The Scottish Boy

Thanks to Pigeonhole for allowing me to read this early and enjoy the book alongside other readers. 


Set in the 14th century during the reign of Edward iii, this book very cleverly weaves a tale around the family tree of the Capet royal family of France. However, it centers around the fight between England and Scotland. Harry de Lyon, newly knighted, is rudely awakened by a violent raid on a Scottish castle where the inhabitants are massacred and a mysterious boy taken prisoner. Manipulated by his superiors who use his lack of wealth as a leverage point, he is forced to take on the savage prisoner as his squire. Whilst it takes some time, Harry and the boy (Iain) eventually become friends and develop a growing romantic attachment to one another. 


I loved the depiction of the growing relationship between the two, but this is the type of book to make grandma blush! Several pigeonhole readers found this a little too explicit in places. I thought it also required a little suspension of disbelief in places regarding the attitudes towards homosexuality at the times, but if you are into this kind of book as I am, the sex scenes are hot! 


It's obvious that the author has put a great deal of research into the period and used real people and historical fact whenever possible. The plot is gripping, with lots of adventure alongside the romance, the book would stand up without the explicit scenes, but they added to the story for me. 


I was sad to finish the book. I felt like I really got to know the characters in the story, not just the two protagonists, but also Harry's enemies, the servants at his home and his allies and friends. Will definitely be looking out for more from this author in future.