When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After, #3)

by Tessa Dare

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shy, pretty, and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart. A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter ...and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely. Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep-handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He's wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters ...and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

Reviewed by Amanda on

5 of 5 stars

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When Tessa Dare releases a new book, the minute you get it, you squee, and then you throw your plans for the next few hours out to read it.

I squeed, I sat down, I read. I did not get up. I did not pass go. I did not have use for a bookmark. My legs cursed me when I finally stood. But, as with Tessa Dare books, it was entirely worth it.

Tessa Dare wrote an article about why her readers love her books and characters, and AS ALWAYS, she gets us. That understanding is what makes her books so marvelous, and really, I think they just keep getting better. Or maybe I appreciate them more. Either way, Tessa Dare rocks.

The set up for this book is killer. Maddie invents a sweetheart. And it's not a little lie. It's one that she keeps for years. YEARS. And then she kills him off so she can live a peaceful life, alone, with her mating lobsters. And then HE shows up. The fictional sweetheart who isn't fictional, who is very much real. Who is very much NOT the sweetheart she invented.

Because Logan MacKenzie is as jaded as the synopsis promises, and he's not back to claim the love of Maddie... well, at least that's what he thinks. And like in the other Castles Ever After series, the main characters aren't the only ones who shine. When a Scot Ties the Knot wouldn't be what it is without its side characters. Maddie's aunt. Logan's soldiers.

I adored Madie. Anyone who hates crowds and social situations, even if she doesn't experience fear to Maddie's extent, will relate to her. Logan is a bit less likable, but he has his reasons, and Maddie's struggle not to fall for him helped -- she saw the good in him, even when he didn't.

Writing this review makes me want to reread When a Scot Ties the Knot. I finished the book a few hours ago. And yet. AND YET.

Tessa Dare writes good books. Books that dig into your emotions and connects you to the plight of the characters. Books that make you believe in the HEA. Now to figure out what to do with myself until the next book comes out.

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  • Started reading
  • 25 August, 2015: Finished reading
  • 25 August, 2015: Reviewed
  • Started reading
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  • 25 August, 2015: Reviewed