Book Review: A Scot's Surrender (Townsend Novel) by Lily Maxton

A Scot's Surrender is the third book in the Townsend series of historical romances by Lily Maxton. While this is the third book in a series, but it works as a stand alone with only a few mentions of incidents and characters from previous book. It is also the only book in the series (thus far at least) that is a male/male romance. I have not read anything else by the author, but I think I will be changing that soon.

When his brother leaves him in charge of Llynmore Castle, Robert Townsend is determined to make everything go smoothly. What does it matter if he's inexplicably drawn to Ian Cameron, the estate’s stoic steward? Robert is sure he can ignore the way the Highlander's apparent dislike of him gets under his skin. They'll muddle along just fine so long as they avoid one another. An excellent plan…until a fire forces Ian into the castle—and Robert's personal space. Ian Cameron has worked for everything he owns, unlike spoiled Robert Townsend. And he may not have friends, but he has the Highlands and the stars, and what more could he really need? But when a guest's stolen possession appears in his room, he doesn't have much choice but to admit to the handsome and aggravatingly charming Townsend brother that he needs help. To solve this mystery, they'll have to put aside their differences. And as Ian learns more about Robert, he'll have to guard his heart or it may be the next thing stolen.

A Scot's Surrender is a slow burn, that starts as almost and enemy to lover romance. Robert and Ian are under the same roof due to crisis outside their control. They each have assumptions about each other, and in general avoid each other because attraction is not always a good thing. Robert, acting as master of the house until his brother returns, just wants everything to go smoothly as he works on writing his second book. He wants to make his family proud. Ian is a working man and is itching to get back to his work, and has no time or respect for the idle rich. When other visitors are end up sharing the home as well, thanks to more crisis, things begin getting out of control. I understand why our pair were tiptoeing around each other, in the era of the story homosexuality could get you killed, so acting on an attraction is a dangerous business. I liked the way the pair slowly learned about each other and became reluctant friends before even admitting fully to themselves about the shared attraction. I liked the funny moments, and the sweet moments as they came to know each other.  Most of all, I just like the characters and how much they focused on doing the right thing and protecting others rather than themselves, even when it did not seem like it on the surface. The slow steps they took towards finding their happy ending make the conclusion even more heart warming and fulfilling. 

A Scot's Surrender is a historical romance that I am glad not to have missed. I enjoyed the story, but the characters most of all. I am now going to have to go back and get a look at the previous (and future) books by the author.