I liked these characters, but not necessarily the hurdles to their relationship. Their reasoning was kind of weak and it ended up making them seem a bit daft. I liked that the the heroine dared to express her interest and didn't just wait around hoping he would read her mind and know what to do. So she started off smart (though maybe keep an eye on her drinking in the future, sheesh...). But the hero kept thinking 'forever' thoughts and then continuing to think they couldn't possibly marry (though there was no real barrier). That lasted about the entire first half, (which was too long for my preference), but then just when he got on board she went over the side, lol. She didn't even try to repay the money (or determine the amount) she just went headlong toward ruining both their future happinesses. And from the novella following, two more would have been ruined besides, all because she couldn't problem solve worth a damn. I liked the sweet things the hero said throughout. They endeared him to me. ( )

My feelings on How To Seduce A Scot were all over the place. There were areas that had me in stitches. Alexander's approach to finding his sister a mate is priceless. His opinions on handling matchmaking mamas, marriage minded ladies and London society in general was chauvinistic. Where the problems came in for me is that some of the characters could have been probed into more deeply. I also thought that the momentum of the story itself was not very steady. The main characters: Catherine and Alexander were likable but I do not think that there match was a love one. I received an ARC of How to Seduce a Scot in exchange for an honest review. This novel is the first I have read by Ms. English and I found the story to be delightful. ( )

This is the first installment in Christy English's new Broadswords and Ballrooms series, featuring a family of rough and tumble Highlanders and their spitfire sister. I believe the premise will be matching each spirited Highlander with a prim and proper English woman/man. I have been wanting to read this author for a while, and have been eyeing [b:To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine|8499733|To Be Queen A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine|Christy English|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1294713257s/8499733.jpg|13365575]. So I was glad to see she has this new series on NetGalley so I could give her a shot.

In this first book, our hero is a proud braw Highlander who sticks out like a sore thumb among the English dandies. Alexander Waters is unapologetic about his size, his manliness, and his Scottish patriotism. He is drawn immediately to our heroine, Catherine, a country girl from Devon who is being ignored by all the other men in Almack's. While Alex was bonny and braw, he was also uber nice and honorable. I did like Alex, and his wondrous black leather gloves, but I wished he would have been a little more of a Highland caveman. I haven't read a good bride stealing book lately, and I was really hoping he was going to take matters in his own hands and steal Catherine away.

Catherine is a sweet and dutiful country girl who has fallen on hard times. After her father passed, her somewhat flighty mother has ruined their finances. In a last ditch effort, Catherine comes to London to have a one and only season to grab a husband who will take care of her and her family. Unfortunately her dutiful nature causes her to do things all wrong and she quite got on my nerves with it. I really lost a lot of respect for her towards the end when she was fouling things up with Alex.

This series has a lot of potential, and I am looking forward to the next book. Unfortunately this first installment didn't hold my attention all that well and I was not a huge fan of the heroine.


I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars / 3 flames. ( )

How to Seduce a Scot was a fun and sweet historical romance and kicks off the Broadswords and Ballrooms series by Christy English.

Catherine Middlebrook is trying to find a husband because her family is in debt. Her dad passed away leaving her single mother owing a mortgage on the house that she cannot pay. Catherine is in London and her need to marry to save her family is dire. She meets Lord Farleigh, an aristocrat with money who would make a sensible match and is interested in her, but she also meets a Highlander named Alexander Waters. Alexander is the opposite of Lord Farleigh. The Highlander is tall, dark, and handsome and straightforward with her, where Farleigh is always reserved.
What ensues is a bit of a love triangle as the men vie for her affections.

Alexander is in town to see that his sister finds a suitable English husband. He is anti-English even though his mother is English and he never thought he’d fall for an English woman himself, so this adds another dynamic to the story.

Catherine struggles with which man to choose, she is drawn to Alexander although she thinks he might just use her. Her head tells her to choose Lord Farleigh, who will marry her and pay off her family’s debt. Farleigh is the sensible choice, but opposites attract and as much as she fights it, the Highlander is the one she cannot stop thinking of.

I found the story to be fun and it pulled me right along through Regency England. There was alot of pressure in society back then and every move you make is watched and scrutinized. Catherine sews her own clothing and knows how to cook, both of which are looked down upon as well bred ladies are not supposed to lift a finger.

Of course I knew she was going to choose the hunky Highlander, the book title says it all, but it was still fun seeing it happen. Alexander is of course worldly in the ways of seduction and Catherine is inexperienced, so he keeps trying to keep himself in check. As you read his inner monologue you know he’s actually a nice guy and his character made me laugh a few times. He doesn’t want to ruin Catherine’s reputation but he is drawn to her as well. He figures he will stay in town until his sister is married off, then he can head back to the Highlands, but Catherine has really caught his heart. He nicknames her Angel and refers to her this was many times throughout the story. Some of the scenes between these two were funny, especially the first kiss after Catherine takes an alcoholic beverage from Alexander’s sister and forgets her reserves for a bit.

Catherine has a lot at stake here, this is her one chance to save her family and find herself a suitable match. The attraction between herself and the Highlander was believable and her struggle was real.
"She went upstairs to change her gown, and to put up her hair once more. Her bonnet was a bit crushed, but still serviceable. Much like her heart."
p. 105, How to Seduce a Scot by Christy English

All in all, this was a sweet and sometimes steamy romance between a good English girl and a hunky Highlander. I have read this author before and I enjoy her work. Cute book cover too!

Disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free copy of How to Seduce a Scot by Christy English via Sourcebooks.

reviewed at my blog
https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/how-to-seduce-a-scot-by-christy-eng... ( )

A simple plan foiled!

Alexander Waters has been sent by his mother to escort his wild, free spirited sister through a season in London, and to make sure she is married off to a 'decent' Englishman. There are strong hints that Mary Elizabeth has tried her mother's patience mightily and this is the result. There are definite references throughout that make it obvious that none of the siblings want to be on the short end of their mother's ire. Mary Elizabeth is a fun-filled young lady who is nothing like the English misses Alex so decries. Climbing hemp ropes and sword fights are the least of her past times.

On the other hand, Catherine Middlebrook is one of those gently bred English misses (at least on the outside) so decried. We know that the real Catherine is a strong young woman, supportive and willing to sacrifice everything for one season to secure her family's fortune. Her plan is to marry respectably, if not we'll, thereby ensuring that her family is lifted out of their straightened circumstances. Unfortunately, all Catherine's efforts are plagued at every turn by the behaviour of her mother. Her mother's inability to face the reality of their circumstances has far reaching consequences.

Alex and Catherine meet when Catherine befriends Mary Elizabeth. Alex is drawn to her, although he has no plans to marry. Indeed his mother instructed him and his brother Robert that they were not to come back from London married. (It's obvious that their English mother has taken up her adopted country with a vengeance. It seem she rules her children with an iron hand.)

Catherine and Alex are drawn to each other, but their paths lie in different directions. However the heart sometimes has other ideas, and circumstances can muddle a person's thinking. I enjoyed the antics of all involved and look forward to the next in the series.

A NetGalley ARC ( )