The Laird Takes a Bride

The Penhallow Dynasty, Book 2

By: Lisa Berne

Narrated by: Elle Newlands

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lisa Berne's Penhallow Dynasty series continues as a Highlander marries against his will - and discovers he may have found the perfect bride.

Alasdair Penhallow, laird of his clan and master of Castle Tadgh, is forced to end his carefree bachelorhood thanks to an ancient decree that requires him to marry. But Alasdair's search for a biddable wife comes to a screeching halt when Fate serves up Fiona Douglass. Prickly as a thistle, Fiona challenges him at every turn, rendering herself surprisingly irresistible. Her love would be a prize indeed...if Alasdair could accept it.

Fiona gave her heart once and doesn't plan to repeat that folly. Yet she finds herself drawn to Alasdair's intelligence and strength, and the passion he incites goes well beyond her expectations for what's only a marriage of expedience. Despite herself, she's falling in love with her husband.

But there's a high wall between them - and Fiona's not sure it can ever be torn down.

©2017 Lisa Berne (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Quick & Witty Highland Romance

Very enjoyable 2nd book from a new author. I bought this book and the first book in the series on the recommendation of author Cathy Maxwell and was not disappointed! The writing style is quick and witty and the heroine is an older independent lass not afraid to speak her mind. Marvelous! Recording is wonderful.

Enjoyable...

1811 Scotland, a romance, an alpha male (or two), and a hysterical running dialogue in the heroines head.... makes for an enjoyable experience.

Elle Newlands was perfect.

Heat? Not really......

Creditworthy? I say yes.

Interesting twists and so much emotion

I loved the narration and the story was very unique with tweaks to the usual forced marriage/marriage of convenience trope. The nod to "The Bachelor" was amusing. The characters had to deal with so much loss and betrayal to grow. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. I can't wait for future titles.

Awesome story

I loved how the story was first and had twists and turns. I felt sad for Fiona, but loved her resolve and how she honored how she felt.

I loved it!

Ok, not a story about the same old boy marries girl, where they can't stop thinking, lusting or having great love making every chance they get. This is a story about leaning to love and accepting you're good enough for love. The story is set in the eighteen hundreds however, the genius of the writer allows for all to relate no matter what century it is. I thought the story was refreshing, a believable everyday senecio that kept me on the edge of wanting the the main characters to fall in love. I gave a 5 star because I appreciated the writers realistic approach.

this book was written like a bedtime story

this would not be a bad thing if in fact I wanted to read a bedtime story however when I pick up romance novels I intend to read them as though I am peeking through this person's life it should be fulfilling but not boring. this story however was told in a long journey detailed way however it was not fulfilling and was quite boring it includes a marriage decree and untimely deaths of minor characters and the mystical walleyed child I like Scottish Highlander romances that keep you on the edge of your seat storyline-wise and provide you interesting vivacious characters that you want to know more about. this book had a great plot line and mildly even interesting characters but the follow-through was not interesting enough to hold ones attention. if you would like a good long breed about a woman and a man who threw terms of loss and finding themselves come to love each other this is a great story for you. however I think I have spoiled myself with Lindsay sands and Hannah Howell novels.

Kudos for a non-typical plot

Decent narration. It's not really plausible, but a decent voyage of self-discovery and sort of delayed maturity. This is as much about finding each other as it is finding themselves. Side romance for the maiden aunt is also fun.

Annoying Female Lead

Although the story tidied up in the final chapter and the hero found his way to the heroine; the passive aggressive, cold and temperamental portrayal of Fiona was so off putting I could not find contentment in their union. The more the story went on, the more I disliked her. I must say she tops the list of my least liked characters. Had I been the hero, I would have left the distance between us and found another prospect.

Just too long

The story felt too long and it became boring. The change of heart of the hero at the end did not feel believable and there was no groveling. Even the “conflict” was not interesting enough. This story is not worth a credit.

The narration is wonderful and it’s the reason why I actually got the book. But great narration is not enough to make the story interesting.

Wonderful!

Any additional comments?

I absolutely loved this story, and everything about it, start to finish. Highly recommend if you love Historical romances.