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Forbidden To The Banished Laird
Alone with the laird…and their forbidden passion!For landscape gardener Jessica, accepting a post on a remote Scottish island means escape from her broken dreams and tattered reputation. But after meeting the brooding laird who hired her, disturbingly attractive Murdo, Jessica wonders if she’s made a dangerous miscalculation…
Murdo has only had the furious ghosts of his past for company, until Jessica’s sweetness and inner steel offers a way out of the darkness. As her employer, and with his heart destroyed, she is utterly forbidden. But with nowhere to hide from their simmering connection, will Murdo play by Society’s rules, or burn everything down?
Perfect for fans
💘 Forbidden love
💓 Forced proximity
Murdo has only had the furious ghosts of his past for company, until Jessica’s sweetness and inner steel offers a way out of the darkness. As her employer, and with his heart destroyed, she is utterly forbidden. But with nowhere to hide from their simmering connection, will Murdo play by Society’s rules, or burn everything down?
Perfect for fans
💘 Forbidden love
💓 Forced proximity
- GenresHistorical Romance
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
4 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Kaye
247 books345 followersMarguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.
Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
Join her on Instagram
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Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
Join her on Instagram
Follow her on TikTok
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 3, 2026
I was given a copy of this book by the author. This is my honest review.
This story was a mixed bag for me and in some ways the romantic elements were stronger regarding the history and wildness of the island of Taravay itself more than the hero and heroine. I did enjoy it very much however. Also I'm not sure the cover represented the hero and heroine well in either fashion or basic description (heroine has black hair and we see the hero give himself an impromptu haircut to...shaggy at best). Of course that's nothing to do with the author it's just something I notice.
Interestingly I also found myself at first calling the island Taransay as I have heard of it. I am quite familiar with Lewis and Harris having visited both and with some of their history. It was striking to me the mention of Mcleods as I remember there were SO MANY of them in the cemeteries. The names and descriptions too. This makes the research evocative and very efficient indeed.
The hero and heroine were older, educated and to a certain extent self-made (as many of Marguerite Kaye's heroes and heroines are particularly recently). Both also have difficult pasts. The difference between them is Jessica the landscape gardener's family supported her where Murdo has none even in his most recent life and career. Both feel some level of disgrace for their past actions. Jessica's family more working class and Murdo's of course, aristocratic.
I could understand how the plot moved Jessica to the island as a landscape gardener and maybe I'm just not enough of a gardener myself but apart from the link to Murdo's regeneration project I didn't feel it had enough of a part to play. Possibly that's just me. I did notice the link to Murdo's mother Margaret. I do enjoy a historic pinery though!
I also appreciated Murdo's pain and work of restitution regarding the clearance of the island. Though this one was quite a late one (1870). Anyone who is interested in the Highland Clearances I definitely recommend reading more about it. It is all true how whole communities were shipped off to places like Canada, many dying on the voyage of disease. You can imagine how cramped it would have been. There are also those who remained in Scotland who were forced into cities and into occupations completely unsuited to them to feed their families. This contributes to a problem with crofting (smallholder farming) to this day.
I also felt that the dastardly McNeil could have been dealt with purely off the page. The twist was clever particularly regarding Murdo's father's first wife and child and the prologue but it almost gave me the ick while it was playing out. (Don't worry it's fine!) I think I would have preferred knowing more about Mhairi instead.
Most importantly to the ethos of the book itself I genuinely liked the hero and heroine and their spark both to each other and to their project/life. I loved the developing closeness and sensual scenes particularly at the end. I liked how the book was rounded off by the nosey minister! Not quite five stars but with the emotion and research within still a good read.
If you like heroines of this period with careers you may also enjoy Kaye's The Earl Who Sees Her Beauty (2021) and with references to the Clearances: A Forbidden Liaison with Miss Grant (2020).
This story was a mixed bag for me and in some ways the romantic elements were stronger regarding the history and wildness of the island of Taravay itself more than the hero and heroine. I did enjoy it very much however. Also I'm not sure the cover represented the hero and heroine well in either fashion or basic description (heroine has black hair and we see the hero give himself an impromptu haircut to...shaggy at best). Of course that's nothing to do with the author it's just something I notice.
Interestingly I also found myself at first calling the island Taransay as I have heard of it. I am quite familiar with Lewis and Harris having visited both and with some of their history. It was striking to me the mention of Mcleods as I remember there were SO MANY of them in the cemeteries. The names and descriptions too. This makes the research evocative and very efficient indeed.
The hero and heroine were older, educated and to a certain extent self-made (as many of Marguerite Kaye's heroes and heroines are particularly recently). Both also have difficult pasts. The difference between them is Jessica the landscape gardener's family supported her where Murdo has none even in his most recent life and career. Both feel some level of disgrace for their past actions. Jessica's family more working class and Murdo's of course, aristocratic.
I could understand how the plot moved Jessica to the island as a landscape gardener and maybe I'm just not enough of a gardener myself but apart from the link to Murdo's regeneration project I didn't feel it had enough of a part to play. Possibly that's just me. I did notice the link to Murdo's mother Margaret. I do enjoy a historic pinery though!
I also appreciated Murdo's pain and work of restitution regarding the clearance of the island. Though this one was quite a late one (1870). Anyone who is interested in the Highland Clearances I definitely recommend reading more about it. It is all true how whole communities were shipped off to places like Canada, many dying on the voyage of disease. You can imagine how cramped it would have been. There are also those who remained in Scotland who were forced into cities and into occupations completely unsuited to them to feed their families. This contributes to a problem with crofting (smallholder farming) to this day.
I also felt that the dastardly McNeil could have been dealt with purely off the page. The twist was clever particularly regarding Murdo's father's first wife and child and the prologue but it almost gave me the ick while it was playing out. (Don't worry it's fine!) I think I would have preferred knowing more about Mhairi instead.
Most importantly to the ethos of the book itself I genuinely liked the hero and heroine and their spark both to each other and to their project/life. I loved the developing closeness and sensual scenes particularly at the end. I liked how the book was rounded off by the nosey minister! Not quite five stars but with the emotion and research within still a good read.
If you like heroines of this period with careers you may also enjoy Kaye's The Earl Who Sees Her Beauty (2021) and with references to the Clearances: A Forbidden Liaison with Miss Grant (2020).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Murdo Macleod became the new Laird of Taravay upon the death of his father. Although he has spend years on the island as a child, he left to earn his wealth as he and his father did not always agree. Now he lives alone on the island and has hired a landscaper, J. Smith, to come and improve the island. He is shocked to find that his new landscaper is Jessica Smith, a woman. Telling her that he was expecting a man, he feels that it would be inappropriate for her to be alone on the island with him. She convinces him to accept her as it would take too long for him to search for someone else. Thus, they travel to the island where she will live in a small building some distance from the castle and another croft where he lives.
Jessica immediately jumps into drawing up plans for the landscape ideas she and Murdo both have. It isn’t long before they find themselves attracted to each other but they try to distance themselves from their desires. Jessica knows the Murdo has some ghosts that haunt him and she wishes he would confide in her so she can help him.
When Murdo accesses some family records that have been hidden, he is shocked at what he finds. Telling Jessica what is revealed in the records convinces her that she knows she loves him for who his is and nothing more. She wants to be with him and see that Taravay is finished and ready for families to inhabit it once again. Now, she just has to convince him.
This is a heartbreaking story of family and how they can be cruel to one another. The characters are beautifully created and the intricate descriptions made me gasp. I have read many books by this outstanding author, and I think that this one is her very best. Don’t miss it and enjoy!
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Jessica immediately jumps into drawing up plans for the landscape ideas she and Murdo both have. It isn’t long before they find themselves attracted to each other but they try to distance themselves from their desires. Jessica knows the Murdo has some ghosts that haunt him and she wishes he would confide in her so she can help him.
When Murdo accesses some family records that have been hidden, he is shocked at what he finds. Telling Jessica what is revealed in the records convinces her that she knows she loves him for who his is and nothing more. She wants to be with him and see that Taravay is finished and ready for families to inhabit it once again. Now, she just has to convince him.
This is a heartbreaking story of family and how they can be cruel to one another. The characters are beautifully created and the intricate descriptions made me gasp. I have read many books by this outstanding author, and I think that this one is her very best. Don’t miss it and enjoy!
Copy provided by the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
Forbidden To The Banished Laird is historical romance set on a small Scottish Island.
J. Smith (Jessica) is a landscape gardener who has arrived in Stornoway on an island hop to her new place of employment. Murdo is the Island of Taravay’s Laird. He’s shocked to discover that J. Smith is a woman, knowing that they will be the only island occupants, which will challenge the strict rules of society.
Jessica, however, is not looking for romance and is determined to make a success of this new project. While Murdo is a gruff but passionate man with some painful past secrets. Both are resolved to move forward bringing positive changes to the tiny island and the community that they want to bring back.
I enjoyed the gardening sub-theme of this story very much and I could imagine the excitement of working on a new project in such challenging conditions. The gardener in me would have been happy for extra chapters that detailed more of the gardening and island transformations.
Jessica and Murdo were both delightful characters and their stories interwove well. I also liked the little pockets of Scottish island history that were sprinkled into the narrative. Of course there is romance in this story, it ebbs and flows like the sea tides surrounding the island and ends in a most satisfying way. This fictional island definitely sounded like somewhere I would really like to visit.
Forbidden To The Banished Laird is historical romance set on a small Scottish Island.
J. Smith (Jessica) is a landscape gardener who has arrived in Stornoway on an island hop to her new place of employment. Murdo is the Island of Taravay’s Laird. He’s shocked to discover that J. Smith is a woman, knowing that they will be the only island occupants, which will challenge the strict rules of society.
Jessica, however, is not looking for romance and is determined to make a success of this new project. While Murdo is a gruff but passionate man with some painful past secrets. Both are resolved to move forward bringing positive changes to the tiny island and the community that they want to bring back.
I enjoyed the gardening sub-theme of this story very much and I could imagine the excitement of working on a new project in such challenging conditions. The gardener in me would have been happy for extra chapters that detailed more of the gardening and island transformations.
Jessica and Murdo were both delightful characters and their stories interwove well. I also liked the little pockets of Scottish island history that were sprinkled into the narrative. Of course there is romance in this story, it ebbs and flows like the sea tides surrounding the island and ends in a most satisfying way. This fictional island definitely sounded like somewhere I would really like to visit.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars
I enjoyed this book, the gothic element reminded me of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey!
Jessica herself gave me Gertrude Jeykl vibes in that she was a landscaper and had a love of nature and the environment. We are given her back story (which is important) and why she really needs to make a success of Murdo's estate. From my point of view Murdo had two things going against him; he's bad tempered and he has a beard! We get glimpses of why he is so resentful and finding it difficult to believe in love. His bad temper is understandable with respect to his toxic relationship with the old Laird.
There are some lovely descriptions of the island, the dilapidated castle and Murdo's vision. I liked the gossip on the other island and her island telegraph system that actually manages to make positive things happen. There are evocative descriptions of all their characters and I liked the idea that our couple both live in small crofts away from the castle.
Not so keen on the shall they get together or not but I suppose that is of it's time....as is the beard!
I thoroughly recommend this book.
I was gifted this ebook by the author and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book, the gothic element reminded me of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey!
Jessica herself gave me Gertrude Jeykl vibes in that she was a landscaper and had a love of nature and the environment. We are given her back story (which is important) and why she really needs to make a success of Murdo's estate. From my point of view Murdo had two things going against him; he's bad tempered and he has a beard! We get glimpses of why he is so resentful and finding it difficult to believe in love. His bad temper is understandable with respect to his toxic relationship with the old Laird.
There are some lovely descriptions of the island, the dilapidated castle and Murdo's vision. I liked the gossip on the other island and her island telegraph system that actually manages to make positive things happen. There are evocative descriptions of all their characters and I liked the idea that our couple both live in small crofts away from the castle.
Not so keen on the shall they get together or not but I suppose that is of it's time....as is the beard!
I thoroughly recommend this book.
I was gifted this ebook by the author and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
This is my second Marguerite Kaye Scotland-set novel and they are both excellent.
Jessoca is a garden designer/landscape gardener and Murdo is the Laird who hired hires her to landscape his private Hebridean island. Neither is looking for love; both are suffering form broken hearts.
The initial mix up is cute. Very, Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.
The Island is off Lewis, where I’ve a been, and I stayed in a Black House, like Jessica does. The setting details are accurate and gorgeous. I especially enjoyed the description of Jessica’s view as the boat she is sailing on coming into Stornoway harbour.
The details about The Highland Clearance are sad but informative. Marguerite Kaye’s time period details are always very well done
The attraction is slow-burning Heat level spicy/open door.
Definitely recommend.
Jessoca is a garden designer/landscape gardener and Murdo is the Laird who hired hires her to landscape his private Hebridean island. Neither is looking for love; both are suffering form broken hearts.
The initial mix up is cute. Very, Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.
The Island is off Lewis, where I’ve a been, and I stayed in a Black House, like Jessica does. The setting details are accurate and gorgeous. I especially enjoyed the description of Jessica’s view as the boat she is sailing on coming into Stornoway harbour.
The details about The Highland Clearance are sad but informative. Marguerite Kaye’s time period details are always very well done
The attraction is slow-burning Heat level spicy/open door.
Definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Forbidden to the Banished Laird is an engaging novel by Marguerite Kaye, which I highly recommend for its vivid setting and emotional depth.
It is set on the fictional Scottish Island of Taravay, a neglected place since the Clearances. After the death of the old Laird, his estranged son, Murdo, the new Laird, returns to the island and has plans to bring life back to the place. To do that, he needs help from and hires a landscape gardener, Jessica.
Although set in Victorian times, the author wants to keep Murdo true to his Scottish self. So, you can be forgiven if, occasionally, you forget the era in which the story is set. Murdo is a wonderful character, and he needs the lightness that Jessica brings to his life. They have both been through heartache, and I enjoyed reading how they helped each other overcome it.
This book stands out for its compelling blend of strong character development, romance, mystery, complicated relationships, and fascinating twists and turns, making it a must-read. I couldn’t read it quickly enough!
It is set on the fictional Scottish Island of Taravay, a neglected place since the Clearances. After the death of the old Laird, his estranged son, Murdo, the new Laird, returns to the island and has plans to bring life back to the place. To do that, he needs help from and hires a landscape gardener, Jessica.
Although set in Victorian times, the author wants to keep Murdo true to his Scottish self. So, you can be forgiven if, occasionally, you forget the era in which the story is set. Murdo is a wonderful character, and he needs the lightness that Jessica brings to his life. They have both been through heartache, and I enjoyed reading how they helped each other overcome it.
This book stands out for its compelling blend of strong character development, romance, mystery, complicated relationships, and fascinating twists and turns, making it a must-read. I couldn’t read it quickly enough!
January 27, 2026
A gorgeous Scottish romance. Set in the Outer Hebrides and with a gardener heroine, I knew I was going to enjoy it. I was surprised by the twist. I thought I knew what was coming but Marguerite is cleverer than I. Highly recommend 👌
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews