Who doesn’t love a man in a kilt? I know I do and that’s why today I’m going to share some of my favourite Highlander romances with you all. There’s just something undeniably about a Scottish brogue paired that with the historical setting and chivalrous attitude that hits you right in the heart (and maybe other body parts as well).
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As we love Highlander romances so much aka historical romances featuring Scottish lads and lasses we have put together a list of some of our absolute favourites for you. If you haven’t read any of these yet then you definitely need to add them to your to be read pile.
Surrender by Pamela Clare
mackinnon’s rangers #1
Charged with a crime they didn’t commit, the MacKinnon brothers faced a death sentence until they agreed to serve the British Crown in the colonies and take up arms against the French. Allied with the Indian tribes who lived beside them in the wilderness, the Scottish Highland warriors forged a new breed of soldier…
Have you heard about this series? It’d an oldie but it’s a goodie. Clare is known more for her Romantic Suspense, but let’s not forget that she is great at writing Highlander romances and in my opinion, they deserve more attention. It’s not a long series, but it definitely packs a punch in terms of emotion! Surrender is the first in the series and it’s my favourite.
Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1
Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.
I was a big fan of this book and this series when it first came out. It has a unique concept with an even more unique heroine. Eveline is deaf and her courage is told in her actions. I really enjoyed this story because you rarely see a heroine like this one in Historical Romance. For this reason alone, I recommend it. You’ll be moved by what she does for her people.
As a side note, I’m not sure what happened to the other books in the series. I know that they were slotted for more but because so much time as passed, I’m not sure whether or not they will even be published. Nevertheless, the two that are out are worth the read.
The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne
Victorian Rebels #1
Dorian Blackwell, the Blackheart of Ben More, is a ruthless villain. Scarred and hard-hearted, Dorian is one of London’s wealthiest, most influential men who will stop at nothing to wreak vengeance on those who’ve wronged him…and will fight to the death to seize what he wants. The lovely, still innocent widow Farah Leigh Mackenzie is no exception—and soon Dorian whisks the beautiful lass away to his sanctuary in the wild Highlands…
There was a lot of hype around this author and this series when it first came out and so I decided to see what it was all about. This book – and, indeed this whole series – is packed with deliciously angsty anti-heroes who are desperately in need of the succour of a good woman. Where do I sign?
If you are after an intense and passionate read with a dark edge you can’t go wrong with any of the books in the Victorian Rebels series. Of course, if you also want a highlander romance as well, then The Highwayman and The Highlander will be calling to you.
Some Like it Scot by Suzanne Enoch
scandalous highlanders #4
When a mad lass in trousers shoots at him, Munro “Bear” MacLawry isn’t sure what impresses him more—the girl’s sure aim or her irresistibly tempting curves. Catriona MacColl has fled to the Highlands with her half-sister to escape an unwanted wedding and wants no part of him, or any man. But he can’t abandon the flame-haired, sharp-tongued wildcat now that he’s discovered her—not when she fits so perfectly in his arms.
Enoch is one of those authors that I feel gets overlooked a lot, but I really enjoy her stories. This one differs from her other books because it features Highlander heroes that are a little more rough around the edges. This means that they may not act like a typical hero in a sense that they are all dreamy and sexy. In fact, this entire series is all about flawed characters and how love can transform them.
If You Dare by Kresley Cole
maccarrick brothers #1
Most people know Kresley Cole because of her very popular – and amazing – paranormal romance series Immortals After Dark. However, there was a time when she dipped her toe into the historical romance pool. One series is about pirates, and this Highlander romance is about three Scottish brothers.
Although this is a different genre to her usual paranormal romance, you can see the genesis of her trademark intense alpha heroes in these books. Her hero Lachlan from A Hunger Like No Other, the first book in Immortals After Dark, bears a striking similarity to the MacCarrick brothers.
So if you want some sexy and fun and want to try some early Kresley Cole, give it a go!
We talk about the whole series in the Romance Rewind: The MacCarrick Brothers
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When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare
castles ever after #3
At the age of sixteen Miss Madeline Gracechild knew for certain that her first season would be complete disaster. Prone to freezing in crowds and hopelessly awkward at speaking with gentleman, she does the only thing she can think of; she makes up a fiancee. A fiancee who is far away…like say a handsome Scottish Captain in the army. The deception works a little too well and years later she find herself firmly on the shelf with an inherited Scottish castle and wearing half mourning for a ‘fiancee’ who sadly perished in battle. That is, until her Captain shows up at her castle, determined to marry her…
Dare doesn’t feature too many Highlanders in her books, but when she does, it’s a real treat. Along with her trademark humour, Dare also infuses this Highlander romance with a lot of personality. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and adventures that the hero and heroine have in this book. And I think you will too, especially if you’re in the mood for something bright and uplifting.
Darkest Highlander by Donna Grant
dark sword #6
DARKEST HIGHLANDER is the final book in the Dark Sword series by Donna Grant. For years, Broc has watched over Sonya and Anice. However, when Anice dies, Broc finds himself revealing his feelings to Sonya as if he can’t stop the words from flowing out of his mouth. He is drawn to her in a way that is undeniable. So when Sonya runs away and is almost attacked by a wolf, Broc takes his Warrior form and goes on a frantic search to rescue her.
Grant writes an excellent hero, whether they’re dragons or, in this case, immortal Highlanders. The Dark Sword series combines elements of the paranormal with historical highland romance, and we love it. Darkest Highlander is book six in the series and our favourite, but each one is excellent.
But if you don’t fancy reading in order *gasp* these books can be read as standalone. However, her books and her series do interconnect so, I would suggest starting at the very beginning and making your way through. And if you love it, which you know you will, you can try out her Dark Kings and Dark Warrior series!
The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley
mackenzies and mcbrides #1
Lord Ian Mackenzie is known as the “Mad Mackenzie” having being shut in a asylum for most of his youth. Finally being freed by his brother upon their cruel father’s death. But mad or not there is something different about Ian Mackenzie, unable to relate to others and more comfortable on his own, afraid that his rages will hurt someone. But when he see’s Beth, he wants her and knows he must save her from a disastrous marriage so he is able to keep her for himself. She is his sanctuary and to keep her he must keep her away from the sordid secrets of his and his brother’s past misdeeds.
I bet you were waiting for this one, right? Ah, I love this book! It was my first read from Ashley all those years ago and it still remains as my favourite. This book is worth reading just for the hero alone. You won’t ever find a hero like Ian, so if you haven’t already read this one, I would highly urge you to put this at the top of your reading list. You’ll thank me later.
Outlander by Diana by Gabaldon
outlander #1
The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord…1743. Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Is there anyone more dreamy than Jamie Fraser? The answer is no. He’s one of my favorite heroes and I honestly can’t get enough of him, but this book really took me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. I have never been happier and more frustrated with a book. Gabaldon writes it well, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll definitely be falling head over heels for Jamie by the end.
The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
highlander #1
I am Dageus MacKeltar, a man with one good conscience and thirteen bad ones, driven to sate my darkest desires… From his penthouse lair high above Manhattan, Dageus looks out over a glittering city that calls to the darkness within him. A sixteenth-century Scot trapped between worlds, he is fighting a losing battle with the thirteen Druids who possess his soul, dooming him to an eternity of sexual pursuit. When Chloe Zanders, student of antiquities, is drawn into his world, she finds the insatiable alpha male an irresistible lure. Before long, she is caught up in an ancient prophecy that will sweep her back into time to medieval Scotland. Plunged into a world of timeless magic and dark seduction, she will soon face the challenge of a lifetime: fighting thirteen evil spirits for the heart of one irresistible man….
Karen Marie Moning is most famous for her Fever series but alongside that, she wrote Highlander Romances and man, they were so freaking good! I would actually recommend all the books in this series (especially book 3 and onwards). However, this particular book is one of my all-time favourite books of all time.
I freaking love Dageus MacKelter. I love the intensity of this book and the time-travel elements. Chloe is amazing, too. This book is just one of those books that I love to reread over and over again. I mean, how can you not? Dageus is just so HOT! I can never get tired of it. It’s undeniable; Karen Marie Moning’s Highlanders are simply the best.
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Update on 06 September 2022
I’ve read 4 of the books mentioned but I’ll be checking out the others on the list.
Ian MacKenzie, several from hannah howell’s books, braden macalister by kinley macgregor, cullen from lynsay sands, iain maitland by julie garwood, alexander douglas by allie mackay, and I’m sure there are many others
Awesome too 10 count down annie!!! I’ve read a few of these and I loved the number 1 book!! I have read this book a few times love dageus!!! So sexy!!! I also love immortal highlander with the yummie Adam black!!!??
Shared on all my socials!!??
Dageus is one of my faves too along with Cian, Drustan and Circenn
This is such a wonderful list of highlanders that you have here and I agree completely although I did struggle a bit with When a Scot Ties A Knot to be honest. I loved Never Seduce A Highlander—I am hoping eventually the series will continue but its been over five years since the second book was released so I have lost hope in that series even if I think they are the best Banks has ever done. Some of my favorite highlander romances would be: Chieftain by Margaret Mallory, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, Temptation in a Kilt by Victoria Roberts, If You Deceive by Kresley Cole, Charming The Highlander by Janet Chapman, A Highlander’s Temptation by Sue Ellen Welfonder, Hannah and the Highlander by Sabrina York, Ransom by Julie Garwood, The Chief by Monica McCarty and The Fraser Bride by Lois Gremian just to name a handful.
I love the Maya Banks, Tessa Dare and Kerrigan Bryne series also.
so so good! Let me know if you have any other recs 🙂