She inherits a crumbling castle in the Scottish Highlands. Unfortunately, it comes with a grumpy Scot next door.
Marla didn't move to the Highlands to fall in love; she came to restore her inherited castle, overcome her grief, and prove she can make it on her own.
There’s only one problem: her neighbour Niall. The brooding widower wants her gone, and he’s not above using his local influence to drive her out.
Their rivalry is fierce, but the chemistry is fiercer. He’s the wall she can’t climb; she’s the fire he can’t put out. They clash on every street corner of their Highland small town. But beneath the bickering and the icy glares is a magnetic attraction.
All it takes is one heavy snowstorm to trap them in Marla's draughty castle. No power. No heat. And nowhere left to hide from each other – or their feelings.
But one incredible night can’t erase the walls between them. Especially when Niall is hiding a secret that could destroy Marla’s future in the Highlands…and the happiness they never saw coming.
Beatrice Bradshaw crafts spicy contemporary romances set across Scotland – whisking readers away to glens and windswept coastlines without the need for a plane ticket!
What a sweet book!! Both Marla and Niall are so broken and fighting to appear put together to the outside world. This book broke my heart then put it back together again. Lovely debut novel!!
“Pain and loss, that’s the price for joy and love. You can’t have one without the other.”
Marla, a nurse in London, receives a phone call that she has inherited a castle and ten acres of land in a small village in the Scottish Highlands. Hoping to honor her grandfather’s legacy, she relocates with the hopes of restoring the castle and transforming it into a retreat where nurses and doctors can rest, unwind and learn. As she settles into village life, Marla finds friendship among the locals and an unexpected romance with Niall, the grumpy caretaker of the estate, who is cautiously opening his heart to love again after losing his wife six years earlier.
This was a cute, cozy, and easy winter read, set in a charming Scottish village. The story was well-paced and I liked that the characters were in their mid-30s (different from my other reads where they are in their early 20s usually). The chemistry between the main characters was genuine and the story had a good found family element.
While enjoyable, the story didn’t feel especially new or memorable, and a few of the spicier scenes leaned a bit cringy for my taste. Some character communication felt less mature than expected for people in their 30s and the third-person perspective occasionally pulled me out of the story.
If you loved the cheesy holiday romcom, A Castle For Christmas, then definitely check this out.
A heartwarming cosy and spicy small town romance set in Scotland
I didn’t enjoy it that much but it’s a nice read for in between in the cold season. Especially for Scotland fans. The story was to predictable. What I liked was the village feeling and that the villagers stand up for each other’s. And helped Marla and kicked Niall in his ass, well verbally. Also the description of Scotland and the weather. Some dialogues between the characters were great. Also the way Marla is talking so hilarious and she has a ready tongue.
A funny thing in this book are all the references to music, movies and books. I really enjoyed that. Sometimes I had to chuckle and laugh.
“They wanted the Outlander bits, but not Trainspotting.” - Niall is talking about the tourists.
“‘Awww, how cute! I hope you didn’t kill its mother,’ Marla said as she took it out of his hands. ‘I think I probably might have,’ he said, and his mouth curved in amusement. ‘Then let’s call it Bambi!’”- Niall and Marla talking about a Christmas tree.
There is nothing more cozy than a Bratrice Bradshaw book. She makes you feel right at home in Scotland and the characters feel like old friends. I enjoyed the banter between Marla and Niall and rooted for them to drop their defenses and let their relationship fall into place. Barclay is a dog after my heart and I loved him in the story as well. Beautiful story ❤️
Niall wants to sell his land in the highlands but isn’t able to due to the company wanting to also buy Hazelbrae however his plans change and he gets to know Marla while they restore the Hazelbrae house they grow closer. Both are broken and trying to figure out their life.
-3.5⭐️ Very cute. Love and grief were a huge part of this book, I thought it was a lovely exploration of two people’s personal experience with grief. The characters were absolutely so sweet. This book would make you want to move to the highlands.
bad writing. didn’t care about what was happening. no flow. oh he’s attractive but he’s a jerk but he’s hot but he doesn’t believe in me. give me a break.
If you're looking for a low-angst, genuinely written romance for the holidays then you should get this added to your list pronto. I picked it up after finishing a rather dark paranormal romance (yes, my tastes are varied lol) and it not only soothed my emotional turmoil but gave me cozy winter vibes.
As a Yankee who spent a brief period of time in the Scottish Highlands, I was immediately drawn to the geographic and historically-involved aspect of the story. Marla, a Londoner, finds herself newly owning a rather dilapidated castle due to some unknown connection between her family and the last owner. Her neighbor, Niall, may be native to the land but he's ready to start his fresh life elsewhere and Marla's enthusiasm to restore the castle to its former glory really puts a kink in his plans.
Marla is a character that is relatable and admirable; her independence in the face of her upbringing and current existence as the last of her family really comes through in the way she digs in her heels and refuses to let a challenge take her down.
Niall, on the other hand, offered up a more unconventional POV as he deals with his own tragic loss and the suffocating grief of the last several years. Feeling as though he can't be bothered with human connection due to the pain he hasn't recovered from, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Marla's tenacity and bright spirit.
Not only do we get to see the ins and outs of the restoration and preservation of a Scottish manor, but we are also immersed into the quaint small village aesthetic of Kilcarnach. There is slow burn and tension and romance, but its done beautifully and with a steady pace of the story that neither makes you sit on the edge of your seat in stress nor fall asleep while you read.
If you like: - insta-attraction that melts only to be reborn as something stronger once the characters let their guard down - small town vibes where everyone meddles in everyone else's business but with only good-meaning intentions at heart - a bit of mystery, a dabble of history, and a healthy dose of local perspective from the community the story takes place within.. .. this is a strong recommendation from me for anyone looking for a cozy winter romance. **I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review of my own personal opinions voluntarily.**
Love in the Scottish Winter Highlands is the first book in Beatrice Bradshaw's Escape to Scotland series, and it’s a fantastic start! Even as someone living in Scotland (though not in the Highlands), I was utterly captivated by the charm of this small-town romance. What more could anyone want for a cosy winter read?
I picked this book up on a chilly evening, and from the very first page, I was transported to the enchanting world of Maria and Niall. Wrapped in a blanket, fairy lights twinkling, and a warm mug of tea in hand, I couldn’t put it down.
Beatrice Bradshaw has written a gem of a romance that is both heartwarming and full of deliciously fun moments. Marla is feisty, funny, and so easy to love, while Niall is the perfect mix of brooding and tender. Their enemies-to-lovers journey had me laughing out loud, welling up with emotion, and cheering for their happily-ever-after. The chemistry between them crackles with energy!
Bradshaw’s portrayal of the rugged beauty and cozy life of the Highlands is vivid and evocative. Even as a Scot, it felt like stepping into a snow-dusted dream. This isn’t just a romance—it’s a celebration of small-town quirks, layered with humor, heart, and wonderfully relatable characters. Yes, the enemies-to-lovers trope is familiar, but isn’t that what makes it so comforting? You know what’s coming, yet the journey is irresistible. And as for Niall… let’s just say he’s captivating whether in pyjamas or not! 😏
Whether it’s Christmas or not, this book is the perfect cosy read. Bravo, Beatrice Bradshaw—I’m already looking forward to the next installment in the Escape to Scotland series!
What can I say I wanted to love this but it left me wanting more.
Marla just inherited a castle in Scotland. She quits her job to move and restore the castle. Niall is a widow who has retreated inward and wants to get out cuz everything reminds him of his wife. But in order to sell his land the developer needs the castle too. Marla and Niall meet when Marla gets stuck in a tree and he helps her down.
Will Marla be able to restore the castle or will Niall convince her to sell? And what about all this chemistry
I did enjoy the concept of the book. It was intriguing. Idk I just wanted more with the characters, the relationships, and the mystery aspect.
So here are my problems with it:
1. I did not care at all about this couple. There was no real chemistry rather than physical. Like I did not find my self rooting for them. I didn’t cheer when they got together nor did I cry at the obligatory third act break up 2. The author introduces this mystery of ‘why is this castle left to Marla and her family’ it’s completely forgotten about and is only discussed in almost a throw away chapter. I felt like it was such a cool mystery and wish it would’ve been developed more 3. I understood why Niall was hesitant for a relationship but I didn’t get Marla. Like your dad left when you were 6 and your grandparents died ergo you can’t trust men? It didn’t make sense. Like introduce an ex who cheated on her or a bad breakup. I didnt care for her 4. Girl is a broke nurse from London like I know there was some trust left for restoration but there is no way it’s enough to restore an ENTIRE castle
All in all not bad but not great just a mid romance novel
- Scottish setting - Grumpy/sunshine - Instant attraction, but a slow burn - Small town romance
First of all, I love Scotland and will read all books set there. That being said, I am somewhat particular about books in that setting. I absolutely loved this book. I felt transported to a small Highland village where everyone knows everyone else. I am also quite fond of the grumpy/sunshine trope, so this was an added bonus for me!
Marie has found herself to be the owner of a rather dilapidated castle that was left to her by a distant relative. Her new neighbor is the grumpy Niall who doesn't want her to restore the castle. He is dealing with some loss of his own and the sunshiny Marie isn't letting him linger in his grief.
The dynamic of the village and these neighbors made this a very enjoyable read!
Scotland is one of my favorite places I’ve been, so when I saw this author’s books I was excited to dive in. The scenery descriptions made me feel like I was right there in the Highlands with Marla and Niall. I enjoyed the dual POV as well. Marla and Niall were compelling and complex characters. They both had a lot of baggage, and I ached for them at times. Niall had a heart of gold under his grumpy and stubborn armor. Marla was full of fire and purpose despite all her loss. I loved the way they crashed against each other and helped the other move forward. The secrets between them added tension and a will it/won’t it work out feeling to the plot. I was hooked from the first chapter, and the plot unfolded perfectly. The ending wrapped up the story well and fit the characters. The epilogue was sweet. I loved the hopeful tone of it!
I love Scotland - and I loved Love in the Scottish Highlands! All of the wonderful elements of a great Scottish novel were there - an inherited Scottish castle, smalltown life and ceilidhs, cute dogs and grumpy scotsmen, meddling townspeople, and the Scottish highland way of life.
Marla is an inspiring main character, a strong but tenderhearted woman, who has suffered many great losses but when the oppirtunity arises to try something completely new and different she packs up her life and moves to Scotland. She befriends many of the people of her new hometown and butts heads with Niall, the grumpy neighbour who has distanced himself from everyone after a tragic accident. But as the seasons change in the Scottish Highlands so do the people of Kilcarnach.
This is so heartwarmingly good. Marla left London behind, she’s inherited Hazelbrae ,a mansion and its acres in Scotland, thanks her grandda and his dalliance with the deceased lady years ago. The fly in her otherwise idyllic ointment is Niall who is trying to sell his legacy, the land and forestry surrounding Hazelbrae, the only thing stopping him is , the buyer requires that too…. The two neighbours got on until he found out who she was and what it meant to his chances of getting out of there. There’s an attraction there but neither are searching for love. Looks like love found them anyway…. Great writing , easy style that immerses as you read. Highly recommended, entertaining story. I read an advance copy and my review is my words voluntary given.
A nice story about a small village in the Scottish Highlands. The romance between the main characters developed very slowly. It felt like most of the story focused on the house rather than on the romance itself. It was definitely not a truly spicy story, with only about 2.5 scenes. It was cute and occasionally a bit deeper, but that was about as far as it went.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 but not rounded to 4 stars. more like 3.4 Love: ❤️❤️❤️ Spice quantity: 🌶️ Spice quality: 🥵 Dark: Humor: 😂😂😂 Suspense: 🙈 Predictability: 🎱🎱🎱🎱🎱 Readability: 📖📖📖📖📖 Feels: 👩🏼❤️👨🏼👩🏼❤️👨🏼 Emotional Depth: 🧠🧠🧠 Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ Perspective: third person dpov Cliffhanger: no Epilogue: Yes, one year later Format: E-book formn Why I chose this book: Found it on stuff your kindle day
I have like 50 pgs left and won't be finishing it, I simply don't care about the story 🤷🏻♀️.
If you're looking for a cheerful holiday read, full of Christmassy atmosphere, stay away from this. Christmas happen in the middle of the book, and it's very glanced over, then we have January and so on. Even the usual setting - fixing an old castle in Scotland didn't work for me, and the main couple wasn't much better. They both have very difficult things to work through so it's not a very easy read.
When I purchased the book, it had many 5*s reviews, which drew me in but it wasn't that good for me. Especially if it's labeled as a comfy holiday romace.
This was cute overall. Marla inherits a Scottish castle (she's not sure why) and ends up choosing to move to the Highlands to fix it up. Niall, a local, isn't happy about it. They fight. They banter. They fall for each other.
A lot of the actions/decisions the two leads do/make is based off their individual grief about losing people in their lives. So this is not a sweet holly jolly read, there is a heaviness to it.
Nice descriptions of winter and the scenery, it really felt like I was transported.
I loved the chat on the hill with his wise former school teacher.
This book made me want to get a flight to Scotland, ASAP! I loved that the setting was such an integral part of the story, and truly made the world come alive. There were great moments of Scottish history and culture woven throughout, which added depth to the story. Overall it was a really fun read with a cute romance.
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I received a free review copy of this title and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Marla was a brave soul, packing up her bags and leaving everything she knew behind. With all the going down it was quite interesting how she had to keep fighting with Niall. His biggest problem was he couldn't seem to get over feeling that he caused his previous wife to die. He finally felt that he had grieved enough.
Well this was heartwarming! I am a sucker for a wee grumpy/sunshine romance and this book delivered. I enjoyed Marla and Niall's relationship. I loved their chemistry but I also really liked their witty banter. The town sounded cute and I loved the wee pub and Gwen and Mmes. Bellbottom. Just lovely and loveable characters I look forward to the next instalment of this series
A little cringey with the music references and the sushi pajamas of it all, but I believed the romance build and I like the bff advice and overall it was cute if not forgettable. The sex scenes, however, kind of sucked. Nowhere in their interactions did I get the idea that Niall was the “I own you, you’re mine now” kind of guy and I felt like the dirty talk was forced and weird. I was expecting it to be much more romantic but it was kind of rushed and whack. Really took me out.
Had to read this, having spent a wonderful, holiday in Scotland. :D A very enjoyable Christmas holiday themed story and full of fun as these two characters skirt around their feelings for each other. All resulting from a one night of fun and then back in the same place due to the holidays. :D I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was such a wholesome read. I loved the characters so much! The way grief was described and how the characters dealt with it truly touched me, but then they all have this funny side to them with banter that made me giggle.
It definitely makes me want to read more from this author, her writing re-lit my want and need for reading.
This book just gives off cozy vibes which I think is from the way the author perfectly addresses the location, I really felt myself in those Scottish Highlands.
I loved all the characters and their own personalities and the community feel that comes with small town books.