A light holiday read with plenty of secrets and mystery set in a small rural town in Scotland. Somewhat predictable on several levels with a fair smattering of misunderstandings but also plenty of drama and intrigue with a good balance of subplots. At first I didn't like either of the main characters, Ella and Dexter who seemed shallow and lack substance but over the course of the book warmed to them. A well paced and pleasant enough holiday book with a good portrayal of characters, although they felt a little shallow at times.

A Scottish Country Escape, I definitely enjoyed this quirky story. The plot and all it's characters make this an enjoyable experience. I don't have a favorite character but it definitely felt like a team effort from the characters which made heart of the story warm with community spirit and forgiveness.

I really loved the setting for Fir Haven, it seemed like a great place with a whole host of wonderful characters.

Elle is trying to turn her life around after the death of her parents. When a famous author moves to town and nearly knocks a woman down with his car, everything changes... when he ends up having a curse put on him.

The story was really fun. I really enjoyed the difference between Elle and Dexter, and watching them get to know one other. Dexter really didn't come across as a very nice person to start with and I liked seeing the change in him.

Unfortunately, the story got a bit complicated towards the end and there was just too much going on. It felt quite rushed, just to get to the end.

Isn't the front cover of this book just stunning. It drew me in from the very first minute. The story inside is just as charming. I liked the main character and adored the grandmother. I liked their connection and the love between them.

I thought the cover of this book was very pretty, and I enjoyed a previous book that I read by this author, which is why I was interested in this one.

I thought this was a sweet, heart-warming book. The protagonist, Elle, was a character that I liked, and I thought her grandma was a charming character as well. In fact, I warmed to most of the characters. Sometimes I have a craving for a sweet, cosy book that provides escapism for me and takes me to another place for a little while, and this book filled that craving for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Really enjoyed the characters the setting.Well written romance a touch of mystery involving enjoyable read.#netgalley #harperukone chapter

Elle tragically loses her parents in a car crash in the Scottish Highlands. The family own a shop in Fir Haven and Elle is determined to keep the shop going in some way, shape or form. Her grandmother Clara comforts Elle as best she can and they make the decision to turn the former newsagents business into a stationary shop to be called Paper Roses. Elle’s grief is on top of a recent split from boyfriend Lloyd. Her first meeting with well known crime writer, Dexter Grayling, newly arrived to the area, is distinctly less than auspicious and shortly after this Dexter suffers writers block. Is this linked to the incident when they first meet in Fir Haven?

There are some elements I do enjoy in this latest novel from Julie Shackleton. The area is idyllic, it has a rich history, both of which understandably attracts tourists. There’s a sort of paranormal element which drives a considerable part of the storyline which is quite entertaining and you certainly learn some secrets about the dwellers in Fir Haven! I like the environmental parts of the novel too as the locals find themselves in a fight to save a nature reserve from the greedy clutches of developers and the local council. There’s inevitably and predictably, a romance aspect and some of the dynamics are interesting and the relationship between Elle and her grandmother is heartwarming. There’s plenty going on in the plot with humour interspersed which I enjoy.

However, much as the plot is busy it’s not a fast paced novel, in fact it’s a distinctly slow meander around Fir Haven and thus it doesn’t blow my socks off. It’s way too descriptive and any potential excitement gets lost in the wordiness and as a consequence I become frustrated.

Overall, it’s a nice diverting read and sometimes that’s just what’s needed.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this story, a good romance novel full of questions and mystery. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I was fortunate enough to get to read The Cottage in the Highlands by Julie Shackman via NetGalley and I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to read A Scottish Country Escape. This is such a fun series. These stories always have layers and messages (this one about nature), but they don't overwhelm or overtake the story. You'll get a paranormal twist in this one. I've got to get caught up with the first two books. I'm looking forward to another installment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

This is the first Julie Shackman book that I’ve read and I must say I wasn’t disappointed. I liked all the characters and liked the fact that their backstories were explained, which in turn helped their actions in the story make sense. Elle has lost both her parents and opens up Paper Roses stationary shop in the premises of her late mum’s business. She lives with her gran who comes across as very young at heart. She meets Dexter, a famous writer who has moved into Fir Haven, when he nearly runs her and others over. There is an attraction to him that she is trying to deny but can she deny it forever? Plus is it reciprocated? The community come together to save Fir Haven nature reserve as well as dealing with curses and coming to terms with past events. Short chapters made this an easy book to dip in and out of and only took me a couple of days to read. Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first Julie Shackman novel I have read and it was quite enjoyable. I liked the setting and the characters and the first half progressed nicely but the second half felt rushed to get to a conclusion.

An unlikely combination, Dexter and Elle. Elle is preparing to reopen her shop, calling it Paper Roses, which is a lovely name fr a stationery shop. Dexter nearly knocks her over with his flashy sports car. I could have done without the emphasis on 'witchcraft', but the overall story is pleasant with one or two unexpected happenings.
Thank you for thchance to review this book. I always enjoy this author's writing.

I received a free copy of, A Scottish Country Escape, by Julie Shackman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Elle has opened her own shop Paper Roses. One day Elle and another lady almost get run over by Dexter. Dexter turns her whole life around. I did not care for Dexter at all, but I loved Elle, and her Grandma. A nice read.

A nice next to the fireplace read with a glass of wine.
Reading the book leaves you with a cosy feeling,and ghd different kinds of characters in the book such a vivid description.

Not my usual type of genre but I absolutely loved the storyline with great characters all who were happy with their life.

There were a few lol moments, such easy reading and a bit of mystery thrown in, what more can you wish for.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins OMC for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

Dexter and Ella aren’t your typical love at first sight characters. I think their story was well written, involving other characters and the small town they live it! Loved every page.

4,5 sweet stars for A Scottish Country Escape by J. Shackman, published by Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter. ASCE is the fourth book in this series.
Elle and Dexter are not a match made in heaven. Their meet cute isn't cute at all. He nearly runs her over and she has issues of her own. Freshly single and still grieving the loss of her parents, Elle is already through a lot.
This small town, mystery romance - -it took me a minute to get into the story, but then I was intrigued and wanted to know what happens next, I just had to know.
A great read that gives all the feels.

Dexter and Elle meet after he almost runs her and one other person over. It’s certainly not love at first sight either.
Something happens to Dexter after that incident and it seems he’s lost his creative streak.
It’s a slow build of the story. There’s a few surprises along the way too. It’s an enjoyable story
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

A lovely story.. Elle had lost her parents and she decided to turn her parents shop into the most amazing stationery shop. I so wanted to visit it. There was a white witch, a hunky writer, a corrupt council, a grandmother and a nature reserve to save. Set in a lovely Scottish village. You will love it and it had a perfect ending.

Once again Julie Shackman has delivered another intriguing mystery romance with A Scottish Country Escape but this time it contains a paranormal twist! Although not a fast paced plot (except the race of pages under my thumb as I wanted to find out what was going to happen!), there are many incidents to tease the reader along while the mystery unfolds. There is never a dull moment in this Scottish community or story which is wonderfully interjected with the author’s trademark humour. I have loved all of Julie’s books and have never been disappointed by her unique story telling ability.

All light humour aside, there is a heart breaking element to Elle Cassidy’s life. Our main character has lost both of her well-loved parents in a tragic accident. This story focuses a fair amount on the unfortunate dangers of road travel of the past and present. But Elle is left with her grandmother so they are a comfort to each other and very close. Together they work to revive a family business in Fir Haven but in doing so turn it from a newsagent to a stationary shop called Paper Roses. This is a nice nod to Elle's mother’s middle name (Rose) and past business as well as its current re-purpose. I love that Julie utilises small town businesses in her stories and this one is as special as the others. The element of independence sought by female owners always makes me cheer.

Another factor in this story that is very Julie-like, is Elle's fight for the natural environment and all its living beings. There is a tough battle on in A Scottish Country Escape to preserve a nature reserve that is the ‘beating heart’ of the Fir Haven community. Of course, it is under threat by robust developers. How will Elle and her friends and family save it? You will have to read and find out but the outcome is very clever and well delivered.

There are so many wonderful branches to this story: including a romantic one. Handsome, self-absorbed Dexter Grayling, a best-selling author, arrives on the scene and stirs up the action almost causing an accident with his mean, flashy sports car. A tug of war on Elle’s heart begins after he almost runs her over and then appeals to her to help him find the woman who has seemingly put a ‘curse on him’ which is affecting his ability to write. Elle is reluctant to team up with him for obvious reasons but as we dig deeper into her background, we see there are many factors such as past relationship disappointments and personality conflicts that would prevent her from getting involved. But through persistent persuasion, her grandmother convinces her. It is an unexpected journey as she slowly finds out who Dexter really is and that he is not quite what he appears to be. Under that model playboy exterior, there are many unexpected attributes that will alter her judgement of him.

I was very happy with the clever conclusion and enjoyed meeting so many fascinating characters ( a lot of very interesting male figures that break free of their woes through the determined urging of a couple of women). It is ultimately a story about forgiveness, healing and not judging others by personal experiences, and this happens quite a fair bit in the story. People are often a product of their life events but how one chooses to let those negative experiences affect them, will result in a life of freedom and happiness or one of bondage and bitterness.

I loved A Scottish Country Escape and the fact that Julie always presents stories that may seem light on the surface (with the added bonus of humour) but their messages are anything but one dimensional. Heartfelt layers of serious matters are always at each core. These identifiable life experiences create an emotional impact on the characters (and readers). You will fall in love with Fir Haven and its characters and this story will touch your heart in unexpected ways. I highly recommend this novel. 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to One More Chapter (HarperCollins) and Netgalley for my review copy.