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True Scotsman #1
The Highland Kiss
Minutes before my wedding, a phone call from my fiancé rips my life apart.
I flee to the Scottish Highlands, seeking sanctuary in Bannock, an idyllic town I visited as a child. All I want is peace and quiet to mend my broken heart. Instead I lock horns with the grumpy Scotsman who runs my hotel.
I don't recognise him at first but it turns out he's Alasdair McIntyre, the first boy I ever kissed.
As a twelve-year-old, he was sweet, but now? His blunt remarks and cocky smirks infuriate me, while my comebacks only reinforce his view I'm a stuck-up big-city "lass".
I came here to heal, not be provoked by this irritatingly handsome Highlander. Yet beneath his gruff exterior and admittedly impressive muscles, there are glimmers of another side to the man.
I mustn't let my guard down. My heart is already cracked. If I let him in, I risk shattering it altogether…
---
The Highland Kiss is the first in the True Scotsman series of interconnected standalones.
Discover the small town of Bannock with its quirky inhabitants, laugh at the banter of the McIntyre brothers, and swoon at that scene in the castle ruins in the rain. ❤️
I flee to the Scottish Highlands, seeking sanctuary in Bannock, an idyllic town I visited as a child. All I want is peace and quiet to mend my broken heart. Instead I lock horns with the grumpy Scotsman who runs my hotel.
I don't recognise him at first but it turns out he's Alasdair McIntyre, the first boy I ever kissed.
As a twelve-year-old, he was sweet, but now? His blunt remarks and cocky smirks infuriate me, while my comebacks only reinforce his view I'm a stuck-up big-city "lass".
I came here to heal, not be provoked by this irritatingly handsome Highlander. Yet beneath his gruff exterior and admittedly impressive muscles, there are glimmers of another side to the man.
I mustn't let my guard down. My heart is already cracked. If I let him in, I risk shattering it altogether…
---
The Highland Kiss is the first in the True Scotsman series of interconnected standalones.
Discover the small town of Bannock with its quirky inhabitants, laugh at the banter of the McIntyre brothers, and swoon at that scene in the castle ruins in the rain. ❤️
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
1004 people are currently reading
2628 people want to read
About the author
Amy McGavin
7 books54 followersAmy McGavin is the pen name of a Scottish wife-and-husband writing team whose real names are… Amy and Gavin.
The couple’s contemporary romance novels are set in the Highlands. Each story is crafted with humour and heart, with a wee bit of heat thrown in.
The pair live in Glasgow with their daughter and very lively cocker spaniel. When they’re not writing, they enjoy exploring Scotland’s breathtaking hills, glens, and beaches, then treating themselves to coffee and cake afterwards.
To keep up to date with all their publishing news, and gain access to exclusive bonus content, join their newsletter.
The couple’s contemporary romance novels are set in the Highlands. Each story is crafted with humour and heart, with a wee bit of heat thrown in.
The pair live in Glasgow with their daughter and very lively cocker spaniel. When they’re not writing, they enjoy exploring Scotland’s breathtaking hills, glens, and beaches, then treating themselves to coffee and cake afterwards.
To keep up to date with all their publishing news, and gain access to exclusive bonus content, join their newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
December 30, 2023
short and sweet with a Scottish love interest and outlander reference, can a girl ask for more?
November 8, 2023
Oh my what a great story!! Absolutely loved it from start to finish. I won this ebook copy from Goodreads giveaway. There was such fire between ally and Emily. Second chance romance story. Must read highly recommended
November 14, 2023
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So this story is about Emily, a wedding planner from London, who gets jilted by her fiancé minutes before her wedding. Since she’s already taken a month off for her would-be honeymoon, she decides to take a trip to heal. She chooses to go to a small town in the Scottish Highlands where she’d spent the summer with her dad, as a kid. So, she shows up at the hotel she’d stayed at as a kid and starts off on the wrong foot with Ally, the guy who runs the place, a hot, grumpy, dark-haired highlander. Then she realises that she knows this guy from the last time she visited. He was her first kiss. What happens next, you’re going to have to read to find out.
This is a first person, dual POV, grumpy MMC, small town spicy romance with a lot of banter and it has a third act break up.
For the first chapter of this book, I really didn’t like Emily. She sounded very ostentatious when she was speaking about how lavish her wedding was and how rich her fiancé was. This girl hired a journalist to write a magazine article about her wedding as marketing for her wedding planning business and to have some something she can “look back on for years to come.” (Normal people just take lots of photos and videos.) But then after a couple of days in the highlands her genial personality started to show.
Ally’s parents died 5 years previously and Ally had to abandon his dreams of opening an outdoor adventure business and take over the running of their hotel and looking after his siblings. Because of this, he has some pent-up emotions he needs to work through that cause a bit of conflict during the story.
I loved the McIntyre brothers. They love to poke fun at the each other, but they’ve also got each other’s backs. We meet a lot of characters from the town, who add warmth and humour to the story. The town sounds so charming and welcoming, I wish I could move there. I love that this is told from a dual point of view so we can see how emotions develop on both sides. The chemistry between Emily and Ally was really hot. That scene at the castle ruins… It lives rent-free in my head. There were a handful of spicy scenes, but there were a lot of closed door scenes as well, so over all, the book wasn’t that spicy. There were a lot of scenes that had me giggling excitedly and feeling all warm and fuzzy, though.
I think this book would be great for fans of the movie Leap Year, with Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. It’s a cozy read, great for people who love Scotland, small town romance and rom-coms.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out, which is about secondary characters from this book.
So this story is about Emily, a wedding planner from London, who gets jilted by her fiancé minutes before her wedding. Since she’s already taken a month off for her would-be honeymoon, she decides to take a trip to heal. She chooses to go to a small town in the Scottish Highlands where she’d spent the summer with her dad, as a kid. So, she shows up at the hotel she’d stayed at as a kid and starts off on the wrong foot with Ally, the guy who runs the place, a hot, grumpy, dark-haired highlander. Then she realises that she knows this guy from the last time she visited. He was her first kiss. What happens next, you’re going to have to read to find out.
This is a first person, dual POV, grumpy MMC, small town spicy romance with a lot of banter and it has a third act break up.
For the first chapter of this book, I really didn’t like Emily. She sounded very ostentatious when she was speaking about how lavish her wedding was and how rich her fiancé was. This girl hired a journalist to write a magazine article about her wedding as marketing for her wedding planning business and to have some something she can “look back on for years to come.” (Normal people just take lots of photos and videos.) But then after a couple of days in the highlands her genial personality started to show.
Ally’s parents died 5 years previously and Ally had to abandon his dreams of opening an outdoor adventure business and take over the running of their hotel and looking after his siblings. Because of this, he has some pent-up emotions he needs to work through that cause a bit of conflict during the story.
I loved the McIntyre brothers. They love to poke fun at the each other, but they’ve also got each other’s backs. We meet a lot of characters from the town, who add warmth and humour to the story. The town sounds so charming and welcoming, I wish I could move there. I love that this is told from a dual point of view so we can see how emotions develop on both sides. The chemistry between Emily and Ally was really hot. That scene at the castle ruins… It lives rent-free in my head. There were a handful of spicy scenes, but there were a lot of closed door scenes as well, so over all, the book wasn’t that spicy. There were a lot of scenes that had me giggling excitedly and feeling all warm and fuzzy, though.
I think this book would be great for fans of the movie Leap Year, with Amy Adams and Matthew Goode. It’s a cozy read, great for people who love Scotland, small town romance and rom-coms.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out, which is about secondary characters from this book.
June 26, 2024
Scottish Romance
Heartbroken Emily flees to the site of childhood holidays with her father and meets the man who had been the first boy to kiss her.
Much is made of the glorious location, but in many ways this is a solid and comfortably predictable story. It's well-written and full of engaging characters. And a scene near the end almost made me cry.
Heartbroken Emily flees to the site of childhood holidays with her father and meets the man who had been the first boy to kiss her.
Much is made of the glorious location, but in many ways this is a solid and comfortably predictable story. It's well-written and full of engaging characters. And a scene near the end almost made me cry.
February 26, 2025
*Sigh*
Take me to the highlands! If Bannock is a real place I wanna go/live there so bad even the weather sounds amazing!!
Allys character was so perfect.. there was miscommunication yes but the author did it in a more reasonable and understanding way like this is how normal people react to things! Loved this wholesome story so much can't wait for more!
Take me to the highlands! If Bannock is a real place I wanna go/live there so bad even the weather sounds amazing!!
Allys character was so perfect.. there was miscommunication yes but the author did it in a more reasonable and understanding way like this is how normal people react to things! Loved this wholesome story so much can't wait for more!
February 26, 2025
Such an easy read. Really enjoyed the storyline.
November 15, 2023
The Highland Kiss is a small town, frenemies-to-lovers, grumpy-sunshine, and second-chance romance. Emily is a smart and sassy wedding planner whose fiancé has just told her he can't marry her on their wedding day. Since she still has a month off for her honeymoon, she flees to Bannock, Scotland. She has fond memories from her childhood when she and her father vacationed there. She is booked for a month at the Bannock hotel. Alasdair (Ally) is the hunky, grumpy owner of the hotel. His parents died in an auto accident 5 years ago, and being the oldest he, he feels he needs to run it with no help from his family. He resents that he had to put his own dreams aside. Given same, the condition of the hotel has suffered. Emily also realizes that Ally was the boy who first kissed her when she was 12.
I really loved this story. I thought the characters had great chemistry and loved how they helped each other out. Ally just couldn't resist his ray of sunshine, and Emily helped him to see he doesn't need to do it all alone. I really loved his siblings. We do have some angst and drama. My emotions were a bit all over the place. But we do end on a happy note. I prefer a bit more steam, but that is preference and in no way took away from the story. I thought this was a great debut novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really loved this story. I thought the characters had great chemistry and loved how they helped each other out. Ally just couldn't resist his ray of sunshine, and Emily helped him to see he doesn't need to do it all alone. I really loved his siblings. We do have some angst and drama. My emotions were a bit all over the place. But we do end on a happy note. I prefer a bit more steam, but that is preference and in no way took away from the story. I thought this was a great debut novel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 21, 2023
Wedding planner Emily has been left at the altar, with a lifestyle writer on hand to witness the disaster as well as friends and relatives. Alisdair or “Ally” as he’s nicknamed is still grieving while trying to keep the family inn from crumbling around him and his brothers, one of whom survived the accident that claimed his mother and father. Seventeen years prior, a thirteen year old Emily visited the inn with her father and her fond memories of that time with him as well as some guilt over her treatment of him subsequently before his passing leads her to journey back to the inn solo for the month she’d allotted for her now unnecessary honeymoon.
During her previous stay, young Emily shared a kiss with a 12 year old Ally, something they both realize upon her first day at the inn. There’s still some attraction between them, though not as innocent as before.
Emily and Ally embark on a fling and real feelings develop. When Emily’s best friend Grace arrives, she causes Emily to doubt the veracity of her feelings for Ally, citing a rebound relationship being a poor idea.
There’s a matter of the journalist’s piece to contend with as well which has Emily’s livelihood in peril. Will Emily choose her life in London or take the risk of flinging herself into the Highlands with Ally?
This book practically begs to be adapted into a TV movie, with a gorgeous Scottish setting, brawny Scotsmen and a romcom-ish storyline.
Overall I enjoyed the book. One thing that stood out to me was the way the writer(s) seemed ambivalent about the intimate scenes: some were quite detailed while others ended abruptly with a closed door after beginning in an adult manner. Personally I’m not offended by explicit content, whether language or sexual situations. The manner in which this tried to have it both ways left me wondering if it was a deliberate choice or an editorial decision.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens and I’m pleased to be sharing my honest review.
During her previous stay, young Emily shared a kiss with a 12 year old Ally, something they both realize upon her first day at the inn. There’s still some attraction between them, though not as innocent as before.
Emily and Ally embark on a fling and real feelings develop. When Emily’s best friend Grace arrives, she causes Emily to doubt the veracity of her feelings for Ally, citing a rebound relationship being a poor idea.
There’s a matter of the journalist’s piece to contend with as well which has Emily’s livelihood in peril. Will Emily choose her life in London or take the risk of flinging herself into the Highlands with Ally?
This book practically begs to be adapted into a TV movie, with a gorgeous Scottish setting, brawny Scotsmen and a romcom-ish storyline.
Overall I enjoyed the book. One thing that stood out to me was the way the writer(s) seemed ambivalent about the intimate scenes: some were quite detailed while others ended abruptly with a closed door after beginning in an adult manner. Personally I’m not offended by explicit content, whether language or sexual situations. The manner in which this tried to have it both ways left me wondering if it was a deliberate choice or an editorial decision.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens and I’m pleased to be sharing my honest review.
October 15, 2023
The Highland Kiss by Amy McGavin is the debut novel from the husband and wife author duo, Amy and Gavin. The book tells a heartwarming tale that is ideal for a romantic-comedy movie. The story is set in the Scottish highlands and revolves around a Scotsman and a bride who has been jilted, making it an enjoyable read that will make you fall in love with the charming characters.
Emily, heartbroken, flees to the Scottish Highlands in search of sanctuary. Bannock, an idyllic town she visited as a child and still remembers fondly, seems like the perfect place to start anew. However, upon arriving at the Bannock Hotel, she finds that it is no longer the warm and welcoming place she remembers. The hotel is now managed by a very grumpy Scotsman, whom she doesn't recognize at first. Eventually, she learns that he is Alasdair McIntyre, the first boy she ever kissed.
Ally is also in hiding, but he is hiding in plain sight - a life he never planned, but due to circumstances, the life he has found himself in. He runs the family business, but his three siblings might say he dictates the family business not letting them have a greater input into keeping the hotel open and making money for the family. Could a hotel booking for a one-month stay change something in this grumpy Scot's life, other than just providing income?
I am so very much investing in all the characters within this book and just can't wait to read more. Bring on the next book The Highland Fling.
I received an advance review copy from Booksirens and the Arthor for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Emily, heartbroken, flees to the Scottish Highlands in search of sanctuary. Bannock, an idyllic town she visited as a child and still remembers fondly, seems like the perfect place to start anew. However, upon arriving at the Bannock Hotel, she finds that it is no longer the warm and welcoming place she remembers. The hotel is now managed by a very grumpy Scotsman, whom she doesn't recognize at first. Eventually, she learns that he is Alasdair McIntyre, the first boy she ever kissed.
Ally is also in hiding, but he is hiding in plain sight - a life he never planned, but due to circumstances, the life he has found himself in. He runs the family business, but his three siblings might say he dictates the family business not letting them have a greater input into keeping the hotel open and making money for the family. Could a hotel booking for a one-month stay change something in this grumpy Scot's life, other than just providing income?
I am so very much investing in all the characters within this book and just can't wait to read more. Bring on the next book The Highland Fling.
I received an advance review copy from Booksirens and the Arthor for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 9, 2025
I absolutely love finding a new (to me) author to fall in love with, and that's exactly what happened here! And how fun to travel to the Highlands!
Emily is a jilted, runaway bride in need of a reset in the worst way! Escaping her pain and embarrassment in London, she travels to the place she and her father used to visit in the Highlands in Scotland. She hopes the change of scenery will allow her to come to terms with where she finds her life to be.
Ally has lived in Bannock his entire life, and is currently managing the hotel his parents owned. Mostly a grumpy, brooding guy, he is not impressed when Emily arrives for her month-long stay. But as we all know, first impressions aren't always the best measure of a person, and these two find out they share a history (long forgotten). With help from his brothers, and his best friend Aiden, he slowly comes around to accepting the help he needs, with the aging hotel.
I enjoyed the small town "everyone knows your business" vibe, and how these authors put you right in the middle of it all. The family connections, friend groups, and folksy inhabitants of this town were fun to read. I loved the HEA for Ally and Emily, and I am very excited to see how things work out for her friends (David and Grace). These pages seemed to turn themselves, and I was through this faster than I would have liked to be. It was engaging and addictive - with just the right amount of angst, heartwarming and heartbreaking events to keep me entertained.
I am thrilled I have all in this series, as I am binge reading these! I recommend this story, and encourage you to begin this series at your next opportunity. It's great.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy of this book (thank you so much), and happily leave my review.
Emily is a jilted, runaway bride in need of a reset in the worst way! Escaping her pain and embarrassment in London, she travels to the place she and her father used to visit in the Highlands in Scotland. She hopes the change of scenery will allow her to come to terms with where she finds her life to be.
Ally has lived in Bannock his entire life, and is currently managing the hotel his parents owned. Mostly a grumpy, brooding guy, he is not impressed when Emily arrives for her month-long stay. But as we all know, first impressions aren't always the best measure of a person, and these two find out they share a history (long forgotten). With help from his brothers, and his best friend Aiden, he slowly comes around to accepting the help he needs, with the aging hotel.
I enjoyed the small town "everyone knows your business" vibe, and how these authors put you right in the middle of it all. The family connections, friend groups, and folksy inhabitants of this town were fun to read. I loved the HEA for Ally and Emily, and I am very excited to see how things work out for her friends (David and Grace). These pages seemed to turn themselves, and I was through this faster than I would have liked to be. It was engaging and addictive - with just the right amount of angst, heartwarming and heartbreaking events to keep me entertained.
I am thrilled I have all in this series, as I am binge reading these! I recommend this story, and encourage you to begin this series at your next opportunity. It's great.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy of this book (thank you so much), and happily leave my review.
January 2, 2024
Get ready to not just be swept away by a sweet romance but go off into a place that sparks magic, home and love all around. Have to say being this the first time I have read anything by Amy McGavin this is definitely a way to start from them. Seeing these two united again and seeing what has happened all these years between them is in a way heartbreaking yet many ways the time is perfect. I felt bad for Emily and her wedding yet in in some way it seemed like just what she needed to see what has really been missing in her life. Both of them have lost someone important in their lives and it is their memories in this book that just makes you go wow. Then we have Alasdair and boy this little boy sure has grown. Definitely not what she expected him to become but like Emily he has lost his way in his life. These two share many things but it is what they do to get that happiness back is what just made me love this book more. Alasdair and his brothers were a hoot to read about and cannot wait to see what the author does with the other brothers. Beware though once you enter the Bannock hotel you will want to stay for ever not just because of the hotel but the whole town just comes to life. Loved it.
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
"I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own."
November 10, 2023
Being a wedding planner, Emily was thrilled to be planning her own wedding and to help her business, her wedding was to be in a magazine. Little did she know she would be jilted by phone minutes before the ceremony. Being heartbroken, she moved from the apartment she had into her best friend Grace’s apartment which she shared with her brother. Since she had taken a month off to travel for her honeymoon, she took off for the Scottish Highlands to stay at the Bannock Hotel which she had wonderful memories of being there with her father. It was there that she also had her first kiss. When she arrived, she was greeted by a grumpy Highlander Alasdair (Ally) McIntyre. Little did she know it was the same boy she kissed 17 years ago. The McIntyre family was fun to watch with their antics. Ally was the oldest and when his parents were killed in an accident, he felt he had to take care of the rest of his siblings. For that reason, he tried to do everything himself but with the aid of Emily, he learned that even though his brothers acted crazy sometimes, they could be trusted to handle responsibilities.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 15, 2023
This is a debut novel for husband and wife duo Amy and Gavin. It was brilliant. I was lucky to be given an ARC, but I would 100% buy this book when it's released.
It starts off with Emily's story, and I was gripped from the start. The story was built up so beautifully that you were rooting for Emily all the way. The small town of Bannock sounds like the perfect escape from life as she knew it. It was a wonderful setting, and it was a joy to explore and feel like you were really there.
The story had depth, and I couldn't put it down! It was complex and believable. It ticked all the boxes of a good romance novel. At times, I was screaming at the characters. They really put us through the wringer!! Ally was also well written, and it was great reading from both perspectives and hearing his thoughts, too.
The end was perfect *chefs kiss*. It left us wanting more.... this really has been built to be a series, with so much scope to tell the story of the others in the story or bring in newbies!
I can't wait to read more from them.
It starts off with Emily's story, and I was gripped from the start. The story was built up so beautifully that you were rooting for Emily all the way. The small town of Bannock sounds like the perfect escape from life as she knew it. It was a wonderful setting, and it was a joy to explore and feel like you were really there.
The story had depth, and I couldn't put it down! It was complex and believable. It ticked all the boxes of a good romance novel. At times, I was screaming at the characters. They really put us through the wringer!! Ally was also well written, and it was great reading from both perspectives and hearing his thoughts, too.
The end was perfect *chefs kiss*. It left us wanting more.... this really has been built to be a series, with so much scope to tell the story of the others in the story or bring in newbies!
I can't wait to read more from them.
February 10, 2025
I don't think I have ever had a book recommendation from my mum... but she's been raving about this series and something you need a sweet contemporary read after a great fantasy read! This ticked the box for sure!
We follow Emily a london wedding planner who is about to get married...... or so she thinks! After heartbreak she decides to take a break from London and head up to Scotland to where her and her dad use to visit when she was younger.
What she doesnt expect is the hotel she has fonds memories of is still there but its tired and run by a very Grumpy Scotsman and his brothers.
After a not very pally introduction, its safe to say Ally and Emily do not seem to get along... but turns out they may know each other from many many years ago and he hasnt forgotten.
I love the banter between the brothers and the small town vibes - which ring very much like the small town i live in, also funnily enough near inverness, you cant do anything without it getting back to other people.
This was such a good read after a busy day at the wedding fayre... this book plus hot chocolate was the perfect sunday evening.
We follow Emily a london wedding planner who is about to get married...... or so she thinks! After heartbreak she decides to take a break from London and head up to Scotland to where her and her dad use to visit when she was younger.
What she doesnt expect is the hotel she has fonds memories of is still there but its tired and run by a very Grumpy Scotsman and his brothers.
After a not very pally introduction, its safe to say Ally and Emily do not seem to get along... but turns out they may know each other from many many years ago and he hasnt forgotten.
I love the banter between the brothers and the small town vibes - which ring very much like the small town i live in, also funnily enough near inverness, you cant do anything without it getting back to other people.
This was such a good read after a busy day at the wedding fayre... this book plus hot chocolate was the perfect sunday evening.
November 29, 2023
*/ Possible Minor Spoilers /*
Title:- The Highland Kiss
Author:- Amy McGavin
Genre:- Contemporary Romance
Tropes:- Past romance, Jilted at Altar
Rating:- 4/5
Thoughts:-
• Why leave it till the last minute to back out of a wedding?? His balls must be tiny 😒
• I can literally smell this hotel having stayed in many similar ones in Scotland 😂
• I'd sneak a peak too love 😏
• Bawbag 😄 one of my favourite words 😂
• Tourist cockblock....the indignity!
• Best friends going too far? 🤔
• Damn it Ally don't be a tool! 🤦🏻♀️
• Bit bloody harsh to publish that article
• Poor Lewis.....is a bit cringe though
• Not many escaping unscathed from this meal!
• That's not the answer I'd give Cat....
• Shit.......meet fan
• I'm sorry Ally but you're actually whinging now....
• ....and then you go and do that 🤦🏻♀️
• I got married at Gretna 😊
• 🥹🥰🥰🥰🥰
This was a perfect escape from reality, light-hearted read.
Title:- The Highland Kiss
Author:- Amy McGavin
Genre:- Contemporary Romance
Tropes:- Past romance, Jilted at Altar
Rating:- 4/5
Thoughts:-
• Why leave it till the last minute to back out of a wedding?? His balls must be tiny 😒
• I can literally smell this hotel having stayed in many similar ones in Scotland 😂
• I'd sneak a peak too love 😏
• Bawbag 😄 one of my favourite words 😂
• Tourist cockblock....the indignity!
• Best friends going too far? 🤔
• Damn it Ally don't be a tool! 🤦🏻♀️
• Bit bloody harsh to publish that article
• Poor Lewis.....is a bit cringe though
• Not many escaping unscathed from this meal!
• That's not the answer I'd give Cat....
• Shit.......meet fan
• I'm sorry Ally but you're actually whinging now....
• ....and then you go and do that 🤦🏻♀️
• I got married at Gretna 😊
• 🥹🥰🥰🥰🥰
This was a perfect escape from reality, light-hearted read.
December 10, 2023
When London wedding planner Emily get's jilted just moments before her wedding was start to start she runs to her childhood happy place. A vacation spot in the Scottish Highlands that she visited with her father.
I didn't think I was going to like Emily (and thus the story) at first but as she relaxes into her escape and realizes that she knows the innkeeper from her childhood she blooms into a great character.
Ally has the weight of the world on his shoulders taking care of his siblings and the family's inn. But he's always had other dreams in life and Emily helps him learn to make those dreams a reality and finally move forward with his life again.
I enjoyed getting to know the small town and all the residents along with Emily, but especially Ally's brothers. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I didn't think I was going to like Emily (and thus the story) at first but as she relaxes into her escape and realizes that she knows the innkeeper from her childhood she blooms into a great character.
Ally has the weight of the world on his shoulders taking care of his siblings and the family's inn. But he's always had other dreams in life and Emily helps him learn to make those dreams a reality and finally move forward with his life again.
I enjoyed getting to know the small town and all the residents along with Emily, but especially Ally's brothers. I look forward to the next book in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 23, 2024
This is a delightful romance set in the highlands of Scotland. It was a fun, easy read that made me laugh out loud several times.
Emily, a successful London wedding planner is left at the alter by her fiancé, Harry. In order to escape and heal, she heads to Scotland to the Bannock Hotel - a place she remembers visiting as a kid with her father with fond memories. After a long train trip she arrives to an outdated hotel run by a grumpy (but very attractive) Scotsman for a month long stay.
Ally has been running the hotel, which really stresses him out, for the last 5 years since his parents were killed in a car accident. His one escape is doing outdoor activities. When his best friend and rafting buddy breaks his arm, Emily agrees to go rafting with Ally in place of his friend. It is just the adventure Emily needs to begin her healing process.
After her first day in Bannock, Emily remembers her last visit there with her father. She was just 12 years old and the oldest boy in the family took her to his secret reading spot in the hotel and kissed her and then carved their initials into a roof beam. It turns out, Ally was the boy. Throughout the story, we find out if Ally and Emily are meant to be and if Emily will ever get to see Ally in a kilt.
Emily, a successful London wedding planner is left at the alter by her fiancé, Harry. In order to escape and heal, she heads to Scotland to the Bannock Hotel - a place she remembers visiting as a kid with her father with fond memories. After a long train trip she arrives to an outdated hotel run by a grumpy (but very attractive) Scotsman for a month long stay.
Ally has been running the hotel, which really stresses him out, for the last 5 years since his parents were killed in a car accident. His one escape is doing outdoor activities. When his best friend and rafting buddy breaks his arm, Emily agrees to go rafting with Ally in place of his friend. It is just the adventure Emily needs to begin her healing process.
After her first day in Bannock, Emily remembers her last visit there with her father. She was just 12 years old and the oldest boy in the family took her to his secret reading spot in the hotel and kissed her and then carved their initials into a roof beam. It turns out, Ally was the boy. Throughout the story, we find out if Ally and Emily are meant to be and if Emily will ever get to see Ally in a kilt.
October 28, 2023
As a lover of Scotland and heartwarming rom-coms, I loved this one! Alistair “Ally” and Emily first meet as children when Emily’s father brings her to the Bannock Hotel in the Highlands for vacation. Ally & Emily share their first kisses, then Emily goes home to London. Fast forward to a wedding that never was, and Emily heads back to the Highlands to get away and feel close to her dad, finding Ally in charge of the hotel. I loved everything about this! The writing was entertaining and addicting and I absolutely stayed up late to finish this one! It’s engaging, witty, heartfelt, and sexy. Definitely recommend for anyone loving Scotland as much as they love their rom-coms!! Thanks so much to Amy McGavin, the publisher, and BookSirens. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 31, 2024
Now this is definitely a book that is deserving of a 4⭐️ review. From looking at the cover - I didn’t fully understand what the book was about. However, TikTok and reading the description, HAD ME SOLD!!
For 1) I LOVE SCOTLAND. Does this book make me want to go back, 100%! Some of the scenes with the other people in the village were adorable and some of the descriptions of the areas were just fantastic.
2) I fell in love with Emily and Ally. Their childhood relationship to them reuniting was so adorable!
Not only do you have a second chance with one another. But you also have the relationships between Ally and his brothers and Emily with her best friends David and Grace.
I couldn’t put the book down and I was so sad to see it end. However - am I currently getting ready to read Grace’s story - YES!
Definitely found a new author to devour.
For 1) I LOVE SCOTLAND. Does this book make me want to go back, 100%! Some of the scenes with the other people in the village were adorable and some of the descriptions of the areas were just fantastic.
2) I fell in love with Emily and Ally. Their childhood relationship to them reuniting was so adorable!
Not only do you have a second chance with one another. But you also have the relationships between Ally and his brothers and Emily with her best friends David and Grace.
I couldn’t put the book down and I was so sad to see it end. However - am I currently getting ready to read Grace’s story - YES!
Definitely found a new author to devour.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2024
Sweet childhood romance
This is a second chance love story about healing and finding the harmony in oneself.
I liked this story about how a heartbreak turned into a second chance not only in love but also in herself. Its beautiful to see the FMC changing with the story, and how she turned her life work into something else when all her hope was gone.
It's lovley how she brings out the MMC from hos shell as well.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, but I can't really explain why I don't give 5 stars except it was not fully my kind of story. It is a beautiful story about healing, and I liked the story, the environment and descriptions..but I did not get a "wow" feeling to it.
I can recommend this book to anyone i to highlanders, healing, second chance and childhood romance.
This is a second chance love story about healing and finding the harmony in oneself.
I liked this story about how a heartbreak turned into a second chance not only in love but also in herself. Its beautiful to see the FMC changing with the story, and how she turned her life work into something else when all her hope was gone.
It's lovley how she brings out the MMC from hos shell as well.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars, but I can't really explain why I don't give 5 stars except it was not fully my kind of story. It is a beautiful story about healing, and I liked the story, the environment and descriptions..but I did not get a "wow" feeling to it.
I can recommend this book to anyone i to highlanders, healing, second chance and childhood romance.
November 25, 2023
Wedding planner, Emily escapes to Bannock, Scotland after a traumatic experience. She goes to the hotel where she had spent a happy holiday with her dad in her teens. The siblings that now run the hotel are the children of the couple that used to own it. Ally, being the eldest feels trapped in managing the hotel when his dream is to run an outdoor activities business with his best friend. Emily and Ally become close again when they realise they shared a connection years earlier. In addition, Emily helps Ally and his brothers to change direction in their lives and live the future they are looking for. Some wonderful romantic, steamy and laugh out loud scenes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I would have to stop reading because of work, but I'd start again when I got home. It kept me involved, and I enjoy books that can do that.
I like how the author ties everything together. He's grumpy, but shows his happiness in other actions. The family dynamic is great, I felt like I was there. She tries to problem solve and help out in the ways she thinks is best.
Conflict is well thought out. I would have enjoyed a little more sightseeing around town, with descriptions.
Not a super spicy read, which is quite nice too.
Overall, I would probably read it again.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. This is an unbiased review.
I like how the author ties everything together. He's grumpy, but shows his happiness in other actions. The family dynamic is great, I felt like I was there. She tries to problem solve and help out in the ways she thinks is best.
Conflict is well thought out. I would have enjoyed a little more sightseeing around town, with descriptions.
Not a super spicy read, which is quite nice too.
Overall, I would probably read it again.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. This is an unbiased review.
October 27, 2023
I recommend giving this book a read, it was reading time well spent for me. I enjoyed the ebb and flow and the unpredictable, which is rare in this genre. The story hit the ground running and cruised right into rebuilding and rekindling friendships, without seeming rushed. There's a bit of turbulence as they iron things out but that was well-balanced with the fresh eye-opening romantic experience. Heartfelt emotions, love their support circle, comical camaraderie, they have great chemistry, work well together and the story line stays focused on their journey to HEA. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 13, 2023
✔️ Scottish MMC 🥰
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Slight Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Childhood friends to Lovers
I really enjoyed this book, I am slightly biased with enjoying the Scottish as I am from there but I think even without the Scottish setting it would have still have been an enjoyable book 😝
I loved how this was a slight second chance romance. Ally was grumpy but soon lightened when he met the loveable Emily who seems to show him a new lease on life.
If you like books with romcom vibes then this is one for you. Not a massive amount of spice, and some fade to blacks but doesn’t detract from the story.
✔️ Small Town
✔️ Slight Enemies to Lovers
✔️ Childhood friends to Lovers
I really enjoyed this book, I am slightly biased with enjoying the Scottish as I am from there but I think even without the Scottish setting it would have still have been an enjoyable book 😝
I loved how this was a slight second chance romance. Ally was grumpy but soon lightened when he met the loveable Emily who seems to show him a new lease on life.
If you like books with romcom vibes then this is one for you. Not a massive amount of spice, and some fade to blacks but doesn’t detract from the story.
April 19, 2025
Great Book
Emily is jilted at her wedding and leaves London to spend a month in the Scottish Highlands that has happy memories for her as a child. Ally is the oldest brother trying to run his family's hotel with help from his younger 2 brothers when Emily comes to stay at his inn. Emily and Ally met as 13/14 year olds and experienced their first kiss with each other. Can there be a connection after so many years? This book has action, funny times and some hot sex. Great characters and storyline. The descriptions of the highlands wants the reader to visit this part of the world ASAP! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Emily is jilted at her wedding and leaves London to spend a month in the Scottish Highlands that has happy memories for her as a child. Ally is the oldest brother trying to run his family's hotel with help from his younger 2 brothers when Emily comes to stay at his inn. Emily and Ally met as 13/14 year olds and experienced their first kiss with each other. Can there be a connection after so many years? This book has action, funny times and some hot sex. Great characters and storyline. The descriptions of the highlands wants the reader to visit this part of the world ASAP! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
November 9, 2023
Sweet and satisfying:
I really enjoyed this sweet little romance and thought that it was good for a debut novel. It was feel good and funny but with enough depth and realism to make it resonate. Ally & Emily made an adorable couple and I enjoyed watching their journey towards love. The ending was lovely and now I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this sweet little romance and thought that it was good for a debut novel. It was feel good and funny but with enough depth and realism to make it resonate. Ally & Emily made an adorable couple and I enjoyed watching their journey towards love. The ending was lovely and now I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 25, 2023
This book had me hooked from the first chapter.
Emily was jilted on the day of her wedding and as a wedding planner, this isn’t going to be good for business so she heads off to the Scottish highlands to a family run hotel she used to visit with her dad when she was a child.
Here she meets Ally (her first kiss) and manages to bring back smiles and laughter for him after a rough few years.
I enjoyed every page of this book. Can’t wait to read more from Amy and Gavin.
Emily was jilted on the day of her wedding and as a wedding planner, this isn’t going to be good for business so she heads off to the Scottish highlands to a family run hotel she used to visit with her dad when she was a child.
Here she meets Ally (her first kiss) and manages to bring back smiles and laughter for him after a rough few years.
I enjoyed every page of this book. Can’t wait to read more from Amy and Gavin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
This was a fun read. I loved all the characters that passed through the story. Each brought a little something special whether it was humour and insults or s steady, strong shoulder.
Ally is a strong, stubborn man who needs to remember how to live again after having to raise a family so young. Watching him finally meet his match (again) and find his way back to living was sweet, heartwarming and a little heart breaking at times.
Really well written. Very engaging to keep you hooked!
Ally is a strong, stubborn man who needs to remember how to live again after having to raise a family so young. Watching him finally meet his match (again) and find his way back to living was sweet, heartwarming and a little heart breaking at times.
Really well written. Very engaging to keep you hooked!
November 5, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the main characters especially Ally, but also did love the side characters and I hope they all get there own book. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting it was easy to picture and wish you were there. Thank you for letting me read your Arc of this book. I loved it 😍
November 9, 2023
i won this in a Goodreads giveaway. what fun. book 1 in the "True Scotsman" series. came out November 7, 2023. small town & rural fiction (kindle store & books). romantic comedy. now that is odd ... i would have swore i got it before the 7th?? any who ... if you have KU it is on that service. check it out. i am new to Amy's writing and i will read more. i enjoy it so. check Amy out!
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