#BookReview – ‘Highland Destiny’ by Kathryn Hockett

Blurb

Sensual and arousing, Niall McDonald filled Caitlin MacLeod with intense longing. And this independent daughter of a powerful Scottish chieftain--a woman who'd vowed never to belong to any man--willingly surrendered her love. She never imagined he was her sworn enemy, a man who had seduced her soley for gain.

Review

Caitlin is a strong-willed, stubborn lassie who refuses to marry. As the eldest daughter of a Scottish chieftain, it’s her duty to marry well to provide her father with an heir/successor for the MacLeod clan. After she refuses several eligible suitors, the chieftain, Ian MacLeod, announces in a rage that she’ll marry the first stranger to enter Dunvegan Castle.

Niall MacDonald sneaks into Dunvegan Castle to steal the Fairy Flag, a priceless symbol of the MacLeods. After Caitlin catches him in the act, he claims he’s there to marry her, and her father agrees. The MacLeods believe he’s a lowly fisherman while he’s really part of an enemy clan.

The MacLeods and the MacDonalds have battled for centuries, and the bitterness between the two chieftains (her father and his uncle) drive Caitlin and Niall apart again and again.

I definitely liked the H/h’s love story. Caitlin and Niall are likable characters. Their agendas sometimes clashed, but they both wanted to honor their family and their clan.

I found the book a little repetitive, especially near the end. The characters just kept saying the same thing and expressing the same feelings. There are also some unanswered questions involving: Will Caitlin’s sister, Shona, really be forced to marry someone she doesn’t love? What exactly happened between Ian, Malcolm, and Fiona all those years ago?

The book could use an edit to fix missing periods, stray quotation marks, and spelling inconsistencies. It’s written in third POV in passive voice and head hops between several characters, major and minor, but this style was common and widely accepted twenty-plus years ago. (I read an old copy of the book, a 1999 print edition).

I first read this book as a teenager and loved it so much I kept it for over 15 years. I finally decided to read it again even though it’s pretty memorable to me. Though I’m a little disappointed, I still think it’s a good book.

3.5 Stars

Disclaimer – I bought this book for my own enjoyment. I am not paid or compensated in any way, shape, or form for this honest review. I will not change or alter this review for any reason unless at my discretion.