Mistress Mackintosh and the Shaw Wretch is the first book I have read by Rose Prendeville, I was tempted to pick up the book not only for the adorable cover but also I love a road trip romance. I did not really have any expectations when going into this novel, I was curious and expected to have a fun and charming read based off of the cute cover. Prendeville's writing has an easy tone, making the novel easily accessible, and I would say maybe a good first historical romance novel for someone. The novel is moderately paced through out the start and middle and swiftly ramps up when we breach into the action of the story at the conclusion. Overall with was a gently enjoyable novel, but it was overall lacking in a true romantic development through out for me to fully be head over heels for our couple.
Jory has more interest in the art of healing than she does to find a husband, so the novel starts off with her trying to escape and run away to medical school. Her plans are swiftly overturned when she becomes an unwilling pawn in her family's scheme against a rival clan. Finn is a disgraced brother of a laird, who has spent the last ten years trying to atone. So when he is tasked with escorting Jory to her new life as a nun and securing an alliance with the black watch, he takes up the task, expecting it to be easy, but Jory has other plans.
I think Jory as the heroine is interesting and fun, she is bold, smart and is willing to risk all to secure her dowery and her dreams (which can also put her into some pretty precarious situations). Finn is also a really good hero, he is a hard worker, he wants to do what is right and he wants to protect others. Together these two should be fire, and we do get to start to see this in the last twenty percent when they truly start to work together and trust the other. I think what I found lacking in this novel was a true building up of chemistry between these two, I felt like their true progression was from "rivals" to friends, I was then told that they both were "in love", but I did not truly believe that. I think there was a lack of building up of chemistry and tension between them that made me feel the attract between each other. The building of subtle moments and touches between them were missing for me to see them falling for each other. There is also very little steam in this novel, while not officially closed door, it is very subtle. I know this moment was to show us that they do understand and trust each other but with the lack of build up of their chemistry left this moment lacking for me. After this moment we are truly in the heart of the action of the story which deal with the rival clan and sexual abuse of the women who think they are entering into a nunnery (so trigger/content warnings around this). It is enjoyable to watch these two work together in these last moments, a know that they trust each other.
Overall a well written story that feels like a great first historical romance for someone interested in reading one. Also a great option if you are more of a plot driven reader who likes low steam.
3-3.5 star read for me, rounding up to 4.
Thank you to Eridani Press and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.