Elspeth McGregor is stunned when her father announces that she's being given away in marriage before her older sisters. Worse, she's never even met the man who offered for her. Ever dutiful, Elspeth travels to a remote Highland castle to meet her groom, only to discover that her scarred and scornful husband is not at all happy to see her. Struan Mac Innes negotiated a marriage because he needs an heir, though he knows that no woman would actually want him for a husband, not after the war ruined him. But the always-cheerful Elspeth seems determined to play the role of wife no matter what. Despite all his efforts, Struan can't help falling a little bit in love with his maddening bride. Maybe he can find happiness after all. When a shocking truth about the marriage contract is revealed, it shatters the delicate trust Elspeth and Struan have built together. Is there any way to heal the wounds, or will they both have an unhappily ever after? How to Meet Your Match on the Moors is the second novel in the Lady’s Guide to Scotsmen series, a Regency era romance set in the Scottish Highlands. Are you looking for a romance with grumpy vs sunshine, arranged marriage, beauty and the beast, and deep dark secrets? Consider this your Guide to Scotsmen!

本作の真髄は、リージェンシー時代のスコットランドを舞台に、心の傷を抱えた男と陽光のような女が織りなす再生の物語にあります。エリザベス・コールは、戦争がもたらした自己否定に沈む魂が、他者の無垢な献身によって癒やされていく過程を鮮烈に描き出しました。荒涼としたムーアの風景が、二人の孤独と共鳴しながら、次第に温かな居場所へと変容していく筆致は実に見事です。 文学的な白眉は、不愛想な夫の拒絶を愛への怯えとして捉え直す、繊細な心理的葛藤の描写です。美女と野獣のモチーフを借りつつも、そこに潜むのは人間が信頼を築く際の脆さと尊さという普遍的なテーマ。隠された真実が露わになる瞬間の緊迫感は、読者の心を激しく揺さぶり、真の幸福とは何かを深く問いかけてくるでしょう。