What do you think?
Rate this book
Scottish Treasures #1
The Scot Who Loved Me
The first in a daring new Scottish historical series about a woman determined to return Scottish treasures to the Highlands and the only man who can help her—the lover she once abandoned.
Proud Scot Will MacDonald sits in prison for wearing his kilt. He's determined to leave England as soon as he's released, but his plans go awry when a mysterious woman enters his cell, promising freedom and gold.
Anne Fletcher never thought she'd see her former lover again. She knows Will hasn't forgiven her for leaving him so many years ago, but to accomplish her league's mission, she needs him by her side. Stealing the Treasure of Lock Arkaig from English hands and returning it to the Highlands where it belongs is no easy feat. But with Will's help, they can achieve the impossible, even if being with him is as painful as it is pleasurable.
Taking back the fortune could mean death, but after being parted from Anne for so long, Will can't leave her side. As they work together to steal the treasure from watchful eyes, will they return to their lonely lives, or will they risk everything for a love they thought was lost forever?
Proud Scot Will MacDonald sits in prison for wearing his kilt. He's determined to leave England as soon as he's released, but his plans go awry when a mysterious woman enters his cell, promising freedom and gold.
Anne Fletcher never thought she'd see her former lover again. She knows Will hasn't forgiven her for leaving him so many years ago, but to accomplish her league's mission, she needs him by her side. Stealing the Treasure of Lock Arkaig from English hands and returning it to the Highlands where it belongs is no easy feat. But with Will's help, they can achieve the impossible, even if being with him is as painful as it is pleasurable.
Taking back the fortune could mean death, but after being parted from Anne for so long, Will can't leave her side. As they work together to steal the treasure from watchful eyes, will they return to their lonely lives, or will they risk everything for a love they thought was lost forever?
373 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 25, 2021
33 people are currently reading
2461 people want to read
About the author
Gina Conkle
40 books575 followersLearn more about her books at Gina or connect with her via her newsletter
https://ginaconkle.com/newsletter-2/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
February 17, 2022
This had SO MUCH POTENTIAL. A Scottish hero? A second chance romance? A heist? But instead, the plot just dragged and I wasn't really connected to the story. Will and Anne fell in love when Will was supposed to escort Anne to her fiancé. I would have loved to see snippets of them falling in love so that I could feel that connection before they met years later. Now, Anne helps Will get out of jail to help her get a key that will lead them to stolen Jacobite gold. This whole heist plot was so anti-climactic and dragged out for the entire book. I felt no really urgency or threat and just wasn't all that interested. This just sounded like it would be amazing but lacked one execution.
May 30, 2021
When I saw this book become available for review request, I was intrigued by the premise and thought the cover lovely. This was my first book by Conkle, and, unfortunately, I am unlikely to pick another one up. It didn’t deliver on the promise and didn’t work on multiple fronts.
Central to this book is a scheme to steal back Jacobite gold and distribute it among the Highlander survivors, who are suffering. Ann, the heroine, is leader of a women’s group planning the heist. They are at a critical stage and now need the help of Ann’s one-time lover, Will, to gain the needed access to the gold. What could have been an interesting story filled with delicious tension combining a heist and second-chance tropes was bogged down by metaphor-ridden purple prose. In short, this story had a focus and flow problem.
I am a big fan of a well-executed second chance story. This was not that. Part of why I like a second chance story is because it is so difficult to pull off. It needs to be convincing on why it didn’t work the first time and convincing on why the two lovers should trust and try again. It should be filled with angst and anguish and tension. Ann and Will come to know each other originally when Will escorts Ann to her betrothed, a man she hasn’t met and Will’s clansman. They embark in an affair and plan to runaway together, while Will plans to join the Jacobite uprising. This is a very one-sided love story. Ann gives, Will takes. Ann makes sacrifices for clan and family, Will looks out for himself and does what he wants. Ann keeps tabs on Will during their 8-year separation, Will doesn’t keep tabs on Ann. Ann is a bit too good to be true, but, while Will is presented as an honorable Highlander, his actions and choices point to a very self-centered character.
I didn’t find this to be an easy read. It took me more than a week to get through, but I did hold out hope until late in the book that it would click in the end. It did seem to do a decent job at historical context and details, which I did appreciate. However, resolutions were too easy and tension buildup often lost focus. Ultimately, it was a disappointing and unsatisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
Central to this book is a scheme to steal back Jacobite gold and distribute it among the Highlander survivors, who are suffering. Ann, the heroine, is leader of a women’s group planning the heist. They are at a critical stage and now need the help of Ann’s one-time lover, Will, to gain the needed access to the gold. What could have been an interesting story filled with delicious tension combining a heist and second-chance tropes was bogged down by metaphor-ridden purple prose. In short, this story had a focus and flow problem.
I am a big fan of a well-executed second chance story. This was not that. Part of why I like a second chance story is because it is so difficult to pull off. It needs to be convincing on why it didn’t work the first time and convincing on why the two lovers should trust and try again. It should be filled with angst and anguish and tension. Ann and Will come to know each other originally when Will escorts Ann to her betrothed, a man she hasn’t met and Will’s clansman. They embark in an affair and plan to runaway together, while Will plans to join the Jacobite uprising. This is a very one-sided love story. Ann gives, Will takes. Ann makes sacrifices for clan and family, Will looks out for himself and does what he wants. Ann keeps tabs on Will during their 8-year separation, Will doesn’t keep tabs on Ann. Ann is a bit too good to be true, but, while Will is presented as an honorable Highlander, his actions and choices point to a very self-centered character.
I didn’t find this to be an easy read. It took me more than a week to get through, but I did hold out hope until late in the book that it would click in the end. It did seem to do a decent job at historical context and details, which I did appreciate. However, resolutions were too easy and tension buildup often lost focus. Ultimately, it was a disappointing and unsatisfying read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book. Views are my own.
May 7, 2023
I've been meaning to pick up another historical romance for a while. The premise sounded like something I would enjoyed. And there where parts of thos I really liked but the story overall wasn't more then 3 stars.
June 9, 2021
The plot felt long and drawn out, with not much character development. Short on both history and romance.
September 11, 2021
This was so good in the beginning with the angst and the tragic love story for them both. It's a second chance romance. But then literally a giant chunk of it was them on a heist but not really and then it got super boring lol. I wish we had more romance.
May 24, 2021
The Scot Who Loved Me starts off with an interesting premise - Anne , twice-widowed, shows up in the jail cell where her first love, Will, is being held prisoner. She bribes the guards to let set him free, and then coerces him into helping her with a complex heist. The promising beginning includes a ton of sexual tension and backstory, and we were looking forward to watching everything play out. Unfortunately around the halfway mark the heist action slowed down and the bedroom action didn't ratchet up to compensate. All in all, while this is an interesting take on the aftermath of the Jacobite rising, the romance was less than compelling.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.
January 15, 2023
3.5/5 no review until HarperCollins bargains with their union.
May 13, 2021
3.5 rounded up
Years ago, twice widowed Anne Neville was tasked with finding and bringing back the Jacobite’s missing gold. And finally, after years of collecting information and meticulous preparation, Anne and her merry band of accomplices are ready to set their plan in motion, they just need one more thing – the help of William MacDonald – Anne’s first and only love, who she hasn’t spoken to since the uprising 8 years ago. But to finish her mission and finally be able to return home to Scotland, Anne will do what has to be done and convince Will to help them, but first, she has to break him out of prison.
Will MacDonald never stopped loving Anne, but insecurity and misassumptions tore them apart 8 years ago and their pride has kept them apart ever since. So when she shows up at the prison, his first reaction is to refuse to help, but his heart still wants her and he realizes he may never get another chance to win her back, so he agrees to at least meet with her partners and listen to their plan. But little does Anne know that Will has his own plan to woo her back into his life.
The plan is revealed to Will and he is stunned – the gold was stolen and is currently in the possession of the last person he ever wanted to see again – Ancilla, the widowed Countess of Denton – the woman who hired him as her “personal footman” five years ago and kept him in her “employ” for a year before he finally gathered the remnants of his pride and left. He wants to refuse but knows if he does, he will lose Anne forever. Anne knows of his past with the Countess, which is why he was necessary to the plan, she does feel bad about making him return to what he considers his greatest shame and if she is honest with herself (which she usually is) she will admit that she is jealous, but she can’t let her feelings get in the way of the mission, because the Countess is a worthy foe and Anne would be a fool to let her guard down around the woman. She promises herself that once her mission is complete, she will examine her feelings and consider her options for the future – and hopefully it won’t be too late!
This was a very interesting story, the plan to reclaim the gold was well done and was reminiscent of some great cinematic heists such as The Sting, The Italian Job, and Ocean’s 8 – but overall I felt that the story was a bit slow and the relationship between Anne and Will underdeveloped and stilted, it was clear they had a past and still loved each other, but Anne’s feelings and motivations regarding Will were kept from the reader for most of the book, in the end, everything that was kept from the reader was explained, but it was too little, too late for me to feel the connection. The book has some great secondary characters, a very mild love scene, secrets, surprises, a well-executed theft, and the promise of HEA. I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to future installments.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *
Years ago, twice widowed Anne Neville was tasked with finding and bringing back the Jacobite’s missing gold. And finally, after years of collecting information and meticulous preparation, Anne and her merry band of accomplices are ready to set their plan in motion, they just need one more thing – the help of William MacDonald – Anne’s first and only love, who she hasn’t spoken to since the uprising 8 years ago. But to finish her mission and finally be able to return home to Scotland, Anne will do what has to be done and convince Will to help them, but first, she has to break him out of prison.
Will MacDonald never stopped loving Anne, but insecurity and misassumptions tore them apart 8 years ago and their pride has kept them apart ever since. So when she shows up at the prison, his first reaction is to refuse to help, but his heart still wants her and he realizes he may never get another chance to win her back, so he agrees to at least meet with her partners and listen to their plan. But little does Anne know that Will has his own plan to woo her back into his life.
The plan is revealed to Will and he is stunned – the gold was stolen and is currently in the possession of the last person he ever wanted to see again – Ancilla, the widowed Countess of Denton – the woman who hired him as her “personal footman” five years ago and kept him in her “employ” for a year before he finally gathered the remnants of his pride and left. He wants to refuse but knows if he does, he will lose Anne forever. Anne knows of his past with the Countess, which is why he was necessary to the plan, she does feel bad about making him return to what he considers his greatest shame and if she is honest with herself (which she usually is) she will admit that she is jealous, but she can’t let her feelings get in the way of the mission, because the Countess is a worthy foe and Anne would be a fool to let her guard down around the woman. She promises herself that once her mission is complete, she will examine her feelings and consider her options for the future – and hopefully it won’t be too late!
This was a very interesting story, the plan to reclaim the gold was well done and was reminiscent of some great cinematic heists such as The Sting, The Italian Job, and Ocean’s 8 – but overall I felt that the story was a bit slow and the relationship between Anne and Will underdeveloped and stilted, it was clear they had a past and still loved each other, but Anne’s feelings and motivations regarding Will were kept from the reader for most of the book, in the end, everything that was kept from the reader was explained, but it was too little, too late for me to feel the connection. The book has some great secondary characters, a very mild love scene, secrets, surprises, a well-executed theft, and the promise of HEA. I did enjoy the story and am looking forward to future installments.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. *
June 6, 2021
The idea of a second chance romance paired with a heist is something I’m probably never going to pass up. Sadly, this didn’t hold up for me.
Anne and Will are decent enough MCs. Their history is given out in snippets and it was sort of annoying to know they had a past, but not to know why they were apart. Especially when it seemed like lust and not love. I enjoyed the other ladies in the league and could have done with a million more scenes of them.
Plot wise, it’s more about the heist than the romance and even then, it’s not very exciting. I expected loads of tension, longing filled glances, and maybe some sassy banter. Instead it was long passages of inner monologues, snapping at each other, and maybe two honest conversations.
Overall, I loved the idea but wanted a lot more from this story and the characters.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
Anne and Will are decent enough MCs. Their history is given out in snippets and it was sort of annoying to know they had a past, but not to know why they were apart. Especially when it seemed like lust and not love. I enjoyed the other ladies in the league and could have done with a million more scenes of them.
Plot wise, it’s more about the heist than the romance and even then, it’s not very exciting. I expected loads of tension, longing filled glances, and maybe some sassy banter. Instead it was long passages of inner monologues, snapping at each other, and maybe two honest conversations.
Overall, I loved the idea but wanted a lot more from this story and the characters.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
May 7, 2022
I. Loved. This freaking story, y’all.
I listened on audio and genuinely enjoyed Marian Hussey’s narration! I’m always wary going into audiobooks where there will be prominent accents, especially as distinctive as Scottish, but the narration was absolutely fabulous.
As was the story. This was my first Gina Conkle, and I’m mad at myself for initially judging the book by its cover because while I love me a clinch, the hair on the male model on this cover was *not* working for me. I am big enough to say that I was a moron for letting such a small detail keep me from picking this up sooner, because it has given me so many moments of joy within the last week as I’ve been listening to it.
Anne Fletcher is a completely competent, bad-ass woman who has a league of equally bad-ass women of varying ages and skills. They’ve tasked themselves with righting wrongs and returning stolen Scottish treasures back to the Highlands, where they belong.
Their first mission is to steal back some Jacobite gold, and the book opens with this killer scene of Anne bribing her way into prison to rescue Will MacDonald, who she wants to rope into her scheme to steal the gold from under a countess’s nose.
The thing? Anne and Will MacDonald have history. They met years prior, as younger versions of themselves, when he was to escort her to her betrothed…and then they went and fell in love on the way there.
But 8 years, a rebellion, and life have separated Will and Anne. Anne, with her devotion to Scotland, is driven by duty to complete her mission and she needs Will’s help, even though this reunion brings back painful memories for both of them. There are secrets that need to be shared, and feelings that are still harbored, all in the middle of a plot to steal gold and return it to where it belongs without getting caught.
I loved Anne’s motley crew of women in the league. I love a good girl gang and Conkle delivered with the league. I’m curious to see how many of the women in the league will be given HEAs…I know Cecilia is next and I adored her, but I’m wondering if we’ll also get love for Miss Mary Fletcher after some scenes in this book.
Some things that really worked for me in this novel: both Will and Anne are painted as such multi-faceted characters. They both have autonomy, carry equal weight, and their partnership even on a professional scale is so great because they support one another in their endeavors. I liked that Will’s soft, sweet, romantic side is leaned into so heavily—it’s what we deserve. I love that it doesn’t take the entire novel for them to separately realize they are still in love with each other, even though neither is sure the other feels the same. Their second chance felt so deserved for me.
I also was so envious of Conkle’s wordsmith abilities here—turns of phrase, descriptions that made me go, “Damn, I want to write like that!”
I truly had no idea how things would go at any turn of the novel and it kept me on my toes. Every chapter ended and I wanted more. Even when the novel itself ended! Every day when I drove to work listening, I would sit in my car for a few extra minutes to finish the chapter I was listening to because I couldn’t bear to leave off in the middle of one.
I genuinely, genuinely enjoyed this book. I’ve already used another credit to get A Scot Is Not Enough, Cecelia’s story, and I’ll be starting it immediately.
I listened on audio and genuinely enjoyed Marian Hussey’s narration! I’m always wary going into audiobooks where there will be prominent accents, especially as distinctive as Scottish, but the narration was absolutely fabulous.
As was the story. This was my first Gina Conkle, and I’m mad at myself for initially judging the book by its cover because while I love me a clinch, the hair on the male model on this cover was *not* working for me. I am big enough to say that I was a moron for letting such a small detail keep me from picking this up sooner, because it has given me so many moments of joy within the last week as I’ve been listening to it.
Anne Fletcher is a completely competent, bad-ass woman who has a league of equally bad-ass women of varying ages and skills. They’ve tasked themselves with righting wrongs and returning stolen Scottish treasures back to the Highlands, where they belong.
Their first mission is to steal back some Jacobite gold, and the book opens with this killer scene of Anne bribing her way into prison to rescue Will MacDonald, who she wants to rope into her scheme to steal the gold from under a countess’s nose.
The thing? Anne and Will MacDonald have history. They met years prior, as younger versions of themselves, when he was to escort her to her betrothed…and then they went and fell in love on the way there.
But 8 years, a rebellion, and life have separated Will and Anne. Anne, with her devotion to Scotland, is driven by duty to complete her mission and she needs Will’s help, even though this reunion brings back painful memories for both of them. There are secrets that need to be shared, and feelings that are still harbored, all in the middle of a plot to steal gold and return it to where it belongs without getting caught.
I loved Anne’s motley crew of women in the league. I love a good girl gang and Conkle delivered with the league. I’m curious to see how many of the women in the league will be given HEAs…I know Cecilia is next and I adored her, but I’m wondering if we’ll also get love for Miss Mary Fletcher after some scenes in this book.
Some things that really worked for me in this novel: both Will and Anne are painted as such multi-faceted characters. They both have autonomy, carry equal weight, and their partnership even on a professional scale is so great because they support one another in their endeavors. I liked that Will’s soft, sweet, romantic side is leaned into so heavily—it’s what we deserve. I love that it doesn’t take the entire novel for them to separately realize they are still in love with each other, even though neither is sure the other feels the same. Their second chance felt so deserved for me.
I also was so envious of Conkle’s wordsmith abilities here—turns of phrase, descriptions that made me go, “Damn, I want to write like that!”
I truly had no idea how things would go at any turn of the novel and it kept me on my toes. Every chapter ended and I wanted more. Even when the novel itself ended! Every day when I drove to work listening, I would sit in my car for a few extra minutes to finish the chapter I was listening to because I couldn’t bear to leave off in the middle of one.
I genuinely, genuinely enjoyed this book. I’ve already used another credit to get A Scot Is Not Enough, Cecelia’s story, and I’ll be starting it immediately.
May 27, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up.
The devastating loss at Culloden hasn’t made Will MacDonald any less the proud Highlander and that obstinance has landed him in prison for wearing his kilt. He has plans to leave England and search for his father in Virginia when he’s released but that idea is foiled when a woman buys his freedom and asks for his help in exchange.
Anne Neville had thought never to see her former love again. She left Will eight years ago and doesn’t expect he’s forgiven her, but she and her league need his help to accomplish their mission. She’s determined to steal back thieved Jacobite gold and return it to its rightful place in the Highlands and she believes they’ll succeed with Will’s help, even though spending time with him again is equal parts pain and pleasure.
Reunited with Anne after such a long separation, Will won’t leave her again, even if their mission could result in their deaths. As they work together toward a common goal, Will and Anne must decide if they’ll return to their lonely half-lives when it’s over or take the risk that a relationship between them could work this time around.
This book was heavily plot driven and featured strong writing, but the romance definitely took a backseat here. The mission to steal back the gold and the formation of the league was the main focus and it then lost momentum as well and I just wound up not caring about it. I was never a fan of Anne and she and Will never really had much civil conversation. There were times that some sexual tension built between them, but she’d usually say something awful to him to ruin it. I thought Will deserved better than he got and while Anne may have done a couple of nice things for him, mainly she was just using him. The heist was her priority, and she didn’t realize his true worth until much too late for me to find it satisfying.
As always with second chance stories, I had a hard time not focusing on the wasted time when the MCs weren’t together, but that was especially true of this story as Will has the same struggle and Anne knew where to find him for years but didn’t reveal herself because she put the league and its goals first. The reason for their initial separation eight years ago was as tragic as it was flimsy, and the poignance of it was a bit lost on me and buried in angst. In fact, the tone of the entire book was gnawingly ominous, so I struggled to read much of it in one sitting. The somewhat vague descriptions made parts of the book a bit difficult to follow, though that may have been down to my waning interest in the plot. I think I would’ve liked it more if Anne had been a character I could really root for, but she was unnecessarily snappish and mean, preoccupied with Will telling her what to do, unable or unwilling to acknowledge his attempts to protect her and his guilt for his perceived failure in the past.
There was a strong build-up here that sadly fizzled out for me, especially given the painfully slow burn and the fact that we never saw much on-page communication between Will and Anne. It left me feeling like they may part again in the near future when some other issue arises. The frequent hints of the past backstory before the full revelation became a bit repetitive for me and rather than pique my interest, it lost my attention. This made the story’s flow seem a bit jerky and once that momentum was lost, we never got it back. I know there was a bit to be done to set up the future books of the series, but the romance never really came to fruition here and the characters never grabbed me so I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
The devastating loss at Culloden hasn’t made Will MacDonald any less the proud Highlander and that obstinance has landed him in prison for wearing his kilt. He has plans to leave England and search for his father in Virginia when he’s released but that idea is foiled when a woman buys his freedom and asks for his help in exchange.
Anne Neville had thought never to see her former love again. She left Will eight years ago and doesn’t expect he’s forgiven her, but she and her league need his help to accomplish their mission. She’s determined to steal back thieved Jacobite gold and return it to its rightful place in the Highlands and she believes they’ll succeed with Will’s help, even though spending time with him again is equal parts pain and pleasure.
Reunited with Anne after such a long separation, Will won’t leave her again, even if their mission could result in their deaths. As they work together toward a common goal, Will and Anne must decide if they’ll return to their lonely half-lives when it’s over or take the risk that a relationship between them could work this time around.
This book was heavily plot driven and featured strong writing, but the romance definitely took a backseat here. The mission to steal back the gold and the formation of the league was the main focus and it then lost momentum as well and I just wound up not caring about it. I was never a fan of Anne and she and Will never really had much civil conversation. There were times that some sexual tension built between them, but she’d usually say something awful to him to ruin it. I thought Will deserved better than he got and while Anne may have done a couple of nice things for him, mainly she was just using him. The heist was her priority, and she didn’t realize his true worth until much too late for me to find it satisfying.
As always with second chance stories, I had a hard time not focusing on the wasted time when the MCs weren’t together, but that was especially true of this story as Will has the same struggle and Anne knew where to find him for years but didn’t reveal herself because she put the league and its goals first. The reason for their initial separation eight years ago was as tragic as it was flimsy, and the poignance of it was a bit lost on me and buried in angst. In fact, the tone of the entire book was gnawingly ominous, so I struggled to read much of it in one sitting. The somewhat vague descriptions made parts of the book a bit difficult to follow, though that may have been down to my waning interest in the plot. I think I would’ve liked it more if Anne had been a character I could really root for, but she was unnecessarily snappish and mean, preoccupied with Will telling her what to do, unable or unwilling to acknowledge his attempts to protect her and his guilt for his perceived failure in the past.
There was a strong build-up here that sadly fizzled out for me, especially given the painfully slow burn and the fact that we never saw much on-page communication between Will and Anne. It left me feeling like they may part again in the near future when some other issue arises. The frequent hints of the past backstory before the full revelation became a bit repetitive for me and rather than pique my interest, it lost my attention. This made the story’s flow seem a bit jerky and once that momentum was lost, we never got it back. I know there was a bit to be done to set up the future books of the series, but the romance never really came to fruition here and the characters never grabbed me so I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
March 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this story! Will is a highlander beast for sure. 😉😍🥰He was in prison because he was wearing his kilt. He was surprised when Anne came to free him. She had left him many years ago. Now she needs his help finding and stealing a treasure. Will agrees to help her. Will they risk everything for love? If you want to know read this book. 📚
March 22, 2021
Will MacDonald was an enforcer for Clan MacDonaldranald but he was a Jacobite and his side could not fight against the English. So many men died during that battle. He was six foot and four inches,
brown-blond hair, and all muscles and attitude. When she first met him he was twenty and that was eight years ago. They had loved deeply. He was angry and she was hurt. There were some things they would have to clear up, eventually.
Just after Culloden, a large chest of gold arrived on the Scottish Coast. Then disappeared. Anne Fletcher, MacDonald, Neville, had discovered its whereabouts, she and the league were going to steal it back, then return it to Scotland and the people who needed it. Anne had long black hair, a beautiful and kissable mouth, and slender.
It was a wonderful story of the scrapes the five women get into. They had to be focused in order to get away with it. The characters were funny and so sweet and tried to be helpful. I have always enjoyed Gina Conkle's books and recommend them to my friends. She writes an engaging tale, keeping it easy to read and entertaining. The things they have to go thru to try to accomplish their final vow for Scotland. I highly recommend this marvelous novel and found it very enjoyable.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
brown-blond hair, and all muscles and attitude. When she first met him he was twenty and that was eight years ago. They had loved deeply. He was angry and she was hurt. There were some things they would have to clear up, eventually.
Just after Culloden, a large chest of gold arrived on the Scottish Coast. Then disappeared. Anne Fletcher, MacDonald, Neville, had discovered its whereabouts, she and the league were going to steal it back, then return it to Scotland and the people who needed it. Anne had long black hair, a beautiful and kissable mouth, and slender.
It was a wonderful story of the scrapes the five women get into. They had to be focused in order to get away with it. The characters were funny and so sweet and tried to be helpful. I have always enjoyed Gina Conkle's books and recommend them to my friends. She writes an engaging tale, keeping it easy to read and entertaining. The things they have to go thru to try to accomplish their final vow for Scotland. I highly recommend this marvelous novel and found it very enjoyable.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
May 25, 2021
This was a well plotted novel that is the first in a new series that takes place in 1753-after the second Jacobean rebellion. I found Gina Conkle's writing to be easily accessible and steadily paced. This is a novel that is much more plot driven and we are introduced to a large cast of characters (who I assume will continue to build out this series as it goes on). At the heart of this novel is the second chance romance between our hero and heroine who first fell in love when they were very young with ideals of supporting each other during the uprising.
This novel starts off eight years after they have been apart and our heroine has been married and widowed two times over. Anne is resilient and smart, she has been on a mission to restore the Jacobean gold back to Scotland and she rescues our hero (Will) from prison in order to help with this task. Anne learns throughout this novel how to be strong and steadfast in her goals, how to move on from the past, and how to dream bigger for her future.
Will is in some ways a gentle giant, and in others a fierce and strong individual who will fight for his country and the people he loves. Will learns to look past misunderstands and to discover the growth and independence that Anne has built of herself. Will comes to terms with wrongs he has committed and through the rediscovery of love he finds strength to overcome.
The relationship between Will and Anne is a very soft undercurrent to the intriguing plot line that mainly drives the story. Action and conflict all stem from the goals and mission that are set into motion at the start of the novel, which then leads Will and Anne to learn each other and uncover the ways each of them has grown. I do love that their relationship is not bogged down by angst over the past, I love that they learn to discuss things with and open mind and I love that they reach understandings without harboring petty feelings from the past.
This second chance relationship is very slow burn and blooms with maturity so it is a bit softer in feel and not driven fully by lust. There are very few sensual moments but I still was able to feel the re-arising of attraction between Will and Anne, and because their love is more mature, the foundation for their love to develop is very strong.
I would highly recommend this novel if you love a plot driven historical romance that is the foundation and start of what looks to be an captivating series that focuses on the after maths of the second Jacobean rebellion. I am looking forward to seeing where this story develops.
This novel starts off eight years after they have been apart and our heroine has been married and widowed two times over. Anne is resilient and smart, she has been on a mission to restore the Jacobean gold back to Scotland and she rescues our hero (Will) from prison in order to help with this task. Anne learns throughout this novel how to be strong and steadfast in her goals, how to move on from the past, and how to dream bigger for her future.
Will is in some ways a gentle giant, and in others a fierce and strong individual who will fight for his country and the people he loves. Will learns to look past misunderstands and to discover the growth and independence that Anne has built of herself. Will comes to terms with wrongs he has committed and through the rediscovery of love he finds strength to overcome.
The relationship between Will and Anne is a very soft undercurrent to the intriguing plot line that mainly drives the story. Action and conflict all stem from the goals and mission that are set into motion at the start of the novel, which then leads Will and Anne to learn each other and uncover the ways each of them has grown. I do love that their relationship is not bogged down by angst over the past, I love that they learn to discuss things with and open mind and I love that they reach understandings without harboring petty feelings from the past.
This second chance relationship is very slow burn and blooms with maturity so it is a bit softer in feel and not driven fully by lust. There are very few sensual moments but I still was able to feel the re-arising of attraction between Will and Anne, and because their love is more mature, the foundation for their love to develop is very strong.
I would highly recommend this novel if you love a plot driven historical romance that is the foundation and start of what looks to be an captivating series that focuses on the after maths of the second Jacobean rebellion. I am looking forward to seeing where this story develops.
June 8, 2021
I reviewed this title for Fresh Fiction. It can be found at this link: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...
May 24, 2021
Book: The Scot Who loved me
By Gina Conkle
Series: Scottish Treasures, Book #1
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager
Release Date: 5/25/2021
Overall Rating: 5 Gold Stars
Overall Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags
Marshalsea Prison
22 August 1753
London, England
This is a second chance romance about the one woman, Ann Fletcher, who deserted Will MacDonald eight years earlier…
Marshalsea Prison
22 August 1753
London, England
Will MacDonald is the former enforcer of Clan MacDonald of Clanranold, including a braw, swoon worthy Jacobite who is a brave, strong, protective, honest and honorable man. He was also recently arrested for going against the Sassenach Highland clearances and wearing his kilt. Then the last person he ever expected to ever see in his life again walks into his cell! He intended to get out of filthy London as soon as possible, yet his plan goes astray when a woman from his past just drops in his cell out of thin air with promises of escape and coin!Unfortunately it is also the woman who also tore his heart out of his chest eight years earlier!
Anne Fletcher MacDonald Neville, knows Will has not forgiven her for the biggest mistake of her life so many years earlier and no one regrets it more than she. Yet to succeed in this special assignment she needs Will’s help-except how is she to convince him? As she is positively desperate and needs him to help her steal this special treasure of Loch Arkaig also known as the missing Jacobite gold. It is not for herself, but to return it to its rightful home to the Scottish highlands! Anne desperately needs Wills expertise to succeed in this pursuit even though she knows it will be like sticking pins in her heart again! Plus this assignment is very dangerous and if caught they will both most likely be executed. She only hopes on her previous Jacobite lover will do it especially since it belongs to Scotland and not only the country but the Jacobite’s too
This dangerous journey will open old wounds and reveal secrets the former lovers were not aware of . So will Anne and Will be capable to parting again once this mission ends? Will they return to their miserable empty lives again? Will they part forever with shattered dreams and broken hearts again? Will these former lovers just take a chance on a love that might possibly last forever? Read and find out.
I absolutely love Gina Conkle books as I am a huge fan of her Viking books and her gift for historical research is absolutely phenomenal! It is a book readers definitely don’t want to miss! It is a riveting, fast paced-page turning romantic adventure that I absolutely loved! Of course it is filled with all the elements historical romance readers love plus weaving true historical facts with a beautiful fictional romance! This book was absolutely marvelous and captivating on so many levels! Now for one it called out to my Jacobite heart, a second chance romance which I always love plus mystery and suspense surrounding the Jacobite gold! Now what’s not to love and I can’t wait for book #2 in this magnificent series!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon and HarperCollins Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/Scot-Who-Loved...
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/...
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-s...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...
https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
By Gina Conkle
Series: Scottish Treasures, Book #1
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager
Release Date: 5/25/2021
Overall Rating: 5 Gold Stars
Overall Blog Rating: 5 Saltire Flags
Marshalsea Prison
22 August 1753
London, England
This is a second chance romance about the one woman, Ann Fletcher, who deserted Will MacDonald eight years earlier…
Marshalsea Prison
22 August 1753
London, England
Will MacDonald is the former enforcer of Clan MacDonald of Clanranold, including a braw, swoon worthy Jacobite who is a brave, strong, protective, honest and honorable man. He was also recently arrested for going against the Sassenach Highland clearances and wearing his kilt. Then the last person he ever expected to ever see in his life again walks into his cell! He intended to get out of filthy London as soon as possible, yet his plan goes astray when a woman from his past just drops in his cell out of thin air with promises of escape and coin!Unfortunately it is also the woman who also tore his heart out of his chest eight years earlier!
Anne Fletcher MacDonald Neville, knows Will has not forgiven her for the biggest mistake of her life so many years earlier and no one regrets it more than she. Yet to succeed in this special assignment she needs Will’s help-except how is she to convince him? As she is positively desperate and needs him to help her steal this special treasure of Loch Arkaig also known as the missing Jacobite gold. It is not for herself, but to return it to its rightful home to the Scottish highlands! Anne desperately needs Wills expertise to succeed in this pursuit even though she knows it will be like sticking pins in her heart again! Plus this assignment is very dangerous and if caught they will both most likely be executed. She only hopes on her previous Jacobite lover will do it especially since it belongs to Scotland and not only the country but the Jacobite’s too
This dangerous journey will open old wounds and reveal secrets the former lovers were not aware of . So will Anne and Will be capable to parting again once this mission ends? Will they return to their miserable empty lives again? Will they part forever with shattered dreams and broken hearts again? Will these former lovers just take a chance on a love that might possibly last forever? Read and find out.
I absolutely love Gina Conkle books as I am a huge fan of her Viking books and her gift for historical research is absolutely phenomenal! It is a book readers definitely don’t want to miss! It is a riveting, fast paced-page turning romantic adventure that I absolutely loved! Of course it is filled with all the elements historical romance readers love plus weaving true historical facts with a beautiful fictional romance! This book was absolutely marvelous and captivating on so many levels! Now for one it called out to my Jacobite heart, a second chance romance which I always love plus mystery and suspense surrounding the Jacobite gold! Now what’s not to love and I can’t wait for book #2 in this magnificent series!
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader’s copy from Avon and HarperCollins Publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair review and blog through Netgalley. All thoughts, ideas and words are my own.
Buy Links
https://www.amazon.com/Scot-Who-Loved...
https://www.harpercollins.com/product...
https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/...
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-s...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-...
https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
May 30, 2021
This second chance romance reunites two lovers that were torn appart on the cusp of the Jacobite revolution. Coincidentally the same cause, the return of Jacobite gold to the Highlands promos their reunion.
Anne Fletcher’s heart was broken when her love never waited for her to reach their meeting point before they were to run away together, instead he choose the fight with the Jacobites. Now, she has put all of herself into the same fight as she does everything in her power to restore Scotland to its former glory… and right now that’s stealing back Jacobite gold with the help of her former lover!
Will MacDonald was also heartbroken when Anne wasn’t there to meet him years ago, so he hurried his feelings in the war effort… now she has come for him and needs his help. He still loves her and will do what she asks, even if its treason!
This story has high on details, but not ones I flet necessary to the story or the romance. I was hoping for more real information on the plight of the Scottish, since this time was so volatile. I had also hoped for more on this reunion romance. There was a lot of talk about how intense their romance was as youths… but 8 years later there was a lot of yearning that left me yearning for more!
The ensable cast of characters added a lot to this book, especially Celelia and I would return to this series to see her character get her HEA.
The Scot Who Loved Me by Gina Conkle was released May 25th, 2021.
I won a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books that was provided through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#TheScotWhoLovedMe #GinaConkle #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads
Anne Fletcher’s heart was broken when her love never waited for her to reach their meeting point before they were to run away together, instead he choose the fight with the Jacobites. Now, she has put all of herself into the same fight as she does everything in her power to restore Scotland to its former glory… and right now that’s stealing back Jacobite gold with the help of her former lover!
Will MacDonald was also heartbroken when Anne wasn’t there to meet him years ago, so he hurried his feelings in the war effort… now she has come for him and needs his help. He still loves her and will do what she asks, even if its treason!
This story has high on details, but not ones I flet necessary to the story or the romance. I was hoping for more real information on the plight of the Scottish, since this time was so volatile. I had also hoped for more on this reunion romance. There was a lot of talk about how intense their romance was as youths… but 8 years later there was a lot of yearning that left me yearning for more!
The ensable cast of characters added a lot to this book, especially Celelia and I would return to this series to see her character get her HEA.
The Scot Who Loved Me by Gina Conkle was released May 25th, 2021.
I won a complimentary copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books that was provided through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Blog link: https://pinkcowlandreads.blogspot.com...
#TheScotWhoLovedMe #GinaConkle #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads
May 25, 2021
This was first time reading this author's books. Ms Conkle has a gift of giving the reader lots of exciting tales of treasure and romance in the start of a new series. I just love those brawny guys who wear their kilts so well. Especially Will McDonald who sits in prison for wearing one. Even though he's in a English jail, he will serve out his sentence and leave.
Then a mysterious lady arrives with plans to let Will escape with promises of money. What does a fellow do? Well, he goes with the woman, what else. Anne Fletcher has finally found someone who can help her get a treasure and return it to the rightful place. But Anne who once loved Will, has got to prove that her loyalty is with him, not the English.
There are a lot of twist and turns that make for a lively and thrilling read for those who want Will and Anne to have their happy ever after. The key is love, of course.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
Then a mysterious lady arrives with plans to let Will escape with promises of money. What does a fellow do? Well, he goes with the woman, what else. Anne Fletcher has finally found someone who can help her get a treasure and return it to the rightful place. But Anne who once loved Will, has got to prove that her loyalty is with him, not the English.
There are a lot of twist and turns that make for a lively and thrilling read for those who want Will and Anne to have their happy ever after. The key is love, of course.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
August 22, 2021
I love a Highlander and love a Jacobite even more - but the plot definitely happened at the cost of the romance in this story. Don't get me wrong - the heist, discussions of women who are left to pick up the pieces of war and rebellion, the true cost of a failed revolution are all lovely! Conkle's prose are beautiful and border on artistic in scenes. But so much of Will and Anne's relationship happened off-page - either when they were young - or were overshadowed by the villainous countess and their crime capers.
CW: miscarriage and mentions of a stillborn child, discussions of prison hulks, some bloodshed, and violence on the page
Tropes: second chance, Jacobites and Highlanders, Crime Caper, slow burn (emphasis on slow)
For Fans of: Jennifer Ashley's Jacobite prequels
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
CW: miscarriage and mentions of a stillborn child, discussions of prison hulks, some bloodshed, and violence on the page
Tropes: second chance, Jacobites and Highlanders, Crime Caper, slow burn (emphasis on slow)
For Fans of: Jennifer Ashley's Jacobite prequels
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 27, 2021
Engrossing tale of second chance love between Will MacDonald and Anne Fletcher. Will is a wonderful man, proud Scotsman who fought in the rebellion, and heartbroken due to the betrayal/abandonment of his first love. Anne is a strong woman, doing what she must to survive, and leading a group of women in an act of retribution. When these two meet again, sparks fly, but the pain they have endured may be too much. Loved these characters and the side characters in this story, the writing style and the pace of this book. Highly recommend.
June 28, 2021
Ok, the parts of this book that I liked, I REALLY LIKED! There was quite a bit that didn't work for me though.
I feel like this is another historical that has the romance take a back seat to the plot. Though the heist plot of this story was interesting, I was really looking forward to the second chance romance, and what usually comes with that.
I would potentially try another book in this series, now that there are some things and characters established, but I was looking forward to the romance more than the plot.
I feel like this is another historical that has the romance take a back seat to the plot. Though the heist plot of this story was interesting, I was really looking forward to the second chance romance, and what usually comes with that.
I would potentially try another book in this series, now that there are some things and characters established, but I was looking forward to the romance more than the plot.
June 15, 2021
The has promise with the plot. In reading book, I could feel the suspense and mystery and some of the words from the story. The drama was timid. Perhaps after releasing Will, as he whore his kilt the two could hidden behind the dark shadows, avoiding the officers to the crown, on the way to her cottage.
Read
May 21, 2021This one is a DNF for me at 20% because I just can’t get into the writing style. I’m going to try the audio because the story seems great but the just when I settle in something about the writing style jars me right back out.
September 24, 2025
Boring.
I couldn't even remember the FMC's name. That's how much of a nonentity she was.
I couldn't even remember the FMC's name. That's how much of a nonentity she was.
March 29, 2021
This was a really interesting read. This isn’t usually the time period I enjoy for historical romance but the premise looked interesting and I always like a man in a kilt. The characters were well written and the historical events that are referenced which is the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellion was really interesting since I really didn’t know anything about it. This was the first in a series called Scottish Treasures in which each book will have a women determined to return Scottish treasures back to the Highlands and the men who help them which is what happened in this one. Will Macdonald and Anne Fletcher team up in spite of their tumultuous past to steal the treasure of Loch Arkaig back from English hands and return it home to Scotland and of course working together helps them overcome the obstacles of their past and begin again. I enjoyed the concept and it was a fast read.
Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.
September 12, 2024
Didn’t even make it past Page One “…shifting a tattered MacDonald kilt on massive thighs, and the bottom of a hairy ballock swung into view”
I’m sorry, what? Straight to jail do not pass go 🚫🙅🏼♀️ ick!!! I want to read a romance novel, not hear about his hairy balls 🤣
I’m sorry, what? Straight to jail do not pass go 🚫🙅🏼♀️ ick!!! I want to read a romance novel, not hear about his hairy balls 🤣
April 7, 2025
3.5 stars
April 10, 2021
I won an ARC of this one in a Goodreads giveaway. I've gotta say - with the first page where the text excerpt is, I thought "mon" was a typo. And yet...it continued. Don't write in dialect if you can't do it properly - that's high school level writing instruction right there. I had to DNF - couldn't have a Scot sounding like a member of the best bobsled team of the '90s. Gave everything a very "Cool Runnings" vibe. Eesh.
Can't comment on the story or anything else as a result. After the sixth "mon" I gave up - so within the first chapter.
Can't comment on the story or anything else as a result. After the sixth "mon" I gave up - so within the first chapter.
May 15, 2021
Gina Conkle's "The Scot Who Loved Me" is a gritty, 18th century bodice ripper set in London. The reader follows Will McDonald, a brooding Scot jailed for his loyalty to his country, and Anne Neville, the leader of a women's league that aims to steal back Scottish treasure and return it home. Only through working together can they restore their country's treasure. The rub: they're former lovers who each believe that the other abandoned them in their youth.
Conkle's book is perfect for people who love historical romances with a heavy dose of suspense, strong women, and roguish Highlanders!
Conkle's book is perfect for people who love historical romances with a heavy dose of suspense, strong women, and roguish Highlanders!
June 26, 2021
Loved this! At first the cover art grabbed my attention because the Highlander was so sexy looking! Then, the description of him chained to the wall in prison just steeped my interest. I’ve read several of Gina Conkle’s books in the past and probably even listened to a few audiobooks as well, so I know her to be an excellent writer! Marian Hussey provides narration for this in audiobook format and she is also a very reliable narrator who does an excellent job! I can easily recommend this in both ebook format as well as Audible format. Both provide an excellent adventure for you to enjoy! 😍
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews