THE WOLF WORE PLAID is the sixth book in Terry Spear’s “Highland Wolf” series. This is a story that will appeal to romance fans who enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope as well as stories in which the hero and heroine grew up together. Rather than insta-love, this book is about two people who grew up around each other, had a hazy attraction in the back of their thoughts, but have that attraction take them by surprise and pack a punch now that they’re adults. Enrick MacQuarrie and Heather MacNeil have been packmates but never dabbled in anything romantic together – until now. A movie being shot at the castle in Scotland they live at, fending off neighboring antagonistic wolves, has drawn Enrick and Heather closer together and looking at each other with a new perspective.

Although this book is set in the present, it has the romance of a bygone era because of the historical setting of the film that’s being shot that the main characters are extras in. Enrick has been friends with Heather and her brothers for what seems like forever, but he never gave himself permission to think of her as anything other than a friend. Largely influenced by his late father’s admonitions concerning what he saw as Enrick’s wildness, Enrick avoided Heather for being “too wild”. Rather than “wild”, Heather is strong-willed, opinionated, and independent. Like Enrick, it may be the past that kept her away from pursuing him. The last man she was seriously involved with met a nasty end due, in part, to his impetuousness. While that may have appealed when she was younger, she’s discovering Enrick’s charm and attractive steady quality. I really like how, even when Enrick thought Heather’s personality made her not the woman for him, he always treated her with respect and kindness. Often in stories by other authors in which the hero discounts the heroine for any supposed “wildness”, he treats her with disdain. I was happy this was not the case in THE WOLF WORE PLAID. I think Enrick is startled by the way his feelings for Heather take an unexpected turn. Heather’s feelings for Enrick change as well, but I think she is more pragmatic and accepts the change more quickly.

THE WOLF WORE PLAID has Scottish charm, brave characters, and a sweet romance. The hostile actions by the rival pack spur the action along and give the hero and heroine moments to shine. Terry Spear paints a very vivid picture as battles – both fake and real – take place on the Scottish landscape. I hope to read about Heather’s brothers finding mates in future stories. I look forward to Terry Spear’s next wolfy romance.