3.75⭐️

I enjoyed my time reading this book. I enjoyed the scenery of Scotland, the slight connections she made with the Appalachian Mountains back home. The traditional Scottish dances that were mentioned, the Highland Games. A lot of the Scottish details of this book was very enjoyable for me.

I personally think a bit of the language trying to make it sound like a Scot, was a bit much, even though I enjoyed some of the language aspects very well.

There is a lot of layers and emotions of our characters pasts that they deal with throughout this book, making it feel & read more like a Christian contemporary romance for me, even though there was some banter and funny moments you would typically find in a rom com also. I enjoyed our two main protagonist, I think they were very cute together and fit well.

Over 80% in there is a semi intense make-out scene, with some particular ogling over his body, that seemed a bit much for a Christian book. Also on the Christian book note, this felt insanely light on the themes to me. While the main character would think to herself thoughts of God fairly often throughout, nothing particularly struck me as super deep or heavy in the way she wrote any of it.

There are a couple of quotes I highlighted through out that I thought were very beautiful & well written.

Content wise this book talks a good bit about grief, steamy make out scene, some descriptions of the male body.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Fiction for sending me a complimentary Arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Loved it! This story has great characters, wonderful scenery and a compelling storyline. I also enjoyed the added element of faith in it. I highly recommend this book.

Such a cute read! SOME LIKE IT SCOT follows adventure writer Katie Campbell on a trip to Scotland to attend an Edwardian Experience at a large manor house. She finds herself in quite some predicaments and crosses paths with a grumpy (yet hunky) Scotsman who teaches her a few things about love and family while Katie grapples with familial strains following the death of a sibling.

An overall really wholesome book, with just a sprinkle of romantic spice. Mine only issue was that some of the dialogue was written in Scottish dialect/accent, and was sorta hard to figure out at times. But overall, I highly recommend this book!

Some Like It Scot is a charming romance that will whisk readers to the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. From the first chapter, you’ll be transported to rolling hills, storied castles, and a close-knit community steeped in culture and heart. With captivating scenery and characters who feel like old friends, it’s the kind of story that feels like a vacation for the soul.

“Every wandering heart needs a place to rest.” ~ Pepper Basham

All of us are looking for where we belong. For some, that means jumping from one relationship to the next, hoping to find a home in another person. For Katie Campbell, that means jumping from plane to plane and visiting a new destination every few weeks. With adventure waiting around the next corner, Katie is living the dream life, but as each destination rolls into the next, her desire to settle down grows stronger with each landing.

Where Katie is a wandering nomad, however, Graeme MacKerrow is a homebody, unyielding about his place in this world. He is the classic grumpy-to-sweetheart hero who hates change. Still, as his gruff exterior melts away, we learn that even the hardest of hearts struggle to stay protected when a chaotic, accident-prone American gal with a heart of gold enters the scene.

“How badly do you want to belong? To be love?” ~ Pepper Basham

Some Like It Scot is more than a cozy romantic comedy. It touches on themes of belonging, healing, trust, and faith. I really enjoyed how Graeme and Katie’s families played a role in their story. Though I would’ve liked to see a better resolution with Katie’s mother and brother, the glimpses we got added texture to the messiness of adult family relationships.

One of my favorite elements was how Pepper Basham weaved her faith into the pages of this novel. She wasn’t preachy, but the message was subtly powerful. It was equally hilarious and relatable when Katie and Graeme realized they were both Christians. I also enjoyed watching them rely on God for wisdom and trust in His will rather than trying to force things with their strength.

I thoroughly enjoyed Some Like It Scot. It had cheesy puns, laugh-out-loud moments (especially when Lachlan was around), swoony romance, Outlander references, dazzling landscapes, and lovable characters who held the story together. Katie’s misadventures were so much fun to read, and Graeme’s constant heroics were highly entertaining — he will never be bored when Katie’s around.

“But maybe, when you start figuring out where you belong, you start falling in love with your own story too. Because . . . love does that. It changes everything.” ~ Pepper Basham

P.S. - I know Some Like It Scot is a stand-alone, but I would love a sequel or novella to learn what happened to the other characters!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Positive content: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Godly content: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Language:
Sexual content: ⭐️
Violence: ⭐️
Age: 15+

"Some Like it Scot" is the fifth book of Pepper Basham's that I've read, and I can honestly say, they just keep getting better! She has such a way of balancing serious topics and heartfelt pain with humor and a joy for living. I come away feeling refreshed every time I read one of her stories.

In this particular book, we have two main characters, Katie and Graeme, who both have lost a sister. Yet their families have chosen to deal with their losses in completely different ways. While Katie's mother chose to erase Katie's sister from her life, Graeme's family still freely talk about his twin. And the effect those two different approaches have to healing from loss and to the grieving process are profound.

Yet, as heavy as that topic is, there is a continual levity in Ms. Basham's storytelling. Katie is a travel writer who has learned how to capitalize on her clumsiness to become the star behind her Miss Adventure's travel writing column. And some of the situations Katie finds herself in, you have to read it to believe it!

And while Graeme comes across as a gruff and grumpy Scot at the start of the story, we come to see that there's a gentle warrior behind the façade that has a soft and gentle heart.

As Katie and Graeme's story unfold, we see them each come to terms with the healing they each have yet to experience, as well as dealing with a crazy koo, a psycho kid on a bike, a thieving parrot, and much more.

I love the way Ms. Basham's mind works and would really enjoy learning how/where she comes up with some of these ideas! You know a book is really good when you find yourself responding aloud to things, whether it's to warn someone of something you see coming or laughing out loud when something crazy happens.

Thank you to Pepper Basham, Thomas Nelson, And NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham is another home-run read! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Basham’s uniquely endearing characters, her beautiful and breathtaking descriptions of the Scottish landscape, and the hilarious hi-jinks the main characters found themselves participating in whether they wanted to or not. This story simultaneously made me laugh out loud and teary-eyed. My emotions ran the gamut with this book. And it’s because of the themes discussed. I don’t know how Basham does it, but it feels like every book she writes is filled with all the stuff going on in my life at the current moment, and this book is no exception. The stuff in this story is deep and real and raw. My heart hurt for Katie so badly, and I often thought, “Yep, I can totally relate.” From family issues to mommy issues to grieving issues, Some Like it Scot pulls no punches, and I was there for all of it. This was the cathartic read I didn’t even know I needed. As far as the characters go, they’re superb. Katie is adventurous and courageous and kind. She has a super big heart and genuinely loves people. And she is so funny. I loved all her puns. What I like about Katie the most is she puts others first. Not because she feels obligated to do so, or because it makes her look good, but because that’s just her nature. She is a caretaker. She loves getting to know people and their stories. She loves being there for others. It was fun to read about a heroine who is authentically good. Sure, Katie struggles just like we all do, but she never lets her struggles get her down. And then there is Katie’s Scot, Graeme. He’s super swoony and sweet and grumpy. And his heart is as big as Scotland. Like Katie, Graeme is always there for his people, too. I really loved all the moments Graeme swoops in and saves Katie from herself and her very many clumsy moments. Those were both some of the funniest and swooniest moments in the book! As far as their relationship goes, I appreciated the pacing from hilarious meeting to friendship to romance. I felt like their relationship blossomed naturally and realistically. And I love how the two become “home” for one another. It’s so true. When you find your person, you really do find your “home” on this earth.

Some Like it Scot is a fantastic Rom-Com. I loved every single second of this story, and I will genuinely miss my time with these characters. If you’re a fan of excellently crafted Contemporary Romances filled with adorable characters, hilarious adventures, and stuff-not-fluff, then this is definitely a story you will not want to miss. I adored this story, and you will, too!

I received a galley copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley, in order to review. I also purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on April 7, 2025 in order to review. I am under no obligation to leave a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This charming romance set in the beautiful Scottish Highlands features Graeme, a swoon-worthy character, along with his delightful family. The story has a lovely found family theme, making it an enjoyable and quick read that serves as a perfect palate cleanser.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This was such a great story! I just want more the ending happened too fast! I would love to have more of this story!

I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson and all opinions expressed are mine.

The book follows travel writer and podcaster Katie whose whole career is built on adventure . So it's not surprising when she jumps at the opportunity to trace her ancestral roots in Scotland. Besides the beauty of the country she finds herself entangled with a coworker that doesn't like her much and a Scot that is more grumpy than sunshine. It's the perfect t read for fans of the grumpy sunshine trop and for fans of themes around finding one self.

I enjoyed this romance about finding yourself and finding love in the process.

Katie goes to Scotland for her work and she meets a grumpy Scotsman. They both help each other see more about each other and about themselves.

The scenery is beautiful and the introspection is lovely. I enjoyed this book.

Thank you @netgalley @thomasnelson for the e-ARC 🤍
Opinions, as always, are entirely my own.

This one took me a little while to get into (definitely a *me* thing, not the book’s fault), but once I settled in, I had such a lovely time with it!

Katie is this adorably clumsy travel writer who somehow ends up in the most hilarious situations across the world, cue all the secondhand embarrassment and giggles. Enter Graeme, a quiet, broody Scottish woodworker who doesn’t travel much but has stories of his own to tell.

What I really loved was how the book gently explored grief- how differently people deal with it, and how it shapes the way they love, hold back, or leap forward.

It’s lighthearted but layered, with some really sweet moments, unexpected laughs, and the kind of side characters that make you want to move to a fictional village just so you can have tea with them on a random Wednesday.

Perfect if you’re looking for a cozy summer escape to Scotland, with a dash of romance, healing, and growth 🌸

Some Like it Scot is a fun book with a lot of heart, beautiful scenery, a lovely town and people learning to love and trust. I enjoyed the book a lot and now really really would love to go to Scotland. I liked the story and its characters, i liked the way it unfolded, it had a cozy feeling and a great summer read.

Some like it Scott by Pepper Basham was such a lovely read. It’s late spring here and I needed a lighter read like this and it really fulfilled that desire. I found the book greatly enjoyable with lots of humor and romance. I admit I had a hard time getting into it at first so I highly recommend the audio version of this book! The accents on the audiobook and the acting really helped get me more interested into the story. I’m not one to enjoy quirky main characters so perhaps that’s why it was difficult for me but the main character (Katie) demonstrated great growth and development through the story, and that allowed me to relate more to her. She struggled with a longing for home, and had a big desire to belong somewhere. This story centers around that understanding and it also portrays healing from grief and childhood traumas. The male lead was probably my favorite character in the story, along with his nephew. The entire story was done so well and I will definitely recommend this story!

This offers an immersive reading experience that transports readers straight to the heart of Scotland, one of my favorite places to visit. The author's descriptive writing makes it easy to feel as though you’re walking through the Scottish landscape alongside the characters, which is one of the book’s standout features.

The main female character (MFC) is kinda relatable, with many qualities that feel familiar and endearing. However, her plotline often takes a turn for the absurd with a series of over-the-top, ridiculous circumstances that happen. While this adds a certain charm to the book, it did at times feel a bit much.

The male lead, a damaged and hurt character, is undeniably cute but didn’t quite make me swoon the way I hoped. His vulnerability is clear, but there wasn’t that deep connection I was expecting.

This is a Christian romance, and the second half of the book delves deeply into themes of faith. For readers who enjoy stories with strong faith elements, this will likely be a highlight. However, for those who aren’t as drawn to these themes, it may feel a little heavy-handed. *I myself did not realize this was going to be super heavy of the faith piece* I think the synopsis needs to be updated.

I did find myself skimming in parts, especially when the plot turned toward the MFC’s podcasting/social media journey or the MMC’s career developments. These aspects didn’t resonate with me, which made those portions of the book feel less engaging.

Overall, Some Like It Scot is a charming read for those who enjoy faith-based romance with a beautiful setting. If you’re someone who appreciates Scotland, Christian themes, and a lighter, sometimes silly romance, this book is worth picking up.



thank you to net galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review *

Beautiful, faith-filled adventure

What a fun adventure in Scotland with a welcoming and quirky cast of characters! The faith aspects of this book hit all the right notes for me, with a wonderful message of trusting in God and powerful themes of belonging. This was a delightful read that verified Pepper Basham's place as one of my favorite authors!

This was a sweet romance, I'd rate it PG for kissing and some life-threatening situations.

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

I have read and enjoyed several books by Pepper Basham in the past and this book was no exception. This was a wonderful book!

As someone who grew up in Scotland I absolutely adored this read!

Katie Campbell, a writer, takes a three week Edwardian experience throughout Scotland and meets very dark, handsome and brooding Graeme, not to mention he's also a carpenter!? Love LOVE LOVE!

Super cute and fun story, especially enjoyed the setting and side characters throughout. I still enjoyed her Authentically Izzy series better than this one but I connected more to those characters vs. a travel influencer. Still a super fun story for the summer time and I thought the audiobook made it even more enjoyable with all the different accents! Mild faith elements, more than some other books from this publisher but overall just a clean romance.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book!

I really loved Pepper Basham’s Skymar trilogy. She writes funny but honest Christian fiction that never seems to feel “cheesy.” The way she writes her characters makes you think she’d be someone you’d love to share a cup of tea with. That said, I was so excited to see she had written a new book set in Scotland, not Skymar. Some Like It Scot follows Katie as she partakes in a 3 week “Edwardian Experience” at a Scottish manor home owned by Graeme and his family. Katie longs for a place to call home, while Graeme wants to close the outside world off and hunker down in Mull with his close-knit family.

What’s inside this book?
*Accident-prone American travel writer- Katie
*Grumpy Scottish woodworker -Graeme
*Edwardian period “dress-up”
*Grief
*Found family
*Scottish setting
*Clean romance
*Christian fiction
*Dual POV

What I enjoyed:
*Katie is TALL (6’1”) and curvy - petite, trim FMCs are the norm in most rom-coms. So this was refreshing. She describes herself as “cello-shaped.” That was hilarious.
*Scotland- the landscape descriptions, the myths and legends shared in the story, the Highland coos and sheep
*Family- Graeme’s family is delightful, caring, close, and cozy.
*The overtly Christian message of identity, faith, worth, faithfulness of God.

What I struggled with:
*Family expectations and toxic relationship with Katie’s mom isn’t resolved. Katie tries to remind herself of what is true after each interaction with her, but she never gets closure or addresses the dysfunction with her mom. I wanted to see her either ignore her mother’s degrading calls/texts or maturely address the narcissism. That was not satisfying.
*The puns. Ugh. Painful.
*So many aspects of the story are left unfinished. The other participants of the Edwardian Experience are ignored after the first dance lesson. We have no clue what even happened with them. And they were there for 3 weeks.

Overall, it was a sweet story, and there’s a mention of Pepper Basham’s fictitious Skymar, which was fun. But, I don’t think it’s one of her best. Felt rushed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me access to the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

She chases adventure. He clings to home. Can love bridge the distance between their worlds?
Travel writer Katie Campbell is always on the move—until a three-week Edwardian immersion experience in the Scottish Highlands changes everything. Graeme MacKerrow, a stoic Scotsman rooted in tradition, finds his quiet life disrupted by Katie’s energy, charm, and relentless curiosity. As folklore, family, and romance collide, they both discover that sometimes home isn’t a place—it’s a person.

✨ Highlights:
* A beautiful journey of self-discovery for Katie as she begins to uncover her true worth.
* The sibling bond between Katie and her brother Brett is touching and beautifully written.
* Mirren’s cozy bookshop, the charming granny-led book club, and the entire MacKerrow family add warmth and depth to the story.
* I loved how Katie slowly found a family among the MacKerrows—one that truly sees and values her.

💭 My Thoughts:
This book is a heart-hug from start to finish. We first meet Katie through her blog and “Miss Adventures,” and it’s clear she’s trying to outrun her own insecurities. The Edwardian experience she’s covering for work is quirky and fun, but it’s the setting and the people that slowly begin to change her. Pepper Basham paints the Isle of Mull so vividly, it made me long to visit Scotland myself.

Katie and Graeme’s first meeting? Absolutely hilarious. Their chemistry? Tender, slow-burning, and full of charm. I especially appreciated how naturally their connection grew through honest conversations, shared space, and clashing perspectives that turned into deep respect.

What stood out most to me was Katie’s emotional arc, particularly her strained relationship with her mother and her journey toward healing. The way the story addresses grief, complicated family dynamics, and finding belonging was both realistic and full of grace. Katie’s growth—learning to see her value and to receive love—was inspiring and deeply moving. There’s so much to adore in this story, but at its heart, it's about finding your place and the people who make it feel like home.