While this book can be read as a standalone, I wish I had read the first book in the series. I would like to know more about the first couple – Izzy and Alasdair and about Highland, Georgia.

Anna and Iain didn’t have a good start when meeting as Anna has taken on too much with her dance studio and the Highland Games and won’t ask or accept help. Iain is visiting from Scotland to provide assistance for the Highland Games so there’s a lot of push-pull between them.

Anna and Iain both have issues they’ve dealt with from childhood and as adults. It was intriguing to read about the insecurities of both Anna and Iain and how I empathized with both.

I enjoyed the description of the town, the helpful and not-so-helpful residents, StoneHaven and the grounds, and the various kilts that Iain wore. With Iain’s issues of feeling like he wasn’t enough for anyone, it was surprising how quickly the residents found something in common and he made friends. He’s strong, caring, and I think his strength of character and kindness made him more attractive. Of course, he was evidently quite the sight in his kilts and as usual, the question always arose what he was wearing under the kilts!

I loved their conversations and how the various words and phrases meant something different to each other and were hilarious at times. Her American idioms and his Scottish language caused some hilarious interactions.

Anna fought the relationship for a little too long for me but knowing he would be returning to Scotland kept her from getting too close. Anna began to allow Iain to help with the festival and realized he was reducing her burdens and not taking control. When they finally gave into their attraction, sparks flew and they couldn’t keep their hands off each other.

There was a HEA but while I love epilogues, this seemed more like the first chapter or prologue for the next book vs. seeing more of Anna and Iain.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the second book in the Highland, Georgia series. This can be read as a stand-alone, but it was a lot of fun to re-visit characters from the first book. This was a funny, sexy romance. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

This book's downfall was the heroine. Anna Maitland was a mean, spiteful, arrogant woman that I just could not get behind no matter how hard I tried. Iain Connors deserved a much better heroine than that. He was a genuinely nice person, was there to help Anna per her friend's instructions and she KNEW that, and yet she treated him like he was the scum of the earth. The story started off fine, because I like a snarky heroine as much as the next person. But there's being snarky and confident and then there's just being a bully. Anna was a bully. He was in a country he wasn't familiar with, in a town where he knew no one, and she continually left him to fend for himself, treated him like he was her servant and beneath her notice, and was both physically rude (snapped her fingers in his face at one point) and verbally rude. I couldn't stand her. There was very little to recommend her as a positive character - instead, I felt like she should be a secondary character that tries to throw a wrench in the romance or something. As a heroine? Absolutely not.

I have enjoyed this author's books in the past, and I do honestly love her writing style and the way she sets the scene in a book. I just didn't like this heroine. Hopefully the next couple will be more appealing.

This book left me with a smile at the end, which is one reason I read contemporary romance. This is the second book of the Highland, Georgia series and I am loving this series so far. The premise is fun and I find it to be a unique way to get a Highlander fix. Although this is part of a series, this can be read as a stand-alone. Just be aware that the book ends with a very clear set-up of the next book.

Many of us can’t seem to get enough of Highlanders aka men in kilts. I love that this book and series takes place in Highland, Georgia, USA. The small town has an annual Highland festival, which celebrates all things Scottish. Enter the setup of a Highlander straight from Scotland who comes to Georgia to help with the festival. It allows for so many sweet and funny situations, along with some steamy romance.

Pick this one up if you want a contemporary setting with an honest to goodness hunky Scotsman who normally and naturally wears a kilt. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. A shoutout to the cover, which I find appealing and matches the tone of this book.

This book is the second in the Highland Georgia Series! I first read “A Highlander Walks Into The Bar” this last summer and enjoyed it so I figured I would give the second one a try!

“Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?

Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . . ”

I actually ended up liking this one a little bit better than the first! I thought it was so fun the novel is set in a town called Highland, GA which is obsessed with scottish culture and the Highland games. I felt more of a connection to Iain and Anna’s relationship than I did with the last. I enjoyed this one and found myself laughing at times, especially the kilt incident!

Thank you @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Publishes February 25th!

This was cute. If you like Hallmark movies then you’ll like this. It hit all the marks: bumpy meeting, instant attraction, slow burn, small town charm.

I really liked the male lead, Iain. He was the strong, hardworking gentle giant with a swoon-worthy accent and a penchant for wearing kilts. What’s not to like?

As for the female lead, Anna, she was a little too snappy for me. Always seeing a comment or action as being confrontational instead of how it was meant. She did have her redeeming qualities though. Her love of teaching dance and the passion she had to watch her students succeed above all else showed how big of a heart she has and that she just needed to get over some past hang ups.

Overall, the romance was done well, the side characters (and animals) were fun, and it had just enough humor and heart to make me smile. I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series that the epilogue alluded to.

Special thanks goes out to NetGalley and the publisher for releasing this ARC to me in exchange for my honest review.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Anna is running the Highland Games festival in Highland, Georgia for the first time, and is surprised when Iain arrives from Scotland, prepared to take over. Sparks fly between them, and slowly they begin to get to know each other, work together, and explore their connection. This book was so fun, sexy and charming! I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

WOW!!! A Highlander in a Pickup is another amazing story by Laura Trentham, book two in her Highland, Georgia series. Anna Maitland had no problem agreeing to help her best friend Izzy, with getting everything ready for the Highland Games held in their hometown. As a dance instructor, Anna has boundless energy, spirit, and charm. Plus it would make her look good to town as she runs to be the next Mayor. The only problem Anna has is the arrival of Iain Connors claiming he’s the one in charge. Iain, the strong, handsome and silent type, is unsettled after his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. Iain readily agrees to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. He’s led men into battle, planning this event can’t be any more trouble and maybe his time there will help him figure out his future. Working with control-freak Anna is a definite challenge; not only are they attracted to each other, their chemistry is off the charts. One thing is for sure, Highland, Georgia will never be the same after Iain, wearing his kilts, came to town.

Ms. Trentham wrote a wonderfully funny and sexy story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with sexual chemistry, hot Highlanders, and other engaging characters giving Anna and Iain a chance for happiness and love. I highly recommend A Highlander in a Pickup to other readers and I for one am hoping there is another book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Will post soon at Romance Reviews Today: http://romrevtoday.com/

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP – Laura Trentham
A Highland, Georgia Novel, Book 2
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
ISBN: 978-1250315038
February 25, 2020
Romantic Comedy

Highland, Georgia – Present Day

Anna Maitland has been left in charge of the town’s upcoming Highland Games, which is a big task for someone who’s never done it before. Anna’s best friend, Isabel, used to do all the planning, but she’s in Scotland about to give birth to her baby. Isabel decides to send her husband Alasdair’s friend, Iain Connors, to Highland to help Anna. (You can find Isabel and Alasdair’s story in A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR, out now) Iain arrives in Georgia wearing a kilt, which immediately has Anna wondering whether he wears anything underneath it! Will she soon find out the answer?

Iain was recently released from serving in the military and isn’t sure he’s ready for the next step in his life, which is taking over for his father, who is the caretaker of Alasdair’s uncle’s estate in Scotland. Anna at first is prickly towards him, but he can’t help but admire her hard work in preparing for the festival. Iain jumps in and starts making life easier for her, though she insists she can do things on her own. As they work together, Iain and Anna grow closer. So close, in fact, that an attraction develops. Will they indulge in a fling before he has to return to Scotland? Will the Highland Games go off without a hitch?

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP is a cute, funny tale that proves that when you don’t want anything to go wrong, trouble happens. Anna wants to prove to the town that she can take over the big project of putting on the Highland Games because she is planning to run for mayor. Even as she doesn’t want to admit it at first, Iain proves helpful. It’s a big task preparing for the many vendors and people for a weekend festival. Add in that Anna is a dance teacher who is getting her students ready to perform, and she has a lot on her plate. Meanwhile, she can’t stop thinking about Iain…and his kilt.

Iain is soon enjoying his time in Highland. The people are friendly, and he can find things to do (besides helping with the Highland Games). But at the back of his mind is his decision about his future. His dad (or da, as he calls him in his Scottish dialect), is getting older and expects him to replace him at the estate. Iain can’t disappoint his dad, but what about what he wants to do? Meanwhile, Anna and Iain end up having hot sex…lots of it. Love soon enters the picture. However, she can’t move to Scotland, and he has responsibilities in Scotland. Is there any chance of a future for them?

Prepare to indulge yourself in some fun reading when you grab a copy of A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP. Anna and Iain will tug at your heart and you’ll be rooting for them to find happiness together.

Patti Fischer

🌄 Warm, small-town feel and an authentic, kilted Highlander for pure sizzle😉

4.5🌟stars🌿
A really great romance with a close-knit community and a real, kilted Scot to enliven the frazzled life of Anna, a wannabe community leader in Highland, Georgia, with emotional scars and fears of rejection. Iain, the tall, Scottish breeze who blows into town is one mighty fine laddie who's working on his own issues and worries about his future.

Their story, packed with sexual tension and a growing emotional connection, was lovely, but so were the subplots related to other residents in town, including a grieving father and daughter, a prickly shop owner who sees Anna as a rival in town politics, and a young farmer taking on the management of his parents' property. Plus, a lively Highland-themed late summer festival adds charm and challenges.

The story has some 🔥heat but it enhances the romance rather than predominating. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, characters and writing; the Scottish flair throughout was an added bonus since I am a fan of all things Scottish.

I presume that this novel follows up on a story that I did not catch about Isabel, a former town resident who found herself a Scot and moved to Scotland. She and her family are frequently brought into this book, but Anna and Iain's story is a true standalone. The last chapter is, however, largely dedicated to building a lead-in to a forthcoming romance about Holt, another Highland, Georgia resident. Based on the quality of A Highlander in a Pickup, I am already looking forward to his story.😊

Thanks to publisher St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham
Highland, Georgia #2

Anna Maitland has something to prove and believes that running the Highland Games for her town will do the trick and also help her win the mayoral race. She is not thrilled to have Iain Connors show up ready to help her…I mean…men take over and that is NOT going to happen to her! Only…over time her perceptions begin to be possibly wrong and if she is wrong about one thing could she be wrong about others? Will they succeed in pulling off the games and find friendship or more before the end of the book?

What I liked:
* Iain: a gently giant who is so much more than he appears to be at first. I really REALLY liked him! Even when he made a decision based on a promise he gave his father and I wanted to tell him, “NO” – I still liked him.
* Izzy: a bit caustic but with a heart of gold. She loves to dance and her dance students and her town. She has ideas and hopes to implement them.
* The romance between Iain and Izzy – not too fast and gone into with open eyes – really wanted them to achieve their HEA
* The snippets about Izzy and Alasdair – and the name they chose for their child
* The side story about Gabby – hope to hear more about her and Keisha in the future
* The new kilt design…what fun!
* The fact that there were not BIG breakups that were thrown in just for a breakup to occur so they could make up.
* The epilogue – pulling it all together AND hinting at the next book that will be about Holt and Claire – can’t wait

What I did not like:
* I can’t think of anything…just that the book ended with me wanting to know Holt’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Marin’s Paperbacks for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP is the second book in Laura Trentham’s “Highland, Georgia” series about Scottish transplanted characters discovering a small town in Georgia and being surprised to find love. Even though this book is part of a series, I believe A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP works as a standalone novel as well. Planning a local Highland Scottish-themed festival draws Anna Maitland and Iain Connors together – however inconveniently and reluctantly. This is a good book for readers who enjoy when a couple has a rocky beginning.

This book was all about the hero for me. Iain is a Scottish hottie who’s introspective, has a cool scar, is not afraid to get down and dirty to help this heroine out, and is an overall nice guy. Sigh. Iain doesn’t see himself in quite the same glowing terms that a romance fan would see him. Likewise, Anna is physically attractive, helps dozens of young people in her dance classes and in their lives each day, and is all-around overachiever, but her past relationship with her mother leaves her with occasional self-doubt. I think that these two help each other grow and make each other better, which is the sign of any strong relationship. Initially I found Anna to be a little caustic in her approach to Iain, but I could also understand her frustrations, and Laura Trentham does a good job of explaining why she’s so combative with Iain and why she uses defense mechanisms. I like how this story is told from alternating perspectives, so that readers get a better understanding of the two main characters.

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP has certified highlander hotness with great storytelling and a couple with a chemistry that’s explosive. You should start this book because the hero is not to be missed, but you’ll end up staying for the story. I look forward to the next “Highland, Georgia” novel.

This is such a fun series. I really like the way Iain is so strong yet so vulnerable. Since Izzy is in Scotland, Anna is left to plan the festival. Izzy sent Iain to help her. Do they think she can't handle the arrangements? Is that why they sent Iain? Anna is like a little fairy and Iain a big hulky guy. He doesn't know what to say most of the time and Anna keeps him tongue tied. Yet, he feels comfortable with her. Iain has made a promise to take over his dad's caretaker duties and can't really start anything with Anna. Anna is getting ready to run for mayor and doesn't have time for any romance. He can't stay and she can't go. What will they do?

Humor is the best thing for the heart. Anna is witty and sarcastic, her humor brings Iain to relax a bit. On loan from Alastair, Iain is to help Anna with the Highland Festival. The push and pull between them is comfortable, funny and honest. Their attraction is magnetic and swoony. There’s no need to read the first book, each couple has their story and any relations are explained. However it’s a sweet story with Scottish men, why not? I was pleased to receive an early copy and wrote my review voluntarily.

Such a fun, sunny story to brighten up a dreary winter! I love the big hunka-man hero who’s actually self-conscious and shy. And the heroine is like the Southern version of Rainbow Brite but with more insecurities. While you’ll get all of the helpful backstory if you read the first book in the series, this book is so much fun on its own. I cannot wait until the upcoming Christmas installment!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Ratings (out of of 5):
Heart: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪
⠀
Anna Maitland has a lot to prove. When her best friend, Izzy, moves to Scotland, she leaves Anna in charge of Highland, Georgia’s annual Highlands Festival. Little does Anna know, but Izzy has sent help in the form of a tall, brawny, *actual* Highlander named Iaian Connors. And while he (and his kilts) make Anna tingly, she can’t stand him. He likes her just fine but how can he help if she won’t let him? Pride goes before the fall. Can Anna learn to let go and trust Iain to catch her?
⠀
This book was cute, cute, cute and if I ever do get my Hallmark+Sex channel up and running, this will definitely get made into a movie. It’s the kind of book where not much happens and yet a lot happens at the same time. And as enemies to lovers tropes go? I thought @LauraTrentham did a stellar job.
⠀
Anna is... prickly. She has faced some intense failure in her life and has a bit of a chip on her shoulder about it. She’s that person who doesn’t need or want help from anyone, thank you very much, and feels the need to prove that she can do everything all by herself. Iaian is a more... collaborative fellow. I loved that he doesn’t let her bully him but he’s also patient and willing to let her figure out on her own that no one is an island and that asking for help doesn’t make you a failure.
⠀
I love a good enemies-to-lovers book, mostly because the sexual tension is always off the charts. This book delivers and then the sparks fly when Anna and Iain finally surrender.
⠀
If you like small town contemporary romance that is sweet and spicy with a big cast of interesting side characters (and animals), give this book a look. It was a fun, frothy read and I’m definitely curious about how ol’ Holt’s story turns out. 😉
⠀
Kiss and tell:
This book features a bit of all the vanilla flavors: extra sexy kissing, hand play, oral, and p&v penetration. The scenes feel earned though and Trentham makes you wait for it, ratcheting the sexual tension ever higher until it breaks.

(I received this ARC in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own.)

You could certainly read this story standalone, but I would recommend reading A Highlander Walks into a Bar first.

Anna Maitland is Izzy's best friend whom we met in the first book. Now that Izzy is on bed rest in Scotland waiting to have her baby Anna has agreed to run this year's Highlander festival and Izzy decides to send Anna a surprise in the shape of a hunky highlander in a kilt!

Iain Connors has just gotten out of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and is expected to take over his father's position as the Cairndow groundskeeper but Iain wishes instead to see more of the world so instead he agrees to go to the States to help Izzy's friend run the Highlander festival. What he was not expecting was to be instantly smitten with the dance instructor.....to bad she doesn't want to give him the time of day. But little does he know that Anna is secretly lusting over him.

As Anna and Iain spend more time together their attraction continues to grow, but Anna doesn't want to pursue anything so Iain just bides his time until these two control themselves! Just when Iain thinks he may have found the direction his life should be taking, a wrench gets thrown into the mix. It will take a lot of deep thinking by both Anna and Iain in order to finally find their happy ending.

I really loved Iain! He was so sweet and sexy all wrapped up in a kilt! ;) I really loved him and Anna together!

It's hard to not want to read a book with a title like this. I mean, A Highlander in a Pickup. Great title! It also works well with the series. It brings ties in two major points, one that he's a highlander in an American highland town and that town is all southern.

In the second book in the Highland, Georgia series we have poor Anna trying to do everything on her own. This is one tightly strung woman. Not that it's her fault. I think she has spent some much of her time feeling like a failure to her mother that she doesn't know anymore when she's doing a great job.

I really liked Anna but at times even for me, she is too much. The woman needs to learn to relax and smell the roses. She should follow Iain lead. Here's a man that works hard but also knows when to take things easy.

He tries very hard to help Anna out but I will admit he does want to take over setting up the Highland games. I'm sure he feels like that because he was set to America to help that he should do it all, but that's not how it is. Help is where people work together.

Eventually, they work together and pulled off great highland games. The sad part is that they still can't seem to come together. Iain is off back home to work with his father and Anna is going back to her life the way it was.

At this time point, you want to smack them both upside the head.

Not to worry, they finally figure it all and life is wonderful...

I really enjoyed A Highlander in a Pickup. We got to visit again with some of the crazy town people that you just have to love, or not, and a get a better feeling for who those people are. As a whole a wonderful story that I enjoyed reading.

4.5 Stars!

While I enjoyed the previous book in this series, I found this second book a leap above in every way.

Enemies-to-lovers trope-✔️
Broody, shy, and all-around swoon-worthy Scottish hero-✔️
Capable, but vulnerable heroine-✔️
Slow-burn romance-✔️
Shenanigans-✔️
Kilts-✔️

I can't say enough about how much I loved Iain and his characterization. Loved him! Anna was darling and had some great moments, but Iain carried the story for me. Again, the story is centered around the Highland Games in Highland, Georgia where Anna is sharing preparation duties with Iain. They butt heads only because Anna is reluctant to hand over any responsibility. As trust and respect builds, so does the sexy romance. Overall, a warm and witty romance with an exceptional hero.

This is the second installment in the series about a small town in Georgia that has taken the Scottish Highlands theme as the purpose for their town. It is a fun read about the two individuals, Anna and Iian, who will be in charge of the festival since the original family can’t be there this year. Both of them think they know what needs to be done when in reality, they need each other to get it all accomplished on time. A love-hate romance with a couple of stubborn people who also realize that they were meant for each other.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for the review.