When Brianna Munro decides not to marry the rather unpleasant chap her guardian has chosen for her, she knows she's going to be in trouble. She escapes London and heads for her aunt Clare in Scotland who will hopefully shelter her. However, when she arrives and finds Clare dying, she knows that she will soon be on her own again.

After Clare's death, Brianna finds herself walking alone through Scotland to try and cover her tracks. When a bad storm strikes, she shelters in the empty Castle Glenloch - only to find it isn't empty. The Laird, Lord Glenloch, a famous rake, is actually in residence - and despite the dangers, Brianna has to stay. She has given Hugh Christie, the Laird, a false name, and she tries to leave as soon as she can. But there's something between them that means Hugh comes after her. Is there a future for them? Can Hugh keep Brianna safe? Can he keep his people safe?

A lot in this book about smuggling and whisky distilling is interesting if sometimes rather tangential. However, the central point of the story, the romance between Hugh and Brianna, is too much based on physical appearance and not so much on a meeting of minds. Taken by the Laird relies a great deal on secrets and misunderstandings, all rather too formulaic for this reader to fully enjoy.