A cute, fun read. I feel like the characters behave in very anachronistic ways but I think people used to reading Tessa Dare's historicals will find this fun.

Coll Monroe is in charge of an archaeological dig in the Highlands. Violet Thornhill ia a stubborn bluestocking eager to explore the ruins. An ancient mystery that is revealed, a detained heroine, romance and danger all should have blended to give an exciting read. Unfortunately Violet just drove me to distraction and detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

A Gallery Pocket Book ARC via NetGalley

I started it and was interested in seeing how it would all pan out but in the end I just couldn’t get past the ridiculously anachronistic depiction of the heroine, so I can't say I'd recommend it.

I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I am torn over this book. While I thought Coll was everything you could want in a hero - I found Violet somewhat lacking. That is not to say I didn't like her, I did, but she was a bit too stubborn and self centered.

Violet is on her way to Duncally to investigate the ruins Meg & Damon discovered in the last book. Damon actually invited Violet's uncle to come and check them out, but he has passed away and Violet has decided to come in his stead. As she is approaching the house, her carriage is held up by highwaymen. Coll comes to her rescue and steals a kiss as his reward. Violet is both furious and turned on by this rough highlander. She gives him a piece of her mind and takes off to Duncally. When she arrives, she finds out that the earl is on his honeymoon and won't be back for months. Unwilling to let the opportunity to investigate the ruins pass her by, she insists that she was invited and demands to stay. The housekeeper summons Coll who is the estate manager to come and settle this matter.

Violet is shocked to find her impertinent rescuer is the estate manager. Determined to stay, she brazens it out.

Coll is intrigued by Violet. He is no stranger to strong, independent women and decides to let her stay.

The chemistry between these two is evident - the pages fairly sizzle with the sexual tension they are emitting. At first these two go back and forth - seemingly misunderstanding the tension and reactions between them. But when they finally come clean with their feelings with the other - they are HOT together.

Violet finds out about the treasure of the loch, when someone breaks into the house. Coll tells her about the treasure his grandmother hid over 60 years ago and shows her the journal she left for them. Together they begin searching for clues in the journal that will lead them to the treasure. They uncover several important clues and begin to search for the treasure. They also begin a clandestine affair - much to Violet's delight and Coll's dismay.

Violet has decided that she will never marry, she doesn't want to be "owned" by a man or give up her name, she has no care for her reputation and doesn't care what people say about her. This is the part of the book which didn't make sense to me. If she wants to be taken seriously as an archeologist in regency England - she would have to have a spotless reputation. If she becomes known as a fallen woman, no one will hire her to excavate ruins or support her research. She also went on and on about keeping her name - I didn't understand this either - it isn't her name, it is her father's name, she has a courtesy title, she owns nothing on her own and her family has all but disowned her. I am not exactly sure what she thinks she would lose by marrying, other than her personal freedom. I also thought she was very insensitive to Coll's point of view. He grew up illegitimate and witnessed his parents nontraditional relationship. He heard the whispers and saw the disapproval. He wants to marry Violet and have an honest relationship - while she wants no part of marriage. She is perfectly content "shacking up" and "sneaking around" and gets angry that Coll is concerned for her reputation. They both twist the others words and willfully misunderstand each other. This was frustrating to me.

When Violet refuses Coll's demand that they marry, he ends their affair. Both of them are miserable and unhappy, but neither is willing to make the first move towards compromise and reconciliation. When Violet is attacked on the way back from the ruins and Coll finds out days later, they have a reconciliation of sorts. She still doesn't want to marry and he still doesn't want to sneak around. They form a truce of sorts and become determined to find the treasure. First they plan an elaborate trap for Violet's attacker and when they capture him, they begin searching in earnest.

They do find the treasure, but more importantly, they find middle ground in their relationship. Both decide that loving the other and being together is more important than their own personal wants. The scene where they finally give in to each other was beautiful. It was really well done and I got a little choked up.

While I was hoping for something more traditional, I think the ending was pretty close to perfect.

This book is the final book in the Treasure of the Loch series and everything comes together wonderfully, all the questions and mysteries of the treasure are resolved and there are happy endings all around. This book could easily be read as a stand alone title - but to get thee full effect of the series, they should be read in order.

I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to Ms. Camp's next series.

Enraptured by Candace Camp is the third book of a series but is a great stand alone. Coll is an archaeologist and a gentleman, Violet is a headstrong Englishwoman. Sparks will fly in this romance.