Brooke Sinclair's life has not gone entirely to plan. Instead of being a published author with her own name on books, she's a ghostwriter - sticking to other people's stories. When her college mentor Mhairi McCallister gives her the opportunity to co-write her memoir about the rugged Skye Trail, Brooke will do anything, including hike the grueling trail with the man who broke her heart and ruined her dreams, Jack Sutherland.

The Sutherland brothers are back!! Alexandra Kiley is back with a second-chance romance set once again in the magical world of Scotland. I was so excited to dive back into this world and continue getting to know the Sutherland family and meet our newest FMC, Brooke.

WHAT I LOVED:
- The description of all the parts of Scotland! With the dual perspectives, we were able to dive into Edinburgh during Brooke & Jack's college days, while also being able to explore the Isle of Skye in the present-day. Alexandra does setting SO WELL and I cannot wait to continue exploring Scotland through her writing.
- I thought the miscommunication, conflict at the end was very valid and believable. I saw it coming and was nervous for how it was going to be handled, but was pleasantly surprised.
- I am NOT a big second-chance romance girlie, but this one *chefs kiss*! I thought it was the right amount of yearning and pining and they are able to talk through past hurt to move forward with having a stronger relationship in the future.
- Just like Kilt Trip, I LOVE LOVE LOVEDDDD all of the side characters. They were wonderful and I wanted more from them, as per usual. They definitely added to the storyline and complimented Jack & Brooke perfectly.
- Cancer sucks. I cried. It was captured perfectly.

WHAT WAS A MISS:
- I didn't necessarily feel the connection between Brooke & Jack the entire time. I think we could have used a little more depth between them both in the past and in the present to make their relationship seem believable. It felt like more telling than showing at times.
- I wanted more information about where they both had been between college and present-day. Where was Brooke living? Yes, she became a ghostwriter after she was expelled, but how? Did she need to go back to the U.S.? I wanted more!

Thank you to Alexandra Kiley for an author's copy of this book and to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Canary Street Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a DNF for me. I did not like the FMC at all and found her to be whiney and insufferable. I understand in second chance/dual timeline romances they want to spread the information out rather than giving it all to you up front, but this was too slow for me.

I didn't feel much of a connection between the two main characters, and with the added level of the dual timeline, it still fell like their relationship was missing something. The characters themselves felt fleshed out to me, but their story together seemed forced. I always find second-chance romances a little hard to connect with. If there was a reason it didn't work out in the first place, it likely won't work out again and I feel like this relationship had so many unanswered questions about their time without one another it's hard to trust they can last again.

The setting was beautiful, and I enjoyed the forced proximity of this story. The tension, when it was there, added another great level to their relationship.

Overall, this fell a little flat for me, but it was still an enjoyable read!

4 🌟
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC!

I loved this book. The characters were really well-developed and I could almost picture them (which rarely happens for me). The plot was fun because it involved hiking and camping (sharing a tent anyone?) and the setting (Scotland) was so vividly illustrated. The entire story had me wanting to know what broke Brooke and Jack up seven years ago and whether or not they’d reconnect. I was also curious as to why Brooke didn’t finish her degree.

Thank you @canarystreetpress @htpbooks for the ebook. 4.5 stars, rounded up
What a fun adventure through Scotland! I really enjoyed this Dual POV & Dual Timeline second chance romance story. The past timelines takes place while Brooke is a student and Jack is in grad school. Although he is not her TA, they aren't supposed to date...and cue the forbidden secret romance. As the reader goes back in forth in timelines, there are hints as to why they broke up and that Brooke blames Jack for ruining her potential career as an author, but the curiosity about what exactly happened builds until very close to the end. The current timeline is filled with tension as Brooke and Jack are forced to travel the Skye Trail together to work together on a book for Mhairi, Jack's aunt and Brooke's mentor. The way Jack is trying to be so good to her, apologize, and show her how much he cares...I just loved him. I wanted to highlight everything Jack said.
Since I started this after pub day, I decided to try the audiobook as well and OMG, Jack's sweet words with his Scottish brogue is perfection. I highly recommend the audio, especially Jack's POV chapters.

I’ve been to Scotland twice, and the beautiful imagery makes me want to go back tomorrow. There is an otherworldly beauty and peace out in the Highlands that is captured in this story of second chances. It’s as frustrating as a slew of midges, but comforting like steak and ale pie.

A second-chance romance set in Scotland. SAY LESS.

While this was a blindingly fast, one-sitting read, I felt like I was held at arm's length the entire time -- in both past and present storylines. I was never able to get that attachment to the characters because I never got a chance to know them apart from the highest level facts: she's a ghostwriter and had an Incident back in college, he's the nephew of a beloved professor and wants more out of life than the family's tour business.

I love Alexandra Kiley's scottish romances! They're adorable with driven leading ladies and sweet swoon worthy scottish men. Everytime I read one of her books I want to travel! I already am writing up list of places to visit for a Scotland trip!

Oh, what a fun adventure this was! My first romance with Scottish vibes and a Scottish man. Jack and Brooke were very likable. The tropes were some of my favorites for a romance read. The Only one tent trope was great! You get dual timeline, which I love as you get both sides of the story from both the FMC and the MMC's brain. Although this was my first from this author, I'm looking forward to reading more from Alexandra Kiley!

Loved this one! Was a very cute read and the imagery of Scotland throughout the book did what I think the author intended which was making the reader want to experience their own adventure on the trails there. The only thing I found a bit difficult with this read was the POV changes. Sometimes the change of POVs didn’t feel as clear so it took a moment to readjust and figure out which character’s POV it was.

Not only do you get the “one bed” trope, you get the “one TENT” trope! I love how this book basically went from friends to lovers to enemies. You get to see their past and how things fell apart between Jack and Brooke, as well as where they’re at now and what’s still tying them together.

You know what, hellll yeah!!!! I want a Scottish mans just like this one please. This was such a fun time, I was giggling and kicking my feet while reading.

Thank you to NetGallery for the opportunity to read this book in advance. This novel was a cute little Scottish tale with likable characters and an interesting plot premise. I did struggle with the formatting of the e-book. Anything that start with an fl had spacing issues and the paragraphs were not formatting in a way that was easy for the reader to digest, and it honestly took away from the reading experience. Additionally, in the beginning, there was a lot that was assumed about characters, their backgrounds, and connection to each other and it was initially challenging to wrap my head around. It would have been nice to get a better foundation, considering the heavier topics towards the end of the book. Once I was able to connect to the characters and understand the vision of the story, it was super cute and enjoyable.

This was such an enjoyable second chance romance! The dual timelines worked really well and I just fell in love with the setting! Talk about wanderlust! I alternated between formats, though the audiobook performances were especially great! 4⭐️

Loved this one! Everyone needs a Jack but even more importantly a Mhari in their lives! So engrossed in the feelings the entire time I was reading. Would reread and recommend

Brooke would do anything to be her college mentors co-write. Even agreeing to hike the rugged skye trail. She doesn’t know, the man who ruined her writing career, Jack the photographer will be joining her. They are forced to confront some old feelings. What will happen in those two weeks? Maybe there’s a second chance at the end of the trail!

I loved the banter between the two of them! I was smiling and laughing the whole time I was reading this book. It was a wonderful story that was well written. I was able to read it quickly.

If you like:
👫Dual timeline
👫Dual POV narration
🫶🏼Second chances
📚Books about books
❤️Former lovers turned enemies
🔥Slow burn romance
👫Working together
👫Forced proximity
⛺️Only one tent

This book is for you!

Publication Date: March 4 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨

Thank you NetGalley, Alexandra and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Canary Street Press for the eARC!

#ScotandBothered #NetGalley

First, thank you to the author, publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I genuinely enjoyed this book. I don’t usually love flash back chapters, but felt that these didn’t take over the current story completely. I love a dual pov, but felt that the switches were kind of clunky. Every switch had me pausing and then actively thinking about which pov it was.

Overall, Scot and Bothered was a quick read about second chance love and pursuing your passions. While out on the trail Jack and Brooke are able to discover themselves and rekindle their relationship. I thought the dialogue / banter was good and believable. I enjoyed our side characters and what they brought to the story.

My only reservation was that I thought the storyline of them in school and being kicked out and everything was not very believable and felt a bit overdramatic. Classic case of miscommunication for the protagonists.

Oh I loved this!!!

I am honestly not a fan of a second chance romance but I absolutely adored this!! I felt that the back and forth between the past and present really sent the action forward and did a great job of getting to the core of Brooke and Jack's relationship.

THE ACCENTS IN THIS AUDIOBOOK!!! The narration was truly perfection and transported me into the world of the book. It really helped solidify Jack's character and I personally loved him.

I truly had such a good time reading this one and I highly recommend the audiobook!!!

Thank you Alexandra Kiley and HTP Publishing for this early copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a huge fan of Kilt Trip, I was so excited for this book and Alexandra Kiley didn't disappoint. She is a master in spinning a story that tugs at your heart strings while making you laugh. You get so wrapped up in the story that you feel everything- the character's feelings, the environment- everything! Another great addition to the series.

Following Alexandra Kiley’s Kilt Trip, this book tells the story of Jack Sutherland (brother of the male protagonist in Kilt Trip — I am really loving these little book universes!) and Brooke Sinclair, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies who went to the University of Edinburgh together.

The book picks up seven years after their relationship bottomed out and Brook’s life path of promising author took a drastic turn for the worst. Paired up on an important project for someone they both care about (his aunt, her mentor), Brooke and Jack are forced to traverse the rugged Skye Trail for the sake of the memoir they’re both working on. Forced proximity ensues, along with delightful descriptions of Scotland, and a number of insightful lines about how life doesn’t exactly go as planned.

As much as I enjoyed Kilt Trip, Scot and Bothered is definitely my favorite of the two. And that’s saying something, because I truly enjoyed the former! Brooke’s struggles with her own writing and creativity (and the nuanced insights Kiley sprinkles in throughout) definitely hit home with me, making it a deeper reading experience. Really, it makes me even more excited to follow Kiley’s writing and see what she creates next!