Hit Me with Your Best Scot - Suzanne Enoch (St. Martin's - Feb 2021)

Series: Wild Wicked Highlanders (Book 3)

The MacTaggert brothers have one task:
Find English brides or lose their land!
 
Coll MacTaggert, Viscount Glendarril, is a big, brawny Highlander who doesn't like being told what to do-not even by his exasperated English mother who is determined to see her eldest son wedded and bedded. However, when he comes to the rescue of an irresistibly beautiful woman, Coll discovers that he may have found his perfect match.
 
The challenge isn't that Persephone Jones is famous, wealthy, independent, and smarter than anyone he knows. The problem is that she isn't interested in marrying any man---especially not a hot-headed Scot-even if he is the only man who seems to understand who she really is even when she's not sure herself. When Coll learns that Persephone is actually a lady-in-hiding and someone is willing to kill her for what she stands to inherit, well, Coll has never been one to turn down a fight. When hearts are involved, nothing comes between a Highlander and his lady.
 
Terrific conclusion to the series. Coll is the oldest son and the most resistant to his mother's demand that her three sons marry or risk losing the funds needed to support their Scottish estate. In the first book, It's Getting Scot in Here, she ambushed Coll with the woman she'd picked out for him. It did not go well, as Coll walked out and refused to have anything to do with her choice. A few weeks later and Lady Aldriss hasn't learned her lesson and does it again. This time, when Coll walks out, he only goes as far as the theater's backstage, where he encounters a very intriguing woman.
 
Persephone is wealthy, independent, and intelligent. She is also the theater troupe's lead actress and one of the most popular in London. She is frequently surrounded by men who want to be her protector, whether she agrees or not. The big Highlander who appears backstage one night intrigues her, especially after he rescues her from an overeager protector wannabe and clears a path for her to leave the theater that night. She's grateful but doesn't expect it to go any further.
 
I enjoyed the first meeting between Persephone and Coll. Their banter was fun, and their connection was immediate. Coll found himself back at the theater the next day instead of looking for a woman to court. Once again, the banter between them was lively, but Persephone made it clear she wasn't interested in anything more and sent him on his way. But when a suspicious accident nearly kills her, Persephone offers to help him find the right woman if he serves as a bodyguard of sorts. Coll is more than happy to spend time with her. He also takes the opportunity to make a point with his mother - he will find his own wife and tells her he has set his sights on Persephone.  Of course, he knows he can't marry an actress, but he enjoys his mother's reaction.
 
I loved watching the relationship develop between Persephone and Coll. Neither one intends anything serious. Coll knows where his duty lies, and Persephone has no interest in marriage. However, neither can deny the sparks that fly between them. When it becomes evident that someone really is out to kill Persephone, Coll's protective instincts kick in, and nothing will stop him from keeping her safe. The more time they spend together, the deeper their connection becomes. Persephone can't help falling for the man who sees her for the woman she is, not just the roles she plays. On the other side, Persephone sees more than the giant, growly Highlander; she sees a man who cares about his people and his family. I thought they were well-matched in intelligence, and I loved their conversations.
 
As the attacks on Persephone intensified, Coll's determination to get to the source did too. I liked seeing Coll earn Persephone's trust so that she would share her past with him. Her history did not surprise me, but her strength and resilience were amazing. I loved seeing Coll involve first his brothers, then the rest of the family in protecting Persephone. I loved how the whole family, even Lady Aldriss, get involved in the final confrontation. I was on the edge of my seat until it was all over and the culprit vanquished.
 
The follow-on scenes were great as they wrapped up Coll and Persephone's story and the loose ends of the series. I loved seeing Persephone face her parents and set them straight on their place in her life. I also liked seeing Coll's parents own up to their mistakes. I would love to see a novella showing what happens next with them.