stacey_is_sassy
Written on May 5, 2019
I've always been a fan of historical romances but add in a Highlander and I'm normally verra, verra happy. Each page turned, I was comfortable in my reading experience. The Highlander's Lost Lady flowed in a way that was what I expected, but also what I desired. I need my hero to be a Knight in Highlander Armour who saves his Lost Lady. I want the heroine to be miserable, vulnerable and Lost, so she'll love her Highlander Knight when he saves the day. The baddie needs to be despicable and a nightmare no one would want to be around, so when he is vanquished, leaves you satisfied with his macabre demise. Anna Campbell's story left me extremely satisfied and I achieved my reading happy place.
Diarmid, Laird of Invertavey, cannot believe his eyes when he finds a mermaid washed up on his beach. Well, he's not really surprised to find another victim of the sea washed up, unfortunately. What he is surprised about is that the frail beauty is still alive, unlike the elder gentleman who washed up beside her. Knowing that every minute she's exposed to the weather could be dangerous to her health, he rushes to bring her home with him. Diarmid feels guilt when he accepts his attraction to her beauty and recognises he feels protective towards the Lost Lady.
All seems lost when Fiona realises she's been shipwrecked at her enemies feet. The plans she's made to escape her nightmare have been ruined, and if her rescuer finds out her identity, it could make things even worse. The Mactavish's are not at all as she expected her enemies to be. They are kind, generous and caring which is something she hasn't been exposed to since her father passed. With her nightmare taking this surprising turn, Fiona is not sure she has the strength or courage to do the one thing she set out to do...save her daughter.
I loved that Diarmid was a good man and stayed honourable from beginning to end. It was a treat that Fiona wasn't a heroine who could "save the day" one minute, host a soiree the next, AND be a seductress in the bedroom at the end of the day. Fiona is vulnerable and a wee bit broken. I preferred that she was portrayed realistically and that she wasn't expected to be fixed in a minute or to get over her past. Her journey to happiness had to come with her ability to accept she wasn't alone anymore.
While some readers may find The Highlander's Lost Lady a wee bit predictable, this is what made the story for me. I want a story that takes me back in time to dashing men, coiffed and beautifully dressed ladies and sigh-worthy heroics. Sure, it may not be 100% historically accurate (not that I know what 100% historically accurate is, mind you), but I wasn't distracted by the "modern" feel. It felt accurate so I guess the author hit the mark.
I will admit, Fiona's constant crying was a wee bit trying at times, but she had every reason to, considering what she's faced. Diarmid's martyr act was a wee bit unbelievable, so I'm glad they worked through their problems by the end. This was a very sexy read, so if you're not a fan of intimate scenes with a lot of heat, this might not be the best fit for you. There are some difficult scenes from Fiona's past that can be confronting, but the descriptions were not delved into too deeply. I was never uncomfortable to the extreme, more disgusted by what happened frequently in the past.
If you're looking for an entertaining read, I highly recommend giving The Highlander's Lost Lady a try.