After obsessing over Kilt Trip, I knew I would love Scot and Bothered just as much! Extremely likable characters and a sweet story that I couldn’t put down!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Seven years ago, Brooke's future as an author fell apart when she was expelled from her university. She's been working as a ghostwriter ever since while longing to see her own name on the cover of a book. When her mentor asks her to cowrite her memoir, this is Brooke's big chance. She'll have to get out of her comfort zone and hike Scotland's most difficult trail with none other than the man who destroyed her career and broke her heart years ago, Jack Sutherland, the photographer for the project.
With alternating timelines, the story follows the pair on their adventure in the present and jumps back in the past to explain what went wrong between them. I enjoyed both timelines and hearing the perspective from both sides. I had an arc copy of this book, but also borrowed the audiobook and I loved listening to these narrators, especially the man with the wonderful Scottish accent!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am very sad to say that this story was a struggle for me to get through despite being one of my most anticipated ARCs of the year. The story was not only duel timeline (past/present) but duel POV as well which made the story complicated to follow. I spent a good deal of time confused as the timeline changes felt very abrupt and i personally did not feel like the duel timelines added anything to the story..Second chance romances are usually my all time favorite but this one left me wanting more. It seemed like there were a lot of good ideas, but they just weren't full fleshed out which left plot holes.

Additionally, I didn't feel like we ever really got to know the characters for who they truly are. They felt underdeveloped and I couldn't form a connection to either of them and it made it hard to root for them, both individually and together. This is turn caused the romance to fall flat for me, and also felt underdeveloped. I feel like the story focused more on their careers than the romance, which seemed to take a backseat.

**thank you to netgalley and Canary Street Press for the AC and chance to read and review. All opinions expressed are my own**

This was such a good book! I love the second-chance romance and the heartfelt family vibes in the story. I also really liked that the second chance wasn't so dramatic like they sometimes can be. Maybe I am too forgiving, but I hate when a character is trying to make up for a mistake and the other character is not having it. So I really appreciated that the characters didn't have such a dramatic getting back together story. There was the perfect amount of tension. I also loved the dual timeline.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Equal parts side-splittingly funny and tear-jerkingly sad, this second chance romance is not to be missed! The lush imagery of the Scottish scenery and the depth and intricacies of these character's everyday lives are so beautifully done. In each of her books that I read, Alexandra Kiley inspires me to want to drop everything and run off to Scotland, consequences be damned! I'll continue to read any romances she writes.

This book had me wanting to go to Scotland to find myself a husband.

So so good!!! I cannot wait to see what Alexandra comes out with next!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I'm a sucker for any romance set in Scotland, and this was no exception. I really enjoyed the dual timelines. Getting to learn about Brooke and Jack as they were and what led to their breakup is such an important part of the story. And experiencing them come back together was delightful! This was a fun, sweet read!

Seriously, why do I not live in Scotland? I loved this so much. A second chance romance with a dual timeline and dual POV? Yes, please. And then throw in a hike across the Isle of Skye? Again, yes. I loved the journey these characters took to get back to each other. They had a common purpose a shared reason to help someone they both loved and that in turn led them to realize they still loved each other. Alexandra Kiley's books are just so good and I'm excited to read more from her in the future.

This book was a DNF for me at this time. I just didn’t mesh well with the storyline and characters, but definitely plan to pick this back up in the future and try again. This is not a fault of the author at all, just simply my own preferences.

Such a brilliantly written book - though I have yet to visit Scotland, I really was able to picture myself there, imagined myself looking upon the scenes and was truly immersed in this beautiful book; I wasn't just reading about Jack & Brooke, I found myself truly immersed in their world. Alexandra Kiley truly has a gift when it comes to writing and keeping the reader engaged.

The dual perspectives and the dual timelines both kept this story flowing and provided enough to see just how much chemistry Brooke and Jack had, and had always had. The hurt, the desire, the longing was so very evident and as they worked to rekindle their romance they both show a lot of grace and growth with each other.

This would be a wonderful read for anyone that loves reading character driven plots and about second chance romance!

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Don’t mind me. Just over here packing my bags to go to Scotland to find me a swoony Scotsman! Logan and Abbie’s story still lives rent free in my head (if you haven’t read Kilt Trip you’re missing out) probably because Logan is very much my type.

This time Alexandra Kiley brings us another sweet and steamy story featuring Logan’s younger brother Jack and his University girlfriend Brooke. Second chance romance, deep romantic connection, both main characters on a journey of self discovery. And in the process you also get to experience Scotland - which might be one of my favorite parts of Alexandra’s stories. There’s still one Scottish brother left (Riley) and I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that there’ll be a story about him too!

Grab this if you like
💙 second chance romance
💙 Scottish men
💙 stories about writers
💙 slow burn romance
💙 Scottish cows 🐮

And yes, I had to get one of these Highland cow warmies (you can heat them up for comfort, cramps etc) because of this book 🫣

Thank you @htp @canarystreetpress for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Scot and Bothered was a fun second-chance romance. I loved the setting and felt like there was a good amount of detail describing the landscape and the scenery. Was it predictable at points? Yes, but it was an easy and enjoyable read.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A second-chance romance set in Scotland?! I’m in.

Now, there’s something I didn’t love about it that I can’t put my finger on… I shall continue to mull it over.

But, overall it was lovely, just not the perfect romance for me.

I liked Kilt Trip by this author, so when I got the chance to read her new release, I jumped on it. I appreciated the tension between Brooke and Jack, and I believed their relationship. And while I did really love the insight into their past relationship, I felt almost jolted out of the story by the constant shifting of time. It felt like every other chapter was a flashback, to the point where it started to get difficult to tell where we were in time. I wish that the flashbacks were more concentrated chunks rather than spread throughout every chapter. The constant back and forth of past and present was tiring and hard to follow. I thought the setting was perfect for the romantic comedy elements of silly things to push the two of them together, but their actual reuniting felt sudden to me. We went from yearning and regret and stolen glances so quickly to a new physical tension that it also made me wish for a slower and realer start to their relationship.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC!

Loved being back in Scotland with another Alexandrea Kiley book! The vibes and writing were immaculate just like Kilt Trip. I want to take a trip based on everywhere they go in this book. Kiley is so great at letting you experience places through her characters' eyes. Sweet second chance romance and all the yearning. I loved the emotional depth that the storyline about Jack’s Aunt Mhairi added to the book. I was a little frustrated by the reasoning for Brooke and Jack's breakup in the past storyline, especially when he took actions without speaking with her first and I wanted to know a little more about Brooke's life after being expelled until the present day.

I had trouble staying interested in this book. I didn't find the characters compelling or the plot engaging. It was a struggle to finish the book.

I wanted to like this more than I did. The American Britishisms were a little embarrassing, and I found myself much more invested in the past-selves story than the present-day one. It was kind of two books in one and neither was fleshed out enough for my liking. I don't love rating books with stars or critiquing an author (or editor!) because I know this book will have resonated better with many others. I hope this is someone's favorite book!

This is such a fun second chance romance that would make you want to jump on a plane to visit Scotland! Brooke is an American ghostwriter who got kicked out of the University of Edinburgh seven years ago. She is tasked with assisting her college mentor in writing a story about a notorious Scotland hiking trail. Brooke decided to hike that trail herself because the story needed more vibrancy. A nature photographer needed to join Brooke on the hike. Jack, who was Brooke's college mentor's nephew, decided to join Brooke on the hike, and Brooke and Jack's connection goes back to over 7 years ago.

I really liked this book! I liked the dual timeline between the past, which was about Brooke and Jack's story seven years ago at the University of Edinburgh and the present with hiking the trial. The author described Scotland with such rich and vibrant details which I liked reading. My only critic is that this book was a little anticlimactic. I was not completely fulfilled by the ending. Overall, I would give it four stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a free review! It is out now.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley was such a lovely and unexpectedly heartfelt read. At first glance—especially from the playful title—you might expect a goofy or spicy romance, but what you actually get is something much deeper and more emotional. It’s a second chance romance, yes, but at its core, it’s a story about love, loss, personal growth, and the profound impact a mentor can have on your life.

The story follows Brooke, who is co-writing a memoir for her beloved mentor, Mhairi, a woman who also happens to be the aunt of Jack—Brooke’s old flame. When Brooke and Jack embark on a meaningful hike through the stunning landscapes of Scotland, they not only revisit the ghosts of their shared past, but also reflect deeply on Mhairi’s legacy. The descriptions of the Scottish countryside are breathtaking, grounding the emotional journey in a vivid and unforgettable setting.

As the hike progresses, it becomes clear that Brooke and Jack never stopped loving each other, despite the pain that once drove them apart. Their reunion isn’t flashy or over-the-top—it’s tender, raw, and deeply moving. I found myself getting teary-eyed more than once, especially as they processed what Mhairi meant to them—not just personally, but as a guiding force in their lives.

If you’ve ever felt lost or had someone in your life who helped you find your way, Scot and Bothered will hit home. It’s a beautiful, emotionally rich story with just a touch of romance—a perfect read for anyone in need of a little direction, or simply a reminder of the power of human connection.