I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book.
I found it hard to like Claire, the main female character. She was a bit contradictory, having travelled in a band, and yet, on the run and hiding, whilst being somewhat proper.
Holt was lovely, and the side characters, Mrs Meadows and the townspeople were fun to read about.
In the end, it all worked out, although I was a bit saddened with the family and business situation.
Holt and Claire were happy which made it worthwhile.

Having read Laura Trentham's other two Highland Georgia stories (A Highlander walks into a Bar and A Highlander in a Pickup), I was very happy to receive this arc. In the first two parts we had already met Holt Pierson, the lonely friend of Anna. In this part we get an insight into Holt's family and his younger years. When he meets Claire Smythe, he feels an instant attraction to the defensive, spitfire lass who doesn't want help from anybody.
Living with the grumpy widow Ms. Meadows seemed like the perfect hide-out from her family to Claire. But the always chipper and cheerful Holt keeps popping up as Claire's Knight in Shining Armor. Claire isn't used to people just being nice for no apparent reason. So Holt is really getting on her nerves. In a wonderful story Laura shows us how the Christmas time in Highland and the funny inhabitants (including Anna and Iain) chip away at Claire's walls around her heart.
Even in sunny summer, a great Christmas read. Five of out five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

This is my first book in this trilogy and I didn’t even know it was the last book of three until after I finished the book. This shows you don’t have to read the other two to enjoy this one. An easy read that I couldn’t put down. I loved the characters and the author’s writing style. I will be looking for the other two in this trilogy.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The third book in the Highland, Georgia romantic comedy series from Laura Trentham, A Highlander is Coming to Town, full of love, laughs...and highlanders!

You better watch out. . .

Holt Pierson is dreading Christmas. His parents absconded to Florida for the season and left him to handle the family farm which will be his one day―whether he wants it or not. Driven by duty, Holt has always followed the path expected of him. But lately, he’s been questioning what he wants and where he belongs. Will assuming the responsibility of the Pierson farm make him happy or is there something―or someone―else out in the wider world calling to him?

To Claire Smythe, the Scottish lead singer of a touring band, Highland, Georgia, is the perfect place to hide . . .until a very handsome and deeply curious Holt begins to ask all the questions Claire doesn’t want to answer. As Holt draws Claire out from under and into the fabric of small-town life, can Claire put the past behind her and embrace the unexpected gifts of the season―including the new and lasting love?

My notes:

This story reminds me in some ways of the Roman Holiday because Claire is from a wealthy Scottish family. The family name is the same name as the whiskey, Smythe is not Claire's real name. She used the fake name as a singer with a Scottish Rock Band. After leaving the band, Claire gets a job as a caregiver to Mrs. Meadows, an elderly lady who needs help. Claire is in Highland, a town in the state of Georgia in the USA. Holt's father has an ongoing feud with Mrs. Meadows who would not give his farm access to her land. Holt gets to know Mrs. Meadows and likes her. He scolds his father for the way he treated Mrs. Meadows.

Highly recommended for fans of Southern contemporary romance who loves romance.

For me, this novel raised more Questions than answers. If the romance reader does not mind unanswered questions,.

When Mrs. Meadows decides to move into an assisted living residence at the edge of the town, she explains to Claire that she cannot afford to move into the nice place unless she gets a good price for her house. Holt explained to Claire that even in a good year, his farm has a slight margin of profit. Claire has NO money. To my surprise, Holt finds the money to buy Mrs. Meadows' house.



I received a free digital copy of A Highlander is Coming to Town from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review.

The third book in the Highland, Georgia romantic comedy series from Laura Trentham, A Highlander is Coming to Town, full of love, laughs...and highlanders!
A comical romance with highlanders.

I was invited by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley to read the ARC of A Highlander Is Coming to Town, by Laura Trentham, in exchange for an honest review. This is the third book in the Highland, Georgia, romantic comedy series, but is the only one I have read. I definitely want to read the others.

The book is well-written with only minimal errors, that will probably be corrected for the published copies. This book is a quick, easy, read with well-developed characters. If your brain is tired from reading “dark or heavy stuff” A Highlander Is Coming to Town, will give you the respite you need. It even gave me a bit of Christmas spirit in the heat of summer.

Claire Smythe has dropped out as the Scottish lead singer of a touring band, and believes the lovely small town of Highland, Georgia, will be the perfect place to hide from her overbearing family. No one here needs to know she is the heiress of a famous brand of Scotch whiskey.

Holt Pierson's parents decided to abandon him for the warm Florida weather, and left him to care for the family farm that he will someday inherit. He is dreading being alone at Christmas. Holt isn't sure he wants to follow in his parents' footsteps. Will he be happy running a farm?

Soon Holt meets the secretive Claire, but he soon recognizes her from the band. Even though she dodges his questions, Holt is able to draw her out of her shell, and into the Christmas-y season of Highland. Before we know it, they could be falling in love.

What made The Grumpy Book Reviewer grumpy?
Not much: a few typos, a couple of missing commas, a period at the end of a question, 3 instances of Incorrect verb tense. Any of these things can happen when sentences or phrases are moved or cut and pasted. That's what good proofreaders are for.

This was such a fun read and although there were some moments of angst, the humour and the delightful season of Christmas balanced it out.

I adored Holt's character, such a warm hearted man and he's exactly what Claire needs!! Claire has a secret and a decision she needs to make which will affect her whole life. The storyline pretty much deals with that and it all takes place amidst the Christmas season in Highland, Georgia. I loved the small town feeling, the people, the traditions, etc.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

3.5 star Review of A Highlander Is Coming To Town by Laura Trentham

Laura Trentham is a new author to me. I love books that centre around; it's the most magical time of the year and also happens to be my most favourite holiday. It’s a time for family and friends to get together and celebrate life.

This is Holt Pierson and Claire Smythe’s story and it was an enjoyable read. Holt is at a crossroads, torn between his duty to his family and their farm and wanting to spread his wings and leave Highland, Georgia. Claire is a Scottish singer, touring with her band and wants to get away from it all.

When Holt and Claire meet, he is drawn to the mysterious woman who doesn't want to answer his questions. As their relationship develops, will Claire be happy to settle in a small town? What will happen when her secrets are revealed?
This was a sweet, cute story with some romance, but not a lot of the holiday season which is what I expected when I chose this book.

I received a copy of this book, through the publisher via NetGalley

A really heartwarming romance with the added sparkle of the holidays. Two lonely souls (make that three) make a connection and their lives open up to all the possibilities. The close knit community of Highland is charming, the characters are all engaging and touch upon each other’s lives. I didn’t want this story to end, I wanted to stay with this town and it’s inhabitants just a little longer! The author has a great way of getting her readers invested in the story and it’s characters.

This was a sweet fun romance. Even though its the third in the series, I dont think my enjoyment unduly suffered from not having read them first.
This is a rich girl falls for the small town boy trope and I have to say I lapped it up! Holt was adorably sweet just what prickly Claire needed to draw her out of her shell. Even though I read it out of season this little christmas romance didnt seem out of place, It was a warmhearted light read. And I loved it.

I never read any from this author great book. I can't wait to read more from this author. I liked the cover it's what attracted me to the book to want to read it

Thank you to St. Martin’s and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of A Highlander is Coming to Town, part of the Highland, Georgia series which releases September 29th!

I was approached by St. Martin’s via NetGalley to read and review this Christmas themed story. I opted into the opportunity because who does not love Scots and Christmas, at any time of the year.

Characters: Holt and Claire are the main characters of this story. Claire is hiding out in the town, running from her past and her future. This town represents a chance to lay low, keep her head down but her character is too interesting for that. Holt sees that, and he brings it out of her. Holt is the small-town farm boy who takes a chance with the elusive Claire.

Setting: The story is set in Highland, Georgia which is a lovely small town. The whole town has a Scottish vibe, from the festivals, bars, and parties they have. To all the former Scots, turned Americans loitering around the town. Such a nice atmosphere, I wanted to stay in this setting for a long time.

Romance: Claire and Holt were made for each other. The vast majority of this story was reading as Claire decided to put her own happiness ahead of the expectations of her family. To allow herself to love openly and honestly. Not just Holt but the entire town of Highland, Georgia.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

So I liked and didn’t like. Overall I found this fun and entertaining. I love Holt. He showed us there is more than meets the eye. He was sweet, fun, kind, gentle and giving. He didn’t really know much about his neighbor but that is due to a dispute his dad had with her. He didn’t begrudge her though and was nice to her. He is taking care of the family farm as his parents are away and won’t be back for the holidays and this has him dreading them. But he does get a silver lining. And that was Claire.

It was Claire that I didn’t like. I couldn’t really warm up to her. She was prickly at first. Very secretive and just not to friendly. Well except to the woman she was staying with. So when HOlt comes into her world she wasn’t exactly thrilled. The chemistry really wasn’t there for me when it came to Claire and her feelings for Holt. YOu could see how Holt felt and how it turned him upside down at times. She had him out of his comfort zone and seeing beyond the farm and feuds with people. She did help him see beyond what he knew and got him to show more compassion than before. Don’t get me wrong he was a caring man but his compassion towards his neighbor wasn’t always seen until Claire. Holt got Claire to see the world in a different light as well. Showed her she couldn’t run and hide for ever and that love and support helps you heal and find your way. As Holt wears Claire down you do start to thaw from her prickly attitude and start to like her. It just takes awhile and kind of has the romance aspect seem flat on her side. It was Holt that made this book. His way with others and how he helped them out. His kindness and fun personality and how he found ways to help others even when it seemed impossible. How he grew and found love and how you couldn’t help but cheer him on in this whole adventure of his. So Overall like the book but didn’t relate much to Claire. Related a to Holt and loved him and his story in finding love with Claire.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

Just kind of average and fairly predictable.

I have enjoyed the previous stories in this Highland, Georgia series, and I was really looking forward to this Christmas time jaunt back to the town and it's citizens.

Whilst I liked it, I wasn't as enamoured with it as I was the first two books.

And I think for the most part, the problem for me was Claire. I liked her for the most part, but I did get sick of her "poor little rich girl" attitude for so much of the story. I got it, I know why she hid who she was from people. I am sure I would too to some extent.

But ugh it ended up grating on me. This could just be me though. I wanted to shake some sense into her at times.

Holt was just all swoon in a kilt. Get out of the way Claire, I will take him off your hands!

I loved seeing more of the couples from the previous books, I loved seeing their relationships growing, I loved the banter between everyone.

So whilst this one fell a little flat for me, I hope we get more visits to Highland in the future.

3.5 stars

A Highlander Coming to Town by Laura Trentham is the 3rd and final book in her Highland, Georgia series. I have read the previous two books, and this book does read very well as a standalone.
Claire Smythe, our heroine, is a former singer for a Scottish band, which participated in the Highland, Georgia festival. Claire is hiding out, as she does not want people to pay too much attention to her. It seems that Claire dreads returning to Scotland, where her family is waiting for her to return, and assume her responsibility, as she is an heiress to a major whiskey empire. Claire lives with Ms. Meadows, an elderly woman, who needs help, and Claire is her caregiver. One day returning from the store on her bicycle she has a slight accident, and someone comes to her rescue.

Holt Pierson, our hero, runs the family farm, while his parents are away on vacation for the summer. Even though Claire doesn’t want a ride in his car, she has no choice as the bike is damaged. Ms. Meadows see Holt, points a rifle at him, until Claire tells her he was helping her. Seems Holt’s family and Ms Meadows had a falling out years ago about her land, which is next to Holt’s family.

At first Claire avoids Holt, but she slowly becomes more comfortable with him, as he continues to pop up often. Holt was a great hero, always nice and caring and well liked in town; he tries to find out more information from Claire, as to what she seems to be hiding. They begin to spend a lot of time together; Holt finds himself falling for Claire. She too has feelings for him, but knows she will be leaving Highland soon.

Because of her newfound friendship with Holt, Claire finds herself meeting other people, such has Anna and Iain (last book heroes), and agreeing to hang out at the bar. She ends up singing, and begins to open up enjoy her stay at Highland. Holt and Claire’s friendship escalates into a slow build romance, and Holt learns that Claire is an heiress, but their relationship continues to sizzle, as she tries to come to terms with what she will do. Will Claire return home to Scotland and claim her inheritance? You will need to read this book to find out what happens.

What follows was a fun enjoyable romance, which included two couples, mostly though with Claire and Holt, who ended up being a great couple. I love the wonderful secondary characters in the town. It was a great ending, with both sets of parents coming to Highland at the same time. As I have said before, Laura Trentham always gives us sweet wonderful romances, great characters, and an amazing small town. If you love romance and Highlanders, you need to be reading this series.

I was a little leary when I realized that it was a third book in a series, because sometimes they bring in every character from the other books and it can be confusing. But this book stands alone. As I got to know the characters better, I really enjoyed the book. It was a cute story! I especially liked it when all the parents got together.

A Highlander is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham while part of a triology is a good standalone book.. Once again the reader is taken back to Highland, Georgia and it's Scottish roots. This story is about a young Scottish heiress staying in Highlander, GA at the home of a elderly woman who was in need of live in help. Claire got the job through a local minister. The elderly woman, MS. Meadows, is quite a character but Claire gets along with her well. Claire is living off the grid using a made up last name so that her family in Scotland cannot find her. Claire meets Holt Pierson on the way home from a trip to town for supplies for MS. Meadows. Claire rides a bicycle and has had a accident with her bike and Holt stops to help. Holt is surprised when Claire reveals where she is going. Apparently MS. Meadows and Holt's family have a 'feud' going. Holt and Claire strike up a friendship which blossoms into a romance. Holt is allowed to befriend MS. Meadows but Claire still hasn't revealed who she really is. The story comes to an interesting conclusion as Claire makes a decision that will change her lifestyle. Also there is an interesting conclusion to the tale of Holt, his family and MS. Meadows. And, of course, there's a HEA. I am voluntarily giving this review after receiving an ARC of this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The main characters have good chemistry and their backstories are believable. I can't wait for the next in the series.

I have read the first two books in this series and I think that is why I liked this book. I wanted Holt to get his happily ever after. I didn't care so much for Claire and her wishy-washy ways or her having to hide from her family. She isn't the most likeable character but she's not awful. Holt and Ms. Meadows are the ones who save this book. I do like that we get an update on Anna and Iain though nothing on Izzy. This books always bring me back to the warmth I felt when I was in Scotland. Though they take place in Georgia, it still has that Scottish vibe. You can read this as a stand alone or as part of the series.