3.75 stars ⭐️ This was a great second chance romance! I loved the Scotland setting. However, I do not love third act breakups! I don’t feel like it was needed here!

I LOVE second chance romance, and this one takes place in Scotland so what more could you ask for. I love dual timelines, and this book switched between the past and the present to explore how their relationship fell apart the first time and how they are rebuilding it now.

My one qualm was that they built the reason for their breakup to be sooooo huge (I thought she got expelled or something) and it was a small thing that did have bigger consequences, but they weren’t the MMC’s fault. This does make it easier to understand how she forgave him so quickly in the present moment, but after all the build up it was a bit of a let down.

I loved the plot line of the memoir and each of their relationships with Mhairi. There were parts that made me cry. Overall I really enjoyed this!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a review copy of this book. All opinions my own!

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley is an absolutely delightful romance filled with charm, humor, history of their relationship, and heart. From the very beginning, the story captivated me with its witty dialogue and engaging characters.

The romance was incredibly sweet with just the right amount of tension and longing. I especially loved how the relationship developed naturally, making the connection between the characters feel authentic and deeply rewarding. The storytelling was engaging, with a balance of humor, emotion, and swoon-worthy moments.

The ending was perfect—so satisfying and heartwarming. It wrapped up the story beautifully, leaving me with a big smile. If you're looking for a cute, well-written romance with a fantastic payoff, Scot and Bothered is definitely worth picking up!

4/5 stars
2.5/5 peppers

*thank you netgalley for the arc*

Listen there's something about a man in a kilt and when there is a whole sibling/family of them. If you read Kilt trip you know who was coming next.

What's not to love about a Scottish man and the woman in his life, I mean full of banter, longingness, and fighting more than just love and dreams. This was a roller coaster of heart-warming, laughter, maybe some misty eyes, and steaminess.

If you're a sucker for:
- second chance romances (duh)
- "oops only ONE tent" trope
- destination
- Dual POVs and dual timelines
- confronting the past and healing the present

Then this is for you!

Seven years after being expelled from the University of Edinburgh, Brooke Sinclair, now a ghostwriter, gets the chance to co-write a memoir with and about her idol and her adventures on Scotland’s Skye Trail. For her research, she must hike the trail, but must hike it alongside the hired photographer, Jack Sutherland—the man who broke her heart and derailed her writing career. Jack, struggling to prove himself after leaving his family’s touring business, agrees to guide her while keeping secrets about his aunt’s health—the same woman Brooke is writing the memoir for. As they navigate rugged landscapes and unresolved emotions, old wounds resurface. Can eighty miles of breathtaking solitude mend years of pain and offer them a second chance at love and redemption?

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

5 stars!

A huge thank you to Alexandra Kiley, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this absolute stunner of a book. Don't let the cutesy title fool you - this book has a HUGE heart. Similar to after I read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren, I finished this book last night and just felt changed.

Kiley has created such an incredible story that has the plot strength and writing to match. The writing is so lyrical, evocative, and immersive, weaving words together in a way that paints vivid imagery and stirs up deep emotions. She awakens the senses, tugs at the heart, and leaves an imprint on the soul, making the reader not just see or hear the words told of the Skye Trail and of the main characters, but feel the surroundings and their experiences.

This story often gave me Wild by Cheryl Strayed vibes - the cleansing renewal of being in nature, experiencing it at an intimate level. When the winds blow, you feel it and it affects you and everything around you. When the rain pours, it seeps through your belongings, your clothes, your skin. When the sun rises and sets, the colors that dance across the sky fill your soul with questions, answers, emotions and memories.

Brooke and Jack's story is breathtaking and beautiful. If you like second chance romance, one tent (and one bunk and one bed), forbidden love and dual timeline, you will adore this story of romance, courage, growth, acceptance and unbreakable bonds.

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley completely surpassed my expectations. While the title and cover initially caught my attention, it’s the story itself that left a lasting impact. The tension between the characters was palpable, and the dual timelines kept me hooked from start to finish. This story definitely brought out the emotions (and tears!) - diving into love, second chances, discovering your passion, leaving behind your legacy, and dealing with the rawness of grief.

I had no idea that this novel is part of a series and set in the same universe as Kilt Trip. I devoured Scot and Bothered in just 24 hours, and I am eager to dive into Kilt Trip and learn Logan Sutherland's story.

While the title fits the tone, I can’t help but wonder if there’s an even better one out there that would still draw readers in just as effectively. Regardless, this book delivered, and I’m excited to see what else Alexandra Kiley has in store!

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ugh. I reallllllly wanted to love this book. The writing is good and the story is compelling but this took me twelve days to read. Twelve. I’m a finish a book in three hours type of girl. I think my main issue with this was the immense amount of miscommunication that occurred on every single page. I hate that. TALK TO EACH OTHER!

Review also found on goodreads.

This was an enjoyable story set in the Scottish country side in the present and university in Edinburgh in the past. Where the first book in this series was packed with facts about Scotland and felt like you were touring the country hitting all the highlights, Scot and Bothered looked to the shadows and the calmer, quieter areas of Scotland, in a slow hike through the highlands, stopping to look at the flowers. The pace of each book actually fit each of the brother's personalities perfectly too.

A second chance romance, Brooke was ghost writing Jack's aunt's memoir and he was the photographer, where they set out to hike the Skye Trail, to get more inspiration for the story she was writing. Learning their reasons for why they broke up all those years ago was so sad, and the ending just sad in general, but this was also a lovely read with them reconnecting back together in the Scottish countryside, both pursuing their dreams, to be a writer and a photographer, both professions that are hard to profit or get started to make a living in.

Thank you Net Galley and Canery Street Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my opinion.

4.5 stars! A thoroughly enjoyable second chance romance told in dual timelines-- On one timeline we follow Brooke and Jack's budding relationship when Brooke is a student and Jack is a grad student/TA (aka a forbidden romance!) at the University of Edinburgh -- we see their romance grow and eventually the reasons it ended back then. On another timeline we follow Brooke and Jack as they are unexpectedly forced to work together on a project that requires them to hike through the Scottish wilderness on the Skye Trail, and navigate through years of built up emotions.

The Scottish wilderness shines brightly as the backdrop for the current day timeline. Fans of second chance romance, forced proximity, and forbidden romance will all enjoy this. Both of our main characters have depth and backstory that makes you want to root for their relationship.

Punny title, beautiful cover, second chance romance, only one tent? Sign me up!

This was such a cute romance and exactly what I needed for Valentine’s Day. Especially given it was a second chance romance paired with dual timeline, I’m a sucker those!

Kiley does such a beautiful job describing the Skye trail, it made me want to see it in real life.

This was my second by Alexandra Kiley and I’m sold, sign me up for whatever book(s) come next!

Read if you love:
❤️ Second chance
🕑 Dual timeline
⛺️ One tent
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish setting

Alexandra Kiley's storytelling in this novel is nothing short of breathtaking. Brooke Sinclair's journey to co-write with her idol, Mhairi McCallister, is beautifully intertwined with her unexpected reunion with Jack Sutherland the ex-boyfriend who once shattered her heart. The way this story unfolds is captivating, especially as Brooke faces the emotional challenge of hiking Mhairi's trail with Jack by her side.
The vivid descriptions of Scottish landscapes are so immersive that I felt transported there. PLANNING MY NEXT VACATION IMMEDIATELY! Kiley’s attention to detail brought the scenery to life, making me long to explore the trails myself. The setting is more than just a backdrop; it becomes a character of its own, adding depth to Brooke and Jack's journey.
Everything was masterfully handled/ written. I found myself equally invested in both, eager to see how Brooke and Jack’s relationship evolved from a forbidden romance filled with tenderness to a present-day dynamic tinged with unresolved heartache. It all felt incredibly authentic and relatable, making their story all the more compelling.
Mhairi was the standout character for me. Her wisdom, humor, and role in shaping Brooke and Jack's relationship. She’s the type of character you can’t help but wish were real, just so you could sit down and listen to her stories for hours. Honesty, the book is a heartfelt exploration of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. It’s the kind of story that lingers. I can't recommend it enough especially if you’re craving an emotional, beautifully written escape to Scotland. Huge thanks for the advance copy! I’m already planning to grab a physical copy for myself and my bestie!

A second-chance romance where the breakup felt like it was based on more than just a miscommunication—there was real hurt and hard decisions behind it (with a touch of miscommunication, of course).

The hike had me yearning to book a trip to Scotland, even though you’d never catch me sleeping on the floor.

The flashbacks were underutilized. There wasn’t enough romantic development in the past to make me believe in the intense yearning the characters felt seven years later, after all the hurt. One benefit of dual timelines is the ability to skip around in the past and show us the highlights. I felt like too much time was spent on their slow buildup and not enough on the height of their relationship. And rekindling their romance without fully talking through the past didn’t leave me feeling confident about their future.

Overall, it was cute and fun but could’ve been so much better. Kilt Trip is still my favorite, but I’ll be keeping an eye out for the third Sutherland brother’s story.

Thank you, NetGalley and Canary, for the ARC!

🐮 Forbidden Romance
🐮 Second chance romance
🐮 Forced Proximity
🐮 Dual timeline
🐮 One Tent AND One Bed
🐮 Strangers to lovers
🐮 Slow Burn
🐮 3rd person POV
🐮 Hot Scots!
Brooke Sinclair’s dream of becoming a published author ended when she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh. Now a ghostwriter, she gets a chance to work with her former mentor, Mhairi McCallister, on a memoir about Scotland’s Skye Trail.
Brooke realizes she must hike the trail herself to understand the experience and she is partnered with the books photographer.
Unfortunately for Brook that photographer is Jack Sutherland, the man who hurt her career and heart.

🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮🐮
This was such a good book all the way around. Not only do you get a beautiful romance story but you also get a moving story about family and all the alluring country of Scotland. Seriously, this book had be day dreaming of Scotland (until I looked up the Bad Step!).
I really enjoyed the “Then” and “Now” of the story mixed together. It made the slow burn all that much sweeter. Alexandra Kiley did such a good job of describing the scenery that you felt like you were there. I was compelled to look up some of the places she mentions. And let me just say- I would absolutely NOT be crossing the Bad Step.
My only critique is that both of these characters were too smart to think that going home as the girlfriend was a good idea. Mhairi is literally the aunt- did they think the family wouldn’t talk about it?
Speaking of Mhairi… I think her character and role in the book was handled so well. She was a side character that really pulled you into the book empathetically.
I’m definitely going to pick up Alexandra’s first novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. “Scot and Bothered” by Alexandra Kiley is set to be released on March 04 2025

Alexandra Kiley returns with another heartfelt romance set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland in Scot and Bothered. This second-chance romance between aspiring author Brooke Sinclair and photographer Jack Sutherland is as much a love letter to the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands as it is to the complexities of love, ambition, and forgiveness.

What Worked:
Emotional Depth: Kiley masterfully captures the raw emotions behind lost dreams and missed opportunities. Brooke’s struggle with the fallout of her expulsion from the University of Edinburgh and Jack’s guilt over their shared past are both poignant and deeply relatable.
Immersive Setting: The Skye Trail serves as more than just a scenic backdrop; it becomes a character in itself. Kiley’s vivid descriptions transport readers to Scotland’s windswept landscapes, making you feel like you're right there with Brooke and Jack.
Dual Timeline: The alternating “then and now” structure is executed beautifully, allowing readers to watch Brooke and Jack’s relationship evolve while slowly revealing the reason behind their painful separation. Both timelines are equally compelling, avoiding the common pitfall of readers favoring one over the other.
Compelling Tropes: From only one tent to forced proximity and forbidden love, this book delivers on beloved romance tropes. The emotional pining and tension between Brooke and Jack are well-paced, creating a satisfying slow-burn dynamic.
Character Growth: Both protagonists are well-developed, with clear arcs of personal growth. Brooke’s journey from fear-driven ghostwriter to someone ready to chase her dreams is especially inspiring. Jack’s redemption arc feels genuine and well-earned.
What Could Be Improved:
Third-Act Conflict: The third-act breakup felt unnecessary given the weight of the past conflicts. With so much emotional baggage already addressed through flashbacks, the added drama in the present timeline seemed a bit forced.
Pacing Issues: While the dual timelines work well overall, the early sections of the book can feel repetitive, and the slow build-up may test the patience of readers eager for resolution.
Overall:
Scot and Bothered is a beautifully written, emotionally resonant romance that explores forgiveness, ambition, and the power of second chances. The stunning Scottish setting and complex characters elevate this novel beyond a typical rom-com, making it a must-read for fans of slow-burn, character-driven love stories.

Recommended For:

Fans of Happy Place by Emily Henry and Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
Readers who enjoy second-chance romance with deep emotional stakes
Anyone who loves immersive travel settings, especially the Scottish Highlands
This book will leave you longing for misty mornings, highland coos, and your own second chance at love.

Thank you @akileybooks for the arc of your new release🤍

First, any book set in Scotland and I’m already sold! It’s one of my favorite settings and I cannot get enough of it.

This was a romance full of longing, fighting attraction, being brave, and fighting for your dreams.

It had a bit of everything: humor, heart, sadness, and of course a lot of romance.

For the reader who loves:
• second chance romance
• only one tent
• highland coos
• atmospheric setting

My rating 4.25 stars

I’ve really been enjoying second chance romances lately! I thought this one did a fantastic job with the dual timelines. Often during dual timeline books, there is one timeline that I am more interested in and spend 1/2 of the book just wishing we were in my favorite timeline. But I felt equally invested in both timelines of this book!

Our MCs do experience a bit of insta-love but the circumstances surrounding them in their past timeline forced them to slow down and be friends first, which really helped build their chemistry and make it more believable. I also really liked the forbidden romance trope in the past timeline.

Meanwhile, in the present timeline we got a lot of pining and angst in the middle of a beautiful Scottish setting. I fell in love with the idea of the Skye trail almost as much as I loved Jack and Brooke. Almost.


<spoiler>

The one thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me was the third act break up. I don’t always mind a 3rd act break up. But with the dual timelines, I just didn’t feel like it was necessary. There was already enough conflict happening in the past timeline, that the break up in the current timeline felt unnecessary. The conflict didn’t last long. But I wish they would have just figured it out together instead of on their own and then coming back together after they had figured it out.

</spoiler>

Just like her previous book, the author does a great job setting the scene and making the reader feel like they are exploring Scotland with the characters, but I unfortunately had to force myself to finish this book. Even at the halfway mark the story felt so incredibly dragged out that I found myself not caring about what happened. The characters were flat and the relationship between Jack and Brooke, both in the present and the past, felt very surface level and I didn’t understand the reasoning for trying to make it work as adults. Additionally it’s been 7 years between the timelines and we’re expected to believe Brooke hung around Scotland (and working with Mhairi) that entire time? The reason for their break up would have had a large impact on Brooke’s future but we get no real information between past and present on how she got to where she was today.
I did enjoy the dual timelines and always enjoy a second-chance romance, but this book didn’t deliver like I thought it would.
Thank you to Harlequin Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Scot and Bothered.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC

4 Stars

Scot and Bothered is a heartwarming dual-timeline second-chance romance between Brooke and Jack. 7 years in the past, we learn about how Jack and Brooke met, fell in love, and fell apart. In the present, we see the two of them struggling to make their individual dreams a reality. They’re thrown back together again when Brooke’s mentor (who also happens to be Jack’s Aunt) asks her to co-write her memoir, which involves her walking the 80 mile Skye Trail. The only problem is that Jack’s the photographer for the project and now they have to do the hike together.

Brooke has so much anger towards Jack and feels betrayed by him and the way things ended between them in college. Jack feels extremely guilty for how things went down and has always wanted to apologize and make things right between them. Once on the grueling week-long trek in Skye, they’re forced to confront their past and what it could mean for their future.

This is the sequel to Kilt Trip which is about Jack’s brother, Logan, but they can both be read as standalone stories. I loved Kilt Trip when I read it last year so this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was so excited to receive an ARC!

This book is too cute!! Our MMC and FMC are both so relatable. Jack always struggled to figure out what he wanted to do with his life (which has always been hard for me), and Brooke has always known exactly what she wanted to be an author but was too afraid to truly go all in on her writing. This led to her becoming a ghost writer instead of writing her own stories. Her fear of failure really resonated with me and I enjoyed reading her journey to overcoming that fear.

I loved the now and then time jumps. The impact of Jack and Brooke’s love story and break up was so emotional! My heart broke for them both when I read what happened to end their relationship. When we meet them 7 years later, they are both still mutually pining for each other and wondering “what if?”.

Jack and Brooke’s story gave me such warm and fuzzy feelings. It had everything I needed to make it a great rom-com - dual pov, fun banter, so much yearning, forbidden love, only one tent (!!!), a down bad, green flag mmc, and a stunning setting that will make you want to book a trip to Scotland asap!

Read this if you liked:
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

Tropes:
-TA/student
-Forbidden love
-Second chance
-Forced proximity
-Only one tent

Quotes:
“She was drowning in memories of him, tossed around by the ones they never got to make, all those wasted nights dreaming about a future that’d never materialized. She was terrified to look him in the eye, to open a connection that had always felt so intimate and inevitable.”

“He felt an inevitability with Brooke, like the changing of the seasons. Like no matter how hard he fought it, he couldn’t change the outcome. He couldn’t seem to walk away.”

3.5/5 ⭐️

The premise for this novel was strong: second chance romance with a dual timeline and outdoor setting on the Skye Trail. Unfortunately, I found Brooke and Jack to be lacking chemistry and sexual tension making me feel very indifferent in rooting for the couple. I love a tent sharing/one bed trope, but it wasn’t executed in a way that created any sort of anticipation. Additionally, the setting was not nearly as immersive as it should’ve been and aside from the occasional phrase uttered by Jack, it was easy to forget he was Scottish. One could’ve picked this book up and plopped it on any trail in the United States and it would have read the same.

I enjoyed Mhairi’s character: the history of founding the Skye trail and her present day plight elevated the story. I would’ve preferred if the dual timeline included her story during the foundation of the trail rather than Brooke and Jack in college.

Overall, it’s your typical rom com that’s quick, easy and enjoyable to read, but lacks uniqueness and laugh out loud humor.

That being said, I will likely read the other books in this series and would pursue the author in other books if the topic interested me.


Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Brooke Sinclair’s aspiration of becoming a published author faltered when she was expelled from the University of Edinburgh. Now a ghostwriter, she focuses on telling others' stories until her mentor, Mhairi McCallister, invites her to co-write a memoir about Scotland’s challenging Skye Trail. Eager for the opportunity, Brooke agrees to hike the trail, unaware that her companion will be Jack Sutherland, the man who deeply affected her writing career and her heart. Jack, having left his family’s tour business for photography, must honor his aunt Mhairi's wishes despite the emotional turmoil associated with Brooke. As they navigate the beautiful Scottish landscape, old feelings resurface, forcing them to confront a past filled with unspoken hurt.

I have to admit that as I started reading this book, I did not remember the first one and things felt familiar. Then I realized Jack is the second brother! Duh. I like how the author used alternating timelines to showcase the evolution of Brooke and Jack's relationship, blending sweet moments with heart-wrenching emotions. The forced proximity trope adds tension and excitement as they trek through breathtaking landscapes, making every interaction feel significant. Readers will appreciate the relatable themes of dreams, longing, and the impact of miscommunication on relationships. Kiley's vivid descriptions and authentic portrayal of natural light photography enrich the narrative, enhancing the overall reading experience. I think it gives a little bit of insight into ghostwriting, something I had not really thought about before. I love the HEA, although I was crying at the end. This book is sure to resonate with anyone who loves a heartfelt romance filled with hope and second chances (and a bit of sexy spice). Thanks to #NetGalley and Harlequin for an ARC. This book is out in a few days --> March 4, 2025!!!