To Charm a Highlander

I loved Callum and Donella. In past books Donella was just in the background and I truly didn’t even wonder about her. The twist with Donella I did not see coming. I’m am so glad she got her own HEA. She turned out to be such a strong character and Callum was made for her.

This is book 5 in Callie Hutton’s The Sutherland’s of Dornoch Castle series. This can be read as a standalone even though characters from previous books appear, I am confident after completing this book the reader will want to go back and read the others in the series. As a huge fan of Scottish Medieval romance, this has been a thoroughly enjoyable series and it has been so well written by the author. Callie has captured the time period expertly, bringing the characters and Scotland to life for the reader. Our hero Callum Gunn has been banished by his brother the new Laird of his clan, for reasons he says are lies. He arrives at the Sutherland Castle hoping to join and pledge his allegiance to Laird Haydon. As expected he is turned away, however on his way out of the castle the Laird’s sister and our heroine Donella, is rescued by Callum as she falls down the stairs knocking herself out in the process. When Donella wakes after her injury she appears different to her family, Callum only knows and falls in love with the beautiful, confident woman she is now. Everyone looks and treats her strangely and this leads to revelations and forgotten memories of a terrible trauma in her past. Callie writes this so well, not shying away from a delicate, uncomfortable subject. This was a brave thing to do and it was handled compassionately. Many secrets and memories are revealed that help Donella heal and learn to love Callum. Ultimately our couple find their happy ever after. I highly recommend this book and the whole series to the reader. I received and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book and this is my honest opinions and review.

Donella was bright, happy, and adventurous, until something, which she can’t remember, happened when she was fourteen. Since then, she has been quiet and rather withdrawn. Callum’s brother, now the Laird of the Gunn clan, falsely accused him of causing his father’s death. After wandering for a while, he comes to the Sutherland clan to offer his sword. He is in the right place at the right time. Just as he was leaving disappointed to be rejected, he hears a scream and dashes to the rescue of a young woman who tripped on the stairs. That young woman is Donella. Well, Donella changes again. She is now more outgoing and interested in activities around the keep. One of the things she becomes interested in is Callum, and he is interested in her. This is a wonderful story with a slew of secrets and danger from events in the past. Callum is an honorable, brave, protective, and very patient hero. Donella is smart and capable, if still a little cautious. The Sutherlands are wonderful. A hint from a mysterious source is the start of revealing secrets and answering questions. What happened to Donella years ago? What is the real reason Fraser banned Callum from the Gunn Clan? An exciting story that is hard to put down and a great addition to the series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.