Vanessa Kelly returns to the Renegade Royals with her fourth book (sixth book if you count the two digital novellas) in the series, How to Marry a Royal Highlander. We were introduced to the Whitney twins and their family in book three, How to Plan a Wedding for a Royal Spy, and this novel follows up with the romance of Edie Whitney and former spy, Alasdair Gilbride.
Gilbride is actually heir to a Scottish earldom but has been avoiding his responsibilities to both the earldom and his arranged marriage since he was 16 years old. Unfortunately, his time has run out. With his grandfathers’ health declining Alasdair has been called back to Scotland to prepare for his wedding to his cousin, Donella. Alasdair decides to take advantage of Edie Whitney’s recent scandal (she was caught in the arms of a well known rogue of the Ton) by ferreting her away to the Highlands in the hopes of using Edie to break his betrothal to Donella. Edie’s formidable mother, Lady Reese, accompanies her and helps to bring considerable humor to the plot line. There is also a little mystery to the story, as someone may or may not be trying to kill Gilbride before he gets the chance to become the next Earl of Riddick.
If you enjoy Regency romances where “the hero always gets his girl” this book (and the series) is the perfect read.