Vanessa Kelly knows how to deliver on a sweet, highlander romance. Her writing is immersive with lovely world building that gives her novel a gravity of authenticity to it. I always feel like her characters are well crafted and fully dimensional. Her novels are low on the steam, more along the lines of a Georgette Heyer novels, and while they are low steam they are still beautifully romantic. Definitely pick up a Kelly novel if you are in the mood for a romance that has a comforting pace and feel and leaves your heart feeling warm and joyful!
In The Highlander's Holiday Wife, Christmas time is abound in Edinburgh, but Lady Samantha is on a secret mission to unmask her beloved husband's murderers and has no time for the holiday festivities. When Samantha rescues Braden, a dedicated doctor, after an attack in the middle of the night, he finds himself willing to risk his heart to help her on her mission.
This fifth installment in the Clan Kendrick series is a delightful edition, that can definitely be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed this novel and found it to be an interesting and well paced read. Kelly balance's the mystery, romance and holiday spirit with ease and grace. Samantha is determined, smart and witty, I really loved her as a heroine, she is hard working, she has strong morals but she is not afraid to open herself up to another. Braden as a hero is a delight, he and Samantha have so many of the same great qualities. They both are dedicated to others and they build such a beautiful friendship that becomes a solid foundation for their romance. Their relationship is definitely built on trust and understanding and a true respect for each other. I really loved watching them grow together, work together, support each other and respect each other. They both have an understanding of the other, they both have experience of lost love and they both find comfort and joy in experience love for a second time.
Definite must read for any Vanessa Kelly fans or any historical romance lover that enjoys a novel that explores a more realistic feel for the time. I really enjoy Kelly's works and will continue enjoying her backlist.
Thank you to Zebra Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.