Simply Angela : The MacGregor's Lady by Grace Burrowes

Title: The MacGregor’s Lady

Author: Grace Burrowes

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 9781402268724

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: February 4, 2104

Formats Available: Mass Market Paperback & E-books $7.99

How I Read It: Mass Market Arc from Publisher

Rating: 4 Cups

What if the steps you take to avoid marriage…
Asher MacGregor’s new life as the Earl of Balfour is nothing but a string of obligations, such as squiring a Boston heiress around her first London season. Surprisingly, the girl is no more interested in matchmaking than he is, allowing him to mourn his first—and secret—wife in peace…or so he thinks.

Lead you straight to it?
Hannah Cooper intended to endure a social season, then get back to Boston as quickly as possible, sans spouse. She fears for the family she left behind if her scheming step-father is left too long to his own devices. The reticent Scottish earl is her savior—until they are stranded together on the moors and can no longer deny their attraction. For if Hannah and Asher fall in love, an ocean of impossibilities stands between them. (taken from the publishers website)

When Asher MacGregor, Earl of Balfour, is tasked with the job of escorting American heiress Hannah Cooper to London for the start of the season, he has nothing to fear as he knows he will find the heiress disagreeable. Although when Hannah is the complete opposite of what he expected, Asher soon realizes he may be in danger of falling for this woman.

Hannah Cooper has decided she has had enough of her stepfather’s schemes to get his hands on her money. And there is no way that she will ever consider marrying an English lord and leaving her dear grandmother behind in Boston. Yet as each day passes, Asher MacGregor is becoming more and more irresistible.

Asher MacGregor is deeply wounded, damaged, and conflicted. He’s a man who has had to walk in two different worlds, now he must return to Scotland and face his duties as Earl of Balfour after allowing his brothers to believe he was dead. He knows that it’s his duty to marry, but he was married once before and is still reeling from the death of his wife. When he meets Hannah he finds her uniqueness refreshing.

Hannah Cooper is so unlike your typical heroine. While she carries herself gracefully, she’s not concerned with her looks or what’s acceptable to society. Her main goal in life is to protect her grandmother, even if it means giving up her own dreams of happiness. When she meets Asher, she becomes the balm for his damaged soul and I think she starts believing that he may be able to give her the love that she craves.

The MacGregor’s Lady is filled with chemistry between Asher and Hannah from the start of the book and grows until the end. So the romance was spot on. I liked how the chemistry grew with the characters, it didn’t feel forced but rather a part of the characters themselves.

Parts of the novel were a bit slow, but it didn’t bog down the novel. I’m always going on about how Grace’s romances have that family saga quality to them and The MacGregor’s Lady is no exception.

What bothered me about this novel was that there was so much about Asher MacGregor’s return to the land of the living and how his family reacted that had me scratching my head wondering if I missed a book somewhere, which I haven’t. I really wish that there hadn’t been so many gaps in the Asher’s story.

Overall, the gaps almost killed me but I loved the tenderness and the heart of the story. The characters were amazing. And for fans of Grace’s first series, they will be pleasantly pleased to see Morland waltzing through the pages.

Asher and Hannah nibble on Rum Bums through most of the novel, so don't forget to stop by tomorrow for my recipe of these tasty treats!