Cover Image: The Highland Fling

The Highland Fling

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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake, and Meghan Quinn for the gifted copy of The Highland Fling. This is not the first Meghan Quinn book I have read, and it won't be the last. This book has Meghan's signature laugh out loud humor, mixed in with steamy romance! My favorite part of this book was the Scotland setting, and all of the Scottish details added in. This book is really immersed in culture and I really enjoyed it!!!

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I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. It made me laugh out loud so hard that at one point my daughter asked me what I was doing. Then it destroyed me and made me cry so I had to put the book in a time out. But in true Meghan Quinn fashion she always puts the pieces back together and makes me feel whole by the end. This might be one of my favorite Quinn books yet.

Plot Synopsis: Bonnie St. James and her best friend and roommate Dakota Dalton are in a bad place in life. They are being evicted from their apartment, they are both recovering from break ups, and Bonnie has just been fired from her job. So when Dakota sees an ad for two Americans wanted to move to the Scottish Highlands, all expenses paid, to run a local coffee shop for 6 months they apply. They get the job and move on a whim hoping it will help them both figure out what they want in life. Bonnie especially feels lost. Then she meets Rowan McGregor aka "Kilty McGrumpyshire" who has his own demons he is battling. But despite his grumpy attitude Rowan and Bonnie can't seem to stay away from each other. As their paths continue to cross, the sparks continue to fly and their tempers continue to flair. Will they help each other find what they are looking for in life and in love?

Review: Did I mentioned I LOVED this book and everything about it? I love a grumpy v. sunshine story and this one was pure gold. The characters were so complex and I wanted to know everything about them. But in true Quinn fashion she gives us a complete cast of characters in this book. We not only go on this journey with Bonnie and Rowan but also get to know Dakota and Isla (the town bakery owner) and so many of the other towns people. By the end you will want to move to the Scottish Highlands.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I will be reading this one over and over again for sure.

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I'm suddenly obsessed with the Scottish Highlands! Och! I am absolutely in love with this story. Bonnie and Rowan are amazing. Their story is not without a little angst, but in pure Meghan Quinn magic, they find and build upon a healing love. I laughed, I cried, I got mad at everybody, and I loved every single second of it. Bonnie and her best friend Dakota head off to the Scottish Highlands to find themselves, and find purpose after an especially tough season of life. And they find so much more than they ever would have expected. One-click this one right now, it's so SO good!

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Man, I love a romance novel set in Scotland. Who doesn't love the prospect of a steamy romance with a Scottish burr? Suffice it to say, I was excited to begin this, and I've had it on my "to read" list for a while. Therefore, I'll get right into it!

This book started with a cute sucker punch that really draws the reader in, and I loved that, because when I had a lot of books on my "to read shelf", a book that starts right in the action was an easy decision. However, as I immersed myself further into the story, there was some clear things I loved, and didn't love. First, and foremost, I love a destination read! I've always wanted to travel to Scotland, and this book immersed me in the beauty of it even further. Additionally, I really loved the female friendships in this story, Dakota and Bonnie were amazing. I loved their close friendship, and their ability to support each other with out words, built from years of closeness.

However, that brings me to Bonnie. I knew going into this that this type of humor present in this book might not be my cup of tea. I usually like a dryer humor... less blatant slapstick. I sort of felt like Bonnie as a character was immature... her sense of humor didn't mesh with mine, and her outlandishness became taxing. That isn't to say she didn't have redeemable qualities. Bonnie really showed growth throughout the book, and the fact that she found her calling made my heart happy. One of the biggest things to me though, is the fact that she was constantly groveling for all of her friends to give her love and attention. I understand the circumstance involving Dakota since that was a misunderstanding... however, begging Rowan to give her attention throughout the book rubbed me wrong, as did their first kiss. Besides that, I understand Rowans behavior toward the end had reasons behind it, however I felt like he didn't try hard enough to win Bonnie back. All in all, I found their chemistry lacking.

Speaking of Rowan, he had his moments of sweetness... but I didn't like him as much as I wanted to. He wasn't an alpha male, but he also wasn't the sweet cinnamon roll character we've been seeing featured in romance lately either. Besides that, it was weird that he didn't share his life's passion with Bonnie until the end, and it was simply offered as afterthought.

Like I said, I liked this book what it was, highlighting kick ass female friendship, and a destination setting. Give it a shot if you're looking for something sweet, just because I was lukewarm about it, doesn't mean you will be! I know how hard the writing process is, as well as how much love is crafted in each page when a novel is written, so I appreciate that. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥

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I really enjoyed this book. This was my first by Meghan Quinn and it won’t be the last. I love all things Scotland, so am a sucker for romances set in Scotland. Enemies to lovers is a fave as well and this did not disappoint.

At first, the premise was a bit far fetched and felt a bit silly at times, but once you get in a few chapters, it felt more realistic. I related to Bonnie with trying to find your place in the world and so I really enjoyed her journey.

This book had lots of humor, banter, and sexual tension between Bonnie and Rowan. All the things you want in an enemies to lovers/opposites attract book.

It was also nice to have a side romance between Dakota and Isla and see Dakota grow as well. Two romances for the price of one! I do feel like there should have been more communication between Bonnie and Dakota, especially with them being best friends, but a lot of what they go through I have related to.

I’m hoping there will be more books set in this world because I loved the entire cast of characters.

Although there are some serious themes in the book, I found it a fun read, overall and it brought me back to when I visited Scotland and now I want to go back. 4.25 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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At this point, if Meghan Quinn writes it, I will read it. The Highland Fling was such a sexy, Scottish delight that I didn’t want to end! This story had me laughing right from the start. I guess you could call this story kind of an enemies to lovers slow burn. Meghan has excelled at writing broody, grumpy men in her stories. This book also includes some entertaining side characters, the twins!... that I couldn’t get enough of.

Bonnie and Rowan have an interesting meet cute right from the start when she arrives in Corsekelly, Scotland. Rowan doesn’t want to have anything to do with Bonnie, but Bonnie can be very persistent. I love Bonnie’s character and how well she grows and changes over the course of the story to truly find her purpose on her and Dakota’s Scotland adventure. Rowan is an alpha, grumpy hero that you can’t help but love. He has some major weight on his shoulders that really shapes his character.

The setting of this story truly makes this story unique, and also makes me want to visit Scotland. It's on my bucket list. I love the whole idea of the Boaby Stone and Coreskelly’s mascot Fergus! These fun littles detail are some of my favorite parts of the story. Overall, I enjoyed this story, and was so happy with the journey and adventure these characters took to find their HEA.

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The Highland Fling is a quick rollercoaster of a romance! Bonnie is a strong, yet flawed, character that is easily relatable. The premise of the book, Bonnie and Dakota flying off to Scotland after being hired to take care of a coffee shop after applying to a viral advert, feels a little farfetched, but easy to forgive. I enjoyed watching Bonnie grow and find her purpose in Scotland. I was also extremely invested in the characters who felt like my own friends.

Another stellar story from Meghan Quinn, and especially so if you're looking for a break between her sports romance novels.

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I originally wanted to read this because I'm going through Outlander withdrawal at the moment and this said it was in Scotland so I was like heeeey. The story was fun to read, very cute.

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Overall I did end up liking this book, but the first and second halves felt like two different books. If I were just rating the first half it would be somewhere around two stars but then the end gets five so I’m not sure where that lands.

The beginning was hard to read, if I hadn’t gotten an ARC I would have stopped reading during the first chapter. Bonnie immediately made me cringe, her ugly American tourist behavior was appalling. I can’t remember the last time I disliked a character so quickly and completely. She’s super judgey of everything, from making fun of and mimicking the Scottish accent, assuming they don’t have running water, the immediate stomach problems after eating haggis. She’s over the top, obnoxious, and acts like Scotland is from the middle ages.

She felt like a caricature rather than a character. I understand how character arcs work but there has to be some redeeming quality about the character to begin with to want to see them grow and change and I didn’t see any in Bonnie.

Somewhere along the way she stopped being such a monster and I loved it once she settled down. The book took a total tone change somewhere along the way and it became a lovely small town romance.

I loved Rowan, he’s had a hard go of things and doesn’t let people in very easily. I loved his grumbly but caring nature. He’s a protector and a provider, a good baker and a proud Scot. What’s not to love? His storyline with his family was heartbreaking but beautiful.

The second half had lots of steam, lots of swoons, and lots of heart. I really enjoyed all the secondary characters and was rooting Dakota on for finally telling Bonnie off for being a bad friend.

I was left with an overall good impression by the end, it just took a while to get over how off-putting Bonnie was at the beginning.

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Absolutely loved this story, and thanks to Meghan Quinn, I’ve now added Scotland to my bucket list!

I flipping love Bonnie. She is a hot mess in the best way, she’s funny and sassy, and goes after what she wants. Rowan is the exact opposite. He’s more reserved and a little uptight. Rowan and Bonnie are complete opposites, but the two of them together were like fireworks. Their back and forth was laugh out loud funny at so many points. And their chemistry….WOW! These two were made for each other.

There were so many moments that were hilarious and downright adorable, but there were other moments that brought me to tears. Meghan Quinn has such an amazing way with words, and really draws you into the story. Hands down one of my favorites from Meghan!

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I feel like I just got back from Scotland!

This is my first ever book from Meghan Quinn and I really enjoyed it! Give me anything Scotland related with hilarious banter and a hate-to-love trope, and I'm head over heels in love! This book was so much fun, perfect getaway read even if it had some tough topics that the characters dealt with. I laughed an insane amount with the banter between Bonnie and Rowan, it was just so smart and witty and it felt so natural too.

I need to try butteries after this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the earc in return for an honest review.

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*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Omg yes! This book is everything I didn't know I needed.
I expected typical MQ humour but it was so much more.
A bit of a slowburn,grumpy Scot,the shenanigans,sexy twins with a dash of angst.And not to forget the screaming goat.
The book had me laughing from the first page to bawling my eyes out by the end of the book. This book is everything.
I am really grateful for the ARC.
I think I have a book hangover now.
Great read! (as it is to be expected from the queen herself)
Thank you !

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This was an astonishing story! And puts a very modern twist on dating. A fun, filled read with engaging characters.
The story feels genuine and believable.
There was the perfect amount of buildup to it with ideal pacing. I am so impressed with the way the book ended this fantastic journey. Each of the characters is well thought out and easy to relate to as well. It’s quick-paced and very easy to read! .

I really enjoyed this cute, fun filled book!
Thank you NetGalley, Montlake and Author for this advanced ebook copy!

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This book was perfect for a quick, yet satisfying read. One of my favorite things about this book is the humor of our main character, Bonnie. I adored her and ever so often she would say something that would make me burst out laughing. Even though it was really funny, it had the perfect amount of angst to it as well. You watch these characters go through really tough, and real things, which makes them all the more relatable.

Don't get me started on the setting! I loved that they were in Scotland and it made it all the more enjoyable to witness our characters fall in love with the little town they were staying in.

I think that there were a few things that were a little predictable but I didn't really mind it. I loved how the relationship between Bonnie and Rowan (our broody other main character) worked and how any problems between them were resolved. But the slight problems between Bonnie and her best friend Dakota, could have been resolved better with more conversation. I also would have liked to see more of our other characters. I think we saw a lot of Rowan (which I loved) and then a lot of Dakota. Okay, maybe I just wanted me some more of those twins....

Anyways! Overall, this book is perfect to curl up on your couch with and pretend you are on a vacation in Scotland and falling in love.

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