I loved this book. It was the cover that originally drew me to this. Tor and Ava are a great couple. Both damaged by their past. It was nice to see them being put back together little by little. 1st book I've read by the author and it won't be the last. ( )

A good start to the series. Well written. ( )

The Beast of Aros Castle by Heather McCollum
Highland Isles #1

The first book I read by this author was the second book in this series. I was hooked but could not get my hands on the first book in the series. Having given up on that I moved on only to have come across a copy recently. It is always nice to be able to read all of the books in a series in order, but this series does not require that as each book is capable of standing alone. That said, it is nice to have read Tor and Ava’s story…finally.

What I liked:
* Aveline “Ava” Sutton: orphan taken in by the Ellington family, friend and companion to Grace Ellington, not really a member of the family. I liked her spirit, willingness to take care of Grace and inspiration to get away from Vincent Ellington. The lie was not the best choice but perhaps her only choice…or the only healthy one.
Torquil “Tor” Maclean: strong, dependable, damaged, closed off, a good man that proves not to have a heart of stone. A bit stubborn but finally wises up.
* Grace Ellington: a good friend to Ava, more of a sister than a superior, a bit of a mouse but she does come into her own later in the series and finds a great HEA, too.
* Mairi and Joan: sister and mother of Tor and both strong women. I wished Mairi had not had to go through what she did BUT do remember her story and how she found her HEA in a later book.
* The interaction between Ava and Tor – until the lie was revealed – that was a bit of a bummer
* The men on Aros: more than one could star in his own story
* A good introduction to the series
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Vincent Ellington: a bully and brute that deserved what came his way…eventually
* The lie…I suppose it was necessary to create tension but…
* Mairi’s situation at her new home after she married

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? I already have :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars ( )

Ava is sort of a maid who is taking her lady's place to marry the Beast of Aros in order to escape her lady's lecherous half-brother. Tor of course doesn't want to marry anyone, but Ava needs to marry him in order to keep herself and her her Lady Grace safe.

It is a simple and safe read. I read this one because it was recommended to before reading the third book featuring Grace which just came out! I'm glad I enjoyed this. It was my kind of book. :D

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