Coming Home to the Highlands wasn’t a hard sell to get me to read and review, if a story is set in Scotland, then it’s a great start.

Olivia and Brodie's "will they, won't they" relationship was complex, which made a really nice change from, the sometimes, repetitive ways these types of scenarios are written. The author put a clear back story to each character. I did guess the twists before they were revealed (but I don't think the author particularly meant to hide the truth from the reader, but rather the characters weren’t ready to hear it). Everything is plotted so well that the reveals are timed perfectly.

Olivia’s brother, Kerr is a complete and utter (please use your own expletive) and I loathed him. The construction of this character was excellent, a nasty and vindictive man. Even when he appeared to have turned a corner, I didn't trust him, in fact even after the book finished, I still didn't trust him!

This was my first novel by this author. I will definitely read more from this author. This is a wonderfully written and engaging story with well-defined characters who will stay in my memory long after finishing the book.

Many thanks to the author Lisa Hobman, the publisher Boldwood Books and Net Galley for allowing me to review this advanced reader copy.

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
A very sweet and fun read. I love these happy and feel good books that just leave your heart happy.
Well written and good storyline.

A nice easy reading book.I really loved this story and liked all the characters even though I guessed what was going to happen it didn't matter at all it's the kind of story you sometimes just need to relax with and enjoy with a nice cuppa. Would like to read more about Olivia and Brodie a sequel perhaps?.

Apologies for the delay in this review, i have been battling ill health.

Great story, lovely setting, enjoyed the charcters and the story very much. I thought it flowed really well and it was a really good read.

Liv MacBain was born into the Scottish Clan MacBain and the 17th century ancestral home, Drumblair Castle, should pass to her brother. Liv always wanted to be a fashion designer and is living in New York working in the fashion industry when she gets word that her beloved mother has died. She heads home to Scotland, worried that her brother, Kerr, will sell Drumblair Castle to fund his lazy, money spending ways. When she finds out that Kerr has already let go a lot of the staff and is entertaining offers to sell, she is devastated, but her mother had one last trick up her sleeve. When the will is read, Liv has been left the castle with some conditions. Old friends, people who work at the castle and some family members, come to help her deal with all that is on her plate while she sorts out what she is going to do.

Coming Home to the Highlands is a story about family and duty. There are also a couple of romances to lighten it up, and I enjoyed the friends to lovers trope. Liv was a woman that wanted to make her own way in the world, but she also had that family loyalty and duty that she couldn't turn her back on. She was determined to do both and with some help, she could. I didn't like her brother, Kerr very much at all. He was a wastral and was only out for himself and what he could take from others and the situation. Of course, he was allowed to live this way so I'm not sure who to blame. Liv meets up with an old friend, Brodie, one that used to tease her incessantly growing up, but as he grew up, he changed and gentled. He is also married, but why is he living with his father in the Highlands? He has some secrets and it comes out that he is involved in a serious issue in his relationship that was handled very well by the author. The secondary characters are also well drawn and wonderful, from quirky Uncle Innis to Mirren the head housekeeper. Overall, this was an excellent story that I really enjoyed and recommend.

Coming Home to the Highlands by Lisa Hobman

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

Sometimes life is full of surprises, especially when you least expect them…

Born into the Scottish Clan MacBain and the 17th century ancestral home, Drumblair Castle, Liv MacBain has always dreamt of leaving the ancient homestead and becoming her own person in the world of fashion.

From a young age, she worshipped the trailblazing designs of the haute couture glitterati, hoping one day to join them.

With older brother Kerr, the rightful heir, Liv has been free to spread her wings.

Fast forward. Liv, is now 28 years old, working at a high-end fashion house and living her dream life in New York. She’s never been happier.

Until everything changes with one devastating phone call from her brother, Kerr, that brings her rushing back to Scotland.

Old friends and adversaries resurface and Liv faces a difficult decision that could mean her dream future can no longer be a reality.

Or can you have your castle and your career?

My Opinion

This was an enjoyable, quick read. Olivia has been working in New York when she receives a phone call with some terrible news, will this change her plans for her future? Faced with a dilemma, Olivia has a big choice to make. I have read a few books by Lisa Hobman now, and this was just what I have come to expect.

Rating 4/5

Liv MacBain, a Scottish native, was born into the esteemed MacBain Clan, whose 17th-century ancestral seat, Drumblair Castle, is set to be inherited by her brother. Despite her lineage, Liv's heart lay in fashion design, leading her to New York where she's been thriving in the fashion world. Her life takes a turn when she learns of her beloved mother's death and hurries back home to Scotland, apprehensive that her reckless brother, Kerr, would sell the castle to support his lavish lifestyle. Her worst fears come true as she discovers Kerr's laid off much of the staff and is already entertaining selling offers. However, her mother's will reveals a final surprise - Liv is the rightful inheritor of the castle, but under certain conditions. As she navigates this overwhelming situation, Liv finds support in old friends, castle employees, and family members.

Balancing the allure of a successful career in the glamorous New York fashion scene and the familial obligations tied to her historic Scottish castle, Liv is torn between two worlds. The story traces her journey of self-discovery as she struggles to reconcile her professional ambitions and her love for her homeland. The endearing characters, particularly the dogs Wilf and Marley, captivate the reader's heart - the author's personal anecdotes about the choice of dogs further amplifying this charm. The narrative is lightened by a sprinkle of romantic elements, with the friends-to-lovers trope being particularly enjoyable. Overall, it's a delightful and heartwarming read.

Wonderful story, loved the plot and the twisted love story. It was a warm snuggle down book to read that kept my interest till the end. A must read and enjoy the characters.

I read this whilst travelling to Scotland and I found myself hooked from the moment I started. Really brilliant story you will not want to put down

The book centres around the MacBain family and their ancestral home - Drumblair castle. Olivia is living her best life as a fashion designer in New York - a career she as wanted all her life then she receives a phone call from her brother and has to return home to the highlands and the castle.
The story was a little predictable in places as you kind of knew how it would end but, there were lots of twists and turns to reach this points which made it a very enjoyable read. I did find the brother slightly annoying but, maybe that's just younger brothers in general!

I loved this story especially as it was set in the Highlands with its wonderful scenery and the castle. Great setting and lovely characters. A great story of love and friendship which was heartwarming. The story captured my attention from the begininng and I loved all the characters.

I wanted to read this book because of my recent visit to Scotland. I am always a fan of homecoming stories, and the setting intrigued me. Although I liked the author's writing, this particular book was not for me.
I read a lot of romance stories and family-based narratives in any given year. This basically means I know what I like, and the familial complexities in this were not ones I was interested in.
Theoretically, I should have worked. Liv MacBain has an interesting job, reasonable work times and an encouraging boss. Usually, one of these is always an issue. She is forced to go back to her childhood home when she finds out about her mother's death and her unexpected inheritance.
There is the sibling rivalry which continues for most of the book and suddenly vanishes!
It is well written, and I am still perplexed why I did not enjoy it. I almost gave up half way but stuck it out solely because the writing made me hope that I would warm to it. It is one of those rare occasions where I cannot put my finger on why I reacted the way I did (even vaguely), and I still recommend this to fans of this genre. Given its current ratings online, I am sure most others who pick this up will love it.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I loved the story set in the Highlands and New York. It was an easy quick read, well worth four stars. The serious issues tackled in the book were a downer but worth reading. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Liv unexpectedly inherits her family home in Scotland, causing a rift with her brother. Will she give up her life and return? A great read.

Set between New York and the Highlands of Scotland, this makes for a very enjoyable book. Loved the characters and the settings. 4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

This is the first book I have read by Lisa Hobman and really enjoyed it.

I loved the storyline set between Scotland and New York and how descriptive the author made it.

I felt there was a great range of characters and loved the dynamic between them. Reading about Olivia's friendships and close knit group at the castle were very heartwarming.

I did feel, however, that although the book was a steady pace the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have read a bit more about Olivia and Brodie's developing relationship and her continuing relationship with Kerr. I also felt there were some unanswered questions.

A lovely, easy read but with some serious subjects tackled too.

Thank you Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Such a fun, feel good romantic comedy. The will they/won't element is so sweet as they seem completely oblivious to their mutual feelings. This is such a sweet relatable book i really didn't want it to end.

It is wonderful to return to the Highlands for a feelgood story with a fabulous setting and some interesting characters. Liv faces a life changing situation which brings her back to her roots. The family dynamics are not straightforward but her concern for the locals and the desire not to let people down come to the fore.

I enjoyed the slow burn romance. Beneath the surface, you realise that there are some serious problems which must be addressed. Liv is such a likeable character that you are always rooting for her to succeed. Not all the people in the story are easy to like however. Liv hates pretension and lording it over others unlike some in her family. Life in New York is a great contrast to the ways of her homeland and shows us a different side to her character. What does come over loud and clear is the respect that people have for her talent and her character.

In short: a warm and welcoming read
#blogtour

Liv McBain has been living her dream for years at a top fashion house in New York, leaving the responsibilities of their ancestral castle in the hands of her older brother and heir. But after one devastating phone call, she's rushing back to Scotland, not knowing if she'll ever go back to her dream. This was a sweet friends to lovers romance and I really love the sense of community she brings to her books. And the dogs lol.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.