My favorite part was the setting.

Tropes: arranged marriage, second chance romance

Content: kissing, infant loss, mentions of a wedding night ( )

2023 Review:
Oh, my heart! To say I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it would probably be an understatement. Even knowing exactly what was going to happen, I still felt every revelation, every hard conversation, every emotion, as if this were my first time. I laughed, I seethed, I cried. My heart broke and then, just as the first time, Heidi deftly healed it with her marvelous character and relationship development. I love that she hasn’t shied away from hard things in her books, because this book destroyed me in all the ways I love a book to destroy me. Thanks again for a wonderful read, Heidi!

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: This narrator does a fine job with the characters. I love the emotion and I’d say she does a decent job with the Scottish accents.

2021 Review:
Dear Mrs. Kimball,
Oh, this beautiful, heartfelt, amazing book. I struggle to put anything I feel into words. Your book gutted me. It destroyed me in the way all book lovers love to be destroyed. It stomped on my heart before gently healing it and left me feeling all the feelings. Did you laugh and cry when you wrote this? Because I don’t know how anyone could experience this book without expressing the emotions it evokes. I’m giving you ALL THE STARS! Perhaps saying your book gutted me does not feel like much of a compliment, but please believe me, it definitely is. I mean, I did just say “all the stars” after all, and I do not say that lightly.
Though I tell you that your book made me sob, it’s not a sad book. It is simply filled with so much heart. It is as if you are a magician and somehow managed to infuse the words of your story with the souls of its characters, so the reader, upon reading the words you wrote, deeply feels the emotions and turmoil, despair and hope, longing and love as each character experiences such. It was as though I was one with the story. I was not simply a bystander, watching from the outside, but a full participant.
I loved that both Callum and Katie (she cannot ever be only Kate to me after reading) were so clearly human. They each had flaws and weaknesses, each contributing in some way or another to their struggles. As you can probably guess, I thought Callum was a wee bit the “eejit” (okay fine, you’re right; the eejit part of him may be more than just a “wee bit”). His rash decision certainly caused problems for plenty of people (he will have to learn to school that desire to make hasty choices under the influence of heavy emotions). But I supposed felt some empathy for him as well, as I know how difficult it is to live with a parent you can’t ever seem to please. I was definitely feeling the turmoil with him just wanted to shake him a little to wake him up.
Katie’s anger didn’t serve anyone either though. But I cannot fault her that. She has shouldered a good deal of hurt and burden over Callum did and that isn’t something one overcomes in the blink of an eye. I loved her big heart though; she really was made for loving.
I loved that Charlotte served as the healer for her little family. Without even knowing it, the love everyone felt for her provided some of that healing balm they all needed to be able to repair the rifts and soothe the hurts. I loved her zest for life and love of animals.
I loved that Katie used art as a sort of diary. Your descriptions of her drawings were so evocative I was sure I could imagine them clearly in my mind’s eye. What a talent (for your character but also for you). I loved how Callum tried so hard to fix his mistakes and coax laughter and lightness back into Katie’s heart. When he is in, he really is all in! I also love how well you wrote a hero we were all ready to despise and then made us love it. You are clever, Mrs. Kimball. Very clever.
Mr. Archie and Harriet were such delightful side characters and I adore them. I also have a special place in my heart for Callum’s mother. She is an incredible woman!
Within the pages of this book, I found myself completely transported. Partially to Scotland, yes (oh, writing in Callum’s Scottish accent was genius and I loved every moment of hearing his Scottish lilt in my head) but also into the hearts of what felt like real, raw, imperfectly flawed and perfectly crafted human beings. I expect to never forget the journey you sent me on and am grateful to have a new book join the ranks of my forever favorites.
Many thanks to ye!
Forever yours,
Jessica

The following content warnings contain spoilers for the book. Consider yourself warned!
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**Note: contains closed-door scenes of intimacy between man and wife. On page is nothing but kissing but you know what happens; there is also talk about what happens between man and wife; a push to “produce an heir”; strained parent/child relationships and manipulation; abandonment; stillbirth. ( )

Oh my heart! I loved this book! It has so much depth, feeling, and raw emotion. Heidi Kimball has created a masterpiece and you can tell she put her whole heart and soul into it. The characters are so endearing and it’s easy to feel for both Katie and Callum. With achingly beautiful prose and a story that will pull at your heartstrings, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, this is a story of love and betrayal, of an arranged marriage and trust broken. It’s also a story of forgiveness and hope. Callum is the son of a duke expected to produce an heir to the dukedom. His father has arranged a marriage for him to a virtual stranger. Callum agrees to the marriage with the understanding that his father will help his uncle’s family. When he meets his bride, he can’t help but hope for the future.

Lady Katherine’s grandfather wants her taken care of before he dies. He agrees to an arranged marriage hoping that her marriage will be as happy as his was. When Lady Katherine meets her future husband, she is immediately attracted to the future duke. She believes that her marriage just might be all she hoped it would. When Callum leaves the day after their wedding after learning of his father’s betrayal, she is devastated. Can she ever recover from the hurt and will he ever come back?

I have both the Kindle version and just recently listened to the audiobook version of this book. The audiobook version is fantastic! Noah Wall does an amazing job bringing the characters to life. I love her Scottish accent and she is able to perfectly distinguish between each of the characters. I devoured the audiobook not only because the story is so good, but the narration is outstanding and so easy to listen to.

This is one book you do not want to miss! ( )

Well, I had to buy this book just for the cover and the premise. I love stories set in Scotland, and I’ve enjoyed books by Heidi Kimball before, so I was quite sure I’d like this one. The characters were colorful, interesting, and multi-layered. I was a little peeved at Callum for his actions in the first part of the story, and I think it colored my perception of him. It was almost as hard for me to forgive him as it was for Lady Katherine. By the end of the tale he’d redeemed himself, though, so I was glad of that. I grew to like him much more as the story went on. It was quite easy to like Katherine and root for her happiness.

Full of emotion and angst and a bit of heart-wrenching, this book also had messages of forgiveness and hope. I’m looking forward to more stories from this author. ( )

Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball is a beautiful Scottish tale of forsaken vows, long awaited love, and hope for redemption. The author did a wonderful job of painting the Scottish landscape and making you want to take the trip to see the rolling hills shrouded in mist and smelling of heather.
Kate and Callum's story is not for the faint of heart. Your emotions will go through the wringer as you follow their relationship from the day of their arranged marriage to their devastating time apart and their attempt at mending what was lost.
Much like Kate, I had a hard time trusting or liking Callum because of what he'd done to their marriage, but his willingness to work hard on whatever problem was in front of him, and his easy smile won me over with time.
Like children tend to do, Charlotte stole the scene so many times and allowed a fragile link to form between Callum and Kate that they could build upon. Her innocence and willingness to extend love freely were endearing and served as an example for the adults around her who struggled with learning to love each other.
I love stories of redemption, so my heart was fully engaged in Callum and Kate's story. There was a lot of give and take in their relationship. A lot of raw honesty. A lot of pain exposed and wounds healed. It was a difficult journey, but one I was happy to travel with them.
And I won't spoil anything...but the epilogue! Perfection!
Overall, I loved this story. My heart was lost to this Scottish tale within a few pages. My prediction is yours will be too. Any fan of clean/sweet historical fiction will enjoy Heart in the Highlands. Admit it--you could use one more Scottish hero in your life!
I received a copy of this book from the author with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )