THE ROCK is the latest in Monica McCarty's Highland Guard series about the group of elite soldiers, spies and healers who supported and surrounded Robert the Bruce in his bid to free Scotland from King Edward of England. Edward, for the record, was a right jerk to the people of Scotland (both Lowlanders and Highlanders, even though he was slightly better to the Lowlanders) and the fight to free the lands at the northern tips of the British Isles was fierce and lengthy.

This installment focuses on Thom and Ella, but most of the other dudes from the previous books make appearances or play important roles. You absolutely do not need to read the other books in the Highland Guard series first as McCarty does a fantastic job of creating context and comfort whenever a familiar face is introduced. Thom is the blacksmith's son in the townland where Ella's father is the laird. They grew up together and were childhood friends.

Over the years, Thom totally fell in love with Ella and assumed she felt the same. She did not, really, since the possibility of marrying the smithy's son was not an option for the daughter of the leader of the area and she put it out of her mind. Due to the war, they are apart for a number of years. Thom makes a declaration, Ella turns him down, he runs away from their area and tries to become a knight to make something of himself. Of course, readers, we know that he's enough of a something without this knight business, but our Thom takes a wee bit to figure that out.

Overall, THE ROCK is a wonderful story I could not put down. I read it on a plane and found myself slightly annoyed when we landed because I was at a really good part! The afterword about how these folks fit into history and where the author got her inspiration is nearly as much fun as the fiction, for what it's worth, so make sure to check that out after you finish this gem.

Recommended for fans of historic romance, the trope of second chances, and anyone who likes to see love conquer all.