Another romantic comedy hit my queue! I already read the first two books in this series, A Highlander Walks Into a Bar and A Highlander in a Pickup, so I knew I was in for a treat with this third book in the Highland, Georgia series. In this addition to the series, Holt Pierson is pretty much a Scrooge. Not happy about the holiday in the least, as well as taking on sudden responsibilities is not his idea of fun.

Meanwhile, Claire Smythe is taking a break from her singing career to hide out in Highland, Georgia. In the first two books, we had sexy Scottish men in kilts. In this book, we have a beautiful and vivacious singer who is about to turn the life of one of Georgia's own upside down, Holt Pierson.

Holt and Claire could not be more different. Claire starts off as shy and reserved, but she soon becomes brash and playful. Meanwhile, Holt is gruff and stern, although loving and caring for the people in his life. But, as the saying goes, opposites attract, and that couldn't be more true for these two. Sparks fly, ignite and turn into a full flame.

All the while, Claire and Holt do indeed make the perfect couple, and I enjoyed how this book was written so that we, as readers, could see the groundwork of a happily ever after come to these wonderful and deserving people.

Before I read the three books in this series, Laura Trentham was a new name for me. I loved reading her books and enjoyed her writing style, the characters, conflicts and conclusions of each book. I do hope there is more in this series. If not, I look forward to perusing her backlist so that I can continue to be entertained by her.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Christmassy romance! It’s warm-hearted and funny, with wonderful characters. The story is also poignant, as the main character Claire hides her true self, looking for her safe place to land. I love romance novels in which the couple have to break down barriers and allow themselves to be vulnerable and open to love.

I know. I know. I shouldn't want to read Christmas books in the summer, but the way 2020 has been, I thought it would cheer me up and put a smile on my face. Come on, Highlander! Give me some happiness to this bleak year.

When I saw the cover of this book , I THOUGHT I would be getting more of a Christmas themed book, but it really only focused on that holiday toward the end, so I was kind of disappointed. But the story was sweet and cute and not too drama filled. Kind of like a sexier Hallmark movie.

Claire is a Scottish lass that has come to Highlander to hide and get away from her family obligations. She tells no one who she is or why she is there. She falls into a job taking care of an elderly lady, Ms Meadows. They end up connecting and forming some sort of bond when neither of them wanted it. And then there's Holt. The man that always seems to be right around the corner looking to help Claire will she continuously gets herself into some form of trouble. Just a genuine nice guy (but man, can he wear a kilt). He also finds himself drawn to the mysterious Claire. What will Claire do with these two people she is growing to care for? Will her family ever find her and make her fulfill her family obligations?

Overall this book was Meh. It was ok. It was light, a little sweet, a little funny and ok. Nothing special or unusual, but a book you can appreciate for what it is. Fast paced and did it’s job. Like I said above...like a sexier hallmark movie that just makes you feel good.

Cute, cute, CUTE! I love a good holiday story, and nobody writes a small town romance like Laura Trentham. A quick, fun read that zips right along.

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

This one concludes the Highland, Georgia trilogy, and I must say I’ve enjoyed all three for their humor, heartwarming stories and location setting/lovable secondary characters.

This one is Holt’s (a native who helps farm his parents’ land) and Claire’s (an ex-band singer/heiress to a Scottish dynasty who is hiding out while contemplating her future) story. Claire learns to trust and embrace a new community family, and Holt makes a few decisions of his own.

I love Trentham’s ability to write simple, satisfying love stories that tug at your heart. My only con? The ending seemed a bit rushed, but no biggie. Great conclusion to the series.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story about Claire and Holt overall, but I wanted to slap the crazy out of Claire and get her to realize how awesome Holt was and how ridiculous she was being. But, it (of course) all worked out in the end.

I had a little difficulty following along with the story line - there were times when I felt that there was a lot of unnecessary info included in the story. Otherwise it would’ve been a 5 star read.

This is the third book in a series, but very much a stand alone book. It the story of Holt and Claire. She is hiding out from her family and a life she doesn’t want When she meets Holt. He’s not looking forward to the holidays with his parents traveling. He meets Claire and knows that she hiding a secret and hoping that she’ll trust him. This is a sweet romance. It was slow to start but once I got into it I didn’t want to put it down.

Holt has taken over the family farm, and with his parents off seeing the country in an RV, he’s essentially done everything expected of him. But, that’s wearing thin – everyone in his group is pairing off, and he’s not sure about what’s next for him. With Christmas coming he’s feeling out-of-sorts and not looking forward to any of this.

Claire Smythe left her family home and obligations to tour with a band – through Scotland and the Isles – and landed in Highland for the festival. Thinking she wanted a change and wanting to sort out some of her own issues before her next birthday – she's taken a room/position helping Mrs. Meadows, elderly and in need of someone to run errands and watch over her. But with little money and a broken bike, and more spiney-spots than the average hedgehog, Claire isn’t interested in people knowing her, or getting attached. And Holt, gentleman to the end, isn’t going to allow Claire to struggle, and it doesn’t hurt to see that she’s adorable and he’d like to know more.

This series is very sweet – the people of Highland look out for their own, and Holt finds Claire just at the time when he needed something to distract him from all the ‘same’. It’s hard NOT to like Holt, and he’s just a genuine guy with a big heart, and he wants to see Claire (and Mrs. Meadows) safe and happy. With plenty of time, a bit of romance and some sweet (and not so) words and advice from Mrs. Meadows, the two find their way to ‘more’ and Claire sees opportunities and options she’d not thought possible before. A lovely installment in this series with a return to the town that ‘out-scots’ Scottish villages nearly daily.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” http://iam-indeed.com/p/41445/” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This is a very light-hearted romantic book set in a small town in Georgia called Highland, which surprisingly enough is very Scottish themed!

I really liked both main characters, Holt and Claire. Holt is a Highlander native and owns a family farm there, whereas Claire is originally from Scotland and stayed there after singing at the Highland Festival with her band. She decided it was time to leave the band, but has secrets and decisions to make about her life. In the meantime, as she is practically penniless, she works for an elderly lady who needed a bit of help after a fall.

But she keeps bumping into Holt, even though she is trying to keep a low profile, and they get closer as he keeps helping her out, even though she initially keeps trying to push him away. Claire slowly gets to know more people in Highland and feels more comfortable with them, and eventually her secret comes out, family arrives from Scotland, and she has to make a decision about her life.

I really like the characters in this series (I've read the first book too) and the quirky little town of Highland. I know this book was set around Christmas, but I wouldn't say it felt particularly Christmassy to me and could really be read any time of the year. A lovely light-hearted book that I read in a day. Very enjoyable.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Claire Smythe thinks Highland, Georgia is the perfect place to hide when she decides to leave the lead singing job with her Scottish rock band. She intends to lay low and not make any lasting friendships in the town before she heads back to Scotland to do what is expected of her. However, she didn't count on Holt Pierson. Holt is running his family farm now that his parents have retired and decided to travel around the country. It was always expected of him that he would take over the family farm, but sometimes he wonders if there is something else out there for him, and he is instantly drawn to Claire. Claire can't help but be drawn to Holt, too, even though she knows anything between them can only be temporary. Can they work out their differences and obligations to build something lasting?

This is the third book in the series about Highland, Georgia, and it was nice to see the old characters again. I didn't feel as drawn to Claire or Holt as I have past couples in the series. It's a good book; I just didn't connect to it. I will continue to read other books in the series based on my interest in the first two, but this isn't one I will be telling everyone they need to read.

I did read the other two books in the series, but I think that this third book in the series can definitely be read as a standalone. It is a fun, quick-paced and very light romance, with some humor and intense love scenes. Claire Smythe has chosen Highlands, Georgia, to hide from her past. She does a fairly good job of hiding until she meets farmer Holt Pierson, a young man who is trying to find what he really wants from life and is thrown into a tailspin when he meets Claire. I enjoyed the romance, but I thought it all happened a little fast. The characters in the town were just quirky enough to keep me reading. I liked that Claire sought a friendship with Anna and that they supported each other. I also really liked the character of Ms. Meadows, Claire’s employer who is like a mom or grandmother to her. Ms. Meadow’s has suffered loss herself and is also very wise in her advice to Claire. The story was well-developed, with just enough complications in the characters’ lives to keep me engaged all the way to the end. Great addition to the series! Those looking for a light romance will enjoy this book.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

REALLY 3.5 FOR ME

Holt was born and raised in Highland Georgia. He grew up knowing he would take over the family farm. Every now and then that bothered him. (Like when friends went away to college.) But, he loves the farm and all the work that goes with it.

One of the highlights of his life is participating in the Highland Games at the Scottish Festival held every summer.

This past summer, he won the Highland Games. And Holt looks terrific in his kilt.

Claire was lead singer for one of the Scottish bands who participated in the festival. She has quit the band, and found work in Highland as a helper for an elderly lady, Mrs Meadows. She is doing this simply to make some money. During this down time she is hiding out from her family. She is also trying to figure out her next step in life.

This is the third in a wonderful series by Laura Trentham. The first two books in the series are delightful. This one was a not quite up to that for me.

I enjoy Ms Trentham’s writing very much. She creates characters who are well developed real human beings. Her characters are always people I would like as friends.

Holt is that kind of character. He is thoughtful and kind and caring. He is generous with his time and he has a terrific sense of humor. Everyone in Highland knows him and likes him.

I liked him.

It was much more difficult for me to connect to Claire. I know that deep down she has a good heart, because she learns to like Mrs Meadows. At the same time, she acts like John Dillinger hiding from the FBI when she wears a hooded sweatshirt and baggy clothes that make her stand out all over town. She is dishonest with people who want to be friendly with her. I understand, sort of. But, all her machinations, made it hard for me to become fond of her for a long time.

The plot is well done. The town actually plays a large part in the plot. Time passes and seasons change and people behave like small town people behave.

I hoped that Claire would act warmer toward Holt, not just with lust.

The Happily Ever After does happen, but I felt that things were rather hurried along.

I loved this series. And I am glad that Holt got his story By the end of the book, I wanted the best for Claire, so it all worked out OK. ‘Cause she could not have found a better guy than Holt.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

I enjoyed this book. A new to me author. I would read again. Good plot development. I enjoyed the main character development.

I love reading Christmas books in the summer! This book didn't miss any beats and kept me wanting more.

Claire is an especially likeable character. I want to know a bit more about her background and her earlier days. She's about to turn 25 and she's been out away from her family, but it makes it sound like she's been away for years. This is only a month of the time but the most important part is the decision she has yet to make. Still, I want more of her and what she went through in previous years leading up to this moment.

Holt is a bit of a devil but in the best way possible, and he doesn't even mean to be. I love every part of his personality! He even backed off when Claire needed him to, which is admirable in any character (real like or fiction!).

This is an adorable book with a great romance that is surrounded by Christmas fun. There's enough about the two characters, and the people surrounding them that I enjoyed the story and how their relationship developed.

The side characters are also amazing, but Holt's parents were hilarious.

As much as I loved the story, it was hard for me to stick with it. I kept putting it down. Very pleased I stuck with it through the end!

What a sweet, charming romance!

I absolutely adore each of the Highland, Georgia stories! It's a delightful southern small town that celebrates everything Scottish, every day. The first two books took place in the summer when the town hosts their annual Highland Games Festival, but this one takes place in the fall/winter a couple months after the last book ends.

Claire, who sang with her band at the festival, stays behind to both hide from her family obligations in Scotland and to figure out what she's going to do about the next chapter in her life. She wasn't prepared for the sexy, charming Holt Pierson, a man as tied to his family's land as she is to her family's legacy.

This easy-going story is simply delightful at every turn. Holt and Claire's sparkling chemistry pulls them both out of their comfort zones, while the Pierson family's history with Claire's employer adds substantial depth to all the related characters. Seeing Iain and Anna again was pure joy on every level and makes this a must-read book for anyone who read A Highlander in a Pickup.

Full of the Christmas spirit with an ode to Robert Burns, this is a wonderful holiday story with a HEA for everyone. And in case you think there's not enough southernisms included, here's Holt's mother's answer when he says their new guests might make dinner awkward:

His mom gave him an eye roll. “I hosted a luncheon between the Baptist and Methodist women’s groups. I can handle awkward.”

There are many more instances of folksy humor and small town charm throughout the story. Highland, Georgia may be portrayed as idyllic, but that's the exact kind of escapism that I read for. Reading this book was like spending a lazy Sunday in a hammock with a pitcher of sweet tea. I couldn't have loved it more. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Tired of COVID 19 lockdown then this A Highlander is Coming to Town by Laura Trentham is the perfect escape Christmas reading for you. Highland, GA is still having their Christmas festival and celebration. While it may not be realistic for 2020 it gives us all a way to look ahead to good times again. Not that Holt Pierson and Claire Smythe are having all good times. They meet at a time when they have major future decisions to decide.

Like the first two in the Highland, GA series this one is a romantic comedy. However, like those too, it deals with life changing issues that is common to all. Stay or leave, do what is expected or break away for your own dreams. Some heavy stuff dealt with in a light serious manner. Then there is how not to be a good neighbor, Holt learned that well from his father but he can change that. While on the surface it may seem as if Claire does the most evolving as a character, Holt does his share too. He is just so charming that it may not seem as if he needs to do that but the author knows better.

A Highlander is Coming to Town is a character driven story with a small-town setting. It is not necessary to have read the other books in the series but after meeting Holt, Claire and Ms. Meadows you will want to be checking those books out. As for A Highlander is Coming to Town it is never to early to think of Christmas and a great romance is always in season.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such a sweet, romantic Christmas love story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received this ARC for an honest review. This is my first book from Laura Trentham and I enjoyed it. I did drag my feet on reading it, but it surprised me. My only problem is that I feel like the ending was rushed, This story is about Claire and Holt. Claire is living with Ms. Meadows to help her after her fall. Claire is in hiding, (but I’m not going to tell you why), and she meets Holt at the grocery store. I like the dynamic between the characters . Laura Trentham did a good job keeping the characters and story interesting. Even though I feel the ending was rushed, I do recommend to give this story a try.

“A Highlander is Coming to Town” by Laura Trentham
Yes, I fell in love with Ms. Meadows, Claire, & Holt, the primary players in this story. And, I do have a soft spot in my heart for this town called Highland, GA. I do love clean, sweet, romance stories that just worm their way into my wee little readers-world and keep me company for a while. This is an easy read with the tugs on the heart strings, and the joys of sometimes the right people are in the right place at the right time. I hope you will enjoy this story as much as I did. This is a worthy read. Happy Reading ! !
note: I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley. This review reflects my opinions of this story.

This was a charming romance with some spice mixed in. I loved the small town setting and the characters. It was a great escape for an afternoon and was a good light beach read.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.