To Charm a Highlander by Callie Hutton

Barbara

Dec 27

Barbara's rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle #5
Publication Date: 11/30/23
Period: Medieval Scotland
Number of Pages: 184

This was another delightfully entertaining story of the Sutherlands of Dornoch. I have enjoyed all of the books in the series, but this one was particularly sweet and poignant.

Lady Donella Sutherland is the slow-witted sister to the Laird of the Sutherlands, Haydon Sutherland. Haydon dotes on Donella but has low expectations of her. That was not always the case. Once upon a time, Donella was vivacious, happy, curious, and interested in everything around her. Then, around her fourteenth year, something happened to her and she became vague, sad, and disinterested in everything around her. Haydon doesn't know what to do or how to help her, so he just loves her and lets her be. That is how it goes until she trips and hits her head, which brings her back to being the way she was. She was, however, very lucky to have someone catch her.

Callum Gunn has been turned out by his clan because his vicious brother has spread lies about him. Fraser, his brother and newly minted Laird, claims that Callum caused their father's death. He didn't, but Fraser won't listen. So, Callum leaves his clan and wanders around a bit looking for a new home. He likes the Sutherland clan because they are honest and trustworthy in their dealings, so he petitions the Laird to become a member of the Sutherland clan. Haydon is just declining the request when Donella trips on the stone stairs and Callum dashes to catch and save her. After that, Callum becomes a member of the Sutherlands – but Haydon is still wary of him.

I love Callum and Donella together – he is so sweet and gentle with her as she remembers and has to deal with what happened to her in the past. He never rushes her and always allows her the space she needs – but he's always close enough to support her should she need it. I also love that Donella respects Callum for who he is and doesn't buy into those silly rumors for even a second.

I thoroughly enjoyed the short, entertaining story and I hope you will as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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