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Highland Lovesong

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At age sixteen, Graham MacKenzie--or Gray as he's oftencalled--fell head over heels in love the first time he happened uponten-year-old Skyla MacLeod. Unfortunately for Graham, Skyla also happened to be the eldest daughter of Laird MacLeod, the Lord of the Isle of Skye and his clans' chief rival. Despite their differences, the twosome declare that they shall remain friends forevermore, then seal their pledge with a sweet, Wally-and-the-Beaver-esque blood vow.

Flash forward ten years: Gray is now twenty-six and laird to the MacKenzies. It's a turbulent time in Scotland, as the English king Edward Longshanks' troops occupy the land. Realizing that wars are inevitable, Gray's uncles press him to take a bride and get her with an heir. Gray, of course, wants no other bride than the bonny Skyla MacLeod. Skyla, who he's been courting in secret for the past year, feels the same way about Gray. The major problem the couple faces is figuring out how they will get Skyla's father to consent to their marriage.

Gray sets out for the Isle of Skye determined to bring an end to the two clans' long-standing feud, which would thereby allow him to claim Skyla as his bride. Little does Gray know, a disgruntled woman whose affection he'd scorned ten years ago has stolen his dirk and driven it into the heart of Skyla's uncle, making it look as though the MacLeod clansman died at Gray's hands. Skyla, who feels bitterly betrayed by the man she loves, vows never to marry Gray. Gray, still determined to have his beautiful Skyla, steals her away and takes her to his keep.

"Highland Lovesong" contained way too many clichés and overdone storylines, which may make it difficult for seasoned romance readers to appreciate it. First, the heroine's hot/cold routine (I love you, I hate you, I love you, I hate you) was dragged out several chapters too long and the hero remained way too tolerant of the heroine's childish theatrics, making him come off as somewhat weak-kneed. If you don't object to the types of scenarios I've described, you might just get more out of this novel than I did. Otherwise, keep browsing. ( ) END

I came to this book with low expectations, and they were exceeded. Highland Lovesong tells the story of a young man and woman from feuding clans who fall in love early in life. This is the story of how they overcome many obstacles to happiness ever after. I feel the influence of Diana Gabaldon and Outlander, but in a light and not slavish way.

Highland Lovesong's plot has twists that pleased me, and some steamy encounters which, although told in a cliched manner, were true to the characters. Penelope Neri has done some homework on the Scottish clans of the 1200s, and although the characters struck me as more modern, this is a small criticism. Why would I want a romance to be more grubby and brutish? Why would I want to be reminded of the smell of dung and characters urinating in the corners of the hall?

Taken for what it is, this is a fun book, good for the beach or a sick day.

Despite the previous reviews on this novel, I read it anyway. I was delightfully surprised and found the book to be very refreshing rather than cliche! The historical backgroud was very authentic and allowed me to escape to the picturesque highlands of Scotland!

This book has a great beginning and middle and the history is fantastic. After that it gets disappointing. The ending leaves a chapter out in my humble opinion. I would like to have read about the meeting of Gray and Skylar's family. This was an important part of the story and was skipped over. Very disappointing for Ms Neri.