For those new to the Highland Brides series, this book can absolutely be read as a standalone. I’ll warn you, you’ll want to go back and read them all after finishing this one so you may as well start at the beginning. Speaking of the beginning, this story circles us all the way back to the first book, An English Bride in Scotland, as Annella is Ross and Annabel’s daughter. So for those of you already huge fans of this series, this isn’t the Alick Buchanan story we all want but it is still a wonderfully fun and zany tale.

Graeme falls instantly under Annella’s spell, yet she doesn’t realize this since she doesn’t think of herself as much of a catch. She doesn’t trust her chemistry with Graeme as she doesn’t really understand what that kind of connection means. Her husband left on a pilgrimage on their wedding night and, six years later, she’s learning he never returned because he had died. Now his intimidating, gruff, larger-than-life brother is here to take over as laird, a position Annella has been filling these many years even if not by official title. Annella is ready to go back to her McKay family and leave her evil mother-in-law, her annoying younger brother-in-law, and her unending duties with Clan Gunn behind her.

There are so many micro tropes when it comes to Graeme that I adore, he’s the type of hero who is my kryptonite. Bringing Annella food and waiting for her while she’s working late into the night, whispering sweet words just as she’s dropping off to sleep, looking for any way possible to keep her nearby so she will give in to their chemistry and marry him. He’s sometimes addle-brained when it comes to what he thinks Annella wants, but he’s also sweet and made me swoon.

Being a huge fan of this series, I could see the groundwork being laid for the hallmark zany happenings I knew would be included in this story. It took longer than I had thought to bring about the arrows, poisoning, etc., but it’s all there and I loved it! I’ve also come to expect the main characters to come to love, trust, and respect each other to eventually become not just lovers but also great friends and confidantes. I was not disappointed.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**

When I read a Lynsay Sands, it’s because I’m in the mood for a Lynsay Sands. I know exactly what I’m going to get.

The Highlander’s Return really hit that lazy-Sunday easy-read spot:
Smart, capable, take charge woman? Check!
Gruff, teddy bear, in-over-his-head Scotsman? Check!
Suitably evil villain? Check!
Low stakes mystery? Check!
HEA? Yep!

Plus 10/10 for that cover. Well done.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

I didn't realise this was second gen, so that was a delight. I can't stop myself from finishing this book even though the miscommunication drove me nuts, there is something about Lynsay Sands's writing of the characters finding themselves in hilarious situations that I can't get enough of. The audiobook was excellent, most Scottish, you ken?