.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1572968006i/3840999._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
March 12, 2013
My review contains spoilers and they are mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for anything based in the Highlands/Scotland; a good story full of fun, a sexy Highlander/Scottish hero paired with a strong yet loving heroine. What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston had it all. In fact, I was very impressed with this debut novel, as for me, it had not one single boring moment. I loved the story, which was pretty original, loved the author’s writing and wicked wit that had me laughing a lot. This is a book I highly recommend to anyone who wants to spend some fun time with an engaging storyline with some interesting characters.
Georgette wakes up all dizzy, in a small, smelly room of a cheap inn, not remembering at all what happened to her the night before. In her mind she’s going like... umm, what happened last night? Ok things don’t look right at all.
(my version of what was going on in Georgette’s head *heehee*)
Oook... Where am I? *fuzzy crickets*
Naked? (check)... Damn!! *fuzzy crickets*
Big, burly arms of a naked stranger around me... huh? (check) Hot damn ... but no, no I hate men... erm... *fuzzy crickets*
Why am I wearing this big ring on my finger? *still fuzzy and more crickets*
(let’s just get back to the review now. :p)
So, Georgette jumps up to free herself of the stranger’s arms, even though she was tempted to stay there, all because she hates men. Well, ‘hate’ is a stronger word, dislike is more apt due to the way her cheating, a$$hole of a husband treated her throughout their short marriage. The cheater d*ck died but left Georgette with bitterness for a lifetime; bitterness that stemmed from being ignored all through the marriage except for hasty, painful couplings at night and being manipulated to be someone she’s not. Georgette has seen the end of it with her husband’s demise and she has nothing do with another husband anymore.
While she’s trying to figure out how she came to be in this room that is full of goose feathers everywhere(!) and then, in the arms of stranger, equally naked, sleeping a drunkard’s sleep, Georgette puts on her dress. She hates nudity, especially her own (and her reasoning were such, many of us could identify with those… I know I did.), so it baffles her all the more that she’d be this ‘wild’ woman to spend an equally wild night! To find some answers, she shakes the big, bearded stranger, who wakes, smiling sexily up at her, calling her ‘wife’ and asking her to return to bed. Ooh boy, there he did it and Georgette looses it entirely. Apparently she’s married to this stranger, and now has no knowledge of WTF happened last night. She remembers she’s in Scotland, came to visit her cousin, Randolph. So, this man could only be a Scot. Georgette is simply hoping that he’s not a footman or something, at least a nobleman by birth, if not with a title. She was married in title, and if words reach in England of her newly married status, she would not hear the end of it.
Then the stupidly sexy man had to sit up, half naked, making her shiver with want (a thing she doesn’t want to think about), Georgette’s head just snaps. Seeing his sexy, sleepy smile, Georgette does one thing to save herself. She hits the stranger on his head with the chamber pot and runs out of the door.
BTW: I think it’s necessary to mention that the chamber pot was clean. *heehee*
Outside, still all dizzy and poorly dressed Georgette tries to find some balance. The inn looked liked it has been broken down, so battered (really, what’dda hell happened?). The innkeeper looked positively frightened too. A while later, some filthy butcher with questionable bits all over his grimy clothes comes lumbering towards her, holding a kitten, telling her ‘she earned it’. Huh? With his gape-toothed smile, he admits that she actually ‘squeezed him’ good last night before going off with the other man. Huh???? Georgette takes the kitten and holds it against her like a shield from a very bizarre, confusing day and various dawning realizations one after another. She has done some really so-not-her-stuff last night in that inn, with men, in front of men present that had earned her a husband, an ill-fitted wedding ring, a kitten (and God knows what else)! Georgette begins to feel positively nauseous.
Then she remembers bits, like she was trying to escape her cousin’s marriage proposal, one she had never expected, nor encouraged. Randolph is a pale man, like her own coloring of pale hair and eyes. They’ve always known him as a studious man, though very fastidious about his appearance. He’s here in Scotland to do some ‘research’ on botany and all, so he’d rented a small cottage. Knowing her cousin’s fastidious lifestyle, Georgette was pretty taken aback by that small cottage and bad management without enough servants. She came here without any chaperone or lady’s maid, thinking this would be a nice little outing. But not once she thought that Randolph had something nefarious on his mind.
Randolph finds her there soon enough, and threatens her ruin. She has to marry him, apparently for her own safety hereabout. Georgette doesn’t care but she’s forced to follow him in his house. On the way she uses her newly acquired marital status to her convenience, which enrages Randolph even more. Still fuzzy, Georgette can’t help but be stunned by Randolph’s behavior. At his cottage, Randolph leaves Georgette to find the man she has married. From the innkeeper she knew the man’s name now; one James Mackenzie, the only lawyer of this town and apparently pretty famous with the ladies too. Another rake to deal with? Georgette can’t help heaving a sigh. After her cousin’s gone, the lone groom cum butler cum footman (all-in-one) of the cottage informs Georgette very discreetly that she has a guest. Can it be her ‘husband’ in question, came to talk to her? Georgette’s heart flutters even when she knows it has no business to flutter with the thoughts of this man. She runs to her room where her guest is apparently waiting, only to find... A fully naked woman bathing in her own bathtub and enjoying it too.
Oooook, this is just so wrong!
Georgette feels the heat rising on her face in embarrassment when the woman in question rises like Venus as if she owns the bathtub (and the room), informing her that she’s her lady’s maid, hired by Georgette herself, indefinitely when her most disastrous evening till date was on the make! Apparently, she’s one of the barmaids of that inn and used to be a prostitute before she took up a more ‘respectable’ job. She still goes ‘out in the back alley’ from time to time but now that she has been hired to become entirely respectful, Elsie, the maid, is looking forward to a fun ride. We later find Georgette, against her better judgment, liking the maid and her antics, and telling her that various things that lady’s maids aren’t supposed to be doing, something I found hilarious. From time to time, Elsie would grumble that being a lady’s maid is ‘no fun’, and you can guess what ‘fun’ is in her dictionary.
Back in the inn, James wasn’t having any fun at all. He woke up in his barer arse, with a headache, a hangover and his annoying older brother hanging over him with a sh*t eating grin on his face. As James rises shakily from the bed, and dresses, he tries to piece together what happened last night. His thought process is almost like Georgette; except for he is analytical and precise as his profession calls for. And then he finds that his wallet is gone, which makes him believe that the dreamy woman, who was the reason of his super headache and the big cut on the side of his forehead, was nothing but a doxy who made him drunk and stole big amount of his money. She might be beautiful and her discarded corset might remind him hazily of a pair of pretty breasts (which in turn makes him hard of course), James vows to find her and see that she’s punished for her crimes.
But then there was the matter of the money the innkeeper owned him, let’s see, for the rounds of beers to the whole inn last evening that he said was on him, for the broken glasses and chairs (apparently he was involved in a fight.. with the butcher, which explains his gaped tooth!), for their ‘honeymoon suit’ that was an utter mess. Soon James finds out that he has also misplaced his horse, and no money to pay for anything. Crap! William, his sh*t eating grin still on, acts as his ‘banker’ and pays off. James might not want it, but it was very apparent that William was thoroughly enjoying, mostly when James kept saying he’d pay back every penny when he gets his money back. The heir to the Kilmartie Earldom has had a different idealism that James’s own. Even though William loves to annoy the hell outta James, it is all out of brotherly love. From James’s musings, it becomes apparent that James didn’t want any help from him or from his father, the Earl, and just why is that. There was some debacle involving his rakish friend David (now the magistrate of the town) and a girl (duh!) a decade ago, a girl James loved. She commits suicide later when the father of her baby abandons her. The Earl’s interference without consulting him sent a sensitive and rebellious young James out of his house. Afterwards, he promised to himself that he won’t take his father’s help or money, but will study and earn himself. He has been living alone ever since, though now he is sharing his small cottage with another good childhood buddy, Patrick, the town veterinarian.
William takes James to his house, though he wanted to take him to the Kilmartie castle. James won’t set foot in it unless he’s bonked on the head again and carried unconsciously. He agrees to Patrick’s help, who was trying to hide his grin too after hearing everything. Patrick is the calm and sensible one, with a mysterious past that no one knows about; not even James since he never confided in him. He makes James sit and take his poking and prodding. But what James would most love is to return to his hunt of this woman who is the cause for all his trouble, or so it seemed. He keeps remembering things, hazy as they are, like how she walked in the inn as if she owned it. How her laughter and vivacious personality attracted every guy in the room, including himself. How her fair beauty turned heads, and James couldn’t have been happier when she chose to sit on his lap... which apparently led to a disastrous, drunken evening and a marriage he didn’t want. Well, James would ferret out the truth no matter what and see that this culprit is brought to justice!
I was a bit exasperated with James at times. His reasoning about ‘the thief’ was a bit too precise, and one-sided, on the verge of being foolish IMO. This didn’t ruin my fun though. He was what he was and he didn’t know Georgette at all, neither did Georgette for that matter. But she wants to. She finally escapes her cousin’s cottage with Elsie’s help to find this Mackenzie. Elsie knows him, though thank the Lord, not biblically (the talks and thought of which disturbed Georgette much more than she’d like to admit). Elsie’s sighs and pining for James, apparently, is a common habit among the women of the town. Everyone loves Mackenzie’s big brawny body, beautiful green eyes, his bearded face and charming ways. Now, it definitely was fun to read about Georgette’s jealousy; of how she would try to reason that she shouldn’t be jealous and yet, couldn’t help it. I loved it! But no matter what, she is determined to find him and ask for an annulment.
James, on the other hand, needed to be sure if there was a marriage or not. He remembers David was present and he performed the drunken ceremony. When he and William ride to his estate to ask him, they find him in almost flagrante delicto with some maid of his house in the stables. Good God, at first I thought he was... erm, in the middle of it (which would’ve make me wanna throw up on him since he’s the hero of the next book). William even cracks some joke on the whole thing because David is known for his blonde good looks and rakish ways. It’s hard to believe that he’s a pretty good magistrate when he’s into his job. They do interrupt (which was funny), despite David’s grumblings of spoiling his fun. After James’s query, David sobers up and informs him that the marriage isn’t valid.
At that moment, Georgette was with Elsie, trying to figure out what to do. There are some funny, some self-reflecting moments for her. One was that young man from the town, who comes with a vicious dog in tow, that Georgette apparently ‘ordered for’ to save herself from her cousin. This shy, young man kept saying something about her teaching him ‘something’ in the, ehmmm, back alley of the inn, never once going to the point. Georgette, good God, she cringed every time, thinking she, well... you can guess. It might’ve been comical for me but it was totally mortifying for Georgette. Here, in town, Georgette was trying to loosen up bit, knowing no one would care about her appearance. But what she really wanted was to meet this charming (and gorgeous) Mackenzie, her ‘almost’ husband. Elsie takes her to James’s office, thinking he might be here, if not anywhere else. And find him she does, caught red handed while trying to break in, thanks to Elsie. The maid turns tail as soon as James is out of the office, where, apparently he was doing some business.
I was really looking forward to the moment when they meet again in a, let’s say, less ‘messy’ situation. It was great! Georgette was instantly breathless seeing him again. But her breathy voice soon turned shrewish when James starts accusing her of thieving. Then Georgette begins to laugh as soon as he mentions the amount. James doesn’t understand at first, until Georgette explains to him that if he grants her an annulment, she’d give him 4 times of the amount he’s claiming to have been stolen. Now James is speechless. Yes, Georgette was not only married in the peerage, but she’s also filthy rich, a possible reason for Randolph’s sudden interest in her. James doesn’t believe her at first, so Georgette proposes that they return to the inn and search thoroughly. They were quarreling all the way, more or less, even when they were very much aware of each-other, the attraction quite palpable. I laughed so much when the innkeeper took one look at them and said ‘No’. It was plain hilarious. But James didn’t give a sh*t. In this search is where memory begins to return to them... things they might’ve done, things that involved drunken kissing and fondling. Georgette’s embarrassment and James’s annoyance at sudden, inconvenient erections made me laugh so hard! :p They find the wallet (and much of what happened last night), but the big revelation was yet to come; the proof that they were, in fact, married later, ceremony performed by the nearest town blacksmith. Hmmm... This does pose some difficulties!
But by now, James had come to terms with some things. In between, he has been attacked by someone he thought was Georgette in a man’s guise. But later, after meeting her, he dismisses it, even though the attacker looked eerily like Georgette in coloring. James was coming to believe that Georgette might not be the thief after all. The fact that she wanted annulment also didn’t sit well with him. He wanted her, and he wanted her to want him too, no matter how illogical it might sound. This was such a bizarre situation altogether! Her announcement of ‘buying’ an annulment made James feel less like a man, that long hidden vulnerability of not being wanted or needed taunting him again. James definitely was very sensitive, who read too much in other’s words and reactions; interpretations that might not always be correct. No doubt Georgette was attracted to him, and secretly, she wanted to be his wife. But the ugly memories of her bad marriage reared heads every time she tried to think of this. So there was no escaping this misunderstanding.
Meeting with Georgette definitely brings some positive things. After they really talk, the suspicion falls on to Randolph, which I already knew. Randolph has been acting strange and when she confides in James about her reason to flee him, he understood. The cottage Randolph was living in was, in fact, rented from the Earl. Georgette is not entirely unhappy that James’s father is a peer and she requests James to talk to his father, and ask for help. This time, James does though he tries to convince himself that it was to protect Georgette. But James needed to confront his past and his relationship with his father. It was such an emotional scene when two men, who resemble one another so much, meet after 12 long years. James kept that beard for so long, so that his face doesn’t remind him of just how much he resembles his father; maybe not only in looks but also in temperament. I loved that scene, especially when the Earl wiped away a secret tear. It is clear to James now that just how much slipped away from his life for his misguided POVs and silly misunderstandings. James’s mother takes to Georgette on their first meeting, as a mother would understand that she must be good for her son. William isn’t so nice though, because of James’s earlier suspicions of her. But James’s cousin’s kids remind Georgette of what she might have if she’s gives this marriage a chance; a loving family and someday, her own children.
The Randolph problem was solved soon enough. Georgette does something foolish to get herself in trouble. James is hurt again, when Randolph tries to kill him, again (the man must’ve had some tough constitution to weather so many cuts, bruises and finally, a bullet wound!). I thoroughly enjoyed the book till the end (sorry can’t help sounding like a broken record lol). For me, the best thing of this book was that in this very short span of time, JMc made me believe that miracles can happen and two strangers can fall in love in just one day! I believed in Georgette-James’s situation, their chemistry and subsequent falling in love. I also fell in love with the secondary characters. 4.5 stars. Now, I can hardly wait to get my hands on David’s book, which is coming out next.
This ARC was provided to me by Avon/HarperCollins via edelweiss which didn’t influence my review and rating in any way.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a sucker for anything based in the Highlands/Scotland; a good story full of fun, a sexy Highlander/Scottish hero paired with a strong yet loving heroine. What Happens in Scotland by Jennifer McQuiston had it all. In fact, I was very impressed with this debut novel, as for me, it had not one single boring moment. I loved the story, which was pretty original, loved the author’s writing and wicked wit that had me laughing a lot. This is a book I highly recommend to anyone who wants to spend some fun time with an engaging storyline with some interesting characters.
Georgette wakes up all dizzy, in a small, smelly room of a cheap inn, not remembering at all what happened to her the night before. In her mind she’s going like... umm, what happened last night? Ok things don’t look right at all.
(my version of what was going on in Georgette’s head *heehee*)
Oook... Where am I? *fuzzy crickets*
Naked? (check)... Damn!! *fuzzy crickets*
Big, burly arms of a naked stranger around me... huh? (check) Hot damn ... but no, no I hate men... erm... *fuzzy crickets*
Why am I wearing this big ring on my finger? *still fuzzy and more crickets*
(let’s just get back to the review now. :p)
So, Georgette jumps up to free herself of the stranger’s arms, even though she was tempted to stay there, all because she hates men. Well, ‘hate’ is a stronger word, dislike is more apt due to the way her cheating, a$$hole of a husband treated her throughout their short marriage. The cheater d*ck died but left Georgette with bitterness for a lifetime; bitterness that stemmed from being ignored all through the marriage except for hasty, painful couplings at night and being manipulated to be someone she’s not. Georgette has seen the end of it with her husband’s demise and she has nothing do with another husband anymore.
While she’s trying to figure out how she came to be in this room that is full of goose feathers everywhere(!) and then, in the arms of stranger, equally naked, sleeping a drunkard’s sleep, Georgette puts on her dress. She hates nudity, especially her own (and her reasoning were such, many of us could identify with those… I know I did.), so it baffles her all the more that she’d be this ‘wild’ woman to spend an equally wild night! To find some answers, she shakes the big, bearded stranger, who wakes, smiling sexily up at her, calling her ‘wife’ and asking her to return to bed. Ooh boy, there he did it and Georgette looses it entirely. Apparently she’s married to this stranger, and now has no knowledge of WTF happened last night. She remembers she’s in Scotland, came to visit her cousin, Randolph. So, this man could only be a Scot. Georgette is simply hoping that he’s not a footman or something, at least a nobleman by birth, if not with a title. She was married in title, and if words reach in England of her newly married status, she would not hear the end of it.
Then the stupidly sexy man had to sit up, half naked, making her shiver with want (a thing she doesn’t want to think about), Georgette’s head just snaps. Seeing his sexy, sleepy smile, Georgette does one thing to save herself. She hits the stranger on his head with the chamber pot and runs out of the door.
BTW: I think it’s necessary to mention that the chamber pot was clean. *heehee*
Outside, still all dizzy and poorly dressed Georgette tries to find some balance. The inn looked liked it has been broken down, so battered (really, what’dda hell happened?). The innkeeper looked positively frightened too. A while later, some filthy butcher with questionable bits all over his grimy clothes comes lumbering towards her, holding a kitten, telling her ‘she earned it’. Huh? With his gape-toothed smile, he admits that she actually ‘squeezed him’ good last night before going off with the other man. Huh???? Georgette takes the kitten and holds it against her like a shield from a very bizarre, confusing day and various dawning realizations one after another. She has done some really so-not-her-stuff last night in that inn, with men, in front of men present that had earned her a husband, an ill-fitted wedding ring, a kitten (and God knows what else)! Georgette begins to feel positively nauseous.
Then she remembers bits, like she was trying to escape her cousin’s marriage proposal, one she had never expected, nor encouraged. Randolph is a pale man, like her own coloring of pale hair and eyes. They’ve always known him as a studious man, though very fastidious about his appearance. He’s here in Scotland to do some ‘research’ on botany and all, so he’d rented a small cottage. Knowing her cousin’s fastidious lifestyle, Georgette was pretty taken aback by that small cottage and bad management without enough servants. She came here without any chaperone or lady’s maid, thinking this would be a nice little outing. But not once she thought that Randolph had something nefarious on his mind.
Randolph finds her there soon enough, and threatens her ruin. She has to marry him, apparently for her own safety hereabout. Georgette doesn’t care but she’s forced to follow him in his house. On the way she uses her newly acquired marital status to her convenience, which enrages Randolph even more. Still fuzzy, Georgette can’t help but be stunned by Randolph’s behavior. At his cottage, Randolph leaves Georgette to find the man she has married. From the innkeeper she knew the man’s name now; one James Mackenzie, the only lawyer of this town and apparently pretty famous with the ladies too. Another rake to deal with? Georgette can’t help heaving a sigh. After her cousin’s gone, the lone groom cum butler cum footman (all-in-one) of the cottage informs Georgette very discreetly that she has a guest. Can it be her ‘husband’ in question, came to talk to her? Georgette’s heart flutters even when she knows it has no business to flutter with the thoughts of this man. She runs to her room where her guest is apparently waiting, only to find... A fully naked woman bathing in her own bathtub and enjoying it too.
Oooook, this is just so wrong!
Georgette feels the heat rising on her face in embarrassment when the woman in question rises like Venus as if she owns the bathtub (and the room), informing her that she’s her lady’s maid, hired by Georgette herself, indefinitely when her most disastrous evening till date was on the make! Apparently, she’s one of the barmaids of that inn and used to be a prostitute before she took up a more ‘respectable’ job. She still goes ‘out in the back alley’ from time to time but now that she has been hired to become entirely respectful, Elsie, the maid, is looking forward to a fun ride. We later find Georgette, against her better judgment, liking the maid and her antics, and telling her that various things that lady’s maids aren’t supposed to be doing, something I found hilarious. From time to time, Elsie would grumble that being a lady’s maid is ‘no fun’, and you can guess what ‘fun’ is in her dictionary.
Back in the inn, James wasn’t having any fun at all. He woke up in his barer arse, with a headache, a hangover and his annoying older brother hanging over him with a sh*t eating grin on his face. As James rises shakily from the bed, and dresses, he tries to piece together what happened last night. His thought process is almost like Georgette; except for he is analytical and precise as his profession calls for. And then he finds that his wallet is gone, which makes him believe that the dreamy woman, who was the reason of his super headache and the big cut on the side of his forehead, was nothing but a doxy who made him drunk and stole big amount of his money. She might be beautiful and her discarded corset might remind him hazily of a pair of pretty breasts (which in turn makes him hard of course), James vows to find her and see that she’s punished for her crimes.
But then there was the matter of the money the innkeeper owned him, let’s see, for the rounds of beers to the whole inn last evening that he said was on him, for the broken glasses and chairs (apparently he was involved in a fight.. with the butcher, which explains his gaped tooth!), for their ‘honeymoon suit’ that was an utter mess. Soon James finds out that he has also misplaced his horse, and no money to pay for anything. Crap! William, his sh*t eating grin still on, acts as his ‘banker’ and pays off. James might not want it, but it was very apparent that William was thoroughly enjoying, mostly when James kept saying he’d pay back every penny when he gets his money back. The heir to the Kilmartie Earldom has had a different idealism that James’s own. Even though William loves to annoy the hell outta James, it is all out of brotherly love. From James’s musings, it becomes apparent that James didn’t want any help from him or from his father, the Earl, and just why is that. There was some debacle involving his rakish friend David (now the magistrate of the town) and a girl (duh!) a decade ago, a girl James loved. She commits suicide later when the father of her baby abandons her. The Earl’s interference without consulting him sent a sensitive and rebellious young James out of his house. Afterwards, he promised to himself that he won’t take his father’s help or money, but will study and earn himself. He has been living alone ever since, though now he is sharing his small cottage with another good childhood buddy, Patrick, the town veterinarian.
William takes James to his house, though he wanted to take him to the Kilmartie castle. James won’t set foot in it unless he’s bonked on the head again and carried unconsciously. He agrees to Patrick’s help, who was trying to hide his grin too after hearing everything. Patrick is the calm and sensible one, with a mysterious past that no one knows about; not even James since he never confided in him. He makes James sit and take his poking and prodding. But what James would most love is to return to his hunt of this woman who is the cause for all his trouble, or so it seemed. He keeps remembering things, hazy as they are, like how she walked in the inn as if she owned it. How her laughter and vivacious personality attracted every guy in the room, including himself. How her fair beauty turned heads, and James couldn’t have been happier when she chose to sit on his lap... which apparently led to a disastrous, drunken evening and a marriage he didn’t want. Well, James would ferret out the truth no matter what and see that this culprit is brought to justice!
I was a bit exasperated with James at times. His reasoning about ‘the thief’ was a bit too precise, and one-sided, on the verge of being foolish IMO. This didn’t ruin my fun though. He was what he was and he didn’t know Georgette at all, neither did Georgette for that matter. But she wants to. She finally escapes her cousin’s cottage with Elsie’s help to find this Mackenzie. Elsie knows him, though thank the Lord, not biblically (the talks and thought of which disturbed Georgette much more than she’d like to admit). Elsie’s sighs and pining for James, apparently, is a common habit among the women of the town. Everyone loves Mackenzie’s big brawny body, beautiful green eyes, his bearded face and charming ways. Now, it definitely was fun to read about Georgette’s jealousy; of how she would try to reason that she shouldn’t be jealous and yet, couldn’t help it. I loved it! But no matter what, she is determined to find him and ask for an annulment.
James, on the other hand, needed to be sure if there was a marriage or not. He remembers David was present and he performed the drunken ceremony. When he and William ride to his estate to ask him, they find him in almost flagrante delicto with some maid of his house in the stables. Good God, at first I thought he was... erm, in the middle of it (which would’ve make me wanna throw up on him since he’s the hero of the next book). William even cracks some joke on the whole thing because David is known for his blonde good looks and rakish ways. It’s hard to believe that he’s a pretty good magistrate when he’s into his job. They do interrupt (which was funny), despite David’s grumblings of spoiling his fun. After James’s query, David sobers up and informs him that the marriage isn’t valid.
At that moment, Georgette was with Elsie, trying to figure out what to do. There are some funny, some self-reflecting moments for her. One was that young man from the town, who comes with a vicious dog in tow, that Georgette apparently ‘ordered for’ to save herself from her cousin. This shy, young man kept saying something about her teaching him ‘something’ in the, ehmmm, back alley of the inn, never once going to the point. Georgette, good God, she cringed every time, thinking she, well... you can guess. It might’ve been comical for me but it was totally mortifying for Georgette. Here, in town, Georgette was trying to loosen up bit, knowing no one would care about her appearance. But what she really wanted was to meet this charming (and gorgeous) Mackenzie, her ‘almost’ husband. Elsie takes her to James’s office, thinking he might be here, if not anywhere else. And find him she does, caught red handed while trying to break in, thanks to Elsie. The maid turns tail as soon as James is out of the office, where, apparently he was doing some business.
I was really looking forward to the moment when they meet again in a, let’s say, less ‘messy’ situation. It was great! Georgette was instantly breathless seeing him again. But her breathy voice soon turned shrewish when James starts accusing her of thieving. Then Georgette begins to laugh as soon as he mentions the amount. James doesn’t understand at first, until Georgette explains to him that if he grants her an annulment, she’d give him 4 times of the amount he’s claiming to have been stolen. Now James is speechless. Yes, Georgette was not only married in the peerage, but she’s also filthy rich, a possible reason for Randolph’s sudden interest in her. James doesn’t believe her at first, so Georgette proposes that they return to the inn and search thoroughly. They were quarreling all the way, more or less, even when they were very much aware of each-other, the attraction quite palpable. I laughed so much when the innkeeper took one look at them and said ‘No’. It was plain hilarious. But James didn’t give a sh*t. In this search is where memory begins to return to them... things they might’ve done, things that involved drunken kissing and fondling. Georgette’s embarrassment and James’s annoyance at sudden, inconvenient erections made me laugh so hard! :p They find the wallet (and much of what happened last night), but the big revelation was yet to come; the proof that they were, in fact, married later, ceremony performed by the nearest town blacksmith. Hmmm... This does pose some difficulties!
But by now, James had come to terms with some things. In between, he has been attacked by someone he thought was Georgette in a man’s guise. But later, after meeting her, he dismisses it, even though the attacker looked eerily like Georgette in coloring. James was coming to believe that Georgette might not be the thief after all. The fact that she wanted annulment also didn’t sit well with him. He wanted her, and he wanted her to want him too, no matter how illogical it might sound. This was such a bizarre situation altogether! Her announcement of ‘buying’ an annulment made James feel less like a man, that long hidden vulnerability of not being wanted or needed taunting him again. James definitely was very sensitive, who read too much in other’s words and reactions; interpretations that might not always be correct. No doubt Georgette was attracted to him, and secretly, she wanted to be his wife. But the ugly memories of her bad marriage reared heads every time she tried to think of this. So there was no escaping this misunderstanding.
Meeting with Georgette definitely brings some positive things. After they really talk, the suspicion falls on to Randolph, which I already knew. Randolph has been acting strange and when she confides in James about her reason to flee him, he understood. The cottage Randolph was living in was, in fact, rented from the Earl. Georgette is not entirely unhappy that James’s father is a peer and she requests James to talk to his father, and ask for help. This time, James does though he tries to convince himself that it was to protect Georgette. But James needed to confront his past and his relationship with his father. It was such an emotional scene when two men, who resemble one another so much, meet after 12 long years. James kept that beard for so long, so that his face doesn’t remind him of just how much he resembles his father; maybe not only in looks but also in temperament. I loved that scene, especially when the Earl wiped away a secret tear. It is clear to James now that just how much slipped away from his life for his misguided POVs and silly misunderstandings. James’s mother takes to Georgette on their first meeting, as a mother would understand that she must be good for her son. William isn’t so nice though, because of James’s earlier suspicions of her. But James’s cousin’s kids remind Georgette of what she might have if she’s gives this marriage a chance; a loving family and someday, her own children.
The Randolph problem was solved soon enough. Georgette does something foolish to get herself in trouble. James is hurt again, when Randolph tries to kill him, again (the man must’ve had some tough constitution to weather so many cuts, bruises and finally, a bullet wound!). I thoroughly enjoyed the book till the end (sorry can’t help sounding like a broken record lol). For me, the best thing of this book was that in this very short span of time, JMc made me believe that miracles can happen and two strangers can fall in love in just one day! I believed in Georgette-James’s situation, their chemistry and subsequent falling in love. I also fell in love with the secondary characters. 4.5 stars. Now, I can hardly wait to get my hands on David’s book, which is coming out next.
This ARC was provided to me by Avon/HarperCollins via edelweiss which didn’t influence my review and rating in any way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2013
What a delightfully enjoyable debut! If you enjoy the lighter fare in your romance, with wit, charm, and sizzle Jennifer McQuiston has done a wonderful job with her debut! When Lady Georgette Thorold, who acts a proper lady at all times, wakes up to a mysterious man in an unknown inn she knows something terribly wrong has happened! Smacking the large, very attractive, man on the head with the chamber pot, she escapes and learns the awful truth...that man is her husband. As more and more pieces are uncovered about that wild night, she knows she needs to find James McKenzie and get this marriage annulled as she will never be under a mans control again after her disastrous first marriage. When she finally meets up with James again she faces a new problem though. James thinks her a thief and a liar and together they strive to uncover the truth as both of their memories are a bit foggy from that night. Will this unlikely couple make this sham of a marriage real?
This is my favorite type of book..light, with just a touch of drama, an enjoyable, fun romance. Georgette is a strong, confident woman that is thankful to finally be free of any man but when she finds herself tied to this burly Scotsman, she has to rethink what has happened. James brings out a whole new side to her... opinionated and bold and he finds himself drawn to both sides of her. James is proud and after a falling out with his family, he has striven to put his shameful past behind him and make a name for himself as a solicitor. I loved how Georgette was able to help him mend the fences with his family. Watching this unlikely couple find true love together was a joy to read and even though it happened all over the span of one day, it worked for me. A truly wonderful debut and a new author that I am looking forward to more from soon! 4 solid stars
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
This is my favorite type of book..light, with just a touch of drama, an enjoyable, fun romance. Georgette is a strong, confident woman that is thankful to finally be free of any man but when she finds herself tied to this burly Scotsman, she has to rethink what has happened. James brings out a whole new side to her... opinionated and bold and he finds himself drawn to both sides of her. James is proud and after a falling out with his family, he has striven to put his shameful past behind him and make a name for himself as a solicitor. I loved how Georgette was able to help him mend the fences with his family. Watching this unlikely couple find true love together was a joy to read and even though it happened all over the span of one day, it worked for me. A truly wonderful debut and a new author that I am looking forward to more from soon! 4 solid stars
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
February 3, 2013
Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC .
This book is a historical romance written by Jennifer McQuiston . The publisher is Avon . There are 384 pages . The scheduled release date is 2/26/13.
This was a fun romance novel. Georgette is a wealthy widow. She is invited by her cousin ,Randolph, to visit Scotland for a few weeks.
But, it becomes clear that her cousin had ulterior motives for inviting her.
After turning down Randolph' s marriage proposal, Georgette finds herself waking up with a strange man that claims she is his wife. Horrified, she runs away. Then she realizes she has to find the man so they can annul their marriage.
Confusion is rife when the couple can't remember what actually happened that night .
When James wakes up hungover and allegedly married, his new bride not only ran away , she stole his money. So, not only does he need to find out if his marriage was legal , he wants to file charges against the lady.
In the meantime , someone tries to kill James and Georgette acquires a cat , a dog , and a new ladies maid.
Part lighthearted comedy, part romance , part adventure , this book will match any mood your in.
If you're looking for something to take you away from the day to day junk , dive into this book for pure escape from reality.
The only complaint here again, is the way too relaxed language that doesn't fit with the era of time the story is set in. Now , this was an uncorrected proof, so some of the more modern phrases may be polished before publication.
I thought the characters were lively and fun. I like to see the inhibited lady lose her timidity and become emboldened. I like a guy that has honor and integrity, even though he's a little flawed and conflicted.
The secondary characters were delightful.
Overall a B +
This book is a historical romance written by Jennifer McQuiston . The publisher is Avon . There are 384 pages . The scheduled release date is 2/26/13.
This was a fun romance novel. Georgette is a wealthy widow. She is invited by her cousin ,Randolph, to visit Scotland for a few weeks.
But, it becomes clear that her cousin had ulterior motives for inviting her.
After turning down Randolph' s marriage proposal, Georgette finds herself waking up with a strange man that claims she is his wife. Horrified, she runs away. Then she realizes she has to find the man so they can annul their marriage.
Confusion is rife when the couple can't remember what actually happened that night .
When James wakes up hungover and allegedly married, his new bride not only ran away , she stole his money. So, not only does he need to find out if his marriage was legal , he wants to file charges against the lady.
In the meantime , someone tries to kill James and Georgette acquires a cat , a dog , and a new ladies maid.
Part lighthearted comedy, part romance , part adventure , this book will match any mood your in.
If you're looking for something to take you away from the day to day junk , dive into this book for pure escape from reality.
The only complaint here again, is the way too relaxed language that doesn't fit with the era of time the story is set in. Now , this was an uncorrected proof, so some of the more modern phrases may be polished before publication.
I thought the characters were lively and fun. I like to see the inhibited lady lose her timidity and become emboldened. I like a guy that has honor and integrity, even though he's a little flawed and conflicted.
The secondary characters were delightful.
Overall a B +
October 7, 2021
3 stars. This book was pretty good, but the whole thing took place over the span of one day. I really don’t like love at first sight, but this wasn’t even framed as such, so that portion of the story bothered me. They barely spent any time together - even during the one day.
The hero and heroine wake up together at an inn - naked, missing memories, and married. The heroine has absolutely no recollection of what happened the previous night, but freaks out when the hero wakes up and summons her back to bed. She strikes him with a chamber pot and runs away from the scene of the crime. The hero passes out from the blow, and wakes several hours later with only trace memories of the previous night’s events. He can’t find his money pouch, and assumes that the heroine was actually a con artist and stole it. He goes out trying to find her, planning to punish her for her perfidy. They next encounter each other at around the 50% mark of the story. Very frustrating considering this is supposed to be a romance. They spend the rest of the story vacillating between enemies and lovers, and slowly piece together the missing parts of their night…all while the hero has multiple attempts made against his life. They do eventually get a HFN ending.
It’s obvious that the author chose to make this into a one day story for a reason, but I think the plot could have been better stretched over more time. I also wanted more time with just the couple together! They spent so much time separate during the one day, that I’m sure their total interaction was only a matter of 4-5 hours max, if we don’t count the night that both of them forgot.
Safe; heroine widowed (her first husband was a cheater), OM drama from heroine’s cousin(she’s not interested), no OW drama
The hero and heroine wake up together at an inn - naked, missing memories, and married. The heroine has absolutely no recollection of what happened the previous night, but freaks out when the hero wakes up and summons her back to bed. She strikes him with a chamber pot and runs away from the scene of the crime. The hero passes out from the blow, and wakes several hours later with only trace memories of the previous night’s events. He can’t find his money pouch, and assumes that the heroine was actually a con artist and stole it. He goes out trying to find her, planning to punish her for her perfidy. They next encounter each other at around the 50% mark of the story. Very frustrating considering this is supposed to be a romance. They spend the rest of the story vacillating between enemies and lovers, and slowly piece together the missing parts of their night…all while the hero has multiple attempts made against his life. They do eventually get a HFN ending.
It’s obvious that the author chose to make this into a one day story for a reason, but I think the plot could have been better stretched over more time. I also wanted more time with just the couple together! They spent so much time separate during the one day, that I’m sure their total interaction was only a matter of 4-5 hours max, if we don’t count the night that both of them forgot.
Safe; heroine widowed (her first husband was a cheater), OM drama from heroine’s cousin(she’s not interested), no OW drama
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2016
Solid good first book. The entire book takes place in a 24 hour time frame, so suspension of belief for the ILYs will have to be in force. I liked both characters, but would have liked to have know why the heroine was like she was about being naked. Loved the hero and the book was fun. I am not sure how the hero for the next one can be redeemed, because I didn't like him in this book, so we will see.
June 26, 2012
Love, love, love WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND!! It's so much FUN!!! Jennifer McQuiston is a freaking master at blending comedy and angst. It's really a beautiful novel. Do yourself a BIG favor and pick it up. I pretty much guarantee she'll be your favorite new author :)
February 21, 2016
3.5 Enjoyable Stars
November 25, 2021
Interesting, but not entirely unforgettable. The whole book takes place in a day and sometimes read like insta-love. Full review to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2013
This was a fun read. From the beginning pages I was hooked, dying to find out what happened that night. The set-up caught my attention, and I found it intriguing that the whole book took place in the span of a day. Even with the short time frame, I found the characters very well developed, I felt like I knew James and Georgette. I think the author did a great job there. I really found myself liking the secondary characters too, Elsie, Patrick, and especially William. David... well, I didn't find him as likable, but he was interesting, so I'm looking forward to reading his story and getting to know him. I most especially liked the setting. I could imagine the town of Moraig and really liked the feel of it. There were many parts in the book that had me laughing and grinning, from the characters and their reactions to the situation, to the townsfolk, and even the animals. It was an enjoyable ride trying to figure out what went on, put together the pieces. I do wish some more background on evil cousin Randolph would have been given, like why was he so intent on getting her, what did he need the money for, why was he so crazy all of a sudden, what kind of herbs was he chewing? Lol, because he was wacky. And it bugged me a bit how Georgette seemed to just freeze up when he was all in her face and stuff, but her whacking him in the head with a fire poker helped to make up for it. I also got a little miffed at James when he kept thinking Georgette was trying to kill him, but I'm glad they got that settled. When the love scene came around, I thought it was very sweet. The build-up of their relationship, while in a short period of time, sure, was still believable. I could feel their attraction, and it played out quite nicely. Was cute, but still sexy. I also really enjoyed the end, the festival feel of it with the fire and everyone dancing. Made me grin. I'm happy she decided to stay there with him, and the menagerie she picked up through the day.
I think this author shows a lot of promise, I am most definitely looking forward to the next book by her! :)
I think this author shows a lot of promise, I am most definitely looking forward to the next book by her! :)
February 7, 2013
Lady Thorold has just started to live again after a horrid marriage and never wishes to be strapped down by a man’s dictates. The widow, Lady Georgette Thorold decide to restart her life by going to visit her male cousin in Scotland. She awakes confused and in a bed with a naked bearded Scotsman and there is a wedding ring on her finger. Unsure how she got herself in such a state, she does what any reasonable Lady would do and hits the naked hunk in the head with a chamber pot knocking him out cold and runs away.
James McKenzie is rudely awakened by his brother Lord William. He is missing his wallet, has a cut on his head and has little recollection of the previous night. Believing he was robbed of his purse and most likely his prized horse by the most intriguing woman, he is hot in pursuit to track her down.
It’s a story about two people unsure of the night’s events trying to piece together the clues they uncover and make sense of the circumstances they find themselves in... This was a slow building and charming story that reminded me of a historical fiction version of the “Hangover” movie.
Both characters have demons from their past to face before they can trust each other. A deviant plot is afoot and it could definitely threaten their ever finding happiness.
This was an intriguing romance, I found it moderately slow going but in the end I found myself completely engaged in the outcome. I am very much looking forward for more from Jennifer McQuiston, an extremely exciting new author in a genre I adore.
This ARC copy of What Happens in Scotland was given to me by Avon in exchange for a honest review. Publish Date February 26, 2013.
For more of Beth's reviews check out Tome Tender.
James McKenzie is rudely awakened by his brother Lord William. He is missing his wallet, has a cut on his head and has little recollection of the previous night. Believing he was robbed of his purse and most likely his prized horse by the most intriguing woman, he is hot in pursuit to track her down.
It’s a story about two people unsure of the night’s events trying to piece together the clues they uncover and make sense of the circumstances they find themselves in... This was a slow building and charming story that reminded me of a historical fiction version of the “Hangover” movie.
Both characters have demons from their past to face before they can trust each other. A deviant plot is afoot and it could definitely threaten their ever finding happiness.
This was an intriguing romance, I found it moderately slow going but in the end I found myself completely engaged in the outcome. I am very much looking forward for more from Jennifer McQuiston, an extremely exciting new author in a genre I adore.
This ARC copy of What Happens in Scotland was given to me by Avon in exchange for a honest review. Publish Date February 26, 2013.
For more of Beth's reviews check out Tome Tender.
March 18, 2013
Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart. – Marcus Aurelius
WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND opens with Lady Georgette Thorold waking up, naked in the same room with a man she does not know. She escapes his amorous attentions only to realize she may be married to him. Georgette finds a few allies … and enemies … as she seeks to identify her mystery husband and secure an annulment. This plot suggests a “What Happens in Vegas” inspiration … but WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND is so much more.
McQuiston gives readers the opportunity to dig deeper into the heroine, Georgette, and hero, James, as they search for the other. Both carry emotional baggage from family betrayals that make each wary of following through with the impromptu marriage. Yet they are intrigued by their unknown spouse, picking up clues to their character along the way. Once they finally meet, they have the chance to break away … or embrace that which fate offered.
McQuiston created a heartfelt story of fated lovers who are given a second chance at happiness in an unexpected way. McQuiston adds a unique twist to the “Vegas” inspiration that delivered a satisfying ending. I was charmed by McQuiston’s debut and look forward to more books from her.
Recommended read for fans of lighthearted romance set in early Victorian England.
WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND opens with Lady Georgette Thorold waking up, naked in the same room with a man she does not know. She escapes his amorous attentions only to realize she may be married to him. Georgette finds a few allies … and enemies … as she seeks to identify her mystery husband and secure an annulment. This plot suggests a “What Happens in Vegas” inspiration … but WHAT HAPPENS IN SCOTLAND is so much more.
McQuiston gives readers the opportunity to dig deeper into the heroine, Georgette, and hero, James, as they search for the other. Both carry emotional baggage from family betrayals that make each wary of following through with the impromptu marriage. Yet they are intrigued by their unknown spouse, picking up clues to their character along the way. Once they finally meet, they have the chance to break away … or embrace that which fate offered.
McQuiston created a heartfelt story of fated lovers who are given a second chance at happiness in an unexpected way. McQuiston adds a unique twist to the “Vegas” inspiration that delivered a satisfying ending. I was charmed by McQuiston’s debut and look forward to more books from her.
Recommended read for fans of lighthearted romance set in early Victorian England.
January 19, 2013
I will admit, I picked this book solely on the title… it was the best decision I have made in a very long time! From the first sentence I was entranced in Ms. McQuiston’s world and I didn’t want to leave.
Lady Georgette Thorold woke up smelling of brandy, which she hated, and naked, which she couldn’t abide, next to a man who was also naked, who she didn’t even know… and there was a ring on her finger. What had she done? She remembered one glass of brandy the night before with her cousin Randolph, then nothing. The room was full of broken glass and feathers… her clothes… where were her clothes? Then the slumbering giant in the bed started moving, and talking, calling her wife! She did what any self respecting woman would do, she threw the chamber pot at him and ran! She ran into the butcher in her flight who gifted her with a kitten, for reasons that were beyond her knowledge. Then her cousin found her, wanting to marry her to cover her indiscretion. Georgette explained, much to his fury, that she was already married, at which time he took her home. There, in her room she found a woman naked in a bathtub claiming to be her ladies' maid… who was previously a prostitute, until last night when Georgette hired her. Now was the time to take up drink!
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
Lady Georgette Thorold woke up smelling of brandy, which she hated, and naked, which she couldn’t abide, next to a man who was also naked, who she didn’t even know… and there was a ring on her finger. What had she done? She remembered one glass of brandy the night before with her cousin Randolph, then nothing. The room was full of broken glass and feathers… her clothes… where were her clothes? Then the slumbering giant in the bed started moving, and talking, calling her wife! She did what any self respecting woman would do, she threw the chamber pot at him and ran! She ran into the butcher in her flight who gifted her with a kitten, for reasons that were beyond her knowledge. Then her cousin found her, wanting to marry her to cover her indiscretion. Georgette explained, much to his fury, that she was already married, at which time he took her home. There, in her room she found a woman naked in a bathtub claiming to be her ladies' maid… who was previously a prostitute, until last night when Georgette hired her. Now was the time to take up drink!
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
March 25, 2013
A disappointing two stars for this one...
Darn... I really wanted to like this book. Perhaps I went into it with the wrong expectations. I was expecting humor and maybe a hot and budding little romance between two people who clearly weren't expecting to wake up married to each other. The story got off to a good start... Lady Thorold wakes up to a mysterious handsome Scotsman... with no memory of how she got there and she has a ring on her finger. But, what got off to a good start ended up turning into a very long, drawn out and boring story line. She takes off suddenly from the room in a state of anxiety and then we spend the next 50% of the book reading page after page of them searching for each other again. By the time they found each other I had already lost interest in the romance. The story line for me was weak and unbelievable. I could not relate to the characters at all and the romance was very, very rushed. I am not a fan of the love at first sight scenarios... They knew each other one whole day! UUgghhhh....
Anyway... clearly I am not a fan of this one. It is a quick and easy read just not one that kept my interest. Hope others have better luck enjoying this one than I did...
For more reviews visit:
http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Darn... I really wanted to like this book. Perhaps I went into it with the wrong expectations. I was expecting humor and maybe a hot and budding little romance between two people who clearly weren't expecting to wake up married to each other. The story got off to a good start... Lady Thorold wakes up to a mysterious handsome Scotsman... with no memory of how she got there and she has a ring on her finger. But, what got off to a good start ended up turning into a very long, drawn out and boring story line. She takes off suddenly from the room in a state of anxiety and then we spend the next 50% of the book reading page after page of them searching for each other again. By the time they found each other I had already lost interest in the romance. The story line for me was weak and unbelievable. I could not relate to the characters at all and the romance was very, very rushed. I am not a fan of the love at first sight scenarios... They knew each other one whole day! UUgghhhh....
Anyway... clearly I am not a fan of this one. It is a quick and easy read just not one that kept my interest. Hope others have better luck enjoying this one than I did...
For more reviews visit:
http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/
October 25, 2017
I didn't realize this was Jennifer McQuiston's debut historical romance when I grabbed the audio from the library. I actually listened to all of the books in her second series last month and rather enjoyed them. And I liked this story, too, though maybe not quite as much, and mostly because the first half of the story finds the hero and heroine apart, both suffering memory loss and acting rather dunderheaded in their attempts to find the other. I may check out the other books in the Second Sons series, but I'm in no rush to do so.
April 2, 2013
What a delightful romp through Moraig, Scotland! And we did romp through the town as we followed Georgette and James as they tried to recollect what happened to them that led them to waking up naked and married to each other.
It was sort of reminiscent of the movie The Hangover in that they wake up with no idea of what happened to them the night before. As they run into people who saw them the night before they get clues. It was cute and light and I'll read more by this author :)
It was sort of reminiscent of the movie The Hangover in that they wake up with no idea of what happened to them the night before. As they run into people who saw them the night before they get clues. It was cute and light and I'll read more by this author :)
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