Jennifer Ashley

Everyone says Lord Ian Mackenzie is crazy—and possibly a murderer—but a young widow longing for passion is determined to bare the truth about the dashing and darkly charming Scotsman.

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Megan BV

A woman is drawn to a dangerously intruiging man in this unique historical romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Ashley. It was whispered all through London Society that Ian Mackenzie was mad, that he’d spent his youth in an asylum, and was not to be trusted—especially with a lady. For the reputation of any woman caught in his presence was instantly ruined. Yet Beth found herself inexorably drawn to the Scottish lord whose hint of a brogue wrapped around her like silk and whose touch could draw her into a world of ecstasy. Despite his decadence and his intimidating intelligence, she could see that he needed help. Her help. Because suddenly the only thing that made sense to her was…The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

ian mackenzie is a mastermind like wowww my genius dashing neuroatypical historical romance hero who's also very romantic at heart yet didn't know it? ian and beth interaction was so intimate and sizzling since the beginning (insta lust in poetic cursive writing style if you will) but their love is a good dose of creeping slowly but surely. ian and beth definitely my favorite historical romance characters. plot wise this book was suspenseful for this genre i truly couldn't predict the turn of events which is i appreciated so much. cried in a lot of parts :') i love the mackenzies

Sarah

Uggggggggghhhh ok I’m kind of torn on this one bc it was not good but it wasn’t bad either…

It was like flipping through TV channels in the middle of the day when nothing good is on and landing on a soap opera you know you’re not going to like, but the next thing you know you’re five episodes in about to watch episode six… 

The plot was ok. Predictable, but not terribly constructed.

The pacing was… weird? It somehow felt both too fast and too slow at the same time… I mean, it wasn’t one of those stories where the characters jump from hating each other to madly in love over the span of two or three days so that was definitely a relief. Yet, there were definitely moments where the story seemed to repeat itself and drag on and on and on and on (especially the end, oh my goodness. I mean, I’m all for a happy ending, but the main conflict finally got resolved but what could have been summed up in a short chapter or even a couple pages was dragged out until my eyes rolled to the back of my skull).

Also, there were just way too many cringe moments for my liking… they weren’t very long and were often brushed over pretty quickly, but every time they appeared I just wanted to bury my head into my pillow and scream lol

On the plus side, I found Ian’s character to be very sympathetic and quite well written. There was a good level of suspense surrounding his background, and I liked how the writing style changed to reflect his obsessive, messy way of thinking as he became increasingly overwhelmed. I didn’t really care for Beth though tbh, she kind of got on my nerves…

But I guess all in all, it definitely wasn’t the worst book I ever read—a solid 2 stars, maybe even 2.5. I don’t really like/care about the characters enough to continue the series, and the writing style isn’t really my cup of tea so I probably won’t read any other books by Jennifer Ashley, but it was entertaining enough that I don’t regret reading the book in its entirety.

It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t that bad either (´∀｀ゞ

Francesca G

This one just felt so much longer than it actually was

dija

This was my second reading of this book and it was just as good the second time around. Ian Mackenzie is believed to be a madman by most of London. He isn’t comfortable with eye contact and recall conversations and books word for word. He can’t grasp conversations in large groups and is very literal in his interpretations of things. It’s obvious he is presented as autistic although that wouldn’t have been understood at the time this book was set. And Beth was the woman who has caught his attention. 

I loved seeing their journey to fall in love and the murder mystery plot added a good interesting element. I couldn’t put it down and flew through this once again in a couple of days. It’s one of my favourite historical romances. 

Becky

This was my second reading of this book and it was just as good the second time around. Ian Mackenzie is believed to be a madman by most of London. He isn’t comfortable with eye contact and recall conversations and books word for word. He can’t grasp conversations in large groups and is very literal in his interpretations of things. It’s obvious he is presented as autistic although that wouldn’t have been understood at the time this book was set. And Beth was the woman who has caught his attention. 

I loved seeing their journey to fall in love and the murder mystery plot added a good interesting element. I couldn’t put it down and flew through this once again in a couple of days. It’s one of my favourite historical romances. 

Drawn to Ian Mackenzie, a Scottish lord rumored to be mad and not to be trusted, especially with a lady, Beth finds ecstasy in his arms and vows to heal his wounded heart. Original.

Lover of Romance 

It started with Beth Ackerly, who is a widow; and is planning on marrying a Sir Lyndon Mather. However upon hearing this news Lord Ian Mackenzie knowing some horrible truths about Mather's convinces Beth to cancel her engagement to the man. Then shockingly asks Beth to marry him; but Beth knows that she can't marry someone again, especially since she doesn't know much about Ian, apart from the fact that there is a heat that sizzles between them. She heads off to Paris, realizing that she wants to do some things for herself, she has the financing to do it. So she heads off to Paris, leaving Ian a note telling him that she must decline his offer. Ian chases after her to Paris, not knowing why but feeling the need to follow her. In Paris, Beth is amazed to find friends that happen to be related to Ian. Through a twist of fate, Beth ends up marrying Ian in the end, and they head to his family's home. Ian is rumored to have a madness, since his father sent him to a mental institution when he was a teenager. However Beth knows there is no madness within Ian, only a man that has been tormented. She knows some truths about his past, and two of his past lovers have been killed. The rumor is that he murdered them, but Beth goes about to prove his innocence. However the more she uncovers the more danger she diggs herself in; and the more powerful the desire that builds between Beth and Ian.

I honestly loved this one, I didn't know how I would at first, but I have heard great things about this book so I decided to read it and give it a chance. I have always loved reading from Jennifer Ashley, and I have to say I continually fall in love with all of her books. Ashley has the ability to portray the books that she has written to a point that it seems so real for the reader, the same is true for this one as well. I fell in a whirlwind of adventure, sensuality, mystery, romance within the pages of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, the only problem that I had with this book is that it seemed to go kinda slow at the beginning but then it picked up and it was a great read!!! One I could hardly put down, and the characters captivated my interest, and am looking forward to reading the next one in the series 'Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage' which will come out in July.

Preye

I love love love this book. I finished it a few minutes ago and I am still riding my euphoric book-high. I love that there's LGTBQ and autistic representation in this book and the way the author didn't have to try too hard to make them lovable. I found Ian cute and his relationship with Beth so soothing to read. This was a pretty easy read but the narrative was clumpy in some places and I lost track of what was being described. All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

This was a surprise discovery from the library and such a joy to read because I'd been dithering about buying it for a while.

I am not always one for dramatic reads but I simply couldn't resist this one. I sped through it in the space of a day and had to stay up late to finish. It was just so much fun! There was drama, humour, a mystery! It just had everything a girl could want really.

The characters sucked me right on in from the start. I wanted to know their story and figure them out. Especially Ian who had a bunch of misconceptions about himself and how had never been accepted before.

Amanda J 

Interesting premise. But it tried to be too sexy/erotic and it failed. I mean still solid but it was trying too hard. Also if I have to read "cunny" one more time. Ugh. H/h were decent enough and had good chemistry.

Shawna Gavas

If you love Highlander smut, then this is the book for you! It is a complete fluff read, but I have to admit I loved every minute of it. The characters were both interesting and likable, and there was a little mystery in there that made me forget I was actually reading a "romance" novel...something I typically don't do. I find myself looking forward to reading the next MacKenzie book, and who knows? There may just be a romantic in me yet!

Triana Jordan

First time ever reading a historical romance. It was interesting. This book was a mix of romance + mystery. Not quite sure if I’m gonna continue with the series tho.

Kinsey

I am not going to go into detail on the story. The other reviewers have done a great job already. What I do want to say is what a wonderful job Jennifer Ashley has done depicting Ian, a hero with Aspergers (highly functioning one). I can picture Ian examining the Ming bowls in his unorthodox ways. Ian's lack of eye contact, photographic memory, ability with numbers, fixation with patterns, straight forwardness, and uncensored comments made him very real to the readers.

THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE is dark and sensual historical romance at its very best. From the very first scenes, passion captures the imagination with its intensity, love, and tenderness. Jennifer Ashley leaves the reader poised on the edge, an edge where danger lurks around every corner, inside and outside. Scottish Lord Ian MacKenzie is the classic tortured, wounded soul and then some. Beth Ackerly is a most refreshing heroine! Although Beth possesses a certain amount of innocence even as a widow, above all, she has a determined courage to pursue desire even in the face of danger. The love scenes between the two have a delightful mix of pure sensuality and fearless tenderness. Exciting subplots and a seemingly unsolvable mystery add a suspenseful atmosphere to keep the reader glued to the pages.

Jennifer Ashley paints a portrait of the Victorian world that encapsulates all the historical contradictions of a period known for its prudery but which seethes with passion underneath. In Ian's past, the reader discovers the darker side of Victorian society. From the opera to memories of the mental asylum, the setting takes the reader on an exquisite historical romantic adventure. Even the happy ending will delight Victorian lovers with its echoes of the great Victorian writer, Charles Dickens, but be warned, THE MADNESS OF LORD IAN MACKENZIE is passionate romance like nothing Charles Dickens wrote! Jennifer Ashley takes the reader on a dangerous passionate journey that reaches down to the depths of the inner soul. Awesome!

Ashley didn't have any quick fixes for Ian's condition (rightly so). But, we know Ian and Beth's love and devotion for one another will help them navigate the world they live in.


In the end, I can't recommend this book enough! Even if you're not a fan of Historical Romances, I still think you should give the MAGNIFICENT book a chance!

Danielle Crain

I absolutely love the hero in this story. It is clear that Ms. Ashley did her research (or has someone she is close to her) that is on the autism spectrum. She did a brilliant job portraying Ian here and it is great to see that "quirky kids" do grow up and find happiness. I am sad for Ian that he grew up so misunderstood but at the same time am encouraged that we live in an era where being different is much more understood, even if it is not completely accepted by all just yet. 

There are some obvious plot holes here but I'm willing to overlook a lot for a good romance. 

*spoiler alert*
(view spoiler)[ My biggest complaint is why she felt the need to "jump the shark" so early on in a series... did the Inspector really need to be a half brother? I would have been fine keeping him as a villain and felt it really didn't add anything to the story.  (hide spoiler)]

My Ratings:

5*****I loved this book, consider it an all time favorite
4**** Thoroughly enjoyed the book and will recommend it
3*** I liked it well enough,
2** Brain Candy - It was okay. Writing mediocre, will
keep/re-read if part of a series
1* didn't like/possibly not finished. (less)

Jo H

My Year of Historical Romance - Book 2
Victorian Era (1881), London, England

As a UF/PNR fan (especially of shifter worlds) I love Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series and I suppose I should have known that I would enjoy this book too, but WHO KNEW I would LOVE an HR based on the aristocracy (which, IRL I think is utter nonsense) this much? I never thought it was possible after avoiding them for so long. But this book had so much for me to love, that it was pure catnip;

> A multilingual, tortured (literally and figuratively) and ever so slightly younger MMC
> A bilingual, sexually liberated, outspoken and intelligent FMC
> An abundance of humour
> A strong, albeit fractious, sibling bond (and brothers hugging unashamedly - as a tactile person I'm all for physical affection and especially between males because we all know how many people feel about that)
> An interesting teenage nephew secondary character that is a tad devilish and very intriguing
> Obviously Scots characters without all the seemingly fetishy vibe I get from a lot of the 'Highlander' romances around
> Important servant (ie lower class) characters that actually had their own voices and roles to play in the narrative
> An embittered and doggedly determined Detective Inspector,
> Casual acknowledgement of same-sex couples without homophobia
> No on-page shaming of the sex workers 
> A murder mystery side plot, albeit not an intricate one, that was an unexpected surprise (solved by Beth)
> A long-hidden and scandalous family secret (also solved by Beth) that none of the brothers knew about
> And another Mackenzie family secret.

'Lord' Ian is obviously autistic, in the times before the 'condition' was known about, and from both issues in his childhood, a traumatic event he witnessed and his treatment at the asylum he was sent to it's clear he is suffering some form of PTSD too. I'm by no means an expert in any form of neurodiversity, but his behaviour appeared fairly solidly representative to me of certain types of high functioning autistic people we hear about these days. But back in the 1880s? He was considered mad, hence the title of the book, and was sent away when he was young as his erratic and uncontrollable behaviour was just not understood (and something else) and considered shameful by his family.

Beth came from 'the gutter', daughter of a Frenchman and a 'gentlewoman' and ended up in the workhouse in her teens. She showed brains and tenacity however and managed to keep her head above water without having to join some of her peers into prostitution. She, through both luck and love, finds herself in a situation where she is outwardly coveted by Ian and from there, their story begins. 

From the start, I was in awe of both MCs and wanting to know the journey to their HEA. And as much as I love the Shifters Unbound series some of the romances in that left me a bit cold. But this time it was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. and heartfelt and sexy. And along the way I discovered; 

> Ian's strange obsession (and habit!) with Ming pottery, 
> His uber intelligence and inner demons,
> His beloved but seemingly harsh older brother Hart, 
> His lovable, incredibly loyal, industrious and cheeky cockney valet (I had to google that one!) Curry, 
> His petty but entertaining takedown of a faux 'big man around town',
> 5 rambunctious family doggos (pets are ALWAYS a bonus), 
> Beth's humour, wit, intelligence and compassion
> Her wonderfully outspoken paid companion Katie, 
> Her flighty but headstrong future sister-in-law Isabella, 
> Her fear of horse riding (relateable due to prior experience, though I wish it wasn't),
> Her dead father's 'shameful' secret...

I could go on. And I know that I've noted no faults in the book... but that's not because there were none, just that I can't remember what they were given I was totally blindsided by how much I loved it! Needless to say, I will be getting my hands on at least the next three books in the series that are Ian's brothers' stories as a matter of some urgency! 

For any readers who are, like me, unsure if any HR with Lords and Dukes and the superiority complexes that come with all of that, etc would be suited to their very contemporary sensibilities... this is one that probably will be.

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

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