Series: Clan Kendrick (Book 2)
Being thrown over by the man she expected to marry was
humiliating enough. Now that Donella Haddon, grandniece of the Earl of Riddick,
has also proven a failure as a nun, she has no choice but to return to her
family’s estate. The brawny Highlander sent to escort her is brash, handsome,
and the only thing standing between Donella and a gang of would-be kidnappers.
But the scandal in her past can’t be so easily outrun . . .
Wealthy widower Logan Kendrick was expecting to meet a
plain, pious spinster—not a gorgeous, sharp-tongued lass who can hold her own
in any ambush. Though she’s known as the Flower of Clan Graham, Donella is no
shrinking violet. In fact, she might be the perfect woman to bring happiness
back to his lonely little son’s life, just in time for Christmas. But first he must protect her from ugly
gossip and a mysterious threat—and convince her that their wild, unexpected
desire is heaven sent.
Fun book about two people who need to overcome guilty
feelings about past events before they can accept that they can have a happy
future together. From the moment they met, the sparks flew between Logan and
Donella. Logan wants the Earl of Riddick to enter into a business relationship
with him, so he agrees to escort the man's grandniece from a convent to her
family's home. He's stunned to find a beautiful and feisty woman instead of a
plain and pious spinster. Donella entered the convent three years earlier after
a series of events that caused a scandal. A month from taking her vows, the
Reverend Mother has told her she's unsuited to being a nun (cue "How Do
You Solve a Problem Like Donella?).
I liked both Logan and Donella. Donella is feisty and independent.
She also loves her family and wants to keep them from having to deal with the
fallout from her scandal. She can be brash and blunt and has no problem
expressing her opinions to Logan. Having lost her place at the convent, she's
not sure what's in store for her future. I ached for her as bits of her story
were revealed throughout the book, leaving her doubtful of her worth. Logan is
a good man with a painful past. He desperately wants to be a good father to his
son, but events from his past make it awkward for him as he tries to reconnect
with Joseph and the rest of his family.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship
between Logan and Donella. The banter between them was snappy and fun to
follow. When their carriage was attacked by another clan who wanted to kidnap
Donella, Logan refused to cooperate. I loved seeing them have to work together
to escape. As the circumstances threw them together, the sparks between them
flared hotter, but neither was willing to give in to them. Logan has no
intention of marrying again, and Donella hopes to find another convent to go
to. It was exciting to see their escape play out, especially with the lengths
that Logan went to to disguise her identity. I laughed out loud when help
finally arrived, and they had to do some fast talking to avoid a forced
marriage. They parted, thinking they wouldn't see each other again.
But Fate wasn't done with them. Donella's uncle refuses
to let her run away to another convent just yet and sends her off to Glasgow to
help with family Christmas preparations. Since she needs a chaperone, she's
sent to stay with her cousin Victoria - who just happens to be Logan's
sister-in-law. From the moment they meet again it's evident to everyone around
them that there is something between them. When Logan's son and grandfather
arrive unexpectedly from Canada, Logan is surprised by how quickly Joseph and
Donella bond. As Logan discovers that Donella brings light and laughter back
into his life, he decides that he'd like to keep her in his life.
Meanwhile, Donella is surprised by the effect that Logan
has on her, but she has secrets that keep her from believing that she is
suitable for him. I enjoyed seeing them grow closer, first building something
of a friendship in their mutual care of Joseph. The attraction also continued
to build. I enjoyed seeing Logan try to work past Donella's walls. The scene at
the ball, where he and Donella were caught together was pretty funny. I loved
Logan's support of Donella when she finally confessed all of her secrets.
Though Logan and Donella are ready to embrace their
future, her past isn't quite done with her. When a man with a grudge succeeds
in kidnapping her, it's up to Logan to find her before it's too late. The final
confrontation was both intense and funny, as the kidnapper's plans are foiled
by a surprise twist. The actions of several highly volatile Highland men left
me laughing and shaking my head, especially when it took a woman to bring them
under control. I loved the epilogue and seeing the happiness that both Logan
and Donella found together.
I will definitely go back and read the first book in the
series as soon as possible and look forward to further books about the
Kendricks. They are sure to be just as fun. The only issue I had with this book
was the occasional use of anachronistic words or phrases, but it didn't
diminish my enjoyment by much.
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