This was a pretty good contemporary romance. Scott And Bothered is a second-chance romance that is told through a dual timeline. I liked how the past chapters gave insight as to the history between Brooke and Jack, but I found myself enjoying the chapters that took place in present times more. I loved this book’s atmospheric Scotland setting as Jack and Brooke hiked Skye Trail and I enjoyed seeing how their relationship developed throughout the story. Overall, this was a great read.

Read this if you like:

📖 Second-chance romance
📖 Dual timeline
📖 Only one tent
📖 Atmospheric setting

Thank you to HTP Hive for the gifted book.

This book had everything that I love in a rom com. It has second chance romance, light academia, and at one point there is only one bed in a tent! This story is also set in the highlands of Scotland. Talk about dreamy. I also really like how while the romance is the main plot, Brooke finding herself and following her dreams is a very prominent driving force for this story. I also really like how the male lead, Jack, never once made their relationship more important than Brooke's passion for writing. (And honestly his passion for photography.) It felt like their relationship complimented their personal ambitions which was really nice to read about.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

TW: character with terminal cancer on the page

Scot and Bother is a sequel to Kilt Trip, following Logan’s brother Jack. Jack never really felt part of the family tour guiding business. His dream is to be a photographer, but in order to appease his parents, he decides to get a Master’s degree in Business. He thinks maybe he can use this to work for the family business in some other capacity.

Brooke is an American student studying in Edinburgh. She dreams of becoming a writer someday and is thrilled when one of her teachers turns out to be her idol Mhairi McCallister. Encouraged by Mhairi to apply for a prestigious fellowship, Brooke feels like her dream of becoming a writer is about to be realized.

Sparks fly when Jack and Brooke meet at a party. There’s an instant connection. But when Brooke discovers Jack is her new TA, they put a halt to their budding relationship to comply with the university’s no fraternization policy. The problem is they keep gravitating towards each other until they finally can’t keep away. Staying together has consequences and when they’re caught all of dreams come crashing down. Hurt and betrayed by Jack, they break up.

Unable to write her own stories after the fallout, Brooke becomes a ghostwriter, writing other people’s stories. Her mentor, Mhairi asks her to co-write her memoir and Brooke jumps on the chance. This could be the inspiration she’s looking for to finally put her own words on the page. In order to really capture Mhairi’s essence on the page she agrees to go on a hike across the Isle of Skye that Mhairi founded. The only problem is that there will be a photographer tagging along - and that photographer is non other than Jack himself. Now the two must put their differences aside and work together. Can Brooke forgive Jack for the past and begin anew or will she part ways once the hike is over?

This story is told in dual timelines, which adds more depth to the story in my opinion. Watching Jack and Brooke slowly begin to fall in love in the past is bittersweet. They totally belong together and complement each other in so many ways. Each helping the other to achieve their dreams. When they’re caught and have the fallout it is heartbreaking. Here are two people that belong together and because of circumstances are thrown apart.

The present timeline takes place 7 years later. Jack is still very much in love with Brooke and is determined to make amends for the past and start anew, but Brooke can’t forgive him for what he has done. Her whole future was ruined, and it’s hard for her to get past it. As the journey progresses, memories of their past come flooding back, and it’s harder and harder to stay mad. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish hills, we see them slowly start to rebuild, and you’re rooting for them the entire way. The angst in this novel really tears at your heartstrings.

Jack is so kind and loving. He’s a young man trying to realize his dreams and his autonomy. When we first see their relationship in the past, he does try hard to stay away from Brooke because of the university’s code of conduct, but the electricity between them is so charged, it’s hard for him to stay away. Brooke is a go getter, and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. And what she wants is Jack. She knows that the disobeying the code of conduct has serious consequences, yet she decides to follow her heart anyway.

What I think Ms. Kiley does best is contrast the past from the present. We see the idealized version of Brooke and Jack and their relationship. They’ve got love goggles on, and while I sincerely believe they accept each other as they are, they’ve not dealt with real adversity in their relationship. Because of this, when the consequences of their actions come about and their idealized view is shattered, it’s hard for Brooke to really reflect and communicate with Jack. I do think that she was hard on him. She made a choice knowing what the consequences were. I understand that when you’re young you believe you’re invincible, but I do think she was unfair to Jack.

Though it’s been 7 years, there’s a lot that is left unresolved. The reckoning that should’ve taken place before is finally being dealt with. I wish the conversation between Jack and Brooke to put leave the past fully in the past happened sooner, while they were on the trail. That being said it was incredibly moving when it did.

I did appreciate how they were there for each other once Brooke found out about Mhairi’s terminal cancer diagnosis. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. I’m glad that Ms. Kiley didn’t use it as a catalyst for a third act break up, but rather as an opportunity for them to grow closer. It was very beautiful. The life celebration ceremony had me in tears. It was a beautiful way to honor Mhairi, and I loved that she got to be a part of it.

I really enjoyed reading Brooke and Jack’s journey toward a reconciliation and was really rooting for them the whole way through. But be warned this book will have you in tears.

Beautifully written, deeply felt, and wildly atmospheric! I adore a dual timeline/second chance romance, and the author expertly weaves the big emotions of first love with hard-earned lessons of betrayal and the hope of reconnection. The depiction of Scotland is both loving and immersive. Loved it.

Scot and Bothered is a forbidden romance and a second chance romance rolled into one. It is third person POV and goes back and forth between the present and the past. The story was good to me but felt a little rushed in places. It was hard for me to get into at first because of the third person and time jumps. It had moments of feeling hard to follow. All in all I thought it was a decent book and think it’s worth trying if someone is interested.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Loved this book so much! It was cute, fun, and definitely flirty!! I flew through it and liked every second of it.

It was one of those books that was super easy to read and enjoy! The setting of the story was perfect and so well done! While the characters bothered me a little bit (I definitely don't feel like they would have been together long term!) they were still cute and enjoyable in this book!

It's one of those books you read with your mind off and just for the vibes! Definitely interested to see what more Alexandra writes because the writing style was fantastic!

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC!

Miss Alexandra Kiley- you have my heart wrapped around your finger and the way you write. As if I couldn’t love Kilt Trip enough- you go ahead and write this book. Scotland has such a hold on my heart and is such a special place to me- I got married on the Isle of Skye, so following along Brooke and Jack’s story had me reliving the Quairang, Old Man Storr and Portree all over again. Five stars. I’m waiting to hear Reid’s story now!

Brooke forgave Jack way too fast. if the man who ruined my career tried to blandly apologize his way back into my life, i would throw him off a cliff. especially when he pulled the “you hurt me too 🥺” bullshit without any groveling whatsoever. and why do authors feel the need to name drop real songs in their books?? i find it so cringey it makes me want to stop reading the book.

I love a good second chance romance and Scot and Bothered delivered!

The way Scotland was described made me want to take a flight there ASAP. The imagery was just so good and well written.

The tension between Jack and Brooke was so good. I ate it up. I loved seeing their relationship in past vs their relationship in the present. We get to see what went wrong and how they reconnect and how they fix what was broke.

I would recommend this book to anyone. I’m so excited for it to come out so I can put a physical copy on my shelf!

Thanks to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for this digital ARC.

Reading Alexandra Kiley's Kilt Trip last year was a pleasure, and I had high hopes for this second chance romance story. I was not disappointed! Jack and Brooke had a messy, horrible parting years ago. But now Brooke's mentor has inadvertently brought then back together to work on assignment in the Isle of Skye. Will Jack and Brooke get to the bottom of what really happened all those years ago, and give their love a second chance? Great atmospheric Scottish romance!

Scot and Bothered is a second chance dual timeline romance. Brooke has always dreamed of being a published author but she is kicked out of university after she has a relationship with Jack (the brother of Logan from Kilt Trip). Years later she finally gets the chance to co-write her mentor’s life story. After she agrees to hike the Skye Trail for the sake of the book, she learns Jack will be joining her on the hike as the photographer. Great tension between the main characters throughout as they have to learn to live with each other during the hike, their past relationship failures, and their futures. I even shed a few tears at the end! Just like Kilt Trip, the way Scotland is written makes me want to book a trip here immediately!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/ Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

“Scot and Bothered” is a heartfelt and atmospheric second-chance romance that takes readers on a journey both through the beautiful Scottish trails and the emotional rollercoaster of love and grief.

The love story depicted within these pages is honest and complex. With the dual pov and dual timeline, I was able to recognize the character flaws within Brooke and Jack, and love them and their love for each other all the more. While the writing leans toward flowery, descriptive details, this never felt overly excessive. Kiley painted an illustrative picture for every scene, completely immersing me within the story. The exploration of grief was profound and made my heart hurt. The book is a beautifully crafted tale of second chances, healing, and the potential for new beginnings.

A common thing I’ve noticed for second chance romance books that utilize an alternating "then" and "now" chapter format, is I get so engrossed in the “now” story, that I dread a chapter about the past. This unfortunately took place while reading this story. The frequent shifts back to the past felt disruptive at times, pulling me out of the narrative. I was obsessed with everything happening in the present— the yearning from the main characters, the idyllic scenery descriptions, the hilarious cons to camping that were discussed. I would have appreciated more focus on the characters' growth and connection in the present, exploring why they still love each other now, rather than spending so much time on their love story from seven years ago.

Alexandra Kiley's Kilt Trip was my introduction into contemporary romance. I was already quite impressed to learn that Kilt Trip was her debut novel, and after reading Scot and Bothered the author has cemented her place as a powerful and heartwarming story teller.

Jack Sutherland dreams of making his passion for photography his full-time job. His ex Brooke Sinclair is a hard working student/ghostwriter who has ambitions of becoming a published author. Brooke's college mentor Mhairi needs a cowriter for her memoir, and Brooke is all-in; willing to do anything for the opportunity and a shot at getting published. Brooke's willingness to do anything lands her hiking the 80-mile Skye Trail for authenticity's sake. To Brooke's shock and despair, the photographer accompanying her will be none other than Jack, who broke her heart and ruined her writing career. As Jack and Brooke head into the hike, their solitude from the outside world and close proximity to each other forces them to confront old feelings. There's second-chance romance, dual timelines written and executed expertly, and a new micro-trope to love- only ONE tent.

The story was so beautifully written and I felt the emotions of the characters while reading. The dual timelines really allow you to understand each character's perspective and root for a breakthrough in communication. The descriptions of the landscapes throughout the trail really made me feel as if I were a third person on the hike with Jack and Brooke, catching deeply intimate moments and witnessing their tension build. I was crying by the end from a multitude of emotions as the author took me on a whole journey exploring central themes of ambition, forgiveness, allowing yourself to be vulnerable and dealing with illness. Scot and Bothered, along with Kilt Trip are on my shelf of books that I will return to again and again for a comfort read. I am forever an Alexandra Kiley cheerleader. If you weren't watching her already after Kilt Trip, you will be after reading Scot and Bothered!

Scot and Bothered is a sweet second chance romance set in the beautiful Scotland.

Brooke is an aspiring author who hit a career bump when she was expelled from University of Scotland 7 years ago for having a relationship with Jack her TA. Fast forward and she is offered a ghost writing job for her idol Mhairi, who also happens to be Jack's aunt. She takes the job but it means seeing Jack again

The tricky part of this story is the split timeline. I found myself completely uninterested in the past timeline, but the present day story was very intriguing. I loved the aspects of it set on the trail through Isle of Skye. The past was hard to get into knowing how it ended from the start of the book, plus it was just one big miscommunication trope. The present felt much better, and I enjoyed the themes of how to follow ones dream as an adult, and dealing with loss. I loved the side characters Jack and Brooke met on the trail.

3.5 stars

Brooke and Jack have a heart-wrenching past, and they're forced to face it on a grueling hike through the Scottish Highlands. Both are trying to pursue their dreams in ways that feel authentic to them, while struggling with past mistakes and hopes for the future.

I think I liked this one more than Kilt Trip?! The movement between the past and the present was very well executed and fit this story well. I liked learning the first love story of Brooke and Jack while moving through their present trials on the trail. The past scenes felt like a coming of age romance, and the present was full of adult understanding and realistic hurdles that were keeping Jack and Brooke apart.

I thought Brooke gave up her anger fairly quickly on the trail, but I can also see that as a character development; being a rational adult and not holding grudges. I really appreciated the moment near the end of the book when Brooke was angry at Jack for not disclosing Mhairi's secret. Brooke experienced her anger but then moved past it and didn't make a scene or blame Jack. A lot of modern romances go for that sort of drama while promoting unhealthy relationship qualities, and Kiley didn't do that here which I really appreciate.

I love that Kiley has the ability to write fun & feel-good romances with a decent level of spice, and also include some emotional gut punches, such as the celebration for Mhairi at the end of the book. Cried my eyes out. In a good way? A+ work :) Can't wait to see what she writes next!

Second Chance Romance
Close Proximity
Trigger Warning: Someone dealing with terminal disease but dealt with in a respectful manner

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an opportunity to provide feedback on this book. I truly enjoyed this author's writing style and character development. This is a second chance romance, that also contains a beautiful message on how one can achieve what they thought wasn't possible with the love and support from special people in their life.

i read an arc of kilt trip last year, and i am over the moon that i was able to read an arc of scot and bothered this year! scot and bothered follows logan’s brother, jack, and brooke. it’s a second chance romance told in a split timeline and set across both edinburgh and the isle of skye. i absolutely adored everything about this novel. dare i say, i might have even loved it more than i loved kilt trip, which is saying a lot.

brooke sinclair is a ghostwriter who longs to tell a story of her own, but has had her confidence knocked one too many times to work up the courage to do so. jack sutherland has a passion for photography but feels trapped by the dreams he feels his family has imagined for him. years ago, during their time at the university of edinburgh, jack and brooke embarked upon the journey of helping each other truly embrace what they wanted in life… now, seven years later, they find themselves together on one last adventure. brooke is cowriting a memoir for mhairi, her mentor and jack’s aunt. mhairi believes brooke needs to experience the isle of skye for herself in order to authentically tell mhairi’s story, so she sends her off on the trail with none other than her nephew, jack, who just so conveniently happens to be the one in charge of photography for the memoir. alone on the trail, brooke and jack are forced to acknowledge their unresolved feelings for one another and decide if their story is worth a second chance.

some specific things that i loved:
—as a reader, i adored brooke’s povs. her thoughts are such a love letter to the written word, and, through her character, alexandra kiley somehow voiced everything i feel about writing and language and stories in the most eloquent way. a favorite line being, “she breathed in the smell, like dust and ink and love.” brooke’s story is also incredibly encouraging for aspiring writer’s; i particularly loved the discussion about first drafts, that they “just [have] to exist. the starting is the hardest part.”
—i love a split timeline; i was so engaged with both plotlines the entire way through. i think the timing of the “then” chapters aligned perfectly with the brooke and jack’s character development in the “now” chapters. the little sprinkles of jack and brooke’s past were perfectly timed, allowing for so many endearing, full-circle moments.
—scot and bothered is also a love letter to scotland. i’ve been to scotland twice since reading kilt trip last year, and having my own personal memories attached to so many of the places that are mentioned throughout the novel just added an entirely new layer of joy for me. alexandra kiley truly captures the magic of not just edinburgh, but all of scotland with descriptions such as, “the particular green [jack] was sure couldn’t be replicated anywhere else on earth” and “the mystery around every corner… like home, this combination of welcoming and adventure and mystique.”
—the side characters were delightful. mhairi’s character was such a welcome addition to this story. i loved getting to see more of the sutherland family, and i loved getting little sprinkles of logan and addie post kilt trip.

scot and bothered is everything i could ever want in a romance: it’s endearing, steamy, and full of wonder.

review will be shared to my bookstagram account (linked below) the week of december 2nd and is currently live on my goodreads profile (also linked below).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book!

I love Scotland like loveeee it so the setting of this book is perfect and of course the isle of Skye is perfect too. I felt like this book had a lot of heart and it was easy to feel connected to the characters. It’s a second chance romance where it was easy to see where both sides were coming from. A good book to remind you to put yourself out there and it’s brave to forgive as much as it is to hold your ground!

Brooke Sinclair had her life all planned out: go to the University of Edinburgh, get into the writing fellowship of her writing idol, and become a published author. All of her plans are derailed when she is expelled. Now seven years later, she is a ghostwriter, writing the stories of others, but not her own. Her college mentor, Mhairi McCallister, known for creating a famous hiking trail, has chosen Brooke as her cowriter for a memoir. Brooke agrees to go hike the Skye trail without realizing the photographer that will be accompanying her is Mhairi’s nephew, Jack Sutherland, the man who broke Brooke’s heart and got her expelled seven years ago. Jack is finally really going after his dream of breaking away from his family touring business and becoming a full time photographer. Brooke and Jack are forced to confront their past while hiking a rugged trail for the next two weeks.

I really enjoyed the dual timeline and perspectives used to tell the story. I loved the juxtaposition of the physical journey the characters are going through on the hike, versus the emotional journey they both are going through.

Overall, I found this to be a heart-warming story about second chances. Those who also enjoyed Kilt Trip will not be disappointed with this addition to the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first book by Alexandra Kiley and she will now by on my repeat read list! As someone planning a trip to Scotland, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Brooke and Jack's trek across the Isle of Skye. Even through the pages, you can feel the cozy charm of Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye. This book jumps between past and present and is does well in setting up their relationship as well as building up to what ultimately caused their downfall.