A heartfelt, second-chance romance with depth, drama, and a dash of Scottish charm

Scot and Bothered delivers all the emotional beats I love in a second-chance romance, with the added bonus of one of my favorite tropes: writers writing about writing. Brooke’s ghostwriting career—and the impact it’s had on her identity and confidence—adds a rich layer to this story. The idea of ghostwriters as central to the plot felt fresh and surprisingly emotional, especially in how it ties to questions of authorship, legacy, and owning your voice.

Brooke and Jack’s dynamic had just the right balance of tension, unresolved hurt, and slow-burn reconnection. Their shared history is messy in the best way, and the forced proximity of the Skye Trail hike gives them room to unpack their past and rediscover each other. I also really appreciated that the backdrop—Scotland’s rugged beauty—felt like a character in itself.

There are some heavier themes, like illness, career setbacks, and long-held regrets, but they’re handled with care. At its core, this book is about second chances: in love, in writing, and in finding peace with the paths we didn’t expect to take.

Fans of emotional, introspective romances with a strong sense of place (and a soft spot for literary themes) will definitely want to add this one to their TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Brooke and Jack have history. After not seeing one another for the last seven years, they're pulled together when Brooke's mentor, Mhairi, a famous author in Scotland, asks her to co-write her memoir. Mhairi's nephew, Jack has become a well-known Scottish landscape photographer, who will be providing the photographs for the novel. Since Mhairi was a founder of a highly challenging hiking trail, the two of them set out to conquer the trail and get what they need to finish the memoir.
Interspersed between then (seven years ago) and now, and switching back and forth between both characters' POVs, Scot & Bothered was a great time. The thoughts and feelings from both characters feel natural and realistic. I loved that we got snippets of the past for the former couple - seeing not only what happened to drive them apart, but how their relationship grew and formed in the first place. It seemed to flow very well, and was much better than just a single flashback of what happened back then. 
The Scottish backdrop was a beautiful setting. The growth we got to see in Brooke was really nice. It didn't seem rushed, it felt very natural. Not only was this a great second chance romance, but it only furthered my need to explore Scotland myself.
A huge shoutout to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

5⭐️ Kiley does it again.

A five-star contemporary romance needs incredible characters, a setting that stays with you, a believable conflict, and, of course, that something special about the love story that sets it apart from the rest.

Scot and Bothered has all of this and more. But I want to talk to you about Kiley’s descriptions of Scotland. As with her first book, Kilt Trip, I am haunted (in a good way) by this setting. Her writing makes you not only feel like you are there - but also as if you’ve already been there. This one was cozy, emotional and somehow nostalgic (even to someone like me who has never been to Scotland). And, at the risk of being too nerdy, I adore how meta that fact becomes, Kiley’s book mirroring so many of the important writing goals Brooke has for Mhairi’s memoir.

Jack and Brooke were written with so much heart - I felt their pain, and I considered whether I would have given it a second chance if I was in their shoes/hiking boots.

Lastly, I adore a quiet conflict. So often romance reads fall into the trap of manufactured conflict to keep the story moving/engaging. Kiley proves that isn’t always necessary—though I imagine it is the harder road as an author. Perhaps not as hard of a road as the Skye Trail, though.

God I loved this! The beautiful Scottish backdrop, the emotional rollercoaster, the romance, just everything, so good! This is a second chance romance with a dual time line and with a bit of forced proximity! I had so much reading about Brooke and Jacks journey to finding out what they're true dreams and passions are and to rediscovering their relationship. Just had such a good time with this! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

I enjoyed this novel about painful decisions of youth and the need to follow one’s passions. The story is told with dual narration and weaves in the past memories of the narrators. The main thread of hiking a difficult trail was interesting and I enjoyed picturing the journey. I recommend for those who enjoy romantic novels and thinking about how different a situation can be based on poor decisions made out of love.

this is a sweet, emotional, tender story. I loved the setting of the beautiful Scottish mountains, it was the perfect backdrop to this second chance romance! Brooke and Jack are adorable, tender-hearted sweethearts who are forced (in proximity) to rehash old hurts and find a way to work together now. I love the way they both have so much love to offer the other, even when they are still guarding their hearts, they just can''t help but care for the other. there's a lot of communication in this story that is necessary to get to the happily ever after, which makes it a very emotional, tender, spicy story as it all comes to the surface and Brooke and Jack find their happily ever after with each other. I also really enjoyed the characters careers being an essential part of the plot because it was fun learning more about nature photography and ghost writing!

thank you for the ARC :)

📗 Scot and Bothered
By @akileybooks
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

🗣️Dual POV
🕰️Dual timeline
📖 Memoir
✍️ Ghost writing
📸Photography
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒Family expectations
2️⃣Second chance love
💗 Forced proximity
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland
🏔️ Hike
⛺️ only one tent
⛈️ storms
🎥 video messages

This is a second book in the series but can be read as a stand alone! It was slower to start with the dual timeline and I thought the University timeline was slightly unnecessary but the ending was wonderful and I enjoyed the book!

Thank you Alexandra Kiley, Netgalley, Canary Street Press, HTPbooks and Harlequin Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

#scotandbothered #alexandrakiley #romancereads #romancebookrecs #releaseday #secondchanceromance #romancelandia #romcombooks #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #canarystreetpress #htpbooks #harlequinbooks #fourstarbookreview

I absolutely adored Kilt Trip last year. It was one of my favorites of 2024, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Scot and Bothered and it was everything I hoped it would be and more!!

This was a beautiful second chance love story that gave me butterflies from the very start. It’s dual timeline, which added so much to the story, had a stunning Scotland setting that made me feel like I was back in Portree, tension, emotion, angst, a shared love for Jack’s aunt Mhairi, a delicious slow burn and all the swoon in between. Jack is my new favorite book boyfriend. He was supportive, witty, so apologetic, sexy and swoony. I adored him! This is everything I could want in a second chance romance and I can not wait to reread it on audio! I highly recommend both Kilt Trip and Scot and Bothered!

Scot and Bothered is a second-chance romance featuring Brooke Sinclair, currently acting as a ghost-writer. Her dreams of publishing under her own name came crashing down during her last semester at the University of Edinburgh when it was discovered that she was romantically involved with Jack Sutherland, who was a Teaching Assistant at the same school. As a result of her "ethical violation," she was forced to withdraw from school without completing her degree. She's been hired by her former English professor to help write a book detailing the professor's role in establishing a hiking trail on the Isle of Skye.

When the Professor asks her to hike on the Isle of Skye to get a feel for the actual trail, Brooke agrees. The professor's nephew, Jack Sutherland is asked to go along with Brooke to take photographs for the book. Of course, this is where the true drama begins. The story takes turns giving us the backstory, of what happened "then," with what is happening "now," as we watch Brooke and Jack interact with each other, and other hikers along the way.

This was an interesting story, and I highly recommend picking up a copy of Scot and Bothered, which is available now!

Special thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this title.

Okay, I loved this book. As someone who’s a sucker for second-chance romances and all things Scotland (except haggis), "Scot and Bothered" hit all the right notes. The story follows Brooke, a ghostwriter still reeling from a shattered dream, and Jack, the guy who broke her heart (and her career) seven years ago, as they’re forced to hike Scotland’s rugged Skye Trail together for a memoir project. The dual timeline (then vs. now) slowly unravels their messy past while their forced proximity on the trail reignites all those unresolved feelings. There’s pining, angst, and a slow burn that had me yelling, "Just talk to each other already!" (But in the best way.) But seriously, Brooke’s struggle to reclaim her voice as a writer and Jack’s guilt over the past (and his secret about his aunt’s health) were relatable. And Mhairi? Absolute gem of a character—her warmth and wisdom tied everything together.

That said, I *did* wish for a bit more confrontation about their history earlier on—the miscommunication trope dragged a smidge—but when they finally hash it out? The payoff was worth it. So, if you love emotional second-chance romances with modern Scottish settings, this one's for you. It’s heartfelt, steamy (but not overly so), and fun. Just be warned: You’ll finish it and immediately google flights to Skye.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this one! It was a second chance romance that wasn't too heavy, and you could feel the love between these two. They had to remind themselves so much that they couldn't be together, or that she hated him... but all along it was there.

Jack and Brooke met at university, and right away there was a connection. Only to have their hopes dashed when they realize that he's one of the TA's in her class. Not her personal TA... but close enough to the code of misconduct that makes sure they can't happen. Except, the damage has already been done. The draw they feel, the way they'll make any excuse to just see the other...

Fast forward 7 years. Brooke has set aside her dreams of being a published author for her own stories and instead has become a ghost writer. Now she has the opportunity to write the memoir for her idol and mentor, Mhairi McCallister. Except her thoughts on the first draft aren't glowing.

So much of what Mhairi is trying to convey has to be seen, to be experienced to really understand. Her legacy, the trail she founded on the island of Skye, is something Brooke wants to get exactly right. She'll have to hike it herself, and Mhairi has just the person she should go with - her nephew Jack, who will be the photographer for the book. The one person she hasn't stopped hating or missing for the last 7 years.

For Jack, this trip to Skye isn't just about Mhairi's book. His aunt is sick, and he's using every moment to say goodbye, to experience his grief. Of course he has to be on the trail with the one girl he's never stopped thinking about. And at his aunt's insistence, he can't tell her what this memoir is really about, that she's ill.

The way both of these characters feel for each other, but also what Mhairi has meant in their lives, is so touching. I loved it, and the beautiful descriptions of Scotland make you feel like you're almost there.

This was an enjoyable read. I loved the setting and the imagery surrounding the location. I really enjoyed that it was a dual timeline to see the past events of this second chance romance. There was yearning and sweet moments and an emotional journey for the characters. I would recommend this book if you're looking for an enjoyable romance read.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for allowing me to receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sorry life got busy and the review came a bit late.

This book was a lot of fun to read! I enjoyed the past and present relationship throughout the book between Brooke and Jack! At points I did feel like the story was not engaging me very much so I switched to the audiobook and I really enjoyed listening to the Scottish accent while listening to the audiobook!

Overall this book was a lot of fun hearing how Brooke became a writer and the adventure of them hiking the trail! I really felt like I was in Scotland!

3.5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️

I absolutely loved this novel. The choice to share the protagonists’ stories through dual perspectives and flashbacks/ present day provided great story development. I felt transported to Scotland and through time based on the vivid imagery that Kiley incorporated throughout. I especially appreciated that the characters came to life with their flaws, heartbreak, struggles, and joy. All the emotions that are presented feel authentic and true to the characters.

Heat Factor: It’s a bit of a slow burn, but he’s got a bit of a slow Scottish burr, so…

Character Chemistry: They’re both dreamers who bring out the best in each other, and their chemistry is pretty dreamy, too.

Plot: Brooke and Jake had a forbidden relationship that blew up both their lives when he was her TA and she was in a competitive masters program in Scotland. Reunited through Jake’s aunt/Brooke’s mentor, they rekindle their relationship on a week-long hike through Scotland and have to decide what they really want for their futures and from each other.

Overall: This book was very brooding and heart-squeezy, and the setting played off of that beautifully.

Ohhhh, to be young and incredibly stupid again.

Jake and Brooke end up dating (when they are fully aware it’s forbidden) and when their relationship is brought to light it completely derails both of their best laid plans. Mhairi is both Jake’s beloved aunt and Brooke’s mentor, and when Mhairi hires Jake to replace the photographer for her biography, Brooke, who is co-writing it, is stuck hiking a trail integral to Mhairi’s life…with Jake.

At first, both Jake and Brooke are tense and reliving the pain from that upheaval, but as the hike progresses they begin to remember the way they fell in love and slowly open up about how their lives have changed because of the choices they made. The narrative flows between present time and flashbacks, illustrating why Brooke has chosen to work as a ghostwriter and give up on her dream of writing under her own name, and why Jake is holding out for having his photography featured in galleries instead of taking on opportunities that would reach more viewers (like vlogging and having his photography sold in quaint little tourist shops).

Mhairi has been keeping a secret from Brooke as well, which puts the newly healed relationship at risk.

This is very much a love story that revolves around mental and emotional intimacy—it’s a slow burn and there’s a lot of tender moments and gentle touches but not a ton of on page heat. I was pretty skeptical of what could have possibly derailed Brooke’s career so badly, but when it unfolds it makes sense—Brooke’s an international student and so her situation is naturally more precarious. As things are unpacked it becomes pretty clear that neither Brooke’s nor Jake’s lives really HAD to fall apart the way they did…it’s almost like they didn’t want the lives they thought they wanted after all, and just weren’t willing to fight for it.

I think that if you like love stories that are thoughtful and heart-heavy, you’ll probably really enjoy this one. The writing is fantastic, the setting is beautiful, and the characters are just the right kind of messy. If you’re looking for high steam, you might find it a bit slow…but I guarantee you’ll at LEAST get a good sigh out of Jake’s adorable Scottish burr.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC! This story of Brooke and Jack told with flashbacks to their university days as well as current day, was poignant and heartbreaking. Their meet cute with mutual friends was so sweet that how could they have known he would end up as her TA and put both of their futures in jeopardy. Cut to seven years in the future, Brooke is called back to their university by her mentor and Jack is surprisingly part of the package deal. Will they won’t they - who knows but learning about their love story along the way was fantastic.

Scot and Bothered
by Alexandra Kiley

Scot and Bothered is a beautiful second chance romance set in Scotland. Brooke has always dreamed of being an Author but after an incident in college she lost her dream. Several years later Brooke is now a ghost writer and hides behind other Author names, but now has the chance to work with her Mentor on Mhairi’s memoir. She must travel Skye Trail to capture the beauty of the story.
Jack is Mhairi’s nephew and the reason why Brooke was kicked out of her program. Jack was stuck in his family tour business, the same family business in Kilt Trip. Jack doesn’t want to be an accountant with his Father, he dreams of being a photographer but can’t seem to say no to his parents. After his Aunt Mhairi hired him to take photos for her memoir, he joins Brooke on a hike of a lifetime.
Brooke must find a way to forgive Jack, and Jack has a secret his Aunt asked him to keep.
I absolutely adored Scot and Bothered. The relationship dynamic between Brooke and Jack was amazing. I enjoyed the chapters of the past, where we got to see Jack and Brooke fall in love for the first time. The descriptions of the Skye Trail made you feel as though you were hiking with them.
Scot and Bothered is connected to Kilt Trip, but it is not necessary to read one before the other.
I give Scot and Bothered 4 stars out of 5.

My favorite quote from the book is: “Don’t diminish it. Starting is the hardest part. And starting again..even harder.”

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read Scot and Bothered!

4/5 ⭐️

This was a great second chance romance and I loved the world building!

I enjoyed going between then and now, but I felt as if I was missing details and getting extra on topics I didn't care as much about. I would have loved more on their lives individually before they met up for the second time.

Brooke Sinclair has dreamt of becoming a published author for years, even attending University of Edinburgh to work with her favorite author. Seven years after her plans were derailed after an expulsion, she writes other people’s stories as a ghost writer. When her college mentor Mhairi McCallister needs a co-writer for her memoir about Scotland’s most challenging trek, Brooke is eager for the opportunity, even though she must hike the rugged Skye Trail for authenticity’s sake. However, she is less thrilled by her company, nature photographer Jack Sutherland, the man who shattered Brooke’s writing career—and her heart.

This is a road trip romance following two main timelines, Brooke and Jack seven years ago, and their present hike along the Skye Trail. With a dual timeline and dual povs, I felt like I sometimes lost the plot, but overall enjoyed the highly reflective story that focuses primarily on our main characters’ obligations and passions. I loved their journey along the trail, and thought the ending was beautiful, but I could have had a few less chapters that focused on their initial conflict from their college days.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book!

My favorite part of reading a story set in Scotland is every beautiful thing I get to google pictures of along the way. It’s so easy to get lost in all of the descriptions along the Isle of Skye. The Mhairi plot was heartbreaking and inspiring. I love who she was to both Jack and Brooke and how their appreciation of her brings them back to each other. I loved the dual timelines for their story. It’s clear that Brooke is still carrying the past with her and can’t let it go so being able to see the full scope of their relationship was important. The one thing that did bother me was the lack of conversation around what happened 7 years ago. I totally get why Brooke was so mad and Jack and honestly, I’m not sure if what he did was forgiveable, or at least not without more to show me why it was. Overall, I loved the journey that I got to go on while reading this one!