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Feb 21, 2011

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" rated it:

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie established to me that it would be a great read from the first page. Ian is such an unusual hero, and he is thoroughly lovable. And Beth is one of those rare heroines who really does deserve a hero like Ian. Their relationship felt right and it felt meant to be. Watching them grow closer, to acknowledge their unique, rich relationship, was very gratifying. Their bond was emotional, sensual, spiritual, and intellectual. Although there were parts of each other More...

59 comments like (55 people liked it)

Dec 08, 2010

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* rated it:

Edited to add a note from the author which can be found at the end of this review.

Review contains minor spoilers

This is my first read of any of Jennifer Ashley’s works and I was not disappointed, in fact, I was very, very pleased. I found her writing style to be flowing and well thought out, and her ability to weave a tale that kept me wondering, *sighing* and hopeful through the entire novel made this, for me, a story that was “un-put-downable” (Yep, I made up that word More...

116 comments like (69 people liked it)

Sep 29, 2010

Dina rated it:

Almost everyone who's read this book loved it to pieces, so my expectations were pretty high when I started it. High expectations can be a blessing... or a curse. Now that I finished this read, I can't help wondering what is "wrong" with me because, I'm sorry to say, I don't understand what all the fuss is about.

I liked Ms. Ashley's writing - this was my 1st book by her - and I thought the premise - the hero is "mad" - was interesting and unique, but the romance d More...

78 comments like (61 people liked it)

Nov 22, 2011

Ridley rated it:

When I picked this book up knowing that it featured a hero with Asperger's, I imagined the crux of the story would be about Beth and Ian learning to love each other despite his emotional detatchment. I didn't feel like I got that.

There's no real discussion of how Ian and Beth came to love each other. I noticed they had great, wall-banging sex often, but that was the extent of the romance, it seems. There were few scenes that showed them interacting with their clothes on over somethin More...

2 comments like (19 people liked it)

Jul 26, 2011

Laura the Highland Hussy rated it:

I was super excited to read this book, seeing as everyone loved this book, and I love Jennifer Ashley/Allyson James. I was not disappointed. This has one of the best storylines I've ever read. I won't summarize since so many people have reviewed and/or summarized, but can I just say "Wow."

Lord Ian Mackenzie is the youngest of 4 brothers and he has a slight disability. He doesn't understand emotion. For example, he can play a piano piece perfectly after only having heard More...

32 comments like (22 people liked it)

Apr 20, 2009

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

Oh, oh, oh! I loved, loved, loved "The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie" by Jennifer Ashley! I began the book two hours ago and could NOT put it down. I laughed and I cried from both sadness and joy. The characters and the plot are at times mysterious and softly heartbreaking, but the ending is probably one of the best I've ever read.

She is Mrs. Beth Acklerly, the impoverished daughter of a sham French peer and a disowned daughter of an English squire. She was saved from li More...

9 comments like (25 people liked it)

Feb 18, 2012

Erika rated it:

Creating a romance character with Asperger Syndrome (AS) is a very risky thing to do. Although I would say the same with another genres of fiction, with romance it's a lot harder.

A romance fiction requires abundant emotions in it's story, characters, and writing. I have no idea why the author chose AS. I know a few things about AS. There are so many medical conditions and yet she chose to use a psychological development disorder, which has everything to do with limited a More...

30 comments like (11 people liked it)

Jan 15, 2012

Ronyell rated it:

Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog

I have read some Highlander romance novels with the dashing heroes and the strong-willed heroines, but never have I read a romance novel quite like this one! “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie” is a highlander romance novel written by Jennifer Ashley and is the first romance novel I have read from her. This novel is filled with action, drama, mystery and hot sizzling romance that will set any romance fan ablaze!

Beth Ackerley is a youn More...

16 comments like (16 people liked it)

Feb 03, 2012

Wicked Incognito Now rated it:

This is one of those books that everyone seems to love, and I just didn't. In fact, even my GR friends that didn't like it so much, liked it better than I did.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything Ridley says in her review. I didn't feel that the Asperger's was being dealt with well enough. It would be a huge obstacle to have a relationship with someone with Asperger's, and I felt that situation was glossed over.

I agree with Anja's take as well. The mystery plot was More...

11 comments like (10 people liked it)

Jun 24, 2010

Beanbag rated it:

Well, I have to hand it to my friends for getting me so interested in this book. Thanks!

I'll keep it short because it's been reviewed so many times in the last few months, but Ashley's portrayal of Ian's autism was absolutely amazing. It was very honest and in keeping with the real life issues of the condition. Everyone, even Ian, thinks he's incapable of love, but like many high-functioning autism sufferers, this proves untrue.

Beth is a wonderful heroine who seems the More...

34 comments like (17 people liked it)

Sep 12, 2011

Tammy rated it:

5 stars

I opened my copy of this book with quite a bit of trepidation. So many 4 and 5 star reviews! This book has been on virtually every top list for romance novels for the past year or so -- historical hero, tortured hero, damaged hero, angst-filled, you name it. I'm immediately wary of books that garner this much praise. Now that I've read it (all in one sitting - boy, nothing got done at my house!) I am happy to report my fears were groundless.

Sometimes when I rea More...

26 comments like (13 people liked it)

Feb 18, 2012

Baba rated it:

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED

It's beautiful. It's thoughtful. It's special.

"Love you."
The man who couldn't look anyone in the eyes was making himself do it, no matter what the pain. He was giving her a gift, the greatest one he could, straight from his heart.

4.5 stars.

London, 1881
Ian had lived with a raw pain for so long. He doesn't always know how to express his emotions, but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel them deeply. Ian is a s More...

41 comments like (15 people liked it)

Oct 31, 2011

Nikki rated it:

5 stars.

Magical, wonderful and completely enthralling. I stayed up till all hours so I could finish this and the only problem I have with that is that I couldn't wipe it from my memory and read it all over again.

This is one of those rare HR finds in which the hero and heroine are both wonderful characters. A tortured hero who isn't a fake tortured hero but a real, three dimensional person so misunderstood that it could break your heart. A heroine with emotions who was int More...

31 comments like (13 people liked it)

Aug 15, 2011

Suzanne the Mighty ~Satin Seductress~ rated it:

Lord Ian Mackenzie is known as the "Mad Mackenzie" having being shut in a asylum for most of his youth and freed by his brother on his cruel fathers death. But mad or not there is something different about Ian Mackenzie, unable to relate to others and more comfortable on his own, afraid that his rages will hurt someone. But when he see's Beth, he wants her and knows he must save her from a disatrous marriage so he is able to keep her for hisself as his sancturary and also keep her away More...

72 comments like (13 people liked it)

Nov 02, 2011

Mariya rated it:

THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE is one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful love stories that I ever had the honor of reading. I tore through the pages rather quickly and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it non-stop. I think we have a winner here with Ms. Jennifer Ashley's Highland Pleasures Series.

Ian was in a way a little slow and weird at times, but I loved him to death. He is part genius and part insane. I felt like he had this shyness to him a little, because More...

17 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 03, 2012

LibraryLass rated it:

It is extremely rare for me to read a book when I have only just purchased it (I am weird - I like to savour my books for a while), but the premise for this one was so enticing and the reviews so glowing that I just couldn't resist. And I am so glad I didn't.

This was fantastic! I would give it more than 5 stars if possible. The whole premise was not a new one but it was delivered superbly. I loved Ian - his vulnerability, his strenght, his devotion to his brothers and ultimately More...

9 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 19, 2012

Carolyn F. rated it:

I re-read this book and just loved it. I loved everything about it. It was like curling up with my favorite blanket. I'm just so in love with myself, such a sweet wonderful man. And the way Beth is so understanding and trying hard to be what he needs. Just AHHH!!!! Great book. You have got to read it!

previous review on 05/09/10 Wonderful book! Would recommend it. Lord Ian is autistic which at that time is mad. He meets Beth and is instantly attracted and vice versa. I just l More...

11 comments like (5 people liked it)

Feb 02, 2012

Wendy rated it:

Wow! This book is gut wrenching, heartbreaking and wonderful all at once. Ian Mackenzie you have definitely won my heart.
A stellar read.

12 comments like (7 people liked it)

Feb 03, 2010

Linds rated it:

I enjoyed this romance, if for no other reason then the uniqueness of the hero.

Lord Ian has asberger's in the time when there is no conception of autism. Labeled insane and thrown in a mental asylum throughout his teens and early twenties, this is truly a tortured hero.

It is really interesting to see things through Ian's point of view, especially when the reader is able to see the moods and motivations of others when Ian is not.

The love story is very sweet and More...

3 comments like (6 people liked it)

Sep 12, 2010

Bookwatcher rated it:

*****I want to be crazy and get a madman as Ian Mackenzie!!!*****

This book is more than good, is perfect! I cry, laugh, was bewildered, cry a little more, get ~~aroused~~, I taste every possible sentimental reading this book!!!

First, is a terrific historical romance. The reader will get few historical details, but that's the better of this book! I hate long and useless paragraphs about lack of pumped water! I want only the necessary about the characters, and I get that so I More...

52 comments like (12 people liked it)

Apr 06, 2011

Lisa Kay rated it:

Wow! How can I rate a book more than five stars? Even after all the hype, this book still held up. I guess all I can do is put it on my “all-time-favorites” bookshelf.

Lord Ian is intense and he leaped off the pages and into my arms. I wondered how Jennifer Ashley was going to present his POV, since he has Asperger syndrome, and at times it was almost as if it was written by someone else, the tone is so substantially different.

Here is a scene, from the heroine’s POV, f More...

41 comments like (21 people liked it)

Dec 08, 2010

Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it:

Lord Ian Mackenzie isn’t your typical historical romance hero. “Mad” Mackenzie was locked away in an asylum at a young age. He suffered terribly during his stay there where they forcefully placed him in cold baths and electro-shocked him. Now free from the confines of the mad walls, Ian still feels haunted by his past. Plagued with headaches and occasional bouts of confusion, Ian makes for a complex and intriguing hero that I fell in love with!

What was most interesting about Ian was More...

44 comments like (15 people liked it)

Feb 20, 2011

Shay rated it:

3.5 STARS but i gave it 4 just for having the gutts to deal with Asperger sindrome, and for doing it so well.

I adored Ian and thought the romance was nicely done from his POV. It was very emotional (as much as he can be emotional) and uniqe.

I just didnt understand how and when Beth could have fall in love with Ian, they didnt have much in common...

BTW, the murder story was boring, w/o it the novel could ahve been alot better. but hey, im a romance kinda gal, More...

3 comments like (6 people liked it)

May 14, 2009

Holly rated it:

I loved this book. The romance between Beth and Ian while wonderful, started off very matter of factly. Lord Ian Mackenzie takes one look at Mrs. Beth Ackerley and knows he must have her. It's typical alpha male possessiveness right off the bat from an atypical hero. Beth was also a very welcomed change from other romance heroines in the fact that she could barely keep her hands off of him during their first meeting. She was intelligent, witty and very compassionate and she quickly became the gr More...

20 comments like (10 people liked it)

May 31, 2009

Sheree rated it:

*Squeal* Loved it, Loved it, Loved it!

This book was almost impossible to put down, I read it overnight & I fell in love with the main characters Ian & Beth.

The infamous Lord Ian Mackenzie is a unique hero, confined in an asylum from the age of eleven because of a condition seen as 'madness' in the 1800's but known today as Asperger's Syndrome. He endured ice baths, shock therapy & other unspeakable 'treatments' until freed by his brother Hart upon the death of their fathe More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Oct 23, 2011

Anna rated it:

Grade: A...a solid 5 star book

I read this straight through and feel so tired the day after but it was sooooo worth it. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackensize is a book for the Keeper Shelf. Really! It was that good! Thanks so much, Nikki, putting this at the top of my TBR pile

A little bit more to come later about the "madness," the best thing about Beth, and why Ian is a keeper! But in the meantime...

***** edited to add full review *****

T More...

11 comments like (6 people liked it)

Feb 21, 2012

Ren rated it:

All of us are mad in some way ~ Lord Ian Mackenzie

4,5 stars

For Indonesia's GR Friend, read my review here : Ren's Little Corner

First, I want to say thanks to my friend Lelyana. To lend her book to me, so I can save my money, hehe :P. And warn me to read this less than a week, which succesfully made me read this like madwoman, and end up finish it in almost 3 days.

I can do better than finish this in 3 days by the way -____-"

Anyway, More...

2 comments like (3 people liked it)

Oct 06, 2010

Anja rated it:

3.37 stars.

I liked the book until around the 70% mark. Then the ridiculous murder mystery plot took over and spiraled into absurdity. I wonder how empty the British prisons would be if intrepid heroines did not solve crimes in their spare time. Especially given how inept the detectives seem to be.

I was hoping to see more of a character study or even a struggle for Beth adjusting to marriage with Ian in the second half.

I liked that Beth stood up for herself More...

9 comments like (8 people liked it)

Mar 29, 2010

Edna Lyn rated it:

I first heard about this book from AAR's Readers' Poll for titles released in 2009 where it was named Best Romance among other honors. I actually started this last month but put it aside for a while. I'm glad I got back to it. It's been a few months since I've read a historical (been too consumed by PNR) so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to get into it but I did. The plot in this book was actually pretty good and the romance was so sweet.

I liked Beth which says a lot since most of the More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 15, 2011

Rebecca (everyday reader) rated it:

Eccentric, odd, and an anomoly, yes. Mad and dangerous, no. Ian would never hurt Beth and he stands by his brothers no matter what, even when no one knows what really happened. With a good head on her shoulders, Beth helps them solve a mystery that has haunted Ian for years, and Ian learns what love is. Great read!! I love the Mackenzie brothers: tall, broad shoulders, brave, gorgeous.

4 comments like (3 people liked it)