When a Scot Ties the Knot

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carmen Rose

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shy, pretty, and talented with a drawing pencil but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: She invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter...and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep - handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He's wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters...and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

©2015 Eve Ortega (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

Cute Story, But......

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Doubtful. The theme of the story was charming: a shy debutante fearing her first London season and how she avoids it . Not interesting in marriage; wanting only to draw her pencil drawings Maddie devised a plan to stay at home. She created a love match with a Scottish Captain away at war. The beginning was delightful, the letters to the imaginary Captain were comical, but it soon lost it's humor and the story started going downhill after a real Captain MacKinzie appeared on the scene . The story didn't seem to have continuity and the very detailed sex scenes were 'thrown in' to take up space. I found the personalities of Maddie and the Captain inconsistent with the story as it progressed. It was poorly written in my estimation.

What did you like best about this story?

The beginning when Maddie invents her betrothed and the letters she wrote to her imaginary Captain. The narrator was also enjoyable to listen to. She did the Scottish accents especially well.

Have you listened to any of Carmen Rose’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't remember hearing her before.

What would have made this romance irresistible?

I didn't find the book romantic. The sex scenes were too detailed and seemed to be thrown in, rather than romantically led up to. I found the sex scene that took place when Maddie had just dressed to go to a conference where she was to be honored for her illustrations especially repulsive and out of place. But I found most of them thus.

Any additional comments?

I would have liked the book if the body of the story was as convincing and enjoyable as the beginning; if the author had better considered the personalities she created in her main characters while writing her story. It's hard to describe, but it's like the rhythm of the story was off. Throwing in the sex scenes the way she did just made the story more disjointed.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

An unexpected pleasure

The Shy Madeline gets panic attacks in crowds and so to avoid her debut into society she makes up a her engagement and romance to a Scottish Captain named Logan MacKenzie who supposedly has to leave to go to defend his country in a war right after they meet and fall in love. To keep up the deception she posts letters to him and also writes correspondence back to herself. After a few years of being able to keep her father and stepmother happy about the impending marriage, she realizes she can not keep up the scheme and announces to everyone that he has died at war. She is left a castle in Scotland by her godfather which she takes advantage of to escape the Ton and moves there with her aunt. Years later she has an unexpected visitor ready to cash in on the promise of marriage. Captain Logan MacKenzie, back from the war demands marriage and through it wishes to gain what he believes should have been his to begin with. The castle. The letters containing her admission to lies is what he uses to force her hand into marriage.

This book was refreshing and sweet and put a smile on my face every night before I fell sleep as I listened to a few chapters. This story is a mood lifting romance with very very little drama. Great for those who wish to just read something sweet to escape their day to day life.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

If you want to be surprised by laughter and a really great story listen to this book

This was my first book by Tessa Dare and I absolutely enjoyed every moment of it. Great story line, witty, romantic, and I don't remember them when I have laughed so much. And I must say, Carmen Rose made it even better with her excellent narration!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Wonderful!!

I listen to a lot of historical romances, but seldom do I enjoy one as much as this. Although it is a romance and has a little steamy passion, it also has laugh out loud humor throughout the book. The main characters are likeable and funny. Madeline makes up an imaginary fiancée and writes letters so her family won't press her to marry. But what she doesn't know is that those letters actually make it into the hands of a real Scottish Captain. He comes to look for her after the war is over and that's when the real fun begins. Miss Rose does a great narration and her Scottish brogue is beautiful. If you like a love story with witty dialogue and passion and humor, I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Dare and Rose are a good combination

Carmen Rose is a good narrator. I love her Scottish brogue. I always enjoy Tessa Dare's stories, her heroes and heroines aren't the run of the mill beautiful nobility, but more like real people.
This was a good series, worth a credit.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Enjoyable

This story may seem a bit far fetched but that's why they call it fiction, right? The characters were well developed and the story progressed at a comfortable pace. I loved the narration. Ms. Rose has a great reading voice and great accents. Thoroughly enjoyable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Brilliant!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The narrator did such an awesome job. I couldn't put it down!
The storyline is full of humour and at times I found myself laughing out loud at the antics of him and his men. I highly recommend.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Absolutely delightful

I enjoyed every second of this clever, delightful book. The characters are quirky and fun, I think it is one of Tessa Dare's best.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Humor and Romance

A well written story that has out-of-the-ordinary events and humor to boot. My favorite part was when her fictitious love arrived, then he became even more endearing as I discovered how important the letters had been to him. The intimate scenes are well written and well read with appropriate detail, setting, and timing. I felt the sadness when she discovered him shivering during the night and when he finally disclosed the circumstances of his abandonment, and there was plenty of smiling and laughs out loud at some of the humor that was interspersed throughout, especially in the beginning when the details of her letters were shared.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Delightful!

First of all, I have to commend Carmen Rose for the wonderful narration. She read the Scots' accents perfectly. Or as perfectly as I imagine they should be.

Tessa Dare is a magician. This series is one of my favorites. Imagine the shock of making up a fiancé and then having him stand in front of you in the flesh. Tessa brings these characters to light in a humorous and touching way. I adore Maddie - how can you not love someone who cares so much for a pair of lobster - and Logan is ... well, Logan is a Highlander with all the gruffness and devotion that brings. Add in a sad childhood and inability to feel love (or so he thinks) and you have this enjoyable tale of love in a castle in Scotland. My only concern is that I thought it dragged a bit toward the end. Not enough to dampen how much I liked it.

I'm already waiting for Tessa Dare's next book.

I hated for this book to be over and that's the sign of a good story, in my opinion.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful