Book Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Title: Highlander Most Wanted
Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs, Book 2
Author: Maya Banks
Genre: Historical romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy from publisher via NetGalley
Published: March 19, 2013 by Ballantine Books

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: It’s rare that a book I’ve been waiting for lives up the my high expectations but this book absolutely did with a stellar romance and a heartwarming HEA.

The Set Up: Genevieve has been the tortured prisoner of McHugh Keep when Bowen Montgomery takes his family’s revenge on the Keep and unwittingly rescues Genevieve. Genevieve’s pride and strength appeal to Bowen but her injured spirit may prevent her from grabbing onto Bowen and her future happiness.

Why I Read this Book: I loved book one in this author’s series, The Montgomerys and Armstrongs and the sorely abused Genevieve appeared in book one. I knew she had to have a HEA and that I had to read it.

What I Liked: This is a heartwarming and believable romance. Genevieve’s reactions to Bowen make sense given her year’s captivity and torture. Bowen’s warmth and protectiveness force Genevieve to rethink her views on men and as a reader I loved watching her thaw to Bowen. I was worried when Bowen didn’t initially trust Genevieve that the romantic tension would be his mistrust but the author didn’t take this easy route and the romance benefitted greatly from this decision. Bowen’s understanding of Genevieve’s abuse and long-term affects is stellar and made me fall in love with him a bit. Genevieve and Bowen are both great characters and their romance is the perfect blend of emotional and sexual intimacy.

What I Also Liked: Bowen’s family provides wonderful secondary characters. His oldest brother, Graeme, was a wonderful lead in book one and he and his wife continue to have a loving relationship with each other and their family. Youngest brother Teague is slightly mysterious and utterly compelling so I can’t wait for his book (not out until fall 2013, I think). But their little sister Rorie steals the show with her honesty, warmth and irrepressible spirit. I love this family and even their in-laws and hope I have cause to visit them often in future books.

I also liked that plot focused on the people who were tormented by the McHugh men, Genevieve included. This isn’t an action plot but given how much angst Genevieve carried, it made perfect sense to have the novel’s focus be on her healing and how Bowen helps her do this. The novel doesn’t try to do too much but rightly keeps the focus on the emotional romance.

What I Didn’t Like: It’s rare that a book can live up to my expectations of it but this one did that and more.

IMO: This is a must read for historical fans like me. Genevieve’s growth and Bowen’s love and commitment to her illustrate why I love the romance HEA so very much.

 

J9’s Rating: