Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.


This one starts off pretty sad- and you really see it coming, it’s not a shocker but it does start off sad.

The issue I had while reading it is that it just read kind of clunky. There was not good flow to it and I decided in the end that I couldn’t push through and finish this book.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good lighthouse story? They hold a certain charm, don’t you think? I’ve stumbled upon a handful of books featuring lighthouses, and I’ve loved every single one. So, when I picked up Julie Shackman’s latest, I was excited and it did not disappoint!

In this beautifully crafted tale, we meet Rosie Winters, a young and successful romance author based in England. I admire her strength to move on after facing a whirlwind of challenges that many of us could only imagine in a lifetime. When her world crumbles, she loses her faith in love and retreats to her grandparents’ cozy cottage in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, bringing along her lovely dog, Bronte.

Mitch Carlisle is the new lightkeeper. Oh boy, this character! Handsome, kind-hearted, selfless, and a dash of mystery thrown in. He had me at hello. Initially a tough nut to crack, he slowly works his way into Rosie’s heart, revealing his own past struggles along the way. The banter between Rosie and Mitch is delightful; it made me grin and tugged at my heartstrings all at once. Their slow-burning romance is sweet, warm, and oh-so-comforting. As they navigate through their heartbreaking pasts, I found myself cheering them on with every turn of the page.

What surprised me even more was the secondary storyline revolving around Rosie’s grandmother. It added such a wonderful twist to the narrative and introduced captivating supporting characters that brought the entire story to life.

And don’t forget the setting! Rowan Bay felt so real, I could practically smell the sea air and feel the cool breezes of the quaint town engulfing me. It was the perfect backdrop for all the blossoming romance and friendships taking shape.

In a nutshell, this charming read has something for everyone–engaging characters, an enchanting setting, and a storyline that’s beautifully woven together. If you’re on the hunt for a book that will touch your heart and leave you with a little bit of reflection, definitely give this one a try.

Thank you to Ms. Shackman for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

A very disappointing read. The cover indicates this book will be a cozy romance. Instead, the dark beginning brings a negativity that lasts way too long and makes Rosie more unlikeable than sympathetic. Many of the other characters were too thinly sketched to feel real. Not recommended.

I adore lighthouses, so I was delighted to receive an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
The story opens with the protagonist, Rosie, experiencing a life-altering and traumatic event. Because of this, Rosie decides to leave her previous life behind and heads to her grandparents’ cottage in the Scottish Highlands with her dog Bronte. Rosie soon gets caught up in the goings-on of life in her grandparents’ coastal village, and there she finds a new chapter in her life.

I loved it! An easy read for me - I was invested in the main characters and enjoyed how their stories unfolded and came together. I also loved the coastal setting and, of course, the lighthouse!

There are other books in the Scottish Escape series, which are all standalone novels. This was #9. So there are plenty of other titles to read if, like me, you like this one!

Thank you to One More Chapter/HarperCollins for providing this advanced digital copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Julie Shackman for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Scottish Lighthouse Escape coming out July 30, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy cozy books. I loved the Scottish setting. It’s a beautiful country. I think I was hoping for a little more excitement. I don’t think I was super into the story as I wanted to be. I’d check out other books by this author.

I was very happy to be part of this blog tour, this is the 9th book in the escape series and can also be standalones. This is a light summer read and easy to read along with beautifully written characters. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

It's book 9 time! Off to the Scottish Highlands we go...

Shackman does write the most delightful books, and along the way has created some of my favourite bookish characters. Rosie and Mitch were no exception. This is their story. A story that's heartwarming and hopeful.

It gave all the tropes...small town romance, enemies to lovers and second chance romance.

Rowan Bay sounds utterly delightful...a great little community with a cast of charming residents...and IT'S FICTITIOUS...just like all my other favourite bookish places.

An absolute pleasure to read.

A heartwarming novelthat kept me reading, with charming characters, lovely setting, and warm romance. Enjoyed it: well written, even if the plot was a bit predictable
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I have read a few books in this series so was looking forward to this one. Wow, what can I say, is it's my favourite one yet.

I loved both main characters, Rosie and Mitch. They were so relatable and down to earth. For someone so young, Rosie has certainly been through so much and my heart went out to her. Mitch, equally, is dealing with difficulties in his past.

Living in Scotland, I loved the setting and could picture the area in my head. The author's writing was so descriptive.

The storyline was great, and as an addition, there is a secondary storyline about Rosie's grandmother. This was told from the past and present and was so moving. I loved the way the stories intertwined and the wonderful characters involved throughout.

This was a heartwarming read despite dealing with some heavy topics and I went through a myriad of emotions whilst reading it. It was filled with friendship, grief, hope and new found love and I flew through it. This is one I would highly recommend.

Julie Shackman's A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is a charming summer romance that transports readers to the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The latest in the Scottish Escapes series, it sees us meet Rosie Winters, a romance author whose own romance has just exploded. Desperate to escape her devastation, Rosie heads to the coastal home of her recently deceased grandmother, a house where happy memories abound and solitude awaits.

The book is a master at building an intimate, cozy mood. The descriptions of the wild coastline, the quaint lighthouse, and the mischievous dolphins in the bay put you there with Rosie. Her intention to "wallow for a while" is soon upset by Mitch, the handsome and enigmatic new lighthouse keeper. Their love story unfolds at a tender, heart-warming pace, as Rosie becomes enchanted with the stranger.

A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is the ideal read for anyone in need of a light-hearted, feel-good story of second chances and falling in love in the most unlikely of places. It's an uplifting and engrossing book that will transport you to a world of stunning scenery and a love story that will have you smiling.

Rosie has run away to Scotland after losing her husband and finding out the secrets he was keeping. Mitch is the new lighthouse keeper, running away for his own reasons. A great setting and you want everything to work out for them.

Julie Shackman delivers an emotionally rich, atmospheric gem in A Scottish Lighthouse Escape—one that’s as heartwarming as it is poignant. Though this is my first read in the Scottish Escape series, I felt immediately immersed in Rosie Winters' world of heartbreak, healing, and rediscovered purpose.

When her life is shattered by personal tragedy and betrayal, Rosie—a romance author—abandons London and retreats to her grandparents’ coastal cottage in Skye, hoping for solitude. Accompanied by her loyal dog Brontë, Rosie is determined to rebuild, even if she insists on doing everything herself. But Mitch, the new lighthouse keeper next door, with his own emotional baggage, refuses to let her shut herself off. Their slow-burn connection unfolds with realism and tenderness, adding the perfect amount of romance to a story already brimming with emotional depth.

The story is layered with mystery as Rosie uncovers secrets from her grandmother’s past, including a connection to the enigmatic Reece and a prestigious art gallery. Shackman handles grief, class snobbery, rejection, and resilience with sincerity and grace, offering thoughtful insights and heartfelt moments throughout.

Julie Shackman’s lush descriptions bring Skye to life, and her characters are vibrant, flawed, and full of heart. With themes of found family, healing love, and inner strength, A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is a lighthouse of its own—guiding readers through sorrow toward hope and light.

A Scottish Lighthouse Escape by Julie Shackman

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

When romance author Rosie Winters’s own fairytale romance ends with a bang, she’s determined to get away from everything. Packing up her belongings she sets off for the furthest place she can think Scotland.

Rosie spent her summers at her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the Highlands and knows it’ll be the perfect place to wallow for a while. Even better that there’s a gorgeous lighthouse and dolphins in the bay.

What Rosie didn’t expect was to bump into the new lighthouse keeper, Mitch. Despite her recent heartbreak, Rosie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Mitch. As they spend more time together, is it possible that he needs Rosie every bit as she needs him…

My Opinion

Julie Shackman has written a fast-paced novel with some great characters. In places, this was an emotional read. This was an entertaining novel that I struggled to put down. Julie Shackman has once again written a novel that I would highly recommend.

Rating 4/5

I have read many of Julie’s books so I was happy to receive an advance copy. I knew as soon as I started reading I was hooked. Rosie is a successful romance novelist,married to Joe a lawyer for 6 years and just about to launch her latest book. Joe is always running late so she wasn’t surprised he didn’t turn up on time. Eventually,she phones him and he says he’s on the way. He’s not paying attention to what’s happening and doesn’t see the lorry that is coming towards him. Rosie is shattered,she has lost the love of her life,she doesn’t know what to do with herself. She is even more shocked when she receives a letter saying Joe has been having an affair for 3 years. She has to get out of London so goes north with her dog to Scotland where her grandparents lived,her gran having died 6 months previously. The cottage is on the coast with the Lighthouse opposite. She was looking forward to seeing Barclay who looked after the lighthouse and had been taking care of the cottage. She just wants to hide away and tells her agent she is writing no more books,after what Joe did she doesn’t believe in romance anymore. Mitch arrives at the Lighthouse having taken over from Barclay,who has moved in with Meg. Rosie and him don’t get off to a great start as she is so angry but he perseveres with her. Rosie’s gran was an artist and her studio is full of her paintings,Rosie finds her diaries and wants to show her grans paintings.I just loved the book,I couldn’t put it down so I thoroughly recommend reading it to find out how Rosie and Mitch get to know each other and what becomes of her grans paintings and their lives.

Book Blog Tour …
📚📚📚📚📚📚
When romance author Rosie Winters’s own fairytale romance ends with a bang, she’s determined to get away from everything. Packing up her belongings she sets off for the furthest place she can think of: Scotland.

Rosie spent her summers at her late grandmother’s coastal cottage in the Highlands and knows it’ll be the perfect place to wallow for a while. Even better that there’s a gorgeous lighthouse and dolphins in the bay.

What Rosie didn’t expect was to bump into the new lighthouse keeper, Mitch. Despite her recent heartbreak, Rosie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Mitch. As they spend more time together, is it possible that he needs Rosie every bit as she needs him…. 🔴🔴OUT NOW🔴🔴 So Rosie is an author and due to personal reasons, she decides to pack up and move with her dog, to a little cottage beside the lighthouse. Her grandparents lived in the cottage for decades. When her old friend moves out and leaves his lighthouse job, an attractive man around her age… moves into his lighthouse accommodation. Can Rosie get herself back on track? Anything that can do to make her feel like she belongs but finds she has to earn the friendship . Absolutely LOVED this book. A romance story that isn’t over the top with it. It had the meaty storyline as well!! Thanks@for allowing me to read an ARC of this wonderful book.

Did I fall for the cover and the fact that this book is set in Scotland? Absolutely. I’m a total sucker for cozy, small-town Scottish romances!

I’ve read several of Julie Shackman’s books, and this one didn’t disappoint. There’s something about her writing that just feels comforting, even when the story digs into some heavier themes. I read this during my summer break, but honestly it would’ve been even better on a chilly autumn or winter day.

The story touches on some emotional topics like infidelity, grief from losing a spouse or parents, jealousy, and struggles with self-confidence, so there’s definitely some depth and heartache mixed in. But at the same time, there's a sweet romance woven through it all, which gives it a really nice balance.

If you’re into heartfelt stories with likable characters, a splash of romance and a strong sense of place, this one’s a great pick. Just maybe save it for a rainy day.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

A Scottish Lighthouse Escape is a heartwarming story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride.

I am a sucker for a small-town romance, and if that small town is located in England or Scotland, that’s even better. I adored this book. Julie is a master at finding that balance between light and fluffy and heavy emotional moments. Let’s first talk about the setting. The small Scottish town that Rosie has fled to comes alive on the pages. The pages are bursting with lush and vivid descriptions that make me feel like I am there. All the secondary characters in this book were delightful and made the story so rich. I love it when the secondary cast of characters complements the main plot perfectly. I found myself so invested in their side stories, and to be honest, I felt like I was a part of this community.

The overall story is typical of Julie Shackman. You get that cozy romance, but also some kind of mystery. Both the romance and mystery unfold beautifully and kept me entertained the entire time. Rosie is a great character. Her life is pretty perfect at the beginning of this book, and all I could think was that shit is about to hit the fan, which of course it does. That perfect life that Rosie had is not shattered into a million pieces with the sudden passing of her husband, who turns out to have been having an affair with another woman for years. Rosie is beside herself and vows she will never write another romance again. She flees to Scotland in order to escape all the reminders of her husband. When she gets there, Rosie meets Mitch, the lighthouse keeper. I liked Rosie. She’s independent to a fault. She has a hard time letting anyone help her, but as the story progresses, she begins to realize that it’s ok to ask for help. And that help comes in the form of the gorgeous and mysterious lighthouse keeper. Mitch’s character was perfect for this story. His character has plenty of depth, and as his relationship with Rosie progresses, we get to peel those layers back and learn more about his mysterious past.

If you are looking for a feel-good romance to get swept into this summer, then you definitely need to read A Scottish Lighthouse Escape.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'A Scottish Lighthouse Escape' by Julie Shackman.

WOW!!!! What can I say?!?! Yet another absolutely STUNNING book that I fell in love with from this absolutely amazing author!!! This book is the ninth book in Julie's 'Scottish Escapes' series but this and all previous books can be read as standalones.

This book is beautifully written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.

Clear your schedules and pack your bags as this stunning storyline takes us on a stunning and unforgettable holiday to the gorgeous Highlands. Instead of reading any more you need to grab your copy of this absolutely stunning getaway to find out for yourself and I can guarantee you will not regret it! With a storyline filled with gorgeous settings, secrets, romance, art, heartbreak, books, adventure, a beautiful lighthouse, humour, friendship, resilience, joy, twists, turns and so, so much more this is a must read for anyone looking for a feel good page turner!!! It had me laughing until I was smiling until my face ached and falling in love. I have not been to Scotland since I was a child but Julie whisked me back there at the turn of a page and I did not want to leave. I was devastated when I came to the end and had to "unpack" my suitcase and return to rainy Wales!! Her stunning evocative and emotive writing skills ensured I could feel the fresh Scottish air on my face and seeing the stunning scenery as if I was right next to Rosie throughout. I just absolutely love, Love, LOVED this absolutely stunning book so don't even waste your time reading more than this and go and grab your copy now!! I can genuinely guarantee you wont regret it!! This book really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I was utterly glued to the pages and I could not bring myself to put it down. I was carrying my kindle around with me every chance that I got as I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting then being gutted I had finished it so quickly!! It is is one gorgeous book with a stunning location that I would absolutely love to visit!! Although this is the ninth book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader. I cannot wait to go back and read the previous 5 books in this series that I have yet to read. I have already read the other books in this series which I completely and utterly fell in love with but haven't managed to get around to reading the ones before that. I would not normally recommend reading books out of order when it comes to a series but there is a silver lining if you have yet to read the previous books. The silver lining is that when you have come to the end of this beauty and have fallen in love with this author and series you can go back and read the previous eight books while you are waiting for the next book to come out!! Book Ten is called 'Journey To The Scottish Highland' and is available to preorder for when it is published on the 29th January 2026 which gives you plenty of time to devour the previous books!!! Another stunning book in this gorgeous series. Well done Julie!!

Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as this is one gorgeous and unputdownable stunner that will keep you hooked ❤️

I absolutely loved getting to know the characters in this book who were all strong, realistic and unique. I became completely invested in each and every one of them. They all had their own problems, secrets, feelings and all had unique personalities and I just absolutely loved getting to know them all. I mean, obviously, my absolute favourite just had to be Rosie's Labradoodle Bronte!! I am a massive animal lover and run my own cat rescue which is called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice (on Facebook if you want to meet the gang) so any animals in books are a huge bonus for me and I absolutely adored Bronte. Thanks to Julie's fantastic writing skills she ensured I felt each of their love , friendship, heartbreak, happiness, sorrow and so much more. Regardless of if I loved them or not the characters they each played their parts perfectly with their own unique personalities, traits, flaws, strengths and weaknesses!!! Julie does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills!! Well done Julie!!! I am hoping to meet several of the characters in Julie's previous and future books.

Congratulations Julie on yet another absolutely gorgeous and heart-warming read filled with everything you could ever ask for in a page turner!!! This is the exact reason that you are in my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂

Overall an absolutely gorgeous book that will keep you glued to the pages, sweep you away to Scotland and warm your heart ❤️!!!

#AScottishLighthouseEscape #ScottishEscapes #JulieShackman #HarperCollins #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #OneMoreChapterPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources

@JulieShackman @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @HarperCollins @HarperCollinsUK @OneMoreChapter @OneMoreChapterPublishing

https://m.facebook.com/Bookwork86/?__tn__=%2As-R

https://www.instagram.com/bookwormwhitlock86/

https://www.facebook.com/GoldenOldiesRescue/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/34299953-kirsty-bookworm86

https://mobile.twitter.com/kcmw86

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/profile/amzn1.account.AFZ2XZBSFHIHXBXGZLBQ666XVK4A?ie=UTF8&ref_=ya_mb_l_prf

Successful author Rosie doesn’t think she can ever write another romance novel after discovering her late husband had been unfaithful for a good part of their marriage. She flees to Scotland to spend time in her grandparent’s cottage that she loved as a child. But it isn’t only Rosie who wants nothing to do with romance, as the lighthouse keeper Mitch seems to feel the same way. Sympathetic characters and a lovely setting are key to this easy to read romance.

When her husband dies, Rosie travels to Scotland to stay in her grandmother's cottage, she finds herself attracted to Mitch, the lighthouse keeper.