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The Highlands #2
Among the Heather
He’s a disgraced actor. She’s the daughter of Hollywood royalty. Both are hiding in the Scottish Highlands, but despite their antagonistic attraction, they can’t seem to hide from each other…
North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.
As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defense. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.
But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.
North Hunter has worked hard to step out of the shadows of his orphaned upbringing into the limelight of Hollywood. He never imagined a dark moment from his childhood returning to destroy everything he’d built. Devastated, he finds comfort in the isolation of an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands, even if the club comes with a prickly estate manager who sets his blood on fire.
As the eldest daughter of a Hollywood legend, Aria Howard has learned the hard way that people will use her to get to her father. When her last relationship ended badly, Aria fled to Scotland. Running Ardnoch Estate provides distance from a life that has never fit comfortably. But when defamed Scottish actor North Hunter disrupts her sanctuary, Aria is on the defense. The cocky actor is the last thing she needs, and despite their searing attraction, Aria is determined to dislike him.
But one night of drunken forced proximity with North leads Aria to share insecurities seeded by her horrible ex. When North offers to prove her ex wrong by taking Aria to his bed for a no-strings distraction, they begin an affair neither expected. However, their fiery liaison leads to a deep emotional connection that unsettles them both, and North will have to break down more than Aria’s trust issues if they’re ever to have a future together. He’ll need to protect her from a past that just doesn’t want to stay buried… or lose something far more essential to his existence than his career.
344 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2023
1140 people are currently reading
10150 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Young
108 books28.4k followersSamantha is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and a Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee. Samantha has written over 60 books and is published in 31 countries. She writes emotional and angsty romance, often set where she resides—in her beloved home country Scotland. Samantha splits her time between her family, writing and chasing after two very mischievous cavapoos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 727 reviews
December 4, 2023
4 stars
the carcass of the story was your typical small town romance packed with mystery and quite a lot of family drama. the setting was once again, a breath of fresh air, the Highlands. returning to Ardonch is always a source of nostalgia, reconnecting with the characters while appreciating the well-described, breathtaking backgrounds and paronamas..
Aria, the female protagonist, was the manager of a private domain that was exclusively for the Hollywood elite located in the Highlands. her character breathed femininity attached to her cuvreline physique. self-doubt, tangled with the way she denigrated her physiques, and all the betrayals she encountered because of her nepotism label—her father was a famous movie director— was mingled with her confidence and impressive girl boss aura to depict the paradoxical mosaic that was her personality.
North, the male lead, was seeking a quiet and secure place to hide, to protect himself from Hollywood gossip and disappointed fans, after some phantoms from his past took hold and ruined his blooming acting career. he chose the Highlands as his cocoon to shield from the exterior world. throughout, trying to comprehend why Aria had such a strong dislike towards him.
Aria and North's first interactions were characterized by feelings of animosity, managed through a push and pull dynamic that was stained with tension. Aria disliked North for the majority of the storytelling because he inspired the Hoolywoidien cliché she was attempting to steer clear of. however, they eventually broke the ice and made an effort to get to know each other gradually. Aria's insecurities were a real obstacle to their flourishing relationship. I found it enjoyable that the author chose to portray the female protagonist as someone who didn't want anything serious for once. and on the other hand, made the male protagonist beg for a real and concrete relationship, not a friends with benefits kind of deal.
the storyline didn't always revolve around the mastery portion of the plot, but the tension surrounding it started to become more consistent towards the end. the author's clear and evident indices made it easy to identify the culprits, but some of their motives were unexpected.
many thanks to Valentine PR for providing an arc in exchange an honest review
———
and a scottish small town romance while rewatching outlander will cure the reading slump🫡
"It must be spectacular to have someone love you so much that you change them for the better.”
the carcass of the story was your typical small town romance packed with mystery and quite a lot of family drama. the setting was once again, a breath of fresh air, the Highlands. returning to Ardonch is always a source of nostalgia, reconnecting with the characters while appreciating the well-described, breathtaking backgrounds and paronamas..
"home wasn’t a place.
Home was the people.
Aria … Aria was my person."
Aria, the female protagonist, was the manager of a private domain that was exclusively for the Hollywood elite located in the Highlands. her character breathed femininity attached to her cuvreline physique. self-doubt, tangled with the way she denigrated her physiques, and all the betrayals she encountered because of her nepotism label—her father was a famous movie director— was mingled with her confidence and impressive girl boss aura to depict the paradoxical mosaic that was her personality.
North, the male lead, was seeking a quiet and secure place to hide, to protect himself from Hollywood gossip and disappointed fans, after some phantoms from his past took hold and ruined his blooming acting career. he chose the Highlands as his cocoon to shield from the exterior world. throughout, trying to comprehend why Aria had such a strong dislike towards him.
”i have to find my way back home. And my home is with Aria.”
Aria and North's first interactions were characterized by feelings of animosity, managed through a push and pull dynamic that was stained with tension. Aria disliked North for the majority of the storytelling because he inspired the Hoolywoidien cliché she was attempting to steer clear of. however, they eventually broke the ice and made an effort to get to know each other gradually. Aria's insecurities were a real obstacle to their flourishing relationship. I found it enjoyable that the author chose to portray the female protagonist as someone who didn't want anything serious for once. and on the other hand, made the male protagonist beg for a real and concrete relationship, not a friends with benefits kind of deal.
the storyline didn't always revolve around the mastery portion of the plot, but the tension surrounding it started to become more consistent towards the end. the author's clear and evident indices made it easy to identify the culprits, but some of their motives were unexpected.
many thanks to Valentine PR for providing an arc in exchange an honest review
———
and a scottish small town romance while rewatching outlander will cure the reading slump🫡
October 1, 2024
Samantha Young is an author that I will read every single thing she writes until she stops writing. This Highlands series isn't my top favorite of hers so far but I'll read it all because reading her books are such a comfort to me. Among the Heather follows Scottish actor North and estate manager Aria. The two have an intense attraction to each other, but Aria's trust issues with actors keeps her hostile towards North.
I did like this book, my reasons for not rating it higher are it follows the same formula as all the books in this series and the Adair family series: fall in love while two different threats come for both romantic leads. I could predict almost every single aspect of this book and while sometimes it's comforting, I want a little bit more variety from two different series of books. That and I think I actually prefer Samantha Young's books when they aren't dual POV. I prefer just being in the heroine's head for some reason and not the hero. I still had a good time reading this and will definitely be reading the rest because I adore this author. Just getting a little bit tired of reading the same story over and over again.
I did like this book, my reasons for not rating it higher are it follows the same formula as all the books in this series and the Adair family series: fall in love while two different threats come for both romantic leads. I could predict almost every single aspect of this book and while sometimes it's comforting, I want a little bit more variety from two different series of books. That and I think I actually prefer Samantha Young's books when they aren't dual POV. I prefer just being in the heroine's head for some reason and not the hero. I still had a good time reading this and will definitely be reading the rest because I adore this author. Just getting a little bit tired of reading the same story over and over again.
December 11, 2023
DNF Review
I really hate doing this so close to release date but I think its important to really be honest about this book. I am a bit baffled over all the five starred reviews for this one because I could barely get through the first half. I absolutely adored the hero, he is not the problem in this book. The issue in this book is the heroine. I can't believe that I am doing this to a Samantha Young book but the heroine was horrid in this book. She was petty and abusive. You will never get me to enjoy a heroine like this. One of my hard no's in a romance is when the heroine is either physically or emotionally or both to the hero. And the reasons on why she treats him so horribly, well she is attracted to him and doesn't trust her heart because of a bad experience so of course it makes it justified in what she does to him. The hero does NOT deserve what she does to him. He is just honest with her and she doesn't like that honesty and literally hurts him in a way that unless he is raping you, should never be done. This is the type of toxic romance I do not care to read and I cannot condone when its this type of story. This is just a regular contemporary/romantic suspense. I haven't ever seen this author write a heroine like this and I had such high hopes for this and all I wanted to do was push the heroine over a cliff and into the freezing cold water to shake some common sense of human decency into her.
If you need a solid heroine who is a woman of integrity and non abusive, I would not recommend this book to you. You will need plenty of patience to push through it. Its a toxic AF romance that I can't condone in any way and want to honestly convey to future readers what to expect on this one. It will not be an easy read, it's a rough road of reading.
I really hate doing this so close to release date but I think its important to really be honest about this book. I am a bit baffled over all the five starred reviews for this one because I could barely get through the first half. I absolutely adored the hero, he is not the problem in this book. The issue in this book is the heroine. I can't believe that I am doing this to a Samantha Young book but the heroine was horrid in this book. She was petty and abusive. You will never get me to enjoy a heroine like this. One of my hard no's in a romance is when the heroine is either physically or emotionally or both to the hero. And the reasons on why she treats him so horribly, well she is attracted to him and doesn't trust her heart because of a bad experience so of course it makes it justified in what she does to him. The hero does NOT deserve what she does to him. He is just honest with her and she doesn't like that honesty and literally hurts him in a way that unless he is raping you, should never be done. This is the type of toxic romance I do not care to read and I cannot condone when its this type of story. This is just a regular contemporary/romantic suspense. I haven't ever seen this author write a heroine like this and I had such high hopes for this and all I wanted to do was push the heroine over a cliff and into the freezing cold water to shake some common sense of human decency into her.
If you need a solid heroine who is a woman of integrity and non abusive, I would not recommend this book to you. You will need plenty of patience to push through it. Its a toxic AF romance that I can't condone in any way and want to honestly convey to future readers what to expect on this one. It will not be an easy read, it's a rough road of reading.
August 10, 2024
So good! I really loved how anyone who was in acting because of her past with her father being famous and people using her. The setting of this series is just perfection and I love being int his world!
December 6, 2023
4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
North Hunter grew up in Scotland. He was an orphan who reinvented himself, and was now a famous movie star. Then a moment from his past catches up with him. Suddenly he can't escape the paparazzi and tabloids. His face is all over social media and he needs a break from L.A., so he jumps on a plane to his homeland. He's worked too hard for this life to let anyone try and take it away, but he could use a place to hide out and avoid the drama for a while. He arrives at Ardnoch, a members-only club for celebrities in the Scottish Highlands. He wanted to disappear for a bit, and figure out how to get his career back on track. Acting brought him joy, and without it he felt restless. Then he meets the beautiful woman that runs the place. She's the perfect distraction. She's a little prickly, but is the sexiest woman he's ever met. She excites him beyond reason, and he wanted to know her. He was infatuated by the captivating Aria Howard, but apparently she was totally unaffected by him. Has he finally met the one woman he can't have?
Aria Howard grew up in Malibu, and is the eldest daughter of a supermodel and a Hollywood director. She has trust issues from past relationships that have ended badly, and needs a place to get away and find herself again. She finds a fresh start on the Scottish coast working as an estate manager at a castle. She's run Ardnoch Estate for the past year and loves how peaceful her life is. Then a famous actor disrupts her sanctuary when he pursues her. She didn't want to date an actor, or anyone in the industry ever again, but could she ignore their undeniable attraction? She pretended to be immune to his charms, but there was a definite spark growing between them. If she allowed herself to enjoy some no strings fun, would she risk developing feelings? If she explores their connection could something casual turn into something real?
Among the Heather by Samantha Young is the second book in The Highlands Series. It's a small town, opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance full of sizzling chemistry, emotion, mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed North and Aria's story. Their journey was beautiful and North brings some major swoon! I love this series and can't wait for more!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSB6NDB8?...
(ARC provided by author)
North Hunter grew up in Scotland. He was an orphan who reinvented himself, and was now a famous movie star. Then a moment from his past catches up with him. Suddenly he can't escape the paparazzi and tabloids. His face is all over social media and he needs a break from L.A., so he jumps on a plane to his homeland. He's worked too hard for this life to let anyone try and take it away, but he could use a place to hide out and avoid the drama for a while. He arrives at Ardnoch, a members-only club for celebrities in the Scottish Highlands. He wanted to disappear for a bit, and figure out how to get his career back on track. Acting brought him joy, and without it he felt restless. Then he meets the beautiful woman that runs the place. She's the perfect distraction. She's a little prickly, but is the sexiest woman he's ever met. She excites him beyond reason, and he wanted to know her. He was infatuated by the captivating Aria Howard, but apparently she was totally unaffected by him. Has he finally met the one woman he can't have?
Aria Howard grew up in Malibu, and is the eldest daughter of a supermodel and a Hollywood director. She has trust issues from past relationships that have ended badly, and needs a place to get away and find herself again. She finds a fresh start on the Scottish coast working as an estate manager at a castle. She's run Ardnoch Estate for the past year and loves how peaceful her life is. Then a famous actor disrupts her sanctuary when he pursues her. She didn't want to date an actor, or anyone in the industry ever again, but could she ignore their undeniable attraction? She pretended to be immune to his charms, but there was a definite spark growing between them. If she allowed herself to enjoy some no strings fun, would she risk developing feelings? If she explores their connection could something casual turn into something real?
Among the Heather by Samantha Young is the second book in The Highlands Series. It's a small town, opposites attract, enemies to lovers romance full of sizzling chemistry, emotion, mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed North and Aria's story. Their journey was beautiful and North brings some major swoon! I love this series and can't wait for more!!! <333
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSB6NDB8?...
May 29, 2025
I do not know why, but lately I have been picking books with annoying and frustrating heroines.
Among the Heather is where Miss Young fails to deliver us strong kick ass heroine. Aria is dramatic, insecure and frustrating. and Nort just hero who head over heels with her for unknowing reason.
I had enought.
2 stars
Among the Heather is where Miss Young fails to deliver us strong kick ass heroine. Aria is dramatic, insecure and frustrating. and Nort just hero who head over heels with her for unknowing reason.
I had enought.
2 stars
December 3, 2023
4 STARS
What is it about Sam's writing that just hits each and every single time. She's such a comfort read for me and there's just something about her Adair Family and now spinoff, The Highlands that just feels like home.
Among The Heather is book two in The Highlands series but you can easily enjoy it as a standalone. Although I highly recommend the series and you'd enjoy it even more reading in order.
Aria is the estate manager of Ardnoch Estate who escaped to Scotland to be something other than the daughter of Hollywood royalty, her famous director father. She's spent her entire career proving that she's not a nepotism baby and her success with Ardnoch is testament of it. She's also a woman who spent her entire life being used for her father's connection and that led to some deep rooted scars of insecurity, especially with men. So when the incredibly handsome Hollywood star, North, arrives at the estate, she's determined to avoid his hot looks.
But North is so much more than Aria thinks and he's determined to prove it to her. First of all, I love that North wasn't a stereotypical Hollywood playboy. This man is a serial monogamist who wants a relationship. Aria doesn't trust that he may want her not only because of her experience but also because of the deep rooted insecurities that they planted about her body.
I loved the way they went from antagonism to friendship to something so much more. And I also loved the way that North fought for her and fought to show her how incredible she really is. Aria was a wonderful heroine and it was easy to connect with her, even while I did find her insecurities to be a touch much at times. The added layer of suspense made this into an absolute page turner. And the romance was sizzling.
I love this series so much. Now after the sneak peek we get into Theo, I'm practically salivating for the next book.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
As much as I’d love to explore something real with Aria, she couldn’t handle that. So I’d give her whatever little piece of me she would take. Now I just had to convince her that an unforgettable night in my bed was exactly what she needed.
What is it about Sam's writing that just hits each and every single time. She's such a comfort read for me and there's just something about her Adair Family and now spinoff, The Highlands that just feels like home.
Among The Heather is book two in The Highlands series but you can easily enjoy it as a standalone. Although I highly recommend the series and you'd enjoy it even more reading in order.
Aria is the estate manager of Ardnoch Estate who escaped to Scotland to be something other than the daughter of Hollywood royalty, her famous director father. She's spent her entire career proving that she's not a nepotism baby and her success with Ardnoch is testament of it. She's also a woman who spent her entire life being used for her father's connection and that led to some deep rooted scars of insecurity, especially with men. So when the incredibly handsome Hollywood star, North, arrives at the estate, she's determined to avoid his hot looks.
But North is so much more than Aria thinks and he's determined to prove it to her. First of all, I love that North wasn't a stereotypical Hollywood playboy. This man is a serial monogamist who wants a relationship. Aria doesn't trust that he may want her not only because of her experience but also because of the deep rooted insecurities that they planted about her body.
I loved the way they went from antagonism to friendship to something so much more. And I also loved the way that North fought for her and fought to show her how incredible she really is. Aria was a wonderful heroine and it was easy to connect with her, even while I did find her insecurities to be a touch much at times. The added layer of suspense made this into an absolute page turner. And the romance was sizzling.
I love this series so much. Now after the sneak peek we get into Theo, I'm practically salivating for the next book.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
December 5, 2023
5 'Lost until you' Stars!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Young continues her The Highlands series with another outstanding love story full of chemistry, suspense, and a whole lot of emotions. It feels good to be back in Ardnoch all over again, now for the novel we all have been waiting for since Sam introduced Aria and North in Beyond the Thistles. Get ready for another wild ride because these two will make us travel all over the place, in more ways than one!
So, Among the Heather is the second installment in this spin-off series still focused on the characters we meet in the Adair/Ardnoch world. As I said, the story is all about Aria Howard, the cold estate manager and Hollywood heiress, and North Hunter, gorgeous but troubled Scottish actor who is now “hiding” due to some false bad press. Aria is also very much affected by her previous relationships and the consequences of body shaming she has gone through her entire life. But North is not having it, after their back and forth, he will move heaven and earth to make her believe she is amazing and worth it just as she is. But there are other obstacles neither expected and it will make things difficult for them to be together.
Somehow, I knew if I let him, North could hurt me worse than all the others.
I am seriously addicted to this series! I really enjoyed the previous book and this one didn’t fall far from the tree. Following the same kind of storylines but with different elements, Among the Heather is the perfect continuation in the series. This mixes a bit of the enemies-to-lovers / forced proximity troupes while dealing with issues such as: tragic pasts, second chances at love, body shaming and some danger. I loved how Samantha dealt with these topics, especially the way Aria felt about her curves. North so loves them and he is decided to protect his woman and love her to the fullest. I also loved seeing Aria get her confidence back, how North finds the way to leave the past behind and finally both giving love another chance.
“I decide what’s too much for me.” I clasped her face and bent close. Her eyes were a brighter green with the sheen of tears in them. “I would go to the ends of the earth for you, Aria Howard. Because I am in love with you.”
Therefore, I am rating Among the Heather with 5 STARS because I enjoyed Aria and North’s love story from start to finish. Their chemistry is so intense and passionate from the very start of the book and it’s impossible not to love these two together. They go through so much, but they come out stronger in the end. The suspense always keeps things a little bit more interesting and as always, because Samantha is a tease, now she got me so curious to get to the next book of the series. So, for sure, another winner!
ARC provided via Valentine PR in exchange for an honest review.
Samantha Young continues her The Highlands series with another outstanding love story full of chemistry, suspense, and a whole lot of emotions. It feels good to be back in Ardnoch all over again, now for the novel we all have been waiting for since Sam introduced Aria and North in Beyond the Thistles. Get ready for another wild ride because these two will make us travel all over the place, in more ways than one!
So, Among the Heather is the second installment in this spin-off series still focused on the characters we meet in the Adair/Ardnoch world. As I said, the story is all about Aria Howard, the cold estate manager and Hollywood heiress, and North Hunter, gorgeous but troubled Scottish actor who is now “hiding” due to some false bad press. Aria is also very much affected by her previous relationships and the consequences of body shaming she has gone through her entire life. But North is not having it, after their back and forth, he will move heaven and earth to make her believe she is amazing and worth it just as she is. But there are other obstacles neither expected and it will make things difficult for them to be together.
Somehow, I knew if I let him, North could hurt me worse than all the others.
I am seriously addicted to this series! I really enjoyed the previous book and this one didn’t fall far from the tree. Following the same kind of storylines but with different elements, Among the Heather is the perfect continuation in the series. This mixes a bit of the enemies-to-lovers / forced proximity troupes while dealing with issues such as: tragic pasts, second chances at love, body shaming and some danger. I loved how Samantha dealt with these topics, especially the way Aria felt about her curves. North so loves them and he is decided to protect his woman and love her to the fullest. I also loved seeing Aria get her confidence back, how North finds the way to leave the past behind and finally both giving love another chance.
“I decide what’s too much for me.” I clasped her face and bent close. Her eyes were a brighter green with the sheen of tears in them. “I would go to the ends of the earth for you, Aria Howard. Because I am in love with you.”
Therefore, I am rating Among the Heather with 5 STARS because I enjoyed Aria and North’s love story from start to finish. Their chemistry is so intense and passionate from the very start of the book and it’s impossible not to love these two together. They go through so much, but they come out stronger in the end. The suspense always keeps things a little bit more interesting and as always, because Samantha is a tease, now she got me so curious to get to the next book of the series. So, for sure, another winner!
March 29, 2025
3.5/5 rounded up. this was cute! i struggled with aria quite a bit and some of the pacing/drama felt off, but i enjoyed north/aria’s hea 🥰
December 5, 2023
Aria + North
We already met them both in the previous book.
Aria is basically running Lachlan's estate and North is a new guest - a Hollywood star on the rise. But his rise has stopped now because of some criminal claims about his past. So he's hiding in Scotland for a while. And getting on Aria's neves big time!
Let the fun times begin....
══════════════════
Another super adorable and sparky and sexy and dangerous Sam Young love story!
Aria is busy running Lachlan's elite Castle - she doesn't have time for a relationship. Not that she'd want one. She will never trust another guy - especially not if he's an actor!
And poor North. He's super attracted to Aria, but he only does seirous relationships. Maybe he can convince her to give him a chance?
It won't be easy!
And it will also get a bit dangerous and suspensy!
I loved reading this.
I loved how we get to see all the 'old' characters again and how we meet the couple for the next book already.
Perfect romance!
Like I already said in my reviews for the Adair books - I could totally imagine this as an amazing Netflix show. We already basically 'see' everything Sam writes about. She describes everything so beautifully. The people, the places... everything. I really need to see this on the screen!
From the covers to the final words ... these Scotland books are just beautiful!
AMONG THE HEATHER is the perfect second book in this new Adair spin-off series!
Adorable and funny and sweet and dangerous and heartbreaking and sexy!
Run to your nearest bookdealer for your own North - this one is MINE!
💜
💜
November 22, 2023
4 stars
The second book in Samantha Young’s The Highlands series, this is a dramatic and suspenseful celebrity romance that is full of emotion with a beautifully swoony love story, and it’s a gorgeous read.
This is the second book in the series, which itself is a spin-off from The Adairs series, but this book could be read as a standalone – just beware character crossover and some spoilers for earlier books in both series.
Aria Howard is the daughter of a famous director and a supermodel. Though raised in privilege, she didn’t have the easiest life, and she’s experienced heartbreaking betrayal that has left emotional scars. But she’s found her place in the Scottish Highlands, managing Ardnoch Estate, an exclusive members-only resort for the rich and famous.
North Hunter is an up-and-coming movie star whose career is in turmoil after a dark secret from his past hits the media. He flees to the privacy and security of Ardnoch, where he plans to hide from the world until it all blows over.
Aria and North don’t have the best of relationships. On their first meeting, she dismissed him as an arrogant playboy actor, so like the ones who hurt her in the past. That got his back up, and he played into the stereotype. Things haven’t gone well since then, and they continue to go downhill as he wallows in his misery.
One drunken night of foxed proximity changes everything for them when they open up about their pasts and actually get to know each other. Chemistry zings and when North offers to help Aria overcome her deep-seated insecurity about her desirability, they agree to spend one night together. Until that one night rocks both of their worlds.
It’s hot and so damn steamy, and both of them realise that they share a rare connection, but while North is instantly smitten, Aria is buried behind the walls she has erected to protect herself from being hurt again. He has his work cut out for him to convince Aria to give him a shot for real.
It’s dramatic with a bit of back and forth as Aria tries to work through her issues. Apart from having had a rough time with relationships, she has insecurities about her body and her sexuality that a lot of women will be able to relate to. Her continuous negativity does get frustrating, but North is a dream as he guides her through her fears, working to build her up and convince her of the strength of his feelings, and God, I loved him! He falls so fast and so helplessly, and he follows his heart, holding nothing back from Aria and working to help her deal with her past and open herself up to a future with him. He’s patient and understanding, and refuses to let her get inside of her head to much, and it’s so gorgeous to watch.
While they’re figuring it all out, they’re also both dealing with threats from their past resurfacing. There is some mystery and suspense – some of a little OTT perhaps? – and though I didn’t think those parts of the story were necessary, they’re resolved well and give North and Aria the chance to be all protective and fight for each other, which is what we like to see.
This is a really sweet read. The love story is passionate and swoony, North and Aria are open and honest with each other, and North absolutely stole my heart as the man determined to win the girl he’s so wildly in love with.
We get to catch up with Walker and Sloane from the last book in the series, and we see all of the Adair clan and get a glimpse into their HEAs. We also spend some time with Theo, who will get the next book, and I cannot wait to see him fall.
I love this world that Samantha Young has created, and am looking forward to more from the series.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The second book in Samantha Young’s The Highlands series, this is a dramatic and suspenseful celebrity romance that is full of emotion with a beautifully swoony love story, and it’s a gorgeous read.
This is the second book in the series, which itself is a spin-off from The Adairs series, but this book could be read as a standalone – just beware character crossover and some spoilers for earlier books in both series.
Aria Howard is the daughter of a famous director and a supermodel. Though raised in privilege, she didn’t have the easiest life, and she’s experienced heartbreaking betrayal that has left emotional scars. But she’s found her place in the Scottish Highlands, managing Ardnoch Estate, an exclusive members-only resort for the rich and famous.
North Hunter is an up-and-coming movie star whose career is in turmoil after a dark secret from his past hits the media. He flees to the privacy and security of Ardnoch, where he plans to hide from the world until it all blows over.
Aria and North don’t have the best of relationships. On their first meeting, she dismissed him as an arrogant playboy actor, so like the ones who hurt her in the past. That got his back up, and he played into the stereotype. Things haven’t gone well since then, and they continue to go downhill as he wallows in his misery.
One drunken night of foxed proximity changes everything for them when they open up about their pasts and actually get to know each other. Chemistry zings and when North offers to help Aria overcome her deep-seated insecurity about her desirability, they agree to spend one night together. Until that one night rocks both of their worlds.
Holy. Shit.
Holy fucking shit.
I’d just had the best sex of my goddamn life.
…. Then North Hunter ruined it by lifting his head. He stared deep into my eyes and declared, “If you think for one second we’re a one-night-only deal, you’re very, very wrong, Ms. Howard. Because I plan to do that to you many, many fucking times.”
It’s hot and so damn steamy, and both of them realise that they share a rare connection, but while North is instantly smitten, Aria is buried behind the walls she has erected to protect herself from being hurt again. He has his work cut out for him to convince Aria to give him a shot for real.
When I wanted something as much as I wanted Aria, I never stopped under what I wanted was mine.
It’s dramatic with a bit of back and forth as Aria tries to work through her issues. Apart from having had a rough time with relationships, she has insecurities about her body and her sexuality that a lot of women will be able to relate to. Her continuous negativity does get frustrating, but North is a dream as he guides her through her fears, working to build her up and convince her of the strength of his feelings, and God, I loved him! He falls so fast and so helplessly, and he follows his heart, holding nothing back from Aria and working to help her deal with her past and open herself up to a future with him. He’s patient and understanding, and refuses to let her get inside of her head to much, and it’s so gorgeous to watch.
She hadn’t quite realized we were acting like a couple in a relationship, and I didn’t intend to enlighten her until she was already too deep in.
While they’re figuring it all out, they’re also both dealing with threats from their past resurfacing. There is some mystery and suspense – some of a little OTT perhaps? – and though I didn’t think those parts of the story were necessary, they’re resolved well and give North and Aria the chance to be all protective and fight for each other, which is what we like to see.
This is a really sweet read. The love story is passionate and swoony, North and Aria are open and honest with each other, and North absolutely stole my heart as the man determined to win the girl he’s so wildly in love with.
“This will never be over for me, princess,” he whispered hoarsely in my ear. “Never. You’re in my blood … You always will be.”
We get to catch up with Walker and Sloane from the last book in the series, and we see all of the Adair clan and get a glimpse into their HEAs. We also spend some time with Theo, who will get the next book, and I cannot wait to see him fall.
I love this world that Samantha Young has created, and am looking forward to more from the series.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2023
4.5 ☆
Aria Howards & Noah Hunter are our newest couple in the Scottish Highlands and I liked these two very much.
Aria Howard eldest daughter to Wes Howard the award winning director and the supermodel has self esteem issues, she has been used all her life and the wounds run deep. Maybe too deep. I really felt for Aria as living in todays society where women have to live up to certain standard and are critised for their looks and the size of their body. Getting off that soap box now.
Hunter North the new Hollywood star has gone into hiding for a tragedy that he as a young teenager couldn't stop. It has left him bereft and in limbo to know what was going on. Alcohol has become his friend but thanks to Aria somewhat that changes.
Hunter gives Aria back her confidence and Aria soothes Hunter as these two wounded hearts come together at a difficult time and it turns into more than they could ever imagine.
This isn't enemies to lovers but Aria isn't particularly fond on Hunter she has her reasons but she is very presumptous. But in time she changes her tune however for me not soon enough.
These two are perfect for one another. They complement one another. They have chemistry and a depp connection. Now when it comes to the mystery of the book I am extremely thankful that it didn't happen around Ardnoch. So Ms. Young broke her pattern. Yay!!!
Aria Howards & Noah Hunter are our newest couple in the Scottish Highlands and I liked these two very much.
Aria Howard eldest daughter to Wes Howard the award winning director and the supermodel has self esteem issues, she has been used all her life and the wounds run deep. Maybe too deep. I really felt for Aria as living in todays society where women have to live up to certain standard and are critised for their looks and the size of their body. Getting off that soap box now.
Hunter North the new Hollywood star has gone into hiding for a tragedy that he as a young teenager couldn't stop. It has left him bereft and in limbo to know what was going on. Alcohol has become his friend but thanks to Aria somewhat that changes.
Hunter gives Aria back her confidence and Aria soothes Hunter as these two wounded hearts come together at a difficult time and it turns into more than they could ever imagine.
This isn't enemies to lovers but Aria isn't particularly fond on Hunter she has her reasons but she is very presumptous. But in time she changes her tune however for me not soon enough.
These two are perfect for one another. They complement one another. They have chemistry and a depp connection. Now when it comes to the mystery of the book I am extremely thankful that it didn't happen around Ardnoch. So Ms. Young broke her pattern. Yay!!!
December 8, 2023
I'm disappointed in myself because I'm not thrilled about this story. I felt no connection.
Maybe because I had too high expectations. Maybe because I didn't like some parts.
Maybe a bit of both.
But I love Sam's writing style, always. ♥
Maybe because I had too high expectations. Maybe because I didn't like some parts.
Maybe a bit of both.
But I love Sam's writing style, always. ♥
June 24, 2024
5 Stars!
Sigh... LOVED it!
Sigh... LOVED it!
June 4, 2025
I love this world yall! I really enjoyed the Adair series and like this spin-off so much. We had gotten hints of Aria throughout the Adair books so I was intrigued for her to get her own book. I LOVED the tension between her and North- our on a hiatus actor. They just had this pull between them, but since Aria had limited experience with genuine men she didn't know what to make of it. She was SO ice cold from the beginning. Judging in all the wrong ways and adding to the conflict that was them. But once her icy shield was broken by North- these two were wonderful together. I loved the patience and adoration that North gave to Aria. How much he helped build her confidence. I always love/hate when one of the MCs tries to ignore their growing feelings BUT I know it is also reality LOL. I liked watching these two slowly open up to each other and realize how GOOD they were together. North was in such a bad state with everything that was going down in his life. I was glad that he found Aria when he needed her. I also REALLY like how Samantha weaves in the added layer of suspense. I have similar reactions when I read Catherine Cowles books of like NO...THEY ARE THE BAD GUY!? That was the same thing here. There had been all of these things leading up to what happened and somehow I was still surprised.
Aria was perfectly fine with her life. No men meant no drama. No one trying to take advantage of her to get parts from her famous director dad. She was lonely but that wast just her life now. Until North Hunter. The actor who came to the estate to lick his wounds after a scathing article comes out about his past. Aria knows exactly what kind of man he is. One she doesn't like. He is too beautiful. Too pushy. Too much. So she goes on the defensive and so does he. She finds herself liking their banter. And realizes quickly that she completely misjudged this man. Who is in fact beautiful inside and out. There is this living chemistry between them that she decides to exploit. She wants to have one night with him no strings. She wants someone to remind her how GOOD it can be. He seems taken a back but then agrees to her terms. It is beyond anything she has experienced. Though she fights it as hard as she can, she finds herself going back to him for seconds and thirds the whole time she is really starting to like HIM. But then things start happening around the estate. Scary things. Threatening things. They go on a kind of lock down to make sure all is well thinking that the person may be after North because of his past. When in fact someone that Aria thought she had let down gently a longtime ago has been harboring a spark of vengeance for her all this time. Will Aria be able to tell North how she really feels before it's too late?
North is realizing how quickly his reputation can change when something shameful from his past surfaces. He does what he is told to do and hides away at an exclusive resort. He expects to be welcomed as he has been before, but the manager, Aria, is beyond rude and blunt with him from the jump. She clearly has him all figured out. She pushes every button she can with him, and somehow he still finds her beautiful. When she finally realizes he isn't the bad guy she thinks he is, he begins to recognize this energy between them. He realizes she finds him attractive. So when she approaches him with a no strings one night stand how can he do anything but say yes? Even though he knows one night won't be enough. Which sure enough it isn't. He wants more. He wants her smiles and her laugh and her time not just her body. Though when she gives it to him again he recognizes that this between them is more than something he has felt before. But all the while dark things are happening on the property. Things that indicate someone is out to get North. When the other shoe drops and Aria's life is in jeopardy, North will stop at nothing to save her.
The only problem I had with this one was HOW rude Aria was to North at the beginning. I get a little loathing but this woman was downright hostile. Once we got to learn more about her, I understand it but still! I liked these two. I have enjoyed reading more one night stands that slowly turn into more. It makes the pacing and angst fun- you find yourself asking who is going to cave first after they know what they are missing? I am really excited to continue on this series and can't recommend it enough as a strong romantic suspense with great characters and spice!
Aria was perfectly fine with her life. No men meant no drama. No one trying to take advantage of her to get parts from her famous director dad. She was lonely but that wast just her life now. Until North Hunter. The actor who came to the estate to lick his wounds after a scathing article comes out about his past. Aria knows exactly what kind of man he is. One she doesn't like. He is too beautiful. Too pushy. Too much. So she goes on the defensive and so does he. She finds herself liking their banter. And realizes quickly that she completely misjudged this man. Who is in fact beautiful inside and out. There is this living chemistry between them that she decides to exploit. She wants to have one night with him no strings. She wants someone to remind her how GOOD it can be. He seems taken a back but then agrees to her terms. It is beyond anything she has experienced. Though she fights it as hard as she can, she finds herself going back to him for seconds and thirds the whole time she is really starting to like HIM. But then things start happening around the estate. Scary things. Threatening things. They go on a kind of lock down to make sure all is well thinking that the person may be after North because of his past. When in fact someone that Aria thought she had let down gently a longtime ago has been harboring a spark of vengeance for her all this time. Will Aria be able to tell North how she really feels before it's too late?
North is realizing how quickly his reputation can change when something shameful from his past surfaces. He does what he is told to do and hides away at an exclusive resort. He expects to be welcomed as he has been before, but the manager, Aria, is beyond rude and blunt with him from the jump. She clearly has him all figured out. She pushes every button she can with him, and somehow he still finds her beautiful. When she finally realizes he isn't the bad guy she thinks he is, he begins to recognize this energy between them. He realizes she finds him attractive. So when she approaches him with a no strings one night stand how can he do anything but say yes? Even though he knows one night won't be enough. Which sure enough it isn't. He wants more. He wants her smiles and her laugh and her time not just her body. Though when she gives it to him again he recognizes that this between them is more than something he has felt before. But all the while dark things are happening on the property. Things that indicate someone is out to get North. When the other shoe drops and Aria's life is in jeopardy, North will stop at nothing to save her.
The only problem I had with this one was HOW rude Aria was to North at the beginning. I get a little loathing but this woman was downright hostile. Once we got to learn more about her, I understand it but still! I liked these two. I have enjoyed reading more one night stands that slowly turn into more. It makes the pacing and angst fun- you find yourself asking who is going to cave first after they know what they are missing? I am really excited to continue on this series and can't recommend it enough as a strong romantic suspense with great characters and spice!
December 20, 2023
"Among the Heather" by Samantha Young takes us on a captivating journey into the Scottish Highlands, where disgraced actor North Hunter and Hollywood royalty Aria Howard find themselves entangled in a web of mystery and family drama. Returning to Ardonch feels like a nostalgic homecoming, with the breathtaking landscapes providing a fresh and enchanting backdrop for this small-town romance.
🌄 The story is a blend of mystery and family drama that feels familiar yet intriguing. Ardonch's setting is a breath of fresh air, infusing the narrative with nostalgia and serving as a picturesque stage for the characters' journey.
🔥 Aria and North's initial interactions are fueled by antagonism, creating a dynamic marked by tension and a compelling push-and-pull. Aria's aversion to North stems from his embodiment of the Hollywood cliché she's trying to escape. However, as the story unfolds, the characters gradually break down walls, navigating Aria's insecurities and unexpected twists in their relationship. It's refreshing to see the female protagonist resisting commitment while the male protagonist yearns for more.
🕵️♂️ The storyline steadily builds tension, keeping readers engaged. The author cleverly introduces clear indicators, making it easy to identify the culprits, yet their motives add unexpected layers to the narrative.
🌟 "Among the Heather" beautifully balances romance and mystery against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. The push-and-pull dynamic, Aria's insecurities, and the unexpected twists in the plot create a compelling narrative that unfolds against the stunning landscapes of Ardonch.
👏 Samantha Young weaves a tale that seamlessly combines elements of a small-town romance with Hollywood intrigue, delivering a story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
#AmongTheHeather #ScottishRomance #HighlandMysteries #SamanthaYoung #BookReview #RomanceReads #BookishEscape #SmallTownRomance #HollywoodIntrigue #BookishAdventures #ArdonchChronicles #BookLovers #InstaReads #BookRecommendations #BookishReview #RomanceNovel #MysteryRomance #HighlandLoveStory #BookishJourney #SwoonworthyReads #InstaBookReview #ReadingCommunity #BookishHashtags #BookWorms 📚💖
🌄 The story is a blend of mystery and family drama that feels familiar yet intriguing. Ardonch's setting is a breath of fresh air, infusing the narrative with nostalgia and serving as a picturesque stage for the characters' journey.
🔥 Aria and North's initial interactions are fueled by antagonism, creating a dynamic marked by tension and a compelling push-and-pull. Aria's aversion to North stems from his embodiment of the Hollywood cliché she's trying to escape. However, as the story unfolds, the characters gradually break down walls, navigating Aria's insecurities and unexpected twists in their relationship. It's refreshing to see the female protagonist resisting commitment while the male protagonist yearns for more.
🕵️♂️ The storyline steadily builds tension, keeping readers engaged. The author cleverly introduces clear indicators, making it easy to identify the culprits, yet their motives add unexpected layers to the narrative.
🌟 "Among the Heather" beautifully balances romance and mystery against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. The push-and-pull dynamic, Aria's insecurities, and the unexpected twists in the plot create a compelling narrative that unfolds against the stunning landscapes of Ardonch.
👏 Samantha Young weaves a tale that seamlessly combines elements of a small-town romance with Hollywood intrigue, delivering a story that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.
#AmongTheHeather #ScottishRomance #HighlandMysteries #SamanthaYoung #BookReview #RomanceReads #BookishEscape #SmallTownRomance #HollywoodIntrigue #BookishAdventures #ArdonchChronicles #BookLovers #InstaReads #BookRecommendations #BookishReview #RomanceNovel #MysteryRomance #HighlandLoveStory #BookishJourney #SwoonworthyReads #InstaBookReview #ReadingCommunity #BookishHashtags #BookWorms 📚💖
December 21, 2023
Ahhhh I want to write a song about North.
Unfortunately I am not that creative therefore I cannot.
Booo🍅🍅🍅
I know I know😢
Anyways I love North. I loved Walker but I think North stole the key to my heart.
When I receive an Arc for this book, I literally jumped up and down but then settled down rather quickly after coming to realisation that I haven’t even started this series. So I dedicated a day to reading the first book. I loved it. I loved North in his little *scenes* in that book. I wanted to read about Aria and North ever since I sensed that tension in the previous book and I was so glad I had the opportunity to delve right in (thank you Samantha)
Aria is the definition of a girl boss. She reminds me of Jane from drop dead diva. Gorgeous, tall and curvy. She’s pretty confident or at least tries to be since her ex boyfriends suck and her mum projects her insecurities on Aria. Aria is workaholic and that’s a problem! Her friends know that, her sister knows that, the guy she’s definitely crushing on but doesn’t want to admit that she’s crushing on knows that but the issue is Aria doesn’t want to get out of the bubble she carefully designed for herself.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading the tension between these two then the reluctant truce and friendship then friends with benefits agreement they came up with. An agreement between a commitment phobic fmc and anti causal sex mmc. Mmmmh this should go well.
I loved that this story had some of my favourite trope. I love how North was protective, supportive and overall the perfect guy. There was a bit of suspense, a hint of mystery and a lot of a Scot loving on his American woman.
I haven’t figured out how to add gifs on goodread reviews so *insertolivertwistgifaskingforsomemore* because I need Theo’s & Sarah’s book right now. Please and thank you!!
Book out on Dec 5th
Edit: Yes it is available on Kindle unlimited (ikr🎉🎉)
Unfortunately I am not that creative therefore I cannot.
Booo🍅🍅🍅
I know I know😢
Anyways I love North. I loved Walker but I think North stole the key to my heart.
When I receive an Arc for this book, I literally jumped up and down but then settled down rather quickly after coming to realisation that I haven’t even started this series. So I dedicated a day to reading the first book. I loved it. I loved North in his little *scenes* in that book. I wanted to read about Aria and North ever since I sensed that tension in the previous book and I was so glad I had the opportunity to delve right in (thank you Samantha)
Aria is the definition of a girl boss. She reminds me of Jane from drop dead diva. Gorgeous, tall and curvy. She’s pretty confident or at least tries to be since her ex boyfriends suck and her mum projects her insecurities on Aria. Aria is workaholic and that’s a problem! Her friends know that, her sister knows that, the guy she’s definitely crushing on but doesn’t want to admit that she’s crushing on knows that but the issue is Aria doesn’t want to get out of the bubble she carefully designed for herself.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading the tension between these two then the reluctant truce and friendship then friends with benefits agreement they came up with. An agreement between a commitment phobic fmc and anti causal sex mmc. Mmmmh this should go well.
I loved that this story had some of my favourite trope. I love how North was protective, supportive and overall the perfect guy. There was a bit of suspense, a hint of mystery and a lot of a Scot loving on his American woman.
I haven’t figured out how to add gifs on goodread reviews so *insertolivertwistgifaskingforsomemore* because I need Theo’s & Sarah’s book right now. Please and thank you!!
Book out on Dec 5th
Edit: Yes it is available on Kindle unlimited (ikr🎉🎉)
December 8, 2023
3.5 stars! I loved the first book in this series so I was expecting a lot from this one. This one sadly kind of fell flat for me, or flat-ish. There were moments I liked, but I did have a hard time with the heroine and there were moments I didn’t connect with. That said, celeb characters aren’t really my fav so take that for what it is too.
Aria is the daughter of Hollywood royalty, her father is a massively popular director and her mother a model. She ended up leaving behind L.A. life and has been living in the Scottish Highlands, running the exclusive Ardnoch Estate. North is a Scottish actor whose reputation has recently been hit, when an incident from his past has come back to haunt him. So he’s taken to hiding out at Ardnoch Estate, which brings him around Aria more…and she hates him.
I liked North, but had a hard time with Aria. She has massive trust issues that come up over and over again in the story. Her and North do finally become friends with benefits after they get past the hate. But she pushes him away a lot, often. I love the setting, I liked seeing the characters from the first book in here, I liked Aria’s sister, I liked North, but I just had a hard time with Aria and North together. The suspense in this one didn’t work for me super well either. So I am still invested in this series, this one just didn’t totally captivate me.
Aria is the daughter of Hollywood royalty, her father is a massively popular director and her mother a model. She ended up leaving behind L.A. life and has been living in the Scottish Highlands, running the exclusive Ardnoch Estate. North is a Scottish actor whose reputation has recently been hit, when an incident from his past has come back to haunt him. So he’s taken to hiding out at Ardnoch Estate, which brings him around Aria more…and she hates him.
I liked North, but had a hard time with Aria. She has massive trust issues that come up over and over again in the story. Her and North do finally become friends with benefits after they get past the hate. But she pushes him away a lot, often. I love the setting, I liked seeing the characters from the first book in here, I liked Aria’s sister, I liked North, but I just had a hard time with Aria and North together. The suspense in this one didn’t work for me super well either. So I am still invested in this series, this one just didn’t totally captivate me.
December 2, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
This is the second book to the Highland series and this follows Aria and North. You get to see her in the first book so I was excited for her book. This follows Aria and North Hunter. Aria comes from a Hollywood family and North is a Hollywood actor. Aria has had some bad relationships and struggles with some insecurity issues so she instantly dislikes North. Meanwhile North is immediately attracted to her and he does everything to break down her walls.
I loved the audio and highly recommend. The Scottish men accents was soooo good🤌🏼
Samantha Young doesn’t disappoint and writes such good romantic suspense books. I highly recommend this series and I can’t wait for the next book.
This is the second book to the Highland series and this follows Aria and North. You get to see her in the first book so I was excited for her book. This follows Aria and North Hunter. Aria comes from a Hollywood family and North is a Hollywood actor. Aria has had some bad relationships and struggles with some insecurity issues so she instantly dislikes North. Meanwhile North is immediately attracted to her and he does everything to break down her walls.
I loved the audio and highly recommend. The Scottish men accents was soooo good🤌🏼
Samantha Young doesn’t disappoint and writes such good romantic suspense books. I highly recommend this series and I can’t wait for the next book.
November 2, 2024
TW: Fat-shaming, grief, foster care, child abuse, abuse, self degradation.
I don't even think that I've rated a Samantha Young that low . It wasn't bad by any mean but why did It felt less interesting ? The first 50% were empty literally nothing happened romance or plot wise . I don't even remember the first 200 pages, everything happened at the end.
I don't even think that I've rated a Samantha Young that low . It wasn't bad by any mean but why did It felt less interesting ? The first 50% were empty literally nothing happened romance or plot wise . I don't even remember the first 200 pages, everything happened at the end.
August 15, 2024
this book sat at 75% finished for over a month, and I finally got around to skimming the last 25%. not sure why it took me so long but it was a decent book regardless. not as good as the first one though :(
December 2, 2023
4.5 STARS
I’m so invested in this series now, and while this is a new to me author, I’ll know I’ll be diving into her backlist!
It’s small town and suspense and steam, my personal trifecta!
The audiobooks are amazing too. The mail narrators accents are soooo good!
ALC
I’m so invested in this series now, and while this is a new to me author, I’ll know I’ll be diving into her backlist!
It’s small town and suspense and steam, my personal trifecta!
The audiobooks are amazing too. The mail narrators accents are soooo good!
ALC
December 13, 2023
DNF 46% I wanted to like this, I tried so hard. I picked it up on the day it came out and started reading immediately. I loved the last one.
However, This was not it for me. I didn’t like the characters. The h was the worst. Shes the general manger of this lovely private hotel to the stars and she treats the H like shit because he reminds her of her ex’s. I can’t get into how much this bothered me. 1: he’s not your ex’s and you don’t have the date him. 2: she is in the service industry and I guess just bad at her job if she can’t put this hang up aside, especially since her job is working at a hotel for the rich and famous. 3: she’s boring, she has no personality other than rude to one guest, and insecure about her body. 4: her only other two boyfriends were famous Hollywood hunks, her chip on her shoulder about being insecure about her body goes right out the window when the only men youve ever dated were freaking movie stars. I hate her so much. I don’t feel bad for her. Boohoo apparently she can only date famous hunky Hollywood actors and her boobs are too big. And she has a trust fund. Please please please tell me why she is justified in treating the H like shit. She’s keeps saying she treats him badly because he’s her type. Which I can only assume means rich, hot and famous.
Get a new type.
I guess this is meant to be enemies to lovers but she’s mean for stupid reasons and I guess he’s nice. But that’s his only personality trait. He’s nice and hot. That’s all I can say about him.
They have zero chemistry, I stopped reading during the spicy bit because I couldn’t care less.
I was waiting for some romantic suspense (page 150 and still nothing) but it was never going to be worth it. I’m hopeful the next book is back to form.
However, This was not it for me. I didn’t like the characters. The h was the worst. Shes the general manger of this lovely private hotel to the stars and she treats the H like shit because he reminds her of her ex’s. I can’t get into how much this bothered me. 1: he’s not your ex’s and you don’t have the date him. 2: she is in the service industry and I guess just bad at her job if she can’t put this hang up aside, especially since her job is working at a hotel for the rich and famous. 3: she’s boring, she has no personality other than rude to one guest, and insecure about her body. 4: her only other two boyfriends were famous Hollywood hunks, her chip on her shoulder about being insecure about her body goes right out the window when the only men youve ever dated were freaking movie stars. I hate her so much. I don’t feel bad for her. Boohoo apparently she can only date famous hunky Hollywood actors and her boobs are too big. And she has a trust fund. Please please please tell me why she is justified in treating the H like shit. She’s keeps saying she treats him badly because he’s her type. Which I can only assume means rich, hot and famous.
Get a new type.
I guess this is meant to be enemies to lovers but she’s mean for stupid reasons and I guess he’s nice. But that’s his only personality trait. He’s nice and hot. That’s all I can say about him.
They have zero chemistry, I stopped reading during the spicy bit because I couldn’t care less.
I was waiting for some romantic suspense (page 150 and still nothing) but it was never going to be worth it. I’m hopeful the next book is back to form.
January 18, 2024
Headlines:
Trust
Found family
Self esteem
This book had two characters that really pop out of the page into the reader's mind. Aria was strong and fierce on the outside but crippled inside with trust and body image issues. Aria had a strong sense of family, through her love for her sister and keeping her mother at a distance; she knew there was toxicity there. Hunter, was the opposite in terms of family but he was a good guy in all the ways. I really loved the sense of 'he falls first'.
This was a very Ardnoch-centric story, mostly set in the castle which was enjoyable. There was a touch of the dramatic to this suspense plot, double-sided and intriguing nevertheless. It was all about pasts catching up with present lives.
There were limited cameos from the previous characters in the crew but it was balanced well; I still had a sense of them being around. I didn't warm that much to Theo but I loved the set up at the end around him.
This was easy reading at it's best and a perfect weekend read with intrigue, heat and deep connection.
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
Find this review at
Trust
Found family
Self esteem
This book had two characters that really pop out of the page into the reader's mind. Aria was strong and fierce on the outside but crippled inside with trust and body image issues. Aria had a strong sense of family, through her love for her sister and keeping her mother at a distance; she knew there was toxicity there. Hunter, was the opposite in terms of family but he was a good guy in all the ways. I really loved the sense of 'he falls first'.
This was a very Ardnoch-centric story, mostly set in the castle which was enjoyable. There was a touch of the dramatic to this suspense plot, double-sided and intriguing nevertheless. It was all about pasts catching up with present lives.
There were limited cameos from the previous characters in the crew but it was balanced well; I still had a sense of them being around. I didn't warm that much to Theo but I loved the set up at the end around him.
This was easy reading at it's best and a perfect weekend read with intrigue, heat and deep connection.
Thank you to the author for the early review copy.
Find this review at
October 11, 2024
*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*
4 “princess” “unicorn” Kisses
Gahhhhh!!! I truly cannot fully explain the hold and obsession that this fictional town has on me, but I really don’t ever want it to stop. Of course I was over the moon to know that Samantha was going to continue the amazingness after The Adair Family Series was complete and do a spin-off with The Highlands Series and it’s everything I could have asked for. New couples but still getting the amazing town of Ardnoch and getting glimpses of the Adairs and other couples that I have previously fallen in love with. And after reading Beyond the Thistles , I was so ready to be back in the Highlands with this crew. So…I’m sure you’re wondering if you need to read the other books in The Highlands Series or The Adair Family Series ( Here With Me , There With You , Always You , Be With Me , and Only You ) – short answer, no…long answer, still no but you absolutely should :-) Every book in this series reads as a standalone – each deals with a separate couple and everything is explained beautifully so you’re never left questioning things. But…the books do build on each other – they’re written chronologically and there is a bit of overlap with the characters, so if you want to avoid any kind of possible spoilers (even minor ones) I would recommend reading in order. Plus…this is one of my favorite series ever and probably the best written suspenseful romance books that I’ve ever encountered, so take that for what it is.
Aria Howard…I was very intrigued by Ms. Howard from the moment we were introduced to her when she came to work at Ardnoch Estate. She’s got a very intimidating presence about her and she can come off as aloof which I was worried might mean it would be hard to connect with her. Luckily, that was the furthest thing from the truth…it’s more about understanding Aria’s past and why she is how she is, once you break through that shell, she is probably one of the most caring and selfless characters I’ve read. She puts those she cares about before herself, and even to her own detriment at times. She’s an insanely hard worker and takes a lot of pride in her job and I think that is because of her family and wanting to fight against the stereotypes and nepotism. She has definitely lived a privileged life but if anything I felt that made her not want to be the ‘typical’ bratty Hollywood child of the rich and famous. I really enjoyed getting to know her and I appreciated how grounded and authentic Samantha made her.
North Hunter…oh my goodness, this man stole my heart so many times it was almost ridiculous. North is not your typical actor – by far and away. He is a self-made man, he worked hard to get where he is with his career and he hasn’t let the fame and money and everything that comes with being famous cloud his vision of who he was before all of it – and I respected that so much. It made it so easy to forget that he is an actor because he didn’t have the cocky attitude or the desire to be flashy and brag about who he is and what he has done. I think it had a lot to do with his past, how he grew up, the things that happened to him (and that are coming back to haunt him) and of course, the people who raised him (his birth parents and the ones who raised him). I adored everything about North and seeing how much he cared for Aria only made me love him that much more.
Aria and North are…polar opposites in so many ways but I loved watching them come together and figure out how perfect they are for each other. North’s absolute unending purpose and mission to make Aria feel beautiful and treasured and wanted was literally all that I needed in the world and I adored watching Aria’s walls crumble under his pursuit. Aria’s past with men is absolutely horrible and I hated that she went through what she did with her ex’s but if North is the reward she gets for having to deal with all of that mess…then it was all worth it. I loved their chemistry…especially watching them bicker and get under each other’s skin – especially seeing Aria get all flustered, because the woman keeps it locked up tight for literally every other person except for North. I loved watching North show Aria how beautiful she truly was – not that it was all she was but really giving her back the confidence to know she was beautiful and desired and wanted. I also loved that for the first time in a long time, North found his home – someone that he felt safe with and a person he knew that would always be there for him…after all the loss in his life, that was truly what he deserved.
Samantha Young continues to make me fall madly in love with her blissfully amazing writing and I will probably never stop ranting and raving about how much I adore her books. I feel like I say that same thing every time I write a review on one of the books in this series but she keeps sucking me into this world of Ardnoch with it’s sexy Scot’s, sassy heroines, breathtaking landscape and of course, mystery and suspense in spades. I was interested to see where the suspense was going to come from and goodness gracious – I was not disappointed at all. It was very original and I loved how it tied back to both Aria and North. I especially liked the extra elements that came to play with what happened with Aria – there was a creepy factor I did not anticipate and everything that happened just really worked well and I enjoyed the effect it had on the overall story.
Ahh…the endings – I’ve learned to never get too comfortable, especially with Samantha, she can always throw a good unexpected curve ball, but the ending did feel a tiny bit rushed. That’s also me being super critical, it’s not that anything wasn’t addressed or handled but it was more the pacing and feel of it. Honestly, anything added would have just been fluff, but I would have appreciated there being a little bit more. It didn’t stop me from loving the ending, it was beautiful and the perfect way to wrap up Aria and North’s story. I did like that we get the Prologue for Through the Glen the next book in The Highlands Series. It’s about Theo Cavendish (North’s friend) and Sarah McCulloch (who works at Ardnoch Estate)…and with one quick chapter I am very intrigued to see what happens with these two.
4 “princess” “unicorn” Kisses
Gahhhhh!!! I truly cannot fully explain the hold and obsession that this fictional town has on me, but I really don’t ever want it to stop. Of course I was over the moon to know that Samantha was going to continue the amazingness after The Adair Family Series was complete and do a spin-off with The Highlands Series and it’s everything I could have asked for. New couples but still getting the amazing town of Ardnoch and getting glimpses of the Adairs and other couples that I have previously fallen in love with. And after reading Beyond the Thistles , I was so ready to be back in the Highlands with this crew. So…I’m sure you’re wondering if you need to read the other books in The Highlands Series or The Adair Family Series ( Here With Me , There With You , Always You , Be With Me , and Only You ) – short answer, no…long answer, still no but you absolutely should :-) Every book in this series reads as a standalone – each deals with a separate couple and everything is explained beautifully so you’re never left questioning things. But…the books do build on each other – they’re written chronologically and there is a bit of overlap with the characters, so if you want to avoid any kind of possible spoilers (even minor ones) I would recommend reading in order. Plus…this is one of my favorite series ever and probably the best written suspenseful romance books that I’ve ever encountered, so take that for what it is.
Aria Howard…I was very intrigued by Ms. Howard from the moment we were introduced to her when she came to work at Ardnoch Estate. She’s got a very intimidating presence about her and she can come off as aloof which I was worried might mean it would be hard to connect with her. Luckily, that was the furthest thing from the truth…it’s more about understanding Aria’s past and why she is how she is, once you break through that shell, she is probably one of the most caring and selfless characters I’ve read. She puts those she cares about before herself, and even to her own detriment at times. She’s an insanely hard worker and takes a lot of pride in her job and I think that is because of her family and wanting to fight against the stereotypes and nepotism. She has definitely lived a privileged life but if anything I felt that made her not want to be the ‘typical’ bratty Hollywood child of the rich and famous. I really enjoyed getting to know her and I appreciated how grounded and authentic Samantha made her.
‘“North…I have serious trust issues,” I warned him. “I can’t date anyone.”
Determination hardened his gaze. “Then at least let me show you how beautiful I think you are. Let me prove you’re dynamite in bed. Let me take away what the arseholes planted in you.”
“Why?” I whispered hoarsely.
“Because it’s a fucking travesty that a woman as charismatic and sexy as you would think otherwise.”
I wanted to.’
North Hunter…oh my goodness, this man stole my heart so many times it was almost ridiculous. North is not your typical actor – by far and away. He is a self-made man, he worked hard to get where he is with his career and he hasn’t let the fame and money and everything that comes with being famous cloud his vision of who he was before all of it – and I respected that so much. It made it so easy to forget that he is an actor because he didn’t have the cocky attitude or the desire to be flashy and brag about who he is and what he has done. I think it had a lot to do with his past, how he grew up, the things that happened to him (and that are coming back to haunt him) and of course, the people who raised him (his birth parents and the ones who raised him). I adored everything about North and seeing how much he cared for Aria only made me love him that much more.
‘She didn’t judge me, but seemed to admire me.
I had to admit, I could get high on Aria’s admiration.
Hell, I could just get high on her.’
Aria and North are…polar opposites in so many ways but I loved watching them come together and figure out how perfect they are for each other. North’s absolute unending purpose and mission to make Aria feel beautiful and treasured and wanted was literally all that I needed in the world and I adored watching Aria’s walls crumble under his pursuit. Aria’s past with men is absolutely horrible and I hated that she went through what she did with her ex’s but if North is the reward she gets for having to deal with all of that mess…then it was all worth it. I loved their chemistry…especially watching them bicker and get under each other’s skin – especially seeing Aria get all flustered, because the woman keeps it locked up tight for literally every other person except for North. I loved watching North show Aria how beautiful she truly was – not that it was all she was but really giving her back the confidence to know she was beautiful and desired and wanted. I also loved that for the first time in a long time, North found his home – someone that he felt safe with and a person he knew that would always be there for him…after all the loss in his life, that was truly what he deserved.
‘I smoothed a hand over his hard chest. “They’re not worth it.”
“You’re worth it.”
Surprised by the intensity of his tone, I lifted my head. His expression was so fierce, fury and longing roiling there for all to see. For me to see. “Christ.” His voice was gravelly as he reached up to cup my face. “You don’t even know how beautiful you are, and it kills me.”’
Samantha Young continues to make me fall madly in love with her blissfully amazing writing and I will probably never stop ranting and raving about how much I adore her books. I feel like I say that same thing every time I write a review on one of the books in this series but she keeps sucking me into this world of Ardnoch with it’s sexy Scot’s, sassy heroines, breathtaking landscape and of course, mystery and suspense in spades. I was interested to see where the suspense was going to come from and goodness gracious – I was not disappointed at all. It was very original and I loved how it tied back to both Aria and North. I especially liked the extra elements that came to play with what happened with Aria – there was a creepy factor I did not anticipate and everything that happened just really worked well and I enjoyed the effect it had on the overall story.
“This will never be over for me, princess,” he whispered hoarsely in my ear. “Never. You’re in my blood,” he growled, his hips quickening as he felt my inner muscles tightening with my coming release. “You always will be.”
Ahh…the endings – I’ve learned to never get too comfortable, especially with Samantha, she can always throw a good unexpected curve ball, but the ending did feel a tiny bit rushed. That’s also me being super critical, it’s not that anything wasn’t addressed or handled but it was more the pacing and feel of it. Honestly, anything added would have just been fluff, but I would have appreciated there being a little bit more. It didn’t stop me from loving the ending, it was beautiful and the perfect way to wrap up Aria and North’s story. I did like that we get the Prologue for Through the Glen the next book in The Highlands Series. It’s about Theo Cavendish (North’s friend) and Sarah McCulloch (who works at Ardnoch Estate)…and with one quick chapter I am very intrigued to see what happens with these two.
December 3, 2023
Among the Heather is the second book in The Highlands series and follows the story of North and Aria. North has worked hard to put his difficult past behind him and never dreamed his past would come back to haunt him. Devastated by this unexpected twist of fate, North finds himself at an exclusive members-only club in the Scottish Highlands….
There is nothing else I love more than returning to Scotland and the world Samantha Young has created. This author writes her characters and scenery so well, I swear it’s like you’re experiencing the story right along with the characters.
When we first meet up with North, he’s taken a break from Hollywood and is laying low from a scandal that threatens to ruin his career. It’s here that North meets Aria. However, their first meeting is anything but perfect. Aria can’t stand the sight of North and thinks he’s just like every other Hollywood star. It’s not until Aria’s sister decides to meddle and North and Aria are forced together, does the truth finally comes out. Now, North is desperate to break down Aria’s walls and prove that he’s different.
I absolutely adored North and Aria’s story. At first glance, it seems like the two of them couldn’t be more opposite. But, the more time you spend with them, the more you discover the things they have in common. For example, they’ve both been hurt by their pasts and are trying desperately to not let their pasts define them. And the chemistry between them….they’ve got in spades.
The road to happily ever after for North and Aria wasn’t without its fair share of ups and downs. When their pasts catch up to them, these two characters are in for the fight of their lives that they never saw coming. I loved all of the delicious twists, turns, and moments I never saw coming. Author Samatha Young definitely kept me on my toes.
Among the Heather is a fantastic addition to The Highlands series and I can not wait to see whose story will capture my heart next.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
There is nothing else I love more than returning to Scotland and the world Samantha Young has created. This author writes her characters and scenery so well, I swear it’s like you’re experiencing the story right along with the characters.
When we first meet up with North, he’s taken a break from Hollywood and is laying low from a scandal that threatens to ruin his career. It’s here that North meets Aria. However, their first meeting is anything but perfect. Aria can’t stand the sight of North and thinks he’s just like every other Hollywood star. It’s not until Aria’s sister decides to meddle and North and Aria are forced together, does the truth finally comes out. Now, North is desperate to break down Aria’s walls and prove that he’s different.
I absolutely adored North and Aria’s story. At first glance, it seems like the two of them couldn’t be more opposite. But, the more time you spend with them, the more you discover the things they have in common. For example, they’ve both been hurt by their pasts and are trying desperately to not let their pasts define them. And the chemistry between them….they’ve got in spades.
The road to happily ever after for North and Aria wasn’t without its fair share of ups and downs. When their pasts catch up to them, these two characters are in for the fight of their lives that they never saw coming. I loved all of the delicious twists, turns, and moments I never saw coming. Author Samatha Young definitely kept me on my toes.
Among the Heather is a fantastic addition to The Highlands series and I can not wait to see whose story will capture my heart next.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
November 17, 2023
I just adore the authors books, every time I finish one I’m wholly satisfied and this was no exception. Among the Heather is the second book in her Highlands series and follows Aria and North who we first meet in book one. This has a celebrity romance, he falls first, forced proximity and enemies to lovers which was a delicious combination. Even though the author always does suspense so well in her romantic suspense books I felt like this time things were even more tense than usual. The entire time there was a sense of uneasiness that unsettled me and pair that with some steamy romance and I’m all in. I listened to most of this and North with his accent was music to my ears. He was such a fantastic hero but listening to his voice just brought things to a whole new level. Aria kind of broke my heart with her insecurities and self doubt but seeing North help her build herself back up was so sweet. I adored these two together and felt like they complicated each other so well. The Scottish setting was beautifully described as always and checking in with past characters was so fun. If you like romantic suspense and you haven’t tried Sam’s books yet you must, SO good!
December 4, 2023
I'm FINALLY back on the bandwagon! And no one can pull me out of a major book slump more than Sam Young!
I have been in love with Sam's Adair Family series, so I knew that I would adore the Highlands spin off just as well. Shane West's performance was top notch. I could listen to that Scottish brogue all. day. long. Shane and Stella were a perfect combo, drawing me into their twisted and heart stopping love story immediately.
If you've read The Adair Family series as well as Beyond the Thistle, then you know how these books go. And even though we all know that there is something murderous around the corner, Sam does her wicked magic to capture my attention making me hit play over and over again. But to leave me on that Cliffy!? Sam! Rude, sister.
I enjoyed my time with North and Aria, but now I'm completely intrigued with Theo and his leading lady! I can't wait to see what Through the Glen holds for us!
I have been in love with Sam's Adair Family series, so I knew that I would adore the Highlands spin off just as well. Shane West's performance was top notch. I could listen to that Scottish brogue all. day. long. Shane and Stella were a perfect combo, drawing me into their twisted and heart stopping love story immediately.
If you've read The Adair Family series as well as Beyond the Thistle, then you know how these books go. And even though we all know that there is something murderous around the corner, Sam does her wicked magic to capture my attention making me hit play over and over again. But to leave me on that Cliffy!? Sam! Rude, sister.
I enjoyed my time with North and Aria, but now I'm completely intrigued with Theo and his leading lady! I can't wait to see what Through the Glen holds for us!
December 21, 2023
I think that Samantha Young was my author of 2023 because I made it my mission to stay up-to-date with her books and not miss one. She was so active during this year with so many new titles. Her "The Highlands" series spin-off was SO GOOD that I really recommend it to Romance lovers who want an intense and addictive love story.
"Among the Heather" is the story of Aria and North, 2 very different people who learn how to trust each other and eventually, find love. I am a sucker for heroes who empower heroines to be better and to surpass some trust issues. It is so important to have a partner who makes you feel good and confident, and when you have those issues, you need to learn how to fix them in order to be happy.
Aria lived her whole life amongst actors and being part of a privileged family, she had to fight for her rights, but also to build a carried. Her past relationships were so hard, that her confidence was shattered without any hopes of ever being put back together. She was called fat, cuddly, generous built, all this making her weaker and without any hopes of being in a new relationship.
North is a prosperous and talented actor, who comes to Ardnoch Estate for privacy and some time alone because of a tragedy that happened during his childhood. I was not expecting North to turn out like this, but he is one of my favorite heroes from this series. His attraction towards Aria is visible, but because of his past and insecurities, he has to put up a fight to win her heart.
I loved this book, not because of the plot and things that happened, but because of the message and the lesson North has given to all men in real life. He found a way to get to Aria and demonstrated to her what it means to truly be loved and cherished for what she is. He showed her how to love herself first and had so much patience, that I was all butterflies just reading about it. I LOVE such heroes and even if I am aware I am reading Fiction, I a such a sucker for this type of man, wishing all of them could learn something from Romance stories. This is a must-read series!!!
For more reviews, please check out my blog: www.ramonismeramo.com
"Among the Heather" is the story of Aria and North, 2 very different people who learn how to trust each other and eventually, find love. I am a sucker for heroes who empower heroines to be better and to surpass some trust issues. It is so important to have a partner who makes you feel good and confident, and when you have those issues, you need to learn how to fix them in order to be happy.
Aria lived her whole life amongst actors and being part of a privileged family, she had to fight for her rights, but also to build a carried. Her past relationships were so hard, that her confidence was shattered without any hopes of ever being put back together. She was called fat, cuddly, generous built, all this making her weaker and without any hopes of being in a new relationship.
North is a prosperous and talented actor, who comes to Ardnoch Estate for privacy and some time alone because of a tragedy that happened during his childhood. I was not expecting North to turn out like this, but he is one of my favorite heroes from this series. His attraction towards Aria is visible, but because of his past and insecurities, he has to put up a fight to win her heart.
I loved this book, not because of the plot and things that happened, but because of the message and the lesson North has given to all men in real life. He found a way to get to Aria and demonstrated to her what it means to truly be loved and cherished for what she is. He showed her how to love herself first and had so much patience, that I was all butterflies just reading about it. I LOVE such heroes and even if I am aware I am reading Fiction, I a such a sucker for this type of man, wishing all of them could learn something from Romance stories. This is a must-read series!!!
For more reviews, please check out my blog: www.ramonismeramo.com
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