This was a first time read of this author for me and it was ROUGH! The book was so very long for no apparent reason. I only finished it since I feel an obligation to finish a book if I receive a “free” copy for an honest review. But finishing it was a slog. I cannot fathom reading anything else by this author until she learns to edit down and have a better flow. This was entirely too long to get to the point, which was so boring and meh by the end that I didn’t even care.

When people ask why I read so much, I am always quick to cite the thrill of living vicariously through the characters in a book. In this case, the Isle of Skye almost became a character itself. Kiley took me there & the dual narrators (King & Davies) kept me there. The romance tropes weren’t too trope-ish & Kiley created depth in the development of the sloooooow burn & all of the relationships that were part of the build up!

If I could jump on a plane and fly to Scotland I would in a heartbeat.

This story brought all the feels of travel and living a life full of adventure.

And the love story that unravels throughout was so sweet.

Second Chance romance at its finest.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook version of this story.

I listened to the audiobook -- and it took me forever to work my way through the book. I think part of the reason was because the book has dual timelines that leave the reader wondering how bad Brooke's and Jack's breakup really was.

I was almost finished with the book before I realized that this book takes places in the same world as Kilt Trip (with a different brother).

The romance is very slow burn with each character trying to overcome what happened years ago and how they both handled it.

There is a third act breakup (which is never my favorite) but this third act breakup isn't as jarring as the characters both admit afterwards that they still growing emotionally.

Scot and Bothered by Alexandra Kiley offers a sweet, laid-back romance filled with witty banter and cozy Scottish vibes. The chemistry between the leads is likable, and the setting adds warmth.

It’s a light, low-stakes read that’s enjoyable but doesn’t pack a surprising punch. Perfect for when you just want a stress free, feel good trip to Scotland, but lacking the depth to leave a lasting impact.

Thank you NetGalley for an eArc!

I received an eARC of this audiobook from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled to connect with this audiobook despite the really excellent narrators. (Honestly, I think the quality of the narrators almost saved it for me - I nearly DNF'd this one.) I think a large part of that was the writing itself - the main character was interesting, but never really developed beyond the basic facts, the emotional stakes and growth were told rather than shown, and the broader setting (Scotland, travel writing, Edwardian cosplay vacation) just really didn't pop off the page/in the ear. I appreciated the thoughtfulness around anxiety, family dynamics, and grief, but resented the overt religiosity that started emerging halfway through. Ultimately, despite a good premise and fairly solid writing, this just really fell flat for me.

another super cute book by Ms. Kiley. I loved Kilt Trip, so reading this one was a no Brainerd. Scot and bothered was a slower paced novel, but I absolutely loved it! I love second chance romance books, I wanted to know Setser-Pfleger happened between Jack and Brooke, I figured it out before the reveal. i kind of wished it happened slightly sooner. this book has all of the emotions, humor, tears, awe moments. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Kiley.

Seven years after heartbreak, Brooke and Jack are forced to hike eighty miles together. Sometimes unequipped to handle the elements, and definitely ill-prepared for the lingering emotional (and sexual) tension, Brooke and Jack must confront what broke them apart and consider whether anything they have now is worth fighting for.

I really loved the narrators of this audiobook. My only request might’ve been to have the actors speak the dialogue even when from the other’s point of view.

The setting for this—at the University of Edinburgh and hiking the Isle of Skye—was so vivid and gorgeous. I really loved how visually descriptive it was, especially since the main characters are so artistic.

I love reading dual timelines, and this story was no different. The mutual pining, in past and present, beautifully built the tension, and we were rewarded in both timelines perfectly. It used dramatic irony to keep me captivated, waiting for the moment when secrets were revealed, or when we’d see what happened finally play out. It was a second-chance romance done right.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ARC of the audio book.

Seven years ago, Brooke had her dreams and heart shattered by Jack. She now has to hike 80 miles along the wild Highlands of Scotland with Jack. She is helping her mentor, Mhairi, write her memoirs, and Jack is Mhairi’s nephew, who is taking the photos for her book. The two have to work together and spend hours and miles together, giving them time to talk about their past and learn about their current lives.

This book is a great example of how to do a second-chance romance. The chemistry builds through the book with all touches, glances, and inside information. This made me want to go explore the Scottish Highlands. I would even consider going on a SHORT hike. I liked the dual timeline of this book. I don’t really know a true Scottish accent, but the narrators were great.

I really wanted to like this one and in some parts I thought it was cute but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Usually I do enjoy second chance romances but unfortunately it wasn’t it for me. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me leave an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the audiobook copy!

It seems like lately all the books I've been excited for have disappointed me and this was another title to add to the list. The synopsis had all the things I like in romance. It's the execution that annoyed me the most. I did not think this book needed to jump from past to present as it kind of muddled the story. I also found the characters to be annoying which brought down the story for me. I ultimately ended up DNF'ing this about halfway through and will not be picking back up.

I adored the first book in this series, and this book was just as incredible! Alexandra Kiley is masterful at dragging you into Edinburgh and enveloping you in this lovely, scenic landscape. I love the forced proximity trope and Jack and Brooke were the perfect characters to pull off this second chance happily ever after!

This was generally okay and I liked the characters but like many books, the conflicts and miscommunications made me frustrated rather than rooting for them

Back to Scotland we go with Alexandra Kiley's latest book, Scot and Bothered! This time, we're following Jack's quest for a second chance with Brooke, featuring only one tent and a whole lot of longing. What more could you ask for?

This dual POV and dual timeline romance is a masterclass in tension. The past timeline unfolds with Brooke as a student and Jack in grad school. They're not supposed to date since Jack is TA for a class Brooke is taking (but not her TA). In the past timeline, we see their forbidden romance and eventual breakup.

In the present, we have a front row seat to Brooke's lingering resentment toward Jack for derailing her dreams of becoming an author. The suspense around the exact cause of their breakup builds beautifully.

In the present, Brooke and Jack must navigate the Skye Trail together, collaborating on a book for Mhairi, Jack's aunt and Brooke's mentor. Their chemistry is electric, and Jack's determination to make amends and his feelings shine through. They both learn things about themselves as during the two week trek.

Audiobook Narration
I did an immersive read, experienced this story through both the audiobook and ebook formats, and let me tell you, Jack's Scottish brogue is pure perfection. I highly recommend the audio! You don't want to miss out on hearing Jack's chapters.

I really liked the premise of this second chance romance. In Scot and Bothered, Brooke reunites with her college boyfriend to hike the arduous Skye Trail. After his betrayal resulted in her leaving the University of Edinburgh without a degree, she has nursed the pain of their breakup for years. And Brooke is a writer! I love stories about writers and publishing.

Unfortunately, this book didn’t live up to my expectations. I listened to the audiobook and toward the end I struggled with boredom. At first, I couldn’t put my finger on why. Eventually I realized that I simply wasn’t interested in the characters. And when the reason for their college breakup was revealed, I was annoyed with their choices.

I don’t think was the fault of the narration. I enjoyed listening to the story. In fact, I suspect I would’ve lost interest earlier if I had been reading the book in print.

I struggled to get into Scot and Bothered. The writing, the characters, the story, even the narrator just weren’t quite my speed.

Thank you Alexandra Kiley, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

3.5 I guess. Idk why i just wasn’t finding myself hooked on this book. I did enjoy it though and the narrators were great!

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. Hot AF accents aside, this was right up my alley with all of the outdoor elements, miscommunications, and longing. I don’t want to give too much away, but this hit me in all of the feels. I’m also a huge fan of dual POV and back and forth time line

The setting was superb. I'm in love with Edinburgh after listening to this. I love how the author kept the suspense of how the hike went. I love the scenery. I loved Jack and Brooke. Loved it all!

It was tough to keep up with the time aspect, and that's mainly because I didn't want to keep going to the beginning of chapters.

The narrators were really good. Accents on point, all of the small things and sighs and breaths worked perfectly!