Her Brooding Scottish Heir by Ella Hayes

Ella Hayes won the 2017 Prima Loves to Write Competition run in conjunction with Mills and Boon. The book,  Her Brooding Scottish Heir, is published today, 27 December 2018. The novel is published as part of the True Love series.

Her Brooding Scottish Heir is set in the Scottish Highlands in the grounds of Calcarron House. Camilla O’Brian is a struggling student artist who has just split with Dan, her fiancé. She needs to finish her final degree portfolio and her tutor suggests an isolated artists retreat in the grounds of Calcarron House.  Unfortunately for her as she makes her way there her car gets a puncture and she encounters the grumpy, brooding Cormac Buchanan. He has just left the military and is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his childhood friend as he couldn’t save him when they were out in Afghanistan.

Neither of them find Calcarron House to be the peaceful sanctuary that they need. Cormac’s sister, Rosie, is holding her high society wedding there and left face it if you have just broken up with your fiancé you don’t want to be in the midst of someone else’s wedding whilst Cirmac cannot find the peace and quiet that he needs to come to terms with his friend’s  death. Despite the conflict that arose during their original meeting, there is chemistry and attraction between the pair that develops into a relationship. Will they be able to overcome there pasts and have there HEA?


I can see why she won the competition: she is a wedding photographer with an eye and understanding of romance and how to translates it into a a photograph or in this case a novel. Ella lives in Scotland and you can tell from reading the detailed describe scenes that she knows and loves the Scottish countryside, they aren’t merely cut and paste that descriptive scenes  generic descriptions.  It is a lighthearted, enjoyable read.  It isn’t as polished as some f the more established M&B authors but that comes with Rome and practice.  The plot could have been paced more evenly: the end appeared rushed and resolved within a few pages and character development was lacking. The author linked them through romance but didn’t build upon hopes, aspirations and their respective back stories.  The style of writing was contemporary and enjoyable to read. Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to seeing how this author develops her writing style etc.

I received this book via Netgalley and Mills and Boon in exchange for a honest review. I am a #MillsAndBoonInsider #netgalley. 

Available from: 
Amazon UK 

Mills & Boon