Anna Maitland definitely doesn’t need help. She doesn’t need anything. From Anyone. Even when planning the biggest festival for her little town of Highland. So when an actual Highlander ends up in town to “help” her - she is predisposed not to want his help... Iain Conners is just trying to be helpful. He didn’t think that that would be as hard as it is.

This was a super sweet story with a leading lady described as a “multicolored unicorn who likes to curse” and a gruff, Scot who still wears a kilt every day. There are real-world complications - families are difficult at times - and the pair learning to truly communicate is honest and endearing. There is also a lot of poetry, music, and dancing and I absolutely loved it. This book is sweet without being saccharine and hot in the bedroom without being graphic. This book doesn’t need to be read in order of the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This will be short and sweet. This books is everything you can expect from the author. Sweet, funny and heart warming.

3 Stars
What could go wrong when you have Laura Trentham continuing her series involving a Highlander and a small town. You have a cute small town, a woman who needs help with Farm animals and our Highlander who doesn't want the responsibilities of the titles and land due him...
Lots of fun

I loved this story so much. Iain and Anna were amazing. I can’t wait for Holt’s story next! I love how Anna had to grow and learn things about herself in order to let Iain in and I love how Iain had to stop doubting himself. The character arc was great and I just love yo good Highland story, whether it being Georgia and the highlands in Scotland.

A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham is the 2nd book in her Highland, Georgia series. Our heroes of the first book, Izzy and Alasdair are in Scotland, waiting the birth of their daughter. Izzy has asked her best friend, Anna to run the annual Highland, Georgia Scottish Festival, in her absence. Alasdair also asks his friend, Iain to help Anna with the festival preparations.

Anna Maitland, is a dance teacher and our heroine, who is determined to help out her friend Izzy, and run this festival to perfection. She is hit with a double whammy, when someone delivers two animals (strange looking cow and sheep- Ozzy & Harriet lol) to be used for the festival, and a gorgeous hunk from Scotland. Anna is not too happy to meet Iain Connors, as he plans on helping run the festival, which Anna tells him she is running it and he can take care of the animals and watch tv. Of course, Iain has no intention of doing just that; he is here to help and despite Anna’s attitude, he will do so.

Anna is surprised when many people in town take a liking to Iain, as he not only helps people (he is a good carpenter), and makes friends easily; he can also sing. Though they got off on the wrong foot, especially Anna’s snarky attitude for the first third of the book, the sparks between them slowly began to ignite. Anna tries to fight off her attraction and lust for Iain (especially when he is wearing his kilts), and he isn’t sure how to handle her abrupt attitude, but in a short time their chemistry flies off the wall into a steamy relationship. Will Iain go back to Scotland after the festival is over and leave Anna heartbroken?

What follows was a fun sweet romance that took its time to develop, even though we did have our doubts. I did enjoy the dancing aspects of the story, as Anna trained young girls to perform at the festival, especially convincing the girl’s father to give his daughter a chance. It was also fun when Anna teaches Iain how to dance.
Once Iain and Anna finally succumb to their lust, each finds themselves falling hard for each other. Iain’s father wants him to return home to Scotland to eventually take over as head groundskeeper for the Castle, but he is torn by his love for Anna, as well as his father’s need for him. Is there a future for Iain and Anna? You need to read this book to find out.

I can’t say enough for Laura Trentham, as she always gives us sweet wonderful romances, great couple and wonderful secondary characters. If you love romance and Highlanders, you need to be reading A Highlander in a Pickup, which is well written by Laura Trentham.

A Highlander in a Pickup by Laura Trentham
Book #2: Highland, Georgia Series
Source: NetGalley and St. Martin’s
My Rating: 4½/5 stars

Anna Maitland has got her hands beyond full. In the absence of her best friend, Isabel Blackmoor, Anna is in charge of organizing and seeing through the Highland Games. In addition to that monumental task, Anna has her dance school to run, classes to teach, an application to run for mayor to fill out and turn in, and a broody Scot to keep at bay.

Anna is determined to accomplish every task, monitor every situation, attend to every detail, and do it all without help! Relying on others is certainly not Anna’s strong suit and she needs the town to see her as capable, efficient, innovative, and dedicated if she expects the town to back her for mayor. Iain Connors is just a sexy thorn in her side and all she needs him to do is clean up the animal poop and stay out of her way. Anna is fine and she doesn’t need help!

Iain Connors is a bit adrift in his life. The plan has always been the plan, when his father is finally ready to retire as Cairndown Castle’s groundskeeper, Iain will slide into his position and work the land as his father always has. Yes, that’s always been the plan, but now, just as the moment is upon him, Iain isn’t entirely sure that’s what he wants out of life. When the opportunity to travel to Highland, Georgia arises, Iain jumps at the chance to spread his wings and see what the world across the big pond has to offer.

Highland, Georgia isn’t at all what Iain expected. He’s been dispatched to help Anna Maitland with the Highland Games and while he is ready and willing to help, the feisty dancer has other plans. All Anna wants Iain to do is scoop the poop and stay out her way! Though Iain is generally respectful of other’s wishes, he can see quite clearly see that Anna is struggling to carry the load alone. If he can’t help in an obvious way, Iain has every intention of helping in smaller, less obvious ways. First on the list, scoop the poop 😊

While Anna thinks she’s got the Scot out of her way, she quickly realizes he’s actually working in the background. With every visit to the Games site and office, Anna sees some new thing that’s been completed and can be marked off her to-do list. Though Anna doesn’t want to be indebted to the gorgeous Scot, even she has to admit his help has been invaluable. Sharing the burden isn’t something Anna is used to, but Iain’s style isn’t to bulldoze over her, but to quietly support her, help where he can, and not demand some sort of recognition or compensation for his efforts. In fact, Iain is just about the perfect man. Too bad Anna isn’t in the market for a man . . . . she’s already got enough on her plate.

The Bottom Line: This series is, even at only two books in, shaping up to become one of my favorites! From the setting to the plot to the characters, I am so enjoying this world. Though I sometimes struggle with characters too stubborn for their own good, I did not with Anna because she is a total package and her stubbornness is only one part of her formidable personality. Letting Iain in isn’t easy for Anna, but the more she gets to know him the more she respects and admires him and the way he seems to make her better without squelching any of her own dreams or ambitions. Iain is just delightful on every level, but my favorite quality is his extreme awkwardness around Anna. Iain is competent, capable, assertive, and totally awkward and that made him a wonderfully endearing character. As he and Anna make their way toward one another, he gains confidence with her and shows her how he can undoubtedly be the man she needs. As with the first book, this one has a bit of everything including some humor, some naughty bits, some of the feels, and just a very good story.

2.5 stars - The second installment of the Highland, Georgia romance series features a few returning characters from the first book. Since Izzy and her highlander moved back to Scotland, Izzy's friend Anna is left in charge of the annual Highland Festival. The last thing she needs is the help of Iain, Izzy and Alasdair's friend from Scotland. She puts him in charge of a few animals to keep him out of the way. But even with all the distractions, she can't deny she wants to see him more than she should.

I realized fairly quickly that these books aren't my cup of tea. They are very typical romance novels where the budding relationship is pretty much the only focus. At least in the second book, I enjoyed the main characters personalities and they're attraction to each other more. Anna is a spirited dance instructor who's independent and passionate, while Iain is reserved but dedicated and helpful.

The outcome is predictable as expected, but if you know what you're getting in to you'll enjoy reading this book.

Anna is left in charge to put on her towns Highland festival this year. Although her friends sent Iain to help her with putting the event together she resent his help. It’s fun to watch as the banter and their chemistry leads to so much more then they ever expected.

"A kilt on a weekday, huh? You take being Scottish seriously." "A rainbow tutu on a weekday, huh? You take being a fairy sprite seriously."

Return to Highland, Georgia for another season of games, dancing, and romance!

With her best friend, Izzy, in Scotland preparing for the birth of her first child, Anna Maitland is in charge of the annual Highland Games. Armed with Rose and Izzy's notes from years of festival planning, Anna is confident in her abilities and determined to prove to Highland that she is capable at running the Games--enough so to potentially run the whole town as Mayor. She doesn't need help; she's done well on her own so far, and in running her dance studio. She especially does not need a man. After all, men always leave, just like her dad did. No, she's better off doing everything on her own.

Iain Connors grew up in the Scottish Highlands surrounding Carindow Castle as the son of the groundskeeper, and served many years in Her Majesty's Armed Forces. He is more capable of taking care of himself and others, and getting done what needs to be done. Iain arrives in Highland as a favor to Alasdair, to come and help Anna prepare for the Highland Games. Big, burly, Burns-quoting, kilt-wearing Iain has never had much luck with the fairer sex... and Anna is no different. She's stubborn, determined to run the Games on her own, and tries to keep Iain away from the planning. Better yet, she'd like to see him back to Scotland.

Despite their initial clash of wills and ill-fated first meeting (blame the sheep), neither Anna nor Iain can deny the attraction they feel. They know it could never work out between them, be nothing serious. Or can it?

Will Anna and Iain be able to work together? Will the Highland Games be a success without Rose and Izzy? Will Iain and Anna ever move past the pining and denial? And what, exactly, does a Scotsman have under his kilt?

A second wonderful novel in the Highland, Georgia series, Trentham blends Southern Attitude with Highland Pride and dazzles with a perfect blend of romantic tension and romantic fluff. A delightful romantic comedy that will make Southerners and Scotland-lovers laugh, with references to Nessie, Highlander movies, and the most cutting three-word phrase known to man: "Bless your heart". A fantastic follow-up to "A Highlander Walks Into a Bar", "A Highlander in a Pickup" is definitely one to "pick up" as soon as possible!

Eagerly anticipating the next book, which looks like Holt will finally find someone for him and, best of all, we'll see Highland at Christmas!

Continuing this great series, Anna is coordinating the big Highland festival since her best friend, Izzy, now lives in Scotland with Alastair (book 1 of the series) and Izzy’s mom has gone over to be there for the birth of their child. I return, Iain comes over from Scotland to help out. He is restless at Cairndow even though it’s expected he’ll take over from his dad as groundskeeper, but he ends up finding a place and love in Georgia.

Anna and Iain are a good couple and the romance here was a slow burn. Anna has some insecurities and resists his help, but eventually sparks take over.

I enjoyed this story and am really intrigued by the epilogue that sets up Holt’s book next. Can’t wait to read that one...even if our hero most likely won’t wear a kilt :-)

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

This cute series starts with a Scot Walks Into a Bar. This story shares the setting of Highland, Georgia, where the rolling green hill are supposed resemble the ouch terrain of the real Highlands in Scotland. Izzy and Alisdair are off in Scotland having a baby, so the annual Highland games festival falls into the hands of Izzy’s bff, Anna. Anna is a control freak who does not appreciate that Izzy sent Iain Connors to “help” with the planning and running of the festival. She will not have it, because she is perfectly capable to head up and run the best festival EVER all by herself. But we know better. Will everything work out, or will Iain get more than he was assigned to do to support the Blackmore family and his own obligations and duty? These characters are light, funny, and lovable. A very enjoyable read!

3.5 Stars!

A Highlander in a Pickup is the second book in the Highland Georgia Series and it follows the story of Iain & Anna. When Anna's best friend Isabel is unable to run the Highland Games this year, Anna steps up to the challenge. However, Anna quickly discovers that she might just be in over her head. And when Iain shows up to give her hand, he knocks her world off its axis.....

Overall, I thought this book was a quick and easy read. I had a fun time returning to the Highland Georgia Series and couldn't wait to see what was in store for us this time. Anna is a strong and independent woman. You can count on her to help a friend who is need. And Iain is the strong, silent type. He's very loyal and takes his duties seriously. Together these two are very similar and can't help but butt heads. And the sizzling sexual tension doesn't help the situation either. I loved watching these two butt heads and deny the feelings they had for one another. I knew it would lead to something pretty special and couldn't wait to see how it would all play out.

A Highlander in a Pickup is a fun and entertaining read. You can easily finish it in a single sitting. The characters are fun and easy to connect with. The story was easy to read and written well. It had good humor, light angst and steamy moments. All in all, a nice read to spend your day getting swept up in.

Sometimes you realize there is more to a person than you assume from appearances. Never was this truer than when Anna met Iain Connors!

A HIGHLANDER IN A PICKUP by Laura Trentham is a fun and sexy romance as the huge man-in-a-kilt and the fiery dance instructor take on the annual Highland Games festival, as well as each other! Anna has a need to prove herself in her small town of Highland, GA. Put in charge of the annual event is daunting and the handsome Highlander sent from Cairndow Castle is part thorn in her side and part star in her dreams.

Laura Trentham has created another quirky tale about love when you least expect it and Iain is the picture of Hot Scot, for sure! It’s his ability to soften Anna’s sharp edges that makes him even more sigh-worthy.

A fun romance filled with humorous moments, human mistakes and the magical chemistry of love!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from St. Martin's Press! This is my honest and voluntary review.

I thought this was such a cute idea - a Southern American “sister city” to Scotland, complete with a summer festival and a themed downtown! I enjoyed reading this, as it is part of a series, but it was not necessary for me to have read the first to be able to know what was going on. And now that I have read and enjoyed ‘A Highlander In A Pickup”, I look forward to reading the others in the series.

Anna is in charge of the highland festival for the first time ever while her best friend, who is usually the one who puts everything together, is off in Scotland about to give birth. Iain is sent from Scotland to help but Anna feels that letting him would be tantamount to admitting she isn’t capable managing a large scale project on her own. However the longer Iain stays in Highland the more she cannot ignore him.

I liked this book much more than the first in the series(although this can be read as a stand-alone). Iain is such a sweet hero, all kind and unsure of himself. Anna was strong and I loved how much she cares for her dance students. I had a difficult time with her refusal to let Iain help her when she was running herself into the ground. Her sheer stubbornness was not admirable. I also really hated the ending that was just a setup for the next book in the series. Still this was a very sweet read and I am glad I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

Anna lives i a small charming town called Highland, Georgia. Every year the town has a festival called
the "Highland Games" which is Scottish themed, including competitions, animals food, etc. Usually Anna's friend co-ordinates the games but is unable to this years, so Anna is filling in for her. Anna's friend did send someone to help her though,straight from Scotland, his name is Iain and he's brought along his kilts as well.

Anna grew up in Highland. She is a dance teacher with a successful business and lives in a small apartment above her studio. She works hard but is lonely.

Iain grew up on an estate in Scotland, where his father is a caretaker. He spent much of his time alone and is a loner. He is a smart, well read man and does great woodwork and handyman type work.

Anna doesn't feel like she really needs Iain's help but gives him small jobs to do and they do get off
on the wrong foot with misunderstandings. There is an attraction between them though but neither are sure how to handle it. They do begin a physical relationship though but figure it is just a fling as Iain will be returning to Scotland after the festival is over. Iain is supposed to be taking over his father's job upon his retirement and Anna has her studio and wants to run for mayor.

Will the Highland Games be a success? What will the future hold for this couple?

The tide really turns for them when Anna gets very ill for a few days and Iain takes over her responsibilities for the festival, not wanting anything in return. Anna and Iain are pretty insecure
when it comes to personal relationships but they come to know so much about one another in such a short amount of time and the respect they have for one another grows and grows. Iain is quickly finding in place in town, as well as Anna's life and Anna puts in her paperwork to run for Mayor!

They finally both admit they want to be together but how?

Did I mention how HOT Iain looks in a kilt??

Ugh -- Just could NOT finish this book! I've been trying for WEEKS! Iain is GREAT -- funny, hardworking, etc. I love him and his work kilts! Anna is just unlikable in my opinion. She's flighty, insecure, and just plain annoying.

I think Anna is the reason I cannot finish this book. I want to gloss over every page she appears (that's pretty much the book). So frustrating. The inability to finish a book has only happened a couple of times!

Not worth your time!

This romance/ romantic comedy featuring a Scotsman that find himself in the American south and meets a southern belle. A sweet comedic story follows. To me it was a fairly quick read.

So, this book started out like the author dropped Jamie Fraser into a 21st century high school in Georgia. Dude can't figure out the TV and girl is super immature. Luckily, I powered through all that and got to the good stuff. By the end I was totally rooting for them and enjoying their relationship. Can't say that I'd track down anything by this author, but if I stumbled upon it, I'd grab it.

Another novel set in the charming small town of Highland, Georgia. Centering around the annual Highland Games, this book introduces you to more great characters, both residents of Highland and another a new handsome Scotsman in a kilt.

Ms. Trentham weaves a wonderful story mingling Scottish tradition and small town charm. Of course, there is a romance brewing.

Anna Maitland is content with her life as a dance teacher in Highland. Her dream was to make it big as a professional dancer in New York, but she was not happy there and she returned home to Highland. Now she enjoys spending her days teaching girls from toddlers to teens the art of dance.

Anna has agreed to take on the job of planning the annual Highland Games in the absence of her friends, Isabel and Alasdair Blackmoor who have returned to Alasdair’s home in Scotland to await the birth of their first child. Anna is confident that she can handle the job, but Isabel and Alasdair send help in the form of handsome Scotsman, Iain Connors. The meeting between Anna and Iain had me laughing out loud.

I really enjoyed this visit to Highland, Georgia and look forward to the next one.