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A Second Chance Scottish Summer
An ambitious American restaurant consultant squares off against a stubborn, sexy Scottish chef over competing plans for her family’s coastal Highland manor house in a deliciously surprising second chance summer… from the bestselling author of
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie
.
At thirty-two, restaurant liquidator Avery Hayes is an expert at shutting down dreams. Haunted by her failure to save her family’s historic Scottish tea shop years ago, Avery is fiercely efficient at tying up loose ends and avoiding entanglements, both professional and personal. Despite the suitcase stuffed with swoony Highland romance novels hidden under her bed, Avery has no time for complications of the heart. And she is determined to avoid risk at all costs.
Yet everything changes when Avery unexpectedly finds herself heading back to Oban, Scotland, the one place she swore never to return. Tasked with deciding the fate of her family’s ancestral manor house, Avery is determined to sell the house quickly and leave Scotland for good. There’s just one thing standing in her way - Chef Cameron MacKay.
Kilt-wearing, cheese-making single dad Cameron is far more appealing than Avery remembers and seems determined to upend all her carefully laid plans. He has a grand vision for the manor house and needs Avery to partner with him. But despite Cameron’s enticements, including adorable baby Highland cows and artisan cheese, Avery feels torn. When a disaster threatens both of their futures, she is forced to choose - play it safe or risk everything for a second chance at the life and love she secretly longs for.
A Second Chance Scottish Summer is the captivating first short novel in a heartwarming new trilogy from beloved author Rachel Linden.
At thirty-two, restaurant liquidator Avery Hayes is an expert at shutting down dreams. Haunted by her failure to save her family’s historic Scottish tea shop years ago, Avery is fiercely efficient at tying up loose ends and avoiding entanglements, both professional and personal. Despite the suitcase stuffed with swoony Highland romance novels hidden under her bed, Avery has no time for complications of the heart. And she is determined to avoid risk at all costs.
Yet everything changes when Avery unexpectedly finds herself heading back to Oban, Scotland, the one place she swore never to return. Tasked with deciding the fate of her family’s ancestral manor house, Avery is determined to sell the house quickly and leave Scotland for good. There’s just one thing standing in her way - Chef Cameron MacKay.
Kilt-wearing, cheese-making single dad Cameron is far more appealing than Avery remembers and seems determined to upend all her carefully laid plans. He has a grand vision for the manor house and needs Avery to partner with him. But despite Cameron’s enticements, including adorable baby Highland cows and artisan cheese, Avery feels torn. When a disaster threatens both of their futures, she is forced to choose - play it safe or risk everything for a second chance at the life and love she secretly longs for.
A Second Chance Scottish Summer is the captivating first short novel in a heartwarming new trilogy from beloved author Rachel Linden.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
7 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Mae Linden
1 book3 followersRachel Mae Linden (who also writes as Rachel Linden) is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of Recipe for a Charmed Life, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, and several other novels. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island near Seattle, WA where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 12, 2025
Oh my goodness—I finally got to this book, and it was everything you’d expect from a story titled A Second Chance Scottish Summer! A compelling storyline, endearing characters, a slow-burn romance, cheeky kilts, and a breathtaking Scottish setting—it’s all here.
Beyond the romance, this short novel beautifully explores how we face and overcome failures, and the courage it takes to leap into something new and rise above the past. The story shines through the dynamic between Avery and Cameron, whose accent could melt stone. Their chemistry makes the slow burn incredibly satisfying.
This novel is a lighthearted, easy read with just enough steam to keep things interesting—without diving into spiciness. It’s proof that you can still find charming, entertaining romances that feel refreshingly gentle. Nothing against spice—it’s all about preference—but this felt like the perfect, feel-good change of pace.
Beyond the romance, this short novel beautifully explores how we face and overcome failures, and the courage it takes to leap into something new and rise above the past. The story shines through the dynamic between Avery and Cameron, whose accent could melt stone. Their chemistry makes the slow burn incredibly satisfying.
This novel is a lighthearted, easy read with just enough steam to keep things interesting—without diving into spiciness. It’s proof that you can still find charming, entertaining romances that feel refreshingly gentle. Nothing against spice—it’s all about preference—but this felt like the perfect, feel-good change of pace.
May 5, 2025
delightful short novel
This is an endearing and delightful short novel. Many emotions have been packed into less than 200 pages! A Second Chance Scottish summer is a heartwarming story of home, family, and taking chances to live your best life.
This is an endearing and delightful short novel. Many emotions have been packed into less than 200 pages! A Second Chance Scottish summer is a heartwarming story of home, family, and taking chances to live your best life.
July 2, 2025
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up
Genre: Novella-Fiction
Format: 📖
Release Date: 4/29/29
Length: 182 pages
Scotland, a family home in the Highlands, a hot Scot in a kilt .. that can cook, a family reunion, vacation with a secret collection of romance novels and the only drawback … Avery’s sister Poppy wants to sell her half of the family’s ancestral manor house to Chef Cameron MacKay and for Avery and Cameron to be partners in his farm-to-table restaurant endeavor. What does Avery want? Well, nothing to do with that “Kilt-wearing, cheese-making Cameron” and everything to do with selling the manor so that she can buy her dream cottage on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.
Rachael-Mae Linden is fast become a favorite - have thoroughly enjoyed Recipe of a Charmed Life and The Magic of the Lemon Drop Pie, needless to say I was very excited to see she wrote a novella that took place in one of my favorite places .. Scotland.
A Second Chance Scottish Summer is a charming story about being part of a family, learning to forgive yourself for something you had no control over, letting go of the past because it is okay to step outside your comfort zone to take a chance.
It grieves to have to not give this novella solid 4 star review – I had a hard time connecting with Avery – I found her to be stubborn, sneaky and a little shellfish – come on girl a hot Scot that is an amazing cook!! It took for me most of the story for me to finally feel that chemistry between Avery and Cameron and in the end, Avery did redeem herself.
Genre: Novella-Fiction
Format: 📖
Release Date: 4/29/29
Length: 182 pages
Scotland, a family home in the Highlands, a hot Scot in a kilt .. that can cook, a family reunion, vacation with a secret collection of romance novels and the only drawback … Avery’s sister Poppy wants to sell her half of the family’s ancestral manor house to Chef Cameron MacKay and for Avery and Cameron to be partners in his farm-to-table restaurant endeavor. What does Avery want? Well, nothing to do with that “Kilt-wearing, cheese-making Cameron” and everything to do with selling the manor so that she can buy her dream cottage on Bainbridge Island in Washington State.
Rachael-Mae Linden is fast become a favorite - have thoroughly enjoyed Recipe of a Charmed Life and The Magic of the Lemon Drop Pie, needless to say I was very excited to see she wrote a novella that took place in one of my favorite places .. Scotland.
A Second Chance Scottish Summer is a charming story about being part of a family, learning to forgive yourself for something you had no control over, letting go of the past because it is okay to step outside your comfort zone to take a chance.
It grieves to have to not give this novella solid 4 star review – I had a hard time connecting with Avery – I found her to be stubborn, sneaky and a little shellfish – come on girl a hot Scot that is an amazing cook!! It took for me most of the story for me to finally feel that chemistry between Avery and Cameron and in the end, Avery did redeem herself.
April 30, 2025
Avery Hayes had thought she left Scotland behind for good after filing to save her family’s historic tea shop. However, she now finds herself returning to Scotland to decide the fate of her family’s ancestral manor home. While Avery hopes to sell the home and return to the US, her sister hopes that she’ll consider partnering with Chef Cameron McKay in his farm-to-table restaurant endeavor.
I absolutely love Rachel Linden’s books, and this short novel was no exception! The Scottish Highlands setting sounds absolutely idyllic, and I felt completely transported there through the descriptive writing and details. Avery was a dynamic and well-developed lead character, and enjoyed seeing the relationship between her and Cameron develop throughout the story. This short novel is set to be the first of a trilogy, so I’m looking forward to the next two books!
Thank you to UpLit Reads and Rachel Linden for my gifted e-copy!
I absolutely love Rachel Linden’s books, and this short novel was no exception! The Scottish Highlands setting sounds absolutely idyllic, and I felt completely transported there through the descriptive writing and details. Avery was a dynamic and well-developed lead character, and enjoyed seeing the relationship between her and Cameron develop throughout the story. This short novel is set to be the first of a trilogy, so I’m looking forward to the next two books!
Thank you to UpLit Reads and Rachel Linden for my gifted e-copy!
May 2, 2025
I really really enjoyed this story.
2nd chances are my favorite things for a story and Linden pulled this off amazingly well. I immediately felt drawn into their story and didn't want to leave.
I loved the setting so much that I felt like I was there! The characterswere so charming that I simply couldn't put it down.
I loved the chemistry between Avery and Cameron.
I finished it in a couple of hours lol.
I'm giving this book 5 stars for a job well done.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine
2nd chances are my favorite things for a story and Linden pulled this off amazingly well. I immediately felt drawn into their story and didn't want to leave.
I loved the setting so much that I felt like I was there! The characterswere so charming that I simply couldn't put it down.
I loved the chemistry between Avery and Cameron.
I finished it in a couple of hours lol.
I'm giving this book 5 stars for a job well done.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine
July 18, 2025
As always, with a Rachel Linden book, I'm left with a smile on my face and hope in my heart. This novella was like a cozy blanket wrapped around you on a rainy day. Immersed with a touch of magical realism (tea leaf reading), farm life (baby Highland cows!), a clean/sweet romance, family, lots of tea, some big risks, and of course CHEESE, this book will have you wanting to take a trip to Scotland!
June 23, 2025
This was a great beach read on my recent vacation! It was easy to follow so frequent interruptions didn’t make me lose my place in the story. The characters were likable and I always like it when one of them is a chef and there are foodie details. The story is on the shorter side but well executed so you don’t feel like it was rushed. Read when you need a sweet Scottish romance!
October 20, 2025
This was fun. This was cute. It was realistic with some plot twists that would definitely happen in real life when adulting is involved. The length was also perfect, I actually kind of wish more books were this length.
The spice level is 0 but it was not needed for this type of story. Loved this little break from the heavy fantasy.
The spice level is 0 but it was not needed for this type of story. Loved this little break from the heavy fantasy.
June 25, 2025
A delight quick read, honestly would have loved to see a full blown novel for this one. More magical tea leaves, more cows, more Cam. And of course will always love the included recipes at the end! Rachel’s books are great anytime you need a quick pick me up!
September 11, 2025
Another great story by Rachel Linden, with her trademarks of great food, magic and travel. This time in Scotland with a fun second chance romance and reconnecting and repairing relationships with family. I loved all the characters!! Definitely recommend.
May 10, 2025
Feels like I just had a lovely trip to Scotland! I really loved the characters and setting in this book! It did require numerous cups of tea and too many shortbread cookies!
May 21, 2025
I love Rachel’s books!! Scotland isn’t somewhere I’ve been so it was harder to put myself into the setting, but always such fun storylines. Love the farm to table element
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews