Let’s be real—Highlander romances just hit different. Is it the gruff but poetic warriors? The fierce protectors with hearts of gold? The growly Scottish brogues that can melt steel? Either way, today, we’re crowning the ultimate Highlander hero in the Highlander Hero Showdown!

⚔️ Which brooding, kilt-wearing hero will take the crown?

🔥 Which warrior would burn castles and storm enemy strongholds for love?

💘 Which Highlander is the most swoon-worthy romantic?

🏴‍☠️ And who is the ultimate bad boy Highlander?

In this episode of Reading Under the Covers, a romance novel podcast, we’re putting some of the most iconic Highlander romance heroes head-to-head until only one stands victorious. Did your favorite make the cut? Tune in and find out!

👉 Make sure to drop your picks in the comments or DM me on social!

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode:

🏆 Round 1: The Most Brooding Highlander

• The Saint by Monica McCarty – A warrior burdened by lost love and regret.
• The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne – A battle-hardened warrior haunted by his past.
• Darkest Highlander by Donna Grant – An immortal warrior carrying centuries of guilt.

🏆 Round 2: The Fiercest Warrior

• When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare – A battle-scarred war hero who shows up to claim his fake fiancée.
• The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley – A brilliant, underestimated Highlander fighting battles within and without.
• The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning – A time-traveling Highlander battling dark forces inside him.

🏆 Round 3: The Most Swoon-Worthy Romantic

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon – The gold standard of swoon-worthy Highlanders.
• Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks – A powerful laird who falls hard for his underestimated bride.
• Laird of the Mist by Paula Quinn – A warrior haunted by revenge who finds love with his greatest enemy’s daughter.

🏆 Round 4: The Ultimate Bad Boy Highlander

• Devil of the Highlands by Lynsay Sands – Feared by all, but unexpectedly tender with his bride.
• Some Like It Scot by Suzanne Enoch – A rebellious Highlander who wants a wife as wild as he is.
• If You Dare by Kresley Cole – A mercenary Highlander trained to kill, but helplessly devoted to the woman he shouldn’t love.

🏆 And the ultimate Highlander hero is…? Tune in to find out!

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

03:35 What are highlander romances?

04:07 History of highlander romances

05:06 Tropes in highlander romance

06:45 Round One

09:09 Round Two

11:38 Round Three

13:25 Round 4

15:09 Final Round

📖 Read more Highlander romance recs

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Who is your ultimate Highlander hero? Did I get it right, or do you have a favorite that had to be on this list? Let me know in the comments, or DM me!

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