Tag: scotland

ARC Book Review: A Tartan Love (The Earls of Cairnfell #1) by Nichole Van

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 380 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Fiorenza Publishing
Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two ancient rivers, twin brothers, and a Scottish king who divided them. Welcome to life in the shadow of Cairnfell.

Lady Isla Kinsey knows that the animosity between her family, the Dukedom of Grayburn, and their distant kinsmen, the Earldom of Northcairn, is the stuff of legends—six generations of duels fought, ladies ruined, and gentlemen betrayed. Therefore, falling in love with a son of the enemy house would be, in a word, apocalyptic. So when Captain Tavish Balfour, second son of the Earl of Northcairn, returns home after Waterloo—distressingly handsome with eyes that see straight into her soul—Lady Isla is determined to resist his allure. She will not fall in love with the rogue . . . uh-hum, again.

Granted, the not-falling-in-love part would be a tad bit easier if Isla and Tavish weren’t already married.

Captain Tavish Balfour has cashed out of his military commission and is ready to start a new life far away from the Scottish Highlands of his birth. But before he sets sail into his future, there is the pesky matter of his marriage to Lady Isla Kinsey to resolve. As teenagers, in the sun-drenched warmth of a Highland summer, they tied the knot of their handfasting—an ill-advised decision he has regretted ever since. Thankfully, unlike their English neighbors, Scottish law allows for divorce in situations such as theirs.

Unfortunately for Tavish, Isla is every whit as captivating and lovely as his memories recall. As for Isla, she fears Tavish will reawaken the unconventional woman she was becoming all those years ago.

Yet even if they were to fall in love again, what could come of it? The history of acrimony between their families still casts a long shadow, and the forces that shredded their love in the past have not miraculously changed since. Can Isla and Tavish find a way to claim one another without betraying everyone and everything they love?

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

ALTERED MY BRAIN CHEMISTRY.

PERMANENTLY. I am not the same woman before reading this book. AND HOW DOES NICHOLE VAN KEEP DOING IT? A very incoherent review may be incoming of me just shouting TO READ THIS ONE ALREADY. IT’S A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR HER BOOKS. DO IT OKAY. CLOSED DOOR BOOKS CAN STILL BE SEXY AND HEATED.

The first chapter will take you out (IYKYK – DO NOT READ THE SUMMARY OKAY JUST TRUST ME). And then you’ll proceed to binge read this entire book because taking it slow? NOT AN OPTION. The most perfectly placed flashback chapters only added to the angst and tension between these two.

I need a new kindle too because it caught on FIIIIIIIIRE. HOT DANG THOSE KISSES. EVERY MOMENT SERVES THE ROMANCE. Seeing Tavish and Isla reconnect all over again??? Learning all of the new little things about who they’ve become??? STOP IT NOW. WHAT GEMS. I have melted. I will be thinking about this book for forever now.

I DON’T KNOW IF ANY OF THIS MADE SENESE JUST READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: mild
  • Content warnings: loss of a parent (recounted), toxic family dynamics, brief war themes (recounted), physical altercations

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ARC Book Review: Summer in the Highlands by Nichole Van, Heidi Kimball and Michele Paige Holmes

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance Novella Collection
Length: 360 pages
Author: Nichole Van, Heidi Kimball & Michele Paige Holmes
Publisher: Mirror Press
Release Date: May 24th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the publisher of the USA Today bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes Summer in the Highlands, with three Victorian Romance novellas by Nichole Van, Heidi Kimball, and Michele Paige Holmes.

Remnants of Love by Nichole Van
Mrs. Christiana Newton—Chrissi to her closest friends—has two simple goals in life. One, earn a living through her archaeological expertise. And two, forget that Alistair Maclagan, her traitorous former betrothed, still walks the same planet as herself. Alistair Maclagan, Lord Farnell, has resolved to move on from his broken engagement to Chrissi nine years ago, to forgive himself for shattering the trust between them. But when Fate drops Chrissi, quite literally, into a muddy bog on Alistair’s Highland estate, the two are forced to confront their romantic past. Despite heartbreak, betrayal, and the passage of years, can Chrissi and Alistair forge love anew?

Of Kilts and Courtship by Heidi Kimball
Consigned to spend three months in the Highlands of Scotland with a grandmother she’s never met and an accent she cannot understand, Arabella Hughes has every reason to believe it will prove to be the worst summer of her life. And after meeting the infuriating and unchivalrous Gavin McKenzie, she becomes certain of it. As the summer progresses, however, and her prejudices and preconceptions about both Scotland and her grandmother are turned on their heads, Arabella remains determined to keep a certain Scotsman at bay. Yet every time they meet, Mr. McKenzie teases her, provokes her, and confronts her—challenging the way she thinks and forcing Arabella to consider what she truly wants for her future, even if what she wants turns out to be the last thing she ever expected.

Into the Light by Michele Paige Holmes
Theodore Hughes seeks a summer of refuge and healing in Scotland’s Highlands, as he recovers from both physical and emotional wounds sustained in the Crimean War. He’s also looking forward to becoming reacquainted with his fiancée, Violet. But when the wrong woman arrives on his doorstep, his plans are thrown awry and his tenuous hold on the future seems to be slipping away. Beatrice never wanted to come to the Highlands, to witness her undeserving cousin being doted upon by a man she neither loves nor appreciates. But Beatrice never would have intentionally injured Lord Hughes’ heart, no matter what he believes to the contrary. Thrown together, both victims of Violet’s mischief, Theodore and Beatrice navigate a hostile beginning to a tentative friendship, then to trust and ultimately love. But Beatrice hasn’t been entirely honest about the past. And her deceit may be her undoing when Violet returns to claim Theodore as her own.

Thank you to the authors for my gifted copy!

LOVED THEM ALL.

Remnants of Love
Nichole Van can do no wrong in my opinion and so it should come as no surprise that I loved this second chance, ANGSTY tension filled romance. I loved the re-meet cute and the push and pull between Chrissi and Alistair. There’s just the right amount of flashback chapters to connect to the past and I loved the pacing of the present. It’s swoony and heartfelt and fills your soul.
Content Warnings: mentions of a miscarriage

Of Kilts and Courtships
I also love Heidi Kimball’s stories and this one was amazing!! Such a great use of a quick timeline and love story. I never felt like things moved too fast. I was invested with the heated enemies banter and all of the swoooony moments that brought Gavin and Arabella together. I loved the coastal Scotland setting and passionate tale. It ended at just the right spot too.

Into the Light
This is my first book by this author! I really liked it. There’s a lot of sweet moments and I loved Theodore and Beatrice’s strength and resilient natures vs. the things they have been through. Once again, I adored the highland setting.
Content Warnings: war injuries and recovery

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ARC Book Review: Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Alexandra Kiley
Publisher: Canary Street Press
Release Date: March 5th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ready or Scot…

Globetrotter Addie Macrae always follows her wanderlust. As a travel consultant, she jet sets around the world—anywhere but Scotland. But when she’s sent on assignment to help a struggling family-run tour company in the Highlands—and save her own job—Addie packs away her emotional baggage and turns on the professional charm.

Rugged as the land he loves, Logan Sutherland’s greatest joy is sharing the beauty of Scotland’s hidden gems…even if it means a wee bit of red ink on the company’s bottom line. The last thing Logan wants is some American “expert” pushing tourist traps and perpetuating myths about the Loch Ness Monster—especially when Addie never leaves her desk to experience the country for herself.

As they wage an office war, Logan discovers Addie’s secret connection to Scotland: a handful of faded Polaroids of her late mother. Hoping for a truce, he creates a private tour to the places in the pictures to help Addie find closure and appreciate the enchantment in less-traveled destinations, never expecting the off-limits attraction sparking between them. But Addie’s contract is almost up, and magic won’t pay the bills. They can’t afford distractions, but how can Addie do her job if she hasn’t explored all Scotland—and Logan—have to offer?

Thank you to Canary Street Press and Harper Perennial for the free ARC.

LONG WINDED.

I wanted to love this, I was immediately smitten with the idea of Scotland. A man in a kilt? Heck yeah.

Well, I got that, but I also got a very long winded love letter to Scotland, which isn’t BAD, just not what I was after when I picked up a contemporary romance. I wanted some more romantic buildup, more opportunities for them to talk outside of work and the angst and tension I crave. I could have used a lot less of the tour aspects.

And then this made the romance feel very quick. I was surprised when the I love you’s showed up and was straight faced by the time the third act break-up happened. I wasn’t even mad at it, it was so expected at that point I had no emotions towards it. I felt like I didn’t get anything new.

This very much made me want to visit Scotland and find those off the beaten path places. There were some good moments between the main couple at least. I’d be curious to see what the author writes next.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open; moderate explicit
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of mother (recounted)

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ARC Book Review: One Kiss Alone (The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir #3) by Nichole Van

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 390 pages
Author: Nichole Van
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: July 26th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ethan Penn-Leith is the most renowned poet of his day—his likeness so widely recognized, he is regularly accosted by adoring admirers. Everyone wants something from him—his time, words, charm, torn bits of his kilt . . . Everyone, that is, but Lady Allegra Gilbert.

Twin sister to the authoritarian Duke of Kendall, Lady Allegra fights for freedom from her brother’s iron-gripped control. She has a plan for her future, after all, one that does not involve her ducal twin. Ethan Penn-Leith with his knee-melting smiles and boyish charm is merely a pretty distraction along the path to independence.

The problem? Ethan and Lady Allegra once shared a life-altering kiss on a rugged mountain road in Italy when she was disguised as someone else entirely. Ever the poet, Ethan turned their romantic kiss into a scandalous, best-selling poem. Now, all of London is clamoring to know the identity of the poet’s unnamed lady.

If she wishes her freedom, Lady Allegra needs to keep her secrets, well . . . secret. Ethan wants nothing more than to uncover all of Allegra’s truths.

In between outrunning legions of Ethan’s admirers, becoming stranded in a seaside village, and journeying by ducal decree to rural Scotland, Ethan and Allegra struggle to decide what they each truly want. Or perhaps, in the end, Fate will turn turn on one kiss alone?

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

IMMACULATE.

Y’all. Y’ALL. THIS BOOK WAS PERFECT. I’ve got no notes. I was utterly obsessed with every single page and every single interaction between Ethan and Allie. And I can’t go any further without mentioning how on fire those kissing scenes were. I am still a hot puddle of a mess over here thinking about them. YAY FOR KISSING BOOKS.

The banter between Ethan and Allie was amazing. I laughed, smiled like a fool and was utterly drawn in. I loved how they both worked at opening up to one another and leaning on each other with their current grievances. It was friends to lovers (with an obvious note of, we’ll never be friends because we’re too busy falling in love). I highlighted and marked the heck out of my copy and there’s no way I could narrow down a favorite part. Every single moment is needed. This plot and general story line was fresh in this genre and I adored the way it played out. A little bit of action, a whole lot of forgiveness and a magnificent love story.

Side-ish note: I must have my hands on the next book ASAP. The redemption arc is one of my favorites.

READ THIS SERIES. YOU WILL LOVE IT.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low – moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents (off-page), gun violence, robbery, strained sibling relationship

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