The best part of this book was the way the setting felt so present. Every moment was visceral, and it made me want to go hiking. Something about the characters didn’t hit exactly right with me and I ended the book wishing I’d felt more connected, but that frankly could have been the circumstances under which I’m reading the book! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one had a lot of fun moments. I’ll definitely keep reading in this series and more from Riley.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc. I really enjoyed the second chance dual pov story of Brooke and Jack. The setting added such much to the story and made me want to go to Scotland right away. Kiley has true talent in balancing comedy and prose.

The Scottish countryside and the trail came alive in this love story. It truly overshadowed the second-chance romance.

The duel timeline provides a glimpse into what went wrong many years ago, taking us to the now. The cover is misleading as it is NOT a RomCom, rather its a contemporary romance. I did not expect it to be so heavy.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press

Scot and Bothered
•
This was such a simple, cute romance and I mean that in the best way. It was so easy to get lost in this story, I thought the past and present chapters weaved together beautifully. I absolutely loved the setting and Kiley was so descriptive in her writing I felt like I was hiking alongside Brooke and Jack. Nature is so therapeutic and gives us an opportunity to feel again. To take a deep breath, to dive into cold waters, to ground ourselves, and to find pieces of ourselves that maybe we lost. I really connected with those pieces of the story.
🌳
“It’s key that we capture the essence of how transformative it is to be out there, connected to the Earth and the ghosts of the pasts and the hope for the future.”
🍂
It’s dual POV and we do get some spice…the bathtub moment though 🤗 I thought that build up was really good in this one! If you like any kind of roadtrip type romance I would definitely give this one a try! This is pretty much how my husband and I met (it didn’t play out this way lol but it is how we met) so I was totally able to relate to the story and there was a bit of nostalgia for me, reminiscing about that time for us! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
“I’m a ghost. This faded version of myself.”
“You’re still so bright to me.”
“You want to help me broaden my horizons, Jack?”
“Badly.”
💚
Thank you @akileybooks @canarystreetpress and @netgalley for this e-arc, you don’t have to wait long! Scot and Bothered comes out March 4th!

I really enjoyed this! Fabulous yearning by Jack and Brooke. The dual timeline setup really built the tension and exhibited why their relationship didn't work the first time around, although some scenes felt laborious. I liked the hike as a sort of physical and emotional journey for them both as they learned to forgive each other and themselves. Though again, some of the nitty gritty details of her writing and his photography felt like they dragged the plot down. While I would have liked to see Jack and Brooke really hash out their issues more clearly, this made for a really emotional read!!

Thank you for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

Thanks @netgalley @htpbooks and @akileybooks for the chance to read Scot and Bothered. It releases on March 4, 2025.

This is a swoony, second-chance romance that doubles as the perfect armchair travel book. Alex writes with so much heart and with such immersive details that you'll feel like you're hiking alongside Jack and Brooke on the Skye Trail.

Ghostwriter Brooke never got the career she'd planned on after she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh years earlier. Her mentor, Mhairi, gives her a chance to break out of the shadows by being her credited co-writer on her memoir. The only problem is that the sections on the Skye Trail aren't vivid enough, so Brooke agrees to hike the trail with a photographer to fully capture it. The only issue is that the photographer is Mhairi's nephew Jack--the man who shattered her dreams and heart years ago. Can this hike be a second chance for both of them?

Steam: 🔥🔥
Tropes: forced proximity, Scotland, only one tent, second chance romance, enemies to lovers

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ - 4.5 stars! This was such a sweet tale of second chances, and the descriptions and the setting in Scotland made the story all the more magical. The weaving of timelines was so well done, and I was hooked by the first chapter. If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, tension-filled romance that will leave you wrecked in the absolute best way, look no further. But fair warning… you may find yourself booking a trip to the Highlands ✈️ ⛰️

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the advance copy!

I am being generous and saying it's two stars. I couldn't even make it halfway though I was so bored. Some books I can make myself read them and it starts picking up but this just didn't for me at all. I really tried and I really wanted to like it. I saw the title and cover and was excited for a cute little romance. For me that is not what I got and I hate the time jumps so much. This book was just not for me.

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to Net Galley for the eARC for review

Firstly, this book has made start a Pinterest board for a dream trip to Scotland.

Second chance romances are normally very hit or miss for me but I thought that Scot and Bothered did a pretty good job handling it in a way where it made you believe that the characters could get over their past issues I think the duel timeline was a big part of that and helped to not only give context but flesh out the characters as well.

If you love a second-chance romance packed with yearning, unresolved tension, and the kind of forced proximity that makes you want to scream (in the best way), Scot and Bothered is for you. Brooke and Jack’s story unfolds on the rugged and breathtaking Skye Trail, where they’re forced to work together on a memoir project that just so happens to be deeply personal for both of them. As they hike through Scotland’s moody landscapes, we’re treated to a dual timeline that slowly unravels their past, showing us how they fell in love—and how it all fell apart. The big reveal of their breakup isn’t shocking, but the emotional weight behind it lands perfectly, making their journey back to each other feel that much more satisfying.

Jack is the ultimate book boyfriend—thoughtful, devoted, and completely gone for Brooke, even after all these years. And Brooke? She’s stubborn, guarded, and so deeply relatable in her fear of failure and desire to play it safe. Their dynamic is filled with longing and stolen glances, and while the book isn’t overflowing with spice, the tension is off the charts (seriously, the shared tent scene?!). Beyond the romance, Kiley weaves in meaningful themes of personal growth, creative passion, and finding the courage to chase what you truly want. And of course, the Scottish setting is its own kind of magic—I could practically feel the mist rolling off the Highlands. Whether you’re here for the slow-burn romance, the emotional depth, or just an excuse to mentally transport yourself to Scotland, Scot and Bothered is a trip worth taking

Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW BELOW:

This book spoke to my soul on so many levels. Walking the line between following a dream and working to live—because sometimes they aren't synonymous—can be heartbreaking to navigate, especially when other voices are louder than your own, influencing your decisions.

To find someone who understands you exactly is so beautiful and rare, but adds and extra layer of complications to your journey of dream chasing. How can you live for yourself and for someone else?

Alexandra Kiley told Jack and Brooke's story brilliantly, seamlessly switching between narratives and timelines to give the reader the full picture, even when the characters didn't have it themselves. It was the perfect follow up to her debut novel, Kilt Trip, which I absolutely fell in love with last year.

Now I just have to sit patiently and wait for Reid to get his own happily ever after! 💚

I adored the first book in this series, so it was an automatic request for me! This is a second chance romance, and I loved the characters, however I didn't really care for thr duel timeliness. I loved how Brooke and Jack just click when they first meet, then they discover that they can't be together so a little bit of forbidden romance in the troupe too. This was definitely a fun read! Can't wait for more by Alexandra Kiley!

I absolutely loved this second-chance romance set in Scotland! The setting alone was enough to make me fall in love, with the beautiful landscapes and the rich, atmospheric backdrop. The characters were so well-developed, and I really enjoyed seeing their journey from past heartbreak to rediscovery. There’s just something so heartwarming about a second-chance love story, especially when it unfolds in such a picturesque location. Honestly, do I need to say more? It was everything I wanted in a romance novel—emotional, charming, and just the right amount of swoon-worthy moments.

There was something so heartfelt about the first one in this series that I truly enjoyed and I felt that I didn’t get that in this one. Something felt like it was missing, perhaps the believability of the romance, the chemistry. It’s very clear that this is a continued ode to Scotland but I’m wondering if writing it via romance is the right choice.

Scot and Bothered follows ex's Brooke and Jack, as they hike the Skye Trail. Brooke is looking to add more soul to the memoir she is co-writing with the founder of the trail and Jack is taking pictures for the same memoir that happens to be about his aunt. Along the trail, Brooke and Jack find their way to their true passions, as well as back to each other along the gorgeous backdrop of the Scottish Highlands.

The book is written from the pov of both Brooke and Jack going from present day to their past. The flashbacks were key chapters giving us insight into how their relationship started and why it fell apart. We don't find out till the last quarter of the book what caused them to break up 7 years ago, and while it was a bit predictable, it was not any less impactful to their story.

I felt the character development for both Brooke and Jack was well done. We had enough insight into Brookes past to understand her and learned more about Jack's family to get a better understanding of his motives. Their relationship did not feel rushed and their journey back to each other felt well paced. There were many scenes that I felt the same anxiety and anticipation as the characters (their first kiss, the alcove at the cave, sharing a tent on the hike).

I give it 2.5/5 for spice level. They don't share their first kiss until Chapter 15 (past), with two spicy scenes following chapter 15 (past) and 23 (present). While the title insinuates the book is fairly spicy, there was more yearning/pining which was not a bad thing. The spicy scenes were well timed and written.

I may be biased but having had a recent trip to Scotland, I could easily picture their adventures in Edinburgh as well as in the Isle of Skye. Scotland is an easy country to fall in love with as well as in.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The characters were well cleaned out and I enjoyed Brooke and Jack's story.

This book was more than a romance it dealt with grief in a raw and real way. It was a beautiful book with its up and downs but was all around amazing. I love a second chance romance. Jack is a grade A book boyfriend. This book had me on the edge of my seat hoping it would all work out in the end. Full of second chances, forced proximity and flashbacks. You definitely have to read it.. 100% recommend..

Oh, I'm so glad I read this book! I loved the writing of Alexandra Kiley - such lovely writing, both in her descriptions of the characters' thoughts and feelings, and also highlighting the wonderful setting of Scotland's beautiful landscape. (I want to go there now!). Hiking through Scotland was a perfect backdrop for this Romance.
I also loved the character development - so "real". The main characters met in a college setting, then came together again in the future. Yes, they were both flawed and hurting with broken hearts and unfulfilled dreams, but the growth was realistic and optimistic. A writer and a photographer, they attempt to build each other up and make each other better.
I enjoy when one of the main characters is a writer, and the author builds on this by having them "think" in beautiful, literary ways. Example: "Jack was like the snow, absorbing all the noise in her brain, making her feel cozy and peaceful" I mean ... who doesn't want a partner like that?!
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy to review.

Thank you so much to the author, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Canary Street Press for an advance copy of this!

I became a fan of Alexandra Kiley after her debut Kilt Trip and could see the potential in her future. As much as I had enjoyed Kilt Trip, I did struggle while reading it. But this one, I was sucked in from the moment it started. I absolutely LOVE this book!

This one to me felt like a romance and it wasn't that the prior wasn't a romance, I felt it was more centered about the FMC's grief than her romantic love interest. Whereas this one, this former couple was forced to work together and be together on a multi day hike and the tension was brewing.

"Watching her was like a lighting storm. No matter where he looked,there was something equally as lovely lighting up just outside his focus."

Also I love the use of the past timeline where we got to see how Brooke and Jack first met and then how their relationship became complicated when he became a teacher's assistant. There was something that caused the break up and altered the course of Brooke's life and the whole book we are leading up to finding out the moment.

Jack is *chef's kiss* a beautiful book boyfriend! He is flawed but also the most caring person. He was and still is head over heels for Brooke. He knows he had messed up in the past and wants to try to fix things. Brooke. Our beautiful Brooke. She is so strong and has so much resentment towards Jack about what had happened in the past. She wants to complete her hike and get the memoir she is ghostwriting for completed so she can start her next job. She does not want any complications with Jack but spending so much time together has reminded her what she loved about him. Even when Brooke was not so nice to Jack, they still had complimented each other so well! And Jack remember things about her just made him so incredibly swoooony aka the thunderstorm scene. "I've got you" - Gah!

"You sure know how to woo a girl."
"I'm trying as hard as I can."

I love how each of them (in the past & present) pushed one another to be a better version of themself and to go after what they truly want. And this book is a reminder to never settle and if you are unhappy, change what's making you unhappy. Also not to always play it safe! Brooke was playing it safe for too long and not truly living the life that she wanted to live because of the fear of failing due to incidents in her past.

There is also this beautiful subplot that I won't give away too much but it centers around Brooke's relationship with Jack's aunt, Mhairi her old writing professor who asked her to ghostwrite her memoir. I love hearing both of them tell stories about Mhairi and also Mhairi would provide life advice for Brooke especially towards the end of the book when Brooke didn't know which career path she wanted to go towards. And I'm pretty sure Mhairi purposely planted the seed to have them both go on this hike together to communicate their difference and possible rekindle their relationship.

I just couldn't stop reading. I wanted to know more about this couple and the journey and to find out what happened between them. I just loved Brooke and Jack so much!!!

This is a stand alone centered in the same universe as Kilt Trip. But I do not think you necessarily need to read Kilt Trip in order to understand the characters in this.

I recommend this if you are looking for a forced proximity, nature, Scotland setting and a second chance romance!

Brooke was once a hopeful university student, ready to take the world by storm with her words. Years later and she's lost it all, hiding behind her job as a ghostwriter. Her newest job though will finally credit her name on the cover. Only she has to go to Skye with the photographer in order to bring life to the manuscript and it's none other than the one she wanted to get away from, Jack Sutherland.
Alex's prose knocked me off my feet. It's beautiful and sincere and provided the perfect imagery. Revisiting one of my favorites places through her words was nothing less than bliss. Brooke is bitter (every right to it) and Jack is apologetic and their then and now relationship turmoil was exactly what I enjoy reading in a second chance. I just need to know if I get to go back with a book from Alex or if I can drag her to Scotland with me next time.
Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Another beautiful, transportive story from Kiley!

I love a second chance romance with all the big, messy, unresolved feelings, and oh man, if you want a second chance with pining and angst, Scot and Bothered is for you, dear reader. There were moments my heart ached but do not fear, Kiley holds your hand and heals your heart in the end. Brooke and Jack’s love story is tender and will give you double the dose of warm fuzzies and butterflies as they fall in love, find their way back to each other, and allow themselves the gift of a second chance.

Kiley excels at penning stories that are both incredibly immersive not only with gorgeous vistas but also filled with experiences that speak to our humanity and how our lives are enriched when we build community and foster connections. Like with Kilt Trip, Kiley dives into meaningful conversations around grief, failure, and second chances where we are not only afforded the chance to see our own experiences on page, but are gifted with the opportunity to have our hearts healed and filled with hope through Jack and Brooke’s characters. Kiley’s work reminds us that we’re all evolving and in some stage of healing and to always give ourselves grace and the freedom to start again.

If you wish you could pack your bags and head to Scotland like yesterday and your heart longs for a romantic adventure, Scot and Bothered is the book you need to pick up!