The Highlander's Irish Bride

Vanessa Kelly

Jul 2021 · Clan Kendrick Book 4 · Zebra Books

About this ebook

The latest in bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s intoxicating Clan Kendrick series shines a light on the most respectable member of the Kendrick clan—and the independent woman who stole his heart . . .
 
Miss Kathleen Calvert may be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat, but she has no intention of acting like one. All she desires is to return to her family’s estate to raise horses and manage her father’s magnificent gardens. But when a scandal threatens her reputation, her parents order her to a remote Scottish estate, hoping she will finally learn to behave like a proper lady. To make matters worse, her escort is a handsome Highlander who just happens to be the most boring man in all of Scotland . . .
 
After a youth of dangerous and wild escapades, Grant Kendrick surprised his family—and himself—by becoming a successful businessman and the most respectable Kendrick brother. But does that matter, when the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen deems him a stodgy bore? Luckily, he gets the chance to prove her wrong when their carriage is ambushed by thieves. But it will take all his ingenuity to protect the beautiful lass who has stormed her way into his heart—and to convince her that a life with him will be a love-filled adventure . . .
 
Praise for The Highlander’s English Bride
 
“A thoroughly satisfying happy ending.”
—Publishers Weekly

Ratings and reviews

Having read the previous books in this series, I was excited about this one. I love the main characters, Kathleen and Grant, and although their attraction was obvious from the start, there were so many additional characters involved that I was hard put to sort out one from the other, resulting in some confusion. The plot of the story is good, however, it was hidden under so much dialogue that I found myself skimming over large parts of it. Part of a series, this book does come to a successful conclusion, but I do trust that at some point Kathleen's younger sister was put over someone's knee and given the spanking she obviously deserved. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Miss Kathleen Calvert spirit exuberance has gotten her banned from London by her stepmother. If she was being banned to their estate, Greystone, in the highlands of Scotland. To stay with her cousin Sabrina in the highlands. We met Sabrina in His English bride. Gillian Penley, Duchess of Leverton has gotten word of the impending scandal. Gillian has taken steps to squelch the rumors. Wanting to meet her cousin Victoria Kendrick, Gillian offers to escort Kathleen to Glasgow for a short visit before Kathleen has to continue further into the Highlands. When they leave the following morning, Kathleen is relieved to spend some time with Gillian and then to be able to spend time with her cousin Sabrina. That relief only lasts two days until they discover Jeannie, Kathleen’s sixteen-year-old step-sister hiding in the luggage compartment of coach. In Scotland Kathleen meets Grand Kendrick. Grant is running the family import business and trying to overcome his hellion past. Grant is all business the last thing he wants is to escorting Kathleen and her younger sister around town. When scandal breaks out in Glasgow Gillian and Victoria decides it's time for Kathleen and Jeannie to continue their journey north to Graeme and Sabrina's home. While traveling north their coach is hijack right outside the village of Graeme's estate. Grant deals with the attackers. Once at the estate Grant finds out his brother is dealing with a rash of burglaries and threats. I could definitely see attaction between Grant and Kathleen why each would be attracted to the other – even though neither of them saw it at the time. Both characters were strong, decisive, brave, and stubborn – and both were determined they didn’t need anyone else in their lives. Their instant attraction caused them both to shy away from the other.

I loved reading Kathleen and Grant’s amazing story in The Highlander's Irish Bride by Vanessa Kelly, book three in her Clan Kendrick series. This amazing story brings together two people who are perfect for each other; being exactly what the other needs. Kathleen Calvert just might be the daughter of an Irish aristocrat but she refuses to act like one. Kathleen, an independent, fun loving, free-spirit, wants a future where she raises horses and manages her father’s beautiful gardens. After a chariot race with a neighbor causes tongues to wag and the possibility of scandal, both threatening her reputation, her parents force her to travel to a remote Scottish estate, to visit a cousin. They are hoping that while she is there, she might finally learn the importance of behaving like a proper lady. Learning that her escort is a handsome Highlander, possibly the most boring man in all of Scotland, doesn’t make Kathleen any happier. As a youth, Grant Kendrick ran wild, partaking in dangerous and wild escapades with his twin brother. Becoming a successful businessman and the most respectful Kendrick brother definitely surprised his family. Deciding it doesn’t matter that the beautiful and free-spirited Kathleen thinks he’s a stodgy bore; he will get his chance to prove her wrong. Losing his heart to Kathleen, Grant will need to find a way to convince her that life with him will never be boring, but instead a love-filled adventure. Kathleen and Grant are definitely perfect for each other; one is Irish and one is Scottish, one is fiery and independent and the other quiet and a homebody. This story is not just a romance, as there are additional story-lines that move the tale along. Ms. Kelly provides plenty of fun along the way. We read about waywardly sisters, theft and kidnappings. Then there’s Angus, their grandfather who is not only a mischief-maker and matchmaker, but adds another layer to the story. I love how much family means to the Kendricks as well as how much they care for those adopted into the clan. All of the ladies are spit-fires, which I love; demonstrating that they don't necessarily need the men to complete them. Ms. Kelly wrote a charming, clever, entertaining and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, amusing banter, sizzling chemistry and endearing secondary characters giving Kathleen and Grant a chance to obtain all each desires. I highly recommend The Highlander's Irish Bride to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

About the author

Vanessa Kelly is a bestselling author of historical mystery and historical romance. She has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for best historical romance. She is a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, BookScan, and Amazon bestseller several times over. To date, her books have been published in eleven languages. After receiving her MA in English literature from Rutgers University, Vanessa spent several years in the Ph.D program at the University of Toronto, studying women authors of the 18th Century. She worked as a researcher for many years, and currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband. Visit her at VanessaKellyAuthor.com.