Two broken people, one important quest

Synopsis

Her rugged prisoner

…becomes her fiercest protector

Capturing legendary Highlander Malcolm of Clan Colquhoun was Andreona’s last chance to win her tyrannical father’s respect. Instead he orders them both to be killed! Resigned to her devastating role as the family outcast, she and her prisoner escape and continue on his quest to return a treasured heirloom. They find solace in their unexpected passion, but haunted by a lifetime of betrayals, will either dare to hope it could last beyond their journey?

My review

Andreona’s only wish is to win the respect of her father and being able to return home. So when she is able to capture Highlander Malcolm of Clan Colquhoun, she sees her opportunity to get her wish. But her tyrannical father doesn’t respond as Andreona expected, on the contrary, he orders to have his own daughter killed.
A strange alliance is made as Andreona joins Malcolm on his quest to return a treasured heirloom. Both Andreona and Malcolm have been hurt and betrayed, in the past and present, but will they be able to trust each other on their mission? And will the unexpected passion between them turn into something more important? Or will the scars of the past make them too afraid to wish for happiness?

And so we have arrived at the last chapter of this quest… and of course it wouldn’t as I expected if there wouldn’t be a lovely romance in it too!

In many stories, there is one of the main characters with a sad tale, but in this one, both main characters have a past that have scarred them.

Andreona is an illegitimate daughter, wanting nothing more than her father’s approval and love. But what she doesn’t know, is that her father is a cruel man, and he doesn’t care at all about his daughter.
And when Andreona realizes this, it’s obvious that her world falls apart.
But I admired her when she stands up again, keeps her head high, and decides to now make her own future.

Also Malcolm’s story is a very sad one. Not only what happened to his friend when they were younger, but also his feeling of being a failure, broke my heart.
Not only is he still feeling guilty about what happened then, but his feelings also caused a rift between him and all his brothers.
And it saddened me reading how Malcolm was even refusing his brothers’ help when needed.

However… putting these two broken persons together, was the best thing that could happen to both of them. Even if language was sometimes as issue, being together was what they both needed. Not only for the quest to succeed, but mainly to let the old wounds heal and being able to forgive and look forward to a happier future.

I loved reading about Andreona’s strength, determination and also acceptance, and loved reading how Malcolm, even if being a strong man, literally, also has this vulnerability.

Maybe this story isn’t my favourite in the whole series, but it was still a joy read! And seeing how it all comes to an end, and seeing old friends again, was exactly what I needed!