I want to thank Nat for allowing me to write this guest review for her lovely blog, Reading Romances!
When she asked me to guest review, I jumped at the chance. But then came the hard part—what to review? My TBR was overflowing. In the end, I followed my heart (and my weakness for Highland warriors) and chose The Viper by Monica McCarty.
Book Info
The Viper by Monica McCarty
Series: Highland Guard #4
Published: November 29, 2011 by Ballantine Books
Genre: Historical Romance, Scottish Highlander
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9780345528413
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Book Summary
Prized for his snake-like stealth and deadly strikes, Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is a warrior to enlist—but not to trust. His loyalty is as elusive as his past. That is, until he’s charged with escorting Countess Isabella MacDuff to Robert the Bruce’s coronation.
Bella is fierce, loyal, and branded a traitor to the English crown for crowning Bruce. Her punishment is cruel: imprisonment and separation from her daughter. Now free, she’s determined to reunite with her child, no matter the cost—even if it means trusting a hardened warrior who makes her breath catch and her heart race.
My Review
This book hooked me from the first page—I devoured it in one day. Monica McCarty blends high-stakes action, powerful emotion, and historical depth into one gripping story.
Bella MacDuff is one of the strongest heroines I’ve read in a long time. Her act of rebellion—crowning Robert the Bruce—was real history, and the consequences she suffered were gut-wrenching. Her daughter was taken from her, and she was locked in a cage on Berwick Castle’s tower for all to see. I was so moved I had to research it—turns out, it really happened. The details chilled me.
"Let her be closely confined... hung up out of doors... that she may be a spectacle and eternal reproach to travellers." —King Edward of England
Bella’s resilience through that horror is inspiring. Her pride and love for her daughter kept her going. When she’s finally freed, she’ll risk everything to reclaim what was stolen from her—even if it means traveling with Lachlan, the Highland Guard’s most dangerous warrior.
Lachlan “Viper” MacRuairi is your classic tortured hero. A phantom of the Highland Guard, he’s lethal, elusive, and emotionally guarded. A past betrayal has left him jaded. He doesn’t trust easily—especially not women. But Bella gets under his skin, and every encounter between them sizzles with tension.
“Take my word for it, marriage is a black plague on the soul; a wife will only make you miserable.”
As their journey unfolds, so does their relationship. They clash, protect, hurt, and heal each other. The chemistry is undeniable. Some love scenes are raw and emotional, others gentle and swoon-worthy—each one a reflection of the times and their broken trust.
“I love you, Bella. I will love you not until my dying day, but from the heights of heaven or the depths of hell until my soul ceases to be.”
Monica McCarty is masterful at blending historical accuracy with swoon-worthy romance. The Viper is intense, heartfelt, and unforgettable. If you love Highlanders, brave heroines, and passion that leaps off the page—this one’s for you.
More About the Highland Guard
With so many men in the Highland Guard, Monica created a helpful guide: Who’s Who in the Highland Guard. And while you’re there—check out those book covers. Highlanders + kilts = yes, please.
📚 Want More Highland Romance?
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