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Have Mercy: A Historical Romance
A highlander on the run in colonial America…
Rory Macleod is a roguish Scot who has been exiled to the colonies for supporting the Jacobite cause. When he and his two brothers escape from servitude and head west over the Appalachian mountains, they quite literally fall into the charming and stubborn Mercy Barnett, an outcast who uses her skills with healing to save his brother. He pledges to stay the winter and repair her homestead, knowing that he is putting both his brothers and Mercy in danger. The real danger for Rory, however, is how quickly Mercy is stealing his heart.
An outcast who desperately wants to belong…
Mercy Barnett, a “witch” healer, has been taking care of herself and her sister for as long as she can remember. Though her herbs and potions catch only paltry sums, she is determined to survive in the harsh colonial backcountry, even if she does have to share her small farm with three giant Scots for the winter. When her neglectful father dies, however, and Mercy is suddenly a young woman with no protection, she agrees to a sham marriage to Rory Macleod. The trouble is, she’s starting to fall in love with her husband, and she knows that come the first spring thaw, he’ll need to be gone.
Fans of Outlander, Tessa Dare, Ellen O’Connell, and Maya Banks will love this mid-steam, reluctant allies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience story! Mature content intended for readers 18+
Trigger alcoholism, parental neglect, threat of sexual assault, violence, guns, imprisonment, death, and racism.
Kathryn Greenbrier’s great grandmother was a “granny witch,” a healer from Appalachia, and many of Mercy’s herbal treatments are based on those of her family.
Rory Macleod is a roguish Scot who has been exiled to the colonies for supporting the Jacobite cause. When he and his two brothers escape from servitude and head west over the Appalachian mountains, they quite literally fall into the charming and stubborn Mercy Barnett, an outcast who uses her skills with healing to save his brother. He pledges to stay the winter and repair her homestead, knowing that he is putting both his brothers and Mercy in danger. The real danger for Rory, however, is how quickly Mercy is stealing his heart.
An outcast who desperately wants to belong…
Mercy Barnett, a “witch” healer, has been taking care of herself and her sister for as long as she can remember. Though her herbs and potions catch only paltry sums, she is determined to survive in the harsh colonial backcountry, even if she does have to share her small farm with three giant Scots for the winter. When her neglectful father dies, however, and Mercy is suddenly a young woman with no protection, she agrees to a sham marriage to Rory Macleod. The trouble is, she’s starting to fall in love with her husband, and she knows that come the first spring thaw, he’ll need to be gone.
Fans of Outlander, Tessa Dare, Ellen O’Connell, and Maya Banks will love this mid-steam, reluctant allies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience story! Mature content intended for readers 18+
Trigger alcoholism, parental neglect, threat of sexual assault, violence, guns, imprisonment, death, and racism.
Kathryn Greenbrier’s great grandmother was a “granny witch,” a healer from Appalachia, and many of Mercy’s herbal treatments are based on those of her family.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2024
20 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 19, 2024
*Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Well, didn’t this just hit the spot!! I’ve been sitting here, craving some Outlander vibes, and Greenbrier just delivered a delightful slow burn romance between a Scottish Highlander on the lam and an outcasted healer who is accused of being a witch. Literally, what could be better? The fact that it was well written and the voices of all the characters felt so genuine and unique just added to the appeal of the story. I loved the dynamic between Rory and Mercy; the way they understood and related to each other made their journey together very believable. Rory’s struggle with learning to love a new home and balancing his loyalty to his brothers and his new love for Mercy was an emotional journey that was so well-paced.
The resolution was so well done, and everything just came together so nicely. The ending was incredibly satisfying. Overall, a delightful debut novel. Congratulations, Kathryn Greenbrier!
Well, didn’t this just hit the spot!! I’ve been sitting here, craving some Outlander vibes, and Greenbrier just delivered a delightful slow burn romance between a Scottish Highlander on the lam and an outcasted healer who is accused of being a witch. Literally, what could be better? The fact that it was well written and the voices of all the characters felt so genuine and unique just added to the appeal of the story. I loved the dynamic between Rory and Mercy; the way they understood and related to each other made their journey together very believable. Rory’s struggle with learning to love a new home and balancing his loyalty to his brothers and his new love for Mercy was an emotional journey that was so well-paced.
The resolution was so well done, and everything just came together so nicely. The ending was incredibly satisfying. Overall, a delightful debut novel. Congratulations, Kathryn Greenbrier!
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December 20, 2024Not in the mood for this right now. Perhaps I’ll go back one day.
November 19, 2024
This was such a surprise read! The writing is so beautiful! I am obsessed with the MMC.
I was initially thrown off thinking this was a fantasy story but leaned more through a historical drama. That being said it did take a bit to get into the story due to living inside the FMC and MMC thoughts with minimal dialogue in the beginning of the story. Once we got out of their heads and into more action with dialogue I was hooked!!
Looking forward to more stories from this author!
Thank you for the ARC read!
I was initially thrown off thinking this was a fantasy story but leaned more through a historical drama. That being said it did take a bit to get into the story due to living inside the FMC and MMC thoughts with minimal dialogue in the beginning of the story. Once we got out of their heads and into more action with dialogue I was hooked!!
Looking forward to more stories from this author!
Thank you for the ARC read!
May 8, 2025
i loved this book so much i had to come on goodreads to beg for the next one. but honestly good characters, amazing prose, will definitely be rereading again soon
January 24, 2025
This started off really promising but the last 20% was deeply disappointing.
November 28, 2024
*I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my fair and honest review.*
I absolutely flew through this book! It hit all the right cozy and slow burn romance spots for me. I instantly fell in love with most of the characters (one of the exceptions being a character that I think will be really awesome, but I need to see things through his POV first) and felt deeply invested in their motivations and how things turned out for them. I felt the story was well rounded between the plot and the romance; it felt realistic. I really can't wait for the rest of this series! I would love to see both of Rory's brothers' stories. as well as Amity's and Theo's!
I absolutely flew through this book! It hit all the right cozy and slow burn romance spots for me. I instantly fell in love with most of the characters (one of the exceptions being a character that I think will be really awesome, but I need to see things through his POV first) and felt deeply invested in their motivations and how things turned out for them. I felt the story was well rounded between the plot and the romance; it felt realistic. I really can't wait for the rest of this series! I would love to see both of Rory's brothers' stories. as well as Amity's and Theo's!
December 5, 2024
This book was such an enjoyable read. I appreciated the characters, the love story, the supporting characters and the depiction of early colonial farm and town life.
Mercy and Rory have shouldered more than their fair share of individual and family responsibility their entire lives. Their slow burn grumpy courtship is endearing to watch unfold. It’s like when you finally find that ONE person who sees exactly who you are and loves you for it and in spite of the rough edges.
I am really looking forward to reading stories about the rest of the family and friends in this world that Kathryn Greenbrier has built.
Mercy and Rory have shouldered more than their fair share of individual and family responsibility their entire lives. Their slow burn grumpy courtship is endearing to watch unfold. It’s like when you finally find that ONE person who sees exactly who you are and loves you for it and in spite of the rough edges.
I am really looking forward to reading stories about the rest of the family and friends in this world that Kathryn Greenbrier has built.
July 17, 2025
the story follows rory, a scottish man who escapes from a british prison in the american colonies. but he doesn't escape alone. his brothers are with him, and together they make a desperate journey toward french-controlled territory, where they hope to live free. the path is rough and uncertain. they have little food, no proper shelter, and exhaustion begins to take its toll.
then they meet mercy, our heroine.
she’s not a dramatic, over-the-top heroine. she’s not there to be saved or to swoon. instead, she’s steady, practical, and incredibly capable. she knows how to care for people. she feeds them, heals their injuries, and gives them a chance to rest and recover. but more than that, she changes everything, not with a big moment, but just by being there, by doing what needs to be done when no one else can.
what really struck me about this book was how different it felt from anything else i’ve read. the story has a raw kind of honesty to it, like it’s not trying to impress you with twists or clever tricks. it’s just telling something real, and that made it incredibly powerful. i especially loved the dynamic between the main characters. there’s a lot of personality in the way they interact. they don’t always agree. in fact, they often clash. but underneath all that, there’s this deep understanding between them. they know each other in ways only people who’ve suffered together can. they push each other, challenge each other, and still manage to stay connected. it made every scene between them feel layered and alive.
the side characters were also a lovely surprise. they weren’t just background noise, and they didn’t pull focus from the main relationship. instead, they added warmth, humor, and a sense of belonging. they helped build this makeshift family that felt earned and believable. that “found family” theme hit me harder than i expected. by the end of the book, it really felt like all these characters had been through something that tied them together for life.
now, to be honest, there were a few things that kept me from giving it five stars. some parts of the book had a little too much description. not that the writing was bad (it wasn’t, really) but sometimes the narration stepped in too much and slowed down the dialogue. i found myself wanting the characters to just talk without so many tags or explanations in between. and the ending, while emotional and satisfying in some ways, also felt a bit rushed. i would’ve liked a little more time to sit with the resolution and see what came after all that struggle. and yes — spoiler warning here — they are not going to have children and while i might have lost the meaning somewhere, mercy sayd she can’t have them and there is no more explanation than a shard of glass or something. i feel like her trauma with her father and the mistreatment could be better explored.
still, even with those small issues, this book stayed with me. the setting was so vivid that at times it felt like the land itself, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, was part of the cast. it wasn’t just a backdrop. it shaped the characters, pushed them forward, tested their limits. and that made the whole journey feel real.
in the end, this is the kind of story that makes you feel like you’ve lived through something alongside the characters. it’s different. it’s brave in the way it tells the truth. and it’s worth reading.
i absolutely recommend it.
then they meet mercy, our heroine.
she’s not a dramatic, over-the-top heroine. she’s not there to be saved or to swoon. instead, she’s steady, practical, and incredibly capable. she knows how to care for people. she feeds them, heals their injuries, and gives them a chance to rest and recover. but more than that, she changes everything, not with a big moment, but just by being there, by doing what needs to be done when no one else can.
what really struck me about this book was how different it felt from anything else i’ve read. the story has a raw kind of honesty to it, like it’s not trying to impress you with twists or clever tricks. it’s just telling something real, and that made it incredibly powerful. i especially loved the dynamic between the main characters. there’s a lot of personality in the way they interact. they don’t always agree. in fact, they often clash. but underneath all that, there’s this deep understanding between them. they know each other in ways only people who’ve suffered together can. they push each other, challenge each other, and still manage to stay connected. it made every scene between them feel layered and alive.
the side characters were also a lovely surprise. they weren’t just background noise, and they didn’t pull focus from the main relationship. instead, they added warmth, humor, and a sense of belonging. they helped build this makeshift family that felt earned and believable. that “found family” theme hit me harder than i expected. by the end of the book, it really felt like all these characters had been through something that tied them together for life.
now, to be honest, there were a few things that kept me from giving it five stars. some parts of the book had a little too much description. not that the writing was bad (it wasn’t, really) but sometimes the narration stepped in too much and slowed down the dialogue. i found myself wanting the characters to just talk without so many tags or explanations in between. and the ending, while emotional and satisfying in some ways, also felt a bit rushed. i would’ve liked a little more time to sit with the resolution and see what came after all that struggle. and yes — spoiler warning here — they are not going to have children and while i might have lost the meaning somewhere, mercy sayd she can’t have them and there is no more explanation than a shard of glass or something. i feel like her trauma with her father and the mistreatment could be better explored.
still, even with those small issues, this book stayed with me. the setting was so vivid that at times it felt like the land itself, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, was part of the cast. it wasn’t just a backdrop. it shaped the characters, pushed them forward, tested their limits. and that made the whole journey feel real.
in the end, this is the kind of story that makes you feel like you’ve lived through something alongside the characters. it’s different. it’s brave in the way it tells the truth. and it’s worth reading.
i absolutely recommend it.
December 3, 2024
4.5 STARS
NO SPOILERS
There is nothing like a scott and healer together. While this has outlander vibes without the fantasy aspect these characters and the story hold their own. If you enjoy a historical slow burn romance you will love this book. When I finally got to sit down and read this book had me sucked in. If you're thinking about reading it just do it. I can't wait to see where the story takes us.
PSA I was an ARC reader however I LOVED this book and blew through it.
NO SPOILERS
There is nothing like a scott and healer together. While this has outlander vibes without the fantasy aspect these characters and the story hold their own. If you enjoy a historical slow burn romance you will love this book. When I finally got to sit down and read this book had me sucked in. If you're thinking about reading it just do it. I can't wait to see where the story takes us.
PSA I was an ARC reader however I LOVED this book and blew through it.
May 8, 2025
Enjoyable read, loved the setting - it's a reminiscent of Pamela Morsi's Garters. I'm so excited there's a new author in western historical romance.
April 29, 2025
Rory Macleod is not in any way my cup of tea. But he might be someone else's.
January 12, 2025
I found this book through Reddit and WOW it was great. So freakin cute and well written. Can’t wait for the next one
September 30, 2025
September 2025
This turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable read, better than I expected. For a debut novel, I think it's quite good. While there were a few things I didn't care for, overall, it kept my interest. It has a charming romance, and a cast of likable characters who form their own makeshift family. The found family trope is one of my favorites, and it was well-executed here.
The ending was overly sweet, but think of it as a fairy-tale-like story, and it'll work better. Additionally, since the story concludes at Christmas time, it can easily be considered a holiday read. Holiday books tend to be lighter, less realistic, and leave you with a warm, cheerful feeling—perfect for the season.
LIKES:
✓ Lots of detailed descriptions that add depth.
✓ Siblings who truly love and care for each other.
✓ A sweet & sexy romance that I wanted more of!
✓ Tasteful sex scenes.
✓ Minimal language.
MINOR COMPLAINTS & DISLIKES:
☒ The H's backstory could have been explored more deeply. Little is learned about his family's role in Bonnie Prince Charlie's war, the Jacobite cause, or what happened to his people.
☒ The MCs jumped quickly from distrust to love. I wanted more meaningful moments between them to better show how their relationship developed.
☒ Since "witch" is in parentheses in the blurb, I hoped the heroine was just a healer, not a true witch. But there were incantations, confirming she’s part witch. I prefer romances without spells or rituals.
☒ The healer h helped a woman end her unborn baby.
Aside from that, I hope the author keeps writing and doesn’t get overshadowed by all the authors producing mediocre books filled with erotic scenes, but little substance. I want to read the next book to learn more about these engaging characters and their close-knit family.
📕 MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: 📗
🇲🇨🇸:
Rory Macleod (29) changes his name to Rory Miller to avoid detection (it's odd he kept his first name). After meeting the h, he plans to build a grain mill, which explains the name Miller. He enjoys hard work and seeing his plans succeed.
He and his two brothers, Rabbie and Caileen, are on the run from Lieutenant George Crawley. They're Scots from Scotland who rebelled against King George and were deported to the Americas.
Mercy (age?) and her younger sister, Amity, were raised by a neglectful, cruel father and a harsh but knowledgeable grandmother who taught Mercy everything she knows. With Granny gone and their father soon dying, the sisters are left vulnerable.
Rory marries Mercy to protect her and restore her neglected homestead. To fund the wedding and the mill, he collects favors from townspeople, earning their trust through reliability, repayment, and extra effort. Meanwhile, Mercy gains more respect and customers as a married woman, much to her dismay. She believes women should be valued without needing to be "bought" by men.
To no surprise, Crawley arrives at the end to seek revenge, having directed all his anger over his father's death towards Rory. Mercy , and the townspeople rally to save Rory, coming together in a heartwarming display of holiday spirit and community.
🤔 I almost felt sorry for Crawley, as his bitterness stemmed from deep loss. It would've been interesting to see him return as a MC in a future book, redeemed and ready to find his own love and happiness.
🛑 SMALL SPOILERS BELOW 🛑
😍 Rory is my favorite character.
I appreciated how he saved Mercy when the evil Teague and his friends planned to burn her on All Hallow's Eve. He repeatedly showed how much he cared for her, and I felt his love the most.
His heartfelt declarations and actions proved his devotion. He's a good, strong alpha hero—one of the better ones I've read about.
♥ “I love you,” he whispered. “How much I love you. Do ye know?”
♥ “Would kill for ye. Die for ye. Learn to harvest foxglove for ye. Wipe yer tears and breathe in yer laughs.”
♥ “I could no’ have left ye in the spring,” he whispered, needing her to know once again, and his eyes stung. Suddenly, his cheeks were wet, and he lifted his fingers to touch them. He was crying, as he never had before, and the realization sent him reeling.
I also liked Rory's response to Mercy saying she can't have children: "I don't care a fig. If you want bairns in yer life, I'll find some. If ye don't, I'll chase them away with a great oak branch. I'll even light it on fire, depending on how much ye don't want them about."
This turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable read, better than I expected. For a debut novel, I think it's quite good. While there were a few things I didn't care for, overall, it kept my interest. It has a charming romance, and a cast of likable characters who form their own makeshift family. The found family trope is one of my favorites, and it was well-executed here.
The ending was overly sweet, but think of it as a fairy-tale-like story, and it'll work better. Additionally, since the story concludes at Christmas time, it can easily be considered a holiday read. Holiday books tend to be lighter, less realistic, and leave you with a warm, cheerful feeling—perfect for the season.
LIKES:
✓ Lots of detailed descriptions that add depth.
✓ Siblings who truly love and care for each other.
✓ A sweet & sexy romance that I wanted more of!
✓ Tasteful sex scenes.
✓ Minimal language.
MINOR COMPLAINTS & DISLIKES:
☒ The H's backstory could have been explored more deeply. Little is learned about his family's role in Bonnie Prince Charlie's war, the Jacobite cause, or what happened to his people.
☒ The MCs jumped quickly from distrust to love. I wanted more meaningful moments between them to better show how their relationship developed.
☒ Since "witch" is in parentheses in the blurb, I hoped the heroine was just a healer, not a true witch. But there were incantations, confirming she’s part witch. I prefer romances without spells or rituals.
☒ The healer h helped a woman end her unborn baby.
Aside from that, I hope the author keeps writing and doesn’t get overshadowed by all the authors producing mediocre books filled with erotic scenes, but little substance. I want to read the next book to learn more about these engaging characters and their close-knit family.
📕 MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: 📗
🇲🇨🇸:
Rory Macleod (29) changes his name to Rory Miller to avoid detection (it's odd he kept his first name). After meeting the h, he plans to build a grain mill, which explains the name Miller. He enjoys hard work and seeing his plans succeed.
He and his two brothers, Rabbie and Caileen, are on the run from Lieutenant George Crawley. They're Scots from Scotland who rebelled against King George and were deported to the Americas.
Mercy (age?) and her younger sister, Amity, were raised by a neglectful, cruel father and a harsh but knowledgeable grandmother who taught Mercy everything she knows. With Granny gone and their father soon dying, the sisters are left vulnerable.
Rory marries Mercy to protect her and restore her neglected homestead. To fund the wedding and the mill, he collects favors from townspeople, earning their trust through reliability, repayment, and extra effort. Meanwhile, Mercy gains more respect and customers as a married woman, much to her dismay. She believes women should be valued without needing to be "bought" by men.
To no surprise, Crawley arrives at the end to seek revenge, having directed all his anger over his father's death towards Rory. Mercy , and the townspeople rally to save Rory, coming together in a heartwarming display of holiday spirit and community.
🤔 I almost felt sorry for Crawley, as his bitterness stemmed from deep loss. It would've been interesting to see him return as a MC in a future book, redeemed and ready to find his own love and happiness.
🛑 SMALL SPOILERS BELOW 🛑
😍 Rory is my favorite character.
I appreciated how he saved Mercy when the evil Teague and his friends planned to burn her on All Hallow's Eve. He repeatedly showed how much he cared for her, and I felt his love the most.
His heartfelt declarations and actions proved his devotion. He's a good, strong alpha hero—one of the better ones I've read about.
♥ “I love you,” he whispered. “How much I love you. Do ye know?”
♥ “Would kill for ye. Die for ye. Learn to harvest foxglove for ye. Wipe yer tears and breathe in yer laughs.”
♥ “I could no’ have left ye in the spring,” he whispered, needing her to know once again, and his eyes stung. Suddenly, his cheeks were wet, and he lifted his fingers to touch them. He was crying, as he never had before, and the realization sent him reeling.
I also liked Rory's response to Mercy saying she can't have children: "I don't care a fig. If you want bairns in yer life, I'll find some. If ye don't, I'll chase them away with a great oak branch. I'll even light it on fire, depending on how much ye don't want them about."
July 20, 2025
I don’t normally make reviews but I just had to write a little snippet of how lovely this book is!
Ragged, run down, and thoroughly exhausted, Rory Macleod and his brothers are on the run after escaping indentured servitude after the Jacobite revolution with bounties over their heads. But Rory knows, looking at his brother’s thinning bodies and chapped lips, that they won’t make it much longer before winter sets in. That is until they stumble across healer woman, Mercy Barnett. A very sweet and sexy romance ensues….
If you are a fan of Alice Coldbreath, Julie Garwood and perhaps Jill Barnett, this right up your alley! I loved every moment reading about Mercy’s medicinal healings and her chores of every day life in the rural Virginia colony. I am a sucker for the “slice of life” feel in books and this scratched the cozy itch. Mercy was a very strong and selfless character and I think Rory was the perfect match. Ugh and his burr!
I think this plot and setting were a very creative and refreshing twist from the usual Georgian or regency era historicals that are pumped out (nothing wrong with them!!) but it does feel good to explore different times - and it kept me on my toes until the very end! I will much enjoy picking up books from this author in the future and can’t wait to read what comes next!
P.s Amity was such a joy! Hoping she gets a dedicated book:) Rabbie too.
Ragged, run down, and thoroughly exhausted, Rory Macleod and his brothers are on the run after escaping indentured servitude after the Jacobite revolution with bounties over their heads. But Rory knows, looking at his brother’s thinning bodies and chapped lips, that they won’t make it much longer before winter sets in. That is until they stumble across healer woman, Mercy Barnett. A very sweet and sexy romance ensues….
If you are a fan of Alice Coldbreath, Julie Garwood and perhaps Jill Barnett, this right up your alley! I loved every moment reading about Mercy’s medicinal healings and her chores of every day life in the rural Virginia colony. I am a sucker for the “slice of life” feel in books and this scratched the cozy itch. Mercy was a very strong and selfless character and I think Rory was the perfect match. Ugh and his burr!
I think this plot and setting were a very creative and refreshing twist from the usual Georgian or regency era historicals that are pumped out (nothing wrong with them!!) but it does feel good to explore different times - and it kept me on my toes until the very end! I will much enjoy picking up books from this author in the future and can’t wait to read what comes next!
P.s Amity was such a joy! Hoping she gets a dedicated book:) Rabbie too.
December 2, 2024
*I received an advanced copy in exchange for my fair and honest review.*
"I will never stop loving you, not for one minute. You have broken through and found me, Rory."
Five out of five gold, slow-burning stars.
When I tell you this book put me through the RINGER of emotions over the three days I took to read it.
Have Mercy is the story of two people, outcasts for different reasons, who meet in the most unlikely scenario. Mercy is a healer in a small American town, mistrusted by the locals because of her "witch" like abilities, Rory and his brothers are convicts escaping indentured labor following the Jacobite revolution. They meet when Rory's youngest brother falls ill and she takes them in, in exchange for them rebuilding her barn while the brother recuperates.
Mercy and Rory find kindred souls in one another, standoffish, proud, weight of the world on their shoulders, the pressure to keep their siblings safe and protected. Hearts that love fiercely and loyally, even if they take time to let others in.
What I love about this book is how easily the main leads resolve situations which COULD have devolved into insufferable miscommunications and misunderstandings. Mercy hasn't seen the best of men and so she sometimes jumps to the worst conclusions about Rory, but she also apologizes and acknowledges when she's wrong. She even takes the first steps to reconcile often!
"But somehow this goat farm on the side of the mountain in the colonies had captured the part of his heart that longed for comfort and family and safety. For sniping at someone who he was sure would forgive him once the sun rose."
Watching Rory grow to find a home again in Mercy, after having lost everything in Scotland, seeing his loyalty teeter between his brothers and the woman he loves, his conflict and anguish were so real. And when the inevitable parting grew near, I was SO anxious because I had no idea how the author was going to resolve all of this in a handful of chapters - not with the sword of Damocles hanging over them: the fact that they were wanted fugitives.
And yet, the resolution left me touched, smiling, and wistful. It was so simple and yet so elegant, I was grinning from ear to ear as it played out with the small seeds that had been planted over the course of this book.
Typically when I do an ARC, or even just a regular review for a debut, I tend to be a little lenient and generous with my ratings. Greenbrier did not need it. This book has been my favorite debut from this year, and would likely rank among the top 10 books I've read this year. Yes, it's that good. Grab a copy right now.
"I will never stop loving you, not for one minute. You have broken through and found me, Rory."
Five out of five gold, slow-burning stars.
When I tell you this book put me through the RINGER of emotions over the three days I took to read it.
Have Mercy is the story of two people, outcasts for different reasons, who meet in the most unlikely scenario. Mercy is a healer in a small American town, mistrusted by the locals because of her "witch" like abilities, Rory and his brothers are convicts escaping indentured labor following the Jacobite revolution. They meet when Rory's youngest brother falls ill and she takes them in, in exchange for them rebuilding her barn while the brother recuperates.
Mercy and Rory find kindred souls in one another, standoffish, proud, weight of the world on their shoulders, the pressure to keep their siblings safe and protected. Hearts that love fiercely and loyally, even if they take time to let others in.
What I love about this book is how easily the main leads resolve situations which COULD have devolved into insufferable miscommunications and misunderstandings. Mercy hasn't seen the best of men and so she sometimes jumps to the worst conclusions about Rory, but she also apologizes and acknowledges when she's wrong. She even takes the first steps to reconcile often!
"But somehow this goat farm on the side of the mountain in the colonies had captured the part of his heart that longed for comfort and family and safety. For sniping at someone who he was sure would forgive him once the sun rose."
Watching Rory grow to find a home again in Mercy, after having lost everything in Scotland, seeing his loyalty teeter between his brothers and the woman he loves, his conflict and anguish were so real. And when the inevitable parting grew near, I was SO anxious because I had no idea how the author was going to resolve all of this in a handful of chapters - not with the sword of Damocles hanging over them: the fact that they were wanted fugitives.
And yet, the resolution left me touched, smiling, and wistful. It was so simple and yet so elegant, I was grinning from ear to ear as it played out with the small seeds that had been planted over the course of this book.
Typically when I do an ARC, or even just a regular review for a debut, I tend to be a little lenient and generous with my ratings. Greenbrier did not need it. This book has been my favorite debut from this year, and would likely rank among the top 10 books I've read this year. Yes, it's that good. Grab a copy right now.
December 2, 2024
*Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!*
I loved this book! Obsessed with the cozy woodsy setting and all the characters' spirited personalities. I thought the storyline was fun and easy to follow, the main characters endearing, and the spicy scenes HOTTT and also tasteful!
Also I especially enjoyed the sibling dynamics in this book and frequently caught myself laughing out loud at their jests and really warming up to their deep familial care for each other.
Definitely would read this book again and hope to see more of Kathryn Greenbrier's work in the future!!
I loved this book! Obsessed with the cozy woodsy setting and all the characters' spirited personalities. I thought the storyline was fun and easy to follow, the main characters endearing, and the spicy scenes HOTTT and also tasteful!
Also I especially enjoyed the sibling dynamics in this book and frequently caught myself laughing out loud at their jests and really warming up to their deep familial care for each other.
Definitely would read this book again and hope to see more of Kathryn Greenbrier's work in the future!!
December 28, 2025
Someone said the trope is "grumpy vs grumpy" and I think it's just the right thing. The relationship between Mercy and Rory, both being alphas, are intriguing. It feels really good to know Rory dropped his guard first. There's something about making a woman feel safe and secure that tingle my senses.
This was very entertaining. The banter, especially Amity's quips, are sublime.
This was very entertaining. The banter, especially Amity's quips, are sublime.
January 5, 2025
It was a nice story but too many filler episodes,
January 15, 2026
A gripping, heartfelt historical romance with a fierce heroine and a rogue Highlander. Emotional, atmospheric, and impossible to put down.
January 15, 2026
The story dragged and there wasnt any real meaningful connection between the main characters. The main guy was kind of angry a lot of the time at the FMC and then just decided he would have her.
January 21, 2025
dnf@19% if you like complete asshole MMCs and FMCs who swoon because they apparently like being treated like trash, go ahead.
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