The Bride (Lairds Fiancées, #1) by Julie Garwood

The Bride (Lairds Fiancées, #1) Reviews

• 
  Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️

  *** 5/19/19: On sale on US Amazon right now for $1.99***
  
  This is one of my ALL-TIME TOP FAVORITE historical romance books.
  
  I actually have the pink flowered paperback version - which was released in 1989 - and I think I first read it when I was 12 years old...in 1995.
  
  
  
  Let's just say that my Dad had NO idea what he was buying me lol.
  
  
  
  There, there, Pops. There, there...
  
  I had had to get my sexual educational from somewhere, right?
  
  LOLZ.
  
  Anyway, I am mentioning this now because I just snagged the kindle version of this bad boy (and it's sequel (
  The Wedding, which actually IS my ALL-TIME TOP favorite historical read) cause they were both on sale for $1.99.
  
  And what with my paperback versions of these having been read so many times they are about to fall apart - I mean HELLO, they are older then some of you reading this right now - it's nice to have the kindle versions of them as backups and for travel, etc.
  
  And to NOT pay $7.99 for them.
  
  But anyramble, if you are interested in trying some awesome, old-fashioned, classic Highlander romance, these are the tops and will always be some of my all-time favorites.
  
  ALWAYS.
  
  PS Thanks Apple settlement money for making this possible! lmao
• 
  Jessica's Totally Over The Top Book Obsession

  5 Lady Kincaid Stars
  
  
  
  
  The Bride is the first book I have read from Julie Garwood and I loved it. I loved the set up, the plot, and love Jamie and Alec! I love me some sexy Scottish highland romances and this one was great. From the start Alec shined. He was so sexy, cocky and 100% bad ass Scottish warrior! But what I loved most about Alec was he had a tender side. Don't get me wrong though Alec could be damn ruthless when he needed. Jamie had me laughing. She was the perfect blend of sassy, brave, sweet, naive, and very outspoken. I thought her and Alec made an adorable couple. I enjoyed every minute of this book. It was a sweet, feel good read that made me smile the whole time!
• 
  Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!*

  I'm not feeling very literate today, so I am going to compose this review around a list of reasons why I loved this book.
  
  Reasons Why I Loved The Bride by Julie Garwood
  
  1. Jamie is a great heroine. Okay, she might have some Mary Sue-ness going on, although I hate using that term. She is really gorgeous, very nice, oh-so sweet, great at pretty much everything, giving, and self-sacrificing. However, she's totally loveable. For me, that's the opposite of a Mary Sue, because Mary Sues are characters that the writer tells you that you should love, but you don't. Julie Garwood has a way of writing heroines that it is impossible to dislike. Jamie is self-deprecating, and she has enough quirks that I wanted to give her a hug. I love her quick temper, because it usually ends up causing me to laugh instead of annoying me. I thought it was hilarious how she was always giving Father Murdock shillings to pay for indulgences when Alec got on her nerves (because he was sinning in her mind). She was very good at making lemonade out of lemons, and had a way of dealing with people that was fair but also had the people wondering what hit them. When Alec hurt her feelings, I wanted to hurt him. I was like, "Why are you being mean to this sweetheart?" Her heart is so big, that you just want to be friends with her, which is always a plus when it comes to characters in the books I read and enjoy.
  
  2. This was a fun medieval didn't seem terribly inaccurate. Julie Garwood and I both know that she was playing some things for laughs. She's not trying to get me to buy this book, hook, line and sinker as 100% historically accurate, and that's fine. I found the setting to be believeable, and I was able to plausibly accept that Jamie could have lived back in the medieval times and married Laird Alec Kincaid. Good enough for me. Normally, I prefer books that are more historically accurate, but Julie Garwood is an author who gets the "Get out of jail free card" because her books satisfy in so many ways even if they aren't necessarily spot on in that way.
  
  3. Alec might be the big, arrogant, "I know everything, and I will have things exactly the way I want them", but he was a really good guy. He learned pretty quickly that he loved his wife, and wanted to see her happy. He wasn't bossy and obnoxious. I found his arrogance endearing, in fact. He was tough and dangerous, as a Highland laird should be, but also warm and loving. Great combination!
  
  4. Jamie and Alec were a great couple. The passion was sexy and hot, but also sweet. I liked that they both grew as people and grew together. As usual for a Julie Garwood hero, Alec thinks he is in charge, and that has his marriage all figured out, and Jamie will adjust to doing things his way. Ha-ha! Nope. Alec came to realize that his life was better for the chaos that Jamie brought into it. He was willing to give on things to keep his wife happy, although he was no pushover. That is not to say that Jamie wasn't willing to meet him halfway and adjust her life to his. She did plenty of that.
  
  4. I love the fact that this book made me laugh, had its poignant moments, and had a little suspense. The suspense wasn't a huge part of the story, which is just how I like it. I'm not real fond of historical romances that are mainly suspense anyway.
  
  5. Scottish Highlander books are just awesome to me. Yes, I realize that the Scottish Highlands aren't really like this. But, I enjoy my happy time with hot men in kilts with Scottish burrs, and claymores, and I'm a happy girl.
  
  6. Like most of the Julie Garwood books, The Bride took me to that happy, warm and fuzzy place. There were plenty of 'sighworthy/happy joy-joy' moments, which made for an uplifting read. It was so lovely to read this book, and enjoy the zany results when Jamie and Alec met. It was like two storm fronts colliding head on, but the results were fruitful and delightful.
  
  I've run out of steam here. But, I'm cool with that. Somehow, I thought I had read this book, because my memory is kinda bad at times, and I read every historical romance my library carried growing up. So, I assumed I read this one. But, I'm pretty sure I didn't now. So, I'm glad this was the January read for the Lisa Kleypas group. This was such a fun, loveable read, and it's yet another Julie Garwood book that's going on my keeper shelf.
• 
  Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘

  
  
  15%! ... And here we goes for the fastest DNF of 2016! (what do you mean I'm not supposed to celebrate)
  
  
  
  Before buying an historical book, go check the period of time of the story, would you? Truth is, I started hyperventilating when I saw that little England, 1102 written at the top of chapter one.
  
  Why, you ask?
  
  ► Because there's no hiding behind the fact that these times weren't women rights friendly and that I, for one, don't enjoy reading about girls being sold to some OMG-a-bulky-highlander! jerkface (who'll become an adorable puppy as soon as he finds the woman who belongs to him of course *GAG*).
  
  Plus, hygiene. I mean, have you noticed that the male-leads never bath in HR?! Although I find the showers scenes often overrepresented in NA, I'll take a manwhore who fucking washes over a Scottish who's been sweating under his plaid for weeks on any day. Gosh, I can't believe I just wrote that. Really, though. Eww.
  
  
  
  ► This story starts when Baron Jamison, a lazy Lord who thinks that's okay to describe his stepdaughter as being so fucking hot (I translate the stiff language here), forgets to pay the taxes to his King, Henry. So, what? Will he be punished? Will he be exiled? (I shouldn't be so hopeful)
  
  Nah, of course not. When the sanction comes, it doesn't affect him, 'f course, because hello! He's a man. He *only* needs to give his daughters to marry to two Scottish warriors who are coming to choose their gift (they've been forced into this, too. Apparently their King likes to play at Meetic™ with his neighbor - who said they weren't modern, huh?). After our good lord tries to calm down his daughters by telling them offensive craps about one of the suitors and his previous wife (about whom there're rumors of murder),
  
  

  "It had probably just started out as a proper trashing, he speculated, and as things had a way of doing, the beating had gotten a wee bit out of hand."

  
  (I really don't understand why that doesn't calm them. I mean aw. Poor guy. UGH. UGH. Must burn),
  
  he decides to keep his pure, fantastic, perrrrrrrfect little Jamie with him because HEY! Who's gonna take care of the house for him??! The decision is taken : Jamie must hide at all costs during the Scottish stay (because it won't surprise you that everybody just KNOW that one glance will make them love her foreverrrrrr).
  
  But then, there's Beak. Oh, Beak, the stable man who has Jamie's interests at heart and only wants to free her from her slavery (I do agree with him on that). What does he do, then? Well, he sells her like a champion mare to the most powerful of the twos Scottish, Alec something-something.
  
  I mean, just look at these dialogues.
  
  STEP ONE : Choose the buyer carefully.
  
  "Are you strong enough to protect what belongs to you?"
  
  Oh, AY!
  
  STEP TWO : Awake your buyer's interest.
  
  "Once you see my gift, Laird Kincaid, you'll be set on having it, all right," he boasted. "Are you partial to blue eyes, milord?"
  
  STEP THREE : Make some cryptic sentence, because you own the powerrr.
  
  They're looking at a mare. "She's feisty. With a good stallion, the offspring will be sound - spirited, too."
  Beak gave Alec another thorough inspection. When he met the warrior's gaze again, he was grinning. "That's exactly what I'm thinking about my gift to you."
  
  Just stop already, I might swoon.
  
  STEP FOUR : A little wishful thinking can't be bad.
  
  "Beak wished Laird Kincaid could get a clear look at Jamie now, for her violet eyes fairly sparkled with joy."
  
  I don't even know where to start with that sentence.
  
  STEP FIVE : YOU'VE GOT A DEAL!!
  
  "She was given a man's name."
  The stable master nearly jumped out of his tunic. He hadn't heard Alec Kincaid's approach. He turned around and came face to shoulders with the giant warrior. "Twas her mama's way of giving her a place in this family. Baron Jamison weren't the man who fathered Jamie. He claimed her for his own, though. I'll give him that much kindness. Did you get a good look at her, then?" he added in a rush.
  Alec nodded.
  "You'll be taking her with you, won't you?"
  The Kincaid stared at the old man a long minute before answering.
  "Aye, Beak. I'll be taking her with me."
  The choice had been made."
  
  ► Because women are sheep or something.
  
  
  
  You go sheep!
  
  PS. I don't really care if that's believable, I make the choice to not read about this kind of stories anyway. I don't really care if Alec gets better either. If I wanted to read about a sexist giant of a guy who thinks that it's sexy to grunt You are MINE, I'd read crappy PNR romance, thank you very much.
  
  (From what I read, it does get worst)
  
  For more of my reviews, please visit:
  

  
  
• 
  ren ♡

  There's a certain ✨charm✨ about this book that I have yet to find in other HR romances. I went into this book blind and had no idea it was going to be this FUNNY!! It's been a while since I've laughed the whole way through a book and I can definitely see why it's such a popular favorite! Jaimie's quirkiness and Alec's gruffness created such a passionate and fun romance. I liked the way they tried to navigate their marriage even though they kept stepping on each other's toes! Jaimie and Alec did not fail to amuse me at every turn. The Bride is definitely a must-read for HR fans.
  
  Rating: 4/5
• 
  Kristen

  Huge 5+ Stars
  
  I loved this book. It's one of those feel good stories that leaves you smiling for days.  If I was to sum-up this book with one word, "delightful" comes to mind.  I honestly can't think of a better word to describe the experience I had while reading it. 
  
  Jamie has become one of my all time favorite heroines. Julie Garwood has a way of writing heroines that are strong willed without becoming annoying (hard to do in my opinion.) Jamie's one of the most endearing character I've read. She's impossible not to love. She's confident, honest, loyal, self-deprecating, stubborn, genuine, quirky, feisty, and guileless. I think it's her lack of guile that makes her such a lovable and enchanting character. She's such a sweetheart.
  
  I really liked Alec's character. 100% alpha-hero. He's the perfect counterbalance for Jamie. He's powerful, ruthless, egotistical, possessive, stubborn, and cocky,  but he's also kind, gentle (when needed), charming, loyal, honest, and somewhat mischievous. I couldn't stop laughing during the part where he finally told Jamie he loved her. Poor girl. She really can be her own worst enemy. Lol.        
  
  The chemistry between these two characters  jumps off the pages. As the reader, you're instantly drawn into their world of witty banter, erotic sexual tension (fans self), laugh-out- loud situations and dialog, and swoon-worthy romance. *sigh* The secondary characters were three-dimensional and fun to read. I was almost as taken with Gavin and Father Murdock as I was with Alec. Almost.  
  
  The plot leaned towards the ridiculous and was historically inaccurate at times. I admit to a few "roll of the eyes" moments but this story is so full of heart and soul that it was easy to over look the few liberties the author took with the plot. 
  
  I will definitely read this book again; especially, if I want a good laugh or cheering up.  
• 
  Lau ♡

  DNF at 70%
  
  Please don't kill me. I was really enjoying the story until they arrived in Scotland. I love sassy heroines, some scenes were hilarious and they had great chemistry. But for every funny comment there were like two sexist ones, and I can't stand those. I know it's normal because it's a historical romance, but I don't like it. Also, the couple was obviously in love, and the drama was starting to be too much for me (I'm sorry, I like light romances), so I decided to stop reading, imagine a HEA and be done with it.
  
  I'm angry at myself for not liking it, but this is the second Julie Garwood's book I've read and I didn't enjoy any of them. I think it's time to give up, acknowledge she is not for me and stop bullying her books. Now, I need to reread my queen Lisa Kleypas to remind myself I love this genre 😭.
• 
  Stacey

  Geez, that was bloody brilliant.
  
  I love a story that can distract me from my surroundings so much that I can burst out laughing...you guessed it...on the train my walk. Oh well, it did bring a smile to the face of my fellow passengers walking buddies.
  
  Julie Garwood, teaming up with Rosalyn Landor, made The Bride one of my very favourite re-read/listens.
  
  **********
  
  The Bride audio was everything I was hoping for and more
  
  Julie Garwood is the reason I love reading romance. I started reading her books at the tender age of 16...ish. After my first, I was addicted and used all my pocket money to buy more. Of course, I eventually exhausted the bookstore's supply so then I was forced to re-read them over and over and over again.
  
  I dreamed of highland heroes who were rough and even a wee bit scary. These scary men were ferocious in the start but then we see them change. A kind gesture here a sweet comment there, and then there was...THE BEDDING. Oh my lordy!! Thrusting arousals, forceful surges, surrenders were absolute and passions appeased. Nothing quite like a lusty laird... (sigh)
  
  Jamie is the youngest daughter of a Baron who has been ordered by their King to marry a Highland Laird. Because of her house managing skills, the Baron was hesitant to part with Jamie and was hoping the Laird would pick one of his other daughters. Well, that plan is thrown out the window as soon as Alec Kincaid, Laird, sees the beautiful Jamie.
  
  Alec and Jamie do not see eye to eye at first as they are both strong-minded and stubborn. With time, both Alec and Jamie realise that they have to compromise to live a happy life together. Members of Alec's clan become fond of Jamie and go out of their way to protect and make her feel welcome.
  
  Unfortunately, someone has other ideas. Jamie is in danger and Alec must find out who wants his wee lass out of the picture.
  
  I love The Bride. Jamie and Alec are one of my all time favourite couples. If you've never read a historical romance but are thinking about trying one, this is a perfect starting point.
  
  Now that I have tried this audio version of The Bride I plan to listen to all of Julie Garwood's historical romances again.
  
  This audio was brilliantly done and I will definitely listen to more performed by Rosalyn Landor.
• 
  Νόρα

  Αν κάποιος με ρωτούσε τι μου έλειψε περισσότερο κατά τη διάρκεια της καραντίνας,θα ήταν σίγουρα μια βόλτα στο βιβλιοπωλείο.Η προσωπική επαφή,το χαμόγελο της κοπέλας στο μαγαζί μου είχε λείψει η "φυσική" σχέση μαζί τους.Ωραία η ευκολία της παραγγελίας αλλά δεν συγκρίνεται.Ένιωσα τόσο γεμάτη που ξανά βρήκα τους γνωστούς ρυθμούς μου!
  
  Χαίρομαι που η πρώτη αγορά μου είναι ένα βιβλίο που ανυπομονούσα πολύ να διαβάσω.
  Το The Bride το ζαχάρωνα εδώ και καιρό στο goodreads γιατί τρέφω μια ιδιαίτερη αδυναμία στις ιστορίες της Σκωτίας και είχα σκοπό να το προτείνω.Πήρα μεγάλη χαρά όταν διάβασα των κατάλογο των εκδόσεων Διόπτρα με τις προσεχείς κυκλοφορίες και είδα ότι με πρόλαβαν.
  
  
  
  
  Η Julie Garwood διαβάζω στο αυτί του βιβλίου είναι γεννημένη από Ιρλανδούς γονείς και επιβεβαιώνει τη φήμη ότι οι Ιρλανδοί είναι σπουδαίοι αφηγητές.
  
  Ένα από τα πιο δυνατά σημεία του βιβλίου είναι οι εξαιρετικές περιγραφές των πάντων.Γλαφυρές,παραστατικές,χρησιμοποιώντας με επιτυχία όλα τα «όπλα» του γραπτού λόγου, αποτυπώνουν με ζηλευτή φροντίδα,επιμέλεια και ζωντάνια στις σελίδες του εικόνες που μοιάζουν να αποκτούν πνοή και να ζωντανεύουν μπροστά στα μάτια του αναγνώστη.
  
  Ευτυχώς δεν μας περιγράφει μόνο Σκωτσέζους πολεμιστές,αλλά το μυθιστόρημα διαδραματίζεται στη Σκωτία και το λέω αυτό,διότι η Σκωτία είναι η αγαπημένη μου χώρα και όνειρο ζωής ένα ταξίδι εκεί.Ειδικά οι περιγραφές των φυσικών τοπίων των Χάιλαντς της Σκωτίας είναι απλά συγκλονιστικές.
  
  
  
  
  Η ιστορία διαδραματίζεται σε μια εποχή όπου οι σχέσεις της Αγγλίας με τη Σκωτία βρίσκονται σε συνεχή δοκιμασία,η ιστορική διαμάχη μεταξύ Άγγλων και Σκωτσέζων είναι γνωστή σχεδόν σε όλους.
  
  Ο Άλεκ Κινκέιντ, εξαιρετικά ισχυρός άρχοντας στα εδάφη της Σκοτίας,κατόπιν βασιλικής εντολής, που φυσικά δεν μπορεί κανείς να αγνοήσει,πρέπει να επιλέξει μία νύφη από την Αγγλία και να προχωρήσει μαζί της εις γάμου κοινωνία.
  
  Κάπως έτσι,θα βρεθεί απέναντι από την οικογένεια του βαρόνου Τζέιμσον,όπου θα πρέπει να επιλέξει ανάμεσα στις τρεις θυγατέρες του.Επιλέγει την Τζέιμι αφού στο πρόσωπο της είδε τη γυναίκα που λαχταρούσε να κάνει δική του.
  
  Η Τ��έιμι θα τον ακολουθήσει,αλλά είναι αποφασισμένη να μην ενδώσει στις όποιες ορέξεις του,αφού τον θεωρεί άξεστο,αγενή,αλαζόνα και βάρβαρο,όπως και το τόπο του.
  
  
  
  
  Η αρχή της γνωριμίας μόνο ρομαντική δεν μπορεί να χαρακτηριστεί,μ’ ένα κανονισμένο γάμο.Σε γενικές γραμμές, ακολουθείται και εδώ -φυσικά- το κλασικό μοτίβο που συνηθίζεται σε ανάλογες ιστορίες,με τα νοσταλγικά ειδύλλια μιας άλλης εποχής,τον αγνό και ταυτόχρονα παθιασμένο έρωτα,τις κοινωνικές επιταγές της Μεσαιωνικής εποχής και τις παρεξηγήσεις να έχουν τον πρώτο λόγο.
  
  
  
  
  Η αφήγηση είναι εστιασμένη κυρίως στον Άλεκ έναν μεγαλόσωμο ατρόμητο περήφανο Χαιλάντερ που οπωσδήποτε δεν είναι ο πιο ευχάριστος άνθρωπος του κόσμου.Απεναντίας,είναι ένας από τους πιο δύστροπους,οξύθυμους και εκνευριστικούς άντρες που έχει συναντήσει ποτέ της.Ένας χαρακτήρας περίπλοκος και με βάθος,που απαιτεί προσπάθεια ώστε να τον γνωρίσεις καλά· όμως αξιαγάπητος.
  Πίσω από τον ευέξαπτο χαρακτήρα του,ανακαλύπτει έναν άνθρωπο με κρυφές ευαισθησίες,φόβους,ανασφάλειες.
  
  
  
  
  Ιδανικό του ταίρι η Τζέιμι μια γυναίκα που διαθέτει τη δική της φλόγα.Αρχικά φαίνεται εύθραυστη,όμως μέσα της κρύβει δυναμισμό και αποφασιστικότητα που ώρες-ώρες κλέβουν την παράσταση.Η ηρωίδα είναι αντισυμβατική εκ φύσεως,απέχοντας από την εικόνα της Αγγλίδας καλοαναθρεμμένης δεσποσύνης.Κάτω από τους καλούς τρόπους και τα μακριά φορέματα κρύβεται μια ατίθαση καρδιά,ένα παθιασμένο πνεύμα,ένα κορίτσι που ιππεύει άλογο σαν άντρας και ξέρει να το χειριστεί το ίδιο ή και περισσότερο επιδέξια.
  
  Η Τζέιμι,όμως, εκτός από τον Άλεκ,ερωτεύεται βαθιά και την ίδια τη Σκοτία,πράγμα που η συγγραφέας αποτυπώνει με μοναδικό τρόπο,με περιγραφές που μας ταξιδεύουν στον χώρο και στον χρόνο,ζωντανεύοντας μπροστά στα μάτια μας την άγρια ομορφιά και την επιβλητικότητα ενός τόπου.
  
  Οι χαρακτήρες είναι καλογραμμένοι,δουλεμένοι με πιστότητα και προσοχή,κάτι που αποδεικνύεται από το πώς αυτοί εξελίσσονται στην πορεία της αφήγησης.Προσωπικότητες πολυεπίπεδες και χαρισματικές,που ξεδιπλώνονται και εκπλήσσουν με κάθε εξέλιξη και νέα ανατροπή.
  Διαθέτουν τόση πολλή ένταση από τα περισσότερα ζευγάρια,και κάθε τους σκηνή αποδεικνύεται πως είναι πλασμένοι ο ένας για τον άλλον.
  
  
  
  
  Ο Άλεκ και η Τζέιμι αποτελούν ένα εκρηκτικό ζευγάρι,δυο ανθρώπους που είναι πλασμένοι ο ένας για τον άλλον και έπρεπε να γνωριστούν ακριβώς τη στιγμή που γνωρίστηκαν και κάτω από τις συγκεκριμένες συνθήκες,ώστε να επιτρέψουν στο συναίσθημα που γεννήθηκε ανάμεσά τους να μεγαλώσει και να τους κατακλύσει.Η σχέση τους περνάει από πολλές παρεξηγήσ��ις,αμφιβολίες,διλήμματα,εξελίσσεται όμως διαρκώς και ωριμάζει σταδιακά μέσα από κάθε κοινό τους βίωμα,ώσπου να φτάσει στο σημείο εκείνο όπου πια το «για πάντα μαζί» φαντάζει απόλυτα σωστό.
  
  
  
  
  Όλα τα διαθέτει το βιβλίο της,και μάλιστα σε ικανοποιητικές δόσεις.Καλογραμμένη πλοκή, καλοδομημένους και ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες,στιγμές που η συγκίνηση έχει τον πρώτο ρόλο,στιγμές που το χιούμορ (ειδικά οι… φαρμακερές,γεμάτες σαρκασμό ατάκες και ��ου Άλεκ) κλέβει την παράσταση,στιγμές που κάθε φορά που οι ήρωες συναντιούνται θυμίζουν ενεργό ηφαίστειο λίγο πριν το ξύπνημά του.Παθιασμένες σκηνές έρωτα,εμπόδια και άφθονο σκοτσέζικο πείσμα.
  
  Είχε έρωτα,πάθος,δράση,περιπέτεια,πνευματικούς διάλογους,χιούμορ,σεξουαλική ένταση,ματιές γεμάτες νόημα.Οι ερωτικές σκηνές είναι πλούσιες,χορταστικές,πιπεράτες.Σπαρταράνε από ζωντάνια και πάθος,με τολμηρή γλώσσα και γλαφυρές περιγραφές.
  
  
  
  
  Βυθίστηκα στις σελίδες του και διψούσα κυριολεκτικά για το επόμενο κεφάλαιο,για την εξέλιξη της ιστορίας,για να δω αυτούς τους δύο χαρισματικούς χαρακτήρες να βρίσκουν επιτέλους τον δρόμο προς την ευτυχί��.
  
  Συγχαρητήρια στις εκδόσεις Elxis που εμπλουτίζουν την συλλογή μας με τόσες αξιόλογες συγγραφείς.Ανυπομονώ να διαβάσω και τη συνέχεια τις ιστορίας και ελπίζω να δω και άλλα βιβλία της στα ελληνικά.
  
  Επίσης θέλω να τους ευχαριστήσω και για τις άλλες εξαιρετικές επιλογές τους - αναφέρομαι και στα καινούργια βιβλία που κυκλοφόρησαν αλλά και που φροντίζουν για την επικείμενη οικονομική μου καταστροφή ναστε καλά.
  
  Μπαίνοντας στο βιβλιοπωλείο τους
  
  
  
  
  Μετά
  
  
  
• 
  EmBibliophile

  4.5 stars
  
  I love how simple and addictive Julie Garwood’s writing is! Her books are just so easy to read, they totally suck me in to the point of being unable to put them down.
  
  This was such an enjoyable HR that includes arranged marriage between an English woman and a highlander, a sassy heroine with a brave spirit (She’s the best! I really liked her), funny banter, and a little mystery to spice everything up.
  
  I’ve just finished binge watching the whole five seasons of outlander and now I’m finding myself searching for every highlander historical romance to fill that void. So kindly if you have any highlander HR or one set on the lovely Scotland please send them my way because I need more. Thank you!
• 
  Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell

  
  
  
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  It's always nerve-wracking to read a romance that's considered by many to be a "classic" and is beloved by many - especially when you're an individual whose literary tastes often go against the grain. But THE BRIDE went on sale for Kindle and I bought it, and then it was voted as our December book of the month in my romance book club, so it seemed like I was destined to read it.
  
  
  
  I haven't read a lot of Scottish romances. The only one I've read is the one everyone has read: OUTLANDER. I think I tried to read one by Maya Banks, but got bored and put it down. THE BRIDE is set in 12th century England and Scotland, so it's a Medieval romance. Some of my feminist friends are probably edging away slowly, because Medieval Romance can often be synonymous with Rapey Romance. Don't be alarmed. THE BRIDE actually makes an attempt to be somewhat forward thinking, to the point where parts of the book come across as downright anachronistic.
  
  
  
  The premise is this: Jamie is the stepdaughter of a prominent Englishman who also has several other daughters (all his own). She does all the cooking and cleaning and is basically a glorified maid to her father and her sisters, but since they aren't awful to her and these expectations have been imbued in her since birth, she takes this as the status quo and they have a semblance of affection.
  
  
  
  One day, the daughters find out that their father has agreed to marry one of his daughters off to a Scottish laird, which would be horrific enough in its own right - a Scotsman, the horror! [insert Scottish stereotypes here] - but also, this particular Scotsman has been rumored to have killed his previous wife. In an attempt to console them, their father tells them that it was probably just an ordinary run-of-the-mill beating that just got out of hand. No, I'm not kidding.
  
  
  
  And the poor, deluded fool is puzzled as to why his reassurances are ineffective.
  
  
  
  Due to trickery from her well-meaning stableman, Beak, Jamie ends up being the one to catch the laird's eye. What is this laird like? He's the typical alpha-with-the-heart-of-gold that was so popular in the 90s. He's strong, and well-endowed, with a nice set of abs. He doesn't take no for an answer, but only when he knows that that "no" is a yes in disguise. He throws men around like they're javelins, basically, and kills at the drop of a hat. But he also melts at the sight of children and lets his love interest get away with murder (when he's not condescendingly smirking at her ineptitude).
  
  
  
  BUT, the most important thing you need to know about him is this:
  
  
  
  "His knees were as bare as a baby's arse" (194).
  
  
  
  Jamie is actually pretty decent as far as heroines from this era go. She's beautiful and a healer and can do things like riding bareback and speaking Gaelic. Everyone is in awe of her, whether it's hard to impress warlords, skittish mares, or shy children. She stirs up drama wherever she goes, and everyone just follows her around, mouth open, agog, ready to sing her praises or condemn her ardently. Jamie is basically the Kim Kardashian of the Medieval Ages.
  
  
  
  Speaking of Kim Kardashian in the Medieval Ages, this book is chock full of anachronisms. Garwood would have you believe that Jamie was the inventor of the rocking chair,
  something that wasn't believed to be invented until the 1700s. She also uses the word "bedlam" to describe chaos, when the Priory that later become Bethlem (or "Bedlam") Royal Hospital
  wouldn't even be built for over 200 years. The dialogue itself also feels painfully modern. I kept thinking that this book was set in the 18th century, and half-expected them to be wielding guns instead of swords.
  
  
  
  In the book's defense, the romance is decent. There's a half-hearted murder plot that's similar to the ones Lisa Kleypas is so fond of. It doesn't really add much tension, but it isn't a complete curveball either. The heroine's banter with the hero, Lord Arse Knees, isn't bad, either. I laughed at some of their repartee, and the many countless ways the heroine found of thwarting him by twisting his own words against him. I was expecting to get more closure with her family, since it's drilled into us how ill-used she was, but that never happened. What does happen is, the murderer (whose identity I guessed from the beginning) is caught, and the heroine unites all the warring clans of Scotland.
  
  
  
  This is a book you read for the lols, and maybe enjoy, but I'm afraid it is not good for much else.
  
  
  
  2.5 to 3 stars.
• 
  Jilly

  It really sucked to be a woman in the 1100's. Yes, it was much better in the 1200's. Oh wait, never mind. Well, it's better now. We can't be sold into marriage or bartered by our fathers. And, for some reason the king of England was playing Cupid and forcing couples into marriage. That is what happened here. A loser guy doesn't pay his taxes and as his punishment he has to give two of his daughters to some Scottish men to marry.
  
  Hmmm, and this punishes the man how? I mean, daughters were chattel. The way I see it, this guy just had his expenses go way down by unloading a couple of girls. Plus, he saves having to give them a dowry to marry them off. Meanwhile, the girls are stolen from their home, never to see their sisters again, brought to a strange land where they speak another language and the people hate them, and basically raped because is it really consent if this man has ultimate power over her? If a man has the power to starve, beat, or kill you at any time, can you really make a clear judgement on whether or not you wish to engage in a sexual relationship with him?
  
  
  Let's talk about the important issues.
  
  So, Jamie is such a great beauty that no man can look upon her without losing his shit. She is breathtaking. Obviously she is chosen by the most powerful Scottish Laird, Alec. Alec is kind of a dick. No, I'm being too nice because he gets so much better as the story goes on. He's a major dick. Maybe even a general.
  
  
  Salute your general!
  
  But, don't worry because Jamie's beauty means that she is special. Mary Sue special. And, because of this, she earns Gen. D's love and he starts to treat her better and better throughout the book. It's just a good thing that she wasn't unattractive or NOT good at everything because then she would have been unworthy of winning his affection thereby ensuring that she is treated well.
  
  
  Dodged that bullet!
• 
  NMmomof4

  3.5 Stars
  
  Overall Opinion: I enjoyed this one! I rarely say this, but I floved the h! She had all the character traits that I enjoy to read about. Sadly, I didn't connect to the H as much. He was enjoyable at times, but for the most part I feel like we didn't get a full glimpse into who he was supposed to be behind the tough exterior. I wanted more banter between them! It seemed like most of the banter was lost on miscommunication or them not understanding each other's sense of humor....and that resulted in me not understanding their sense of humor which was a major bummer. I think the witty banter and laugh out loud moments are what has ultimately drawn me to historical romance lately, so when I didn't fully get that here I was disappointed. And I have to mention...no epilogue. Why couldn't we get a jump ahead epilogue to see farther into their future?! Greedy, greedy (and therefore disappointed) reader here 🙋🏻
  
  Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Jamie and Alec's story. They are forced into a marriage by both of their kings, and meet on their wedding day. They butt heads at first, but soon they see the good things about their arranged marriage. Jamie has a lot of adjusting to do in the new country, but she quickly earns the loyalty of many people in Alec's clan. There is some suspense, a few funny moments, a few sexy times...and they get a HEA ending.
  
  POV: This alternated between focusing mainly on Jamie and Alec in 3rd person narrative. I would say that it was more focused on Jamie though, and I would've liked to know more about what Alec was feeling.
  
  Overall Pace of Story: Good. The ending felt a little abrupt, but otherwise I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
  
  Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings. A little hate-to-love dynamics going on at first.
  
  H rating: 3 stars. Alec. He was ok. I never connected with him all that much.
  
  h rating: 5 stars. Jamie. I loved her! She has to be one of the best hs I've read in a long time! She was smart, strong, opinionated, and loving.
  
  Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
  
  Push/Pull: Not really
  
  Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
  
  Descriptive sex: Yes
  
  OW/OM drama: Yes, but mild There is an OW that desires the H in secret that causes some drama, and there is an OM that the h's dad had accepted a dowry for her hand that comes around.
  
  Sex scene with OW or OM: No
  
  Cheating: No
  
  Separation: No. Once they're together, they stay together.
  
  Possible Triggers: Yes, but mild The H's wife died (off page), loss of parents (off page), violence/attempted murder (on page), and the h was a virgin.
  
  Closure: This had kind of an abrupt ending, but with what I would still call a HEA.
  
  How I got it: I got it on loan through my public library and Amazon.
  
  Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
  
  - Does Not have cheating
  - Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
  - Does Not have the h or H pushing away
  - Does Not have a separation between the h and H
  - Does Not have abuse
  - Does Not have OTT sad parts
  - Does have a HEA ending
• 
  MG *Bury Me with My Kindle.. & a REALLY Long Charger*

  All the stars!
  
  This is one of my all-time favorite books, and I re-read it often! It has every single element I enjoy in a historical romance (or any romance, for that matter): Fast-moving, interesting plot; fun and likeable characters; steamy goodness... and this one delivers across the board - TRIFECTA!
  
  Jamie is the youngest daughter of an English baron who has been ordered to allow 2 Highland lairds to select brides from his 4 daughters. While Jamie is the baby, she is actually the daughter who is most skilled and takes the lead in caring of her older sisters and her father. She does this because she loves them and feels it is her duty; she has never questioned the whys. And she likes her life the way it is - she is allowed the freedom to learn archery and bareback horse riding as well as other pursuits that most women are not as she is the favorite of the stable master, an elderly Scot who treats her like his own daughter. When she learns that 2 of her sisters are to be wed to barbaric Highlanders, she is aghast, but she believes that the marriages are to be in name only, so she seeks to provide some welcome to their brief visitors and keep her much more dramatic sisters as calm as possible until they choose their brides and go on their way.
  
  Alec is the laird of Clan Kincaid. He was previously wed to another woman chosen by his king, and he did his duty by both; however, his first wife ended her own life shortly after they married. Though he has felt guilt ever since, he knows he must wed again to satisfy his king, and travels with his friend, the neighboring laird Daniel Ferguson who has also been ordered to find a bride among an English baron's daughters. As distasteful as they both find the English, they are pleasantly surprised to find women they are not repulsed by, but when Alec announces his intention to wed Jamie, she is shocked and distressed to be uprooted from her home that very day to travel back with her new barbarian husband to the wilds of Scotland, thus leaving behind all that she knows and loves.
  
  While Alec admires his new wife's beauty and spirit, he is of the belief that she is "just a wife" who will take up very little of his time and require little effort. Jamie is determined to prove to him that she can be much more than that. The two engage in a battle of wills where Jamie vows to prove to Alec that she is worthy of his love and partnership. But the same mysterious figure that sought to eliminate Alec's first wife is determined to rid the clan of his new bride... When Jamie is threatened, will Alec surrender his heart to her before it is too late, or will he lose her as well?
  
  What I liked:
  --- EVERYTHING! Seriously, though!
  --- Jamie is a perfect balance of kind and tough with everyone's best intentions at heart; Alec is the giant, rough, seemingly "above the idea of love and romance" manly Highlander
  --- Story line keeps the reader glued to the pages and wanting even more at the end - I honestly never get tired of this book!
  --- Perfect amount of steamy goodness - please and thank you!
  
  What I didn't like as much:
  --- I cannot think of much - bit of a slow start, but once it takes off, it's ON
  
  Overall, one of the best historical romances out there (I have read a LOT of them) that stands the test of time, delivers on all of my must-haves, and satisfies my intelligent smut quota!
  
  Plot --- 5/5
  Main Characters --- 5/5
  Supporting Cast --- 4.75/5
  Steam Level* --- 4/5
  Violence --- nothing graphic
  Language --- not egregious
  POV --- 3rd
  
  *Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
• 
  Jessica

  A NEW FAVORITE HISTORICAL ROMANCE. I loved The Secret, so it's no surprise that I also absolutely loved The Bride. We have another British heroine and Scottish hero who butt heads and it was just so good. The heroine is forced to marry our hero, who is a Scottish laird, and move to Scotland with him. She wants to resist him, but it's obvious she's attracted to him and wants to explore that kind of relationship with him. And even though he has expectations that she needs to be this docile wife, Jamie does not allow him to dictate who she is and what she does. She is such a headstrong character and I loved how much she would go against what Alec wanted out of her. Alec would get frustrated, but that also made him love her even more. Alec was also super protective of Jamie, which I loved. Their banter was adorable and I just loved how much they fell for each other. I also loved how Jamie fit in with the clan and her actions played out with the other clans at the end. It was so sweet! You definitely need to read this historical romance if you haven't already! But if you don't like an alpha hero, don't read this one!
  
  **there was a reveal about a villain character in here that I wasn't a fan of, but that was really my only complaint of the book!
• 
  *TANYA*

  I had been wanting to read this book for years, and I finally got to it, it was WONDERFUL!!! I love Highlander type books and this one has got to be one of the best EVER!!! EVER!!! Lol. I'm so excited right now.
• 
  Arini ~ Miss Casually Reading

  4.5 stars
  
  my FIRST Julie Garwood, and this is THE book thats restored my faith in historical, medieval, regency romance!!! cause for a time the Bridgerton series had me believing that this subgenre wasnt worth my time. now i feel like ive gained a footing on this treshold and found my ‘niche,’ which is that barbarian/Viking and Highlander HR are absolutely my thing but im picky with regency romance—yknow the ones that are about the ton and attending lavish balls (i hate those). pardon me, my HR lingo clearly needs improvement.
  
  anyway, back to this book... except, i have no words. idk if its the novelty of reading a Julie Garwood book, but The Bride had the BEST h, BEST H, BEST romance, BEST everything. i couldnt say it at the time after i finished the book, but now that days have passed and ive read a few more books by this author, i can say that this is my FAVORITE book of hers so far. will definitely re-read this in the future. hopefully on audio since i didnt get to do it on my first read. i dont feel like rounding up the rating, so we’ll see about that then too.
• 
  Julie James

  I'd rate this 3.75 stars (or whatever a B minus rating would convert to).
  
  I wanted to love this book because it's a favorite for so many readers, but couldn't quite get there. There were several parts that made me smile, like when the heroine wears black to her wedding, and when she dumps water on the soldiers who are making fun of English women. And the ending was great, with the jewels. (I won't say more for spoiler purposes.)
  
  My main problem connecting with the book lies with the heroine, who is straight out of Disney movie. She can heal the sick, willingly sacrifices herself for her (older) sisters, rescues orphaned children, tames wild boars, rides a horse standing up, makes every hardened Scottish soldier she meets fall in love with her, and looks like an angel when sleeping. For me, that kind of heroine works much better in a G-rated film than an adult novel.
  
  Now I'd best run for cover to avoid the tomatoes being thrown at me by the numerous fans of this book...
• 
  Jayne

  (from my book blog)
  
  Some of you may remember that I had an ambitious (for me) TBR list that included two SRS books, and The Hunger Games. It will surprise none of you that I made it through The Hunger Games before I decided that was enough heavy shit and people dying. I decided it was time for some lighter fare, or at least a book that didn’t prominently involve death. Enter The Bride by Julie Garwood and its 172 5-star reviews on Amazon. Because apparently the fanatically positive reviews for Sherrilyn Kenyon have taught me nothing.
  
  The Bride is a Highlander romance, in which a bonny and spirited English lass is wed to a menacing Highland laird and they learn to love each other in spite of their cultural differences, usually through nonstop newlywed fucking. Handy that kilts provide such easy access! That reminds me - there will be at least one joke about Scottish lairds being naked under their kilts.
  
  So anyways, the Bonny and Spirited English Lass (TM) in this situation is Jamie. Oh, we’re going to have a little chat about Jamie. Garwood apparently couldn’t settle for just one Spirited English Lass (TM) cliche, so she went for them all. Here’s a list of facts about Jamie:
  
  She can read and write
  She speaks perfect Gaelic
  She is an expert physician (the kind who can heal otherwise-fatal wounds with a few crushed leaves and a tincture)
  - She can shoot a bow and arrow with incredible accuracy
  - She can throw a knife with incredible accuracy
  - She rides her spirited horse bareback, with incredible skill
  - Her riding skills are so incredible that she frequently stands up while riding her spirited horse bareback
  - She can instantly charm even the most stubborn Scottish soldier
  - She is constantly saving small children
  - She is constantly being saved by her laird husband
  - She is flawlessly beautiful (violet eyes, streaming raven hair, etc)
  - She single-handedly unites the Highland clans
  - I kind of want to punch Jamie by now, don’t you?
  
  She has a couple of token flaws: she has a poor sense of direction, and she’s an insufferable know-it-all (Garwood may not have intended that reaction, now that I think about it). Still, she’s doing pretty good for a woman in 1100! I know suspension of disbelief is important for all novels, but at this point I think the time-traveling nurse from Outlander is a more realistic.
  
  Her Highland Laird is Alec. Here’s a few facts about Alec:
  
  - He is very big
  - He wears kilts
  - He gets angry a lot
  
  In the beginning, I was having a lot of fun. Alec and Jamie meet and get married and journey to Scotland, and it’s pretty good! The sex gets going early in the book (Alec sees Jamie bathing, which happens so frequently in romance novels I’m starting to think authors have Frequent Plot Device cards and are cashing in on hotels stays and discounted flights somewhere), and their sparring is fun, if not terribly inventive.
  
  Then they get to Scotland, and the whole book turns into a mess. I should have known it was coming. It was like going out on a bad date. You know the signs. The dude might order a Zima, or casually mention Ayn Rand. But you don’t REALLY know what you’ve gotten yourself into until you find yourself listening to him tell an obviously-exaggerated story about his spring break trip to Gulf Shores with his main brahs.
  
  The story gets to be episodic and kind of boring. In one day, Jamie is chased down by a wild boar, saves a small child, is almost burned alive in a cottage (somebody wants her dead or something I don’t even care at this point), and she probably starts a war or whatever (she’s always starting wars). And yeah, that’s STILL boring. There’s too many characters, I kept losing track of the action, and by the end, I started flirting with the other books on my Kindle.
  
  I have to say, it wasn’t unpleasant. There were a lot of redeeming moments throughout the book, and I even laughed out loud a few times. That said, there are so many talented romance novelists writing great books right now, and you don’t have to spend your time and money on a book that’s “not unpleasant.”
  
  Go check out Braveheart or Outlander if you need a kilt fix. I’d skip this.
• 
  Mo

  I MUST SAY SAY THAT I LOVED THIS BOOK….. will get back to proper reviewing soon! AFTER MY ROAD TRIP TO IRELAND ....xxI
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  chan ☆

  tried again for a video and no... just no.
• 
  Ronyell

  Now as you have noticed, I have been reading many historical romance novels lately and some of my favorite types of historical romance novels have to deal with Highlanders since the men in those novels are ultra sexy! Well, Julie Garwood’s “The Bride,” is definitely no exception and it was the first book that I have read from romance author Julie Garwood. “The Bride” is surely one hot romantic story that will set your romantic senses afire!
  
  By order of King Henry and King Edgar, the strong and mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid to marry an English bride and who does he choose but a strong and independent woman named Jamie Jamison! At first, Jamie refused to get along with the mighty laird and Alec wanted to tame her strong heart, as these two are from two different worlds, they will soon realize that their different worlds might come together!
  
  (Whew! Let me pull myself together here!) Alright, this book was so amazing that I am almost at a loss of words to figure out how to express my love for this book! Julie Garwood has certainly done an excellent job at writing this book as it is full of hot romance, drama and even a little humor here and there. I loved the way that Julie Garwood included so much humor in this romance novel as many romance novels that I had read in the past rarely contain a degree of humor. What I really loved the most about this book were the characters, especially Jamie and Alec, the two most interesting characters out of the entire book! Out of all the romance heroines that I have ever read about, Jamie had to be my favorite one! Jamie was such a strong and independent heroine as she had courage beyond all reason as she easily stood up to the supposedly dangerous Highlanders and can even fight like a lioness! I also loved the way that she cared for other people, especially her stepsisters whom she loved very much and how she refused to let anyone get in the way of doing her duties for her family.
  
  Now Alec Kincaid, man he was truly something else that I had to save the best character for last! Alec Kincaid is easily one of the best heroes ever created as he is both gentle and strong in his nature. What I really loved about Alec Kincaid’s character was the fact that he is extremely strong, especially during the scene where he beats up a band of outlaws single-handily by using his bare hands (my heart is seriously pounding fast for the awesome power of this handsome Highlander!) I also loved the detail that Julie Garwood puts in describing Alec’s physical appearance, which is mainly muscled and huge and that makes him one sexy giant Highlander! I also loved the brief glimpses of Mary and Daniel’s relationship with each other and I am definitely looking forward to reading more about their relationship with each other. There are also many love making scenes that will have romance fans swooning over with joy and I was nearly swooning myself when I read these scenes!
  
  There are many sex scenes in this novel and they are a bit graphic in nature, so anyone who does not like sex scenes might want to skip over these scenes.
  
  Overall, “The Bride” is definitely a novel worth checking out and fans of Highlander romance will definitely enjoy this awesome novel and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of Julie Garwood’s works!
  
  
  
  Review is also on:
  Rabbit Ears Book Blog
  
• 
  Nσҽɱí

  Allá vamos!!! Tercer libro del #RetoRita
  Este libro creo que es el segundo que puntúo con una estrella de todo los que llevo leídos hasta ahora,
  Pero es que de verdad no hay por donde cogerlo, los capítulos son la misma historia contada de diferente forma. Es como el día de la marmota.
  Jamie me parece un personaje infantil, bipolar y repetitivo.
  Pasa del llanto a la risa en menos de un minuto, sólo hace preguntas sin sentidos y parece salida de la casa de la pradera. Encima que todo lo que hace, lo hace bien. Es médico, CSI, diplomática y Mary Poppins. Así podría tirarme hasta mañana.
  Para colmo sus hermanas y padre son para echarles de comer a parte, las hermanas al comienzo del libro pensé que se trataban de crías pero resulta que son más mayores que Jamie.
  Mary es un personaje que cuando lees te dan ganas de sacarte los ojos, por que sólo sabe berrear y escudarse en su hermana.
  las hermanas gemelas de Jamie, son una mezcla de niñas del resplandor y la niña del exorcista, lo poco que salen en el libro le han faltado echar espuma por la boca. para mear y no echar gota.
  Y llegamos al protagonista masculino Alec, otro que se repite más que el ajo... Sólo sabe gruñir, reírse de la mujer, dar ordenes y echar kikis...
  Los demás personajes como el cura, Marcus y Gavin parecen salidos del Sálvame, con eso lo digo todo.
  La trama, qué trama? Si para llegar a las Tierras Alta se tira medio libro contando que van montando a caballo y que le quedan días por llegar... Una vez que llegan, yo pensaba que empezaría lo bueno y con las ganas me quedado. por que menuda mierda de trama.
  En fin, creo que la primera vez que escribo tanto pero es que merecía la ocasión.
  Gracias a mi compi de lectura Paty, que sin ella esto no hubiera sido lo mismo. pero al final con un par de ovarios los hemos terminado!!!!
• 
  Mili

  I have to say I was disappointed by this book. I love Julie Garwood and she is a wonderful author but this just didn't pass muster. The story it self was just fine, it's the characters that bugged me to no end. The way the characters were written was very confusing because at the beginning you are miss lead that the heroine is a strong and independent woman who is capable and smart, yet a few chapters later and a few conversations with her and all those descriptions are tossed out the window and instead we have a frightful little mouse who cant string a few sentences together with out sounding like an idiot. As for the hero all i can say is that he is a bipolar who gets turned on when his wife is shaking in fear of him. how sexy. NOT!! All those character flaws prevented me from enjoying the book. So all in all I'm very disappointed. The book had great potential.
• 
  NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books}

  What a charming story was that!!!
  
  Really, guys!!! That book caught me by surprise...
  I'm used to read renegence historical romance and this medieval was my first, but i enjoyed it very much.
  I won't lie to you. In the beginning, i was a little bit lost, but then the storyline captivated me...
  No, no, no... I don't think that it was the story only...
  I really loved this couple and especially Jamie...
  She made me laughing all the time with her actions...
  And she manage to make the cruel, wild warrior to laugh also...
  
  They were the perfect match for each other...
  
  Jamie and her three sisters were worrying because it came an order for the King that one of them had to marry one savage laird of a clan from the Highlands...
  The English were having a hatred toward Scotish and the opposite, but for the name of their country, they had to do it!!!
  The thing is that the girls had heard rumors about Alec Kincaid. People were saying that he had killed his first wife and that he was a cruel savage...
  After some interesting facts Alec chose Jamie to become his wife...
  For the first stare between them something happened but both of them were too much stubborn to acknoledge it and to admit it!!!
  
  
  As the time was passing they were starting to care even more for each other and they started to change their opinions...
  Jamie even though in the beginning was a little bit afraid of the huge warrior that was her husband, she began to be fascinating by him and the feelings that born inside of her...
  
  Alec even though that his wife was a stubborn, opinioned little creature, she made him crazy from love, even though that he used to think that women were just a possession...
  
  Jamie was a strong, almost indepented woman of that time. She was stubborn but compassionate. She couldn't stop telling her opinion in every matter and she couldn't follow orders.
  She liked to help the others and she was caring about everyone... It wasn't random the fact that at the end everybody loved her, especially her husband.
  
  Alec from the other hand was a mighty laird and his clan were the most significant thing in the world. He didn't want to marry but he was following orders.
  He didn't think that a woman was something important, but Jamie change his opinions.
  For first time in his life, he felt things that he had never felt before...
  Love, jealous, possessiveness...
  
  It was very beautiful the way that those two found the way to each other....
  
  I really had a great time reading this book...
  It was different and i didn't get bored at all... In contrary, i couldn't stop reading the adventures of Jamie and i was just laughing and laughing and laughing...
  But it wasn't a comedy...
  Jamie and Alec had many obstacles to overcome... but they stay together and they fought them side by side...
  
  And they did it just great...
  You should try it, guys!!!
  
• 
  Duchess Nicole

  "Did you get a good look at her, then?" he added in a rush.
  Alec nodded.
  "You'll be taking her with you, won't you?" The Kincaid stared at the old man a long minute before answering.
  "Aye, Beak. I'll be taking her with me."

  
  An absolute must read for any Garwood fans! Quite simply a treasure of a historical romance. If you can get ahold of the audio, this is one of the better narrators I've heard as well. If not, the story stands on it's own, a masterpiece set in the Scottish Highlands.
  
  This is the very best of this author...and she has written many keepers. The Bride seems to have every wonderful aspect that Garwood is known for. Jamie is innocent...a typical heroine for the times, and an trait that gets her into some amusing trouble. Despiter her naivete, however, she is truly one of the most kind and tenderhearted of women, placing everyone's needs over her own. Those she loves, she gives her all. There is nothing self serving or proud about her. She goes from being a practical slave to her father and sisters to trying to find her place amid the Highlanders and their land, a way of life that is completely foreign to her.
  

  "She'll settle in...

  
  At times, my heart just broke for her, as Alec takes a long time to see what his wife truly needs from him is a place to belong. He sees right off that he wants her...king's decree or not, he definitely wants her. And yet he's so very much a Laird...immovable, stubborn, overbearing, and pompous. Good thing he's also fair and compassionate (to a point). He's determined to get this marriage thing over with, and move on with his life. But this gentle, silly English woman with her strange English ideals and her stubbornness arrive at his home and completely uproots him.
  
  Alec's life is even more uprooted than Jamie's is...and she's the one who moved to a new country :D:D:D
  
  My favorite thing about this book is it's unpredictability. Most romance books are so formulaic...meet, dislike each other, form an attachment, have sex, HUGE CONFLICT, resolution, make up, the end. I didn't get that same feeling here. There were constant new developments, and each one was absolute perfection. Sure, there are some tropes, but this is the kind of book that created the trope, or at the very least defines it. This was a fun, sexy look into the life of two stubborn yet charming character's lives after the reluctant vows are said. They are resigned to their marriage and just working at falling in love. Jamie's goofy and sassy, shoving her way into Alec's heart. Alec is grudging, powerful, but still somewhat of a pushover with her.
  
  "By what name is she called, Kincaid?"
  "Mine.”
• 
  Raine

  Super funny!!! Loved it when I read it years ago and read it for a PIFM challenge and still loved it! Even though I've been reading romantic erotica the last few years it is still nice to read a well-written and funny romance.
  
  *****Reread again*****
  Last read 12/10/2015
  Still a great story. So enjoyable!
  
  *****March 16, 2017*****
  No matter how many times I re-read this book I still always enjoy the humor and the dialogue between Alec and Jamie. She's such a strong character and she has to be to be married to Alec, but she's also got that soft side that he really needs. There are so many things about this book that brings a smile to my face: her asking Alec to make sure he counts how many men he kills so she could give the correct amount of coin to the priest for his soul, how she pretends to not know Gaelic so she could surprise Alec, but he knows and teases her by talking in Gaelic. From the first word to the last word this book has always kept my attention no matter how many times I read it.
  
  *****May 15, 2022*****
  Still love it and still 5 stars!!!
• 
  Vintage

  Heroine is a medieval Mary Sue that looks like Elizabeth Taylor with the nursing skills of Florence Nightingale. I liked her anyway.
  
  Fun romp with a stalwart, hunky Scot that’s not as tough as he thinks and the almost perfect heroine who is redeemed by her temper and sense of humor. Hard to add to what other reviewers have already said.
  
  The characters are four star enjoyable, but abandoning the story line of her bratty sisters and needy stepfather dropped it to a 3 star. I wasn't crazy about the reveal on the villain either and wonder what the H had in mind as punishment. I think I know.
• 
  Ivy H

  I really enjoyed this romance but did Alec's dead wife really have to have a kid just so that Jamie can be a saintly sweet stepmother ? Sigh. Sometimes Julie Garwood's saintly heroines are too much for me. I have to admit I don't like the stepmother to somebody else's kid storyline. However the kid was in need of love and protection plus she wasn't Alec's biological child so that's why I did not deduct a star from my overall rating. I know I sound like a complaining shrew here but I'm not one for stepkids in my romance novels. But Alec was a spectacularly splendid highland hunk of a man. He was "THE Kincaid". That sounds so sexy doesn't it? It was a great novel but The Secret will always be fav by this author because I adore Ian Maitland more than Alec and Judith is sweeter than Jamie.
  I have to add that I had read Garwood's contemporary novel called "Sizzle" that featured a modern descendant of Alec and Jamie. The guy, Samuel Kincaid, even had a dead wife ( just like Alec ) but that novel was more of a fizzle than a sizzle...
  
  
• 
  Karen

  Loved it. Listened to the audiobook. The narrator was excellent with her accents, but I found her to be just a tad bit too dramatic. It took a little while to get used to her.