Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I really enjoyed this one -- it had me giggling and kicking my feet and *swooning*

Will definitely check out more of Basham's work :)

Loved this book. Scotland, in and of itself, was like another main character. The descriptions were beautiful, and reinforced my already strong desire to one day go! I loved this love story. It’s sweet, sincere, and the build up made sense. Both the FMC and the MMC have their own reasons for avoiding relationships (family struggles, grief, etc) and seeing them work through those things was an exciting (mis)adventure! This book was very clean — just kisses! Will be so excited to read Pepper Basham’s work in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve seen Pepper Basham’s books around for a while, but Some Like It Scot is the first one I’ve read—and I’m officially a fan! This story has everything: a charming small island in Scotland, a travel writer heroine, and a #HotScot hero. Honestly, who wouldn’t love that combo?

To really set the mood, I listened to Outlander-inspired music while reading, which transported me right into the heart of the Highlands. The book had me laughing out loud at times, and unexpectedly tearing up at others. It’s got just the right mix of grumpy/sunshine energy, a dash of forced proximity, and a romance that stays sweet—just kisses!

There’s also a cute little boy and his dog, some meddling (and lovable) matchmaking older women, and a twist I didn’t see coming (but nothing overly angsty). If I lived another life, I could easily imagine myself on the island of Mull—it felt so vivid and warm.

I especially resonated with Katie’s complicated relationship with her mom. The story touches on grief (including the death of a sibling, for those who may need that content warning), and it handles those emotions with such care and authenticity. Katie’s growth was beautifully written—raw, real, and inspiring. And Graeme? His journey wasn’t as dramatic, but I loved watching him work through his past too. Also… a Scottish guy who invites you to church? Yes, please!

The faith elements were one of my favorite parts—woven in naturally and full of hope. This book hit all the right notes for me. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Sweet clean romance with Christian undertones. I would definitely recommend this one. Loved all the misadventures and Graeme’s family dynamic. Katie’s Mom was not my favorite but it’s a good reminder to love your children and not be overly critical of them or expect them to be your ideals and just love them ❤️

3.5 stars

This is the summer read you want if you're into a clean contemporary romance.
I want Katie’s life — can’t even pretend not to be jealous of being able to travel for work! Katie and Scot had some really endearing and lovely moments and the shared loss, was something well portrayed on page.

I personally am not a massive fan of constantly describing how curvy or petite a character is, and that being a factor that’s rehashed throughout the story. It got old about 10 years ago.

This book just probably wasn’t for me I'm not really sure why it didn't hit the way i wanted, Its well written and I’m sure others would love it as a beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review

A sweet, witty romance with a lovable grumpy-sunshine pairing. The Scottish setting, meaningful themes

(3.5 stars rounded up)

I absolutely loved Authentically, Izzy and Loyally, Luke, so I was so excited to pick up another story by Pepper Basham. Some Like It Scot swept me right into the charm of the Scottish Highlands—especially the Isle of Mull—with its misty mornings, cozy bookshops, Highland games, and delightful cast of characters. The Edwardian Experience added a playful twist that brought some lighthearted fun and quirky humor to the story.

Katie and Graeme are two characters I was eager to see meet, and when their paths finally crossed—hello witty banter, slow burn, and all kinds of delightful misadventures.

One thing I really liked was how Katie and Graeme saw not only the hurts and wounds behind each other’s eyes, but also the unique gifts and talents they were created with. They gave each other space to be known and understood—offering grace in the hard places, and encouragement in the good. There was such a tenderness in how they cared for one another, pointing each other toward healing and growth—while always engaging in a little light flirting and banter along the way.

And I just loved Graeme’s mom, Mirren, and the warmth and wisdom she brought to the story:

“Every person’s story is worth hearing.”

“None of us knows for certain the choices we’ll make to change our futures.”

“It seems to me we need to pray you find home, Katie-girl, because every wandering heart needs a place to rest.”

Oh, how I would love to sit in her bookshop, sip tea by the fire, and listen to her stories.

💚 If you’re in the mood for something light-hearted, a little quirky, and full of Scottish charm, Some Like It Scot could be a perfect pick.

👉🏻 Swipe for synopsis.

Thank you, @netgalley and @thomasnelson, for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Some Like it Scot was delightfully set in Scotland. It follows Katie Campbell on a most unique journey. One to discover herself and process her feelings about her family. Along the way she meets a Scot, and slowly falls in love. Its your typical Basham romance, full of happy endings and sweet kisses. Fun hallmark-esq movie!

Katie Campbell is a travel writer who is always on the move. She's made a career of writing about her travel mishaps. But lately she's been feeling particularly unsettled. She's looking forward to her latest assignment as it will keep her in the same place for three weeks. It's her a chance to consider what comes next and how she might find a place to belong.

Graeme isn't thrilled that the family manor house has been rented out for a three week Edwardian experience. His displeasure manifests itself as a surly attitude. But he's finding it hard to maintain the attitude as he gets to know Katie.

They are both wear a mask that hides similar feelings. Katie is the perpetually sunny personality. She enjoys a bit of whimsy and is able to make fast friends with a young boy and his dog. Graeme may come across like a grump, but he's really a teddy bear. As he helps Katie through some of her mishaps and she's there to be a sounding board for Graeme they learn they share the grief of loss, the same insecurities and the need to find a place that feels like home. It's their complementary natures that adds to the natural development of their relationship

Pepper Basham's writing has a bit of a lyrical quality. She brings to she brings to life the quirky and entertaining cast of secondary character, providing a bit of humor and fun. She paints a lovely picture of the landscape invoking a feeling that you're sitting among the beauty and grandeur that is the Scottish highland. It's the allure and peace of this landscape that draws Katie in. Through Ms. Basham's writing, I felt the pain and grief of loss felt by both Graeme and Katie which is carefully offset by the warmth and heart at the center of Graeme's family and the love the grows between Graeme and Katie.

Pepper Basham has crafted a thoughtful, sensitive tale of loss, grief and the healing power of love.

Some Like It Scot is a delightful read that brings all the cozy charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and swoon-worthy romance you’d expect—with a generous dose of Scottish flair! While the story starts off a little slow, once it gets going, it’s witty, heartwarming, and full of personality.

I loved the clean humor, the quirky characters, and especially all the Scottish references—bagpipes, kilts, accents, and all. Pepper Basham knows how to blend romance and comedy with just the right touch of heart.

A perfect feel-good read for fans of sweet romance and Highland charm!

A fun, sweet rom-com!! I love the world traveler who doesn't have roots finding a family and place to settle down, but not losing her independence. The chemistry of the MCs is wonderful, and the religious aspects were present but not extremely forceful. Just right in my opinion.

May 7, 2025 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog
Book Review: “Some Like it Scot” by Pepper Basham
Thanks for clicking through to read my review of Pepper Basham’s latest romcom novel with Thomas Nelson: Some Like it Scot!

About the Book
An American travel writer who has never found a place to belong and a reclusive Scot with a surprising secret find a shocking connection when she enters a Highlands manor house that has been turned into a three-week long Edwardian experience.


Katie Campbell has traveled her entire life. As the daughter of an army chaplain, changing homes–or even countries–was commonplace, so when her wild childhood storytelling turned into a lucrative career as a travel writer, she thought she’d found her perfect match. But as she’s nearly thirty with no real place to settle down, she’s starting to wonder where “home” actually is. Her own family hadn’t felt like home since her sister’s death left them all limping through life.

When a lengthy project in Scotland promises to not only give her travel fodder for months but also a shot at a coveted editing position, she accepts and is sent to spend three weeks in the newly created Craighill House, a Scottish home redesigned to offer guests an Edwardian experience. But her entrance to Craighill introduces her to a quirky group of characters and a surly Scot who is helping refurbish the magnificent woodwork of the estate house.

As Katie attempts to live “Edwardian,” she learns that all that glitters does not a comfortable lifestyle make . . . and surly Scots may turn out to be dashing and creative uncles raising their orphaned nephews. When a few escapades from the Downton era lead Katie on hunts for mermaids and dragons or to a fireside chat with a family who has grown stronger through tragedy, Katie begins to wonder if “home” looks a whole lot like rolling green hills, magnificent braighs, and a few extra “ayes” thrown in for good measure. But can her world-traveling lifestyle fit in with a Scot whose heart is double-knotted to home?

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon

Review
Hilarious and heart-stirring, Pepper Basham delivers again with Some Like it Scot, a romcom armchair adventure with a healthy dose of belonging, found family, and found home-place on the idyllic Isle of Mull, Scotland. As the title implies, the humor of the story plays a prominent role, with highly entertaining puns galore in the dialogue and some mishaps that are the fault of Miss Adventure herself.


The setting is wholly immersive in the Scots culture with highland games, island life, rainy weather, coos and sheep, and local crafting. There’s also a sprinkle of Downton Abbey with the inclusion of Edwardian fashion, traditions, foods, and activities. This gives the characters opportunities for adventure and close proximity.

The romance between Katie and Graeme is perfectly paced. Graeme earns and deserves his #HotScot status, of course, and Katie rocks his world and expectations with her American flair. In addition to the sweetness of their connection (and one signature Basham-style closet kiss), their characters bring a very real view of grief, on that is carefully penned and heartfelt from Pepper’s authentic, personal perspective.

I greatly appreciate how Katie and Graeme bring realistic insecurities and vulnerabilities they address within their relationship AND interactions with secondary characters. They work out some of this baggage and end with a hopeful sense of more progress and growing-closer to come.

I must shoutout to little Lachlan who absolutely stole every scene he was in! He’s the mini hero of the book: adorable, spunky, and smart.

My thanks to the publisher and author for the complimentary review copy. This is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and funny and did a good job of bringing up a serious topic and handling it well. I liked how Katie and Graeme pushed each other to step outside their comfort zones. I liked how the went from not liking each other to being the perfect couple for each other. I loved the setting and the characters. I also loved the different narrators on the audiobook and thought they did a good job transporting us into the story.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

I loved this Scottish rom com! I loved the characters and their growth throughout the book. I loved the Scottish elements and could imagine myself there with the characters. The story was funny and cute! I really enjoyed this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Pepper Basham's writing makes kilts look sexy.

I mean seriously. Some Like It Scot was such a wonderful, swoonilicious story. Grumpy Graeme. He was such a wonderful hero. Stoic. Seemed to have a hard shell. But as the story moves along and you start to peel back his layers, well he is just a delight. Full of love, compassion, and so much more. I was instantly drawn to his character.

Some Like It Scot delivers lots of giggles, a wonderful meet-cute (comedic meet-cute at its finest), swoony romance, and a cast of characters that will simply warm your heart and have you wishing you were in Scotland this very moment. Highly recommend for fans looking for a grumpy/sunshine romance in a foreign setting!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Pepper Basham for granting me access to this book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 3.25 Stars

Let me start by saying this is a Christian romance—so if that’s not your cup of tea, you may want to skip this one. I didn’t realize that going into it (my bad for not doing the research), but I still found things to enjoy. Because the author is Christian, this is a very clean book—no swearing, no spice—though it is packed with cheesy moments, word puns, and a lighthearted tone.

This dual POV story follows Katie, a traveling writer who collects other people’s stories from around the world. Her latest journey takes her to Scotland, where she meets a cast of quirky locals—and a grumpy but charming Scottish man who turns her life upside down and forces her to reflect on her own path.

The book leans into the “misadventures” (Katie’s word) trope, showcasing both main characters as they push past their comfort zones and grow. The tone is hopeful and humorous, filled with banter and heartwarming moments. If you like small-town vibes with meddling townsfolk, this one delivers.

That said, it wasn’t a favorite for me. I really struggled at the beginning and almost DNF'd. It only picked up for me once the MCs started interacting more frequently and started developing their relationship.

One of the things I did enjoy was that the FMC doesn’t fit the traditional Western beauty standards—she’s curvy, tall, and unapologetically herself. That felt refreshing. Her character arc, moving from self-doubt to self-confidence, was nice to see, even if a bit predictable.

I didn’t love the shared trauma element: both characters have lost sisters, and while grief can bond people, this felt like a copy-paste shortcut to emotional connection. It came off a little forced and underdeveloped.

The romance itself didn’t land for me. While there was some build-up, the resolution felt rushed. Emotional decisions were made without enough foundation, making the love story feel more convenient than compelling. I wish the characters had spent more time getting to know each other to make their eventual connection feel earned and lived-in.

As for the setting—this is where the book shines. The Scottish backdrop is beautifully described, from the moody weather to the local personalities and even the animals. Pepper Basham really captures the charm of the place.

There’s also a historical thread involving the Edwardian era and role-play experiences, which could have added a fun layer to the romance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t explored deeply enough and ended up feeling like a missed opportunity. I would’ve loved more immersive scenes in that setting, especially to highlight the wooing and romantic development.

Overall, this is a light, clean romance with a hopeful tone, a strong sense of place, and quirky characters. It’s wholesome and charming in places, but uneven in execution. If you enjoy small-town vibes, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and a faith-based narrative, it might be worth a try. Just don’t expect a sweeping or deeply emotional love story.

Some Like It Scot is a charming and humorous love story. Pepper Basham masterfully creates a blend of romance, wit, and emotional depth, making the book a true highlight to read.
The writing style is smooth and enjoyable to read.
Overall, "Some Like It Scot" is a wonderful choice for anyone who loves romantic stories with a touch of humor.

This cozy novel follows Katie, a travel writer, as she spends three weeks at a manor in the Scottish Highlands transformed for an Edwardian experience. She has loved travelling the world and experiencing new places, but is beginning to realize she wants to find a place to call her home. As she grows to adore the community in the Highlands, where the manor is located, she wonders if this may be the place for her. Her time in this community also causes her to become enamored with the grumpy Scotsman, who seems determined not to give an outsider his heart again.

This heartwarming story explores grief and how different people cope with it. It also details how quickly a comforting place, full of loving people, can become someone's home.

I adored the characters, especially Graeme's young nephew. His appearances always put a smile on my face.

The one aspect that bothered me while reading was how much Katie looked down on herself and did not think she could do things worthy of attention, except by being clumsy. There was some personal growth regarding this, but it could have benefited from a more apparent recognition of this growth.

This book does include some mentions of prayer and religion, but not enough for it to be annoying.

I recommend this novel to anyone who loves a comforting romance, the Scottish Highlands, charming children, or all three.

I can't even help it - give me a Scottish man any day of the week...add in a Scottish accent? Well, I'm a goner! Graeme is not just Scottish - he's also incredibly grumpy and brooding and well - yum.

The book got off to a slow start, but as the pages turned I found myself really enjoying the book. The use of the Scottish language, and the massive description of the country side helped me to feel completely immersed in the story. Katie is fun - her ability to get stuck in these random misadventures was nothing short of funny. And the puns? Oh my word - they had me laughing SO hard. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and think it would be a perfect read for anyone wanting to travel to Scotland!

If you haven’t listened to this on audio, you need to. The Scottish MMC is voiced by a Scottish narrator, and his voice and accent are divine🤤

I really had fun reading Some Like It Scot! The setting was so beautiful and was written in a way that I felt like I was transported to Scotland. The Scottish aspects felt really authentic, especially the slang, and I appreciated that. I loved Katie and Graeme’s grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and I loved Katie’s humor and use of puns. I also enjoyed the Edwardian aspects of this story and the references to Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and the like. While this story was fun and silly, it also covered some serious topics, and I think they were handled well. And I appreciated that the faith aspect felt natural and not forced. Overall, this book really felt real, even if some of Katie’s misadventures may seem a little unbelievable.😉

Trigger warning for death of family member (cancer, killed by drunk driver).

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for sending me an ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.