I stumbled midway through Laura Trentham's Cottonbloom series and I enjoyed the world building, plus most of the story lines with the Abbott brothers.

I was excited to see this new series set in fictional Highland, Georgia. From the title alone, it sounded like there was going to be humor. Sure, there was a possibility there'd be references to Outlander-level hunks... which wouldn't be so bad.

While it wasn't bad, it wasn't all that good.

We had the usual "Dizzy Izzy" references of a gal so klutzy, she's a danger to herself and others around her. BUT, she just needs to the right man to believe in her.

Sadly, this series doesn't have the same magic or charm as Cottonbloom, which was set in a duo state town. Here, the back and forth tug of Highland, GA/Stonehaven and Scotland/Cairndow made it hard to imagine their worlds. (And, yes, I have watched and read Outlander, so I think I kind of get the inspiration.)

However, I love Anna's fire and am hoping #2 in this series gets better.

Super fun, cute and sweet romance. I loved this easy, fast read and it’s characters. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this story !

Such a unique twist on a scottish tale, it was a very engaging book and had some good characters in it. Laura Trentham did a great job keeping my attention right through to the very end (Plus some with that epilogue at the end, I really can't wait to get my hands on the next book now!). I related well to the characters as I thought they were funny, had believe able fears/struggles and they were overall easy to like. I would definitely give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the laughter, the whimsical scenes, and of course the Kilts (I mean what's a good Scottish tale without the beloved Kilt?)

I volunteered to read this book from St.Martin's Press in exchange for my honest review, the thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

This was a fun romance set in my current home state of Georgia, so I felt right at home in the setting and landscape descriptions, and especially the temperatures outside this time of year. It starts off with Isabel picking her Mom up at the airport, and she’s brought back quite a surprise from her trip to Scotland...a man named Gareth. She’s immediately suspicious of this guy and his intentions, but he’s taken back to their property, Stonehaven. She’s got too much to do getting ready for their yearly festival in several weeks, and she needs to get back at it, hopefully with her Mom’s help.

Then a couple of days later, a younger man shows up looking for Gareth, another Scotsman, though with a different accent, more refined. He says his name is Alasdair Blackmoor and he’s an old friend of Gareth’s and as he was in the States on business, he thought he’d look him up. Izzy just knows she doesn’t trust either of them, and won’t until she finds out what they are really doing in Highlands.

This works well as a romance and with the southern setting meshing with the Scottish thing, kind of melds together. There is quite a tension/heat between Alasdair and Izzy that makes it interesting to keep on reading, and of course background machinations that keep it all percolating and things edgy.. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Laura Trentham, and the publisher.

This was such a fun book and will be a great start to a new series. I loved the characters of Alasdair and Izzy. I very much look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Omg I seriously loved this book! It was super cute, super sweet and the right ratio of romance and cheesiness! It was literally perfection! The characters were great and the storyline was so much fun!

I look forward to read more from Laura esp the follow up to this fun book!

I thought this was a cute romance, sweet and cheesy, a very light read that was well written, the scenery and characters were easy to picture. It kept me engaged, I read it pretty much in one sitting. I enjoyed this book, and probably would read a second book, since goodreads has it listed as #1.

Really enjoyed reading this Rom Com romance.
Southern belle meets a hot Scott.
Alasdair comes to check on his Uncle's relationship with Rose and meets Isabel her daughter and the fun begins.
Just an easy fun romance story.
Voluntarily reviewed.

A rom com book that I really liked. Alasdair and Isabel made a great match with clear chemistry. I liked the added twist of Gareth and Rose’s relationship providing the foundation and obstacle. A cute read.

Izzy and her mom have been holding the Highlander festival together every year since Izzy’s beloved DAd passed away. This year, however, her mother returned from vacation with a new love, Gareth. As Izzy works to keep the festival coming together, Alasdair arrives looking for his Uncle Gareth. Without giving anything away this book will keep you turning the pages to find out what happens when Izy and her mother realize they’ve been lied to by the Scottish gentlemen. Will both couples have their happily ever after? I really enjoyed the angst in this book and the relationship between Izzy and her mom as well as the romantic ones.

Loved this book from a new author to me. Laura really has a great way of writing. I loved the storyline and the characters. I’m a huge fan of Highland games in real life so to read about them was fun. I enjoyed the end at the games and the way the story finished. It really makes me want to read the next book.

i was given an ARC for my honest feedback.
.Highlander Walks into a Bar is a perfect contemporary romance. The book is light and entertaining at points. I took a little while for me to get engaged. The 2 main characters Izzy and Alasdair do not immediately like each other but there is some chemistry brewing. They meet when her mother Rose brings his uncle Gareth back home to Highland, Alasdair and his uncle are both keeping multiple secrets causes problems for everyone involved. Let the annual Highland Games begin. It's a cute summer read.

I’ve really enjoyed the book: the plot is fast paced, not too sugar-y for a romance novel, the characters are very likable and the humor! It is quick, easy, and with a good dose of sarcasm thrown through the story. It reminded me of Diana Gabaldon and her Outlander series, but in a good way, not like all the others novels out there trying so hard to copy Gabaldon’s style.

From one Southern Scot-phile to any others, this story is perfectly charming. Mistaken identities and misunderstandings and accents and feelings abound! I can’t wait for the next installment.

I expect more from books like this than just ok. I want charm and humor and chemistry but unfortunately I found this book lacking in all three. The main characters Isabel and Alasdair had no chemistry but all too quickly end up together. Despite enough plot contrivances to keep them apart there’s no chase or slow boil between them. They just go from being at odds to ending up on top of each other which I found boring. Ironically Isabel is a would be writer whose novels are being rejected for lacking something and that’s how I feel about this novel. It’s very much lacking a spark to make it interesting or exciting. I found it hard to finish.

Fun quick read. A little steamy at times but it didn't deter from the story and is easily just skimmed on through. A romance and a :hook up' turned to romance along with a few secrets- it will keep you entertained. I have never read this author before but would if I wanted to escape with an easy read. Not a lot of in depth characters but they were fun and likeable. Enjoy!
Thanks to the author and publishers for the ARC. I received this book as a complimentary copy for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.

When Izzy Buchanan's mother returns from Scotland with a man, Izzy is highly suspicious of his intentions. When his "friend" Alasdair Blackmoor appears, she is on high alert. Are they out to take advantage of the Buchanan's homestead? What is their intention? Totally enjoyable with all things Scottish.

I can`t get my hands on the next book soon enough. It started out kind of slow to build the background of the story but once it was there it held me captive. The push and pull of the main characters had me staying up late just to see how it ends. I read the book in two days because I couldn't put it down. 5 stars all the way! If you are looking for a great romance, this is it.

Isabel has lived in Highland, Georgia all her life. Her family’s home is the setting of the Highland festival. When her mother returns from Scotland with a man, she is beyond surprised and worried. Alasdair is part Scottish and part English, he arrives in Highland looking for his uncle. He thinks Isabel and her mom are after his uncle’s money but they don’t know he’s an Earl of Scotland. Neither trusts the other but once the planning for the festival begins, they start to connect. But will the secrets Alasdair is keeping keep him from the woman he has come to love?
Great story with handsome Scottish men and an accident prone woman. Secrets. Sex and funny.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

4-4.5 Stars!! Such a great book! I really enjoyed reading about Alasdair and Izzy’s story and Rose and Gareth too! (Older people need love too!!) I wish it was this easy to meet a hot Scot in real life! A lot of the trouble that they all have to deal with is really easily solved, IF they had talked it out- that always frustrates me! I’d like to know more about Izzy and Alasdair in the epilogue! And I’d also like more on how the situation between Izzy and Alasdair and Rose and Gareth is working out but I guess that’s left for book 2!! I definitely recommend this book & I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
*I received this book to read and review at no charge from the publisher and I gave my honest opinion.*