Last Leap of the First-Foot by Ari McKay

LastLeapoftheFirstFootLGTitle: Last Leap of the First-Foot

Series: 2013 – Heartwarming Advent Calendar

Author: Ari McKay

Genre: Historical Romance / Holiday

ISBN: 978-1-62798-581-9

Length: Novelette (58 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 1st, 2013)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3~3.5 Hearts

Reviewer: Thommie

Blurb: Iain Donaldson and Bran MacRae have been best friends since childhood, despite Iain being part of the gentry and Bran a mere crofter’s son. Iain’s feelings of friendship have deepened over time, and he suspects Bran might share his inclinations—and Hogmanay may be the time to confess feelings. As the old year becomes the new, Iain keeps his promise to first-foot at the MacRae cottage, and Bran takes the opportunity to bare his heart—will it be enough to overcome the challenges to their budding relationship?

A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar package “Heartwarming.”

Product Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4483

Review: Historical romance coming right down from the Highlands. Iain and Bran dance a little dance around each other .oblivious to the fact they both feel the same way. The year is 1899 and New Year is fast approaching with Iain making up him mind to woo Bran and make a family. Bran’s whole life has been mooning around Iain, his first love, heck his only love, but when he finds out his feelings are returned his entire life collapses.

Weird isn’t it? But Bran knows they have no future. If his parents find out he’d be cast out and if the village finds out about them both Iain is in danger of losing everything. So while it was hard to think he was alone in this dead-end love, its torture to believe they both love each other yet they cannot be.

The text is burdened with feelings of longing and despair, and the era’s romantic feeling looms in the air. The dialogues are written in the Scottish dialect and you might have a tiny bit of trouble, but it is not overbearing and it does not take from enjoying it, it rather gifts the story an authentic touch. The romance between them is just that. Romance! Like the old romances we used to read, when the knight comes barging and stealing the lad, in this case away to his castle, and live happily ever after. Yes, it’s near a fairytale and a good one at that, even as I felt my sugar going high at some point.

The parents were a bit shocking with how liberal they were for the time and place this story is set upon, but then again I already mention this resembles more a tale so it was okay in my books. What I loved more is the general language of the text. Yes, I’m repeating myself, but I feel as that alone actually made the difference for me and made me enjoy this read as much as I did.

So if you’re a fan of historical romantic reads you might want to take a look at this and enjoy a couple of hot boys in kilt. Yes, there are such scenes in the story. J