[ARC Review] In Her Highlander's Bed by Lynsay Sands

Publisher's synopsis: An invigorating swim in the loch was exactly what Calan Campbell, Laird of Kilcairn, needed after defeating his enemies in battle. What he didn’t need was a thief running away with his plaid while he swam. Calan gave chase and managed to catch the lad, only the lad turned out to be a lass, and obviously a lady. Having hit her head when he’d tackled her to the ground, the woman was now unconscious and couldn’t explain how she had ended up bruised and naked in his woods. He’d have to take her back to his castle and tend her wounds to learn that.

Kidnapped and forced to wed her clan’s enemy, Allissaid MacFarlane had risked death to escape. But after a struggle over a plaid she tried to “borrow,” she awakens in a strange bed with a strange man seated in a chair beside her. Unsure if he is friend or foe, she claims not to remember her own name or how she’d come to be in the clearing. However, the more time she spends with Calan, the more she falls for this strong, honorable laird. She soon decides she can trust him with her life. . . but can she trust him with her heart?

My thoughts: Whether the leading men have fangs or wear kilts, I will always devour a Lynsay Sands book. In Her Highlander's Bed is part of the Highland Brides series, but this one can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone without too much trouble. 

Allissaid is one of my favorite Sands heroines. She is brave, selfless, and emotionally strong. Allissaid had such a tough go at it; she was betrayed, taken, hurt. Even when she believed she may be among enemies, she remained strong and did what she needed to do. When her life was in danger, she still worried over her family. She may not have been physically strong, but she had strength in all other ways. And that actually made her the perfect love interest for Calan. 

Calan had many of the attributes you typical find in Highlander men. He was physically imposing, good with his sword, and often quiet. But I loved Calan because he was also loving and thoughtful, always putting Allissaid's needs ahead of his own. Whether that meant getting ready for battle or going out of his comfort zone, Calan always had her in his heart. 

There's a lot I can't say regarding why I loved both of these characters - otherwise I'd have to give away major parts of the plot - but if you're going to read one Highlander romance, this would be a good one to read. The plot had meaning beyond the romance, the main characters were well done, and there was a whole cadre of fantastic secondary characters (all I'm saying is, Calan's sister needs her own book, too). 

Overall, In Her Highlander's Bed is a great Highlander romance that will pull you in from the first page.

A huge thank you to Avon for providing a review copy of the newest Lynsay Sands!

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Release date: 1/24/23
Format: eARC

eARC provided via: NetGalley