The Reluctant Scot

Catriona Dewar has buried herself in work following the death of her husband. When Sir Reynaud Graehm, envoy for King William, nearly runs over Catriona and her maid, the attraction is instant. But Catriona has never experienced real love and doesn’t know how to react to her emotions. Sir Reynaud is Scottish by birth, but bound to a Norman ruler by livelihood. When Sir Reynaud is ordered home by King Malcolm, he discovers his loyalty to his homeland may be stronger than he realized. And though he swore off love long ago, the charming Catriona is difficult to resist. As they fight their emotions, Catriona’s laird and employer schemes to keep her for himself. 

Liz Fogleman’s novel is a love-letter to Scottish romance—the historical details are perfectly executed throughout and the dialogue adds just the right amount of charm. The two protagonists are incredibly well-developed with their own faults, insecurities, and strengths. The overall pace of the novel is a bit of a slow burn, dragging just the tiniest bit at times. Ms. Fogelman has clearly done her research on the time period, with historical accuracy truly allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world. Vocabulary at times can cause distraction: certain description words become tired from overuse and some undefined historical terminology sprinkled throughout can pull focus from the story at times for all but the most avid historical-Scotland devotees. “The Reluctant Scot” is an immersive epic into the Scottish highlands and lowlands, inviting readers to lose themselves in the colorful dialects and vivid descriptions of the period.

Shailyn Rogers