The Secret (Highlands' Lairds, #1)

by Julie Garwood

Judith Hampton was as beautiful as she was proud and loyal. Her dear Scottish friend from childhood was about to give birth, and Judith had promised to be by her side. But there was another, private reason for the journey from her bleak English home to the Highlands: to meet the father she had never known, the Laird Maclean. Nothing prepared her, however, for the sight of the Scottish barbarian who was to escort her to this land...Iain Maitland, Laird of his clan, a man more powerfully compelling than she had ever encountered. In a spirited clash of wills and customs, Judith reveled in the melting bliss of Iain's searching kisses. Perplexed by her defiance, bemused by her tender nature, Iain felt his soul growing into the warmth of her love. Surely nothing could wrench her from the affection of Iain and his clan...not even the truth about her father, a devastating secret that could shatter the boldest alliance, and the most glorious of loves!

• ISBN10: 1417718242
• ISBN13: 9781417718245
• Publish Date: 1 May 1992
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 7 April 2021
• Imprint: Turtleback Books
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 379
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

This one will never get old. I will always love visiting the highlands and Judith and Ian's love story is one of my very favourites. I laughed, sniffled and sighed.

I'm sure I will be back again soon...ish...

**********

The Secret wasn't such a secret after all.

I loved The Secret and after listening to it for the first time and re-reading it for the 20 billionth time, I think I love it more.

Judith is a strong and feisty English woman whose best friend is a Scot. When she's asked to attend her friends birthing of her first child, she does not hesitate to pack her bags.

Ian is Laird and as a favour to his brother offers to collect the English woman. Ian thinks his brother is daft giving in to his woman and scoffed at his devotion and need to make her happy.

When the two meet there is an instant attraction, but a Scottish Laird and an English lass is not a good alliance.

Judith has a secret that could ruin everything. Ian knows that by taking an English bride he's asking for trouble...but can't seem to stop himself. Only the two of them can decide if their love is worth the sacrifice.

I laughed so hard at this one and got some very strange looks on the train. I'm pretty sure I had a goofy grin on my face for most this one.

The storyline is captivating, the characters lovable and the love story enough to make me sigh. I will definitely be listening to more in the future.

[Rowena]

4.25 out of 5

Oh man, it's been ages since I've re-read this one and I loved it just as much this time as I have the others. It's still not one of my favorites but there is still much to love about this book and the characters. So much love for this book.