The author does a great job of immersing us into the Scottish culture with their vocabulary.

Our story is set in a luxury hotel, which provides escape for readers who'd like at least a fantasy vacation if they can't take a real one. Our heroine is a widowed single mother who is determined to take good care of her children and meet their needs, but she is tasked to help at the family's hotel. She must find a way to balance her obligations amidst the challenges—a relatable pursuit and noble goal. Her son's mental and emotional health need attention. Professionally, she's a strong and capable business woman. She simply needs a fresh start, and some help.

Our hero is doing his best to prove himself a competent hotel manager. He has a knack for administration, and like most people, he doesn't want his abilities questioned. I think readers will find that relatable. But he's hiding his insecurities. I loved that before he worked at the hotel he was an accomplished astronomer at Johns Hopkins. Thus the tie-in to the title.

It's refreshing to read novels with competent heroes and heroines.

Their relationship is muddied as she is his boss, but he is her landlord. Great why-nots provided tension between them as their attraction grew.

Carla does a great job with their developing romance, male POV, and the setting. An enjoyable read.

I read Five Days in Skye, Carla Laureano’s debut novel and the first in her MacDonald family series, when it first released five years ago. Seven years ago? I loved it. I also loved the sequel, London Tides, and was hugely disappointed to discover that original publisher cut their fiction arm and didn’t finish the series.

But I was thrilled to discover a new publisher picked up the trilogy. While it makes sense that they republished the first two novels, I did think they could have published them more quickly than one a year. It’s not as though we were waiting for the books to be written …

So I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. Did Under Scottish Stars live up to my expectations? No and yes.

It took me a while to get into the story. That’s partly because it’s so long since I read the first two, and I didn’t remember all the characters or their nuances. It could also be because I’m having a little trouble concentrating on contemporary stories right now, what with everything on the news. (No, I don’t want to read a bunch of stories about love in the time of COVID-19, but it seems wrong to ignore it.)

Widow Serena MacDonald Stewart is back in the dating game, but discovering a distinct lack of sparks. She decides to move back to Skye and help with the family hotel, where she meets their hired manager, Malcolm Blake … and discovers there are sparks. But it takes more than sparks to make a relationship.

Serena is a complex character. At first, she’s the widow trying to make a go of life after losing her husband. As the novel progresses, we realise that losing her husband might be the best thing that ever happened to her. Now she has a chance to be herself and pursue her dreams. Serena’s character forces us to ask some hard questions about our own lives.

Malcolm was a noble character–he gave up his own home and career to return to Skye and take care of his teenage niece after her mother died. But he’s also a bit of a curmudgeon. He’s noble, but not always nice and polite, and I did have some initial trouble seeing why there were sparks between him and Serena. It sometimes felt like they were being forced into a relationship rather than falling into a relationship.

However, as the story developed, I found myself drawn more and more into their lives, wanting the best for them even when the best seemed impossible. Overall, it’s a solid romance and a must-read for series fans. Yes, I probably would have enjoyed it more five years ago, but that can’t be helped. At least I got to read it now.

Thanks to Tyndale Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

Under Scottish Stars by Carla Laureano is book 3 in the MacDonald series. While it is the conclusion to the series, I read it as a standalone novel and that worked very well. Why didn’t I read the others first? This series is phenomenal. I can’t wait to read the rest and find out more about the other characters. This is Serena’s story. It’s about difficult marriages, loss of a spouse, loss of parents, adjusting to loss. The characters carry deep wounds and this complicates things. It is a fantastic novel and I highly recommend it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I loved Five Days in Skye! James is one of my all time favorite male characters ever and the book itself ranks in my top reads! London Tides, which is book 2, I really struggled with, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from Under Scottish Stars. For me, it fell right in the middle.

I loved going back to Skye! I can just picture it’s beauty through the writing. I also loved reconnecting with Andrea and James! I liked Malcom and Serena well enough, but their rough start made me kind of dislike both of them at first and it took me awhile to warm up to their relationship.

All in all, it was nice to return to Skye and get closure for the MacDonald family.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this story. It took me much longer to get around to writing a review, but that was only because I decided I wanted to visit the first two in the series after a difficult reading year. I LOVED the first book but had trouble getting into the second, so I skipped to this one. It's fan-stinking-tastic! In Under the Scottish Stars, we have a strong but wounded heroine, and an absolute treasure of a hero. I just loved their chemistry, despite their initial irritation with each other. The kids were all an excellent part of the story, not just a mere add-on to keep things going. I appreciated how dedicated both H and h were to the kids in their care, putting them first at great personal cost. And yet, the way everything came together was lovely.

The lovely setting of Skye forms a perfect backdrop for romance in this highly readable story. Serena moves back to the place in which she grew up, since she has become a widow and needs a change. Her goal is to assist in managing the family hotel business there. Serena brings along her two adorable children and reconnects with her Aunt Muriel. When she meets Malcolm, the current hotel manager, sparks fly between them. Eventually Malcolm and Serena realize their attraction to each other, along with their ability to team up and greatly improve the hotel business.

Malcolm is the guardian of his niece Kylee, who seeks a college course of study in music. Serena assists Kylee in connecting to the music industry, which ultimately changes the course of Serena and Malcolm's relationship. Decisions need to be made between love and parenting.

Readers will find this to be an intriguing romance novel, as well a story about the importance of family and the hard decisions that sometimes must be made. This is a clean novel, with no explicit sexual situations or strong language. The Christian message is softly expressed yet thoughtful.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This is another beautiful story by Carla Laureano, and I was happy to read the final story in this series. The setting of the book is amazing and I felt as if I’d visited the hotel on the beautiful Isle of Skye. Serena MacDonald Stewart finds herself a widow with two small children, and trying to make wise decisions for herself and her children seems difficult. She has decided that a summer in Skye will help her children, and take care of her need of oversee her family’s hotel. She doesn’t anticipate that romance will come her way, but the instant attraction she has for Malcolm makes some of her decisions that much more complicated as she contemplates major changes for for she and her children. I enjoyed Malcolm and Serena’s love story. This was a perfect end to a lovely series by this author.

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

This book is the third in a trilogy that includes Five Days in Skye and London Tides.  I have not read the first two novels but did not find that to be an issue as this book could be read as a standalone. 


What I most enjoyed about the book was its setting on the Isle of Skye.  It is a place that I would love to visit and the fictional hotel in the story would be just the place to stay!  I also liked the two main characters Serena and Malcolm, each of whom has a history and some sadness in their past.  Yes, it is a bit predictable how they interact with each other but the nice thing about that was that I could just relax and enjoy the story as it unfolded.


I recommend Under the Scottish Stars for those who are looking for a comfortable read.  By the way, I listened to part of the book on audio and loved the Scottish voices in the dialogue.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

This book was enjoyable, but didn’t wow me. I really enjoyed Five Days in Sky, but I just didn’t really click with the rest of this series. I wanted to love this book, but it was missing something and just didn’t live up to my expectations. After being introduced to the heroine in a previous book, I was anxious to read her story, but it was just one of those books that you read and then move on.

I have been waiting for this book for years and it was worth the wait. Carla writes some intense contemporary romance. I loved the first two book in this series and I was excited to finally get to read Serena’s story.

Carla did a wonderful of job of building intensity between Serena and Malcolm. It was also fun to see the old characters from the other books.

There was a line toward the end that I had to highlight and share with you, because I have so been there: “….you need to stop blaming God for all the heartache in your in life. Until you do, you will never hear His voice over the sound of your own hurt.” Loved that truth right there. I lived in that for so long and only recently came out of that.

This book can easily stand alone, so have no fear if you haven’t read the first too. However, that are all so good I am sure you will want to read all three.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The final installment to this series was so worth the wait! Carla Laureano has a way of writing sweet, heartwarming stories, and this one was no exception. Her beautiful description of Scotland made me feel like I was there. I loved the banter between Serena and Malcolm in the begining and then watching how their feelings for each other grew as they overcame past heartaches. The secondary characters were enjoyable, especially Aunt Muriel, and it was good to see other family members from the first two books. The storyline kept me engaged throughout the book. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

This book made me want to hop on a plane and visit Skye. Serena is a feisty heroine that definitely deserved someone who loves her and encourages her dreams. I love that she was not easily swooned by Malcolm's seduction. Malcolm proved to be a great compliment to Serena. His pursue of Serena was great to see. They have both dealt with tragedies and are finding their way out. The slow build of their relationship felt real. Malcolm's interaction with Serena's children and his niece will touch your heart. I will be reading the other books in the series to catch up.

I would recommend this book to my friends, family and Book Club readers. I received this book from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is part of a book series but can be read as a stand alone. I haven't read the other books and fully enjoyed this story. I'd like to go back and read the others now. I thought the book had good dialogue & nice flow to the story. The h is in a period of growth and change. I thought the author wrote it in a believable & relatable way. The dynamic and romance between the h & H was sweet and encouraging. I thought how will their struggles be resolved it's getting close to the end. The conclusion wasn't rushed and put a smile to my face. I really would love to visit Scotland now. I felt I did get to just a little throught this book. Content was clean & I very much appreciate that. There were a few mentions of the type: I should go home before things get to heated. Or a couple of cheeky tongue in cheek innuendos. I would definetly try this author again.

3.5 stars

I felt a bit disappointed though perhaps the long wait has escalated expectations unfairly. I was so longing for the story of the sister and where her life would end up. I know the typical romance tends towards the tragic and miserable challenges. Sometimes though I hope for a bit more joy, peace and happiness along the way. This felt very heavy and strange even at times. So much tragedy for everyone involved. A little too much for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC. This is my honest review.

4.5 stars
The much anticipated third book in Carla Laureano's Isle of Skye novels is here! I really enjoyed Serena and Malcolm's story. I would describe Laureano's style as real life drama with a faith perspective. The characters in this story go through difficulties that many readers can relate to. The romantic tension was great as well, and the characters acknowledged the temptations that come with romantic attraction in a way that still keeps it a clean read. I appreciated that these aspects were written into the story because it's frustrating at times to read characters deal with situations with a less than realistic response. I appreciated the way each main character's backstory complimented the other. Serena is a widow with two young children who has been through a lot of difficult circumstances in her previous life. Malcolm has never been married, but is raising his niece and learning the aspects of fatherhood. Through his experience with his niece, he has learned what it means to sacrifice his own desires for the needs of others, particularly when it comes to the needs of the children in his life. It created a lot of sweet moments in the story that I enjoyed. And last, but not least, the story takes place in Scotland. And the hero is Scottish. Enough said : ).

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**

#UnderScottishStars #NetGalley

I love novels set in Scotland, and this one didn't disappoint. A story filled with life decisions. Serena Stewart, a widow with two children, finds her life turned upside down, when her daughter Em gets expelled from school, Serena decides to go to the island of Skye. On the island, Serena's family owns a hotel, where Serena is part owner. The manager of the hotel, Malcom Blake, rubs Serena the wrong way. But as she gets to know him, she finds that he really is capable of running the hotel. A novel filled with decisions making, family, forgiveness, and romance. I loved this novel.

A satisfying conclusion to The MacDonald Family Trilogy! It was delightful to re-visit the Isle of Skye and not only read Serena's story but find out how her brothers were faring, as well.

(Disclosure: Review copy provided by NetGalley.)

Scotland? Yes please! If you know me, Scotland is my favorite location in the world. So, of course I wanted to read this book. I loved the first two books in the “MacDonald Family Trilogy” and have been eagerly awaiting my next return to Skye in this third installment. It did not disappoint! This book can be read as a standalone.

"Under Scottish Stars" is like a love letter to Skye and Scotland. It transported me to the remote Isle of Skye with its amazing views and wild, rugged beauty. I just want to live in this book. Ms. Laureano masterfully describes this beautiful place, while also weaving in a wonderful love story. Even though this is a contemporary story, it feels a bit like stepping back in time due to the remoteness of the Island.

The characters are very relatable, flawed and loveable. I love following the journey of Serena (our main character) as she travels back to Skye. She has a great character arc. Malcom, the hero, is pretty much a dream guy. It is fun to follow their love story (be prepared for a little more steaminess than the average Christian fiction book, but nothing more than PG-13). I loved being back with the MacDonald Family. Overall, this is a fantastic end to the series!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of alcohol and drugs; the word “hellish” is used; mention of people cursing, but the words are not actually written; mention of a woman’s cleavage; a reference to drugs; a reference to making love.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Carla Laureano, Tyndale and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

This is my third new author of the summer, and I’m hitting a 100% success rate. Under Scottish Stars is an utterly charming book from start to finish. This is the third in a trilogy but I didn’t feel like I’d missed out by not reading the preceding stories. I do, however, plan to do that in the future, just for sheer enjoyment.

Serena MacDonald’s marriage wasn’t a happy one, but did give her two children who form the center of her world. She’s existing in her marital home until her daughter gets expelled from school. Then there’s a need for extra help at the family hotel. Those two events collide to cause a temporary move to Serena’s childhood home–the beautiful island of Skye.

Once there, she takes an instant dislike to the hotel manager, and that reaction is mutual. Malcolm bristles, feeling micromanaged, despite Serena’s compliments about the work he does. Slowly the pair form a truce and then the sparks start.

This is a well thought out and delivered book about the joy and pain involved in moving on from tragedy, and where to find the strength to start over. I’d definitely recommend it.

There's no doubt that Carla Laureano can write! Her descriptions of food can cause your mouth to water, her main and supporting characters are multi-faceted, and there's always a sense of "realness" to her stories, no matter what is happening. In the past, I've enjoyed reading several of her novels for the reasons I've just mentioned. The one area that has sometimes felt lacking to me is the romance aspect—it's always there, but I often haven't connected with it. So I'm very happy to say that the romance in Under Scottish Stars is wonderful!

I. Loved. Serena. And. Malcolm. Together.

First of all, she's older than he is by a handful of years, which is something I enjoy but don't see very often. Their banter in the beginning is so fun, and the way he purposefully pursues her is totally swoonworthy! I also loved the way he connected with her children, especially Em. And the chemistry between them crackles.

There's so much more to this novel than romance, of course: Serena restarting her life on Skye while dealing with her daughter's grief and her own lost dreams; Malcolm trying to keep his promise to his late sister as he helps prepare his niece for college; the glimpses into the lives of the other MacDonald family members (who were featured in previous novels in this trilogy).

This is a book that will delight fans of the MacDonald Family books, but it will also win over new Laureano readers. It's simply wonderful.