I really enjoyed this book! It was a more unique take on a second-chance romance with forced proximity, and I will definitely be looking for more romance books with similar scenarios. I really loved hearing the two MCs' different POVs and how their love for each other developed. Interestingly, though, my favorite character wasn't either of the MCs but rather Mhairi, who felt bolder than life and like she jumped off the page (much like she is described in the book).

All this said, it's important to note that this book was a solid 3-star the entire way, but the last few chapters punched me with enough emotion to raise it to a 3.5-star. My reasoning for a 3-star rating is that the difficulties the MCs were going through felt repetitive at times, and I struggle to see them as a couple that lasts long term. I also didn't love the jumping back and forth between the two timelines, but I do think this is more of a personal preference.

Overall, a lovely book and a good time read.

Tropes:
- Author x photographer
- Dual timeline
- Second chance
- Hiking the Scottish highlands
- Forced proximity
- She "hates" him
- He wants to win her back

I requested this book as I’m planning a trip to Scotland and thought this would be perfect!!

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland’s Isle of Skye (already added to my itinerary!), this lovely novel tells of intertwined journeys of ambition, forgiveness, and rediscovered love. Brooke, an aspiring writer turned ghostwriter, and Jack, a tour guide, are reunited after seven years of silence and heartbreak. The story weaves their past and present. The dual perspective allows for lots of character depth, with Brooke’s guarded vulnerability and Jack’s quiet regret being told with nuance and care.

What makes this story shine is its balance of emotional stakes with personal growth. Brooke’s struggle to reclaim her creative identity is just as compelling as the simmering second-chance romance, and the lush Scottish setting adds a layer of magic to their journey. The tension between what was lost and what could still be is palpable, and the slow burn feels earned and deeply satisfying. With a twist involving a secret and choices that force both contractors to confront their fears, this novel is both a sweet second chance love story and also a reflection on what it means to write your own ending.

I am always in the mood for a cozy and romantic Scottish romance book. This one hit all the right places for me. Great cleanser read between other genres and loved the story.

A fun, easy to read Rom Com. Reminds me a little of the vibes in the Leap Year movie. Beautiful scenery. Fun banter. Genuine emotions. Left me feeling satisfied. Read it in 2 sittings.

3.5 stars

3.25 🌟
In "Scot and Bothered" Brooke is an American ghost writer living in Scotland who is forced to work with her ex, Jack, in order to write her next book.
This book was a cute, easy rom-com style read that has dual POV, second Chance Romance, forced Proximity and Scottish scenery.
I felt as though the dual timeline took me out of the story and could have been flashbacks instead. The fmc's hatred towards her ex was taken away so abruptly I almost questioned her dislike of him.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Alexandra Kiley and what a lovely read.

A beautifully-written second chance at love set in the sweeping vistas of Scotland filled with big, unresolved feelings and personal growth journeys. The romance didn't completely work for me in every way, but it was a still good escape that made me want to book a European trip asap.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. SCOT AND BOTHERED is out now!

Out of the two books in the series so far, this instalment has to be hands-down my favourite.

Alexandra Kiley pours us a glass of something smoother and tastier with Brooke and Jack that just WORKS. This isn't to say that those within Kilt Trip, book one in the series didn't, but there's just something about this book that makes it stand out between the two as the stronger read.

Sometimes book two is just better than book one, which is the case here I feel for my own reading tastes.

I was instantly smitten with Brooke and Jack, charmed from the very first page. Their second chance romance brings to the table the element of realism that we usually go into books to escape, as readers, but used in the way that Alexandra has done so here with their story makes it work oh-so-well. Essentially, she lifts them from 2D characters to real life, 3 (or even 4) D folk that we feel we've connected with and known of for a wee while. Like we're getting familiar with old friends, rather than reading about a plot between two fictional characters.

This slow-burn, second chance, forced proximity, broody-hero filled Scottish Highland romance will not only leave you as breathless and windswept as its one-of-a-kind real life scenery does, but it will have you itching to dive right into the scenes that captivated us for yourselves. I, for one, was the closest to finally booking my trip to Scotland after reading Brooke & Jack's story.

Looking forward to the next time that Alexandra Kiley takes us back to Scotland!

🌄 Book Review: Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Scot and Bothered is a heartfelt second chance romance that blends slow-burn tension, emotional growth, and the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Told through dual timelines and dual POV, the story follows Brooke and Jack, former college sweethearts who reconnect years after a painful breakup while hiking the Skye Trail and working on a memoir project together.

Their forced proximity brings up old wounds but also reignites the feelings they never truly let go of. While their past was passionate, their present unfolds with care and vulnerability, offering a thoughtful look at forgiveness and emotional healing.

The story explores themes of self-discovery, creative identity, grief, and choosing your own path. The Isle of Skye is more than just a setting. It reflects the inner journeys both characters must take as they learn to trust again.

If you love romance with emotional depth, scenic settings, and a slow burn that feels earned, this one belongs on your shelf.

I had the pleasure of being on the Street Team for this amazing book and I can tell you that it's one you're absolutely going to want to pick up.

Who doesn't love second chance, close proximity, dual POV, it's always been you, romance?! I know I sure do.

Alexandra does an incredible job of building up a story that just sucks you in, heart and soul. I have never wanted to travel to Scotland more than after I've read one of her books. I'm not a hiker but even I want to go do the Skye Trail now.

More than anything though I enjoyed the story that Alexandra told. It was heart warming anf heart wrenching all at the same time. I loved every minute of it. Brooke is one of those MC's you can absolutely connect with. And Jack is 100% the dreamy leading man you look for on the other side of a relationship. Also included are great mentor and family relationships, writing, photography and what it means to leave a legacy. This might just be my new favorite romance.

While you can ready Kilt Trip and Scot and Bothered individually, I highly recommend picking up both and reading them in order. I adore both of them and I can't wait to read the next Sutherland brother story.

All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a cozy, satisfying second-chance romance, complete with rugged hikes, unresolved tension, emotional baggage, and ONLY ONE TENT. If you love a slow burn with forced proximity and unresolved feelings simmering under every interaction, this one delivers.

Bonus points for the “books about books” layer. I also really appreciated the way grief and legacy were handled; there’s heart behind the heat here, which made the payoff feel earned. My only gripe? A few pacing lulls mid-hike where it got a little repetitive. But even then, the landscape descriptions and tension between the leads kept me going.

I really enjoyed "Scot and Bothered" by Alexandra Kiley. It is a sweet and emotional second-chance romance. The dual-timeline plot added just the right amount of intrigue, and the setting had me longing to wander the Highlands all over again. I'd recommend this one to anyone who loves heartfelt romance, second chance romance, and stories set in Scotland.

My copy was different, and I had a hard time reading it. I use Hoopla to listen to it in audio.

I like how they continue with Sutherland’s brother and family. This book makes still want to go to Scotland and maybe tryout the Skye Trail but I read it is a hardcore hiking trail. I do want to visit the University of Edinburgh to see the library.

In this fun romance novel, readers follow aspiring author and current ghostwriter Brooke Sinclair seven years after her expulsion from the University of Edinburgh. Offered the chance to co-write her college mentor Mhairi McCallister’s memoir about the Skye Trail, Brooke seizes the opportunity and all its conditions -- including hiking the trail -- but balks when the photographer joining her is Jack Sutherland, who was sacked by the University around the same time and has walked away from the family business but will not ignore Aunt Mhairi’s wishes. As they embark on this hike and are forced into constant proximity with each other, both Jack and Brooke must confront the past and old feelings in order to move forward. Emotional, occasionally funny, and definitely exciting, readers will love the tension and chemistry between Jack and Brooke and how both characters evolve over the course of this brilliant new novel. Their dynamic and history are the stars of the novel and really develop their character arcs and fill in the gaps between the hike and their time at the University of Edinburgh. The tropes and details really sell their romance and immerse readers in this fun and fantastic story perfect for summer adventures and second chances.

Absolutely adore this author! Her romances are so fun, sweet, full of adventure and feels! This one was great! I enjoyed reading every single page! Plus a Scot! I can’t wait for the next one!

I was excited to read this next story after loving Kilt Trip. The Highlands is a place I’ve always wanted to visit and almost felt like I took a trip there by reading this book. The second-chance romance was so sweet and I loved the suspense of the dual-timeline plot.

Brought me right back to my trip to Scotland- I loved reliving some of my favorite spots alongside a new cast of characters. Well written, with a good pace- I found myself excited to check in with my new friends each day when I read more of the story!

I liked "Scot and Bothered" more than "The Kilt Trip" but it still didn't quite work for me. Brooke and Jack were together when she was a college senior and him a TA in one of her classes (though not her TA). When the university learns of their relationship, Brooke's whole life and career trajectory are sent off the rails. She ends up a ghost writer versus an author under her own name, scared to pursue her dreams. Brooke and Jack reconnect on a project she is co-writing, hiking a Scottish trail together so she can 'experience' it and he can take photos. And of course, love is also back in the picture.

The hike and the Scottish countryside are the true stars of "Scot and Bothered." Jack and Brooke suffer in comparison. There is chemistry there, but her relative quickness in forgiving him is incongruous when compared to the years she spent blaming him. He has apparently never stopped loving her but has also never sought her out to apologize, despite having a direct line to her through his aunt? I also didn't quite understand how Brooke could be so angry at Jack and yet so loving of Mhairi, considering all of the circumstances. And when we finally get to the culmination of the past timeline, we also learn that apparently all Jack and Brooke would have needed to do was disclose their relationship earlier on? So......why did they not just do that? (I mean, I get it, there would be no book, but still.)

Anyway, as I said, the main couple does have chemistry and the writing isn't terrible. There were just a number of plot holes that pulled me out of the story. 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

1.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the e-ARC of this book.

Tropes:
●Second-Chance Romance
● Dual Timeline
● Forced proximity

Pros: The cover on this book is amazing!

Cons:
I must honestly say that I was not pulled in by the love story. I was more intrigued on what happened to their relationship and how they broke up. Who was the one that told on them? How did they break up? I was not interested in their second-chance romance. There wasn't really banter for me to get sucked in. The story seemed really sad by the end since Aunt Mhairi's illness was discovered. Also, the way that Brooke doubted herself was a drag. I understand how we have moments of weakness and we have this form of negativity but the way that she expressed herself was not good. Lastly, Jack didn't captivate me has the MMC. He seemed all over the place and didn't have courage to go after what he wanted.

Overall, their love story didn't seem realistic to me.

this book was such a super cute read! Mahairi is such a sweet soul and I love that in her memoir, Luke and Brooke reconnect. Luke and Brooke met in Uni and even though their relationship was against rules to Luke position as a TA, they couldnt stay away, Costing them both more than they ever bargained for, including the careers they were working towards. When reconnected, the LAST thing either of them wanted was to be hiking together for a week. But as the week goes on, Luke and Brooke discover more about what happened to cause their unfortunate end, more about eachother, and more about whaat brought them together all over again. Maybe those feelings arent that far gone after all.

I love the way it loosely ties into Kilt Trip! Alexandra Kiley is absolutely becoming one of my favorite writers!

i really tried to enjoy and read this one but i couldn’t really connect with the characters and it felt a bit slow. usually between 50-100 pages i’m HOOKED, but this has truly dragged on and i’ve lost interest in the story. unfortunately i had to dnf at 54% into it. i also usually really enjoy a dual timeline, but this one just didn’t work for me. and i’m a sucker for a second chance romance, so this one hurt 😩 the most interesting thing for me was the hiking trip to skye, but their relationship (why they got together, the forbidden romance, student/TA, she looses everything, but she helped him realize his dream) was not it.