This novella should have been the main book while "The Rock" was the novella, because I care WAY more about Randolph and Isabel than Thomas and Cate.  Also Randolph is a more significant character to the larger war effort so in general his story just would have been so much more interesting.  But fine, I guess the series can't be perfect.

Ugh.  I guess in every series I read there's one book that is just bad.  I thought it was going to be the Arrow, but actually it was the Rock.  I didn't really like either MC.  Elizabeth especially is so annoying.  She's actually insufferable compared to all the other amazing women in the series.  Thomas is okay.  Honestly I don't know what the point of a new guard so close to the end of the series is, especially one with such a dumb specialty in comparison to the rest of the guards.  Also wild that he can't even ride a horse but somehow gets added to the guard???  I'm going to let it go because I really do love this series as a whole, but this book is easily the worst one in the series.

It's not often you read a romance where the main couple is already married but still I really enjoyed this book.  I loved the flash back after the big opening scene.  I also loved seeing a whirlwind romance quickly fall apart but also pull itself back together.  I adore Eoin and Margaret.  I can't believe I'm near the end of the series I actually don't know what I'm going to do with myself.

This isn't the first time someone in the secret guard being recognized has been a risk, but it's the first time it's taken the story a bit away from the larger war/political plot line.  It could have been a refreshing break and a good way to mix it up, but unfortunately Gregor and Cate were kind of annoying to me personally.  I did expect to dislike the story more than I actually did given the premise, so I guess that's a win?  Still devouring this series though.

I was so excited for Robert's story.  The tension with him and Rosalin was *chefs kiss* and again, I couldn't put the book down.  The tension between Robert and Alex was stressing me out.  But I think so far, this book was full of the most surprises.  There were definitely a few characters that surprised me, and I was not prepared to be heart broken at the end of the book.

This novella was a pretty quick read.  Not my favorite characters in the series but that would have been difficult comparing the novella to the full length novels.  It was nice to see a bit more about James considering he seems to be one of the frequent recurring characters outside of the guard.  Joanna was cool too and I'm glad she stood her ground.

I love Ewen and Janet!  The mix of women in the story and the ways that they are involved with the ongoing war is awesome.  I'm pretty sure it plays a significant role in how I'm not at all bored despite being on my seventh book in the series in five days.  The tension was also amazing.  I loved it.

I liked this book more than I thought I would, considering I wasn't really invested in Kenneth in the last book.  Mary is cool, but probably the first heroine in the series that I wanted to yell at to make better decisions lol.  Overall, I'm surprised that I'm already half way through the series, but also this is totally on brand for when I get roped into a Highland Romance.  With the first few books kind of taking place with overlapping timelines, I'm glad that the larger story/plot is also moving forward again.

My heart was racing during this book.  Especially for so much of the beginning.  At first I thought I could tell where the book was going and I thought I was going to be mad about it, but without giving anything away, all I can say is, I see why the author made the choices they did and I appreciate it.  Magnus is wonderful, and Helen, similar to Bella in the previous book, is more active than just a pawn to be married off and I really love it.  I originally expected most of the wives to just fade to the back as the story progressed but I'm really glad some of them will be sticking around, and not just for the purpose of cute/minor appearances!

I love when a book hints at a couple and before you even get to their story you're already excited.  Because this is what it's been like for me with Lachlan and Bella and I couldn't put this book down.  Or any of these books honestly.  I love that Bella played a role politically that wasn't just being married off.  It was so refreshing to read.  Lachlan is cool and the moments where you see him be extra caring is so sweet.  I really hope to see more of that side in the coming books.