There is something about a romance featuring Scotland or a Scottish protagonist that makes this reviewer rub her hands together in anticipation. The Scotsman’s Bride is a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an evening

Cassandra St. John has just been dropped by her fiance and she truly does not understand why. Ramsay Forbes does; he is the one who orchestrated the whole thing. Ramsay is obsessed with getting Glen Gray back for the Forbes clan and he fears the McKensie’s will get it now that their laird is marrying Cassandra’s twin, Charlotte. Ramsay’s plot includes more than getting Cassie’s fiance to beg off; he plans on courting the young lady as well. Cassandra has decided to throw herself into a social whirl, and what better way to get over a jilted romance than meeting a tall dark and handsome Scotsman whenever she can. A fortune teller has told her to be wary of a dark man and a murder but Cassie has decided that the fortune teller is being dramatic and puts it out of her mind.

Ramsay sets out using Cassandra for his own purposes but a funny thing happens along the way – he begins to care for Cassandra. Ramsay prides himself on being a hard and ruthless man, one with no heart. He doesn’t trust women and believes that that they are all fickle and selfish creatures out to betray him. He’s learned to shut himself off so he doesn’t feel anything, but he didn’t bargain for the effect that Cassandra has on him. Where Ramsay is dark, she is light. She’s an intelligent and adventurous woman with a pure heart. Still, true love has alluded her, until Ramsay comes along. Despite all he puts her through (and it’s quite a bit to be honest) she manages to see past his tough exterior and forgives him.

Ramsay is every bit the tortured hero. He says to Cassie during the book that the boy who still lives inside him cannot forgive his mother for her betrayal and it’s obvious through the book that he is fighting his love for Cassie. Ms. Madl does a good job of showing Ramsay’s inner battle and how Cassie begins to break through his defenses. The dialogue between Cassie and Ramsay is also enjoyable, especially during their role playing games. Cassie has a love of life that is completely endearing. Others describe her in the book as being spoiled, but I didn’t see that at all. Yes, she’s lived a privileged life and she is used to doing what she wants, but she is not unkind or selfish.

I did have a couple of problems with the book. It is quite obvious that this is a book in a series and at times, I felt a little lost since I didn’t read the first one. My other problem is with Ramsay; very late in the book he accuses Cassie of a heinous crime. Knowing her as he does, he should have trusted her more. Still, I did feel he repents for this mistake, and I could understand the source of those feelings. Overall, The Scotsman’s Bride was a good read and I would definitely recommend it.