The Laird Takes a Bride audiobook

The Laird Takes a Bride is my first book by Lisa Berne, but I was pleasantly surprised. A true Scottish historical (not a Regency disguising itself as Scottish), this marriage of convenience story definitely provides a different spin on the trope.The Story- Fiona has had her heart broken, and she has given up on love. Alasdair was enjoying the bachelor life, but when an old edict is uncovered, he's going to have to make a big change. My Thoughts-I really enjoyed the "Bachelor" set-up, but was disappointed at how quickly everything was settled. The characters are well developed, but they are both too stubborn to almost be believed. That being said, I couldn't quit turning pages because I absolutely had to know how it was that these two would end up falling for each other. The Scottish setting and daily life circumstances provide depth and a nice historical framework that isn't always achieved in books like this.The Bottom Line-I would read another book by Berne, especially if it is set in Scotland. An enjoyable historical read. 4 stars

A lot of fun in this story, a touchy aging heroine, too smart and too lonely. She wants to be loved, so accepts being offered to the H. He must marry due to archaic clan law. She's not impressed with him, he's not too pleased with her. It's sort of - she'll do. Of course he breaks her heart. Great writing style, plot and intriguing characters, and best of all - no brogue! Loved it.

I liked this book so much better than the first! Can't believe this is just a second novel for an author!I honestly don't remember Alasdair much from the first book but I know I was excited to see he'd be getting his own HEA. He was a great guy that respected Fiona and her wishes even if he didn't particularly like her. At first. The real star of this show, to me, however, was Fiona. She is SUCH a stick-in-the-mud for part of the novel and it was fantastic to see her transformation. And I didn't see the event that brought that about coming. I felt like, for the most part, the novel was a nice blend of plot and emotion rather than being driven by one alone. I don't really remember any major slow spots and I had trouble stopping reading at the end of a chapter. This was a great title and I can't wait for the next!!I received an eARC from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

4 helms Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages(www.vellumvoyages.com)Surprisingly I really enjoyed this one! Why was I surprised? Firstly, Lisa Berne is a relatively new author....this is her second book and it's not often I like newer authors, as I seem to prefer the writing style of older romances. Secondly, it was full of historical anachronisms....yeap all throughout the book and this is a massive pet peeve for me, but the story had already drawn me in so I didn't seem to care and lastly, I liked the H/h almost instantaneously. It's nice to be surprised in a genre you have been reading for over 10 years! Alisdair Penhallow, the Laird of Castle Tadgh has a reputation and not a very good one! The Lowlands and the Highlands have heard rumours of his rakish ways, but this all comes to a sudden stop on the day of his thirty fifth birthday, where clan law decrees that if the Laird is thirty-five and unmarried, he is required to marry within thirty-five days or be hanged, quartered and beheaded as a warning to others, that he did not perform his duty of producing an heir. To escape his potentially gruesome fate, Alisdair pens letters to all corners of Scotland where eligible daughters of other Lairds are invited to meet with Alisdair and spend time with him and potentially get chosen to be his bride. Fiona has loved and lost before and she doesn't plan on giving her heart away ever again. As a spinster at twenty-seven, she has attended a multitude of weddings and none of them her own. She is ordered to travel to Castle Tadgh by her parents and try her hand at becoming a bride. Fiona reluctantly travels with her cousin into Castle Tadgh purely to satisfy her parents' wishes and demonstrates no interest in getting to know Alisdair. Annoyed by her nonchalant attitude, Alisdair writes her off as a potential bride right from the beginning but is too respectful to dismiss her immediately. Fate had other plans for them. Finding themselves married to each other is a destiny neither of them wanted or predicted, but have to accept. To their surprise, the more they learn about each other they realise that they are suited for one another after all IF they can both see past their stubbornness!The Bachelor style scenario was quite interesting and I was wondering how long this would have continued within the book...Thankfully it was tastefully done and interesting enough! Alistair and Fiona were characters with pasts that won't let them let their guards down so it was good to see them happy at the end! I wouldn't call this a light hearted read even though it can be deceptively perceived as one. There are things that happen that are quite serious but are dealt with in a light hearted tone, so the book doesn't come across as too intense but I did find myself surprised at the tone regardless of the seriousness of some events. All the characters were likeable right from the beginning and I also think this is due to Lisa Berne's writing style. The secondary characters were also quite likeable and had their own little ending which was also lovely. The book was effortless to read and had a really good flow which I normally struggle to find being a slower reader. I would recommend this story for a time when you are in a slump and looking for something different and don't want something written in an intense and emotional manner! Don't underestimate the book though as I found myself quite touched from this sweet tale.*Thank-you Lisa Berne, Edelweiss & Avon for the ARC.

Tears, oh so many tears!!! Such real complex emotions! Truly beautiful!

As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-DlFiona Douglass has just watched another of her sisters get married. At the age of twenty-seven, she’s considered a spinster, and is happy to be so. Her one venture into romance ended disastrously for her. She was in love with, and all but engaged to Logan Munro, when her younger sister presented an opportunity for Logan to have a larger dowry. He seized the opportunity and became Fiona’s brother-in-law, breaking her heart, and causing her to swear off marriage. In the intervening years, she has managed to chase off all suitors, and has become a formidable and prickly woman. Her solitary existence is disrupted when she is ordered to journey to Castle Tadgh, as a potential bride to the laird.Laird Alasdair Penhallow is a good leader to his clan, and is enjoying all the benefits of being a handsome, wealthy, powerful, and single young man. That’s all about to change, as an obscure clan law is brought to his attention – now that he’s thirty-five years old, he must marry immediately under penalty of death. Though he has no desire to wed, Alasdair will follow the law. He summons the four most eligible unmarried ladies to his castle, and from them will choose his bride.Three of the four ladies are most eager to become the laird’s wife, and their personalities and actions create some of the lighter moments in the book. Fiona is sure she won’t be chosen, and makes no attempt to be civil or pleasant to Alasdair. She’s just impatiently waiting for this “contest” to end, so that she can return to her normal life. To Alasdair’s credit, he behaves as a gentleman, and makes several attempts to treat Fiona with courtesy, which she rebuffs. Alasdair has no liking for Fiona, and doesn’t find her attractive, so they are both dismayed when fate sends the other three ladies away, leaving only Fiona. Knowing their duty to the law, they are most unhappily married.There is no magical transformation of their feelings or instant desire. Their physical joining is brief, perfunctory, and unsatisfying. Still, the ever pragmatic Fiona goes about her duties as laird’s wife, and begins to find purpose for her life, as well as making great improvements in Castle Tadgh. Slowly, Alasdair begins to notice and appreciate her value, and surprisingly, he begins to find her more attractive. Both he and Fiona start to wonder if maybe they can bring more joy and happiness to their bedroom. The catalyst happens when Fiona is kidnapped, then rescued by Alasdair. They both admit to wanting more from each other physically, and their lovemaking takes on a new dimension, which spills over to their other interactions. Everything is so much better now – time for a happy ending, right? Not so fast……..An even more obscure clan law is discovered that negates their marriage as if it had never happened. Ever proud, and certain that Alasdair would not choose her voluntarily, Fiona elects to go home. Alasdair, feeling that he can’t stand in the way of her desire to leave him, lets her go without a fight. I ended up liking both these characters, though at times they didn’t make it easy for me. Fiona was a very strong and determined woman, except for her continued mooning over her lost love, Logan, even after nine years. Her stubbornness and defensiveness unfortunately often came out in the form of caustic remarks and a cold demeanor. Still, I could sense her vulnerability and kindness, and I really wanted her to find love and happiness so that she could reveal the softer side of herself to the world. Alasdair also had walls around himself, and while he was not so outwardly abrasive as Fiona, he was quite able to give back as good as he got. Fiona’s and Alasdair’s separation was painful, yet it turned out to be very good for them. They both had time to reflect on their lives with and without each other. Their reconciliation was tender and sweet, yet not unrealistic for them. I found THE LAIRD TAKES A BRIDE to be a very enjoyable read, filled with some heartbreak, some pain, some awfully silly laws, a strong willed couple, and a realistic romance with a satisfying happy ever after.

I really appreciated a heroine who is very thin. I feel like there are more and more plus-sized heroines, which as a plus-sized gal myself I really love and appreciate. I don't see many books featuring a heroine at the opposite end of the spectrum, so I loved that Fiona is almost painfully thin despite having a very healthy appetite. As someone who struggled with depression, I also really connected with Fiona and her own struggles with what I interpreted as depression and possibly OCD. What a fantastically multi-layered and non-traditional heroine!!The house party/competition aspect of the plot was great, and reminded me a bit of Lenora Bell's How the Duke Was Won. Again I found myself loving Fiona, with her vast practical knowledge and rather dry wit. The other "competitors" were more caricatures than real characters, but that sure made for fun reading! I love that Fiona and Alisdair don't have the insta-love or even insta-lust that you see in so many romance novels, but instead have a slow warming toward each other, with several set-backs due to understandings and insecurities. The last quarter or third of this book had tears just streaming down my cheeks and my heart aching in my chest, which I love in a romance novel (as long as there's a HEA at the end!). I love the vulnerabilities of both main characters, their journies and their growth. And then there is this: "But fear, I know, isn't always a rational thing." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "If you wish, I'll teach you. If you trip, I'll catch you. And if you prefer not to, I won't persist." Well swoon, Alisdair.This is the second book in The Penhallow Dynasty series, but it can be read as a stand alone. The first book is about a distant cousin of Alisdair's and has only a very brief passing mention in this book. There are no spoilers for the first book, You May Kiss the Bride, in this book, so you're also totally safe to go back and read book 1 spoiler-free.

well this was a big improvement from the first book. this book would have been perfect if it weren't so rushed in the last few chapters.

Vanilla_91 - per RFS.Tremate lettori perché Fiona Douglass è il terrore di tutte le famiglie basate sul patriarcato e sul maschilismo, l’incubo di ogni uomo che considera la docilità e la sottomissione doti fondamentali in una donna e indispensabili per una moglie.Quanto potevano essere forti e totalizzanti questi concetti nella Scozia del 1800? Direi talmente tanto da farci tirare un bel sospiro di sollievo per aver avuto la sorte di nascere nella “parte fortunata” del mondo e in un tempo in cui, seppur ancora con notevoli difficoltà, la parità dei sessi pare un concetto sufficientemente affermato.La nostra protagonista è un bel peperino, la primogenita di un capo clan delle Highlands interessata più alla gestione della servitù e del bestiame, che ai merletti e al ricamo.Sarà per il suo carattere spigoloso, per la lingua affilata o per l’intelligenza e la scaltrezza che non ha voglia di nascondere, ma alla veneranda età di ventisette anni Fiona non è ancora sposata, con grande rammarico del padre.Quando, contro la sua volontà, la nobildonna si trova a “concorrere” per diventare la moglie del laird del castello di Tadhg, Alasdair Penhallow, è costretta ad ammettere che forse il matrimonio può essere anche qualcosa in più di doveri scomodi e comandi a cui sottostare.Fenici, ho poco o nulla da recriminare a questo romanzo.È una favola d’amore raccontata con una chiave molto ironica, ricca di momenti simpatici ma anche di passione. Alasdair e Fiona sono due protagonisti dal carattere forte, che intrattengono il lettore con battibecchi e scontri di volontà, ma al contempo ci regalano una storia in cui il sentimento cresce in maniera lenta e ponderata. Abbiamo un giusto mix di romanticismo, erotismo e ironia… elementi che non stonano mai.Dalle pagine emerge il notevole lavoro di analisi che l’autrice ha svolto sui suoi personaggi, in particolare su Fiona. Gli atteggiamenti, le decisioni e le reazioni delle varie figure vengono scandagliate e analizzate con cura, ciò non sempre accade nei romanzi rosa dove a volte la caratterizzazione di protagonisti e comprimari pecca un po’ di superficialità o di ovvietà.Certo non aspettiamoci un saggio freudiano, stonerebbe totalmente con i canoni del genere, che invece il libro rispetta totalmente.L’unico piccolissimo difetto che ho notato è stato l’epilogo un po’ accelerato. Il punto di svolta arriva grazie a un movente un po’ debole e “il vissero per sempre felici e contenti” si concretizza in maniera un po’ semplicistica. Che posso farci se amo le storie travagliate?In sostanza, trovo che Il lord prende moglie sia un’ottima “lettura relax”, un bel libro da poter gustare sulle spiagge calde sognando la frescura delle Highlands e sexy scozzesi muscolosi.P.s. Vi ho detto che Alasdair ha degli splendidi capelli rossi? Adoro questo dettaglio.

This was one of the best romance books I have ever read. My only complaint was some plot stuff was rushed, but otherwise, it was so good!

Set in the early 1800s Scotland, this is a very readable romance. Fiona Douglass is now 27 and she has attended so many weddings that she tends to just daydream through them (as well as compose her latest 'to do' list). Fiona is a competent woman who has given up on romance ever since she was jilted at 18 by a man who fell in love with her sister. Life at home gives her many outlets for her formidable organizing skills and a way for her to talk herself into ignoring her yearning for something more. Alisdair Penhallow, the Laird of Castle Tadgh has turned 35, spending the past 15 years (since his parents and older brother drowned) living the good life. He's a good steward of his land and his dependents but he's not at all interested in settling down and having a wife and children. However, now that he's 35 & unmarried he is informed that clan law requires him to choose a bride within 35 days or suffer the consequences: being hanged and quartered and beheaded as a warning of a chieftain who did not perform their duty of producing an heir. Fiona isn't the only young lady invited to Castle Tadgh to be inspected and - perhaps - win the prize. She is the only one who isn't really interested in marrying Alisdair (or anyone). This was a fun book that kept you reading and also encouraged me to look up Ms. Berne's previous Penhallow romance.

Alasdair Penhallow was enjoying his careless, roguish, fun-filled life until one fine day – or rather, it had been fine until that moment – when he learned of a decree saying that the Chieftain, Alasdair himself, had to marry thirty five days after reaching his thirty-fifth birthday, which was now. Alasdair had no intention of obeying the ancient decree, but with the punishment if doesn’t obey being death, well, it doesn’t leave one much choice, does it? But his Uncle Duff MacDermott tells Alisdair that even with a wife, nothing needs to really change. Fiona Douglass was firmly on the shelf. Once she had thought she would be a bride, but her suitor, Logan Munro, chose her younger, prettier sister, and although Fiona never resented her sister, Fiona no man could ever compare to Logan. Fiona could settle for a decent man, someone who liked her for who she is, but her hopes have once again been thwarted when she is told that she is amongst four eligible candidates to marry Alasdair Penhallow. She doesn’t want to go, but if she doesn’t, it will literally be the death of her. However, Fiona is not worried, Alasdair won’t pick her anyway; and when Fiona sees her competition, she knows she is secure in her spinsterhood. Unfortunately, Fate has decided otherwise, and when a most unexpected event occurs, Fiona and Alasdair have no choice but to marry. Neither is pleased, not at all.And if you think you’ve read it all before, read on. Lisa Berne gives the marriage of convenience trope clever, unforeseen, and fabulous twists: Alasdair and Fiona do not like each other, there is no combustible and immediate attraction, they loathe the situation, and they refuse to make the slightest effort to make the forced marriage work, and the wedding night is a complete disaster, and not a funny one either; I found it so refreshing, I almost applauded! Alasdair is sometimes unkind, aloof, Fiona is entirely unyielding, and very independent; they could have been exceedingly unpleasant characters, yet they are not. Ms. Berne knows exactly where to draw the line, because the dynamic between Alasdair and Fiona shifts several times, it all feels genuine, and it’s enthralling to watch them be, basically. Fiona doesn’t suffer fools gladly, and the competition between the four brides-to-be was something to behold: the dialogues are absolutely splendid, and the barbs exchanged are at times vicious; always entertaining, and oftentimes quite funny. Lisa Berne’s prose is spectacular: lush and sumptuous, the dialogues are impeccable, the descriptions of Scotland are breathtaking, and the characterisations are so sharp, that I could all visualise them clearly. One minor character in particular made a rather strong impression on me, Crannog Sutherlainn, and I wonder if we will encounter him again in future instalments, and I also loved little Sheila.THE LAIRD TAKES A BRIDE is a rollercoaster of emotions: I laughed, I cried, I worried, I suffered for both characters, but mostly for Fiona, and just as Alasdair and Fiona seemed to have resolved their issues, well… one of them hasn't. Lisa Berne has written a perfectly fabulous book, intelligent, unusual, and unique; THE LAIRD TAKES A BRIDE is not to be missed!I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

** spoiler alert ** Fiona Douglas meets Alastair Penhallow by chance when she is invited by him to his castle along with three other eligible females for him to find a bride within 35 days of his 35th birthday.Fiona no longer believes in love after Logan dumped her for her younger sister who had a larger dowry.Due to unforseen circumstances,fiona and alasdair marries as one of the girls die,and two others leave.will their marriage last?will they find love?an interesting read

Lisa Berne torna con il secondo capitolo della serie Penhallow e questa volta i riflettori sono puntati sul versante scozzese del casato, in particolare su Alasdair Penhallow.Avevamo già incrociato il nome di Alasdair nel precedente libro e subito era stato descritto come una persona dissoluta e dedita alla ricerca del piacere, non certo un personaggio su cui far ricadere l'eredità della famiglia, anche del ramo inglese.Eppure anche Alasdair Penhallow deve far fronte ai suoi doveri di laird, e la sua età gli impone di prendere moglie e far prosperare il clan a cui appartiene. Una vecchia legge lo costringe in tale direzione entro un certo periodo, pena una conseguenza inimmaginabile.Colto da un iniziale sconforto, la situazione assume dei contorni più confortanti se presa dal lato giusto. L'unica cosa che Alasdair dovrà fare è scegliere una moglie, generare un erede e continuare a divertirsi come ha sempre fatto. Chi ha detto che il matrimonio deve rappresentare una trappola?Alasdair dovrà scegliere tra quattro giovani donzelle in età da marito e per rimanere nei tempi imposti, il laird le inviterà tutte al castello di Tadgh per conoscerle meglio e decidere quale sia più adatta a rivestire il titolo di sua consorte.Tra le quattro ragazze c'è Fiona Douglass che oramai ha perso le speranze di avere una famiglia tutta sua. Dopo una cocente delusione d'amore che ha visto l'uomo dei suoi sogni diventare marito di una delle sorelle minori, Fiona ha perso ogni interesse per la vita matrimoniale. Nonostante un padre dai modi bruschi e aggressivi, non si sognerebbe mai di sposarsi per sfuggire alla sua casa. La ragazza sembra essersi abituata alla condizione di zitella, impegnando il suo tempo a risolvere i problemi della tenuta e del bestiame. Compito da uomo? Forse, ma a lei va bene così!Immaginate la sorpresa e la stizza nello scoprire che il padre l'ha costretta a prendere parte a questa parata matrimoniale. Sicuramente non sarà difficile per lei rendersi poco appetibile agli occhi del laird e tornare presto a casa nelle sue vesti da zitella.E questo accade quando Fiona incontra Alasdair, un bell'uomo, certo, ma non sufficiente a farle dimenticare. La loro sarà una conoscenza nata sotto i peggiori auspici, due caratteri schietti e pronti a non piegarsi. Ma l'amore conosce vie imprevedibili e spesso i percorsi più impervi portano a traguardi luminosi.Il lord prende moglie è stata una lettura divertente e spassosa. Quello che mi piace della scrittura di Lisa Berne è la capacità di creare dialoghi frizzanti e pungenti che disegnano personaggi carismatici e mai banali.Fiona soprattutto è una donna che in barba ai suoi tempi, ha idee molto progressiste e nonostante la vena romantica che coltiva in fondo al cuore, non può essere ridotta solo a questo. Intelligente, arguta, capace e intraprendente, è capace di assumersi compiti e incombenze che sono ritenuti tipici del sesso maschile.Alasdair Penhallow è stato il personaggio che mi ha sorpresa in misura maggiore. Vittima anche io del preconcetto nato col precedente libro della serie, pensavo fosse un tipo odioso e invece l'ho trovato di tutt'altra pasta.Certo la voglia di gozzovigliare e rimanere libero come il vento non è un inganno, complice anche lo zio Duff, ma in fondo non ha un pizzico di cattiveria in corpo. La vita non è stata clemente con lui e l'essere diventato orfano precocemente ha reso il suo cuore inaccessibile.Una durezza che condivide con Fiona ma che può essere addolcita grazie ad una conoscenza più profonda.L'ambientazione scozzese è piena di fascino e l'autrice ci regala delle descrizioni molto vivide, inoltre non perde occasione per trattare temi più seriosi, senza appesantire la trama o al contrario banalizzare problematiche serie allora, come lo sono ancora adesso.Un matrimonio di convenienza, due protagonisti pieni di carattere, sullo sfondo delle Highlands scozzesi, tra castelli meravigliosi e una natura impervia e bellissima.https://ariaswild.blogspot.com/2022/0...