Series:
Clan Kendrick (Book 6)
Charlotte “Charlie” Stewart would rather don a kilt and
ride her horse than simper in a ballroom. But with her younger sister about to
be wed, she can't escape the pressure to be next. A husband has been chosen,
and Charlie's fate seems set. Until an afternoon gallop sends her horse
colliding with Kade Kendrick, the broad-shouldered Highlander who was once her
childhood pal . . .
As a youth, Kade felt overshadowed by his older siblings.
Now he's a renowned musician whose fame provides cover for his other work -- as
a spy. Home from his latest mission, he's annoyed to be roped into attending
the wedding of a family friend -- until it reunites him with the fearless
tomboy who has become a breathtaking beauty. And though his thoughts should be
on a new concerto, Kade is soon distracted by rival suitors, a dangerous quest
-- and the unconventional woman who fills his soul with music and his body with
desire . . .
This was a terrific conclusion to the Clan Kendrick
series. This book is about Kade, the youngest of the brothers, who was sickly
as a child but has grown up to be a hale, hearty, and handsome man. Kade is a
talented musician who has earned acclaim at home and abroad. His travels as a musician
have also provided cover for his secondary occupation as a spy for the Crown.
He's back home in Scotland, recovering from a wound received during his last
mission and working on a concerto commissioned by the king. He's not happy to
be dragged along to a family friend's wedding, especially when he learns he's
also supposed to write and play a piece for the happy couple. That annoyance
takes a back seat when he becomes reacquainted with his childhood friend,
Charlotte (Charlie) Stewart.
Charlie had had a crush on Kade since the summer his
family visited when she was eleven and he was thirteen. An unabashed tomboy,
Charlie was protective of a kind but frail boy who was always nice to her. Now
that she's grown, she's still just as much a tomboy and the despair of her
mother. With Charlie's younger sister about to get married, Mom is determined
to find a husband for Charlie - whether she wants one or not. Furious at her
mother's plans, Charlie blows off steam in a wild ride that ends in a near
collision with the Kendrick coach. While Charlie recognizes Kade immediately,
despite his changes, Kade is clueless about the identity of the stunning woman
in front of him.
I loved watching the relationship develop between Charlie
and Kade. He helps his sister-in-law, Ainsley, with the "lady
lessons" Charlie is forced to undertake. Charlie's individuality is seen
as odd and embarrassing by her family, who don't understand her. But Kade sees
an intelligent, talented, and beautiful woman who stirs feelings in him he's
never felt for another woman. As a typically stubborn Kendrick man, he fights
his feelings at first, but it isn't long before he realizes she is exactly what
he didn't know he needed. Charlie has loved Kade for years but doesn't see how
a girl from the highlands could aspire to a world traveler like Kade. Their
shared love of music brings them closer together, and seeing Charlie's
muse-like effect on Kade was terrific.
But this is a book about the Kendrick family, which means
that nothing goes smoothly. The always hilarious patriarch of the family,
Angus, begins the visit by irritating Charlie's father over a long-past
highland battle and feud. Angus, who is never wrong about anything (in his eyes),
is also adept at interfering in everything from relationships to
investigations, usually with frustrating and hilarious results. Kade tries to
keep his head down and concentrate on his concerto, but when a family brooch
with a curse attached goes missing, he finds himself caught up in helping Charlie
find it.
Charlie is desperate to find it herself because her
father has promised that whatever man finds it can have her hand in marriage -
a promise she is not interested in keeping. Two gentlemen appear to be most
interested: a family friend who has the inside track with Charlie's mother and
is more interested in Charlie's dowry than in Charlie. The other is a friend of
Charlie's brother, Johnny, and gives off a creepy vibe. Charlie isn't one to
wait for someone to rescue her, and her attempts to free herself from her
unwanted suitors create some hilarious, or do I mean hysterical, mayhem. The
mystery of the brooch is solved in a terrific scene where Kade's careful plans
are nearly ruined by those he tried to protect. All's well that ends well,
though, if Kade can convince Charlie that they belong together. I loved the
ending, and the epilogue was fantastic. Seeing the whole clan together as the
youngest gets married was the perfect conclusion for the series.
The secondary characters always add depth and personality
to the author's books. Angus remains my favorite of those characters. Family
always comes first with him, even if his methods are unconventional. Though he
frequently exasperates his family, they love him despite it. I always love to
see Ainsley, the spirited Sassenach wife of Royal Kendrick. It's always fun to
see her go up against the stubborn highlanders in her family and come out on
top. I especially love her relationship with Angus. I did not care much for
Charlie's parents. They don't appear even to try to understand her, though I
felt she had a fairly decent relationship with her father until he tried to
force her into marriage. Charlie's mother was too worried about other people's
opinions and should have been on Charlie's side when picking a husband.
Charlie's sister, Melissa, was an airhead who seemed to live for drama. I felt
sorry for her husband. Charlie's younger brother Johnny's biggest problem was
that he was still young and foolish, which made him a target for the
unscrupulous. He also allowed his pride to keep him from asking for desperately
needed help. Luckily for him, Charlie wasn't about to give up on him.
I can't wait to see what the author has for us next.
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