A new job on a faraway island, what will happen more?

Synopsis

A penniless governess

And the dour Laird of Ardmore

Lydia Farnham must travel to a remote Scottish island to work for widower Alasdair MacDonald, who doesn’t trust her or her unconventional teaching methods! Yet as his daughter flourishes, so, too, does the intense connection between Lydia and Alasdair. Only she should know better than to fall for the handsome laird when it could leave her without a job, or a home…

My review

Lydia Farnham is a governess that has been forced several times to change the family she is working for. Not because she is not good at her job, but because of her looks, she is often recipient of unwanted admiration and advances.
After again being ‘thanked’ for her services, she accepted a position on a remote island in Scotland. The Laid of Ardmore needs someone to teach his beloved, but also sickly, daughter a much required education. But when Alasdair MacDonald meets Lydia, he is sure she cannot be trusted, not only because of her looks, but also because she has unconventional teaching methods.
However, when Alasdair sees the progress Mairead is making, he has to reassess his prejudice. And even admit there is an intense connection with the governess he wants to keep at distance? 

So, I have a weakness for women that have been treated wrongly, I have a weakness for Scottish men and I have a weakness for children, especially those in need.
That makes it impossible for me to dislike this book! 

How often is there a female character with great looks that ‘uses’ her assets in her own advantage? Well, in my opinion, too much.
That made me like Lydia immediately, because she does whatever she can to look like a plain Jane. Of course the reason behind it, is wrong in every way, because a woman should never be hiding her looks, afraid of being assaulted by men and that lower organ… 

But that was not the only thing I liked about Lydia… Obviously I admired her courage to start a new job in Scotland, so far away from everything she knows. Not only does she has to adapt to a place with its own traditions and lifestyle. But there is also the language that she doesn’t comprehend, and she is facing again prejudice.
Lydia wouldn’t be so loveable if she wouldn’t get back on the horse and try to adapt to the Scottish way of life, by not only trying to learn the language but also showing her determination to be part of the community. 

And the way she takes care of Mairead, easily understanding how to persuade the little girl and find a way to teach her things, truly warmed my heart. She is the kind of teacher each child should have.
But not only does Lydia looks after Mairead’s education, she is also trying to understand what happened to the poor girl and if there truly isn’t a way to make her better. 

However, Lydia wasn’t prepared for the force that Alasdair is! Initially I found it rude how he dismissed Lydia and how he held a grudge towards her, while she didn’t do anything wrong. But learning about his past and what happened to him, made me understand, yet not always agree with, his actions.
Nevertheless, the love he has for Mairead, the lengths he would go for her, was so beautiful to read about!
And then the way he looks after the inhabitants, even risking his own life, well, I was in awe! 

There was one event that broke my heart, but I understand that the author had to add some level of drama to the story. But I found it very unfair what happened to a wonderful couple, that I haven’t forgiven Catherine Tinley yet! 

Beside Lydia and Alasdair and their romantic tale, there is one, little character that stole completely my heart. As you can guess, it’s Mairead. This little girls hasn’t had the easiest of lives, even if she is just a young girl. But her being so strong – willed, witty, stubborn, clever and adorable, who wouldn’t love her? 

I found this an entertaining, beautiful story about starting a new life again. Not because of moving to an unknown place, but because our main characters, so stubbornly determined to not seeing what’s right in front of them, dare to open their eyes, trust the people around them and dare to also open their hearts and love the person(s) who is worthy of their love. 

The author managed to make me dream of a Scottish adventure, making me read page after page, but also wanting to pause my reading so that I could enjoy my stay there longer!