Rating: 
Summary: fun but lopsided
Review: A longtime, avid romance reader, I became captivated with the genre with Garwood's The Bride years ago. She excels at creating fierce heroes, tender heroines, passionate love scenes and situations, and whimsical dialogue. This is true of possibly her best novel, The Secret, and its sequel here, Ramsom. The Secret develops the sparks between an English maiden and her foe/beau Scottish chieftain, Iain Maitland. He returns here along with his friends and fellow lairds Brodick Buchanan and Ramsey Sinclair, and we are glad to revisit them. As in The Bride and Secret, the storyline is along the lines of dueling alliances between an Englishwoman and a Scotsman. But though fun to read, Ransom was an uneven, at times frustrating romance.First and foremost, though the novel is billed as a dual romance (part of the reason I bought it) and it begins with equal development of both romances, the more compelling romantic plot gets left by the wayside until nearly the end. The main romance, between the passionate, stubborn Spartan blond giant Brodick and spunky and loyal Gillian, is fine. Their relationship is interesting but a bit transparent, given their open characters. For this reason, the more covert, subtle and layered characters of Ramsey and Bridgid are more intriguing and deserved their own complete plot development, if not their own novel, as another reader has suggested. The end does finally bring these two together but so quickly it's frustrating! I wanted far more of these two lovers. Second, as in all her other novels, Garwood lapses into some formulaic idiosyncrasies. All her heroes border on brutish and dense (what's wrong with both brawns and brains?) and they go around doing things like (her favorite expression, for some odd reason) "hauling" the heroine along with them, as if their woman were a sack of potatoes. This is the middle ages, not caveman times, even in the Highlands! She also has the annoying habit of conducting repartees between the lovers punctuated with ongoing interruptions where each speaker delays or needs to clarify the obvious. A little of this verbal coyness goes a long way. Third, the lost sister plot had a surprisingly weak and unexpected resolution. I thought all along that Garwood was setting us up with the figure of Bridgid as Gillian's friend, but the actual reunion scene between Gillian and her sister Christen falls flat, and no allusion to an alternative is ever made, though there clearly is one with Bridgid. Many loose threads in this plot. Despite all these flaws, it is an engaging read. Little as there is of them, read it for Ramsey and Bridgid!
Rating: 
Summary: I Loved it!!!!
Review: This is definately one of my all time favorite books and although I'm only 15, I have read a number of them. The plot, characters, and dialouge are well thought out and well developed. The book, Castles, comes before this in the series and it is also very enjoyable. If you haven't read this book, do so.
Rating:
Summary: I Loved it!!!!
Review: This is definately one of my all time favorite books and... I have read a number of them. The plot, characters, and dialouge are well thought out and well developed. The book, Castles, comes before this in the series and it is also very enjoyable. If you haven't read this book, do so.
Rating: 
Summary: Kind of hard to believe
Review: This book was harder for me to get through than most. I found it a little plodding and contrived. The historical content and language were poor - I prefer to read historical novels that at least attempt to keep with the language and characteristics of the time. This one did not. I found Gillian to be a little weak in just succumbing to Brodick's wishes and getting caught or in trouble whenever she didn't. Some central characters, such as the little boys who were the initial start of some of the trouble and Gillian's sister Christen, were not dealt with to my satisfaction. It is almost like they were created, then forgotten and then brought back again just so they could be wrapped up. While I won't say this is a bad book, it was somewhat disappointing. Be prepared to suspend your belief and get through some plodding moments and you can manage to enjoy this book for the most part. I just didn't after a while.
Rating:
Summary: TRULY EXCELLENT
Review: this is really an excellent read, it is sweet and gripping and just plain good! I swear there are parts in the book (when Brodick says "she will not make a sound") that you will just adore. though this book may be a lot like other garwood books who cares? It's enjoyable!
Rating:
Summary: My most favorite romance novel!
Review: I've been reading romance novels for the last 10 years. This is without a doubt my absolute favorite!! I reread it within a week after the first reading. My sister, who doesn't typically read romance novels, enjoyed it so much that as soon as she finished reading, she started over at the beginning. I can't recommend this book enough. Anyone who enjoys historical romance novels will love it!
Rating:
Summary: Take me to Scotland!
Review: I haven't read of mid-evil Scotland in years, though it used to be one of my favorite topics studying history in school. It was nice to read a novel that wove through the Highlands of Scotland, including history as well as a wonderful plot. I have enjoyed many of Garwoods books, and this one does not disappt.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful & Captivating!
Review: As a new reader to Julie Garwood I found myself falling in love with her books even thou this was only her 2nd book I had read. I lost myself in this story for hours and couldnt put the book down for anything. It was beautifully written and I felt as thou I knew Brodick and Gillian by the end of the book forever. I hope she continues to write more books in the Highland settings due to the fact the Lairds time period was fascinating. It was very enjoyable and I would highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: outstanding - garwood does it again
Review: I loved this book. Brodick is rough but believeable and "Lady Buchannon" is full of courage and spirit and I was completely drawn into her story. All the characters are larger than life but funny, and interesting. Even Brodick's guards are enchanting. Garwood is fast becoming my favorite author. Her detail sets you in the middle of the scene and the plot flows well - you laugh and get teary-eyed... It's a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: highland heaven
Review: this book was fantastic.i love all of julie garwood's books,but her highland books are my favorite(the secret,saving grace,and now ransom)i absolutely love broderick and gillian and also brigid and ramsey.it was great having the characters ian and judith from the secret back again too.this book was well worth the wait.... since ms garwood's current book isnt a historical ,i hope her next one will be another scotland or england book.
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