Highlander's Holly and Ivy by Margaret Izard introduces us to Alex MacDougall, the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, a man burdened by past shortcomings and grief. All the while, he has to navigate an impending war between Scotland and England. Alex is entrusted with finding a powerful, magical Iona Stone while confronting his inner demons and easing the plight of his people. Meanwhile, Scotland is at the mercy of their English oppressors. One day, Alex crosses paths with Iris, an enigmatic woman who assumes the identity of a Scottish maid, Ivy. Alex and Ivy (Iris) form a loving romantic bond. However, they are both pulled into a web of lies, danger, and social turmoil. Their paths collide with the notorious Lieutenant Tytler and the king of the evil fae, Balor. Can Alex and Ivy's love survive the chaos that follows?

Highlander’s Holly and Ivy is a novel filled with romance, history, and an intriguing dive into Scotland's rich culture. Margaret Izard offers a fascinating look into the lives of two characters whose journeys merge during Scotland's battle to secure its independence and way of life. I love how Izard uses Alex and Ivy's relationship to show that love and self-discovery can still thrive even in moments of conflict and social upheaval. Their story is also about bringing people and cultures together, even amid social tension and despair. The author skillfully combines themes of love, hope, loyalty, magical lore, unity, and justice into the story in a way that makes it engaging and thrilling. Ultimately, this novel highlights how love and understanding can transcend even the widest divides. Highly recommended.

Highlander’s Holly and Ivy by Margaret Izard is a delightfully charming tale of love between a Highlander and an English lady, with a little touch of “Outlander” thrown into the mix. It is set in Glasgow, Scotland, following the Jacobites’ horrific defeat at the Battle of Culloden. The Scots are struggling under the oppressive English rule, forbidden to speak their language, wear their clan tartan, and discuss anything against the king’s rule. Alex McDougall, son of a powerful clan Laird, tries to bridge the yawning gap between the Scots and their English overlords, as Clerk to Scotland’s Lord Justice, the English Lord James Erskine. When Alex first catches sight of Lord Erskine’s daughter, Lady Iris, the attraction is instantaneous. Iris is captivated by both Alex and Scottish culture and myth, so, masquerading as a servant girl, Ivy, she sneaks out to meet Alex and his fellow Gaels at their weekly gathering. Although deeply in love, the pair must navigate strict social conventions and protocol of the time, not to mention the McDougall family secret: to protect magic Fae stones, which have the potential to not only destroy their relationship but also take their lives.

Highlander’s Holly and Ivy is a lovely historical romance in its own right; however, the addition of the Gael folklore, Fae stones, and the tension between the Scots and the English lifts it to another level. Margaret Izard has done an amazing job of capturing so many diverse and fascinating plot arcs into what is essentially a relatively short novel. Although this book is a continuation of the ongoing series, it is not necessary to have read the earlier novels to appreciate this one. The author does an excellent job of dropping in little gems of information to keep readers apprised of the background. I particularly enjoyed Iris (Ivy) and Laurel as characters. Although Iris was as quintessentially English as Laurel was Scottish, their relationship was wonderfully akin to sisters. I appreciated Iris’s willingness to break societal norms to be with the man she loved, despite her mother’s best efforts to marry her off to an English officer. Iris had the perfect balance of thoughtful inquisitiveness and intelligence that would have set her apart from other young English ladies of the period, and yet she still managed to keep her vulnerability, femininity, and naïve charm that made her such a delightful character. I loved the inclusion of the magical aspects of the Fae and the Fae Stones, which added depth to an already wonderfully sweet romance. I enjoyed it immensely and highly recommend it.