THE WIDOW WORE PLAID is the sixth book in Jenna Jaxon’s “Widows' Club” series. I loved this book! Usually in this series, there is a slow burn and evolution of the relationship between the hero and heroine. In THE WIDOW WORE PLAID, the romantic relationship between Jane, Lady John Tarkington and sexy Scotsman Gareth, Lord Kinellan is already mostly established. At the opening of the story, she is staying at his castle in Scotland, along with a party of their friends, and enjoying companionship and torrid trysts. The only point of contention between the two is that Gareth wants to marry Jane, and she is very reluctant to take the plunge again. The romance is front and center in this story, but there’s also danger from a mysterious assassin intent on trying to take Gareth out.

I like stories in which the hero pursues the heroine, but I also like stories in which the couple works together to either build something positive or to fight against a common foe. In THE WIDOW WORE PLAID, I get both. Gareth is actively, though not obnoxiously or too aggressively, pursuing his lady love Jane. At the beginning of this story their love for each other is obvious and they don’t try to deny it. All that remains is for Gareth to convince Jane that marrying him would only enrich her life, without him trying to control her in any way. At the same time Gareth is wooing Jane, some unknown villain is plotting Gareth’s demise. I adore the way Jenna Jaxon can balance the idyllic yet mature love story with the ever-increasing sense of danger. Castle Kinellan is a picturesque backdrop for a romance to bloom, as well as a remote locale for an assassin to stalk his prey. Gareth and Jane’s friends play a huge part in this book. In the first half, they offer well-meaning and teasing advice on their love life, but in the second half of the story, they are determined to find their lost friends and punish the people responsible for their imagined suffering. Besides adding some adventure to the plot, I think Jane and Gareth establish an even tighter bond as they are under attack. Having to rely on each other in such dire circumstances only serves to deepen their feelings for each other.

THE WIDOW WORE PLAID is a satisfyingly steamy Scottish romance with a few blockbuster thrills thrown in. Gareth is my kind of hero – strong, sexy, and a total sweetie. Although Jane has never had to fight for her life before like she does in this story, I like that she’s resourceful and resilient. I look forward to reading Jenna Jaxon’s next book.