Off Script in Scotland

Wilder Horizons #0.5

by Kate Sweden

💍Scottish royalty-level expectations. A castle backdrop. The perfect groom. Fiona McAlister’s wedding? A spectacular comedy of errors.On the morning of her wedding at Castle Glenmara, Fiona knows one thing for nothing ever goes exactly to plan. Between runaway traditions, a ring-bearing falcon with stage fright, and a bridal party on the brink of mutiny, she’ll need more than vows to survive her big day.

Good thing Collum McIvey—the man she’s about to marry—is worth every spectacular disaster. Fiercely loyal, wickedly handsome, and just unhinged enough to keep up with her, Collum is the calm in her storm… and the reason she’s walking down the aisle in the first place.

Off Script in Scotland is a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy short story set in the Wilder Horizons world. Bursting with Scottish charm, sharp wit, and heart-tugging moments, it’s the perfect taste before diving into Wrecked By You, the award-winning first book in the spicy rom-com series.

✨ Highlights ✨

🗸 A Scottish castle wedding gone spectacularly sideways

🗸 Fiery bride + devoted groom = banter, bickering, and big love

🗸 Bagpipes, kilts, and whiskey (because it’s Scotland)

🗸 Cameos from Max and Rayann, stars of Wrecked By You

🗸 A standalone short story introducing the Wilder Horizons series

🗸 Sweet now… with heat on the horizon

45 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2025

About the author

Kate Sweden is an award-winning romance author with a flair for funny, a soft spot for slow burns, and a love of happily ever afters with heat. A former Air Force officer, educator, and lifelong book nerd, she traded briefing rooms and lesson plans for plot twists and first kisses. These days, she lives in Northeast Florida with her husband, their teenage son, and a very opinionated dog named Sailor—plus a pantry that’s suspiciously short on chocolate.

Wrecked By You is a proud recipient of:

✨Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal for Excellence in Romance Fiction
✨1st Place Winner of the Firebird Book Awards in Chick Lit
✨Hollywood Book Festival First Place Winner in Genre-Based Fiction (Romance).
✨Literary Titan Book Award Gold Medal Winner

Member of the The National Association of Book Entrepreneurs

Editorial Reviews:

★★★★★ “A sizzling, emotionally intelligent rom-com set against a breathtaking backdrop. Kate Sweden delivers heart, heat, and unforgettable chemistry.”
—Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ “A fantastically sassy, highly amusing romance packed full of sexual
chemistry. A Wishing Shelf ‘highly recommended’ read!” —The Wishing Shelf (UK)

★★★★★ "Wrecked By You is a romance that thrives on contrast. It's chaotic and funny, yet tender and raw." —Literary Titan

Reviews

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute little addition to the main series. Seeing it from other characters' perspectives was fun and it all sounded like the best kind of chaos.

[C_C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a beta reader for Kate a few months ago was an honor. As a non native English is a challenge when beta reading but hey, the emotions count, right? Right. And I sure had all the emotions for Kate's first book.
Because Kate wrote the-funniest-and-emotional-and-everything book. And did I mention hot? Oh it's hot. But hot in the most wonderful way possible.

Thank you for writing this imperfect-perfect prequel for that book.
It was one of my requests when I wrote my list for Santa Claus 💗 and now I was so happy to be able to read it: Scotland, marriage, bagpipes, kilts. Oh my heart. Oh ❤️


“You’re here," he said, barely a breath.
Always.


My dear Kate (Victoria), you wore born to write. Please, please, please... never stop. Please.
And I know I mentioned before, but I will do it again: I will never leave you and your books as with your first book you became one of my favorite authors. Just like that.


Thank you to the author for this "ARC".

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off Script in Scotland is a delightful whirlwind of romance, chaos, and pure Scottish charm. Kate Sweden blends heart, humor, and heritage into a short story that feels both cinematic and cozy, perfectly setting the stage for her Wilder Horizons series.

From falcons with stage fright to a wedding that unravels in the most hilariously human ways, the story balances laugh out loud comedy with tender emotion. Fiona and Collum’s chemistry sparks from the first page equal parts devotion and delightful madness. Every misstep and mishap only makes their love more believable, reminding readers that perfection isn’t what makes a wedding (or a relationship) memorable authenticity does.

Sweden’s writing sparkles with witty banter and vivid imagery, painting a castle backdrop that’s as alive as its characters. This short prequel promises that Wilder Horizons will be a series full of warmth, wit, and a touch of wild romance.

[Scott Rhine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This free 40-page preview is what authors call a reader magnet for a longer Rom-Com, and it’s a good one. The sample is a revolving first-person pov of a luxury wedding event, with potential disasters at every turn. Excellent characterization and tone. Description that engages the senses. I could hear the audio book narration in my head.

My only negative comment was that the author is overly fond of emdashes, colons, and the word then.

[Romantina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story

The story is a funny teaser for what is to come and makes for a pretty intriguing prequel. I would've liked a bit more and expected a better flow. I found the pacing a bit too snappy. I still recommend it.

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since it was a short story I thought I would be able to read Fiona’s story. There is no story about Fiona and Colum. This is a prequel to the story about wedding planning partners and their developing relationship.

[Stephanie Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Hate it was so short bc I loved every minute of it. I want to meet and have dinner with all of Kate’s characters. I think we could all be friends. ❤️❤️

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good start to a series

This was a cute little wedding get together. Short and sweet and a lovely start to the series.

The setting was picturesque.

[PAMpublish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story about a planned wedding that goes all awry in a Scottish castle. Short, sweet novella that's a precursor for stories to come.

[April Delish · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy, and sweet read.