His Bonnie Bride

Entertaining Wishy-Washy Highlander!!

This one was in my library for a while and I finally got the chance to listen to it. I enjoyed this book because it kept my interest throughout. This entertaining story has adventure, romance, slight mystery, family struggles and intrigue. My only negative statement is that it lacked some believability. Both the hero and the heroine seemed a little over the top with their "feelings'. Storm seems too perfect at times and lacked emotional strength. Tavis is the typical "play the field" type of guy who was a bit wishy-washy. (So many times I just wanted to say "Get some backbone you idiot!). The other characters I found more acceptable and realistic. That being said, I still recommend this book and am giving this story 4 stars because it was the type of book you can't put down.....I had to know how it ended.

The narrator also made it easy to listen to. Her accents were really good for each character..

14 people found this helpful

Great romance, wonderful imagery, excellent plot!

My first Hannah Howell novel, and all I can say is I am impressed. Ms. Howell is very talented in her ability to draw me into the story and to become absorbed into her amazing world building. This book had the perfect combination of romance, love, battle, family drama, intrigue and scheming to please all fans of Highlander romance. From the moment Storm blew into Tavis MacLagan life, it was changed forever. She is a force of nature and at their first meeting, when she was a young girl; Tavis and his whole clan knew they were witnessing something special. Years later when another opportunity came around for him to claim her as a woman, he jumps at the chance. Now she is his prisoner and he will possess her body, but nothing more. Storm has an amazing ability to weave magic and capture the whole MacLagan clan with her mere presence. I enjoyed the progression of Tavis and Storm’s relationship, life in the clan and the intricacies that it entailed. I also appreciated the glimpse of these turbulent times and to witness how love could cure generations of fighting and change the future. I found the storyline strong and well-paced; excellence all around. It’s a complete package of history, love and action with amazing characters, exciting times and a titillating plot. If you enjoy this genre, you really should pick up a copy of His Bonnie Bride.

29 people found this helpful

Couldn't get past the fact that she said no

Which character – as performed by MacNab Ashford – was your favorite?

She did well bouncing back and forth between the different accents. She did slip up and use the name Travis instead of Tavis sometimes, but other than that she did well.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was irritated that Storm told him she did not want to have sex, yet he forced her to. I just could not get past that. Otherwise she was a strong independent woman, but she was somehow able to get over this. In the end she is mad at him for many months because he kissed another woman. The kiss was not ok, but the rape was??? I was also upset when brother #2 was going to also rape her and brother #3 was ok with that. Those things ruined the book for me.

5 people found this helpful

I despised Tavis!!!

I couldn't get over how he rapes her...and yes I say rape because she does not consent at all in fact she outright tells not to because she is a virgin and she wanted only her husband to take her first time. Tavis is this worst character I have ever read, I was thinking he was the villain during most of the story and really hoped she would end up with anyone else! I was even hoping Hugh would succeed in gelding him!

2 people found this helpful

Horrible! Outdated and Annoying.

What was most disappointing about Hannah Howell’s story?

I hated how so many private moments played out in front of people. It was a spectacle and everyone was always in their business. From announcing that Tavis was going to basically rape Storm to having family members walk into the room as Tavis and Storm lay their naked to the highly inappropriate conversations about sex that Storm had with her father. Ick! It just really irritated me. And it was just stupid with way too much sex and not enough character development. Not a good book at all!

Have you listened to any of MacNab Ashford’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

MacNab Ashford was really good. She did an excellent job of narrating. It was just a horrible story.

What character would you cut from His Bonnie Bride?

None. I would just make them more believable people and I would develop them in a more rounded way. It was all about sex and had very little to do with love or admiration or honor.

5 people found this helpful

Great Narrator Couldn't Redeem This Story

Read from June 21 to July 01, 2014

I gave this 2 stars overall instead of 1 because the audiobook was narrated by Ashford MacNab, one of my favorite readers. This book was horrible.

First, if I'd known it was a re-release (with a new title) of a book published in 1988, I would have skipped it. (Ugh, Ugh, Ugh---the HEAD HOPPING and PURPLE PROSE!!!) But that wasn't the worst part of this book.

The worst part of this book is the so-called hero. Not only does he start eyeing the heroine the first time he sees her---when she's TEN YEARS OLD---but then, seven years later (because SEVENTEEN is so mature) when he kidnaps her, he waits a whole week before seductively raping her.

Yes, that's right, I called it what it is---RAPE.

While she doesn't fight against him, she doesn't consent, either. So most of the book is about her being his captive and his mistress---and not caring because, you know, what else is she supposed to do but gladly share her captor's bed and get pregnant and almost fall for his brother's seduction, and other really stupid and random plot points/holes?

I have no idea how this book has a 4.09 average rating on Goodreads or 4.10 here on Audible. Either people rated it based on their memory of reading it twenty-plus years ago, or they read a different book than I did.

Even at the end of the book, there's no declaration of love from the "hero." He never feels guilty for what he's done to the heroine (who is, of course, a perfect-yet-feisty angel and who, naturally, has a wicked stepmother) nor over the fact that his former mistress keeps popping up. He calls the heroine a slut and a whore when she merely talks with other men, even though he's nothing but a man-whore himself, having slept around plenty before capturing her and making her his sex slave. Ugh. Blech. I hated him SO much and really wished she'd just kick him in the nuts and go off to become a nun or something. That might have made this meandering, pointless story interesting.

The only redeeming part of this was the brilliant-as-always narration by Ashford MacNab, who did wonderful Scottish and Irish accents.

6 people found this helpful

IT'S THE COMPLETE PACKAGE FOR ANY H/R LOVER

Well, Hannah Howell has really delivered a very captivating, emotional, truly enjoyable story and, from the moment it started, until it's ohh sooo sweet end, I was caught up in all the drama, intrigue and passion that this well-written book delivers to it's unsuspecting audience.

There's a strong, witty, spirited, redheaded heroine aptly named Storm and a handsome, Rogue of a Highlander called Tavis and when he kidnaps her for ransom little does he realise his fate is about to change forever. Although he has every right to 'claim her' he bides his time knowing the rewards he reaps will be that much greater and sweeter..... and so they are.

There are so many sub plots expertly weaved throughout this action-packed plot - an evil Stepmother and her equally evil lover, feuding families, greed, revenge, traitors, murder attempts, spurned lovers, jealous bystanders, battles, orgies, lust, passion, sex (not too graphic), great family dynamics and loving Fathers. But meshing it all together is the all consuming romance as Storm gives Tavis everything but all his once broken heart can do is take and then finally break.

MA does a great job with all the English and Scottish accents breathing life and feelings into the characters and in doing so, transforms mere words into a thoroughly enjoyable listen that had me cursing anything or anyone that made me have to press the 'Pause' button.

Worth a credit? Absolutely the best HH Historical Highland Romance book so far that had me questioning "who needs sleep anyway?" as dawn broke. So that folks is a YES.

14 people found this helpful

A good final ending but very disturbing conduct

I love a good Scottish romance and have read Hannah Howell before but I didn't like the the ideas of Orgies and or voyerism. That disgusted me. Not one of her best reads.

2 people found this helpful

Debased and filthy

I have read 20+ Margaret Mallory book and loved them! This book is totally not what I expect of her - orgies, debased sexual content! I was stunned! Will never buy her books again😡

2 people found this helpful

The Worst Hero I've read in a long time

Tavis MacLagan (Scotsman) is the WEAKEST, most SPINELESS excuse for a hero I've ever read in an HR...possibly ever.
Storm Eldon (English) was a really impressive heroine. In fact, her father Lord Eldon and even Lord Colin MacLagan were better men, stronger and more decisive in action.

What disgusted me more than Tavis weakness there was dubious consent in this book. It made me queasy. The English girl, Storm, was abducted by an enemy clan the MacLagan (Scots) and the clan chief's son Tavis wanted to bed the redhead beauty. Storm begged him No because she's a virgin and if he deflowered her, it will diminish her chances at marriage.

I don't recall such a weak Scotsman coupled with a strong English lass before. Storm, her dad and Tavis' dad made this book somewhat enjoyable

2 people found this helpful