The Laird's Forbidden Lover in Riptide Publishing

May 05, 2013 Liz (Bugetta) rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-romance, highlander, m-m-romance, e-book

3.5* Sweet romance but I didn't like how it skipped back to the past every other chapter. ...more

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May 09, 2013 Thomaidha Papa rated it really liked it

Shelves: hot, m-m, historical

4 Hearts

Review written for MM Good Book Reviews

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Have I mentioned how much I love historical romance? Or better yet, have I mentioned how much I love Scotts? This novella has it both and I’m glad to say I enjoyed it immensely. I’ll also have to say straight on that the speech was disturbing there at the beginning, that is until I got used to it, because damn it was Scottish all the way through. I had this horrifying fear there for a moment that I won’t be abl ...more

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Mar 13, 2017 Lillian Francis rated it really liked it

This book has an interesting format of 'interludes' where the author gradually filled in the MCs backstory. Using this method the author took us from the flushes of first love to the more thorny problem of managing a relationship that was considered both a disgrace and a sin.
The guys were a contrast. Iain, younger yet more serious, resigned to the knowledge that one day their relationship must end. Tavish, eager, maybe a little jealous, optimistic that a solution can be found. Their struggle bro ...more

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Nov 04, 2013 Susan Laine rated it really liked it

Shelves: queer-town-abbey-reviews

This was an erotic historical tale about two young men who love each other but who can’t seem to find a way to be together. The blurb pretty much covers the story.

The future laird, Tavish, has only one passion: Iain, the farmboy. They got together by chance and by proximity, really, but their connection is deep and true. But Tavish’s mother, the lady Morna, and Iain’s father, Aonghus the farmer, throw a monkey wrench into the machinery, each for their own reasons, one more out of caring than the This was an erotic historical tale about two young men who love each other but who can’t seem to find a way to be together. The blurb pretty much covers the story.

The future laird, Tavish, has only one passion: Iain, the farmboy. They got together by chance and by proximity, really, but their connection is deep and true. But Tavish’s mother, the lady Morna, and Iain’s father, Aonghus the farmer, throw a monkey wrench into the machinery, each for their own reasons, one more out of caring than the other. And then there’s Tavish’s sister, Aileen, a headstrong young lady who refuses to marry—and who may or may not know the men’s secret. In fact, they’re not being even half as careful and discreet as they assume, and tongues are wagging.

The characters of these two men are distinct. Their commonality is their passion for male companionship. Beyond that, they are very different. Tavish needs Iain in his life, buckling under the strain of his future title and responsibilities, which makes him rash and impulsive, even reckless. Iain has a hard time living a lie, as he’s honest and honorable to a fault, and he’s the more thoughtful of the two. Aileen, the scheming little shrew with surprising depth, completes the trio of main characters. Yet, this is not MMF, so no fear.

The plot is quickly paced, as this is a novella. We’re given the points of view of each man. The chapters are divided into present, past, present, past, and so on. We get to see how Tavish and Iain met, fell in love, broke apart, and gravitate toward each other again as the years pass. Flashbacks don’t always work, but here they did, I think.

Now the writing. Everything fits, the culture, the atmosphere, the historical setting, and the writing matches that. What was most quirky, though—oih!—was the brilliant dialogue. I had to sound out the words in my head to make sense of them! Here’s a few examples: “Och, Iain!” Tavish hunched as if dealt a blow. “Dinnae be that way. ’Tis two years now since I’ve seen ye.” Or… “I dinnae ken how many more times I can spend today. Ye’re driving me mad.” Or… “Ye cannae blame me for wantin’ to make the most of the little time we steal together. Dinnae fash, wee Iain. Our days will be spent in toil. I’ll scarce have a chance to compromise ye.”

Well, fun it was, for sure. I liked this story a lot. The only complaint I have is the somewhat abrupt ending. I would have wished to see how these two men fare in the long run, considering how hard it was for them to reach that point. It would have made for a nice epilogue, I think. Nonetheless, a fine piece of historical erotic romance. Recommended. ...more

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