It's hard to keep up with the prolific Alexander McCall Smith so I prioritize: Scotland Street above all. Sadly, this was a bit of a lacklustre entry into the series and felt like filler around main plotlines that never materialized.

Another wonderful 44 Scotland Street book. I love these characters. They begin to feel like family. Very real. Occasionally annoying or exasperating but always loved.Sometimes put off by the philosophical ramblings, but they are not too overbearing here. Wonderful narrator. Looking forward, as always, to the next one.

There are things to know about Alexander McCall Smith’s books. He is a writer like no other current writer that I know of. He writes prolifically; it seems like another AMS book is always coming out. He writes from the soul; his books may not have a lot of plot to keep you turning the pages to see what comes next, but you keep turning the pages because these words are a balm to a damaged spirit. You fall in love with his characters, whether you want to or not; you may not like someone when they first turn up on the scene, but by the end of the book you don’t want the story to end because you just want to spend more time with these lovely new friends.

A Time of Love and Tartans is definitely in that AMS universe. As you wander through Scotland, spending time with dear friends, you know you are in the hands of a master storyteller. Whether it’s seven-year-old Bertie Pollock and his friend Ranald running through the woods and possibly finding treasure or Bertie’s father Stuart negotiating with his wife Irene on how best to campaign for a promotion at work, the warmth and assuredness of the Scottish character comes shining through.

A Time of Love and Tartans is the twelfth installment of the 44 Scotland Series, and it’s all charm and personality, like all of AMS’s books. The delightful story of Matthew in the bookshop is more than worth the price of admission on this one, as he finds himself caught by his former English professor as he looks through Fifty Shades to see what all the fuss is about. Matthew’s reaction is charmingly awkward, making an embarrassing situation into a potential crime.

Add to that parents of triplets trying to find a male au pair to help them out (Spanish, if possible), the local anthropologist getting to entertain visitors from Rwanda, and Pat trying to decide if she should take up her ex-boyfriend’s offer to start a business together. There is always something afoot on Scotland Street, and we are the lucky ones who get to take a nearby seat and experience it all.

I love Alexander McCall Smith both for what his books include and leave out. There’s not a lot of violence, no swearing, no gun fights or excessive sex. What they do have is grace, heart, love, honesty, dignity, and sometimes even a little magic. A Time of Love and Tartan is a balm for a tired soul, and my tired soul is incredibly grateful for anything Alexander McCall Smith has written.

I actually listened to this on audio, and narrator Robert Ian McKenzie brought it all to life in a really beautiful way. If you need to get away for a while, I suggest a trip to Scotland Street. Make yourself a cup of tea and have a great trip!

Galleys for A Time of Love and Tartan were provided by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group through NetGalley, but I bought the audio version myself, thanks to Audible.

Another hit by Alexander McCall Smith. Loved his Detective series in Africa, and have read a few of this series set at 44 Scotland, set in Edinburgh. This is number 12 in the series, so I have missed a couple from the beginning, but overall I wasn't too lost in the story-line. Really like his style of writing, and another fun read to curl up with a cup of tea and a cuddly blanket, while the snow and rain are falling outside. Would highly recommend, but suggest reading a few earlier ones before this one.

"The latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith's perennially popular and irresistibly charming 44 Scotland Street series.

When Pat accepts her narcissistic ex-boyfriend Bruce's invitation for coffee, she has no idea of the complications in her romantic and professional life that will follow. Meanwhile, Matthew, her boss at the art gallery, attracts the attention of the police after a misunderstanding at the local bookstore.

Whether caused by small things such as a cup of coffee and a book, or major events such as Stuart's application for promotion and his wife Irene's decision to pursue a PhD in Aberdeen, change is coming to Scotland Street. But for three seven-year-old boys--Bertie Pollock, Ranald, and Big Lou's foster son, Finlay--it also means getting a glimpse of perfect happiness.

Alexander McCall Smith's delightfully witty, wise and sometimes surreal comedy spirals out in surprising ways in this new installment, but its heart remains where it has always been, at the center of life in Edinburgh's New Town."

THE BEST series he writes. Hands down.

Finally things are looking up for Bertie and his whole family!

A new episode of the lives of 44 Scotland Street folks. One never knows what is coming next in the lives of Matthew, Stuart and Angus. The authors description of their lives keeps the reader glued to the pages. Stuart's life in particular with his miserable bullying wife Elspeth insists women of how women have been considered inferior when it comes to job promotions. (The old boys club exists!). Elspeth and Stuart's two office co-workers are determined to change that perspective when Stuart applies for a promotion. What happens is hilarious. Enjoyed the book immensely and highly recommend it.

“A Time of Love and Tartan” is number twelve in the 44 Scotland Street series. It hardly seems possible that readers have been following this interesting and diverse group of people living in contemporary Edinburgh for that long, but we have. Every new episode is like visiting old friends. Everyone wants to catch up with Bertie, who never seems to age, and to find out all about the latest escapades of the rest of the group.

McCall Smith’s rich and unique characters drive the story. They are the plot and substance of the book. Readers think of these characters almost as family, and love them, both the good and the not so good. There is of course a lot of comedy, but also emotion and contemporary issues. Some past problems are resolved, but there are plenty of questions for the future.

McCall Smith’s books are always a delight to read, and this is no exception. I heard him speak at The Book Carnival in Orange, Ca, and he is as fascinating in person as his characters are in his books. He is a born storyteller.

Seriously, this is an entertaining book, but be careful; you might just laugh out loud as you read. We all hope for many more installments of this enjoyable series. When Bertie is happy, all are happy. I received a copy of “A Time of Love and Tartan” from Alexander McCall Smith, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley.

This book is the next one in the 44 Scotland Street series. I had never read one of these books before, so it took me a few chapters before I completely understood what was going on and who was who. Anyone who has read the previous books in the series should be able to pick up where they left off with no trouble.
In this book, Pat, Matthew and Elspeth, Stuart and Irene, Bertie and Ranald, Big Lou, Domenica and her husband, and others continue their lives in 44 Scotland Street and face complications along the way. Several characters have to make big decisions, and many of them gain different perspectives on society and life in general. Most loose ends are tied up by the end of the book, but there are some further issues that could be explored.
At first, I had to force myself to keep reading this book, and I'm glad I did, because even though I personally disagreed with many viewpoints expressed in this book, I did find myself enjoying certain characters' stories and laughing in certain spots. I didn't like the overall focus on political correctness, gender equality wars, and liberal agendas, although by the end I could see why the author did this. I couldn't stand Irene (such a selfish, rude woman), and I couldn't believe how much school children such as Olive were allowed to get away with. Overall, I enjoyed most of the characters' stories and thought the book wrapped up well.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I know it's set in Edinburgh but this reads like a novel about people in a. small town. Not having read others in the series, I initially felt like I'd been thrown in the deep end and was a bit confused as to who was who and how they related to each other. Unlike some other novelists, however, Alexander McCall Smith has a soft, easy going way so the tale isn't frantic or fraught, making it easy to settle in and just enjoy what might only be a snap shot in time. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm going to look for more of these.

I really enjoy Smith's writing and especially this series of characters who's lives cross paths at various points. This latest installment into the 44 Scotland Street series is just as fun and charming as the rest have been. It is fun to spend time with these characters (especially poor Bertie!) and am always sad to leave them when the book is over.

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the very rare authors that I will always buy without even reading the book summary. His No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency led me to him and I cannot describe how much his writing just warms my soul. No matter who or where he writes about in his stories-I feel like I am being wrapped in a cozy blanket. This book, a part of his 44 Scotland Street series, continues on with the lives of its inhabitants and makes the reader feel like they are catching up with old friends. It's a delight to read.

Another charming read! The solution to a reading slump seems to be reading Alexander McCall Smith. I read the previous book in this series a few months ago, and felt that it was a perfect palate cleanser. The Time of Love and Tartans did the trick once again. This series focuses on an eclectic group of people living in contemporary Edinburgh. It’s not so much a story, as an ongoing ensemble piece focusing on the ups and downs of these characters. There’s a fair bit of humour, but also real emotion and a few contemporary issues thrown in. I must remember McCall Smith next time I hit a slump. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really like this author but have not liked the last couple of books. Whilst this was an ok read it was not the best

Scotland Street in Edinburgh, Scotland is a lovely place for all. If you visit number 44, you might meet Stuart and Irene Pollock with their children Bertie, the boy-genius, and Ulysses, the younger son. Perhaps you may even see Angus and his dog or Matthew and his wife,Elpsbeth, with their triplet toddlers! Don't forget about Pat who works in Matthew's art gallery. She desperately wants a man, but not just any man, she wants her ex, Bruce. You know Bruce, that brash, narcissistic man who thinks that is every woman's dream!
You'll get a glimpse into the lives of quite a few "characters " in this delightful book. It is a virtual feast of Alexander McCall Smith's witty prose that is so precisely constructed with insight on human nature that the reader marvels on the dialogue and descriptions that are usually in one's mind and almost never spoken or written. Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors and I highly recommend this book and any of his others.

A Time of Love and Tartan: A 44 Scotland Street Novel by Alexander McCall Smith will be available February 6, 2018 from Anchor, an imprint of Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Long standing fans of McCall Smith’s cozy and familiar Scottish community will enjoy this latest edition. As is usual for this author, new readers can also dive in with this new novel rather than backtracking to the first work in this long running series.

Alexander McCall Smith should be named a national treasure, if he hasn't already. Every novel in this series is a thoughtful, original, insightful delight.

Thank you Net Galley. This was my first "Scotland Street" book. I loved it. Mr. McCall Smith writing is like an intimate conversation with a dear friend. He is funny, entertaining and thought provoking. Sounds impossible, but he is that good!

‘The world was a difficult place.’

When my Scots-born neighbour gave me the first books in this series, I had little idea how much I would come to love them. I’d enjoyed The Portugese Irregular Verbs series, but for some reason I’d never really clicked with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. And I’ve yet to pick up any Isabel Dalhousie.

But back to 44 Scotland Street. ‘A Time of Love and Tartan’ is the 12th novel in this delightful series, and all the characters I’ve come to enjoy (or not enjoy, in the case of Irene) are present. I sighed as Pat MacGregor was foolish enough to accept Bruce’s invitation to coffee (will she never learn?), laughed as Matthew found himself in a bit of a pickle as a consequence of picking up a copy of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ and shuddered as Stuart took Irene’s advice on how to apply for promotion. I’m interested in how Domenica and Angus settle into matrimony (as long as Cyril is happy), but I’m always keenest to read about Bertie Pollock and his friend Ranald Braveheart Macpherson.

It’s like sitting down in Big Lou’s cafe and catching up with old friends! Just how are Matthew and Elspeth coping with the triplets?

Stuart and Irene both make momentous decisions, and life seems to be looking up for Bertie. Unlikely as it seems, Scotland beats the All Blacks at a game of rugby union. Bertie, Stuart and Ranald are there, kilted, to witness the joy.

It would be possible to read this novel without having read the earlier instalments, but it would be nowhere near as much fun. At some stage the series will finish, but I hope not yet. At least not until Bertie is much older.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Reading books in the [book:44 Scotland Street|97875] series is always like catching up with family. I want to know how Bertie is doing, what awful thing Irene has done now, how the triplets are progressing and whether Bruce has settled down yet. [author:Alexander McCall Smith|4738] could carry on writing these books forever and I would still read them.

I enjoyed this instalment very much. The author seems to have found a satisfactory solution to the Irene problem and I hope Bertie has many happy days before she reappears. I do wonder how Ulysses will fare though since there are concerns about his paternity. Matthew and Elspeth's new home help just has to be too good to be true. And just what will happen to Bruce.

Please keep writing this series Mr. McCall Smith, at least until Bertie turns 21:)