What Happens in Scotland (Second Sons, #1)

by Jennifer McQuiston

Jennifer McQuiston's debut historical romance, What Happens in Scotland, is a lively, romantic adventure about a wedding that neither the bride or the groom remembers. Lady Georgette Thorold has always been wary of marriage, so when she wakes up next to an attractive Scotsman with a wedding ring on her finger, it's easy to understand why she panics and flees. Convinced that Georgette is a thief, her may-be husband, James McKenzie, searches for her. As both try to recall what happened that fateful night, they begin to realize that their attraction and desire for each other is undeniable. But is it enough? Fans of Sarah MacLean and Mary Balogh will enjoy this utterly charming historical romance from award-winning author Jennifer McQuiston that features unforgettable characters and a satisfying mix of adventure and passion.

• ISBN10: 0062231251
• ISBN13: 9780062231253
• Publish Date: 26 February 2013
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Rowena]

Lady Georgette Thorold is fresh out of mourning her deceased husband when she wakes up shackled to someone completely different. She’s in Scotland, visiting her cousin and when said cousin backs her into a corner, she kind of goes off and well, shit went down. Only thing is, Georgette has no clue what happened.

So this book is basically Hangover (the movie) in a historical setting. And in Scotland, not in Vegas. The book starts off with Lady Georgette waking up next to a very big, handsome man that she doesn’t know. When she nudges him awake, he wakes only to tell her that he’s her husband and wants more of what he got last night. During this scene, I was already laughing. What a predicament to wake up in.

The whole book is spent trying to figure out what happened the night before. How did Georgette end up with a ladies maid that is more suited for a barmaid with her inappropriate mouth and loud laugh. She also ends up with a dog, a cat and everyone around her seems to know who she is and what happened the night before. Everyone except her, so she keeps the ladiesmaid and their first order of business is to find her “husband” and get that situated because well, she’s wealthy and she’d like to stay wealthy so that she can live the way that she wants to.

Throughout this entire book, I was laughing at the pieces of the puzzle that are revealed through the colorful cast that we meet. This was such a fun historical read that I’m really glad that I requested it for review on Edelweiss. This was one of those books that you’re glad you read, not because it had the answers that would change your life but because it took you away from your life for a few hours and brought a smile to your face. Was this book realistic? Probably not. But did I care? Not at all. This book was fun, the characters rocked my socks and even though the heroine got on my nerves from time to time, it was still an enjoyable book and I will definitely be reading more from this author. Especially since the next book is the magistrate’s book (his name has slipped my mind) and I’m curious to see how McQuiston redeems him since he was an ass in this book and I didn’t care for him all that much. Should be another fun adventure and I’m all about that.

[kimbacaffeinate]

What Happens in Scotland, Jennifer McQuiston’s debut historical romance was a delightfully funny tale. I began this late at night with the intention of reading just a few chapters and found myself reading the last page at 2:20 in the morning. From an unexpected wedding to a devious plotter this tale kept me turning the pages to find my happily-ever-after.

The widowed Lady Georgette Thorold has just come out of mourning and is delighted when her cousin invited her to Scotland. She looks at it as an adventure and a chance to enjoy her new found freedom. Marriage was not at all agreeable with her and she has no intention of doing so again. When she wakes up in a strange room reeking of brandy only to find a strange man in her bed and feathers; well she is a little shocked. She cannot remember what happened the night before and she loathes brandy. When she discovers the ring on her finger she panics and runs. The tale that unfolds is silly, suspenseful and romantic as Georgette and James McKenzie piece together the events of the night before and discover something more.

Georgette was funny, prim and proper except for maybe last night. I loved her reactions to the events that occurred and her assumptions at things that did not. James McKenzie is at times hot-headed but he has a heart that is three sizes too big and it often gets him in trouble. Estranged from his father the Earl he is determined to make it on his own as a lawyer and he may just have Georgette arrested. I loved the banter between these two and while the events all occurred within a twenty-four hour period their feelings felt genuine.

The first half of the tale was spent uncovering the truths of the night before and fans of romance might find themselves wanting more scenes between James and Georgette but it moved at a fast pace and I found it entertaining.
The second half of the books deals with the discoveries they made and has some twists and turns that kept me reading into the wee hours.

Overall I was pleased with What Happens in Scotland. It was a light, fun, adventurous romance and I look forward to reading more from Jennifer McQuiston.

I want to thank HarperCollins for providing this ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer