Tess and the Highlander by May McGoldrick

I can’t believe you all let me go this long without reviewing a historical romance novel. Honestly, shame on me!

What’s it About?

Tess
Tess Lindsay has spent most of her life on the remote Isle of May, uncertain of her identity. Raised by the two sole inhabitants of the island, she is left to fend for herself after their deaths, until a stranger washes ashore in a storm. Tess pulls him from the surf, not knowing that in saving the Highlander she is saving herself.

The Highlander
If good looks and a taste for adventure are a curse, Colin Macpherson is destined for ruin. Until he ends up a castaway on Tess’s windswept island, he’s been roaming the seas, seeking fame, fortune… and a different girl in every port. But his fascination for this strong-willed lass goes beyond her wild beauty, intriguing him as no girl ever does.

As Colin gains her trust, Tess reveals what little she knows about herself and her past. From her scant clues, though, Colin comes to one conclusion: he must return Tess to the mainland to reclaim her birthright, even if it means losing her to a destiny that does not include him.

First Impressions

Ok, so when it comes to historical romance reads, this one was just alright. It wasn’t bad in any sense of the word, but it was overall a rather predictable and basic romance. Not a whole lot of depth, but easy-going and still enjoyable. Also, we’ve got a Highlander in a kilt, so at least it has that going for it. This book also made me realize that my brain has now been conditioned to always picture Sam Heughan from Outlander as the male lead for any Highland romance. I don’t care that the lead in this book, Colin, has a physical appearance completely different than that of Sam. Sexy Highlander in my mind automatically reads Outlander to me. I suppose James Dornan could be an acceptable substitute.

Plenty of Sass

My favorite character in this novel, hands down, had to be Tess. She had so much sass and spunk, and that isn’t something you necessarily always come across in historical romance leading ladies. No need for a fainting chaise in this one! Tess has been living alone on a remote island for a while now, and Colin is the first outsider she’s ever interacted with. He might be big, surly and intimidating, but that doesn’t mean Tess is afraid to speak her mind.

With a Shipwreck Here, and a Shipwreck There

Tess has no concrete memory of what life was like before she washed up on the island during a storm when she was a child. She was raised by an elderly couple who recently passed away, but they ensured she was kept hidden from any outsider who visited the island when they were alive. When Colin washes ashore during another terrible storm, Tess can’t help but drag him to safety. While she initially tries to stay hidden from him, their paths on this small island eventually cross, and sparks are quick to fly.

The Harsh Reality of Coming Home

The few memories Tess has of her former pre-island life are far from happy, and remain as blurred, fiery flashbacks which come to her in the forms of nightmares. When she eventually leaves the island with Colin, her flashbacks start to become more and more clear, specifically in regards to her overbearing mother. Tess is desperate to reunite with her mother, who is also her only living family. However, her mom’s hatred of Highlanders, and ill opinion of Colin presents a complicated inner struggle for Tess. She craves the closeness and affection of her mother, yet also refuses to stand for her mother viewing Colin as a barbarian. A complicated and dramatic homecoming to be sure!

*Disclaimer: Yes, I realize every photo I used in this post was from the show Outlander. Yes, I understand it might have been overkill.But you know what, I don’t even care! I LOVE!!!

Series: MacPherson Clan, book 6. I haven’t read any of the others, and had no trouble following along. We do see characters from the other books though.

Should you read it? Good, not great. Predictable and sweet. Tess has been independent for so long, it’s inevitable she’ll clash with her overbearing and controlling mother upon reuniting.

Smut Level: A few make-out scenes, nothing more. The best part though was when they were on the island together, and Colin has to warm Tess up after she was hiding in the cold and rain to avoid him. Time to get cozy!!

Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $3.01 Kindle Price. May McGoldrick Books. 173 Pages.