This is the second book in the highlands series by this author with coming home to the highlands being the first. I would recommend reading in order to get full enjoyment and background on the characters but could be read as a standalone.

Was great to be bask in the highlands and in the idyllic surroundings of the castle with Bella and Olivia and the addition of sone new faces.

Love the bond between Bella and her gran and granny Isla is such a hilarious and charming character love her way with words.

I was drawn to this book by the front cover and it didn't disappont. It is well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that I loved. I really enjoyed it. The storyline was engaging and really pulls you in.

I absolutely love this series. It is the perfect cozy novel to snuggle up with a blanket and mug of tea. This iteration follows Olivia's friend Bella as she helps Olivia bring Dumbriar Castle up to scratch for the public opening. What I loved about this book was it was a who will I choose romantic trope. There is nothing I like more than reading about two men duking it out for the affections of the main character. I really like the options that Bella has. There was just enough drama with Aiden to keep me interested and screaming at her to go with Harris instead. While I would certainly say this is a low stakes book, there are some really good dramatic plot points to keep your attention. I highly recommend this book if you have a free weekend and you are also a lover of Outlander. The author does a great job at keeping you engaged with Inverness and the Scottish Highlands. I really loved this one and will absolutely keep up with the world Hobman is creating at Dumbriar Castle.

It was great to return to Drumblair Castle, this time seeing life there through Bella's eyes. There is such a community there, with the family and staff and Bella finds life there to be glorious. She has put her own ambitions in design on the back burner, but finds that her talent has an opportunity to shine. Circumstances cause her to have to move temporarily into the castle and she brings her granny along. There is plenty of scope for humour where her granny is concerned,

Bella's friendship with Olivia is a strong one and it is interesting to see how Olivia is managing her inheritance. Not everyone in her family has been delighted to see this happen. Bella also has to put up with her granny's matchmaking and finds herself with two very different contenders. As the story develops, your opinion of them both changes.

In short: an uplifting return to the Highlands

I loved howbthis story made me feel like I was in the Scottish Highlands. I absolutely loved everything about it. Want to read it again to enjoy it more

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. The setting of this book was beautiful, and it was an easygoing read, but unfortunately it moved quite slowly and didn't fully capture me.

I understand from reviews that thisis the second book following the characters of Olivia and Bella, so it would be worth reading the first. In saying that, this did not impact on my enjoyment of this book. I liked the relationship between Bella and her gran, as another reviewer has said it would make a great audiobook with a good Scottish narrator. A great storyline and well written, I really enjoyed this book and can highly recommend for a light summer read. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of Chasing a Highland Dream

In "Drumblair Castle," Bella navigates trust issues with Kerr, saves a public event, and faces personal upheaval, finding refuge in Olivia's apartment. Her love life takes a turn when torn between a bearded policeman and a famous author. Characterization shines, especially Bella's growth and relationships with Olivia and Granny Isla. Kindness and forgiveness are central themes, amidst drama and warmth. Familiar characters reappear, and the Scottish Highlands setting adds charm. With a perfect ending, it's a tear-jerking yet uplifting read, perfect for both series fans and newcomers alike.

I wish I could have listened to someone read this in Scottish accent on an audio book. Other than that it was a great story and a fun romantic read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an advances copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book follows on from the first book in the series "Coming Home to the Highlands". Liv is now Lady Olivia MacBain and living at the 17th century Drumblair Castle. Her best friend Bella is currently working as her PA, due to not being able to find anything she loves to do. When the interior designers let Olivia down with the castle remodel, Bella steps into help and realises that she just might have something she loves after all especially if she can make the castle feel authentic with her designs and ensure Olivia loves them.

I really enjoy the writing style of the author, I have not read a few of her books and she manages to set the stage really well in regards to the books setting and her characters. Apart from the pathetic Kerr, all her characters are charming and a pleasure to read about. There is always a little romance, a few great friendships and characters you end up routing for. And Granny Isla is hillarious.

This book could be read as a standalone and it would still be enjoyable, but I would recommend reading the other book first so you have a background for the characters and the castle. A really enjoyable read and I am hoping there are more books to come in the series.

We jump straight into Chasing a Highland Dream, and I absolutely loved it. At first it seemed a bit rushed, but I think that was just to establish the basis of what was to come.
The directive of each character created a beautiful tapestry, that being, the overall story. The level of description within this book was outstanding, I saw it all play out like a movie in my mind. Combined with the differing characters and sweet tropes, overall, it was so fun. I’m not one to usually enjoy a love triangle but I was gripped. The way that the author set up certain ideas and incorporated small moments that filtered throughout the story was genius. At certain points the plot moved quickly, and I had a suspicion this was a device used by the author. Which turned out to be quite successful, especially when establishing certain notions within the text.
The story was so enchanting, it moved well and I absolutely loved the setting. I will definitely read more from this author.

This is the second book in the Highlands series but, can very much be read as a standalone story.
I absolutely loved this book - I read to escape and this book was everything I want in a book.- A beautiful location, characters I would like to meet, a heart warming love story.
I now really want to visit Inverness and cannot wait for Lisa's next book in this series.

After reading the first book in the Highlands series I was obsessed and I genuinely loved this sequel even more. I love the fact that we back with Olivia and Bella their friendship feels so genuine and we all need a friend like that and Bellas relationship with her granny melted my heart. I loved the writing style and setting of this wonderful book and knowing their will be a third book I am so happy we will get to escape with these lovely characters again.
#chasingthehighlanddream #boldwood #netgalley

The story of Bella, who as well as being PA to her friend is branching out in to interior design as she always hoped. There are a couple of options for romance on the horizon, but will she shy away from being matchmaked by her granny? A great read.

I really love Lisa's writing style and her stories. The first book set at the castle in the Highlands was a 5 star read for me. This book, came close as I especially loved Isla, Bella's feisty and full of life grandma and the friendship between Bella and Olivia was really touching, but somehow I was less invested in Bella's story than Olivia's, perhaps because I did not like one of Bella's potential boyfriends and could not understand Bella's interest in him so for a long while I was leaning towards 4 stars, but my mind was changed for me as I continued reading.

There is a lot going on in this book: events at the castle, Bella and her grandma's home situation, grandma getting older and then also Bella's love life and dreams for what she wants to do with her life.

I loved the warm fuzzy feeling I got from being back with the familiar characters at the castle that we had met in book 1 and the dogs often made me smile too.

Some light reading to take away the winter gloom. This book has a great main character in Bella, a beautiful location and a good story line.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, cozy book. I enjoyed it a lot!

I really enjoyed the second book in this series.

In the first we met Olivia who is now Lady MacBain and is getting ready to open the castle to the public. Her best friend, Bella, is her PA and this story is mainly about her although the stories intertwine.

Bella has been unlucky with relationship and her 80 year old granny Isla is trying to matchmake with the local Police Sergeant, however, Bella is interested in a mysterious writer who is staying at accommodation at the castle.

I enjoyed the great range of characters and felt that with the curve balls thrown at Bella it helped her grow and realise she could be more. I loved the friendship between Olivia and Bella, the bond is so strong. Granny Isla's malapropisms had me laughing out loud on a number of occasions and her instincts were good especially when it came to Aiden.

A lovely heartwarming read which I would definitely recommend. I hope there will be more books to come. 

Thank you Rachels Random Resources for my gifted eARC and spot on the tour.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Chasing A Highland Dream' by Lisa Hobman.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Lisa Hobman, Rachel's Random Resources, Book And Tonic, Boldwood Books and The Bold Book Club

Publication date 28th February 2024.

This is the first book I have read by this author. It is also the second book in 'The Highlands' series but each book in this series can be read as a standalone.

This novel consists of a prologue, 34 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

An absolute stunner from the extremely talented Lisa!!! Well done Lisa on an absolutely beautiful and perfect read!! This is the ideal beach read where you could sit there and turn around and just imagine the beautiful Highlands coming to life around you!

I absolutely LOVE this stunning book and am absolutely landed that it is part of a series that I can not only look forward to more books to read when they come out but can go back to the first book 'Coming Home To The Highlands' while I am waiting for new ones to come out!!! Lisa's absolutely stunning evocative writing skills ensures the readers are absolutely sucked into the stunning storyline with the atmosphere, emotions and characters coming to life all around them. Lisa ensure the reader hears the Scottish twang in the characters voices, feel the fresh Highland air around them and see the beautiful surroundings. This fantastic storyline is filled with friendship, romance, humour, dogs, a castle, a matchmaking Granny, delicious cake and absolutely everything that you can ask for in a beautiful romantic escapism!!! Bella's best friend inherits the family castle and makes Bella her PA. Bella has been unlucky in love, work and all things life!! Her dream is to become an interior designer but that ended after she dropped out of college. However, things look up for Bella when she gets the chance to work on some holiday apartments at the castle. Bella's Granny Isla is determined to help her find love but will she make the right choice? After so many disasters will Bella take another risk? Well, what are you waiting for? Grab your copy of this stunner now and find out for yourself!!! You wont regret it!! I absolutely fell in love venturing into the beautiful Scottish Highlands and exploring the Drumblair Castle, meeting the amazing characters and getting completely lost in this stunning storyline! I became so invested in this book that it actually felt like going on a holiday and I absolutely dreaded coming to the end again where I had to unpack my suitcase and get back to reality. It was an absolutely compelling and addictive heart lifting read that kept me turning the pages until late at night. I loved discovering the pasts and histories of the characters and I was absolutely swept away in the story line. The characters and locations came to life around me and I cannot wait to return in the next and previous book in this stunning series that I have very quickly fallen in love with. It has everything you could ask for to lose yourself for several hours. I just could not put it down so make sure you clear your schedules!!!! This book and this series would make a beautiful movie!! I haven't been to Scotland for a long time but my son keeps asking to go and this book has tempted me even more. This book is an absolutely gorgeous, cute and addictive addition in what promises to be an absolutely stunning series!!

Do not turn a single page of this book until you have cleared your schedules and when you do get ready to go on a stunning holiday you will not want to leave!!

Although this is the second book in this stunning series I had absolutely no problems reading it without reading the first book 'Coming Home To the Highlands'. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

I very quickly became completely invested in the characters, along with the storyline, who were all absolutely fantastic with their own individual personalities and quirks. They all started feeling like friends so quickly and I cannot wait to meet some of them along with new characters in the previous and future books in what promises to be a stunning series if this gorgeous book is anything to go by!!. I felt like I was leaving amazing people and friends and feel quite sad about that! Each of the characters have rich personalities and they will all stay with me for a long time. Lisa's fantastic evocative writing skills ensure each and every one of them come to life in front of your eyes while you go through all their emotions with them. In this beautiful story our main protagonist is Bella who I absolutely adored and connected with immediately. She is such a likeable woman and I was rooting for her throughout. However, although Bella is our main protagonist I must admit that my favourite character just HAS to be the absolutely fabulous Granny Isla!!!! She reminded me of my own Gran so much and although my Gran is sadly no longer with me it brought so many happy memories of her back while I was reading this. She made me laugh out loud on so many occasions I lost count!!! I will prewarn you not to drink tea, or any liquids, while Granny Isla is about!! Nobody thought to warn me and I ended up spitting my tea out on a couple of occasions!!! There were several other characters that I loved and just a couple I was not a fan of at all but we cant like everyone and it would be boring if we did!! The fact that Lisa clearly cares about her characters absolutely shines through the pages with the fact that they are so well developed, realistic and every character has a part. I just absolutely adored getting to meet them and Im looking forward to meeting them all over again in the first and future books in this fantastic series. An absolutely fantastic, unique and memorable group of amazing characters that i wont forget anytime soon!!

Congratulations Lisa on an absolutely gorgeous success!!! I'm definitely looking forward to my next holiday to the Scottish Highlands in your next book!!! This is exactly why you are now in my favourite author club and here is to your next success 🥂 !!!

Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the prologue of Lisa's 'Dreaming Under An Island Skye' which promises to be just as gorgeous as this book and is is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!

Overall a perfect, stunning, page turning beach or fireplace escapism, with a great gang of characters that will sweep you away to the Scottish Highlands from the very first page to the end by the extremely talented Lisa Hobman!!

326 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle,free with Kindle Unlimited and £9.99 in paperback (at time of review) via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Bella Douglas works as the PA to her best friend, Lady Olivia MacBain, who inherited the family home, Drumblair Castle, from her mother. Olivia was chosen over her brother, Kerr, because he has been a gambler and a heavy drinker. This has left Kerr very angry and out for revenge. At one time, Bella had a crush on him but that’s certainly over as he has shown his true colors.

Olivia is updating a lot of the castle to enable her to open it to the public to be used for events, wedding venues, etc. She has also planned to change the stables over to apartments. But when the company lined up to do that for her cancels, Bella’s love of interior decorating comes through and Olivia asks her to do the interiors to Bella’s delight. The first apartment is to be rented to an author who will be working on a novel.

Olivia lives with her grandmother, Isla, who is a funny woman. She loves to visit the day care center to be with other octogenarians whom she calls old. Her malapropos are hysterical. But a problem with their house has them staying in one of the apartments at the castle.

Isla wants Bella to hook up with police officer, Harris, who is the son of her friend. But Bella wants to just choose someone herself. The author shows interest in her but she’s not so sure about that.

This is just the third novel I have read by the author and I'm totally hooked. Cannot wait to read more. Such delightful plots and beautiful descriptions. This story felt like a warm hug. I just loved it and want to reach out and grab another of her books and start it right now. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.