Review ~ Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs,#2) by Maya Banks

I have always been a sucker for historical romance thought I’d be simping, Scottish Highlander, especially of Maya Banks is my most favorite.

In Highlander Most Wanted, we follow the story of Bowen Montgomery, Graeme’s brother, and Genevieve McInnis. Genevieve McInnis has been living as a prisoner to Ian for one year, where she was beaten by Ian and repeatedly used for his pleasure. When Bowen Montgomery enters the gate of the McHugh clan ready to finish what was started, it’s only a matter of time when Gevevive begins to feel the hope of getting the freedom she’s so longed for. Bowen, though, didn’t expect to find an abandoned clan. Patrick McHugh, Ian’s father and the laird of the clan, has fled, leaving his people and taking enough resources for his own self. When he seizes the enemy’s land and takes control, he finds himself unable to stop himself from growing interest in Genevieve, who appears broody and reclusive to him. Her strength, beauty, and determination are what captivates him most, and before he knows it, Bowen becomes entangled in her life. But as Bowen promises to give her the freedom she wants, he knows that means giving her the freedom that was stolen in the first place, even if it means losing her.

Maya Banks has introduced me to a more in-depth version of the characters I met in the first book, as well as meeting Genevieve, and I can only say my thanks as I dived into both of these books without any expectations, yet got everything I never knew I needed.

 He’d move the sun if that’s what it took to ensure her safety and happiness. Nothing was more important than her security. His focus was and had to be solely on her, for she had no other to champion her cause. If he didn’t see to her happiness, who would?

Genevieve tugged at every heartstring. I loved Eveline in Never Seduce a Scot, and it only took 5 pages for me to love Genevieve as well. She’s become one of the strongest heroines I’ve had the honor to read about. She’s a natural-born leader, quick-witted, and resilient. While Eveline was not accepted for the clan she came from, Genevieve was not accepted for her reputation. They accused her of being a whore and spat at her every chance people in the clan had the chance to do so. However, while Eveline and Graeme were forced into marriage for peace, Genevieve was held captive against her own will. Ian McHugh, who we meet in the first book, mentally and physically drained her. He abused her and raped her repeatedly while also ruining her reputation.

He permanently scarred her, being the cause for the scar on her face that everyone is disgusted by. Ian has also marked her as his, and he went out of his way to kill anyone who looked at Genevieve as well as claiming her as his. He beat her and held her at force, which Genevieve grew numb to. She was locked up for an entire year, had her health ignored, and was only used for Ian’s pleasure. Genevieve went through so much to the point where she considered suicide, thought her family would feel disgraceful for who she became, went numb to the pain, took in every insult everyone said at her face, and grew weary of time.

“You’ll not suffer such again,” he said fiercely. “I vow it, Genevieve. You will never be made to give anything but what you choose to give freely.”

She deserved the love of Bowen and much more. The freedom she ached so much was all she longed for, and she went out of her own way to try and look for it. She made some decisions that some may call foolish, but she was in a vulnerable position after another that all she could think about was her own safety and protection for that time being.

She was what Ian McHugh had made her. Nothing more. She wouldn’t bear the blame for the actions of another. Nor could she spend the rest of her life languishing in regret for what hadn’t been her choosing.

But aside from the tragic life Genevieve lived with Ian and the McHugh clan, Genevieve is strong, bold, and a leader. 

She’s fierce and will not hold down for a battle when presented with one. Her father trained her how to hunt with a bow and arrow, which she takes great advantage of to the point where she uses it to help the Montgomery and Armstrong clan when they are attacked at the McHugh clan. She’s also determined and motivated by her own self, which I found to be a strong addition to the story. 

Her character development shined slowly. Bowen was definitely a major addition to her character development, which I thoroughly loved. There was only one person she could confide in, and that was her friend Taliesan, so when Bowen came into her life, it was only a matter of time till she would have the strong Montgomery and temporary McHugh laird wrapped around her. While this and Never Seduce a Scot are more character-driven than plot-driven, I definitely think Highlander Most Wanter is much more emotional. I laughed, grinned, and smiled throughout the entire books, but I sympathized with Genevieve more because of what she went through with Ian. I also won’t deny that the last 15% made me cry, and really, for no reason.

I think it might be because I’m a hopeless romantic, and this book made me believe in love and soulmates much more than I already did.

“If the men of this clan won’t do justice to their name, then ’tis left to the women to stand up.”

I wouldn’t be able to say who I love more, Bowen or Graeme. While I found both heroes to be strong, protective, and very affectionate, I found Bowen to carry more of that “hero” stance in this book. I think part of it has to do with the fact that he became a temporary Laird for the McHugh clan. He was strong-oriented as well as determined, and it didn’t take long for him to become curious about Genevieve to the point where he put her happiness before hers. With that being said, I found Graeme to be much more tender and soft, especially for Eveline. So really, I’m in love with two Scottish brothers who grow protective and completely forget about everything and everyone around them at the sight of the woman they are madly in love with.

All in all, I can’t stop myself from comparing the two brothers, not only because of how similar they were but also because of the love I found through both of them. Bowen was incredibly affectionate and soft, but he was also…sexier? This book was definitely juicer than book 1, and I enjoyed every bit of it. Bowen not only knew what he was doing, but he was gentle with Genevieve every chance he had with her. He was protective, careful, and caring. When he found out what Genevieve had gone through, he was determined to show her the opposite of what Ian showed her. He not only became Genevieve’s lover, but he also became her shining light, the person who taught her what it means to be loved, what it means to love, and what love means.

 “You’ve not had much to smile about, lass, but I plan to remedy that. I would give anything to make you happy again.”

The relationship between the two is definitely not slow at all. Right from the beginning, Bowen finds Genevieve to be beautiful, claiming she’s the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and I was perfectly fine with it. It seems like it’s true Maya Banks style, so I don’t expect anything different. Even when Genevieve shows her scarred side and Bowen (along with the other guys) find a disturbance in it at first, Bowen’s interest in her sparks from the beginning. He’s curious about what happened to Genevieve and becomes determined to find out more about her. Besides, I’m a moody reader, and I was definitely in the mood for cute shit like this.

I found their relationship to be taken at a wonderful pace. I loved how careful and kind-hearted he was, especially with Genevieve, but also the rest of the clan. While he may not have accepted it, Bowen was also made to be a leader, and even though he becomes inspired by his brother, he had his own rhythm. He believed in protecting the McHugh clan, regardless of the damage they caused the Armstrong and Montgomery clan, and believed every innocent member to be spared. He became a leader for them for the time being to settle amends and take care of them. While traitors were everywhere and many of the clan members didn’t believe him.

I loved how Mayan Banks created heroes who believed in rights for the minority, women, children, and innocent. Along with his brother, Teague, and Brodie and Aiden Armstrong, they all found no fault in the people who were not a part of the ridiculous act Patrick McHugh did. While he abandoned his people, they began to clean his mess, provide help, food, and coin. He was superior to others without taking advantage of it, and he made sure there was necessary equality between the members. 

But actions spoke volumes, and it was always through deeds that the true measure of a man could be ascertained.

I briefly mentioned how this book is juicier than the first book, and I’d have to empathize with how much I enjoyed it. While Bowen was experienced and Genevieve had experienced due to her forced nature with Ian, Bowen was gentle, careful, and caressing towards Genevieve when it came to their entire relationship, especially during their sexual encounters. I loved how he was willing to take it as slowly as possible to make sure Genevieve was okay. I say this was juicier because Genevieve had more control and domination during a specific scene, while in Never Seduce a Scot, Graeme was the one who always handled it. Nonetheless, I loved both but appreciated the desire in this book a little more. 

“If I should never be with another man again, I would want you to be the last,” she whispered. “Show me, Bowen. Show me what it’s like. Take away the memory of Ian.” 
“You’ll not ever have to beg me for anything, my love. If you ask me for the moon, I’ll fetch it for you.”

The side characters in this made the story all the more enjoyable. I loved Genevieve’s relationship with the rest of the Montgomery family and the Armstrong’s, especially her friendship with Taliesan, Rorie, and Brodie. In a way, I’d say this has the found family trope, as Genevieve finds comfort in another clan as if it were her family, all while worrying about how her own family will take her back.

These books have been nothing but fun and endearing, and I’m all the more excited to read more of Banks’ work. I don’t know how Maya Banks expects me to wait for the third book when there is no official release date, but I will have to endure the suffering regardless. I’ll be able to finish all her books until the day comes, considering this book was published in 2013 while the first was published in 2012. 

Historical romance is a genre I really love to read , but when it features soft heroes whipped for resilient heroines.